Congratulations to the Celtic U19's team who beat Rangers 2-1 (AET) tonight in the Youth Cup Final at Hampden which helped them claim the double (they won the title last weekend)
Greig Spence (75') and Liam Gormley (110') scored Celtic's goals, only could listen to live commentary on Channel 67 from the game so haven't seen the goals but there is highlights up on The Huddle Online tomorrow which I'll tune in to see. Other than that, just wanted to congratulate the U19s on the double.
The future is green and white!!
HH
Wednesday 27 April 2011
Wednesday 6 April 2011
Celtic 3 - 1 Hibs (6/4/11)
CELTIC: 3 -- Stokes 4', Hooper 20' (pen), 39'
HIBS: 1 -- Miller 67' (pen)
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After Steven Naismith's lovely comments, 'Catch us if you can Celtic', to the press last night - I really hoped Celtic did the job tonight and they didn't let me down. The Celtic team tonight included Loovens in for Rogne and Forrest in for Commons. Towell was left out of the Hibs squad altogether because of the terms of his loan agreement in which he was not allowed play against his parent club.
The game immediately got off to a good start with an early strike from Anthony Stokes in the fourth minute, proving to himself and Neil Lennon why he should be starting games. Emilio Izaguirre crossed the ball into Celtic's front line with Hooper allowing the ball to pass by him and onto Stokes who directed a low shot into the back of the net. After Celtic scored this early goal, they were in control for the whole first half. The passing was absolute brilliant at times with Kayal being the main man involved in it all. Wilson, who's looked like a completely different player this season, also had a superb game. Defenders pressed high up the pitch, with the deadly partnership of Stokes & Hooper always a bother to the Hibs players.
Enjoying the possession they had, Celtic doubled their lead in the 19 minute when Hooper converted a penalty after Brown was brought down in the penalty box by Scott. Celtic were 2-0 up and really enjoying their football - Wilson was allowed a lot of space up the right wing, which benefited Celtic a lot. Celtic also had more chances to score with Forrest, Brown and Kayal all coming close. But Kayal set up the third goal with 39 minutes on the clock when he made a pass to Stokes who played in Hooper, six yards from goal, who had no problem converting Celtic's third.
Celtic went in at half-time after a very entertaining first half and 3 goals up. There looked to be no way back for a poor Hibs side. The second half wasn't as entertaining as the first, Celtic were still very comfortable in possession but Stokes and Commons (on for Forrest), missed chances to extend Celtic's lead. Celtic were dealt a blow when Hibs were awarded a soft penalty after Mulgrew's tug on Wotherspoon's shirt - ex-Celtic player Miller stepped up and converted the penalty. Hibs were given a lifeline after a very poor first half. Although Hibs began to look comfortable after they scored, Celtic still had possession but again, failed to take the chances which could of seen them extend their lead.
With five minutes remaining, Celtic were awarded a penalty when Ljungberg (on for Kayal) was brought down by Hanlon in the box, Hooper stepped up but put the spot-kick wide - no hat-trick for Hooper tonight!
The full-time whistle sounded and Celtic should be happy to come away with a 3-1 win as this now puts us back on top of the table, 2 points clear of Rangers - where we belong!
HIBS: 1 -- Miller 67' (pen)
___________________
After Steven Naismith's lovely comments, 'Catch us if you can Celtic', to the press last night - I really hoped Celtic did the job tonight and they didn't let me down. The Celtic team tonight included Loovens in for Rogne and Forrest in for Commons. Towell was left out of the Hibs squad altogether because of the terms of his loan agreement in which he was not allowed play against his parent club.
The game immediately got off to a good start with an early strike from Anthony Stokes in the fourth minute, proving to himself and Neil Lennon why he should be starting games. Emilio Izaguirre crossed the ball into Celtic's front line with Hooper allowing the ball to pass by him and onto Stokes who directed a low shot into the back of the net. After Celtic scored this early goal, they were in control for the whole first half. The passing was absolute brilliant at times with Kayal being the main man involved in it all. Wilson, who's looked like a completely different player this season, also had a superb game. Defenders pressed high up the pitch, with the deadly partnership of Stokes & Hooper always a bother to the Hibs players.
