2013-04-06: Celtic 3-0 Hibernian, SPL

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

Trivia

• Celtic on top by 15pts after Motherwell drew; if Motherwell had lost (and Celtic had still won) Celtic would have been crowned League Champions today. Have to wait till two weeks time for next league match.
• League split after this match. Scottish Cup semi-finals next weekend.
• Big march on Saturday prior to March by Green Brigade and sympathisers protesting against the football bill. It's been a serious subject with heightened tensions of late due to it.
• Miku does interview stating he shouldn't have come to Celtic/Scotland, bitter etc. Pointless, as he's away at end of season anyhow (1y loan).
• Ex-Celt Di Canio who later disgraced himself by stating his support for fascism is new manager of Sunderland. Many unhappy as he refuses to condemn his old views. Pathetic and he is unwelcome at Celtic by the support.
• SPL pushing to be reimbursed for £500k due to the Lord Nimmo report from Newco.
• John Savage in final of BBC supertough quiz show Mastermind but doesn't win it, but does very well. He had Celtic as his special topic in the quarter finals.
• Celtic Graves Society hold first international remembrance service. Charlie Shaw in New York (USA) is the player for this remembrance, a great man of our club.

Review

(prettygreen of KDS)
Not the best 1st half, came to life a bit in the second. Had 4-0 on :doh:

The Craig whyte horseman being passed was excellent, especially 'gie it to Lawwell, gie it to lawwell' 😆

Thought Ledley and commons had a decent game, not many other standouts

Teams

Articles

• Match Report (see end of page below)
• Audio Report: Paradise Report

Pictures

• Match Pictures

Forum

• Pre-match
• Match
• Post Match

MOTM

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

Stats

Celtic Hibernian
Possession
50% 50%
90mins

Shots
8 1

On target
8 1

Corners
4 1

Fouls
8 6

Articles

Celtic 3 Hibs 0: title race is all but over

Saturday 6 April 2013
The Herald
Celtic moved a step closer to retaining the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title this afternoon with a convincing home win over Hibernian.

Neil Lennon's team headed into the encounter knowing they would be crowned champions if they picked up three points and nearest rivals Motherwell lost at home to St Mirren.

Two goals from Kris Commons and another from Mikael Lustig completed the Hoops' part of the deal, but the champagne had to remain on ice as Motherwell drew 2-2 with St Mirren to keep the title race mathematically alive.

It means Celtic, with five games remaining after the split, go 15 points clear with a 35 goal advantage and while there is no doubt about the destination of the title, Hoops fans will have to wait a bit longer before it is official.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon had wanted to see some swagger from his side and to that end he made two changes.

Midfielder Victor Wanyama's appeal against last week's red card at St Mirren allowed him to play but Georgios Samaras and Beram Kayal dropped to the bench to be replaced by Lustig and Anthony Stokes.

For Hibs, who had not lost to Celtic in two previous SPL meetings this season, Paul Hanlon was back in defence after recovering from a hip injury.

Jorge Claros and David Wotherspoon were brought back in, with Lewis Stevenson and Eoin Doyle on the bench and Tom Taiwo out altogether.

Given the circumstances, Celtic Park was surprisingly far from full and in the fifth minute the home fans collectively held their breath as Leigh Griffiths' inviting ball from a free-kick was missed by everyone before skipping past Fraser Forster's far post.

The home side took their time to get up to speed but in the 12th minute Commons' low drive from outside the box was the first test for Hibs keeper Ben Williams who saved with a degree of ease.

The Scotland midfielder, however, was more convincing two minutes later when he confidently drove the Parkhead side ahead.

Striker Gary Hooper took a pass from Charlie Mulgrew and laid the ball off to Commons who shrugged off the attention of Hanlon inside the box to drill the ball low past Williams and into the corner of the net.

The goal established Celtic's control and thereafter they pressed the reticent visitors back towards their own penalty area.

A fine moving involving Hooper and Stokes ended with the Irishman setting up Mulgrew on the left-hand side of the box but the Hoops midfielder was unusually hesitant on his trusty left foot, allowing Hibs defender Tim Clancy to block the delayed shot.

Moments later Hooper broke through the Hibs defence to take a return pass from Stokes but his finish from eight yards lacked the power to beat Williams.

Stokes had a decent chance three minutes into the second-half after Wanyama played in Joe Ledley, whose cross was dummied perfectly for the former Hibs player but he failed to catch his shot properly and the ball bounced through to Williams.

Three minutes later Commons showed him how it should be done when he doubled Celtic's lead.

Wanyama played the ball to the supporting Lustig and when his cut-back found the former Derby and Nottingham Forest player he turned smartly from seven yards out and knocked it low past Williams. With that convincing finish the three points appeared secure.

Five minutes later Commons was presented with a chance for a hat-trick after Claros was robbed by Hooper in his own box but his pass caught his team-mate off-balance and the ball bobbled behind.

