Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was playing it cool after apparently losing out to Charlton in his bid to bring Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Anthony Stokes to Parkhead.

The Hoops had been interested in the 18-year-old striker who scored 16 goals in a loan spell at Falkirk this season before returning to Arsenal at the turn of the year.

However, as speculation mounted that Stokes had opted for the south London club, whose poor form in the Premiership was compounded by an FA Cup third-round defeat by Nottingham Forrest, Strachan refused to be downbeat.

Asked if he was disappointed that Stokes had not chosen to sign for Celtic, the Parkhead boss said: "No, because we know we have good players here. Whether it's through the youth team or, hopefully, buying well, the history of the club shows people want to come here and play.

"People want to come here and win championships, play in Europe at the highest level, play in front of 60,000 people and play with good players with the chance of making yourself a legendary figure. If you feel you can get that elsewhere, then fair enough."

Strachan enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at Celtic Park as his side eased through to fourth round of the Tennent's Scottish Cup with a comfortable 4-0 home win over Third Division Dumbarton.

After Paul McQuilken had missed an early chance for the visitors, a double by Maciej Zurawski and a strike by Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink gave the home side an unassailable interval lead.

Hoops' substitute Derek Riordan, who replaced Shunsuke Nakamura at the break, grabbed Celtic's fourth with 20 minutes remaining to round off an expected victory.