2013-07-23: Celtic 2-0 Cliftonvillie, European Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 2013 – 2014 | 2013-14 Pictures

Trivia

• European Cup Champions League 2013-14 Qualifiers; Leg two of two, Second Round qualifying.
• First Leg 2-0 to Celtic; Aggregate: Celtic 5-0 Cliftonville (N Ireland)
• Loads of injuries before hand like Hooper, Virgil, Mulgrew and Matthews.
• Brave young child Oscar Knox from Ulster who battled & defeated cancer is the Celtic mascot. A proud moment for all to see, and thankful he is alive and will live a long prosperous life.
• Summertime and the transfer window is underway.
• Out so far: Miku, Lassad, Rogne, Wanyama,
• In so far: Amido Baldé, Van Dijk, Mouyokolo
• Steven Mouyokolo signs for Celtic after impressing some in friendlies (but was too late to star in the Cliftonville first leg)
• Celtic to face Elsfborg in the next round, Celtic loan star Bangura plays with them and set to play against us.
• Juve player Pirlo rants against Celtic having to play qualifiers: “It’s an insult Celtic have to enter the qualifiers this early on.It is an insult to the history of the club — and to all they have achieved in Europe recently. As champions they should not need to qualify. It is not fitting for a club of their size.”

Review

(Albert EinJockStein of KDS)
I'm satisfied with the performance and result tonight, glad to be back in Paradise. I still maintain that Lennon not giving Amido a start in what was always a dead rubber game, yet still a competitive European fixture, was bizarre but it's no big deal. I thought Samaras earned his MOTM award and was a constant nuisance to Cliftonville's defence and Commons deserves credit for being one of the only creative outlets we had – as seen with his cross for Sammy's goal. I think tonight, combined with the 1st leg, proves that Anthony Stokes is absolutely never going to be good enough to be our number 1 striker and is miles away from what we require even just to qualify for the Champions League group stage. His miss was shocking and I thought his overall performance against such mediocre opposition was telling. Our defence was fine, rarely troubled at all although Forster mis-hitting the ball could have cost us an embarrassing goal. I was pleased to see Hooper come on with a nice reception and his first touch, a beautiful pass into the wing, epitomises what an asset he is and how much we will miss him. A class above Stokes and, despite only getting 15 minutes, Amido Balde based on what he's produced thus far very early on in his Celtic career. I thought Rogic was good when he came on, but his shooting is awful and something I've noticed before; it's all very well having decent technique but I hope he works on his shooting.

Football aside I thought the Cliftonville fans were absolutely superb and showed our fans up occassionally, although the Green Brigade tried their best. Disappointing that Tony Hamilton's brother has been replaced by A VERY LOUD REPLACEMENT STADIUM ANNOUNCER!!! and I thought the attendance was decent and there is no chance Celtic Park had 31,000 empty seats tonight. Hopefully we sign a new striker and register him before thursday's deadline, bring on the Elfsborg.

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 –
• 2013-14 Winners

Stats

Celtic – Cliftonville

Match Stats
Possession
43% 57%
90mins

Shots
29 4

On target
13 2

Corners
10 4

Fouls
4 5

Articles

Celtic 2-0 Cliftonville (agg 5-0): Elfsborg await

The Scotsman

by ANDREW SMITH at CELTIC PARK

Published on the 23 July
2013
22:34

ON a windless night in the east end of Glasgow Celtic enjoyed the breeze of a passage into the third qualifying round of the Champions League expected of them.

Scorers: Celtic – Ambrose (16), Samaras (70)

Celtic won 5-0 on aggregate

Referee: T Kinhofer (Ger)

Attendance: 29,758

The surprise of the evening was that so many home supporters turned up to watch a formality of a fixture; made so by the 3-0 win for Neil Lennon’s side away to Northern Irish side Cliftonville last week.

The ground was more than two-thirds full, and even if those in most hearty voice were predictably the visiting fans from across the Irish sea, the allure of continental fair that had appeared unattractive in its domestic-like in its predetermined nature was powerful. The power a strong Celtic requitred to show was minimal to rack up another half co-efficient point for the nation on their way to setting up a tie with Swedish champions Elfsborg, who will visit Celtic Park next Wednesday. The punters cheered Efe Ambrose’s double-backflip gymnastic goal celebration as much as the cheered his 16th-minute headed opener, and were roused to clapping by the familiar songs belted out by the Cliftonville fans but perhaps the real point of note for them came with the introduction of Gary Hooper for Anthony Stokes in 64 minutes.

