SO EASY

Celtic easily swept aside a very poor Dunfermline team in this one sided show at East End Park.

The score in this one could well have reached double figures such was the superiority Martin O’Neill’s men had.

Man of the match Bobo Balde opened the scoring with a fine header after only 7 minutes and when John Hartson slotted home number two after 20 minutes this match was over as a contest.

John Hartson scored his second goal of the game after just 15 minutes of the second half.

The best goal of the game however was kept for last and it was a cracker.

Henrik Larsson crashed a free kick against the Dunfermline wall and when the ball rebounded to Alan Thomson he let fly a vicious volley that gave the Dunfermline keeper no chance.

This goal may well be a contender for goal of the season.

The game was well over by this stage but to their credit Celtic continued to push for more goals.

What we all thought would be a tight match turned out to be a stroll in the park with no sign of any European hangover.

The players now deserve their midweek break and this will give them a chance to recharge their bodies for the league and cups schedule that lies ahead.

Our next game is at Celtic Park on Saturday against Dundee, a preview of this game will be posted later in the week.

Website Man of the Match: BOBO BALDE

DUNFERMLINE (3-5-2): Ruitenbeek; McPherson (Skinner 46), Skerla, Thomson; Hampshire, Ferguson, Nicholson, Mason, Petrie (McGroarty 71); Crawford, Bullen

Subs: Harrower, Dair, Nish

CELTIC (3-5-2): Douglas; Mjallby, Balde, Valgaeren; Petrov (Maloney 73), Lennon (Sylla 67), Lambert (McNamara 46), Thompson, Guppy; Larsson, Hartson

Subs: Gould, Maloney, Smith

Referee : Alan Freeman

Attendance :8,702

Over & Out

Celtic crash out on penalties

Celtic’s European adventure for season 2001-2002 ended in dramatic fashion at Celtic Park last night after an agonising penalty shoot-out.

Celtic had managed to make the tie all square with an excellent strike by Henrik Larsson right on the stroke of half time.

The goal by Larsson makes him Celtic’s highest scorer in European Competition with a tally of 17 overtaking the previous holder Lisbon Lion Jimmy Johnstone.

This match will live long in the memory of the fans that were in attendance and those who were able to tune in at home to take in the action.

Celtic tried everything they could to conjure up a second goal that would have surely seen them through to the last 16 but alas the goal never came in the 90 minutes or indeed the 30 minutes of extra time.

So we then had the dreaded penalty shoot out. Things looked to be going Celtic’s way when they led 2-1 on penalties with Henrik Larsson ready to take his spot kick, however much to the fans dismay Henrik hammered the ball over the bar and the chance was gone.

Valencia equalised to make it 2-2 and then up stepped Stilian Petrov to drive his spot kick past the keeper’s left hand post.

Valencia than had the chance to wrap thing’s up but Rab Douglas pulled off a great save to keep our hope’s alive.

John Hartson who almost won us the game right on time stepped up to put Celtic ahead again this time with a sudden death penalty but Valencia managed to pull us back once again.

Next up was the hero of the recent Old Firm game Joos Valgaeren, his spot kick was saved but dramatically the referee ordered a retake, once again big Joos took his run up but Canizares in the Valencia goal saved again and the huge Celtic support feared the worst.

Valencia did not miss their chance to punish Celtic for their three missed penalties and to his credit Valencia’s Mista did not let the Celtic crowd behind the goal intimidate him as he coolly stroked his spot kick home.

So Celtic’s fantastic ten matches in a great European adventure were ended in such a cruel fashion.

Celtic had some outstanding individual performances on the night with Neil Lennon and Bobo Balde being the top of the list.

What can you say when trying to sum up an evening such as last night?

Things now switch back to the bread and butter of the SPL when we face Dunfermline at East End Park on Sunday afternoon.

Hopefully last night’s game will not have an adverse effect on a team who have performed so well since Martin O’Neill took the helm.

A preview of Sunday’s game will be posted on Saturday.

