Match Pictures | Matches: 2002 – 2003 | 2002-2003 Pictures | Forum |
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Quick Review
Celtic were without Swedish stars Henrik Larsson and Johan Mjallby – who had both been given time off to recover from their World Cup exploits – and injured duo Neil Lennon and Joos Valgaeren were also missing.
But that didn't prevent Celtic from taking the lead just six minutes into this game.
It was midfielder Liam Miller who provided a cross which was met by Hartson to nod home the opener.
To their credit, Shelbourne fought back and they were on level terms again after 17 minutes when Wes Holihan's inside pass was met by Geoghegan who fired past Hoops goalkeeper Robert Douglas.
But Celtic were looking the more dangerous side and they were back in front nine minutes later. Young defender Stephen Crainey picked out Hartson with the cross and, once again, the big striker was on target with the header.
Celtic extended their lead four minutes later when Jackie McNamara floated a long ball into the path of Agathe who slid home their third goal.
As is typical with most friendlies, there were a large number of substitutions and Celtic made no less than eight changes during the interval. Only Miller, McNamara and Crainey remained from the side who played the opening 45 minutes and Celtic's only new signing, David Fernandez, was given his chance. The former Livingston striker tried to set up Sutton after 52 minutes but his shot was easily held the Shelbourne goalkeeper.
Sutton did manage to add his name to the scoresheet two minutes later but this time the provider was Colin Healy and the former Chelsea hitman left Williams helpless when he nodded home the Hoops' fourth goal.
Sutton was unlucky not to grab a second goal as the game entered the last 10 minutes when he was denied by a superb point-blank save from the Shelbourne goalkeeper.
Trivia
David Fernandez made his Celtic debut.
Teams
Shelbourne:-
Williams (Bennion), Crawley (D. Byrne), McCarthy, Doherty (R. Baker), Heary, Cahill (Ross), Fenlon, Holihan, S. Byrne (Gannon), Geoghegan (Roberts), Molloy
Goal:- Geoghegan 17.
Booked:- Byrne.
Celtic:-
Douglas (Gould), McNamara, Balde (Lambert), Crainey, Agathe (Sylla), Miller (Doyle), Petrov (Fernandez), Thompson (Healy), Guppy (Petta), Hartson (Sutton), Maloney (Lynch)
Goals:- Hartson 6, 26, Agathe 30, Sutton 54.
Booked:- Thompson.
Att:- 3,500