2014-02-08: Celtic 1-2 Aberdeen, Scottish Cup

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

Trivia

• Scottish Cup Fifth Round
• First time since the 1981-82 season that Celtic have failed to reach the Quarter Final of at least one domestic cup.
• On Saturday previous, at Aberdeen v St Johnstone League Cup semi-final, Neil Lennon was observing the game and was verbally abused and spat at by Aberdeen fans and left after 70mins. Heightened tensions for this game. In fairness, most Aberdeen fans were disgusted by this act by a minority of their fans. No significant trouble at the match thankfully.
• Celtic cleared of the banner headache (a large 'H' symbol – representing the Maze Prison block in Belfast where 10 Republicans died on hunger strike in 1981 ). The league said the banner was in breach of its rules but Celtic had taken "all reasonably practicable steps" to prevent it from being displayed at Celtic Park so would not face any sanction. Phew!
• Celtic Former Players’ Association launched, a new independent organisation which has been formed to bring Celtic players of the past together. Organised by Joe Miller, an independent group but will be helped by club.
• Celtic confirm that the 2014 Scottish League Cup Final will be played at Celtic Park on Sunday March 16th.
• Ex-Celt Paul Hartley appointed as new Dundee manager. Takes over from howling mad ex-Rangers player John Brown.
• Fergus McCann announced to be returning to raise the league title flag on the first day of the new season in August. Excellent news.
• Celtic will play Celtic will play their Champions league qualifier home leg matches on the new Murrayfield pitch in July (this new pitch is some hybrid). Commonwealth Games stops us using Celtic Park.
• 6mth prelim P&L out. Profit at £10m, down from £13m but still healthy.

Review

(arklys of KDS forum)
Pretty abysmal. Although understandable, I was pretty disappointed with fans around me directing their frustrations particularly at the strikers. What we are completely bereft of is creativity from midfield. This perhaps deflects from the fact our strikers are poor (if Leigh Griffiths is the answer I don't want to hear the question) but we struggle to create anything so badly that even if we did have better strikers it may not make the impact people would expect.

Van Dijk and Ambrose both show more inclination and ability to bring the ball forward and do something with it than any of the midfielders. As a team, we are very poor going forward. Doubtless, though, it will be the usual few who get the blame. I am not saying the management, who tactically got it totally wrong, and the central midfield, who couldn't impose themselves on the game (worse – at times Brown seems to be regressing back to his petty, ineffectual former self) will not come in for any criticism but it's generally disproportionately aimed at a particular few. Samaras (who provided the team's one moment of genuine quality with the pass to Stokes) being top of the list, naturally*, but let's see if we can't blame Mulgrew somehow as well.

*edit: that's not to say I thought Samaras was good. He wasn't. Just he isn't the cause of all our ills as a team; it's worse than that.

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Stats

Celtic Aberdeen

Possession
43% 57%
90mins

Shots
11 10

On target
3 4

Corners
8 6

Fouls
12 13

Articles

Peter Pawlett strikes the winner as Aberdeen knock Celtic out of the Cup

Guardian report
Match facts

Celtic 1 Aberdeen 2

Scottish Cup
Celtic

Anthony Stokes 9

Aberdeen

Russell Anderson 38,
Peter Pawlett 50

Ewan Murray at Celtic Park
The Observer, Saturday 8 February 2014 15.02 GMT
Jump to comments (…)

Aberdeen's Russell Anderson, left, scored the equalising goal at Celtic in the Scottish Cup
Aberdeen's Russell Anderson, left, scored the equalising goal against Celtic in the Scottish Cup at Celtic Park. Photograph: Graham Stuart/Action Images

In their heyday, Aberdeen achieved victories over both halves of the Old Firm in Glasgow as routine. This triumph for the men from the north east bore all the hallmarks of the 1980s on the simple basis it was fully deserved. The fact Aberdeen recovered from a goal behind to progress in the Scottish Cup made their victory all the more notable.

