| Match Pictures | Matches: 1999 – 2000 |
Trivia
- League Cup final
- Celtic win the League Cup. Celtic’s first trophy of the new millenium.
- A dire season to date, but this title victory is a respite.
- Kenny Dalglish was gradually coming in for more stick from the media. Following the last Rangers game he had been pilloried by the chipwrappers for taking off a defender to bring on an attacker only to lose a goal. In the pre-match conference against St Johnstone he was ridiculed over his replies on whether he would take the coach’s job full time. He was also under a considerable amount of pressure, perceived or otherwise, to take the Head Coach / Manager’s job on full time.
- Peter Reid put his name forward for the Celtic Head Coach job even though he was currently (then) manager of Sunderland but somewhat under pressure at the north-east club.
- Franco Baresi, AC Milan Vice President, was at Celtic Park to discuss plans for a potential tie up between the clubs to exchange youth team players and learn from each others coaching methods. Nothing really came of this contact.
Review
An easy win and an unexciting game which turned into a walkover when Solberg was sent off. The silverware DID go a lttle way to easing what had been up to this point a disastrous season.
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Teams
Aberdeen:
Leighton, Perry, Anderson, Solberg, McAllister, Bernard, Jess (Mayer 74), Guntveit (Belabed 45), Dow, Zerouali (Winters 53), Stavrum.
Booked: Solberg, Dow, Bernard, McAllister. (Aberdeen)
Sent Off: Solberg (61)
Celtic:
Gould, Riseth, Mjallby, Boyd, McNamara, Petrov, Moravcik (Stubbs 87), Wieghorst, Mahe, Viduka, Johnson (Berkovic 90).
Subs Not Used: Kerr.
Goals: Riseth 15, Johnson 58.
Booked: Petrov, Johnson, Riseth
Referee: Kenny Clark (Scotland).
Attendance: 50,073
Articles
- Match Reports (see below)
Pictures
Stats
| Aberdeen | Celtic | |
| Bookings | 4 | 3 |
| Red Cards | 1 | 0 |
| Fouls | 16 | 18 |
| Shots on Target | 2 | 9 |
| Corners | 3 | 5 |
| Offside | 3 | 5 |
Articles
Individual Player Ratings
| Jonathon Gould | 6 | A fairly quiet afternoon for the recalled keeper, who was watched by his delighted six-year-old son. Wasn’t asked to make a serious save all afternoon. |
| Vidar Riseth | 6 | Brought crocked Henrik Larsson, who appeared to have backed him as first scorer, to his feet in delight when he miskicked the ball into the net for opener. Had a mixed game and was rightly booked for bringing Winters crashing down. |
| Johan Mjallby | 7 | Solid in the middle of defence, making sure that Jess and Zerouali weren’t able to threaten too much. |
| Tom Boyd | 7 | The Celtic skipper was quietly effective in a team which was geared to frustrate Aberdeen, helping keep Stavrum quiet in the second half. |
| Stephane Mahe | 6 | Was given a few problems by the lively Stavrum, particularly in the first half but finished the match almost as a passenger as 10-man Aberdeen shot their bolt. |
| Jackie McNamara | 6 | Increasingly eager to join the attack after the break but played a major part in neutralising the threat from Dow, Aberdeen’s match winner in previous rounds. |
| Stilijan Petrov | 7 | Now beginning to increase in popularity with the Celtic fans as his influence increases. Provoked the rash challenge which resulted in Solberg’s red-carding with a typical burst of pace. |
| Morten Wieghorst | 6 | Not the major force many expected, but laid on the crucial opener with finely-judged pass right across the area for Riseth. |
| Lubo Moravcik | 6 | Threatened much but tended to under-achieve despite being handed plenty of licence in his free role. Nevertheless, almost brought the house down. Loudly cheered when replaced at the death by Alan Stubbs. STUBBS (86): Too late to make impact. |
| Mark Viduka | 7 | His power and strength were a constant worry for Aberdeen although he didn’t really come close to scoring himself until his typically opportunist flick was cleared off the line late one. |
| Tommy Johnson | 7 | Full of running throughout although his shooting was poor in the first half. Took his goal with style and was unlucky not to get another. Came off in the 90th minute for Eyal Berkovic. |
Celtic’s hour comes
The Scotsman 20/03/2000
GLENN GIBBONS
Chief football writer
Aberdeen 0 Celtic 2
IT WASN’T exactly Culloden revisited, but Aberdeen, as expected, took something of a mauling as Celtic won the CIS Insurance Cup, ultimately with plenty in hand, at Hampden Park yesterday. Without producing a performance that is likely to shift videos like shortbread at Ne’erday, the Parkhead side were too powerful for opponents whose defeat was virtually formalised after 60 minutes, when defender Thomas Solberg was ordered from the field.
