Match Pictures | Matches: 2021 – 2022
Trivia
- KO: 12:30 Sunday; St Stephens Day/Boxing Day
- Last match before the winter break (brought forward due to the new covid/omicron variant restrictions).
- Only 500 fans allowed at this game. Question being argued is whether any games should be going ahead or not.
- Celtic field a side taped together with plasters! Some saw it as a Celtic B side with even the estranged Barkas back in the side. Starfelt still struggling at Celtic, and at fault for the conceded goal.
- Players out for today: Hart, Bain, Ralston, Taylor, Jullien, McGregor, Turnbull, Johnston, Forrest, Jota, Giakoumakis, Ajeti, wee Dembele ;
13 players unbelievable! Hart etc reportedly out due to covid. - Big day for our Israeli players; Bitton is captain, and all three goals scored by the Israeli players (Abada scores a double and Bitton scores the final one)
- Debut for Joey Dawson, came on early for injured Kyogo and almost scored at the death.
- Green Brigade & others have a small parade outside the ground (with flares etc). Police as ever were heavy handed against them!
- Daily Mail write a disgraceful false article “suggested that [Celtic] fans stormed the football grounds at a match in Glasgow.” Complete rubbish (this match wasn’t even in Glasgow). An IPSO investigation upheld the complaints, full details in articles at end of page (and link). “Decision: Breach – sanction: action as offered by publication”
- Celtic announced the appointment of Michael Nicholson as Chief Executive. He was already holding the position of Acting Chief Executive since early September. He was formerly Celtic’s Director of Legal and Football Affairs and has been with the Club since 2013.
- SPFL Chief Exec Neil Doncaster has warned that there’s now no room for further postponements in the league, saying teams “simply have to get games on”.
- Victory for the truth and Celtic support over Daily Mail as IPSO watchdog upholds Boxing Day complaints
- Sevco made a decision to unjustly not sell Celtic any tickets for the first Derby at Ibrox. Now they are crying that they can’t play Celtic at an empty Celtic Park on Jan 2nd!
- Politics: Desmond Tutu: South African Anglican Church Archbishop and anti-apartheid veteran dies aged 90. RIP
Summary
“It was a good challenge for us and I thought we handled it really well first-half, second-half was a bit scrappy but overall great attitude shown by the players.”
Ange Postecoglou 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉
“I don’t like empty stadiums. I assume everyone wants to play in packed houses otherwise play in our back yards. I didn’t enjoy it with very few fans. SUPPORTERS MAKE THE GAME” Ange making his point. Always want #Celtic mgrs to do well but this guy especially as top man”
Ange
“It’s a very proud moment for me and my family. I have to just keep going, keep grounded and keep working hard to hopefully get some more appearances.” Joey Dawson 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉
“The break’s coming at the right time because I don’t like playing in empty stadiums mate.” Ange Postecoglou
Bitton “It’s a privilege for me to captain this club”
Celtic at the half way stage
– League Cup Win
– Europe after Christmas
– Still competitive in the league (6pts behind) 3 derbies to play
Huge January for the club
A good half of the season for Ange
Just had to win that game considering the circumstances. Rogic, bitton and Mccarthy all class today.
Good 3 points away to a defensive team on an awful pitch with #Celtic having a depleted squad. Good first hair, rotten second until cracking Bitton goal secured all three points. Rogic & Bitton excellent. Well done Ange and the Bhoys
Twitter:
Going back to not seeing updates from Tims on the road to the game is truly deflating. Mon Celtic 3 points and smile for the day.
Bitton has been excellent lately. On other hand, Starfelt cost us another goal, he had a few decent games but worrying amount of mistakes he makes. 35 points from the last 39 without having our best 11 available at any stage, and at times a reserve team playing, is a good return
Joey Dawson debut: Congratulations once again to Celtic B’s Joey Dawson on making his first-team debutA good showing from the young striker, with some good hold-up play in forward areas. Came so close to grabbing a goal at the end too
Post-note:
Daily Mail sink low again with this nonsense, claiming trouble from Celtic fans when:
1) The match wasn’t even in Glasgow
2) There was no storming of the match by fans
3) There was no trouble with the police.
4) Celtic replied as below to correct the nonsense.