The English striker, who desires a move to his homeland but doesn’t appear overly-enthused by the fact the club that wants him most – and are prepared to pay the £5m asking price – are the Championship-residing Queens Park Rangers, received a mixed reception on his arrival… which might be his last on-pitch entrance before his departure. Hooper certainly was cheered noisily by plenty of the support, but a number of jeers were audible too. His contribution in the three years since his £2.2m move from Scunthorpe has been outstanding, and he provides a source of goals that Celtic will struggle to fill when his inevitable departure is confirmed. The saga has become so protracted that his service is in danger of being clouded.

Hooper bounded about with earnest in his short run-out last night in an encounter that also witnessed the first Celtic Patrk bow for Amido Balde, who replaced james Forrest for the final quarter of an hour. Balde, Stokes and Georgios Samaras may find they are required to do some serious heavy-lifting in the goals-accumulation stakes in Celtic’s world post-Hooper, who is reputedly hanging out hope that Norwich City will reignite their interest in a player who they failed to capture with a £5.5m bid in January.

Samaras showed that he appears in the mood for continuing his happy knack of scoting goals in Europe – he netted against every side Celtic played on their way to the last 16 of the Champions League last season, only drawing a blank at that stage against Juventus – with a fine header from a deep Kris Commons cross from the left.

That goal came at a juncture when a lull had allowed the Northern Irish champions to ponder the possibility of coming away with a draw from Celtic Park, the visitors causing a couple of scares as their opponents began to ease up.

Of course, there had never been any dangetr of a shock scoreline from a cure flick from Mikael Lustig set up Stokes to loft the ball across for Ambrose to snap his neck muscles and bury the ball high into the net. Celtic kept up the pressure from that point and Commons, with his usual chincanery, and Forrest, ensured a plentiful supply of chances for Stokes and Samaras. All four men would have finished the encounter cursing that they could not provide the touch to ensure that Celtic set themselves up for next midweek with the 11-1 aggregate scoreline with which Elfsborg readied themselves for their assignment in Glasgow. Forrest admitted afterwards that he hand his team-mates could have scored “seven or eight” on the night.

There was a settled look to Lennon’s selection with predictably ten changes from the side which secured a 2-1 friendly win over Brentford at the weekend. Kelvin Wilson partnered Ambrose in the centre of Celtic’s defence with his future being cast in to a degree of doubt by his manager’s initial reaction that the £1.3m bid received from Nottingham Forest for the player “wasn’t nearly enough”.

Such distractions are unwelcome as Celtic gear up for a tie which will entirely shape their season. Should the Swedes, most likely Mo Bangura and all, be overcome Celtic will be guaranteed European football until Christmas, with victory ensuring they will at least claim a place in the Europa League group stages.

At full-time, many Celtic players gave teir shirts to their Irish opponents without demanding a swap. It was all so serene and friendly. Lennon and his players will know that this is not how it will be from this point on.

Celtic: Forster, Lustig, Wilson, Ambrose, Izaguirre, Forrest (Balde 76), Kayal (Rogic 65), Brown, Commons, Samaras, Stokes (Hooper 65). Subs Not Used: Zaluska, Watt, Mouyokolo, McGregor.

Cliftonville: Devlin, Cosgrove (O’Carroll 76), Marc Smyth, McGovern, Seydak, Caldwell (Curran 58), Catney, McMullan, Johnston, Garrett, Boyce (Gormley 85). Subs Not Used: Brown, Ronan Scannell, McNeill, Martin Donnelly.

BBC
Celtic set up a Champions League third qualifying round tie against Elfsborg by easing aside Cliftonville.

Already 3-0 up from the away tie in Belfast, the Glasgow side extended their lead through Efe Ambrose's powerful 16th-minute header.

But it took until the 70th minute for their pressure to bring a second, a close-range Georgios Samaras header.

While Cliftonville's hard work avoided the feared rout, it is Celtic who will host Swedes Elfsborg next Wednesday.

Elfsborg, who have on-loan Celtic striker Mo Bangura and former Portsmouth forward James Keene in their squad, had earlier completed their own demolition of Daugava.
Georgios Samaras celebrates against Cliftonville

Samaras added another goal to the one he scored in the first leg

Already 7-1 up from the home leg, they showed they will be a tough hurdle to overcome for Neil Lennon's side, hopeful of matching the £23.5m earned from last season's march to the last 16, winning 4-0 in Latvia.

