Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Diomansy Kamara Feels Celtic Are Ready To Launch Assault. New signing is positive about Hoops taking a run at the league title as team is starting to gel. (Times) ::
Monday, February 8, 2010
Mowbray Keen To Let Keane Go Against Hearts. Robbie only played half a game against Dunfermline so he will be fresh for key midweek game. (Herald Scotland. ::
Dunfermline 2 Celtic 4 : Robbie Keane Off The Mark As Hoops Squeeze Through In Scottish Cup. Match report (Daily Mail) ::
Monday, February 8, 2010
All credit due to new bhoys for win
I know it was only Dunfermline, currently sixth in Division One, but I was very pleased with the performance of several Celtic players yesterday. Morten Rasmussen must be delighted; two goals from one start and a couple of substitute appearances is a dream beginning for a striker. He also linked excellently with Robbie Keane for the Celtic penalty and forced the own goal that gave Celtic their winning lead. Can he score the winning goal at Ibrox?
The most impressive performance was from Edson Braafheid, who created Celtic's first two goals with crosses from the left. I think it's been years since I've been able to write that about a Celtic left back. Years!
Robbie Keane got in on the act too. A month ago you knew teams would double up (or treble up) on Aiden McGeady, who was the only Celtic player who could consistently overcome an opposite number. Robbie also has this ability, which will make Celtic much more difficult to defend against. In particular I'm looking forward to how teams defend against us in the more spacious Celtic Park, or Ibrox. Can he score the winning goal at Ibrox?
Diomansy Kamara will also be delighted to get his first goal six days after joining the club. Don't underestimate the importance of personal milestones like this to a striker. Can he score the winning goal at Ibrox?
At the back we saw more of a common theme. The defence were given plenty of protection, Dunfermline forced few chances, but an inordinately high percentage of those they did create resulted in goals. 21-year-old Nicky Phinn took Josh Thompson out of the play for Dunfermline's first before a sloppy shove by Paul Caddis brought Celtic to the edge of a real drama.
With Hinkel and Hooiveld both injured, and Loovens looking like he will pick up a concussion every game, it could be some time before the defence is stable. One sloppy moment at the wrong time could finish our season.
The most impressive performance was from Edson Braafheid, who created Celtic's first two goals with crosses from the left. I think it's been years since I've been able to write that about a Celtic left back. Years!
Robbie Keane got in on the act too. A month ago you knew teams would double up (or treble up) on Aiden McGeady, who was the only Celtic player who could consistently overcome an opposite number. Robbie also has this ability, which will make Celtic much more difficult to defend against. In particular I'm looking forward to how teams defend against us in the more spacious Celtic Park, or Ibrox. Can he score the winning goal at Ibrox?
Diomansy Kamara will also be delighted to get his first goal six days after joining the club. Don't underestimate the importance of personal milestones like this to a striker. Can he score the winning goal at Ibrox?
At the back we saw more of a common theme. The defence were given plenty of protection, Dunfermline forced few chances, but an inordinately high percentage of those they did create resulted in goals. 21-year-old Nicky Phinn took Josh Thompson out of the play for Dunfermline's first before a sloppy shove by Paul Caddis brought Celtic to the edge of a real drama.
With Hinkel and Hooiveld both injured, and Loovens looking like he will pick up a concussion every game, it could be some time before the defence is stable. One sloppy moment at the wrong time could finish our season.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Dunfermline 2-4 Celtic, Scottish Cup, 7 February 2010
Celtic overcame Dunfermline at East End Park today but had to battle from a goal down. Edson Braafheid made his Celtic debut after arriving on loan from Bayern Munich and made an outstanding contribution, creating Celtic's first two goals.
On 18 minutes Braafheid jinked free on the left side of the box to cross for Samaras who shot against the crossbar. Landry Nguemo was felled inside the box trying to get onto the rebound but the ball broke to Diomansy Kamara who thundered the opening goal.
Celtic's lead lasted less than two minutes as Nicky Phinn turned Josh Thompson on the wing before picking out David Graham with a pass inside the box, who knocked the ball home.
Six minutes later Dunfermline were ahead when Paul Caddis allowed Steven Bell to get in front of him, the defender compounded the mistake by shoving Bell as he jumped to concede a penalty. Andy Kirk made no mistake from the spot.
Morten Rasmussen had little opportunity thus far in the game but when Braafheid crossed well from the left the game swung back in Celtic's favour. Scott Brown saw his header from the cross saved by Fleming, who made subsequent saves from Brown and Rasmussen before the Dane bundled the ball over the line.
Robbie Keane replaced Marc Crosas at half time and he should have opened his Celtic account when Diomansy Kamara played a slide-rule forward ball onto his toe but as the ball was cleared wide, Kamara crossed for Morten Rasmussen who was only beaten to the ball by a Callum Woods interception which turned the ball into his own net.
On 64 minutes Rasmussen set Keane free but the striker was challenged illegally from behind by our old friend, Austin McCann, a penalty so blatant Charlie Richmond pointed to the spot.
Keane made no mistake passing the ball past Fleming to put Celtic two goals ahead and ensure their passage into the next round of the Scottish Cup.
On 18 minutes Braafheid jinked free on the left side of the box to cross for Samaras who shot against the crossbar. Landry Nguemo was felled inside the box trying to get onto the rebound but the ball broke to Diomansy Kamara who thundered the opening goal.
Celtic's lead lasted less than two minutes as Nicky Phinn turned Josh Thompson on the wing before picking out David Graham with a pass inside the box, who knocked the ball home.
Six minutes later Dunfermline were ahead when Paul Caddis allowed Steven Bell to get in front of him, the defender compounded the mistake by shoving Bell as he jumped to concede a penalty. Andy Kirk made no mistake from the spot.
Morten Rasmussen had little opportunity thus far in the game but when Braafheid crossed well from the left the game swung back in Celtic's favour. Scott Brown saw his header from the cross saved by Fleming, who made subsequent saves from Brown and Rasmussen before the Dane bundled the ball over the line.
Robbie Keane replaced Marc Crosas at half time and he should have opened his Celtic account when Diomansy Kamara played a slide-rule forward ball onto his toe but as the ball was cleared wide, Kamara crossed for Morten Rasmussen who was only beaten to the ball by a Callum Woods interception which turned the ball into his own net.
On 64 minutes Rasmussen set Keane free but the striker was challenged illegally from behind by our old friend, Austin McCann, a penalty so blatant Charlie Richmond pointed to the spot.
Keane made no mistake passing the ball past Fleming to put Celtic two goals ahead and ensure their passage into the next round of the Scottish Cup.
Live updates will appear below after 12:15 GMT.