June 2022: IPSO Response:
Teams
Celtic:
Formation 4-3-1-2
- 1Barkas
- 57Welsh
- 20Carter-Vickers
- 4Starfelt
- 5Scales
- Substituted forMontgomeryat 87′minutes
- 88Juranovic
- 6BittonBooked at 86mins
- 18Rogic
- 16McCarthy
- 11Abada
- 8Furuhashi
- Substituted forDawsonat 15′minutes
Substitutes
- 12Soro
- 23Bolingoli-Mbombo
- 43Mullen
- 44Dawson
- 54Montgomery
- 73Moffat
- 84Doak
Goals:
- Abada (9′ minutes, 22′ minutes),
- Bitton (82′ minutes)
Assists:
- Rogic (22′ minutes, 82′ minutes)
St Johnstone
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 12Parish
- 5DendonckerBooked at 85mins
- 6Gordon
- 4McCart
- 2Brown
- 13Bryson
- Substituted forKaneat 45′minutes
- 34ButterfieldBooked at 59mins
- 24Booth
- 21Crawford
- Substituted forCraigat 45′minutes
- 27Solomon-Otabor
- 7May
- Substituted forMiddletonat 63′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Devine
- 9Kane
- 11O’Halloran
- 14Middleton
- 16Muller
- 20Sinclair
- 26Craig
Goals:
- Kane (69′ minutes)
Assists:
- Solomon-Otabor (69′ minutes)
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
- Possession
- Home28%
- Away72%
- Shots
- Home5
- Away25
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away10
- Corners
- Home3
- Away9
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away9
Articles
Celtic decimated and dealing with another Kyogo Furuhashi worry but win again despite using astonishing number of players in 18 days
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-decimated-and-dealing-with-another-kyogo-furuhashi-worry-but-win-again-despite-using-astonishing-number-of-players-in-18-days-3507536
There would have been many Celtic supporters that spent the early part of Boxing Day morning experiencing the shudders normally reserved for reheated Brussels sprouts servings as they digested the prospects for their team at Perth.
By Andrew Smith
Sunday, 26th December 2021, 3:44 pm
Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi suffers an injury at McDiarmid Park.
Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi suffers an injury at McDiarmid Park.
An utterly comprehensive 3-1 victory earned by through Liel Abada double and a rare Nir Bitton strike over an, admittedly, absolutely shot St Johnstone would not have been on the menu.
Instead, the ghosts of their terrifying season past could only have been raised by word that covid issues had struck Ange Postecoglou’s already injury-depleted squad before their encounter in a McDiarmid Park largely deserted by pandemic restrictions. And with Vasilis Barkas in goal – the Greek having come to symbolise the everything that went wrong in the disastrous campaign that ended their 10-in-a-row quest.
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For Celtic to shake off all these problems, shake off the loss of two points in a sobering scoreless draw with St Mirren in midweek, says much about how Postecoglou has moved them on across his six months. The past three of these having witnessed a 14-game league unbeaten run in which they have recorded 11 wins. Granted, it also said much about the poverty of their opponents, in complete freefall with this latest reverse their eighth on the spin.
Celtic’s Nir Bitton celebrates with team-mates after making it 3-1.
Celtic’s Nir Bitton celebrates with team-mates after making it 3-1.
Indeed, a regular sight in the first period, wherein his team were down 2-0 inside 22 minutes, was a despairing Callum Davidson burying head in hands. In fairness, they had their own covid issues, Zander Clark and Shaun Rooney missing without injury being cited. Into that category for Celtic came Callum McGregor, Scott Bain, Anthony Ralston and Mikey Johnston, to add to known injury absentees David Turnbull, Jota, James Forrest, Albian Ajeti and Giorgos Giakoumakis.
To see Kyogo Furuhashi in the line-up surprised. Less so that he was forced off only a quarter an hour in to necessitate the Celtic manager giving a debut to 18-year-old summer Scunthorpe signing Joey Dawson. His introduction took the number of players utilised by Postecoglou to 27 over a matter of 18 days.
The teenager stepped into a side exhibiting brio and intent they could not muster in midweek in Paisley. Such application paid instant dividends with emergency striker Liel Abada capitalising on a cross whipped in from Josip Juranovic nine minutes in. The Israeli’s initial volley was smartly blocked by Elliot Parish but when the ball then looped up the keeper seemed to lose himself, Abada able to nod it over from practically the goalline as it dropped.
