2015-12-10: Fernerbahce 1-1 Celtic, UEFA Cup

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Trivia

UEFA Cup, Europa League Group Stages, Round 6 of games
Game is academic for Celtic as we are already out.
First ever competitive match for Celtic v Turkish sides in European competition.
Fenerbahçe make it through, with Molde top.
Celtic humiliatingly bottom with only two draws and no wins in what was an easy group.
Ironically, the away record is the first time in a group stage Celtic have not lost two or more games. Yet still no away win.
Idiots in the Celtic support take flares to the game and now UEFA are investigating the usage of them as they are not permitted.
Update: Celtic release statement stating they have banned two Celtic fans for use of flares, and are considering legal action.
Last game Celtic v Hamilton at home called off due to freak weather, Scotland battered by heavy rain causing huge flooding across the west coast.
Stokes is suspended (by Celtic) after some childish tweets prior to the match v Inv Caley last weekend. He apologised but this is not his first misdemeanor. Likely to be for the off in January, all for the best. However note he’s not old, he’s 27. This should be the peak if his career. He hasn’t hit the heights long predicted for him at one time. Ronny Deila says Anthony Stokes was suspended because of a series of issues not just Sunday’s tweets.
Charlie Mulgrew will be out for six to eight weeks with recurring injuries.
SPFL bosses have unveiled radical changes to the League Cup, with competitive football in July, group stages and the scrapping of extra time with drawn matches going straight to penalties.The winter break will also return to Scottish football while Scottish clubs wuill share in an £8 million BT Sport TV deal lasting four years. (The Scotsman)
Honduran international footballer & ex-Sevco player Arnold Peralta has been shot dead while on holiday in his hometown. He was killed in the car park of a shopping centre in La Ceiba, on the country’s Caribbean coast. The motive for the attack is unclear (to time of this match). Honduras is plagued by gang violence and has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Peralta had complained about violence in his homeland in a tweet late last year. RIP, He was a good friend of Celtic player Izzagueire who made tributes to him in the following game.

Review

(flawless of KDS)
Last night wasn’t the worst.

In a relatively difficult atmosphere I thought some players stood up well McGregor, Allan, Boyata, Forrest and Lustig. Still got some serious problems, the continued persistance of that Johansen in the team, poor form of Armstrong, lack of ability of Cifcti, the dallying of Bitton, Gordon being a big shampooebag and add in our usual calamitous defensive error we at least showed some balls to come back and get a draw. Yes, it’s against ten men but I don’t look at that as a negative at all.

I thought the subs we put on were right and at the right time for a change also.

However, the glacial pace at which we pay. It’s awful, once it went to 10 men we can’t shake ourselves out of the crab football we’ve lapsed into.

There’s a nucleus of decent players in that team I just cannot see it being nurtured or improved under Deila as a manager. We must move him on.

Overall, the group and our European campaign has been a complete effing disaster.

Teams

Fenerbahçe

40 Fabiano
77 Gönül
53 Ba Booked
22 Bruno Alves
03 Ali Kaldirim
06 De Souza Dias
05 Topal
10 Diego Dismissed after an earlier booking
50 Markovic (Tufan – 83′ )
09 Viana de Santana (Erkin – 86′ )
26 Potuk

Substitutes

01 Demirel
08 Tufan
15 Zeybek
19 Ozbayrakli
24 Kadlec
28 Civelek
88 Erkin

Goals

Markovic 39′

Celtic

01 Gordon
23 Lustig Booked
20 Boyata Booked
05 Simunovic Booked
63 Tierney Booked
06 Bitton
25 Johansen Booked (Rogic – 74′ )
42 McGregor
19 Allan (Commons – 74′ )
14 Armstrong (Forrest – 63′ )
07 Ciftci

Substitutes

03 Izaguirre
04 Ambrose
15 Commons
16 Mackay-Steven
18 Rogic
26 Bailly
49 Forrest

Goals

Commons 75′

Ref: Serge Gumienny

Attendance:

Articles

Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Match Pictures

Forum

Match

MOTM

Voting Thread
Result Thread
Winner –

Stats

Fenerbahçe Celtic
Possession
47% 53%
90mins
Shots
10 7
On target
5 1
Corners
3 3
Fouls
5 19

Articles
Celtic Football Club statement

By: Newsroom Staff on 17 Dec, 2015 17:15

AS part of our ongoing investigation into the recent match against Fenerbahce in Istanbul and the use of flares within the stadium, Celtic today confirmed that it has indefinitely suspended two individuals from attending all Celtic matches, home and away.

