Review by O'Conghaile

Scottish Cup Quarter Final

St Mirren: Smith, Ross, Potter, Haining, Camara, Dorman, Murray, Thomson, Brady, Mehmet, Dargo.

Subs: Howard, Wyness, Hamilton, Barron, McGinn.

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, O'Dea, Nakamura, Crosas, Scott Brown, McGeady, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Subs: Mark Brown, Samaras, Hartley, Loovens, Conroy.

Scorer:  Mehmet (pen 54)

 Another shocker from Celtic saw us tossed out of the Cup at the quarter-final stage for the second year in succession.  Commentators made much of St Mirren's desire to win, how well organised and hard fighting they were as well as their determination to wipe away the memory of our seven goal victory last week.  Oh really?....any decent Celtic side would have swept them away with hardly a thought.  Maybe St Mirren took comfort and inspiration from Strachan's kind comments to them during the week following last week's thumping.

Anyway, let's have a look at the game.  Hesslink returned for Samaras. Whilst they are both duds, I think the Greek might have been the better option as he at least has a bit of pace and a reasonable touch.

St Mirren started brightly as they looked to avenge last weekend's bruising 7-0 defeat when the two sides met on league duty at Celtic Park.

They were compact and tenacious in the tackle; giving the Celtic midfielders little time on the ball and ensuring McDonald and Hesselink got little joy in the first half.

St Mirren shook the game to life after 54 minutes when they broke the deadlock in dramatic circumstances. Dargo sprinted towards goal and McManus scythed down the striker just as he was about to pull the trigger. The Celtic captain was shown a yellow card for the foul, with team-mate Gary Caldwell's tracking run saving McManus from a straight red.

The soap dodgers' goal goal stung Celtic into action with McGeady and Nakamura looking to breach the home defence, but with little conviction. Celtic's problems in front of goal were compounded when  Vennegoor of Hesselink received a yellow card for handling in the box as he mistimed a diving header.

St Mirren almost doubled their lead after 73 minutes when Hinkel failed to deal with Brady's corner and Crosas blocked Dargo's shot before the ball was cleared.

Georgios Samaras was then introduced for the Spanish midfielder as Celtic looked to find an equaliser, but their attacks were too often ponderous and lethargic. Vennegoor of Hesselink completed his and Celtic's miserable afternoon when he headed straight at goalkeeper Chris Smith from eight yards.

How long our manager can stagger on in his position is becoming the interesting aspect of this debacle.  I won't go on again about how he doesn't deserve to be our manager as this is already well documented in previous match opinions. A treble gone, a traditional double gone, huns provided with a psychological boost (and probably the Scottish Cup) - all in 2 hours - you're something else, Mr Strachan.  If the Celtic Board have anything about them, they should start the search for a new manager now and keep Dermot Desmond out of the process at all costs.  In the light of their financial parsimony and worship of the balance sheet, maybe a trip along the A90 to speak to Craig Levein is in order.

Footnote:  Lennon's broad smile when congratulating McPherson at the final whistle was a disgrace.  No wonder there's no fight in the team.

Referee: C Richmond

Man of The Match:  None - no Celtic player showed the quality or fight expected.

Kilmarnock  1  Celtic   2      Wednesday 4 March 2009

Review by The Hun Slayer

SPL

Kilmarnock: Combe, Clancy, Hay, Ford, Lilley, Bryson, Pascali, Hamill, Invincibile (Taouil 86), Fernandez (Sammon 57), Kyle.
Subs Not Used: Rascle, Skelton, O'Leary, Flannigan, Anson.

Booked: Hamill, Ford.

Goals: Invincibile 36.

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, O'Dea, Caldwell, McManus, Scott Brown, Crosas, Nakamura, McGeady, Samaras (Hutchinson 78), McDonald.
Subs Not Used: Fox, Loovens, Hartley, Flood, Conroy, Millar.

Booked: McGeady, O'Dea.

Goals: McDonald 27, 81.

Att: 6,712

Scott McDonald scored twice as Celtic moved back to the top of the SPL with victory away to Kilmarnock.

McDonald was left unmarked in the Kilmarnock area as he steered the ball beyond Alan Combe on 27 minutes.

Danny Invincibile levelled from close-range with his side's first shot on goal nine minutes later.

Both teams had spurned good chances to score further when McDonald displayed sublime skill before prodding the ball into the net on 81 minutes.

The visitors had enough opportunities in the opening 45 to put the game beyond Kilmarnock.

But a combination of poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping from Combe meant Kilmarnock were still in the match at half-time.

The Australian beat Derek Lilley to Darren O'Dea's long ball, cut across the defender into the box, but blasted his shot past the post.

Shunsuke Nakamura has tormented Kilmarnock during his four seasons in Scotland, scoring eight goals against the Ayrshire club.

And the Japanese almost added to that tally with a drive from the edge of the box that flew inches past the post.

As Kilmarnock struggled to make headway towards the Celtic goal the best they could muster was a wayward Jamie Hamill free-kick, and a skewed cross that almost caught out goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

But with 27 minutes on the clock McDonald made up for his earlier miss as he curled the ball beyond Combe and inside the far post.

The striker's finish was inch-perfect, but Killie boss Jim Jefferies will be unhappy that McDonald was completely unmarked as he received Crosas' pass in the penalty area.

Within minutes Combe came to his team's rescue twice as Celtic exploited gaping holes in the right side of Killie's defence.

