2013-03-16: Celtic 4-3 Aberdeen, SPL

Trivia

• Celtic still on top of the league despite recent hiccups.
• Police kettling Green Brigade and other supporters unnecessarily which creates tension and further exacerbates current low confidence in laws governing football supporters.
• Commons scores after twelve seconds one of he fastest ever scored by a Celtic player. Kris Commons goal for Celtic in 12 seconds against Aberdeen is the fastest goal in SPL history, eclipsing Anthony Stokes 12.4 seconds.
• Fans group SPL united forced to move their web blog from provider to provider following death and violence threats against web hosts of original blog due to the Sevco hordes.
• Charlie Mulgrew clarifies comments after claims that he stated in interview that Sevco should be promoted to SPL straight next season. He says he said league is better with them but didn't say they should be fast promoted.
• Two men convicted of sending Neil Lennon an explosive device two years ago lose their appeal against their conviction.
• Concerns grow that Dunfermline will not be able to pay tax debts and will go straight into liquidation (and no administration).
• Europe is over but papers full of questioning future of Lennon and players, that they will be poached by English clubs.
• Lennon blasted players in interviews after the previous game claiming playing as if eyes were on a move out. A quote in an interview from Forster seemed as if he was courting a move out the club; not helpful.
• Hun Blogger and mega muppet David Leggat confirmed fined by NUJ for £1000 and termed unfit person for their union. He's a scumbag so no sympathy from us.

Review

(quiet assasin of KDS forum)
Great comeback, very exciting end. Not the first time recently we've managed that trick against the Dons.

However, the same recent failures stick out like a sore thumb. We created a few good chances in the first half, but the intensity wasn't there at all. It looked like, again, a few players were treating the match like it was won. We only really started to show any urgency at 1-2, and the fluke goal at 1-3 finally awoke them from their slumber. Wilson and Ambrose had shocking moments – again. The latter doesn't know whether he is coming or going. For their second goal, he stepped way out of possession leaving a massive gap at the back. I know he used to play in Israel, but making our defence seem like the Red Sea is a bit much. Wilson should have dealt with their first by either hitting it back to the keeper or horsing it away into the stand. The keeper didn't cover himself in glory for their second.

That said, what a finish by Samaras for the winner. Hope Craigy enjoyed his last visit to Parkhead.

(corky b of KDS forum)
That second half is why you go to the football. The feeling at the end is unbeatable. BUT after 60 mins I'd have wanted half the team hunted.

Foster : Anyone not worried by his form since his injury needs their head looked at. Went down like the Titanic at the second goal and stupidly gave away a corner for the third
Lustig – Did what he was supposed to do today
Ambrose – I see he's getting some stick BUT I thought he was all right today. Didn't floof about
Wilson – Has been excellent for much of this season but his last few displays have been horrendous. Today was as poor as anything last season.
Izzy – Good in terms of over-lapping and overall urgency crossing poor and poor control led to the attack for the third goal.
Kayal – Hooked again before 2/3rds of a game. Taxi
Mulgrew – Showed urgency throughout and set piece were dangerous but still not convinced with him in midfield
Ledley – Reportedly earns £20K a week. Not worth a wage increase IMHO.
Stokes – Deservedly hooked – taxi
Hooper – Didn't show much but he did what was necessary in the last few minutes
Commons – Another infuriating performance. Good in bits (and an excellent goal) but other moments leave you tearing your hair out.
Sammi – Was good when he came on – great goal
Lassad – Have we signed two of Europe's physically weakest strikers in him & Miku ?

(on the kettling of the GB)
A Burning Pride16 Mar 2013, 11:02 PM

Teams

Articles

• Match Report (see end of page below)
• Audio Report: Paradise Report (includes audio recorded at the supporters' protest)

Pictures

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• Voting Thread
• Result Thread
• Winner –
• 2012-13 Winners

Stats

Celtic Aberdeen

Possession
39% 61%
90mins

Shots
18 6

On target
13 5

Corners
9 6

Fouls
8 10

Articles

Celtic 4-3 Aberdeen: Samaras comes to four

The Scotsman

By MOIRA GORDON
Published on Sunday 17 March 2013 01:20

A GOAL just seconds into the match should have been the catalyst to an easier victory but Celtic needed a goal just seconds from the end to secure all three points.