There have been calls from many for Celtic to raise a civil action in relation to recovering any fines imposed and this is something which the Club will consider.

Celtic has repeatedly stated its strong opposition to the use of flares but regrettably again, a very small number of individuals have damaged the club they claim to support, resulting in a further UEFA charge.

Celtic supporters travel in their thousands to European matches and the Club is always grateful and proud to have such a magnificent following from fans who have earned such a wonderful reputation.

However, we cannot allow the Club and our supporters to be damaged reputationally or financially any more, by a handful of individuals.

While we await UEFA’s determination, we have been inundated with support from Celtic fans who want an end to this activity and, like the Club, do not want those responsible associated with Celtic in any way.

Celtic ‘could sue fans who set off flares’
CRAIG FOWLER

Celtic are considering legal action against fans who set off flares in Turkey after UEFA opened fresh disciplinary proceedings.

The club have issued indefinite bans to two supporters following incidents during their final Europa League game of the season, last Thursday’s 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce.

Celtic have been hit with two charges by UEFA, one for the lighting of fireworks by away fans and another for improper conduct of the team, which was automatically sparked by their card count of five yellows.

Spoiler: click to toggle

A club statement read: “As part of our investigation into the recent match against Fenerbahce in Istanbul, Celtic today confirmed that it has indefinitely suspended two individuals from attending all Celtic matches, home and away. There have been calls from many to raise a civil action in relation to recovering any fines imposed and this is something the club will consider.”
Celtic were hit with a €10,000 fine for an identical charge following their defeat by Inter Milan in Italy earlier this year and the latest case will be the eighth time in five seasons that they have punished by the European governing body for supporter incidents.Read more: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/celtic-could-sue-fans-who-set-off-flares-1-3978692#ixzz3ueZtYzSn
Follow us: @TheScotsman on Twitter | TheScotsmanNewspaper on Facebook

Fenerbahce 1 – 1 Celtic: Celtic player ratings

CRAIG FOWLER

Celtic went out of Europe on a positive note after battling back to earn a point in Istanbul. Craig Fowler gives his take on the performance of each player in green and white.

Spoiler: click to toggle

GK – Craig Gordon – 3

Prior to his mistake this match seemed poised to host a vintage Gordon performance. He made an excellent fingertip stop at his front post to deny Diego and looked confident when coming for cross balls.

Then he let Markovic dribble the ball through his legs with little effort on the part of the attacker. He didn’t have much to do after that, but the damage was done.

RB – Mikael Lustig – 8

In a team full of chronic underachievers in Europe this season, Lustig has flown under the radar somewhat. However, this was more like the old Lustig, the man Celtic fans pined for during his lengthy injury spells.

He was strong in defence and helped out whenever he could in attack, including the cross for Kris Commons to head the visitors level.

CB – Dedryck Boyata – 8

This type of performance is what Celtic were missing in the early group stage games. Aside from one hairy moment when he dribbled himself, and his team, into trouble 25 yards from his own goal, he was solid, both in defence and with the football.

His enthusiasm to charge forward led to the goal as it pulled the Fenerbahce defence out of sorts and freed Lustig on the right.

CB – Jozo Simunovic – 8

Like Boyata, he too gave supporters a scare on one occasion, but otherwise it was a polished defensive performance. In particular he stood up well to the challenge of Fernandão, who he thwarted all by himself on more than one occasion.

LB – Kieran Tierney – 7

This was arguably the left-back’s weakest performance since breaking into the Celtic line-up. Part of that was him being curtailed on the attacking front, since Celtic were forced to sit back, and partly because the opposition finally started to cause him problems. Having said that, it was still a positive showing with a couple of key interceptions, and he continued to be strong in the tackle.

DM – Nir Bitton – 6

There were occasions where he showed his undoubted close control and composure on the football, and then there were times when he would concede possession so needlessly. His early pass through to Nadir Ciftci was a high point in the game for him, and it deserved to lead to a goal.

