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bhoys begin title defence with a win
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CELTIC kicked off the new campaign with a victory over St Mirren at Celtic Park, with Barry Robson’s spot-kick sealing a 1-0 win for the Champions.
The midfielder enjoyed a spot of good fortune as his shot bobbled past the keeper and across the line, but Gordon Strachan’s men certainly deserved to take all three points, forcing all of the attacking play against a well-organised and defensive opponent.
As the curtain raiser for Celtic’s season, ‘Flag-day’ is traditionally one of celebration for the club and supporters, but this year it was tinged with emotion, evoking memories of absent friends and a remarkable campaign past.
Standing alongside Celtic captain, Stephen McManus and chairman, Dr John Reid, Rosemary Burns helped lift the championship flag while the tributes to her late husband, Celtic legend Tommy, rang out across the stands.
The pre-match event will also have served as an eye-opener for new Bhoy, Marc Crosas, as the 20-year-old signing from Barcelona was introduced to the crowd to great acclaim.
Such events have, in the past, served to inspire Celtic’s opponents as well though and, not wanting to be forgotten on the big stage, St Mirren started the first half strongly.
With Billy Mehmet operating as the lone frontman, Gus MacPherson’s plan was to pack the defensive ranks and attempt to hit Celtic on the counter attack, with the opposition manager’s five-man midfield expected to do the bulk of the running.
Their attempts to get forward were easily thwarted by a solid-looking Celtic back four, with Gary Caldwell a stand-out with a series of excellent challenges and equally impressive distribution.
Celtic’s own opportunities were few and far between, though, and for all the patient build-up and sudden injection of pace, they found it difficult to break down the Paisley side.
But with around 10 minutes remaining, the determination and skill of Aiden McGeady and Scott Brown exposed a couple of weaknesses in the armour and inspired some hope for the second period.
That said, it was the visitors who kicked off the second half with the first real chance of the game and the Celtic back four were relieved to see Artur Boruc touch a Mehmet shot onto the post, before Lee Naylor got in the way of Stephen O’Donnell’s attempt on the rebound.
Celtic’s response was immediate and seconds later, after breaking forward quickly, goalkeeper Mark Howard did well to scramble away a Caldwell header on the goal line.
With Celtic still forcing the attacking play and St Mirren defending in numbers, it seemed only a matter of time before they carved out another opening, although when the opportunity did arise, it was presented to them on a plate thanks to a defensive error.
Centre-back and former Celt, John Potter was the guilty man, with his pass-back lacking in conviction and allowing Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to get in in front of Will Haining.
With the defender pulling at his shirt, the big Dutchman sent his shot spinning wide, but referee Eddie Smith had seen enough to award the penalty and produce a straight red for Haining.
It was Robson, the scorer of a vitally important penalty against Rangers last season, who stepped forward and after hammering the ball low to the keeper’s left, watched as Howard got a hand to it before it spun up and over the line.
This goal and the sending off effectively finished off St Mirren’s chances of coming back into the match and as the players lined up for the restart, Gus MacPherson made two changes designed to shore up his defence.
As the match entered the closing stages they did, however, push for a late leveller, with Dennis Wyness joining Mehmet in attack. But it was a case of too little, too late for a side who had defended well for 90 minutes.
Celtic may not have had it all their own way in this opening game of the season, but their performance certainly merited the victory.
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5 days ago
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CELTIC FIXTURES 2008/09
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10/08/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League St. Mirren 12:30 H
16/08/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Dundee United 15:00 A
23/08/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Falkirk 15:00 H
30/08/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Rangers 15:00 H
13/09/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Motherwell 15:00 A
20/09/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Kilmarnock 15:00 A
27/09/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Aberdeen 15:00 H
04/10/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Hamilton Academical 15:00 H
18/10/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Inverness CT 15:00 A
25/10/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Hibernian 15:00 H
01/11/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Heart of Midlothian 15:00 A
08/11/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Motherwell 15:00 H
12/11/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Kilmarnock 19:45 H
15/11/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Hamilton Academical 15:00 A
22/11/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League St. Mirren 15:00 A
29/11/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Inverness CT 15:00 H
06/12/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Hibernian 15:00 A
13/12/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Heart of Midlothian 15:00 H
20/12/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Falkirk 15:00 A
27/12/2008 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Rangers 15:00 A
03/01/2009 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Dundee United 15:00 H
17/01/2009 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Aberdeen 15:00 A
24/01/2009 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Hibernian 15:00 H
31/01/2009 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Inverness CT 15:00 A
14/02/2009 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Rangers 15:00 H
21/02/2009 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Motherwell 15:00 A
28/02/2009 Clydesdale Bank Premier League St. Mirren 15:00 H
04/03/2009 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Kilmarnock 19:45 A
14/03/2009 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Falkirk 15:00 H
21/03/2009 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Dundee United 15:00 A
04/04/2009 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Hamilton Academical 15:00 H
11/04/2009 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Heart of Midlothian 15:00 A
18/04/2009 Clydesdale Bank Premier League Aberdeen 15:00 H
Fixtures are not final and dates and kick off times may be subject to change.
