To see less ads Register or Login ----- Daily Fantasy Sports games 18+

Celtic 05-07

A Forum for specialist news on Premiership Clubs.
User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

22/1/2006 v Motherwell Fir Park SPL 3-1

Motherwell Graeme Smith, Corrigan, Craigan,Kinniburgh (McLean 84), Hammell, Kerr, McBride, McCormack,

Foran, Scott McDonald, Hamilton.


Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Fagan, Maguire, Coakley, Reynolds, Darren Lee Smith.


Booked: McCormack, Foran, Hamilton.


Goals: Hamilton 41.


Celtic Boruc, Telfer, Virgo, Varga, Camara,Nakamura (McGeady 62), Lennon, Petrov, Maloney,

Zurawski (Pearson 74), Hartson.


Subs Not Used: Marshall, Wilson, Wallace, Lawson, O'Dea.


Goals: Zurawski 17, McGeady 71, Hartson 85.


Att: 11,503


Ref: C Richmond (Scotland).

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

28/1/2006 v Dundee United Celtic Park SPL 3-3

Celtic Boruc, Wilson, Virgo, Varga, Wallace,Nakamura (Pearson 72), Lennon, Petrov, Maloney, Zurawski,Hartson.


Subs Not Used: Marshall, Keane, McManus, Camara, McGlinchey,

Quinn.


Goals: Hartson 9, Zurawski 49, Petrov 67.


Dundee Utd Stillie, McCracken, Archibald, McInnes (Miller 80),Robson, Kerr, Brebner, McIntyre, Duff,Fernandez (Goodwillie 90), Samuel.


Subs Not Used: Gardiner, Samson, Kenneth, Robertson, Cameron.


Goals: Fernandez 40, Miller 82, Fernandez 86.


Att: 59,875


Ref: M Ritchie (Scotland).

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

1/2/2006 v Motherwell Hampden CIS Cup Semi Final 2-1

Motherwell Graeme Smith, Corrigan, Craigan, McLean, Hammell,McBride (O'Donnell 89), McCormack, Kerr, Foran, Scott McDonald,Hamilton (Thermeus 89).


Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Fagan, Reynolds.


Booked: Craigan.


Goals: Foran 11.


Celtic Boruc, Virgo (Keane 89), McManus, Varga,Camara (Pearson 72), Nakamura (Thompson 65), Petrov, Lennon,Maloney, Zurawski, Hartson.


Subs Not Used: Marshall, Dublin.


Booked: Hartson.


Goals: Zurawski 29, Maloney 88.


Att: 32,595


Ref: C Thomson (Scotland).

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

8/2/2006 v Falkirk Celtic Park SPL 2-1

Celtic Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Wilson,Nakamura (Thompson 89), Petrov, Keane, Maloney, Zurawski,Dublin.


Subs Not Used: Marshall, Hartson, Varga, Pearson, Wallace,

McGlinchey.


Booked: Petrov.


Goals: Keane 34, McManus 44.


Falkirk Ferguson, Cregg, Ross, Ireland, Milne,Lescinel (Moutinho 60), O'Donnell (Craig 78), Rodrigues,Thomson (Lima 85), McBreen, Gow.


Subs Not Used: Howard, Latapy, Lawrie, Allison.


Booked: Ross, Lescinel, O'Donnell.


Goals: Milne 83.


Att: 56,672


Ref: I Brines (Scotland).

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

12/2/2006 v Rangers Ibrox SPL 1-0

Rangers Waterreus, Hutton, Andrews, Kyrgiakos (Rodriguez 66),Smith, Burke, Malcolm, Ferguson, Buffel (Kris Boyd 72),Novo (Lovenkrands 61), Prso.


Subs Not Used: Klos, Hemdani, Murray, Namouchi.


Booked: Prso, Kyrgiakos, Kris Boyd.


Celtic Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Wilson, Petrov, Keane,Lennon, Maloney (Pearson 89), Zurawski, Hartson (Dublin 74).


Subs Not Used: Marshall, Thompson, Nakamura, Wallace,

McGlinchey.


Booked: Keane.


Goals: Zurawski 12.


Att: 49,788


Ref: M McCurry (Scotland).

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

19/2/2006 v Dunfermline East End Park SPL 8-1

Dunfermline Halliwell, McCunnie, Scott Wilson, Tod,Zambernardi, Darren Young, Mason, Simmons,Craig Wilson (Daquin 66), Burchill,Andy Campbell (Tarachulski 57).


Subs Not Used: McGregor, Donnelly, Labonte, Ross, Phinn.


Booked: Mason, Simmons.


Goals: Tod 14.


Celtic Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Wilson,Petrov (Nakamura 80), Lennon, Keane (Thompson 67), Maloney,Hartson (Dublin 63), Zurawski.


Subs Not Used: Marshall, Pearson, Lawson, Ferry.


Goals: Petrov 3, Hartson 24, Zurawski 32, 40, 56, Maloney 74,

Lennon 82, Zurawski 88.


Att: 9,015


Ref: Dougie McDonald (Scotland).

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

20/1/06 Hibs captain Caldwell to loin in the summer.


