Celtic collected all three points in one of their most comfortable away performances of the season at Dunfermline this afternoon. Anthony Stokes and Victor Wanyama gave them a half time lead before a Charlie Mulgrew free kick completed the rout in the second half.
Mulgrew set pieces, the source of four consecutive goals, have become important to Celtic recently and could have led to an opener in 12 minutes when Thomas Rogne was wrestled to the ground inside the Dunfermline by Barrowman, who used both arms to prevent the Norwegian getting on the end of the corner, but referee Ian Brines, who had a particularly poor game, along with his assistants, missed the incident.
Five minutes later Celtic were in the lead when Mulgrew’s short corner was worked out to Anthony Stokes who shot from the 18 yard line into the postage stamp corner, giving goalkeeper, Chris Smith no chance.
Moments later Stokes, Hooper and Forrest combined well before Stokes tried a cheeky shot to Smiths’ near post. Celtic were now in full flow and Wanyama saw his shot from 25 yards tipped over by Smith. Five minutes from half time Celtic were in easy street. Charlie Mulgrew free kick from 28 yards was met inside the six yard box by Victor Wanyama who volleyed into the net.
Dunfermline almost caught Celtic snoozing within 60 seconds of the second goal when Barrowman knocked a through ball onto Burns but his shot was saved by Fraser Forster.
11 minutes after the break a Mulgrew free kick made its way left to Ledley who clipped a cross for Hooper but the strikers’ header went narrowly wide. On the hour mark James Forrest ran at Dunfermline from 50 yards but his cutback from six yards didn’t find a taker in the middle and slipped past the post.
High winds played their part today and almost caught out Rogne and Forster who struggled with a high ball that held up but Dunfermline couldn’t profit.
Charlie Mulgrew completed the scoring on 69 minutes with a free kick from 28 yards. Dunfermline keeper, Smith, should have done better as the ball went into the middle of the goal just under the bar.
Samaras linked with Brown to carve an opening but his shot was blocked. The ball broke to James Forrest who shot from outside the box but Smith made no mistake this time, turning the ball over for a corner. Mulgrew fired in the resulting corner and Ki found a yard of space 11 yards out but his shot went narrowly wide.
Ki Sung-Yueng made no contact in a tackle with Paddy Boyle, the Dunfermline player hurdled his challenge, but then grabbed and threw Ki by the throat. Ki never retaliated, no doubt expecting the referee to show Boyle a red card, but instead Brines booked both players. It was perhaps the most ridiculous refereeing decision of the season.
Emilio Izaguirre made his long-awaited return from breaking his leg at Pittodrie in August but almost marked his performance with a negative contribution. Having controlled the ball he then tried to dribble out of his own six yard box but was fortunate not to be punished.
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Good morning from MK where it’s wet and windy.
Who is gonna stop us now? only complacency could be our undoing.
I was interested to see the debate about Bangura overnight and although I haven’t been impressed yet I’ll wait to see how we use him and how he performs on the heavy pitches between now and April, he just might come good then.
Published on 3 January 2012
HUGH MacDONALD
A BITTERLY disappointed Stuart McCall last night bemoaned the failure of his side to exploit a weakened Rangers team.
“It’s probably the worst I have felt after a Rangers game as I checked my account balance and it was still the same as it was before kick-off, but we have been beaten heavier than this, perhaps my bonus scheme didn’t kick in” said the Motherwell manager after his side’s 3-0 defeat at Ibrox. “They didn’t have the attacking power of Nikica Jelavic, Steven Naismith and Kyle Lafferty today so I put Craigan on that job. I don’t think we’ve had a better chance, or will have a better chance for a while to come, of coming here and taking something from the game, but my tactics ensure no slip-ups.”
He added: “All three goals we scored were poor. At half-time, I thought if we came out and had a bit of belief then there might be something. The second goal was a killer, though, and there really was no way back for them after that. We spoke a lot about belief but I don’t know if it’s a psychological problem.”
Motherwell lost a first-half goal to David Healy after Lafferty had left the field with a hamstring injury. But they failed to take advantage of any apprehension felt by the magnificent champions after a tough end to the year that was climaxed by the unlucky defeat to Celtic on Wednesday.
“There is a lack of belief sometimes. When you come to a ground twice a year and don’t get anything other than your win bonus then it can have an effect,” said McCall. “But, for me, today was an opportunity to increase my pension. Their big, key creative players were missing. WATP”
Darren Randolph, who had an excellent match in goal for Motherwell, admitted the Fir Park side, who still sit third in the table, had let down not just their manager but their supporters.