CELTIC                              VALENCIA
Lambert scores                  Carew scores
Thompson scores               Vicente misses
Larsson misses                  dos Santos scores
Petrov misses                     Sanchez scores
Sutton scores                      Ayala misses
Hartson scores                    Pellegrino scores
Valgaeren misses                Mista scores

Website Man of the Match: BOBO BALDE

CELTIC (3-5-2): Douglas; Mjallby, Balde, Valgaeren; Petrov, Lambert, Lennon, Moravcik (Sylla 55, Hartson 111), Petta (Thompson 78); Larsson, Sutton
Subs: Gould, McNamara, Tebily, Malone

VALENCIA (3-4-1-1): Canizares; Pellegrino, Ayala, Djukic; Torres (Angloma 46),De Los Santos, Rodriguez (Mista 67), Vicente; Aimar (Sanchez 82), Carew
Subs: Palop, Baraja, Bellesta, Marchena

THREE & EASY

AND NOW WE'RE TWLEVE CLEAR

Celtic produced a great display to totally outclass a very poor Hibs side who it as to be said only really came into things for around 15 minutes of the second half.

Chris Sutton made a welcome return to Celtic’s starting eleven however he did not replace John Hartson as we all thought he would.

Chris replaced Bobo Balde at the centre of the defence and although very rarely troubled he did not put a foot wrong all afternoon.

The man we expected him to replace John Hartson again gave the home fans a fantastic display and was rightly given the player of the match at the game.

The big man was involved in all three goals scoring two crackers and laying on a third for another superb Celt on the day Neil Lennon.

This was Lennon’s first goal at Celtic Park and it was absolute peach of a strike that gave Caig in the Hibs goal no chance whatsoever.

The day however belonged to John Hartson who has staked his claim for a starting position against Valencia on Thursday night.

The first goal came after just 11 minutes when Hartson got his head to a perfect cross from captain Paul Lambert.

The second goal of the game was the pick of the bunch with Hartson chipping the Hibs goalie from the edge of the box.

A very good workout for Martin O’Neill’s men prior to the big one on Thursday night, we are now twelve points clear in the SPL after Dundee and Rangers played out a goalless draw at Dens Park.

The build up to the Valencia game begins now and we’ll have updates on all things Celtic as the week progresses.

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH :- JOHN HARTSON

Celtic: Douglas, Mjallby, Sutton, Valgaeren (Crainey 78), Sylla, Lennon (Maloney 78), Lambert, Petrov, Petta (Thompson 69), Larsson, Hartson.

Subs Not Used: Gould, Moravcik.

Booked: Petta, Thompson.

Goals: Hartson 11, 40, Lennon 72.

Hibernian: Caig, Orman (Brebner 83), Smith, Jack, Laursen, De la Cruz, Murray, O'Neil, Zitelli, Luna, McManus (O'Connor 73).

Subs Not Used: Colgan, Brewster, Arpinon.

Booked: Orman.

Attendance: 59,415

Ref: W Young (Scotland).  

JUST CHAMPION

Celtic beat Rangers for the fifth time in succession in a match that had everything but a lot of football. 

We had the Rangers fans displaying a Dublin Loyal banner, we had the Celtic fans displaying a banner displaying save Dick and then we had the game. 

The first half looked to be running away from us as Rangers ran the show, Tore Andre Flo hitting the post with Thursday’s night hero in Spain Rab Douglas well beaten. 

The second half however was a totally different story with Martin O’Neill’s men coming out with all guns blazing. 

Man of the match Joos Valgaeren prodded (excuse the pun) the ball home past a static Rangers defence to send the Celtic fans wild after 58 minutes. 

And when Bert Konterman pushed Henrik Larsson in the back as he raced through on goal the writing was on the wall for Dick Advocatt’s men.  

The King of Kings calmly waited to smash the ball home to make it 2-0 after 70 minutes as mayhem broke out between the Rangers players and referee Stuart Dougal  

The Rangers support were stunned as their team put on as good a first half showing as they have done over the past few seasons. 

During the game Rangers Shota Averladze was seemingly pole axed by Bubo Balde, the Georgian internationalist was then accused of shouting a racist comment towards the Celtic player. 

The SFA have been contacted about what they were going to do about by The Celtic End. com website and there reply is nothing short of astonishing, you can read the article by following this link, http://celtic.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=1476&p=2&stid=8209485 

We also had Stuart Dougal commit the biggest blunder since John Rowbottom’s at Firhill a few years ago. 

Bert Konterman committed his umpteenth foul on King of Kings Henrik Larsson.  

The ref proceeded to produce a yellow and red card to the Dutchman and then changed his mind for whatever reason and allowed Konterman to remain on the park. 

The excuse from the referee after the match to Radio Clyde was laughable to say the least, he insisted that he had the two cards stuck together when he produced them, we’ve heard it all now Mr Dougal. 

