Celtic eventually overcame Hibernian at Easter Road in the Scottish Communities League Cup quarter final tonight but not until they endured a fraught first half. The game was 3 minutes old when Ivan Sproule gave the home team the lead off an unfortunate Daniel Majstorovic. A Hibs corner was not defended at the edge of the six yard box and had to be cleared off the line by Adam Matthews at the near post but Sproule fired the clearance into the six hard box where is ricocheted off Majstorovic and into the net.
Celtic struggled to get into the game but after 19 minutes Beram Kayal broke free on the right and crossed for Gary Hooper, who missed the ball with his leading foot and saw it bounce off his left knee and behind.
The best two chances of the first half for Celtic came within four minutes. Ki and Hooper combined before Kayal released Stokes on 23 minutes but the Irishman’s shot skimmed the outside of the post.
In a move that would have a more productive second half facsimile, Stokes was unmarked at a Ki corner but missed the ball with his head and saw his shoulder contact go wide.
On 33 minutes Sproule ran half the field and cut inside Ki of the edge of the area before shooting over. Minutes later Sproule released Agogo, who dispossessed Celtic midfielders throughout the first half, but Forrest saved at the big striker’s feet.
Five minutes from half time Leigh Griffiths should have doubled Hibs lead when Celtic’s scourge in recent times, the long forward ball, returned to haunt them. Griffiths ran unattended from his own half but Fraser Forster did his best gable end impersonation to narrow the angle inside his box and block the shot.
Things soon picked up.
James Forrest underlined his Most Valuable Player status to Celtic a minute after the break. Ki played a forward pass to Hooper on the edge of the area, which was nipped onto Forrest by the Celtic striker. Forrest cut inside, dropped the shoulder and shot home from 17 yards.
It was a remarkably simple goal but the strength of shot by Forrest was particularly noteworthy. Being able to shoot from the edge of the area is a crucial part of a wingers play.
Beram Kayal was booked on 48 minutes for being kicked in the face by Ivan Sproule, who also saw a yellow card.
Forrest got his second, and best, goal on 57 minutes. He collected a throw-in on the wing, beat two Hibs players, played a one-two with Stokes and finished with a well-placed left foot shot.
Celtic then went into overdrive as Hibernian faltered. Forrest skinned his marker and crossed but Ki slipped inside the box when the ball broke to him. A minute later Anthony Stokes make a good connection with a Ki corner to head Celtic’s third goal from the six yard line.
Gary Hooper was having an off evening but he timed his run onto an Adam Matthews long ball, controlled and scored to finish off the scoring. Ivan Sproule received his second yellow card 20 minutes from time for kicking Mark Wilson as he ran through on goal. On this occasion his victim escaped punishment.
[calameo code=000390171a9c81839487e lang=en width=100% height=500]
553 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 15
- »
scotlands shame says:
26 October, 2011 at 22:58
Well said, saved me from posting.
JJ @ 22.52
In the first half we did it 4 or 5 times.
Up the other end we were saved by FF on at least two occasions.
At other times we may have cleared the ball but it was more by luck than judgement.
Ki / JL / BK / GH looked as if they had found the Bermuda Triangle in Leith.
Second half and we had 8 or 9 good moves.
Hibs had less of the ball but on a number of occasions we looked nervous in defence.
VW made a huge difference and Ki broke out of his jog late on.
JF was a player transformed and his first strike made all the difference.
On a more sour note …
… AS is a right nasty piece of work.
His “tackle” on JF was a yellow at least.
His attempted stamp on BK was 3″ away from 3 broken ribs.
Reptile of the lowest order.
Desperate Dan Majstorovic.
By the way he should have played the ball out for a shy
Also from those detracting from that second half heart on your sleave performance, just listen to the commentator become sicker an sicker as the 45 mins eb away.
You get to bed,Larssonse7en, your selection can wait `till tomorrow…..after you have thought about it all night!
