Celtic F.C

[Tizzer22]

Motherwell v Celtic ratings/stats

Ratings and statistics following Celtic’s Scottish Premier League win at Motherwell on Saturday.

The game lacked creativity for large periods and was more of a battle in midfield than an technical affair, with plenty of commitment from both sets of players.

Motherwell -v- Celtic

Luke Daniels 6.5 / Artur Boruc 6
Stephen Craigan 6 / Gary Caldwell 7.5
Brian McLean 8.5 / Bobo Balde 6.5
Mark Reynolds 6 / Andreas Hinkel 6.5
Bob Malcolm 7 / Lee Naylor 5
Steven Hammell 6 / Paul Hartley 6
Keith Lasley 7 / Shunsuke Nakamura 5.5
Marc Fitzpatrick 6.5 / Barry Robson 8
Chris Porter 7.5 / Aiden McGeady 6.5
Darren Smith 6 / Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink 5
David Clarkson 5.5 / Scott McDonald 6
Stephen Hughes 0 -SUB- Scott Brown 6
Ross McCormack 0 -SUB- Mark Wilson 0
Jamie Murphy 0 -SUB- Georgios Samaras 6


Motherwell Team Statistics Celtic
1 Goals 2
0 1st Half Goals 0
3 Shots on Target 4
5 Shots off Target 2
3 Blocked Shots 0
14 Corners 1
20 Fouls 15
0 Offsides 6
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
49.8 Possession 50.2

[Tizzer22]

Celtic scrape precious win over Motherwell

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has shrugged off Motherwell's frustration at referee Steve Conroy's apparent mistake that led to the visitor's late winner at Fir Park.

With around 12 minutes remaining and the game tied at 1-1, Celtic defender Bobo Balde appeared to head a Barry Robson free-kick wide for a goal-kick, under pressure from Motherwell striker Chris Porter. However, Conroy pointed to the corner flag.

From Robson's cross, Celtic substitute Georgios Samaras, on for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, bundled the ball over the line from close range to give the visitors three crucial points in their quest to retain their title.

Porter said: "It was definitely a goal-kick but he gave a corner. I was shocked at his decision and it was hard to take."

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee added: "I'm absolutely adamant that it wasn't a corner. But we still had the opportunity to defend it even though the referee made a bad decision."

However, Strachan reacted curtly when told of Motherwell's anger, saying: "I am still furious about a goal and the offside decision that we didn't get at Inverness, so we are all furious."

The Celtic manager had his own cause for complaint in the treatment of his midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura in the early stages of a tetchy first half.

He said: "Did you see Naka getting mugged in the first half? I think there were five fouls on him in the first 15 minutes but, as they say in Scotland, he did well to 'keep the heid.'"

In an improved second half, Celtic striker Scott McDonald's 30th goal of the season after 61 minutes levelled Porter's opener a minute earlier, before Samaras popped up with his controversial winner.

The champions extended their lead over Rangers at the top of the table to eight points but the Ibrox club have four games in hand, starting with a trip to Easter Road on Sunday.

Strachan was glad to keep the pressure on his Glasgow rivals, saying: "It was a huge three points. It is so important to get results every week.

"Everybody expects us to play beautiful football but it about getting results and that was common-sense football.

"I wasn't concerned at 1-0 down because I always feel we can come back."

[Tizzer22]

Rangers held to 0-0 tie in Scottish league as fatigue from UEFA Cup takes its toll

Rangers settled for a 0-0 tie with Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League on Sunday, keeping it seven points behind league-leading Celtic.

Celtic has 83 points but Rangers have three games in hand due to reaching the final of the UEFA Cup against Zenit St. Petersburg.

Zenit won't play before the final in Manchester, England, on May 14 because the Russian soccer federation has postponed several games.

Rangers plays Motherwell on Wednesday and Dundee United on Saturday. After the UEFA Cup final, Rangers have three more league games against Motherwell, St. Mirren and Aberdeen before the May 24 Scottish Cup final against Queen of the South.

The Scottish Premier League has extended the season by four days to allow Rangers to complete their games.

"It's ironic that one association (Russia) cancels four games but that's the situation we are in," Rangers manager Walter Smith said. "I think the SPL have made it quite clear that they are not going to do anything like that.

"We have got games to play, we'll play the games if everyone thinks that's the right thing to do."

Smith said his side was tired after needing a penalty shootout to win at Fiorentina in the semifinals of the UEFA Cup on Thursday.

"It wasn't until about the last half hour we had an edge to our play," Smith said. "We had one or two half chances without creating anything clear cut."

