2015-07-15: Celtic 2-0 Stjarnan, European Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 2015 – 2016 | 2015-16 Pictures

Trivia

• European Cup 2015-16
• Second qualifying round of the Champions League, first leg
• First competitive match of the new season.
• Stjarnan are from Iceland.
• Debut for Ciftci & Boyata; Boyata scores on debut, Ciftci unlucky not to.
• Celtic have three qualifying rounds this year to the group stages. This is the first to get thru.
• Silly spat over the penalty over who was to take it, and Griffiths missed it!
• Stokes allegedly told he is free to move on this summer, but Deila seems to counter this (but not fully). Stokes plays in the game tonight, but does the transfer in of Ciftci mark the end? Both play in similar positions.
• Everton say McGeady not for sale or loan.
• Summer transfer window
  Transfers in: Dedryk Boyata (Man City), Saidy Jonka (Man U free) ; Ciftci (Dundee Utd £1.5m)
  Transfers out: Joe Chalmers (to Motherwell) ; Tonev (end loan); Guidetti (end loan); Wakaso (end loan); Zaluska (free); John Herron (free), Amido Balde (free) ; Fridjonsson (free to Reykjavik) ; Adam Matthews (£2m to Sunderland); Paul McMullan (loan to St Mirren), Michael Duffy (Alloa season long loan), Connor McManus (Alloa season long loan) ;

Review

(AP of KDS forum)
Decent crowd on a nice night saw another pre-season friendly out of the way without incident.

The opposition were poor, but a typical organised 9 man defence made it difficult to break down. Having said that we created enough and should have scored far more, but their keeper was either very good or the decent chances were straight at him.

Boyata looked comfortable enough against them, and Çiftçi looked promising, but not fit/sharp enough for Deila's regime yet.

Next leg should be professionally dealt with and comfortable. Next round, we'd better take the chances as it may prove trickier.

(Lynch 1888 of KDS forum)
Yes it's our first game back and yes we were rarely troubled, but that was a disappointing performance. We were dominant but some of the decision making and passing was terrible. Wasn't great to watch. Countless times we had 4 on 4 and we couldn't capitalise. Very one dimensional as well, really missed GMS taking the man on.

Of course I don't want to be too negative as it's basically preseason, but we should be putting more than 2 goals past this team at home. Hopefully a more pleasing performance in the second leg to come.

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Stats

Celtic Stjarnan
Possession
33% 67%
90mins

Shots
22 2

On target
9 0

Corners
10 1

Fouls
11 15

Articles

Celtic 2 Stjarnan 0: Hoops win first-leg UCL tie
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/celtic-2-stjarnan-0-hoops-win-first-leg-ucl-tie-1-3831722


by STEPHEN HALLIDAY

DESPITE failing to fully illustrate the gulf in class between themselves and a Stjarnan side 264 places below them in the Uefa rankings, Celtic last night laid the foundations for what should be a smooth passage into the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

Scorers: Boyata (44), Johansen (56)

Charlie Mulgrew congratulates Dedryck Boyata on his debut goal. Picture: SNS
Charlie Mulgrew congratulates Dedryck Boyata on his debut goal. Picture: SNS

It took Ronny Deila’s team 44 minutes to break down their obdurate but outclassed Icelandic opponents as Belgian defender Dedryck Boyata scored on his competitive debut for the club.


Stefan Johansen doubled the advantage early in the second half and while substitute Leigh Griffiths failed to convert a late penalty kick, a 2-0 lead should be sufficient for the Scottish champions to finish the job in Reykjavik next Wednesday.


While Boyata savoured his first outing in Celtic colours, it was a less fulfilling night for £1.5 million striker Nadir Ciftci who missed several decent chances to hit the ground running at his new club.

Boyata’s opener just a minute before half-time eased a growing sense of frustration inside Celtic Park after the hosts had struggled to convert their almost total dominance into a lead.

As expected, Deila’s men monopolised possession from the start but lacked the necessary incision to make it count.

Indeed, it was Stjarnan who caused a sharp intake of collective breath among the home support after four minutes when their first counter-attack of the evening found Arnar Bjorgvinsson free on the right of the Celtic penalty area. Fortunately for the Celtic defence, their temporary loss of concentration went unpunished as Bjorgvinsson was unable to pick out a team-mate with his cutback.

It was a blip on a graph which saw the play heading relentlessly towards the Stjarnan goalmouth and which should have seen Cifcti open his Celtic account in the ninth minute.

