Celtic swept St Mirren aside this afternoon as a hat-trick from Gary Hooper and goals from Georgios Samaras and Dylan McGeough
Celtic came roaring out of the traps and blew St Mirren away this afternoon. Georgios Samaras got the show underway on 4 minutes when he collected the ball after Marc McAusland failed to make a clean connection on the ball. Samaras still had a lot to do and carried the ball into the box. With defenders closing in from all around the Greek striker placed his shot instead of going for power. St Mirren keeper, Craig Samson got a hand to the shot but the ball spun slowly towards goal and settled 8” over the line.
Four minutes later, a clearly confident Samaras drove into the St Mirren penalty box before cutting the ball left for Anthony Stokes, who’s fired cross was turned over the line from 3 yards by Gary Hooper.
Samaras was running the show but was hampered by a knock to the ankle which he took a few moments to recover from. This coincided with St Mirren’s best period of play as the visitors gained more possession and territorial advantage in the period before half time.
Celtic started the second half just as brightly as they did the first as Hooper and Kayal could both have added to the score, however, the third would arrive 8 minutes into the second half. Victor Wanyama played an excellent forward pass to Stokes who hit the goal line before cutting back for Gary Hooper. Hooper collected with his back to goal but spun and shot in a sweeping move that left Samson with no chance.
Hooper completed his hat-trick on 57 minutes when he tried to play a one-two with Stokes but the ball was returned by a defender, allowing him to chip the on-rushing Samson.
18-year-old Dylan McGeough made his first impact as a Celtic player minutes after replacing James Forrest when he collected the ball 10 yards in front of his own box, ran 70 yards into the St Mirren box, before creating space and despatching Celtic’s fifth goal. An unforgettable moment for the young player.
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Interesting fact…….
When we lost 4-2 at the skunk dome this season, the following players were on the bench;
Ledley
Stokes
Wanyama
Forest
Matthews
Don’t see this being the case next time around. We should be better equipped.
Cant wait for 10:00hrs, watch the game on Ch67, with a few beers. Mrs Dawn in bed as she is working tomorrow,the children are all out so pure peace and quiet to watch the game.
hamiltontim says:
26 November, 2011 at 20:59
Centre Half, shows you how much you know about the game…:)
Saint Stivs says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:01
A special day indeed for his Mum…
Bundoran Bhoy says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:01
Week after next sounds good mate
Half day for wean Thursday??
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Lennybhoy…Supporting Neil Lennon and CFC until I die says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:12
Oldest BB ghirl has a thing on in school, wants her daddy there lol
HH
Looking forward to Thursday night BUT I would be using it it to rotate the squad.
Far more important game next weekend.
And it turned out that St Mirren were not Barca. Despite BBC’s attempts to paint their 3 minute spell at the start of the game as such and the ‘fear’ some on here expressed during the week (including I might add, our host with the most!)
And I’ll leave you with this: did we play 2 wingers? was in 4-2-4?
And as I wasn’t there I would like to know if we looked over run in the middle at any stage.
Are Wanyama and Kayal enough centrally to stifle bigger numbers in midfield or is it as much to do with how well your wide players defend and your full backs stop crosses as it is to do with how many men you play in the middle????
Awa fur a beer. check in later for thoughts…………………
bjmac
Ye true but in fairness he had a wee drink in him the day I tried him at right midfield:))
How did the meeting go?
To thunderous applause
avanbhoy says:
26 November, 2011 at 20:44
why is it the kids always get their pics taken with the players and manage to get autographs – how come adults like me never manage to get one!?!?!?
lol
cheers bhoys.
Spoke to the bro earlier – he said every time the wee lad either sat down in a plane, car or any mode of transport he was out like a light.
Soaking in the day obviously took literally every ounce from him.
Brilliant just brilliant
Antrimkev – what about this 19 year old centre forward at C’Ville – any good? Celtic Class?
Stringer Bell says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:12
Not to mention PotY Emilio sitting in the treatment room.
Bundoran Bhoy says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:14
Enjoy…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
As for Dylan’s goal today, the boy sitting right behing me was screaming him to pass it all through his run – just before young Dylan pulled the trigger to score a truly outstanding goal which had all the hallmarks of HamiltonTim’s coaching (aye right!) – this eedjit behind me finish with “ya greedy wee bassa” don’t think he’d even finish saying bass when the ball hit the net – very funny indeed, the fact he continually gives abuse to any player or manager he sees fit to dish it out to.
hh
bjmac
PS GB Great again, main stand singing Fenian Army was lol moment
Great performance today. Can I just highlight the effect a fit, committed, hard working and unselfish Anthony Stokes has on the team?
Great goal from Dylan. IMHO he should have slipped the pass through to Stokes who had made space and was in an excellent position to score. Dylan didn’t of course, scored himself and Stokes was after him like a bat out of hell to offer his congratulations.
Great to see that team spirit.
