2014-11-27: Celtic 1-3 FC Salzburg, UEFA Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 2014 – 2015 | 2014-15 Pictures

Trivia

• 2014-11-27: Celtic 1-3 FC Salzburg, UEFA Cup
• UEFA Cup/Europa League: Match Round 5
• Celtic qualify in second place after Astra win the other group game 1-0.
• Strange night at Celtic Park. Celtic go forward in the competition while going backwards on the pitch. Out-classed by Salzburg.
• Reports of Kayal off back to Israel in January.
• Scott Brown has signed a new long term deal.
• John Collins declines offers for SFA role.
• Jason Denayer says he believes Celtic are capable of winning the Europa League – if they play to their full potential. Nice one! (cringe).
• STV Scotsport reporter Arthur Montford has sadly passed away. A genunine Scottish media legend, we'll miss his loud jackets as much as his wonderful commentaries. RIP.
• Aleksandar Tonev ban hearing set for next week
• Celtic great Tommy Gemmell rushed to hospital after being found unconscious. We wish him a speedy recovery.
• Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte arrested in Mexico! Related to the Ibrox scandals
• Cricket: sad news as Australian international Phil Hughes dies two days after a bouncer caught him on the head. A freak accident. RIP

Review

(Lubo M of KDS)
We've qualified for the Last 32 of the UEFA Europa League with a game to spare, yay! #CelticAstraFamily

… but seriously, despite progressing that's five games played and in none of them have we performed convincingly.

Tonight, the first 13 minutes were simply amateurish and unacceptable at this level. Even my friend Gonga must have looked at Ronny planked to his seat and uttered the odd obscenity. Our defensive structure is non-existent, which is even more problematic when Efe Ambrose is playing; his "pass" in the first half . Van Dijk had an off night and both our full backs were asked to do too much I felt. One clean sheet in our last nine European games speaks volumes.

McGregor was absolutely hopeless, Griffiths worked his socks off to no great effect and only Brown played particularly well I'd say. Kampl was MOTM by a country mile.

The 2nd half display was much better, with good pressure for the odd 5 minute spell here or there, although it was obvious Salzburg went down a gear or two. However our passing retention was still sloppy, we didn't create many clear cut chances and ultimately they deserved to leave with 3 points. I'm just glad they didn't win 4-1 and inflict our biggest ever home European defeat.

As for the manager, I'm assuming Forrest wasn't 100% fit, otherwise starting McGregor was a bizarre selection. I wasn't particularly annoyed that Griffiths started ahead of Scepovic, but the way Deila has handled the latter after scoring 2 goals in 2 starts really baffles me. Scepovic hasn't even come off the bench recently. Kudos Ronny, we've ensured European football after christmas. But it feels like we muddled our way through and sadly the similarities with Mowbray continue with three home defeats in six against continental opposition. Onwards and upwards, I suppose.

As an aside, qualifying should now keep Van Dijk at the club until the summer (bar a crazy offer) and will hopefully improve our chances of signing Guidetti; as will a semi final against Sevco. Doing so should be our club's number one priority in the next 2 months and hopefully we're making inroads behind the scenes.

… okay another positive, considering the half-empty stadium and final result, the atmosphere was pretty good tonight.

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Stats

CelticFC Red Bull Salzburg
Possession
49% 51%
90mins
Shots
7 12
On target
2 7
Corners
6 6
Fouls
15 11

Articles

Celtic 1-3 Red Bull Salzburg: Hoops limp through

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/celtic-1-3-red-bull-salzburg-hoops-limp-through-1-3618580

Updated on the 28 November
2014
01:09

Published 27/11/2014 22:05
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NO CELTIC manager is ever in a position to dismiss defeat lightly but this was at least an entry in Ronny Deila’s loss column without tangible consequences.

Scorers: Celtic – Johansen (30); Red Bull Salzburg – Borges de Carvalho (8, 13) Keita (90)

On a night when Red Bull Salzburg deservedly became the first Austrian team ever to win a European tie on Scottish soil, Celtic joined them nonetheless in reaching the last 32 of the Europa League, courtesy of Dinamo Zagreb’s failure to beat Astra in the other Group D tie.

It means the Scottish champions’ trip to the Croatian capital in a fortnight is now a dead rubber but Deila’s team will still be expected to show a far more convincing level of performance if they are to harbour any serious hopes of making an impact in the knockout phase.

