2012-05-03: Celtic 1-0 St Johnstone, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2011 – 2012 | 2011-2012 Pictures

Trivia

  • No change in league points as Huns won 5-0 day before and we barely won this one.
  • Celtic may have won the league but the trophy presentation delayed till next home game as that's at the weekend.
  • Thai Tims visiting Glasgow. Kids made to feel very at home and given an experience of a lifetime.
  • Thai Tims give players a guard of honour salute as they enter the pitch, and do the same for the U19s league winning side.
  • Thai Tims give mini concert just prior to match.
  • Much changed side with lots of first teamers rested.
  • Note: this is Celtic's 38th different back-line in 52 matches this season!!!!
  • Rabiu Ibrahim given his debut.
  • Mark Wilson starts first game since god knows when and given captains armband! Lennon reveals Mark Wilson is to leave at end of season. Neil Lennon: "Mark knows he's going to move on next season. Tremendous servant. Felt it was an opportunity to let him play one more game."
  • Neil Lennon given 3 match ban and 3 match ban suspended following the fracas at end of Scottish Cup game v Hearts. Lennon accepts it.
  • Huns administrators supposedly announced preferred bidder of a very dodgy American who it is alleged has criminal contacts. All funny stuff.

Review

(jungle G of KDS forum)
Went through the motions and we're never in danger of being punished for it

Bangura played like a capable athlete all right but only one giving football a shot in an exhibition game. Waste of funds.

Ibrahim looked good. Not sure if that shot was going in but if so Hooper owes him an apology. Wanyama has to get his head up faster to develop into a top class player. Rogne, Izzy, Commons, Ledley, all strolled it.

Players switching off now as you'd expect. Maybe one last performance being saved for trophy day.

oh and a nice wee salute for Wilson before he goes, deserved that for his efforts last season.

Teams

Celtic

24 Zaluska
03 Izaguirre
06 Wilson
12 Wilson (Cha Du-Ri – 74' )
25 Rogne
16 Ledley
46 McGeouch (Hooper – 68' )
67 Wanyama
10 Stokes
14 Bangura
15 Commons (Ibrahim – 74' )

Substitutes
01 Forster
11 Cha Du-Ri
23 Lustig
39 Blackman
40 Ibrahim
17 Brozek
88 Hooper

Goals

  • Stokes 28′

St Johnstone

15 Mannus
03 Davidson
06 Anderson
12 Maybury
18 McCracken Booked
04 Morris
07 Millar (Riordan – 42' )
08 Davidson
10 Craig
20 Adams (Haber – 76' )
11 Sheridan

Substitutes
01 Enckelman
31 Moffat
14 Moon
42 Hutchinson
22 Oyenuga
23 Haber
47 Riordan

Ref: Crawford
Att: 50,297

Articles

Pictures

Forum

MOTM

Stats

Celtic v St Johnstone

Match Stats

Possession
29%71%
96mins

Shots
11 6

On target
6 1

Corners
5 4

Fouls
8 12

Articles

Celtic 1 – 0 St Johnstone: Goal Stokes little passion in drab game

The Scotsman

Published on Thursday 3 May 2012 22:41

ANTHONY Stokes’ first-half tap-in gave much-changed Celtic victory over St Johnstone in their insipid Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Parkhead.

The Irishman, one of seven changes to Neil Lennon’s side, struck his 21st goal of the season from close range in the 29th minute after strike partner Mo Bangura had caused some confusion in the visitors’ defence following a corner.

Celtic stand-in goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska made a good save from Saints midfielder Murray Davidson just before the interval and Bangura struck the post after the break but the match was generally free from excitement and the champions ran out comfortable winners.

Lennon, as promised, utilised his squad but it would have been difficult to judge his fringe players in such a low-key match.

Full-back Mark Wilson, whose last game was on October 29, came back in as captain, along with number two keeper Zaluska, defenders Kelvin Wilson and Thomas Rogne, midfielder Dylan McGeouch – making his first start – Stokes and Bangura, who was back for the first time since December.

Out went Adam Matthews, Charlie Mulgrew, Scott Brown, Georgios Samaras, Fraser Forster and Gary Hooper, the latter two starting on the bench.

Saints manager Steve Lomas also reshuffled his side following their 5-1 defeat by Motherwell at the weekend. Defender Callum Davidson, midfielders Chris Millar and Jamie Adams and striker Cillian Sheridan came in with Frazer Wright, David Robertson, Marcus Haber and Derek Riordan dropping out, the last two named among the substitutes.

Lennon took his place in the stand after being handed a three-match touchline ban and had one of the best views in the stadium as he watched his makeshift side struggle to get into any sort of rhythm in the early stages. There was little action at all until Stokes gave the home side the lead just before the half-hour mark and it came after the champions were awarded what looked like a contentious corner, when Liam Craig tackled Stokes.

