Match Pictures | Matches: 2021 – 2022
Trivia
- KO: 19:45; Thursday match; Premier TV
- League Cup Quarter finals
- Celtic come off this after some bad defeats, honeymoon is over for Ange Postecoglu.
- Giakoumakis injured in warm up; Liam Scales debut
- Raith Rovers have been given no allocation of tickets for their fans which is poor, however partly due to Celtic season ticket numbers and covid restrictions. Season ticket take up minus the red zone means don’t technically leave room for away fans, but need to make room somehow.
- Annual Financial Results to June 2021: Celtic have suffered a £11.5 million loss in their pre-tax financial results for the year ending June 30, 2021. The Covid-19 pandemic is a big reason as supporters were locked out of grounds for a full season.
- Income held up well due to record sales of merchandise and somehow generating £20m from the stadium operations during lockdown. Day to day losses just under £25m but reduced by £5m ‘other income’ & player sales.”On behalf of the board and everyone at the club, I thank the Celtic support for their backing and understanding last season whilst also sharing their frustration and disappointment.”
- Greg Taylor will be out of action for a couple of months after the defender revealed he’s had surgery on his injured shoulder. The left-back had to be removed from the recent 3-0 win over Ross County after suffering a recurrence of the issue he first felt against AZ Alkmaar.
- Aiden McGeady has revealed there was a possibility of him returning to Celtic earlier in his career, with an offer for the chance by John Kennedy when Deila was manager. He opted not to as thought it was too soon, as he was playing with Everton. In retrospect it was a mistake by him.
- CO2 shortages causing concern about ongoing production of drinks business including Irn Bru!
- Former Spurs fitness coach Anton McElhone has been appointed Head of Sport Science at Celtic. Replaces Jack Nayler, who left the Scottish club after almost five years in June to join Leipzig.
- English second tier side Derby County officially enter administration and are deducted 12 points. Ironically 2021 marks 50 years since Brian Clough’s side won their first old First Division title (then the top tier).
- World Cup: News that FIFA has invited the SFA to a summit next week on the feasibility of having a World Cup every two years shows just how hard this idea is being pushed.
- Sevco: In ongoing legal dispute between Sevco and the SPFL over league sponsor Cinch, a court hears from a QC that the club was in negotiations with Cinch about selling off naming rights to Ibrox, in June. Sevco had been recently refusing to allow any Cinch advertising, now clear as they are reacting as their deal with Cinch fell thru. Shameless from them.
- So basically Sevco were trying to punt the naming rights, asked for too much, Cinch realised they could just sponsor the league for less and force Sevco to wear their sponsorship anyway… And as always Sevco spat the dummy.
- Celt on loan Leigh Griffiths kicked a flare into the crowd during Dundee’s cup defeat to St Johnstone, could be in trouble with the SFA.
Covid
- Nicola Sturgeon’s sports reprieve on vaccine passport checks. Spectators attending sporting events across Scotland will not be subject to blanket covid vaccination checks upon entry to arenas and stadia.
Summary
A week is a long time in football, and after the recent optimism over the new managerial appointment of Ange Postecoglu, there has been something of a coming down to earth in recent days after the now cumulated number of defeats causing concerns and worries. The number of injuries is undoubtably a cause and reason but Ange himself has admitted errors too.
So this game strangely had a higher importance prior to the kickoff, but Celtic won easily with McCarthy having a fine game after the unnecessary criticism of his last performance.
However, injuries mount up: Ange Postecoglou says Giakoumakis will have a scan after injuring his calf in Celtic’s warm up tonight. Mikey Johnston out again after picking up an injury in training. Outside chance of Callum McGregor being back for next Thursday’s Europa League tie.
Ange on tonight’s injury news:
“Big Greek striker did his calf in the warm up”!
“I don’t know what it is mate, I’ve definitely walked under a ladder.”
(spotless jay of KDS)
Starfelt looks too mental for us, I really hope he settles but eff me.
Mccarthy is a player you can see his quality at times but he is as rusty as a roman coin.
Carter vickers looks as solid a CB as we’ve had the past 5 years (the little that we’ve seen him). Strong and quite tidy on the ball.
Rogic is needing dropped, I would rather we played the 4231 with soro/mcreagor(when fit) with Mccarthy. We simply don’t have the personnel in to play two attacking midfielders, unless Ange plans on turning Forrest into a 10 when he’s back.
Abada again was quite absent, his 1v1 has severely dipped of late, in a good position for his goal.
Jota as bambi as he looks, with a striker actually making space infrount of him, will be quite the assist machine imo. Looks a bit arms and legs but his 1v1 looks entertaining and seems to get into some very threatening at ticking positions at times.
