Celtic did enough in the opening 16 minutes to put this game beyond Dundee United but only managed to score once, an excellent effort from Gary Hooper, before United tightened up and made a contest of the game.
Georgios Samaras sprung past the United defence inside the first 30 seconds and squared the ball across the six yard line but Stokes arrived a split-second late to convert. That signalled a period of relentless Celtic pressure as the home team found it impossible to get out of their own half or hodl any kind of possession.
Gary Hooper controlled a long clearlance inside the centre circle on 12 minutes before knocking the ball square to James Forrest, who had space to exploit. Forrest drove forward before returning the pass to Hooper inside the box. The Celtic striker turned outside Gunning before driving a shot low inside Dusan Pernis’ right had post to open the scoring.
Celtic continued to press forward with Forrest again involved in their most dangerous moves. The young winger threaded a through ball to Anthony Stokes on the edge of the area before racing past the defensive line to meet the return pass on the volley but his shot struck Pernis.
Give-and-go football was proving effective for Celtic and on 41 minutes Cha Du-Ri played a one-two with Forrest but could not convert his shot.
Celtic were so dominant in the first half their only real concern must have been why they were not further ahead but the second half proved to be more of a contest. Dundee United’s passing was poor all afternoon but Celtic slipped to their level, frequently succumbing to unforced errors. The visitors were never in any trouble defensively but Neil Lennon decided to shake things up in midfield, and substituted central defender, Glenn Loovens, pulled Victor Wanyama back and brought Scott Brown into midfield.
The subsequent change, bringing Ki on for Stokes gave Celtic more athleticism and meant that the final few minutes, which are often tense when defending a one goal lead, were contested almost exclusively in the United half. Fraser Forster had a few catches and the odd punch but had a relatively easy afternoon.
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Morning,all.
Been reading back,some marvellous tributes on here to SOCRATES,all richly deserved.
I think this one,from HENRY WINTER in The Telegraph is well worth a look too.
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?p=7172&cpage=5
Ooooooops.
Try this one!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/8934461/Henry-Winter-Brazil-captain-Socrates-was-the-king-of-cool.html
Bobby….
Heres another tribute to yir mhan Socrates…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kOVfPt9aC8
I think he’s like it.
V
HH
offski for a bit back later be good …..
V
HH
Good morning friends. It’s a whiteout in East Kilbride with a good few inches of snow.
Jobo
A dusting of snow in Bonnybridge!
Good morning CQN from the fast train to Glasgow.
Deep snow in ML8, this could be a long day.
Happy man this morning, 3 points yesterday and home game coming up, huns could struggle at Hibs.
Be careful out there! ;-)
hh
bjmac
BMCUW
Caught your summary of away trips, a while after you’d posted ;-) They change over the years – because we change. I’m enjoying easygoing Celtic all over the country now as much as I did 20yrs ago, a bonus its remembering the game after I get home and the next day.
hh
bjmac
Vmhan
You in bed yet. That Vwumhan ‘ll be missin yae.
MWD
BJMAC 0715
Fair point,we definitely mellow with age.
Conversely,I’ve got harder to please when it comes to pubs!
suprised I got into work so easily this morning with the trains all running on time at the mo….
it won’t last….
wet in G3i
Mistake-a-vich offered a new contract?
I weep.
Morning all. Feeling a wee bit left out (no, I’m not) but there’s no snow here in this part of North Ayrshire, as yet.
Has Aluko been sine died yet?
Good morning from MK where we’ve had an overnight frost.
Missed the first half hour of yesterday’s game and by all accounts I missed the best part of the game, still, another win adding to the momentum.
Now that the SFA is a transparent organisation I’m sure there’ll be some action initiated to address the concerns of all the other teams in the SPL as to how Rangers had a player booked yet the referee penalised Rangers only once for foul play (if the BBC stats are to be believed) and Rangers were awarded another dubious penalty. (Irony doesn’t really work with the written word)
I do have a concern this morning. Has anybody noticed that Stokes rarely passes to Samaras or is it just me?
BT
WHAT ABOUT A BIG WELL DONE TO SCOTRAIL.
MWD
murdochbhoy
Stokes rarely passes to anyone.
scottmacdonalditis
UC
Good morning
C
Q
N
Sunny 18deg in the Costa…………
BigjoeGladwithTheWinyesterday
Anthony looks a wee bit scared that he’s falling behind Hoops in the goalscoring charts!!