JJ
TSOAL
I thought that`s who you meant and I certainly did not forget him…..but I hope Lennie does!
JJ
James,
I didn’t catch up with the comments at half time and haven’t seen them since. My own post, which was (naturally…) measured and considered, got swallowed up as wee Jamesie Bhoy fired in the first, and never saw the back light of day.
That said, you’ll be the first to recognise that periodically you can be a touch binary: Wonder or Despair. Sometimes the reality is in the middle ground. most of the time indeed.
That said, keep telling it. And whatever you do, don’t listen to my gibbering.
TBB
Jungle Jim @t 22:52
I liked your first call. But i’d have included Wilson – this might not be a popular choice, but even before Izzy got injured he was showing the same signs that many of our other top players were. So i’d have Wilson and Matthews in with your 1st choice, with a keen eye on Izzy, Kelvin Wilson and Hooper to see if they can get back to form and slot in. Healthy competition for the back four and the midfield/front 1 or 2. If ye get what am saying :)
jude2005 @22.49
Harry Hood me thinks mate. Pretty sure
well fholks – I enjoyed that game tonight
a few heart stopping moments and 4 great goals – Celtic class
much to be happy about
off to watch the game again
g’night and Hail Hail
M
Alanmac posted the goals and interviews on the huddleboard.
We need to get him to post on CQN, especially when there is no Celtic TV video.
‘GG
.
.
.
.
Whit? You expected me to copy and paste them here?
Goals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzrkH4bjUE8
Interviews
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy07XPGtCXM
scotlands shame @ 22:58
Everything you said resonated with me there. Agreed with it all. And i note, before you are accused of doing so, that at NO point, did you defend PL or the Board.
Not long in from the game we were dreadful in the first half
However hopefully these guys know exactly what NL wants / expects
week in week out after the half time roasting
Well done Celtic and young JF in particular
Hail Hail
Stephen with a “ph”
MadMitch
No credit for the half-time team talk?
Fortunes
I think Mark Wilson WOULD be a popular choice. He, like Mulgrew, is a very much improved player under Lennie. He kind of deserves a place but I think Matthews is looking more and more a player and Izzy seems talismanic.
Anyway, I am going to take the advice I gave Larssonse7en. Good night all and don`t start thinking that we are bound to win by a barrowload on Saturday. Feet on the ground and minds on the game.
JJ
Jungle Jim says:
26 October, 2011 at 22:52
Totally agree. If Celtic had gone in 3-2 ahead at half time it would have been a reasonably fair scoreline. Even after the opener, i said to my son that i was confident that if we scored 1 we would score 3 or 4 as the team had started pretty well.
The team created chances inthe first half, palyed some slick stuff and looked to have the desire to get back into it – finishing just let them down. Admitedly, the defenders who stayed back when we had corners ought to have a serious look at themselves for the amount of space they gave the Hibs forwards – for his chance, Griffiths had at least 40 yards of space and ran towards the keeper pretty much unchallenged – if my u9s team allowed that i’d be concerned, so how professional players cant spot that i have no idea.
On a positive, bif Fraser did really well. I thought he was a bit slow off the line for the first block he made, but the second one he did really well. Good to see he clattered the Hibs forward as well, although i would have like to have seen him go in even stronger (he is 6’8″ – there is no way a 5’10” forward should even be getting up again after a collision with him!)
Overall, an encouraging scoreline and performance (but the quicker the injured defenders return, and a new centre back is signed, the better)
Fortunes Favour Mibbes
Don’t some hand picked Daily Ranger reporters/presenters also work for BBC Scotland…or am I being paranoid..?
Were you no hypothetically asking earlier, who are those people who in the background find it necessary to publish & critisize the Celtic Support and our Club….I was pointing out a possible/probable candidate.
I understand your frustration.
JD
Neil if your looking in plz keep the welsh dragon in the middle of that park….