Ajeti has to be for the recycle bin, I’ve finnaly had enough rooting for him to come good.
Ralston was a miss last week. I dare to say he is our best full back at the club, he has bought into this inverted full back role and its showing. In another system you wouldn’t put it past him to play a midfield role.
Missed much of the second half due to work but some of the players left a lot to be desired. We’re missing so much quality that is lying in the treatment table at the minute.
Side note, loved hearing the Larrson Hyms from the stands.
Twitter:
Etim: As comfortable a win as you’re likely to see. Controlled possession. 3-0 up early in second half. Raith then down to ten men. Loads of subs made. Training session most of the second period. Scales made debut. Easy game to come into but his touch looked assured.
@BhoysAnalytics:
Job done Not the greatest performance,struggled to break that central area.
Hoping a focal point of Giakoumakis would solve that issue but doubt he’ll get much game time until post international break
Worried for games v better low blocks
Need Kyogo and McGregor back quick
Genuinely baffled at the amount of injuries Celtic get. Losing a desperately needed CF to a warm up before he plays a minute for the club just adds insult to injur
Teams
Celtic
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 15Hart
- 56Ralston
- 20Carter-Vickers
- 4Starfelt
- 54Montgomery
- 16McCarthy
- Substituted forBittonat 69′minutes
- 14Turnbull
- 11Abada
- Substituted forJuranovicat 61′minutes
- 18Rogic
- Substituted forSoroat 69′minutes
- 17Neves Filipe
- 10Ajeti
- Substituted forScalesat 61′minutes
Substitutes
- 5Scales
- 6Bitton
- 7Giakoumakis
- 12Soro
- 23Bolingoli-Mbombo
- 26Urhoghide
- 29Bain
- 57Welsh
- 88Juranovic
Goals:
- Neves Filipe (26′ minutes),
- Abada (40′ minutes),
- Turnbull (47′ minutes)
Assists:
- McCarthy (26′ minutes),
- Rogic (47′ minutes)
Raith Rovers
Formation 4-5-1
- 1MacDonald
- 2Tumilty
- 6Benedictus
- 5Berra
- 3Dick
- 7Connolly
- Substituted forFotheringhamat 71′minutes
- 15Tait
- Substituted forMcKayat 71′minutes
- 23Riley-Snow
- Substituted forArnottat 80′minutes
- 8Matthews
- Substituted forSpencerat 63′minutes
- 11ZanattaBooked at 59mins (Red card Dismissed at 59′ minutes)
- 18Varian
- Substituted forPoplatnikat 63′minutes
Substitutes
- 12Lang
- 13Spencer
- 14McKay
- 17Thomson
- 21Fotheringham
- 25Arnott
- 26Mitchell
- 29Young
- 99Poplatnik
Red Card: Zanatta (Dismissed at 59′ minutes)
Goals:
Assists:
Ref:David Munro
Att:
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
- Possession
- Home72%
- Away28%
- Shots
- Home19
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away1
- Corners
- Home5
- Away0
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away6
Articles
Celtic make light work of Raith Rovers to assure Ange Postecoglou of Hampden visit
It wasn’t just the disco lights that were back at Celtic Park as Ange Postecglou’s team sashayed into the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 over Raith Rovers.
By Andrew Smith
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-make-light-work-of-raith-rovers-to-assure-ange-postecoglou-of-hampden-visit-3394696
Thursday, 23rd September 2021, 10:27 pm
Raith’s Aidan Connolly (centre) holds off Celtic’s Albian Ajeti during a Premier Sports Cup quarter final match between Celtic and Raith Rovers at Celtic Park, on September 23, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
Raith’s Aidan Connolly (centre) holds off Celtic’s Albian Ajeti during a Premier Sports Cup quarter final match between Celtic and Raith Rovers at Celtic Park, on September 23, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
After taking the sort of time required for an energy-saving bulb to fire – about half an hour, that’ll be – an opener that brought Jota’s first goal had them back producing the illuminating football with which they have lit up home encounters.
Whatever their gloomy outcomes away from home, it seems pretty much a given they will bag three goals in any domestic context within their own backyard – 21 goals, indeed, the product of their five home encounters against Scottish rivals. They will believe their latest return was modest considering their cinch Championship opponents reduced to 10 men an hour in; the result of Dario Zanatta crazily, and unceremoniously, grappling Anthony Ralston to the ground only four minutes after he had received a first caution.
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Celtic, by then, had their three-goal haul and Postecoglou will be cheered by the parts played by Jota and the much-derided James McCarthy. The on-loan winger played with the freedom demanded by Celtic’s manager to score the first and set up the second, and could have had a personal triple. McCarthy grew into the encounter, and showed the authority he was entirely bereft of in his first start at Livingston on Sunday.