Solberg, cautioned earlier for a reckless lunge at Jackie McNamara, tried to retrieve his own error when he deliberately brought down Tommy Johnson on the edge of the penalty area and his red card was as inevitable as Tommy Boyd being presented with the trophy at the finish.
Johnson had scored Celtic’s second goal just two minutes before the Solberg incident -doubling an advantage established by Vidar Riseth in the first half – vindicating interim manager Kenny Dalglish’s decision to include him at the expense of Mark Burchill. Despite having established their superiority by that point, Celtic needed the assurance of that goal on a day when the result was clearly more exciting for their followers than the manner in which it was achieved.
The general ordinariness of the play for much of the time before the events that transformed the final from a match into a walkover tended to confirm the suspicion that Aberdeen’s recent improvement had been made in results rather than capabilities and hinted at an inhibiting anxiety coursing through a Celtic team too conscious of previous profligacy.
It was not until after the opening goal had come from the highly improbable source of Riseth – the sound of every “first scorer” coupon in the country being shredded might have competed for noise level with the acclaim of the Celtic support – that the Parkhead side imposed themselves in a way that even came within range of pre-match expectations.
It was, however, a physical authority which lacked creativity. Despite having virtually unchallenged control of midfield, few opportunities to test Jim Leighton were contrived. In this regard, much of the problem could be traced to Lubomir Moravcik. The little Slovakian showed a clumsiness of touch and frequently took the wrong option when supplied with the ball in threatening areas.
This was a side to Moravcik with which those who have come to idolise him are unfamiliar and it was about the only break Aberdeen enjoyed throughout the afternoon. Had Moravcik produced some of the virtuosity of which he is capable, the cup would probably have been on its way from Ibrox to Celtic Park long before the second goal and the ordering-off of Solberg which rendered an Aberdeen comeback inconceivable.
Moravcik, however, still managed to mine the roaring approval of his followers when he was substituted by Alan Stubbs five minutes from the finish, thanks to one piece of invention and execution that deserved to bring the third goal just a few moments earlier. Moravcik had chipped Leighton from 30 yards, and the goalkeeper was gratified to hear the reassuring thud of leather on crossbar.
That marvellous effort began a mini-series of scoring chances which left the capacity crowd mystified that Celtic had failed to increase their lead, but that tormenting of the ten-man Pittodrie side could not have been predicted from Celtic’s endeavours for almost the first hour. During that period, they seemed to be suffused by a lack of conviction which was curious in a team who had scored 18 goals and conceded none in their three previous games against yesterday’s opponents.
The goal from Riseth assisted with reducing their nervousness, but they often lacked the guile and the touch to take them into positions from which to inflict maximum damage. Their difficulties, of course, were partly attributable to opponents who could not be accused of lack of diligence, but the general impression of Celtic’s superiority made their habitual failure to make and take openings clearly a disappointment for a support which was once again muted until after the second, confirming goal.