Trailing 2-0 after just 13 minutes to a double from Brazilian striker Alan, Celtic were staring embarrassment in the face against group winners Salzburg. Stefan Johansen’s riposte before half-time restored a sense of respectability but Naby Keita’s stoppage-time goal brought the evening to a chastening end.

Many among the home support would still have been trying to digest Deila’s eyebrow-raising team selection by the time Salzburg had raced into their early 2-0 lead with alarming ease.

Certainly, few would have predicted Leigh Griffiths would be chosen to lead the line for Celtic. The striker was handed his first starting appearance since August, a decision by

Deila which spoke volumes of £2.2 million signing Stefan Scepovic’s struggles to make a positive impact at the club.

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Scepovic was joined on the substitutes’ bench by Kris Commons and James Forrest, with Callum McGregor and Johansen given the supporting roles behind Griffiths as Deila favoured running power over flair in those positions.

But, if the Norwegian had hoped it would help his team match the pressing tactics and dynamism of the visitors, he was left to think again by Salzburg’s high-octane start to the contest. Frankly, Celtic could consider themselves fortunate only to concede twice in a torrid opening 25 minutes.

There was a touch of fortune about the visitors’ opener in the eighth minute, although it was also attributable to Celtic’s inability to cope with the pace and movement of their opponents, who were determined to play on the front foot. Massimo Bruno cut in from the left to work a shooting position from around 20 yards and his effort deflected off Charlie Mulgrew. The ball spun kindly into the path of Alan who was left with the fairly simple task of slotting it beyond Craig Gordon from close range.

Celtic were visibly rattled and needed Gordon to make a sharp save to keep out Martin Hinteregger’s close-range header from a Jonatan Soriano free-kick as Salzburg went for the jugular. But the second goal was only delayed until the 13th minute.

The home team’s defending left much to be desired when Kevin Kampl floated over a corner from the right. Salzburg central defender Andre Ramalho was able to flick it on to the unattended Alan who again made no mistake with a firm finish beyond Gordon from a couple of yards out.

Celtic had a half-hearted appeal for a penalty turned down when McGregor went down under Hinteregger’s challenge but it was Salzburg who continued to dominate. Gordon was soon called into action again, getting down low to his right to keep out Peter Ankersen’s effort from around 20 yards.

Gordon’s net bulged again in the 22nd minute but on this occasion a fine exhibition of Soriano’s technical ability was wasted by the Salzburg captain who, despite clear direction from the referee that a free-kick was indirect, curled the ball directly on target.

Mercifully for Celtic, the Salzburg onslaught gradually abated and the complexion of the contest was altered dramatically when Deila’s men pulled a goal back with their first cohesive attacking move of the evening in the 30th minute.

Emilio Izaguirre stretched the Salzburg defence with a powerful surge down the left and his low cross picked out a well-timed run into the penalty area from Johansen, who neatly drilled a shot beyond the right hand of goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi into the corner of the net.

Celtic sought to gather some momentum at the start of the second half as they managed to secure a greater share of possession. They almost equalised in fortuitous fashion in the 50th minute, a corner from the left by Anthony Stokes smacking off Gulacsi’s crossbar with the keeper scrambling unconvincingly.

News that Dinamo Zagreb had fallen behind to Astra in Romania may have reduced the significance of defeat for Celtic but it made them no less anxious to avoid it as they tried to increase their tempo in the attacking third of the pitch.

Salzburg were now posing a rarer threat of their own, mostly on the counter attack, although Soriano missed a good chance to restore their two-goal advantage when he sliced a shot wide.

Deila made a double substitution in the 67th minute, Commons and Forrest replacing Stokes and McGregor in a reconfigured front four which pushed Johansen out to the left.

Griffiths had toiled for much of the evening to make a telling contribution but he was denied his first European goal for Celtic 13 minutes from time when his close-range header from

Izaguirre’s cross was well saved by Gulacsi.

It was as close as Celtic came to an equaliser and they were undone in the second minute of stoppage time when Keita headed beyond Gordon after the keeper could only parry Marcel Sabitzer’s shot into his path.

BBC
By Richard Wilson BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

Celtic progress as runners-up from Group D
Alan double for Salzburg inside 13 minutes
Stefan Johansen on target for Celtic
Stoppage-time goal from Naby Keita as Salzburg win group

Celtic qualified for the knockout stage of the Europa League despite falling to defeat at home to Salzburg.

Salzburg's win secured the Austrian's top spot in Group D, with Alan scoring twice in the first-half and Naby Keita adding another late on.

