| Match Pictures | Matches: 2018 – 2019 | 2018-19 Pictures |
Trivia
- Final league game of the season.
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Celtic win the league by 9pts with 87pts and +57 goal difference
- Sevco runners-up, Kilmarnock made 3rd squeezing in after defeating Sevco 2-1 at home, Aberdeen fourth. Hibs 5th, and Hearts were sixth despite being touted as potential league challengers.
- Celtic are league title winners for 8-in-a-row!
- History: European Champions. 50 times Scottish Champions . 38 times Scottish Cup winners. 8 titles in a row. It doesn’t get much better (till Next Saturday at least).
- Celtic playing Hearts (again) next Saturday in the Scottish Cup final, Celtic going for the Treble-Treble! History making!
- A minute’s applause was held prior in memory of Lisbon Lion Stevie Chalmers.
- Ex-Celt Paul McStay leading Celtic team out on this major day, and Celtic are presented the league trophy.
- Celtic continued their tradition of recognising National Famine Commemoration Day by wearing special jerseys during this final match. To mark the tragedy of The Great Hunger (An Gorta Mór), the Hoops wore shirts with a Celtic Cross emblem alongside the regular club crest.
- Wee Karamoko Dembele makes his debut and stuns the fans with some great skill, but it is Mikey Johnstone who stole the show with a great double and makes up for what was a difficult game v Sevco last week.
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Celtic v Hearts today, one last league hurrah. Stats Central – In the match day squads players aged 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. Youngest: Karamako Dembele (16). Oldest: Aaron Hughes (39)
- Ex-Celt Moussa Dembele attends the match, and is warmly received by players & fans. Shows respect to the club which we can admire.
- Medals even went to Compper who got an ironic cheer, but great day for all
- Neil Lennon has rounded on sceptics among the Celtic support who are opposed to him being named permanent manager, insisting there is “no reason” for anyone to question his credentials for the job.
- Scott Brown underwent a scan on his injured broken toe as the club face a nervous wait to see if he’ll be fit for the Scottish Cup final.
- Ex-Celtic coach and kit man Jim McCafferty pleads GUILTY to 12 child sex abuse charges. Charges span 26 years and relate to children who played with N. Lanarkshire and Celtic boys club and pro youth teams. Sentenced to six years nine months. A disgrace what happened, but all abuse cases must be investigated, and the perpetrators jailed.
- Celtic branded Jon Flanagan’s ban escape as a “huge embarrassment for Scottish football”. H remarkably dodged a two-game suspension after clearly firing an elbow into Scott Brown’s face in a nasty confrontation in Govan last weekend. Making matters worse, the ball was not even in play during the flashpoint moment as Callum McGregor was preparing to take a right-wing corner-kick. Amazingly, referee Kevin Clancy, who observed the thuggish action, only flashed a yellow card, but the former Liverpool player was later issued with a retrospective punishment after three former match officials declared his offence violent conduct following the incident’s re-examination by SFA compliance officer Clare Whyte.
- However, the Ibrox side challenged that assessment and an independent panel dismissed the case following an SFA disciplinary hearing yesterday.
- Rugby: Glasgow Warriors to play Leinster next weekend at Celtic Park in Pro14 final. Leinster manager: “‘I believe Glasgow [Rugby] are all Rangers supporters’ – Leo Cullen hopeful Celtic faithful support Leinster in Glasgow final”
Review
“My club, my duty” – Neil Lennon
Neil Lennon: “I enjoyed the game and all the celebrations. These are great moments. It is really important to the players they enjoy it because it is the culmination of all the hard work and talent. It was important to win.”
(magnum 121 of KDS)
Enjoyed the game today, not just the second half either. Great start then lost our way with the tippy-tappy stuff. Going forward with pace we looked good – I still cannot understand why, with the pace we have in our team we cannot rip defences to shreds at will! How Burke has justified the millions spent on him thus far is beyond my understanding. He is lightning quick but completely devoid of any ball-control
Henderson, Johnston and Dembele were all great, and Ntcham and Bitton were solid as well, and I thought the three Hearts youngsters looked pretty useful too. Especially Hickey who apparently was on our books for a while. He struggled with the pace of the game late on but Levein had already used all his subs so the kid did really well to finish the game, especially up against KD.
And the medals were a hoot! Marvin Commper – huge applause and Broony and Lenny in convulsions, then Eboue Kouassi not even recognised… This is how it feels to be Celtic on Champions day!