The controversy in the game did not end there, when Dick Advocatt subbed Michael Ball the Rangers boss and the player had an angry exchange of words before the player made his way up the tunnel. 

Rangers managed to pull a goal back with 13 minutes remaining when Lovenkrands stroked the ball into the empty net after a pass from Cannigia. 

Thus ended the game and the scoring with Celtic taking a massive step towards retaining the title. 

We now sit 10 points clear and we have a further chance to inflict more pressure on the Ibrox men with our next league game kicking off 2.5 hours before they travel to face Dundee at Dens Park. 

Our next game is tomorrow night in the CIS Cup at home to team of the moment Livingston.  

A preview of this game will appear soon. 

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH -: JOOS VALGAEREN 

Teams:

Celtic: Douglas, Balde, Mjallby, Valgaeren, Petrov, Lennon, Lambert, Moravcik (Maloney 56), Petta, Hartson (McNamara 70), Larsson.

Subs Not Used: Gould, Thompson, Crainey.  

Booked: Moravcik, Hartson.

Goals: Valgaeren 58, Larsson 70 pen.  

Rangers: Klos, Ross (Dodds 81), Amoruso, Konterman, Ball (Lovenkrands 73), Reyna, de Boer, Ferguson, Numan, Flo, Arveladze (Caniggia 64).

Subs Not Used: Christiansen, Wilson.

Booked: Ball, Ferguson, Konterman.  

Goal: Lovenkrands 77.  

Att: 59,609

Ref: S Dougal  

Report from bbc sport (Mick is at the game)

Valencia secured a narrow 1-0 win over Celtic thanks to Rodriguez Vicente's unstoppable shot 12 minutes from time in this third round first leg tie.

Valencia dominated the game and created numerous chances, but until Vicente's strike Robert Douglas had proved unbeatable.

The Celtic keeper made a number of important saves throughout the game.

Most impressive was his effort in the 69th minute when he tipped Curro Torres' header onto the post.

But after Neil Lennon had given away the free-kick for handball, Amedeo Carboni passed to Vicente, who blasted a powerful shot past Douglas.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill acknowledged Douglas' contribution, adding that the result gave his side hope for the return leg.

"I was very pleased with the performance, given the players we were missing and the players we had to bring in," said O'Neill.

"We showed a lot of desire. Valencia have shown they are a very good side but in two weeks' time we are going to give it everything we have to try to get through."

Already hampered by a number of injuries, Celtic were further hit just before the kick-off by the loss of Chris Sutton because of a family illness.

Surprise lead

From the start Celtic had to concentrate on their defensive duties.

And as early as the fourth minute Johan Mjallby made an important block to deny Roberto Ayala's goal-bound strike.

Celtic had Douglas to thank for keeping them on level terms in the 10th minute.

Pablo Aimar spun in the box and his strike was pushed away by Douglas.

Celtic nearly grabbed a surprise lead in the 21st minute.

Moravcik swung in a dangerous corner which John Hartson nearly reached.

Four minutes later and the Welshman had a glorious chance to break the deadlock.

He controlled Moravcik's pass on his chest and although he let the ball run away from him, he still got in a shot which Santiago Canizares saved at the second attempt.

A minute later, Stilian Petrov squandered an even better opportunity.

He beat the offside trap to run onto Henrik Larsson's pass. but with just the goalkeeper to beat, Petrov knocked the ball too far forward.

Then Valencia's Miguel Angulo picked out Carew at the near post, but the Norwegian failed to hit the target.

Rab Douglas then pulled off great saves from Aimar and Juan Sanchez in the dying seconds of the opening period.

Valencia: Canizares, Pellegrino, Ayala, Albelda, Carboni, Vicente, Aimar, Torres, Angulo, Sanchez, Carew. Subs: Palop, Djukic, Adrian Ilie, Marchena, Rufete, Mista, Salva.

Celtic: Douglas, Mjallby, Balde, Crainey, McNamara, Lambert, Lennon, Moravcik, Petrov, Larsson, Hartson. Subs: Gould, Sylla, Petta, Tebily, Healy, Maloney, Guppy.

Referee: Domenico Messina (Bergamo).

Spot-kick King strikes again

Celtic maintained their seven point lead at the top of the SPL when goal machine Henrik Larsson struck the only goal of the game from the spot at the end of a dour first half.

Celtic were awarded the spot kick after Didier Agathe was recklessly brought down in the box by Hearts youngster Andy Webster.

This was a game that very few fans will remember due to the awful fare served up by both teams.