The Celtic huddle during a Premier Sports Cup quarter final match between Celtic and Raith Rovers at Celtic Park, on September 23, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
The Celtic huddle during a Premier Sports Cup quarter final match between Celtic and Raith Rovers at Celtic Park, on September 23, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
Postecoglou had spoken of “sterile” attacking approach from his side early on in that defeat, and it seemed in danger of afflicting them during the early stages of the quarter-final. In front of a healthy home crowd, they seemed in need of a spark to re-engage confidence. Too often, though, the search for the perfect pass led only to blockages in and around the box, with Christophe Berra and Liam Dick then coping with the stuttering movement from the Celtic attackers.
The switch was flicked when McCarthy actually succeeded in producing the near-perfect through ball to find Jota drifting in behind the visitors backline, the 23-year-old taking a confident touch before finish with a clip into the corner of the net.
The confidence surge in the Celtic ranks from this 26th opener was palpable. Five minutes from the interval, Jota drifted in from the left before sending in a curling effort keeper Jamie McDonald could only palm out onto the header of Liel Abada, who gratefully nodded in for a fifth goal in Celtic colours.
Scoring was completed in sublime fashion just after the restart when David Turnbull stepped forward and, from 20 yards, chopped a low drive with the outside of his right foot for a precision finish – a fitting way to cap his 50th appearance.
Celtic’s Liel Abada celebrates making it 2-0. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Celtic’s Liel Abada celebrates making it 2-0. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
With Postecoglou’s first trip to Hampden assured, he was able to shuffle his line-up. The most notable substitution was the introduction of Liam Scales for Albian Ajeti in the 61st minute. The £600,000 defensive signing was installed at left-back, but was able to regularly join in the forays towards the Kirkcaldy team’s box, and showed up well.
Celtic:Hart; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Montgomery;Rogic (Soro 68), McCarthy (Bitton 68), Turnbull; Abada (Juranovic 61), Ajeti (Scales 61). Subs:Giakoumakis, Bolingoli, Urhoghide, Bain, Welsh.
Raith Rovers:McDonald; Tumilty, Benedictus, Berra, Dick;Connolly (Fotheringham 71), Tait (McKay 71), Riley-Snow (Arnott 80), Matthews (Spencer 63), Zanatta; Varian (Poplatnik 63). Subs:Lang, Thomson, Mitchell, Young.
BBC
By Nick McPheatBBC Scotland
Last updated on
1 hour ago1 hour ago.From the section Scottish League Cup
David Turnbull goal v Raith
David Turnbull shaped in a fine second-half finish to put Celtic three up
Celtic responded to back-to-back defeats by easily beating second-tier Raith Rovers to set up a Scottish League Cup semi-final with holders St Johnstone in November.
The Championship visitors started well and frustrated the hosts for over 25 minutes, but Jota’s first Celtic goal opened the scoring and Liel Abada nodded in a second before the break.
David Turnbull guided in a third two minutes after the interval before Raith played out the final half hour with 10 men after Dario Zanatta’s dismissal.
The victory – coming after away losses against Real Betis and Livingston – means Ange Postecoglou will guide a side out at Hampden for the first time on the weekend of 20 and 21 November.
Raith are still without a win over Celtic in 15 attempts since their League Cup final win in 1994.
Reaction & as it happened
Jota was a thorn in the side of Raith all evening and showed his intent from the off, as the Celtic winger bent a shot just wide of the far post early on.
But the away side started promisingly, moving the ball well and keeping a resolute shape, as Dylan Tait guided a tame effort wide of Joe Hart’s goal.
However, John McGlynn’s defence would be breached on 26 minutes when James McCarthy’s inch-perfect pass was controlled by Jota, who lifted a tidy finish over Jamie MacDonald.
And the game was beyond the second-tier side when Jota again drove into the box and saw a shot parried by MacDonald, but Abada was on hand to nod home a second.
Turnbull added a third just two minutes after the restart, gliding forward unchallenged and shaping a lovely finish from outside the area into the bottom right-hand corner.
Raith were reduced to 10 men and would have feared further Celtic goals as Zanatta was shown a second yellow card for a tug on Anthony Ralston.
But to the Championship side’s credit, they rallied and did not crumble as Celtic failed to add to their tally.
Man of the match – Jota
Jota goal v Raith
The Portuguese forward was well worth his goal and played an integral part in Abada’s second
What did we learn?
