Pathetic true but it could just pay off now...

Spirited Celts claim a point

Scottish Premier League
Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Saturday, October 15, 2011

KILMARNOCK…3
Shiels 26, Heffernan 40, Fowler 45

CELTIC…3
Stokes 73, 75, Mulgrew 80

CELTIC staged an incredible comeback, scoring three goals in the space of eight minutes, to claim a share of the spoils at Rugby Park.

Trailing 3-0 at the break, the Hoops looked dead and buried, but a brilliant brace from Anthony Stokes and a header from Charlie Mulgrew saw Neil Lennon’s men grab an unlikely point.

There had been four changes from the team which faced Hearts in Celtic’s last league outing before the two-week international break, with Joe Ledley, Beram Kayal, Stokes and Cha all returning to the starting XI.

With space in midfield at a premium, both sides struggled to fashion any clear chances in the opening stages. Although an incisive pass from Ki nearly released James Forrest on the right, with Finnish stopper Anssi Jaakkola needing to be alert to rush out and deny him.

The winger was then involved in the move which should have put Celtic in front in the 12th minute. Collecting possession on the right, his perfectly weighted pass sent Cha scampering clear, and the full-back’s cut-back arrived invitingly for Stokes at the far post but he blazed over with the goal at his mercy. It would prove costly.

The hosts had posed little threat at this stage, and it took them until midway through the half to muster their first attempt as Manuel Pascali fired over following Gary Harkins’ knockdown.

But in the 26th minute they made the breakthrough. Paul Heffernan fastened on to a long pass, held the ball up and picked out Dean Shiels, who took a touch before drilling a shot past Forster.

The dangerous Shiels had another chance to test the Hoops shot-stopper shortly after when afforded space at the edge of the box, but a deflection sucked any venom out of his effort.

Celtic attempted to rally, with Stokes and Forrest to the fore, yet it was the home side who came within inches of doubling their advantage as Liam Kelly’s thunderous drive from 30 yards forced Forster into an wonderful stop.

Brimming with confidence they added a second five minutes before the break. It was no surprise to see the influential Shiels as the instigator. This time he manufactured some space on the left, before sliding a clever ball across goal which Heffernan converted.

Celtic were still reeling from that strike when they gifted Kilmarnock a third goal on the stroke of half-time. Mulgrew’s pass back to Forster was far too short and James Fowler stole in to lob the keeper and round off a disastrous 45 minutes for Neil Lennon’s men.

The Hoops boss made two changes during the interval in a bid to find an unlikely avenue back into the contest, with Mohamed Bangura and Victor Wanyama replacing Gary Hooper and Kayal.

Against a hard-working home side it took until the 55th minute before Ki created some space and fired over from distance. The South Korean then saw another shot blocked by Mohamadou Sissoko after a spirited run down the right from Forrest.

Celtic were now beginning to enjoy more possession and force some sustained pressure, and Cha tested Jaakkola after cutting in from the right. However, at the other end, Heffernan nearly diverted Shiels’ shot past Forster as Celtic committed more men forward.

Roared on by a raucous visiting support, Celtic eventually pulled a goal back. Forrest was fouled 25 yards from goal and Stokes curled a tremendous free-kick into the top corner.

And two minutes later, the striker brought the Hoops right back into the contest. Collecting possession outside the area, he spun and rifled a shot into the bottom corner.

All the momentum was with Celtic now and they completed a remarkable fight-back four minutes later. Ki flighted a free-kick towards the back post, Daniel Majstorovic nodded it across goal and Mulgrew headed home.

Celtic poured forward in search of a dramatic winner with the home side being forced into some desperate defending, although the closest they came was a Majstorovic header which flashed wide.

Still, after appearing dead and buried at the break, the manager will be able to take some comfort from the spirit his players showed in the second-half.

CELTIC (4-4-2) Forster; Cha (El Kaddouri 68) Majstorovic, Mulgrew, Matthews; Forrest, Ki, Kayal (Wanyama 45) Ledley; Hooper (Bangura 45) Stokes
Not Used: Zaluska, M. Wilson, Rogne, Loovens.

KILMARNOCK (4-4-2) Jaakkola; Pursehouse, Buijs, Sissoko, McKeown; Fowler,Pascali, Kelly, Shiels; Harkins, Heffernan;
Not Used: Letheren, Hay, Silva, Dayton, Kroca, Fisher, Kennedy

Website Man of the Match: James Forrest

UEFA accept possibility of Sion return in Europa League
Sion will be "re-integrated" into Celtic's group if CAS rules in favour of Swiss side.

