Glasgow Celtic

[CelticBhoy]

We could be 13+10 points clear by Saturday, Salty old son.

Hibernian 0 Celtic 5

Another win moves the Bhoys 7 + 10 points ahead and surely heading for the title. 2 early goals by Stokes and Hooper had us 2-0 ahead in 20 minutes.

Any hope Hibs had of getting back evaporated when Mulgrew scored from a fee kick early in the 2nd half. Hooper and Ki made it 5-0 at the end. An easy win though poor defending by Hibs made it more emphatic.

[CelticBhoy]

Good wee story from the BBC . . . it's all good news these days for the 'Tic!

Celtic took their run of consecutive wins in the Scottish Premier League to 15 with the 5-0 rout of Hibernian and manager Neil Lennon wants to add to it.

"It's important to keep the record going," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

"It doesn't happen very often. I think the players realise that and want to extend it as long as they can. It's another league game chalked off."

Celtic last failed to register three points in the SPL on 29 October, in a goalless home draw with Hibs.

Continue reading the main story

“We'll have a think over the next couple of days but it will be hard to change it after that performance”

Neil Lennon

Celtic manager

Sunday's win at Easter Road stretched the gap between Celtic and second-place Rangers to 17 points.

With home games to follow, against Dunfermline Athletic on Wednesday and Motherwell on Saturday, they have the opportunity to make that difference 23 points before Rangers visit Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Sunday.

"I'm delighted. It was a brilliant performance," enthused Lennon after watching a brace by Gary Hooper and a goal apiece from Anthony Stokes, Charlie Mulgrew and Ki Sung Yueng demolish Pat Fenlon's league strugglers.

"There is no denying their talent. They were excellent today. We always looked a threat going forward.

"My subs who came on made a difference as well. They were brilliant."

Lennon described Stokes' performance against his former club as his best since he took charge of the team.

[CelticBhoy]

Another story on the BBC says we may take the SPL title at Ibrox. That would be the icing on the cake!

[salty]

The way things are going we may have it wrapped up by then. They have dropped points like confetti in the last couple of months.

Edited February 21, 2012 by salty

[CelticBhoy]

From the Record:

CELTIC manager Neil Lennon insists an SPL title win at Ibrox would be "just the way the cookie crumbles" - but he would rather clinch the championship at home.

The Parkhead men can go 20 points ahead of Rangers with victory over Dunfermline tonight, and the SPL and Strathclyde Police harbour fears that the title could be clinched by the Hoops against Rangers in Govan on March 25.

[CelticBhoy]

2-0 against Dumfy last night means we are 10+10 clear. Mulgrew played a blinder.

[salty]

CB, Just seen the goals on Sky Sports. A rocket from Charlie Mulgrew and Forrest a far post tap in for the 2nd goal. 16 games in a row.

[CelticBhoy]

One more win to beat MON's run.

This really has turned out to be the season of all seasons. We've only let in two goals this year. None this month. Incredible stuff.

[onionluke]

Motherwell beat Hbernian 4-3 to move within 3 points of Rangers .

[CelticBhoy]

Motherwell beat Hbernian 4-3 to move within 3 points of Rangers .

It just keeps getting better and better!

[CelticBhoy]

More good news from today's Record:

CELTIC defender Thomas Rogne has begun talks over extending his stay at Parkhead.

Rogne signed for Celtic two years ago and has another season left on his contract after this summer.

But the Norwegian centre-back has already set his sights on prolonging his Celtic career beyond that.

The 21-year-old, who has made 37 appearances for the club, said: "There have been a few talks.

"I'm very pleased to stay here and hopefully I'll stay here for a long time so we will see what happens.

"I love this club, I love playing here."

[CelticBhoy]

And the BBC make my day even brighter:

BBC Scotland understands Rangers are unlikely to be out of administration in time to be eligible to play in European football next season.

The club need to lodge audited accounts and other financial statements by 31 March to compete.

Craig Whyte has disputed figures obtained by BBC Scotland But administrators appointed by the club hold out little hope its finances can be sorted out by that deadline.

[salty]

Celtic 1 Motherwell 0

Another 3 points puts us 13+10 points clear and keeps our winning run going. Hooper in the 59th minute from a tight angle after Samaras had breasted down a long throw to him. Seems to have been nearly all Celtic in the ascendency but hardly a vintage display.

[CelticBhoy]

February has been a fine month. 6 games, 6 wins and 6 shut-outs. Not bad!!

