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Quick Review
A YOUTHFUL and new-look Celtic side slipped to a 1-0 defeat in their first preseason match of the 2006/07 campaign in Poland against Legia Warsaw. A lack of familiarity and match sharpness were perhaps the key factors.
In the latter stages of the game several Celtic Youth Academy graduates were introduced as the manager fielded the youngest first team to appear in the Hoops in recent years, but a solitary strike from striker Michal Gottwald was enough to seal the victory for the home side. New signing Kenny Miller was partnered up front by wingmen Aiden McGeady and Nicky Riley in what was most certainly a change in approach in attack from last season, although the home side were to enjoy the first real chance in just seven minutes. The incident was most certainly a let off for the Celtic defence, with number nine Piotr Wlodarczyk unmarked and in space at the back post, but the striker sent his header well over the bar.
Celtic followed this with a chance of their own and Stan Petrov did well to get on the overlap for Paul Telfer and beat two men before driving into the box.
In the 24th minute Riley then saw a powerful header from a Jiri Jarosik cross palmed away by Jan Mucha and moments later Aiden McGeady actually put the ball past the Polish stopper only to see the linesman’s flag raised for offside.
Five minutes before half time, Marshall kept the score level as he denied Roger Guerreiro from the penalty spot, although this missed opportunity for Legia had much to do with the midfielder’s poor finishing. The spot kick was awarded after the ball was given away by Jarosik and stand-in captain McManus had rashly dived in on Wlodarczyk, allowing the striker a clear run at goal which was halted by a blatant pull of the jersey by Alan Thompson. Guerreiro stepped up to take and opted to lift a chip-shot straight down the middle, but his confidence proved to be ill-founded and Marshall clipped the goalbound shot away with his outstretched leg.
However, within minutes Celtic were a goal down after Guerreiro made amends for his error with a cutback for substitute Michal Gottwald who, unmarked in the middle, stroked the ball beyond Marshall.
A special mention should also go to the Legia Warsaw supporters who made this preseason encounter particularly memorable. Throughout the 90 minutes they were in outstanding voice, with songs reverberating back and forth between the main stands and the greatest cheer of the evening was reserved for former Legia hero and current Celtic keeper Artur Boruc, who made a ten minute cameo before being replaced by Michael McGovern.
Trivia
Former celt, Dariusz Wdowczyk, was the coach of Legia Warsaw.
Kenny Miller, Jiri Jarosik and Nicky Riley all made their Celtic debuts in this match.
Teams
Legia Warsaw:-
Mucha (Fabianski 46); Bronowicki (Chalas 75), Szala, Alcantara (Jedrzejcyk 69), Kielbowicz (Djokovic 42); Guerreiro (Karzym 62), Burkhardt (Vukovic 46), Surma, Radovic (Szalachowski 46); Wlodarczyk (Gottwald 46), Brandao.
Goal:- Gottwald 49.
Celtic:-
Marshall (Boruc 60, McGovern 71); Telfer (Wilson 46), Caldwell, McManus, Wallace (Camara 46); Petrov (Ferry 67), Thompson (Lawson 46), Jarosik (Pearson 46); Riley (Beattie 46), Miller (Virgo 69), McGeady.
Subs not used:- Mulgrew, O'Dea.
Ref: Jacer Granat
Att: 10,000