Gordon Strachan this afternoon confirmed that Hibernian defender Gary Caldwell has signed a pre-contract agreement with Celtic and will join the club in the summer.

The Scottish internationalist's capture - on a three-year deal with the option for a further season - has been an open secret for almost a week now but Strachan dismissed suggestions that it was negotiations to take Caldwell to Celtic Park sooner rather than later which had delayed the news being announced.

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

Another routine win for Celtic. At this rate the league could be sewn up by the time the league splits.

Celtic v Aberdeen 3-0 SPL at Celtic Park Saturday 4/3/06 ko 15.00

Celtic Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Wilson, Petrov, Lennon,Keane, Maloney, Zurawski, Hartson (Nakamura 63).


Subs Not Used: Marshall, Varga, Pearson, Wallace, Dublin,

Lawson.


Booked: Balde.


Goals: Petrov 66, Maloney 75, Zurawski 89.


Aberdeen Langfield, MacFarlane, Anderson, Diamond, McNaughton,Nicholson (Foster 31), Severin, Griffin (Crawford 73), Clark,Lovell, Snoyl (Mackie 38).


Subs Not Used: Kelly, Dempsey, Stewart, Macauley.


Booked: MacFarlane.


Att: 60,018


Ref: M McCurry (Scotland).
Last edited by thelip on 06 Mar 2006, 16:37, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

Maciej Zurawski has today been announced as the SPL Player of the Month for February.

The Polish international has been in impressive, free-scoring form since the turn of the year, with his goal in yesterday’s 3-0 win over Aberdeen takng his recent tally to 11 from just nine games.

With 13 SPL strikes to his name, Zurawski is also firmly in the reckoning to finish the season as Scotland’s top scorer, this despite sitting out fully two months of action with a hamstring injury.

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

CLUB captain Neil Lennon has highlighted the exceptional form of fellow midfielders, Roy Keane and Stilian Petrov, as Celtic hit ‘a purple patch’ at the perfect point in the season.

Speaking in the wake of Saturday’s 3-0 home win over Aberdeen the Irishman was fulsome in his praise of makeshift striker Petrov, who helped change the game when moved up front to partner Maciej Zurawski and also Keane, who himself was playing in a more advanced role.

The performance of Keane in particular caught Lennon’s eye and he commented: “That was his trademark early on in his career.

“He had a hand in all three goals and it just shows he has got more strings to his bow than just sitting-in.

“I just told him: ‘On you go’,” Lennon continued. “Some days it might be a toss-up about who is doing it, but you can see he's full of running and full of energy, as were the whole team.

“We're looking really strong and, in the last few weeks, we've really hit a purple patch.”

If the 34 year-old Keane’s performance was full of running and energy, Petrov was a picture of perpetual motion as he worked in tandem with Zurawski.

The midfielder opened the scoring for Celtic moments after being pushed forward in the 65th minute and rounded-off the performance with an assist for the third.

“Stilian has played there in training and has been great to watch,” Lennon revealed.

“The link-up play all round was really good, but it just shows the ability he has to be able to play in a number of positions.

“He doesn’t just fit-in, he plays really well and makes a difference.

“And, after he scored the first goal, some of the football we played was the best we've enjoyed this season.”

This fact alone will inspire Celtic with confidence as they prepare to play the final five games before the SPL league split.

There are ten games in total before the end of the season and with Celtic having established a 13 point lead, the championship is almost within Celtic’s grasp.

But with several difficult matches on the immediate horizon, Lennon has urged patience and caution.

“There are just 10 games to go now,” he concluded. “We know we have to be patient, especially at home and we knew that was going to be the case against Aberdeen.

“The crowd sometimes want you to get the ball forward quickly but I thought we were really patient and took the opportunity to open them up when we could.

“You always hope to get that first goal early, but, when it doesn't come, you just have to keep knocking at the door.”

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

SPL Hibs v Celtic 12/3/06 Easter Road

1-2

Hibernian Simon Brown, Whittaker, Caldwell, Smith, Murphy,Stewart, Thomson, Glass (Fletcher 69), Sproule,Killen (Dalglish 74), Riordan (Malkowski 62).


Subs Not Used: Hogg, Konde, McCluskey, Shields.


Sent Off: Simon Brown (61).


Booked: Whittaker, Thomson.


Goals: Riordan 24.


Celtic Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Wilson,Nakamura (Pearson 80), Lennon, Keane, Maloney, Petrov, Zurawski.


Subs Not Used: Marshall, Dublin, Thompson, Varga, Lawson,

Wallace.


Goals: Maloney 36 pen, McManus 60

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

Celtic secure the first trophy of the season by beating Dunfermline 3-0 in the CIS League Cup final.

Celtic v Dunfermline CIS Cup Final 19/3/06 Hampden

3-0

Dunfermline McGregor, Shields, Scott Wilson,Ross (Donnelly 77), Andy Campbell (Derek Young 62), Mason,Thomson, Daquin (Tarachulski 84), Labonte, Makel, Burchill.


Subs Not Used: Halliwell, Tod.


Booked: Mason, Makel, Daquin.


