Celtic - Scotland and Beyond

Wonderful pre-season, how did you beat Liverpool by so much? I just can't get enough of this story

MacDonalds First Match

The Teams

7:30 PM - I walked into the out the tunnel and stood at the mouth. The stands were already starting to fill up. The Fields of Athenry blew out of the tannoy system. I stood there for as long until I heard my name.
"Rab." I turned. It was Johan.
"What?" I asked.
"Kick off's in a few minutes. You better be quick with you team talk." I hurried down the tunnel and into the home dressing room. Everyone looked up as I entered.
"Right lads" I said. "We've had two weeks to prepare for this game. We're never going to be anymore ready. I want you to go out there and play your hearts out. It's not just me you're playing for. It's not just yourself you're playing for. Your playing for this club and every single fan out there. Remember what I said. Remember what Big Jock said. "Football without the fans is nothing". Now go out there and win this game!"
We all trooped out of the dressing room. As soon as I knew it the players were on the pitch and I was in the dugout. The famous Champions Cup music was nearly over. As it died away the famous song started. You'll Never Walk Alone. The stadium erupted. Every man, woman and child was singing their heart out. "This is what football is" I though in my head. Then it stopped. The match was about to begin. My career was just beginning.

Celtic v Maribor

6 Mins - Cole breaks free of the defence! He's the last man! He's got to score! He shoots! Ohhhhh what a save by Handanovic! Corner to Celtic.
24 Mins - Cole on the edge of the box. He back heels it to Lustig. He whips the ball to the back post. Hopper with a diving header. Ohh it cracks the post BUT HOOPER'S THERE TO PUT IT RIGHT IN! 1-0 Celtic.
36 Mins - Corner to Celtic. Mulgrew puts it to Brown on the edge of the box. He shoots. It goes amongst the bodies in the box. It falls to Hooper. Hooper with the shot! 2-0 Celtic!

HT - Celtic 2-0 Maribor

73 Mins - Wilson has the ball. Oh hes gave it away to Levicar. He shoots from the edge of the box. Goal to Maribor! They have a crucial away goal! 2-1 Celtic.
74 Mins - MeGeouch skins one. He skins two. He one on onewith the keeper! Goal! What a strike from Dylan McGeocuh! 3-1 Celtic
90+2 Mins - Seconds till the end of this entertaining match. Oh Wanyama puts the ball over the defenders heads. Samaras takes it down. He's the last man. He's in the box! Oh he's brought down by Krajnc! Penalty to Celtic! McGeouch steps up to take it. BANG! Right down the middle! 4-1 Celtic.

FT - Celtic 4-1 Maribor

"Not a bad start as Celtic manager" I thought as I left the ground. Hopefully all the games are like that. Not likely though.

Note - Not all matches will be like written like that. Just big European games and special games.

2013-04-06 19:36#90339 Justice96 : Wonderful pre-season, how did you beat Liverpool by so much? I just can't get enough of this story

My secret European tactic Thanks for reading

Loan Signings

Today the Celtic club website are pleased to announce that after the clubs newly formed partnership with Manchester United two young players have joined us till the end of the season. James Weir and Andreas Pereia will stay at Celtic till the end of the season unless recalled by Manchester United.

Raising the Flag

Celtic v Aberdeen (SPL Day 1)

2:45PM - I stood behind Sean Fallon. He was just about to raise the flag. The noise was immense. Sean pulled the string. The league flag flew up and fluttered in the light win. This was what remained from last years league success. But it was different this year. No Rangers. What would the league be like without them. Nobody knew. It was a new adventure.



Celtic v Aberdeen

7 Mins - Stokes on the win. He cuts inside. He shoot's. Its straight at the keeper oh BUT LANGFIELD MUCKS IT UP AND HE SCORES! A horrendous goal from Aberdeen's view but a brilliant start for Celtic. 1-0 Celtic
39 Mins - Ledley on the left wing. He gives it to Commons. Commons turns and drives it low and hard into the bottom corner! 2-0 Celtic
HT - Celtic 2-0 Aberdeen

47 Mins - Corner to Celtic. Mulgrew puts it in at the near post. Hopper gets to it. Goal Celtic! A nice well worked routine from Celtic. 3-0 Celtic
62 Mins - Wanyama with the ball on the half way line. Rae flies in with a challenge. That looks a sore one. Oh the ref is going to send him off. Aberdeen are down to ten men!

FT - Celtic 3-0 Aberdeen

Champions Cup Playoff Draw

Probably one of the easy draws so hopefully we'll get to the group stage.