[CelticBhoy]

Here's a story that shouldn't upset you too much, Salty old son. As long as Rogne stays fit and re-signs all is well. Poor Dan will probably just stay in Sweden - at his age he is probably going to pack it in now:

CELTIC defender Daniel Majstorovic has ruptured a cruciate ligament during a training session with Sweden, his club have confirmed. The 34-year-old, who was preparing for a friendly against Croatia in Zagreb when he suffered the injury in his left knee, will now miss the rest of the season. A Celtic statement read: "Daniel will stay in Sweden for the immediate future and will have an operation there soon. "Celtic's medical team will be in close liaison with the Swedish FA medical team to ensure that Daniel receives the best of care. "Unfortunately he will be out long-term."

Edited February 28, 2012 by CelticBhoy

[salty]

Yea saw it last night CB. Feel sorry for the big Swede but no great loss to the Bhoys. At nearly 35 and lamentably slow and out of contract at the end of the season unlikely to be wearing a Celtic jersey again.

[CelticBhoy]

From the BBC. I love the last sentence/sentance:

A man who admitted posting a picture of Neil Lennon covered in bullet wounds on a social networking site has been jailed for 14 months.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, David Craig, 24, was also banned from all football grounds in the UK for three years.

Craig posted abuse about the Celtic manager and Rangers slogans on his Facebook page after the so-called Old Firm "shame game" in March 2011.

Sheriff Martin Jones told Craig that his actions were "vile and hateful."

Craig, from Paisley, moved to Northern Ireland after receiving death threats.

[salty]

Aberdeen 1 Celtic 1

Celtic's winning domestic run came to an end today when they were held by Aberdeen. Early on Mulgrew hit the post with a free kick and Celtic went ahead in 28th minutes. A terrific through ball by Commons seized on by Stokes timing his run perfectly, took it round the keeper, and scored from a tight angle. A very well taken goal. Apart from a free kick by Stokes well saved by the Aberdeen keeper Celtic did not create much but looked in control. They were rocked back on their heels by an Aberdeen equaliser just before half time. Both Celtic full backs were too slow to get back and Rae who was not tracked back by Lustig was set up for a shot which appeared to be off target but it took a huge deflection off Blackman and Forster had no chance.

Despite the fortunate nature of the equaliser Aberdeen were worth their point. They looked far more dangerous than Celtic in the 2nd half and most of the action was around the Celtic goal. Celtic were flat and playing 2nd fiddle for nearly all the 2nd half. Aberdeen could easily have snatched it though they had no real clear cut chance.

Due to Rangers losing again at Ibrox Celtic are now 11 + 10 points ahead . However another lifeless display next Sunday against Dundee Utd in the Cup would see our hopes of a treble in grave danger.

[CelticBhoy]

Have a look on Celtic Quick News today, Salty old son.

There's a link to a story in the Telegraph about how 'they' could be stripped of past championships.

It's good reading.

[salty]

Have a look on Celtic Quick News today, Salty old son.

There's a link to a story in the Telegraph about how 'they' could be stripped of past championships.

It's good reading.

Indeed it is CB. I have read most of the papers this morning including the Scotsman. (Forgive me ). This allegation of improper registrations is being made by one of their ex directors so who knows what a heap of em manure that may uncover. Fair to say we will both be watching this space with interest.

[CelticBhoy]

All but confirmed that there's no Europe for 'them' in the near future! Rangers have been all but ruled out of European competition next season after their administrators admitted there was "no realistic prospect" of them securing a licence. Joint administrator Paul Clark vowed to seek special dispensation from the football authorities - they must apply to the Scottish Football Association, who use UEFA rules to determine whether licences are issued. But he added that the stewardship of Craig Whyte had left Rangers with almost no chance of meeting the criteria before the March 31 deadline.

Edited March 7, 2012 by CelticBhoy

[CelticBhoy]

A good wee quote from CQN today:

I would like to be the first to congratulate St Johnstone on winning the League Cup in season 1999-2000.

[CelticBhoy]

Us bhoys from Kirky are the biz!

Spied this today:

Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew has celebrated his 26th birthday by collecting the Clydesdale Bank Premier League award for February.

Mulgrew scored spectacular long-range strikes against Hibernian and Dunfermline as Celtic extended their winning run in the SPL to 17 games, before drawing against Aberdeen in their first game in March.

