Dunfermline 0-3 Celtic

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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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686 Comments

  1. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    Good Morning to the Celtic Familoy from a very stormy Central Scotland. Like others on CQN this storm is going to cost me a few bob Fence down, Tiles off roof and facia damaged and just when I think the wind is dropping up it roars again.I listened to yesterdays match on 8.10 radio Scotland and the Celtic fans were terriffic they almost drowned out the commentators with there singing and chanting.Radio commentary gives a very skewed view of the game they stated Charlies goalwas a huge goal keeping error but when I saw it on tv later I thought it was a quality strike by the big man.Also the didnt make a lot of Stoksies goal but on tv it was a cracker also during a match Dunfermline v Celtic the number of times they mentioned Rangers borderded on the ridicoules.I certainly found it a very biased media and I thought the hoops were well worth the 3 points.H.H.

  2. BlantyreKev – Hail Hail to the Kano Foundation says:

     

    3 January, 2012 at 10:47

     

     

    Its been given an arabic sounding name Hurricane Hunzareontherun

  3. Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon says:

     

    3 January, 2012 at 10:58

     

     

     

    theres people got the sack for less than that

  4. Ten Men Won The League on

    From RTC Twitter

     

     

     

    rangerstaxcaseRangers Tax-Case

     

     

    Given today’s plea for funds through Keith Jackson, Ally’s meeting with Whyte yesterday must not have gone too well

  5. The Battered Bunnet on

    It’s damned windy out there today. So much so in fact that next year’s Christmas lights have just landed in the garden.

     

     

    Many thanks to the anonymous donor.

  6. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    All you guys with fancy names for the hurricane have let me down.I thought it was the Thunder I was hearing from yesterdays game.H.H. ;-)

  7. Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon says:

     

    3 January, 2012 at 11:03

     

     

    Yeah sorry bout that one….and I tidied up too given the time of day.

  8. Morning wind still blowing lost a fence gained some garden furniture

     

    Enjoyed yesterday’s game we have a confidence about us just now hope it lasts undefeated through to may will do for me. Don’t get to many away games loved the atmosphere.

     

    With the return of the injured, Neil has a tricky job keeping everyone happy. Our bench yesterday was as strong as it has been all season.

     

    I feel a treble coming :)

  9. Ten Men Won The League – Craig Whyte owns a £5m castle.

     

     

    I should think he will have the funds to bankroll the true blues to success.

     

     

    What do you take him for, some sort of bug-eyed shyster who can’t pay his bills?

     

     

    Some sort of charlatan who was barred from being a director for seven years?

     

     

    Some sort of would-be fly man and habitual fabulist who fled to Monaco leaving a string of failed businesses and unpaid employees in his wake?

     

     

    Get real. (thumbsup)

  10. The Honest Mistake loves being first on

    philvisreturns 3 January, 2012 at 11:10:

     

    It totally depends on which Craig Whi/yte you’re talking about.

     

    Errrrr aye ummmm I.

  11. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    Well its Certainly been a Whyte Christmas for fat Ally unfortunately for him Santa hasnt brought him any money for new players.H.H.

  12. The Battered Bunnet on

    The Big Issue (NB: This articel has not been subject to Awe Naw type editing)

     

     

    Ally McCoist begs owner Craig Whyte for funds as Rangers hit by striker crisis

     

     

    Jan 3 2012 By Keith Jackson

     

     

    RANGERS manager Ally McCoist last night pleaded with Craig Whyte to pay for the firepower that will keep his side’s title hopes alive.

     

     

    The Ibrox boss admitted Nacho Novo is high on his wanted list because he is now down to just one fit striker.

     

     

    Yesterday he ushered forgotten man David Healy back in from the cold to start the 3-0 win over Motherwell.

     

     

    Healy netted the opener and received lavish praise from his gaffer after the match.

     

     

    Although McCoist was delighted with Healy’s efforts, he is desperately short of attacking options as he bids to lead the club back to the top of the SPL.

     

     

    Yesterday Record Sport revealed he’s already piecing together a bargain basement move to bring Novo back from Sporting Gijon.

     

     

    But McCoist must first find out exactly how much Whyte will hand him to spend – and if Nikica Jelavic is to be sold this month.

     

     

    Last night he said: “I only sat down briefly with Craig before the game because there was a lot going on. But I’ll sit down with him tonight or tomorrow and we’ll have a chat.

