| Match Pictures | Champions League | Matches: 2006 – 2007 | 2006-2007 Pictures |
Trivia
- Celtic suffered a pre-match blow when Netherlands striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was ruled out with an ankle injury.
- Kenny Miller's firmly-struck penalty was enough to give Celtic a narrow, if unconvincing, victory over Copenhagen in Champions League Group F.
- Copenhagen keeper Jesper Christiansen had been a team mate of Kenny Miller's at Rangers in season 2000/01.
Review
Nakamura exquisitely pulled the ball down 15 yards from goal, Gravgaard had to intervene with a last-ditch block as the Japanese midfielder unleashed his shot.
An Aiden McGeady cross was flicked just wide by the head of Miller and Zurawski had the ball in the net before being ruled offside.
Celtic finally made the breakthrough when Gravgaard mistimed another desperate challenge on Nakamura. It was an obvious penalty nevertheless and Miller made no mistake from the spot, although Christiansen came desperately close to getting a full hand on the ball before it flashed into the corner of the net.
The goalkeeper won the duel moments later, however, making a superb, one-handed stop from Miller's glancing header from eight yards following a Lee Naylor cross.
Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc was tested for the first time after 65 minutes, holding Hjalte Bo Norregaard's low, 20-yard drive at the second attempt.
Christiansen's legs denied Miller at the other end after McGeady sent the striker clear in the box.
Teams
Celtic (4-4-2):-
Boruc, Telfer, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Lennon, Gravesen, McGeady (Pearson 87), Zurawski (Beattie 73), Miller (Maloney 82).
Subs not used:- Marshall, Balde, Sno, Jarosik.
Goal:- Miller 36 pen.
Copenhagen:-
Christiansen, Jacobsen, Hangeland, Gravgaard, Bergdolmo (Thomassen 75), Silberbauer, Linderoth, Norregaard, Hutchinson, Berglund (Kvist 55), Allback.
Subs not used:- Gall, Wendt, Pimpong, Bergvold.
Att: 57,598
Ref: Florian Meyer (Germany).
Articles
KStreet
Pictures
STATS
| Celtic | København | |
| 1 | Goals scored | 0 |
| 0 | Yellow card | 0 |
| 0 | Red card | 0 |
| 3 | Shots on goal | 2 |
| 2 | Shots wide | 2 |
| 15 | Fouls committed | 23 |
| 4 | Corners | 1 |
| 5 | Offsides | 4 |
| 30' 50'' | Ball. Poss. (time) | 24' 16'' |
| 56% | Ball. Poss. (%) | 44% |
Quotes
I was trying to put the ball to the right and he contacted me as I tried to go past.
Shunsuke Nakamura on the tackle which led to the penalty
It was a 50-50 decision and I don't think it was the biggest penalty I've ever seen. He's a very good player, but, maybe, he took an easy fall. The decision was made and it was unlucky for me and lucky for him.
Michael Gravgaard on the same incident
These chants were not a worthy way of treating Gravesen.
This kind of thing is simply very much against our fans' usual excellent sporting reputation.
Flemming Ostergaard, FC Copenhagen chairman, on the abusive chants aimed at Celtic's Danish midfielder Thomas Gravesen
Things were a little difficult in the second half as Copenhagen had a lot of possession, but I thought that we deserved to win. At the moment, that is two games gone and we are in a qualifying position, but we are not even at the halfway stage in the group. But this win keeps our confidence high and we can take it into our next match.
Nakamura on Celtic's prospects
It's always been my dream to play in the Champions League and now I can say that I have done that. It was a great moment for me personally and I really enjoyed the experience. It was very important for us to get three points and we are now off the bottom of the group and looking forward to the Benfica game. We want to win that and, if we do, we will have six points and in a strong position. Kenny had a long wait for his first goal and was on form. I wasn't too concerned. Of course, I want to play in the first eleven but Celtic have a lot of strikers now.
Maciej Zurawski takes pride in the role he played
Celtic have three points, while Benfica and Copenhagen have just one each. Without getting too carried away, they have a great chance of qualifying. The performance is relevant to a certain degree, but the result is more important, so getting three points against Copenhagen was huge for them.
Benfica are mid-table in their league, but you still have to be cautious and careful. If they can beat Benfica and then take something in Portugal, that will go a long way to them going through.
Kenny Dalglish on Celtic's prospects of qualifying
Gordon has a settled team and things are looking good just now.
David Hay on the same subject
We were simply beaten by a better team They pretty much kicked our butts in all phases and areas of the game.
Their defence was really strong throughout the 90 minutes and I didn't feel we were making any impact on them. I had some good fights with Thomas [Gravesen] in midfield but I thought he played pretty well to help Celtic control things. Maybe they didn't have that many clear scoring chances but I thought the penalty was the right decision.
Tobias Linderoth
Celtic 1-0 Copenhagen
By Clive Lindsay
BBC
Kenny Miller's firmly-struck penalty was enough to give Celtic a narrow, if unconvincing, victory over Copenhagen in Champions League Group F.