But it looked like it was a matter of how many the home side would score and in the 61st minute Lustig made it 3-0 from Ledley's cross. The Hibs players claimed the ball came off his arm on the way through but the strike stood.

From that point it became party time for the home fans as they listened for news from Motherwell and when word that St Mirren had come from one behind to go 2-1 up, the decibel levels increased.

But a late equaliser at Fir Park ensured the title race, if it can be called that, will go on.

BBC

Kris Commons scored twice as Celtic all but sealed a second straight Scottish Premier League championship.

The Scotland international beat Hibernian goalkeeper Ben Williams with a strike in each half to put the hosts in command.

And Mikael Lustig converted Joe Ledley's cross to complete a comfortable win for Neil Lennon's side.

Celtic need only avoid defeat in their next league match for the title win to be declared a mathematical certainty.

Lennon's men lead Motherwell by 15 points with five matches to play and Celtic have a vastly superior goal difference.

An inviting ball into the Celtic box from Leigh Griffiths was missed by everyone and bounced just past the post as Hibs sought to make an early breakthrough.
Play media

But the home side soon took conrol and Commons gathered Gary Hooper's pass to tuck the ball past Ben Williams.

Anthony Stokes and Hooper combined to send the latter through on goal but the club's top scorer could get enough on the shot.

Commons' second owed much to poor defending as he was allowed to turn in the box and send a shot beyond Williams shortly after the break.

Celtic were playing confidence and a 25-yard strike by Anthony Stokes was beaten out by Williams.

Hat-trick-chasing Commons got the ball caught under his feet as he tried to convert a Hooper pass moments later.

Lustig had set up Commons' second and the Swede added his own name to the scoresheet just after the hour.

But Hibs players claimed unsuccessfully that Lustig had used his hand and not his head to turn the ball into the net.

Hooper headed wide shortly after news of St Mirren taking the lead against Motherwell raised excitement levels at Celtic Park.

However, a late equaliser for 'Well put the champagne on ice.

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

Full Time The referee ends the match.
90:00 +1:44

Georgios Samaras is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Ben Williams.
89:32

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line, Ben Williams makes a save.
89:17

Victor Wanyama has an effort at goal from 20 yards. Blocked by James McPake.
86:54

Joe Ledley challenges Leigh Griffiths unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Leigh Griffiths.
83:51

Free kick taken by Leigh Griffiths.
83:51 Substitution

Substitution (Celtic) makes a substitution, with Patrick McCourt coming on for Gary Hooper.
83:51

Victor Wanyama gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Paul Cairney.
82:28

Gary Hooper is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Ben Williams restarts play with the free kick.
79:44

Unfair challenge on Alex Harris by Joe Ledley results in a free kick. Paul Cairney takes the direct free kick.
77:54 Substitution

Substitution Tom Rogic on for Kris Commons.
76:21

Georgios Samaras fouled by Tim Clancy, the ref awards a free kick. Victor Wanyama takes the direct free kick.
73:56 Substitution

Substitution Lewis Stevenson is brought on as a substitute for Gary Deegan.
71:57

A cross is delivered by Georgios Samaras, Ben Williams makes a save.
69:59

Gary Deegan challenges Anthony Stokes unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
68:19 Substitution

Substitution Georgios Samaras is brought on as a substitute for Mikael Lustig.
65:23

The ball is crossed by Charlie Mulgrew, Paul Hanlon manages to make a clearance.
63:26

Free kick taken by Ben Williams.
63:26 Substitution

Substitution Kevin Thomson goes off and Scott Robertson comes on.
63:26

The referee blows for offside against Gary Hooper.
62:17

Anthony Stokes challenges James McPake unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Ben Williams.
60:04

Assist on the goal came from Joe Ledley.
60:04 Goal scored

Goal – Mikael Lustig – Celtic 3 – 0 Hibernian Mikael Lustig scores a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Celtic 3-0 Hibernian.
59:40

Kris Commons decides to take the corner short.
58:23

Ben Williams takes the free kick.
58:23 Substitution

Substitution Paul Cairney joins the action as a substitute, replacing David Wotherspoon.
58:23

The referee blows for offside.
57:05

James McPake challenges Anthony Stokes unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
55:39

Inswinging corner taken by Leigh Griffiths from the right by-line.
53:39

Outswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the left by-line, clearance made by Ryan McGivern.
53:23

Shot by Anthony Stokes. Save by Ben Williams.
51:16

Assist by Mikael Lustig.
51:16 Goal scored

Goal – Kris Commons – Celtic 2 – 0 Hibernian Kris Commons gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 2-0 Hibernian.
51:07

The ball is sent over by Mikael Lustig,
49:55

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Tim Clancy by Anthony Stokes. Ben Williams takes the direct free kick.
47:49