Celtic Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Wallace, Nakamura,Keane (Dublin 61), Lennon, Maloney, Zurawski, Petrov.


Subs Not Used: Marshall, Thompson, Pearson, Varga.


Goals: Zurawski 43, Maloney 76, Dublin 90
Last edited by thelip on 06 Apr 2006, 04:24, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

22/3/06 Celtic v Inverness CT SPL Parkhead

2-1

Celtic Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Wilson, Nakamura,Lennon, Petrov (Pearson 29), Maloney, Hartson (Dublin 68),Zurawski (Thompson 82).


Subs Not Used: Marshall, Varga, Wallace, Lawson.


Goals: McManus 35, Maloney 79.


Inverness CT Brown, Duncan, Dods, McCaffrey, Hart, Munro,Hastings, Bayne (McAllister 79), Morgan, Black (Wilson 71),Wyness.


Subs Not Used: Fraser, Golabek, Keogh, Fox, Parratt.


Booked: Black, Dods.


Goals: Hart 90.

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

26/3/06 SPL Livingston v Celtic Almondvale

0-2

Livingston McKenzie, Mackay, Strong, Dorado, Tierney,McNamee (Healy 57), Adams (Dorrans 61), Brittain, Hoolahan,Morrow, Walker.


Subs Not Used: Snodgrass, Roy, Hislop, Miller, Whelan.


Booked: Walker, Strong.


Celtic Boruc, Telfer (Wallace 45), McManus, Balde,Wilson (Varga 64), Nakamura, Petrov, Lennon, Maloney,Dublin (Hartson 80), Zurawski.


Subs Not Used: Marshall, Thompson, Pearson, Lawson.


Booked: McManus.


Goals: Zurawski 47, Maloney 52 pen

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

Hartson seals the title for Celtic before the league split by scoring the winner against 2nd place Hearts toi give Gordon Strachan two trophies in his first season in charge.


5/4/06 Celtic v Hearts SPL Parkhead

1-0

Celtic Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Wilson,Nakamura (Pearson 58), Petrov, Lennon, Maloney (McGeady 82),Zurawski, Hartson (Dublin 69).


Subs Not Used: Marshall, Thompson, Varga, Wallace.


Booked: Hartson, Telfer.


Goals: Hartson 4.


Hearts Gordon, Neilson, Webster, Berra, Fyssas, Cesnauskis,Hartley, Brellier (Elliot 85), Mikoliunas (Skacel 62), Bednar,Jankauskas (Pospisil 54).


Subs Not Used: Banks, Tall, Aguiar, Petras.


Booked: Fyssas, Brellier, Elliot.

Celtic are champions :D
Last edited by thelip on 06 Apr 2006, 04:37, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

Quinn is sure Keane will stay another year


BRIAN Quinn, the Celtic chairman, is confident Roy Keane will continue playing for the club next season despite the player suggesting he may retire in the summer because of a persistent hip injury.

The former Manchester United midfielder signed an 18-month contract when he joined in January but has started only eight games for Celtic and is currently sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Quinn, however, has praised the contribution of the Irishman and believes he will want to play on.

Quinn told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "He has had an enormous influence. Do I think he will play for us next season? Yes, I do.

"I think he will want to play on. He said after the Scottish League Cup final that was what he wanted to do and I think he will."

Quinn praised Keane's impact both on and off the pitch.

"He has made a significant contribution," the chairman said. "When he has been playing for us you can see the quality and the class of the player and that spreads to the other players on the field.

"But above and beyond that, if you speak to the younger players they say he has had a huge influence on them in training.

"He is a man who has done it all and he is an absolutely first-class footballer. The younger players learn from that - so the influence he has goes beyond the performances he has put in for the first team on the field."

Keane, 34, helped Celtic defeat Dunfermline 3-0 to win the League Cup but it was during the final that he sustained the hamstring injury.

User avatar
thelip
FISO Jedi Braveheart
Posts: 21857
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:33
Location: First Ever King Cup Winning Captain For FISO!
FS Record: Variable
Contact:

Post by thelip »

Celtic waste no time securing title

http://sport.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?ti ... =528072006

User avatar
Lone Ranger
Grumpy Old Man
Posts: 1717
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:28
Location: Bonnie Scotland
FS Record: Fantasy-League F1 Mini Champion 2005

Post by Lone Ranger »

Sorry Thelip, thought you would want this up

Celtic have moved quickly to turn down a written transfer request from Stilian Petrov.
The Bulgaria midfielder recently signed a three-and-a-half year contract but has since had a change of heart.
Petrov said: 'I have told the club that I need to move on and I hope Celtic respect my wishes.'
However, a club spokesman responded: 'We can confirm that we have today received an official transfer request from Stilian Petrov.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... 96&cc=5739

benwildman
Wideboy
Posts: 81
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:42
Contact:

Petrov

Post by benwildman »

Hello guys,

Just wanted your thoughts on whether he is likley to take the EPL fantasy leagues by storm. Clearly he has a great goalscoring record in scotland for a midlfielder, and seems to weigh in with his fair share of assists. Think he'll cut it in england? seems undervalued in OFL, people of similar value are not likely to be huge points scorers - reo coker and joey barton are the best of same price. any thoughts?