The first had brought mainly relief. Moravcik began the move on the left, playing the ball inside to Morten Wieghorst. The big Dane, among the most effective players on the field, carried it into the box before cutting back to Riseth, who, without making a clean strike, sent it spinning past Leighton with his left foot from six yards.
Aberdeen would be a let-down for those supporters who had convinced themselves that their team’s apparent resurgence in recent weeks had closed a previously unbridgable gap between themselves and the leading teams. Presented with a cup final against one of the Old Firm, they appeared to lack the substance required for the assignment.
The closest they came to scoring was Arild Stavrum’s close-range prod into the side net from Hicham Zerouali’s low centre from the left. It was one of the few interventions by the latter, of whom many who travelled from the north-east had high expectations, made before he was taken off, injured in a collision with McNamara, in the 51st minute.
Johnson allowed the Scottish Football League officials to reach for the green-and-white ribbons for the cup when he received Mark Viduka’s pass on the right of the area – at the end of a neat move also involving McNamara and Moravcik – and drove the ball low with his right foot across Leighton and inside the far post.
- Manager Interview
Kenny Dalglish post match:
“Any decision we make on the manager’s job the supporters play a part in it.
“Whether it is my position or anyone’s position regarding football they are very much in our mind, and so they should be because they are an important part of the club.
“Some people have described this tournament as meaningless, and I suppose it is if you’re not in it but we were in it and the supporters showed at the end of the game how much it meant for them.
“Although that win doesn’t cure all the sores and pain they felt with some of the results this season, I’m sure it will soften the blow just a little bit and they got a little bit of pride back by winning the cup.”
On Tommy Johnson – “He’s had a hard time and not played too often but it’s not because the people in charge did not want to pick him it’s because he was injured.
“Scoring in the cup final will give him a tremendous lift, and hopefully that goal and a winner’s medal means the boy’s luck is turning a bit.”
On the team selection – “It’s difficult to pick any team for the cup final and it’s a great disappointment for players when they aren’t playing, and being a substitute is no compensation as they all want to play.
“If they are not disappointed in being left out then we would be disappointed in them.
“We took a chance with Tommy Johnson and someone had to be left out, and unfortunately it was Burchill, but he’s young enough and good enough to be back here a few more times in the future, but it must have been a great disappointment for him.”
Aberdeen 0 Celtic 2 By Simon Buckland, PA Sport
Celtic’s liking for Aberdeen under John Barnes held firm for Kenny Dalglish at Hampden Park as his two surprise selections emerged the goal heroes to claim the CIS Insurance Cup.
Neither Vidar Riseth nor Tommy Johnson were expected to start at the National Stadium, but Dalglish relegated both Alan Stubbs and Mark Burchill to the sidelines and it paid dividends.
The Parkhead director of football may have failed in his gamble to introduce Barnes to management, but now as temporary coach he can add a trophy to his glittering haul for Celtic as a player.
In three previous meetings with Aberdeen this term, all under Barnes’ charge, Celtic had managed a goals aggregate of 18-0, but only in the closing stages were they so commanding today.
Riseth’s half-hit 16th-minute shot was the only difference between the two sides at the break, but the balance of the contest shifted dramatically Celtic’s way early in the second half.
Aberdeen’s first blow was to lose influential forward Hicham Zerouali to injury, and to add insult to that they fell 2-0 behind courtesy of a sharp finish from the rejuvenated Johnson.
Out of the picture at Celtic earlier this term and sent on loan to Everton, Johnson has responded positively to the change of management and is belatedly justifying his £2.3million fee.
Aberdeen’s interest in matters effectively ended after 61 minutes when Thomas Solberg was sent off for a second bookable offence and from there Celtic were able to coast to victory.
They could and should have scored more goals, going close countless times, but at least they have salvaged something from a season dominated by that dreadful Scottish Cup loss to Inverness.
The result needs to be in perspective in that to win the competition Celtic have only needed to defeat the Scottish Premier League’s three bottom sides – Dundee, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen.