Celtic had only young Stephen Crainey, Johan Mjallby, and Bobo Balde who would be considered for pass marks in this game.

It looks as though Celtic will be without Agathe for the game in Valencia as he failed to appear after the break and he was replaced by Alan Thompson. 

Martin O'Neill hinted after the game that Agathe could be out for as long as three months due to the injury he picked up.

Martin O’Neill’s side will have to put on a much improved performance on Thursday evening in Spain if we don’t want to be sent crashing out of the UEFA Cup after the first leg.

Valencia themselves did not fare too well in the run up to Thursday's game although they kept up their unbeaten run in La Liga they could only manage a no score draw at home to Tenerife on Sunday afternoon.

A preview of the Valencia game will be posted on Tuesday with all the latest on who will be travelling with the squad.

Website Man of the Match: Stephen Crainey 

HEARTS (3-5-2): Niemi; Webster, McKenna, Pressley; Maybury, Gronlund, Simmons (Kirk 87), Fulton, Mahe; Adam (Wales 78), Fuller
Subs: McKenzie, McCann, Davidson

CELTIC (3-5-2): Douglas; Balde, Mjallby, Crainey; Agathe (Thompson 46), Lambert, Lennon, Petrov, Petta; Larsson, Sutton
Subs: Gould, Maloney, Hartson, Moravcik

REFEREE: Mike McCurry

CELTS EIGHTSOME REEL

Maloney to the four for eight-goal Celts By Stephen Sullivan CIS League Cup Third Round, Tuesday November 6, Celtic Park, CELTIC… 8 Hartson 20, 74, Maloney 28, 40, 53, 68, Tebily 73, Healy 81 STIRLING ALBION… 0 Shaun Maloney electrified a half-full Celtic Park as Martin O’Neill’s CIS Cup holders mercilessly demolished Stirling Albion to cruise through to the competition’s fourth round. A fantastic four goal haul crowned a memorable evening for the 18-year-old striker, who boosted his claim for increased first team involvement with a superb all-round performance. However, while Maloney was undoubtedly the star of a spectacular Hoops show, he was backed by a strong supporting cast that included a trio of fellow hopefuls and comeback Bhoy Morten Wieghorst. Maloney was heavily involved from the first whistle and had a couple of early chances, first when he almost snatched on a dangerous square pass from Tadg Moriarty and then when he fired over a John Hartson flick-on. Soon after, Colin Healy decided to lend a hand but, after Maloney and Lubo Moravcik had combined well on the right flank, the Irish midfielder glanced the latter’s cross wide of the target. Indeed, it was Stephen Crainey who, having seen his under-21 team-mates fail in their attempts to find the target, first tested Chris Reid after 12 minutes. The young defender, always keen to charge forward when the opportunity arises, emerged confidently from the back and, with the Stirling players retreating, smashed in a terrific 35-yard drive that stung Reid’s fingertips. The former Hibs keeper was certainly being kept busy and, with 19 minutes played, he dealt effectively, if rather theatrically, with a curling shot from Moravcik which looked to be heading for the net. However, Reid’s resistance was gradually being worn down and, before another minute had elapsed, he was picking the ball out of the net. Stirling couldn’t cope with Moravcik’s floated corner and, when Olivier Tebily volleyed Bobo Balde’s knock-down towards goal, Hartson was on hand to apply the faintest of touches to put Celtic one up. But although the Welshman’s fourth strike in Celtic colours may have eased any lingering fears of a sequel to the Inverness Caley horror show, it failed to satisfy the Bhoys’ thirst for goals. Indeed, within eight minutes they had gone in for the kill a second time, with Moravcik chasing down Hartson’s pass into the right channel before delivering a tantalising low cross that Maloney, strong and positive, poked home from close range. Thereafter, the tempo dropped a little and, after Celtic had been given a minor scare when Stephen Reilly rattled the crossbar with a fine header, normal service resumed. Hartson had the ball in the net after 38 minutes and, although his celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s flag, his strike partner had better luck two minutes later. Moravcik was again prominent, prompting Maloney with a delicate through ball and, when the young striker outpaced his hapless marker to reach the ball first, there only looked one likely outcome. Sure enough, the Aberdeen Bhoy drilled home a precision left foot shot to double his personal tally for the evening, and allowed Martin O’Neill the luxury of withdrawing his Slovak maestro at half-time. However, while Moravcik’s involvement in the match might have ended, Maloney’s certainly hadn’t, and he completed a terrific hat-trick just seven minutes after the re-start. Involved from the start of the move, the youngster flicked a clever pass out wide left to Smith who, attempting to make the most of his second half introduction, cut inside and delivered a perfectly judged right foot cross for his under-21 colleague to deftly glance the ball home from 10 yards. The intelligent interplay between Maloney, Smith and Stephen Crainey was the most exciting feature of a clinical second half performance from Celtic, with the attacking duo’s pace and skill complimenting the flame-haired defender’s sharp and incisive passing. However, try as Smith and Crainey might, there was to be no hope of denying Maloney centre stage and, when the dynamic young striker latched on to a through ball from Stilian Petrov and fired home a left foot snapshot from 14 yards, talk of which records he was breaking buzzed around Celtic Park. However, even with Maloney having completed his four-goal haul, this makeshift Hoops team were in no mood to allow Stirling a chance to draw breath. The visitors’ heads were already beginning to droop noticeably when Olivier Tebily crashed home the pick of Celtic’s goals with a right foot drive from 25 yards that fizzed into the top corner of the to heap further humiliation on the Third Division outfit. And if Ray Stewart’s men were praying that Celtic would be satisfied having hit them for six, their entreaties were to be left unanswered. In fact, goal number seven took less than 60 seconds to arrive, with Hartson grabbing a little of the spotlight his teenage strike partner had been hogging by slotting a left foot shot under the body of Reid, who by now was a forlorn figure in the Stirling goal. Even then, Albion’s torment was not at an end and an eighth goal followed after 81 minutes when Healy coolly converted Hartson’s knock-down. At the finish, it was impossible not to sympathise with Ray Stewart’s side, but the 30,000 Hoops fans who turned up left smiling not at the minnows’ destruction, but rather at the prospect of Maloney and co playing a more prominent role in Martin O’Neill’s plans during the coming weeks, months and years. Website Man of the Match: SHAUN MALONEY CELTIC (3-5-2): Kharine (Gould 54); Tebily, Balde (Petrov 54), Crainey; McNamara, Healy, Wieghorst, Moravcik (Smith 46), Guppy; Hartson, Maloney Subs: Larsson, Sutton STIRLING ALBION (4-5-1): Reid; Hay, Goldie, Morrison (Higgins 29), Moriarty (McCallion 64); Reilly, McLennan, Henderson, Nugent, Munro; Williams (Geraghty 64) Subs: Higgins, Heighton Attendance: 29,933

