2014-02-02: Celtic 1-0 St Mirren, SP

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

Trivia

• Celtic on 66pts, Aberdeen next on 45pts. Both levels in games played now.
• Fraser Forster has broken the league clean sheet record which has stood since 1922, achieving 11 consecutive league clean sheets.
• Fraser Forster has another 3 games and 7 minutes in the league until he beats Edwin van der Sar's 1,311 mins, which is a worldwide record.
• Debut for Johansen, highly praised and MoTM
• Neil Lennon forced to leave Tynecastle – hit by coins & spat upon by some Aberdeen fans at the league cup semi final on Saturday. Forced to leave with 20 minutes to go, neutral ground for
• Aberdeen v St Johnstone. Disgrace! Celtic actually playing Aberdeen in the cup on Saturday coming.
• Fantastic show of support for Neil Lennon on the 18th minute (player squad number) which he acknowledges emerging from dug-out clapping fans
• The old landmark janitor's house at London Road School has been knocked down.
• Some new facilities for disabled supporters will be officially opened before kick-off. The Club has created a new elevated platform in the North West quadrant to accommodate supporters, leading to 29 new wheelchair spaces for supporters and provision for 29 companion places.
• January Transfer Window Closed
• Last day just past, and as usual last day moves but no real surprises this time.
• Leigh Griffiths signs for Celtic
• Joe Ledley signs for Crystal Palace, transfer estimate of £800k-£1m.
• Dylan McGeouch has joined Coventry City on loan until the end of this season, where he will team up with Celtic defender, Steven Pressley, who is manager of the club. Coventry City are currently 11th in League One in England.
• Youngster Mikey Miller joined Dumbarton on loan until the end of the season.
• Transfer lot (on loan)
  Dylan McGeouch – Coventry
  Bahrudin Atajic – Shrewsbury
  Jackson Irvine – Kilmarnock
  Callum McGregor – Notts Co
  Tony Watt – Lierse
  Paul George – Hamilton
  Stuart Finlay – Morton
  Tom Rogic – Melbourne Victory
  Joe Chalmers – Falkirk
  Mikey Miller – Dumbarton
  Paddy McNally – Cliftonville

Review

(flinchy of KDS forum)
Let's start with the big positive – well done Fraser, outstanding achievement. Had one save to make in the game and stood-up well. If he does go in the summer, he'll have left an official legend and with a lot of great memories. He'll be hard to replace.

Johansen had the best debut I can remember. Constantly moving, constantly looking around for a pass or space to run into. I hope he's consistent and I look forward to seeing him again next weekend.

The back 4 were ok up until Efe started fannying around in the last 20, then they went a bit all over the place. I can remember one time in the game where VvD didn't win a header for a ball he went for, the exception being the one he let over his head and bounce. I still felt confident he was in control of it. Izzy had no help off Mulgrew for quite a lot of the game – I'm actually surprised to see Charlie in some folks' top 3. imo he is offering very little atm, and could we play Brown, Biton and Johansen in the same midfield I would be happy to leave Charlie on the bench.

Commons wasn't great but made the best contribution so I'm happy with that. Forrest did a lot of running without doing much damage including to himself. The wee man's a bottler.

Stokes, for all he tried, couldn't buy a goal at the moment. He said on his twitter that he didn't know Derk was there for that chance at the end, but I don't know how much I believe that. He is a selfish player – as many strikers are – and he's not really contributing anything to the cause. I'd start Pukki against Aberdeen but I don't think Lenny will. He needs to get a grip and soon because if Griffiths hits the ground running, Stokes will have a lot of catching up to do.

Balde and Boerrigter – Didn't make much of an impact, though Boerrigter might have if Stokes had lifted his head and/or not been a greedy bastard.

Overall, nowhere near as good as we could be but still got what we wanted out of the game, that's why we're champions. I just hope we're better next week coz if we play like that against Aberdeen next week we could be in bother.

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Stats

Celtic St Mirren

Possession
41% 59%
90mins

Shots
19 3

On target
4 2

Corners
10 4

Fouls
10 6

Articles

Celtic 1-0 St Mirren:Forster breaks shutout record

Published on the 02 February
2014
17:43

18 comments
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CELTIC goalkeeper Fraser Forster has broken the club’s 92-year-old clean-sheet record with his eleventh shutout in a row.