[Tizzer22]

A few quality signings and Gordon Strachan's men will be able to up the standard another notch.

No matter what the outcome of the Scottish Premier League season now, the simple fact of the matter is that Celtic need to spend a large sum of money in the close season.

Steering away from the detractors of Gordon Strachan's signings, tactics and formation it is difficult to really criticise the man due to the success he has achieved during a time of financial prudence at Celtic.

Budgets have been adhered to and youngster are being given a chance thanks to Celtic not spending big. The simple fact is that Celtic cannot hope to match their English counterparts.

Money was spent on Massimo Donati, Scott Brown, Chris Killen and Scott McDonald last summer and Andreas Hinkel, Barry Robson, Georgios Samaras and Koki Mizuno followed in January.

It remains to be seen whether Samaras will be staying on after the loan spell although he has stated a desire not to return to Manchester City. He has been an impact player from the subs' bench since his arrival and a bit more oomph is needed in his game to guarentee a first-team berth.

Killen and Donati have done very little. For Killen it is unfortunate as he was bought as a back-up SPL striker and nothing else. He is not needed. Much was expected of Donati but perhaps Celtic should have listened to the Italian sports journalist who stated that the reason Donati never fulfilled his potential in Serie A was due to lack of fight and belief in his own ability. Frankly, if such attributes are missing from a talented player then the SPL is not a good arena to try and succeed. Thus, he has not.

Much jumping of the gun has been going on in the East end of Glasgow this season and that was before Rangers threatened a clean sweep at home and in Europe. There is no doubting the talent hiding within the current Celtic squad but unnearthing it, utilising it and making it work week to week is a different matter altogether.

The encouraging signs must be acted on; indeed that is where the most concerted efforts must be harboured. Lennoxtown training complex will provide many young starlets soon enough, but Celtic must try to make some inroads into the cheaper end of the European market. They will never pick up another Henrik Larsson for ?650,000. But Daniel Van Buyten would be a great signing from Bayern Munich. Big and strong, he wants away from the Germans and wouldn?t break the bank.

Dinamo Zagreb's young Croatian midfielder Ognjen Vukojevic may also arrive before leaving for the English Premier League in a few years. Richard Dunne of Manchester City has been talked about, too, but Newcastle look favourites.

Celtic spent ?9million last year and must up that to at least ?15 million, allowing for three top quality signings. There is now no point signing squad players as there are plenty at Parkhead.

Another striker would be ideal, giving Celtic much more choice and quality. Whether Peter Lawwell and John Reid will give Strachan the money to do so remains to be seen.

[Tizzer22]

Rumour: Portsmouth star heading to Celtic?!?!?

Portsmouth defender Noe Pamarot is attracting attention from Glasgow Celtic.

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan is believed to be a keen admirer of the 28 year old and is lining up a ?2M bid.

Pamarot has made 21 appearances for Pompey so far this season, scoring 3 goals. The Frenchman will enter into his last year of his current deal this summer.

[Tizzer22]

Robson hails all-rounder Nakamura

Barry Robson claims Celtic team-mate Shunsuke Nakamura is proving he has far more to offer than just his set-piece expertise.

The Japanese midfielder, 29, has recently recovered the form which earned him player of the year honours in Scotland last season.

He and Robson have been sharing free-kick and corner responsibilities, but both have also made major contributions in open play.

Robson said: "Naka is one of the best free-kick takers in the world - there is no doubt about that. Look at his corners, free-kicks, crossing - it's exceptional.

"But he's also got more to his game. He's a fit guy, he works so hard for the team and he's great to play alongside."

Celtic are preparing for Sunday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League home match against Hibernian.

If Rangers lose to Motherwell tomorrow night and are also beaten at Ibrox by Dundee United on Saturday, then Celtic would go into the game against Hibs knowing a win would secure them a third SPL title in a row.

Robson and Nakamura will be expected to play a key role against Hibs, even if the title is not on the line.

And former Dundee United captain Robson, also 29, is happy to divide the set-piece duties with his team-mate.

"I can help Naka out with the corners and vice versa," he told Celtic View.

"It's good to have that mix and we are both comfortable with the way things are working out."

[gazz10]

Scots Premier Table - May 17 2008
Team P W D L F A GD Pts
Celtic 37 27 5 5 83 26 57 86
Gers. 36 26 5 5 81 31 50 83



Well intresting reading. Great result for motherwell today.


Celtic can only through it away now,Am sure the Bhoys will do it on Thursday night for Tommy.

[Salami]

Scots Premier Table - May 17 2008
Team P W D L F A GD Pts
Celtic 37 27 5 5 83 26 57 86
Gers. 36 26 5 5 81 31 50 83



Well intresting reading. Great result for motherwell today.


