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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PFayr
He covered a lot of ground in second and kept us going.
What about his sublime pass in first to set up Stokes?
He is not perfect but his work rate helps cover flaws in our playing system.
We are in pole position to win the league in four seasons
utter lunacy to sell your top goalscorer
Papa John says:
14 January, 2012 at 19:51
Good to hear from you.
I don’t actually think we were poor defensively at the back, I thought we were poor defensively in midfield.
BIG_CUP_WINNERS
Lol that is exactly where I sit!!
Higuaín makes it 1-1. Twenty to go.
Goals from today , apologies if posted on previous article
http://www.kirkintillochemerald.co.uk/showthread.php?p=25759#post25759
Before the game to day I was wondering what the team needs to see tight matches out. A big striker who can play with his back to goal? No, the ref would award free kicks against Celtic. How about a brave fellow who would run the ball upfield, like Aiden McGeady? Nope, the ref would ignore fouls on him.
How about us all keeping calm and trusting the team? Has that been tried? :-)
Fatty Le Guen again involved in touchline rumpus.
Despite the shame game shenanigans where heavy petting of officials was observed before the dismissal of a thug trio prepped by oldest assistant rookie in town, An altercation with the host club’s irate manager his fury that yet another series of hun gettaways from the scene unsighted by the SFA appointed foursomes whose collective orc eyes never spy something beginning with PEN.. when it’s agin the Toxic Ranglers.
Honestly Guv,McMoist has a pedigree as long yer arm the blue ribbon kennel clubs he’s been sniffing around for that rare b*tch on heat who can inflame his costly pack of on loan/sellbydate to big cup howling and snarling success.
Lenny’s got Coisty’s dog tag on a long leash..and the yanking began weeks ago.
HH
Cristiano Ronaldo screamer hits bar.
thomthethim
Yes, unbeaten in the league since it was kindly spirited back here, to inspire the 17 point swing. (⊙_⊙)
Hail Hail
Ianinascoli
I do think we should add a little more variation in attack.
Also think we could do with a creative midfielder
Evening All.
Three valuable points collected Happy Days.
Sannabhoy glad Geraldine was able to finally pay my debt. Sorry it took so long to get the cash to you. It was meant to be for the legwaxing then you said it was for flag sponsorship so I’m completely muxed ip just do with it what you think best.
Cervie to MLS NY Red Bulls aparantly.
Goal chalked off.
Sergio Ramos scores for Real Madrid, but it doesn’t count.
Whats wrong with young Forrest?
Real Madrid are going to do a Rangers here. I’ve read the script.
I’m not saying anyone should put any money on it (this last bit for The Exiled Tim).
jude
Flu.
bigjie says:
14 January, 2012 at 20:29
Aah.
G`day Bigjie.
Been hingin` oot for your arrival.
Now to watch.
BIG-CUP-WINNERS says:
14 January, 2012 at 20:05
Are you still eating the same biscuits as yesterday, Gary Hooper was man of the match today for effort and goalscoring touch!!
Hail Hail SP
C1st
I’m watching a few French games, my money was on Real earlier took them @ 7/4.
Always amazes me when you see Celtic fans on CQN debating bids for our players, which are created in the minds of the Scottish press.
ShouldknowbetterbynowCSC
macjay1 for Neil Lennon says:
14 January, 2012 at 20:35
enjoy mate..brief highlights of the goals barely scratches the surface of the game today.
full credit to dundee utd for making a game of it today .
Barcabhoy/Panda Hands/saltires en sevilla,
From earlier, thanks.
Árd Macha
Goal. Callejón makes it 1-2 for Real Madrid.
bsr
No debate to be had. He’s not for sale.
The atmosphere today was a bit subdued compared to recent games.
The stadium was a bit nervy.
CF
crap !!!
Radio Nacional saying our old friend Iván Ramis was at fault for the second Real Madrid goal there.
fan-a-tic,
fair points.
However this is a young team growing up in front of us all. :-)
fan-a-tic says:
14 January, 2012 at 20:21
Yes agreed, he did.
He’s a good player. But I’m presuming the club are willing to sell and I think Neil is.
My question was about the gamble: of what we have;can he develop; or should we take that gamble for another level……….
Ther’s about 10 players we should get offloaded before we even contemplate getting rid of any of our first team players.
Get them off the wage bill and a quality striker in, simples, get your act together PL.
Big cup winner
Winning the league would be a level up on past 3 seasons.
Hooper looked good in our Europa games and scored at that level.
If we are to win the title, we MUST keep Hooper
Get in there, no time for the royal Real but……….
TET
which game you watchin ?
montpellier lyon looks like a good one
Full-time.
Real Mallorca 1-2 Real Madrid.
Mallorca failed to create a real chance after going behind but had a half-hearted shout for handball. My sources say it hid the defender’s side or stomach and was not a penalty.
Mourinho went to three at the back when they were chasing the game. It paid off and he put Callejón at right-back to shut things down. The main man on Radio Nacional says it was really just two at the back for most of the time they were chasing it. They scored the winner with about eight minutes to go.
Football formations have to be fluid.
TC
Flicking between all of them, the Roma game as well, Lyon look the better team for me and are 3/1, oh and listning to spreaker as well, and the Mrs tells me I can’t multi task :>(
THE EXILED TIM says:
14 January, 2012 at 20:45
Ther’s about 10 players we should get offloaded before we even contemplate getting rid of any of our first team players.
Get them off the wage bill and a quality striker in, simples, get your act together PL.
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Hope you’re well mi amigo.
PL can’t sell players that successive Celtic managers have bought when no one wants them mate.