He doubled his tally midway through the period when a clever through pass from Tom Rogic sent him through before he tucked the ball wide of the advancing Parish.
St Johnstone’s Chris Kane (not pictured) makes it 2-1, beating Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas.
St Johnstone’s Chris Kane (not pictured) makes it 2-1, beating Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas.
Configured in a 3-4-1-2, with James McCarthy and Rogic pulling the strings commandingly as a deep-lying duo, Abada had a host of chances either side of the interval to bag a hat-trick.
Celtic looked like they might be punished for not scoring a third goal when 72nd minutes in, and from nowhere, the home side pulled a goal back. Carl Starfelt then giving the ball away to Viv Solomon-Otabor, who had all the time and space required to fire over a right-wing cross Chris Kane was able to attack, leaving the otherwise assured Barkas with no chance in connecting powerfully at full-stretch to bury a diving header.
The Perth side’s rally was snuffed out within 13 minutes, though, Rogic again the provider by slipping the ball inside for Bitton to drill low in-off the post and snare the stand-in captain a first club counter in almost a year. It was an afternoon for the unexpected, and a minute later Dawson was only denied a goal on debut by a Callum Booth goalline clearance. At the conclusion there was only one commonality between the opposing teams: both will be relieved at the advancing of their now ushered in winter break.
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has his say on Kyogo and Barkas following Perth win
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou maintained no special measures will be taken with Kyogo Furuhasi over the three-week winter shutdown to ensure the Japanese striker can enjoy a free run of games across the second half of the season.
By Andrew Smith
Sunday, 26th December 2021, 4:23 pm
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-manager-ange-postecoglou-has-his-say-on-kyogo-and-barkas-following-perth-win-3507551
The 26-year-old was forced off with a tightness in the hamstring area only 15 minutes into Celtic’s 3-1 victory away to St Johnstone in only his second start in the club’s past six outings. The Celtic manager conceded the win had been achieved amid “challenges” and “a chaotic few days” resulting from a cluster of covid cases at the club. No specifics were given on that, but his team was shorn of captain Callum McGregor, Scott Bain, Anthony Ralston, Mikey Johnston, players not listed among an injury list comprising such as Joe Hart, David Turnbull, Jota, James Forrest, Albian Ajeti and Giorgos Giakoumakis.
The Celtic manager didn’t, though, bite on the need to wrap top scorer Furuahshi “in cotton wool” ahead of the season resuming with the cinch Premiership hosting of Hibs on January 17. We will just do as normal mate. He’s had 12 months of football,” the 56-year-old said of the £4.6m summer signing from Vissel Kobe. “He didn’t start in June or July, he started January this year. So there was always going to be a time when we needed to give him a break.”
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Postecoglou had praise for both his senior picks and his Israeli scoring duo Liel Abada – who claimed a double in his latest stint as a stand-in striker to move to 10 for the season – and Nir Bitton, netting as deputising captain on an afternoon that brought a first senior appearance for 18-year-old Joey Dawson as a replacement for Furuhashi. And he also commended the consistently maligned Vasilis Barkas, the goalkeeping outcast who was assured in a first senior start since September.
“Liel has been great,” the Celtic manager said. “We have asked him to do different jobs at different times this year. It’s been quite challenging but he’s been super and it was great for him to get the goals. Today, we really needed our experienced players to stand up. Bitton, Rogic and [James] McCarthy I thought were excellent. [Josip] Juranovic as well. On a day like today when you know it’s going to be challenging for a number of reasons, the experienced players have to lead the way, and I thought they did.
[When it came to Barkas] I said a couple of weeks ago that’s why these guys train had every day – their opportunities will come. You don’t know when it is going to come, at what point, but they have got to be ready, for themselves as much as anything else. It was great for him today to get an opportunity. I thought he did really well for us. He came out for a couple of crosses. He didn’t have an awful lot to do apart from that, but that is why they train hard every day, so they are ready for an opportunity.”
‘Great breather, mate’: Ange Postecoglou on his Celtic plans for January re-inforcements and winter break work
Christmas for many is a time for reflection, to take stock and take a break. Only some of that applies to the Celtic manager and there will be little rest for Ange Postecoglou.