For the first time since season 1981‑82, Celtic have departed both Scotland's domestic cup competitions before the quarter-final stage. Neil Lennon's team were flat, which was replicated by the attitude of those in the stands. There seems a general acceptance that Celtic's season will peter out, which is hardly a desirable circumstance for anybody. Lennon has presided over some rousing occasions since taking office permanently in 2010 but knock-out tournaments have not always been kind. The theory that Celtic would have everything their own way on the domestic scene because of Rangers' troubles has not been borne out at all by reality.

It can also only be of concern to Celtic's manager that his team clearly looks to have regressed in the past 12 months. To his credit, Lennon did not miss his players after this defeat.

"In defence and midfield, we were second best," said the Northern Irishman. "We started the game so well and from there our passing was so poor. It is very difficult to single out any payer for credit. It was very disjointed, from a team that has been purring along. We have to take the criticism now, we all do, then do all we can to finish the season really well. We played like strangers at times today."

But this was Aberdeen's day. In actual fact, after securing progression to the League Cup final seven days earlier, it has been their week. Qualification for the last eight of the Scottish Cup came thanks to a first victory at Celtic Park since 2008. Derek McInnes may well have taken on the Pittodrie hot-seat at the right time but his work has still been eye-catching. McInnes has a team full of pace, attacking intent and confidence. He has succeed where so many have failed over the past two decades by removing Aberdeen from the doldrums. McInnes has not fully delivered yet, but Aberdeen's return to prominence is welcome in what is generally a troubled Scottish football scene.

"I am really, really proud of that performance," McInnes said. "I know people will look at Celtic's failings but we restricted them. I think we limited Celtic's ability to be effective. I have been here as a player and as a manager in games were I've had to hang in but I didn't think it was like that today."

Anthony Stokes had given Celtic their early lead, after a wonderful piece of control retrieved a lofted pass from Georgios Samaras. Stokes finished at Jamie Langfield's near post, and through the goalkeeper's legs. If that was the ‑generally expected platform for a Celtic success, the opposite scenario transpired.

Aberdeen's set plays, delivered by Barry Robson, had already caused clear panic in the home defence before the equaliser arrived. A Robson corner was knocked by Andrew Considine into the path of the Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson. The centre-back swivelled and hooked the ball past Fraser Forster with some style.

Within five minutes of the restart, the visitors had their lead. Robson was again the architect, with a smart reverse pass after Celtic had failed to clear their lines. Peter Pawlett, one of the Scottish game's most exciting but unheralded young talents, scored via Forster's left‑hand post.

There was a Celtic siege on the Aberdeen goal thereafter. Virgil Van Dijk had the best chance of restoring parity, with the Dutchman's free header from a James Forrest cross clearing the crossbar. Just as they used to do, Aberdeen closed out victory in Glasgow with little trouble at all.

BBC
By Calum Macdonald BBC Sport Scotland

Aberdeen came from behind to shock Celtic and reach the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup.

The hosts led through Anthony Stokes's cool finish, but Russell Anderson's acrobatic effort and Peter Pawlett's angled drive gave the Dons victory.

Celtic pushed for a leveller, but the visitors came closest when Adam Rooney blasted over in injury time.

Derek McInnes's side had not won at Celtic Park since a quarter-final victory in the Cup in 2008.

Celtic took the lead with their first chance of the game. A beautifully flighted ball from Georgios Samaras found Stokes who took one touch and finished through the legs of Aberdeen goalkeeper Jamie Langfield.

The home side almost doubled their advantage shortly after when defender Virgil Van Dijk's free-kick was deflected into the side-netting.

Celtic's forwards kept pressuring the Aberdeen backline in an effort to force mistakes but chances were few and far between in the opening 20 minutes.

Neil Lennon's side had not conceded a goal in 12 domestic matches, a run which began in their last Scottish Cup match against Hearts at the start of December.

