Falkirk played some good football at Hampden this afternoon and looked competitive with the bottom half if the Scottish Premier League, but Celtic scored three, hit the woodwork three times and had a good goal incorrectly disallowed for offside, emphasising how comfortable a day’s work it was for the SPL, Scottish Cup and League Cup favourites.
James Forrest reached the goal line and cut back to Scott Brown, whose shot was deflected onto the post before rebounding to Gary Hooper who made no mistake. The nearside linesman did nothing for the reputation of Scotland’s officials by raising his flag despite a second defender being inside the six yard box while the Celtic striker was 8 yards out.
Six minutes later Thomas Rogne got his head onto a Forrest corner but saw the effort rebound from the crossbar. Falkirk maintained parity for 27 minutes before conceding cheaply. Darren Dods, aware of Rogne’s potency at set pieces, hauled the Celtic defender to the ground inside the box from a Mulgrew corner. Scott Brown converted the resultant penalty.
Stokes could have made Celtic comfortable six minutes from half time when he connected with Hooper’s cutback but his shot was blocked. A minute later Falkirk were level. Victor Wanyama misplaced a cross-field pass to Cha in the middle of the field, Emilio Izaguirre had pushed forward while no one dropped back to cover.
Cha and Wanyama both had chances to get tight on breaking Falkirk players but Higgingbotham feigned a shot and rolled the ball into the path of 17-year-old Jay Fulton, who finished clinically.
Within a minute of the break Rogne had a chance to put Celtic ahead again but mistimed his header before Gary Hooper set James Forrest through with Falkirk keeper McGovern to beat but the winger was denied.
Falkirk’s best chance to win the tie arrived six minutes after then break when Fulton drifted in unattended at Celtic’s left but his half-volley from 7 yards flew over.
Thomas Rogne hit the cross bar for the second time with a deflected shot after another Mulgrew corner. A minute later Anthony Stokes put one foot in the final when he lifted a free kick over the Falkirk wall and into the side of the net. It wasn’t the hardest struck free kick but he caught McGovern mid-jump on his line, so the keeper was slow to move to his right.
Falkirk pushed forward whenever they could and Duffy got the better of Joe Ledley to setup Alston but the substitute couldn’t convert. 12 minutes from the end Fraser Forster made an impressive double save after a corner. He stopped the first from Darren Dods and then saved from Stuart Murdoch.
Ledley saw a shot from a Matthews cross deflected over before the Celtic full back cleared at the other end when Weatherston got behind Wanyama to cross.
Gary Hooper secured the win for Celtic when he collected outside the box after 85 minutes, turned his defender and headed for the bye-line. His cross was converted by Stokes with Ledley waiting if needed.
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i comes before e except after c
HH
Mike
Bhoy67
strange we bid for Fojut now
we have Mulgrew, Dan, Rogne,Wilson,Vic, Loovens
Unless we’re getting rid of someone
Bhoy67
I sort of disagree with the board backing Lenny
Lustig….Free
Fojut….Free or 250k
Ibrahim….Free
Brozek….Loan
I predict we will make money this window.
Just as well the scouts are doing a good job then :>)
ggh
:)
James Forrest is Lennon says:
29 January, 2012 at 20:14
A very juvenile response from you on the threat of moving business out of Scotland.
I don’t know how many people she employs, but we should be encouraging her and other businesses to employ more.
If she thinks that an independent protestant Scotland will be bad for businesses, our politicians should be showing how they can make it more positive for start ups and inward investors.
If the lady wants to take her business elsewhere, she is entitled to do so. It’s her capital. She can do with it as she wishes.
Introducing knee jerk legislation is hardly going to encourage the world to invest their future in Scotland.
saltires en sevilla, yes, I am aware of posts going missing, including yours, and have been reminding people what to do on regular occasions.
We have a new spam filter that takes exception to some links embedded in user names. I think I’ve removed yours but a request to everone:
If your comments do no appear, remove the link from your account name.
One chap got quite carried away, convinced that his wisdom was too much for me to bear and protested into the vacuum of the spam filter. Bizarrely he felt that use prosaic word caused him to be selected for prohibition, although he simultaneously insisted he could not understand why this would be the case.
Damned (am I allowed to say that?) by a circular argument.
obonfanti1888, I’m happy to be generous to the lower league team but we were in total control today.
