2013-02-03: Raith Rovers 0-3 Celtic, Scottish Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 2012 – 2013 | 2012-13 Pictures

Trivia

• Scottish Cup Fifth Round
• Celtic to face St Mirren next in Qtr-finals; we lost to St Mirren last Sunday in League Cup.
• Three goals from three different Scottish internationals.
• Transfer window over, little action. New goalkeeper, Rogic and Gershon in. A few out, but we keep our big guns.

Review

(Arsene P of KDS Forum)
Typical, unexciting cup tie on a bumpy, soft pitch, where the home side stuck manfully to their gameplan and had their inevitable flurries which roused their support.

We dealt with it well enough, and after the 1st goal it was all over.

Good to see Forrest back, and hopefully he can stay injury free, because I feel his career has been stop start because he appears to be injury prone.

Solid performance with no scares, which was all we needed because we were expected to win.

The double is ON!

(FightingIrishBhoy of KDS forum)
I'm in a hotel in Newcastle; had a really good time in Kirkcaldy this afternoon.

The fun started on the ScotRail train from Edinburgh; the lady conductor with whom I spoke told me that 3/4 of the train were Celtic supporters on their way to the game. The British Railway Police were waiting for us on the platform at Kirkcaldy. They stopped a group of four kids, one of whom tried to quickly throw away a pint can of Carlsberg–I'm not sure whether those guys got into the game.

Walking up the hill to the main stand at Stark’s Park, there was a line of police who were turning away anyone who didn’t have a match ticket. As I had bought my ticket from the RRFC ticket office before leaving the USA, I showed my transaction print-out to an officer, who was unmoved, but who referred me to his “sergeant”—I was able to convince him to let me through to try to claim my ducat, which I was able to do. I ended up sitting in row S of the south stand among the home support.

The Raith club shop was selling a really nice match scarf, which I bought, and will keep as a very nice momento of the afternoon.

Stark’s Park is one of those venues that would be difficult to describe to American sports fans. It actually has a great deal of dignity and character. I enjoyed being there.

The condition of the south end of the pitch was variously a quagmire and an ice skating rink. That, plus the fact that RRFC kept 10 if not 11 players behind the ball for significant parts of the match, made it a tough task for Celtic. By my observation, Lukasz Zaluska first touched the ball on the 30 minute mark. I think he ended up with 3 or 4 saves, only one of which required any exertion from him.

The match program was also very well done; it was of much higher quality in terms of interesting content than one would find in a game program sold at a major league event in the USA, and at a much lower cost.

I thought the atmosphere throughout was great. The home side arranged for a bagpipe band to greet the teams pre-match. So far as I could tell, a Celtic fan won the half-time drawing worth 1,340 quid. The best moment came after Kris Commons scored his PK. The Celtic end was going wild, and then the RRFC end tried to rally their troops to score a responsive goal, which never came.

My neighbor in row S was surprised that Celtic was singing the Wembley song. The people around me weren’t amused when “Soldier’s Song” broke out at the other end. I loved the huddle after the second goal. I also heard “Boys of the Old Brigade”.

Walking back to the railway station after the match, I observed many police officers, all of whom were dressed to repel a riot. All of them were wearing gloves and shoes that must have been designed for the movie “Robocop”. Given that the announced crowd was just 7,144, this seemed a little excessive to me.

The other thing I noticed was that the proponents of Scottish independence were out in force, handing out “Yes” stickers. The first thing that came to my mind, with no dog in the hunt, is that if Scotland becomes independent, maybe the Crown will finally give Ireland back to the Irish.

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Stats

Raith Rovers Celtic
Possession
70% 30%
90mins

Shots
9 15

On target
6 9

Corners
1 5

Fouls
11 13

Articles

Raith Rovers 0 – 3 Celtic, match report

The Scotsman
By RONNIE ESPLIN
Published on Sunday 3 February 2013 14:58

Kris Commons, James Forrest and Charlie Mulgrew fired Celtic to a comfortable win over Raith Rovers in their William Hill Scottish Cup fifth-round tie at Stark’s Park.

