Glasgow Celtic

[salty]

CB,

I think it will depend on which Celtic turn up tomorrow. Mr Hyde usually plays the home games while Dr Jekell turns out for away games. Anything other than a win will have us skating on very thin ice.

[salty]

BBC Website

Celtic 1 - 1 Rapid Vienna

By Clive Lindsay

McDonald equalised for Celtic after some slack Rapid defending

Celtic had to settle for a point as they failed to gain revenge over Rapid Vienna in Europa League Group C.

The Austrians took a third-minute lead when Nikica Jelavic pounced on slack defending to fire into the far corner.

Celtic replied after 21 minutes when Scott McDonald made Rapid pay for a poor pass with a similar finish.

McDonald had an effort cleared off the line as Celtic failed to record a win over the side to whom they lost an infamous and well-publicised 1984 tie.

Combined with Hamburg's 4-2 win over Hapoel Tel-Aviv, it meant that Celtic sit bottom of the table with one point after their defeat in Israel, while Rapid remain unbeaten in the group after their opening 3-0 win at home to the Germans.

The pre-match atmosphere had been electric, with the home support unfurling banners berating Rapid, one describing them as "cheats, liars and conmen", for that previous European Cup-Winners' Cup meeting between the sides.

Celtic's 3-0 second-leg win was ruled out after a Rapid player claimed he had been hit by a missile and the visitors this time wore a red strip in celebration of the one they wore in winning the replay ordered by Uefa.

But the home support's fervour was dampened when Jelavic took advantage of a slack start to the game by Celtic.

Gary Caldwell and Stephen McManus had been restored as the Glasgow side's central defensive partnership, with Glenn Loovens dropping out, and the club captain was at fault for the goal.

McManus' attempted pass upfield struck a Rapid player and the Scotland international was then slow to file back and mark the Croat as he fired the ball into the far corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Celtic looked shell-shocked and Rapid were keeping Aiden McGeady, who had been passed fit to return to the wing, under tight control.

Jelavic silenced the crowd by scoring after only three minutes

But they were given a lifeline when Ragnvald Soma hesitated when going for a poor Andreas Dober pass, McDonald nipped the ball away from the defender's toes and fired a low drive from a difficult angle into the far corner from the edge of the box.

Celtic were suddenly a different team, with Landry N'Guemo and Scott Brown dominating central midfield and the movement of strikers Georgios Samaras and McDonald causing problems for the Austrians.

However, it was Rapid who forced the only other save of the first half, Artur Boruc tipping over a long-range effort from Stefan Hoffmann that was destined to strike the crossbar.

Celtic ought to have taken the lead immediately after the break when N'Guemo's through ball fell for Shaun Maloney one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the winger fired against onrushing goalkeeper Helge Payer and McDonald's low drive from rebound was cleared off the line by Soma.

Danny Fox forced Payer into a fine one-handed save with a curling effort from 22 yards and another chance was squandered after the second of two resulting corners.

McGeady fired the ball low into the six-yard box and Caldwell could only turn the ball a couple of yards wide with his first-time effort.

Celtic were almost caught out twice by Rapid on the break.

Branko Boskovic found space behind the defence but fired straight at Boruc then Caldwell looked to have pulled down Jelavic.

However, referee Bruno Miguel Duarte Paixao possibly decided not to award the penalty because he himself helped set up the chance with an inadvertent deflection.

Jelavic went close with a header, while Caldwell powered an effort well over the crossbar as the game petered out into a rather tame draw.

A few of my own observations:

McManus was very badly at fault for Rapid goal. After giving away the ball in midfield he was anything but Rapid jogging back in defence. Unable to get a challenge in as a consequence . Boruc maybe could have done better as the angle was tight. Rapid will feel exactly the same about the Celtic goal. Very poor backpass. McDonald on to it smartly and drove in from a tight angle. Rapid goalie will probably feel he could have done better.

N'Guemo best Celtic player by a mile. The little fellow hustled and harried in midfield and scrapped for everything. Overall Celtic were not great and our hopes now are slim of getting through. McGeady did not achieve much.

