Celtic were always in control against St Johnstone in Perth this afternoon and deservedly picked up the three points although it took them almost an hour to open the scoring. Gary Hooper knocked in a loose ball on 59 minutes before Ki Sung-Yeung finished off a sweeping Celtic brea five minutes later.
St Johnstone kept things tight early on and kept Celtic from creating a chance before Georgios Samaras created space for a shot which was saved well by Enckelman. Celtic’s best move of the first half came after 31 minutes when Ki, Forrest and Brown combined to release Hooper. The striker shot low and on target but Enckelman pulled off a remarkable save.
Both teams picked up the pace after half time but it was Mackay who created the first chance of the second period, forcing a save from Fraser Forster. Cha DuRi twice crossed dangerously. Firstly for Hooper, whose hooked effort from 4 yards was turned over by the impressive Enckelman. James Forrest then turned a snatched chance over from Cha’s next effort.
Just before the hour Charlie Mulgrew dropped a corner into the six yard box which Victor Wanyama contested. The ball dropped between a sea of St Johnstone legs but Hooper was onto it in a flash and prodded over.
The game was put beyond the home team five minutes later. St Johnstone were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Celtic penalty area after Mulgrew was penalised for climbing. The Celtic was stood strong and from the subsequence block James Forrest drove forward at pace. Samaras returned a 1-2 to Forrest to drew Enckelman before squaring for the unmarked Ki. The Saints’ keeper did well but could not prevent Ki’s shot from crossing the line.
Samaras mishit a shot after the impressive Cha again crossed to effect before the Greek striker ran 40 yards and had his shot blocked.
St Johnstone’s only real chance fo the game came when Wanyama slipped to let Haber close in on Forster but the keeper was equal to the shot.
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Ceaser67 says:
18 December, 2011 at 22:43
Hen1rik
How
As in pass the peace pipe at the Battle of the Little Big Horn!!!ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
LoL, m8 logged off to watch match of the day
!!Bada Bing!! Kano 1000
Yep, credit where credit’s due – he’s still an ill-mannered ignormaus though.
Despise his sh***y, condescending tone to Joe Public which fuels the newspaper and radio show he works for – I know it’s not a personality contest but he seems like a thoroughly unlikeable person.
Bobby Murdochs Ankle says:
19 December, 2011 at 00:01
was at the Creggan fundraising night a couple of weeks ago – green or yellow night – based on the tv programme red or black in their new clubhouse
im not from Creggan myself but my bro in law is
good to hear about your Aunty Mary, may she have many more years seeing her Scottish bhoys doing all rite mate
HH
Still smiling here about how well the Bhoys played against Udinese on Thursday. What a team Lenny and the coaches are building. To think of the guys that were missing and they still played so well only bodes well for the future.
They will need to be extra extra special to win this bent league.
bit late for me but
1:25am – 5am
Channel 4
San Diego Chargers v Baltimore Ravens (Kick-off 1.30am). Coverage of the AFC clash at the Qualcomm Stadium. Presented by Danny Kelly, with analysis by Mike Carlson.
might have been good to see
Antrimkev,
You don’t know what your missin…………
Bma
bit of history….
(sorry, if irrelevant)
was reading the 1641 Depositions earlier
was checking out a possible relative
they were absolutely ferocious times !!
read about a horror that took place in Nov 1641 at Portadown
the Protestant folk had been kept prisoner for a few days before being marched toward the coast for deportation purposes – anyhow, after 6miles walking, they reached Portadown and the folk in charged decided to halt the procession atop a bridge that crossed the River Bann – the 100 folk were stripped naked and tossed off the bridge to drown in the winter waters below – anyone who looked like survivin was either lanced or shot
crazy, crazy period in history
think it was a guy called Colin Campbell who somehow survived to tell the tale
hail hail all
Good performance today by the bhoys.
PRO’S & CON’S
Will start with the con’s
The injury to Big Dan is a big negative for me in the run up the a New year game against them.
Dont get me wrong it not that i think Big Dan is irreplaceable at the back.
my concern now is that we are left in a position that Victor Wanyama will play in the center of defense on the 28th.
i think Neil has figured out the benefits of playing a system that makes us more competitive, dynamic and less Square and predictable.
The concern i have with Dan’s absence is i really would like to see Wanyama play with Kayal on the 28th.
As i was watching the first half today i still have concerns about how Ki fits into this system.
