Glasgow Celtic

[smokie36]

Celtic home to Raith Rovers in last 16 of League Cup.

No dancing in the streets of Raith this year.

[salty]

You would never know. They were dancing in the streets in Greenock 2 years ago.

[salty]

Europa League Draw.

Ajax Celtic Fenerbache Molde (Norway)

Celtic will be struggling to qualify out of this group. After the trouble home and away 2 years ago Ajax is a nightmare draw. Expect security to feature prominently before both games.

[balo]

Could have been worse but there's no easy games in Europe. Ajax and Celtic are favourites in my opinion, Molde (ex Solskjaer) is a club on it's way up in Norway after investing in a new football stadium, they are difficult to beat at home. All you can do is to perform at the highest level and you have a good chance. Good luck.

[smokie36]

Europa League Draw.

Ajax Celtic Fenerbache Molde (Norway)

Celtic will be struggling to qualify out of this group. After the trouble home and away 2 years ago Ajax is a nightmare draw. Expect security to feature prominently before both games.

Its a tough group all right and Celtic surely need to make a couple of signings now?

They look flat and lifeless...particularly in the second half the other night.

Unless they do it will be a season of mediocrity after December.

[CelticBhoy]

Tyler Blackett? Never heard of him.

But we've got him on loan from Man Utd.

Hope he scores less own goals than his lookalike.

[CelticBhoy]

Southampton have confirmed the signing of Virgil van Dijk from Celtic in a £11.5million deal.

Van Dijk joins ex-Hoops team-mates Fraser Forster and Victor Wanyama at St Mary's with the English Premier League side forking out a staggering £34million for the three former Celtic players in two years.

The Dutch centre-half joined compatriot Ronald Koeman's Saints on a five-year contract as Southampton shattered their club record transfer fee for a player.

A lot of money that. So what did we spend it on? Here you go . . . . .

Celtic new Bhoy Ryan Christie arrives at Parkhead from Inverness.

The 20-year-old midfielder, a boyhood Hoops fan, signed a four-year contract with the Scottish champions - for around £500,000 - but will return to the Highland club on loan for a season.

Celtic have the option of him returning in January, an option which the club are likely to take up.

Travelled down by bus. Celtic wouldn't fork out the dosh for the train.

His Mum is coming down to pick him up on Saturday.

[smokie36]

Southampton have confirmed the signing of Virgil van Dijk from Celtic in a £11.5million deal.

Van Dijk joins ex-Hoops team-mates Fraser Forster and Victor Wanyama at St Mary's with the English Premier League side forking out a staggering £34million for the three former Celtic players in two years.

The Dutch centre-half joined compatriot Ronald Koeman's Saints on a five-year contract as Southampton shattered their club record transfer fee for a player.

A lot of money that. So what did we spend it on? Here you go . . . . .

Celtic new Bhoy Ryan Christie arrives at Parkhead from Inverness.

The 20-year-old midfielder, a boyhood Hoops fan, signed a four-year contract with the Scottish champions - for around £500,000 - but will return to the Highland club on loan for a season.

Celtic have the option of him returning in January, an option which the club are likely to take up.

Travelled down by bus. Celtic wouldn't fork out the dosh for the train.

His Mum is coming down to pick him up on Saturday.

Where is all this money going?

[salty]

Aberdeen 2 Celtic 1

Victory for 10 man Aberdeen over Celtic. They can go 5 points ahead if they win the game in hand on Tuesday.

Celtic had most of the early play. A poor back pass by Considine left Rogic through but the goalie blocked his shot for a corner. A deflected free kick from Griffiths hit the bar and was cleared.

Aberdeen were looking lively in their sporadic attacks and lost a chance when Considine failed to control a cross when in space. Soon after the Dons defender was caught out by a pass from Mulgrew. Griffiths showing good judgement was pulled back by the defender when through. A yellow for the defender and Griffiths hammered home the spot kick. Celtic continued to look vulnerable to crosses.

At the start of the 2nd half McLean had a kick at Lustig but escaped censure. Mulgrew escaped a penalty appeal before the Dons levelled in 59 minutes. It was a particularly stupid piece of play by Boyata. With no danger he charged in on Shinnie like a bull in a china shop and flattened him. The Aberdeen player was facing away from goal and posing no threat on the endline at the corner of the box. Rooney smashed home the penalty. Aberdeen now looked the more dangerous and Celtic gave away several free kicks. In the 72nd minute Hayes was sent off for a challenge on Lustig. It looked harsh. Celtic with the extra man took over control and pressed. But with a few minutes to go a McGinn free kick was side footed home by Quinn from close range for the winner. Very poor judgement form Gordon as he should have come off his line to collect or punch clear, Considine cleared off the line in injury time to preserve the 3 points for the home side.

It was always going to be a tough fixture for Celtic but with Van Dijk's departure they are looking more and more vulnerable at the back. While it is early days this will give Aberdeen huge belief and unless Celtic get the finger out another title is anything but guaranteed.

