Glasgow Celtic

[salty]

Not on TV CB. Kept checking periodically for score updates while you slept blissfully on. Beginning to get worried that you associate having your porridge with an automatic report from me on EVERY game the Celts play. Eaten bread soon forgotten.

.

[CelticBhoy]

Good point. Make that report and do me a

sandwich, it's lunchtime now . . . . .

[salty]

Motherwell 0 Celtic 1

3 more points today but the mystery is why it was only 1 nil. Celtic played the Well off the park in the 1st half hour but missed several good chances. Guidetti put through by Brown in 2 minutes shot wide with only the goalie to beat. Celtic went ahead in the 6th minute. Good pressure forced Motherwell into a bad back pass. Johansen took advantage of a sleeping defender rounded the keeper and set it up for Stokes to finish. Forrest fired wide with a good chance and Johansen shot straight at the keeper when well placed. Guidetti had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for offside. Replays showed he was onside. Celtic should have had a penalty when a defender handled a cross. Amazingly only 1-0 at HT

Motherwell were getting more of the ball in the 2nd half but the onslaught continued. Twarzdik in the home goal was having a terrific game and Celtic could not get a 2nd goal. Motherwell were down to 10 men when Ramsden took out Forrest in the 66th minute. Celtic.bombarded the Well goal but the keeper made terrific blocks from Guidetti twice and Forrest. The Well best period was in the closing stages and Erwin should have equalized with a close range header from an excellent cross but he headed wide with Ambrose asleep. A nervy Celtic saw out the last few minutes..

[salty]

Dynamo Zagreb 4 Celtic 3

Celtic lost in Zagreb in the dead rubber in an almost empty stadium. Commons had a good effort from a tight angle after his corner came back out to him. Zagreb went ahead in 13 minutes when Pjaca availed of a miscue to shot home from close range. Dreadful defending from Matthews. Celtic levelled in the 21 st minute when Van Dijk's free kick hit the wall spun in the air and Commons headed an equalizer. More than a suspicion of offside here. Another silly free kick conceded in front of goal taken by Commons who hit the bar with the goalie beaten. Bitton headed rebound back and Skepovic neatly with his back to goal flicked it home. Izaguirre gave away a stupid free kick but Celtic survived. Zagreb levelled in the 39th minute. Matthews went to sleep again when he should have easily cleared and Placa equalized from close range. Celtic survived till HT.

Celtic went fast asleep for the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half. Gordon who must have cursed the dummies in front of him made 2 good blocks but he was powerless when Brovic and Pjaca both scored within 2 minutes of each other. Both excellent finishes but they were strolling through a non existent defense. After about 10 minutes someone must have told Celtic the 2nd half had started and they were competitive for the rest of the game. Matthews was replaced by Fisher. Celtic reduced the lead in the 80th minute when Izaguirre's cross was turned into his own net by a defender. Henderson on as a sub forced the goalie into a desperate tip over with a well placed lob. Zageb held on without too much trouble.

It would be a miracle if Celtic progressed in the knock out stages. The defense is so bad they will be easy meet for more formidable opponents lying in wait. Hopefully we will be spared the usual puff pieces about how we aim to win the tournament. .

[CelticBhoy]

Fine report, Salty old son.

Now when is the draw?

Liverpool would be fun.

[CelticBhoy]

4-1 against St. Mirren yesterday.

Puts us 6 points clear.

Breeze.

[salty]

Just saw the goals on Sky. Very poor goal to concede but what's new. Several easy chances also not taken. Draw for knockout stages of Euro competitions tomorrow.

[salty]

Celtic v Inter Milan. 1967 revisited.

[Chicog]

Celtic vs Inter

[CelticBhoy]

^ What's with the crossdresser's echo, Salty?

[salty]

5 second difference CB. Reckon I just beat him to the draw.