There was a couple of times yesterday where he should passed the baw…
Wild, windy and wet in the valley…brrrr
Winter is icumen in
Lude sing goddam..
..anyways, while I’m sure middle aged Scots blokes are not Beyonce’s target audience I watched her show last night and I have to say I was impressed.
From what appeared to be a de-luxe gazebo wee Ms Knowles put on an all singin’, all dancin’ SHOW of choreographed high octane clever cloggery.
Well done her.
If I were a Bhoy- the whole CLub seems a lot happier, like we’ve turned a corner.
Neil Lennon seems less haunted, we’re getting the performances and the reults, our better players seem to have found their mojo again.
We just need to keep it goin’ over the next few weeks.
Following the SFAs decision to investigate an alleged dive by Rangers co owner Sone Aluko resulting in a penalty being given to the ex champions by Referee Steve shouldagonetospecsavers Conroy, the debt ridden club have offered two points for consideration by the panel.
(a) that the aforementioned Aluko inadvertantly put Steven Naismiths boots on before the game and the boots went into automatic pilot when near the penalty box
(b) that the space between the stands allowed a gust of wind to swirl around the stadium knocking Aluko off his feet, the BBC following last weeks weather advice have asked John Rankin to advise on that possibility given his in depth knowledge of all things wind.
There is no suggestion that Mr Conroy is any way biased, this was an obvious honest mistake exacerbated by the fact he is incompetent.
Compare and contrast the pathetic MSM…
Traynor….Aluoko may have a case to answer versus his “let’s not beat about the bush…McGready CHEATED” …this a jumpover on the shy line 50 yard away from versus a game changing penalty.
BBC not showing Aluko’s second dive
The Mason dismissing the dive with a one line sentence and no comment.
No comment on the Whytie boy in Sunday editorials
Finally, not Celtic related but also compare and contrast the media hounding of Mark McGhee kast year with the apologists for Craig Brown this year.
Truly, only in Scotland.
Dontbrattbakkinanger says:
5 December, 2011 at 08:42
..anyways, while I’m sure middle aged Scots blokes are not Beyonce’s target audience I watched her show last night and I have to say I was impressed.
DBBIA –
I am not sure about the connection between “middle aged Scots blokes” and your good self? Perhaps you could clarify?
Ulcyr
Ylurc- I’m wearin’ a pair of Ykciv’s socks to keep out the cold, and your woundin’ barbs.
Paul67 et al
Could not help but notice that Walter Smith’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ courtesy of Sports Scotland, was sponsored by something called the ‘Wholesale Domestic Bathroom Superstore’. Is this belated recognition of “Walter’s” contribution to his old club going down the proverbial pan?
Celtic Mac says:
5 December, 2011 at 09:09
well its fair to say sir walter looked rather flushed.
Good Morning CQN
You snowy son of a gun.
.
Courtesy Lost Bhoys..
OH NO YOU AREN’T – OH YES WE BLOODY ARE!!!
In this season of Christmas pantomimes, it would be easy to comment on the villains and heroes over the last year or so. It would be easy to boo and hiss the Scottish media for their lazy journalism and their selective criticism of the Scottish game. Iit would be easy to criticize the dressing up of new owners only to find out that they were the back end of the comical stage horse or to chant “look out behind you” as Celtic started to creep up behind a Rangers team that Jelavic had already proclaimed had won the league before the festive season kicked off in earnest.
As of today, we have clawed back a 12 point deficit to a meager four points before the turkey has even been plucked. A few weeks ago, we talked on the Lostbhoys podcast that our friends across the city had yet to hit their sticky patch and after watching them yesterday and over the last few weeks, it would be fair to say that this period is now upon them and it is interesting to see them squirm while Celtic are beginning to show the potential that we hoped they would.
Any one-nil win at Tannadice has to be celebrated. Sure, it wasn’t pretty at times and had all the hallmarks of a “win ugly” victory, but right now, three points are the only things that matter and to come away from Dundee with the win in the bag was hugely satisfying considering these have been the typical games we have struggled to secure over the course of the last few seasons. How often have you watched Rangers grind out a result while the next day Celtic have slipped up? Today had all the pointers of that scenario and to watch a team not panic, but confidently and professionally take an important win back down the road to Glasgow was very satisfying to see.
