Dunfermline looked out of their depth in this SPL encounter for most of the game but a combination of sloppy finishing, last-ditch defending and Celtic’s still-unresolved problem from the penalty spot meant the game finished on a knife-edge.
Gary Hooper intercepted a cross-field pass from Dunfermline’s Paul Willis after 6 minutes, took a great first touch and fired a bullet shot into the bottom left corner of the goal to put Celtic ahead. After 19 minutes more slack play from Dunfermline allowed Celtic to break with fluency. Kris Commons, Anthony Stokes and Hooper combined to setup James Forrest to put Celtic in what looked like easy street.
Stokes almost finished from a tight angle after Forrest flashed the ball across the face of the goal, while Forrest failed to hit the target with a couple of shots from inside the box.
Commons, restored to the starting line-up, was clearly enjoying his free role, drifting from left to centre-midfield and twice found Anthony Stokes with outrageously precise 40-yard passes. Celtic’s effectiveness suffered when Commons, who must surely have been injured, failed to appear after half time.
Celtic, perhaps having things too easy, dropped off the pace without the prodding of Commons and, with Dunfermline offering no apparent threat, looked like getting away with a 4-4-2 formation, with two traditional wingers. Dunfermline had not read the script, however.
Andy Barrowman thundered a shot from the angle of the box into Fraser Forster’s bottom right corner with five minutes remaining – plus an eventual four minutes added time. Any match report should record that Dunfermline never got close to adding a second goal in the remaining nine minutes, but this was also a period when Celtic lost all composure. Fraser Forster was booked for timewasting and Adam Matthews will never take as long over three throw-ins all season. The final whistle was greeted with enormous relief by the home support.
343 Comments- Pages:
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Mountainbhoy
Take it the drink has wore off. ;o)
MWD
Top of the morning to you all from a dreich Fife.
Was at the game last night and though it was disappointing to lose the early impetus and good play that we had, three points and job done, albeit nervously at the death.
Wanyama and Stokes looked good and Commons before he got injured always looked as if he could come up with something.
Disturbing to hear on car radio as I arrived in Glasgow the Neil had been open to wee Gordon as a mentor. I thought that he was his own man and had strong views on what he wanted but I suppose that given what he has been through with the death attempts etc he may have been feeling a bit beleaguered and in need of help.
Hopefully a win on Saturday–which won’t be easy–will give him his earlier confidence.
Black marks for Lawwell who must bear some responsibility for this story coming to light. It should never have been anything other than strictly confidential.
MWD, no yet! lol
Big Joe: 24 November, 2011 at 08:41
“I see steven (brother of ex rangers player brian) mclean is the impartial man in black for the Celtic – st. mirren game this weekend.”
Is that Scottish-born Brian McLean who chose to play for The Occupied Six Counties rather than the country of his birth without the press hysteria that greets other Scottish-born player opting for Ireland as their international team?
Steinreignedsupreme says:
24 November, 2011 at 08:49
Big Joe: 24 November, 2011 at 08:41
“I see steven (brother of ex rangers player brian) mclean is the impartial man in black for the Celtic – st. mirren game this weekend.”
Is that Scottish-born Brian McLean who chose to play for The Occupied Six Counties rather than the country of his birth without the press hysteria that greets other Scottish-born player opting for Ireland as their international team?
Yes I believe that it’s tha same man, Sudra unowned playing for preston north end
But a hun to the core, wonder no his brother supports
BigjoethinksHeknowsTheAnswer
Big Joe: 24 November, 2011 at 09:00
“But a hun to the core, wonder no his brother supports”
That’s a tough one. Can I phone a friend?
Should have been a rout but 3 points in the bag and the fightback is on. Thought Commons was exceptional in the first half, his linking with the front 2 and range of passing have been badly missed. I think he just needs a goal then he’ll settle back into the creator role he played so well last season. Not sure what McCourt thought he was doing second half, i’d like to see him do well but he wont merit many starts with a lethargic performance like that. 3 points on Saturday then few extra prayers at mass on Sunday and we could be laughing!
Good morning from a windswept and interesting Rebel County.