ASonOfDan, yes, although, I’m hoping Jelavic stays.
My dear,dear,dear,friend.Jist,Kayal
You asked who is Best.. Higgenbottum,or McGeough?
or woids tae that effect..
And
collie, said..
“Naebuddy,is Bettah than Dylan..
Dylan,is a Brammer.
Dylan, wull Be the Best Thing tae come doon the Pike..
Since.. Aiden.”
And Ah agree ,wi’ collie,oan whit he says.
Kojo
yer pal..who likes ye aloater.
Posted on the previous article, but because i took so long to finish it, I missed Paul’s heads up.
So, MWD et al
Pat Nevin’s half-time contribution included the following.
“I hope this doesn’t sound like I’m being prejudiced against Celtic….but Falkirk were the better team.”
Seriously Pat. Falkirk played well and posed Celtic some problems but they could only be considered the better team at halftime by someone, who, as you say holds a prejudice against Celtic. At best, from Falkirk’s perspective, 1-1 at HT was a reasonable reflection of the game.Celtic played within themselves and should have gone in at HT 2-1 ahead at least, but I didn’t hear any comment from you about the wrongly disallowed goal. You could have said that Falkirk played some very nice football which was credit to their coach etc, and they took their goal very well, but that they were fortunate to be going in at HT at 1-1. You could have continued by saying that Dods was lucky not to have been penalised for an even earlier challenge on Rogne, which should also have been a penalty and a yellow card. You could also have mentioned the two occasions when Celtic hit the woodwork.
Falkirk’s goal was well taken, and they had some decent spells of pass and move football – much as Celtic play just about every week. However, this was Falkirk’s final, as reflected in Higginbotham’s account of what Steven Pressley said to them before the game, something like “just savour the experience and go out and express yourself.” When you have nothing to lose, and are even expected to lose, then you often feel liberated enough to play well and seem to punch above your weight. This meant that this game had all the ingredients that the media luvvies adore – an upset in the making.
In short, Pat, you were, not for the first time, being prejudiced against Celtic. You favoured the underdog in a giants versus minnows confrontation, so don’t be meely mouthed about things. You cannot put your own prejudices on display and then try to pretend that you are being fair and open minded, by making your silly half-time comment. It is precisely that sanctimonious and patronisong posture that is so offensive. You and your prejudices disgraced you and McLean at last years Cup Final, and you were both rightly criticised for it. Now, you attempt to retaliate FIRST against your critics, by making fun of what you were accused of last year. Why would anyone seriously think that a commentator who supported his opinion with some evidence could possibly be prejudiced aginst one club or another? You raised the issue Mr Nevin, and it was intended to ridicule Celtic fans, because you know that you have a prejudice against Celtic. Fine, but when you pretend that you don’t have any prejudice and are simply being fair and even handed, then you are a hypocrite.
Falkirk were a decent team, have some good young talent, and Higginbotham deservedly took MOTM. They are second to Ross Co in their division, and would be the favoured team for any non Celtic fan today. Nothing wrong with that: that’s the way of things, the plucky underdog/amateurs/lower division cannon fodder etc etc.. the romance of the Cup blah blah. But you, sir, took the proverbial – and you know it.
You are want to preach to others about their prejudices and the need for awareness of words and action bourne out of such prejudices. Look to yourself. You too are scarred by your own prejudices, and are just as guilty as the rest of us, of not being cognisant enouigh of them and their influence on what you say and do. Having prejudices is a normal state of affairs for all of us: being sufficently aware of them to guard against unfair discrimination is what counts.
Your HT caveat was a deliberate public joke, but no one laughed except you and McLean.
RWE CSC
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Bhoy67 at 20:31
No signs of the bid for Fojut until now. Śląsk Wrocław are top of the league in Poland. I heard the gossips that everything less than 300 000 euros will be rejected. Maybe somebody heard about that sum and put in somwhere on Celtic sites.
Fojut with his teammates flew today to Cyprus for two weeks long training camp.
Zbyszek.
You have mail.
macanbheatha says:
29 January, 2012 at 20:34
hen1rik says:
29 January, 2012 at 20:27
Have Rapid even been fully paid for the original transfer fee?
Come to think of it no lol, philmac tweeted theyre looking for cash haha.
THE EXILED TIM says:
29 January, 2012 at 20:39
Bhoy67
I sort of disagree with the board backing Lenny
All true, but large increase to the wage bill is still expenditure.
