Aberdeen 4-2 Celtic

[rojinegro13]

maybe it would help if we could have one thread dedicated to all of the results and news from the games, I dont know what do you guys think?

[rojinegro13]

http://www.celticfc.net/graphics/news/header/pearson/pearson_with_ball.jpg

Pearson Wary Of Pars
Joe Sullivan




THE advent of New Year and the January transfer activity gave manager Gordon Strachan the window of opportunity to appraise the team’s status at the end of a hectic five-game period for the Celts.

And, at the end of the month, he made analogical reference to the club’s standing at both ends of that period to re-assess what looked like an indifferent introduction to 2006…

The Bhoys started the month four points ahead in the league and were in a cup semi-final but went into February eight points ahead with a place in the CIS Cup final to look forward to…

And now, with the Celts increasing that top-of-the-table gap over nearest challengers Hearts to an impressive 13 points, midfielder Stephen Pearson is using a similar parallel, but has turned it on its head as Celtic’s opponents this weekend are the other half of next month’s CIS Cup final package – Dunfermline Athletic.

When it was put to him that sides propping up the rest of the SPL down in the basement were causing problems for the leading lights in the country’s top division, Pearson agreed fully that the Pars are now a better side than when they last met Celtic back in November.

He said: “Well they beat us 1-0 here the last time and they are now in a cup final so they are doing well.

“We will expect a difficult game at East End Park, it’s always a difficult game there and I’m sure Sunday will be no different.

“I think everybody down that end of the table has got something to play for, there’s points to be won and I’m sure Dunfermline will have nothing to lose.

“But we will arrive there knowing they will give it a go and hopefully we’ll have enough on the day to get by, but obviously they will give us a game of it.”

It is, of course, no foregone conclusion that the former Motherwell playmaker will figure in the manager’s starting plans but Pearson, who has come into the fray from the bench three times in Celtic’s four most recent games, is well aware that a squad-game mentality is a prerequisite of the modern game and, even more so at a club of Celtic’s stature.

He said of biding his time and waiting for a chance: “It is frustrating as obviously you want to play in more of the games but if the team are doing well, which they are doing at the moment, it’s going to prove very difficult to get in.

“There is competition for places in midfield as well as throughout the side so it’s going to prove difficult to get in the team at the moment.

“But the manager talks you through these things. It’s always nice to know what his thoughts are regarding how well you are doing but he’s told me I just need to be patient and, as I said, it’s quite difficult as I want to play in as many games as I can but you can’t change a winning side.”

That may be true but Gordon Strachan would be the first to tell you that this is a winning squad rather than a winning team and Pearson agrees that the feel-good factor among every player at Celtic Park thanks to the 13-point gap is warmly welcomed but he and his team-mates are taking nothing for granted.

He said: “It’s good to have an advantage at this stage going in to the last couple of months of the season.

“But we know that there is still a long way to go and a lot of points still to be played for.”

And although certain bookies are already paying out to punters who backed Celtic for the title, the player isn’t cashing in on a championship bonus just yet despite the gap.

He added: “I wouldn’t say it’s over. I know it’s an old cliché that everybody uses, but it isn’t over

“Last year proved just that. Everybody thought the same last season and we ended up losing it so we can’t but help learn from that experience and make sure it doesn’t happen again this season.

“That’s it, football’s a funny game and I don’t think anybody could have predicted what happened last season so we need to make sure that we don’t get ourselves into that position again.”

[rojinegro13]

Magic sparks gr-eight Celts
Stephen Sullivan

Scottish Premierleague,
Sunday February 19, 2006,
East End Park, Dunfermline

DUNFERMLINE… 1
Tod 14
CELTIC… 8
Petrov 3, Hartson 23, Zurawski 32, 41, 56, 90, Maloney 75, Lennon 86

Neil Lennon’s first goal in four years proved a fittingly fantastic highlight of this fairytale Celtic victory, but it was Maciej Zurawski – with an incredible four goals and two further assists – who did most to inch Gordon Strachan’s side yet closer to their title target with a record SPL win.

The in-form Polish striker was in inspired form at a venue that’s already firmly established as his happiest Scottish hunting ground, and with Dunfermline dispirited and defensively inept, further goals from Stilian Petrov, John Hartson and a corker from Shaun Maloney secured the most emphatic victory of Strachan’s reign.

Strachan had opted to start with the same XI who’d fared so impressively in the Old Firm derby and, within three minutes, his faith had been justified in the shape of an excellent opening goal.

At its heart was the Bhoys’ converted left-back Mark Wilson, who displayed all the attacking promise that enticed Gordon Strachan in the first place by picking up on some midfield scraps, skipping inside one challenge and then driving to the by-line past another to create something out of nothing. It was also to his credit that, having evaded two pursuers, Wilson didn’t merely fire the ball towards the box, but looked up and successfully picked out the near-post run of Stilian Petrov, whose task in diverting the ball goalwards was a simple one.

Stunned, Dunfermline must have feared the worst but, having succeeded in steadying their nerve, they quickly - if temporarily - set about proving wrong those who anticipated Petrov’s goal starting something of a deluge.

They were, however, aided significantly in their cause by a rare moment of madness from Artur Boruc, who came came for, and got nowhere near, a Mark Burchill corner and was left stranded and ultimately embarrassed as the ball was returned into the area he’d vacated. All this was to the benefit of Andy Tod, who, with the Celtic defence thrown into chaos, reacted quickest to head powerfully into the partially-guarded net.

For Boruc, the only consolation was that it proved to be of no consequence whatsover, and he had his fellow countryman to thank for that.

Zurawski was in truly superb form on this, his return to the scene of his first notable Celtic triumph and he kicked things off on 23 minutes with an assist for John Hartson that saw him out-muscle Jamie McCunnie to barge his way on to an ambitious through ball from Petrov and flick in a shot that, when blocked, fell perfectly for his strike partner to fire emphatically home.

Then, nine minutes later, came the first of his three goals, one which saw Zurawski take advantage of an opening prised for him by Hartson and Maloney to fire a sweetly-struck, rasping left-foot drive high into the far corner of the net.

There was no stopping Zurawski by this stage and, with the visiting support in full voice and half-time approaching, he doubled his own tally to remove any doubt over the game’s outcome.

Celtic’s road to goal on this occasion was more route one, with the former Wisla Krakow striker latching on to a long ball over the top from Stephen McManus and firing low past Bryn Halliwell at the Dunfermline keeper’s right-hand post.

The only question now was not if Zurawski would complete his hat-trick, but when he would accomplish the feat, and as it transpired, we only had to wait until 10 minutes into the second half.

