2016-02-07: East Kilbride 0-2 Celtic, SP

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

Trivia

  • Scottish Cup
  • Celtic's lowest level of opposition for many years. Game live on TV.
  • East Kilbride is a Lowland League, non-league side so great achievement here.
  • Match being played at Airdrie's Exselsior ground for obvious reason instead of East Kilbrides.
  • Kazim-Richard scores his debut goal.
  • Respite for Ronnie as last two games were losses, out of the league cup & then losign to Aberdeen in league.
  • Some fans displaying a 'Sack The Board' banner.
  • Rugby: 6N tournament on and Scotland get embarrassed by England again, 12 years since scored a try v England at Murrayfield! Their post-World Cup confidence already destroyed.

Review[Untitled]

(Naka of KDS)
Baffled at the amount of people in here who seem to be in the 'job done' camp. Yeah, we are through but ffs, that was abysmal. Anyone who watched that can't seriously have any satisfaction in either that result or performance unless you have odd leanings/masochism/EK fan.
Utter tripe by Celtic.
*ps would say the same if it was Dundee/Arbroath/St Mirren etc.

(flymo of KDS)
turd polished over for another game.
Well played East Kilbride, defended well against a gutless Celtic.
Next round an away game against winner of Heart vs Hibs and we can concentrate on the league after that

Teams

CELTIC (4-4-2) Bailly; Ambrose, Boyata, Sviatchenko, Tierney; Mackay-Steven (Allan 68), Brown, Mulgrew (Bitton 72), Forrest; Kazim-Richards, Griffiths (Christie 80)
Not used: Fasan, Izaguirre, Lustig, Armstrong

EAST KILBRIDE (4-5-1) McGinley; Stevenson, Howie, Russell, Coll; Lachlan, Brady (Millar 89), Johnstone (Templeton85), McBride, Hastings (Gormley 62); Smith
Not used: Kean, Morris, MacDonald, Craig,

Referee:
Attendance: 8,000

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East Kilbride to take on Celtic in Scottish Cup at 10,000-seater Excelsior Stadium

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3418458/East-Kilbride-Celtic-Scottish-Cup-10-000-seater-Excelsior-Stadium.html

By John Mcgarry For The Scottish Daily Mail

Published: 01:16, 27 January 2016 | Updated: 01:16, 27 January 2016

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The Scottish Cup venue saga was finally ended last night when it emerged that Airdrieonians will host the East Kilbride v Celtic game on Sunday week.

Confirmation that the match will take place at the 10,000-seater Excelsior Stadium came a day after their Lanarkshire neighbours Hamilton Accies dramatically ruled out playing it at New Douglas Park.

East Kilbride, who play in the Lowland League, were told by Police Scotland that their K Park ground was unsuitable to stage a game of that magnitude two weeks ago.

East Kilbride players celebrate after going 2-0 up against Lothian Thistle in the fourth round of Scottish Cup
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East Kilbride players celebrate after going 2-0 up against Lothian Thistle in the fourth round of Scottish Cup

Upon defeating Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale to set up the money-spinning tie with Ronny Deila’s side last Wednesday, East Kilbride were told by the SFA that the game would take place at New Douglas Park.

It later emerged that Hamilton’s ground had been seventh choice on a wish list the minnows had handed to the SFA board.

But, after East Kilbride questioned the decision-making process, Hamilton issued a statement on Monday stating they had ‘no intention’ of staging the game.
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After a day of speculation on where the game could be played, the SFA last night issued a statement saying: ‘Following discussions with East Kilbride FC, the Scottish FA board have approved the Excelsior Stadium as the host venue for the William Hill Scottish Cup fifth-round match between East Kilbride and Celtic on Sunday, February 7.’

East Kilbride chairman Mark Horner welcomed the move, saying: ‘We’ve been in talks with various stadiums all day and put forward the Excelsior as the best, nearest and most suitable stadium to host the game and we are delighted the SFA have agreed.

‘The stadium is modern, a great size and the surface is similar to K-Park, which the manager and players are delighted about.