Onwards and Upwards as Ole Tolkien used to say. :)
RobertTressell says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:16
young Rory Donnelly – has a very good shout at making it, very promising. the reds have turned down a 50k bid for him, they want more.
Celtic class? he would be worth a punt
A small part of me thinks were we that good today or St M that bad, or did we make St M look that bad.
Most of me thinks that St M were unlucky not to win at the duty free stadium a few weeks ago ( is duty free still tax free? )
So on the whole a very , very good preformance from all today.
Although no-one let us down, the standouts for me were, in particular order….
JL….fantastic preformance considering its not his position
VW…just gets better and better (elbows mcculloch he’s gonnae get you )
GH….say no more, what a difference in a few weeks
GS…he looked sort of “angry” today and it seemed to work, maybe if the other players smacked him with wet towels before every game we’d have the real Sammi back
AS…you dont have to score to have an input into the game
DMcG…no john fleck but….he used to be a hun but he’s alright now!!
LET THE PEOPLE SING
So today while the Hoops were rampant, I was in Sainsbury’s doing the weekly shop ( mrs WGM doesn’t keep too well these days) Anywho, I go back to the car with the trolley full of groceries (£145 ffs) empty the shopping into the car and I am taking the trolley back to retrieve my ‘hun’ (£).
Anywho the Sainsbury’s assistant is there in the peeing rain collecting the frillier as I arrive.
“Just slip it in” he says.
“Hope you don’t say that to all the boys!” I replied!
“Naw I don’t” he says with the chest puffed oot.
PMSL all the way back to the car.
RobertTressell @ 21:14
Mind the games on Wednesday in case you’re making travel arrangements…!
antrimkev says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:20
I remember everyone saying that about young Boyce….great result today against the Glens
ßjmac ® °¿° says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:18
“PS GB Great again, main stand singing Fenian Army was lol moment ”
Hows things mate. Folk at the office think its a sectarian chant, Hertz fans god bless them. I really need PC lessons from that mob!!
is PL in the Green Brigade ?
————
And ahead of another home match on Wednesday – against Atletico Madrid – Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell praised the fans for their backing of the team.
“It was important, first and foremost, that we won the game today, but the manner of the victory made for a very enjoyable day,” he said. “And when you consider just how bad the weather conditions were, it was tremendous to have so many fans making the journey here for the game.
“I´d like to thank them for their efforts, and also for the way in which they backed the team. It made for a great afternoon, and you could see that the players thrived on that sort of backing. The vocal support from the Green Brigade and, indeed, the entire support in the stadium, was impressive. In the same way, the performance of the team added to the atmosphere and it was obvious the fans enjoyed what they saw.
“We´re in the middle of a good run of results and I know that Neil and his team will be looking to continue that on Wednesday against Atletico Madrid. That is going to be a very difficult match, but the players will go into that game knowing that they will get magnificent backing from our supporters.
“I´d like to thank all our fans for the way in which they back the team, and I´d also like to thank, in particular, the Celtic Supporters´ Association, the Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters´ Club, the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters´ Clubs and the Celtic Trust for their co-operation over the past few weeks.”
Neil Lennon was understandably delighted with the 5-0 victory, which came courtesy of a Gary Hooper hat-trick, a Georgios Samaras strike and a wonder goal from teenager Dylan McGeouch.
And the Celtic manager was also keen to praise the supporters for playing their part in an impressive win.
“We all know how good the Celtic support is in backing the team, and we saw that this afternoon,” Neil Lennon said. “They were right behind the players from the moment they took to the pitch, and that vocal support didn´t let up until the final whistle.
“It was a dreadful day, weather-wise, so we really appreciate everyone who came out today, but I´m sure by the end of the game, no-one was really bothering about the weather.
“It was great to get the three points, and the fact we scored five goals, kept a clean sheet and produced an excellent performance only added to the enjoyment of the day.
“There is still a lot of football to be played between now and the end of the season, but we relish the challenges ahead, and as we get a bit of consistency back into our performances, we remain focused on bringing more success to our fans, who thoroughly deserve it.”
dirtymac says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:17
Stringer Bell says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:12
Not to mention PotY Emilio sitting in the treatment room.
share
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Goo point mate, any knowledge on his return date? Must be fairly soon, was august he was injured
Mr Tressel goods points, totally agree about the commentators. Heard the lead commentator and Murdo waxing lyrical about St Mirrens terrific start, how they were dominating, controlling the game, how their players had all settled well, keeping the ball, then they informed me the game was 2.5 minutes old.
Nollaig a chara says
Boyce was a guy i never rated, was very surprised to see him get a move to Germany
rumour is he is signing for the reds in january
Right, I know – as the wife is wont to say – I’m a “wee bit early”, but I’m goin back to the magical key of B Flat for this one.
I know its makes it a wee bit difficult for you guitariellos out there… use a capo
a wee bit of order please
An Ulsterman I am proud to be
From the Antrim Glens I come.