Aberdeen's first opportunity to end that run came after almost 30 minutes with Pawlett swinging in a teasing cross but neither Niall McGinn nor Rooney were able to connect.

That gave McInnes's side confidence and they began to grow into the game as Scott Brown was booked for a crude challenge on Jonny Hayes.

Rooney came close to levelling the scores on the half-hour mark but his effort deflected off Emilio Izaguirre and over the crossbar.

Celtic's defensive record ended in the 38th minute as Aberdeen drew level. The home side were unable to clear the ball after a corner and Anderson acrobatically hooked the ball home.

Aberdeen started the second half as they ended the first. Barry Robson flicked through to Pawlett who angled the ball past Fraser Forster in the Celtic goal to put the Dons ahead.

The visitors' lead should have been short-lived but Van Dijk headed over from inside the six-yard box.

With Celtic pushing for an equaliser they were almost left exposed at the back, Pawlett was once again the catalyst but it was cleared to safety after rebounding off the post.

Shortly after the hour Celtic introduced new £1m signing, Leigh Griffiths, but there was no immediate impact from the former Hibernian and Wolves striker and the next chance fell to the League Cup finalists but Hayes dragged his shot wide.

Celtic were creating little and they were almost caught on the break following a corner, but good work from another of Lennon's January signings, Stefan Johansen, saved the day.

With seven minutes to go James Forrest found Griffiths who squandered the chance to be an instant hero by dragging his shot wide of the upright.

Aberdeen had the final chance when Rooney blazed over deep into injury time.

The miss made no difference as Aberdeen held on to triumph and progress to the quarter-final.