East Kilbride's Sean Winter (left) enjoys himself after scoring his side's second goal of the game
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East Kilbride's Sean Winter (left) enjoys himself after scoring his side's second goal of the game

‘The stadium also has great disabled access, which is another plus point as we are planning to take hundreds of children from East Kilbride with ASN (additional support needs) to the game.

‘We are all really looking forward to what will be a great occasion for the club and the town.’

Meanwhile, Croatian trialist Ljuban Crepulja has thanked compatriot Jozo Simunovic for helping him through his time at Celtic — but declined to be drawn on hopes of a return to Parkhead.

The Premiership champions are continuing to monitor potential January additions and are close to securing a loan deal for Manchester City attacking midfielder Patrick Roberts — an agreement which could possibly be extended into next season.

Crepulja spent five days in Glasgow before returning to his homeland. Slaven Belupo sporting director Zvonomir Simunovic claims his club rejected a request to extend the trial to let Deila make up his mind on the £300,000 midfielder.

East Kilbride had written to the SFA disputing venue of their fifth-round tie against Scottish Premiership Celtic
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East Kilbride had written to the SFA disputing venue of their fifth-round tie against Scottish Premiership Celtic

‘I cannot say any details about my future,’ Crepulja, 22, told Croatian media. ‘For such information, you must contact Celtic.

‘I have to use this opportunity to thank Jozo Simunovic, who was a real host in Glasgow. He greeted me, made sure I met with everyone and we hung out every day. I owe him a really big thank you.

‘Being there was another world. For me, it was a fantastic experience to be part of Celtic, even if for five days.

‘They have so many big-name players who I know from watching television or the English Premier League.

‘It was not easy to walk into the changing room but fortunately Jozo was with me. I soon realised these players were just normal people and I quickly relaxed. I am still a Slaven Belupo player and my feet are on the ground.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3418458/East-Kilbride-Celtic-Scottish-Cup-10-000-seater-Excelsior-Stadium.html#ixzz3zVt6sAhk
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East Kilbride 0 – 2 Celtic: Celtic progress to quarter finals
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/east-kilbride-0-2-celtic-celtic-progress-to-quarter-finals-1-4023585
Celtic eased their way into the quarter-finals of the William Hill Scottish Cup as expected with a 2-0 win over Lowland League side East Kilbride at Airdrie’s Excelsior stadium.

Back-to-back defeats against Ross County in the League Cup semi-final and Aberdeen in the Ladbrokes Premiership had piled pressure on boss Ronnie Deila.
Celtic captain Scott Brown applauds the fans at full-time. Picture: SNS
Celtic captain Scott Brown applauds the fans at full-time. Picture: SNS

In reality there was no prospect of a shock here, although the Hoops fans booed off their team off at the interval as they led only by striker Leigh Griffiths’ 20th-minute opener, his 29th goal of the season.

Deila and the Celtic supporters were able to relax after new striker Colin Kazim-Richards, making his first start, added a second in the 51st minute with his first Hoops goal and the Scottish champions ran out easy winners.

It was the end of the road for the part-timers who had beaten Forres Mechanics, Stenhousemuir and Lothian Thistle, while Celtic go into the draw for the last eight which takes place at Hampden Park on Monday evening.

Celtic fans were pleased to see the return of fit-again Charlie Mulgrew for the first time since the Europa League clash with Ajax in November.
The East Kilbride players applaud their fans at full-time. Picture: SNS
The East Kilbride players applaud their fans at full-time. Picture: SNS

Logan Bailly replaced Craig Gordon in goal, with Efe Ambrose and James Forrest returning and Kazim-Richards starting after coming on as substitute against Aberdeen.

Unsurprisingly, the Parkhead side dominated.

READ MORE: Hearts 2 – 2 Hibs: late Hibs comeback earns replay

There was some desperate defending from East Kilbride early on, with goalkeeper Matt McGinley making a good save from defender Erik Sviatchenko’s powerful drive after Mulgrew had headed wide from a Gary Mackay-Steven corner.
Celtic's Leigh Griffiths (left) puts pressure on the East Kilbride defence. Picture: SNS
Celtic's Leigh Griffiths (left) puts pressure on the East Kilbride defence. Picture: SNS

It was from another corner that the Hoops took the lead.