Mulgrew joins manager Neil Lennon in winning a monthly award for February.

The former Wolves and Aberdeen player, who started his career at Celtic, also won his first Scotland cap in February, playing at left-back in the 1-1 friendly draw in Slovenia.

[salty]

Dundee Utd 0 Celtic 4

Celtic advanced to the Cup semifinal with a 4-0 win at Tannadice. DU were reduced to 10 men in the 29th minute when Nielsen was sent off for leading with his elbow into Samaras as they competed for a high ball. From a DU perspective a very silly foul in a non threatening area and as a consequence a huge boost to Celtic.Up to then DU had been the better team and were creating a lot of problems for Celtic who were struggling to make any impression. Most of the action was taking place in Celtic's area. Forster made a cruical block from Russell who failed to get good contact. For the remainder of the 1st half DU held Celtic comfortably though understandably not as dominant as early on.

Celtic looked better from the start of the 2nd half with the man advantage and went ahead in 52 minutes. Stokes beat his man out wide and his centre was finished by Ledley who first blocked and poked it home when the ball fell kindly for him. From then on Celtic were dominant though DU could have equalised through Lany but he shot wide under pressure from Brown. The extra man was telling and DU were conceding a lot of free kicks in dangerous areas. It eventually proved expensive in 71 minutes. Mulgrews free kick was nodded in splendidly by Samaras at the far post. Why doesn't he do this more often? Stokes hit the bar in the 79th minute when he should have scored but he atoned after 85 minutes when he stayed onside when put through and turned it neatly past Pernis. Samaras was fouled in the box in the 88th minute and Brown converted the penalty to complete the scoring.

Celtic were flattered by the victory margin which was harsh on a game Dundee United.

[salty]

Semi Final Draw:

Aberdeen v Hibernian

Celtic v Hearts/St.Mirren

[CelticBhoy]

Fine reporting, Salty old son. I love to wake up to good news!

The treble is alive and kicking!

[salty]

I would say you enjoyed your porridge this morning CB.

[Ahinkel1]

Semi Final Draw:

Aberdeen v Hibernian

Celtic v Hearts/St.Mirren

Ice cream and jelly anyone ?

[salty]

League Cup Final:

Celtic 0 Kilmarnock 1.

Kilmarnock won the League Cup with an 84th minute goal by Van Turnhout who had come on as a substitute in the 2nd half. Celtic had most of the chances but ran into an inspired goalkeeping performance by Bell who deservedly won man of the match award.

Celtic could have been ahead as early as the 4th minute. A suicidal square pass was seized on by Hooper but Bell who was off his line like lightning blocked the shot at goal. In hindsight Hooper should have tried to take it round him. Bell went on to deny Celtic several more times while Hooper had a very poor match and was substituted in the 2nd half near the end. Bell made a brilliant save from a Stokes header midway through the first half a good run and cross from Brown. Brown also had a fierce effort tipped over the bar. But Killie were also proving dangerous. Stokes cleared a corner off the lline and just on half time Forster was out smartly to block an attempt by Heffernan.

It was getting more exasperating to watch Celtic by the minute. Their play was littered with mistakes and up front they were very poor. Killie were hanging in there and they were dangerous when they attacked. Shiels fired wide when he seized on a rebound from Wilson and Sissoko headed tamely wide. Ledley was badly wide with a Celtic chance and Stokes after turning his marker shot straight at Bell when he had a decent chance. Bell turned a header from Wanyama over after a corner. Forrest made a run to the bye line but his cross was dreadful giving the goalie an easy save. The feeling of unease was increasing by the minute. Killie were still well in the game and coping with Celtic pressure. Celtic were driving me insane watching their dithering and general incompetance. With 6 minutes to go Killie made the breakthrough. Matthews and Ki lost the ball between them and Killie attacked . The ball was played out wide to Johnson. Ki went to sleep when he should have blocked the centre. It proved expensive as it was an excellent centre which Van Turnhout headed emphatically home. Frantic Celtic pressure in the last minutes. Bell saved from Samaras and the follow up from Commons on as a sub. In injury time Stokes was in on goal and seemed to be fouled but referee did not give a penalty. A furious Stokes was booked for diving? or protesting. There did seem to be contact. So Killie held on for a famous win and the League Cup for the 1st time. It was difficult to begrudge them their success more annoyance with Celtic for a shoddy display.

[smokie36]

Congratulations to Killie.