First the keeper blocked Scott Brown's close-range effort, then he deflected Aiden McGeady's low shot on to the crossbar.

Despite dominating, Celtic were made to rue their wastefulness in front of goal on 36 minutes when Invincibile side-footed past Boruc, with the visitors failing to deal with Craig Bryson's corner.

Five minutes after the restart Celtic's defence were almost punished a second time for failing to attack a high ball.

David Fernandez should perhaps have done better than lob over the bar with Boruc advancing, but the early chance seemed to lift the home side.

Kilmarnock began to find more space in attack and could have taken the lead on two further occasions before the hour mark through Kevin Kyle and Connor Sammon, who badly miscued a free header 12 yards out.

At the other end Combe produced another fantastic save to deny Gary Caldwell's bullet header from point-blank range.

But with nine minutes remaining McDonald showed wonderful skill to turn Lilley on the edge of the box before toe-poking the ball in from 12 yards to give Celtic a vital victory.

Ref: C Thomson 8/10

Man of the Match:  Scott McDonald

Review by The Hun Slayer

Celtic  7  St Mirren  0       Saturday 28 February 2009  

Review by The Holy Curate

SPL

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor (O'Dea 21), Nakamura, Crosas, Scott Brown, McGeady, McDonald (Samaras 69), Vennegoor of Hesselink (Hutchinson 77). Subs Not Used: Fox, Loovens, Hartley, Flood.

Booked: O'Dea.

Goals: Nakamura 16, 35, Crosas 51, Scott Brown 55, Nakamura 58, Scott Brown 68, Potter 76 og.

St Mirren: Smith, Ross, Potter, Haining, Camara, Murray (McGinn 60), Dorman (Barron 53), Mason, Brady, Thomson, Mehmet (Dargo 70).

Subs Not Used: Howard, Wyness, Hamilton, Burns.

Sent Off: Ross (28)

Booked: Thomson, Murray

Att: 58,286

Ref: C Allan

What a game  ! What a performance ! At long last a match which Celtic dominated from the first to the last whistle. A day to remember for a first match for Rebecca. When some us can go back a few years and think about our first visit to Celtic Park rarely will they have seen SEVEN goals. At this point I would like to express my thanks to our Secretary who through an act of selflessness gave up is seat and he may just have kindled up a new supporter. She'll be welcomed back if she chooses to come. Enough, now on with the match report.

The lunch time kick off saw the Huns grind out a 1 - 0 win with Biffo the bear scoring the important goal so this again was a must win ! and guess what we rose to challenge for the first time in long time. One worrying factor was all the goals came from midfield and despite the obvious to all present, JVH was having a nightmare and the penalty miss could have been potentially damaging but it wasn't and he should have been replaced earlier. As I said, rarely has a team been so dominated or were St Mirren just very poor.

The first goal came after 16 minutes when Nakamura's drive was every ­goalkeeper's deepest dread – the ball, powerfully struck, swerving violently on its way to its target and palmed into the net by a hapless Smith. With St Mirren on the back foot a neat ball inside the defence saw MacDonald with a good chance in the six yard box pulled down by Jack Ross. Cue JVH to step up for the penalty with Ross dismissed only to miss by sending the ball straight into the legs of Smith. A tumultuous collective groan from the crowd desperate to reduce the goal difference.

Nakamura struck again when he took a crossfield pass from Crosas on the right and, from a central position 20 yards out, swivelled and drilled his left-foot shot low and far to the left of Smith. By the time he completed his hat-trick, with a ferocious free-kick high to the left of Smith from 30 yards out on the left, Brown and Crosas had already reduced the visitors to nervous wrecks.

Brown's goal was rather typical of the lack of effort in the St Mirren defence. When he played a one-two with Caldwell on the left, his low, right-foot drive from the edge of the penalty area was not especially well struck, but still found a way past the hesitant Smith.

The goalkeeper, however, would have been simply another admirer of the goal that gave Crosas his first for the club. When Aiden McGeady's cross from the left was headed out, he took one touch to control before hitting an extraordinary 25-yard drive, the ball rising high to the right of Smith.

Crosas later would supply the pass that allowed Brown to bolt forward and, with only Smith to beat, roll the ball right-footed past the goalkeeper for the sixth.

Potter's diving header past his own goalkeeper for Celtic's seventh merely confirmed that this was a memorable day for all and great experience for Rebecca one that she can re-tell in years to come.

Referee 7/10

Man of the Match Nakamura / Brown/Crosas take your pick

Review by The Holy Curate

Motherwell  1  Celtic  1  Sunday 22 February 2009  

Review by O'Conghaile

SPL

Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Klimpl, O'Brien, Hughes, Fitzpatrick (Murphy 68), Sutton, Clarkson. Subs Not Used: Krysiak, Malcolm, Darren Smith, Lasley, McGarry, Aydilek.

Booked: Klimpl, Hughes.

Goal: Quinn 81.

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Loovens, McManus, Naylor, Scott Brown, Caldwell, Nakamura, Samaras, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink (McGeady 63). Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Hartley, Flood, Crosas, Hutchinson, O'Dea.

Booked: Scott Brown.

Goal: McDonald 60

Att: 8,593

At the start of the match Celtic found themselves in second spot in the SPL and a victory was needed to return to top spot.  Celtic manager, Gordon Strachan went with a 4-3-3 formation as did Motherwell so I was hopeful of an open game. 