Celtic's riposte came from Stefan Johansen and they played more assuredly after the break, but they were undone by Salzburg's initial zeal.

Astra defeat Dynamo Zagreb in Romania to ensure Celtic finished second.

Celtic were immediately swamped. If Ronny Deila had not been so grim-faced and concerned at the alarming lack of resistance amongst his own players, he would have admired Salzburg's accomplishment.

The visitors were everything the Celtic manager would wish his own side could be: swift of thought and movement, incisive, quick and precise in their passing, and capable of winning the ball back effectively. The home side were overwhelmed.

Salzburg came into the game as the highest scorers in the competition and the effectiveness of their attack was clear.

There was an element of good fortune about the early goal. Massimo Bruno's shot was deflected in an arc over the Celtic defence, with the ball dropping to Alan inside the area, with the striker prodding a volley into the net.

Martin Hinteregger's header demanded a sharp save from Craig Gordon, but the visitors could not be contained.

Four minutes after opening the scoring, Alan added a second. He was a lithe, elusive figure up front, and the Celtic defenders were leaden footed in comparison.

When Andre Ramalho headed a corner on, Alan reacted first and converted from close range.

There was almost a third, when the impressive Jonathan Soriano swept in a free-kick, but as Gordon correctly realised the referee had awarded an indirect set piece.
Stefan Johansen pulled one back for Celtic against Salzburg.

Stefan Johansen pulled one back for Celtic against Salzburg.

With Salzburg playing a narrow formation, they could command the midfield, but that also left Celtic with hope on the flanks. It took 30 minutes for a foray to become meaningful, but when Emilio Izaguirre hurled in a cross from the left Johansen finished crisply and accurately.

The goal revived the Celtic support and brought renewed purpose to the home side. It was clear why Salzburg have such an impressive European record though, because they were unfazed. They kept their poise but also their sense of adventure, and one counter-attack took just three quick passes to cover the length of the field.

Celtic were more composed after the interval. They lacked a cutting edge, though, which prompted some fans to holler for James Forrest to be brought on. The sense was that if the game was to be rescued, Celtic needed to be more threatening.

There was a reminder, too, of the danger the visitors still carried. A break upfield saw Soriano and Bruno exchange passes, but the former finished weakly from the edge of the area, sending the ball trundling wide.

Salzburg were capable of a casual aplomb, but they could also be unnerved. Celtic came close when Leigh Griffiths saw a header from Izaguirre's cross saved, but the equaliser wouldn't come.

Instead, the substitute Keita added a third with a header after a Salzburg counter attack.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Celtic 1, FC Red Bull Salzburg 3.
90:00 +3:05 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Celtic 1, FC Red Bull Salzburg 3.
90:00 +2:51

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90:00 +2:51

Foul by Alan (FC Red Bull Salzburg).
90:00 +2:21

Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Scott Brown.
90:00 +1:14 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, FC Red Bull Salzburg 3. Naby Keita (FC Red Bull Salzburg) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.
90:00 +1:12

Attempt saved. Marcel Sabitzer (FC Red Bull Salzburg) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Kevin Kampl.
87:18

Corner, FC Red Bull Salzburg. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
86:13

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
86:13

Marcel Sabitzer (FC Red Bull Salzburg) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82:52

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
82:25

Delay in match (FC Red Bull Salzburg).
81:51

Attempt missed. Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is just a bit too high. Assisted by Stefan Johansen.
79:58 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, FC Red Bull Salzburg. Christian Schwegler replaces Peter Ankersen.
77:53

Foul by Kevin Kampl (FC Red Bull Salzburg).
77:53

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
76:48

Attempt missed. Marcel Sabitzer (FC Red Bull Salzburg) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Christoph Leitgeb following a fast break.
76:06

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Emilio Izaguirre with a cross.
75:18

Offside, FC Red Bull Salzburg. Stefan Ilsanker tries a through ball, but Alan is caught offside.
73:55 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, FC Red Bull Salzburg. Marcel Sabitzer replaces Jonatan Soriano.
73:47 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Aleksandar Tonev replaces Charlie Mulgrew.
73:14

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Stefan Johansen.
70:11 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, FC Red Bull Salzburg. Naby Keita replaces Massimo Bruno.
69:04

Corner, FC Red Bull Salzburg. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
68:31

Foul by Martin Hinteregger (FC Red Bull Salzburg).
68:31

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
66:38 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. James Forrest replaces Callum McGregor.
66:28 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Kris Commons replaces Anthony Stokes.
66:06

