Celtic struggled for much of the afternoon against Aberdeen but a second half goal from Charlie Mulgrew secured the win. The home team opened well and had a patience about their play which prevented Aberdeen from seeing much of the ball.
Aberdeen had the best chance in the opening stages of the game when Fraser Fyvie crossed from the left but Fraser Forster did very well to intercept an awkward cross under pressure. Celtic soon regained control and profited after 17 minutes when Beram Kayal found Gary Hooper, who squared to Ki in space. The Korean midfielder shot low and hard; Aberdeen keeper David Gonzalez could only slow its progress into the net.
Glenn Loovens, who put in a solid shift in Rennes on Thursday and opened well today, retired injured immediately after the goal, giving Daniel Majstorovic a return to the team.
Aberdeen, who lost by 9 goals in the corresponding fixture last season, slowly played their way back into the game as Celtic perceivably wilted. The early fluency from Celtic was clearly absent as the second half got underway. Anthony Stokes was combative up front but struggled to link with Gary Hooper, who is clearly playing below his best.
Ryan Jack drew Aberdeen level just before the hour mark when he jinked past Joe Ledley and Victor Wanyama, and shot into Forster’s bottom right corner.
Celtic then realised they were in a game and applied themselves with greater effect, forcing Aberdeen to defend four consecutive corners within minutes of drawing level, but without a cutting edge up front, they failed to work Gonzalez.
With 20 minutes remaining Neil Lennon recalled Paddy McCourt from a lengthy period out of the team but before Paddy could work his magic Celtic were ahead. Majstorovic knocked a free kick onto Charlie Mulgrew who took a touch before firing high into the net.
McCourt was an effective relief on an uninspiring game and clipped the ball narrowly wide after one of his trademark runs, proving beyond any doubt that he possesses unique abilities.
With 10 minutes remaining referee, Stevie O’Reilly, who has having a poor game, ordered off Ryan Jack for a second bookable offence. The Aberdeen goal-scorer will miss next weekend’s game against Rangers.
Aberdeen’s 10 men caused Celtic a few anxious moments in the final minute of the game but could not find a way past Forster.
624 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 16
- »
Stephbhoy @ 1945.
Why is Paddy on your list ?
Not long in from game , that ref gave us hee-haw and then sent off
their goalscorer who’ll miss their next game !!! against who I wonder ?
You would think that we lost the game today going by some of the posts.
A few huns abut as well.
no team can sustain the number of injuries we have, the lack of continuity and the youth of players in the first team…………….and expect to perform every game. Celtic did enough today with what we had despite those players running into the ground against rennes. We need to hang in there until Izzy, Wilson, Commons, Brown are available! Champions peak when it matters.
Seeing you’re about Cultsbhoy,
Your U10’s team, Cobras or Dragons ?
stubhoy
the booking of Mulgrew was disgraceful ………….the ref was hopeless all game
….PFayr says:
23 October, 2011 at 19:59
jmccormick
NO
You know , I really hate your honesty. Just spent 30 minutes going over the game with my brother in law who was there also. We know we are not good enough,but the dreamer in me and the capitalist in me screams at me that we shouid be . Our whole is less than the sum of our parts;and by a considerable distance.
I see what you see but am a couple of stages behind you in the acceptance curve,please God let you be wrong.
Just in from pub and i could moan all night about today. Ledley and Ki our best two midfielders out left. Hibs, Hibs, Rennes, Motherwell. Win those Four and corner is turned, stumble at all. bye, bye Lennon… HH
Thoughts and prayers to Derryghirls cousin Joe O’Neil from Belfast ( originally Port Glasgow), he’s seriously I’ll in hospital after being attacked on his way home from work, the animals that attacked him better make themselves scarce.
V
Today’s referee in my possibly warped mind was doing what needs must to hang on to his job in this bigotted country.
Stevie O’Reilly hmmmmmmmmmmm.
Vmhan who Supports Neil Lennon says:
23 October, 2011 at 19:36
No problem mate , will update you……
**********
jmccormick says:
23 October, 2011 at 20:05
PF Saying what we fear to admit,
The recent displays clearly show a lack of movement between midfield and forward. Against Hearts Commons looked the only goal threat, he needs to come back into the team.
Any word on Izzy return, we need his pace and confidence at the back, combined with Commons and Ledley that left side is championship winning combination?
jmccormick
our good performances can be counted on one hand this season
i keep hoping for signs of encouragement ……………sometimes hope triumphs over expecatation
Vman
Dreadful news. Thoughts and prayers are with Joe.
jmccormick says:
23 October, 2011 at 19:59
St.John.Doyle says:
23 October, 2011 at 19:54
“Any news on Kelvin and a return. ”
Sorry to ask , but a return to where ?
**************************************************
A return to the first team was what I was enquiring about
vmhan – sectarian attack? Hope he makes a full recovery and best wishes to M.
TTTT
conzaloni says:
23 October, 2011 at 20:11
he is out until december/january mate
http://celtic-hub.com/main/
Matt McGlone – That’s the last AGM I’ll be attending!