Loovens replaced Caldwell in central defence and the latter moved into a three man midfield. Hartley and Flood, deemed good enough to face our closest rivals last week, were relegated to the bench.  Crosas was denied a place and if I was him I would go back to Barca and wait my time there.  How Caldwell gets a place in midfield before he does I will never know. I suppose the state of the pitch would be the answer but it didn’t stop Nakamura getting a game today and didn’t stop either him or Crosas playing really well in the semi-final at Hampden recently. Only a guy with a clipboard could explain the logic in that and we’ve got plenty of them.

The appalling playing surface ensured their would be no free-flowing football but Strachan's side will be frustrated with the result, having dominated the match for long spells.

Celtic bombed forward at every opportunity and, for the most part, gone was the sideways passing favoured for so long – Willo Flood might have enjoyed this with his pace and trickery, even Paddy McCourt or Koki Mizuno but it was not to be. Samaras looked lost in this set up and Hesselink was a passenger for his whole time on the pitch – young Ben Hutchison must be of pretty poor quality not to get a shout ahead of these two.  McDonald was the only forward player who showed any competence despite his poor first touch.

Celtic had good opportunities in an evenly contested first half.  McDonald missed from 15 yards after brilliant interchange between him and Samaras – a poor effort by the Australian.  Hesselink then managed to power a header over from 8 yards with no Motherwell player near him – an even worse effort.  McDonald then had another chance after being sent clear by a lob from Nakamura.  McDonald beat the defender twice and was only denied by a good one-handed stop from Smith.

McDonald opened the scoring in 59 minutes after a bad mistake by Craigan.  It was a weak shot and the goalkeeper had it covered but a famous Fir Park bobble lifted it over Smith and into the net.

Without seriously threatening to add to their tally, Celtic were in control of the match, with goalkeeper Artur Boruc untroubled until the hosts equalised out of the blue.  In 81 minutes, O'Brien swung in a dangerous cross and Loovens headed straight to Quinn who was unmarked in the box who found the bottom corner with a first-time strike from 16 yards.  I don’t understand zonal marking and I don’t think the players do either.  Celtic are perhaps now paying the penalty for relying on ordinary strikers who are now off-form, with no input of goals from midfielders and this has long been a complaint of mine

We have now lost our 7 point lead in the SPL, won only 3 games from the last 10 and unless the team improves dramatically then there will be no hope of 4 in a row. The manager never seems to persevere with what he considers to be his best 11 (not sure he knows what that is, such is the tinkering he does with formations).  I think the players are over-coached and regimented.  They looked terrified of enjoying themselves playing football.  Celtic played better today than at any time since the turn of the year but that does say much because performances have been really bad.  This is Strachan on team 4 and arguably, this one is the worst of the lot. 

Referee: I Brines   8/10

Review by O'Conghaile

Celtic 0 Rangers 0   Sunday 15 February 2009  

Review by Largs Bhoy

SPL

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Flood (McGeady 62), Scott Brown (Crosas 84), Hartley, Nakamura, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 62). Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Loovens, Hutchinson, O'Dea.

Booked: Vennegoor of Hesselink, Hartley, Scott Brown.

Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, McCulloch, Davis, Ferguson, Mendes, Fleck (Miller 59), Lafferty (Naismith 74). Subs Not Used: Alexander, Edu, Boyd, Whittaker, Niguez.

Booked: Weir, Naismith, Ferguson, McCulloch, Mendes.

Att: 58,766

We welcomed our city rivals today and were treated to the usual bigoted and sectarian hate-filled chanting that we have come to expect.  We can only pray that there is some way in which their behaviour will be changed.  In contrast the Celtic support behaved impeccably

Celtic remain two points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League after a dreary draw .  Our visitors came with the sole intention of securing a draw and maybe getting a goal on the break whilst enhancing the concept of anti-football.  They were clearly frightened of Celtic but there was no need, such was the paucity of the Hoops' performance.

Celtic striker Scott McDonald was guilty of an astonishing miss, heading wide from close range after 15 minutes.  You sir, should have been at Lennoxtown during the week and not on some wasted trip to wherever to do nothing.  You do some amont of mouthing off in the media - just shut up and do your talking on the park from now on.  Wise up or ship out - CELTIC pay your wages NOT Australia.  You might look like a koala but gonna stop acting like one please?

It was tame stuff by normal standards, with Rangers setting out to absorb limited Celtic pressure in the first half, while the second period saw the visitors open up and look the more dangerous team.

With the midfield area congested, neither side was able to really establish any passing rhythm as possession was won, then surrendered, at a rapid rate of knots throughout the match.

Rangers deployed Lafferty (£3.5m? - get me an oxygen mask - I can't breathe) as a lone striker and Boruc had to claw away a dangerous early cross from wonder-kid Fleck (sheesh!!), with the tall Ulsterman looming at the back post. The story is that Fleck had applied for the Chelsea Manager's job.  He fancied it as he had done everything else in football such was his build-up last week by hun journalists.  Big hype for this boy but he is not a patch on his fat Uncle Robert.  The only thing they share is the gorilla appearance and grossly ugly dip.  A sort of visualisation of that immortal line 'fat hun, ugly hun, you're mammy is your da'.  I digress.....

Chances were at a premium in a dismal first 45 minutes but McDonald passed up a golden opportunity for the home side. Willo Flood, making his Celtic debut, got the better of Fleck on the right and whipped in a wonderful cross, only to see the Australian striker glance a header wide of the mark from just a few yards out.

