Udinese were pushed all the way tonight but hold on for a point that was enough to get them through to the knock out round of the Europa League at Celtic’s expense. Gary Hooper gave Celtic the lead but Antonio Di Natale equalised in time added on at the end of the first half.
The game was only six minutes old when Georgios Samaras extended his telescopic legs and moved beyond Benatia to the edge of the Udinese box but the defender dived in front of the Greek striker to con the referee into awarding a free kick.
Udinese should have taken the lead in 12 minutes when Scott Brown was careless with a cross-field pass which was intercepted. The Celtic defence were caught moving forward and had left Di Natale in acres of space but his lob missed the target.
Gary Hooper was the next sinner 10 minutes later. Udinese had no answer to the probing of Samaras and James Forrest. The former beat two players and slid an inch perfect pass inside the full back for Hooper to collect 16 yards from goal. Unfortunately he failed to find the target with what at that time looked like being the best chance of the game.
Celtic opened the scoring on 28 minutes when Samaras rampaged down the left and sent a dangerous cross between goalkeeper and defence. Handanovic punched the ball against his own defender and was left stranded when it rolled to an unmarked Hooper three yards from goal. The Englishman rolled the ball over the line to put Celtic ahead.
With 45 minutes already played Samaras again rampaged down the left but possession was lost as Celtic were reluctant to pour forward seconds before half time. Udinese moved the ball quickly up field and a fortunate break of the ball allowed them to catch the Celtic defence flat footed. Cha was wrong side of his player who crossed for Di Natale to finish. It was an unfortunate break for Celtic who had the better of the first half.
Udinese stepped up the pace after half time and enjoyed their best period of the game. Fraser Forster made three saves within as many minutes just after the hour mark. Ten minutes later a sharp passing move provided Asamoa with a gilt edged chance from 10 yards but he turned the ball against the post with Forster stranded but this signalled the end of the home team’s pressure.
Celtic came close to taking the lead again on 74 minutes when Cha DuRi stretched to volley from outside the box. His shot struck the post with Handanovic unable to reach it. The ball rebounded off the goalkeeper, who landed on the ground, and spun back towards goal, but Handanovic recovered in time to catch it on the line.
Greek referee, Koukoulakis, did not have a good game, mistook Cha for Scott Brown and incorrectly booked the Korean. 18 minutes later he booked Cha again but had clearly received a message from an assistant informing him of his earlier mistake, leaving Cha bemused and relieved to survive his second yellow card.
Celtic were pressing for the goal but with 10 minutes remaining a slip by Daniel Majstorovic set Di Natale clear. Fraser Forster then had the most impressive 6 seconds of his career. The keeper made himself a big target and saved Di Natale’s shot but he had change direction quickly as the ball broke free on the right. A cross was swiftly dropped onto the head of the unmarked Di Natale 8 yards from goal but Forster changed direction one more time to save again.
The match finished with Celtic camped inside the Udinese box. The ball broke to Ki inside the six yard box from a Charlie Mulgrew corner but his shot was blocked. Fraser Forster came forward for two further corners. From one, Daniel Majstorovic flashed a header goalward but an Udinese defender raised his arm to the ball, however, the referee failed to award a penalty.
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Still makes me chuckle: Graffiti on the wall
What’s wrong with the banner?
Is it the sentiment or the sweary word thst people are objecting to?
Moonbeams and CultsBhoy
We’ll have the whole of CQN converted to Phineas and Ferb by the weekend.
I’m heading to bed – slightly disappointed for the team but immensely proud of them. I hope we go careful on the asset management and don’t sell any of our top performers (including Georgios). Sell the guys who don’t really have a long term future at the club and try to get a couple in who do. Lenny has bought well imo. Stokes, Hooper, Izzy, Kayal, Matthews, Ledley with Wilson stiill to prove himself. Forster should be a Celtic owned player and Lenny has introduced young Forrest and rehabilitated Charlie Mulgrew. Things could be a lot, lot worse.
Could night one and all.
St Johnstone away on Sunday 3pm kick-off
fog forecast for the weekend
3 up front
intae them from the off
will accept 1-0 for Celtic
would prefer 2 or 3-0
O’Neil interested in Jelly??