August

Champions Cup Qualifying Third Round

v Maribor 4-1 H
Hooper x2
McGeouch x2

v Maribor 1-1 A (Celtic go through 5-2 on aggregate)
Forrest

Champions Cup Best Placed Playoff

v Ludogorets 3-0 H
Hooper
Watt
McGeouch

v Ludogorets 1-1(Celtic go through 4-1 on aggregate)
Stokes

SPL

v Aberdeen 3-0 H
Stokes
Commons
Hooper

Scottish League Cup Third Round Draw

Champions Cup Group E

I reckon you could finish 2nd in this group. Porto will beat you both times i reckon but i reckon you can get a draw vs zenit at home beat zilina home and away and hopefully porto can do celtic 2 favours (beating zenit twice)

2013-04-07 09:05#90402 patrick1 : I reckon you could finish 2nd in this group. Porto will beat you both times i reckon but i reckon you can get a draw vs zenit at home beat zilina home and away and hopefully porto can do celtic 2 favours (beating zenit twice)

I agree with you apart from Porto at home. I think we can beat them at home with the right tactics

Deadline Day

It's been a busy day in Scotland but the stand out transfer has been Inigo Perez to Celtic on loan till the end of the season. Rab MacDonald stated that "He was pleased with this deal" and that "They had been watching him for a while now and believe he could do what was required of him"


He's a good player and I think can be used as a backup to Wanyama and Ledley.

September

Champions Cup Group Stage

v Zilina 4-0 H
Stokes x3
Samaras
A good start to the group stage.

SPL

v Hibernian 1-0 H
Matthews
A good home win but would have liked more goals.

v St Johnstone 2-2 A
Cole
Samaras
Mulgrew
We were down 2-0 and ten men for most of the game so a draw wasn't a bad result in that sense.

v Dundee 3-0 H
Watt
Forrest
Lassad
Nice home win.

v Motherwell 1-1 A
Stokes
Disappointing as we dominated for nearly the whole game.

Scottish League Cup 3rd Round

v Cowdenbeath 3-0 AET A
Cole x2
Samaras
I played some young players but I at least expected a win before ET. Still into the next round.

Scottish League Cup 4th Round Draw

Again one of the easy ties so hopefully another win.

SPL Table

Considering that we've got three games in hand on St Johnstone and are only three points behind we're in a not bad position.

Champions Cup Group Stage - Day Two

Porto v Celtic

The Teams

Pre Match

It started as soon as we got off the team bus.I walked off first and the heat hit me. We would be playing in temperature 28°C up to was hot for a Scottish team. And the noise. It was terrible. We were booed from the moment we got off the bus. Some of the players had rotten fruit chucked at their heads. The fans pushed in from both sides. They forced the police back. it felt like we were being crushed. As soon as we got in side I told the boys to take no notice of it. It was no worst than the reception at Ibrox or Tynecastle.

We were lined up in the tunnel waiting to go out. I behind the teams but I wanted to give Samaras instructions so I moved up towards him. As I reached him a fight broke out. One of the Porto defenders punched Samaras right on the nose(Later I found out it was Danilo).
"Whit do you think you're doing ya wee p*ick!" I shouted. As soon as I said this Brown hooked him and sent him flying backwards. By this time everyone was getting involved. Forster and Maicon were squaring up and Martinez and Cole were pushing each other about. After a few more seconds of fighting the referee and his assistants got through and broke it up. He warned everyone but nobody got booked.

The Match

8 Mins - Samaras comes down the wing . Danilo comes in hard. That looked bad! Danilo's now being booked by the referee.

32 Mins - Moutinho hits a ball over Arzo's head. Martinez is one on one. He chips it! Oh what a save by Forster! Magnificent!

HT - Porto 0-0 Celtic

62 Mins - Samaras is working his way down the wing. Danilo comes in with a hard tackle. Samaras is on the ground. Oh Danilo has just booted Samaras in the stomach! The referee is sending him off! The Porto players are protesting but the ref won't change his decision. Porto are down to ten men.

FT - Porto 0-0 Celtic

2013-04-06 07:36#90241 green&white army :

European Champions Cup Qualifying Third Round Draw

Celtic will play either Maribor or Vardar

Celtic Announce Link with Greenock Morton

Yes! Mon the Ton haha

2013-04-10 18:43#91408 MichGaughan97 :

2013-04-06 07:36#90241 green&white army :

European Champions Cup Qualifying Third Round Draw

Celtic will play either Maribor or Vardar

Celtic Announce Link with Greenock Morton

Yes! Mon the Ton haha

Thanks for reading!

Celtic Sign Mika

Today the Celtic website is pleased to announce another addition to the Celtic family. Today Celtic FC have signed the Portuguese goalkeeper Mika on a free transfer. In a statement Mika said he "Was pleased to be joining one of the most well known clubs in Europe" and "Hoped he would have a long career here"