The England international made history as he surpassed the record set by Charlie Shaw in 1913-14 and again in 1921-22 as Celtic recorded a hard-fought 1-0 victory over St Mirren at Celtic Park.

Kris Commons set the home side on their way in a match they dominated after just five minutes with a fierce shot from 25 yards that was too hot for Marian Kello to handle as the Hoops frontman netted his 22nd goal of a remarkable season.

There were a couple of nervous moments for the home side in the second half, but in truth they should have won the game more comfortably, with James Forrest and Anthony Stokes in particular passing up glorious opportunities.

Any fears that Leigh Griffiths may have had over the welcome he would receive from the Celtic fans proved unfounded, as the new signing from Wolves received a rapturous reception from the home support as he was paraded at half-time.

With the former Hibs man joining too late to make the Celtic squad, Anthony Stokes was restored to the attack after serving his two-game suspension in place of Teemu Pukki.

Joe Ledley’s deadline-day move to Crystal Palace allowed recent signing Stefan Johansen to claim his first start since joining the Hoops, and he was perhaps the best player on show on the day.

St Mirren had Josh Magennis in attack after he joined on-loan from Aberdeen, and Greg Wylde replaced Adam Newton in the side that was defeated by Hearts in midweek.

The visitors started the match brightly enough and John McGinn had a decent chance within 30 seconds, latching on to a long ball but dragging his shot wide from the edge of the area when he had more time on the ball than he perhaps realised.

It did not take long for Celtic to assert a measure of control however, and in their first attack of note they opened the scoring.

Emilio Izaguirre cut inside from the left and fed the ball into Commons, who turned and directed a shot on target that St Mirren goalkeeper Kello could only help into the net.

Celtic then had two chances in quick succession to double their lead.

A trademark surging run from the back by Virgil van Dijk allowed the big defender to slip the ball into Stokes inside the area, but the Irishman could only clip a right-foot effort past the post.

Then Darnell Fisher, who was full of early running from right-back, was fed the ball by James Forrest and advanced upon Kello’s goal. In taking the ball around the goalkeeper however he was forced wide and his clipped cross was scrambled clear by Marc McAusland.

The Celtic supporters showed their solidarity with manager Neil Lennon following the abuse his agent Martin Reilly alleged he received at Tynecastle during the League Cup semi-final between Aberdeen and St Johnstone by giving him a standing ovation in the 18th minute.

Scott Brown then had a golden opportunity to score when Charlie Mulgrew turned Jason Naismith on the left and pulled the ball back to the penalty spot.

Commons stepped over the ball to leave Brown with a clear sight of goal, but the Celtic captain could only side-foot well over the crossbar.

St Mirren drew their first save from Forster after half an hour, with McGinn’s long pass finding Greg Wylde scampering down the left flank. With just Fisher in his way, Wylde opted to shoot early and his tame effort was comfortably held by history man Forster.

Celtic new boy Stefan Johansen was looking tidy in possession, and he showed good feet to side-step Jim Goodwin in midfield before poking just wide from the edge of the box.

Stokes then fed James Forrest who cut inside on to his left-foot and unleashed a shot that Kello did well to save low to his left, before the home side went even closer to getting their second goal just before half-time.

A nice exchange between Stokes and Mulgrew allowed the former a chance to open his body up on the edge of the area and curl the ball inches past the post.

There were nerves around Celtic Park in the 57th minute as Steven Thompson nudged the ball around Forster after latching on to a long pass, however with Efe Ambrose in close attendance and a narrowing angle, the St Mirren frontman could not get a meaningful shot away.

St Mirren went even closer to an equaliser soon after. Darren McGregor dispossessed Izaguirre deep inside the visitors’ half and fed Conor Newton, whose early ball up the flank caught the Celtic rear-guard napping.

Magennis poked the ball around Ambrose and had a clear sight of Forster’s goal, the England international doing well to parry away his effort.

Forrest then passed up a great opportunity at the other end to ease any home nerves, firing wide from six yards after great set-up play by Mulgrew and Stokes.

Balde next come close to adding to the score within the final 10 minutes, running at the heart of the visitors’ defence before firing just wide.