Go on Martin make them an offer they cant refuse!!
only trying to take conversation down a familiar avenue, but i can feel the need to celebrate the performance! i loved it too.. Hail Hail Big Victor – thank God there is someone in defense lowering heart rates.. take a bow Victor Wanyama.
Well played Celtic.
They were there for the taking but we didnt have the quality or expeience to do it and they had world class players.
The Celtic players bought to make proffit did well.
TTTT
Thanks – good to be back – will catch up with the blog over the weekend.
H!H!
Cha cost us 4 points in this group
and a ref cost us 2 points.
not a bad effort, but im beginning to think that Celtic are scottish after all
another glorious failure, and we are happy!!!
the Irishness has been sucked out of this club
at least us Irish qualify for things
Over and over..
Night night to all the family.. x
James Forrest will outshine aiden…
This boy is special … Very special
antrimkev
We’re you not looking to make money out of us losing tonight.
Are you annoyed we didn’t lose so you could gain financially.
You’d fit right in with the board.
MWD night night.
Paul 67
I was about to post that all the plaudits that Fraser Forster got tonight (btw he has been routinely excellent in Europe with impressive saves against Atletico & Rennes too) will be quickly forgotten about by the time the next SPL game comes round and many on here will be touting the latest SPL “no mark” keeper who has a good game against us, to be his replacement.
I did not think his performance would have been downplayed so soon until I read your article.
The Celtic defence were caught moving forward and had left Di Natale in acres of space but his lob missed the target.
No mention of the effort FF made to make him lob rather than shoot.
Fraser Forster made three saves within as many minutes just after the hour mark.
A good keeper is one that does not draw attention to himself by shipping easy goals. Any of those shots could have hurt us. Alan McGregor has let in easier.
but he turned the ball against the post with Forster stranded
One of the reasons he aimed near the post was the despairing dive of big FF to make the target smaller
Fraser Forster then had the most impressive 6 seconds of his career. The keeper made himself a big target and saved Di Natale’s shot
That’s it! He only produced 6 seconds of good form!
Have you revised your opinion on his part in last weekend’s penalty yet? His excellent reflex save in the build up seemed to pass you by. You should be able to credit him with 6.1 seconds if you saw it again :-)
Hail hail!
James Forrest will outshine aiden…
Two different players but
This boy is special … Very special
Thanks Paul for the leader as it reminded me of so many points
FF – BIG up man you proved your worth tonight, although as an outsatnding learner and someone who has shown immense improvement, I have to question why Neil pursued you???
Ref – althought soft… … would you have declined that in the opposing box?? Going by the last 20 mins performance I guess not
WE ARE THE MAKING OF A RIGHT GOOD SIDE
pyfinl
OH and……. I LOVED THE BANNER
F the sfa
F uefa
F the snp
Fthe police(is that an offence now????) NOt sure under the knew laws??
mon the hoops
HAIL HAIL
Well done the Bhoys tonight!
Question: Would we take any of these players?
Back row: Jamie Hamill, John Sutton, Ryan McGowan, Kevin Kyle, Mark Ridgers, Marian Kello, Janos Balogh, Jamie Macdonald, Andy Webster, Calum Elliot, Denis Prychynenko, Ryan Stevenson, Eggert Jonsson,
Middle row: Phil Turner (Sports Therapist), Suso Santana, Scott Robinson, Gary Glen, Darren Barr, Gordon Smith, David Obua, Adrian Mrowiec, Johnny Stewart, Arvydas Novikovas, Danny Grainger, Colin Hamilton, Gordon Paterson (Kit Man), Darren Murray (U19 Coach)
Front row: Mehdi Taouil, Stephen Elliottt, Ian Black, Rob Marshall (Head Physio), Allan Carswell (Interim Goalkeeping Coach), Gary Locke (First Team Coach), Marius Zaliukas (Captain), Paulo Sergio (Manager), Sergio Cruz (Assistant Manager), Alberto Cabral (Assistant Manager), Rudi Skacel, Arvydas Novikovas, David Templeton, Andy Driver.