UEFA have urged FC Sion to recognise the authority of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in their dispute over the Swiss club's Europa League ejection, stating that they will allow them to rejoin the competition if the ruling is in their favour.

The European governing body threw Sion out of the competition and reinstated Celtic in their place after disciplining the Swiss club for fielding players deemed ineligible.

Sion lost an appeal but took their case through the Swiss courts and obtained judgements in their favour. UEFA refused to recognise the court orders, stating that sporting competition rules were not subject to Swiss law and could only be overturned by CAS.

Reports in Switzerland suggested that the court order won by Sion was enforceable by Monday, prompting UEFA to issue a statement confirming that CAS was the body with the relevant authority to act, and that it had asked for a speedy resolution.

The statement read: "In a decision transmitted yesterday to the parties, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne confirmed its competence to decide on the merits of the UEFA vs. FC Sion case, dismissed the demand of FC Sion to stay the proceedings, confirmed the nomination of the arbitrator originally chosen by FC Sion, stating twice in its decision the "clear abuse of CAS procedures" by FC Sion.

"In order to solve this case quickly and in the best interests of the competition and all its participants, UEFA filed a request for an accelerated procedure to CAS on 26 September. The Swiss civil courts have already recognised the competence of CAS to decide on the merits and so FC Sion's repeated attempts to obstruct the CAS proceedings is clearly unjustified and shows bad faith."

The governing body said that Sion's repeated use of the Swiss courts was not only irrelevant to the existing procedure for such disputes but also had an unsettling effect for the other clubs in Group I: Celtic, Udinese, Rennes and Atletico Madrid.

However, UEFA did state that Sion would be allowed back into the group if they won a decision from CAS.

An accelerated procedure – as proposed by UEFA – would allow FC Sion to be reintegrated to the group, provided it wins on the merits.

The statement continued: "This would be accepted by all the other clubs since they have agreed to the same conditions. Here we note that equality of treatment is a basic principle of sporting fairness and is also usually accepted in the courts. UEFA fails to understand why FC Sion is "abusing procedures" to delay a decision on the merits."

UEFA did not explain how the return of SIon would be engineered but it seems likely that creating a five team group would be a workable solution, though it would create more games for each participant in Group I. The governing body also stressed that Sion's current approach of pursuing the matter through the Swiss courts was delaying any CAS ruling and would have a further detrimental effect on the competition.

Time for a new manager?
If Lennon gets the sack... Who will they approach?

Ledley header seals well-earned draw in France

20 October 2011
UEFA Europa League
Stade de la Route de Lorient
Att: 21,825

RENNES 1
(Cha 30)

CELTIC 1
(Ledley 70)

JOE Ledley’s second-half equaliser sealed a share of the points as Celtic came from behind to draw 1-1 with Renne in the third match of the UEFA Europa League.

A defensive mix-up 30 minutes in gifted the home side the lead after Cha Du Ri slid the ball into his own net, but a spirited and composed display brought the Hoops back into the match to pick up a well-deserved point.

Neil Lennon had made two changes to the side, bringing in Victor Wanyama and Glenn Loovens while Daniel Majstorovic dropped to the bench and Gary Hooper missed out through injury.

Ki Sung Yueng had the first chance, just seconds into the match, before Wanyama cleared the danger from the feet of Abdoulrazak Boukari at the opposite end.

And the Kenyan was there to block another attack on 15 minutes, this time Boukari had turned provider, back-heeling a crafty pass to Youssouf Hadji in the middle of the box.

Nine minutes later Celtic had a good opportunity to open the scoring when lone-striker Anthony Stokes skipped past Kader Mangane, but Rennes keeper, Benoit Costil, knocked it over the bar.

The Hoops were playing a good passing game, with their next attack coming almost immediately, this time with Ki driving a low effort just passed the near post.

But their efforts were squandered on 30 minutes by a piece of slack defending. Cha, the only outfield player in Celtic’s half, made a pass-back to Fraser Forster, but his touch went beyond the keeper and both could do nothing but watch as it agonisingly crawled over the line, gifting Rennes the lead.

And clearly boosted by the goal, the home side attacked three minutes later, with Alexander Tettey crossing the ball to Hadji. There was relief for Celtic, though, as the striker headed it over the bar.