All kick off times are Celtic Park time.
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61 days ago
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Champions
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GORDON Strachan has led Celtic to a third consecutive league title, an historic achievement that was secured on an emotional night at Tannadice.
The celebrations among players, management and supporters was tinged with sadness, with the memory of Tommy Burns’ passing still fresh in everyone’s minds. And they wore special t-shirts in tribute to the late, great Celt as they acknowledged the acclaim of the vast travelling Celtic support.
The t-shirts bore an iconic picture of Tommy along with the words ‘YOU’LL ALWAYS BE WITH US’, and the title triumph was dedicated to him.
Gordon Strachan has now ensured his own place in Celtic’s long and illustrious history, becoming only the third manager after Willie Maley and Jock Stein to win three consecutive league titles.
It has been a phenomenal achievement by the Hoops boss and his team, though it was one they always believed was possible.
Speaking to the assembled media after the match the Celtic manager said: “I want to say it has been an incredible night and an incredible season.
“I thank the players for their belief and character and ability. It has been the most memorable season I have ever had in my life.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and I have achieved what I set out to do. Now I want to go and be with people who have supported us and believed in us all season.”
The three-in-a-row triumph was praised by Celtic chairman John Reid, who singled out the manager as the key figure in the success.
He said: “I said a couple of months ago that what we needed was character and courage, and a degree of unity, everybody behind the team.
“And, by God, we certainly got that. I’m particularly delighted for Gordon Strachan. To be the only other manager apart from Willie Maley and Jock Stein to have won three in a row, I think Gordon has answered his critics in the best way to do it, on the football park. And he’s done it by trying to play the Celtic way.”
Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “It’s been a week for this club that we should all be proud of.
“It’s been a very emotional week, terrible grief, terrible sorrow – but tonight we can be proud to be a Celtic supporter.
“We’ve been written off and come back. It’s a wonderful night for this club. As for Gordon Strachan, he goes down in Celtic’s history as a legend."
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85 days ago
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CELTICS PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE |
by
Jonjo
18/07/2008 Friendly Southampton 19:45 A
19/07/2008 Friendly Fulham 15:00 A
22/07/2008 Algarve Challenge Cup Middlesbrough TBA N
24/07/2008 Algarve Challenge Cup Cardiff City TBA N
26/07/2008 Friendly Oporto TBA A
01/08/2008 Feyenoord Jubilee Tournament Tottenham Hotspur 17:30 A
03/08/2008 Feyenoord Jubilee Tournament Feyenoord 19:00 A
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8 weeks ago |
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new babes pics |
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Holy Goalie
heres to all the celtic babes, some pics are posted now of celtic babes, if you have a pic you would like us to upload. send it to celticsupportersview@hotmail.co.uk or let us know your profile and we can take it from there.
let me know what u think so far.
ohhh the rangers are shite.
TAL
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12 weeks ago |
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TOMMY BURNS FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS |
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Jonjo
The funeral of Tommy Burns will take place on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at St. Mary's Church, Abercromby Street, Calton, Glasgow. The Requiem Mass will begin at 12noon.
St. Mary's is a parish which Tommy was extremely close to personally. St. Mary's Church Hall was also the birthplace of Celtic Football Club, when in November 1887, Brother Walfrid along with others discussed the establishment of a football club to feed the poor in the East End of Glasgow.
Unfortunately, due to restrictions on seating at the church, access to the service will be predominantly for family, friends and club representatives and there will only be very limited public access.
Following the Requiem Mass, the funeral cortege will pass by the Main Stand at Celtic Park where supporters will have the opportunity to pay their respects to Tommy Burns.
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13 weeks ago |
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