Ambrose gave the ball away carelessly in the final minute to allow Campbell a chance to run into the Celtic area, but the Nigerian got back to clear for a corner.

The delivery was cleared to Sean Kelly on the half-way line, and Stokes did well to dispossess the young defender to give himself a clear run on goal.

Incredibly though the striker elected to try to round Kello instead of square the ball to Mulgrew, who would have had an open goal, and he was forced wide.

Celtic survived a nervous last few moments for Forster to take his place in the club’s history books.

Teams, bookings, subs

Celtic: Forster, Fisher, Izaguirre, Johansen, Ambrose, van Dijk, Brown, Milgrew, Stokes, Forrest (Boerrigter, 70), Commons (Balde, 79).

Subs not used: Zaluska, Biton, Samaras, Pukki, O’Connell.

Goals: K Commons 6.

St Mirren: Kello, Naismith, Kelly, Goodwin (Campbell, 83), McAusland, McGregor, Newton, McGinn, Thompson (McLean, 70), Magennis, Wylde.

Subs not used: Dilo, van Zanten, Reilly, Brady, Morgan.

Referee: A Muir

Attendance: 45,014

Neil Lennon: Fans abuse was drunken, not sectarian

Neil Lennon accused Aberdeen fans of throwing missiles at him but denied there had been a sectarian element. Picture: SNS

Neil Lennon accused Aberdeen fans of throwing missiles at him but denied there had been a sectarian element. Picture: SNS

by ALASTAIR DALTON and STEPHEN HALLIDAY

Published on the 02 February
2014
18:01
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CELTIC manager Neil Lennon today accused drunken Aberdeen fans of throwing missiles towards him at a League Cup tie on Saturday, but said it had not been a sectarian attack.

Lennon left the Scottish League Cup semi-final between Aberdeen and St Johnstone at Tynecastle in Edinburgh 20 minutes before the end of the match after coins and a drink container hit people near him.

He said: “It’s very uncomfortable and very unsavoury.

“I don’t want to take anything away from what was a great day for Aberdeen. I don’t think that’s fair.

“I can’t apportion any blame to them, it was just a section of their supporters who probably had far too much to drink and wanted to single me out.

“I don’t think it was sectarian. It was drink-fuelled and yes it is unacceptable.”

Lennon was sitting with Celtic coach Garry Parker, physio Tim Williamson and Hearts assistant manager Billy Brown, and close to Aberdeen staff in the directors box at the Hearts stadium when the trouble started.

He said: “You get the usual abuse, which is fine. You can get over that.

“But then I was aware of a coin flying past my head and it actually hit an Aberdeen member of staff on the back.

“He was wearing a padded jacket and he was aware something hit him. He handed the coin to the steward.”

Lennon said stewards moved him to just in front of the Press box at half time.

He said: “When Aberdeen scored the third goal, a drink of some sorts came flying over my head.

“It missed me and landed in the Press box, hitting a couple of journalists.

“I thought, ‘We need to think of the safety of other people around us’.

“This guy had been hit with a coin.

“We said we’d see how the next 15 minutes goes. When it happened again, we decided not to stick about.

“It’s just unsavoury, unnecessary and uncalled for.”

Witnesses said Lennon had withstood nearly an hour of verbal abuse before leaving the stadium. Aberdeen won 4-0.

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) said the incidents had been “utterly unacceptable”.

Chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “We’d like to congratulate Aberdeen and Inverness Caledonian Thistle on reaching the Scottish League Cup Final after two thrilling semi-finals this weekend.

“Unfortunately, we understand the Celtic manager Neil Lennon was the subject of abusive treatment by a minority of fans during yesterday’s game.

“Given this occurred at one of our games, we’d like to apologise to Neil Lennon for this utterly unacceptable behaviour.

“The SPFL is united in its total condemnation of this type of incident, which has no place in a football stadium nor society overall.”

Police Scotland said they had received no complaints about the incidents.

A spokeswoman said: “Police in Edinburgh have received no reports relating to assaults or abuse of anyone associated with Celtic or Heart of Midlothian football clubs following the match on Saturday.”

The incident is the latest of a series of attacks on Lennon over the last 11 years.

Two students were fined after he was attacked in his car in Glasgow in 2003.