Cheers,

Ben

M-boy
Dumbledore
Posts: 5934
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:43
FS Record: FPL 94th 07/08
Contact:

Post by M-boy »

New Bhoy's Celtic Joy

Joe Sullivan

A DELIGHTED Thomas Gravesen started the countdown to his first Hoops game by facing the media at Celtic Park for the first time and the new No.16 was still on cloud nine after signing on the dotted line last week.

He said: “This is fantastic. It’s quite difficult to describe the feeling that I have. But I came up here two weeks ago and met with the manager and Peter [Lawell] and the feeling I had when I left was unbelievable and I couldn’t wait to get back.

“So these 10 days have gone really well and very fast.”

The new midfielder is no stranger to the surroundings of Celtic Park or the demands of the supporters and he definitely knows what is expected of him once he steps over that white line on to the pitch.

He said: “I am a team player, that’s for sure. I hope I am a player that will fit right into the team.

“I prefer to play as an attacking midfielder but I’ll play wherever the manager says.

“I came mainly because of the manager and the way he persuaded me by talking about the club and its history.

“But by coming up here to games previously and learning about the history of the fans and the feeling you get when you come here – that was a big, big thing for me as well.

“That easily outweighed anything that other clubs had to offer.


Celtic F.C.

M-boy
Dumbledore
Posts: 5934
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:43
FS Record: FPL 94th 07/08
Contact:

Post by M-boy »

News on injuries to Baldé and Maloney

This is a bit old, hopefully there will be official updates soon, but worth posting:

Bobo nears return 23 August 2006
David Friel

BOBO BALDE had handed Celtic manager Gordon Strachan a major boost by revealing he aims to return from injury in time for the start of the Hoops’ Champions League campaign.

The Guinean defender has missed the opening four games of the season with a pelvic problem, but has almost completed his rehabilitation programme and has targeted a comeback in early September.

"The doctor gave me a programme which I have respected," said the 30-year-old. "I have worked really hard, looked after myself and think I'm not far away from being able to play again.

“My wish is to be fit for the start of the Champions League. I have followed the eight-week course the doctor set me and now have just two weeks to go.

"The injury is coming along well. I had to play with it until we won the league last season and that is why I have taken a long time to recover.

"If I had stopped playing when I first had the problem I would have been back a lot quicker.

Celtic F.C.


A couple of days old, is a bit vague and doesn't feature any quotes, but also worth posting I think:

Balde and Maloney out of date with Red Devils 6 August 2006
Ronnie Cully

TIME appears to finally have beaten Bobo Balde and Shaun Maloney in their race to be ready for Celtic's opening Champions League game against Manchester United a week tonight.

The giant Guinean defender has been out since April 5 with a stomach injury which required surgery within days of him reporting back to the club for pre-season training.

And Player of the Year Maloney has also been under the knife when a hernia halted his preparation for the season after just one game on their American tour in July.

Balde is back training as he puts in what is effectively a pre-season, while Maloney has stepped up his rehabilitation and is now concentrating on running to get his fitness levels up to the level required for him to get back into action on the pitch.

But neither was considered ready for yesterday's reserve game against Inverness - won by two superb goals from Jim O'Brien.

And with only Saturday's tough SPL game at Aberdeen between now and travelling to Old Trafford next week, their battle to be involved is almost certainly lost.

In Maloney's absence, Aiden McGeady has been in outstanding form, while Balde's place has been taken by summer arrival Gary Caldwell, whose partnership with Stephen McManus at the heart of the defence has gradually improved.

However, McManus has had to pull out of the Scotland squad for tonight's game against Lithuania with a thigh strain, which is being treated by the physios at Parkhead.

Manager Gordon Strachan must sweat it out until Friday before he can be sure all of his players on international duty tonight - including Caldwell - are fit to line up against Aberdeen.

With the kick-off against one of the two unbeaten sides in the SPL brought forward to lunch-time for TV purposes, the Celtic boss has very little time to work with his squad, who have yet to have even a single training session involving latest signings Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Thomas Gravesen.

Evening Times

M-boy
Dumbledore
Posts: 5934
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:43
FS Record: FPL 94th 07/08
Contact:

Post by M-boy »

Aberdeen v Celtic

Jan's the man again for Celts
David Friel

Scottish Premierleague
Saturday, September 9, 2006
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen

ABERDEEN…0
CELTIC…1

(Vennegoor of Hesselink 78)

CELTIC warmed up for Wednesday’s ‘Battle of Britain’ clash against Manchester United with an extremely hard-fought win - thanks to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink’s second strike for the Hoops.

After a goalless first period in which neither side created any clear-cut openings, Celtic dominated possession after the break and, urged on by the outstanding Thomas Gravesen, grabbed the goal their superiority deserved to take all three points.

Against a resolute Aberdeen side, who almost grabbed a last-gasp leveller, this was the perfect result ahead of this week’s UEFA Champions League Old Trafford showdown and is a win that could prove vital come the end of the season.