Still delighted at last night’s 3 Precious Points……..and at least we wont be waltzing around at the weekend like we’ve won summat…(Please God!)
…Focus Bhoys.
In other news……….
I simply can’t beleive that………….the brother (Brither?) of a former hun is the MIB for our game at the weekend!
Jings, crivvens etc etc…
My considerable ‘flabber’ is utterly ‘gasted’, so it is……….
Can anyone imagine such an appointment happening…err….the other way roooooon?
Naw me neither.
The Sky would cave in amidst much growling gnashing and wailing and that would just be from Chic
Huncredible.
Some People
Some people are never satisfied regardless of result,
Take it upon themselves to moan and then insult,
Some people are never happy, want someone else to blame,
A quick look in the mirror, are you really who you claim?
Some people like to play with stats in a numbers game,
Forgetting about the performance, now that is just a shame!
Some people look at history, bad news from the past,
Dig out things that didn’t work to use in their broadcast.
Some people say they support their team, faithful through and through,
When they don’t know the meaning of the word, have a tinted view,
Some people it’s their whole life, nothing else will matter,
Come rain or shine, they will always choose the latter.
Nasty, blustery, but eerily-mild morning here in North Ayrshire.
What is it with us and penalties?
It’s getting so my heart sinks when we’re awarded one.
Serenity says:
24 November, 2011 at 09:15
Exactly…
Buongiorno tutti !
Great Wednesday night —– Celtic / Milan Barca/ 90 mins of CL highlights and then Star Wars episode 3 started —– [ late night !]
Celtic ——
Curate’s Egg stuff —- Ranged from excellent to dreadful within 90 mins.. Prone to switching off . The penalty thing was pathetic . A team that looks like it really needs a boss style leader on the park. They should have rattled in 6/7 but didn’t . 3 great passes from KI went begging —– no movement / no apparent vision ./ game intelligence.
Still – a win , 3 points and the gap reduced to 7 . Dreadful officiating yet again..
Milan / Barca —– fabulous game , fabulous football . Fabulous goal from Boateng . Fabulous goal from Xavi. Berlusconi [ The Clown ] caused a few Barca eyebrows to raise when he spoke of ” how good The Spaniards are “.
Good to see / hear Italian commentators /pundits praising Barca . . Xavi rightly described as a ” player from another planet “.
Win the next game . Apply some pressure .
Warm [ish ] and sunny -way down south . Most of you lot would think its summer.
Serenity says:
24 November, 2011 at 09:15
Some People
Geez, Serenity, I just read back and realised your clever wee poem fitted me perfectly!
Morning to you all,
agree with previous posters for 70 mins last night we were superb, got a bit of confidence back and should have been 5 up by HT, and a couple more early 2nd half. Think we got fed up with the lack of opposition and switched of, their goal was coming and we then had a strange last 5 plus 5 stoppage time with the crowd nervous and no-one on the park taking control of the ball. Main thing is another 3 points.
Special mention to the GB good banner display and a bit of humour with their oh ah ssshhh , and I won the sweep which I play with my boy to identify which of the visiting support will be escorted of the premises first. To easy last night guy arrives and starts shouting and gestruing at the Celtic support before he has even found his seat, continues non stop and 10 mins in to the game out he goes with stewards for company.
Mountain_Bhoy is Neil Lennon
No problem pal, I don’t think the GB will ever keep everybody happy with they’re song choice…. Well maybe when we skelp the Huns on the 28th Dec.
V
Is Commons ok?
What was it Lubo was saying a couple of months ago about the pointlessness of making ten or twenty passes with nothing positive at the end of them?
DougC.
Wonder if that’s another sectarian arrest at Celtic Park?
Serenity good yin!
V
A very good morning to you all. It was implied that the 27th. & 28th. October were significant dates to Rangers regarding their ability to pay their wages. They got through it, is it not therefor reasonable to expect these two dates 27th & 28th November to be potentially worth noting?
quonno 24 November, 2011 at 09:41
What was it Lubo was saying a couple of months ago about the pointlessness of making ten or twenty passes with nothing positive at the end of them?
What’s the point of making ten or twenty anti Celtic posts with nothing positive at the end of them?
