Glasgow Celtic

[champers]

He barely got a sniff at Stoke. Was it Hughes who bought him to City?

[CelticBhoy]

Gary Puller . . . . . . a complete "puller" to boot:

A RANGERS fan threatened to stab Celtic star Anthony Stokes and blow up his dad just hours after the rival sides were paired together in the League Cup semi final.

Gary Puller tweeted the Parkhead striker claiming he would be “runnin on the park and stabbing u! Then blowing up yer IRA loving da”.

But when Stokes shared the vile tweet with his 120,000 followers the 20-year-old Gers fan shut down his account and later bleated that his life was “going to be ruined”.

[mrbojangles]

He barely got a sniff at Stoke. Was it Hughes who bought him to City?

Sven Goran Erikkson brought him to City but he was also impressing Hughes when he was manager. The fact he took him to Stoke on loan and then hardly gave him a run out is strange.

[CelticBhoy]

BBC SCOTLAND have refused to commit to showing the first Old Firm clash in three years.

The broadcaster holds the rights to screen a live match from the Scottish League Cup semi-final .

But it says it hasn’t decided whether it will televise the Rangers versus Celtic clash - which is to take place in three months time.

It will mark the first time since the historic rivals have played each other since April 2012.

The Beeb is expected to announce whether they will screen the game later this week.

[mrbojangles]

The Beeb is expected to announce whether they will screen the game later this week.

If they don't show it, I think you should have another vote for independance

[CelticBhoy]

The Beeb is expected to announce whether they will screen the game later this week.

If they don't show it, I think you should have another vote for independance

"independence" even, why not?

[mrbojangles]

The Beeb is expected to announce whether they will screen the game later this week.

If they don't show it, I think you should have another vote for independance

"independence" even, why not?

If that is the only speeeeeling mistayke I make twoday, oy'l be appy

[CelticBhoy]

CRAIG Gordon looks set to return between the sticks for Celtic's Europa League clash with Astra Giurgiu tonight.

But there was bad news for boss Ronny Deila when sickly striker Anthony Stokes was sent home ahead of the club's flight to Romania this morning.

Stokes turned up for the flight at Glasgow Airport despite feeling unwell and club medical staff decided he was too ill to travel.

The last-minute development is a huge blow to Deila, who is already missing top goalscorer John Guidetti as well as injured attacking players Kris Commons and James Forrest.

Guidetti has scored nine goals in nine games since arriving on loan from Manchester City but the deal was not completed in time for him to be registered in time for Europe.

Stokes has started the last two Europa League games, including the 2-1 home win win over Astra which saw his fellow forward Stefan Scepovic score. Leigh Griffiths is another option for the Norwegian manager.

[salty]

Astra Giurgiu 1 Celtic 1

The game was in doubt for most of the day due to fog but the referee decided visibility was good enough and went ahead. It seemed the right decision as it was only on the far side of the pitch on occasion visibility was limited. Much more annoying was the on/ off reception on the Irish channel carrying the game.

After 15 minutes reception finally settled in time to see the Astra goalie make a good save from Johansen. Gordon made a decent stop soon after then Izaguirre had a woeful cross from a promising break Gordon made an excellent save in 27 minutes turning the ball past the post.from a terrific effort. Celtic went ahead 5 minutes later. Johansen was fouled just outside the area. Mulgrew hit the free into the wall but it rebounded to Johansen who lashed it back into the roof of the net with the aid of a slight deflection. Celtic had played better in the first half than at Parkhead but almost conceded just before HT when a through ball left Denayer caught out by the attacker . He manged to nudge the attacker off the ball and to our relief the ref gave a free out when the attacker handled in anticipation of a penalty. Mulgrew had a good effort saved by Lung just on HT.

Scepovic missed an early chance in the 2nd half firing over from a decent position. The centre forward was making very little impact and although the service was poor it was coming out again very quickly. Celtic were lapsing into sloppy mood giving it away frequently and as in previous games it was irritating to watch. Budescu shot over when well placed and the narrow lead was looking anything but secure. Griffiths came on for Scepovic and a great block stopped him when he looked about to score. Mulgrew had a long range shot blocked by the goalie and out for a corner off the outside of the post. In the 79th minute Astra equalized with

a superb curling strike from de Amorin which left Gordon helpless but you had to ask where were the defence. He had plenty of room and time to pull the trigger. Griffiths

then took the ball round the goalie but Lung recovered well to dive and block for a corner. At that point the reception went again leaving me cursing and swearing and fearing an Astra winner, Fortunately Celtic held on and Griffiths actually had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for a push.Just before the end Laban was sent off for a shocking lunge at Mulgrew. Stupidly Van Dijk pushed him on the back of the head and was booked. So a point for Celtic which leaves them on 8 still short of qualification. With a home game to Salzburg and away to Zagreb we will need more points. It looks like another night or two living on my nerves while CB sleeps in blissful ignorance until the following morning. .