I have seen a fair bit of Darren O Dea this season, he has been doing the business for Leeds against much better oposition than is in the spl.
I also thought Joos Hooiveld played well yesterday, both must be worth another shot.
And I know DoD didn’t exactly set the heater alight when he was with us, but he may well have improved enough, he will run through a brick wall for Celtic.
The reason I am saying this, is cos there is no chance of our board splashing the cash, none, and if the hun go into admin, there is even less chance of them spending any money.
And the ref today was a complete and utter joke.
St.John.Doyle says:
23 October, 2011 at 20:12
A return to the first team was what I was enquiring about
I feared that; in my eyes he is as no better than O`Dea ,in fact probably even less able to compete in the SPL.
From the official site
Mulgrew fires Celts to victory over Aberdeen
By: Mark Henderson on 23 Oct, 2011 17:12
Scottish Premier League
Celtic Park, Glasgow
Sunday, October 23, 2011
CELTIC…2
(Ki 17, Mulgrew 72)
ABERDEEN…1
(Jack 60)
CHARLIE Mulgrew was the hero as Celtic returned to winning ways in the SPL with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Aberdeen. The stand-in skipper forced the ball home from Ki’s free-kick in the 72nd minute after Ryan Jack had cancelled out the South Korean’s first-half opener.
The Dons’ goalscorer later saw red for a second booking in the latter stages as Celtic held out for a vital three points.
Neil Lennon made just the one change to the team which managed a 1-1 draw away to Rennes in Thursday’s Europa League clash, with Gary Hooper recovering from an ankle injury to take his place in the attack at the expense of Cha, who dropped to the bench.
The Hoops started with the in-form Forrest playing behind Hooper and Stokes in a diamond midfield formation, and it was the youngster who had the first effort on target just before the 10-minute mark, his left-footed effort from distance safely smothered by David Gonzalez.
Celtic had taken some time to become accustomed to the new system but they gradually began to dominate possession and pose some problems for the visitors. Beram Kayal was inches away from making the breakthrough with a thunderous effort from 30 yards which whistled past the post, with Gonzalez beaten.
And in the 17th minute, the Hoops broke Aberdeen’s resistance with a well-worked goal. After some precise passing on the edge of the box, Hooper slipped a ball through to Ki and the South Korean swept a low shot under Gonzalez into the far corner.
Before play restarted, Celtic were forced into their first switch of the match, with the injured Glenn Loovens replaced by Daniel Majstorovic.
A foul on Stokes presented Mulgrew with an opportunity to demonstrate his dead-ball skills, but he curled the free-kick over from 30 yards.
The Dons’ most enterprising attacking forays had emanated down the left and an enterprising run from Ricky Foster forced Mulgrew into a hurried clearance at the near post.
Celtic had been on the end of several hefty challenges and Foster entered the book for a reckless lunge on James Forrest, before Rory Fallon saw yellow for leaving his studs in as Mulgrew cleared his lines.
Adam Matthews had displayed plenty of adventure throughout the match, sending in a number of inviting crosses from the right, which until the 48th minute had failed to find any takers. This time, Ki managed to reach the Welshman’s delivery but could only fire wide while under pressure from Kari Arnasson.
Sensing a way back into the match, the Dons had begun to exert more pressure and they drew level through an excellent individual effort from Ryan Jack.
Bursting into the box from the right, the right-back skipped past several challenges, before steering a left-footed shot beyond Forster. For celebrating the goal with the visiting support, he also collected a yellow card, which was to prove costly.
Celtic attempted to muster up an immediate response, forcing a succession of corners, and when one was cleared as far as Matthews he stung Gonzalez’s palms with a ferocious drive.
It was one-way traffic now and Gary Hooper somehow missed James Forrest’s inviting cross from the right with the goal gaping.
Frustration was beginning to grow among the home support but Celtic finally restored their advantage in the 72nd minute.
Ki’s free-kick was headed down by Majstorovic and when the ball rebounded for Mulgrew, he smashed the ball home with his right foot, despite Gonzalez’s best attempts.
Aberdeen’s attempts to snatch a second equaliser were hindered as Jack saw red for a reckless lunge on Hooper near the touchline in the 80th minute.
And it was McCourt who nearly sealed the victory in fine style after a trademark run past several challenges, his shot going narrowly wide from an acute angle.
CELTIC (4-3-1-2): Forster; Matthews, Loovens (Majstorovic 18) Mulgrew, Ledley; Kayal, Wanyama (McCourt 72), Ki; Forrest; Hooper, Stokes
Not Used: Zaluska, M Wilson, El Kaddouri, Cha, McGeouch,
ABERDEEN (4-4-2) Gonzalez; Jack, Mawene, Considine, Forster; Arnasson, Osborne, Milsom, Fyvie; Vernon (Chalali 75), Fallon (Mackie 75)
Not Used: Brown, McArdle, Clark, Magennis, Megginson
Website Man of the Match: Charlie Mulgrew
http://www.celticfc.net/newsstory?item=1681
Vmhan who Supports Neil Lennon says:
23 October, 2011 at 20:07
If he needs a bit of quiet time in the Channel Islands ??
jmccormick, PFayr,
Not buying that gents.