“Looking at their team, with the players who were missing and the form they’ve been in, I thought we had a great chance, but for some reason it didn’t happen,” said the former Republic of Ireland under 21 internationalist. “It’s so frustrating because if we couldn’t beat them today when can we beat them?
“We’ve never had a better chance of getting three points than we did today. We’ve let the fans, ourselves and the gaffer down. We didn’t put in a performance.”
johnnyquest
Burley’s snide comments about Celtic and our players (he accused Sammi of being a cheat yesterday) have been going on for the past couple of years now
If he can’t take a joke then he shouldn’t give it out
Be really careful if you’re driving this morning. I can’t remember stronger winds than this.
Scary winds in Bonnybridge!
johnnyquest says:
3 January, 2012 at 07:57
I`m with you.
Morning all. I won’t mention the wind (it might go away).
Has thon Motherwell manager made any comment about his team’s offering no opposition to the Govan bankrupts? Surely, the supporters must be sick of the lack of heart. Even his players must be sick of it, if only for professional pride.
Paul or a moderator –
Could you please remove my post of 05:51?
Thanks.
Apologies for any offence caused.
David Weir is a freak of nature and a true professional, says Maurice Edu
Mar 27 2010 Neil Cameron
MAURICE EDU watched in astonishment as a working-class black man with a Muslim sounding name became president of his country.
But while the rise of Barack Obama stunned this exiled American it’s nothing compared to the miracle he sees every day he works beside David Weir.
It seems anyone can become leader of the free world. Old geezers, however, aren’t supposed to be the best footballer in the country.
Edu, 16 years his captain’s junior, can’t believe the manner in which Weir has played every minute of every league game this season.
Or the fact he never misses training and nobody works harder at Murray Park.
It’s not what guys pushing 40 are supposed to do. It’s a feat many 20-somethings can’t even match.
In an exclusive interview at the club’s training ground this week Edu spoke in glowing terms to Record Sport about Weir, who he believes has a few more seasons left in him.
The USA might be the land where anything can happen but there aren’t many sports stars of similar vintage still competing at the highest level.
Edu said: “Davie, gee, what can I say about him? He is unreal. The guy is a freak of nature.
“The fact he has played every second of the season is actually a joke. He’ll probably win Player of the Year as well and he’d deserve it.
“What a true professional he is. Davie comes in every morning, wanders off to the gym to do his own bits and pieces, goes out training, then afterwards he’s back doing his own thing just so he’s right.
“All us younger guys can’t help but look up to him. It would be foolish not to watch and copy him. He is just tremendous. I’m laughing here thinking of him not missing a game all season.
“In America we have very few sports stars who can go on until 40.
There are one or two pitchers in baseball but it’s just unheard of in football or most other sports.
“I have seen a few goalkeepers do this but for a defender to keep going, winning headers, getting stuck into tackles, is amazing. I believe he could play for a couple more years.
“I watch him now and he’s doing exactly the same things as he did last season. Why not go on?”
If Weir is quite rightly viewed as a Rangers legend, Edu is a cult hero with the supporters. This popularity was difficult to comprehend until the 93rd minute of the last Old Firm game when Edu scored THAT goal.
He said: “I have been trying to stay low key ever since. I haven’t been out and about much at all.
“But when I do bump into fans there has been a big difference in their reaction. They always want to talk about the goal against Celtic.
“It’s the highlight of my time at Rangers – the best goal of my career.
“When I’m old and grey I can look back and say I scored a last-minute winner in an Old Firm game for Rangers. That’s pretty special.
“I have watched it again a few times and it’s brilliant to see the manager and coaches’ reaction. I didn’t see any of this because I had half the team lying on me.
“The fans have been great since day one. They opened up and embraced me.
“First time they really saw me was at Parkhead last season for the first Old Firm game. I was warming up in front of our fans and they started singing the song they have for me.
“This was my first experience of Scottish football, the biggest match, and these supporters who I didn’t know much about were chanting my name. I thought, ‘Hello, this must be Scotland’.
“From then on it’s been great. They stuck by me when I was injured and having a difficult time. That was really appreciated.”
Edu is a cheery big guy who seems as if he wouldn’t have a enemy in the world. But being a famous Old Firm player does have a downside.
He’s been racially abused in public by Gers fans – after the 4-1 Champions League thrashing by Unirea Urziceni – and his private life hasn’t been 100 per cent private.
