A late goal by Kilmarnock substitute Dieter van Tornhout was enough to overcome Celtic in the Scottish Communities League Cup Final at Hampden this afternoon. Celtic’s record in League Cup finals since 1970 has been dismal, they have reached 21 finals in that time, winning only seven, and have contrived to lose to rank outsiders, including Partick Thistle, Hibs, Dundee, Aberdeen and Raith Rovers, but few victors will have gone into the final with form as indifferent as Killie’s.
Neil Lennon changed the Celtic formula, brining Kelvin Wilson into central defence and pushing Victor Wanyama into midfield but they never managed to dictate play for a sustained period. Both teams had great chances, Kilmarnock keeper, Cammy Bell, won man of the match, while his opposite number, Fraser Forster, was Celtic’s best performer.
Gary Hooper had a miserable day but was most culpable after intercepting a risky pass by Mahamadou Sissoko across the Kilmarnock box but, unmarked, with the ball at his feet 18 yards from goal, he snatched at his shot and Bell saved.
Kilmarnock looked nervous early on but after Dean Sheils’ shot went narrowly past 20 minutes in they settled and looked the equal of the favourites.
Scott Brown crossed well from the right for Stokes to head from 13 yards but Bell was there to end the danger again. Brown then had a fine shot tipped over by Bell.
Paul Heffernan then brought the best out of Fraser Forster as the Celtic keeper kept his team level.
Sheils looked sure to put Kilmarnock ahead minutes after the break when he fought free inside the box but with the goal opening before him he seemed to panic and could not connect properly with his shot. Sissoko threatened again with a header. The warning signs were there for Celtic.
Neil Lennon realised his formation was not working and decided to hook Thomas Rogne, who was playing well, but the tactical switch allowed Ki to move into midfield while Wanyama dropped back. Ki immediately brought a degree of composure to Celtic’s play but Kilmarnock were no less threatening.
Gary Hooper was eventually subbed for Geogrios Samaras as Celtic again changed the recipe. Samaras played left and James Forrest was asked to play behind Anthony Stokes but the change didn’t have the desired effect.
With seven minutes of the game remaining Lee Johnson got behind the Celtic defence on the left to cross while van Tornout drove towards the back post where he headed into the net to give Kilmarnock the lead.
Celtic chased an equaliser and Bell made an excellent double save to deny Samaras and Kris Commons. Anthony Stokes had a last minute claim for a penalty denied and was booked for his efforts.
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greenjedi on 19 March, 2012 at 09:28 said:
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If I was Neil, I would rattle the cages on sunday and, put Sammi and Brozeck up front with, Hooper & Stokes on the bench but, I have doubt’s about Neil living in this country, especially after the passing of, Paul McBride QC ?
I hope I’m wrong but…..
Hail! Hail!
Kevj
“But, what do I know ? ”
There’s your answer.
keep buying the Record, Kev! :-)
Maybe I’m wrong but, I think that WE, on CQN might just be guilty of, lulling the players ino a false sense of security with all of this, jelly and ice cream pallaver ? :¬))))
Hail! Hail!
Auldhead 09-37
Correct, wading through syrup on a cold day is less work that reading one of his posts -)
Hail hail
setting free the bears on 19 March, 2012 at 09:39 said:
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I’m banned from the record now.
Show’s how much YOU know!
Hail! Hail!
KevJungle –
I have doubt’s about Neil living in this country, especially after the passing of, Paul McBride QC ?
I hope I’m wrong but…..
Shut up. You’re going too far now.
Kevin
I seriously doubt that the players sit reading CQN after a days training and get complacent.
It was simply one of those days and if luck had been with us we’d have won.
Mort
TOOTING TIM 0858
Celtic Street in Maryhill?
That’s nothing,mate.
Kilwinning has a PARKHEAD AVENUE!!!!!!!!!
PS,I was dragged up there,happy hoopy days…..
I well remember Celtic losing finals under Jock Stein to teams we should have beaten, at that time Celtic were a force in Europe reaching finals and regularly in quarter and semi finals of the European cup.Stein and the team were criticized by the fans for losing these finals just as today’s team and manager should be subject to the same scrutiny.
Thoughts and prays go to Liam Kelly’s family.
Was his dad sitting with the Celtic fans? I was in area D4 and someone collapsed there.
ST
by your sense of logic re Forest fans
MON obviously made a mistake by buying Chris Sutton
Is Lenny above criticism???