SCORERS: Commons 56 (pen), Forrest 83, Mulgrew 86

The Hoops were knocked out of the Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final by St Mirren at Hampden last Sunday but there was little chance of another shock today, although the breakthrough did not come until the 56th minute when Commons scored from the spot after he was fouled by Raith defender Simon Mensing.

Irn-Bru First Division side Rovers ran out of steam and in the 82nd minute Forrest, on for Tony Watt, grabbed the second goal, with Mulgrew’s fine strike four minutes later completing a solid afternoon’s work by the visitors.

With forward Georgios Samaras and left-back Emilio Izaguirre out injured, Watt and Joe Ledley were handed starting berths by manager Neil Lennon, as was midfielder Beram Kayal with skipper Scott Brown dropping to the bench.

Celtic ignored the swirling wind to take control from the start.

There was a shout for a penalty in the sixth minute when Mulgrew’s cross was blocked by Raith defender Eddie Malone, using his arm according to the visitors, but referee Steven McLean was not convinced.

In the 21st minute, as the Raith defence continued to repel constant Celtic pressure which brought another fruitless penalty claim when Adam Matthews’ cross struck Laurie Ellis, midfielder Victor Wanyama tested David McGurn with a drive from 25 yards which the goalkeeper saved with some ease.

On the half-hour mark Raith, in a rare attack, had a penalty claim of their own turned down when back-tracking midfielder Ledley nudged Jason Thomson in the box to end a surging run by the Kirkcaldy defender. Again referee McLean was unimpressed.

Celtic retained a tight grip on the game and in the 35th minute Mulgrew’s inswinging corner from the right escaped everyone before clipping the far post and running away from goal.

As Celtic continued to buzz around the home side’s penalty area, Wanyama flicked a Matthews shot from outside towards goal but McGurn saved comfortably.

Raith started the second half in a more positive fashion with midfielder Allan Walker’s cross from the right just evading on-rushing striker Brian Graham.

Moments later at the other end, Matthews’ right-footed drive from outside the box cleared the Raith bar only by inches, and when the right-back turned provider with a cross on to Watt’s head, the Celtic striker’s effort went just wide of the far post.

In the 53rd minute, after Kayal had tripped Malone 25 yards from goal, Celtic goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska saved Graham’s curling free-kick down at his left-hand post with defender Kelvin Wilson completing the clearance.

Two minutes later Celtic made the breakthrough when Mensing clumsily tripped Commons inside the box and the Scotland midfielder slammed the spot-kick low into the net.

The goal sparked Raith into life and for the first time in the game they threw everything at the visitors, albeit for only a few minutes and without any joy.

Brown replaced Kayal and Forrest came on for Watt and Celtic dominated again.

In the 68th minute McGurn made a good save from Gary Hooper after the Englishmen had escaped a couple of tackles inside the Raith box, and although the ball fell to Brown he flashed his shot wide of the target.

The game stretched further in the final stages and when Celtic broke with pace Forrest’s first touch from Hooper’s pass took him into the Raith box and he confidently knocked the ball past McGurn.

Mulgrew, who had missed a penalty in the defeat by St Mirren, curled in a third with four minutes remaining to ease the Parkhead side into the quarter-finals.

Attendance: 7,144

BBC

By Stevie Miller BBC Sport Scotland

Celtic eventually overcame some stodgy Raith Rovers defending and a churned-up pitch to book a place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

A Charlie Mulgrew corner which clipped the post was the closest to a goal in a first-half starved of chances.

However, Kris Commons won and converted a penalty early in the second-half to break the deadlock.

And late goals from James Forrest and Charlie Mulgrew sealed the win for the Scottish Premier League side.

The Celtic defence looked nervous early on, with some edgy passing from Kelvin Wilson, but it was the visitors who created the first opportunity, as Mulgrew's deep corner was headed over by Victor Wanyama.

As the game moved out of its initial phase, Celtic were camped outside the Raith box but, perhaps in part because of a heavy, bumpy pitch, Neil Lennon's side could not create a clear shooting opportunity.

Raith finally mounted a purposeful counter-attack on the half-hour mark, but Brian Graham's header was weak and easily collected by goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska.

