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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Steinreignedsupreme
It means he thinks he’s trying as hard as usual but he isn’t. I reckon he’s not firing on all cylinders because he’s not 100% committed, despite his best efforts.
It’s human nature – don’t tell me you’ve always given 100% when your employer has annoyed you?
If ever proof were needed that Scottish football does not ” need ” Rangers,
then that proof was provided today.
Thanks to Kilmarnock and their fans.
Incidentally,
Not long in from the game via failte, really disapponted with the result and the teams performance but these things happen. Every team has an off day just unfortunate that ours has to be In a cup final.
The tragic news of regarding liam kellys dad puts it all in perspective and my prayers are with the Kelly family tonight.
We will win the league and hopefully today will spur us on to victory in the scottish cup.
For any manager a cup final is a big deal let alone following a week where you have to bury a close friend and then give evidence at a trial against people accuse of trying to kill you!
It went pear shaped today but we have great days ahead and should be thankful for that.
I make no apologies for my happy clapper attitude, this is still a young team and they are not immune to mistakes.
Could be worse, we could be bankrupt both financially and morally and could be heading for liquidation having cheated for the best part of twenty years.
Still proud to be a tim.
Hail hail and KTF
Incidentally, what Scottish football does not need imho,is Willie Collum.
Serial game changing mistakes which handicap Celtic.
Still gutted at losing today. It was a close game that could have gone either way. Thought it was a clear penalty at the time, just watched several re-runs and there is no question in my mind. Absolute stonewaller. If you watch the defender, he knew he had caught Stokes and did not suggest for a minute it was a dive. Looked like it was his trailing leg that caught Stokes heel, not the leg he led into the tackle.
A few bad performances today but I still thought we did enough to win on any other day. Jest wasn’t to be.
CultsBhoy loves being 1st on 19 March, 2012 at 00:17:
“It means he thinks he’s trying as hard as usual but he isn’t. I reckon he’s not firing on all cylinders because he’s not 100% committed, despite his best efforts.”
You have access to Gary Hooper’s mind? That’s a gift and a half especially as you are basing you opinion on, erm … a rumour.
I heard a rumour that Rangers are going to be taken over by a billionaire (no not that one).
I laughed. Maybe you should have as well.
Specific thoughts on Gary Hooper, which is the current theme…
Please stop with the “he’s been tapped / he’s thinking about the move he could’ve had in Jan” speculation —
— If any of this is true, I assume Neil knows about it, and will make his team selection accordingly.
I agree he didn’t have a great game, but if he’d scored that chance early on nobody would be sayin nuffin.
Lenny’s starting XI was mostly as I’d’ve picked, my only reservation was and remains JF – I lack the blind spot many have about him and think he needs some coaching on game awareness.
Next week i would play our hardest team, but I’ll think about that and change it several times during the week; JF def won;t be in it. GH might be.
On his day, Gary Hooper is different class. Premiership class, a better striker than pony-tail Carroll.
Right now, Hooper’s off-form. A goal will change that – he nearly got one 2nd minute today. But he didn’t.
So what do you vengeful wraiths want to do with him?
Shall we drag him out and nail him to a cross seeing as it’s nearly Easter? Or maybe just call in the vet?
Like Sammi before him, it’s beginning to look like Hooper is the new whipping boy.
And like Sammi before him, I’ll say the same – you’ve SEEN his class; that class does not go away. He will come agian, asuredly.
Now, man-up, take the hit and get ready to roar the young team onto the title and maybe another cup final.
Six months ago, people were consoling one another with the phrase, ‘Cheer up, at least you’re going to wake up a Tim in the morning’. Tomorrow we’re waking up still Tims and laughing our arses off that we’re not Huns. Our headlines are about an anomaly on the field, one defeat in 27 – a below-par performance against a capable footballing Kilmarnock side that competed very well and never looked like capitulating.
Their headlines are about extinction. And they soon will be, mark my words.
So: perspective, gents, perspective.