Seems that way,some of the posts on here are way over the top,seems if you disagree with the managers tactics/subs then you are not a real Celtic fan?
Come on ghuys get a grip,we all love Lenny,but if mistakes are made then myself and plenty other fans are entitled to say something!!
Hail hail
Sftb
Ah Bobby Lennox.
I saw him in the period you describe. One game was v Real Madrid {I think but it was a Spanish club).
Bobby was awful as the Madrid fb had him in his pocket.
I actually felt sorry for him that night and thought he had no chance of making it as a regular never mind a legend.
In the modern world of instant gratification time is the one commodity in short supply.
The really important points first:
1. Condolences to the Kelly family on your loss – a tragic end to what should have been a great day of celebration.
2. Well done to all the Killie players and to their manager.
3. Our players had an off day. Too many so-called fans seem ready to jettison young guys who have achieved something special over the last few months. Something which, I suspect, none of us could have predicted as we watched them trudge off 3-0 down at Rugby Park in October.
These same players still have the opportunity to make history by clinching a league title earlier than any side in history, so let’s forget any thoughts about making final decisions about any of them, they have earned our support by their performances and their effort over the last 4 months.
Yesterday’s game was played by and large play in an open, fair manner by both teams; the only whiff of dishonesty came from the referee and he has form in that regard. I am disappointed we lost, but am pleasantly surprised at the feeling of resignation rather than devastation I feel.
There are better days ahead.
ST
by your sense of logic re Forest fans
MON obviously made a mistake by buying Chris Sutton .
Mort on 19 March, 2012 at 09:47 said:
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How many LCF’s will we blow only for folk like you to come on and say, “It was one of those days!” “If only we had better luck!” ????mmmm
Hail! Hail!
ibleedgreenandwhite1 on 19 March, 2012 at 09:54 said:
Is Lenny above criticism???
He should be after enduring what he has and getting the team to a point where we’ve lost one in 27.
Morning cqn
Found the will to read all the posts back to yesterday morning.
Have also watched replay of match and while we were mostly in control too many had an off day.our record in league cup finals is shocking.
Will not blame and name as most will already know who they are,even the basic requirement was not met by a few in our team and this will be fixed by Neil and co in the future ( I hope).The game at iPox will be a test and if the same level is repeated by allowing out of form players to take 70 + mins of poor play will result in another defeat.If killie can play like Sunday then a wounded gers mob will throw everything at us.This will be maybe their last chance to beat us and nothing but 100% effort from 11 players in hoops is a basic.
Jam67
Just watched the goal on BBC;
Kelvin Wilson was moving backwards towards the goal,when the cross came in he was caught out. When the ball went in the net Charlie Mulgrew and Victor both looked at Wilson,who by looks of it just put his head down.
From what I’ve seen of him Kelvin Wilson isn’t even Nottingham Forrest class.
He can’t jump,no positional sense, over reliant on his right foot (even for tackling) get rid of him in summer,Oh how long did he sign for?
oops
My first league cup final ,was in 72 v Hibs ,me being a nipper
thought we would just turn up and pick up the cup.
Think the team yesterday were in same frame of mind.
Congratulations to Kenny Shiels and Kilmarnock.
Condolences to the Kelly family.
The Honest Mistake loves being first on 19 March, 2012 at 09:47 said:
KevJungle –
I have doubt’s about Neil living in this country, especially after the passing of, Paul McBride QC ?
I hope I’m wrong but…..
Shut up. You’re going too far now.
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Am I ?
Watch this space…..
Hail! Hail!
greenjedi on 19 March, 2012 at 09:28 said:
In December, Neil Lennon identified as amongst Celtic’s requirements some experienced players and a physically dominating target man. In traditional January transfer window fashion none of these needs was addressed.
Yesterday, not for the first time, when the chips were down and a trophy on the table a Celtic side fell short when faced with a well organised side who were willing to fight all the way for every ball.
For all the huffing and puffing, Celtic never created a single tap the ball into an empty net chance such as the one Killie scored from.
I don’t know if others like myself felt that the game was up when, after ten minutes of the second half had passed without any great change from the pattern of the first half.
At the end of the day, the team which was more up for it deservedly walked away with the prize.
I got pelters before for saying big Dan was our worst centre half ever, tell you something though, Kelvin Wilson runs him close.
KevJungle on 19 March, 2012 at 10:00 said:
Am I ?