Enjoying the possession they had, Celtic doubled their lead in the 19 minute when Hooper converted a penalty after Brown was brought down in the penalty box by Scott. Celtic were 2-0 up and really enjoying their football - Wilson was allowed a lot of space up the right wing, which benefited Celtic a lot. Celtic also had more chances to score with Forrest, Brown and Kayal all coming close. But Kayal set up the third goal with 39 minutes on the clock when he made a pass to Stokes who played in Hooper, six yards from goal, who had no problem converting Celtic's third.
With five minutes remaining, Celtic were awarded a penalty when Ljungberg (on for Kayal) was brought down by Hanlon in the box, Hooper stepped up but put the spot-kick wide - no hat-trick for Hooper tonight!
The full-time whistle sounded and Celtic should be happy to come away with a 3-1 win as this now puts us back on top of the table, 2 points clear of Rangers - where we belong!
My Man of the Match: Mark Wilson
Here's some highlights of the game for you to enjoy..
Team news vs Hibs: 6/4/11
CELTIC:
Forster; Wilson, Loovens, Mulgrew, Izaguirre; Brown, Kayal, Ledley, Forrest; Stokes & Hooper.
SUBS:
Zaluska, Ki, Rogne, Juarez, Ljungberg, Samaras & Commons
Forster; Wilson, Loovens, Mulgrew, Izaguirre; Brown, Kayal, Ledley, Forrest; Stokes & Hooper.
SUBS:
Zaluska, Ki, Rogne, Juarez, Ljungberg, Samaras & Commons
6/4/11: Celtic v Hibs - Preview
Celtic host Hibs tonight at Celtic Park, 7.45pm kick-off. Due to Champions League games being shown tonight, the game will not be televised - unless you live outside the UK and Ireland, in which you will be able to watch the game on Channel 67. Sites as www.firstrowsports.eu & p2p will have links to the game.
Celtic will be looking towards their first win since the defeat in the Co-Operative Final to Rangers on the 20th March, and regain top spot in the table. Rangers went top last night after their 2-0 victory over St. Johnstone so Celtic will need every player focused tonight in order to beat Hibs. Majstorovic is still two to three weeks from a comeback following a fractured toe. Ljungberg is included in the squad for tonight's game while Maloney is unlikely to be included after only recovering from an ankle injury.
will be looking to cause an upset after they only drew 2-2 with Hearts on Sunday even though they had an extra man. Despite only drawing on Sunday, Hibs are unbeaten in seven matches ahead of the trip to Celtic. Colin Calderwood's team are in the ninth spot, and seven points behind sixth place Motherwell. Hibs will be looking to win their last three games before the league splits to stand any chance of a top 6 finish. Hibs will be without Richie Towell, who under the terms of his loan agreement cannot play against his parent club. Calderwood is also rumoured to be sweating over the fitness of an unnamed player.
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CELTIC (from):
Forster, Zaluska, Wilson, Mulgrew, Rogne, Looverns, Izaguirre, Brown, Ki, Ledley, Kayal, Forrest, Commons, McCourt, Hooper, Stokes, Samaras
HIBS (from):
Brown, Thicot, Dickoh, Hanlon, Booth, Miller, Murray, Palsson, Wotherspoon, Thornhill, Scott, Vaz Te, Sodje, Riordan, Smith, Nish, Stevenson, Stephens, Duffy, Divis, Trakys
MON THE HOOPS!
Celtic will be looking towards their first win since the defeat in the Co-Operative Final to Rangers on the 20th March, and regain top spot in the table. Rangers went top last night after their 2-0 victory over St. Johnstone so Celtic will need every player focused tonight in order to beat Hibs. Majstorovic is still two to three weeks from a comeback following a fractured toe. Ljungberg is included in the squad for tonight's game while Maloney is unlikely to be included after only recovering from an ankle injury.
will be looking to cause an upset after they only drew 2-2 with Hearts on Sunday even though they had an extra man. Despite only drawing on Sunday, Hibs are unbeaten in seven matches ahead of the trip to Celtic. Colin Calderwood's team are in the ninth spot, and seven points behind sixth place Motherwell. Hibs will be looking to win their last three games before the league splits to stand any chance of a top 6 finish. Hibs will be without Richie Towell, who under the terms of his loan agreement cannot play against his parent club. Calderwood is also rumoured to be sweating over the fitness of an unnamed player.