A year later, threatening graffiti was daubed outside his home and he was the victim of road rage when he was repeatedly yelled at on the M8 motorway.

In 2008, Lennon was treated in hospital after being attacked hours after an Old Firm game. Two Rangers fans were later jailed for two years each.

A package of bullets addressed to Lennon was intercepted at a sorting office in Country Antrim, in 2011.

Two men were jailed for five years in 2012 for sending Lennon parcel bombs.

BBC

Kris Commons' goal against St Mirren gave Celtic their 14th consecutive win, extending their Premiership lead to 21 points.

Commons netted his 22nd goal of the campaign, beating goalkeeper Marian Kello from distance in the first half.

The Hoops dominated and could have made the score-line far more convincing as they passed up several opportunities.

Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster was rarely troubled and made a club-record 11th consecutive shut-out.

The Saints stay in ninth position and are increasingly becoming embroiled in a relegation play-off battle.

Having met earlier in January and the Hoops running out emphatic 4-0 victors, it was more of the same at Celtic Park as Commons once again proved irrepressible.
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The attacker's influence was felt as early as the sixth minute as he received a pass from Emilio Izaguirre, glided away from Jim Goodwin before powering an effort from distance that Kello was unable to keep out.

That set the tone for a one-sided encounter and, while Neil Lennon had said before the match that it was a "free game" for the visitors, it was the hosts who were playing free-flowing, slick and entertaining football; the type you would expect from a side with an 18-point lead at the top pre-match.

It was the 18th-minute that home supporters demonstrated their solidarity for Lennon, who was targeted by fans at the League Cup semi-final yesterday.

However, before that, the impressive Virgil van Dijk showed his strength and balance, holding off a couple of Saints players before releasing Anthony Stokes, whose dinked effort went narrowly wide.

The Irishman was clearly determined to make his 100th appearance for the club memorable and fashioned an opportunity for himself, pirouetting before sending an effort clear of the target as Celtic looked to turn their domination into a sizeable lead.

Lennon's men were unrelenting and Scott Brown could have doubled the hosts' advantage, but fired over the bar after tidy work by Commons.
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A brief reprieve for the Saints saw former Rangers man Gregg Wylde latch onto a long ball and test Forster, but the shot-stopper was untroubled, before more Celtic pressure resumed.

Stefan Johansen, making his first start for the club, created an opening but could not execute the shot properly, before James Forrest cut inside and fizzed a low shot that Kello had to get low down to save.

The one-way traffic continued after the break as Buddies defender Marc McAusland almost put into his own net following Charlie Mulgrew's centre.

St Mirren's forays into champions' territory were few and far between.

Steven Thompson did attempt to be a nuisance, forcing Efe Ambrose to clear hastily; while debutant Josh Magennis warmed the palms of Forster with a stinging shot.

However, the Saints had to be aware of the threat at the other end, with Forrest unable to convert the couple of chances that came his way.

Adam Campbell was flung on in place of Goodwin as St Mirren searched for an equaliser, but it was the hosts who looked more likely to add to their lead, with substitute Amido Balde coming close, before Stokes rounded Kello and missed.

Celtic's Neil Lennon suffers spitting and coin-throwing

Aberdeen and Celtic have condemned fans whose behaviour forced the Glasgow club's manager, Neil Lennon, to leave Saturday's League Cup semi-final early.

The 42-year-old was spat at, had coins thrown at him and was the subject of verbal abuse in the Tynecastle stand, according to his agent, Martin Reilly.

He had been a spectator as Aberdeen defeated St Johnstone 4-0.

Both Celtic and Aberdeen, whose fans were in the main stand, described the behaviour as "unacceptable".

“We would urge anyone who has any information as to the identity of those responsible to get in touch with the club”

Aberdeen Football Club

The Dons, who reached their first cup final since 2000, pleaded for supporters to report those responsible.

"The support we enjoyed at Tynecastle was absolutely fantastic and helped to create an incredible atmosphere that the manager and players acknowledged played a major part in what was wonderful day and occasion for Aberdeen Football Club," said a statement on their club website.

"However, it would appear that a tiny minority within the main stand behaved in a manner that is completely unacceptable and has absolutely no place in football.

"And we would urge anyone who has any information as to the identity of those responsible to get in touch with the club in order that appropriate action can be taken."