[salty]

Dundee Utd 2 Celtic 1

Defeat for Celtic at Tannadice. A lively start with Ciftci booked after 30 seconds for a foul on Brown. The Turk went on to play a major part in this game. The home side went ahead in the 4th minute when Dillon burst down the wing after Celtic gave it away. Izaguirre miles too slow as usual. His centre was diverted into the box where Ambrose took a fresh air shot then should have closed down Ciftci who beat Gordon just inside the post. Dreadful defending by someone you feel is always an accident waiting to happen. Celtic then began a relentless onslaught on the home goal. Johansen was away but lacking support shot over and wide. Forrest shot straight at the keeper when he should have cut it back . Goalie made a good save from Johansen. Izaguirre for once put in a good cross but there were no takers and Stokes was high and wide with a very optimistic effort. The home side were defending furiously and were dangerous in their odd forays. Gordon had to make a good save. Just after Johansen onside shot against the post and was incorrectly flagged for offside. Guidetti was barged off the ball in the area by Dillon. It would have been a free anywhere else on the pitch.A Celtic corner was punched by the keeper onto Bitton's head. The ball rebounded onto the bar and Van Dijk's header was cleared off the line.

Celtic began the 2nd half with more poor defending from Ambrose. He allowed Ciftci to turn him and shoot from a tight angle but Gordon saved at the expense of a corner. A bad cross by Stokes was deflected onto his own bar by Dillon. Izaguirre cleared for a corner under pressure. After 59 minutes Guidetti and Stokes who both had made little impact were subbed by Scepovic and Commons. In the 64 minute the home team increased the lead. Powder puff defending by Izaguirre on the end line allowed Giftci to float a cross to the unmarked Armstrong who headed in from close range .past Gordon who flapped wildly in vain.. Commons had a tame shot and Griffiths replaced Bitton after 76 minutes. His first contribution was to get himself booked for a stupid foul. After 80 minutes Scepovic finished for what should have been a goal but was given offside. Presumably the same linesman as in the first half got it wrong again. The impact of this was even more pronounced when Griffiths netted from close range in the 87th minute to reduce arrears and in the first of 3 added minutes he hit the post with the keeper well beaten. The home team held on for a rather fortunate win.

From a Celtic point of view we were unlucky. We have been far inferior on other days and won. Both Ambrose and Izaguirre are regularly capable of extreme stupidity and unless we can get a few decent defenders are always liable to cock things up. .

[salty]

Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 2

A win at Kilmarnock which keeps us on the heels of Aberdeen with a game in hand. Celtic should have won by a far bigger margin. Commons making a rare start had several goal attempts without scoring. He hit the bar twice and the Killie goalie made some good blocks.Celtic were well on top in the first half but apart from a few good efforts from Commons were not really threatening. Too often good positions in wide areas was ruined by poor crosses. Gordon had to make a good save from a Magennis header after a free kick. Finally Celtic broke through in the 35th minute. Izaguirre took advantage of a half hearted tackle to force the ball on to Johansen who set him up for a well placed lob wide of the goalie and into the far corner. Another good shot from Commons was deflected over his own bar by a defender.

In the 2nd half a Killie effort was just wide and a McGregor centre was too firm for the inrushing Scepovic who started rather than Guidetti, Gordon was forced into another good save from Muirhead. A one goal lead made for nervous viewing and it was with huge relief Celtic went 2 up in 70 minutes. Yet another Commons effort had been deflected for a corner. Johansen's corner was headed goalwards by Ambrose and Scepovic reacted smartly to force the ball home from close range despite the presence of the keeper and a defender. Killie seemed to have more of the play in the closing stages but did not cause any real anxious moments.

Yet again Celtic made hard work of a game when they should have been well ahead by HT and this continues to be a concern. Aberdeen are likely to open up a 4 point gap again next weekend as Celtic are heading to the Canaries for a short mid season break. Our first game back is an away fixture at Hamilton Accies who beat us in October at Parkhead. It is essential that we capitalize on opportunities in future games.

[CelticBhoy]

Fine report there Salty old son.

I have just watched the highlights

on SPFL via YouTube. Commons

had a blinder, but as you say we

should be taking the chances . . .

maybe we're just keeping our luck

for later . . .