For the remainder of the first half Gordon Strachan's side saw a lot more of the ball, with Mendes and Ferguson failing to assert any authority for Rangers in the middle of the park.

But the intelligent promptings of Nakamura were not matched by his Celtic team-mates and Smith's men were not overworked to ensure McGregor remained just as idle as his opposite number, Boruc.

Five minutes after the interval, Bougherra cut in from the right and let fly with a shot, which Celtic skipper McManus diverted towards his own goal with his head, forcing Boruc to make a smart save.  

The Celtic keeper comfortably gathered an angled drive from Lafferty and Ferguson made a mess of his strike on the edge of the penalty box as Rangers adopted a more positive approach.

Rangers substitute Miller (how does this guy keep getting work?) ran on to a clever back-heel from Davis but shot horribly wide as he looked to curl one across the bows of Boruc.

Veteran defender Weir then powered a header on target from a Mendes corner and Boruc had to make a fine reaction stop to tip the ball over his crossbar.

The hopes of home fans were raised with the award of an 89th-minute free-kick but Nakamura's curling effort from 25 yards was kept out by the diving McGregor and Kirk Broadfoot was on hand to clear up.

A poor performance by Celtic who Gordon Strachan admitted were on top in the first half and inferior in the second period. Apart from McDonald's sitter, Celtic never looked like creating a chance or scoring,  Our first shot on target was in the 89th minute by which time Artur Boruc has saved us twice.  No doubt Gordon Strachan knows what is wrong and will fix it as usual (some hope!).  Had our opponents had the confidence to go for it then I believe they surely would have won.

Referee - Callum Murray. I would have been thinking about 4/10 due to his failure to let play flow. In the light of his obvous failure to be impartial this has been reduced to 1/10 and that is just because he was present.  His decision to play 2 minutes additional time was appalling when at least 5 minutes was appropriate after 5 substitutions and the lengthy recovery of Scott Brown. His decision to put the ball back two yards at a free-kick when Rangers players refused to stand back 10 yards, was evidence that he had completely lost perspective.  JVOH was booked for.....yeah, I don't know,either.  The referee made many poor decisions against Celtic and he represents a one-man conspiracy theory.  This was his first time in charge a match between these two teams and, hopefully, his last. A disgrace to football in general and to refereeing in particular.

Footnote:  Our club secretary left for the match today without his coat and his situation was not assisted by the actions of the Treasurer in this regard. Some consternation ensued and it was decided that the principle of all-for-one and one-for-all only applied when it was not a cold day and the Executive Committee didn't need their own coats.  The President and Vice-President suggested that they could loan him a  scarf or a tammy to keep himself warm at the match.  The parallels with Rupert The Bear were obvious and the air was punctuated with the hearty refrain 'Rupert, Rupert the Tim, Everyone Knows His Name'.  Sung with gusto, this soon attracted the attention of Strathclyde's finest and two officers were quickly on the scene followed by another two.  A suitable period of silence was observed and the carry-out hidden until it was safe to continue.  The Secretary is defrosting and disciplinary proceedings are being considered.

Review by Largs Bhoy

Celtic v  Queens Park    Saturday 7 February 2009  

Review by Auchenshuggle 64

Scottish Cup

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, O'Dea, Naylor, Maloney (McCourt 61), Crosas (Donati 42), Hartley, McGeady, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 75), McDonald. Subs Not Used: Fox, Misun.

Booked: McDonald.

Goals: Caldwell 19, McDonald 45.

Queens Park: Crawford, Ure (Dunlop 86), Sinclair, Brough, Douglas, Holms, Cairney, Quinn, Watt (Coakley 60), Harkins (Ronald 86), Nicholas. Subs Not Used: Cowie, Agostini.

Sent Off: Coakley (81).

Booked: Ure, Coakley, Quinn, Brough.

Goals: Coakley 66.

Att: 22,223

Celtic progressed to the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup with a narrow victory over Queen's Park.

Gary Caldwell headed past David Crawford in the 19th minute after Darren O'Dea had returned a Lee Naylor free-kick to the back post.

Scott McDonald knocked in Celtic's second just before the break.

In the 67th minute Adam Coakley pulled one back for the visitors after good work by Ryan Holms, but was later red carded for persistent fouling.

The Hampden side almost capitalised on Celtic's slow start when Artur Boruc had to parry a long-distance drive from midfielder Holms with only two minutes played.

Celtic soon settled and in the ninth minute the returning Shaun Maloney set up Vennegoor of Hesselink, but the Dutchman's 12-yard shot was blocked on the line by Queen's defender James Brough.

In the 19th minute, after Spiders' defender Martin Ure was booked for a foul on Aiden McGeady, Celtic took the lead.

Lee Naylor swung a free-kick in from wide on the left and O'Dea rose at the back post to head back across goal and Caldwell headed the ball past Crawford from eight yards out.

In the 24th minute Crawford stretched to thwart Maloney's long-range free-kick.

Just before half-time McDonald was on hand to knock a Vennegoor of Hesselink header over the line to double Celtic's lead.

Queen's Park started the second half strongly and in the 50th minute Harkins drove forward before laying the ball off to Ian Watt but the striker's shot from 16 yards bounced wide.

The part-timers looked to be running out of steam, but kept pushing for a goal.