Foul by Peter Ankersen (FC Red Bull Salzburg).
66:06

Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
64:37

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by André Ramalho.
64:01

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by André Ramalho.
61:39

Attempt missed. Jonatan Soriano (FC Red Bull Salzburg) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Massimo Bruno.
60:43

Foul by Jonatan Soriano (FC Red Bull Salzburg).
60:43

Efe Ambrose (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
58:26

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
57:25

Delay in match Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) because of an injury.
56:57

Foul by Stefan Ilsanker (FC Red Bull Salzburg).
56:57

Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
56:00

Kevin Kampl (FC Red Bull Salzburg) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
56:00

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
55:43

Foul by Massimo Bruno (FC Red Bull Salzburg).
55:43

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
53:54

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Kevin Kampl.
50:49

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by André Ramalho.
49:23

Peter Gulacsi (FC Red Bull Salzburg) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
49:23

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
48:57

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by André Ramalho.
48:21

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Martin Hinteregger.
46:11

Stefan Ilsanker (FC Red Bull Salzburg) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
46:11

Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
45:00

Second Half begins Celtic 1, FC Red Bull Salzburg 2.
45:00 +1:07 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Celtic 1, FC Red Bull Salzburg 2.
41:25

Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Stefan Johansen.
38:49 Booking

Booking Benno Schmitz (FC Red Bull Salzburg) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
38:47

Foul by Benno Schmitz (FC Red Bull Salzburg).
38:47

Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
36:48

Offside, FC Red Bull Salzburg. Jonatan Soriano tries a through ball, but Alan is caught offside.
36:19

Alan (FC Red Bull Salzburg) wins a free kick on the right wing.
36:19

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
34:40

Christoph Leitgeb (FC Red Bull Salzburg) wins a free kick on the right wing.
34:40

Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
33:46 Booking

Booking Stefan Johansen (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
33:34

Kevin Kampl (FC Red Bull Salzburg) wins a free kick on the left wing.
33:34

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
32:58

Foul by Massimo Bruno (FC Red Bull Salzburg).
32:58

Adam Matthews (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
31:23

Martin Hinteregger (FC Red Bull Salzburg) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
31:23

Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
30:42

Attempt blocked. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Adam Matthews.
29:31 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, FC Red Bull Salzburg 2. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Emilio Izaguirre with a cross.
28:00

Attempt missed. André Ramalho (FC Red Bull Salzburg) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Christoph Leitgeb with a cross following a corner.
27:23

Corner, FC Red Bull Salzburg. Conceded by Scott Brown.
25:09

Peter Ankersen (FC Red Bull Salzburg) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
25:09

Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
24:46

Attempt saved. Jonatan Soriano (FC Red Bull Salzburg) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Alan.
20:53

Jonatan Soriano (FC Red Bull Salzburg) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
20:53

Dangerous play by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
19:13

Corner, FC Red Bull Salzburg. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
19:10

Attempt saved. Peter Ankersen (FC Red Bull Salzburg) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Alan.
15:18

Foul by Benno Schmitz (FC Red Bull Salzburg).
15:18

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
12:07 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 0, FC Red Bull Salzburg 2. Alan (FC Red Bull Salzburg) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by André Ramalho with a headed pass following a corner.
11:37

Corner, FC Red Bull Salzburg. Conceded by Scott Brown.
10:51

Attempt missed. Peter Ankersen (FC Red Bull Salzburg) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right following a set piece situation.
10:48

Attempt saved. Martin Hinteregger (FC Red Bull Salzburg) header from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by André Ramalho with a headed pass.
10:18

Alan (FC Red Bull Salzburg) wins a free kick on the left wing.
10:18

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
9:41

Offside, Celtic. Craig Gordon tries a through ball, but Leigh Griffiths is caught offside.
9:19

Foul by Jonatan Soriano (FC Red Bull Salzburg).
9:19

Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
7:21 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 0, FC Red Bull Salzburg 1. Alan (FC Red Bull Salzburg) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.
7:18

Attempt blocked. Massimo Bruno (FC Red Bull Salzburg) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Benno Schmitz.
6:16

Massimo Bruno (FC Red Bull Salzburg) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
6:16

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
3:49

Hand ball by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
2:52

Corner, FC Red Bull Salzburg. Conceded by Scott Brown.
2:11

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
2:11

Alan (FC Red Bull Salzburg) wins a free kick on the left wing.
0:35

Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
0:35

Christoph Leitgeb (FC Red Bull Salzburg) 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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