Celtic can only through it away now,Am sure the Bhoys will do it on Thursday night for Tommy.

CELTIC has learned a lesson when they lost the title to Rangers at Fir Park, well now is time to pay back for the past mitakes.
Mighty Motherwell has returned the title to CELT's by a good enough draw against Rangers, and Aberdeen may just finish the rest of the season with a good party at the Hoops land.
Let's hope the HOOPS to win their game at tannadice with Style.
All the best to THE HOOPS.

[Tokeloshe-Man]

here we go wednesday night,
another game to scrap and fight
as rangers try to keep it tight,
were all subjected to this sh*te.
all there fans will shout and scream
but are they happy with there team,
expectations they surpassed
but as per usual been outclassed.
this time the huns have had there luck
the whole of europe know u suck.
end of season alls reflected,
celtic win and their dejected.
walter u must take the blame,
your team and fans disgrace the game,
you'll never tarnish big jocks name
coz we all know ur scotlands shame

[gazz10]

Back From The Dead

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3E6X8_hXRw&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

[MrFug]

Song of the night "Where's your f*cking helicopter now?".

[Salami]

The SPL title is not something someone can give you but is somthing no one can take away from you Celtic.

Well done the Hoops.

[C64]

Cheers gazz10, I enjoyed that

[Neutrino]

celtic suck just a bunch of lucky gits

[Tizzer22]

Friendly's and Feyenoord Tournament

Southampton vs Celtic KO Friday 7:45pm 18th July on Celtic TV

Middlesbrough vs Celtic KO Tuesday 7:10pm 22nd July on Setanta 1

Cardiff City vs Celtic KO Thursday 7:45pm 24th July on Setanta 1

Celtic vs Tottenham Hotspurs KO Friday 5:00pm 1st August on Sky Sports 2

Feyenoord vs Celtic KO Sunday 6:45pm 3rd August on Sky Sports 1

Celtic vs Manchester City KO Wednesday 7:00pm 6th August on Setanta 1






Did you hear the one about the two Serbs, a Nigerian, a Portuguese, an English man and a Greek?

No, it's not the start of a joke, just the latest rumblings as to the latest comings and goings from Celtic Park. Today’s paper speculation has linked a number of defenders with possible moves to Paradise, with one player's possible departure and a loan deal to be made permanent.

Serbia & Montenegro pair Dusko Tosic & Marko Basa are being reported to be lined up by Gordon Strachan as possible targets. Basa, a 25 year old Central defender, who currently plays in France for Le Mans, is looking to leave for pastures new this summer. However his club has angered the Serb by slapping a ?7.5 million asking price on his head. It is thought a deal could be struck at around ?4.5 million, it seems if a fee can be agreed between the two clubs, then Basra preferred option would be to join the Hoops. He is quoted as saying:

"I'd welcome the opportunity to join Celtic because they are a club with a proud history.

"They also have a manager in Gordon Strachan who has achieved great things as a player and also as the leader of Celtic."

"At the moment the situation is out of my control but I will do what I can to make this transfer happen."

Dynamo Kiev has also expressed an interest, however, Basa does not want to move to Ukraine.

A source close to Basa said: "Interest from Celtic has been registered and it is an exciting option for Marko."

"There are complications with the fee but meetings are scheduled between the parties."

Dusko Tosic, Basa?s international team mate who currently plays for Werder Bremen, is also linked with Celtic. The stocky left back who only signed for Bremen at the beginning of last season seems to be one of a number of left backs on Gordon Strachan’s radar.

Various media outlets have also attached Celestine Babayaro and Nuno Valente with moves to paradise. The much travelled Babayaro, who is currently on trial at Pompey, is thought to also be an option for Celtic’s left back slot. Nuno Valente, Portugal and Everton left back, who has had his career halted by a number of injuries, is another name in the frame. Although Valente is still highly rated by his current manager David Moyes, Celtic will supposedly make a move for Portuguese international to test Everton’s resolve.

Meanwhile, Lee Naylor is thought to be subject to a ?2 million move to Sunderland. Naylor, who enjoyed a successful first season at Celtic Park, struggled to reach similar highs last season. With Roy Keane seemingly interested in securing Naylor’s signature, it would seem that Celtic would not be hard to deal with. Reports suggest Naylor is unsettled and wants to return south to be closer to his family.

Gorgeous Samaras, who had a successful loan period last season with the hoops, looks set to sign permanently. Various reports suggest a knock down fee of ?2 million has been agreed with Manchester City and player terms are not expected to be an issue.