(MLE of KDS)
A great second half lifted by the introduction of the real Dembele but it was great to see Ntcham back to doing what he’s capable of. His switching of play, tight control and drifting around in that left side half space was our biggest threat for most of that game and if we’d had a proper striker or a more on form Sinclair in the spaces ahead of him i’m sure we’d have seen a few more goals. MJ was fantastic and really stepped up to show what he’s all about. If he can replicate that confidence in games (and not be thrown on late or starting against hordes of huns) throughout next season he becomes a real option for us on the wings.
Ralston started well with some good passing and awareness but he didn’t look to me like a long term solution in there. Also happy to see the back of Burke and Toljan after that game. Maybe short term loans aren’t the way forward….?
Good laugh though and I enjoyed Hearts much more than I have at any other point in the past year. Star of the show though was undoubtedly Marvin Compper.
Teams
Celtic
· 29Bain
· 56Ralston
· 35Ajer
· 32BenkovicBooked at 70mins Substituted forSimunovicat 82’minutes
· 2Toljan
· 6Bitton
· 21Ntcham
· 73Johnston
· 52Henderson Substituted forMcGregorat 64’minutes
· 11Sinclair
· 25Burke Substituted forDembeleat 45’minutes
Substitutes
· 5Simunovic
· 24de Vries
· 42McGregor
· 44Church
· 48Okoflex
· 57Welsh
· 77Dembele
- Johnston (2′ minutes, 84′ minutes)
Hearts
· 1Zlamal
· 2Smith Substituted forBrandonat 56’minutes
· 4Souttar Substituted forHughesat 67’minutes
· 3Shaughnessy
· 51HickeyBooked at 52mins
· 45Smith
· 40Irving
· 8Lee Substituted forEdwardsat 12’minutes
· 23Mulraney
· 9Clare
· 15Wighton
Substitutes
· 7Bozanic
· 13Doyle
· 16Hughes
· 22Edwards
· 25Brandon
· 28Dikamona
· 39Petkov
Referee:
Craig Thomson
Att: 60000
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Articles
Neil Lennon: ‘It felt like the Celtic Park I know. It was beautiful’
Neil Lennon hugs the trophy which Celtic won for an eighth consecutive time. Picture: PA.
Neil Lennon hugs the trophy which Celtic won for an eighth consecutive time. Picture: PA.
Alan Pattullo
Published: 22:30 Sunday 19 May 2019
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/neil-lennon-it-felt-like-the-celtic-park-i-know-it-was-beautiful-1-4930268
Neil Lennon paid tribute to his predecessors as Celtic celebrated their eighth successive title win with a 2-1 victory over Hearts, their opponents in this weekend’s Scottish Cup final.
He is, of course, included in that list having won the first three titles in this run. Ronny Deila and then Brendan Rodgers have maintained Celtic’s dominance with Lennon returning in February to help Celtic over the line. They have ended up finishing nine points ahead of Steven Gerrard’s Rangers in second place – the same gap as last season.
Rodgers’ name was not evoked yesterday at a packed Celtic Park but Lennon was given a huge reception when he came out last to receive the trophy from Celtic legend Paul McStay. The fans sang “One Neil Lennon” and he was given a bear hug by Peter Lawwell, the Celtic chief executive.
Lennon then joined in the celebrations with his players, with Leigh Griffiths included in the group. The striker, who has not played since the end of last year due to personal problems, was also given a big ovation by Celtic fans.
But the loudest was reserved for Lennon, who had spoken out last week about an “entitled” breed of younger Celtic fans who expect endless success. He is also still a candidate for the permanent post having replaced Rodgers in February on an interim basis.
“It felt like the Celtic Park I know,” said Lennon. “It was beautiful, the atmosphere and everything today. The performance and connection between the players and fans rolled back the years for me.”
As for the fans chanting his name, he added: “It was a nice moment, so again you enjoy that. But it’s the whole trophy day, what it means. It was a very difficult period to negotiate from a manager’s point of view. And the players have been excellent, absolutely excellent.”
He added: “I’ve done my bit, but all the foundation, the platform and the players, that was down to Brendan. It’s eight in a row, so we have to think about Ronny Deila’s contribution, Brendan’s, my own. Of course, some of the tension has gone. We’ve got the big one.”
Dedryck Boyata’s move to Hertha Berlin was confirmed by the German club earlier in the afternoon. The defender, pictured inset, was present yesterday for the celebrations but was given a muted cheer when he went up to collect his medal.
“That announcement came out this afternoon and it’s a blow for us,” said Lennon. “He has been an outstanding player here and if that is the case [he has gone] then we wish him well.”
Lennon praised 16-year-old Karamoko Dembele, who made his Celtic debut yesterday having played for the Under-20 side when he was only 13. He proved why he is so highly rated with a lively performance after replacing Oli Burke at half-time.