Anthony Stokes takes a shot. Save made by Ben Williams.
46:14

A cross is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre, clearance made by Ryan McGivern.
45:01

The referee gets the second half started.
44:55

Unfair challenge on James McPake by Anthony Stokes results in a free kick. Ben Williams takes the free kick.
44:02

Unfair challenge on Kris Commons by Alex Harris results in a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick.
43:14

Ryan McGivern gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kris Commons. Mikael Lustig takes the free kick.
41:33

Victor Wanyama challenges Kevin Thomson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Ben Williams.
41:22 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.
37:51

Victor Wanyama gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Wotherspoon. Tim Clancy takes the direct free kick.
36:55

Kris Commons delivers the ball, Ben Williams makes a save.
36:04

The offside flag is raised against Jorge Claros. Free kick taken by Mikael Lustig.
31:09

Foul by Jorge Claros on Joe Ledley, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Kelvin Wilson.
27:17

Gary Hooper takes a shot. Save by Ben Williams.
26:31

A cross is delivered by Charlie Mulgrew.
26:14

Charlie Mulgrew takes a shot. Blocked by Tim Clancy.
15:28

Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew.
15:28 Goal scored

Goal – Kris Commons – Celtic 1 – 0 Hibernian Kris Commons finds the back of the net with a goal from just inside the area high into the middle of the goal. Celtic 1-0 Hibernian.
0:00

The match has kicked off.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association

2000 Celtic fans defy police and march through Glasgow in protest at new law

Martin Williams
Senior News Reporter
Saturday 6 April 2013

Celtic fans today ignored a clear police warning about possible arrests and staged an unauthorised march through Glasgow.
Fans march through the Merchant City. Pictures: Jamie Simpson

Around 3000 football fans who claimed they are being criminalised by "disproportionate" measures to crack down on hate crime converged on Glasgow's George Square in a lunchtime protest rally.

The event was organised on the back of the incident which saw Celtic’s self-styled "ultras" the Green Brigade clash with police last month.

Then, some felt police went over the top, with officers "kettling" fans outside a Gallowgate pub and police deploying mounted officers and the force helicopter before making 13 arrests.

Fans Against Criminalisation (FAC) organised today's George Square rally, but Glasgow City Council declined to grant permission for a parade as FAC had not complied with the required 28 days' notice to hold a street procession.

Before the event, Chief Superintendent Andy Bates, divisional commander of Greater Glasgow division of Police Scotland, had said: "Any procession along the road from George Square would be illegal and anyone involved could find themselves subject to prosecution."

However, by contrast with last month's approach, police today opted for a softly-softly approach, with only around 20 officers visible in George Square, and no attempt to intervene when around three-quarters of those at the rally spilled on to streets leading towards Parkhead for the home game against Hibs.

George Square and nearby Cochrane Street were brought to a standstill as protesters, chanting: "All Celtic fans against the bill", staged an impromptu march on pavements and roads, bringing traffic chaos.

The march continued across Ingram Street, Wilson Street, Bell Street, and High Street. Only at Gallowgate did police intervene more actively, sending in extra officers, some on horseback, to funnel the fans on to one side of the carriageway.

Strathclyde Police said they were not classing the two-and-a-half mile procession from George Square to Parkhead as an illegal march.

Chief Superintendent Bates said: "There was no disorder and no arrests and I am delighted by the way in which those who took part conducted themselves.

"As always when dealing with large crowds dispersing from an event it is inevitable that there will be some disruption to traffic. That said, I am pleased this was kept to a minimum and the people who took part in today's rally adhered to the pre-planned dispersal routes.

"When planning for a day like today, we have to strike a balance between protecting people's right to peaceful protest whilst ensuring that the city continues to operate with the minimum of disruption to the people who live and work here. I believe we achieved just that."

Earlier, George Square had been packed with fans carrying placards, many saying: "Football fans not criminals." One banner directed at police said: "Stop hiding your badges and lay down your batons."

One speaker at the rally, Labour MSP Michael McMahon, said: "Being a football fan cannot be of itself be a crime."

Glasgow University academic and Celtic Trust member Jeanette Findlay added: "What kind of country takes a law-abiding group of people and turns them into criminals. This affects all citizens, not just football fans."

Eddie Toner of FAC said: "It's fantastic so many have come, from the youngest to the oldest."

FAC describes itself as "an independent umbrella group comprising the Green Brigade, Celtic Trust, Celtic Supporters Association, Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters Clubs and Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs.

It claims new football laws which give police new powers to tackle abuse at and around matches has led to "heavy-handed" policing and has created problems for ordinary supporters.

The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act gives police and prosecutors new powers to tackle sectarian songs and abuse at and around football matches, as well as threats posted on the internet or through the mail.

The Act created two distinct offences, punishable through a range of penalties up to a maximum five years in prison and an unlimited fine.