An Alan Thompson goal in the first half was enough to secure three Champions League points in Celtic's game with Shakhtar Donetsk last night. The goal came from an in-direct free kick inside the Ukranian's area.
It was a game with many major incidents, including two Shakhtar red cards each side of half time, for professional fouls. With Shakhtar down to nine men, Celtic failed to capatalise on the 1-0 lead, when perhaps a change in tactics could have resulted in more goals.
However, our Champions League campaign is now on the road, and three points were a must last night. Anyone criticising the team can ask themselves how they would have reacted if offered a 1-0 victory before the game. With Chris Sutton and Bobo Balde ruled out of the game, we should be delighted with a win - at any result.
Balde was ruled out of the game late in the evening, and was replaced by Joos Valgaeren. Henri Camara made it back but surprisingly, there was no place for Juninho in the starting line-up. Aiden McGeady started his second successive game, after scoring against Motherwell at the weekend.
Once again, many fans were locked outside at kick off. Something must be done quickly about the new turnstiles, which are forcing thousands of fans to miss large chunks of the night. They are a disgrace and must be replaced.
Celts started off with what looked a shoot on sight policy, both John Hartson and twice, Henri Camara, shot from distance but failed to trouble the Donetsk goalkeeper. Camara had earlier found himself through on goal but an abysmal attempt at goal followed.
Shakhtar's Brazillian Matazulem, who caused Celtic so much trouble a fortnight ago, saw a great effort superbly saved by David Marshall. It was Shakhtar's only decent threat at goal in the opening half.
Celtic were playing strange tactics; sitting back and very deep. We were playing like the away team but Shakhtar failed to break us down. The players were obviously instructed to play this way and try to pick them off with Camara's pace up-front. Fans must realise that if Martin O'Neill sets out a game plan, the palyers will have to stick to it.
Shakhtar goalkeeper Lastuvka had been continually warned throughout the opening 25 minutes of time-wasting. French referee Eric Poulat eventually punished him for this, awarding Celtic an indirect free kick due to the goalkeeper holding the ball for too much time. From the free-kick, teed-up by Stan Petrov, Alan Thompson rifled the ball home, to put Celtic 1-0 up.
In the first half, Stan Petrov and Joos Valgaren also came close, as Celtic stepped up the attack.
Camara's pace was causing the Ukranians problems, and when through on goal on 43 minutes, he was brought down by Shakhtar captain Tymoshchuk. The defender was subsequently sent off, but Celts failed to make anything of the free kick which was awarded for the challenge.
With a 1-0 lead up against ten men, things were looking good as The Bhoys arrived for the second half.
John Hartson missed a chance when he should have burst the Shakhtar net, Petrov's follow up was easily saved by the goalkeeper.
Petrov looked to be carrying a shoulder injury for most of the second period, but played through the pain barrier. He was instrumental in Shakhtar's second red card, when he was taken out by last man Barcauan, who was given a second yellow card for the foul. In many recent seasons of European football we have been let down by referees frightened to take appropriate action, and it was good to see a strong official last night.
John Hartson came close with another chance just after the hour mark but we failed to pound the Shakhtar goal, like many would have hoped. Despite having two men sent off, they still kept a strong back line and contained Celtic well.
In truth, Celtic looked tired and quite content with the 1-0 lead. Against nine men I would be looking for at least another goal, but we seemed to be playing better against eleven. Ross Wallace and Craig Beattie came on to try and liven things up but to no avail.
On the other hand, we only had a one goal lead and had to be careful or we would throw it away. The charge for goals that many fans craved last night was never going to happen, as we could have easily went for it and find ourselves caught at the back. Then we sit on one point instead of three.
Last night was a good victory for the team. With key players missing for the game, we couldn't have asked for much more. Our next Champions League game is away to Barcelona, before AC Milan come to Parkhead. Barca defeated Milan last night with a late goal, so we now must take at least a point from our two last games, something which can be done.
After the pounding we received in the Ukraine a fortnight ago, I think we can be reasonably satisfied with a victory last night. We now know what we need to do and we have nothing to lose. Roll on Nou Camp.
Celtic:
Marshall - 8
Valgaeren - 7
Varga - 8
McNamara - 7
Agathe - 6
Lennon - 8
Petrov - 7
Thompson - 8
McGeady - 6 (Wallace - 4)
Hartson - 8
Camara - 7 (Beattie - 5)
Come On The Hoops Man Of The Match: John Hartson
Come On The Hoops Moment To Remember: Thompson's goal.