Although I labour by the sea
I have followed flag and drum.
I have heard the martial tramp of men
I’ve seen them fight and die.
Ah, lads, I well remember when
I followed Henry Joy.
I pulled my boat up from the sea
I hid my sails away,
I hung my nets on a greenwood tree
And I scanned the moonlit bay.
The boys were out, and the Redcoats too,
I kissed my wife goodbye;
And in the shade of the greenwood glade
I followed Henry Joy. ”
In Antrim town the tyrant stood,
He tore our ranks with ball,
But with a cheer and a pike to clear
We swept them o’er the wall.
Our pikes and sabres flushed that day,
We won, but lost, ah, why?
No matter lads, I fought beside
And shielded Henry Joy.
Ah, boys, for Ireland’s cause we fought;
For her and home we bled,
Though our pikes were few still our hearts beat true,
And five to one lay dead,
And many a lassie mourned her lad,
And mother mourned her boy;
For youth was strong in that gallant throng
Who followed Henry Joy.
hamiltontim says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:15
Meeting yesterday with MSP went ok. I will wait to see her response. She was very pleasant and strangely didn’t fall of the oul’ bjmac charm ;-) She listened agreed with some points and asked what I was wanting. I stated the I didn’t feel the legislation was necessary at all if the police implemented the exsiting legislation, however acceopted that this was unlikely so would request that they stick to addressing the problem the legislation was devised for – stopping sectarianism – there fore remove the subjective parts namely “offensive”. Change the bill to be Sectarianism at football – simples. I must say that did get her thinking – but we’ll see.
I enjoyed it as I felkt I done well, was quite nervous going in on my own. All in all a worthwhile exercise on a personal level, sadly I don’t feel it will make any material difference.
I’ll continue to fight though ;-)
FAC KILL THE BILL
hh
bjmac
Was looking at the Scotland Hall of Fame recently and could not help notice the difference in caps given to Greig 45 and Jardine 45 and Big Billy 29 and big Tam 18.
Had a look at the caps awarded to Lions and the Rangers team that lost in Cup Winners Cup in 67. You will not be surprised.
Ronnie 5
Jim 1
Tommy 18
Billy 29
John 4
Bertie 3
Bobby M.12
Bobby L 10
Jimmy 23
Stevie 5
Willie 7
117
Martin 0
Greig 44
Henderson 29
Provan 5
McKinnon 28
Hynd 0
Jardine 45
Johnstone 27
D. Smith 2
A. Smith 0
180
RobertTressell says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:14
As you well know – its only 4 2 4 when it suits the arguement. :)
BTW – the Cliftonville striker? Rory Donnelly I think is his name. Watched him a couple of times plus bits and pieces on the telly.
Really think this kid is the real deal.
jimmyquinnsbits,my son was playing that earlier,on the flute…class…
Just watched the AM versus RM game, hard to judge our chances due to sending off etc. I think we have a good chance if we show the same energy and commitment in the midfield to sneak a win. They can be quick on the counter so it will be difficult but not impossible.
Keep the faith with this young team it will only get better, don’t write Killie off tomorrow I reckon they can get a draw at least.
Great story on the wee lad from London, went to my first match as a 6 year old, we gubbed the Hearts 6 -1 midweek cup replay from memory or a league cup section thing as it was in the days of old ( 1966). No flight for me just the bus from Govanhill!!!
Hail Hail
When McGeough picks up the ball he heads up the park
and the sees the 2 defenders leaving an opening as they
think he’s going to pass the ball.
At this point the lad sees glory and knows he can score.
The defenders then realise he’s going for goal and try and close him dowm.
He shifts to the left and by now every football fan is shouting shoot.
The rest is history.
Bobby Lennox, 10 caps.
Would make me laugh if it wasn’t so damning an indictment on what was going on at the time – nary a player to lace his boots, or catch him to try, in Europe, yet 10 caps? pfft!!
antrimkev says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:25
yeah heard that myself also heard Dundee or Kilmarnock cant remember which are looking at him as well
prestonpans bhoys says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:23
I was arguing with a Celtic fan last week about it, he was saying he didn’t like as Fenian is a derogatory term, this guy is a clever guy!!! I did say I only found it derogatory when followed with bassa;-)
Anyway, I’m well thanks. Hope all is well with you and family.
hh
bjmac
Nollaig a chara says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:31
it was kilmarnock mate – he had an extended trial there but has been at the reds last couple of games as a fan – probably where these rumours started tbh
i love it when anyone describes me as a fenian.
what a noble thing to be thinks me.
gerald766@19.48
Please explain!!
bjmac,
Clever guy perhaps, knowledgeable about Irish history- me thinks not. He probably thinks TBOTOB is about Bobby Sands!!!!!!!
antrimkev says:
26 November, 2011 at 21:25
Yeah las prob