Prev Page 3 of 46 1 2 3 4 5 Next » Please log in to reply 1133 replies to this topic

[grandslam]

Atmosphere and football at Rugby Park midweek Kilmarnock spinechilling, particularly when the scored penalty for Inverness came through
via the various mobiles around the ground.   Hope to be able to say I was there when the league table turned, time will tell.

Expected to do a double pat on the back for the 'Tic but St. Mirren have put paid to that with a deserved win in their new ground (only the
diddy cup tho')

[Jockstar]

St Mirren 1 - 0 Celtic



Updated: March 7, 2009, 2:39 PM UK
Billy Mehmet's second-half penalty gave St Mirren a sensational Homecoming Scottish Cup quarter-final victory over Celtic - a week after the Buddies lost 7-0 at Parkhead in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

There were 55 minutes played when Celtic captain Stephen McManus felled Craig Dargo inside the box and English striker Mehmet sent Artur Boruc the wrong way from the spot.

Celtic threw everything forward, especially in the latter stages, in a bid to keep their hopes of a domestic treble alive, but the Buddies defended resolutely to book their semi-final spot.

The final whistle brought elation to the home fans among the crowd of 5,925 and also to goalkeeper Chris Smith who made up for his Parkhead nightmare with a fine save at the end from a Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink header to prevent a replay.

The home side started as though they had wiped clean the memory of their drubbing in Glasgow.

In the second minute, following the home side's first corner of the game, Boruc was forced to make a good save from Garry Brady's angled volley.

The first scare for St Mirren came moments later when goalkeeper Smith looked hesitant in dealing with Celtic right-back Andreas Hinkel's long ball to the back post, but Vennegoor of Hesselink was too slow to get a proper connection.

In the 14th minute, as both sides tried to come to terms with the swirling wind, Scott McDonald had the ball in the net from Shunsuke Nakamura's cross but was ruled offside.

Possession changed hands with startling regularity as St Mirren's tactics of harrying the Parkhead side bore fruit.

Strikers Mehmet and Craig Dargo tried to keep the Celtic rearguard busy but it was as the first line of defence rather than in a more positive way.

Celtic became stronger as the half continued but they struggled to penetrate, typified when midfielder Aiden McGeady's right-footed shot from 25 yards saw Smith save with more ease than he had displayed in dealing with a couple of previous back passes.

Nakamura curled in a couple of dangerous free-kicks from the left which came to nothing but by the time the interval arrived the momentum was clearly with the Hoops.

Five minutes after the restart McGeady got the break of the ball from former Celtic defender Mo Camara but fired wide of the target from 25 yards.

Moments later, from a Nakamura corner, Celtic's stand-in left-back Darren O'Dea rose high inside a packed six-yard box to head over.

But in the 55th minute Saints found themselves dramatically ahead after they were awarded a penalty when McManus chopped down Dargo as the former Kilmarnock striker burst into the Celtic box.

To the annoyance of the home support, mindful that Jack Ross was red-carded for a similar incident involving McDonald last week at Parkhead, McManus was only booked by referee Charlie Richmond.

But they were soon cheered when Mehmet sent Boruc the wrong way from the spot.

The goal changed the dynamic of the game and as Celtic stepped up the pace, Nakamura had three more flighted free-kicks repelled by the Buddies defence.

The final whistle looked a long way off as Gus MacPherson's men were slowly pressed further back towards their own box.

Yet the Parkhead side were caught on the break with 10 minutes remaining and Boruc was forced to make another good save, this time from Andy Dorman.

Smith made a decent block from McDonald in the final few minutes and then an even better one from Vennegoor of Hesselink's point-blank header from a Nakamura cross.

But in the end, there was too much determination in the home side to let this chance of history slip.

[CelticBhoy]

We beat them 7-0 one week, then
lose 1-0 to them the following week!
You can never say that it's dull following the 'Tic!

Can't wait to reverse our fortune this coming Sunday.

[rigpig82]

Is there a Celtic bar or a bar where Celtic fans meet in Bangkok?