THE LATE LATE SHOW

For the second game in succession Celtic left it very late before securing all three points.

The win was sealed by a tremendous free kick on the edge of the box by King of Kings Henrik Larsson.

The free kick was awarded after Nick Dasovic fouled Chris Sutton.

Celtic had taken an early lead in this game when Darren Dods headed a Stilian Petrov cross past his own keeper.

The same player made amends later in the game when he headed home the equalizer past our keeper Rab Douglas.

The game looked to be heading for a 1-1 draw when up stepped Larson to rifle the ball into the top right hand corner of Alan Miller’s net.

So another three points on the board for the champions, our lead at the top of the SPL is still seven points after Rangers defeated Aberdeen by 2-0 at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon.

The CIS cup tie is next on the agenda and Martin O’Neill may send out a team containing the likes of Steve Guppy, Shaun Maloney & Stephen Crainey to face Stirling Albion.

Celtic is of course the holder of the trophy and no matter whom Martin O’Neill sends out should be far too strong for Stirling Albion to cause Celtic any bother.

A report on the Stirling game will be posted on Wednesday.

Action:

18 min - Substitution, Djebaili on for Parker, (St Johnstone)

20 min - Own Goal, Darren Dods, (Celtic)

26 min - Goal, Darren Dods, (St Johnstone)

59 min - Booking, Bobby Petta (Celtic), Unsporting behaviour

62 min - Booking, Stilian Petrov (Celtic), Dissent

64 min - Substitution, Maloney on for Thompson, (Celtic)

81 min - Substitution, Macdonald on for Connolly, (St Johnstone)

81 min - Substitution, Lambert on for Petta, (Celtic)

85 min - Booking, John Hartson (Celtic), Unsporting behaviour

90 min - Goal, Henrik Larsson, (Celtic)