The goalscorer was quick, however, to acknowledge the role Hartson had played in teeing him up for the simplest of close-range finishes, and he might also have thanked the Dunfermline defence for some truly atrocious marking.

The pick of Celtic’s eight goals came with 15 minutes remaining when a brilliant cross-field pass from Zurawski was met, first time, by an acrobatic Maloney volley, one executed to perfection to send the ball crashing into the net from 18 yards.

But, if we thought it couldn’t get any better, we’d have been wrong.

Lennon, that most infrequent of goalscorers, saw to that by responding to the fans’ pleas – and sparking memorable celebrations - with a curling 20-yard shot that eluded Halliwell at his near post and saw the Celtic skipper mobbed by every one of his team-mates, including Boruc.

There was also time for one more goal and, predictably, it came from the right boot of Zurawski, whose pace took him clear of the statuesque Pars defence and allowed him time to angle his fourth goal beyond the hapless Halliwell.

Days like this tend not to come round often, but the Celtic fans – utterly jubilant behind the disconsolate Pars keeper’s goal – certainly enjoyed this one while it lasted.

Website Man of the Match: MACIEJ ZURAWSKI

DUNFERMLINE (4-4-2): Halliwell; McCunnie, S Wilson, Tod, Wilson (Daquin 67); Zambernardi, Simmons, Mason, Young; Campbell (Tarachulski 55), Burchill
Subs: McGregor, Donnelly, Labonte, Ross, Phinn
CELTIC (4-4-2): Boruc; Telfer, Balde, McManus, Wilson; Petrov (Nakamura 81), Keane (Thompson 67), Lennon, Maloney; Hartson (Dublin 64), Zurawski
Subs: Marshall, Pearson, Lawson, Ferry

[rojinegro13]

Delight of unlikeliest hero
Stephen Sullivan

IT'S A MEASURE of how rarely Neil Lennon finds the net that he opted, quite aptly, to describe as “a JFK moment” his memorable and wildly-celebrated goal at East End Park yesterday.

Poor Bryn Halliwell. He'd already conceded six times, after all, by the time he suffered the indignty of becoming just the third goalkeeper to be beaten by the notoriously unadventurous midfielder during a Celtic career that spans over six seasons and fully 250 matches.

For Lennon, his daisy-cutting 20-yarder ended a remarkable scoring drought stretching back over four years to a 3-0 win over Hibs on December 1, 2001, and left the beaming 34-year-old to reflect on a goal, and a match, that’s sure to live long in the memory.

"I'm delighted with it," Lennon said of his strike. “It was a great day for us.

"I remember the last time I scored, Martin O'Neill said he was pencilling another one in for 2006 and I thought 'cheeky get.' But he was spot on and, to be honest, I don't know when the next one will come."

The veteran midfielder added: "It was one of those JFK moments. You know where you were when it happened!"

It was from the vantage point of the dugout that Gordon Strachan watched, incredulous, as the Irishman’s shot hit the net and, having waited in hope rather than expectation for a Lennon goal under his reign, the Celtic boss admitted that, initially, even seeing wasn’t believing.

"He got a standing ovation just for being in a shooting position," reflected Strachan.

"It is unusual to get that for an attempt, but when the shot actually went in, I had to have a double take."

That Lennon was among Celtic’s scorers merely added to Dunfermline’s despair, of course, and having heard his affable Pars counterpart, Jim Leishman, describe the defeat as the worst of his long and distinguished managerial career, the Celtic boss admitted to feeling some sympathy.

Strachan said: "Unfortunately for Dunfermline, they got us on a day when our great players were great, and if you're Dunfermline playing against great players you need a bit of luck.

"As it was, everything we hit went into the back of the net. Maciej's performance didn't surprise me – I see him in training - and Stephen McManus and Mark Wilson were both outstanding."

In other news, meanwhile, Wilson has been joined by four fellow Celts - David Marshall, Charlie Mulgrew, Ross Wallace and Rocco Quinn - in the Scotland under-21 squad for a match next Tuesday against an Iceland team that's likely to include the talents of the Bhoys' combative young midfielder, Teddy Bjarnason.

Marshall has also been named along with Shaun Maloney in Walter Smith's senior pool for the friendly clash with Switzerland on March 1st, although Stephen McManus might consider himself unfortunate to have been overlooked once again.

[rojinegro13]

Keane aiming to up the pace
Gregor Kyle

IF EVER it was needed, Sunday’s 8-1 demolition of Dunfermline Athletic was the evidence that Celtic are determined to step up the pace as season 2005/2006 approaches the final stages.

And with the clock ticking for the other sides who still harbour title aspirations, Roy Keane and his Celtic team mates are aiming for similar performances.

Speaking in an exclusive interview in this week’s Celtic View, the Irish midfielder reflects on a series of games which saw Celtic extend their lead at the top of the table by 13 points and which included his own Old Firm debut.

As someone who attended the derby fixture as a supporter, Keane gives his view from on the pitch and looks back on his first couple of months as a Celtic player.

But as he spoke about this season’s title race the 34 year-old emphasised that this current Celtic squad will not dare to take their lead for granted.

“You want to keep getting these wins under your belt,” said Keane, as he downplayed Celtic’s advantage, “because, as you look at it now, the games are going by.

“It makes it hard for the opposition, because you can’t beat the clock or the fixture list.

“All we can do is try and drill it home that we are not easing up,” he continued, “so the likes of Hearts and Hibs and Rangers will keep looking at you and thinking, ‘they mean business’.

“That’s what we want to try and drive home, we don’t still want to be hanging with a couple of weeks to go.

“We want to try and increase the lead and not get complacent, because that’s the biggest danger.”

The Irishman also looks back on the incredible scenes that greeted his arrival at Celtic Park and instantly recognised his responsibility to a set of supporters to whom “football is very much a big part of their lives.”

“As a player there are pressures that come with that,” said Keane, “but it’s a nice pressure.

“You can’t be spoiling these people’s weeks, if you don’t get the right result you will upset a few people!

“But that’s a nice pressure, that’s what you come to big clubs for. The demands are there from supporters and you have to accept them.”

Read the full and exclusive interview with Roy Keane in this week’s Celtic View (out in shops today, Wednesday February 22).

Also in this week’s View you can find out John Kennedy’s targets as continues his fight-back from injury and read Gordon Strachan’s comments on the Dunfermline win. Among our regular features, ‘Where Are They Now?’ tracks down Wayne Biggins and we also celebrate ‘the miracle of East End Park’ – Neil Lennon’s third goal in the Hoops!