“Karamoko is a little bit different,” said Lennon. “He has been training with us – but has obviously not got any first-team experience until now. I would doubt he would be in contention for a starting place next week – put it that way!”
Lennon revealed Burke picked up a knee problem. The on-loan West Bromwich Albion player will be assessed at the beginning of this week ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Cup final.
Celtic 2 – 1 Hearts: Johnston and Dembele star as champions sign off with win
Celtic’s Mikey Johnston celebrates his opening goal. Pic: SNS/Alan Harvey
Celtic’s Mikey Johnston celebrates his opening goal. Pic: SNS/Alan Harvey
Alan Pattullo
Published: 16:53 Sunday 19 May 2019
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-2-1-hearts-johnston-and-dembele-star-as-champions-sign-off-with-win-1-4930175They gave us James McGrory and Paul McStay. They gave us Johnstone, Tully, Murdoch, Auld and… Karamoko Dembele?
The old songs were sung at Parkhead this afternoon as Celtic celebrated an eighth successive title and 50th league flag in total. But fans left the stadium pondering the future as represented by Dembele with just as much relish.
Just 16 and three months old – he was born in the same year as Seville – and roughly the same height as a corner flag, he has already been much vaunted and was called back from an England Under-17 camp to appear here as a half-time substitute for Oli Burke.
Scotland still hold out some hope of convincing him to play for them and it’s clear why. Wearing the No 77 shirt, his cameo was a privilege to witness.
When in the 67th minute Celtic were awarded a free-kick just two yards outside the box, it looked for all the world as if Dembele would take it. The supporters urged this to happen. The minute seemed a happy portent too – particularly on an afternoon when we also celebrated the life of Stevie Chalmers.
But Celtic sought to catch Hearts unaware and Dembele dummied in order for Scott Sinclair to try his luck. His moderate effort was deflected behind. Celtic Park booed its disapproval.
Dembele did not need to be spoon fed an opportunity to score. He created his own chances.
One, thrillingly, came when drifting in from the right touchline, beating at least two Hearts opponents before he shot narrowly wide. Another time he came closer still with Zdenek Zlamal reacting well to save a powerful angled drive at his near post.
This meeting of next weekend’s Scottish Cup finalists could be summed up by Dembele’s opposite man, Aaron Hickey, being only a few months older than him.
If there’s one conclusion to be taken from the afternoon it’s that few conclusions could be drawn. Neither side could be said to have shown their hand for fear of sustaining injuries. Sadly, there isn’t any way to eradicate the chances of such misfortune befalling those involved in a physical game, however little is at stake.
Hearts suffered a deflating start in that they lost the opening goal to the impressive 20-year-old Mikey Johnston inside two minutes and then saw Olly Lee limp off after 12. There’s no doubting which of these blows left Craig Levein more distressed. Lee, who was replaced by Ryan Edwards, is now a major doubt for Saturday’s cup final.
A No 8 Celtic shirt hung from outside the door at east end hostelry The Saracen Head denoting an eighth league title – “two to go” was the refrain outside Parkhead. It also referenced Paul McStay, who is the face of this championship. The legendary midfielder presented the trophy to the squad, including Leigh Griffiths, at the end.
The game really did feel like an afterthought. Being the first at home since Lisbon Lion Chalmers’ death, there was a loud minute’s applause as befitting the player who scored Celtic’s, perhaps Scottish football’s, most significant goal.
Dedryck Boyata in action for Celtic. Pic: SNS
Dedryck Boyata set to leave Celtic for Hertha Berlin
There was also a presentation for Hearts defender Aaron Hughes, who has announced his decision to quit the game at the age of 39 after a glorious career. Neil Lennon, his former Northern Ireland international team-mate, and Craig Levein presented him with a commemorative quaich to mark over 650 appearances for several clubs, including Hearts, Newcastle United and Aston Villa. He came on for John Souttar in the second half and was given the armband.
Relations between Celtic and Hearts have not always been cordial in the stands, but both clubs displayed great sportsmanship towards each other to the extent Hearts decided to hand Celtic a one-goal start as well as a guard of honour. The Tannoy man’s thanks for a “fitting and respectful tribute” could also be interpreted as a pointed reference to Rangers’ failure to pay the same respects at Ibrox last weekend.
Perhaps one concern on Steven Gerrard’s part was the potential for the reverential air cast by such a tribute to creep into the team’s subsequent play. If so, Hearts proved his point. Even though they took kick-off, they were a goal down inside two minutes – 84 seconds to be exact. Hearts stood off Johnston as he bore down on goal and, a quick one-two with Ewan Henderson later, he had put his side in front with an angled shot that beat Zlamal at his near post.