Now i know many posters like Ki and think he is a technically gifted player. i would agree but der hun will come and be phisical in the middle of the park,
in my opinion Ki can slow our tempo play down by coming back inside when controlling the ball to much and his lack of grit.
This is why i would rather play victor. he offers everything we need against that lot.
apart from that no major concerns about today’s performance but if i was being picky maybe Sammy is a easy target for our defenders to punt a ball up to when they don’t need to.
Pros
System and balance is the most important thing in successful teams and Neil has now got that into the side. (even with the injury’s we have had)
i read the stuff about not big on tactics and thought what a load of ………!
it’s hard for me to highlight all the pro’s
thought all the players played well today.
onward and upwards to the treble is what i say from here
We must keep winning
tictalker talking tic
NL talkin of new contracts etc
any idea which players ?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/16238103.stm
….PFayr says:
18 December, 2011 at 23:14
Sorry mate,forgot about Broonie.I would drop Ki then and start with Brown.We have so many riches in midfield,it’s difficult to keep track at times so it is.
Split to watch the last 35mins on Alba there i did.Great display,magnificent support.Nice to hear the Gaelic language as well.
Tell ye what,wee Forrest – it’s been a while since i have seen a footballer with so much close control on the ball,like glue to his foot it is.McGeady was awesome with the ball at his feet,but i think wee Jamesy is even better.And i was calling for his to be rested at times!! Quality footballer he is.
Bit off-topic, but can anyone point me in the direction of the John Lennon/Jinky t-shirt?
Thanks in advance.
!!Bada Bing!! Kano 1000 says:
18 December, 2011 at 23:59
I think you watched the game from an EK pub?
I’m wondering if the next home game at CP at 3pm on a Saturday will be similarly available?
If a foreign broadcaster is televising the game for an overseas audience but it can be “captured” locally does that not do two things?
1.Make a nonsense of the 3 to 5 local blackout in the UK thus removing the need for early KOs?
2.Change the nature and balance of the paying support to non attending, non paying?
Should Celtic not be concerned at the potential loss of income or will match day attendees stay faithful?
Just wondering like.
Sabre67 says:
18 December, 2011 at 23:22
You know what i meant sir.Either,or.Cha/Matthews,Chuck/Ledley.I can’t pick,it’s up to Lenny to decide whom he starts with.
That’s why Lenny is the boss,and i am not.
Tough call.
couple of shots of today by Vagelis “Geo”
use right arrow to see the season so far
– some terrific shots
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vagelisgeo/6534193037/in/photostream/lightbox/
Great day in Perth.
Celts played very well in second half to force the break through.
Shame about big Dan though. He is one of the whipping bhoys for some but he is still the closes thing we have to a leader on the park which is why I think we are better with him in the team.
Has there ever been a more frustrating Celtic player than Samaras? Played well today but with little end product despite getting into some great positions. Contrast with a Anthony Stokes who doesn’t look as great on the ball but as a great goals record and is a leading player for assists.
The fans were terrific also and made it a great day out.
BCC
I think that was one of the issues early in the season Neil didn’t really know his best team as he was introducing all the new guys into the team. Now that players like Victor and Matthews have settled we are a better team and will hopefully get better especially when Emilo returns.
Just watched the huns highlights.
Its simply unbelievable how frickin jammy they are.
The selective vision of the officials doesnt help either.
Off to brave the icy conditions for a few hours.
One of these nights,I might even see a gritter!
No doubt an H&S survey has ruled it too dangerous for them.
Enjoy your nightshift on here,nae fa’ing oot,noo!
Good to close again to them
One disappointment was to see cha in the line up again
Surely some at u21 level should come in
We must ensure mistakes are removed
Cha will Always cost us
Better for him to be told now to find another club
Not being unfair we must remove mistakes
Morning Celts from a calm but cauld brrrrrr NW of engerlund.
A good two points on the back of a European tie and our next two games at home, looking good Celts.
Onwards to Victory!
V
James Forrest had a poor 1st half but was much better in the 2nd half in fact the whole team clicked better.
V
Vmhan
So it’s not just me that’s turning into a soft Southerner from being down here too long!
Weird thing last night. A hard,hard frost began to lift at around 330am!
Now no ice on roads or car windscreens. Very odd,I’ve never seen that before
Glad to hear you’re back at work-unless of course,you’d have preferred to wait until about 9th Jan,in which case,commiserations.
Paul67, a few articles ago you mentioned the stewards at CP, there are stewards at CP with UVF jewellery on, don’t think we’ll be treated fairly by those types, although I have to say the stewards are impoved recently where I am.