Shortly after, Celtic were the width of the woodwork from scoring as Mulgrew's corner went through a clutch of players and deflected clear off the back post.

Graham could have caused a shock had he connected with a cross from the right at the started of the second half and Celtic responded with an Adam Matthews shot fizzing over the bar.

The second period was being played in a much more adventurous fashion and Tony Watt went close with a header that slipped just wide.

Graham forced an uncomfortable save from Zaluska with a 25-yard free-kick which dipped awkwardly in front of the Polish keeper.

But the visitors were handed a chance to break the deadlock when Commons went down under a Simon Mensing challenge just inside the box.

The Scotland international took the penalty himself and lashed the ball low to McGurn's left and into the corner of the net.

The goal sparked Raith into life and Pat Clarke passed up a chance to instantly level when he hooked a volley well over from a Jason Thomson cross.

Scott Brown should have doubled the visitors' lead when Gary Hooper's driven effort was parried into his path only six yards out, the Celtic captain blazing wide.

But fellow substitute Forrest settled any nerves Celtic might have had, going on a run down the inside-right channel and slotting the ball past McGurn.

Mulgrew piled on the misery for Raith late on with a delightful chip form the edge of the box which curled into the top corner.

Greig Spence's drive in the final moments flew wide and any hopes of a consolation for the Fifers were gone.

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +2:11 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.
90:00 +1:30

Adam Matthews gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Grant Anderson. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Edward Malone from left wing, clearance made by Charlie Mulgrew.
90:00 +0:19

Shot from 25 yards by Anthony Stokes. Clearance made by Simon Mensing.
89:04

David McGurn takes the free kick.
89:04 Substitution

Substitution Joseph Hamill goes off and Ross Callachan comes on.
89:04

Inswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line, Allan Walker manages to make a clearance. Foul by Mikael Lustig on Allan Walker, free kick awarded.
88:50

Effort from 20 yards by Adam Matthews. Grant Anderson gets a block in.
87:39

Joe Ledley concedes a free kick for a foul on Brian Graham. Free kick crossed by Joseph Hamill.
87:00

Greig Spence produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the target.
85:20

Joe Ledley provided the assist for the goal.
85:20 Goal scored

Goal – Charlie Mulgrew – Raith 0 – 3 Celtic Charlie Mulgrew gets on the score sheet with a brilliant goal from just outside the area to the top right corner of the goal. Raith 0-3 Celtic.
84:46

Unfair challenge on Victor Wanyama by Patrick Clarke results in a free kick. Mikael Lustig restarts play with the free kick.
84:09

Grant Anderson takes a shot. Save by Lukasz Zaluska.
83:36

Free kick awarded for a foul by Mikael Lustig on Brian Graham. Joseph Hamill takes the direct free kick.
82:05

Assist by Gary Hooper.
82:05 Goal scored

Goal – James Forrest – Raith 0 – 2 Celtic James Forrest finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Raith 0-2 Celtic.
79:58

Shot by Allan Walker. Charlie Mulgrew gets a block in.
76:51

Patrick Clarke fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick.
76:51 Booking

Booking The referee shows Victor Wanyama a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
76:44

Patrick Clarke fouled by Victor Wanyama, the ref awards a free kick.
75:35

Gary Hooper challenges Edward Malone unfairly and gives away a free kick. Allan Walker crosses the ball in from the free kick, save by Lukasz Zaluska.
74:53 Substitution

Substitution Kris Commons leaves the field to be replaced by Anthony Stokes.
73:33 Substitution

Substitution Stuart Anderson goes off and Greig Spence comes on.
70:43

Kris Commons challenges David McGurn unfairly and gives away a free kick. David McGurn takes the free kick.
70:04

Shot by Joe Ledley. Patrick Clarke gets a block in.
67:53

Gary Hooper takes a shot. Save made by David McGurn. Effort from inside the area by Scott Brown misses to the right of the goal.
67:16

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kris Commons by Grant Anderson. Kris Commons takes the free kick.
64:52 Substitution

