Sunday 25 September 2011
Incredible!
During Celtic's 2-0 win over Inverness yesterday, the Green Brigade & supporters throughout the afternoon were incredible. Take a listen..
Saturday 24 September 2011
Celtic vs Inverness CT (24/9/11)
Celtic XI:
Forster
Matthews, Loovens, Majstorovic, El Kaddouri
Forrest, Ki, Kayal, Ledley
Hooper, Stokes
SUBS: Zaluska, Wanyama, M. Wilson, Rogne, McCourt, Bangura & Samaras
Thursday 22 September 2011
Scottish Cup Quarter-Final:
Hibernian vs Celtic
Dundee United vs Falkirk
St. Mirren vs Ayr United
Kilmarnock vs East Fife
- Ties to be played: 25/26 October -
Ross County 0-2 Celtic: Scottish Cup (21/9/11)
Celtic XI: Forster; Matthews, Majstorovic, K. Wilson, El Kaddouri; Forrest, Ledley, Kayal, Mulgrew; Hooper, Stokes
Celtic Subs: Zaluska, Rogne, Wanyama, George, Bangura
Kris Commons was once again absent from the squad, even though Neil Lennon had said he would be included in his plans when facing Ross County. Commons, who has spent most of this season on the bench, has been absent the last two games (Ibrox on Sunday and last night in Dingwall) - prompting Celtic supporters to ask what's going on. He definitely hasn't been in the same form as he was in last season, but Commons himself stated on Twitter that he was going to give the social networking site a break and concentrate on his football which I think is a good idea.. Commons had a great start to his Celtic career last season - scoring on his Celtic debut, debut against Rangers and his home debut (which was also against Rangers) - he had a big role to play in most games last season so it is a pity to see him on the bench or not even making the squad but also what has to be understood is the fact our midfield is packed with very talented players including Kayal, Ki, Forrest, Ledley, Brown (seems like Mulgrew can be counted in here too, judging by the team-line ups for the last two games.) Commons will have to fight for his place obviously, but it will be interesting to see what happens. Will be he be included in the squad against Inverness on Saturday? Guess we'll have to wait and see.
In relation to Neil Lennon's starting eleven, I was happy but then again I wasn't. I completely agree with Matthews as right-back, he's a young lad but has real potential. I've only seen him play occasionally but I think he's a strong player and would love to see him start more games. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore Mark Wilson but I think Matthews should be getting more chances at proving himself. In my opinion, he did a very good job in Dingwall last night. Also, I was extremely delighted to see Joe Ledley back in the team - a huge mistake by Lennon to leave him out at Ibrox, and I hope he never makes that mistake again. Ledley is one of our more consistent players, I have a feeling he's going to have a huge role to play this season in he chase for the title and Lennon can't afford to leave him out. Ever. One thing I wasn't happy about seeing the team was Mulgrew on the left-wing - now I love Chico, but he's more suited to the centre-back role which he made his own last season when Lennon called upon him. Although, he's primarily a left-back - he's one of our strongest centre-backs and to be honest, it's the defence where we've having huge problems (as per usual) I would of loved to have seen Mulgrew back in his CB role last night with Commons on the wing, but clearly that didn't happen. We also saw the return of Majstorovic to defence and Forrest to the midfield. Beram Kayal captained the Celtic side.
__________________________________________________________________
As torrential rain plagued the game in Dingwall, it didn't damper the enthusiasm shown by the Celtic players and within 14 minutes, we were 1-0 up. Ross County failed to defend Charlie Mulgrew's long ball and after Stokes chipped it back into the box - Joe Ledley was there and with a flying header directed towards goal - it was easily tapped in by Hooper from just two yards out.
I'll be the first one to admit, despite having scored - we kind of sat back. Ross County were down, but most definitely not out - and there was one point in the game where Gardyne hit a ferocious ball that beat Frasier Forster but rebounded off the left goalpost. The rain didn't really help either I admit but I did think for a team of Celtic's standards - we should of being scoring more. I did refer to Celtic as 'embarrassing' on my Twitter page during the first half which got me some angry (one even abusive) responses but in fairness, I did go a bit far. Celtic weren't 'embarrassing' as such, I was just unhappy at the performance - especially since I sat through 90 minutes at Ibrox which was a disaster. I guess the fact that our defence crumbles every time a ball goes near our penalty box has something to do with it..
K. Wilson having picked up a few knocks during the first half was replaced by Wanyama just before the second half kicked off. We also saw the introduction of Bangura for Stokes (78th minute) and Paul George for Hooper (89th minute). I do hope we get to see more of Paul George this season! Hooper was working hard and he forced a save from the Ross County keeper with just six minute of the second half gone. But Celtic made the tie safe, as Stokes found himself wide on the right and his low cross was turned into the goal by Ross County defender Boyd. 2-0
The game was pretty much safe at that point and Celtic held onto the 2-0 win until the full-time whistle sounded. It wasn't the greatest performance but a win is a win, and that was all I wanted to see after Sunday.