This is something any high-profile footballer has to live with and Edu hasn’t found it easy to deal with.
He said: “You get a lot of attention being a Rangers player. I suppose being a 6ft-plus black guy in Glasgow does make me stand out a bit more.
“There are good points and a few bad ones. I try to operate under the radar. There might be some negatives but I’m doing the job I love so who am I to complain? I love playing at such a massive club.
“There is fame and stuff that comes with it which can be good as well but that’s not too important. Playing in big stadiums and the Champions League, that’s why I do this.
“I’m a positive person who enjoys life. But I won’t lie to you, the injury was hard to take. There were times I didn’t want to talk to anyone.
“I’m fit and ready now. I’m doing what I love so why not enjoy life.”
And one thing Edu really enjoys is winning medals.
He said: “I wanted to play European football and win things. It’s worked out perfectly.
“When I stop playing I want to be able to show people my medals. That’s why I’m at Rangers. “
I see there has been a suggestion that we adopt the strip Norwich were wearing yesterday. A vast, vast improvement on that apology of an effort we wore ourselves. In fact, Norwich’s home strip is better than the one we wore yesterday.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/6395812/Maurice-Edu-accuses-Rangers-fans-of-racial-abuse.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/oct/21/maurice-edu-rangers-racist-abuse
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/rangers/2011/12/23/rangers-star-sone-aluko-i-hope-rival-fans-target-me-for-abuse-it-will-fire-me-up-86908-23655750/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1221919/Rangers-Maurice-Edu-alleges-racial-abuse-Ibrox-fans-Champions-League-thrashing-Twitter-feed.html
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2011/09/26/three-rangers-fans-accused-of-shouting-sectarian-abuse-banned-from-matches-ahead-of-trial-86908-23448435/
You have to laugh. The Broadsheets will not put a journalists name to a bad news rangers report.
He knives ugh at the record has no problem bandying his name about …but in this day and age he really should get his baws toed for that Sone Aluko article…encouraging abuse tut tut
Hail Hail
Morning and “Bonne Année” from gay Paree!
Good professional job done yesterday, some good performances throughout the team.
Sammy took a battering the whole afternoon, and got little protection from the MIB.
On the other hand, it was interesting that Ki got a yellow for a non-contact tackle in virtually his first involvement in the game.
Great to see Izzy
Judging from the result at Ipox yesterday, we are going to have to win this league on our own, so we can’t afford to become complacent in ANY game. It’s an absolute disgrace that the 3rd place team just don’t turn up against a struggling rANGERs side.
Looking ahead to next Sunday’s cup game, I think Lenny has a chance to switch things around and possibly give both Bangura and Paddy a start.
The month of January should be interesting: on and off the park!
Hail Hail
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo – But while the rise of Barack Obama stunned this exiled American it’s nothing compared to the miracle he sees every day he works beside David Weir.
:-D
(thumbsup)
.
Sammi Scores. A Own Goal Ooops..
Summa ft PCorNotPCThatIsTheQuestionCSC
On second thoughts, it is a bit stingy of the Record to compare David Weir with Obama.
Why not Martin Luther King or Nelson Mandela? (thumbsup)
Good morning all from a very stormy and unpleasant looking EK. Back garden gence blown to pieces.
Jobo
.
Celtic View delayed 24hrs this Week to Thursday..
Could it ba a White Smoke edition..?
Summa ft DiawaraCSC
North Ayrshire cowers under the lash of yet another big, big storm this morning.
The worst yet. Some damage to our garage roof that I’m not going near till this calms a bit.
Well done to the Bhoys yesterday.
Summa
Guid new year to you and yours.
JHILDAY 0924
As long as the solar panels are fine,lol!
Good to see you back on,and a Happy New Year to you from Swindon-a rather sodden Swindon this morning.
morning.
damage report,
fence doon.
tiles off roof.
bins over.
and the sun just had the cheek to come out there.
some holiday today is going to be
oldtim/wdh
today canned….?
.
MacJay..
All the Best to You Buddi..
This is Sammi’s Year..2012.. Year of the Jackal..
Summa ft SPLPOTYCSC
Summa
.
Bounce Game Vs Hibs Cancelled due to Weather..
Summa
Not sure if any one else noticed this yesterday but there was sopme pretty bad customer service at east end.
The queues for a pie!!!! It would have been one (at least one) of the excellent Stephens bridies in my case.
Could DAFC not have worked out that on January 2 with 7,000 away6 fans in attendance they could have made a few quid putting on a) some extra staff b) sufficient bridies?