McGeouch’s corner eventually arrived at Mark Wilson who played it in to the box and when Bangura’s mis-hit shot came across Saints keeper Alan Mannus, Stokes was waiting to tap into an empty net, the visitors appealing for offside to no avail.

Moments later, as the home side warmed to their task, Bangura’s long-distance shot was saved down at his left post by Mannus. In the 36th minute, at the other end, Craig fired a free-kick from 25 yards wide of Zaluska’s left post, not allowing the almost redundant keeper to see some real action.

Seconds from the break, though, Zaluska made a good point-blank save from Davidson after the Hoops defence had been opened up by Jody Morris.

Celtic took heed of their warning and within minutes of the restart Mannus was forced to parry a powerful drive from midfielder Joe Ledley with Kris Commons putting the rebound high over the bar.

The Scotland midfielder, desperately looking for a goal to follow his first of the season against Rangers at the weekend, had another effort in the 53rd minute, this time from a free-kick from 20 yards, after Saints stopper Steven Anderson had fouled Bangura, but he arrowed his drive straight at Mannus.

Bangura came close two minutes later when he struck the base of the near post with a shot, after being played in by Stokes.

There was enough hesitation at times in the Celtic defence to give St Johnstone some encouragement, Morris taking advantage of a mix-up to try a delicate chip from 25 yards which sailed past the far post.

With the match drifting, Hooper came on for McGeouch, Mark Wilson was replaced by Cha Du-ri and Rabiu Ibrahim made his debut when he came on for Commons.

Celtic were in cruise control but 10 minutes from time a great ball across the six-yard box from St Johnstone right-back Alan Maybury needed only a touch but found no takers.

In the first minute of stoppage time Hooper deprived Ibrahim of his first Celtic goal when, with the Nigerian substitute’s close-range shot going in, he helped the ball over the line only to be flagged offside.

There was then more drama when linesman Raymond Whyte injured himself running up the line and had to be replaced by fourth official David Somers for the last few seconds.

Celtic: Zaluska, Mark Wilson, Kelvin Wilson, Rogne, Izaguirre, McGeouch, Wanyama, Ledley, Commons, Bangura, Stokes. Subs: Forster, Cha, Brozek, Lustig, Blackman, Ibrahim, Hooper.

St Johnstone: Mannus, Maybury, McCracken, Anderson, Callum Davidson, Millar, Morris, Adams, Murray Davidson, Craig, Sheridan. Subs: Enckelman, Moon, Oyenuga, Haber, Moffat, Hutchinson, Riordan.

Thai Tims are the stars of Celtic Park

By: Newsroom Staff on 04 May, 2012 02:01 THE highlight of Thursday night’s game at Celtic Park was the performance of the Thai Tims on the pitch before the game, with the kids from the Good Child Foundation given a great welcome by the Celtic supporters.

The story of the Thai Tims begins at Triam Suksa School in Nayai Am, Chanthaburi, Thailand. The school provides children with Down’s Syndrome the opportunity for inclusive education.

The Good Child Foundation charity was started by the school with the purpose of supporting the education of children with Down’s Syndrome in Thailand. The Good Child Foundation receives overwhelming support from Celtic fans following the YouTube uploads of the students singing Celtic songs which touched the Celtic family and encourage the fans to help this worthy cause.

The Thai Tims’ popularity has led to the invitation for the students to visit Scotland. The chosen 42 students and five teachers sang at the game versus St Johnstone. It was be a proud moment for the Thai people to see the image of His Majesty The King of Thailand on the pitch surrounded by 60,000 supportive fans.

The story of the Thai Tims will stay forever in the hearts of both Scottish and Thai people, especially due to the incredibly happiness and positivity of the children.

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:09 Full time

Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.
90:00 +3:53

Liam Craig delivers the ball, clearance by Thomas Rogne.
90:00 +1:07

Gary Hooper is caught offside. Alan Mannus takes the free kick.
90:00 +0:03

Mohamed Bangura takes a shot. Blocked by Callum Davidson.
89:15

Emilio Izaguirre crosses the ball, David McCracken makes a clearance.
87:35

Thomas Rogne concedes a free kick for a foul on Cillian Sheridan. Derek Riordan restarts play with the free kick.
87:00

Shot from just outside the box by Gary Hooper misses to the right of the goal.
85:19

Steven Anderson takes a shot. Blocked by Kelvin Wilson.
83:42

The ball is crossed by Emilio Izaguirre.
81:48

The ball is sent over by Anthony Stokes, save by Alan Mannus.
79:18

The ball is swung over by Alan Maybury.
76:57

Murray Davidson concedes a free kick for a foul on Victor Wanyama. Free kick taken by Joe Ledley.
75:01