Scorers: Celtic – Commons (1), Mulgrew (68), Hooper (87), Samaras (90); Aberdeen – Vernon (45), Magennis (53, 60)

Bookings: Aberdeen – Reynolds, Anderson, Shaughnessy, Pawlett, Magennis

It was a goal worthy of winning any match but it was a blow to the nether regions of an Aberdeen side who must have felt they had the match wrapped up.

After a contest like this one, Craig Brown is probably relieved that he is retiring from the dug-out come the end of the season. The Aberdeen boss has never managed a winning SPL team at Parkhead, and for the longest time, his players have struggled to carve out goals.

On the day that they managed to bang three in, at Celtic Park of all places, he still couldn’t celebrate victory. No wonder he feels that the time is right to move upstairs.

It was a defeat that hurt the entire Pittodrie side. The players slumped to the turf at the sound of the final whistle, their heads in hands, betraying their bewilderment at just how they had contrived to take nothing whatsoever from the game.

At 3-1 up with just 25 minutes remaining they looked relatively comfortable. But a succession of set pieces saw Celtic overhaul them in the dying seconds of time added on as Georgios Samaras’ lovely overhead kick proved unstoppable.

“I’m just embarrassed,” admitted Aberdeen striker Josh Magennis. He had scored twice but claimed the goals served as no consolation.

“It doesn’t matter if you score five, if you lose 6-5 they don’t matter. To be 3-1 up at Parkhead and then lose set pieces like that is so disappointing. The boys can’t believe what has happened.”

He said it was as bad as he has felt after a loss, matching any of the disappointment he has felt at defeats to lower-league teams in the cup competitions.

“Until the madness happened, we did well. We looked comfortable and didn’t feel under threat.” But the threat was there in the guise of set pieces.

It would have been nice for the Dons to get the three points to move into the top six and give their departing gaffer the end to the season he has targeted.

“If we had won that would have gone a long way to cementing that,” added Magennis.

Instead, Aberdeen were left lamenting what might have been.

Both managers wanted a reaction. Celtic had some making up to do after last weekend’s defeat, while Aberdeen were hoping to wrestle something from the match to enhance their chances of making it into the top six.

Neil Lennon thought he was getting the kind of response he had demanded when his team grabbed the opener straight from the kick-off. An incredible 12 seconds was all it took, Kris Commons, firing a shot from the left across Jamie Langfield and into his goal.

Given the paucity of Aberdeen’s scoring efforts this term, some may have believed that the game was therefore over before it had really begun. But Celtic weren’t firing on all cylinders and their defensive frailties were again evident as Kelvin Wilson was robbed in his own area for the equaliser a minute before the break and was again found wanting as Aberdeen edged in front just seven minutes into the second half.

The first goal was courtesy of Magennis taking the ball off him in the area and laying it back for Scott Vernon to slam home.

The second was a Magennis finish and that goal breathed life into a match that had been close to flatlining in the opening 45 minutes, the football looking flaccid and lacking real passion and penetration. The same accusation could not be made after the break and, building on that 52nd-minute goal, Aberdeen made it 3-1. This time it was Gavin Rae who picked up a loose ball and fired in a long-range effort, which was deflected past Forster by the outstretched foot of Magennis.

In response to that, Lennon sent on Samaras and Lassad Nouioui and suddenly the home side were taking the game to their guests, the comeback sparked in the 67th minute when Charlie Mulgrew drilled his shot home from 12 yards.

In the 86th minute, Hooper drew Celtic level, coming off best in a game of head tennis in the box following a corner.

But then came the winner. With just seconds of the four minutes of added-on time left, Samaras latched onto a Lassad nod down at the back post and, with wonderful technique, sent an overhead kick high into the Aberdeen net.