Johansen seized on a bad error by Gauti Gudjonsson and slipped a clever pass into Ciftci’s feet. The striker turned smartly but drove his low shot too close to Stjarnan goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen who made a decent save.

With the visitors defending in depth and as if their lives depended on it, Celtic found clear-cut openings difficult to come by. They forged one in the 21st minute when James Forrest knocked Charlie Mulgrew’s cross into the path of Johansen who dragged a right-foot shot narrowly wide.

Stuart Armstrong then came close with a dipping shot from 20 yards as Celtic continued to probe for what appeared an inevitable breakthrough.





Stjarnan were offering little in response, although a bizarre attempt to clear the ball by Emilio Izaguirre turned into a cross into his own penalty area which Jappe Hansen was unable to connect with cleanly.

Former Motherwell keeper Nielsen looked eager to impress on his return to Scotland and he made a terrific stop with his outstretched left boot to deny Armstrong after the midfielder had been sent clear by Johansen.

Ciftci summed up the sense of exasperation being felt in the Celtic ranks when he booted Nielsen’s right-hand post in response to heading an Izaguirre cross wide from close range.

But just as it appeared Stjarnan were heading into the break with a highly satisfying blank scoreline from their perspective, Celtic finally took the lead.

It came from a short-corner routine on the right crafted by Mikael Lustig and Johansen, the Norwegian midfielder whipping an excellent delivery towards the six-yard box where Boyata planted a firm header beyond the helpless Nielsen.





Celtic resumed after the interval with a clear intent to try and put the outcome of the tie beyond much reasonable doubt ahead of the second leg and Ciftci passed up another good opportunity when he headed over from a Forrest cross. But there was a reminder that the Icelandic champions were still capable of causing some anxiety for Celtic when Hansen screwed a shot wide of an empty goal after being picked out by Bjorgvinsson’s cross.

After Nielsen made a good save to keep out Ciftci’s header from a Johansen free-kick, Stjarnan missed an even better chance to snatch an away goal when unmarked Hordur Arnason wastefully blazed a shot over the crossbar.

Celtic’s response to this sudden threat to their control was swift and deadly as they made it 2-0 in the 56th minute. The Stjarnan defence were dissected by Armstrong’s deft pass which allowed Johansen to stride into the penalty area and coolly flick a close-range shot beyond Nielsen.

Stjarnan were tiring visibly and it was a jaded challenge by Hordur Arnason which gave Celtic a penalty 12 minutes from time as he sent Johansen tumbling.

The Norwegian wanted to take the spot-kick himself but was beaten to the ball by Griffiths who had entered the fray as a substitute for Forrest.

It proved a bad decision as Griffiths, looking for his first European goal for Celtic in his 10th appearance, saw his effort saved by Nielsen diving to his right.


Celtic: Gordon, Lustig, Boyata (Ambrose 83), Mulgrew, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Forrest (Griffiths 58), Johansen, Armstrong; Ciftci (Stokes 74). Subs not used: Bailly, Rogic, Fisher, Mackay-Steven.

Stjarnan: Nielsen, Aegisson, Gudjonsson, D.Laxdal, Arnason; Bjorgvinsson (Ottesen 86), Praest, Johannsson (Runarsson 74), Bjornsson (Gunnarsson 81); Finsen; Hansen. Subs not used: Johannesson, J.Laxdal, Barddal, Knutsson..

BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33500135
By Chris McLaughlin
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park Celtic are well placed to progress in their Champions League qualifier after a night of domination and frustration against Stjarnan in Glasgow.

Three good chances were spurned before debutant defender Dedryck Boyata headed home from corner on 44 minutes.

Stefan Johansen then tucked home Stuart Armstrong's clever cut-back.

But there was a sour note when substitute Leigh Griffiths had a penalty kick saved after squabbling with team-mate Johansen for the ball.

Former Motherwell goalkeeper Gunnar Neilsen did well to push the effort away and made a series of good saves to keep the Icelanders in the tie ahead of next week's return leg.

As expected, Celtic started on the front foot, knocking the ball around with a swagger that suggested they were comfortable with the favourites' tag.

New signing Nadir Ciftci was chosen to lead the home attack and probably should have scored after nine minutes.

With back to goal, the Turk cushioned an Armstrong pass just inside the box but his tame effort on the turn was stopped by Nielson.

Ronny Deila's side continued to probe with James Forrest and Armstrong delivering from the wings but Stjarnan were defending in numbers and high balls were mopped up with relative ease.

Stjarnan's intentions were clear as they settled into a formation that was designed to frustrate and there were grumbles from the crowd as Johansen blasted just wide from eight yards.