Reilly told BBC Scotland that Lennon and Celtic coach Gary Parker had to leave their seats in the main stand after 70 minutes of the game.

"I'm absolutely raging about the treatment of Neil, about the stewarding and the fans' behaviour," he said.

"It's scandalous that Neil is treated like this."

“We have an excellent relationship with Aberdeen Football Club and we are sure they will look into this matter”

Celtic spokesman

Play was also held up briefly as two young supporters ran on to the park and got to the technical area before being apprehended by police and stewards.

Lennon was sitting in the main stand, which housed Aberdeen fans on Saturday, yards above the technical area where he was infamously attacked by a Hearts fan in 2011, at Tynecastle.

The Celtic manager walked out of the stadium in Edinburgh shortly after Adam Rooney scored the third goal in the 62nd minute.

A Celtic spokesman said: "Clearly it is totally unacceptable for the Celtic manager to be treated in this way.

"Neil has complimented the way in which the situation was handled by stewarding staff at Tynecastle.

"We have an excellent relationship with Aberdeen Football Club and we are sure they will look into this matter."
Also related to this story

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Celtic 1, St Mirren 0.
90:00 +2:25 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Celtic 1, St Mirren 0.
90:00 +2:12

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
90:00 +2:12

Adam Campbell (St Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88:49

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is too high.
88:11

Corner, St Mirren. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
87:12

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Conor Newton.
86:57

Attempt blocked. Efe Ambrose (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
84:24

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Sean Kelly.
83:38

Attempt missed. Amido Baldé (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
82:52

Attempt missed. Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
82:13 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, St Mirren. Adam Campbell replaces James Goodwin.
82:00

Darnell Fisher (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82:00

Foul by John McGinn (St Mirren).
80:20

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
80:20

John McGinn (St Mirren) wins a free kick on the left wing.
78:09 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Amido Baldé replaces Kris Commons.
76:03

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by James Goodwin.
75:36

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Sean Kelly.
74:59

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
73:29

Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
72:00

Foul by Kris Commons (Celtic).
72:00

James Goodwin (St Mirren) wins a free kick on the right wing.
71:07

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
70:09

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
70:09

Foul by John McGinn (St Mirren).
69:25 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, St Mirren. Kenny McLean replaces Steven Thompson.
69:05 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Derk Boerrigter replaces James Forrest.
67:52

Attempt saved. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
66:58

Attempt missed. Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
62:51

Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
59:53

Attempt saved. Josh Magennis (St Mirren) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
55:04

Corner, St Mirren. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
54:06

James Goodwin (St Mirren) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
54:06

Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
53:38

Attempt missed. Sean Kelly (St Mirren) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
51:34

Foul by Gregg Wylde (St Mirren).
51:34

Darnell Fisher (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
48:37

Foul by Jason Naismith (St Mirren).
48:37

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
48:04

Corner, St Mirren. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
47:23

Attempt missed. Efe Ambrose (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
47:02

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Marc McAusland.
45:35

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Sean Kelly.
45:00

Second Half begins Celtic 1, St Mirren 0.
45:00 +0:57 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Celtic 1, St Mirren 0.
45:00 +0:19

James Goodwin (St Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
45:00 +0:19

Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
44:08

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
42:43

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
42:43

James Goodwin (St Mirren) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
41:14

Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
39:56

John McGinn (St Mirren) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
39:56

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
38:24

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Marc McAusland.
37:42

Attempt missed. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
34:55

Attempt missed. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
34:08

Foul by Darren McGregor (St Mirren).
34:08

Anthony Stokes (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
32:18

Attempt saved. Gregg Wylde (St Mirren) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
31:28

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Marc McAusland.
30:10

Attempt missed. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
24:15

Jason Naismith (St Mirren) wins a free kick on the left wing.
24:15

Foul by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
22:19

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
20:44

Delay in match Steven Thompson (St Mirren) because of an injury.
19:42

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Sean Kelly.
11:27

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Darren McGregor.
9:31

Corner, St Mirren. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
8:07

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
6:12

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
6:12

John McGinn (St Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
5:08 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, St Mirren 0. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Emilio Izaguirre.
1:35

Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
1:35

Foul by Josh Magennis (St Mirren).
0:46

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
0:46

Steven Thompson (St Mirren) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

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