“People have accused players of complacency and not having enough desire but when the fourth goal went in you could see what it meant to them,” said the delighted Celtic manager.

“We are having a few defensive problems and we have to sort them out. We are giving away cheap goals but the desire to win was fantastic.”

BBC

By Kheredine Idessane BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
Comments (78)

Celtic underlined why they will soon be crowned Scottish Premier League champions with an astonishing fightback to beat Aberdeen in a seven-goal thriller.

There were a full 94 minutes on the clock when substitute Georgios Samaras stooped to score with a clever overhead kick to cap a most dramatic afternoon.

The home side were 3-1 down after an hour, with Kris Commons' first minute strike equalised by Scott Vernon, before an early second-half double from Josh Magennis put the Dons two clear.

Charlie Mulgrew began the Celtic comeback with a deflected shot before top-scorer Gary Hooper bundled the ball in four minutes from the end of normal time to bring the match level, and fully to the boil, in front of a noisy home crowd.

If the Celtic supporters were jubilant at that, they cranked up the volume even further when Samaras met fellow sub Lassad's added-time knockdown to hook the ball home with his back to goal.

It was a sensational goal to end a sensational match, which was book-ended with two fine goals, 95 minutes apart.
Play media

That's what you call box-office value for money.

Not that Aberdeen will be happy to have participated so well in such an entertaining spectacle. The visitors will be wondering how a first league win at Celtic Park in nearly nine years escaped their grasp.

The Dons had to recover from losing one of the SPL's fastest ever goals; Anthony Stokes feeding Commons to drill in a shot after only 13 seconds.

There was no hint of panic, however, from the soon-to-retire Aberdeen manager Craig Brown, who watched his side regain their composure and deservedly equalise when Magennis capitalised on a Kelvin Wilson mistake to offer Vernon a tap-in just before half-time.

Within 15 minutes of the restart, Aberdeen had established a two-goal cushion.

Magennis continued making a total nuisance of himself for the Celtic defence by shooting through goalkeeper Fraser Forster after gathering a Vernon pass before he got the final touch to a wonderful long-range effort from Gavin Rae.

Celtic hopes were restored when Mulgrew's powerful shot took a strong deflection to deceive the helpless Jamie Langfield in goal for Aberdeen.

And when Gary Hooper was the first to react to team-mate Efe Ambrose's header which was blocked on the line, Celtic's comeback was nearly complete.
Play media

The enigmatic Samaras was left to steal the show with the last meaningful action of the match, to restore Celtic's 15 point lead at the top of the table, and send a valiant Aberdeen side north scratching their heads.

Matches between these two sides are never dull. Celtic are now unbeaten in their last 16 games with Aberdeen, and have scored 47 goals in those encounters.

However, few of those past meetings have been as dramatic as a stoppage-time overhead kick to seal a 4-3 comeback triumph.

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +4:00

Assist by Lassad Nouioui.
90:00 +5:17 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.
90:00 +4:14 Booking

Booking Booking for Georgios Samaras for persistent infringement.
90:00 +4:00

The assist for the goal came from Efe Ambrose.
90:00 +4:00 Goal scored

Goal – Georgios Samaras – Celtic 4 – 3 Aberdeen Georgios Samaras finds the net with a fantastic goal from inside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 4-3 Aberdeen.
90:00 +3:05

Free kick crossed by Kris Commons.
90:00 +3:05 Booking

Booking Russell Anderson booked.
90:00 +2:59

Unfair challenge on Gary Hooper by Russell Anderson results in a free kick.
90:00 +1:23

Kris Commons produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal.
90:00 +0:20 Substitution

Substitution Stephen Hughes leaves the field to be replaced by Robert Milsom.
89:48

Kris Commons takes a outswinging corner.
88:34

Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew from the left by-line, Mark Reynolds manages to make a clearance.
87:16

Inswinging corner taken by Kris Commons from the right by-line, Joe Shaughnessy manages to make a clearance.
86:44 Goal scored