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: - CHRIS SUTTON

Referee: D McDonald

Attendance: 9041

St Johnstone: Alan Miller, Grant Murray, Darren Dods, Benito Kemble, Keigan

Parker (Rachid Djebaili, 18), Nick Dasovic, Mark Lynch, Willie Falconer,

Paul Hartley, Paddy Connolly (Peter Macdonald, 81), Tommy Lovenkrands

Subs: Kevin Cuthbert, Graeme Jones, John Paul McBride, Rachid Djebaili,

Peter Macdonald

Celtic: Robert Douglas, Johan Mjallby, Chris Sutton, Joos Valgaeren, Didier

Agathe, Neil Lennon, Stilian Petrov, Alan Thompson (Shaun Maloney, 64),

Bobby Petta (Paul Lambert, 81), Henrik Larsson, John Hartson

Subs: Dmitri Kharine, Mohamed Sylla, Paul Lambert, Shaun Maloney, Stephen

Crainey

REVENGE IS SO SWEET

Our crack at the UEFA Champions League is over for this season but hopefully we will be back for more next year.

Last night’s game is another one that will go into the Celtic history books as a classic. The atmosphere at the ground last night reached fever pitch at times and the hoops responded in magnificent fashion.

We completed yet another treble with our third home win but sadly it was not enough to take us through to the second group stages. With FC Porto defeating Rosenborg by 1-0 we drop into third place and the last 16 of the UEFA Cup.

In last night’s game we fell behind to a stunning free kick from Del Piero after 19 minutes but roared on by almost 60,000 fans Celtic put on a stunning display that will live long in the memory of those privileged to be present on the night.

The equaliser came from the head of Joos Valgaeren who scored for the second game in succession, with half time approaching Celtic surged into the lead thanks to man of the match Chris Sutton..

Chris managed to get his head on the end of a corner from the right to send Martin O’Neill’s men in at the break 2-1 ahead.

The second half started off at a furious pace and it was Juventus who grabbed the fourth goal of the match with Trezeguet slamming home a shot past Rab Douglas.

Celtic regained the lead after Chris Sutton was fouled in the box by Iuliano. King of Kings Henrik Larsson made no mistake from the spot to put Celtic 3-2 up.

The fourth Celtic goal came in 63 minutes when Chris Sutton volleyed a spectacular shot after the Juventus defence failed to clear up a Lubo Moravcik free-kick.

Juventus pulled back another goal in 77 minutes with sub Trezeguet netting his second goal of the game.

Juventus had the ball in the net again right on the full time whistle but the goal was ruled out leaving Celtic with the 4-3 win and third place in the group.

So we bow out of this years competition with nine points on the board, in another group nine points may have been enough to see us through.

Strange as it may seem had the ties against Juventus, FC Porto and Rosenborg been ordinary knockout games we would have gone out on each occasion. The overall scores being a 6-6 draw with Juventus and defeats of 3-1 & 2-1 to FC Porto & Rosenborg respectively.

We now go into tomorrow’s UEFA Cup draw and it whoever we are drawn against it will be no easy task with teams like Borussia Dortmund, Lyon and PSV joining us in the last 16. As soon as we know the draw details will be posted on the site.

Website Man of the Match: CHRIS SUTTON

CELTIC (3-5-2): Douglas; Balde, Mjallby, Valgaeren; Agathe, Lennon, Lambert, Moravcik (Petrov 65), Petta; Larsson, Sutton
Subs: Kharine, Sylla, McNamara, Thompson, Hartson, Tebily

JUVENTUS (4-4-2): Carini; Zenoni, Ferrara, Iuliano, Paramatti; Birindelli, Nedved, Davids, Maresca; Del Piero (Trezeguet), Amoruso (Pessotto)
Subs: Buffon, Tacchinardi, Piccolo, Rondinella

Attendance: 57,717

JOOS: IN THE NICK OF TIME

Kilmarnock paid the ultimate price for their time wasting and spoiling tactics by conceding all three points thanks to a Joos Valgaeren goal in injury time.

Just as it looked as if Martin O’Neill’s men would drop two home points up stepped big Joos to bundle the ball over the line to keep Celtic out in front of the SPL.

Celtic looked as if they were suffering from a huge European hangover as the game wore on, at times the game resembled an end of season affair.

Still we took all three points, it’s a sad day however when teams like Kilmarnock come to Celtic Park with no intention whatsoever of trying to obtain the win they could so easily have got if they had applied themselves properly.

Kilmarnock had nine players booked and some of the tackling by the Ayrshire men was way over the top, both Bobby Petta and Stan Petrov both suffered from the heavy treatment that was being dished out.