For the first time in quite a while, it was interesting to see NL have choices to make. To stick with Loovens and the much criticized Dan Majstorovic at the heart of the defense was always going to be the main talking point, but a good defensive partnership takes time to gel and maybe, just maybe we are starting to see it coming together. Majstorovic might have played his best game in the hoops with a commanding role that reflected all the hype and expectation that came with the arrival of the big Swede. I think he might have won more headers and more tackles in this game than all the games he has played for us so far added together. Okay, that’s a bit of a stretch, but you know where I’m coming from with that. Dan looked like a player. He looked like a Swedish International and he looked like a Celtic Center half. No-one has been more critical of him than me, but I will willingly scrape the egg off my face if he continues to put in performances like that from now until the end of the season.
The midfield today also had a different look about it too. Not from a line up perspective, but from a hunger perspective. Wanyama and Kayal were everywhere and more importantly, done the basics comfortably. Tackling and a simple lay off is what they are paid to do and they earned their wages on Sunday with a competent if not spectacular performance and let’s be honest, it was in midfield that the three points were secured.
Once the goal was scored, Dundee Utd seemed to drop the head and although there was a considerable amount of time left on the clock, the guile and creativeness just wasn’t there in the home team which allowed Celtic to snuff them out and contain the rest of the game. It might not have been pretty, but it was enough.
Up front, the central pairing of Hooper and Stokes again proved effective and with the support of Forrest and Sammy, the pass and move build ups were there even if they were not as potent as in some of the more recent games. The goal, and the chance that Forrest had,were the best examples of this and although the game got bogged down in the second half, there was always the potential that Celtic could raise their game if need be and always looked the more likely team to get a second goal in a game with little goal scoring opportunities.
The introduction of Scot Brown in the second half was an interesting development. Coming on for Loovens, who apparently had cramp, the Club Captain made an appearance for the last twenty three minutes and although he added to a packed midfield, he appeared a little “ring rusty” but maybe with a few games under his belt, he might add to an already biting midfield. The question is though, is he an automatic choice to go straight back in? I feel that right now he has to earn that place with the guys already in the births earning the right to play their part, but a newly signed contract might have a bearing on that decision and may result in Mr. Brown coming back into the team at the expense of someone else who has performed adequately in a deputising role. Only Neil Lennon knows the answer to that question.
So over the festive season we have three home matches coming up against Hearts, Killie and Rangers with only one away game sandwiched in at St Johnstone while the Pantomime Villains have three away matches at Hibs, St Mirren and Us, with only one home game in that period against ICT. Considering they have only scored one goal from open play in their last four games while Celtic have knocked in ten and collected twelve SPL points to Rangers’ seven, it is all to play for and who knows what the situation we will be looking at going into the Glasgow derby on the 28th of the month? One thing is for sure, “The Beginning” that Neil promised us way back in May, looks like it might just be starting to take shape. Let’s hope so and let’s hope the magic beans take us to the top of the beanstalk because it’s been far too long since the golden eggs have been in the procession of the ugly ogre.
Summa
S.O.Sammi
Why did we sub Sammi after only ten minutes?
.
Courtesy Ach Guess..
Learning, Investigating And Retrospective Punishing
With news breaking on Sunday morning, that the SFA were to investigate the penalty awarded to Rangers against Dunfermline, one has to ask; if the SFA are unhappy with the penalty decision, who will they blame and potentially punish retrospectively? Aluko? Or Steve Conroy? I also feel the need to ask; are the SFA unhappy with the penalty Steve Conroy awarded? They, as an association, have not yet made a statement saying so.
The reason I ask is that so far, the only information we have about a likely investigation in to an incident leading to the penalty being awarded, came from BBC Scotland. BBC Scotland learned that an investigation was likely. BBC Scotland learned what? From who? From where? Did Vincent Lunny inform BBC Scotland that he was expecting to review the incident? I seriously doubt that. So who could possibly be privvy to such information at the SFA? Are there any SFA board members who would have a vested interest in leaking this type of information? With the hope that the SFA would take retrospective action against the Champions’ new signing, through increased pressure from the media? We all know the answer to that question.
