Two early goals by Gary Hooper and Victor Wanyama were enough to overcome Dundee United at Celtic Park today but a cracking strike by John Rankin early in the second half ensured the table toppers had to fight all the way.
Anthony Stokes had an early opportunity to test Pernis in the United goal with a free kick, as is often the case with Anthony’s free kicks, he struck the defensive wall. United had the best chance of the opening exchanges after 7 minutes but Fraser Forster denied Garry Kenneth at his near post after a goalmouth scramble. The visitors kept the pressure on for the next few minutes but were to concede soon thereafter.
Thomas Rogne cleared his lines with a defensive header which Stokes won with an aerial challenge and reacted first to prod the ball forward to an alert Gary Hooper. Hooper made the most of the space available, opened his body and placed an immaculately measured shot inside the right post to put Celtic ahead.
Five minutes later Georgios Samaras earned hearty applause throughout the stadium for a robust challenge on Willo Flood before forcing Pernis to turn a shot behind. The resulting corner was played short to Izaguirre who through a deep and high cross into the box. Victor Wanyama was first to react and seemed to have jumped early but he somehow managed to hover a millisecond long enough to be level with the ball when he met it before propelling it high into the top left corner of the goal.
Shortly before half time Stokes had another opportunity from a free kick. John Rankin broke early from the wall, raised his arm and blocked inside the penalty box. Referee, Winter, penalised the player for breaking the wall and ordered a retake, not a penalty. Stokes had two opportunities to make the points safe within a minute of the break. He met a Mulgrew corner on the six yards line with a glancing header that went narrowly passed the far post. Pernis then denied an excellent Stokes strike with a fine save.
The Celtic defence had not lost a goal in eight domestic games before today and could do little about the goal that put United back in the contest. John Rankin struck from 26 yards, the ball clipped the inside of Fraser Forster’s right hand post and bounced in. Shortly before the hour mark John Daly had Dundee United’s best chance of the game but Forster was equal to his header.
Georgios Samaras had Celtic’s best two chances of the second half. The first a diving header from a Matthews cross which was saved by Pernis. The second a cross from Matthews which Samaras pulled down with his chest before shooting over.
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As someone who has supported/followed Celtic for over 50 years,I have seen good,bad,and indifferent players over that time.In all that time I have given my honest opinion of my views on these players,they have been accepted ,by people who know me as just that.Now it would appear that if you differ from some people,you are now classed as a customer,you will soon pick on another player to satisfy some warp thinking.
Maybe the new Celtic support,should be taken back in time to see some of the teams that my generation saw,and listen to the opinion of the supporters then.To have an opinion is a right,for what it’s worth FF may indeed become a good goalkeeper,but he should not be Celtic no 1 keeper at this time IMHO
I would be more than happy to meet anyone for a beer,and tell you about my experiences in Lisbon and Milan,and everywhere in between.Slan
Joe Filippi – not for me mate.
I think we need a strong header of the ball. While Owen woud undoubtedly improve Hooper and Stokes I don’t think he is the profile we require.
Someone in the Miroslav Klose, Luca Toni mould would be my preference, though having just seen Big Baba (and I am aware of the pitfalls of judging on 15 minutes of YouTube) he would be wonderful at Celtic Park.
TJ
I am no FF cheerleader and have been very critical of him in the past
however since his pen save against Hearts he has improved greatly
i cannot see how he can be blamed for the goal yesterday ….sometimes the opposition will score good goals …imo yesterday was one of those days
From a Tweeter on Fraser Forster’s record:
JamieBarr1888 Jamie Barr
Since Forster first joined Celtic in 2010. Clean Sheets : McGregor 30 .. Forster 32.
Not bad, the big man is growing in confidence. As I understand it Neil was was unsure of Fraser and was ready to move for Craig Gordon. However, Fraser’s form has given him food for thought.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Apparently Seedorf isn`t getting much game time at the San Siro
any chance of a wee loan deal for the rest of the season …to cover Kayal`s injury ….just to see us over the line…he has often spoken of his affection for CFC and his pleasure at playing at CP in the past
Tommy Joad I havnt seen much of Baba but I do wonder why if he is that good is he still with Martimo ? I have read all the paper hype about the clubs that supposedly want to sign and yet it hasnt happened as yet.H.H.
….PFayr says:
15 January, 2012 at 13:03
I agree, you cannot blame Fraser for the DU goal yesterday, as you say one of those shots and he hit it sweetly and with pace.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
shunsuke nakamura vs bus
fanadpatriot
i don`t doubt that there were a few GK`s in past who were much better than FF
times have changed considerably
most if not all of the current CFC players wouldn`t have made the squad in years gone by
sitting in tenerife, watched a solid performance yesterday against a determined dundee utd. Top of the league, at pool 25 deg,cold beer. Life is good sometimes. Please donate to Vanessa
Whitedoghunch -do you think it’s the same bus going round and round?
The commentary is brilliant, even thought the only bit I could make out was’ Shoon-ski’.
PFayr
I agree 100% with your comment re FF.
The importance of that penalty save to secure 2pts, at a time when we had momentum and were closing the gap on the huns, should not be overlooked if/when we go on to win this title.