Very brave of NL to go with such an attacking lineup what a refreshing change from the normal 1 up front tactics,Udinese were given a very big fright tonight and can count themselfs lucky to be still in the competition,NL and his team should be very proud of there performance tonight Im absolutley delighted,we were written of by everyone before a ball was kicked but we aquited ourself well and were more than equal to effectivley what was a Champions league group Well done the Hooops
Mick
I’d take Jamie Hammill.
Scott Brown needs a new caddie for the golf days.
I love Celtic, when life beats you down and you need things to help you to stand up.
Twinbhoy says:
16 December, 2011 at 00:02
works night out tomorrow – god how i hate them, eating and drinking with people you (pretend) hate
_________________________________
haha
how true !!
Enjoyable night in the surprise, the one low point was pog welching on a five pound bet! I hope you all avoid betting with this weasel!!!!!!
A very enjoyable night
I can understand fans expressing displeasure or disagreement with the sentiments in the fans banner but predicting we will be hammered????
For what??
Is Feck Uefa a political statement?
Is it sectarian because we are not fecking Fifa at the same time??
On what grounds can we be fined??
We are really a scared bunch of wimps nowadays. Or Scottish press men infiltrating.
setting free the bears ;-)
I’d take David Templeton and John Sutton offer them a few quid.
Moonbeams WD. \o/ Supporting Neil Lennon 100%. says:
i did make money of di natale scoring at any time
when did i say i wanted Celtic to lose?
im a gambler
i made money tonight of a guy WHO PLEADED WITH HIS MANAGER TO LET HIM PLAY
easy money
you know that guy can score at anytime?
say we were up 10 -0 and he scores in the last minute, i make money
still my head ruled my heart tonight
im not a Celtic fan
Honest and tooting will vouch that I the be was placed in good faith!
LoL, yes m8 I was out on deliveries but nipped in now and again so wasn’t to bad but I taped it but raging at the pen.
Big dan has been solid in last few games and big Fraser is doing his confidence the world of good.
What about you did you enjoy.
Mick
is Andrew Driver any good now ?
was decent previously
just turned 24
Gnite Bhoys n Ghirls.
and oh aye, forgot
Hearts have a u19 guy called Jamie Walker – striker
good player !!
oh no
I’ve jsut rleaiesd I mdae smoe slleipng mskateis
HAIL HAIL
pyfinl – Well only if you do not believe in short term gain and can see the
BiG PrticuE
MON THE HOOPS
antrimkev says:
16 December, 2011 at 00:31
im not a Celtic fan
Why are you here?
TopCorner
To be quite honest I don’t really know,but Templeton can cut it in the SPHell and Sutton..why not.
Mick
I actually like wee Templeton and he has a chance of being a squad member at CP and maybe kicking on to the first team but John Sutton is another in the line of Chris Killen, Colin Nish, Kevin Kyle, Gary O’Connor, Conor Sammon and Adam Rooney. We have promising youngsters whose chances would be squeezed out by such buys. I think two of the McGeoch/George/Watt & F. Twardzik group have a real chance too. But which two??
With Sutton, I think we would be buying a reserve and doing so because of the surname. Get Diawara instead.
I’m writing this without having even looked at the match updates or even read Paul’s summary or your opinions.
Just in from watchign game in Prestwick pub. Nice to lay down my own take, THEN read back over everyone’s views; may mean accordance/remorse/antagonism – such is the Celtic way among the congregation.
Feel free to critique; I know you will.
Forster – 10/10 – not a fan of big Lurch until this evening when for once he seemed 100% switched on. May have a lot to do with the level of opposition, but his anticipation from Di Natali’s opportunist efforts both halves was absolutely outstanding.
Big Dan – 8/10. Handling the best striker in Europe on current form, did admirably well, could have won the whole thing for us at the death had he the energy to lift himself another foot and get that big braw heid on the cross.
Big Vic – 6/10 – looked a tad uncomfortable first half with his decision making but turned in a solid if unspectacular performance.
Charlie – 6/10 – good defensively but his free-kick attempts and delivery fell short at crucial times for us.