[rojinegro13]

Kennedy's comeback target
Gregor Kyle

WITH the Celtic players currently enjoying a short break from the action ahead of their next league fixture - a sell-out home game against Aberdeen on March 4 - Celtic Park and Barrowfield will both be deserted over the coming weekend.

But while the rest of the first-team squad put their feet up, Celtic defender John Kennedy will be hard at work in the gym, with an aim to returning to action at the start of next season.

“I am on a pretty strict rehab programme at the moment and I have started jogging,” said Kennedy in an exclusive interview in this week’s Celtic View. “So I am gradually getting there.

“I have still got a lot to build-up actually, with the last operation you tend to lose a bit of strength and muscle in your leg, but that’s all coming back and I’ve been working pretty hard over the past couple of weeks.

“It’s all falling back into place again and hopefully I can push on and have no problems from here.”

With Celtic having extended their lead over Hearts at the top of the SPL after Sunday’s 8-1 defeat of Dunfermline, every member of the squad is fully focused on this season.

But having targeted pre-season 2006/2007 for his long-awaited comeback, Kennedy already has one eye on next season.

“Basically it is full steam ahead in pre-season,” he explained, “into games and training matches and whatever else. And then, fingers crossed, I’ll be back out on the pitch again.”

Meanwhile, Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc has reiterated that comments attributed to him at the weekend had been laughed off by his team-mates.

“Everything is okay to be honest,” said Boruc, “it was a big laugh and no-one believed that I had spoken about Roy Keane or John Hartson. They do not believe that kind of story, you know papers can hurt you and that’s how I feel right now.”

He also added that he is presently enjoying working with his goalkeeping coach at Celtic, Jim Blyth, saying: “I just want to say that I have a very good relationship with Jim, he is a good coach and I am very happy with him.”

Read the full and exclusive interview with John Kennedy in this week's Celtic View. Also, find out what Roy Keane thinks of life at Celtic and there's a superb Neil Lennon goal celebration poster. Only in the Celtic View. On sale now.

[ulster21]

:smash:

Looks like the Irish/Scottish forum is picking up a little.

[ooaapaulmcgrath]

lol.........a little....well said

[rojinegro13]

how come I cant post pics in this thread? can anyone fix that?

[ooaapaulmcgrath]

u hafta put ..... around the pictures link

[rojinegro13]

no I mean in the quick reply the "insert image" isn't in the tool bar.

[ooaapaulmcgrath]

then go advanced.........unnghhhhh

[rojinegro13]

dont know how much you guys care about the U-19 but here.

Lensky sparks cup comeback



Stephen Sullivan

SFA Youth Cup Quarter-Final,
Friday February 24, 2006,
Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie

CELTIC… 5
Lensky 85, 114, McGowan 90, O’Brien 99, Millar 109
ST MIRREN… 2
Gemmill 64, 77
AET

The under-19s’ dreams of a second successive league and cup double remain alive, but only after a dramatic evening that saw their grasp on the latter of these two trophies maintained by most incredible of late comebacks.

The victory stood as a testament to the spirit of Willie McStay’s league leaders, yet one couldn’t help but feel for the battling St Mirren boys, who, in a repeat of last year’s final, found themselves cast once again in the role of valiant losers.

There was, though, no denying that Celtic ultimately deserved to progress, and their reward comes in the shape of a semi-final clash with Aberdeen that, after tonight’s seven-goal thriller, has an awful lot to live up to.

The irony, of course, is that all this almost never took place. There was, after all, a real element of farce to the game’s build-up, with the referee initially postponing the fixture following a 4pm pitch-inspection and then reversing the decision within an hour following ‘consultations’ with his employers at the SFA.

Certainly, even by the most stringent of standards, the Excelsior pitch – while sodden and heavy – was clearly playable, and would undoubtedly have put to shame the surface on which Chelsea and Barcelona did battle in the Champions League earlier this week.

The action, when it finally commenced after another half-hour delay, was of the fast and furious variety, with time and space at a premium and, initially at least, chances in equally short supply.

There were, though, occasional moments of quality from both sides and, with St Mirren making clear their attacking intentions from the off, Scott Fox had to be alert to keep out a couple of decent early efforts, the best of which came from the right boot of the Buddies’ hard-running midfielder, Iain Milne.

There was little to pick between the sides at this stage, but Jim O’Brien – the scourge of the Paisley side in last year’s final – again threatened to use his pace to devastating effect on the right flank.

First it was as a potential scorer that he threatened, slashing a powerful low drive just wide after a defensive mistake had seen Ryan Conroy’s cross skid across the 18-yard box to arrive at his feet.

Then, with 16 minutes played, he assumed the role of creator to play in Diarmuid O’Carroll. Clean through, O’Carroll looked a sure bet to score, but was denied in the end by the bravery of Craig McMahon, who emerged from his goal to save at the Irishman’s feet in a bruising collision which left both players requiring treatment.

Such tenacity was, in truth, evident throughout the St Mirren ranks, and the Paisley side would have stormed into a shock 36th-minute lead through David Barron had Paul Caddis not popped up at the near post to nod clear the defender’s goal-bound header.

The second half, by contrast, proved a considerably more one-sided affair, and it was completely against the run of play that the visitors snatched the advantage just after the hour-mark.

By this point, Paul McGowan had already spurned the best of Celtic’s chances, taking the selfish option and screwing a left-foot shot wide when threading in O’Brien would almost certainly have yielded a more positive result.

It was soon after, on a rare Buddies' breakaway, that the unthinkable happened. Milne’s low cross into the Celtic box appeared routine enough, but Fox – normally so reliable in such situations – spilled the ball under no real pressure and, in the ensuing scramble, Scott Gemmill was able to stick out a boot to prod the ball home.

Yet, if their opener was scrappy, there was nothing remotely untidy about St Mirren’s second goal, though McStay will have been furious that Gemmill was allowed to ghost in almost unchallenged to glance home an inviting Mark Docherty cross.

McStay rang the changes, both tactically and in personnel, and it was one of his substitutes, the returning Jacob Lensky, who sparked the Bhoys’ comeback with a moment of brilliance.

McMahon, certainly, was left without an earthly when, from fully 30 yards, the Canadian teenager curled home a magnificent left-foot shot into the top corner, high to the keeper’s right.

Yet this was with just four minutes remaining, and one still suspected it would prove too little, too late until McGowan struck with just seconds remaining.

The little striker had already come close with a curling right-foot shot against the face of the bar but, when Paul Caddis delivered an inch-perfect low cut-back, he went one better with the calmest of side-foot finishes, sparking wild scenes on the Hoops bench.

Extra time had been forced and, with the bit now firmly between their teeth, Celtic moved into the lead within nine minutes of the re-start, O’Brien charging down an attempted clearance before coolly slotting the ball low to McMahon’s left.