Goal – Gary Hooper – Celtic 3 – 3 Aberdeen Gary Hooper grabs a headed goal from close in. Celtic 3-3 Aberdeen.
85:42

Corner from the right by-line taken by Kris Commons, Efe Ambrose takes a shot. Russell Anderson makes a clearance.
84:33

Gary Hooper concedes a free kick for a foul on Russell Anderson. Jamie Langfield restarts play with the free kick.
83:55

Short corner taken by Peter Pawlett from the right by-line.
83:00

Peter Pawlett fouled by Lassad Nouioui, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Russell Anderson.
80:09

Kris Commons takes the inswinging corner, Jamie Langfield makes a save.
79:53

Gary Hooper takes a shot. Save made by Jamie Langfield.
79:34

Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
79:34 Booking

Booking Caution for Peter Pawlett.
79:27

Peter Pawlett gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Fraser Forster.
78:05

Kris Commons restarts play with the free kick.
78:05 Booking

Booking Booking for Joe Shaughnessy.
77:59

Georgios Samaras fouled by Joe Shaughnessy, the ref awards a free kick.
77:33

The ball is crossed by Gary Hooper, clearance made by Joe Shaughnessy.
74:12

Kelvin Wilson takes the free kick.
74:12 Booking

Booking The referee books Josh Magennis for dissent.
74:04

Scott Vernon gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kelvin Wilson.
69:55

Gavin Rae gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kris Commons. Shot comes in from Charlie Mulgrew from the free kick, save by Jamie Langfield.
68:46

The assistant referee flags for offside against Josh Magennis. Fraser Forster takes the indirect free kick.
67:54 Goal scored

Goal – Charlie Mulgrew – Celtic 2 – 3 Aberdeen Charlie Mulgrew scores a goal from the edge of the penalty box to the top left corner of the goal. Celtic 2-3 Aberdeen.
67:31

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons from the right by-line.
67:21

The ball is delivered by Mikael Lustig, clearance by Mark Reynolds.
66:17

Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick.
66:17 Substitution

Substitution Lassad Nouioui is brought on as a substitute for Anthony Stokes.
66:17

Joe Shaughnessy is penalised for a handball.
65:40 Substitution

Substitution (Aberdeen) makes a substitution, with Peter Pawlett coming on for Johnny Hayes.
64:47

Free kick awarded for a foul by Anthony Stokes on Russell Anderson. Direct free kick taken by Russell Anderson.
64:11

Mark Reynolds is caught offside. Free kick taken by Efe Ambrose.
63:36

Joe Ledley produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide left of the goal.
61:25

Emilio Izaguirre restarts play with the free kick.
61:25 Booking

Booking Booking for Mark Reynolds for unsporting behaviour.
61:16

Mark Reynolds challenges Kris Commons unfairly and gives away a free kick.
60:37 Substitution

Substitution Georgios Samaras comes on in place of Beram Kayal.
59:41

The assist for the goal came from Gavin Rae.
59:41 Goal scored

Goal – Josh Magennis – Celtic 1 – 3 Aberdeen Josh Magennis grabs a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 1-3 Aberdeen.
59:11

Corner taken by Johnny Hayes, Mikael Lustig manages to make a clearance.
58:08

The referee blows for offside. Fraser Forster takes the indirect free kick.
56:59

Kris Commons takes a shot. Jamie Langfield makes a save.
55:50

Anthony Stokes takes a shot. Save by Jamie Langfield.
55:05

Foul by Josh Magennis on Charlie Mulgrew, free kick awarded. Mikael Lustig takes the free kick.
53:55

Emilio Izaguirre crosses the ball, Kris Commons takes a shot. Save by Jamie Langfield.
52:05

Assist by Gavin Rae.
52:05 Goal scored

Goal – Josh Magennis – Celtic 1 – 2 Aberdeen Goal scored by Josh Magennis from inside the penalty box low into the middle of the goal. Celtic 1-2 Aberdeen.
49:22

The ball is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre, save by Jamie Langfield.
47:23