[CelticBhoy]

Liking the look of February. Ain't dull following Celtic.

Sun, 1st Feb Rangers League Cup

Sat, 7th Feb Dundee Scottish Cup

Sat, 14th Feb St Johnstone Scottish Premiership

Thu, 19th Feb Inter Milan UEFA Europa League

How do you spell quadruple then, Salty old son?

[onionluke]

I was at the Celtic vs Ross County game ( Cross Country ? asked my son ) and it was a poor effort from the tic with no attacking midfield and just a boot the ball about and lets see what happens attitude mostly . The pies and bovril were ok , it had been a while.

We were all set to go to Firhill on new years day with tickets from a friend, at the thisle end . We went to the Wintersgills then the Oran Mor instead . The talk was , the way celtic are playing the jags would have went out to beat them and then very possibly have sealed the fate of Ronnie and sent him packing . Thats a tough month ahead for Celtic with everything to lose with two games in hand in the league.

Any ideas on who will take Ronnie's place.

Glasgow's green and white.

[CelticBhoy]

Ronnie has had his Spanish holiday and got his winter tan.

Put another two losses on our record as well.

I am sure his jacket is on a shaky nail now.

[salty]

A 2-0 win at Hamilton Accies for the Bhoys. It was a dreadful game of fightball rather than football. Celtic had more of the play but apart from a few efforts from Commons created nothing. Out of nothing a big scare when the ball was returned after a corner and Gordon had to stretch to block a backward header from Denayer and block a follow up out for a corner. In contrast to much of the turgid stuff Celtic went ahead with a beauty. Good work by Griffiths almost on the touchline in gaining possession and good control. He passed into the middle to |Commons who rolled it on for Matthews. The Welshman carried it on and unleashed a rocket that flew into the top corner. Due to the glare of the sun it was only when Matthews and his colleagues wheeled away in delight that you were aware he had scored. Replays showed the quality of the strike which was his first goal for 18 months.

Celtic made it 2 early in the 2nd half. Accies cleared a corner toward the edge of the area. Izaguirre managed to block the attempted clearance and it fell nicely for Henderson he fired it into the bottom corner. Gordon made a good block later but apart from that Celtic rarely looked troubled even though Hamilton had most of the play in the closing stages.

Aberdeen managed to rescue a point in a late rally so Celtic have cut the gap to 2 points with 2 games in hand.

[CelticBhoy]

Fine report as always Salty old son.

I see Commons tossed his boots into the

crowd after the game. A sign he is not

getting the new contract offer maybe?

The sheep were lucky to get a draw.

Really lucky. Admire their determination.

[CelticBhoy]

From Celtic Quick News:

Delighted we have made the pre-contract signing of Gary Mackay-Steven. Gary signed for Dundee United from Airdrie in 2011 as a 20-year-old and soon became a popular figure for United fans. He has been one of several members of Jackie McNamara’s squad who has attracted attention this season and will be a loss to the former Celtic defender.

It’s all about the system.

Gary is left-footed but can play on either side of the 3-behind-the-striker Ronny Deila likes to deploy. He is industrious and has a bag of tricks that makes for a good highlights video on YouTube.

I watched him turn it on against Dundee on New Years’ Day, and fondly recall a virtuoso Scottish Cup performance at Ibrox, but I’m always reluctant to offer a recommendation on a player we’ve only seen against Celtic, or in the odd TV game. The most encouraging part of this deal is that Celtic will have watched the player literally dozens of times – we want to get our first choice players, and we don’t want to be dependent on the recommendation of a foreign-based acquaintance.

[salty]

He doesn't look the player of last season.Toiling in the closing stages and lacking the extra physical sharpness to do real damage.

[CelticBhoy]

With a mere fortnight until the Old Firm get together for

the first time in donkeys their new manager has thrown

his full weight behind the team and resigned. How much

gardening leave does one team need, I ask you?