Despite striker Gary Hooper's recovery from a groin strain, Northern Irishman Lennon named an unchanged side from the one that won in his homeland.

Last season's top scorer was on the bench even though he has been the subject of a transfer bids from Norwich City and, most recently, QPR.

Cliftonville manager Tommy Breslin had voiced his determination not to leave Scotland with a humiliating scoreline and not surprisingly named a more defensive formation, with former Werder Bremen striker Liam Boyce on his own up front.

The expected onslaught began with a Samaras shot being beaten away by goalkeeper Conor Devlin.

It was clever play by Sweden full-back Mikael Lustig that finally prised open the visiting defence, setting up Anthony Stokes to deliver a cross that was dispatched past Devlin by Nigeria defender Ambrose.

Part-timers Cliftonville battled away gallantly and threatened momentarily when Marc Smyth had a close-range effort blocked after a rare corner for the Northern Irish champions, while Ciaran Caldwell fired wide.
Play media

That was a brief respite as Kris Commons and James Forrest threatened a second goal from range, with the latter's effort clipping the top of the crossbar.

Celtic's intensity dipped after the break, but Stokes forced a fine fingertip save from Devlin with a clever drive the Irishman steered towards the far corner.

Stokes was not so smart when presented with an easier chance after being set up by Scott Brown, the striker curling his shot wide of Devlin and the post.

Just as Cliftonville appeared to be tiring, a desperate clearance from Kelvin Wilson prevented a cross presenting Boyce the chance of a surprise tap-in equaliser.

Minutes after Hooper came off the bench, Celtic extended their lead when a fine Commons cross found the head of Samaras eight yards from goal.

Hooper fired an effort against the base of the post and summer signing Amido Balde headed just wide on his debut from the bench, but Cliftonville managed to restrict Celtic to a two-goal victory.

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +3:09 Full time

Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.
90:00 +1:01

Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Joe Gormley,
89:31

The ball is swung over by Mikael Lustig.
87:38

George McMullan is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Emilio Izaguirre.
86:29

Tom Rogic has an effort at goal from long range that misses to the right of the goal.
86:10

Tom Rogic takes a shot. Blocked by Jamie McGovern.
84:34

Free kick taken by Conor Devlin.
84:34 Substitution

Substitution Joe Gormley is brought on as a substitute for Liam Boyce.
84:34

The assistant referee flags for offside against Gary Hooper.
83:46

The ball is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre, Barry Johnston manages to make a clearance.
81:04

Foul by Liam Boyce on Emilio Izaguirre, free kick awarded. Tom Rogic restarts play with the free kick.
78:44

Emilio Izaguirre delivers the ball, Header by Amido Balde from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.
77:11

Tom Rogic has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide left of the goal.
75:44 Substitution

Substitution Diarmuid O'Carroll comes on in place of Tomas Cosgrove.
75:44 Substitution

Substitution James Forrest goes off and Amido Balde comes on.
74:30

Kris Commons takes a shot. Conor Devlin makes a save.
73:46

James Forrest delivers the ball, Gary Hooper produces a overhead kick right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area and hits the post.
72:37

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Kris Commons, clearance made by Barry Johnston.
71:06

Short corner taken by Georgios Samaras. Georgios Samaras delivers the ball, Gary Hooper takes a shot. Save by Conor Devlin.
69:44

Assist by Kris Commons.
69:44 Goal scored

Goal – Georgios Samaras – Celtic 2 – 0 Cliftonvle Georgios Samaras grabs a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Celtic 2 (5)-(0) 0 Cliftonville.
69:44

A cross is delivered by Kris Commons,
69:16

Tom Rogic takes a shot. Marc Smyth gets a block in. Kris Commons decides to take the corner short.
67:45

Shot from long range by Georgios Samaras goes wide of the left-hand upright.
66:04

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons, Headed effort from inside the area by Efe Ambrose misses to the right of the goal.
65:34

Mikael Lustig produces a cross, Eamonn Seydak makes a clearance. Short corner taken by Kris Commons.
63:51 Substitution

Substitution Gary Hooper replaces Anthony Stokes.
63:51 Substitution

Substitution Tom Rogic is brought on as a substitute for Beram Kayal.
63:51

Corner taken by Eamonn Seydak played to the near post, clearance by Scott Brown.
63:37

The ball is swung over by Stephen Garrett, clearance by Kelvin Wilson.
61:51

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kelvin Wilson on Chris Curran. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Eamonn Seydak, Efe Ambrose makes a clearance.
61:01