Unfair challenge on Cillian Sheridan by Emilio Izaguirre results in a free kick. Liam Craig restarts play with the free kick.
75:01 Substitution

Substitution Marcus Haber joins the action as a substitute, replacing Jamie Adams.
73:09

The assistant referee flags for offside against Cillian Sheridan. Free kick taken by Lukasz Zaluska.
73:09 Substitution

Substitution Rabiu Ibrahim replaces Kris Commons.
73:09 Substitution

Substitution (Celtic) makes a substitution, with Du-Ri Cha coming on for Mark Wilson.
72:07

Emilio Izaguirre produces a cross.
70:58

Mohamed Bangura produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the left of the goal.
70:09

Inswinging corner taken by Kris Commons from the right by-line, Callum Davidson makes a clearance.
68:56

The assistant referee flags for offside against Cillian Sheridan. Free kick taken by Mark Wilson.
68:46

Callum Davidson produces a cross, clearance made by Mark Wilson.
66:56

Direct free kick taken by Kris Commons.
66:56 Substitution

Substitution Dylan McGeouch goes off and Gary Hooper comes on.
66:56

Murray Davidson concedes a free kick for a foul on Victor Wanyama.
65:14

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Derek Riordan, clearance made by Victor Wanyama.
63:28

Emilio Izaguirre produces a cross, save made by Alan Mannus.
61:49

Effort on goal by Derek Riordan from inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.
59:20

Corner taken by Anthony Stokes from the right by-line, Jamie Adams manages to make a clearance.
58:55

The ball is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre, Steven Anderson manages to make a clearance. Kris Commons decides to take a short corner.
57:57

Free kick awarded for a foul by Steven Anderson on Kris Commons. Free kick taken by Victor Wanyama.
57:07

Effort from the edge of the area by Jody Morris goes wide of the right-hand post.
56:09

Shot from just outside the penalty area by Kris Commons misses to the left of the target.
55:30

Mohamed Bangura has an effort at goal from deep inside the box striking the post.
53:43

Corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons, save by Alan Mannus.
52:26

Steven Anderson concedes a free kick for a foul on Mohamed Bangura. Kris Commons has a direct shot on goal from the free kick, save made by Alan Mannus.
51:40

Mohamed Bangura challenges Alan Maybury unfairly and gives away a free kick. Alan Mannus takes the direct free kick.
51:03

Liam Craig produces a cross, clearance by Victor Wanyama.
48:39

Joe Ledley takes a shot. Save by Alan Mannus.
48:17

Jamie Adams gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kris Commons. Kris Commons restarts play with the free kick.
47:36

A cross is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre, David McCracken makes a clearance.
45:01

The referee starts the second half.
45:00 +1:04 Half time

Half Time The first half comes to an end.
44:46

Murray Davidson takes a shot. Lukasz Zaluska gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Liam Craig.
43:10

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jamie Adams on Kris Commons. Free kick taken by Kris Commons.
41:04 Substitution

Substitution Chris Millar goes off and Derek Riordan comes on.
39:53

Unfair challenge on Emilio Izaguirre by Chris Millar results in a free kick. Lukasz Zaluska restarts play with the free kick.
38:04

The ball is sent over by Emilio Izaguirre.
37:02

Kris Commons has an effort direct from the free kick, save by Alan Mannus.
37:02 Booking

Booking David McCracken is shown a yellow card.
36:47

Free kick awarded for a foul by David McCracken on Anthony Stokes.
34:11

Victor Wanyama challenges Jody Morris unfairly and gives away a free kick. Strike on goal comes in from Liam Craig from the free kick.
32:47

The ball is swung over by Emilio Izaguirre, Steven Anderson manages to make a clearance.
32:14

The ball is swung over by Emilio Izaguirre, Steven Anderson makes a clearance.
31:31

Kris Commons takes a shot. Save made by Alan Mannus.
27:55

Mark Wilson provided the assist for the goal. The ball is sent over by Emilio Izaguirre.
27:55 Goal scored

Goal – Anthony Stokes – Celtic 1 – 0 St J'stone Goal scored by Anthony Stokes from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 St Johnstone.
27:26

Dylan McGeouch decides to take the corner short.
26:12

Shot by Joe Ledley from just outside the area goes over the net.
25:16

Emilio Izaguirre crosses the ball, Jody Morris makes a clearance.
23:54

Kelvin Wilson challenges Murray Davidson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Jody Morris.
22:50

The offside flag is raised against Chris Millar. Emilio Izaguirre takes the direct free kick.
21:32

Free kick awarded for a foul by Victor Wanyama on Jamie Adams. David McCracken restarts play with the free kick.
20:04

David McCracken gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mohamed Bangura. Victor Wanyama restarts play with the free kick.
18:32

