It was the Gary Hooper show as a five goal performance by Scottish football’s top scorer this season lit up a wet and windy Celtic Park on trophy day. Two poachers’ goals inside the opening 8 minutes had the capacity crowd celebrating. The opener came after Hearts’ keeper Jamie MacDonald saved a Kris Commons shot but Hooper was on hand to knock home the rebound.
The crowd had only just settled from that goal when Georgios Samaras broke down the left channel and squared a pass for Hooper to knock into the empty net.
Celtic were awarded a penalty six minutes before the break when Joe Ledley had his ankle clipped inside the box. Gary Hooper, not a prodigious scorer from the spot, smashed the ball straight down the middle and into the net.
David Templeton was unable to hit the target midway through the second half with what turned out to be Hearts only attempt at goal all game.
Hearts conceded cheaply on 66 minutes when Kris Commons found the unmarked Hooper inside the box who gratefully converted for his fourth.
By now it was all about whether we would see Hooper score a fifth, a feat most of us had never witnessed by a Celtic player before. He duly obliged two minutes from time when he rounded the exposed MacDonald and slotted the ball home before the late-arriving surge of Hearts defenders.
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Gordon
Close, but no cigar for me………………. ( even though I was there ! )
I bow to your excellent knowledge / memory / googleability -:)
Oh no…
Dalziel comparing Ally to Alex Fergusson…holy-moly!
Weegreenman- I remember hearing the commentary in that film mention Man U- but not anything about the tic being in it
iki on 13 May, 2012 at 19:51 said:
“Gordon Dalziel…’Ally McCoist has every potential to be a TopShop manager..’”
My sister met him in Topshop once, with Barry Venison.
PF Ayr @ 19:24, saw Big Dan on LHR shuttle on Wed with Doc McDonald. Understandingly hobbling badly. Was thinking does this mean he will still be with us next season or just that Celtic have a duty of care tip contract runs out June.
Stairheedrammy on 13 May, 2012 at 19:54 said:
Weegreenman- I remember hearing the commentary in that film mention Man U- but not anything about the tic being in it
in the arctic hut listen for it
If any of you Bhoys and Ghirls are coming to Norwich tuesday 22nd May come to the Temple Bar home of Norwich CSC for an afternoon craic
Gies a shout
HH
Stairheedrammy.
If you get the chance look out for it.
Hopefully this time I watch it we win the tie. Every time I watch this movie Man U beat us. :-)
CRC:
If you’re about, you have mail…
Doc, 19:35
Mine’s in the post too
St Stivs- I passed through the Port yesterday afternoon and saw a Free Marie Price Banner being hung from the bridge over the motorway- Ffree Port Glasgow indeed
West Wales Celt on 13 May, 2012 at 20:00 said:
…..and returned with a back hand:-)
HH
CRC
Fergus in August is s great shout.
Bring back the wee mhan…
sparkleghirl on 13 May, 2012 at 19:31 said:
I think Whyte would have been proud of the Gefinor story.
The Crimewatch Special on Rangers may have to change his nickname to David “The News of the World” Murray if these rumours are true,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxdJ3VdxNBY
CRC:
Whoosh; you’ve a better turn of pace than the diddy man!
Readies on the way first thing in the morning…
re day after tomorrrow.
It is Man U v Celtic but can’t be the final as commentator says Man U leading 3 – 1 from the first leg.
Any of you Bhoys have any information on how Kojo is doing ? H.H.
Really enjoyed the game, Celtic are playing some good stuff on the crest of a confidence wave.
Five goals for Hoops today was willing him to get the double hat-trick.
Good to see the stadium full, if you are one of the returnees today, remember how good Celtic park can be when it’s bursting.
Hail Hail
The Honest Cover-up on 13 May, 2012 at 20:04 said:
Crimewatch – that’s ace :)
Stairheedrammy on 13 May, 2012 at 20:03 said:
St Stivs- I passed through the Port yesterday afternoon and saw a Free Marie Price Banner being hung from the bridge over the motorway- Ffree Port Glasgow indeed
———————-
heard about it.
makes me proud.