In the 63rd minute they almost reduced the deficit when Holms' cross from the right landed at the feet of Steven Nicholas, but his shot hit the side-netting.

Two minutes later, substitute Coakley pulled a goal back for the visitors.

Holms crossed in from the right and Coakley's first effort on goal was saved by Boruc before the striker pounced on the rebound to knock it in off the far post.

The Second Division side went all out for an equaliser, but the goalscorer Coakley picked up a second yellow for a late challenge on Naylor in the 79th minute, ending his involvement in the tie, and his team's chance of a replay.

Referee:  Willie Collum - looks like a wee boy and referees like a wee boy.  The booking of Coakley for celebration after his goal was pathetic and this led to his dismissal after his tackle on Naylor and subsequent second booking.   5/10

Review by Auchenshuggle 64

ICT  v  Celtic    Sunday 1 February 2009  

SPL

ICT  0  Celtic  0

Inverness CT: Esson, Tokely, Munro, Mihadjuks, Djebi-Zadi, Proctor, Black, Duncan, Foran (Vigurs 74), Imrie (Odhiambo 86), Barrowman (Rooney 69).
Subs Not Used: Fraser, McGuire, Wood, Duff.

Booked: Black, Rooney.

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Scott Brown, Robson, Nakamura (Crosas 64), McGeady, Samaras (Vennegoor of Hesselink 52), McDonald (Sheridan 87).
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Loovens, Hartley, O'Dea.

Booked: McManus, Robson.

Att: 7,007

One shot on target in 90 minutes against a team that hadn't won in nine games and are adrift at the foot of the SPL and who hadn't kept a clean sheet since the first game of the season.

The Inverness goalkeeper didn't have a save to make,

We haven't scored a goal in 210 minutes of football.

All huff and puff with no expertise or guile

Our lead in the SPL reduced to 2 points and we hand our rivals a major boost.

Not exactly a crisis but the team's deficiencies become more evident as the season progresses and this performance was shockingly bad.  So poor is the quality of our football that, even at this stage, I think the Club should be a bit concerned about season ticket sales for the next campaign.  Rarely have I seen so many Celtic footballers with such poor first touch, vision and technical skill.  We are unable to do anything about teams who get lots of players behind the ball and I wonder if I'm the only one who wonders why we batter teams in the last 10 minutes but don't do this earlier in a match.

Inverness are always a tough propostion at home, although we should be good enough to see them off and the arrival of a new manager does give most teams a boost and so it proved. ICT fought fiercely, worked very hard and were not slow to put it about as was expected with the influence of their new manager whose career history is one of 'little skill but get right intae them'.  Most knew this but it's not at all certain that the Celtic management team were aware.  In years past, players like Bertie Auld, Davie Hay or Roy Aitken would have instantly sorted out thugs like Imrie and Black but today we just played for free kicks and took the abuse on the chin without an enforcer taking retribution.  More chance of one of our players bursting out greeting than standing up for himself.

ICT played the long ball through our middle to good effect and with better strikers they may have had better luck.  Alarmingly, this tactic is being used more and more often by our opponents and causes consternation in our defence. 

ICT fully deserved their point and they wanted a result much more than we did.  I suppose we could put this down to a bad day at the office but there have been far too many days like this.

Strachan took off Samaras after 5 minutes of the second half.  Was the Greek injured or did he incur the manager' wrath for something?  If this was a tactical change should it not have been made at half-time or would I be better shutting up as I don't know anything about football?  Anyway, probably Gordon won't answer so there you have it.

Things did start to look up a bit when Crosas replaced Nakamura and Robson moved to the right wing but it was too little too late.  Substituting Sheridan for MacDonald in 86 minutes to partner Hesselink was the final act of desperation.  I had a quiet smile during the week at the crticism of the signing of  Willo Flood.  He isn't Celtic class, is he?  Well, if that is the case then he will be in a very large group of players and management at Celtic Park with the same status.

I hold out no hope in the transfer window that we will progress. I doubt if Flood or Fletcher, if he signs, will improve as players or even get a game every week like so many others who never see the light of day - bet Paddy McCourt wishes he had gone to West Brom.  How buoyed our rivals must be in their currenrt perilous state that they might be in front in the SPL in the next fortnight and their treble is still on at this stage.

Footnote: TV footage showed Garry Pendrey at the end of the match smiling broadly to somebody. I know it's only a game and we should be sporting but this was a broad smile too far. Try being a bad loser, Garry, and maybe that will feed back into the dressing room.  The following comment was taken from Celtic Quick News - 'The sight of Garry Pendrey laughing and joking at the end of another sickening result like that makes me think we are losing our club to people who aren't really that interested - or perhaps they think that's just our level '

Referee:  Charlie Richmond  7/10 - got all the big decisions correct

Review by Auchenshuggle 64

Celtic v  Dundee United    Wednesday 28 January 2009  

Scottish League Cup Semi-Final

Celtic  0  Dundee United  0 (after extra time)

Celtic won 11-10 on penalties

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, Loovens, Naylor, Nakamura, Scott Brown, Crosas, McGeady (Robson 75), McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 73).
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Hartley, O'Dea.

Booked: Loovens.

Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Dixon, Wilkie, Kenneth, Kovacevic, Flood, Gomis, Buaben (David Robertson 90), Conway, Feeney, Sandaza (Daly 86).
Subs Not Used: McGovern, Dillon, Swanson.

Booked: Buaben, Dixon.

