|
Post by +Mirage on Jan 1, 2010 18:12:51 GMT
Tblisi suffer from Maloney's Magic
Shaun Maloney showed how much he loves playing Dinamo Tblisi, as he put them to the sword once again, scoring the only 2 goals for his side, in a win more convincing than the 2-1 scoreline would suggest.
Maloney scored his goals within two minutes of each other, as the first came at the 8th and a stunning 30 yard goal in the 10th minute, after which Celtic, looking to spare their opponents blushes, began to treat the game as a training match, knocking the ball about without really creating anything.
Tblisi snatched a consolation goal in the 89th minute, as Nikoloz Khizanishvili took the ball in his own half, went through the Celtic defence as a knife through butter, before curling the ball around deputy keeper Preson Edwards.
Celtic played a weakened side, as they looked to avoid another upset in their league game, just 3 days after this Champions League clash, as several key figures were left warming the bench or not in the match day squad at all.
Best Celtic Player : Shaun Maloney
Best Tblisi Player : Giorgi Balashvili
Line-ups
Celtic: Edwards, Wilson (Onuoha 83), Caldwell, O'Dea, Naylor, Delph(Ferry 83), Grant, Robson(Brown 83), Maloney( MOTM), McGeady (C), McDonald
Unused Subs: Gordon, McManus, Mattock, Sheridan
Tblisi: Makiridze, Modebadze, Bajelidzi (Kobakhidze 62), Nadirashvili, Chikhradze , Nadirashvili, Kizanishvhili , Zelic (C), Merebashvili (Janashia 10) , Jeladze (Dareselia 62)
Unused Subs: Chketiani, Mujiri, Archevadze, Labadze
|
|
|
Post by +Mirage on Jan 1, 2010 18:16:50 GMT
Celtic Face Stern Test in Champions League 3rd Round Qualifier
Celtic came away with perhaps the hardest opposition in the Champions League 3rd Round Qualifier, as they drew an in-form Atletico Madrid side, hosting big names such as Juninho Permambucano, Maxi Rodriguez, Raul Garcia and Diego Forlan.
Madrid will host the first leg on their home soil, as the Hoops travel to the Vicente Calderon for August 15th.
|
|
|
Post by +Mirage on Jan 1, 2010 19:39:03 GMT
Maloney Strikes Again
Shaun Maloney was once again the star of Celtic's show, as he scored a solitary goal which kick-started Celtic's league campaign and saw Hearts run ragged over 90 minutes. An outstanding display from Hearts goalkeeper meant Celtic were limited to a 1-0 win, but in reality, it could have been much more.
However Hoops fans will be worried after star player in recent weeks, Shaun Maloney, limped off after 75 minutes, after playing the lone striker role for most of the match, and influential midfielder Barry Robson left the pitch just 16 minutes prior. Both injuries were inflicted by Hearts center-back Jose Goncalves, who never got booked for either challenge.
Celtic boss McStay commented, " I thought Goncalves was a disgrace today, he took out our two most influential players on the pitch, I thought the challenge on Maloney, especially was extremely malicious and to not even see a booking is indeed a travesty."
Celtic Man of The Match: Shaun Maloney
Hearts Man of The Match: Janos Balogh
Line-Ups
Hearts: Balogh (MOTM), Zaliukas, Goncalves, Kucharski, Kingston, Palazuelos (Wallace 60), Ropotan (Elliot 45 (C) ), Black, Stewart, Nade (Driver 72), Hora
Unused Subs: Kello, Tullberg, Kostadinov, Mole
Celtic: Gordon, Onuoha, Cuthbert, McManus (c), Mattock, Brown, Ferry, Delph (Thomson 75), Robson (inj 59) (Flood 59), McGeady, Maloney (inj 75) (McDonald 75)
Unused Subs: Edwards, Wilson, Caldwell, Naylor
|
|
|
Post by rinso on Jan 1, 2010 23:50:56 GMT
good job so far, although that will be tough to get past Athletico!
|
|
|
Post by +Mirage on Jan 2, 2010 14:49:27 GMT
Maloney's Injury Relief
After Celtic were faced with the frightening prospect of facing Atletico Madrid WITHOUT talisman playmaker Shaun Maloney, backroom staff delivered some heartening words to gaffer Paul McStay.
"Shaun limped off againbst Hearts after a nasty challenge from Goncalves, of course, we all feared the worst, but it turns out it was just a minor injury, and he is indeed, available for selection, after his remarkable permormances against Tblisi we're delighted he can make the trip, I'm just disappointed the same couldn't be said for Barry."
Robson, whom, as McStay said, won't be making the tirp to Madrid, was forced off 10 minutes prior to Maloney, after a dangerous challenge for Goncalves, has suffered from a fractured wrist, and should be unavailable for around 2 weeks to a month.
|
|
|
Post by +Mirage on Jan 3, 2010 17:53:52 GMT
Close-Leo Fought
Leo Franco put in a man of the match performance to ensure his side are still in with a chance after a 0-0 draw at his club's home stadium, the Vicente Calderon. Celtic battled hard against what is considered to be a superior side to ensure their qualification hopes are a real possibility when the Madrid side check into Glasgow.