By David Oliver
Sunday, 26th December 2021, 7:45 am
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/great-breather-mate-ange-postecoglou-on-his-celtic-plans-for-january-re-inforcements-and-winter-break-work-3506996
Though the winter shutdown was brought forward and will begin after this afternoon’s early kick-off against St Johnstone, there will be little let-up for the Celtic manager with imminent arrivals expected from Japan and more assessments on a squad preparing to compete on three more fronts having won the first silverware of the season last weekend.
The Premier Sports Cup triumph was tempered by a midweek draw with St Mirren that saw Celtic slip further behind leaders Rangers who now hold a six-point advantage in defence of their Premiership title.
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Therefore January – and the expedited week before – is no time for Postecoglou to take a breather.
“The breathing will involve trying to get new players in, assessing the staff, assessing the squad and seeing whether we move people in and out. We also need to make sure we have the right training schedule. So a great breather, mate!
“We are under no illusions. Assuming we want to have this schedule, where we are involved in so many competitions, if there is one thing the first half of the season has shown us it’s that we need a stronger squad.”
The fast-paced recruitment process following his summer arrival was a start – but still not enough. Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda are two widely reported to be on the verge of strengthening Postecoglou’s options, which have been affected recently by a spate of injuries as the punishing schedule caught up with many of his squad, but re-inforcements were always planned.
Now, with half a season under his belt in Glasgow, the manager is acutely aware of just what extra is needed with the league, Scottish Cup and Conference League still to come.
“It was never going to happen after one window. If anyone thought we were going to have a squad robust enough and with the quality to tackle what we want to tackle in one window then they were kidding themselves.
“We have work to do in this window and we have been working on that for quite a while. There is nothing that has changed last minute.”
BBC
By Martin WattBBC Scotland
Last updated on
5 minutes ago5 minutes ago.From the section Scottish Premiership
Two-goal Liel Abada had Celtic in command by half-time although Celtic lost Kyogo (right) to injury
Two-goal Liel Abada had Celtic in command by half-time although Celtic lost Kyogo (right) to injury
Depleted Celtic emerged from a “chaotic couple of days” to inflict Scottish Premiership bottom club St Johnstone’s eighth consecutive defeat.
Liel Abada’s first-half double had the visitors – who were missing more than a dozen players and lost talisman Kyogo Furuhashi to an injury later described as “nothing serious” – in total command until Chris Kane halved the arrears.
Nir Bitton put the result beyond doubt when he lashed in a late third to send Celtic into the winter break six points adrift of leaders Rangers.
St Johnstone’s seventh league defeat in a row keeps them two points behind Dundee on a day all current six bottom-half sides lost.
Reaction & as it happened
Celtic’s already lengthy list of absentees was stretched further with the likes of captain Callum McGregor, Anthony Ralston and back-up goalkeeper Scott Bain dropping out. It meant a summons from the wilderness for Vasilis Barkas, last seen in Ange Postecoglou’s first match in charge in July.
St Johnstone, however, struggled to trouble the error-prone Greek goalkeeper.
“The last couple of days have been pretty chaotic as you would imagine with everything that was happening,” said manager Postecoglou.
“But we stayed calm through the whole thing. To be fair, it’s been challenging from the moment I set foot here. Every challenge we have had we have, for the most part, overcome. That is testament to the character within the group.”
The damage was done in a supine first-half display from Callum Davidson’s men as Celtic, orchestrated by Tom Rogic in midfield, breached the hosts’ defence almost at will and Abada ought to have had a hat-trick.
Postecolgou’s men had been held to a scoreless draw by Covid-weakened St Mirren four days earlier, but took fewer than 10 minutes to find a breakthrough in Perth.
Josip Juranovic galloped on to Jamie McCart’s loose pass and squared for Abada, who bundled home at the second attempt – despite the close attentions of two defenders – after Elliot Parish made a marvellous initial save.
It was the 12th time St Johnstone have conceded first in the Premiership this season – they have lost all 12 games.
Kyogo soon departed to what appeared a recurrence of the Japanese striker’s recent hamstring injury, although Postecoglou later allayed concerns over the severity. It meant a debut for 18-year-old Joey Dawson, who was denied a late goal to mark the occasion when Callum Booth cleared off the line.