V
BMCW……… True you get used to a couple of degrees Erm warmer (less cold), I lived near Newbury/ Reading for 11yrs that was better again. Pity the bhoys out in Aus they’re suffering in 25-30c at the minute and just finished they’re Monday shift :>)
I’m glad to be back, this is my last (half) day as I’m on hols rest of the week, use em or lose em, off to work Hasta luego mo chara.
V
BBC highlights from yesterdays game for anyone outwith the UK
http://www.kirkintillochemerald.co.uk/showthread.php?p=24896#post24896
BMCW meant to say also that we go back to work on the 2nd Jan, now that’s offensive :>)
V
VMHAN
The firs time I was working in England and discovered that the English didn’t allocate that extra recovery day was a huge shock to the system.
Almost as bad as when I found out their idea of a replacement.
A Bank Holiday on Good Friday.
Sunday hours in the boozer,nae racing,nae fitba’ coupons.
Nae blinkin’ point!
Good morning to Celts everywhere, we’re promised rain today here in MK but it’ll get warmer through the week with temperatures reaching a balmy 11 degrees.
Thanks to whoever posted the news the game was on Alba, my wife was concerned about me yesterday as it was the quietest she’s ever seen me watching a Celtic game, it was a treat to watch a game without going into convulsions over a biased commentary.
Nothing but praise for everyone concerned, especially the players who appear a little reserved (in their manner) Cha, Ki and Forster, you can begin to see their growing belief in themselves and they’re contribution to the team is a marked difference to early season performances. Only Scott Brown is still a little off the pace but I’m sure he’ll be ready for the 28th.
I must mention the support who came across loud and clear above the commentary and were a great accompaniment to the game. Just the way it should be.
Jee-zoh,to think I used to feel hard done by for geting four of the belt when my neighbour’s dog ate my homework.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/8964205/Parents-knew-brutal-truth-of-Pakistani-madrassah-dungeon.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No sign of bleeding-heart liberalism over there!
Good morning friends from a still cold, but not freezing, East Kilbride where it’s also dry at the moment. So there you go.
Jobo
G good morning Cqn, from a very cold ml8 train station, my 7am train canceled would put a dampner on most peoples Monday morning, but not mine.
3 pts yesterday and a really uplifting email from spongebhoy have brightened a dark cold motionless morning.
Have a great day cqn.
hh
bjmac
Morning,
Must be a rangers game coming up, sun in full anti-Celtic mode.
Match report, actually a run down of Neil Lennon over the 90 minutes. Full of lies, they forgot game was shown on Alba later.
Leckie, spouting his usual poison.
Definitely a rangers game coming up…
HH
Morning all from gay Paree, temps du jour: froid mais beau ciel bleu (7C max)
Great 3 points yesterday, never easy to win on the road after hard European game in midweek.
Fans were great as usual.
Hope Dan’s injury isn’t as bad as it looked – get well soon big man!
Burning question of the moment, when does the hun’s pact with the devil run out?
SIXTAESEVEN 0800
When hell freezes over?
So, yesterday’s game was a controversial one with 2 big talking points.
Meanwhile an incident free game occurred at Ibrox.
Even Kim Jong Il couldn’t have made this up.
bigjie says:
19 December, 2011 at 06:20
……….
I find the link creator works well when posting long links.
:>)
ps long links STrrrrrrrreeeeeetttttccccch the page and it makes it awkward for mobi users.
V
Good morning CQN from a very cold, very damp Manchester Airport.
We should gird ourselves for the inevitable disappointments that will befall us on the road to league success this year.
We will win it.
But we won’t win every game.
When we drop points we need to resist the temptatation to be drawn into hysterical over reaction, division and uber criticism.
Saying that, if we don’t win the next 2 games I’ll go mental. :o)
SwanseaBhoy
Good Morning,
from a wet Central Scotland.
Amidst a day of excellence yesterday, can I just say what a pleasure it was to listen to Neil Lennon both before and after the match yesterday. Calm, dignified, reasoned and impressive in what he said about all things and particularly with regard to the support.
That support was also singled out yesterday for the atmosphere they created and their fair and unstinting support of their team.
Apparently the Udinese manager regrets Celtic’s exit from the Europa league as they are a dead honest team— no theatrics, no cheating, no rolling around– a team that just come to play!
That reputation will do for me.
For we only know…………………