Live Text Commentary
Full time
Full Time Match ends, Celtic 1, Aberdeen 2.
90:00 +3:37 Full time
Full Time Second Half ends, Celtic 1, Aberdeen 2.
90:00 +2:50
Attempt missed. Adam Rooney (Aberdeen) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
90:00 +2:00 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, Aberdeen. Joe Shaughnessy replaces Niall McGinn.
90:00 +1:50
Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
90:00 +1:50
Adam Rooney (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90:00 +1:07
Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
90:00 +1:07
Russell Anderson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90:00 +0:49
Derk Boerrigter (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90:00 +0:49
Foul by Russell Anderson (Aberdeen).
85:32
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jonathan Hayes.
84:36
Attempt saved. Amido Baldé (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
83:40 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Derk Boerrigter replaces Kris Commons.
82:57
Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right.
78:31 Booking
Booking Stefan Johansen (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
78:28
Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
78:28
Barry Robson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
76:33 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, Aberdeen. Scott Vernon replaces Peter Pawlett.
76:06
Attempt blocked. Barry Robson (Aberdeen) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
75:33 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Amido Baldé replaces Anthony Stokes.
74:57
Attempt saved. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
72:30 Booking
Booking Adam Matthews (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
72:25
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Stefan Johansen.
71:34
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Andrew Considine.
71:04
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Andrew Considine.
69:29
Attempt missed. Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
68:33
James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
68:33
Foul by Andrew Considine (Aberdeen).
68:01
Attempt saved. Barry Robson (Aberdeen) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
66:09
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Andrew Considine.
63:19
Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
63:19
Barry Robson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
62:38 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Leigh Griffiths replaces Georgios Samaras.
61:53 Booking
Booking Kris Commons (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
61:48
Foul by Kris Commons (Celtic).
61:48
Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
58:45
Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right.
57:44
Efe Ambrose (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
57:44
Foul by Adam Rooney (Aberdeen).
57:15
Attempt missed. Efe Ambrose (Celtic) header from the right side of the box is too high.
56:52
Georgios Samaras (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
56:52
Foul by Barry Robson (Aberdeen).
53:16
Delay in match Peter Pawlett (Aberdeen) because of an injury.
52:24
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
52:11
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Scott Brown.
51:58
Peter Pawlett (Aberdeen) hits the left post with a left footed shot from the centre of the box.
51:07
Attempt missed. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) header from very close range is too high.
50:37
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jonathan Hayes.
50:09
Adam Matthews (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
50:09
Foul by Adam Rooney (Aberdeen).
49:01 Goal scored
Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, Aberdeen 2. Peter Pawlett (Aberdeen) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Barry Robson.
48:30
Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
48:30
Willo Flood (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
48:04
Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
48:04
Niall McGinn (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
47:47
Attempt blocked. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
47:10 Booking
Booking Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card.
47:04
Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
47:04
Foul by Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen).
45:46
Attempt missed. Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
45:00
Second Half begins Celtic 1, Aberdeen 1.
45:00 +1:25 Half time
Half Time First Half ends, Celtic 1, Aberdeen 1.
45:00 +1:09
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Mark Reynolds.
45:00 +0:03 Booking
Booking Peter Pawlett (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card.
45:00
Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
44:59
Foul by Peter Pawlett (Aberdeen).
43:56
Foul by Adam Matthews (Celtic).
43:56
Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
43:29
(Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
43:29
Foul by Niall McGinn (Aberdeen).
43:15
Attempt saved. Andrew Considine (Aberdeen) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
42:42
Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
42:42
Willo Flood (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
37:50 Goal scored
Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, Aberdeen 1. Russell Anderson (Aberdeen) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner.
37:10
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Scott Brown.
35:12
Attempt missed. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
29:50
Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
29:50
Foul by Russell Anderson (Aberdeen).
29:14
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
28:49
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Scott Brown.
28:30
Attempt blocked. Barry Robson (Aberdeen) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
27:50 Booking
Booking Scott Brown (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
27:45
Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
27:45
Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the left wing.
24:29
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
24:28
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
23:20
Delay in match Adam Matthews (Celtic) because of an injury.
21:09
Attempt missed. Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high.
17:22
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Shaleum Logan.
13:21
Foul by Georgios Samaras (Celtic).
13:21
Barry Robson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
11:11
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Barry Robson.
10:54
Attempt blocked. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
9:48
Georgios Samaras (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
9:48
Foul by Willo Flood (Aberdeen).
8:09 Goal scored
Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, Aberdeen 0. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Georgios Samaras.
6:15
Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
6:15
Foul by Adam Rooney (Aberdeen).
4:54
Barry Robson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
4:54
Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
3:36
Foul by Barry Robson (Aberdeen).
3:36
Anthony Stokes (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
0:51
Efe Ambrose (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
0:51
Foul by Adam Rooney (Aberdeen).
0:00
First Half begins.
0:00
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Live data and text provided by our data suppliers

Celtic plc Interim Report 2013

By: Newsroom Staff on 07 Feb, 2014 15:17

CELTIC plc have released the interim report for the six months to December 31, 2013.

Operational Highlights
• Progression to group stages of the Champions League.
• Currently unbeaten in the SPFL Premiership and top of the league.
• Breaking long standing record for number of consecutive clean sheets.
• Academy continues to be successful; over 70 internationalists at Under 21 level and below.
• Multi-million pound investment in the area around Celtic Park, benefiting supporters and the local community.
• Launch of the Kerrydale Bar, Café 1888 and new family stand.
• Installation of a full stadium Wi-Fi network with accompanying matchday application.

Financial Highlights
• Revenue decreased by 11% to £44.8m (2012: £50.1m).
• Operating expenses decreased by 7% to £34.3m (2012: £37.0m).
• Profit from trading before asset transaction and exceptional operating expenses of £10.5m (2012: £13.1m).
• Exceptional costs of £2.3m (2012: nil).
• Profit on disposal of intangible assets £16.5m (2012: £5.2m).
• Profit before taxation of £21.3m (2012:£ 14.9m).
• Period end net cash at bank of £5.7m (2012: £0.1m net bank debt).
• Investment in football personnel of £5.0m (2012: £4.7m).
• 16 home fixtures (2012: 19).