Nadir Ciftci made his competitive debut for Celtic Ciftci led the attack for Celtic until he was replaced on 74 minutes

The groans got louder after Armstrong danced through the visiting defence only to see his effort hit the outstretched foot of Nielson.

Painful memories of last year's qualifying defeats to Legia Warsaw and NK Maribor may have been fuelling fans' desire to kill off the side who ended Motherwell's Europa League dreams last season.

For all their hard work there was little doubt that the Icelanders were also enjoying some good fortune.

But that luck ran out just as the clocked clicked towards half-time.

Johansen's corner sailed over the outstretched fingers of Nielson and onto the grateful head of Boyata, who was lurking at the back post to guide the ball into the back of the net.

The relief inside Celtic Park was palpable and, had Forrest shown more composure in front of goal a minute later, the pressure would have been off completely.

Having found a way through Stjarnan's wall of blue, the winger pulled the trigger from 10 yards but his effort was deflected wide.

Stefan Johansen (centre) doubled Celtic's lead on 56 minutes Johansen (centre) doubled Celtic's lead on 56 minutes

The breakthrough did little to alter the visitors' game plan but they turned defence into attack just moments after the break and came very close to a shock equaliser when Jappe Hansen's shot trickled wide.

Hearts remained in mouths as the visitors enjoyed a good five-minute spell, with two efforts turned over the crossbar.

But when the home fans dared to peer between cracked fingers, Armstrong delivered the second goal their frayed nerves were craving.

Johansen started the move and ran on to the former Dundee United midfielder's pass to deftly slot the ball beyond Neilsen.

The Celtic onslaught intensified as Armstrong and Johansen continued to link up well but a great opportunity to add a third goal was squandered after scenes Deila described as "unprofessional".

Johansen was upended to win a penalty and wanted to take the spot-kick before relenting to Griffiths's demands.

Neilson saved low to his right and produced a better stop in stoppage time to repel Johansen's close-range shot.

Celtic 2-0 Stjarnan: Ronny Deila irked by penalty squabble
Celtic manager Ronny Deila admitted two of his players squabbling over who should take a penalty in the 2-0 win over Stjarnan was "unprofessional".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33545831
Stefan Johansen and Leigh Griffiths argued about the spot-kick before the latter's attempt was saved.

Earlier, goals by debutant Dedryck Boyata and Johansen put Celtic in command of the Champions League second qualifying round tie.

And Deila said it was "very clear" Griffiths was to take the penalty.

Asked what had transpired on the pitch, Deila replied: "I don't know, I have to ask them.

"It's very clear who's going to take that penalty; the guy who took the penalty.

"Leigh has taken penalties before so that is quite clear. We can't have it like that, it's unprofessional."

Boyata headed Celtic in front near the end of a first half dominated by the hosts. Johansen, who had set up the opener from a corner, converted Stuart Armstrong's pass for Celtic's second after the break.

Celtic midfielder Stefan Johansen Johansen set up the first goal and scored the second

"We created a lot of chances, we should've scored more goals but 2-0 is a good result and that should be enough when we get up to Iceland," Deila told BBC Radio Scotland.

"We had five big chances in the first half, we should have at least one more goal there. I think we had opportunities to kill the game but that's football. I'm very happy that we didn't concede anything."

Meanwhile, Deila revealed winger Gary Mackay-Steven had been replaced in the starting line-up by James Forrest shortly before kick-off due to a groin strain.

"We don't take any chances," said the Norwegian. "We had to let him rest."

Boyata was withdrawn late on and later revealed he had cramp.

"For myself, it's something I'm not happy with," said the former Manchester City player. "I wanted to finish the game.

"It's not put me in a good mood and hopefully it's something I can sort out very quickly."