Guid wee day.
Thai Tims were brilliant
Tic scored 5 against the wee H*ns
GB honoured for their thunder
The excellent Gary Og at the Clock
Back home watching Sky Plus of the game.
It’s a grand old day to be a Bhoy. HH CQN.
I don’t think there is anything in the phone hacking allegation.
celticrollercoaster says In Neil we trust on 13 May, 2012 at 19:47 said:
I agree 100%, a fitting tribute for the Bunnet.
I walked into the pub this morning and said to the gathered faithful, “I’d like to see us put five past ’em today.”
Not that I was predicting it, mind, but if the above gives you that impression, I won’t disabuse the notion. ;-)
O.G.Rafferty on 13 May, 2012 at 20:02 said:
And lovely they are too!
So this group to buy Rankers is made up of 20 individuals or families, across the Globe?
Love to see how the fit and proper person thingy is going to work!!!
1.2.3.4 Heaven loves ya The clouds part for ya Nothing stands in your way When you’re a boy
Clothes always fit ya Life is a pop of the cherry When you’re a boy
When you’re a boy You can wear a uniform When you’re a boy Other boys check you out You get a girl To say your favorite things When you’re a boy
Boys Boys Boys keep swinging Boys always work it out
Uncage the colours Unfurl the flag Luck just kissed you hello When you’re a boy
They’ll never clone ya You’re always first on the line When you’re a boy
When you’re a boy You can buy a home of your own When you’re a boy Learn to drive and everything You’ll get your share When you’re a boy
Boys Boys Boys keep swinging Boys always work it out
ElDiegoBhoy… Enjoyed the season, a bit disappointed we lost out on 2 cups.
Regards.
Saint Stivs. Thanks. for the completeness of the record, three more Celts scored 5 goals in a game.
Sandy McMahon in 1891 v Clyde in a 7-2 league win at Celtic Park.
John Madden in 1892 v 5th Kings Rifle Volunteers in a 7-0 Scottish Cup win a Celtic Park.
George Allan in 1897 v Clyde in a 9-1 league win at Celtic Park.
The Bottom Line is….
I was at that Rugby Park game too and at the same venue I recall Kenny Dalglish scoring 6 in (I think) Frank Beattie’s testimonial.
Greetings from the Argentinian-Brazil-Paraguay borders.
Great news today and best wishes to all Celts.
Now on to the final Downfall. Momentous days.
Manager’s delight after perfect day in Paradise
By: Mark Henderson on 13 May, 2012 16:44
IT was the perfect end to a superb season. Crowned SPL champions over a month ago, Celtic finally got their hands on the trophy today after hammering Hearts 5-0 in front of a packed Paradise.
All five goals came from the outstanding Gary Hooper who ended the campaign on 29 goals, and Celtic Park was rocking as the title celebrations got underway.
Neil Lennon couldn’t have wished for events to unfold in a better way, and after lifting the trophy to huge cheers on the pitch, he felt able to savour the success of the past 12 months. He was a proud man.
“We can reflect on what we have achieved now,” he said. “It´s a fantastic feeling. I´m delighted for the players and supporters and I was delighted with the performance today. It was a fitting way to end the season. The supporters were in good voice. It was a great day for the club.
“I wanted them to finish the season on a high and wanted them to play entertaining football and win the game handsomely and I got all that today.
“We have been pretty much flawless since October in the league. We had a couple of defeats along the way but the quality and intensity in the play for a good four or five months was excellent. We have broken the clean sheet record.
“I think we just fell short today of one goal of what we scored last year. We have the best disciplinary record in the country and we have won the league by 20 points so that ticks all the boxes for me.”
Hooper struck a hat-trick in the first half with some typical predatory finishes before bagging a brace after the break. It was a wonderful display by the Englishman.
“It was a tremendous individual performance and a great achievement,” said the manager. “I think that took him to 24 league goals. He´s a special player and I´m delighted that he´s fulfilling all the talent we think he has.