[salty]

Ajax 2 Celtic 2

An away point for Celtic at the Amsterdam Arena after playing the last 20 minutes with 10 men. It was a decent performance from the Hoops who technically were far inferior to the Dutch as you would expect.

Celtic went ahead in 7 minutes from the first attack. Bitton won the ball in the Ajax half passed to Commons who gave a good return and Bitton drilled a great shot into the far corner. Ajax began to dominate and their front players looked good with clever interpassing. They scored in 24 minutes when after Lustig was left for dead the ball was played into Klassen who back heeled for Fischer who finished emphatically into the corner. Ajax continued to have most of the play and their front men always looked dangerous. Celtic almost grabbed the lead when after a throw in Ajax were a bit lax but Griffiths could not get enough on it and Classen turned it away for a corner. It would have been rough justice on Ajax as the ball had clearly gone wide in the play leading up to the incident. From the corner an unmarked Lustig headed Celtic back in front. A terrible goal to give away from the home teams point of view.

Ajax were unlucky when the centre forward fell over the ball when well placed. Griffiths had a chance but shot into the side nettings and later a wildly optimistic shot when he should have looking for someone. In 68 minutes Ambrose replaced Lustig who was suffering from cramp. Straight away he gave the ball away trying to play football just outside his own area. In fairness to him he played reasonably well after that. In 73 minutes Izaguirre was sent off for diving in and got a second yellow. A typical piece of stupidity from the full back. Already on a yellow he had escaped a few minutes earlier with a foul but of course intelligence is in short supply with him. Up to then Celtic had been coping reasonably well but now it began to look like the Alamo with Ajax piling on the pressure firing in centres from both wings. Blackett replayed Forrest. I felt it surely should have been Commons who is not the most mobile player to have when you are down to 10 men. Milik headed against the post with Gordon nowhere with 11minutes to go.Celtic were giving away some stupid free kicks and just before Janko came on for Commons the English man handled to give the Dutch another free kick. Schone drilled a vicious free kick into the far corner. Gordon will be disappointed with this after 83 minutes A winner for Ajax would have been a real killer but fortunately Celtic held on for a draw.

In the other game a big shock as Molde beat Fenerbache in Istanbul 3-1.

[smokie36]

Unlucky not to hold on and win that but a fair and good result for Celtic.

[balo]

Good result for Celtic. Watch out for outsider Molde in this group.As a Norwegian I follow the league closely and Norwegian football are on its way up and can compete at a higher level than before. In another group Rosenborg held Saint-Etienne to a draw away .

But I wish Celtic all the best and hope you will advance to the next stage.

[CelticBhoy]

6-0 against Dundee.

Now that's a pumping.

And a missed penalty, too.

Could have been seven.

[salty]

I see you are good at the Maths CB.

[CelticBhoy]

I see you are good at the Maths CB.

If only you were as good with the report

[salty]

Not on the Box here like the League Cup game tomorrow night and next weekend League game. I was hoping you might have got yourself to Soi 4 to have a few beers and bullshit sorry I mean give a comprehensive report on the game.

[CelticBhoy]

I see we beat Raith 2-0 in the League Cup,

but I cannot find my morning report.

Over to you, Salty old son.

[CelticBhoy]

0-0 with Hearts. All over them it seems by the highlights.

Good news that ICT beat Aberdeen to bring them down

a notch or two. But where is Salty with those reports?

[salty]

Can only report on games on the box. Saturday afternoon spent as ever running the score updates at 6 times speed from about 4.15 on to catch up. Aberdeen behind but getting more concerned we were not scoring despite having several chances. Going on past experience I always worry on these occasions and seemingly nearly caught again in the last minute. A point gained on Aberdeen but definitely glass half empty.

[salty]

League Cup 1/4 Final:

Hearts v Celtic

[CelticBhoy]

League Cup 1/4 Final:

Hearts v Celtic

Half-full now then, Salty old son.

We will trounce them.

[salty]

Celtic 2 Fenerbahce 2

A point for Celtic but should have been a win as again they allowed a 2 goal lead to slip. Fenerbache had a few moments of total possession early on but were not troubling the home team. Forest and Commons had shots but neither troubled the visitors. In the 27th minute Celtic went ahead following a corner which was forced goalwards by Lustig. The keeper made a good close range save from Griffiths who reacted smartly to put the rebound into the roof of the net. Slight suspicion of offside but no claim from the Turks. Within 5 minutes Celtic went 2 up with a superb goal. Forrest had been causing trouble on the right and this time he beat 2 defenders and pulled the ball back for Commons to rifle home from about 10 yards into the roof of the net. Celtic now on top and coping comfortably. You prayed for half time without conceding but then Ambrose decided it was time for another cock up. The Turks had brought on a big Brazilian sub up front as Van Persie was getting very little support. As the ball was played forward he hustled Ambrose off the ball who let it ball hop and then a weak back header allowed the alert Fernandao in to shoot past Gordon for a goal. It was a dreadful error when he could easily have headed sideways away from goal. An alert Boyata might have made things awkward for the goal scorer but he had switched off. A completely avoidable goal and a lifeline for the Turks.