With almost a full-strength squad to choose from after the international break, Celtic boss Gordon Strachan made three changes to the side that beat Hibernian 2-1 a fortnight ago.

Artur Boruc shrugged off a niggling back injury to replace David Marshall in goals, while Vennegoor of Hesselink and Gravesen made their first starts in the Hoops – at the expense of Stephen Pearson and Kenny Miller.

Gravesen’s every touch was being cheered by the visiting Hoops fans and the Danish midfielder was almost put through on goal by Shunsuke Nakamura in the opening minutes. However, Russell Anderson forced him wide and the danger was cleared.

Another new Bhoy, Lee Naylor, continued his impressive start to his Hoops career with an accomplished showing at left-back. The ex-Wolves man also demonstrated his attacking ability with a fierce drive that pole-axed Zander Diamond as it flew towards the goal.

With much of the opening exchanges being played out in midfield, few chances were being created. However, Aberdeen’s Richie Foster narrowly failed to connect with Lee Miller’s header across the face of goal.

Marked closely by Richard Hart, Aiden McGeady was initially quiet by his own standards, but burst into life in the 15th minute with a deft turn and flashing drive that was inches away from finding the top corner.

The Irish internationalist then raced away on the break and found Gravesen inside the box. However, Anderson produced a superb tackle as the former Real Madrid man was about to pull the trigger.

With a back three of Anderson, Diamond and Scott Severin protected by a deep-lying midfield, Aberdeen were defending stoutly and forcing Celtic into long-range efforts.

McGeady again tried his luck from outside the box but Dons goalkeeper Jamie Langfield dealt comfortably with his curling strike. Gary Caldwell then broke from the back but his drive was blocked by Anderson.

Both in attack and defence, Vennegoor of Hesselink was proving dominant in the air and the big Dutchman almost grabbed the opener with a looping header in the 40th minute, only for Miller to deny him with a last-gasp goal-line clearance.

Aberdeen sweeper Severin then blocked bravely from the Hoops striker as half-time arrived with Celtic on top, but having nothing to show for their endeavours.

Strachan’s side started the second period in much the same fashion, but again Aberdeen’s defence was proving difficult to break down, despite the Hoops enjoying almost constant possession.

Maciej Zurawski, who had endured a frustrating afternoon, was withdrawn for Miller early in the second half as Celtic looked to inject some more pace into their attacking play.

Gravesen landed himself a caution after an aerial battle with Chris Clark, although even the Aberdeen players seemed a bit surprised at referee Mike McCurry’s decision to brandish a yellow card for what looked like a wholehearted challenge by both players.

However, the Dane didn’t let the booking get to him and almost gave Celtic the lead in the 64th minute. Vennegoor of Hesselink outmuscled Anderson and dragged the ball back for Gravesen at the angle of the box, but Langfield produced a fine diving save.

The midfielder tested the Dons No.1 with a speculative long-range drive as Celtic sought to up the tempo and chase the all-important goal. And it finally arrived in the 78th minute.

McGeady, who was always searching for an opening in the second period, surged into space and fed Miller. The Scotland striker then found Vennegoor of Hesselink and as space opened up in front of goal, the Dutchman rifled a shot into the bottom corner from 16 yards.

Gravesen almost added a second in the 84th minute, before Celtic had a huge let-off. Dons substitute Dan Smith created havoc in the six-yard box with a curling cross and Neil Lennon had to clear off the line.

Severin blazed over from the edge of the box and Boruc then smothered Barry Nicholson’s curling free-kick as Celtic held on for the crucial win.

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Thomas Gravesen

ABERDEEN (3-5-2) Langfield; Anderson, Severin, Diamond; Hart (Daal 74), Dempsey (Smith 61), Nicholson, Clark, Foster; Mackie, Miller (Maguire 74)
Subs: Soutar, Winter, Considine, Donald, Daal

CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc; Wilson, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor; Nakamura, Gravesen, Lennon, McGeady; Vennegoor of Hesselink (Pearson 90), Zurawski (Miller 56)
Subs: Marshall, Riordan, Sno, Cuthbert, Jarosik

Attendance: 15,304

Celtic F.C.

M-boy
Dumbledore
Posts: 5934
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:43
FS Record: FPL 94th 07/08
Contact:

Post by M-boy »

Vennegoor of Hesselink speaks to the Evening Times:



JAN VENNEGOOR OF HESSELINK'S only previous experience of playing at Old Trafford was in a Vodafone Cup friendly for PSV Eindhoven.

On Wednesday the Celtic striker wants to maintain his goal-a-game record since pulling on the Hoops and to come off the pitch boasting that Manchester United's number is up. The former PSV star - who knocked in his second goal in his second game at Pittodrie on Saturday - is under no illusions as to the size of the task facing Celtic.

But he is ready to answer the call for a hero, and can't wait to line up against Sir Alex Ferguson's star-studded side. He reckons the Celtic players are all getting dialled into how new Bhoys Thomas Gravesen, Lee Naylor and himself operate, and reckons they will improve their connection with every game.

Vennegoor of Hesselink said: "Some players don't yet know how Thomas, me and some of the other new lads play.