Chris Sutton went off injured during the game and may now be considered doubtful for the big game against Juventus on Wednesday night.

Coming home from the game I along with thousands of other Celtic fans would have been listening into various radio stations, the utter nonsense coming from Radio Clyde pundits Provan and McNee would make you want to throw up. 

How they can say that Kilmarnock played well beggars belief, no wonder Scottish football is in such a state if they thought that Kilmarnock were unlucky.

The team from Ayrshire got exactly what they deserved, it teams like them that would put you off going to football.

Anyway now that I got that off my chest I’ll move on. This Wednesday night may well be our last game in this season Champions League, we have the perfect opportunity to take revenge against The Thieves of Europe who parade themselves as Juventus.

It’s still rankles with Celtic supporters how much we were cheated in Turin in September, now we have the chance to do something about it.

Celtic Park will once again be packed to the rafters with the game being declared a sell out over two weeks ago, if we are to go out of this seasons competition let’s go out with bang and let Europe know what they’ll be missing.

A full preview of the Juventus game will be posted on Tuesday.

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Chris Sutton  

CELTIC (3-5-2): Kharine; Tebily (Lennon 62), Valgaeren, Mjallby; Petta, Petrov, Lambert, Moravcik, Agathe; Sutton, Hartson (Maloney 81). Subs: Gould, McNamara, Crainey.

KILMARNOCK (3-5-2): Marshall; Innes, Sanjuan, McGowne; Baker, Mitchell, Mahood, Pizzo (Fowler 75), Canero; Vareille (Di Giacomo 84), Dargo. Subs: Meldrum, Hay, Calderon.

REFEREE: David Somers

ATTENDANCE  58, 897

HAUNTED BY HARALD

and beware of Customs at Trondheim

Celtic’s hopes of progressing into the second group stage of the UEFA Champions League are hanging by a thread after they suffered a third away defeat at the hands of Rosenborg.

Celtic’s display in the first 45 minutes was verging on the embarrassing and they were made to pay big time by ex Celt Harald Brattbakk.

The Rosenborg striker twice fired shots by Rab Douglas and the Celtic defenders and also won penalty as they threatened to give Celtic a severe thrashing.

The display by Brattbakk left the Celtic fans wondering if this was the same player who once graced Celtic Park.

Celtic started off as if they meant business on a really slippery surface, but the start left the 1200 travelling fans with false hope as the players struggled to stay on their feet and find any rhythm to their play.

It all started to go horribly wrong when Brattbakk fired in his first with a fine drive from outside the Celtic penalty area, any hope of a comeback were diminishing by the minute as Rosenborg completely outplayed Celtic.

When Brattbakk fired in number two the writing was on the wall for Martin O’Neill’s men, just on halftime things looked if they were going to get even worse when Balde felled Brattbakk in the penalty area.

No doubt about the award by the Spanish referee, remarkably Brattbakk was not given the chance to make it a first half hat-trick.

The spot kick was taken by Sigurd Rushfeldt  but Rab Douglas pulled off a great save to give Celtic a slight glimmer of hope.

The half time whistle arrived and to be truthful we were very fortunate to go in at the break only two goals down.

The second half began and Celtic could only do one thing and go for broke, this they did and although we created around half a dozen good chances none of them were converted.

The nearest Celtic came to scoring was when a Henrik Larsson header hit the bar from a cross from Didier Agathe.

The damage had already been done in this game with the Rosenborg display in that Harald Brattbakk first half.

The final whistle sounded and although the temperature had dropped to around minus eight the players left the field to acclaim from the travelling fans that had braved the freezing conditions.

Disappointingly only Neil Lennon bothered to give the fans a wave on the way off the pitch.

So the position with group stage now looks like it could end up with any one of three teams taking second spot.

FC Porto remain firm favourites to take that spot as they have home advantage over Rosenborg next week.

Celtic who play their final game against Juventus next Wednesday could find themselves out of Europe altogether by this time next week.

Remarkably if Rosenborg can beat FC Porto by two or more goals and Celtic fail to beat Juventus then the Norwegians would move into the second stage.

It’s all ifs and buts at this stage so it would be better to concentrate on trying to beat Juventus and let fate take its course.

The atmosphere generated at the Lerkendal Stadium by the home fans could put us to shame and it was certainly helped by a cracking PA system and some very well co-ordinated massive flag waving fans.

If only someone at Celtic Park could take some notes and try to put something into place for matches at our own ground.