They came out for the 2nd half and proceeded to take over. Within 2 minutes they were level from a corner when Fernandao got across the Celtic defence to head in the equaliser. It was a well taken goal but made easy for him by a flat footed Ambrose. For the next 20 minutes Fenerbache ran the game as Celtic midfield disappeared. Gordon made a decent save and Van Persie was just over with a header after a corner. Celtic were hardly seeing the ball and when they did they gave it away almost immediately. Gordon made another good block with his feet. Celtic finally began to get some hold on the game and mostly pressed for the remainder of the game but apart from a good shot from Commons never looked like they would score. So the game finished with honours even. Early in the 2nd half it looked as if Celtic would get nothing as the visitors looked a certainty to win.

Next game in 3 weeks away to Molde who drew 1-1 with Ajax tonight. The one certainty is Celtic are bound to concede a goal or two there as usual.

[balo]

Yes looking a bit tough for Celtic now , I was sure you would win that game at home.

Molde away is going to get even tougher, they are the surprise team of this group.

[salty]

One thing is almost certain. Celtic will concede goals again in Norway.

[Jockstar]

Looks like Aberdeen are choking in the league.

[salty]

Hamilton Accies 1 Celtic 2

Celtic closed to within a point of Aberdeen with a narrow victory today. It was far from a vintage performance but they held on to get the points. It was a poor game that was littered with fouls from both sides.

Accies took an early lead through Kurtaj in the 4th minute. Boyata completely sold himself by being too tight on the forward who rolled him leaving the defender sprawling. His finish across Gordon into the far corner was first class. Straight away Izaguirre forced the keeper into a good save. Celtic were far too slow and predictable in the build up and the defence continued to look uncertain. But in the 26th minute a Griffiths free kick across goal was side footed home by Boyata for the equalizer with the keeper rooted to the line. Within 5 minutes Celtic were ahead when Griffiths got up well to cushion a header into the corner form a free kick. It was a superb goal.

In the 2nd half Hamilton were dangerous and had a few efforts that were close. Gordon made a good save and Celtic were fortunate when the follow up from a tight angle went wide. Rogic had a decent effort and Bitton dawdling as ever was too slow to put Griffiths in on goal. Izaguirre was involved in a few exchanges and you feared he might get sent off again. Celtic survived and held on for the 3 points.

[CelticBhoy]

I see we are top of the league, Salty old son.

1-0 over Motherwell. Did you see the game?

[salty]

Yes I did CB. I have had a very busy sports day. Apart from Celtic, 2 rugby 1/4 finals, the Liverpool and Arsenal games, Match of the Day and baseball from 9pm on. Game just over. So no time I am afraid to cobble together any kind of a report.

Cifti finished smartly after Commons shot saved and rebounded to him for the goal. Commons hit the bar with a free kick. Celtic completely on top 1st half but Motherwell got into it a bit more in the 2nd half. Always nervous with a 1 goal lead. Celtic denied 2 stonewall penalties in 2nd half. Brown taken with a mistimed tackle and a blatant handball later on. Referee was a goal-line official in Cup semi last season when officials made an "honest mistake". Fortunately neither of todays mistakes cost us victory.

[salty]

Molde 3 Celtic 1

A deserved home win for Molde who were far better than Celtic. As usual Celtic helped the opposition with more schoolboy defending. Celtic made a bright start and Armstrong in a good position should have shot instead of passing inside to Griffiths who lost the ball under pressure. For the first 10 minutes Celtic were pressing but were far too keen to overplay to worry a strong Molde defence. In the 11th minute Boyata gave the ball away in the Molde half . The home team broke quickly and a well placed pass to Kamara gave him the chance to beat Gordon at his near post. Ambrose positioning was terrible leaving the goal scorer free until too late. Gordon was poor on the shot as well. 7 minutes later the home team went 2 up after a corner when Celtic failed to clear their lines 3 or 4 times. Forren shot into the far corner off the ground. Izaguirre asleep and should have been close enough to get a block or make a tackle. So 2 down thanks to the usual suspects. Celtic continued to have more of the play but far too slow and deliberate made no impression on a resolute Molde defence. The Norwegians looked far more dangerous on their periodic attacks.

The 2nd half continued along the same lines. Then out of the blue a Celtic goal. A terrible square ball from a home defender left Commons in clear possession and he availed of the gift to reduce the deficit. But straight away Celtic went to sleep and as Molde broke they had 2 unmarked forwards in dangerous positions. Lustig left trying to cover both was beaten by the far post and the forward lashed the ball at Gordon who only succeeded in diverting it into the corner of the net. Game over.

The other notable incident came in the 76th minute when a furious Commons was replaced by Cifti and he was not slow to make his displeasure obvious.

We are now last in the group and with our unfailing ability to concede avoidable goals in Europe, do not have a hope in hell of qualifying from this group.

[balo]

I watched the game and in my eyes Molde were the far better team , even if Celtic had most of the possession. I think Deila probably will be sacked soon , we'll see if Celtic can win their last 2 home games.