2016-01-02: Celtic 1-0 Partick Thistle, SP

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

Trivia

• It's the new year and this is the new year Glasgow derby
• Last game v Dundee postponed due to rain.
• Celtic take advantage as Aberdeen slip up and draw but Celtic have games in hand which we must take advantage of.
• Sevco in trouble after much publicised singing of sectarian singing at their home game v Hibs.
• Rumblings continue against Ronny Deila
• Bad weather, lots of flooding across the UK.
• Remember John Guidetti? Our loan signing last season? 17 games at Celta Vigo one goal, 4.5yrs left on contract. Ooft!
• The much respected Mr President Sean Sweeney president of the Wishaw CSC passed away. Tributes from many across Celtic world (died 23rd Dec).
• Transfer window is open.
• Rumours: Tyler Blackett to be recalled to Man U.
• Celtic want Aiden McGeady – but can't afford wages, says Ronny Deila

Review

(Arsene P of KDS)
Right, here we go, (here we go, here we go).

Yesterday's game was pish, pure and simple.
So was the last Motherwell defeat.

The crowd was in the same bad mood as that game (up until the winner)

There is something rotten going on, but I don't know exactly what the cause is.

We were two players down for most of that game yesterday as players took it in turns to be shampooe. I don't believe it is deliberate.

They are lacking guidance off the park and leadership on it.

I don't believe our best players are fit (nor available in some cases) at the moment.

We have no striker backup, no defensive plan, and when you have defenders SO uncomfortable on the ball under pressure, it's no surprise opposing teams highlight that. They squeezed the defence and made sure any midfielder coming back to get the ball was man-marked, ensuring the humph from Gordon.

We have no playmaker on form, wingers who can't cross consistently (to nobody in the box*) and a system where the centre backs have to be good passers to ensure fluidity. As we saw, we had to go backwards for most of the game.

Because of all that, we don't create enough clear cut chances, especially against well organised defences, and with only one proper goal scorer, we're always going to struggle for goals.

A lot of this is similar to spells under most previous managers, a sticky patch which is usually overcome.

Zurawski era Strachan, Mowbray's tenure, Lennon pre the Kilmarnock comeback, O'Neill post Larsson and many other 'disastrous' runs of form have all increased the angst of supporters over the years.

The board, the manager and players all get it in the neck at times like this.

I've no idea how Deila gets everyone back on board, but with all the negativity coming from his ain folk it will be no surprise if he's gone in May.

Hands up all those folk who think a fit Mulgrew would walk into the team at centre back? If your hand went up, then that tells you everything about the current, fit squad we have.

It's not fun watching us just now, but that's what supporters have to do, so we can appreciate the good times.

It's only a game.

*A common complaint of mine

(Auld Assasin of KDS)
Quick summary of our season so far….

Negatives:
Tactically inept
No clue how to break down a team with 11 behind the ball
Leaderless
Passionless
Gutless
Unfit
No board investment in team

Not playing for each other

Worst displays from any squad I have ever seen since 1964(when I started going to matches)

Plus points:
Top of the league
Best supporters and fans anywhere
KDS does not implode, just smoulders and crackles during bad times

Lastly and most importantly WE do not accept what is being served up week in, week out as acceptable BUT have forgotten amid this dross storm how to be rebels and tell the board et al to GTF in the strongest terms possible.

And don't get me started on the pies and bovril….

HH all and have a great 2016

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• Winner –

Stats

Celtic Partick Thistle
Possession
43% 57%
90mins

Shots
12 7

On target
6 4

Corners
4 10

Fouls
9 5

Articles

Celtic 1 – 0 Partick: Leigh Griffiths grabs late winner
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/celtic-1-0-partick-leigh-griffiths-grabs-late-winner-1-3990048
STEPHEN HALLIDAY

LEIGH GRIFFITHS papered over the cracks of another substandard performance by Celtic as his 90th minute winner took Ronny Deila’s side three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Celtic – 1

Griffiths 90

Partick Thistle – 0

But there was precious little else in the way of new year cheer for disgruntled supporters of the champions. This might have been a welcome first home victory since Halloween for Deila but it was another display which simply lends weight to the argument of those who feel he is on borrowed time as Celtic manager.

Griffiths made his return from injury as a half-time replacement for the woefully ineffective Nadir Ciftci and provided some respite for Deila with his 20th goal of the season.

It ended Partick Thistle’s six-match unbeaten run and was a harsh outcome for Alan Archibald’s tactically disciplined and often enterprising side.