[CelticBhoy]

Fine report as usual, Salty old son.

Thought I'd wake up to better news.

Keeps us on our toes .

[salty]

Aberdeen 1 Celtic 2

3 more points for the Bhoys after being behind and a man short for the last 10 minutes. It was a somewhat fortunate win. Celtic had more of the ball early on but did little with it. Aberdeen's speed up front were creating problems and Brown chasing back was lucky to get away with a charge just outside the box which should have been a free. Stokes was just wide after about 20 minutes with the first decent bit of play from Celtic. Aberdeen went ahead in the 27th minute. A long throw into the box was not dealt with and was scrambled out. Zaluska did not hold on to a close range shot and Rooney scrambled it home with Izaguirre as ever far too slow to react. None of the defence covered themselves in glory in the lead up. Celtic levelled in the 38th minute. Johansen receiving from Stokes seemed to be crowded out by Reynolds and the goalie but he managed to flick it form a tight angle across goal and in. Aberdeen's annoyance at the goal was compounded by the fact there appeared to be a Celtic foul in the build up. Brown in the Aberdeen goal made a good save coming up to half time.

Aberdeen were causing Celtic a lot of trouble and McGinn was unlucky when he cut in from the wing and shot against the post. Celtic then began to pick up booking. Stokes for reacting to some barracking from the home fans and Izaguirre for reacting to a slight push for Hayes as he shepherded the ball over the end line. Stupid but unsurprising as both possess brains which seem to reside only in their boots. Brown had been sailing close to the wind and was deservedly booked when he lunged in late on Pawlett. He got a 2nd booking with 10 minutes to go and was sent off. It seemed harsh for a slight contact on McGinn who made the most of it but over the 80 minutes he had committed several fouls and could have been sent off earlier. Celtic survived a spell of strong pressure from Aberdeen in the closing stages with a couple of shots in the area blocked down. Celtic went upfield and forced 2 corners. From the 2nd of these the ball came across goal to the far post where the unmarked Van Dijk side footed it home for the winner. After match replays indicate it should have been a goal kick with Lustig last touching the ball as it went behind. There was still time for McGinn to have a decent shooting chance but Zaluska got down to save. Celtic held on to claim the 3 points.

[CelticBhoy]

Top of the league with a game in hand.

Set the cruise control Salty old son . . . .

[balo]

Well it looks like Deila has managed to turn this around, I was a bit skeptical when I heard he moved from our Norwegian league to Scotland but now it all looks to be back to normal with Celtic .

I wish you all the best and hope you'll win the league.

[onionluke]

Hail , a wee bit OT here but Scotland will play Republic of Ireland at Parhead tomorow night . C'mon Scotland !!

[salty]

Thanks for letting me know.

[onionluke]

Will it be posible to watch the game out east (HK) ? It's about time I introduced my young son to the Scotland team .

[CelticBhoy]

Will it be posible to watch the game out east (HK) ? It's about time I introduced my young son to the Scotland team .

I have three sons . . . . . all 'Tic fans.

Introducing them to Scotland though?

I don't want to put them off the great game . . .

[onionluke]

I see what you mean , but right now he supports Argentina.

[CelticBhoy]

I see what you mean , but right now he supports Argentina.

Big fan of corned beef, is he?

[ScottFtr]

Ronny is a future legend.

[CelticBhoy]

Nice win on Saturday against Dundee to hold on to top spot.

Tricky week ahead with Salzburg in Europa then Hearts in

the Scottish Cup. Two wins will help Ronny's legend status .

[salty]

CB, IMO both games are fraught with peril against very dangerous opponents.

[CelticBhoy]

Nice wee story from the Record:

XAVI HERNANDEZ has heaped praise on Celtic’s passionate supporters, insisting there is nothing in the world to match them.

At 34, the Spanish legend is now starting to wind down his incredible career at Barcelona.

In almost two decades at the top, Xavi has won and seen the lot.

An Under-20 World Cup winner in 1999, a senior World Cup winner in 2010 and success at both Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 in his 134 caps.

At Barca, he has won 25 trophies, more than any other Spanish player in history, and received five Ballon d’Or nominations.

Yet Xavi believes that for everything he has experienced, nothing compares to the Hoops fans.

He has faced the Parkhead team on numerous occasions in UEFA Cup and Champions League meetings over the past 15 years and said: “I don’t think I have seen anything like the Celtic fans in all the stadiums I have played.

“When you step out at Celtic Park, the atmosphere they create for their team is incredible. It doesn’t matter how many big games you have played in, walking out into that atmosphere is always intense.

“Henrik Larsson used to talk about them and it is easy to see why he chose to spend so much of his career there.

“He could have played at any club. But when you are idolised like he was, I can see why he didn’t want to leave.”

[CelticBhoy]

From today's Record:

SALZBURG stars Kevin Kampl and Jonathan Soriano last night warned Celtic they are coming to Glasgow to seal top spot in their Europa League group.