Chances were abundant in a match where football was the ultimate victor, with 30 shots overall and 15 on target, there was plenty of excitement for spectators in the stand, although Celtic fans were left sweating after Shaun Maloney again left with an injury, just before half time. After the match it was said he would be unavailable for a month, after due to damage in his foot.
Craig Gordon also put in a magnificent performance, to shut-out a star studded front 4 of Diego Forlan, Sergio Aguero, Maxi Rodriguez and Luis Garica and keep them off of the scoresheet.
Celtic Man of the Match : Craig Gordon
Atletico Madrid Man of the Match : Leo Franco
Line-ups
Atletico Madrid: Leo Franco (MOTM), Seitaridis, Antonio Lopez, Perea ( Ujfalusi 72), Pablo, Permambucano ( Heitinga 79), Assuncao, Rodriguez (C), Aguero, Garcia, Forlan (Garcia 72)
Unused Subs: Coupet, Maniche, Sinama-Pongolle, Simao
Celtic: Gordon, Wilson (Caldwell 81), Cuthbert, McManus, Mattock, Brown, Ferry, Delph (Flood 81), Maloney ( Onuoha 44), McGeady, McDonald
Unused Subs: Edwards, Naylor, Thomson, Sheridan
|
|
|
Post by +Mirage on Jan 3, 2010 18:15:45 GMT
Kriminal Kilmarnock Made To Pay By McDonald
Celtic fans have realised that - perhaps- life without Shaun Maloney might not be as bad as they thought. The Hoops bossed a lacklustre Kilmarnock side all over the pitch, and hitman Scott McDonald fired twice past veteran goalkeeper Alan Combe, with Fabian Delph scoring a 30 yard freekick to mark his first goal for his new club and seal a 3-0 victory. Killie rarely threatened the Celtic goal, but on the rare occassion they did, the chance was always made by influential midfielder Danny Invincible, who created many chances down the right flank of the pitch.
Scott Brown moved from centre midfield to the playmaking attacking midfielder right position, allowing Simon Ferry to take up the more offensively-minded central midfield role, as Gary Caldwell was welcomed back into the side as a defensive midfielder.
This marked error-prone Caldwell's first start of the season in the league, and only his 3rd appearance in all competitions, Caldwell was a mainstay in Celtic's defence for Gordon Strachan and Tony Mowbray's sides, but since the arrival of Paul McStay young center back Scott Cuthbert and Celts skipper Stephen McManus have been preferred in his favoured center-back role. However, he has denied that he wants to leave the club, as rumoured from multiple sources, "Of course I don't want to leave, part of being a footballer in staying and fighting for your place, I'm not going to request a transfer because I'm not starting - well not yet anyway" he joked
Celtic Man of The Match: Scott McDonald
Kilmarnock Man Of The Match: Danny Invincible
Line-Ups
Kilmarnock: Combe, Clancy, Hay, Ford, Wright, Invincible, Skelton (Morgan 90), Bryson (Hammil 78), Fowler (C), Kyle, Fernandez (Locke 57)
Unused Subs: McNeill, Old, Taouil, Flannigan
Celtic: Gordon, Onuoha (Wilson 86), McManus (C), Cuthbert, Mattock, Delph (Flood 71), Caldwell, Ferry (Thomson 86), Brown, McGeady, McDonald (MOTM)
Unused Subs: Edwards, O'Dea, Grant, Sheridan
|
|
|
Post by +Mirage on Jan 3, 2010 18:36:37 GMT
The Magic Number
3 really was the magic number for Celtic. 3 goalscorers in the game. 3 matches won in a row. 3 teams overtaken and another 3-0 win. Celtic's 3 match winning streak in the SPL saw them leap over 3 teams - including bitter rivals Rangers - to reach the summit of the SPL after a dominant display at Celtic Park. Scott McDonald once again found himself on the scoresheet, as he fired in a header from close range. Skipper Steven McManus volleyed in the second after 36 minutes, as a corner cannoned off of Steven Hammell, before McManus fired a powerful shot into the bottom corner. Aiden McGeady finished the scoring at the hour mark, as Motherwell debutant, and ex-Celtic youngster Jacob Lensky was too slow on the ball, being dispossesed by McGeady on the halfway line before he evoked a stunning counter attack, in which he ran the length of the opposition half, before firing home past keeper Michael Frazer.
Not a bad word could be said of any Celtic player, who were truly unplayable in every aspect against a lacklustre Motherwell side, there were only three shots played by the Lanarkshire side in the whole match, with none finding the target, and only the work rate of defender Mark Reynolds saved Well any further blushes.
Celtic Man of The Match: Aiden McGeady
Motherwell Man Of The Match: Mark Reynolds
Line-Ups
Celtic: Gordon, Onuoha, McManus (C) , Cuthbert, Mattock, Ferry, Wilson, Delph (Thomson 89), Brown, McGeady (MOTM), McDonald
Unused Subs: Edwards, Caldwell, O'Dea, Grant, Flood, Sheridan
Motherwell: Fraser, Ross, Hammell, Craigan (C), Reynolds, Lasley, Lewis, Jennings (Murphy 61), Fitzpatrick, McGarry (Welsh 61), O'Brien (Lensky 45)
Unused Subs: Houston, McPake, Smith, Hutchinson
|
|