2015-02-07: Dundee 0-2 Celtic, Scottish Cup

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Trivia

• Scottish Cup 5th Round
• First ever matches in Scotland to use the disappearing foam spray to mark lines for referrees.
• Ron Deila: "We had fun out there. We are starting to look like a Ronny Deila team."
• Mubarak Wakaso scored the 1500th goal in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, and pushes Ghana to the final.
• Tough one for ex-Celtic manager Neil Lennon whose side Bolton were 10 mins from glory 1 up against Liverpool, ran out of legs with 10 men going down 1-2
  Transfer window closed:
• Little moves anywhere in the January Transfer window.
• Ins: Michael Duffy (Derry City), Stuart Armstrong (Dundee Utd, undisclosed), Gary Mackay-Steven (Dundee Utd, undisclosed)
• Outs: Amido Balde (Hapoel Tel Aviv, loan); Beram Kayal (Brighton, undisclosed fee); Jo Inge Berget (Cardiff, end of loan), Marcus Fraser (Ross County, free), John Herron (Cowdenbeath, loan), Jordan Hart (Annan, loan)
• Celtic sign Gary Mackay-Stevens from Dundee Utd after originally being held out to the summer with a pre contract.
• Michael Duffy signs from Derry City for £100k. http://www.cqnmagazine.com/100000-duffy-signs/
• Celtic sign also Stuart Armstrong from Dundee Utd. Irony is that both sides just won their respective semi finals last weekend to play each other next in in the forthcoming league cup final, but neither new player will be eligible.
• Kayal gone to Brighton.
• Berget not to be retained on loan, few complain. He's gone.
• Rumours of Commons to Bolton (Lennon is the manager there) – He stays instead. Signs a two year contract to stay.
• Amido Baldé, who was last on loan from Celtic at Waasland-Beveren, has signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv
• Efe Ambrose has been linked with Premier League duo West Ham and Crystal Palace for £3m. – didn't happen.
• Celtic supposedly put in a £350k bid in for a player from Israel whose club is desperate for cash. – didn't happen
• Ashdod left-back Juwon Oshaniwa claims Celtic have contacted the Israeli club to enquire about his availability. – didn't happen
• Stokes rumour to Leeds – didn't happen

Review

(stevebhoy of KDS)
Just back from game.
Came out with all guns blazing and were great, first half especially.
Could have been easily 3 or 4 at the break.
Great start to second half as well with another early goal.

Griffiths again on the score sheet, worked hard the whole game and tracking back when he had to.
Johanson also had another good game and managed to get on the scoresheet, maybe could have had a couple but hey ho

Very enjoyable performance

(henke92 of KDS)
We have yet to see a complete performance, but we are getting better. The style we play demands full focus for the 90 minutes, and we aren't achieving that. When we are focused, however, we look excellent. I can see Delia is getting through to the players now, and if this teams gets a couple of years to develop, we will compete well in the champions league groups again at the very least. I should also say that, in spite of his off field antics, Griffiths is the best striker we have at the moment. In the first half, he led the line very well, and his spate of headed goals are down to him using his pace to make intelligent runs ahead of much bigger and stronger players. If we can get him v Vidic, we could well get some joy in the europa game.

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Stats

Dundee Celtic
Possession
37% 63%
Shots
5 19
On target
2 7
Corners
3 2
Fouls
4 16

Articles

Dundee 0 – 2 Celtic: Celts through to last 16

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/dundee-0-2-celtic-celts-through-to-last-16-1-3683284
by PAUL FORSYTH

Updated on the 07 February
2015
19:47

Published 07/02/2015 14:29
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45 comments Have your say!

NOT only are Celtic still on course for a domestic treble, they are starting to look like a team worthy of the honour. Goals by Leigh Griffiths and Stefan Johansen in yesterday’s Scottish Cup fifth-round tie at Dens Park underlined their potential to win three trophies for the first time since 2001.

Scorers: Celtic – Griffiths 7; Johansen 47

This was their sixth consecutive victory, a sequence in which they have conceded not a single goal. All over the pitch, it was professional, it was committed and, more than anything, it was comfortable, just as it had been against Rangers last week, against Ross County the week before, and so on.

The Celtic players had been woken by a 2am fire alarm at their hotel, but it did not prevent them producing a performance that Ronny Deila, their manager, ranked up there with any since his arrival. Inspired by Johansen, they had urgency, tempo and a determination to defend from the front.

Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong, the new signings who were cup-tied, will not break into this team easily. Now that Deila is through his transitional period, the side are settled, confident and improving all the time. “The team that develops most during the season is the team that’s going to win,” said the manager. “My teams always have developed. It’s much easier to talk with you now because you can see what we’re doing. We’re working every day to get the small things better.”

Deila admitted that Celtic were in far better shape for their forthcoming Europa League knockout tie against Inter Milan than they had been for the group stage. “I’m really looking forward to those matches,” he said. “I am much more confident now that we are together in how we want to play.”

In the Celtic end, Deila’s name was being belted out like never before, especially after an early goal that gave them immediate control of the match. Mikael Lustig’s perfect cross simplified the task for Griffiths, whose glancing header disappeared into the far corner of the net.

Thereafter, Celtic zipped the ball about, with James Forrest – starting in place of Anthony Stokes – and Emilio Izaguirre seeing plenty of it down the left. A second goal looked inevitable, not least when a quick break allowed Johansen to set up Forrest, but the winger’s shot came back off Scott Bain.

The Dundee goalkeeper was busy. When Johansen’s square ball picked out Commons, who in turn moved it across to Griffiths, the latter’s poked shot rebounded from Bain’s chest. His save also denied Johansen after James McPake had failed to deal with a bouncing ball.

An injury, which forced Greg Stewart off before half-time, prompted a reshuffle in the Dundee ranks. Instead of having two, sometimes three, up front, they left Luka Tankulic in a lone role, which made them more competitive in midfield. Their one significant attempt on goal came just before half-time. After Tankulic chested it down, Paul McGowan’s shot was scruffy, but the spinning ball had to be pawed away by Craig Gordon.

At half-time, Stokes replaced Commons, who had pulled a hamstring, but it was not a striker who extended Celtic’s lead.

When Griffiths peeled away at the back post, Bain had to push away the header. Johansen was first to react, slotting it into the empty goal with his right foot.

By now, Celtic’s only concerns were injury-related. Lustig, who recently returned from a lengthy absence, went the same way as Commons after twisting his ankle. Although neither problem is serious, they could keep both players out of Celtic’s next match, against Partick Thistle in midweek.

Stokes, meanwhile, was booked for diving as Celtic camped themselves in the Dundee half and allowed their opponents not a glimmer of hope. Stokes and Griffiths each shot wide after an unusual effort by Johansen. His cross with the outside of his boot almost deceived Bain, who had to reach back and turn it against the woodwork.

On a day when John Beaton, the referee, became the first in Scotland to use vanishing spray at a free kick, Dundee performed something of a disappearing act. “We didn’t perform,” said Paul Hartley, their manager. “It was a poor performance. We were second best. I’m not going to dress it up. We just didn’t play well.”

Dundee: Bain; Irvine, McPake, Gadzhalov, Dyer; Stewart (McGinn 36), McGowan, McGinn, McAlister; Tankulic (A Black 90), Wighton (Clarkson 57). Subs not used: Letheren, Konrad, Black, Allan, K McBride, P McBride.

Celtic: Gordon; Lustig, Denayer, Van Dijk, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Commons (Stokes 46), Johansen, Forrest (Guidetti 74); Griffiths. Subs not used: Zaluska, Ambrose, McGregor, Henderson.

Referee: John Beaton. Attendance: 7,525.

BBC
By Roddie McVake BBC Scotland

Leigh Griffiths and Stefan Johansen were on target as Celtic cruised into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

Griffiths glanced home an early header and the visitors had several chances to add to their lead before the interval.

They took their first of the second half though, when Johansen netted from close range after Griffiths' header had been saved by keeper Scott Bain.

Dundee offered little in attack but Bain produced some excellent saves to keep the score down.

The hosts sealed their spot in the fifth round thanks to a 2-1 home win over Aberdeen and went into Saturday's match on a six-game unbeaten run.

Celtic hammered 4-0 at Tynecastle to set up their trip to Dens Park, and went into the game having won their last five.
Leigh Griffiths has an effort saved

Griffiths was in great form for Celtic but keeper Scott Bain made several saves from the striker

With Luka Tankulic, Craig Wighton and Greg Stewart in the Dee starting line-up, manager Paul Hartley stuck to his pre-match vow to attack the Scottish Champions.

It was the visitors who looked the more threatening though and they hit the front through former Dundee man Griffiths.

Right-back Mikael Lustig provided the perfect cross from the right and Griffiths nipped in between centre-backs James McPake and Kostadin Gadzhalov to nod past Bain into the corner.

McPake made a superb challenge to stop Johansen before Scott Brown and James Forrest had sights of goal, but neither found the target.

Johansen then played in Forrest but the winger's effort was well saved by Bain and McPake knocked the ball to safety with two Celtic players waiting to pounce.