[Jockstar]

With a mere fortnight until the Old Firm get together for

the first time in donkeys their new manager has thrown

his full weight behind the team and resigned. How much

gardening leave does one team need, I ask you?

To be honest. It will take a a huge effort to beat your lot.

[salty]

Back on top again after a 4-0 home win over Motherwell. Lustic on as a HT sub for Matthews scored twice.

[salty]

A narrow 1-0 win over Ross County. Celtic laboured for most of the game against a solid Ross County defense and found it difficult to create anything. Izaguirre wasted a couple of chances to create with some appalling crosses. Bitton was annoyomous and the restored Guidetti and Griffith struggled and were well held. Commons scored the only goal when his long range shot deflected and went into the roof of the net leaving the goalie helpless . Where it would have gone otherwise is anyone's guess.

Celtic had to survive some hairy moments during the course of the game especially after a first half corner which caused chaos in the box. Gordon had to get down smartly a few times in the closing stages to ensure another 3 points.

With Aberdeen losing ground on Friday night it strengthens our grip at the top. Instead of some of the ludicrously optimistic forecasts for the League Cup semi it would be wise to factor in Celtic's ability to lose to teams in previous years that we were supposed to beat easily. Morton last season anyone.

[CelticBhoy]

Highlights made it look a better game than the

scoreline of 1-0. Commons looked nifty, and we

should make an effort to keep the wee man.

Not a bad January for the 'Tic. 4 games in the

SPFL, 4 wins and 4 clean sheets.

Roll on Sunday for a right good whitewashing.

[salty]

I would be happy with a win.

[salty]

Celtic 2 The Rangers 0

A comfortable win for the Celts in the League Cup semifinal though far from some of the wildly optimistic forecasts being made. Both goals in the first half. Griffiths after 10 minutes got between 2 defenders to head powerfully into the roof of the net from a Johansen cross. Commons after 31 minutes after forceful play by Brown pressured the opposition into an error. The ball broke to Commons who lashed it into the roof of the net. Though The Rangers were having as much of the play Celtic were solid in defence and Gordon had a trouble free outing. Celtic could have put it to bed before half time. Brown who had a fine game apart from a stupid booking near the end held off a challenge from Black and played if forward to Griffiths to put him clear with only Simonsen to beat but the ref had blown for a Celtic freekick. They were not pleased. Johansen seized on a back pass in the area but Simonsen got down to block. Van Dijk headed over from a corner when he should have done better.

Commons had a decent effort saved and Griffiths was wide with a free kick. Celtic went off the boil after that and they only seemed interested in containing the opposition. While The Rangers had as much of the play they were unable to make any impression up front. Van Dijk and Denayer were very solid. The only concern was if they got a goal back it would galvanise them and it could be sweatsville for the remainder of the game. The pitch was in shocking condition and it was very noticeable when Forrest on as a sub had 2 efforts well over the bar. The replays showed the ball was bobbling and it did not do either side any favours. Guidetti came on for the last 20 minutes and bullocked about as usual. Then stupidly he started a ruckus after a melee outside the area. Celtic beneffited in the closing stages as The Rangers gave away a lot of free kicks through sheer frustration. This helped to wind the clock down and we cruised to the end.

So we will be facing Dundee Utd in the final. It will not be easy. They beat us recently albeit with some good fortune. Hopefully Hampden will be in better condition that today.

[CelticBhoy]

From today's Record:

CELTIC playmaker Kris Commons has revealed his contract stand-off with Parkhead chiefs could soon be settled.

The Hoops attacker showed just how vital he is to Ronny Deila's plans with a stunning 20-yard strike which killed off the Rangers' hopes of upsetting their old rivals in the QTS Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden.

But with his deal set to run out at the end of the season, last year's 31-goal top scorer is still waiting to pen a fresh agreement.

The 31-year-old wants a new two-year contract but so far Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has only been willing to grant a new 12-month deal - with the option of another year depending on appearances.

[CelticBhoy]

^ Commons may be kidding himself on.

We just signed two of Dundee Utd's

best players. Good signings, imo.