Substitution Grant Anderson is brought on as a substitute for David Smith.
64:23

Shot from 12 yards from Kris Commons. Save by David McGurn.
63:28

Free kick awarded for a foul by Brian Graham on Scott Brown. Direct free kick taken by Mikael Lustig.
62:13

Mikael Lustig concedes a free kick for a foul on Brian Graham. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Edward Malone.
60:59

Brian Graham challenges Charlie Mulgrew unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
54:37 Substitution

Substitution Tony Watt leaves the field to be replaced by James Forrest.
54:37 Substitution

Substitution Beram Kayal leaves the field to be replaced by Scott Brown.
54:37 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Jason Thomson for dissent.
58:54

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Joe Ledley by Allan Walker. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.
58:28

Stuart Anderson takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Blocked by Mikael Lustig.
57:53

Corner from the left by-line taken by Allan Walker, clearance made by Victor Wanyama.
57:14

Jason Thomson sends in a cross, Patrick Clarke produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that goes over the bar.
55:37 Goal scored

Goal – Kris Commons – Raith 0 – 1 Celtic Power penalty scored by Kris Commons. Raith 0-1 Celtic.
54:37 Substitution

Substitution James Forrest replaces Tony Watt.
54:37 Substitution

Substitution Scott Brown on for Beram Kayal.
54:37 Booking

Booking Adam Matthews booked for dissent.
54:37

Simon Mensing challenges Kris Commons unfairly and gives away a Penalty.
53:20

Stuart Anderson concedes a free kick for a foul on Charlie Mulgrew. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.
52:13

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Edward Malone by Beram Kayal. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Brian Graham, save by Lukasz Zaluska.
49:23

Adam Matthews delivers the ball, Headed effort from close range by Tony Watt goes wide left of the target.
46:37

Shot from just outside the box by Adam Matthews goes over the bar.
45:37

A cross is delivered by Allan Walker, Brian Graham produces a ****** right-footed shot from deep inside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.
45:01

The second half begins.
45:00 Half time

Half Time The referee blows for half time.
44:42

Charlie Mulgrew produces a cross, save made by David McGurn.
41:36

Joseph Hamill gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kris Commons. Free kick taken by Kris Commons.
39:21

Patrick Clarke challenges Victor Wanyama unfairly and gives away a free kick. Mikael Lustig takes the free kick.
37:57

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Charlie Mulgrew. Shot from 25 yards by Adam Matthews. Save made by David McGurn.
36:49

The assistant referee flags for offside against Joe Ledley. David McGurn takes the direct free kick.
34:29

Corner from right by-line taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
34:16

Kris Commons delivers the ball, clearance made by Edward Malone.
32:31

Gary Hooper concedes a free kick for a foul on David Smith. David McGurn takes the free kick.
30:20

Brian Graham takes a shot. Save by Lukasz Zaluska.
29:38

Joe Ledley gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Allan Walker. Simon Mensing restarts play with the free kick.
28:39

The referee blows for offside. David McGurn takes the indirect free kick.
28:20

Charlie Mulgrew crosses the ball, clearance by Edward Malone.
26:16

Brian Graham fouled by Beram Kayal, the ref awards a free kick. Edward Malone takes the free kick.
24:22

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Joe Ledley by Jason Thomson. Charlie Mulgrew restarts play with the free kick.
23:10

The ball is swung over by Joe Ledley, save by David McGurn.
21:03

Shot from 20 yards by Victor Wanyama. Save by David McGurn.
19:29

Adam Matthews crosses the ball, Laurence Ellis manages to make a clearance.
17:51

Kris Commons is ruled offside. Free kick taken by David McGurn.
13:52

Charlie Mulgrew takes a shot. David McGurn makes a save.
10:21

Kris Commons produces a left-footed shot from inside the area that goes over the bar.
8:49

Inswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line, Allan Walker manages to make a clearance.
8:06

Jason Thomson challenges Gary Hooper unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
7:36

Free kick awarded for a foul by Beram Kayal on Edward Malone. Edward Malone takes the free kick.
6:08

A cross is delivered by Tony Watt, David McGurn makes a save.
2:15

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Kris Commons, Victor Wanyama produces a header from inside the area that goes over the crossbar.
0:00

The referee gets the game underway.

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