Hearts’ teenagers had barely had time to draw breath as they contemplated performing on such a grand stage. Not many Hearts players can say they made their full debut in front of 60,000. Hickey now can. The 16-year-old was joined in the side by Connor Smith and Andy Irving, 17 and 19-years-old respectively.
They acquitted themselves well, Hickey especially. While cup final squad places might be beyond them, there were others playing with this incentive in mind. Craig Wighton is one. It has not really happened for him so far at Hearts but he helped spook former Dundee team-mate Scott Bain by closing him down after 18 minutes. Sean Clare took possession after Bain’s poor kick and transferred the ball to Jake Mulraney, whose composed finish into the top corner was exceptional.
Zlamal brilliantly tipped a shot from Johnston past the post shortly after half-time but the striker was not to be denied. He struck the winner after 84 minutes with a low drive from 20 yards that hit Zlamal’s right and then left post before nestling in the side-netting.
BBC
By Tom English
BBC Scotland
From the section Scottish Premiership
Highlights: Celtic 2-1 Hearts
Celtic celebrated lifting their eighth Scottish Premiership title in a row by beating Hearts thanks to a Mikey Johnston double.
The 20-year-old scored in two minutes but a blunder from home keeper Scott Bain allowed Jake Mulraney to level.
Johnston made sure of the victory, though, by netting the winner with six minutes left to play.
These sides meet again at Hampden in Saturday’s Scottish Cup final but are likely to be much-changed from today.
The hosts made seven changes from the side that lost to Rangers last week, with 16-year-old Karamoko Dembele making his debut as a half-time sub.
The win takes Celtic on to 87 points, nine clear of Rangers, while Hearts end the season in sixth, on 51 points.
Reaction & as it happened
Hertha confirm Boyata signing
Dembele makes the difference
It was a day when the league trophy was lifted largely in the absence of many of those who did so much to win it. That was hardly a surprise given that Celtic are playing in the cup final on Saturday and some of their stellar men were deserving of a rest.
Their opponents on Sunday, and again at Hampden, were of a similar mind. This was a day for youth. Celtic had six players in their starting line-up aged 22 or under and had four teenagers on their bench including Dembele. To put his incredible rise into some sort of context, Dembele is younger than the Xbox.
The visitors were hardly ancient themselves. Hearts kicked off with eight players under the age of 22, including three teenagers, two of them aged 17. At times it might have been hard for supporters to know whether to sing a lusty football song or a soothing lullaby.
Two of the youngsters combined to get Celtic off to a flying start after two minutes, Ewan Henderson playing in the 20-year-old Johnston, who smashed his shot past Bobby Zlamal at his near post. Celtic folk need no telling of Johnston’s ability but the guess is that they wouldn’t mind seeing a little more of it next season. He’s a terrific talent.
Hearts suffered the loss through injury of Olly Lee soon after and that’s going to have Craig Levein sweating in the countdown to Hampden. The Hearts manager did, though, have the comfort of an equaliser by the time Lee had gone off.
It was the product of Hearts putting Bain under pressure and the goalkeeper being hustled into giving the ball away in the process. It fell to Sean Clare, who played it along to Mulraney. The midfielder promptly curled a beauty around Bain to silence Celtic Park.
Karamoko Dembele, left, impressed after making his Celtic debut as a half-time sub
Karamoko Dembele, left, impressed after making his Celtic debut as a half-time sub
Everything calmed after that. The rest of the half was dull, the energy only being re-injected when Dembele appeared for Oli Burke.
The kid was desperate for a goal and his team-mates were desperate to help him. He scampered away down the right early in the new half and the stadium rose to cheer him on. He cut in but fired past Zlamal’s post. Next, he forced a save out of Zlamal. Just after, he had another attempt that just missed the target.
The decisive goal didn’t fall for Dembele, but it did for a Celtic man. Johnston got it, striding away and tucking his precise shot past Zlamal to win it and to spark the title party into life.
‘I never thought it would happen’ – reaction
Celtic manager Neil Lennon: “It’s an amazing feeling. I never thought it would happen but here I am again on trophy day. This is the important bit – they’ve got to enjoy the moment.
“Now we’ve got to get next week out of the way [Scottish Cup final]. It’s not a foregone conclusion and we have to prepare the best we can and take care of that.”
Hearts manager Craig Levein: “I’m a little bit annoyed that Olly Lee got injured. We took him off as a precaution, the same with John Souttar.
“We’ve got a few coming back, so I’m hoping to be able to field our strongest team next week.”