Watch this space…..
That’s a pretty scummy thing to say.
I remember getting GUBBED 4 – 1 by Thistle in the cup. I remember everybody having a right good laff about it afterwards. At least the supporters I was with did.
Top of the league,1 maybe 2 victories from winning it,semi final of the Cup,The club in a healthy position,most of the players still in early 20’s…reading back on hear you would think we were struggling at the bottom..
Kevjungle 0922
I was wondering how long it would take you to get round to blaming PL,or insinuating such.
And as for your “board coasy-upper(sic)”comment,I’m on record here and elsewhere as never going back while he is taking a wage from the club,though for a different reason.
That,however,won’t stop me paying half the cost of my Dad and my sister’s ticket,or buying the merchandising,or,frankly,supporting my team.
I may be negative and cynical in some respects,too much so sometimes for others on here,but you,you take the kitkat every time.
I refer you to the comment from MWD early yesterday-as I said at the time,he puts it so much better than I ever could.
PS–Any chance of disabling the ! on yer keyboard?
ibleedgreenandwhite1 on 19 March, 2012 at 09:54 said:
Is Lenny above criticism???
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Lenny not above criticism. Neither are the players, but some comments (not suggesting you) are overly critical.
Personally, I thought Lenny was wrong to sub Rogne and left it too late to bring on Sammi. Maybe he has been a wee bit too supportive of some who have been off form in recent weeks.
However, I thought the team, collectively, was poor yesterday – too many misplaced passes, slack defending and lack of movement off the ball. Looked to me that several players thought they just had to step on the park to be presented with the trophy. If this defeat sharpens them up for next weekend’s visit to Castle Grey Skull then I’ll be happy with that.
ibleedgreenandwhite1 on 19 March, 2012 at 09:54 said:
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Spot on m8.
Hail! Hail!
coorslad on 19 March, 2012 at 10:05 said:
Difficult to argue with.
However that does not mean that there are not issues to be dealt with.
My first LCF was the 1-2 defeat to Aberdeen in 1976, when Ally Mcleod was Dons manager.
I have ony ever seen Celtic lift the LC twice, 1982 and 1997.
What a dismal record!
The Honest Mistake loves being first on 19 March, 2012 at 10:03 said:
KevJungle on 19 March, 2012 at 10:00 said:
Am I ?
Watch this space…..
That’s a pretty scummy thing to say.
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It wasn’t intended to be scummy
But, if the glass-house that you live in leads you to think that way then, thats your look-out! IMO!
Hail! Hail!
You can’t win anything with kids
Man U did, but alongside their kids they had Schmeichael, Cantona, Irwin, McClair, Bruce and Pallister.
We have NOBODY with any experience like that!
Rogne has been winning most headers in the box in recent weeks ,it was a strange and as it turned out ,expensive gamble in taking him off.
It is legitimate to question why we lost, when we took the field as overwhelming favourites with a far more expensive squad , full of of internationals.
Its all very well going on unbeaten runs but at the end of the day youve got to get the silverware.
Neil Lennon is not above criticism. Celtic players are not above criticism. No one should be.
But criticism has to be a fair and balanced assessment. Too often we read posts saying a player had one bad game, “proving” his is “crap” or “not Celtic class”. Stokes and Hooper, 40 goals split evenly between them already this season, should be punted in the summer according to some because of how they played yesterday.
Neil Lennon didn’t start with the team I would have picked yesterday. But that is not a measure of anything. On many more occasions he has picked a team I would not have picked and it has worked out very well.
No manager will win every game or every trophy. But we have at our helm a young man in just his second year as a manager who is winning far more than he loses and putting together a terrific young squad. Never mind everything he has had to endure off the pitch, he deserves our support for what he has already done for the club – and he will go on to do a great deal more.
Let’s get behind him. Win, lose or draw.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 19 March, 2012 at 10:06 said:
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Tsk,Tsk.
Is that better :¬)))
Hail Hail
Green Jedi @ 9:28
Mostly the same as me
Play the player in best position way too many changes Sunday to keep certain under performers on.neil has to be ruthless . Remember when wgs subbed him in cup final .
Forster
Mathews. rogne. Mulgrew. Izzy
Brown . Wanyama. Ledley.commons.sami.
Hooper
Change like for like .on Sunday player went from left to right and mid to def and vice versa to accommodate another who was struggling in their main position upsetting the who team through out.
Jam67