By this point, the Bhoys’ superior fitness was beginning to tell and so too, at long last, was their class.

Quality was certainly stamped all over their final two goals, the first of which saw Mark Millar drill home a sweetly-struck volley before, soon after, Lensky completed the job he’d started with low right-foot shot at the end of a mazy solo run.

CELTIC (4-4-2): Fox; Caddis, Hutchinson, McCafferty (Cahillane 78), Richardson; O’Brien, Grant, Bjarnason, Conroy (Lensky 82); O’Carroll (Millar 73), McGowan
Subs: Traub, Skinner
ST MIRREN (4-5-1): McMahon; Martin, Barron, McAusland, Carr; Anderson, Gillespie (McMenamin 63), Milne, Docherty, Gemmill; Weir (Marr 82)
Subs: McFarlane, Stirling, Donnelly

[rojinegro13]

LEAGUE TABLE
Team-------Pld-----Pts
CELTIC------27-----67
HEARTS------27----54
RANGERS-----27----46
maybe I shouldve looked for the complete table,next time.

[rojinegro13]

As you all know Jimmy Johnstone has passed on.
Tribute to a friend and legend
Gregor Kyle

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan today paid tribute to the bravery and enduring love and ability of Jimmy Johnstone that he believes will illuminate Celtic Park forevermore.

Speaking at this afternoon’s press conference Strachan highlighted the many happy memories that he has of the Greatest Ever Celt, who latterly in his career partnered Strachan on the right of the Dundee midfield.

“I had two real heroes in George Best and Jimmy Johnstone and I have lost both of them recently,” said the Celtic manager.

“I played with Jimmy at Dundee, in the smallest right-side of midfield that Dundee have ever had and he lived life to the full, both on and off the pitch.

“He was an incredible man, incredibly brave on the football field.

“It is easy to be brave on the football field, but he was mentally and physically brave for those around him.

“I saw him at Christmas and New Year and he still had the same impish sense of humour that I loved.

“It had reached the stage where he was working a control with his foot to move his seat about, but he still had that magnificent touch to move his seat about. I said to him, ‘you’re lucky you’ve not got a touch like Bobo, otherwise you’d be right out that window there’.

“He was a wonderful character and physically he has died, but we will always have the memories and they will never die.”

As the manager explained, ‘Jinky’ had the ability to light up the lives of those he met away from the park, even despite his own fight against illness and it is such reminisces that will live on in his memory.

“He was the kind of guy who in life I call a radiator,” said Strachan. “He walked into a room and would radiate. If you felt down he made you feel better and if you felt good he’d make you feel great.

“I think that just now we should just think about all the great things that he gave us both on and off the field.

“That’s what I am doing today. Even in death he is still making us happy.

“Our thoughts are now with Agnes, Jimmy’s wife, who has been an absolute pillar of strength over the past few years.

“The woman is absolute gem and the banter between the two of them was priceless, there should have been a sitcom about them.

“I am thinking about her and their family at the moment, but all of my memories of Jimmy Johnstone are happy ones.”

Summing up the playing ability of ‘Jinky’, Strachan concluded: “He was as good as anyone. He could play at anytime with ability and heart like that.

“If you could play in the Sixties and Seventies when you were kicked to pieces, you could easily play today.

“He would be a giant now.”

[rojinegro13]

Larsson mourns friend & legend
Stephen Sullivan


HE may have been tagged ‘Ghod’ and ‘the King of Kings’ during a Celtic career that spanned seven years and 242 goals, but Henrik Larsson knew, and was happy to accept, that he would always rank below Jimmy Johnstone in the Bhoys’ list of all-time greats.

During Larsson’s time in Glasgow, the relationship between these two magnificent number sevens developed from mutual admiration to one of genuine and enduring affection, with the Swede making a point of inquiring about, and paying tribute to, Jinky during a recent interview with the Celtic View.

As such, it was a sombre and saddened Barcelona striker who this morning took time to contact his former club in order that he could pay homage to a world-class player whom he’ll remember more fondly as a truly great man.

“It’s hard to find words that express how I feel at the moment,” Larsson said. “I’ve been thinking about it ever since I got a text from Murdo [Macleod] to tell me the news earlier this morning and it’s a very sad day.

“My first thoughts are obviously with Jinky’s family and friends because I know what a loss he will be. Most people will remember him as an incredible player and I know that’s true from watching the videos, but to me and a lot of other people it was just as important that he was a really fantastic guy who had a nice word for everyone.

“I got on well with him from the start and, whenever I saw him, he would always be smiling. That’s how I’ll remember him.

“He was always there encouraging people around the club, and not just me. I’d see him speaking to some of the young lads and to the staff; it didn’t matter to Jinky. He was brilliant with everyone at Celtic and it was always a great occasion whenever he’d come into Celtic Park for a visit.

“To be honest, I didn’t understand what an honour it was to wear the same number jersey as him when I first arrived at the club, but by the time I left I knew exactly why it was so special.

“I also know that, right ‘til the end, Jinky was always fighting and I can only say how sad I am about this news. He’ll be very sorely missed.”

[rojinegro13]

http://82.112.114.114/graphics/news/header/zurawski/zurawski_celebrates_2.jpg
Celts stroll in Jinky final
Stephen Sullivan

CIS Insurance Cup Final,
Sunday March 19, 2006
Hampden Park


CELTIC… 3
Zurawski 43, Maloney 76, Dublin 90
DUNFERMLINE… 0

Jimmy Johnstone was honoured on the Hampden turf this afternoon, ultimately in some style, as Celtic adhered firmly to the pre-match script by returning the League Cup to Jinky’s spiritual home.

Goals from Maciej Zurawski, Shaun Maloney and Dion Dublin saw Celtic stroll to the first silverware of Gordon Strachan’s reign and, with each of these strikes and the very lifting of the trophy greeted by chants of ‘Jimmy Johnstone on the wing,’ it truly was an afternoon to remember.

A minute’s applause – universally and enthusiastically observed – certainly set a fitting tone and, with the Celtic support continuing to sing the praises of their late hero, Strachan’s side immediately set about giving the faithful something to cheer rather than merely applaud.

First to threaten was Zurawski - a sound-looking bet in the first goalscorer stakes – who, in just eight minutes, rose under pressure at the near post to head against the face of the crossbar from an inswinging Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick.

Much was expected of Nakamura and Maloney, Celtic’s two modern day widemen and, though only Maloney - and he only in patches - gave a performance to evoke memories of Jinky, both were prominent in their side’s impressive early play.