There was no other option for Celtic than victory, but the fans would have demanded that they did it in style. With 25 minutes on the clock it looked like they might struggle to break Raith down, but the Celtic attack relaxed following Jota’s opener and gave their home support a comfortable night.
One blot was the news that Greek striker Georgios Giakoumakis “did his calf in the warm-up”, according to Postecoglou, and has been sent for a scan to establish how serious the injury is.
Raith will not be judged on games against Celtic, but McGlynn can take pride in his side’s League Cup run after progressing from the group in top spot and earning a memorable last-16 win at home to Aberdeen.
He will also take positives out his players’ response to going a man down, as his team maintained a solid defensive shape to ensure the margin stayed at three.
What did they say?
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: “The important thing is we’re there. The semi-final should be a great occasion. It’s something this club wants to continue in.
“It’s a tough opponent, but as I said the most important thing is we’re there. St Johnstone had a tremendous run last year. They did well in Europe as well. Irrespective who you play it’s going to be a tough game.”
Raith Rovers manager John McGlynn: “I’ve not got any complaints, the best team won. They were worthy of three goals. I thought our guys put everything into it.
“You can always do better, but I’m delighted with our run in the League Cup. We’ll learn from this and we’ll be better for it.”
What’s next?
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Match ends, Celtic 3, Raith Rovers 0.
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Celtic 3, Raith Rovers 0.
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Post update
Liam Scales (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Brad Spencer (Raith Rovers).
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Post update
Foul by Ismaila Soro (Celtic).
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Post update
Matej Poplatnik (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution
Substitution, Raith Rovers. Aaron Arnott replaces Blaise Riley-Snow.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Ismaila Soro (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by David Turnbull.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Kai Fotheringham (Raith Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Reghan Tumilty.
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Post update
Offside, Celtic. Adam Montgomery tries a through ball, but Jota is caught offside.
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Post update
Attempt saved. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Adam Montgomery.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Josip Juranovic (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Anthony Ralston.
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Substitution
Substitution, Raith Rovers. Kai Fotheringham replaces Aidan Connolly.
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Substitution
Substitution, Raith Rovers. David McKay replaces Dylan Tait.
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Post update
Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
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Post update
Dylan Tait (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Ismaila Soro replaces Tomas Rogic.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Nir Bitton replaces James McCarthy.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Dylan Tait (Raith Rovers) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Aidan Connolly.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by James McCarthy.
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Substitution
Substitution, Raith Rovers. Brad Spencer replaces Ross Matthews.
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Substitution
Substitution, Raith Rovers. Matej Poplatnik replaces Ethon Varian.
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Post update
Foul by Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic).
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Post update
Ethon Varian (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Josip Juranovic replaces Liel Abada.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Liam Scales replaces Albian Ajeti.
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Dismissal
Second yellow card to Dario Zanatta (Raith Rovers) for a bad foul.
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Post update
Anthony Ralston (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Post update
Foul by Dario Zanatta (Raith Rovers).
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Post update
Foul by Adam Montgomery (Celtic).
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Post update
Dylan Tait (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Albian Ajeti (Celtic).
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Post update
Christophe Berra (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Booking
Dario Zanatta (Raith Rovers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Dario Zanatta (Raith Rovers).
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Post update
Adam Montgomery (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Ross Matthews (Raith Rovers).
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Ross Matthews (Raith Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jota.
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Post update
Foul by Carl Starfelt (Celtic).
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Post update
Ethon Varian (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 3, Raith Rovers 0. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tomas Rogic.
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Second Half
Second Half begins Celtic 2, Raith Rovers 0.
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Half Time
First Half ends, Celtic 2, Raith Rovers 0.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jamie MacDonald.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) header from very close range is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by David Turnbull with a cross.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Reghan Tumilty.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by David Turnbull.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 2, Raith Rovers 0. Liel Abada (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Jota.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Liel Abada (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Anthony Ralston.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Aidan Connolly (Raith Rovers) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ross Matthews.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jota.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by David Turnbull.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 1, Raith Rovers 0. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by James McCarthy with a through ball following a corner.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Aidan Connolly.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Post update
Liel Abada (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Liam Dick (Raith Rovers).
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Albian Ajeti (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tomas Rogic with a cross.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Kyle Benedictus.
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Post update
Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Blaise Riley-Snow (Raith Rovers).
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Post update
Foul by James McCarthy (Celtic).
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Post update
Ross Matthews (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Foul by Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic).
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Post update
Ethon Varian (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Dylan Tait (Raith Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Aidan Connolly.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Adam Montgomery.
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Post update
Foul by Anthony Ralston (Celtic).
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Post update
Dario Zanatta (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Liam Dick.
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Kick Off
First Half begins.
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Post update
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.