DM – Stefan Johansen – 5

The injury to Brown, along with the emergence of Tom Rogic and Scott Allan returning to fitness, means we’ll likely see more of Johansen in the defensive midfield role, though there is no doubt it isn’t his strongest position.

On occasion he was weak in the tackle and would often get his team-mates into trouble with ill-advised passes. That said, he still worked hard all over the park and often remained cool with the football in the face of pressure.

MR – Callum McGregor – 7

Arguably had the best showing of Celtic’s starting attackers. His strong running with the football helped ease the pressure on occasion as he dragged his team-mates up the field, even if the final ball was lacking. Defensively he put in a power of work and it’s telling that he remained on the field for the full 90 minute while three of the remaining, and more experienced, midfielders went off.

AMC – Scott Allan – 5

This wasn’t the game for Allan to show Celtic fans and his manager what he’s capable of. The playmaker, from his time in the Championship with Hibernian, is used to starring in a side with plenty of the football. Tonight he was asked to provide the spark on a team forced to sit-in for long periods.

When he got the ball his touch was a little rusty and he was closed down quickly. The reverse pass through for Ciftci (that just carried a little too far) demonstrated the vision that will become a key weapon with more playing time.

ML – Stuart Armstrong – 5

Typical Armstrong performance in a Celtic shirt. Showed his enthusiasm, athleticism and energy with and without the ball, but didn’t do enough to impact the play in the opposition half. He was deservedly the first away player to be subbed off.

FC – Nadir Ciftci – 5.5

The only one to get a half-mark. That’s because this writer was stuck between wishing to reward the player for an improved display or facing up to the reality of the performance.

He’s still got to show a lot more if he’s going to have a future at Celtic, but there were little glimpses of the star who dazzled fans at Dundee United for two seasons. Still severely lacks confidence in front of goal but at least looked defiant by trying to get into dangerous areas.

Substitutes

James Forrest – 7

Had he been fit he likely would have started over Armstrong. His ability to run at opposing full-backs, scaring the life out of them, has a real galvanising effect on the rest of his team. They seem to feed off his energy. As per usual, his final ball wasn’t quite there, but he remains an asset to the team regardless.

Tom Rogic – 6

The quietest of the three substitutes but another who impacted proceedings in a positive manner. Even when he’s not influencing play in the final third, his skill and quick feet allow him to move attacks along before defenders can put him under pressure, thus opening space for others.

Kris Commons – 8

With Fenerbache down to 10 men, there was an expectation something would happen when the veteran emerged on the touch-line, ready to be brought on.

He remains Celtic’s most potent goal threat outside of Leigh Griffiths. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing, you can decide.

BBC
Celtic could face further sanctions from UEFA after travelling fans set off flares during last night’s 1-1 draw in Turkey against Fenerbahce.

Since 2011, Celtic have been in trouble with UEFA on seven occasions – and this latest indiscretion could lead to a punishment that is more severe than a financial penalty.

There have been suggestions previously that a partial stadium closure could be the result of further incidents and it remains to be seen what action is taken following last night.

In March this year, Celtic were fined nearly £9,500 over two charges of misconduct during their Europa League second-leg meeting with Inter Milan.

A penalty of £5,860 was imposed for “improper conduct” on the field as well as a £3,600 punishment for flares set off by fans at the San Siro.

Virgil van Dijk had been sent off for two bookable offences, while five other players were turn to page 46 booked in the 1-0 defeat, indiscipline that UEFA fined the club for.

Earlier this year, Celtic were fined £7300 for supporter behaviour at Dinamo Zagreb.

BBC
By Alasdair Lamont BBC Scotland at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium

Celtic ended their Europa League campaign without a victory but at least salvaged some pride with a draw.

They looked to be heading for a fourth straight European defeat when Lazar Markovic slid in the only goal of the first half.

But Diego’s red card for a petulant kick at Stefan Johansen with a quarter of the game to go gave Celtic the lift they needed.

And substitute Kris Commons headed in to earn his side point.
An unwanted record

The result was enough to ensure progress to the last 32 for Fenerbahce, while Celtic finish bottom on three points.

It marks the first time Celtic have gone through a group stage of a European competition without recording a single victory.

Fenerbahce manager Vitor Pereira had noted before the match that Celtic had been unlucky in Group A.