Att: 19,258

Celtic defeated Dundee United on penalty kicks to set up a Co-operative Insurance Cup meeting with Rangers after an incredible semi-final.

Artur Boruc denied United midfielder Willo Flood, while Lukasz Zaluska saved from Scott Brown in an even first half.

United dominated after the break, but Celtic's Marc Crosas and Georgios Samaras struck the bar in extra time.

Both sides scored 10 of their first 11 penalties, Willo Flood skied his second attempt and Scott McDonald fired home.

It was a nightmare end for Flood, tipped to join Celtic during the January transfer window, as United lost their second penalty shoot-out in 11 months after being pipped by Rangers in last season's finale.

And the dramatic conclusion to a war of attrition on the paddy field that is Hampden set up the first Old Firm final since 2003 on 15 March.

United manager Craig Levein had shuffled his pack to create a five-man midfield designed to prevent Celtic charging into the kind of 2-0 lead established in the recent league draw between the sides.

But there were some nervous moments early on in the United defence as both sides came to terms with a treacherous playing surface that limited them to a series of half-chances during the first half.

Flood belied suggestions that he might be unsettled by Celtic's admission that they are considering a bid for the midfielder by weaving into the area and forcing goalkeeper Boruc to tip a low shot past his near post.

Shunsuke Nakamura threatened a couple of times for Celtic, Francisco Sandaza squandered a chance for United and headed just wide, while Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink sliced wildly past after some clever play at the other end.

Lukasz Zaluska, who has signed a pre-contract deal with Celtic, foiled his future employers by pushing away Scott Brown's 20-yard drive.

The United goalkeeper was forced into a fine tip over the crossbar early in the second half after Nakamura whipped in a wicked free-kick that was heading for the far corner of the net.

Glenn Loovens, who had started in place of injured Celtic captain Stephen McManus, was given only a yellow card when he halted Warren Feeney, referee Calum Murray deciding that the defender had not been the last man.

United were starting to dominate possession and Prince Buaben fired a low drive just wide from the edge of the box.

But Celtic had claims for a penalty waved away when substitute Barry Robson went down under pressure from Morgaro Gomis.

And the Glasgow side began to take control before the tie moved into extra time, with both Samaras and Nakamura firing efforts into the side netting once play had restarted.

Flood almost broke the deadlock when he sped through the Celtic defence and his shot fell the wrong side of the far post from an acute angle, while the unmarked Feeney just failed to connect from six yards out.

Desperate defending denied Celtic in the closing moments, Mihael Kovacevic blocking a McDonald header, a Crosas chip and a Samaras header struck the underside of the crossbar and Garry Kenneth stopped a goal-bound effort from Barry Robson.

The scene was set for an enthralling shoot-out in which both sides converted their first eight penalties.

Lee Wilkie and Glenn Loovens had their efforts saved by goalkeepers who then scored against each other before Flood struck the crossbar to allow McDonald the chance to end a Hampden Park thriller.

Referee: Charlie Murray  8/10

Man of The Match:  Shunsuke Nakamura

Review by Auchenshuggle 64

Celtic  v  Hibernian                Saturday 24 January 2009

Review by The Holy Curate

SPL

Celtic  3  Hibernian  1

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus (Loovens 63), Naylor, Nakamura, S Brown, Crosas (Robson 77), McGeady, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras79). Subs not used: M Brown, O'Dea, McCourt, Sheridan.

Hibs: Szamotulski, McCormack, Hogg, Jones, Stevenson, Rankin, Bamba, Thicot, Fletcher (Shiels 85), Nish (Johansson 74), Riordan (Rosa 85). Subs not used: McNeil, van Zanten, Chisholm, Keenan.

A first half performance with two goals from one from Scott McDonald and Stephen McManus saw Celtic see off Hibs and remain at the top of the league. This was always a must win game especially and the Huns lunch time draw at Abedeen would restore a four point lead. 

Celtic got off to good start that showed the crowd that they were certainly up for the game. McGeady with pace to burn down the left hand side looked early on to be on top of his game. Celtic's first goal came after just three minutes when a McGeady run resulted in a corner, goalkeeper Szamotulski parried a Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's header from Shunsuke Nakamura's corner only for McDonald to pounce on the rebound to force it over the line.

Celtic continued to pressure Hibs and were rewarded just three minutes later when another Nakamura corner from the left ricocheting around the Hibs six-yard box before the McManus prodded the ball into the nett. Two goals up in nine minutes and we thought Hibs were in for a doing.

But it was not to be exactly as we all hoped for when against the run of in play Hibs managed to get out of their own half , and score a goal of their own in the 17th minute, Derek Riordan delivered a superb free-kick as we know he can which found Jones stealing in behind the Celtic defence who were ball watching to nod the ball easily into the net. It looked like we had again forgotten how to defend. It was Artur's ball and he should have came and cleared it and Caldwell told him so.

We pressured the Hibs defence with the first half coming to an end with Szamotulski twice pulling off acrobatic efforts to deny Nakamura leaving Hibs, who should have been well out of contention, still very much in the game.Celtic had dominated but they had sustained the onslaught with no less than eight corners from the resulting pressure. Hibs held on to go in at he break 2-1 down and I am sure they were happy at that.