I’m not sure if anyone noticed the start of the 2nd half but Neil changed ki to left mid and Joe in centre and it worked a treat..
Jungle Jim @ 23:11
Yep, Saturday’s game will say a lot. Our fab wee team need to prove the demons are gone and make this a winning run. G’night amigo.
MadMitch says:
26 October, 2011 at 23:01
JJ @ 22.52
“Up the other end we were saved by FF on at least two occasion”s.
Maybe I don’t get the concept of football…but is that not what a goalkeeper is supposed to do ?
We may have been poor in the first half but we were far from “shocking”. We had as many “If yer Auntie had baws” moments as they did. Just as well a game of football has two halfs.
Hail Hail
Anybody think the same team will start at the weekend ??
I cant believe people are babbling about ‘settled team’ and ‘when everybody is back fit’, tinight I watched exactly why Celtic dont have a ‘setteled team’, players assaulted, dangerous play and its a free kick.
I’ve now cottoned on to what is meant by ‘free kick’ cripple a tim its a foul, howmany times ?
Absloute disgrace, again the officials are derelict in their duty to protect the health and safety of the personel they supervise.
Whats the betting there are a couple of injuries declared in the week, injuries covered up by adrenalin, undiscovered until the player comes down.
And the house is going on the usual drivel about players being broken by the medical staff :o)
Just back and delighted with second half spirit and play.
I’ve said it a million times – play joe ledley in centre midfield, he makes us tic.
Rogne, Forrest and Stokes also deserve special mention and hopefully goal lifts Gary Hooper.
Good start on Saturday bhoys
Hail Hail
hen1rik
Someone said that before, but I can’t say I noticed that much difference. Thought Jo played really well, as always, but thought he played equally well, if not better, in the 1st half. Opinions…
Whatever – he has become my favourite Celt, someone Lenny can truly depend on. 1st name on the teamsheet in 2 days’ time.
What about Kayal? He’s still living off the back of last season, but he’s running out of games. Tonight was another questionable display from him. Hope he improves, starting on Saturday.
Well done to all the bhoys excellent 2nd half
Special mention big ff for first half saves
Jf for goal that sparked the team
Jl for driving the team forward capt in the making
How about we reverse it on sat and go 4 up in first half
The Legend Johnny Doyle
antonsleftfoot was winding me up about the BBC…wouldn’t be surprised if that odious runt Smith was working for them, although at the BBC they have to be more sleekit and look like they’re making some attempt to conceal their hun background, which evidently is beyond the intelligence of the likes of Smith…although it will guarantee him a renewal of his DR contract, and if things stay the same, a wee bit of work at the BBC thanks to Daddy Jabba. Urghh, they all make me nauseous.
Fortunes Favour Mibbes says:
26 October, 2011 at 22:48
Recent games:
Ledley left-footer but not a defender (see .v. Aberdeen saturday) – right-footers Mathews (corners tonight + always looking to come inside) – MW (no pace, frequently caught on the counter-attack) – ElK pace but a defender? (see ipox game).
What has been noteable is how who has played at LB has affected the midfield line-ups – we’ve had:
JF – wide left + right – ditto Commons when he played.
Ki – wide left + centre.
Kayal centre + right.
Ledley – left(ish).
Victor – centre.
Plus guest appearances in midfied by:
Stokes,
Hooper (Udinese),
Sammi – left(ish),
Brown – right + centre (when fit),
Paddy – left,
Charlie – wide left,
Cha – right + 1/2 game left,
A.N.Other – who ever I missed!
The LB position is giving our midfield more positional changes/ problems than the reliability of our CBs.
Midfield should be the same-start 4/5 (home/ away) – tactical change if we need to press to win/ holding player to see out the game if winning.
IMHO – LB is our Achilles heel.
hen1rik @ 23:12
Have to be honest, didn’t notice that, but v interesting. Joe would have been more reliable in covering against the counter attack.
Great second half performance and good to watch.