So, too, was Ross Wallace – restored to left-back in place of the cup-tied Mark Wilson – with the youngster, for all his apparent defensive shortcomings, again offering the kind of attacking spark that justified his inclusion.

In 13 minutes, he drove at Dunfermline all on his own, taking off on a surging run that saw him burst from his own half to the Pars penalty box, where he smashed in a low shot that would surely have found the net had it been a foot either side of Allan McGregor.

It was Wallace who also created Celtic’s next chance, drilling a long ball over the top for Keane, who in fouling Allan McGregor in a 30-70 challenge for the ball, only saved the former Rangers keeper from committing an infringement of his own as he was on the way out of his box with the ball in his hands.

Yet, by this stage, Celtic’s early promise had faded and, with Stilian Petrov again looking ill at ease in a striking role alongside Zurawski, Dunfermline were sufficiently encouraged to mount a few attacks of their own, the best of which saw Freddy Dacquin slice wastefully into the side-netting.

Celtic, though, always looked the more likely to break the deadlock and, with six first-half minutes remaining, only a superb, agile tip-over from McGregor prevented Keane from charging in on a Nakamura free-kick and bulleting the Bhoys in front.

Dunfermline's stay of execution was short, however - just four minutes, in fact - and, appropriately, it was Celtic's number seven who brought it to an abrupt end.

There was, though, undeniably an element of farce to the Hoops' opener, with Zurawski, who’d seemed to just miss out on working a one-two with Maloney, profiting from a calamitous collision between McGregor and Aaron Labonte that allowed him the freedom to side-foot into an empty net from just in front of the left-hand post.

Nevertheless, it was a lead of which Celtic were clearly deserving and, in the second-half, there dominance, if anything, was more marked.

Zurawski could, in fact, have doubled his tally within minutes of the re-start following an intricate, one-touch move involving Paul Telfer, Petrov, Keane and Maloney but, like so many of Celtic’s efforts, the Pole’s shot was just too straight to unduly trouble McGregor.

Soon after, there was a collective gasp round Hampden as Keane pulled up in the act of chasing a ball into the right channel and yet, enforced though the change that saw Dion Dublin introduced in his place was, it ultimately seemed to give Celtic a better balance than they'd had Petrov up front.

Dublin’s height and presence certainly caused Dunfermline no end of problems, and yet his first touch was quite possinly a candidate for miss of the season, with the former Leicester man side-footing wide of an open goal from Maloney’s low cross.

Fortunately, it mattered little.

With 14 minutes remaining, the two wingers did Jinky proud, Nakamura winning a free-kick 23 yards from goal and Maloney lifting a delightful shot over the Pars wall and sending it dipping inside McGregor’s right-hand post.

Victory was now secure and, after Neil Lennon very nearly emulated his East End Park heroics with a ferociously struck 30-yard drive, Dublin – who’d already missed a string of half-chances – ended his long wait for a first Celtic goal, subtly diverting Telfer’s cross just inside the far post.

This was the signal for a bag containing shirts showing ‘Johnstone’ and the number seven to be brought pitch-side and, after ensuring that each and every one of his team-mates donned these for the presentation, Lennon led up the team, paused for dramatic effect and then, to great cheers, lifted his first trophy as Celtic skipper.

Website Man of the Match: SHAUN MALONEY

CELTIC (4-4-2): Boruc; Telfer, Balde, McManus, Wallace; Nakamura, Keane (Dublin 60), Lennon, Maloney; Petrov, Zurawski
Subs: Marshall, Thompson, Pearson, Varga
DUNFERMLINE (4-5-1): McGregor; Labonte, Shields, Wilson, Ross (Donnelly 78); Daquin (Tarachulski 85), Thomson, Mason, Makel, Campbell (Young 61); Burchill
Subs: Halliwell, Todd



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[MIDO_IS_DA_BEST]

you are seriously sado's


there is a fact to life that will never go away

theres nae tims left in europe by christmas day

[rojinegro13]

Maybe you dont know what its like to pay tribute to a true Legend, my friend.

[rojinegro13]

U19s clinch the title in style
Newsroom Staff

Scottish Youth League
Friday April 14 2006
Hannah Park, Shotts

CELTIC… 1
(Ferry 80)
MOTHERWELL… 0

THE UNDER 19s tied up the Youth League title in fitting fashion on Friday, beating their closest rivals 1-0 away from home to seal this season’s championship.

For the second campaign running it was a talented and physical Motherwell side, one that is virtually unchanged from last season, who pushed Celtic the farthest over the course of the campaign.

Last year’s title was sealed on the final day, away from home against Aberdeen and faced with a similarly imposing challenge this time round, the teenagers again rose to the occasion with Simon Ferry clinching the win with an outstanding strike in the 80th minute.

It is hard to underplay the influence that the howling wind had on this game and with Celtic playing against the elements in the opening half, it made for a cagey and closely contested first 45 minutes.

There were few chances during this period, with both sides adapting to the weather and heavy ground at Hannah Park, although Motherwell number 9 Adam Coakley was denied by an outstanding stop from Celtic keeper Scott Fox after breaking through on goal.

With the wind behind them in the second half Celtic got out the blocks quickly after the restart with Diarmuid O’Carroll firing a long-distance warning shot that whistled over the crossbar.

This signalled the start of the barrage, with Mark Millar squandering the first opportunity, blasting over a long-range effort, with an unmarked Charlie Grant screaming to be put through on the right of the goal.

As Celtic began to assert their authority in the game, the tackling and commitment of Grant was vital and the Celtic captain’s tenacious ability was complimented perfectly by the running and vision of central midfield partner, Simon Ferry and left-midfielder, Teddy Bjarnason.

The Icelandic midfielder had a quiet start to the game, but in this second half he was a constant thorn in Motherwell’s side, causing no end of trouble with his dribbling and mazy runs from the left.

It was one such run that set-up striker Paul McGowan, who saw his dipping chip from range blown away from goal and minutes later Bjarnason again teed-up the Airdrie-born teenager, who this time fired fractionally wide.

By now Celtic were in full flight and one move down the right ripped a gaping hole in the Motherwell defence that Paul Caddis darted through before powering a low cross beyond the back post.

Two corners followed for Celtic, one which was curled fractionally over the bar by Mark Millar and a second from the little midfielder, which was nodded goalward by Diarmuid O’Carroll.

Right-back Caddis met the Irish striker’s knock down and hammered it at goal, only to see the ball hooked off the line by defender Darren Smith.

The ball did look to have crossed the line and the linesman appeared to have a clear view of the incident and although he had started to raise his flag to signal the goal, he suddenly waved away the appeals of the Celtic players.