Cha – 5/10 – All effort and actiopn, but a loose canon with positional indiscipline, final ball, and poor defensive decisions costing us dear. Best laugh of the night when his second booking almost meant him sent off – he looked more upset at being mistaken for Broonie than the bookings themselves.
Kayal – 5/10 – stop bloody moaning, focus on the task at hand and show us what we think you’re worth. Could have dominated, seemed a bit intimidated.
Broon – 4/10 – Rusty? Sadly, showed what Kohjo has been saying for a long time – cannot consistently pick a straightforward pass of 10-20yards. At European level his wayward play is a handicap.
Ki – 4/10 – Such a major disappointment. After Udinese got wise to Sammi and Forrest, it was up to him to step into the limelight and give them something new to worry about. He NEVER capitalised on the extra central midfield space as Udinese doubled up on S&F wide. Tonight he was the perfect player to win it for us. Again, lost in space when needed in the big games; see Ibrox, October.
Forrest – 6/10 – Young but keen and lively, good confidenc eto take them on all first hgalf. but ba ddecisions at crucial times – mainly the chance to free Sammi in on goal with a simple slide pass left at 1-0, chose to dribble, stood on ball. Didn’t follow-up attack late-on first-half, they countered and equalised. Second-half they shepherded him away from danger areas at every opportunity like class Italian side ar ewont to do. However, much more effective than guys twice his experience. Still hanging in there as potential future hooped great.
Samaras – 8.5/10 – What I always thought he was; a player who thrives on a challenge and a higher level of football. Absolutely 10/10 superb in first half – tihs wa sa full-strength tewma top of Serie A and they did NOT know what to do with him that first 45 minutes.
So much so they made a point of doubling up on him second half and stifling the life from him; he created enough in that first 45 for us to have the game tied up. Like Martin O’Niell said at the weekend regards confidence – it is crucial in the performance of great players. Sammi haters take note; learn something – we have a great player there. He needs to feel the support behind him in the classic Celtic Family manner and he may do great things for us. But victimise him and we will lose him. Wise up or go follow the Huns.
Hooper – 6.5/10 – I love Gary but that early miss was an absolute killer. Snatched his goal in true predator fashion but taking too long to warm up for the task does not work against the quality of oppositiion we faced tonight. I’m convinced if he’d been on his toes from the start we could have caught them cold and buried them before half-time.
Sub-
Stokesy 6/10 – got right into it after coming on, was unlucky a few times after adopting good position, always a threat.
LENNY – 6/10 – Goddamn it. Major concern was Lenny not reacting to their chances second-half. Their wise old owl sorted out the Sammi and Forrest problem at half-time; ha dthem closed down 2nd half, doubled-up on.
Lenny did not seem to anticipate that, played on like nothing was different, crossed his fingers. I thought he should have shifted Ki further forward into the pocket, given them something to worry about, keep them on the back foot. Instead, they had space to push on us, created a good half-dozen killer chances.
Still, overall – we took it to the last second of the last group game against some top quality opposition. Well done the Hoops, thanks for the ride; but please use the experience to raise yourselves above the bovine herds we paly week in week out in the SPL and win this title at a canter. You’re better than the rest; belive it and bury them.
P.S where the hell was Paddy McCourt? – thought he would have been perfect to introduce agianst them second half.
rodow1 says:
16 December, 2011 at 00:34
sarcasm keeps me here
well done
CelticFirst Celtic First
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NOT even the four greatest bosses in Celtic’s history have managed it.
Now Neil Lennon joins them.
But there was no disgrace for the Hoops manager in failing to guide Celtic to victory in Italy in Europe.
Far from it.
And Lennon had every reason to marvel at the players who took Udinese right to the last whistle in a phenomenal attempt to qualify from the Europa League group stages.
Over 42 years, Jock Stein, Billy McNeill, Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan hadn’t managed to come over to this magnificent country and celebrate victory.
But by inches Celtic failed.
At 1-1 a second-half Cha Du-Ri effort was rolling towards the net after rebounding off keeper Samir Handanovic, but it was saved.
Such fine margins between joy and agony.