"But that is football. And on Saturday we defended well and gave nothing away.

"When we get used to each other, maybe we can score more goals. But the start is there."

Vennegoor of Hesselink stole the show with the winning goal on his debut against Hibs two weeks ago, and was delighted the spotlight fell on Gravesen this time around.

He said: "Thomas is an experienced player and he was everywhere on the pitch. He was man of the match on his debut, and that speaks for itself."

Gravesen will have to be at his omnipotent best at Old Trafford, but Vennegoor of Hesselink knows it will take 11 top-drawer performances if Celtic are to get their Champions League campaign off to a good start.

"It's always difficult at Old Trafford," he said. "They have world class players. But I know from my time at PSV that if we play like a team we can make it very difficult for them."

Despite being forced off with cramp at Pittodrie, Vennegoor of Hesselink expects to make a full recovery and is willing to lead from the front against United.

He is relishing the prospect of going head-to-head with the likes of Rio Ferdinand and said: "It's nice to face world class players. The Champions League is the biggest stage in Europe, and I have been there many times before.

"It is even on TV in Holland because Ajax did not make it through the qualifiers.

"Of course it would be nice for me if I could score. But it does not matter who scores for us.

"It is a difficult group with some good opponents. But it can work, and I am confident if we learn to play with each other, know the things we need to know about each other, I think we have a very decent chance of qualifying."

Evening Times

M-boy
Dumbledore
Posts: 5934
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:43
FS Record: FPL 94th 07/08
Contact:

Post by M-boy »

Double post.
Last edited by M-boy on 11 Sep 2006, 19:31, edited 1 time in total.

M-boy
Dumbledore
Posts: 5934
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:43
FS Record: FPL 94th 07/08
Contact:

Post by M-boy »

Strachan on teamtalk:

Gordon Strachan has warned Celtic playing Manchester United in the Champions League is a step up in class even from international football. The SPL leaders begin their Group F campaign at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Sir Alex Ferguson's men have started the season with four consecutive victories and Strachan admits his side face a stiff challenge against top opposition.

He said: "We are going to play against some of the best players in the world.

"Forget about international level - that really doesn't count.

"If United play in the English Premiership and then play at international level then 90% of the time they are going down a level. This is the highest level you can play."

Strachan admits his inexperienced defence will be under immense pressure.

Goalkeeper Artur Boruc, Mark Wilson, Gary Caldwell, Stephen McManus and Lee Naylor will be looking to keep Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and co quiet.

Strachan said: "If we look at our back four they are young in the Champions League. If you look at AC Milan a couple of years ago their average age was 36 and we have an average age of 25. It's hard for them but the good thing about it is they got a taste of what the surface and atmosphere are like when we played there at the end of last season (losing 1-0 in Roy Keane's testimonial in May). We will need to protect them."

Strachan admits his side need to ride their luck this week if they are to pull off a shock in Manchester.

He added: "We are playing against a team who have won all their games so far and are on fire at the moment.

"Their players are playing well. We know it's going to be hard but we have to believe that we have the players to give them problems.

"We are going to need a bit of luck but I have never known anybody to go to Old Trafford who haven't needed a bit of luck to get a result."

But Strachan is more optimistic now than he was during the pre-season when they failed to win a single game.

Celtic have lifted spirits by signing Thomas Gravesen and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Strachan told Scottish TV: "We are getting better as the season progresses.

"When we first set out in the pre-season and in Poland we had a bunch of young boys. Personalities had left the club and a lot were about to leave the club.

"I was a bit worried if that team would be playing but I am getting more confident as the season goes on.

"I am more confident after Saturday (1-0 victory over

Aberdeen at Pittodrie) against a side who were unbeaten in the league and had not lost at home since December."

teamtalk

M-boy
Dumbledore
Posts: 5934
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:43
FS Record: FPL 94th 07/08
Contact:

Post by M-boy »

Double post.

M-boy
Dumbledore
Posts: 5934
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:43
FS Record: FPL 94th 07/08
Contact:

Post by M-boy »

Article from Teamtalk on injuries in Celtic defence, includes Strachan quotes.

Strachan ready to use Cuthbert

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has warned 19-year-old Scott Cuthbert to "prepare for the biggest game of his life" against Manchester United.

Three of Celtic's back four will be playing through the pain barrier when they take on Wayne Rooney and company at Old Trafford on Wednesday in their Champions League Group F encounter.

Strachan has concerns over Stephen McManus, Gary Caldwell and Lee Naylor. Scotland duo McManus (thigh) and Caldwell (heal) aggravated their injuries in Saturday's 1-0 success at Aberdeen while recent signing Naylor twisted his ankle in training on Monday.

But Strachan believes heart and strength will get them through the game.

"Our centre-backs played on Saturday with knocks," he said.

"You talk about experience and they might not have that but they have big hearts and they are physically and mentally strong. They showed that on Saturday. I have to remind people that on Saturday we had 13 attempts on goal and Aberdeen had none whatsoever. So the back four did very well against Aberdeen but this is a different challenge. Lee Naylor has got a wee bit of a knock as well so they are being protected in training. We are short in that department. They showed that with injuries they could keep their concentration.