The second half started and it was a different Hibs we saw and they could well have equalised on the hour-mark, Chris Hogg delivering a terrific crossfield ball for Riordan who's clever low cross took McManus out of the game as he found the feet of Nish. But, instead of shooting first-time he elected to cut back onto his left foot and was crowded out. Celtic had started slowly seeming allowing Hibs back into the game.

Anxiety levels incresed within the crowd, we needed to take the initative as Hibs with Nish charged into the Celtic penalty area before being blocked off.

The game was beginning to stretch as Hibs sensed there may be a point in it for them but as they poured forward there was always the chance of being caught on the counter-attack and that's exactly what happened as Brown broke on the right and cut the ball back for McDonald to rifle it high into the for his second goal of the game.

The two goal lead restored we began to stroke the ball around again as we had in the first half and we had chances to add a fourth, McGeady shooting wide after he dribbled is way into the penalty box. No doubt the Huns superior goal difference was in mind.

But Hibs refused to lie down, Rosa, who had replaced Riordan only two minutes earlier, lashing in a shot from 30 yards which beat Artur Boruc in the Celtic goal came crashing back off the post.

The remaining minutes were played out and when it was announced that one minute had been added the crowd rose in relief heading for the exits.

Referee: David Somers  8

Man of the March: McGeady

Review by The Holy Curate

Aberdeen  v Celtic   Sunday 18 January 2009

SPL

Aberdeen  4  Celtic  2               

Review by Auchenshuggle 64

Aberdeen: Langfield, Foster, Severin, Diamond, Mulgrew, Duff, McDonald, Kerr, Aluko (Maguire 74), Miller, Mackie.
Subs Not Used: Bossu, Wright, Vidal, De Visscher, Mair, Considine.

Booked: Kerr, Mackie.

Goals: McDonald 24, Duff 31, Diamond 75, 78.

Celtic: Mark Brown, Hinkel, McManus, Caldwell, Robson, Nakamura, Scott Brown, Hartley, McGeady, Samaras (Vennegoor of Hesselink 67), McDonald.
Subs Not Used: Misun, Loovens, Mizuno, Crosas, O'Dea, Caddis.

Booked: McGeady, Scott Brown.

Goals: Scott Brown 25, McDonald 73.

Att: 18,100

Celtic continued today to ease our rival's worries and give them a psychological boost rather than metaphorically  'sticking the boot right in'.  They must be delighted at our failure to do so and that we have let them off the hook - again.  This was another awful result and a performance that confirms the crticisms expressed in this site over many months. We have now taken only 8 points from the last 18 and have a 2 point advantage instead of a possible 12, or somewhere in between.  We have had 7 point leads on two occasions this season and thrown them both away.

Mark Brown was in goal, replacing Artur Boruc who was injured in the warm up.  Am I paranoid or was this a ruse to drop Artur without attracting negative comment from  the press?  No, stop it, you know that isn't true.  Barry Robson was at left back and Aiden McGeady kept his place in the team. 

This was a rip-roaring contest with Aberdeen taking the lead in 24 minutes. A free kick swung into the corner of the box and Stuart Duff was allowed to turn by Hinkel and Nakamura. He crossed for an unmarked Gary McDonald to head home beautifully.  No chance for Brown in goal but what about McManus and Robson?  The latter was played out of position at full back so you get what you pay for.   McManus was nowhere - not smart enough to take up proper position nor quick enough to do something about it when he was found out.  Celtic replied a minute later when McGeady burst in the box and crossed, a neat step over by McDonald and Scott Brown fired home from 6 yards - a terrific goal.  Aberdeen took the lead six minutes later when another cross found Duff who shot home.

After the break Celtic started impressively and pressed Aberdeen back into their penalty area.  It was no surpise when Scott McDonald, who must have felt he was in the land of the giants such was the height of those around him, headed home form close range after good work on the left by Barry Robson.  Hinkel hit woodwork shortly afterwards with a mis-hit cross.  Mark Kerr then tackled Hinkel and received a yellow card - without doubt a red card was appropriate and this may have changed the course of the game.  It did seem after these incidents that it was to be the Dons' day.  Aberdeen had won their last 5 home games and were determined to win this one as well. Should they do so, and Dundee United falter in today's match against Motherwell, then Aberdeen would take 3rd position in the league.  Their determination was clearly greater that Celtic's.

Aberdeen scored again in 75 minutes when Charlie Mulgrew crossed for Zander Diamond (wanna swop him for McManus?) to head home. There was a bit of a stramash here with Jan Venegoor of Hesselink fouling Lee Miller.  The referee blew for a penalty but changed his mind when the ball ended up in the net.  Same again 3 minutes later when Mulgrew crossed and Diamond touched the ball home after it bounced near the goal line.  Hard to determine the goalkeeper's role in all this but he does seem to stay on his line too long.  Artur comes off his line and somtimes makes errors but this boy doesn't although, to be fair, Aberdeen played the cross ball brilliantly today.  Star man was Charlie Mulgrew who looks a really good player who was let go at Celtic.  Now we haven't got a replacement to lace his boots.  His was a masterclass of power, precision, vision and passing.  Gordon knows a player....err.....