They will reflect ruefully on a missed opportunity to claim their first league win over Celtic for over 20 years, especially after the hosts were reduced to 10 men for the final 25 minutes when Nir Bitton was sent off. The resilience shown by Celtic in that closing period at least gave Deila something to be positive about afterwards.

“You can call it relief to win the game, I call it happiness,” he said. “We had a very good period with 10 men, we worked hard as a team and created chances.

“It was a vital win, of course. It was about confidence. Our passing was not at our normal standard and we couldn’t really get into the game in the first half.

“We were more dangerous when Leigh came on and he got in behind their defence. We didn’t have enough speed in the team in the first half.

“I felt the frustration of the fans and I was frustrated myself. You play under pressure here and it is small things like today which can turn things around. We got three points, a clean sheet and we are three points ahead of Aberdeen.”

Archibald’s men were composed and confident from the early exchanges, setting the tone for a first half which saw Celtic struggle to find any fluency as an attacking force.

It was another miserable afternoon for Ciftci who was comfortably contained by the Thistle defence before making way for Griffiths.

The Turkish striker was restricted to a glimpse of goal in the 10th minute, when Dan Seaborne’s poor attempt to clear allowed the ball to drop to him before Liam Lindsay got across with a fine covering challenge to deflect his shot wide for a corner.

Ciftci lacked the necessary pace and movement to trouble Thistle, however, and it was little surprise he failed to reappear for the second half.

The visitors had looked just as likely as the hosts to make a breakthrough in the goalless opening 45 minutes with Steven Lawless flashing a volley narrowly wide from 20 yards and Kris Doolan glancing a close range header wide after stealing a yard on Jozo Simunovic.

Callum McGregor came closest for Celtic before the break, his shot fizzing just wide of Tomas Cerny’s left hand post, while they also had a penalty claim turned down when a Tom Rogic shot looked to strike Lindsay on the hand as he blocked it.

The jeers which greeted the half-time whistle told their own story, one which has been all too familiar from the home fans’ perspective in recent months,

The introduction of Griffiths did meet with their approval but even though he proved to be their late saviour, Celtic’s problems run deeper than simply the identity of the central striker in Deila’s mis-firing system.

They continued to lack tempo and creativity and the Celtic fans were bemused when Deila decided to withdraw Rogic, arguably their most effective performer, when he sent on James Forrest just after the hour mark.

Celtic’s difficulties increased with Bitton’s foolish dismissal 22 minutes from time. Booked seven minutes earlier, the Israeli had already been fortunate to avoid a second yellow card for a poor challenge on Abdul Osman.

There was no such leniency when referee Steven Finnie sent him packing for a needless foul on Gary Miller.

“I didn’t think it was a red card,” said Deila. “Having said that, it was a little bit stupid.

“Nir had other fouls before it, that made the decision of the referee. It was inexperience and something he has to learn from.”

Thistle sensed their chance to claim what would have been a first victory at Celtic Park since 1992.

As they pushed for the opener, Craig Gordon made a fine reaction save to deny Doolan, then Kieran Tierney cleared a Seaborne header off the line.

The Firhill men certainly did not deserve to be on the wrong end of such a dramatic finale. But Griffiths, who had been denied earlier by a fine save from Cerny, underlined his value to Celtic with his last minute intervention.

A Kris Commons shot was deflected into his path and he drove a low shot beyond Cerny from around 10 yards.

“I’m absolutely gutted,” said

Thistle boss Archibald after the match. “We put a hell of a lot into the game and deserved to take something from it.”

Read more: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/celtic-1-0-partick-leigh-griffiths-grabs-late-winner-1-3990048#ixzz3wBYNS894
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BBC
By Alasdair Lamont BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

Leigh Griffiths returned from injury to give Celtic their first win at home in five games, despite being reduced to 10 men against Partick Thistle.

The champions were lacklustre until the sending-off of Nir Bitton sparked them into life.

Thistle goalkeeper Tomas Cerny stood firm in the face of a late flurry of strikes but was beaten at the end.

The result was a little harsh on Thistle, who had looked on course for a seventh match unbeaten.

It also disguises deficiencies in the Ronny Deila's Celtic, who struggled to break their opponents down.

If the healthy crowd had expected to see in the New Year in style, they were disappointed by a display lacking in flair and imagination, particularly in the first half.

Celtic manager Deila had spoken before the match of the need to press high up the pitch and play with intensity.