Effort from 35 yards by Scott Brown missed to the right of the target.
59:48

Shot by Anthony Stokes from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.
58:48

Shot by James Forrest went wide right of the net.
57:46 Substitution

Substitution Chris Curran joins the action as a substitute, replacing Ciaran Caldwell.
57:16

Scott Brown takes a shot. Blocked by George McMullan. Georgios Samaras produces a left-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the bar.
56:30

Anthony Stokes takes a shot. Save made by Conor Devlin. Short corner taken by Kris Commons.
56:16

Emilio Izaguirre crosses the ball, Marc Smyth manages to make a clearance.
55:30

The ball is swung over by Anthony Stokes, Jamie McGovern makes a clearance.
55:02

James Forrest takes a shot. Blocked by Jamie McGovern.
53:02

Anthony Stokes takes a shot. Eamonn Seydak gets a block in. Kris Commons produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the left-hand post.
51:16

Kris Commons fouled by Stephen Garrett, the ref awards a free kick. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
47:41

A cross is delivered by Eamonn Seydak, Georgios Samaras makes a clearance.
47:16

Corner taken short by George McMullan.
45:01

The referee gets the second half underway.
45:00 +1:01 Half time

Half Time The referee blows for half time.
44:41

Georgios Samaras produces a right-footed shot from close range which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
42:30

The ball is swung over by Mikael Lustig.
40:54

Eamonn Seydak takes the inswinging corner, clearance made by Georgios Samaras.
39:46

Mikael Lustig fouled by Stephen Garrett, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Kris Commons.
37:50

Effort on goal by James Forrest from just inside the penalty box goes harmlessly over the target.
36:23

The ball is swung over by James Forrest.
35:28

Kris Commons delivers the ball. Georgios Samaras is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Conor Devlin.
33:14

Kris Commons produces a right-footed effort from long distance that goes harmlessly over the bar.
31:36

Kris Commons takes a shot. Marc Smyth gets a block in.
29:52

The offside flag is raised against Ciaran Caldwell. Free kick taken by Emilio Izaguirre.
27:54

Effort on goal by Ciaran Caldwell from inside the box misses to the right of the target.
27:01

Ciaran Caldwell produces a cross, blocked by Kelvin Wilson. Corner taken by Eamonn Seydak, Marc Smyth takes a shot. Clearance made by Kelvin Wilson.
25:40

Kris Commons takes a shot. Conor Devlin makes a save.
23:51

The ball is sent over by James Forrest, save by Conor Devlin.
22:29

Unfair challenge on Barry Johnston by Anthony Stokes results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Marc Smyth.
21:20

The ball is swung over by Mikael Lustig.
20:43

Emilio Izaguirre produces a cross, clearance made by Jamie McGovern.
18:23

Centre by James Forrest, Jamie McGovern manages to make a clearance. Corner taken by Kris Commons.
16:30

The ball is crossed by Ciaran Caldwell. A cross is delivered by Stephen Garrett, Close range headed effort by Ciaran Caldwell misses to the right of the target.
15:17

Assist on the goal came from Anthony Stokes.
15:17 Goal scored

Goal – Efe Ambrose – Celtic 1 – 0 Cliftonvle Efe Ambrose scores a headed goal from close range. Celtic 1 (4)-(0) 0 Cliftonville.
15:11

Anthony Stokes produces a cross,
14:32

Centre by Mikael Lustig, save by Conor Devlin. Short corner taken by Kris Commons.
13:33

The ball is crossed by Emilio Izaguirre, Marc Smyth manages to make a clearance.
9:31

James Forrest fouled by Eamonn Seydak, the ref awards a free kick. Mikael Lustig takes the free kick.
8:00

Kris Commons takes the outswinging corner, Marc Smyth manages to make a clearance. Mikael Lustig delivers the ball, Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save made by Conor Devlin.
6:15

James Forrest fouled by Stephen Garrett, the ref awards a free kick. The ball is swung over by Kris Commons, Scott Brown has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.
5:15

Unfair challenge on Tomas Cosgrove by Efe Ambrose results in a free kick. Conor Devlin takes the free kick.
3:30

Anthony Stokes takes a shot. Barry Johnston gets a block in. Corner taken by Kris Commons, Conor Devlin makes a save. Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save by Conor Devlin.
2:31

Liam Boyce fouled by Efe Ambrose, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Ryan Catney.
1:56

A cross is delivered by Mikael Lustig. The referee blows for offside against Georgios Samaras. Conor Devlin takes the free kick.
0:00

The referee gets the match started.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association