Or where will be showing the Cup Final this weekend.

HAIL HAIL.

[CelticBhoy]

Bar 22, halfway down Sukhumvit soi 22.
Run by Ray - a 'Tic fan.
It's a Scottish Bar and he usually has the games on.

[rigpig82]

CelticBhoy, on 2009-03-10 15:39:14, said:

Bar 22, halfway down Sukhumvit soi 22.
Run by Ray - a 'Tic fan.
It's a Scottish Bar and he usually has the games on.

Alright, Thanks a lot,

Will check it out on Sunday.

[CelticBhoy]

A fine Cup win. Made all the better since it was against the 'Gers!
First time we've beat them in a Cup Final in 20 years! Makes it sweeter!

2-0. And the Irish getting the goals. I'm so happy I can't type!!!!

[CelticBhoy]

We've got Dundee United today, away from home.

Good news from y/day is that the Jambos held the Scum
to a 2-2 draw. The 'Tic should be 5 points clear after
our trip to Tannadice.

Let's hope Ginger Baws can choose the right team again!

[Jockstar]

CelticBhoy, on 2009-03-22 11:09:29, said:

We've got Dundee United today, away from home.

Good news from y/day is that the Jambos held the Scum
to a 2-2 draw. The 'Tic should be 5 points clear after
our trip to Tannadice.

Let's hope Ginger Baws can choose the right team again!

Lets hope he gets it wrong.

[CelticBhoy]

Well . . . . . . . we drew 2-2, too!
(Try and say that fast).

Still 3 points clear. 9 games to go.

[CelticBhoy]

Easily 6 (I'll repeat that for you) 6 points clear.

I wonder why anyone would choose to support another team.

[CelticBhoy]

8 games to go!

[Jockstar]

CelticBhoy, on 2009-04-05 02:34:54, said:

Easily 6 (I'll repeat that for you) 6 points clear.

I wonder why anyone would choose to support another team.

Only 3 now.

[CelticBhoy]

Another 4-0. This time against Falkirk. A breeze.

I liked the look of our defense. Crosas is top banana.
Nakamuru supplying great balls. Boruc slightly slimmer.

Our next two games are vitally important - Hearts then Aberdeen.
I feel that if we can get 6 points here, before the split, then we
will be in the driving seat for the remaining 5 games.

I miss Hartley. But I'm well impressed with O'Dea. Very cool and
calm for such a young lad.

[Jockstar]

Updated: April 10, 2009, 4:14 PM UK
Hearts striker Gary Glen is battling to feature against Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League meeting at Tynecastle.

The youngster suffered an ankle knock on reserve duty this week and is doubtful, but otherwise manager Csaba Laszlo has a number of selection options.

However, midfielder Laryea Kingston is unavailable because of a hamstring problem and is still two weeks away from training. Defender Jason Thomson (hamstring) also remains on the sidelines.

Hearts captain Robbie Neilson believes Csaba Laszlo's continental approach to management has been crucial to putting the club on the brink of a European place next season.

Neilson, the Jambos' longest-serving player, freely admits he knew little of Laszlo when the Romanian-born Hungarian arrived in Gorgie last summer from the Uganda national team.

But if Neilson, 28, and his colleagues initially had fears, they have been dispelled by the rapid progress their 45-year-old manager has achieved in uniting a previously dispirited dressing room.

After finishing in the bottom six of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League last season, Hearts have already secured a top-half berth this term and are seven points clear in third spot in the race for Europa League qualification.

Neilson feels Laszlo has changed the mentality of the squad by putting his varied coaching experiences - notably at Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany - to excellent use.

Laszlo was also assistant to Lothar Matthaus with the Hungary side, and also knocked Hearts out of the 2004 UEFA Cup with Ferencvaros before heading for Africa.

Neilson believes his knowledge has been seized upon by all at Hearts, putting them in confident mood for the meeting with the SPL leaders.

Ahead of the televised contest against Gordon Strachan's team, the right-back said: "Csaba's got an enthusiasm about him and he's got the respect of the dressing room as well.