“He´s happy here. Obviously there will be people out there who would pay for his talent and his goals. He´s a goalscorer. They are priceless in the game. But we want to keep him here and will do our very best to do that.”
After being presented with the trophy, the Hoops boss went over the corner of the stadium occupied by the Green Brigade and left it sitting there on the pitch, dedicating the title triumph to supporters.
“I just wanted to say thank you to them because week-in, week-out, they have created a great atmosphere,” he explained. “They sing non-stop, they add colour. Sometimes they are a little bit controversial but in the main they have behaved themselves impeccably.
“They have changed the culture of the stadium. It´s a fun place to come for supporters and the atmosphere over the last two years in some of the big games has been fantastic and they have been the catalyst for that.
“The noise, the singing, the pride – it’s all there now. I´m delighted with that. It was missing for a few years and I think more than anything, the fans have their pride back.”
Beram Kayal made his return to action following five months on the sidelines with an ankle injury as a second-half substitute. The manager was keen for him to receive recognition for his contribution over the campaign. It had been a colossal collective effort.
“I wanted to give the players who have made big contributions the opportunity to play today, and Beram has been a huge player for us and, bar injury, he would have played a lot more for us this season,” he said.
“I was delighted with the performance, the professionalism and the quality of the players out there today and it augers well for the future.
“We want to come back and defend the title as best we can next year but we want to play at the big table,” he added. “One of our first competitive game will probably be one of the Champions League qualifiers so we have a lot of hard work in front of us to get ready for that.”
I saw most of those games Gordon refers to but the one I remember best was the skelping of St Mirren. They were a very, very good football team at the time. Gerry Baker, Tommy Bryceland et al. I think both teams were clapped off after the draw at Celtic Park, such was the entertainment.
Transfers gazumped by phone hacking???
Im pretty sure Tommy Burns left for midweek away game thinking we had signed Gordan Petric.
Only to find out he’d signed for the huns at the last minute.
Hmmmm???
who scored the goals when we beat dundee 11-0 ?
If Gordon is lurking, maybe he could tell me if I am right in thinking that Neilly Mochan scored 5 goals in a replayed cup tie versus St. Mirren.
Martin42
On this happy day for all Celtic fans, let’s be generous enough to give a moment’s thought to the loyal supporters of Rangers FC plc (IA), who had to
* ignore our joy as best they could
* watch their team play for the very last time,
* endure yet another 3-0 defeat, and
* accept the humiliation of increasing their own world record of 500+ consecutive losses.
Congrats to one and all on CQN, and remember to have the aspirin handy for tomorrow!
Good evening all ..wonderful day today ..met BT ,old tim,Malorbhoy( presently being poured out of a bus near the border..allegedly) and 67 heaven ( wonderful songsmith) ..wish I could have joined you later too hh
If this boy Green takes over at rankers, do the Green Brigade change their name?
Not long back from the game.
Seems to me that the Sammi detractors are much less virulent in their criticisms now. Of course he is occasionally infuriating (ducking that header, for instance) but he really is a special player at times…..and “times” enough to make a big difference. With Sammi rampaging down the left and James Forrest on the right, Hoops could be in line for other five goal hauls. We really have the makings of a team here. I wondered once if Izzi was a one season wonder but now I am convinced he is the real deal. I also hope Loovens stays. I have regularly said he is much better than many give him credit for. He had one little nervy back pass today but that apart, was excellent when needed. So, who do I believe are good enough for a Celtic team to challenge in Europe?
I am actually OK with Zaluska or Forster (if he stays);
Matthews;
Rogne;
Mulgrew;
Loovens;
Izaguirre;
Wanyama,
Brown,
Kayal,:
Commons;
Ledley;
Forrest;
Samaras;
Hooper.
Surely that group, plus the like of Stokes, McCourt etc for easier SPL games , has enough about it to go from strength to strength? Champions again and again and again and….
JJ