The Celtic fans that travelled certainly made their presence felt in and around Trondheim pre and post match, the prices in town certainly had to seen to be believed.

The cost of an average beer was anything between £4.50 and £7.00 and for anyone on spirits the cost were even higher.

Nothing was cheap in Trondheim and I certainly wont be moaning the next time I’m asked to pay for a kids meal at Burger King or McDonald’s, the cost of in these establishments was something between £8 and £12 for basic burger and chips.

Anyway apart from the cost the fans were welcomed with open arms and everyone made us feel very much at home.

The Official Rosenborg Supporters Club opened up early on Monday afternoon for the Celtic fans and they were not disappointed when the place started filling up and ended up being jammed packed with fans of both clubs who mixed freely.

The treasurer at this particular club will certainly have been pleased with the takings over the two-day period.

Our thanks go to all at the Rosenborg Club and the people of Trondheim for their very warm welcome.

The other black spot of the whole trip came with the farce going through Customs at Norway’s Trondheim Airport on Monday afternoon.

Several Celtic fans were detained by Customs at the Airport for trying to take duty free goods into Norway.

I was one of the fans detained and my crime was that I purchased two lots of good that were on special offer at Glasgow Airport.

I was advised by staff at Glasgow Airport that what I was buying was ok 400 cigarettes and three boxes of tobacco.

Imagine my horror when I was detained at Customs as I passed through the green channel with my see through bag only to be told I was being detained for trying to smuggle goods into Norway.

If I was trying to smuggle anything I certainly would not walk through anywhere with a see through bag.

To add insult to injury I was find something in the region of £50 and had the goods I had purchased in Glasgow for £55 confiscated.

A few other Celtic fans went through the same procedure and had goods confiscated and left with a large fine to pay for the privilege.

A good number of Celtic fans went through with much more than the guys detained and I say good luck to them as we had all asked at Glasgow if we could take advantage of the specials they had on offer and we were told yes.

So beware if we ever have to go back into Norway in the future that it’s an offence to carry certain amounts of duty free goods through Customs. 

It would certainly help at Glasgow Airport if they could have information on what you can and what you cant take into different countries on departing from Glasgow.

Back to the football now and Martin O’Neill must again try and lift his men again for Saturday’s home match in the SPL against Kilmarnock.

One thing’s for sure although we are almost out of this years Champions League we want to be back next year and the only way we can be is by winning the SPL.

A preview of the Killmarnock match will be posted on Friday.

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH :- NEIL LENNON

ROSENBORG (4-3-3): Arason; Olsen, Basma, Hoftun, Saarinen; Strand, Skammelsrud, Berg (Winsnes 73); George (Johnsen 82), Rushfeldt, Brattbakk
Subs: E Johnsen, F Johnsen, Knutsen, Blixt, Stensaas

CELTIC (3-5-2): Douglas; Balde, Mjallby, Valgaeren; Agathe, Lambert, Lennon, Petrov (Moravcik 66), Thompson(Hartson 78); Larsson, Sutton
Subs: Sylla, Tebily, Guppy, McNamara, Kharine

Attendance 21,500.

HART'S ON FIRE

John Hartson answered his critics with a stunning display and a hat-trick of goals thrown in for good measure.

He opened the scoring after just seven minutes to the delight the huge crowd inside Celtic Park.

Bobo Balde kicked off his scoring career with a headed goal just on half time.

After the break Celtic laid siege on the Dundee United and goal on it was no surprise that they ended up such convincing winners.

Hartson completed his hat-trick in the second half and he also set up sub Shaun Maloney to fire in the fifth.

In between times self confessed Celtic fan Jim McIntyre pulled back a consolation goal for United.

A good all round performance that sees us take a ten point lead over Rangers who play at Perth later this afternoon.

It's now on to Trondheim for Celtic's travelling army of 1200 fans and we need the win over there to stay in contention for a crack at the second phase of the competition.

There's already a doubt over the fitness of Henrik Larsson and with Chris Sutton still out we could be well short of cover up front.

Still if John Hartson could put in another shift similar to yesterdays there's still a chance that we will be there or there a bouts come 10pm on Tuesday night.

Website Man of the Match :- John Hartson

Celtic: Douglas, Agathe, Mjallby, Balde (Tebily 68), Valgaeren, Thompson, Moravcik, Lambert, Lennon (McNamara 63), Larsson (Maloney 63), Hartson.
Subs: Kharine, Crainey.

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