Celtic had all the stats today, most shots on target, corners, possession etc etc and Aberdeen scored with 4 of their 5 shots on target and 7 shots in total.  Worringly, we are not particularly good at breaking down defences and our own is very poor.  The least we need is a left back and a replacement for McManus.  Caldwell ain't much better and the jury is still out on Hinkel and Wilson (please bring back Paul Telfer).  As far as Darren O'Dea is concerned - thanks for your loyalty to us, son, but get yourself away and make a good career elsewhere as we don't deserve you.  Giovanni Trapattoni, Republic of Ireland manager, thinks you're a good player but Gordon isn't so sure.  Loovens can take your place on the bench.  Samaras looks to be returning to the form that made Manchester City move him on although he may be struggling to find his form after injury.  How somebody of his height can't jump for a ball is a mystery.  McDonald leads the line well and McGeady showed up well but lacks the killer touch and doesn't retain possession well enough which is why he won't be playing in England or Spain anytime soon. 

I have consistently criticised the manager for his team selections and tactics. Whilst Celtic played reasonably well today, not fantastic as he said, the performance is not what I expect from a Celtic team.  It can be argued that this was a freak result and wouldn't happen again but I'm not sure. We have now lost 4 goals in two separate games this season and any Celtic side chasing the Championship should never lose 4 goals in any game. 

I repeat that, in my opinion, our success is, in the main, due to the poor state of our rivals and the gap that some say is there between the clubs clearly exists but only in financial terms and not in terms of performance on the field.  Whilst the manager continues to play his favourites irrespective of form or ability, we will struggle.  What Caddis, O'Dea and Crosas must be thinking I don't know.  Hutchinson, McCourt, Mizuno, Misun (on the bench today as he is also a reasonable substitute goalkeeper!!) - will you ever see the light of day?  As for Bobo Balde - you're paying the man so play him and if he doesn't suit the vision you have then do Caldwell or McManus?   I think not.  I'm looking forward to the results of the transfer window but will probably need to be content with a good balance sheet again this year.

In summation I say to the directors, management and players - Celtic Football Club is more than a football club so thanks for your efforts to enhance our cause. However, I was here before you came along and me and my successors will be here long after you have gone.  Please use your talent and position to advance our cause for which we will be grateful and will give you support and adulation.  Otherwise go and work somewhere else please.  Remember that you only have to turn up at Lennoxtown in an executive motor on Monday morning but I and others like me have to endure the humiliation of failure in a mixed support workplace (that puts it mildly). 

Referee: Dougie McDonald  5/10 - a point or two deducted for the failure to send off Mark Kerr which was a real shocker.  He also blew the whistle for a penalty at the third goal which stopped play and prevented the advantage rule being applied.  He then awarded a goal for what followed.  He also takes the rap for his linesman treating Scott Brown as public enemy number one for running towards the Celtic support to celebrate his goal - shame.

Man of the Match  -  Charlie Mulgrew

Review by Auchenshuggle 64

Celtic  v  Dundee   Saturday 10 January 2009

Scottish Cup 4th Round

Celtic  2  Dundee  1            

Review by Auchenshuggle 64

Celtic: Boruc, Caddis, Loovens, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Scott Brown, Crosas (Robson 64), McGeady, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 70), McDonald.
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Caldwell, Mizuno.

Booked: Scott Brown.

Goals: Scott Brown 37, McGeady 44.

Dundee: Douglas, Paton, Lauchlan, McKeown, Malone, Shinnie (Antoine-Curier 78), Cowan (Benedictus 90), Posniak (McHale 68), O'Brien, Daquin, McMenamin.
Subs Not Used: Roy, Williams.

Goal: McMenamin 14.

Att: 23,070

Man of the Match   Scott Brown

You were always going to be able to sit besides you family and friends today as Celtic supporters don't turn up in numbers for Scottish Cup matches, unless it's a final of course - yes, you know who you are!! A pathetic crowd of 23,000 turned up and remained silent throughout.  Dundee brought a healthy support and due to their poor performance I haven't had the opportunity to see them play for many a year.  Sadly, their affinity with our Glasgow rivals remains undiminished and Scotland's Shame lives on in the east.  This game was played in shocking weather conditions and it was to the credit of all the players that they played decent football.

I expected this to be an easy victory for Celtic but despite our pressure and a lot of chances it did not turn out this way.  Dundee took the lead in 14 minutes when Artur ran out side his penaly area and took a fresh air swipe at the ball, missed it completely and McMenamin ran out to steady himself to strike home.  Artur looked briefy at the soles of both boots as if they had contributed to his error - that was absolutely hilarious and well worth the ticket money on its own.  Artur's errors are becoming commonplace and everybody just forgot about it.  The Holy Goalie does need a break but how Gordon Strachan manages this is up to him.  How any of us can ever hope to win the Predictor League while Artur remains in goal, I will never know.

Scott Brown equalised in 38 minutes after a good run and finish. He should do this more often as he looks dangerous in the box.  Aiden McGeady made a similar run in 45 minutes and slammed home from 8 yards.  Celtic had chances in the second half but bad luck and poor finishing contributed to the score reamining the same until full-time.  Whilst Scott McDonald has had some deserved credit for his unselfish team play recently, he was especially selfish today and we could have had more goals if he had been more circumspect near goal.  I also note a frustration amongst the support when Giorgios Samaras gets the ball and when he makes the final pass - don't understand that when McDonald has been getting away with poor decision-making for some time now.  Aiden McGeady returned to duty and played well but, again, his final ball was poor and several times made the wrong choice of pass.  Everything else was as normal and we faced a ten-men-behind-the-ball outfit again with the same predictable success.

A good determined performance by Celtic and the key was progress to the next round of the Scottish Cup.  Well done to all.

Review by Auchenshuggle 64