Live Text Commentary
Full time Full Time
Match ends, Celtic 2, Stjarnan 0.
90:00 +4:07 Full time Full Time
Second Half ends, Celtic 2, Stjarnan 0.
90:00 +1:59 Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
90:00 +1:00 Efe Ambrose (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90:00 +1:00 Foul by Jeppe Hansen (Stjarnan).
90:00 +0:10 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Gunnar Nielsen.
89:59 Attempt saved. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner.
87:53 Booking Booking
Efe Ambrose (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
87:49 Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
87:49 Jeppe Hansen (Stjarnan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
85:20 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Stjarnan. Atli Palsson replaces Arnar Mar Björgvinsson.
85:02 Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
85:02 Veigar Gunnarsson (Stjarnan) wins a free kick on the right wing.
83:50 Mikael Lustig (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
83:50 Foul by Ólafur Karl Finsen (Stjarnan).
81:53 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Efe Ambrose replaces Dedryck Boyata because of an injury.
81:42 Delay over. They are ready to continue.
80:55 Delay in match Dedryck Boyata (Celtic) because of an injury.
80:23 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Stjarnan. Veigar Gunnarsson replaces Halldor Orri Björnsson.
78:50 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Heidar Aegisson.
.77:16 Penalty saved! Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, left footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.
77:16 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Brynjar Gudjónsson.
76:47 Penalty Celtic. Stefan Johansen draws a foul in the penalty area.
76:47 Penalty conceded by Brynjar Gudjónsson (Stjarnan) after a foul in the penalty area.
73:32 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Anthony Stokes replaces Nadir Ciftci.
73:07 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Stjarnan. Thorri Geir Runarsson replaces Atli Johannsson.
72:09 Attempt missed. Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is too high.
70:57 Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
70:29 Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
70:29 Foul by Michael Praest (Stjarnan).
69:36 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Heidar Aegisson.
67:17 Hand ball by Ólafur Karl Finsen (Stjarnan).
67:01 Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
67:01 Foul by Michael Praest (Stjarnan).
66:19 Attempt saved. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
65:04 Attempt saved. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
63:22 Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
63:22 Foul by Michael Praest (Stjarnan).
61:55 Attempt missed. Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left following a corner.
61:23 Booking Booking
Gunnar Nielsen (Stjarnan) is shown the yellow card.
61:09 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Hordur Arnason.
60:17 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Brynjar Gudjónsson.
58:00 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Leigh Griffiths replaces James Forrest.
57:36 Attempt missed. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
55:53 Goal scored Goal!
Goal! Celtic 2, Stjarnan 0. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Stuart Armstrong.
55:28 Attempt missed. Hordur Arnason (Stjarnan) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
53:33 Attempt saved. Nir Bitton (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner.
52:38 Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
52:38 Foul by Atli Johannsson (Stjarnan).
51:11 Attempt missed. Jeppe Hansen (Stjarnan) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right.
48:26 Foul by Nadir Ciftci (Celtic).
48:26 Michael Praest (Stjarnan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
46:28 Attempt missed. Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
45:40 Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
45:40 Michael Praest (Stjarnan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
45:00 Second Half begins Celtic 1, Stjarnan 0.
45:00 +1:37 Half time Half Time
First Half ends, Celtic 1, Stjarnan 0.
45:00 +1:26 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Hordur Arnason.
45:00 +1:18 Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
45:00 +0:32 Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
45:00 +0:32 Michael Praest (Stjarnan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
43:39 Goal scored Goal!
Goal! Celtic 1, Stjarnan 0. Dedryck Boyata (Celtic) header from very close range to the top left corner. Assisted by Stefan Johansen with a cross following a corner.
43:30 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Hordur Arnason.
41:33 Attempt missed. Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) left footed shot from more than 35 yards is high and wide to the left.
40:03 Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
40:03 Foul by Brynjar Gudjónsson (Stjarnan).
39:28 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Michael Praest.
38:36 Foul by Nadir Ciftci (Celtic).
38:36 Brynjar Gudjónsson (Stjarnan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
37:38 Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
37:38 Foul by Michael Praest (Stjarnan).
37:04 Attempt missed. Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the right.
36:17 Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
36:17 Foul by Brynjar Gudjónsson (Stjarnan).
35:27 Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
30:46 Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
30:46 Foul by Heidar Aegisson (Stjarnan).
28:56 Attempt saved. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
28:05 Foul by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
28:05 Jeppe Hansen (Stjarnan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
27:03 Dedryck Boyata (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
27:03 Foul by Jeppe Hansen (Stjarnan).
23:08 Attempt missed. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
20:44 Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
19:33 Mikael Lustig (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
19:33 Foul by Atli Johannsson (Stjarnan).
18:44 Corner, Stjarnan. Conceded by Charlie Mulgrew.
18:01 Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
18:01 Atli Johannsson (Stjarnan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
15:38 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Daníel Laxdal.
15:26 Attempt blocked. Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
13:30 Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
13:30 Ólafur Karl Finsen (Stjarnan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
9:20 Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
9:20 Foul by Arnar Mar Björgvinsson (Stjarnan).
9:06 Foul by Dedryck Boyata (Celtic).
9:06 Ólafur Karl Finsen (Stjarnan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
8:35 Attempt saved. Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
6:49 Foul by Nadir Ciftci (Celtic).
6:49 Brynjar Gudjónsson (Stjarnan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
0:00 First Half begins.
0:00 Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
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