Paddy Gallagher 24 November, 2011 at 09:44:
The 5th of December is the latest rumoured big date.
I’ll believe these predictions when they are finished until then the champagne is on ice!
quonno: 24 November, 2011 at 09:41
You never seem to be too happy when Celtic win.
Don’t you have a funeral to go to just to cheer yourself up?
Thanks mate, it gets harder with each passing ‘deadline’ to get excited.
fritzsong says:
24 November, 2011 at 00:09
The Comfortable Collective says:
23 November, 2011 at 23:56
I see steven (brother of ex rangers player brian) mclean is the impartial man in black for the Celtic – st. mirren game this weekend.
————————————————————————–
Now, this is a man worth the watching.
………….
Get this on you’re FB, twitter pages etc spread the word, we’re being stitched up by the shame…… Tell everyone ye know
V
The Honest Mistake (Sickened) says:
24 November, 2011 at 09:42
DougC.
Wonder if that’s another sectarian arrest at Celtic Park?
share
Well we all now know Celtic park is the place where most happen !!!
his pal followed later so possibly another 2 , its the same every game with a few visiting fans unable to help themselves despite warnings from the stewards.
Vmhan♣ who Supports Neil Lennon says:
24 November, 2011 at 09:51
Apart from the spat with Lennon against Hearts last year. Does mclean have any previous against us? Does he even ref many games?
The Honest Mistake (Sickened): 24 November, 2011 at 09:46
Paddy Gallagher 24 November, 2011 at 09:44:
“The 5th of December is the latest rumoured big date.
“I’ll believe these predictions when they are finished until then the champagne is on ice!”
They appear to be blindly stumbling on … but it is just a matter of time before they hit the wall.
Paddy G, When’s der huns pay day? Do they take erm…. Funny money?
On a kind of related matter, it’s only fair that strippers with fake boobs are paid with monopoly money :>)
V
Steinreignedsupreme says:
24 November, 2011 at 09:56
Cheers, I am just glad champagne dosen’t have a sell by date! :-)
Woah……Celtic Park is sold out for the huns game!! Where has everyone been since the last Glasgow derby???????? Now REAL fans cant get a ticket for these pretenders going to the match!!!
Shame on you!!!!!!!
Vmhan♣ who Supports Neil Lennon says:
24 November, 2011 at 09:58
Paddy G, When’s der huns pay day? Do they take erm…. Funny money?
On a kind of related matter, it’s only fair that strippers with fake boobs are paid with monopoly money :>)
V
******************************
What about asset strippers?? :-)
South of Tunis, the Xavi goal last night was a thing if beauty. From Xavi picking the ball up in midfield he gave it to Messi. Xavi continued his run past 4/5 AC players. Messi then picked him out with a superb weighted ball through the aforementioned 4/5 players and found him perfectly and without breaking stride Xavi stroked it in. Pure magic.
SffS
KJamBhoy says:
24 November, 2011 at 09:56
Vmhan♣ who Supports Neil Lennon says:
24 November, 2011 at 09:51
………….
I think he only refs Celtic games ……. Do you see a pattern?
V
Going into the game last night past the away entrance,six wee A-hole dumf fann a ‘s
Waving a butchers apron and singing ‘ why don’t you go home’
Police chased after them “yir goin the wrang way , go in that turnstile boys”
Compare and contrast with the Green Brigade.
skottybhoy1888 24 November, 2011 at 10:00:
The date of the 28th of December might be significant. It is a holiday, Celtic supporters from every corner of the earth return home for Christmas.
Shame on those Celtic supporters for taking the opportunity to see their team for the first time in ages.
Scotty
Have the Hun paid for they’re 8,000 tickets x £44 yet?
Make them pay up front Celts!
V
Well done Lenny and the bhoys last night.
3 points.
More please. In fact the same again until the end of the season.
Hooper scoring again (Good)
Forrest on a streak.
Pity about Commons. We need to get him fit. Can´t be long before Izzy is back in the team.
Penalties …. can someone give a break down of penalties scored and missed at home and away venues these last two years. Very intriguing stuff that we are so crap at converting them.
When does Lustig arrive ?
Hail Hail