A better performance over previous Jan’s……………….Willo flood anyone
HH
MM
Salmond v Mone. It’s so tempting to use words that Paul’s new filter definitely wouldn’t like. So let’s just say that wee Eck is always looking for support while Michelle’s cup isn’t running over with the milk of human kindness.
I’m behind NL 100%, I maintained that even through the dodgy bits 3-4 months ago, and said so on here when many were faltering
However, he is still learning and needs to do two things:
1) Coaching/Training needs to improve on one-touch quick passing with movement off the ball. We are still to static and careful in our build-up. Falkirk taught us a lesson in that today, we need to face up, and learn from it – quickly.
2) From what I’ve read, Neil eschews an over-reliance on tactics, believing that you get good enough players and win the game that way. This, if true, is fundamentally wrong. Who am I to say so? You’re right, what do I know, apart from the fact that – in the foreseeable future – we’re not going to get the “good enough” players for the European stage. And the SPL isn’t good enough for me. I want more Seville’s. Tactics can help teams with inferior players beat teams with superior players – our own history is littered with examples.
In short, Neil needs a different type of help – on the training ground and in the management team. Somebody technically aware.
We’ll win this league, and at least one cup, but European teams are too cute for us at the moment.
oldtim67
How did you know? That’s beyond my imagination. Thanks for that. I will response soon, Sir.
Sir Paul
Yep.. Pal… it is time that
some Subscribers wised-up..
Fur some of the Nomme de Blogs. are Mair likened
tae Making a Statement.. than simply be an Identification.
Ah keep Preaching… this
A Nomme de Blog shouldnae have any Mair that TWO SYLLABLES.
and…Nae Numerals.. Whit is this Penchant fold Hiv..wi.. Numerals,any
way?
So..
Lang may yer Screening Device.. well.. Screen..
It may. gie some o’ the Folk oan here a Gee Up. tae
Wi’ the Program!
And
Shorten thur …Nomme de Blogs..
Kojo
Well for me, this has been a great window.
We’ve secured a promising defender, a promising winger and a proven international striker. We have retained our best players and we are still watching, with great and growing excitment the carry on across town.
Like Paul67, I hope they hang onto Jelly. That might surprise people haha but I mean it. I really do. The more the merrier!
http://tartanblogawards.webs.com/2011vote.htm
get voting folks for CQN Rangers Taxcase blog, Paul67 or Phil.
Whoever you fancy really. it’s a democracy.
BWSES
The next day headline for the entire Scottish MSM must always be uniformly positive even in the face of feigned jocularity all rubbish talk the prince regent of Ibunx in stress a slipped confidence may or not reveal the exorbitant fee constraint his pressurised trialists in mass desertion their fruitful
desserts are fully deserved of, even if it hurts rangers.
Toofunnyforwords.csc
Falkirk raised their game, as you would expect, the MIB made some honest mistakes, as you would expect, Pat Nevin tried to be alternative, as you would expect.
Celtic beat Falkirk comfortably and are now in a final, as you would expect!!!
HH!!!
James F
every month they have tae fork oot a decent wage to the likes of Jelly, the noose tightens.
If they lose him, they lose their most potent threat.
I think for us it’s called “win – win”
Saw the Game..
Hmmmmmm
We wur awfy ..well.. Awfy!
It is Ridikilus. that we hid tae rely oan
A Penalty..and and Free kick.. in order tae
Break doon . a Bunch o’ Kids..
Kojo
No Pleased ,wi oor Performance or Performers.. at
awe, at awe.
Anyone post some of the comedy thats bounnd to be going on over in the cesspit of FF.
Thanks in advance,
Lubo.
Bhoy67
If we sell Sammi, which I think we will, just got a niggling feeling, we will make a few bob in the window, and as he is on decent wages, the net spend won’t be too much.
I’m not complaining btw, we are going about things the right way, identify good young players and get them in for free, what’s not to like.
I still think there are a good handfull we need to get off the wage bill though.
I’m surprised that no one mentioned the stonewall penalty denied in the lead up to the chalked off goal- cross comes in from our left and Stokes goes to header it and gets a clear 2 handed push in the back right in front of the same linesman who chalked the goal off- strange that he missed this and the Falkirk player standing in the 6 yard box at the goal.