But there was little evidence of that until Bitton was dismissed after picking up a second caution for jumping into Gary Miller.
Celtic's Leigh Griffiths fires past Partick Thistle's Tomas Cerny

Partick Thistle's Tomas Cerny had denied Celtic until Leigh Griffiths' late strike

Perhaps it was a sense of injustice that spurred Celtic on, but they began to pour forward as substitutes Griffiths and James Forrest peppered Cerny's goal with shots, only for the goalkeeper to fend them off.

However, he could do little as Kris Commons' late effort was deflected into the path of Griffiths and the striker slotted past the Czech to win it for Celtic.

Thistle had gone close just before that as Dan Seaborne's header was cleared off the line by Kieran Tierney.

The late excitement helped erase the memory of a poor first hour.

Aside from a Callum McGregor shot that flashed wide, Celtic's only serious attempt at threatening Cerny's goal was a fierce Tom Rogic strike that was blocked by Liam Lindsay.

Celtic claimed vociferously for handball, but referee Stephen Finnie saw nothing amiss.

As well-organised as Thistle were, they were equally toothless and, although Kris Doolan was denied in the second half by Craig Gordon, the real heartbreak was caused by Griffiths.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Celtic 1, Partick Thistle 0.
90:00 +2:33 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Celtic 1, Partick Thistle 0.
90:00 +0:48 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Gary Mackay-Steven replaces Kris Commons.
90:00 +0:34 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Partick Thistle. David Wilson replaces Stuart Bannigan.
89:24 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, Partick Thistle 0. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner.
88:23 Booking

Booking Stuart Bannigan (Partick Thistle) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
88:20

Foul by Stuart Bannigan (Partick Thistle).
88:20

Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
86:24

Attempt saved. Kris Doolan (Partick Thistle) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
85:26

Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
81:37

Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Callum McGregor.
81:08

Attempt blocked. Danny Seaborne (Partick Thistle) header from the centre of the box is blocked.
80:41

Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Kieran Tierney.
78:07

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
77:20

Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
76:59

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
76:25

Kris Doolan (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
76:25

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
75:42

Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Mikael Lustig.
72:21

Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Kieran Tierney.
71:34

Foul by Abdul Osman (Partick Thistle).
71:34

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
70:57 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Partick Thistle. Mathias Pogba replaces Sean Welsh.
70:26

Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
70:10

Attempt saved. Kris Doolan (Partick Thistle) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
69:27

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
69:27

Liam Lindsay (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
68:56

Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
67:32 Dismissal

Dismissal Second yellow card to Nir Bitton (Celtic) for a bad foul.
67:23

Gary Miller (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick on the left wing.
67:23

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
67:00

Attempt saved. Callum Booth (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from long range on the left is saved in the centre of the goal.
63:29 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. James Forrest replaces Tomas Rogic.
60:51 Booking

Booking Nir Bitton (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
60:47

Stuart Bannigan (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
60:47

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
57:39 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Partick Thistle. Gary Miller replaces Mustapha Dumbuya because of an injury.
57:18

Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
53:55

Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
52:47

Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Kieran Tierney.
52:08

Foul by Liam Lindsay (Partick Thistle).
52:08

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
45:00

Second Half begins Celtic 0, Partick Thistle 0.
45:00 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Leigh Griffiths replaces Nadir Ciftci.
45:00 +0:08 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Celtic 0, Partick Thistle 0.
44:18

Kris Doolan (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
44:18

Foul by Jozo Simunovic (Celtic).
42:23

Attempt missed. Callum Booth (Partick Thistle) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right.
39:01

Foul by David Amoo (Partick Thistle).
39:01

Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
36:23

Attempt blocked. Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
34:14

Attempt missed. Kris Doolan (Partick Thistle) header from the centre of the box misses to the right.
30:29

Mustapha Dumbuya (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
30:29

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
29:46

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Danny Seaborne.
29:34

Attempt blocked. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
27:32

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Callum Booth.
26:01

Attempt saved. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
24:18

Mustapha Dumbuya (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick on the right wing.
24:18

Foul by Nadir Ciftci (Celtic).
22:25

Foul by Sean Welsh (Partick Thistle).
22:25

Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
21:33

Attempt missed. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
19:58

Attempt missed. Steven Lawless (Partick Thistle) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left following a set piece situation.
19:26

Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Kieran Tierney.
18:49

Stuart Bannigan (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
18:49

Foul by Jozo Simunovic (Celtic).
14:45

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Abdul Osman.
12:24

Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Kieran Tierney.
12:01

Abdul Osman (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
12:01

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
10:26

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Danny Seaborne.
10:11

Attempt blocked. Nadir Ciftci (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
1:41

Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

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