"He comes in and we all listen to what he has to say; he's got some good points. He's very entertaining and enlightening as well.

"He always keeps everyone on their toes. I think he has united us all, brought us all driving together. He was unknown entity. I didn't know anything about him, apart from the game against Ferencvaros.

"But sometimes you need that at a club, a change. Everything has moved in a totally different direction; he's got his own ideas.

"He has changed everything in the academy as well, the way things are run. You judge it on results and, from that point of view, it's been successful.

"It's done in a more continental way; a lot of his work was in Germany and you can see that coming through in the sessions we do and the way everything is geared.''

Celtic have several fresh injury problems ahead of the clash.

Georgios Samaras is out with a thigh strain and Scott Brown, Darren O'Dea and Stephen McManus are all doubtful after picking up knocks during the 4-0 win over Falkirk on Wednesday.

Paul Hartley is fit to return from a hamstring injury but Shaun Maloney and John Kennedy are not ready despite resuming training.

Meanwhile, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is desperate to secure a new contract with Celtic.

The Holland striker has doubled his goalscoring tally for the season in the last week with strikes against Hamilton and Falkirk.

He now wants to claim his fifth successive league championship medal after winning two each with PSV Eindhoven and Celtic.

The Dutchman, whose contract expires at the end of the campaign, has admitted a return to his former club would suit him at some stage in his career.

But he wants to extend his three-year stay in Glasgow before going back to the Netherlands.

The 30-year-old said: "I would love to be a Celtic player (next season). I have said it every time when I speak to people.

"Always people think, when you are from abroad, that maybe you want to return to your home country. But that's not on my mind right now.

"The main focus is winning the games, then the second thing is winning the championship and after that we will see what happens with my personal career.

"I want to be involved in this club because, if you play for champions every year, and play in the Champions League, and play in front of 60,000 people, I don't think you want to change that.''

[CelticBhoy]

1-1. And Hearts deserved it. We were mince.

Samaras wasn't missed (no surprise) but a decent front line was.

The opening 30 seconds of this match, and the last 5 minutes, are all
you need to see if you are a 'Tic fan and missed the game.

The referee should be allowed to handle the last Old Firm game this season.
I liked the way he let the game flow.

Boruc looked a wee bit heavier.

[Jockstar]

Aguiar grabs leveller for JambosScoring Summary



Updated: April 11, 2009, 2:53 PM UK
Celtic failed to build on their perfect start at Tynecastle as Bruno Aguiar's spectacular free-kick earned Hearts a 1-1 draw in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink took less than 30 seconds to continue his scoring spree when Janos Balogh fumbled his volley into the net.

But Aguiar curled home from 30 yards just after the half-hour mark and Celtic failed to reassert their control apart from a late flurry.

Hoops manager Gordon Strachan had made four changes, two of which were enforced as Lee Naylor and Vennegoor of Hesselink replaced the injured Darren O'Dea and Georgios Samaras.

Strachan also gave an indication of the threat posed Hearts by steeling his midfield with Gary Caldwell and Willo Flood, and dropping Shunsuke Nakamura and Marc Crosas to the bench. Glenn Loovens replaced Caldwell in central defence.

Celtic got off to an incredible start when Vennegoor of Hesselink volleyed home his third goal in eight days. And how the Dutchman must have wished for the goalkeeping that met his strike when he was going through his six-month barren spell.

Balogh got down two hands to the striker's volley but fumbled it into the corner.

Hearts had been sloppy throughout the build-up, allowing Andreas Hinkel to return the ball towards the penalty spot after an Aiden McGeady cross had only been half-cleared.

The hosts responded positively and forced a succession of corners, one of which led to Marius Zaliukas heading over from six yards after Ruben Palazuelos had lofted the ball in.

Stephen McManus was booked for bringing down Calum Elliot after the Hearts striker had beaten him midway inside Celtic's half, but the visitors soon settled down.

Caldwell released Vennegoor of Hesselink but the Dutchman fired beyond the far post from a difficult angle.