     

     

    “We need strengthened in forward areas. The injuries to Jelavic and Naismith and now Lafferty haven’t done anything to change my opinion.

     

     

    “We need bodies in. That is obvious. I couldn’t put a figure on it and say we need three, four or five.

     

     

    “I have a list of names. I know what we want and what we need. And I know what we’d like to get.”

     

     

    McCoist then confirmed Novo could fit the bill.

     

     

    He said: “Nacho was back for Christmas and New Year and he came in to do a bit of training with us. Obviously, we welcomed him with open arms and I have to tell you, the wee man looked great.

     

     

    “He was the same wee Nacho the fans loved for many years here. And he’s a player who has obviously been over the course and distance here. But I can’t say any more than that. I can’t rule anything in or out at this stage.”

     

     

    Speculation over Jelavic was heightened by the Croat’s absence yesterday.

     

     

    But Rangers insist he was simply given the day off to recover from a groin injury, at a time when a list of clubs are believed to be ready to pay a big-money fee for the striker.

     

     

    McCoist’s woes increased when Kyle Lafferty pulled up with a torn hamstring.

     

     

    Now John Fleck – who replaced him from the bench – is set to be denied a loan move to Blackpool.

     

     

    McCoist, who also confirmed that Thomas Bendiksen is on the verge of a move to Tromso, said: “Nikica never made it. He had a groin strain and he wasn’t fit enough to play or be involved.

     

     

    “The injury to Lafferty is another big, big blow to us. It looks like he’s pulled his hamstring so my guess is he could be out for four or five weeks.”

  13. starry plough – Whit happened to the warchest?? I think we should be told!!

     

     

    That warchest money is just resting in Craig Whyte’s account.

     

     

    Be afraid, Timmy. (thumbsup)

  14. Stephen Black says:

     

    3 January, 2012 at 11:17

     

     

    Headline in the record read ” a load of bricks at murray park”

     

     

     

    never trusted their spell checker

  15. Je Suis Neil Lennon on

    Abmucker says:

     

    3 January, 2012 at 11:15

     

     

    The sister – no

     

    The undergarments – deffi

     

     

    hail \o/ hail

  16. fergus slayed the blues on

    BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS says:

     

    3 January, 2012 at 10:10

     

    A few people have mentioned the Bartley trying to wind up skoosh in the tunnel incident ,do you have a clip of it ,not seen it yet

     

    hail hail

  17. bamboo says:

     

    3 January, 2012 at 10:00

     

     

    What’s wrong with a wind up.

     

     

    I thoroughly enjoyed his Usane Bolt lightning wind up aimed at Bartley after game last Wednesday. Bartley thoroughly deserved it after trying to wind Broonie up in the tunnel and calling him “ya wee Pw1ck” live on SKY for all to see. In fact. Could you imagine if it were Broonie who did that to Bartley? Maybe it should be highlighted for the SFA.

     

     

    MWD

  18. saltires en sevilla on

    I remember watching Bartley glaring at Broony in the tunnel… and being ignored

     

     

    thought jeezo….

     

     

    Broony must have nicked his parking space …or eaten his selection box :-)

     

     

    HH

     

     

    whatachoobCSC

  19. The Honest Mistake loves being first on

    saltires en sevilla 3 January, 2012 at 11:25

     

     

    “Broony must have nicked his parking space …or eaten his selection box :-)”

     

     

    Bartley’s boyfriend must have called oot Broonie’s name at an inappropriate time.

  20. Just got a knock at the door there. Opened it to find a munchkin looking up at me singing aboot some which being deed. Some summing dancing along the street wae a scarecrow, a tin man and a lion followed by another few thousand munchkins. At the back I’m sure I saw Craig Whyte fly past in his castle. Looks like he might need more work done on his roof.

     

     

    MWD

  21. Je Suis Neil Lennon on

    The Honest Mistake loves being first says:

     

    3 January, 2012 at 11:29

     

     

    Touche mon ami

     

     

    hail \o/ hail

  22. fergus slayed the blues on

    Well it looks like Sally is calling CW out .

     

    Will be interesting to see how Jan pans out regarding the war chest over Ibrokes way .

     

    Seems like the LL are getting a bit worried regards CW boasts of front loaded money and are backing their pal Sally .

     

    hail hail