So with Celtic safely through, everyone's attention turned to Rangers who, at that point, were 1-0 down to Falkirk. Then 2-0. It even prompted someone to make a Facebook group titled 'Remember that time Falkirk knocked Rangers out of the Scottish Cup' which was highly confident of them as five minutes later, it became 2-2. Every Celtic supporter was asking themselves, would Rangers come behind (the jammy b*stards that they are..) and win? Like, we saw quite a few times last season. But then this happened...
.... and they were out! 3-2
Knocked out of three cups before September ends, feel 3-2 laugh. I did!
Celtic Subs: Zaluska, Rogne, Wanyama, George, Bangura
GOALS:
Hooper (13'), Boyd OG (51')
___________________________
Kris Commons was once again absent from the squad, even though Neil Lennon had said he would be included in his plans when facing Ross County. Commons, who has spent most of this season on the bench, has been absent the last two games (Ibrox on Sunday and last night in Dingwall) - prompting Celtic supporters to ask what's going on. He definitely hasn't been in the same form as he was in last season, but Commons himself stated on Twitter that he was going to give the social networking site a break and concentrate on his football which I think is a good idea.. Commons had a great start to his Celtic career last season - scoring on his Celtic debut, debut against Rangers and his home debut (which was also against Rangers) - he had a big role to play in most games last season so it is a pity to see him on the bench or not even making the squad but also what has to be understood is the fact our midfield is packed with very talented players including Kayal, Ki, Forrest, Ledley, Brown (seems like Mulgrew can be counted in here too, judging by the team-line ups for the last two games.) Commons will have to fight for his place obviously, but it will be interesting to see what happens. Will be he be included in the squad against Inverness on Saturday? Guess we'll have to wait and see.
In relation to Neil Lennon's starting eleven, I was happy but then again I wasn't. I completely agree with Matthews as right-back, he's a young lad but has real potential. I've only seen him play occasionally but I think he's a strong player and would love to see him start more games. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore Mark Wilson but I think Matthews should be getting more chances at proving himself. In my opinion, he did a very good job in Dingwall last night. Also, I was extremely delighted to see Joe Ledley back in the team - a huge mistake by Lennon to leave him out at Ibrox, and I hope he never makes that mistake again. Ledley is one of our more consistent players, I have a feeling he's going to have a huge role to play this season in he chase for the title and Lennon can't afford to leave him out. Ever. One thing I wasn't happy about seeing the team was Mulgrew on the left-wing - now I love Chico, but he's more suited to the centre-back role which he made his own last season when Lennon called upon him. Although, he's primarily a left-back - he's one of our strongest centre-backs and to be honest, it's the defence where we've having huge problems (as per usual) I would of loved to have seen Mulgrew back in his CB role last night with Commons on the wing, but clearly that didn't happen. We also saw the return of Majstorovic to defence and Forrest to the midfield. Beram Kayal captained the Celtic side.
__________________________________________________________________
As torrential rain plagued the game in Dingwall, it didn't damper the enthusiasm shown by the Celtic players and within 14 minutes, we were 1-0 up. Ross County failed to defend Charlie Mulgrew's long ball and after Stokes chipped it back into the box - Joe Ledley was there and with a flying header directed towards goal - it was easily tapped in by Hooper from just two yards out.
I'll be the first one to admit, despite having scored - we kind of sat back. Ross County were down, but most definitely not out - and there was one point in the game where Gardyne hit a ferocious ball that beat Frasier Forster but rebounded off the left goalpost. The rain didn't really help either I admit but I did think for a team of Celtic's standards - we should of being scoring more. I did refer to Celtic as 'embarrassing' on my Twitter page during the first half which got me some angry (one even abusive) responses but in fairness, I did go a bit far. Celtic weren't 'embarrassing' as such, I was just unhappy at the performance - especially since I sat through 90 minutes at Ibrox which was a disaster. I guess the fact that our defence crumbles every time a ball goes near our penalty box has something to do with it..
HT Ross County 0-1 Celtic (Hooper)
K. Wilson having picked up a few knocks during the first half was replaced by Wanyama just before the second half kicked off. We also saw the introduction of Bangura for Stokes (78th minute) and Paul George for Hooper (89th minute). I do hope we get to see more of Paul George this season! Hooper was working hard and he forced a save from the Ross County keeper with just six minute of the second half gone. But Celtic made the tie safe, as Stokes found himself wide on the right and his low cross was turned into the goal by Ross County defender Boyd. 2-0
The game was pretty much safe at that point and Celtic held onto the 2-0 win until the full-time whistle sounded. It wasn't the greatest performance but a win is a win, and that was all I wanted to see after Sunday.
So with Celtic safely through, everyone's attention turned to Rangers who, at that point, were 1-0 down to Falkirk. Then 2-0. It even prompted someone to make a Facebook group titled 'Remember that time Falkirk knocked Rangers out of the Scottish Cup' which was highly confident of them as five minutes later, it became 2-2. Every Celtic supporter was asking themselves, would Rangers come behind (the jammy b*stards that they are..) and win? Like, we saw quite a few times last season. But then this happened...
.... and they were out! 3-2
Knocked out of three cups before September ends, feel 3-2 laugh. I did!
'Soccer Am' by the Thai Tims
..and tune into Soccer AM this Saturday (24/9) to see the Thai Tims make an appearance!
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