Now before I go any further, it is important to state that I have viewed this incident leading up to Steve Conroy awarding this penalty, numerous times. I am more than happy to share my opinion that Sone Aluko lost control of the ball and decided to chance his luck, hoping to con the referee. Sone himself has today come out to defend himself; ‘When you are at full pace and the pitch is wet and you’re twisting and turning, with any contact it’s hard for you to stay on your feet. I felt there was contact and I fell over. I’m not one that normally dives’. So Sone is telling us he is not guilty of cheating. When I again look back at the incident, following Sone’s comments, I have to admit, I would need the footage slowed down further than what the televised replays can offer, before I can be 100% behind my original declaration. Should the SFA see fit to investigate this incident, as suggested by BBC Scotland, I think they will find it difficult to find Aluko guilty of cheating. This would certainly cause an uproar from supporters of the regular runners’ up from across the city, the media and no doubt, a certain SFA board member. They would all do well to remember the incident involving Gary O’Connor, who in the end did not receive a restrospective two match ban, for an allegation of cheating to win a penalty.
With regards to retrospective action, why is it that players are only in danger of being penalised, for winning a penalty that may or may not be fairly awarded? Surely all forms of conning officials should be investigated, with a view to dishing out retrospective punishment? Every game, at every level of football, players con officials, be it for a penalty, or a freekick outside the box, a corner, or even a throw-in. An unfairly awarded throw-in can lead to a goal, as much as an unfairly awarded penalty.
Is it just the players that should be penalised for unfair decisions – that ultimately the officials have made – against their opponents? Should the referee and his officials not be the ones punished for their poor decisions? If Sone Aluko were to be found guilty of diving, should the referee and his officials not be found guilty of making a poor decision? Perhaps if there was an official continually linked with poor decisions which lead to SFA investigations, surely the SFA would have to question whether or not that particular official is good enough to referee at the highest level in Scotland? There was a perfectly decent penalty claim turned down by Alan Muir, last weekend at Rugby Park, following a foul on Sone Aluko. Did the SFA investigate this incident? How are Rangers to be repayed for a penalty that they should have had, but never received? This could have won the game for Rangers, a potentially reversed scoreline, so shouldn’t Alan Muir be punished?
Restropective punishment needs to be a two way street, if you are going to punish players for conning officials, you have to punish officials for poor decisions.
Summa
Here’s a question for those who might know more than me. When a player is out the field, clears the ball but is caught by the opposing player after the ball is gone, the referee will more often than not give a free kick. Can anyone explain the difference between this and what happened to Cha on 40 odd mins yesterday. A lovely ball was played into him, he got a shot away but was taken out just after that.
Had this been out the field, it would be a free kick so why no penalty?
Mort
Mort, in my opinion it was a penalty.
SffS
.
Bourne..
Ha Ha..It was 20 Mins..
Neil Lennon heard all the MOANS & GROANS from the Celtic end..And Decided it Better for Sammi’s own Good to Sub Him..
Only to Find Out Later..Scott MacDonald was in the Dugout behind Him..Ha..
Summa ft TheMoaningMarsupialCSC
Heres’s how the BBC depict a delighted Neil Lennon
Mort says:
5 December, 2011 at 09:27
Exactly my question yesterday, it happened to Gary Hooper the last time we beat them up there, the 3-1 game when he hits the post…
Why can’t we have a decent level of Refereeing in Scotland?? There’s only half a dozen refs to choose from, it’s nonsense and we always seem to get refs who have been in exile for months and months..
Too much at stake this season to continue to have such poor officials..
Hx2
bournesouprecipe at 5 December, 2011 at 09:33
I would ban BBC Scotland – they are no friends of ours.
Ideally, I would ban BBC Scotland, not the BBC, just BBC Scotland.
bournesouprecipe says:
5 December, 2011 at 09:33
Insidious intent, the standard of work on their football site beggars belief, if you go to the interview with Neil it says we won 2-0.
I woke up this morning and thought, wow that wine must have been strong!!
SP
Summa
Replay the incident again and tell me how he managed to stay on his feet in the challenge/s from another Dunfermline player before he got into the box.
Surely the 10 yards he ran being challenged hard for the ball then would have been more likely to see him go down than the TIG he got in the box.
He’s a diving cheating bassa.
MWD