Was also nice to see NL get a bit fired up tonight when Kayal got booked. Looking at NL this season he’s obviously trying to control his emotions but I think the odd rant is needed.
Only negative is the defence which are complete disaster and not good enough. We don’t defend as a unit and I’m afraid Dan scares me.
Fortunes Favour Mibbes
Respect to your great wisdom.
TLJD
scotlands shame says:
26 October, 2011 at 22:58
I have read back again but on a more serious note – your post is amazing as are many before you and after my first – I only have time to skim so apologies for missing any
We Need Support
pure and simple
from top to bottom
wwmoml
GN and GB
canamalar @ 23:16
Spot on – i know you’ve been making this point for some time, totally agree. I was worried Wilson had taken a knock (again no card) which would really have put us in the myre.
Compare to the huns, whose players can lunge about all over the place, claim countless ridiculous free kicks, yet still come out unscathed, and raring to go at the start of every game and every 2nd half as if they were on steroids or summit. But of course they wouldn’t use steroids, that would be blatant cheating which thankfully we have a reliable and trustworthy SFA on hand to make sure such blatant cheating does not occur.
up_over_goal says:
26 October, 2011 at 23:18
Ledley goes about his business quietly and no one notices him m8, i remember people used to say Neil was shite but i told them to goto the game and just watch him the whole game so he did and he came back and apoligised.
Neil and Joe are the ones people don’t take notice of or should i say they don’t stand out from the crowd but they are very effective…
feedthebhear @23:16
You reminded me, Rogne had an excellent game, especially considering he hasn’t played since…..Excellent job at CH.
I saw only the first five or so minutes of the second half. Enough to see the equaliser before having to head out for an unavoidable commitment. And I didn’t know the score until now.
Good.
Another bit of confidence built.
Build a run of decent results and the confidence will flow back in to us all. Mainly though the team need it.
Pleased about that.
We’re still in with a shout on three domestic fronts and competing in Europe.
Rangers are pumped out of 3 cup competitions already but in our minds they have become invincible. It won’t last. It never does.
Feeling a tiny wee bit better this evening.
Same again on saturday is all that matters now.
I’m feeling a wee bit paranoid tonight. Well more than usual.
Celtic TV had no video today as you probably already know.
Tony Hamilton on audio said he would be taking up a new role at CP after this game.
Among others dealing with the likes of IMG marketing who had the game rights tonight from SFA/SPL and would not sell us them.
Alastair Johnston, LAST chairman of rangers, is vice chairman of IMG.
Am I adding 2 and 2 and getting 4 here?
‘GG
If NL’s team talk at half time lifted the team then it is the first time this season.
FF saved us twice in the first half, we were sliced wide open to the point of watching the move from behind the couch. They had that much space and time I was there before FF got a hand on the ball.
If you think tonight has made our season then you are deluded.
All it did is show how much talent we have and how little we use it.
NL is struggling as a coach, he always had a lot to learn and he would do his learning at our expense. After last season he is now under too much pressure and I fear it is affecting his health. All too often in games he shows no life and very little animation, he has the thousand yard stare and we ask too much of him to keep on going.
We are currently 4 points behind TFOD against the rest / 10.
We are under pressure to win the next OF game and our game in hand.
The MIB / Media are up for the challenge.
AMcC is not the train wreck many on here predicted.
Buddy Ball is alive and well in every game we play.
We are in a very poor position, one poor performance away from catastrophe.
Our Euro reputation on and off the park is crumbling.
We are losing 5K fans every season.
SR are the new face of “on the edge” football.
PL is still with us and DD calls the shots but can’t be bothered to turn up.
Three leagues lost and counting.
So I have to ask CQN – What more do you want to happen before you call for change?
RobertT …… the air of invincibility is borne by the assisted men in blacks and the FF’ers at the SFA.
We need to be so much better than them, we were in the 2nd half, bring on Sat.
HH to ye!
V