Mackay-Steven’s cross from the right was met by the head of defender Dedryck Boyata, with the ball coming off Griffiths a yard from goal before ending up in the net.

If the Hoops fans expected the floodgates to open they were disappointed, although McGinley made fine saves from Forrest’s long-range drive and Mackay-Steven’s shot from 16 yards, after good work down the left from left-back Kieran Tierney.

The Celtic fans were looking for more in the second half and there was a positive start when, after Griffiths’s over-head kick was blocked on the line, Kazim-Richards pounced to force the ball over.

East Kilbride’s resistance was weakening, but they remained resolute.

Defender Craig Howie sent the ball against his own post as he made a clearance before Griffiths went close with another effort from yet another Celtic corner.

It was one-way traffic towards McGinley’s goal, although Bailly did make one comfortable save from Jack Smith in the 71st minute following a rare East Kilbride break.

Celtic continued to push for a third, with skipper Scott Brown curling a shot from 20 yards off the outside of a post, but the match petered out, with East Kilbride taking the applause from their fans after the final whistle signalled their exit, the Hoops supporters appearing less impressed with their side’s display.

Read more: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/east-kilbride-0-2-celtic-celtic-progress-to-quarter-finals-1-4023585#ixzz3zVsmqG4p
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BBC

By Kenny Crawford

BBC Sport Scotland

2 hours ago From the section Football

Colin Kazim-Richards prods home Celtic's second goal
Colin Kazim-Richards prods home Celtic's second goal, his first for the club

Celtic ended East Kilbride's memorable Scottish Cup journey but the Lowland League side exit with heads held high.

Two scrappy goals from corners were their undoing, the first bundled in via the hand of Leigh Griffiths.

Deadline-day signing Colin Kazim-Richards scrambled in his first for the club early in the second half.

East Kilbride's defending was often heroic and goalkeeper Matt McGinley did his chances of progressing up the football career ladder no harm either.

This may not be the last we see of the plucky South Lanarkshire side – four tiers below Celtic in the Scottish football pyramid – on the big stage.

Captain Barry Russell – East Kilbride born and bred – generally held the back line together and his charges occasionally knocked the ball about nicely without creating anything clear cut.
Celtic's Ryan Christie is held off by East Kilbride captain Barry Russell
Celtic's Ryan Christie is held off by East Kilbride captain Barry Russell

The textbook rule when a footballing minnow takes on a giant is not to concede early and East Kilbride's resolve had to be applauded during the first half.

Their defence repelled everything that came at them for 20 minutes.

Charlie Mulgrew, back for the Premiership side after injury, headed over before two East Kilbride players took one for the team in ensuring their goalmouth was not breached in the opening exchanges.

Martin McBride felt the ball full force in his stomach to concede a corner before Scott Stevenson followed in making a last-ditch clearance.

Doubts were cast over Griffiths' ability to continue when he was fouled by Craig Howie – indeed EK boss Billy Ogilvie lightheartedly told the striker to just go off as they crossed paths at the side of the pitch.

But just as Celtic manager Ronny Deila readied substitutes, Griffiths popped up to put Celtic ahead with his 28th goal of the season.

However the ball appeared to go in via the Scotland forward's arm from a yard out following Dedryck Boyata's header from a corner.

Despite that apparent injustice the Kilby team did not crumble.
The East Kilbride players gave a good account of themselves against the Scottish Premiership leaders
The East Kilbride players gave a good account of themselves against the Scottish Premiership leaders

Goalkeeper McGinley – a PE teacher by trade – dived to deny James Forrest, then punched away the ensuing corner.

Kazim-Richards eased any lingering nerves from the Celtic supporters – who appeared to boo their side at both half-time and full-time – 10 minutes after the interval.

Another corner and a Griffiths overhead kick prompted another scramble, and Stevenson's attempted clearance only fell to the Turkish international, who forced it home.

But the floodgates did not open for Celtic, mainly thanks to the manful efforts of Russell and McGinley.

Jack Smith had one shot on target for East Kilbride before Scott Brown hit the outside of the post near the end for Celtic.