At this point in time I would bite anyone's hand off for a point on Sunday.

[CelticBhoy]

We don't make it easy for ourselves.

The hard road every time.

Who says it's boring being a 'Tic fan ?

[salty]

Rangers 2 Celtic 1

Rangers given huge assistance by our appalling central defenders. No matter what 2 out of 3 play they are unable to perform basic defending. We were also denied at least 1 stonewall penalty so despite a forceful 2nd half we were unable to retrieve the situation. Is there a case for bringing Darran O'Dea back from Reading I ask myself? Each of the 3 vieing for central defender positions have made dreadful errors this season. McManus asleep again for 1st goal, and what the hel_l was |Boruc doing.? Loovens barged out of it for 2nd goal (foul possibly). At the other end Weir got the benefit of some very generous decisions or rather non decisions.

I thought Zheng looked promising and look forward to seeing him again. But I feel we should have taken at least a point. Now I am going out to kick the cat. I suppose you are gone to the pub CB.

[CelticBhoy]

I agree that we should have picked up

a point for that display, Salty. Neither

team looked a winner to me.

The wee Chinaman looked fine, as did

Naylor, but taking off N Guemo for

Samaras was the nail in the coffin.

O'Dea must return. Our

defence is woeful. (Plus the fact that

my wee bhoy is called Darren!)

[CelticBhoy]

P.S. We're still top of the SPL

[Jockstar]

Not the greatest game. Some terrible defending from both teams. Neither team looking the finsihed article yet. Though Celtic have a new manager and it takes time. The little guy Zheng impressed me. Chinese? But it's 3 points and keeps us just behind your lot. Was watching it at the Rangers pub at the casino here in Sydney. Feeling rough today as the kickoff was 10.30pm here and went one elsewhere afterwards.

[CelticBhoy]

The little guy Zheng impressed me. Chinese?

Pretty sure he is, though he could be from Garthamlock .

[salty]

Celtic 0 Motherwell 0

More bad news. Celtic seem to have had plenty of chances but did not convert. Where have I heard that before?. So as a result of a lucky win at St.Johnstone Rangers now lead by a point.

I now confidently expect us at least to fail to beat Hamburg on Thursday and go out of the Europa League with a whimper.

[CelticBhoy]

^ Salty, old son, don't you dare put

us to sleep so quickly!

Here's the CelticBhoy pick-you-up:

a We still haven't lost at home.

b Hibs will go top next Saturday.

c My bones tell me Hamburg will be okay for us.

d The sun is shining and I'm off to your beach!!!

(You can tell Jomtien has put zest back into my spirit)

We may not be doing great, but neither are the Scum.

The threat for the title could come from a new direction

this season. Wouldn't that be fun!

[salty]

CB,

Are you posting after a full English breakfast? I worry that you are not sitting under the umbrellas on the beach. Perhaps you have met the guy with the jotter who is prepared to tell you your fortune for a small fee. Its quite possible your prognosis will be correct but I have my doubts.

I hope you and yours have a nice day.

[CelticBhoy]

Watched the bulk of the Motherwell game last

night and we were all over them like a rash.

Just one of those days when the ball just won't

go in. I liked the look of our team once Samaras

went off. And that wee Chinaman is good.

But, (here is the but), the average age of the 'Well

team looked to be about 12! They are a very

young team. We should be stuffing a group of wee boys!

[salty]

Have not seen a kick of the game. Will see a few minutes of "highlights" tonight on Sky. By then I will have had time to absorb what fate has in store for ROI in World Cup playoffs. Greece hopefully. Fingers and everything crossed.

Hamburg have a lot of injuries for Thursday apparently so maybe we might scrape a win. The mood of discontent among the faithful is growing according to reports on Saturday's game.

[salty]

Celtic 0 Hamburg 1.