You couldn’t fault Lenny’s tactics in the mist-shrouded Stadio Friuli, an Italia 90 venue with World Cup symbols still visible 21 years on.
Lennon opted for an adventurous 4-3-1-2 formation, with James Forrest deployed behind strikers Georgios Samaras and Gary Hooper, while skipper Scott Brown started his first game since September 18.
No point trying to be cagey in a game Celtic simply had to win to make the last 32.
And the Celts boss — who has made big strides on the Euro stage since the horrors of Braga and Utrecht — wasn’t messing about with his intentions.
The Hoops were here to neuter the little zebras, make no mistake.
Lennon wanted glory on the pitch — and on the terraces.
Celtic flew to Italy embarrassed by UEFA’s £13,000 fine for ‘illicit chanting’ by the Green Brigade section during the home game against Rennes in November.
And watching chief executive Peter Lawwell took his seat praying for no more IRA chants.
There were none, but minutes from kick-off he must still have been squirming as a typical Green Brigade banner was unfurled which read bluntly ‘F*** UEFA’.
Not exactly a way to charm back the governing body. And flares being lit in the away end — one being thrown onto the surrounding track — wasn’t smart either.
Celtic will today be braced for another invite from the beaks to explain themselves.
A beer tent set up in Udine’s Piazza di Centro went down a storm for hundreds of Celtic fans in the build-up. But they weren’t exactly saying ‘cheers’ inside the ground as Udinese’s supporters produced their version of the Bouncy Bouncy just before kick-off.
Antonio Di Natale’s presence wasn’t the greatest of team news for Celtic after widespread speculation boss Francesco Guidolin would leave out the Serie A legend.
Joint leaders Udinese are going for their first title in 115 years and face Lazio and Juventus in the coming week.
Guidolin was tipped to rest his main man, but here was the striker, ten goals in 13 league games, lining up to destroy Celtic.
Italy’s surprise team had won nine out of ten home games this term, losing only to Arsenal. That also wasn’t encouragement for the Celts.
In Sion and Madrid this season the Hoops lost goals after just seconds. Here they should’ve been behind after 13 minutes following a shocking pass from Brown.
His sloppy crossfield ball left Pablo Armero with plenty of time and space to fire in a cross which put Di Natale clear in on goal.
Fraser Forster was drawn out of his goal and then lobbed, but the ball dropped inches wide.
But it’s a measure of how this Celtic side has grown in Europe that they were far from fazed. Instead, they puffed out their chests and rose to the challenge.
Hooper fired agonisingly wide in 23 minutes after brilliant skill and a great through ball from Samaras.
But six minutes later the Hoops striker gave his side a dream lead, tapping in from two yards after more dazzling play by Samaras.
Joel Ekstrand, who played with Henrik Larsson during the Celts legend’s second spell at Helsingborgs, failed to deal with the Greek’s cross and the ball ricocheted into Hooper’s path for him to finish.
Celtic were playing superbly well — solid at the back and with Forrest, Samaras and Hooper troubling the Italians no end.
A history-making result was on.
But Di Natale wasn’t impressed. And he was doing the Cha-Cha just before half-time after pouncing on a miscued header from the South Korean to fire past Forster.
It was such a sickening time to lose a goal and against the run of play, so impressive had Celtic been.
Cha was mistakenly booked by Greek whistler Michael Koukoulakis in the 61st minute after Brown committed a foul. Thirteen minutes later he was booked for a foul on Asamoah — yet stayed on as the referee appeared to have rectified his initial mistake.
It was a cracker of a tie and Forster was a giant for Celtic.
In the home city of Italian legend Dino Zoff, the Geordie pulled off wonder save after wonder save.
None better than a sensational double stop from Di Natale with ten minutes left, the second from a point-blank header which had to be seen to believed.
Before that Cha went so close with his volley which rebounded off the post and Handanovic then rolled towards the line before reaching back to grab the ball.
Celtic threw everything at Udinese in the dying minutes, with Mohamed Bangura thrown on and Forster going up for a corner.
It was all to no avail.
But while the Hoops went out, this was still an epic effort.
Ciao Celtic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2e7dpVDX54