"They aggravated them during the game on Saturday. There is no doubt they will be feeling a wee bit of pain but the excitement and the adrenalin will hopefully nullify the pain."

Cuthbert was on the bench at Pittodrie on Saturday but he was not even in the Champions League handbook. But with concerns over three of his back four, the youngster might have to be called upon at some stage.

Strachan added: "He is clever to know that in training there were not that many defenders there. He (Cuthbert) has got to understand that it might be time for him to come to the fore which would make the back four even more inexperienced.

"But they have to learn somewhere and they might as learn at the highest level."

Strachan admits his side are also under pressure to continue the good work of the Scotland international squad and their own game.

Walter Smith's revitalised side are top of Euro 2008 qualifying Group B after wins over the Faroe Islands and Lithuania.

The former Scotland star also believes his team are playing for the pride of the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

Strachan explained: "What we are doing is representing Scottish football.

"Walter Smith, his backroom staff and the players have had a wee turnaround in the last couple of months.

"We hope to continue the good work they have started.

"There is a lot of pressure on us because we are champions of Scotland and by 20 points - let me remind you.

"People will watch our performance and decide whether the Scottish league is good enough. We are doing it for ourselves but we are also doing it for Scottish football. We are all going to get judged - the players themselves, Celtic Football Club and Scottish football."

Strachan insists his team salvaged their own pride from their Champions League qualifying exit to Artmedia Bratislava by walking away with the title and CIS Insurance Cup last season.

He continued: "We spent nine months trying to recover from that. At the end of that we ended up champions and we could not do any more than winning two trophies. There is a time in football when you stop apologising and get on with life. I don't think that will ever go away but you have to live with these things.

"There are four or five experiences in my life that I will have to live with. But I try to get over them and all we can do is get better to exorcise the ghost of that evening."

Teamtalk

M-boy
Dumbledore
Posts: 5934
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:43
FS Record: FPL 94th 07/08
Contact:

Post by M-boy »

Last night, in a reserve game, Bobo Baldé made his first competitive appearance at any level for the club since undergoing a stomach operation in the summer.

M-boy
Dumbledore
Posts: 5934
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:43
FS Record: FPL 94th 07/08
Contact:

Post by M-boy »

Proud but ultimately beaten
Gregor Kyle

UEFA Champions League
Wednesday, September 13 2006
Old Trafford, Manchester

MANCHESTER UNITED… 3
(Saha 30, 40, Solksjaer 47)
CELTIC… 2
(Vennegoor of Hesselink 21, Nakamura 43)

CELTIC left Old Trafford with no points from this opening UEFA Champions League encounter, but with their pride more than intact after a great showing against the Group F favourites.

Many will in fact have taken renewed hope from this dramatic and highly enjoyable 90 minutes of football in which Celtic took the lead, went behind and then levelled minutes before half-time.

But with United substitute Ole Gunnar Solksjaer snatching what would eventually stand as the winner, just over 60 seconds after the restart, Celtic were left empty handed, despite their outstanding efforts.

The first half of this match was a rip-roaring 45 minutes of football, played at a breakneck pace that was set, early on, by a home side who looked determined to use the speed of strikers Saha and Rooney to best effect.

A series of early balls were lifted over the defence in to the paths of the runners and Celtic enjoyed a few close calls as they settled in this opening period.

The closest however came in the eighth minute as midfielder Darren Fletcher[/b] took a quick free kick and pushed it out to Gary Neville on the right, who lifted a cross into the box that was met in mid-flight by Saha and headed narrowly wide of Boruc’s right post.

Rooney enjoyed the next chance, clipping a poor cross from his strike partner over the crossbar, before Saha flashed his own, acrobatic volley inches over in the 18th minute.

Yet by this stage there were already signs that Celtic were gradually adapting and containing their opponents and then, thanks to their Dutch targetman, they took the lead in stunning fashion.

It was a simple long ball forward that caused the initial problems, but Vennegoor of Hesselink created this chance on his own, controlling the ball on his chest, turning, breaking toward goal and smashing his low shot beyond Edwin Van Der Sar.

It was Vennegoor of Hesselink’s third strike in as many matches for the club and one that silenced the home crowd, while igniting the 6000 away supporters that were gathered in the upper tier opposite the Stretford End.

Celtic’s goal however appeared to be the equivalent of a stick in a wasp’s nest and in the ensuing minutes, a stung United buzzed forward in search of an equaliser, mounting wave after wave of attack.

First Stephen McManus hacked away a Giggs cross then, as the ball broke for Scholes on the edge of the box, the 23 year-old, his defensive partner Gary Caldwell and Neil Lennon all rushed forward to block the shot.

Then, in the 29th minute, United’s on-form winger Giggs again broke for byline, where he was met and this time fouled by an onrushing Artur Boruc.

The ball appeared to be running out of play, while Welshman looked to have made the most of the challenge, but it was a rash move by the Polish keeper and Giggs certainly fell heavily, being replaced, minutes later by Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.