__________________________________________________________________
CELTIC (from):
Forster, Zaluska, Wilson, Mulgrew, Rogne, Looverns, Izaguirre, Brown, Ki, Ledley, Kayal, Forrest, Commons, McCourt, Hooper, Stokes, Samaras
HIBS (from):
Brown, Thicot, Dickoh, Hanlon, Booth, Miller, Murray, Palsson, Wotherspoon, Thornhill, Scott, Vaz Te, Sodje, Riordan, Smith, Nish, Stevenson, Stephens, Duffy, Divis, Trakys
MON THE HOOPS!
Tuesday 5 April 2011
Beram Kayal.
As every Celtic fan knows Beram Kayal is one of our most influential players, ever since his comeback from injury - his first game back being the 2-0 victory at Ibrox on January 2nd - he has been unstoppable. He has been a regular dominant force in our midfield, bossing about players of the opposition and controlling the passing throughout the Celtic midfield. Ever since, Kayal came back from injury and his man of the match performances in almost every game up until now, of course the Scottish media will begin to speculate him leaving in the summer.
Having caught the eye of Manchester United, Aston Villa and ever since Kenny Dalglish's appearance at Celtic Park on the 20th February, Liverpool, Kayal has been linked to many English Premiership clubs. Kayal, himself, came out twice last month to shoot down these claims being made in Scottish papers saying that he loved Celtic and will see out his contract here. Neil Lennon came out two months ago, stating that none of his recent signings would be leaving in the summer, (Izaguirre also being linked with a move away this summer) yet this does not stop papers publishing and people writing stories. Today, I saw that another Kayal rumour has been posted, apparently now he is 'heading to Liverpool for talks, deal worth around £12 million.' It also did not help that STV posted a video of Kayal's agent visiting Lennon during training, with Lennon looking annoyed at his presence there. People jumped on this claiming that something must be going on with Kayal, could he be leaving the club so soon? All I say is ignore everything being written about Celtic players.
We saw all this before the recent Celtic v Rangers match, Izaguirre was a goner in the summer. Lennon was a goner in the summer. Kayal was a definite goner in the summer. The Scottish media love writing a lot of crap because it unsettles teams - no Scottish team has had more crap written about them as Celtic have this season, especially. All I am telling Celtic supporters is to ignore everything being written regarding players leaving, sure we'd have no players in the summer with the rumours about players 'leaving.'
I don't know what's going on with Kayal, or Izzy, for that matter but all I'm saying is that they are young players and I hope they have the cop on to realise they have their lives ahead of them. Instead of doing a Liam Miller and running off too soon, they could stay at this club and develop before moving on to 'bigger pastures.' I don't want to lose Kayal or Izzy but I do think people are reading too much into his agent being here and these 'he's definitely going to Liverpool' rumours - maybe his agent was just seeing if there was a spare ticket for the Hibs match tomorrow?
Kayal, himself said he was staying till the end of his contract - and I hope he stays true to his word.
What's It All About?
The blog title reads 'Talking Celtic.'
This blog will focus mainly in on Celtic Football Club and everything to do with them - the manager, players and of course any articles the media post about the club. Basically, I'll be discussing various things that are happening surrounding the club & of course, I'll be posting a piece up after every game. (First one will be tomorrow night after the Hibs game) All my own views of course.
Also, I'll be posting random things to do with football and the other teams I following including Barcelona, St.Pauli, Spartak Moscow & Volga. There might be some random postings about the English Premier League as well. There also might be a few postings regarding Irish politics, just giving you all a heads up.
I did have a Twitter page but found that 140 characters is too short for a rant so hence, why I set up a blog. Anyone that reads or will follow this blog - feel free to leave comments regarding any posts I make..
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