A lack of cutting edge cost Celtic dearly as a Hearts smash and grab sent them into the Scottish Cup final after spending most of the game under the cosh. A controversial last minute penalty by Craig Beattie put Hearts through after an equally controversial equaliser from Celtic four minutes from time.
Celtic completely dominated the first half but had nothing up front to exploit their possession or territorial advantage. Hearts best opportunity of the game came within the opening seconds when Kelvin Wilson was carless with a back pass which was collected by Elliot but Fraser Forster came to the rescue.
Celtic then took over and bossed Hearts comprehensively but could not find a way to open the Hearts defence. Lustig headed over from Kris Commons free kick after the full back was fouled. Midway through the half Commons and Samaras combined to release Mulgrew who crossed from the win for Hooper who should have scored with his header from 8 yards but could not find the target.
Commons nipped onto a short back pass 10 minutes from half time but his touch to take the ball behind goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald was too heavy. Commons had Celtic’s first attempt on target five minutes from the break with a shot from 23 yards but MacDonald saved comfortably.
Ki had two incredible chances in the game, both unmarked back post headers at the end of each half. With 44 minutes gone he struck the upright from 4 yards when he should have scored, an outcome that would be repeated towards the end of the game.
Craig Beattie was introduced at half time and immediately changed the pattern of the game. Two minutes into the second half he played-in Rudi Skacel, benefitting from a ricochet off Kelvin Wilson. Skacel rounded Fraser Forster and shot high into the net.
The goal seemed to break Celtic’s spirit as Hearts created several chances in the opening 20 minutes of the second half. Skacel shot from 35 yards, forcing Forster into a good save. The same player then shot wide after a knock down from Beattie.
Andy Driver dispossessed Michael Lustig just after the hour but Glenn Loovens came to the rescue and conceded a corner. Craig Beattie then played a one-two with Driver before shooting narrowly wide.
Neil Lennon changed Celtic’s shape in an attempt to get back into the game, replacing Samaras with Anthony Stokes and Celtic were soon back in the ascendency. Hooper linked with Stokes on 66 minutes but the Irishman’s shot was deflected wide.
Stokes then headed over from a Ledley cross and had an attempt from 13 yards after Mulgrew cut back to him.
On 82 minutes Ki should have levelled after Kris Commons chipped a free kick towards the back post by the Korean midfielder headed against the post again.
Anthony Stokes should have equalised with five minutes remaining when he got onto the end of a Mulgrew header but he could not turn the ball goal-wards.
A minute later Dylan McGeogh fed Joe Ledley who moved the ball onto Charlie Mulgrew. Mulgrew crossed for Gary Hooper who headed home from 4 yards but the Celtic striker was in an offside position when the cross was played.
In the 90th minute referee Euan Norris awarded Hearts a penalty kick when the ball struck Joe Ledley’s arm when struck from less than 2 yards from him while he was trying to turn his back on the ball to block. Ledley’s arm was not at his side but it was not in an unnatural position either, nor was there even the remotest suggestion of a deliberate act. Beattie struck the penalty straight down the middle as Forster dived to his left.
The last few frantic moments of the game offered further opportunities for Celtic. A Ledley volley was saved before the ball struck Andy Webster inside the Hearts box but the referee wasn’t interested on this occasion.
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punkrockbhoy on 16 April, 2012 at 01:01 said:
I’ve been looking into my family background recently. If they have been in Scotland for some generations it’s much easier to trace than from Ireland. The Scottish records are excellent, if folk registered as they should have. However, when you get to Irish records it becomes quite difficult.
Fred C. Dobbs on 16 April, 2012 at 01:20 said:
Sorry, who mentioned a family final?
Well then again Edinburgh….
Tommy J,
When the transfer window opens mate and you know as well as me that every Celtic player has his price,we will see what offers come in for Ki.Out of curiosity how would you place him in the list of best Celtic players this season?
.
Setting Free the Bears..aka ..The Voice of Reason..
Very Well Put..
Let’s go and Celebrate Celtic in the Last 5 Games.. Give Sammi.. Smooth.. Hooper and Maybe Charlie a Rest..