But fortune was on their side as Diego’s dismissal allowed them back into a game in which they had not been able to muster a shot on target.
Diego and Stefan Johansen

Diego and Johansen clashed early on and the Brazilian was eventually sent off for kicking the Norwegian

The hapless Nadir Ciftci, starting his first match since the middle of October, typified that as he laboured over Celtic’s best chance, allowing Abdoulaye Ba to recover when a fit and in-form striker would have allowed him no such chance.

Commons showed far more clinical instinct as he made a late run into the box to head Mikael Lustig’s cross into the top corner and send the visiting fans into delirium.
Self-inflicted damage

Yet as so often has been the case during this campaign, Celtic’s principal problem was their failure to keep the opposition at bay.

Individual errors have contributed to dropped points in every match, though the guilty party on this occasion had already kept his side level with stunning saves from Mehmet Topal and Josef de Souza.

So it was all the more remarkable to see Craig Gordon misjudge Gokhan Gonul’s through ball, missing it entirely, allowing Markovic the opportunity to roll the ball in from a tight angle despite the despairing efforts of three defenders on the line.
Lazar Markovic scores for Fenerbahce against Celtic

Markovic finds the net after evading goalkeeper Gordon

To Celtic’s credit, they refused to buckle after that setback and though unable to create a great deal, they did not allow the Turks to inflict greater damage on their goal.
Lessons learned

Ronny Deila had spoken of the need not to simply go through the motions in this match, but rather to learn from it.

Deila will certainly have learned that he remains short of striking options in the absence of Leigh Griffiths, with nothing on the bench to allow him to replace the struggling Ciftci.

Kieran Tierney again showed remarkable maturity at left-back and is the one shining light for Deila and Celtic in this campaign.

More generally, Celtic still display a propensity to give the ball away in dangerous situations – a trait that will have to be cut out if they are to make headway in next season’s Champions League.

BBC

Celtic: Ronny Deila insists side lack experience but aren’t afraid

Ronny Deila insists his inexperienced Celtic side are not afraid to perform on the European stage.

Following their Europa League exit and dropping out of the Champions League, midfielder Stefan Johansen said Celtic have appeared “afraid” this season.

However, Deila said: “I think that frightened is the wrong word; it’s experience that’s important.

“You need to play games like we did (against Fenerbahce) with a different atmosphere and way of playing.”

Despite drawing 1-1 in Istanbul, Celtic finished bottom of Group A and without a win from their campaign.

“We obviously need to try more – we look a bit afraid when it comes to the pressure,” Johansen told BBC Scotland.

“Hopefully we can get that off our shoulders and play better next year.”

Johansen accepts the youthful Celtic squad need to acquire more nous for the rigors of European football.
Paul Brennan, Celtic blogger

“It’s a very big concern. Celtic really have to be hitting Champions League football regluarly. His [Ronny Deila’s] failures to do that in the first two seasons and lack of progress in the Europa League group stages this season really counts against him.

“Apologies count for nothing. There has to be a big decision to be made. If we have significant plans for the transfer window and the club have faith in those then my expectation is he will be given January and the second half of this season to see where he takes the club.”

“This is behind us now and we can’t dig ourselves into the ground. We need to step up, we’re still in two cups in Scotland and still in front in the league – it can still be a good season for us.”

Stating that the players “need to apologise to the fans”, the 24-year-old felt Celtic, whose elimination was confirmed prior to the Fenerbahce draw, acquitted themselves well in Istanbul.
Diego and Stefan Johansen

Diego and Johansen clashed early on and the Brazilian was eventually sent off for kicking the Norwegian

“It was a tough game, we knew that they still had the chance to go through, but 1-1 against a good team, it’s okay,” said Johansen.

“But, at the end of the day, we are of course disappointed that we didn’t have the chance to come here and play to get through. We just haven’t been good enough in Europe.

“They’re a top quality side with good players, but I think we showed we have the work-rate back.

“We were compact as a team and we didn’t give them many chances. Of course the passing could be better but we will work on that.”

Arriving back in Glasgow on Friday, Deila said focus returned to domestic matters and Sunday’s trip to St Johnstone.

“Sunday is maybe going to be one of the hardest games and we’re going to fight hard for those points,” he said.

“It’s too early to talk about the treble with so many games to play. We have to take one game at a time. We saw last year how difficult it was and history has shown the same.”