Another beef, if you’ll pardon the pun. A Stephens steak bridie retails for £1.18. £2.60 at the game.
And, in case you ever hear of whingeing diddy team supporters complaining of “the old firm”, they bumped 50p on to the normal cost of the programme on top of the many thousands of pounds we put their way yesterday.
Reviewing whether I want DAFC to go down this season but suspect this ripping off may be happening elsewhere.
Outrageously windy here. I have officially closed the driveway to all traffic.
Stuart McCall has an incredibly bad record against both Celtic and Rangers, he is a complete managerial mug. He plays Rangers with a cavalier attitude that plays perfectly into a defensive, counter attack set up, and he plays Celtic with an aggression bordering on thuggery to stifle our football players that we always overcome with superior quality. He has it completely arse from elbow. Complete mug.
The question is will he be in the running next Monday after Arbroath see Alistair meets his John Barnes destiny? Terry Butcher a shoe in I’d say.
Tom mc Laughlin,thank you for the retraction,we are all capable of posting something inappropriate,it’s how we react upon realising our error which more accurately defines us.Ten men won the league,while I have no time for burley,there is no excuse for the stuff being written regarding his wife,the fact that you see it as acceptable is,in my opinion,a poor reflection on your taste, I may be wrong but,I am willing to bet you would not like to see your own mother or sister spoken of in this manner,believe me, I am no prude,just don’t think that innocent,outside family members should be dragged into any discussion of such a personal,and private nature.Your defence is that if he hands it out he should also take it,I agree,please direct me to the commentary where burley refers to sammis wife.
taggsybhoy – Mince.
Dunfermline don’t have the dough to pay a couple of extra people to deal with crusty pie-munchers such as the likes of you. (thumbsup)
I tried to lay back down for a snooze on the couch this morning- the last day of my holiday, when I hear thud, bang, wallop from just above my head. Looks like the wind gods are angry about my roof having tiles. Greenock was nearly lown away this morning
Thanks, Bobby!
The panels are fine so far (touch wood). Contrary to what I wrote, I just got the ladder out and fixed the damage.
Some of these heavy plastic side thingummies had sort of “peeled away” from the tiles.
Luckily I was able to bend them back in place and give them a few hefty slaps.
That seems to have done it.
Feeling heroic and stupid in equal measure.
Hope Swindon’s got a better morning than we have here.
Happy new year to you and yours!
johnnyquest 3 January, 2012 at 09:49:
What exactly did TMcL say that offends you so much.
He said that she thinks about Sammi in intimate moments with her spouse. If you are offended by that then I can only think that you are indeed the dental challenged one himself.
I wouldn’t even be offended if my gf was thinking about Sammi. Maybe a few weeks ago when he was in poor form I would have challenged her but not now after a few decent performances.
johnnyquest,
Must admit I don’t like that kind of “joke” either.
If I did, there would be plenty of other sites to cater for my tastes.
Are we now seeing a more mature Broony ?
Seems to me that since he has returned to the team he is showing more responsibility and is now looking like a real Celtic captain.
There is not so much of the childish winding up of opponents and the lunging challenges.
He seems to be playing a more controlled game and is now channeling his energy for the whole teams benefit.
A day for staying in I think. Anyone got any good transfer rumours to keep us all entertained?
What;s this about Jelavic and a groin strain? Bet it will be perfectly fine if he goes fora medical.
ßjmac ♥ Kano 1000 °¿°
says:2 January, 2012 at 17:26
On my way back from a very cold Dunfermline.
A solid performance from the bhoys, was never going to be easy to play silky stuff the way Dunfermline set-up.
Delighted with 3 points and an football education from the village people sitting behind us ;-)
I am glad that you appreciated the wisdom freely given in the true Celtic spirit….. there will be an exam at some point to make sure you can hear through that bunnet ;)
johnnyquest
I fight fire with fire when it comes to protecting our club
The fact you are sticking up for an odious individual like Burley tells me all i need to know about your moral fibre
You scroll on by my comments and i will certainly ignore yours
bt.
I agree,Trying to get in touch with WDH but not answering the phone,I wouldn’t come into Glasgow unless it was absolutely necessary,I’ve lost part of the rone on the roof,and I notice a few tiles on the ground.
Did anyone else notice, on just about 4 minutes into the game, the Dunfermline player giving Mulgrew a push into the advertising boards?
It was a mean and dangerous thing to do.
No telling what harm might have befallen our man if he had stumbled.