Come On The Hoops Moment To Forget: Impatient Celtic fans. Get a grip.
It was a game with many major incidents, including two Shakhtar red cards each side of half time, for professional fouls. With Shakhtar down to nine men, Celtic failed to capatalise on the 1-0 lead, when perhaps a change in tactics could have resulted in more goals.
However, our Champions League campaign is now on the road, and three points were a must last night. Anyone criticising the team can ask themselves how they would have reacted if offered a 1-0 victory before the game. With Chris Sutton and Bobo Balde ruled out of the game, we should be delighted with a win - at any result.
Balde was ruled out of the game late in the evening, and was replaced by Joos Valgaeren. Henri Camara made it back but surprisingly, there was no place for Juninho in the starting line-up. Aiden McGeady started his second successive game, after scoring against Motherwell at the weekend.
Once again, many fans were locked outside at kick off. Something must be done quickly about the new turnstiles, which are forcing thousands of fans to miss large chunks of the night. They are a disgrace and must be replaced.
Celts started off with what looked a shoot on sight policy, both John Hartson and twice, Henri Camara, shot from distance but failed to trouble the Donetsk goalkeeper. Camara had earlier found himself through on goal but an abysmal attempt at goal followed.
Shakhtar's Brazillian Matazulem, who caused Celtic so much trouble a fortnight ago, saw a great effort superbly saved by David Marshall. It was Shakhtar's only decent threat at goal in the opening half.
Celtic were playing strange tactics; sitting back and very deep. We were playing like the away team but Shakhtar failed to break us down. The players were obviously instructed to play this way and try to pick them off with Camara's pace up-front. Fans must realise that if Martin O'Neill sets out a game plan, the palyers will have to stick to it.
Shakhtar goalkeeper Lastuvka had been continually warned throughout the opening 25 minutes of time-wasting. French referee Eric Poulat eventually punished him for this, awarding Celtic an indirect free kick due to the goalkeeper holding the ball for too much time. From the free-kick, teed-up by Stan Petrov, Alan Thompson rifled the ball home, to put Celtic 1-0 up.
In the first half, Stan Petrov and Joos Valgaren also came close, as Celtic stepped up the attack.
Camara's pace was causing the Ukranians problems, and when through on goal on 43 minutes, he was brought down by Shakhtar captain Tymoshchuk. The defender was subsequently sent off, but Celts failed to make anything of the free kick which was awarded for the challenge.
With a 1-0 lead up against ten men, things were looking good as The Bhoys arrived for the second half.
John Hartson missed a chance when he should have burst the Shakhtar net, Petrov's follow up was easily saved by the goalkeeper.
Petrov looked to be carrying a shoulder injury for most of the second period, but played through the pain barrier. He was instrumental in Shakhtar's second red card, when he was taken out by last man Barcauan, who was given a second yellow card for the foul. In many recent seasons of European football we have been let down by referees frightened to take appropriate action, and it was good to see a strong official last night.
John Hartson came close with another chance just after the hour mark but we failed to pound the Shakhtar goal, like many would have hoped. Despite having two men sent off, they still kept a strong back line and contained Celtic well.
In truth, Celtic looked tired and quite content with the 1-0 lead. Against nine men I would be looking for at least another goal, but we seemed to be playing better against eleven. Ross Wallace and Craig Beattie came on to try and liven things up but to no avail.
On the other hand, we only had a one goal lead and had to be careful or we would throw it away. The charge for goals that many fans craved last night was never going to happen, as we could have easily went for it and find ourselves caught at the back. Then we sit on one point instead of three.
Last night was a good victory for the team. With key players missing for the game, we couldn't have asked for much more. Our next Champions League game is away to Barcelona, before AC Milan come to Parkhead. Barca defeated Milan last night with a late goal, so we now must take at least a point from our two last games, something which can be done.
After the pounding we received in the Ukraine a fortnight ago, I think we can be reasonably satisfied with a victory last night. We now know what we need to do and we have nothing to lose. Roll on Nou Camp.
Celtic:
Marshall - 8
Valgaeren - 7
Varga - 8
McNamara - 7
Agathe - 6
Lennon - 8
Petrov - 7
Thompson - 8
McGeady - 6 (Wallace - 4)
Hartson - 8
Camara - 7 (Beattie - 5)
Come On The Hoops Man Of The Match: John Hartson
Come On The Hoops Moment To Remember: Thompson's goal.
Come On The Hoops Moment To Forget: Impatient Celtic fans. Get a grip.