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT
I am pleased to report on our financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2013. The introductory page to these interim results summarises the main highlights.

We have enjoyed another highly successful period on the football pitch. As we report today, we are comfortably at the top of the SPFL Premiership, having enjoyed an excellent run of results in the league, remaining unbeaten and having broken a long standing record for the number of consecutive clean sheets.

Having won the Scottish Premier League title in season 2012/13, we qualified once again for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. Our reputation as a leading club in European football has been enhanced by that success. These results reflect the financial benefit of participation in the group stages of the Champions League for a second year in a row, coupled with successful management of the playing squad.

Revenue dropped for the period to £44.8m (2012: £50.1m). The decrease compared to last year’s results at this stage largely reflects the impact of our decision to make the £100 reward for adult season ticket packages, together with playing three fewer home matches in the period and accumulating fewer points in the Champions League group stages, resulting in reduced UEFA distributions.

Operating expenses for the period decreased by 7% to £34.3m, leading to a profit from trading, before asset transactions and exceptional operating expenses of £10.5m (2012: £13.1m). Exceptional operating expenses in the period of £2.3m relate to an impairment charge.

Prudent investment in, and management of, our playing squad is a key component of the club’s strategy. In line with that strategy, we continued to invest in the playing squad, with £5.0m invested, an increase from last year (2012: £4.7m). Our profit on disposal of intangible assets of £16.5m, in comparison to a profit of £5.2m last year, largely reflects the transfers of Gary Hooper, Victor Wanyama and Kelvin Wilson. Together with ongoing investment in our Academy, the identification and creation of Champions League quality players remains fundamental to Celtic. Following the end of the period, during the 2014 January transfer window, further investment was made, securing the signing of the highly rated players Holmbert Fridjonsson, Stefan Johansen and Leigh Griffiths.

As at 31st December 2013, net cash at bank was £5.7m. Our profit before taxation for the half year was £21.3m, an increase of over 40% on the same period last year.

There is little doubt that this is a robust set of interim results and they reflect a club that is in excellent financial health.

The strategy of the Board is unchanged; our overwhelming priority is to win the SPFL Premiership and to qualify for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League and beyond; we seek to give our manager the best tools for the job, within the constraints of our economic environment; we aim to create value by investing in our youth academy and by acquiring players that we can develop; and in terms of the finances we seek to live within our means. All of this helps us prepare for the future and the economic uncertainties, which have had such a devastating effect on many other football clubs.

Our Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell, is serving as a Director of the Scottish FA, while our Financial Director, Eric Riley, serves as a Director of the Scottish Professional Football League. The structural and financial difficulties that face Scottish football are well documented and it is fair to say that the outlook for the game is challenging. I am gratified that Peter and Eric can make a contribution to overcoming the obstacles that lie ahead.

Looking forward to the second half, as with previous years, trading performance in the remaining months of this financial year will not be at the same level as that in the first six months (or the comparable period in 2013), with fewer home matches scheduled, no Champions League participation and lower gain on player sales.

A key focus for the year will be our continued investment in Celtic Park, not only for our own supporters’ experience on match days, but also for the benefit of the wider community. In January we opened a dedicated facility for disabled supporters and, throughout the year, we look forward to delivering further projects, including development of our Wi-Fi system, safe standing areas and the new landscaped and public realm area to the front of Celtic Park. In addition, we will continue to support Celtic FC Foundation in its very important charitable work, which provides assistance in key priority areas of health, equality, learning and poverty.

This has been another very active spell for the club and my profound thanks and appreciation go to Neil Lennon and his backroom staff, all of the players, executive management and staff, who are committed to ensuring that Celtic is a world class football club. Most importantly, I pay tribute to the fans, whose support, encouragement and dedication is second to none.

Ian P Bankier
Chairman
7 February 2014