Rennes went into the break with the goal advantage and almost went two ahead on 49 minutes. Tettey showed great strength inside the box but was eventually closed down by Loovens and Wanyama, with the Dutchman turning the ball away from his feet and clearing the danger.

Forster then blocked another chance for the home side, deflecting Chris Mavinga’s shot passed the post after Julien Feret had slid the ball into his feet at the edge of the box.

Substitute Jonathan Pitroipa posed an immediate threat, outpacing Adam Matthews and then setting up Hadji, but Rennes couldn’t find a second goal.

Stokes had another opportunity at the opposite end just after the hour mark, this time playing a one-two with Cha. With space inside the box he unleashed an effort but directed it straight at the keeper, who punched it clear.

Cha was involved again a minute later, forcing Costil to parry his shot away, only for it to fall at the feet of Ki. The midfielder couldn’t keep it on target, though, and powerfully hit it just over the crossbar.

Celtic were getting more of the ball as the second-half progressed and their hard-work paid off on 70 minutes when Ledley headed in the equaliser.

Captain for the evening, Charlie Mulgrew, swung in a free-kick from the right flank and the Welshman made a good connection, curling it past Costil and into the top corner of the net.

And five minutes later Mulgrew lined up another free-kick, this time more central and 30-yards from goal. He took it himself but despite the keeper missing it, it went beyond his left post.

Hadji had the chance to seal the victory for Rennes on 80 minutes with a spectacular overhead kick, but Forster pulled off a magnificent save to keep Celtic in the game.

Stokes showed great control in midfield keeping a hold of the ball before playing a one-two with Ki, but as he was played onside Magane slid in with a well-timed challenge to clear the ball from his feet.

Hadji almost struck a winner inside injury time, but again, Forster punched the ball clear for Celtic to seal a share of the points.

RENNES (4-1-3-1-2): Costil; Jebbour, Mangane, Kana-Biyik, Mavinga (Theophile-Catherine 76); Tettey; Pajot, Brahimi (Pitroipa 58), Feret; Boukari (Kembo-Ekoko 58), Hadji
Subs not used: Diallo, Dalmat, Montano, Doumbia

CELTIC (4-2-3-1): Forster; Matthews, Loovens, Mulgrew, Ledley; Kayal, Wanyama; Cha, Ki (Bangura 89), Forrest; Stokes
Subs not used: Zaluska, Majstorovic, Wilson, McCourt, George, McGregor

Website man of the match: Victor Wanyama

Lennon is apparently a target for Leicester.

Rennes rattled by super Celtic

Rennes rattled by super Celtic

Anthony Stokes' brace and a late strike from Gary Hooper gave battling Celtic a well-deserved 3-1 Europa League win over Rennes at Parkhead.

When Rennes skipper Kader Mangane headed the French side into the lead from a Julien Feret corner with less than two minutes on the clock it looked like being a long night for Neil Lennon's men.

However, in a spirited comeback James Forrest's drive on the half-hour mark was parried by Rennes keeper Benoit Costil to the feet of Stokes who knocked into the net from close range.

Two minutes before the break the Irishman grabbed his second with a drive after racing onto a Georgios Samaras header and in the 81st minute the Greece striker set up Hooper to score number three as the visitors finished with 10 men after star midfielder Yann M'Vila was sent off after picking up two yellow cards.

Battling Celts beat Motherwell

6 November 2011
Scottish Premier League
Fir Park

MOTHERWELL 1
(Higdon 11)

CELTIC 2
(Stokes 14, Hooper 80)

SUBSTITUTE Gary Hooper came off the bench to score the winning goal and seal an important 2-1 victory for Celtic as they leapfrogged Motherwell back into second place.

The Hoops came from behind after an early Michael Higdon header had opened the scoring, but an equaliser from Anthony Stokes, followed by a well-worked team effort for the winner sealed the vital three points.

Motherwell were reduced to 10 men with seven minutes remaining, but the victory was already secured for Neil Lennon’s side who had done well to build on their midweek UEFA Europa League win against Rennes.

It was a lively start to such an important match for Celtic, but amid a heated atmosphere inside a packed Fir Park, it was the home side who took the lead.

Tom Hateley sent a cross into the box from the left wing and Higdon headed it beyond Fraser Forster and into the net on 11 minutes.

It was another early setback for the Hoops, but they didn’t let their heads drop and focused on finding an equaliser. And it came almost instantly.