It fell to Saha to take the spot kick and although Boruc made the right move, the ball was zipped in low, hard and past his fingertips into the bottom corner for the leveller.

The goal was a sickener, but Celtic regrouped, with Nakamura finding Vennegoor of Hesselink inside the box with a long free-kick which was headed straight at the keeper.

Although as half-time approached and the pace finally looked to be fading, Scholes and Saha combined brilliantly to hand United the lead.

The move was started by the little midfielder, who clipped his pass straight through to Saha, who had again used his pace to get in behind the defence, where he coolly slotted the ball beneath Artur Boruc.

It looked like a cruel end to a half in which Celtic had more than held their own against the home side, but there was still more to come in what was already developing into a classic European encounter.

As the seconds ticked away Jiri Jarosik was felled on the edge of the box and as Shunsuke Nakamura stepped up, a hush of expectation fell over the travelling support.

Meanwhile Thomas Gravesen and Jarosik made a hole in the wall, crowding out the diminutive Scholes and the Japanese midfielder curled his free-kick beautifully, up and over the heads of both team-mates and past the stranded Van Der Sar.

The score was now level at half-time and as the supporters took stock during the interval, they could never have anticipated that this young and inexperienced Celtic team would have been able to pose such a threat to their much-favoured hosts.

But with their pride most definitely bruised, it took the home side just two minutes after the restart to score what would eventually stand as the decisive goal in this dramatic encounter.

The chance arose for United when the ball was given away cheaply in the Celtic midfield to Scholes who broke forward and rolled an inch-perfect pass into the feet of Saha.

The Frenchman’s shot was brilliantly saved by Boruc and as the defence scrambled to cover, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, so often United’s hero in Europe, broke in to smash home the rebound.

The strike would have broken many sides, but Celtic kept their heads and with Paul Telfer :roll: replacing an injured Mark Wilson and Kenny Miller, coming on for Jiri Jarosik, they quickly rebuilt and began to counter.

Miller was in fact instrumental in carving out Celtic’s next chance within minutes of his introduction, chasing a long pass from Caldwell into the corner and driving across an early ball that was taken off the boot of Vennegoor of Hesselink by Rio Ferdinand.

The pace of this match also continued unabated and as United carved out several chances, Boruc made a succession of remarkable saves.

First the Pole denied Saha, Rooney and then Saha again, with five minutes left on the clock, to keep the home side at bay.

But one incredible, acrobatic dive to deny Paul Telfer :roll: after the defender almost turned the ball in to his own net was the pick of the bunch and perhaps even one of the best that the supporters at this great arena have ever witnessed.

Celtic for their part remained a danger, harrying their opponents and countering quickly and Thomas Gravesen was unlucky not to beat Van Der Sar with a low drive late in the day.

The threat posed by the visitors was perhaps best exemplified by Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to bring on defender John O’Shea to shore up the defence with ten minutes to go and when the final whistle did sound, United’s lead was intact, but so to was Celtic’s pride.

No points may have been gained at Old Trafford in this memorable match, but the supporters have certainly taken fresh hope for this season’s forthcoming UEFA Champions League campaign. And Gordon Strachan’s men have certainly silenced a host of their critics and doubters.

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Artur Boruc

MAN UTD (4-4-2) Van Der Sar; Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre; Fletcher, Scholes (O’Shea 80), Carrick, Giggs (Solksjaer 32); Rooney (Richardson 85), Saha.
Subs: Kusczak, Evra, Smith, Vidic.
CELTIC (4-5-1) Boruc; Wilson (Telfer 52 :roll:), Caldwell, McManus, Naylor; Nakamura, Gravesen, Lennon, Jarosik (Miller 56), McGeady (Maloney 69); Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Subs: Marshall, Balde, Zurawski, Sno.

Celtic F.C.

M-boy
Dumbledore
Posts: 5934
Joined: 13 Oct 2005, 18:43
FS Record: FPL 94th 07/08
Contact:

Post by M-boy »

The right attitude
Gregor Kyle

THE attitude was right, but the accuracy of Celtic’s passes cost the side against Manchester United.

But as Gordon Strachan looked back on the UEFA Champions League opener he has plenty of hope for the coming European games.

"We thought we could get them on the counter-attack but the biggest problem of the night was our unnecessary bad passing,” explained the Celtic manager.

“Our passing wasn't good and no matter what system you've got, if you don't pass the ball well, no system is going to work.

"That said, I am really pleased with their attitude and as long as they do the team thing, we are all right."

A second half strike by Ole Gunnar Solksjaer eventually sealed the win for the home side after the teams had been locked at 2-2 after a classic first half of football.

However, the talking point among many after the match was the penalty which levelled the game for the home side, after Ryan Giggs had apparently dived to win the spot-kick.

“It was not a penalty,” said Strachan, “there was no mistake from us there but I can live with that. I don't think it was a penalty.

“I'm not slamming or blasting anyone, but it was not a penalty.

“The ref made one mistake, we made numerous. Why should we criticise him for making one?

“On the night, our flair players did not pass the ball as well as they could."

Celtic F.C.

View Latest: 1 Day View Your posts
Locked

Return to “Specialist Club Knowledge”