And that could leave Ronny Deila’s Hoops facing a nervy do-or-die final fixture against Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia to clinch a place in the knockout stage.

Salzburg have already secured qualification for the last 32 but are just two points clear of Deila’s men at the top of Group D.

That means there is huge importance on the game for Celtic but Slovenian Kampl says Salzburg are determined to win the section.

Adolf Hutter’s men are riding high and surged six points clear in the Austrian league after a 2-1 win away to Sturm Graz on Sunday.

Celtic got a 2-2 draw in Austria on matchday one but Kampl aims to make it tough for Deila and his players.

[CelticBhoy]

"Adolf Hutter" is the Salzburg manager . . . . .

[salty]

Celtic 1 Red Bull Salzburg 3.

Celtic were well beaten by the Austrians at Parkhead but thanks to Astra's win against Dynamo Zagreb they have qualified for the last 32. The Austrians had come to attack and from the off they had Celtic chasing shadows.They were ahead in 7 minutes when Bruno's deflected over the Celtic defence and Alan alert to the situation, unlike the Celtic defence who seemed to be in a coma, volleyed home from close range. Shortly afterwards Griffiths had a decent chance with a good bit of control but shot over. It was only a momentary anxiety for the Austrians and Gordon made an excellent block from a close range header. Salzburg forced a corner from which the ball was headed on and the alert Alan was there to score a 2nd in the 13th minute. Celtic's defence fast asleep again. Ambrose was in for the injured Denayer and both himself and Van Dijk were having a nightmare. It was nearly 3 in the 21st minute when Soriano scored from a free kick but Gordon who was alert had realised the free kick was indirect. Celtic were being taken apart and had hard laid a glove on the Austrians when out of the blue they got a goal back in the 29th minute.Izaguirre centered and Johansen a lone green shirt scored with a superb finish. Celtic began to come more into it and Stokes on the stroke of half time when well placed had a dreadful cross when he could have created danger. Overall Celtic were fortunate to be only a goal behind.

Celtic began the second half and at least began to scrap for everything. After 5 minutes good news from Romania that Astra had taken the lead. Celtic were forcing the pace without looking threatening. In a Salzburg break Soriano in a good position shot weakly wide after Ambrose had been nutmegged. Celtic forced a number of corners but rarely looked like scoring. After 66 minutes 2 changes with Commons and Forrest on for Stokes and McGregor. Salzburg took a short corner and Alan was just unable to reach the ball in front of goal Tonev came on for Mulgrew after 74 minutes and 2 minutes later set Izaguirre free. Hid centre created Celtic's best chance for Griffiths but his header was too near the goalie who blocked it. Celtic were now carrying the fight and Salzburg were playing out time. Johansen gave a good return to Izaguiree but his centre was dreadful. With the score in Romania unchanged it made for far more relaxing viewing. Celtic were pressing but Salzburg in the last few minutes were running the clock down. They scored again in injury time when Gordon blocked with his feet but Keita following up scored with a well placed header. While it was disappointing to lose another goal the Austrians overall were by far the better side and well worthy of their win. In the early stages one feared a real thrashing.

On this form Celtic have little hope of going further. We have managed to stumble into the last 32 thanks mainly to Graig Gordon but the defence has consistently been very fragile. As far as I am aware we will be facing one of the 3rd placed teams from the CL.In the immediate future we are facing a cup tie at Tynecastle which could prove to be a very difficult game.

[CelticBhoy]

Fine report as always Salty old son.

Ronny being a legend looks doubtful now . . . . .

[salty]

Hearts 0 Celtic 4

An easy win for Celtic at Tynecastle. What was anticipated to be a difficult game became much easier after only 7 minutes when the Hearts captain Gomis was sent off for an insane two footed lunge at Scott Brown. It was dangerous and reckless and made life very difficult for Hearts. As you would expect Celtic totally dominated after that . Apart from a few hopeful long shots Celtic never looked particularly dangerous but eventually went ahead in the 29th minute from one of several corners. It was cleared to Stokes who fired across the area where Van Dijk met it firmly for a good finish. Later on he missed a much easier chance when he scooped the ball over the bar from almost on the goal line but the ball hopped up and he failed to control it.

6 minutes into the 2nd half Guidetti fell in the area and Celtic were awarded a penalty. Hearts rightly were furious as there was no foul. Guidetti got up to slam it home. Celtic went on to score further goals in the 51th minute when Stokes receiving from Brown fired into the far corner and 61 minutes when Van Dijk got up well to head home a corner. Commons on as a sub had the ball in the net when Alexander fumbled in the Hearts goal but it was disallowed.

Draw for the next round tomorrow.

[salty]

5th Round

Dundee v Celtic.

Dundee put out Aberdeen on Saturday. Not an easy game for the Bhoys,

[CelticBhoy]

Nice wee win against Partick last night

to see us pull away from the pack.

Where's the report, Salty old son?