Michael Gravgaard tripped Shunsuke Nakamura in the box and Miller fired the penalty kick past former Rangers goalkeeper Jesper Christiansen.
Christiansen superbly denied Miller a second moments later at Celtic Park.
Copenhagen improved after the break. But, despite some nervous moments, Celtic held on for a deserved win.
News conference: Celtic boss Gordon Strachan
The Scottish champions had suffered a pre-match blow when Netherlands striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was ruled out with an ankle injury.
Maciej Zurawski's inclusion up front was the only change from the side that defeated Rangers on Saturday.
The confidence instilled by that victory showed as Celtic dominated possession.
And, when Nakamura exquisitely pulled the ball down 15 yards from goal, Gravgaard had to intervene with a last-ditch block as the Japanese midfielder unleashed his shot.
An Aiden McGeady cross was flicked just wide by the head of Miller and Zurawski had the ball in the net before being ruled offside.
However, Celtic finally made the breakthrough when Gravgaard mistimed another desperate challenge on Nakamura, who took full advantage by collapsing to the deck.
It was an obvious penalty nevertheless and Miller made no mistake from the spot, although Christiansen came desperately close to getting a full hand on the ball before it flashed into the corner of the net.
The goalkeeper won the duel moments later, however, making a superb, one-handed stop from Miller's glancing header from eight yards following a Lee Naylor cross.
Copenhagen had started without Jesper Gronkjaer, who suffered a groin injury in their last Champions League game against Benfica.
And, with their attacking options reduced by the loss of the former Chelsea winger, the Danes rarely threatened in the first-half.
But they came out with more purpose after the break and Michael Silberbauer sent a header a few feet over from 10 yards as Celtic suddenly looked under a bit of pressure.
Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc was tested for the first time after 65 minutes, holding Hjalte Bo Norregaard's low, 20-yard drive at the second attempt.
Christiansen's legs denied Miller at the other end after McGeady sent the striker clear in the box.
That was the only time the Copenhagen goalkeeper was seriously threatened during a disjointed second 45 minutes.
But a 22-yard drive that Atiba Hutchinson curled a few yards wide after Neil Lennon lost possession was the closest the Danes came to snatching a point.
Celtic: Boruc, Telfer, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Lennon, Gravesen, McGeady (Pearson 87), Zurawski (Beattie 73), Miller (Maloney 82).
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Balde, Sno, Jarosik.
Goal: Miller 36 pen.
Copenhagen: Christiansen, Jacobsen, Hangeland, Gravgaard, Bergdolmo (Thomassen 75), Silberbauer, Linderoth, Norregaard, Hutchinson, Berglund (Kvist 55), Allback.
Subs Not Used: Gall, Wendt, Pimpong, Bergvold.
Att: 57,598
Ref: Florian Meyer (Germany)
Strachan hails a comfortable win
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan hailed his side's Champions League victory, despite some nervous moments during the 1-0 win over Copenhagen in Glasgow.
"The first half was excellent, in the second there were bits and bobs right," said the Celtic boss. "We got a bit nervous in the last 20 minutes.
"But we have beaten comfortably a team who beat Ajax to qualify.
"With Manchester United beating Benfica and the other two now on just one point each, it is a great night for us."
News conference: Celtic boss Gordon Strachan
Celtic are now on three points after an opening defeat away to United.
"I'm sure the players are glad to get that first win in the Champions League behind them," said Strachan.
Ask Nakamura who he prefers to play with and it will be Paul Telfer by a million miles
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan
The Celtic manager hit out at fans who quickly turn against veteran right-back Paul Telfer.
"He was excellent tonight," said Strachan. "He gives one bad pass and the fans get on his back.
"But he makes 50-yard runs without the ball to allow Nakamura two.
"Ask Nakamura who he prefers to play with and it will be Paul Telfer by a million miles."
Strachan also praised Kenny Miller, who scored the winner from the penalty spot.
And the striker said: "That's two goals in two games, so hopefully I can carry that on this Sunday."
The striker said Shaun Maloney was the club's penalty taker, but as he was on the bench the responsibility rested with someone else in the side.
"We sorted it out on Tuesday and I put my hand up," Miller said.
"I took a penalty for Scotland and I managed to get the second one here at the weekend.
"I'm a striker and it's a great opportunity to get a goal.
"Hopefully I can have a purple patch now the goals have arrived."
Solbakken predicts a close race
Copenhagen manager Stale Solbakken
Stale Solbakken thought Celtic deserved their win
Copenhagen manager Stale Solbakken believes there is nothing to choose between the clubs chasing second spot behind Manchester United in Group F.
"It's a very close affair," he said after the 1-0 defeat by Celtic. "Celtic and Benfica are close and Celtic, on their day, can take points from United.
"I think the scoreline says something about the game. We kept their chances to what we would expect.
"But we did not create the chances that I was hoping for."