G’night, and so sad to hear of Liam Kelly’s loss. Ruined what should have been his greatest day, but what was undoubtedly Kelly senior’s PROUDEST day. God Bless and RIP
tarrant – great post mate, been there, some of the best nights I’ve had have been after major defeats, mostly in the mulberry (now ivory, near hampden). It’s what separates us from thems.
P.S. Anything in the MSM about the disgusting chanting at Tannadice on Saturday? Thought so, sooner they cease to exist the better.
Killie should enjoy their day, and remember it with fondness.
The passing of Mr Kelly is a tragedy, but will bring them together even more.
I only saw first half and mistakenly I decided to read the CQN posts from the second half and the aftermath.
I am really disappointed at some of the comments especially ones directed at Neil. I’d hate to think what abuse Big Jock would have had to endure had the blogosphere been available.
I am maybe a wee bit subjective but I thought we had the better of the first 45, despite some sharp criticism from the posters on the match thread.
Indeed had Hooper put the early chance away I fancy we would have overrun them such was our initial thrust and energy.
Back to my initial point. We cannot possible have gone from champs to chumps in a couple of games. We need to keep faith in Neil because he will deliver the league by more than ten points, and for me that was, is and always will be goal number one.
Let’s celebrate our success and look at the big picture.
The future looks bright green north of the river, compared to the grim outlook for the south.
Imho Hooper led the line well today held the ball up well and made good passes( pass to Ledley was class)
In first half he had his back to goal and back heeled it into 6yd box but stokes was as usual flatfooted
He then shielded ball and flicked it over his shoulder into 6yd box where stokes and forrest stood flatfooted
He has vision great awareness and strength but needs someone who is tuned in to play alongside him and that aint stokes who again imho couldnt read a paper
Hooper missed an easy chance yes but he is too intelligent for people around him at moment
As for young forrest i am not convinced he has the guts to be top drawer pulls out of too many 50/50’s and as soon as he gets kicked he disappears time will tell if his speed and ability will obercome his weaknesses
But young team will get better but need 27/28 year old no nonsense centre half a rugged midfielder and a physical striker( for god sake someone better than daly)
R I P Mr Kelly
Shimmies
Well said.
The criticism of Hooper is unjustified.
Today hasn’t changed my opinion on Hooper.
He is a good player. I would love Lenny to hold on to him as long as possible. I don’t prefer him to Stokes in the SPL when choosing between them. I think they are the best partnership we have.
That said, Hooper does not provide consistency. I don’t think he would be string the Heather on fire in the EPL but he would do a job.
Jeezo,
BTW, well done edward ursus’s second team CRRRRR (SPIT)
First comment I see is:
CultsBhoy loves being 1st on 18 March, 2012 at 23:31 said:
Ok, not a penalty in the 93 FRIGGIN MINUTE,
WHEN THEN?
FFFFFFS?
nothing quite like a defeat to bring out the conspiracy stories. you’d hope that lenny’s attitude to this sort of crap might have filtered down but its clearly not made its way down to the bottom feeders yet. shame on you for digging up gary hooper, you’ve not learnt anything from your time as a celtic supporter about how we do things.
apart from a few spells we didn’t really turn up today, fair play to kilmarnock they probably deserved to win and well done to kenny sheils for not losing his nerve and encouraging his team to carry on playing football. days like today keep you honest and remind you that football isn’t all about money.
very sad for liam kelly, what a terrible way to lose your father, but as i’m sure its been said already i’m sure he’ll take great comfort from knowing his dad died a proud man
Hooper all day and night before stokes
Good night to all
Ps 99.9% of referees the world over would have given the penalty indeed gollum would give it 99.9% of time but just not for us
goodnight all tims
Gollum is a coward and this causes him to cheat us consistently.
Celtic should be very wary whenever he refs our games.
In a fair environment this would not be allowed.
A wretched day at Hampden Park in every respect.