Many sides would have been distracted from their target by such an incident, but Celtic never wavered and soon Bjarnason again jinked past his man-marker and into space inside the box where he rattled his shot off the post.

This was followed in the 77th minute by an outstanding, dipping set piece from Millar some 30 yards out, which inspired a great save from Motherwell goalkeeper, Peter Alexiou and then another shot from Bjarnason was fired over the bar.

Then, with ten minutes remaining, midfielder Simon Ferry produced the magic moment that every Celtic supporter in the sizeable crowd had been willing to happen.

The little Dundonian received a great pass from the halfway line straight to feet on the edge of the box and broke for goal, leaving his marker trailing in his wake.

A little touch of the ball beat the next man and a second touch carried it beyond the remaining centre-half to take him through on goal. Then, with just the keeper to beat, Ferry fired in his shot, which went over the line at the far post and sparked manic scenes in the crowd.

When play restarted Celtic were sitting deep and for the first time in this half, Motherwell looked ready to attack. But any hopes of a fight-back were quashed by the sending off of Coakley for a wild, sliding and dangerous challenge on Caddis on the right.

More chances then followed for Celtic, with substitute Paul Cahillane almost breaking through on goal, but when the final whistle sounded the tally stood at one and it was Celtic who were the deserved victors and league champions.

This is the second year running that Willie McStay’s Bhoys have clinched the championship away from home and stands as Celtic’s fourth consecutive Youth League title.

“We’ve worked so hard, the boys have put a lot into the season and it’s great to get the rewards,” said McStay in the wake of the win.

“I think it was a fitting end today because we were playing against our closest rivals. Motherwell have been a very good side, not just this year, but last year as well.

“So to win your game against your closest rivals and go on to win the championship is a nice way to do it.

“And it was a great, great goal to finish it off as well, so it was done in style.”

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Simon Ferry

CELTIC (4-4-2) Fox; Caddis, McCafferty, Hutchison, Richardson; Millar, Grant, Ferry, Bjarnason (Carey 90); O’Carroll (Cahillane 89), McGowan.
Subs: Skinner, Traub, Staunton.
MOTHERWELL (4-4-2) Alexiou; McStay (Gormley 84), Smith, Reynolds, Quinn; Connolly, Soutar, Grant (Forbes 88), Russell (Kane 78); Coakley, McGuire.
Subs: Martin, Nixon.

[rojinegro13]

Title win was a special moment
Newsroom Staff
http://www.celticfc.net/graphics/news/header/champions%20folder/strachan_waves_to_fans.jpg
GORDON Strachan is hoping for a memorable occasion on Sunday when his team collect the Scottish Premierleague trophy after the game against Hibernian.

But even he admits it’s going to take something pretty special to beat the feelings he experienced when Celtic clinched the title with the 1-0 victory over Hearts.

“If I feel half as proud as I did on Wednesday night then it will be another good day,” the Celtic manager explained, “because when I sat down here at the beginning of the season, I said that the reward of this job was making thousands and millions of people happy.

“The fact that I could be part of that and see everybody enjoying themselves was a truly moving moment for me. It was just a fantastic night and as feelings go, it doesn’t really get any better than that.”

The Celtic boss has praised the efforts of his players in securing the title and the CIS Cup this season, and acknowledged their role in securing for him the accolade of Scottish Football Writers’ Player of the Year.

And speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the Hibernian game, Strachan admitted that his feelings mirrored those from when he won the Player of the Year award from the same body.

“I was fortunate enough to have won the sportswriters’ player of the year many moons ago,” he explained, “and I’m still honoured and proud of that, so it’s the same thing now.

“I’m lucky that I’ve got good players and good characters and I keep saying to managers when we’ve played them, I’m working with good players.”

As for the ongoing press speculation as to possible comings or goings in the close season, the manager said: “I’m not resigned to losing anybody. There are not many places better than Celtic Park to play football and the platform you’ve got to play on, and hopefully we’ll have a lot of Champions League football next year, so people will have to think about that.

“I definitely know we’re still trying to get two or three players in. We’ve already planned for that.”

As for Sunday’s game, Roy Keane, Maciej Zurawski and Artur Boruc have all resumed training, and Strachan will be looking for a performance similar to the one at Kilmarnock that saw the Champions win 4-1.

“To win 4-1 away against a side that has done excellently this year was good,” he said, “and hopefully we can do that again. The game against Coventry was maybe one too many. Hopefully, the few days rest can see them reproduce the form of this season, and it will be a good day although we have to win because it does spoil the party.”

[rojinegro13]

Champions lift the trophy
Gregor Kyle

Scottish Premierleague
Sunday April 16 2006
Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC…1
(Zurawski 76)
HIBERNIAN…1
(Fletcher 35)

CELTIC finally got their hands on the 2005/06 Scottish Premierleague trophy after a day of fitting celebrations at Celtic Park.

The result in this league meeting with Hibs may not have been perfect, with Maciej Zurawski’s 76th minute goal earning the draw with the Edinburgh side, but nothing could take the shine from a day in which comedian and lifelong Celtic supporter, Billy Connolly, presented the trophy to captain Neil Lennon and manager Gordon Strachan.

After difficult beginnings this was the day that the Celtic manager had dreamed of and as he saluted the fans he paid tribute to them for their support throughout the campaign and also to the club staff and players who had backed them.

With the title already sealed with the recent victory over Hearts, the match was almost secondary to the celebrations.

But with last weekend’s sparkling show against Kilmarnock fresh in the mind, it was no surprise that Celtic got off to a quick start, with the fit-again Maciej Zurawski twice breaking through in the opening five minutes to cause problems in the Hibs defence.

His second run allowed the Polish striker to lift over a cross from the left which was tantalisingly close for John Hartson and then in 14 minutes, the Welshman this time succeeded in testing Zbigniew Malkowski with a low drive.

Throughout this opening 15 minute period Celtic were in control of the game, maintaining possession and Roy Keane and Stan Petrov were breaking up the little possession that Hibs did enjoy.

Yet despite this possession the Celtic team and supporters are well aware of the threat that this young Hibs side pose, particularly on the counter attack and one breakaway, which saw Derek Riordan stab a chip narrowly past the post, served as a timely reminder in 18 minutes.

In the immediate wake of this chance Celtic tightened up and returned to their gameplan, but without creating too many clear-cut openings and then suddenly and on the counter, Hibs took the lead.

From a Celtic perspective this was a poor goal to lose at home, sparked from a simple chip over the back four from Stephen Glass which caused complete confusion in the defence.

Stan Varga was well beaten by the initial ball and as the Celtic players watched it drop, both Artur Boruc and Paul Telfer stood rooted to the spot.