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew from the left by-line, free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Russell Anderson by Mikael Lustig. Jamie Langfield takes the direct free kick.
47:14

The ball is crossed by Emilio Izaguirre, blocked by Johnny Hayes.
45:36

Unfair challenge on Johnny Hayes by Beram Kayal results in a free kick. Russell Anderson restarts play with the free kick.
45:01

The game restarts for the second half.
45:00 +0:43 Half time

Half Time The first half comes to an end.
44:02

Assist on the goal came from Josh Magennis.
44:02 Goal scored

Goal – Scott Vernon – Celtic 1 – 1 Aberdeen Goal scored by Scott Vernon from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Celtic 1-1 Aberdeen.
43:28

Header by Scott Vernon from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.
43:11

The ball is sent over by Niall McGinn, Kelvin Wilson makes a clearance.
42:23

The offside flag is raised against Joe Ledley. Indirect free kick taken by Jamie Langfield.
41:17

Anthony Stokes produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the target.
40:29

Anthony Stokes takes a shot. Save by Jamie Langfield.
39:15

Beram Kayal concedes a free kick for a foul on Niall McGinn. Johnny Hayes restarts play with the free kick.
37:21

Centre by Anthony Stokes, clearance by Mark Reynolds.
35:36

Anthony Stokes is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Jamie Langfield.
34:12

Johnny Hayes takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.
32:47

Effort on goal by Kris Commons from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.
32:37

The ball is sent over by Kris Commons, Russell Anderson manages to make a clearance.
29:01

Shot from just outside the box by Beram Kayal misses to the right of the goal.
22:44

Short corner taken by Johnny Hayes.
20:26

A cross is delivered by Anthony Stokes.
19:56

Corner from right by-line taken by Johnny Hayes.
19:31

Johnny Hayes takes the outswinging corner, Efe Ambrose makes a clearance.
19:06

The official flags Kris Commons offside. Direct free kick taken by Mark Reynolds.
18:05

Free kick awarded for a foul by Scott Vernon on Charlie Mulgrew. Direct free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
13:26

Beram Kayal challenges Stephen Hughes unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Stephen Hughes.
12:17

Mark Reynolds gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Anthony Stokes. Direct free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
10:44

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Johnny Hayes.
7:13

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Charlie Mulgrew.
6:16

Foul by Johnny Hayes on Kris Commons, free kick awarded. Charlie Mulgrew shoots direct from the free kick.
5:09

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Niall McGinn by Emilio Izaguirre. Johnny Hayes produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick, save by Fraser Forster.
2:27

Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line, clearance by Josh Magennis.
2:13

Kris Commons takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Blocked by Russell Anderson.
0:07

Anthony Stokes provided the assist for the goal.
0:07 Goal scored

Goal – Kris Commons – Celtic 1 – 0 Aberdeen Kris Commons fires in a goal from close in to the bottom right corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 Aberdeen.
0:00

The match begins.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association

“Disproportionate” police presence and batons used on marchers at Glasgow’s Green Brigade football fan march
http://angelahaggerty.com/disproportionate-police-presence-and-batons-used-on-marchers-at-glasgows-green-brigade-football-fan-march/

Surrounded by 200 police officers – around one for every marcher there – almost 20 riot vans, a line of police horses, a helicopter and 13 arrests, this was the scene at a peaceful support march in Glasgow city centre in 2013.

Stunned witnesses reported watching women and children being struck with police batons simply for standing in the wrong place. The march was organised by the Green Brigade, whose members claim they have been victims of police harassment and intimidation as a result of Scottish government legislation they say criminalises football fans.

Marchers began assembling outside the Chrystal Bell pub in the Gallowgate and several police fans were quickly on the scene. Men, women and children assembled, chanting “Celtic fans against the bill” as they set off to their destination at Celtic Park for the afternoon game against Aberdeen.

The procession marched up Watson Street and onto Bell Street, where it was then blocked by a line of police officers with support from a line of vans. There had been no visible signs of any violent conduct from any marcher, no disruption to public order, but marchers were told if they took a step further, they would be arrested.