Dundee, who saw top scorer Greg Stewart go off injured, had their first shot on goal through defender Gadzhalov, but his well-taken volley drifted wide.

After excellent link-up play from Lustig and Commons on the right, Griffiths produced a glorious first touch to dink the ball over a defender's leg and create a chance, only to see his volley blocked by Bain.

Celtic had chances to add to their lead through Johansen and Griffiths but Bain beat away the former's effort and the latter could not keep his volley down, while visiting keeper Craig Gordon made a stop to keep out Paul McGowan's deflected effort.
Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven

Celtic's new signings Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven watched on from the stands

The second goal arrived straight after the break. Lustig again found Griffiths in the area and after his header was parried by Bain, Johansen was there to knock the ball into the net.

Commons had gone off at the break with a hamstring problem and he was joined in the dressing room by Lustig after he picked up a knock.

As the hosts struggled to contain Ronny Deila's side, keeper Bain touched a Johansen cross on to his own post.

Dee did come into the game more as an attacking force but could not create clear-cut chances and the visitors always looked the more likely, with Griffiths a constant threat.

Celtic's display merited more goals but they had to settle for two, while Hartley will know his side failed to play to their potential.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Dundee 0, Celtic 2.
90:00 +3:11 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Dundee 0, Celtic 2.
89:36 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee. Andrew Black replaces Luka Tankulic because of an injury.
86:55

James McPake (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
86:55

Foul by John Guidetti (Celtic).
85:40

Foul by Luka Tankulic (Dundee).
85:40

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
84:10

Luka Tankulic (Dundee) wins a free kick on the left wing.
84:10

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
83:33

Kostadin Gadzhalov (Dundee) wins a free kick on the right wing.
83:33

Foul by John Guidetti (Celtic).
82:20

Foul by David Clarkson (Dundee).
82:20

Anthony Stokes (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
81:54

Paul McGowan (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
81:54

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
81:23

Foul by Paul McGowan (Dundee).
81:23

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
75:10

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
73:46 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. John Guidetti replaces James Forrest.
73:12

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.
65:42

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
61:23

Jim McAlister (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
61:23

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
58:16

Attempt saved. Luka Tankulic (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
57:32 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee. David Clarkson replaces Craig Wighton.
56:33 Booking

Booking Willie Dyer (Dundee) is shown the yellow card.
55:19 Booking

Booking Anthony Stokes (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
55:15

Anthony Stokes (Celtic) has gone down, but that's a dive.
54:05 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Adam Matthews replaces Mikael Lustig because of an injury.
50:27

Paul McGinn (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
50:27

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
49:14

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
48:24

Hand ball by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
47:23

Paul McGowan (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
47:23

Foul by Jason Denayer (Celtic).
46:05 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Dundee 0, Celtic 2. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner.
46:05

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
45:00

Second Half begins Dundee 0, Celtic 1.
45:00 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Anthony Stokes replaces Kris Commons.
45:00 +1:07 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Dundee 0, Celtic 1.
45:00 +0:45

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
44:35

Attempt saved. Paul McGowan (Dundee) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
43:36

Attempt saved. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
41:21

Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
39:35

Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
35:24 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee. Paul McGinn replaces Greg Stewart because of an injury.
34:25

Attempt missed. Paul McGowan (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
33:11

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
31:56

Attempt missed. Gary Irvine (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
31:30

Luka Tankulic (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
31:30

Foul by Jason Denayer (Celtic).
29:36

Kostadin Gadzhalov (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
29:36

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
28:55

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal.
27:34

Jim McAlister (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
27:34

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
25:16

Attempt missed. Kostadin Gadzhalov (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
24:41

Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Mikael Lustig.
24:00

Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Scott Brown.
23:16

Greg Stewart (Dundee) wins a free kick on the right wing.
23:16

Foul by James Forrest (Celtic).
23:01

Greg Stewart (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
23:01

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
22:33

Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top right corner.
20:10

Foul by Jim McAlister (Dundee).
20:10

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
18:14

Attempt missed. Jason Denayer (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
15:41

Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
14:18

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Scott Bain.
14:10

Attempt blocked. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
12:36

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left.
12:03

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Willie Dyer.
11:06

Paul McGowan (Dundee) wins a free kick on the left wing.
11:06

Foul by Mikael Lustig (Celtic).
10:00

Greg Stewart (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
9:32

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
6:03 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Dundee 0, Celtic 1. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Mikael Lustig with a cross.
4:46

Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
1:22

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Last updated 07 Feb 2015 UK