Thought we should have put commons on earlier to cover their right back who had acres of space early in the second half. A winger would have pinned him back
Stairheed
chumphty knarckle sschnonklee bucket…
peet peet
jabbie the shed…
hen1rik says:
29 January, 2012 at 20:43
macanbheatha says:
29 January, 2012 at 20:34
hen1rik says:
29 January, 2012 at 20:27
Have Rapid even been fully paid for the original transfer fee?
I was wondering what happens if they sell Jelavic, bank the money then refuse to pay Rapid the outstanding balance. Obviously if the player was still at Rangers and they didn’t make payment then this could cause problems but if he is away what sanctions can be taken against them?
Not that Craig Whyte would be so unprofessional as to be late on a payment to a creditor of course! ;-)
filter my arse
guy on RTC blog
“everton apparently just had a 6 million bid for jelavic accepted.
3.5 mill up front and rest in instalments. rising to 7.5 million based on goals/appearances.”
HH
….PFayr says:
29 January, 2012 at 20:38
Bhoy67
strange we bid for Fojut now
we have Mulgrew, Dan, Rogne,Wilson,Vic, Loovens
I think loovens may be sold,Rogne is injury prone,Vic is preferred in middle,Charlie is an ever present, Dont think lenny trusts K. Wilson and big Dan blows hot and cold.
So thats why i think he would move for fojut now
Zbyszek says:
I would never argue with your local knowledge on Fojut. My mate may be wrong on this, although he is usually spot on, is £250k not about 300 euros anyway.
HH
Mike
Kojo, we did break Falkirk down. Brown hit the post and Hooper followed it up to score. HIB dissallowed it. I didnt realise the rules of football changed as I always thought penalties and free kicks counted, the ball crossed the goal line didnt it?!
As for a young Falkirk team, Celtics team was equally young.
We scored 3, hit woodwork 3 times, missed a couple decent chances and had a goal disallowed and you think we were awful? Jesus wept!
SffS
Uly,
That sounds painful.
Lubo.
twists n turns says:
29 January, 2012 at 20:52
James F
every month they have tae fork oot a decent wage to the likes of Jelly, the noose tightens
Are they really ? Could it be that some of their big earners are possibly in arrears of their wages(ala Hearts)
and are keeping shtum out of, ahem “loyalty”?
Kojo says:
29 January, 2012 at 20:52
SERIOUSLY MATE?
the bhoys done the necessary, quite happy to cut the a wee bit of slack for today, as our esteemed host says, we were never in trouble, not really
Chill mate we’re in another final!!!
Yer pal who is sometimes mystified by yer poasts!!!
Summer of 65
Kojo
a fragmented performance today with a few players aff the boil, however, semi finals are all about —-getting tae the final. We did, and will blaw Killie away in March, n’ today will be forgotten.
James Forrest – I havent been following the Michelle Mone story – so what has she said – she will leave Scotland if we go independent?
I have already made that decision and plans are progressing reasonably well on that front (made my mind up after the new bill – was laughing at the tolerance slogan as part of the so called communities cup – this country has no idea what tolerance is).
I’ve been reading the Sunday Herald every week with increasing alarm at its news management on the subject of independence. The paper may as well be run directly by the SNP for all of the so called balance it portrays. I particularly liked the bit about demonising Alex Salmond a couple of months ago – blythly ignoring the fact that anyone who criticising Salmond in Scotland is instantly ridiculed.
I would be scared for Scotland but as someone else posted – there is actually very little actual support for independence – no matter how hysterical our media is on the subject. It would be disasterous in my opinion and the SNP simply cannot be trusted (witness the politicisation of the police force and now their attempts to criminalise us). One of my friends is an SNP supporter – well actually he supports independence. His view is that as soon as independence is achieved the SNP will implode – I simply point out the damage they are reaping at the moment. They have bribed the electorate with council tax freezes – which I have witnessed having a terrible impact on the poorer and more vulnerable sections of our society.
Quite frankly they disgust me. But hey its a democracy (though the “drive” to get 16 and 17 year olds to vote and others across the world to vote is laugable in that context).
We shall see eh……..
NA
Speirs has said the story about Everton accepting the bid isn’t true.
He says Rangers are now holding out for £8 million.
Oh please, please, please, please, please overplay the hand … try the bluff …
As you say Twists n’ Turns, it’s a win-win for us.