The Holland international then got his head to Naylor's near-post corner but the ball bounced off the outside of the goal frame.

Celtic were looking comfortable but Aguiar hit a spectacular equaliser in the 32nd minute.

Michael Stewart won a foul 30 yards out after pipping Caldwell to the ball and Aguiar curled the free-kick over the wall and into the corner with Artur Boruc well beaten.

Hearts finished the half the stronger side. The lively Elliot found half a yard just inside the box but his powerful strike was blocked by the upper body of Loovens, with referee Craig Thomson waving away hopeful penalty claims.

Celtic were forced into another change at half-time with pre-match injury doubt McManus going off. Crosas came on and Caldwell immediately found himself under pressure after moving into defence.

Zaliukas shot inches wide after a powerful run to the edge of the box. Aguiar then volleyed well over after a long throw under pressure from the quiet Flood, who immediately made way for Nakamura.

The Japan midfielder soon had a chance to show his dead-ball skills when Naylor was awarded a soft free-kick 20 yards out. But Hearts got lucky when Elliot appeared to block Nakamura's strike with raised hands.

Hearts still had the edge though and Zaliukas won the ball from Aguiar's free-kick into the box but the ball looped high over the bar.

Celtic enjoyed a decent spell of pressure but Loovens could not react quickly enough when Nakamura's corner fell at his feet six yards out and he spooned the ball high into the stand.

Loovens then got his team into trouble with a poor defensive header following a long throw but Driver volleyed wide from a difficult chance.

Balogh got down well to hold a powerful long-range drive by Nakamura, whose compatriot Koki Mizuno replaced McGeady with eight minutes left.

The Japanese pair had good chances as Celtic piled on some late pressure. Nakamura's curling effort was forced just wide by a brilliant block from Zaliukas after Naylor had set up his team-mate 16 yards out. And Mizuno blasted wide after a long throw fell perfectly for him 12 yards out.

[CelticBhoy]

Final Old Firm game for this season will be on
Saturday the 9th of May. Kick off at 12:30pm.
(Thai time 6:30pm).

To be played at Scumsville.
(Where we won 1-0 already this season).

[CelticBhoy]

Celtic 2 Sheep 0

The sheep well humped!

Big Jan now four in four heading for a four-in-a-row.

Let's see what Hibs can do to the Scum today. Fingers crossed!

[CelticBhoy]

Celtic just took out the sheep again.
This time a delightful 3-1.

Quite possibly the game that seals it.
Non-stop. My bahookie was off the
sofa a million times.

4 points clear of you-know-who.

[salty]

Great to get the 3 points. Dreadful defending for the umpteenth time at free kicks and a huge slice of luck just before half time. Better in 2nd half and Scott McDonald came up trumps again. I have to say that they looked anything but reassuring for large portions of the game.  

Rangers to me seem more convincing in last few weeks. It is going to be a nervy few weeks especially next Saturday.

[CelticBhoy]

Panic not, Salty, panic not.

I have a wee feeling that Hearts
will do us a favour today. A win
for the Jamrags would be fine; a
draw nice enough, too.

[Jockstar]

Quote

It is going to be a nervy few weeks especially next Saturday.

Looking forward to it. But if Rangers lose or draw today then there is a good chance the league is yours. Unless you fuc_k up again.

[salty]

CelticBhoy, on 2009-05-03 07:42:48, said:

Panic not, Salty, panic not.

I have a wee feeling that Hearts
will do us a favour today. A win
for the Jamrags would be fine; a
draw nice enough, too.

Alas your wee feeling failed to materialise. I have a wee feeling that we will get undone at Ibrox. Hopefully that will be wrong also.

Panic: No
Apprehension: Yes  

Edited by salty, 2009-05-04 22:25:36.

[CelticBhoy]

With Scott Brown winning the PFA Scotland Player of the Year
this last week, we have already got a 4-in-a-row.
It's been a Celtic player who has lifted the award for the last 4 years.
A good omen!

And wee Ginger Baws wins Manager of the Year and seals the double!
Well done the 'Tic.