Celtic huffed and puffed but Hamburg showed why they are joint top of the Bundesliga. An excellent goal in the 2nd half after they had rattled the Celtic crossbar earlier. The Germans were slicker and faster and well able to scrap for everything. N'Guemo though he gave the ball away several times scrapped away in midfield as did Barry Robson. Am I alone in thinking Scott Brown is very overrated? Brown made a very poor attempt at a early chance. McGeady never achieved much. I find him so often irritating to watch. There seems to be no end product.

Mcdonald never saw much of the ball but like Samaras who replaced him in 2nd half slow and the first touch so often leaves them down. CB's golden bhoy Paddy McCourt came on and had 1 good run and a good shot.

Strangly enough I found the display tonight more heartening than some of the recent rubbish. They did not hand anything to the opposition and our central defenders were ok. The goal was a result of Hamburg's class and imagination rather than any dreadful defending.

Before the game there was a feeling that some Rangers fans had inflitrated the Hamburg end and there was a definite police presence there. At the end Hamburg went to salute their supporters (Huns all ) The security were not too happy and were ushering them off the pitch. The Hamburg coach was getting very annoyed with them.

[CelticBhoy]

This sums it up for me. Taken from oleole.com.

The title is 'Celtic Out of Europe.'

Despite the goal coming against the run of play the wondering of what they would be like if they didn't have 7 first team players missing was lingering like a musty fart.

Imagine what kind of team we would have to field with 7 first team players missing? What do you mean it wouldn't be no worse youse at the back?

We had so much slop on show I thought ITV4 had wandered into the courtyard of the BAR-L. For all the welcome sign of some effort warmed the cockles of my heart the lack of finesse and quality made me feel guilty for accepting effort as a sign of decency.

We probably deserved a draw on chances created and missed. But that us on top form and that was their reserves going through the motions.

As little as 24 months ago we were beating the likes of Meelan, Man Yoo and other Big Cup fodder at Celtic Park. hel_l, 3 seasons ago we were beaten by a wonder goal in extra time in the San Siro.

Now, in the last 12 months we can't beat Aalborg, Dynamo Moscow, Rapid Vienna and now Hamburg reserves.

After Tel Aviv's result against Rapid and with 2 away games left we can safely say we are out of a competition that none of us wanted to be in.

Surely we are at the bottom and the only way is up?

[CelticBhoy]

We've scored just 2 goals in 3 European games.

Rangers have scored more own goals than that!

No longer is Parkhead impenetrable to boot.

Sad state of affairs. No wonder I take a drink.

[Jockstar]

Sad state of affairs. No wonder I take a drink.

I hear you mate. Same at Ibrox.

[salty]

Hamilton 1 Celtic 2.

Back to the top again thanks to Hibs drawing at Ibrox yesterday. Good volley by Maloney and a rather fortunate 2nd by McDonald had us comfortable at HT. But always the worry about a 2 goal lead is the team will go to sleep and this nearly cost us again today. Interesting to hear Tony Mowbray at the end. He was far less forthcoming than a few weeks ago after the 2-0 win against St. Mirren, when he said that that display was not good enough. Today it was all about getting the 3 points. Agreed but Celtic were hardly any better.

[CelticBhoy]

Watched this game live. Decent first half,

but poor second. Maybe blame it on the

sh*tty weather.

Samaras was his usual woeful. He just

doesn't cut it as a striker to me. He's

never in the 6-yard box for a wee poach.

His first touch is dreadful and he's ugly.

There, that's Samaras summed-up!

So we're back on top and the team in second

is up for sale. I'll start the bidding - tenner anyone?

[salty]

CB,

I thought Samaras did well for us in 2008 but in 2009 he has been dreadful. He now consistently resembles a bull in a china shop with his lack of control.

Just watching WGS arriving at Riverside to take up the Boro job. Caldwell to join him?

12 Euro and that's my final offer.

[CelticBhoy]

12 Euro and that's my final offer.

Careful Salty old son - that bid

may just tip the scales in your

direction . . . .