Football, and Celtic in particular, means the world to us all, but there is no trophy or medal struck that can compensate for the loss of loved ones.
Rest in peace Mr Kelly.
We are used to reds being biased in the way we might be. in the same situation.
Gollum is different, he is in a storm in his head, desparately needing approval and in a crisis with every desision.
Reds is refs
Not a good day. Look at at this way. If you consider finals appearances up until this one Celtic’s success rate was 50% in both Scottish league Cup finals and European Cup finals.
we lost, so does that mean Neil got it wrong? no, does it mean he played the wrong team? no, were our tactics wrong? i dont think so. we just didnt turn up, end of story. it happens. no doubt stupid flanders will be saying in his rag tomorow that we were ‘complacent’. pish as well, i thot we would win by a couple of goals, but i wasnt playing on the pitch, Neil is one of the most meticulous managers i have ever seen, the team would have been well drilled today, just didnt do it on the pitch.
heh heh, stupid flanders
oh and i havent seen the penalty incident again, but i thot stokesy waited for a tackle, when he should have rattled the ball into the net then talk about it later.
It’s a vexing question;Us and the wee cup?But hey ho it’s done and gone now.
We’ll be champions soon and could still win a double.It’s not all bad.
And Neil’s a smart man.
More good than bad going on for us,just a bad day.
Hail Hail and goodnight fholks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic2CDyepAXw
FOREVERANDEVER!!!
farewell big john davey
Thoughts are with the family of Liam Kelly tonight.
pigalle
Greetings from Hong Kong airport to timdom!
Watched the game among a fine body of men in the Doghouse in Wanchai, Jerry, Liam and Tommy, thanks for your company enjoyed the craic!
We didn’t play well, which was disappointing after what was a whirlwind start from us. Broonie and Forster only pass marks for me.
However in the grand scheme of things it means nothing when you consider that a man lost his life, most probably at the proudest moment of his life, watching his son win the cup.
Thoughts and prayers with Liam Kelly’s family today, god bless him may he rest in peace, also for Fabrice Muamba, god speed for a full recovery big man!
Back in time to take my seat in front of the telly next week for the game at Mordor. Big Sammy must start, they are terrified of him!
Just a minor setback, just a minor setback, tra la la la, tr la la la!
Hail Hail!
RobinBhoy
Now dust has settled , we can look back and realise, it is a major wake up call. We do indeed have makings of a fine young side
But!! Center half and striker please
SydneyTim-
We have already signed Fojut for the CH. By all accounts he seems to be a player. I would prefer a creative midfielder before another CF.
San Diego Fojut is not a center half, he has stood in when required
Yes a CF
But who drops out. Stokes or hopper
.
SydneyTim..
G’Day fae a Absolouter El Scorchio Melbourne..
Where You been the Last Month..? You missed a Few Party’s..:O)
Summa
That’s when you know it’s bad.
ST raises his (was going to say ugly but ive never seen him) head again.
Looks like we’ll be losing the league now.
MWD
Same as last years league cup final, thought we only had to turn up to collect the cup from the wee team.
Concentrate on the league now.
Good morning CQNers
This morning I’m still disappointed but not as much as yesterday and tomorrow I’ll feel a little better so by next Sunday I’ll be back to my optimistic self again.
I have to say I haven’t seen a better performance from Scott Brown and it was a shame some of the others didn’t apply themselves in the same way as a degree of over-confidence has crept into some players games and yesterday they were exposed.
I hope Lenny gets the opportunity to look back at the after-match interviews and compare his against Kenny Shields. Both were emotional but Kenny Shields still managed to be fulsome in his praise for Celtic whereas Lenny was less than gracious in his comments on their victory.
Still, yesterday was just the wake up call this team needed and I’m sure each and every one of them will apply themselves to the task next Sunday.
Steinreignedsupreme on 18 March, 2012 at 23:59 said:
“Disappointment is temporary but liquidation is permanent.”
I’m stealing that.
MWD