One legal observer and advocate for civil rights – people who observe protest marches and assist anyone in need of legal representation – who wished to remain anonymous, told me: “I had heard there was going to be a protest in the city by another organisation but it didn’t happen, so I came over to have a look here instead.

“This was extreme,” she continued. “I’ve never seen anything like that. I have never seen batons used on kids before, and I witnessed the Picadilly and London riots. I’ve seen violent demonstrations, this was not that, they weren’t even throwing anything, nothing.”

Scuffles between marchers and police happened throughout Bell Street as marchers tried to move forward. Police threw marchers back into the crowd – some clearly young boys – one disabled child in a wheelchair was almost knocked over by the police line.

“After the march started the police just cornered them and the vans kettled them. The marchers then tried to break through and the police got the batons out. I was elbowed into a car by the police as I tried to take photographs, they were just grabbing and pushing people.

“I managed to get the name of one 14-year-old boy as he was arrested and had his head down in a puddle. I think they were taking advantage because those marchers weren’t political protestors, they don’t know their rights.

“The police kettled them in under a bridge, it was just totally disproportionate. There was no public around that area to be disrupted and it was just outside of public view.”

As the marchers were surrounded by police, reports were filtering through the crowds of several arrests being made. Marchers were told if they attempted to leave they would be arrested. Around eight police vans sat at the Bell Street side of the kettled marchers, with at least another eight gathered on the Gallowgate and several police cars scattered around the area. Police officers on horses then arrived to provide another reminder to marchers that they should not attempt to move. The police helicopter had been circling in the sky from the moment marchers began gathering.

I asked several of the police officers surrounding myself and the other marchers – estimates say around 200 attended, indicating for every one marcher there was a police officer – under what legislation the marchers were being held.

“They didn’t apply to march,” one told me. “They have to make an application to Glasgow City Council. We’re here to prevent disruption. We’re here for public order.”

When I asked what indication the police had been given that this might be anything other than a peaceful march, he shrugged. None of the officers I spoke to named any legislation or indicated what had happened to necessitate was such a heavy police presence. “We were just told to come here,” another said, “I don’t know any more than that.”

While boxed in with the marchers, I witnessed no crowd violence. I saw a policeman pick one boy out and order him to remove his scarf from covering any of his face or he would be arrested. The boy did as he was told. As we waited to find out what the police planned to do with us, we could see marchers who had either tried to escape from the kettle or been in the surrounding area being arrested. I heard one report of a police officer being hit by a bottle but could not confirm it.

The police began allowing the marchers to leave in groups of two or three at certain intervals and from different parts of the group. As I described the scenes to a colleague on the phone, he asked me if I had my press card with me – as I responded and said the words “press card” out loud, the police immediately escorted me outside of the kettled group and told me I couldn’t stand around.

I had no choice but to watch from afar as the rest of the group was dispersed. In total, the marchers managed to make it just yards away from where they had begun assembling at 12.30pm. As I left to find somewhere to write up my notes, I spoke to two men near the Chrystal Bell pub, the marchers’ meeting point, who had also witnessed the police using batons on marchers.

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde police said: “At around 1pm, police were called to reports of a large number of people gathering outside the Chrystal Bell pub at Gallowgate, Glasgow. The crowd, many of whom were wearing similar hooded tops and using scarfs to hide their identities, appeared to be attempting to stage an illegal street procession and officers were deployed to prevent this.

“The crowd were instructed that any procession on the road was illegal but that officers would facilitate a safe and orderly procession on the pavements toward their intended destination at Celtic Park. However, this was ignored and more officers were deployed as the crowd became increasingly confrontational and aggressive. The situation was contained a short time later.

“In connection with the police operation at Gallowgate, Glasgow this afternoon, 13 people have been arrested so far in connection with alleged public order offences, and they are currently being processed. Police enquiries are continuing into the incident and officers will be studying CCTV and helicopter footage to gather further information.”