[salty]

Celtic 0 Hearts 1

Another dreadful display by Celtic. Hard to know where to start. Hearts should have been ahead at HT. They had the better chances aided by more shocking defending by Celtic. CB's hero McCourt on for 2nd half for Maloney had a early great run and smashed one of the crossbar. Hearts played mainly on the break and after 59 minutes Fox gave a short ball to N'Guemo who was stretching and robbed and Nade put away in the area. Fox dived in and took him down. No need for stupid tackle. Nade was at a angle and debateable whether he would have caught the ball before it ran out. In any case McManus was in a covering position. To add injury to insult Stewart took a very poor penalty which Zaluska should have saved but he let it creep under his body. McDonald and Samaras came on and Celtic had Hearts defending desperately. But Samaras was dreadful again missed a sitter with a header, then lobbed the goalie and hit the upright when he should have scored comfortably.

A lot of pressure from Celtic but dreadful passing and very little creativity meant they never looked like saving the game. McManus summed up Celtic's play in injury time with a shocking foul on Driver. He just hacked him down quite deliberately. He got a yellow but on the advice of the linesman upgraded to a red. At that stage I realised I didn't care. The team that won in Moscow and had such a bright start to the League has completley fallen apart. No confidence and about 20,000 in Parkhead tonight jeered them off at the end.

CB,

I trust you were asleep and did not see the game. With our imminent departure from Europe it will at least mean there will be no temptation to get up in the middle of the night in Thailand when I am in holidays to watch them.

[CelticBhoy]

Oh well. No Cup and soon no Europe.

But the league carries on, Salty old son.

Plenty games there to watch, and we may

be watching the New Year Old Firm in

Jomtien if I have my way! Chin up .

[CelticBhoy]

CELTIC TOO STRONG

Celtic pulled four points clear of Old Firm rivals Rangers at the top of the SPL with a comfortable 3-0 win over Kilmarnock at Parkhead.

In a one-sided first half, goals from Aiden McGeady and Georgios Samaras gave the home side a deserved lead which could have been more convincing if not for some slack play in the final third.

Although Killie skipper Kevin Kyle missed three good chances with his head, Hoops substitute Niall McGinn, on for Paddy McCourt in the second half, put a proper perspective on the game when he grabbed the third in 78 minutes.

These are the headlines I like to see!

The 'Tic in top spot and Hibs in 2nd.

[salty]

CB,

Some good news for a change. Central defenders poor again though yesterday. BBC Transfer gossip today has us in for Kilgallon of Sheff Utd in transfer window for 1.5 million. I can't say I know much about him.

I daresay like myself you will be keeping an eye on events at Tannadice in the next few hours.

[CelticBhoy]

Game abandoned at half-time for the Scum.

Does that mean a replay, or does the score

stand at 1-0? What's the story?

[Jockstar]

Game abandoned at half-time for the Scum.

Does that mean a replay, or does the score

stand at 1-0? What's the story?

From soccernet.

Rangers were 1-0 ahead thanks to a Steven Davis strike but will now have to make another trip to Tayside at a later date.

[salty]

Bad news for Rangers. Game abandoned when leading 1-0. Not surprising given the dreadful conditions. Now an extra trip to Dundee on a date to be arranged and the extra cost of coach hire.

[salty]

Hamburg 0 Celtic 0

A point keeps us on life support for another few weeks but expect it to be switched off after the next fixtures. Had it been our 1st Group Game we would have been pleased with an away point but in the present circumstances of very little value.

I must say at the end I was happy with a draw. I was dreading a late Hamburg winner to add insult to injury. Zaluska had an outstanding game making several good saves. The defence as usual was very dodgy especially at corners where Hamburg got several free headers. We made a few chances with McDonald twice shooting at the goalie and Samaras with a very tame effort in the 2nd half. Overall as before Celtic too slow and deliberate in thought and action. Hamburg seem to be able to create space much better and much quicker in general.

Next game at home to Hapoel who won 3-0 in Vienna.

[CelticBhoy]

We're in a MUST win situation now,

with Hamburg in a MUST lose to

help us out. That's a worry, to say

the least!