Kris Commons, who had returned to the starting XI, along with Thomas Rogne, swung a corner in three minutes later. Georgios Samaras directed it down to Stokes’ feet and at the far post from six-yards out, the Irishman slammed a high right-footed effort past Darren Randolph.

The match continued to be played from end-to-end. Samaras came close for Celtic, with his shot taking a deflection and going just past the post, while Higdon had another good effort at the opposite end, only for it to be saved by Forster.

As the match progressed, Celtic enjoyed the majority of possession, but Motherwell defended well and wouldn’t let the midfield break them down. And the frustration continued for the Hoops as the half-time break approached, still unable to get the better of the home side.

Into the second-half, Stokes collected the ball inside the box on 49 minutes, but he was sandwiched between two defenders as he turned and struck the ball. Unable to get a clean swipe at it, the effort wasn’t threatening enough to cause problems for Randolph and he caught it with ease.

Nicky Law then had a chance at the opposite end, six minutes later. However, Forster came off his line to block it and then make the clearance.

Jamie Murphy then caused danger down the left flank but his ball into the penalty area was cleared by Victor Wanyama. From that break, substitute Hooper linked up well with Stokes, as Celtic continued to cause problems for the ‘Well backline, but it took another 10 minutes before they could open them up.

On 80 minutes, Paddy McCourt, who had replaced Samaras, weaved his way through the middle third, playing the ball through for Stokes. The Irishman raced to the by-line before sliding the ball through for Hooper, who knocked it into the net from a yard out, putting Celtic 2-1 ahead.

And Motherwell were then dealt another blow shortly after, when Tim Clancy was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident involving Hooper.

With the points in the bag, the manager then introduced Dylan McGeouch for his Hoops debut and the visitors played out stoppage time to secure the 2-1 victory.

MOTHERWELL (4-5-1): Randolph; Hately, Clancy, Craigan, Hammell; Humphrey (Daley 80), Lasley, Jennings (Carswell 73), Law, Murphy (Hutchinson 80); Higdon
Subs not used: Bradley, Forbes, Smith, Page

CELTIC (4-2-3-1): Forster; Cha, Majstorovic, Rogne, Matthews; Wanyama, Kayal; Forrest (McGeouch 89), Commons (Hooper 62), Samaras (McCourt 76); Stokes
Subs not used: Zaluska, Chalmers, Fraser, McGregor

Website man of the match: Anthony Stokes

Young Celts sink City in Paradise

NextGen Series
Celtic Park, Glasgow
Monday, November 7, 2011

CELTIC…2
(McGeouch 34, Fraser 41)

MANCHESTER CITY…1
(Rusnak 67)

CELTIC Under-19s maintained their ambitions of progressing to the knock-out stages of the NextGen Series with a terrific 2-1 victory over Manchester City in Paradise.

Dylan McGeouch and Marcus Fraser capped off a dream week by grabbing a goal apiece in the first half, just days after both made their full top-team Hoops debut.

Although the visitors pulled a goal back midway through the second-half through Albert Rusnak, the young Hoops comfortably saw out the match to collect maximum points, an outcome which they thoroughly merited, given their dominance of proceedings.

The result leaves the young Celts on six points, three behind second-placed Marseille with two matches remaining.

Both Fraser and McGeouch, who had made their first-team bow against Rennes and Motherwell respectively in the past week, were among those named in the starting XI.

And it was the young Hoops who created the first opportunity after four minutes. Paul George burst forward down the left and released the overlapping Joe Chalmers, whose inviting cross was met by Tony Watt. However, the striker couldn’t keep his header down.

Watt was in the thick of the action minutes later, utilising his power and pace to get in behind City right-back, Tom Smith, but a heavy final touch saw him lose control at the vital moment.

While Celtic were making the early running, Michael Miller had to be alert at the other end to make an excellent sliding challenge on Adam Drury, preventing the winger from pulling the trigger.

And Jordi Hiwula completely mis-hit his shot when presented with a clear sight of goal in the six-yard box.

It had been an entertaining opening, keeping a healthy crowd at Celtic Park absorbed on a bitter November evening, and only a last-gasp challenge from Courtney Meppen-Watters halted Watt from bearing down on goal.

An interception from the lively George then allowed him the opportunity to run at the City defence. The Irish youngster didn't need a second invitation but was crowded out before shooting. Shortly after, McGeouch, who was becoming a growing influence, curled a shot narrowly over.

It was now one-way traffic and Drury felt the full force of a stinging shot from McGeouch after a cleverly-worked corner.