The Pole perhaps should have been the first to react, with the ball at least four yards inside his area, but he instead looked to Telfer and while they dallied, Steven Fletcher sprinted through unchallenged to power a low shot into the bottom corner.

In the immediate wake of this 35th minute strike, John Hartson could have levelled after Gary Caldwell failed to deal with a Zurawski cross, but the Hibs’ captain’s defensive partner, Chris Hogg, sprinted in to spare his blushes.

The half eventually petered out with neither side succeeding in creating any clear-cut chances and it was perhaps with this in mind that Gordon Strachan made one change at half-time, bringing on Shaun Maloney for Stilian Petrov.

The Bulgarian midfielder had seemed to tire in the latter stages of the first half and the substitution almost reaped instant rewards when his replacement stabbed a shot inches wide of target.

Maloney certainly brought some flair and urgency to Celtic’s midfield play and Shunsuke Nakamura, who had moved to the right of the midfield, followed this shot with a chip into the box which was close to being turned over the line and then John Hartson broke through on goal, only to be denied by Malkowski.

The Polish goalkeeper was in fine form throughout this match and the one ball into the box that he did miss, from a 58th minute Nakamura corner, was almost nodded in at the back post by Hartson.

The chances kept coming for Celtic and Mark Wilson was next to break into the box at pace after getting beyond Steven Whittaker.

The full-back, who was outstanding throughout the game, then cut his pass in to the feet of Nakamura who, despite being tightly marked, turned and forced Malkowski to parry at his near post.

Then, after this sustained pressure, Celtic finally levelled through Zurawski in the 76th minute.

The Pole’s looping header at the back post was perfectly executed, leaving his compatriot Malkowski with no chance from seven yards, but in truth, this goal was all about Paul Telfer’s looping cross from the right, which fell perfectly for the striker and seemed to hang in the air as it bypassed the Hibs defence.

This strike gave Celtic fresh impetus, but they could well have been behind again within less than a minute, after substitute Abdessalam Benjelloun was left in space inside the box.

The striker sent a weak header straight at Boruc and in the remaining minutes Dion Dublin hammered in a shot from the edge of the box that was well saved by the keeper.

More chances followed for Celtic, including one for Zurawski, who again brought out the best in Malkowski with a header and another that he did convert, only to see the linesman raise his flag for offside.

Victory may have been denied from Celtic in this meeting with Hibs, but over the course of the campaign they have proved themselves to be worthy winners and Scottish champions.

And to a man, the crowd rose to hail them for their efforts.

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Wilson

CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc; Telfer, Varga, McManus, Wilson; Petrov (Maloney 46), Lennon, Keane (Pearson 81), Nakamura; Zurawski, Hartson (Dublin 65).
Subs: Marshall, Thompson, Wallace, McGeady
HIBERNIAN (4-4-2) Malkowski; Whittaker, Caldwell, Hogg, Murphy; Shields, Konde (Sproule 46), Thomson (Shiels 70), Glass; Fletcher, Riordan (Benjelloun 62).
Subs: Brown, Murray, Konte, Dalglish

[rojinegro13]

Celtic wins in dramatic fashion..............................

Moderator note - Sorry mate. No external links to other football websites.

[rojinegro13]

Celts ease into last eight
David Friel

Scottish Cup Fourth Round
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Almondvale Stadium, Livingston

LIVINGSTON…1
(MacKay 19)
CELTIC…4
(O’Dea 30, Riordan 45, 59, Vennegoor of Hesselink 61)

DEBUT Bhoy Paul Hartley produced an all-action display to help propel on-song Celtic into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals and set up a last eight showdown with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The former Hearts star excelled alongside Neil Lennon in central midfield as the Hoops came from behind to beat brave Livi. In what was their first 90 minutes together, the tigerish duo looked to have already developed a good understanding.

In a dramatic first period, Darren O’Dea cancelled out Dave MacKay’ shock opener for the First Division men before Derek Riordan fired Celtic into a half-time lead with a spectacular strike.

Riordan’s second of the afternoon killed the game and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink continued his scoring run in deadly fashion to round off the victory.

Hartley, replacing Thomas Gravesen, was handed a first start by manager Gordon Strachan, with O’Dea also coming in for Steven Pressley – who injured his back in last week’s 2-1 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Jiri Jarosik was chosen ahead of Craig Beattie, while Aiden McGeady, who was forced to withdraw from Republic of Ireland squad for this week’s match with San Marino, was missing. On a more positive note, Mark Wilson returned to the squad for the first time since December.

Since changing the club’s name from Meadow bank Thistle in the mid-1990s, Livingston had failed to beat Celtic in 17 attempts. A 0-0 draw in the first meeting between the teams back in August 2001 was the closest they had come to triumphing over the Hoops. Since then, Celtic had won 16 consecutive encounters.

After their relegation from the SPL at the end of last season, Livi have had mixed fortunes in the First Division. A bright start has been spoiled by inconsistency and John Robertson’s side currently lie sixth in the table.

But this was cup football and Livi were hoping that league form would go out the window as they welcomed the runaway SPL leaders to Almondvale. Despite the early events, that wasn’t to be the case.

Livi fought and battled for every loose ball as this cup tie started in typical, wholehearted fashion. The Lions then stunned the near-capacity crowd by taking a shock lead in the 19th minute.

O’Dea was deemed to have impeded Steven Craig and, from the resultant free-kick, Jamie Fox whipped in a cross from wide on the right, which MacKay glanced past the outstretched hand of Arturo Boruc.

Having been eliminated from last season’s Scottish Cup by First Division Clyde, this early concession was the last thing Celtic needed. Livi, on the other hand, were left dreaming about a potential upset.

Those dreams lasted all of ten minutes. After a spell of sustained pressure, Paul Telfer picked out Vennegoor of Hesselink in the box and his knock-down found O’Dea. From eight yards, Irish defender rammed home his third goal of the season.

Five minutes later, Celtic should have been awarded a penalty when Lee Makel blatantly barged into Shunsuke Nakamura in the box. To the amazement of everyone inside Almondvale, referee Charlie Richmond waved away the claims.

Celtic, with Hartley and Lennon exerting more influence in midfield, were now dominant and Riordan came close to grabbing the second goal. Nakamura found the wide man lurking at the back post and his curling effort whistled past the post.

Riordan, however, wasn’t to be kept out for long and fired Celtic into the lead on the stroke of half-time. A sweeping move ended with O’Dea feeding the former Hibernian attacker and from the corner of the box, Riordan rifled a magnificent, first-time effort into the top corner.

Hartley, looking at home in the Hoops, flashed a header over the bar and then played a major role in Celtic’s third, which arrived on the hour-mark.