Looks to me like FF realised he made a massive contribution and his confidence has soared. At the same time , I think his team-mates also realised and they too have shown more confidence in him , a point I think is proved with a marked decline in the number of small arguments and inquests between FF and members of his back 4 which I think were pretty commonplace in the games earlier in the season.
Re Diawarra,
Can’t help but think that if he was that good , that clubs closer to home would be after him ie top Portuguese and Spanish teams.
Also the EPL has a decent scouting network in Portugal, but to the best of my knowledge there are no EPL teams in the race.
On paper, his CV doesn’t look dissimilar to Bangura or Rasmussen.
Personally, unless we can be virtually certain of a striker who will score goals, has no injury problems , will settle in a new league and country , then I would look at a loan , or spend £300 / £400k on Daly / O’connor and save our war chest till the summer. On loan targets, surely there is someone who wants to go to Euro 2012, but, needs a bit of game time and exposure ?
PFayr,
Six months of Seedorf would be a great move. He can still play a bit and would be a great role model for our younger players
Big FF’s performances v Rennes (A) and Udinese (A)- any keeper on this planet would have been proud of those.
Forget Craig Gordon, get the big man signed up before someone else does.
PF Ayr. Bic Victor would have been in any Celtic team that I have watched and I have been watching them for nearly 50 yrs.Many of the others in the current team you may well be right about.H.H.
…apart from the goal at Rennes!
.
Fraser Foster is Bigger than TinyTim and TinyTim is bigger than William Wallace..
Sammi is Head and Shoulder bigger than all three..
Summa
DBBIA
buses are not my bag never been on one except to Ekeren to see the mighty Celtic probably that one considering
how bloody long it took.
.
ClashCityBhoy..
Henrik Larsson..
Summa
Saves from Lee Wallace header, Hearts penalty, John Daly header yesterday. FF worth 6 points in last few weeks alone. Contributing on at least the same level as goals from midfielders and centre halfs.
Gawn yersel big man.
Fanadpatriot
3 months ago I held the same view of FF…I am now much more convinced he can do the job. His pen save v Hearts coupled with a much more assured performance against the Huns has answered some of my concerns. He has also pulled off a few saves under pressure since.
My misgivings is that he seems to lack ‘presence’ which given his size is strange but may be an age thing.
I do agree given we have grappled with solving our GK problem for going on 3 years it should be resolved with a permanent appointment. At his age, FF should be knocking on the door not an unchallenged automatic 1st name on the sheet. It’s not his fault he is, though?
WDH-brilliant Naka,what a player.
whitedoghunch says:
15 January, 2012 at 13:18
taggsybhoy out with the family, said he will catchup with you later.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Just a wee quickie for everyone !
If you were asked to pick a best of team to represent the spl,
who would yr first eleven be .
I havent concluded my selection yet but would imagine atleast 8 would be our bhoys.
Lennybhoy…Supporting Neil Lennon and CFC until I die
cheers
think I’m going out with the family (BT) later
Fraser Forster is now starting to make save that ‘ he shouldn’t make’ …..always the sign of a decent keeper.
In last two seasons he has been dropped in to the squad late on, with no chance to work on defensive formations during pre -season, hence in both years he has progressed as the season progresses.
I think he is a top keeper, and we will really struggle to get anyone better.
Let’s sign him up.
Of
I suggested Clarence Clyde Seedorf earlier. Would be a good loan deal.
….PFayr says:
15 January, 2012 at 13:03
‘I am no FF cheerleader and have been very critical of him in the past
however since his pen save against Hearts he has improved greatly’
Has he?
Maybe it’s just your opinion of him that’s changed.
Think Grant Holt Norwich, Leon Best Newcastle or Gary O’Connor would all do us a turn over the run in, met Seedorf and he was fulsomely in his praise of us particularly the supporters.
HH
PF
Great minds think.alike..I am thinking 10 pints and.a curry.
What you thinking?
I would be really surprised if we could get Seedorf.
Milan in last 16 of CL and looking good for another Serie A.
A wonderful player who clearly has a soft spot for Celtic but it aint going to happen.
I think we are well off in midfield – we must get a striker, happy with all other departments
TJ
That Naka video is magic.
It is also crying out for some clever teccie to edit the sound and dialogue to some relevant Glasgow Celtic patter, no?
I like the photo of Rod Stewart at the game yesterday,with a fetching “Hail Hail” tie pin.
HMRC sharpen their knives prior to carving up of der hun
http://www.sportingintelligence.com/2012/01/13/hmrc-aim-to-give-elite-football-%E2%80%9Ca-good-kicking%E2%80%9D-on-tax-after-evasion-tip-off-130101/
ernie
would you think that i would post someone else`s opinion as my own ?
in the absence of advice to the contrary i assume that what posters write is their opinion
is that not how it works ?
FF had very little to do yesterday,which made the save from Daly more special IMO.
I wasn’t at yesterday game. Some criticism of Ki been posted. I think the bhoy has talent in abundance and is still young. Seems to me he plays better when his right back is Cha Du Ri. He is nearly always able to pick him out with pass and Cha seems to know the runs to make. Sometimes players bring out the best in each other. A bit like Naka and Telfer. Howevah since I don’t think Cha is here long term perhaps Dave will be soldin the summer
.