City left-back Ellis Plummer was then afforded a rare sight of goal as he embarked on an enterprising run towards the box but his shot was deflected wide.

Just past the midway point of the half, Jackson Irvine, who had spent most of the evening as the deepest of the midfielders, broke forward and came close on two occasions.

After being picked out by McGeouch’s chip his left-footed volley was pushed away by City stopper, Tom Halsall. And from the resultant corner, he glanced a header narrowly wide of the post.

However, Celtic finally made the breakthrough their dominance deserved in the 34th minute. After a neat passing move, McGeouch collected possession at the edge of the area and drove into the box, drifting past several opponents, before sending an accurate left-foot shot into the far corner.

That prompted the English outfit into an immediate response as the dangerous Joan Roman, who had struck a brace in the corresponding fixture in Manchester, saw a deflected free-kick pushed away by Robbie Thomson.

The same player then embarked on a solo run along the byline, forcing the young shot-stopper into another smart save.

However, the young Hoops went swiftly up the other end and ruthlessly doubled their advantage, through captain, Fraser. Fastening on to McGeouch’s corner at the far post, he spun quickly and steered the ball into the net.

With frustration growing among the visitors’ ranks, Plummer entered the referee’s book for a reckless challenge on Irvine, which left the midfielder requiring treatment. Thankfully, he was able to continue.

Hiwala spurned a chance to test Thomson at the start of the second-half, firing wildly over from 20 yards as the visitors attempted to search for a way back into the contest.

There had been a number of strong challenges coming from the English side and Roman entered the book for a trip on John Herron, before Smith clattered into George, leaving the young winger in some pain.

The young Celts continued to look capable of adding to their advantage, though. A cutback from Irvine narrowly evaded a clutch of attackers and Watt’s spin and shot in the box went straight at Halsall.

The home side appeared in complete command at this stage but the visitors suddenly pulled a goal back in spectacular style as Albert Rusnak cut inside one challenge before unleashing an unstoppable effort into the top corner from 25 yards.

That gave City renewed hope and Roman stung Thomson’s hands with a ferocious shot.

However, Fraser came agonisingly close to restoring the two-goal advantage as he headed McGeouch’s free-kick just past the post. Callum McGregor then rifled a shot over from 20 yards as the youths continued to fashion some decent openings.

Drury provided a late scare for the home side, dragging his shot off target from inside the box. And after that, the youngsters held firm to see out the final minutes and secure an excellent victory.

CELTIC (4-1-4-1) Thomson; Miller, Fraser, Findlay, Chalmers; Irvine; Herron (Fisher 90) McGeouch, McGregor, George; Watt
Not Used: Twardzik, Feely, Bogle, O’Brien, Atajic, Murrell-Williamson

MAN CITY (4-2-3-1) Halsall; Smith, Tse, Meppen-Walters, Plummer; Clowes (King 69) Suarez; Roman, Rusnak, Drury (Henshall 84); Hiwula (Coulson 56)
Not Used: Sharp, Cole, Leigh, Glendon

Website Man of the Match: Jackson Irvine

Ki taken to hospital in Korea for brain scan after being struck by mystery illness

Celtic midfielder Ki Sung Yeung has been stricken with a mystery illness - and is awaiting the outcome of brain scans aimed at finding out what has made him sick and dizzy for days.

The Hoops star reported for international duty with South Korea despite having missed Celtic's last two games through illness.

On arriving in Seoul, however, his conditioned had worsened to such a degree that he headed straight for the hospital.

Ki told reporters in his homeland that he travelled thinking he would feel better in a day or two, but said: 'I was then feeling really sick and dizzy, so I had to get attention. Hopefully I'll know more by tomorrow.'

Several sources in Korea reported that, in addition to having blood taken to test for a stomach infection, Ki also underwent a brain scan as a precaution.

A representative of the player said: 'We can't say what kind of tests he's had, just that he couldn't stop vomiting and was feeling dizzy. We'll have some results by tomorrow.'

South Korea are due to play the United Arab Emirates in a World Cup qualifier in the Gulf on Friday but it is uncertain if Ki will be fit enough to travel with the squad.

Celtic will be looking for the South Korean FA to act on the cautious side with their player, whose loss for any length of time would be another hammer blow to a squad already decimated by injury.

The 22-year-old has become an integral part of Neil Lennon's midfield and has attracted Premiership attention with his displays.