Victor Wanyama is adjudged to have handled the ball. Jody Morris takes the free kick. Foul by Dylan McGeouch on Callum Davidson, free kick awarded. Liam Craig takes the free kick.
11:43

Kris Commons fouled by Liam Craig, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Kris Commons.
11:09

Foul by Alan Maybury on Mohamed Bangura, free kick awarded. Kris Commons takes the direct free kick.
10:42

The official flags Steven Anderson offside. Lukasz Zaluska takes the indirect free kick.
10:16

Cillian Sheridan fouled by Thomas Rogne, the ref awards a free kick. Liam Craig takes the free kick.
7:58

Cillian Sheridan produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal.
3:34

Emilio Izaguirre crosses the ball, save made by Alan Mannus.
0:53

Corner taken left-footed by Liam Craig, Mark Wilson manages to make a clearance. Inswinging corner taken by Jamie Adams, Lukasz Zaluska fouled by Steven Anderson, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Lukasz Zaluska.
0:00

The ref blows the whistle to begin the match. BBC

By Thomas McGuigan BBC Scotland

Anthony Stokes' strike saw Celtic ease to victory against St Johnstone on a comfortable evening for Neil Lennon's men.

The SPL champions, showing seven changes from the side that won the Old Firm derby, started sluggishly.

Stokes struck the only goal from close range after Mark Wilson centred from Dylan McGeouch's short corner.

Mo Bangura came close to a second for Celtic and Murray Davidson spurned St Johnstone's best chance.

Celtic aimed to continue the momentum from last weekend's win against Rangers, while the visitors were looking for a victory to move level on points with fourth-placed Dundee United.
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Bangura, who has been plagued by injury since his £2.2m move from AIK in August 2011, looked sharp and linked up well with Kris Commons and Emilio Izaguirre.

And the Sierra Leone international almost touched home a low cross after clever work by McGeouch but Stokes was at the far post to slot home.

Bangura tested St Johnstone keeper Alan Mannus with a 25-yard shot moments later as Celtic looked to double their lead.

St Johnstone's forays forward in the first half were few and far between but Liam Craig fizzed a free-kick narrowly wide of Lukasz Zaluska's goal 10 minutes before the break.

The visitors spurned a great chance to equalise on the stroke of half time; Jody Morris playing in Murray Davidson who saw his shot saved by Zaluska and Kelvin Wilson cleared the danger.

Bangura struck the post after a couple of impressive stepovers inside the penalty area and St Johnstone skipper Morris chipped a great chance wide moments later.

Steve Lomas's side, minus the suspended Fran Sandaza, lacked a spark in the final third in offering support to Cillian Sheridan although they did become more adventurous in the final 25 minutes.
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Derek Riordan fed Alan Maybury and his whipped cross into the box was begging to be flashed home but Sheridan failed to connect.

Stokes, with nine minutes remaining, found himself in space on the left and tried to dink a low cross into Bangura's path but St Johnstone repelled the danger.

Substitute Gary Hooper sent a shot inches wide of Alan Mannus's goal in the closing stages as the game became stretched.

Former PSV Eindhoven midfielder Rabiu Ibrahim came on to make his debut and his cross gave Hooper the chance to fire home but his effort was chalked off for offside.

The closing moments were disrupted when referee assistant Raymond White twisted his ankle and was replaced by the fourth official.

However, it failed to knock the hosts off their stride as they claimed victory.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon hit with six-match touchline ban

BBC 4 May 2012
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has been given a six-match touchline ban – half of which is suspended – for his Scottish Cup semi-final conduct.

Lennon ran on to the park to confront referee Euan Norris after the 2-1 loss to Hearts at Hampden.

The punishment means the 40-year-old will watch the three remaining matches of the season from the stands.

The remainder of the penalty will be suspended until the end of the next campaign.

But Lennon, who has just served a two-match ban for criticism of League Cup final referee Willie Collum, received no punishment for a further two rule breaches relating to comments made on Twitter hours after defeat against Hearts.

The SFA ruling read: "The judicial panel found Mr Lennon in breach but imposed no further sanction based on the fact he was not responsible for the posting of the actual tweet."
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“It's my own fault and I accept the punishment that's come my way”

Neil Lennon Celtic manager

Earlier this week, Lennon said that he planned to apologise to Norris for his behaviour.

He also indicated that he would not appeal against the penalty imposed on him by the Scottish FA's judicial panel.

Lennon told BBC Scotland after his team's 1-0 win over St Johnstone on Thursday: "I got a fair hearing. I expected to be punished and I am very contrite about things.

"The judicial panel was probably as fair as it could be. I wrote an apology to the referee.

"I don't want to be going to those things. It's my own fault and I accept the punishment that's come my way."