Stealing possession from MacKay, he sprinted down the left and found the outstanding Nakamura, whose deft flick put Riordan through. The youngster’s left-foot finish was emphatic.

Almost straight from the kick-off, Strachan’s side made it 4-1. Riordan played in Nakamura and he sent Vennegoor of Hesselink clear on the right flank. The Dutchman, with much work to do, could have taken a touch but he instead he placed a clinical right-foot drive into the bottom corner past the helpless Colin Stewart.

Stephen McManus was booked for a challenge on Stuart Golabek on the edge of the box, but it was still all Celtic and Gravesen, on for Jarosik, was denied by a goal-line MacKay clearance as the Hoops cruised through.

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Shunsuke Nakamura

LIVINGSTON (4-4-2): Stewart; MacKay, Golabek, McPake, Tweed; Mitchell, Fox (Hamill 57), Walker, Makel (Dorrans 64); Teggart, Craig (Smylie 82)
Subs not used: White, Millar

CELTIC (4-4-2): Boruc; Telfer, McManus, O’Dea, Naylor; Nakamura, Lennon (Sno 76), Hartley, Riordan; Vennegoor of Hesselink, Jarosik (Gravesen 68)
Subs not used: Wilson, Beattie, McGovern

[ulster21]

a win over Livingston is nothing to brag about :lol:

[Sicilian]

Celtic gonna get ***ked up in Milan next leg, they really needed to get a win at home now they got no chance.

[ulster21]

Celtic gonna get ***ked up in Milan next leg, they really needed to get a win at home now they got no chance.

don't be so sure... they got dominated by Inverness in the Scottish Cup and still wound up winning the match.

[Sicilian]

don't get me wrong i bet with my friend taht Celtic would win 1-0 at home against milan, but i can't see them pulling it off away.

Ive been watching Milan lately specially since they just played my favorite team Palermo, and they got a lot of strenghts i can't see Celtic containing.

The defense is very tough to break down Bonera in particular has been plaing great, they have some injuries but i don't know if they will be back or not.

But the real problem is Milan's midfield. I can't see the midfield doing anything but almostly completely outplaying Celtic's to run the show only way it can go unless some stroke of luck.

Milan's only chance is a somewhat lucky goal and defend it cuz Milan's strikers are horrible at teh moment.

[ulster21]

What stadium are they playing this match at?

[Sicilian]

San Siro i believe, it was one of the few not affected by the catania tragedy rulings. actually thats a lie it was affected, but not clsed down completely. i think they have some sections closed so it won't be at full capacity, but games are still being played there.

[Sicilian]

The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (©Getty Images)San Siro back to capacity for Celtic
Friday, 2 March 2007
e-mailPrint

UEFA has confirmed that there will be an official stadium capacity of 67,500 for the UEFA Champions League first knockout round second-leg tie between AC Milan and Celtic FC at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on 7 March.

Green light
Europe's governing body, in consultation with the Italian Football Federation, had said last month that the match would go ahead at San Siro, following security concerns prompted by spectator incidents in Italy and subsequent efforts to meet new stadium guidelines.

Higher capacity
FC Internazionale Milano's last-16 home game was played at the Giuseppe Meazza on 21 February, with a permitted capacity of 36,000. Additional work done at the stadium since that match means the Milan-Celtic tie can take place in front of 67,500 spectators, with the Scottish club receiving 4,500 tickets for their fans. The teams drew 0-0 in Glasgow on 20 February.

[ulster21]

This ruling can only hurt Celtic's chances :D

[Sicilian]

like i said man, they are ***ked though i don't take the pleasure from that as you seem to :D

[Andygers]

HA HA :lol: its all gone quiet here recently i wonder why.

Ac Milan 1-0 celtic
Kaka puts the dagger into Celtic...Celtic out of the champions league.:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Celtic 0-1 Rangers
An amazing second half performance from the best team in the world and a great goal. The rest is history.

Falkirk 1-0 Celtic
Ha ha ha ha. A great goal from Falkirk ya belter the title race is on :lol: :lol:

[ulster21]

CHOKE!!!!!!! :smoking:

[Andygers]

Celtic 0-0 Kilmarnock

Well what can i say......:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:. The Celtic fans were banging on for weeks how they were going to blow all the teams away in the league. Then on week one what happens.... they fall two points behind, I hope it continues :D

[ulster21]

Celtic 0-0 Kilmarnock

Well what can i say......:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:. The Celtic fans were banging on for weeks how they were going to blow all the teams away in the league. Then on week one what happens.... they fall two points behind, I hope it continues :D

They don't have enough scoring..... and with the quality signings Rangers have made Celtic have a very small chance this year,

[Andygers]

They don't have enough scoring..... and with the quality signings Rangers have made Celtic have a very small chance this year, Lets hope what you have said comes true because Celtic only won the league last year because us, Hearts and hibs were so poor.

[Andygers]

Hibs 3-2 Celtic

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Celtic lose after giving rangers fans stick for losing one game....Artur Boruc was on top form :rolleyes:

Keep it up ginger and we will have the title :D

[Andygers]

good news for Rangers fans....Celtic are currently losing 1-0 to gretna :D

[Andygers]

Gretna 1-2 Celtic

OMFG!!!!!! again Celtic win with goals in the last 4 mins im so angry :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2:

[Andygers]

I've decided to change the name of this forum to each matchday.

[Andygers]

Hearts 1-1 Celtic

LOL Celtic are only a point in front of Rangers after slipping up against Hearts. Goals from Mcdonald and Velicka gave the jambos a point.

[Andygers]

Celtic vs St Mirren

Damn easy game for Celtic after St Mirren lost 5-1 last week.

MOAN THE SAINTS!!!!

[Andygers]

Celtic 1-1 St Mirren

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Oh man LOL you guys drew with St mirren at home!!!!!

[Andygers]

Celtic vs Falkirk

This could be another chance for a slip up....but Celtic will probably win.

1-0 Celtic :boo:

[Andygers]

Inverness have started pretty well...0-0 8 mins gone.

[Andygers]

F**K

Inverness CT 0-1 Celtic (Hessilink 23')

[Andygers]

DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Inverness CT 0-2 Celtic (Hessilink 24')

[Andygers]

Inverness have been very poor in defence :(

[Andygers]

YEPEEEE!!!

Inverness CT 1-2 Celtic (Rankin pen 43')

[Andygers]

:D

FT: Inverness CT 3-2 Celtic

[Andygers]

LOOOOOOOOOL

HT: Celtic 0-1 Hibernian

[Andygers]

Discuss Celtics failure here.

"Five points gone and the league lives on" :D