The Young McGoeugh Looks a Diamond..
Also Let Zaluska Play 4 of last 5 Games..let him Sample what it’s Like Not.. To Play for Celtic..
Summa
punkrockbhoy on 16 April, 2012 at 01:20 said:
calton ye know abercrombie st? thats where ma granny stayed across from St Marys..
Very Good
thanks celt55 will give that a try, but i did hear a rumour that my great uncles granfather was season ticket holder no 2 in 1888 , from one of my uncles. love to verify it.
Snake Plissken on 15 April, 2012 at 23:02 said:
===================
Great post, Snake. Agree 98%.
Only differences for me – I’d like to keep Paddy, get him real fit and give him an ultimatum – turn it on big time or go; we know he’s got dancing feet, but we need consistency.
And Commons – if he turns up next season still wearing the fat suit I think it’ll sadly say a lot about his discipline and commitment. A stone lighter and there’s a quality player in there.
Today, Sammi’s most effective position – wide and running at them from deep was nullified to accomodate Commons. Who did nada. A passenger, not fit enough to giv eus the cutting edge we needed.
Imo Commons should have been sacrificed for Stokesy to join Hooper and Sammi given free run to terrorize their tired legs.
CaltonTongues,
Lost me now…easy done a must admit :O(.
Away tae ma kip.
antrimkev,
you’re searching for perfection and it doesn’t exist.
Perhaps we should have scored eight or ten at Rugby Park?
Celtic were better than Hearts today, bar 15 mins at the start of the 2nd half, and we were better by a considerable distance. The usual uncontrollables did us in.
Tell you what, sell Ki, buy Gerrard or Xavi, then we’ll beat Hearts.
The boy hit the post twice, get over it.
TJ
calton just askin like .
i spent lot childhood there mate
Before I log off??
Twas a pleasure to night to meet young Davy, again,, badge maker to the elite:-))
And, eventually, Aidan and then his auldman winningemmell:-)
Tri &antrim – support the team or get out of dodge.
As if Neil doesn’t have enough to put up with off the park he has `alleged’ fans slating his players and tactics.
Football is all about opinions BUT your negativity pisses me off.
Post away but I will scroll past your pash from now on!
AoW
mickbhoy1888 on 15 April, 2012 at 16:13 said:
I left Kilmarnock last week on the final whistle and did not get involved in the celebrations I am glad I did now because as far as I am concerned this years league title ,without the other two trophies ,is now worthless and I am afraid Mr Lennon is to blame and no one else
=====================
Scroll on.
…to liquidation, ya hun muppet.
Sandman Is Neil Lennon on 16 April, 2012 at 01:28 said:
I’d like to keep Paddy, get him real fit and give him an ultimatum – turn it on big time or go; we know he’s got dancing feet, but we need consistency.
agree
TJoad . exactly Ki is def a punk rocker. good on ye
punkrockbhoy on 16 April, 2012 at 01:01 said:
If you’re serious, the site is Scotlandspeople.gov.uk. The first search is free, then you buy tokens to pay for records. I got back to the late 18th century for my family, but they were then from Ireland which becomes quite difficult to trace.
sandman superb
Bjmac
Nope I don’t hate Neil Lennon and I expect that if I met him in Tennants Jintys Oran mhor or wherever else I would probably find him good company and see him as what he is , a right good Celtic fan like me and you,but not the man I would want to take out my daughter or more importantly the man that is seen as the figurehead of our club
There are men on here who have followed Celtic for years and are probably more qualified to lead Celtic than Neil Lennon
Can you explain to me why Neil Lennon is every internet tims ideal man for the job but in the wider Celtic community outside cybertimdom everyone is questioning his credentials and tactics
right thats it from me
Glasgow Celtic Champions 2012
HH
celt thanks mate will do that , much appreciated
Art of War on 16 April, 2012 at 01:31 said:
shut the f up
Ki is a s much use to Celtic as the RFF are to rangers
you wont see this post and will have scrolled on anyway
all show but does little to the cause
Tricoloured Ribbon, he’s had a very good season and scored a number of goals from midfield, 8 or 9 I think. Here’s the managers view.