3 goal comeback will be the most important point of our season
Since then we’ve drawn in France, less than 72 hours later we win in the SPL.
They still have to come to us, twice.
This is the team that owned them in the latter half of the season.
We are 11 games in. I still think Lenny will lift the title, if he gets out on the edge of his technical area and starts growling again !
TJ
A much needed win and on the back of a midweek european tie it was all about the three points today.
The team’s response to the Aberdeen equaliser was at least encouraging.
A word of caution – I implore any Celtic supporter who walks home via Bridgeton Cross to be vigilant when passing through this area.
There are two pubs on London Road, on the right hand side, Walkers and The Crimson Star. Today when our supporters bus passed by a few of the locals were standing outside these joints, one of them wearing a Rangers scarf.
One of them was also making hand gestures at our bus.
As we moved on I kept my eye on two young Celtic supporters who were walking by and next thing I saw was the two of them running for their lives.
Fortunately, they did not appear to have come to any serious harm however everyone will know that this is the very spot where Mark Scott was murdered in 1995.
In recent years, and under pressure, the police responded by having a visible presence in the form of a vehicle parked nearby however I did not see any such presence today.
This is and always has been a very dangerous area for Celtic supporters to pass through. Particularly those who look vulnerable.
I have had my own “experience” of “Brigton Cross” on a number of occasions over the years and I just want to remind our supporters to be on their guard when passing through.
New Charlie song
I’ve always thought that as opposed to Samaras, McCourt is a genuine impact player. When I look at the Cathederal that is Celtic Park and I see a team like Aberdeen are visiting, I think – get McCourt on and finish this game in the first half. Instead of using a player as a potential last ditch throw of the dice.
It’s a change I’d like to see – rather than seeing players like Ledley getting moved about like a crisp poke in the wind.
We should be scouring lists out of contract defenders to shore up the mess we have – there’s still imposters out there.
Neil’s obviously within himself just now. I want to see him angry and arrogant and vocal and vociferous again – everything that a large percentage of the populace hate him for. Neil you cannae be living thinking the axe is going to fall – carpe diem mate.
As an aside – I thought McFadden’s off the bench injury time double to take the points for Everton proved Moyes’s genius and the player’s undoubted talent… Oh, wait a minute – he wasn’t even on the bench.
U
thanks donegalbhoy.
THE EXILED TIM says:
23 October, 2011 at 20:16
i think DoD is better than any defender we have now and i have been watching him play for R.O.I and he has been good
i have only seen Jos Hooiveld play for us and i thought we had a great defender on our hands
could these 2 be the answer to our problems?? i hope so
HH
DB67
PFayr
The Mulgrew booking was inexplicable. He celebrated in front of me and did not leave the playing surface.
I don’t like that rule and would love it if they got shot of it but it seems to me that refs implement it when they want to. Every outfield Aberdeen player left the field today. 1 booked. They all did it so if you book one surely………
What about the ref and his refusal to allow Matthews back on? We were down to 9 men at that point due to the Aberdeen players free reign to kick everything as hard and as many times as they felt the need to.
tommytwiststommyturns says:
23 October, 2011 at 19:52
================
Quite agree with your assumption, that would be my midfield.
HH
conzaloni says:
23 October, 2011 at 20:20
anytime mate!
ticgaz says:
23 October, 2011 at 20:00
the reason most of the players are on the list is because they do not contribute enough or they are to inconsistent, paddy can be wonderful but paddy can be woeful. Any successful team requires consistency of performance and selection, paddy does not offer that. does not mean i dont like watching him when he’s having a screamer of a game. celtic need to get short of all those players who dont contribute a lot and replace with several quality first team players who can hold the team together and put them through tough games.
Thought the ref was shocking today- even the simple things like giving us a throw or corner when one of their players clearly touches the ball on its way out- and he awards it to the sheep- and the number of fouls they got away with was hunbelievable. Feck the SFA indeed
We will take the 3 points today. Thankfully.
Again the fans are seeing a different game
from our management as there were clearly a couple
of players out there today who were just not performing.
Stairheedrammy
No arguments here!
Hamiltontim
You have my heartfelt sympathies upon the loss of your father.
I lost my own dad on 27/12/04 i think of him every day.
God Bless all our Dad’s.
TT
DB67
Joos is a TM signing, so he is struggling from the off, I also thought he looked no too bad when he was with us, had a nightmare in Holland.
DoD is far superior to what we have just now.
Some on here think that if they didn’t do the business before they can’t do it again.
Players can get better!!!!!
jmccormick says:
23 October, 2011 at 20:16
I thought he was alright not great but alright, before he was forced to play injured at Ipox and in the cup game making his injury much worse than it should have been if the injury had not been made worse then he could’ve built up a partnership with Charlie giving us at least some consistancy at the back instead of the situation of not starting the same back 4 in any gane this season.
I like O’Dea but he is not here at the moment Kelvin Wilson with Charlie would be my choice as CHs at this time currently they would be my pairing.
p.s it is to early in forrest’s career to know if his games will become more consistency. you could probably add commons to that list