It also comes in a year when Rangers have maintained their dominance, with the Ibrox outfit currently 12 points clear at the top of the table.
But Celtic have every right to celebrate. The long-term impact of winning this trophy may yet hold real significance, not least if Dalglish now decides with himself as manager Celtic can go on to bigger and better things.
Riseth’s inclusion demoted Stubbs to the bench, while for Burchill there was the disappointment of failing to even find a place among the substitutes for the second successive season.
The youngster was left out of last year’s Old Firm Scottish Cup final and had to endure the same fate today as fit-again Johnson played after shaking off a hamstring problem.
As anticipated there was to be no dramatic comeback for Swede Henrik Larsson, while Paul Lambert was missing due to a shortage of match fitness following recent ankle ligament damage.
Aberdeen started with more positive intent and after nine minutes Paul Bernard’s header looped over the bar from an Andy Dow free-kick as Celtic struggled to move into gear.
With their first sustained attack, however, Celtic moved ahead as Morten Wieghorst broke into space on the left before crossing for Riseth to sweep past Jim Leighton from close range.
Aberdeen almost produced an instant response within a minute as Zerouali drilled in a cross which Arild Stavrum reached first at the near post only to direct his effort into the side-netting.
Solberg was cautioned for an ugly challenge on Jackie McNamara, but the Celtic player recovered to set up Riseth moments later for a 25-yard drive which flew narrowly wide from the Norwegian.
Aberdeen spurned a half-chance to level when the ball ran loose to Perry inside the area, but Celtic keeper Jonathan Gould was able to claim it before a brief altercation with Zerouali.
Dow summed up the Dons’ frustration by felling Petrov for another yellow card, while right on half-time Viduka fired badly over after running onto McNamara’s threaded pass.
Aberdeen made a change at the break with Cato Guntveit replaced by Rachid Belabed and the Dons were presented a chance to level when Riseth lost control of the ball 10 seconds after the restart.
Zerouali pounced on that mistake only to be tripped on the edge of the area, but the resulting free-kick was hit straight into the wall and the opportunity was lost.
It was to be Zerouali’s final contribution as after an accidental collision with McNamara the Moroccan was carried off with what looked to be a serious leg injury.
The Dons’ misery was compounded on 58 minutes when a fluent Celtic move culminated in Viduka bursting through the centre before feeding Johnson, who defeated Leighton with a low drive.
That was 2-0 and the cue for Aberdeen to lose their way as just three minutes later Solberg hauled down the onrushing Petrov to be given a second yellow card and his marching orders.
Reduced to 10 men it now appeared to be a damage limitation exercise for the Dons as a relaxed Celtic started to pass the ball around in a manner which indicated they wanted to win in style.
Viduka emphasised this after 70 minutes as a drag back left Perry grounded and he strolled towards goal only for Leighton to deny him scoring with a casual flick with the outside of his foot.
Suddenly, after a tight opening half, it was again a question of how many Celtic might get, Moravcik putting a deft strike wide and the busy Wieghorst looping a header over the bar.
After 83 minutes a stunning Moravcik chip came back off the bar after beating Leighton, while moments later Perry cleared off the line after Viduka had played in McNamara.
Teams
Aberdeen: Leighton, Perry, Anderson, Solberg, McAllister, Bernard, Jess (Mayer 74), Guntveit (Belabed 45), Dow, Zerouali (Winters 53), Stavrum.
Sent Off: Solberg (61).
Booked: Solberg, Dow, Bernard, McAllister.
Celtic: Gould, Riseth, Mjallby, Boyd, McNamara, Petrov, Moravcik (Stubbs 87), Wieghorst, Mahe, Viduka, Johnson (Berkovic 90).
Subs Not Used: Kerr.
Booked: Petrov, Johnson, Riseth.
Goals: Riseth 15, Johnson 58.
Att: 50,073
Ref: Kenny Clark (Scotland).