Neil Lennon on Ki:
He’s a very important player to us. I rate him very highly. He can go on to be anything he wants to be,” Lennon told The Telegraph. “We think he is a class player and we’re glad he’s here.” He added: “Ki has been very consistent over the past 18 months. He’s developing nicely into a class player. “He had good presence and good composure on the ball. He has a goal or two in him and his passing range is excellent.”
Others think he is rubbish and they are entitled to their opinion
TJ
Job hunting not going too well. But there I was 6.30 in the morning at Hervey bay just north of Brisbane. I crawled out of my camper and thought …’ let’s go for a run on the beach’.
Sometimes someone reminds you that it isn’t all about winning.
Ian is from Dumfries and has lived on the beach with his family for 7 years.
He was showing his Bhoy how to catch breakfast
http://enematic.wordpress.com/2011/07/05/ian-at-hervey-bay/
Right back to job hunting.
hail hail
Estadio
KI like all true Celtic punx alway gives 100 percent . didint notice any difference today. but i would maybe try a green mohawk to rouond his 50p heed. lol thot he wis unlucky mate , he is a good FOOTbaler
ftsfa
Estadio on 16 April, 2012 at 01:39 said:
Eh, you lost me at running…..
,but not the man I would want to take out my daughter …… you sir a a prize fanny . why? cos he ginger? a punk ? cafflik ? not the right sort? fu and the sfa
antrimkev on 16 April, 2012 at 01:35 said:
Art of War on 16 April, 2012 at 01:31 said:
——————————–
Sorry bud, couldn’t scroll past.
Footballer of the year in his own country.
22 years old.
Oh and mind your language.
HH
Sandman
I am sorry if I am depriving you of a ticket for Motherwell and Dundee Utd away but you know how to contact me if you really want to put your money where your mouth is and support the green and white hoops and relievie me of my tickets
Art of War,
You can scroll past all you want but you are simply ignoring that there are still major problems in this team that have to be addressed.I am a Celt to the core son but to simply dismiss the fact that we have lost two major Cup games and I know that penalty decision was desperate today,is burying yer head completely in the sand.We were dire for 70 minutes today and major surgery is still required to make us a good team.
CT
I know you are getting ready for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
You and HT are doin the synchronised stagger!
hail hail
Estadio
Art of War on 16 April, 2012 at 01:44 said:
antrimkev on 16 April, 2012 at 01:35 said:
Art of War on 16 April, 2012 at 01:31 said:
——————————–
Sorry bud, couldn’t scroll past.
Footballer of the year in his own country.
22 years old.
Oh and mind your language.
HH
really thats the best you could come up with?
my language? i typed f, not the full word
proves my point Ki is a poor player struggling in a backwater like the SPL
but Barca and Real are keeping an eye on him ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
what was your next thing he is the beckham of korea…the naka of Japan?
go away wee man
estadio love your posts mate . yer a punk rocker in my book.
hail hail
fs leave ki alone. 2 qs should hearts had 11 men for most game? was it a pen x2 ? until playing feild is level lay off the boys .
oh and championeees
Tricoloured Ribbon on 16 April, 2012 at 01:46 said:
————————–
We are a work in progress. So let us progress.
Our dire 70 minutes was good enough to subdue Hearts for that period and then we had a good 20 minutes. Level playing field and we – despite not playing fantastic – can still hold our own. MIB’s make the difference in this case!
HH
soz my post earlier was meant for micybhoy . appologies for sayin fanny but couldnt think of a politer way to say fud.
aow agreed mate
Tricoloured Ribbon on 16 April, 2012 at 01:46 said:
Art of War on 16 April, 2012 at 01:53 said:
What makes the difference in these cases is a man that can recognise that Wanyama has more Steel and bottle than Ki and that Mulgrew should have been playing centre half rather than Wilson and that a half fit Izzy is better than any fully fit left back in the SPL
so far
Bass . Neil Lennon(legend)
Guitar . Charlie Mulgrew (star)
Lead vocals . Artur Boruc ( sinister crossing all the way!)
DRums . Frank Mac (bangin)
any addittions?