Rogic was the architect of Celtic’s second, the Australian’s deft through ball unlocking the defence for Abada to angle a low finish in at the far post.
Parish denied Liam Scales and Juranovic and got his fingertips to Abada strikes either side of half-time before St Johnstone finally showed signs of life.
Kane – who had come off the bench along with Liam Craig at the interval – glanced in Viv Solomon-Otabor’s delivery from the right and Jacob Butterfield soon rattled a shot wide as slackness crept into Celtic’s play.
Defender Carl Starfelt, who had given away possession for the hosts’ goal, then survived a penalty scare before Bitton made sure of the points with an emphatic finish from Rogic’s pass.
Man of the match – Liel Abada
The winger filling in as striker emerged as Celtic’s match-winner and shades Tom Rogic as the top performer
The winger filling in as striker emerged as Celtic’s match-winner and shades Tom Rogic as the top performer
What did we learn?
The 500 St Johnstone fans in attendance, amid new crowd restrictions, would have been cursing their luck at landing a ticket in the club’s ballot when their side were totally overrun.
The Perth men looked a husk of a team, devoid of confidence and – worryingly – fighting spirit in the first half.
Their gradual improvement thereafter, helped by the return of regulars Craig and Kane, at least gives a crumb of comfort for manager Davidson.
Both sides aim to strengthen in the January window and the winter break comes at in ideal time for a ravaged Celtic squad, especially with Kyogo limping off again.
In the absence of so many first-team players, Rogic and fellow experienced midfielder Bitton were stand-outs as Celtic avoided consecutive league slip-ups, although the dominant visitors should have had the game won long before St Johnstone briefly threatened a comeback.
What did they say?
St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson: “I said to the players in there that some of you need to go and have a look at yourselves.
“We have to find a way of bringing in some players with quality to, with players who we have here, start getting us out of this mess.
“We gave away a goal easily in the first 10 minutes after giving them possession and that was us chasing the game. All three goals we made it far too easy for them.”
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Match ends, St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 3.
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Full Time
Second Half ends, St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 3.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Liel Abada (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Tomas Rogic.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Adam Montgomery replaces Liam Scales.
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Post update
Hand ball by Stephen Welsh (Celtic).
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Joey Dawson (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Liel Abada.
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Booking
Nir Bitton (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
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Post update
Viv Solomon-Otabor (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Booking
Lars Dendoncker (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Joey Dawson (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Lars Dendoncker (St. Johnstone).
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Post update
Hand ball by Lars Dendoncker (St. Johnstone).
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Goal!
Goal! St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 3. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Tomas Rogic.
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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 Jamie McCart (St. Johnstone).
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Post update
Foul by James McCarthy (Celtic).
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Post update
Christopher Kane (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Jacob Butterfield (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Glenn Middleton.
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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 James Brown (St. Johnstone).
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Post update
Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Tomas Rogic.
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Goal!
Goal! St. Johnstone 1, Celtic 2. Christopher Kane (St. Johnstone) header from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Viv Solomon-Otabor with a cross.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Christopher Kane (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Callum Booth with a cross.
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Post update
Foul by Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic).
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Post update
Christopher Kane (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Josip Juranovic with a cross following a corner.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Callum Booth.
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Post update
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Nir Bitton.
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Post update
Stephen Welsh (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Lars Dendoncker (St. Johnstone).
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Post update
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by James McCarthy.
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Substitution
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Glenn Middleton replaces Stevie May.
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Post update
Foul by James McCarthy (Celtic).
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Post update
Stevie May (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Carl Starfelt (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Christopher Kane (St. Johnstone).
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Josip Juranovic (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Booking
Jacob Butterfield (St. Johnstone) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Jacob Butterfield (St. Johnstone).
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Post update
Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left from a direct free kick.
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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 Jacob Butterfield (St. Johnstone).
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Liam Gordon.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Elliot Parish.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Liel Abada (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Tomas Rogic.
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Post update
Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
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Post update
Jacob Butterfield (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Second Half
Second Half begins St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 2.
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Substitution
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Christopher Kane replaces Craig Bryson.
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Substitution
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Liam Craig replaces Alister Crawford.
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Half Time
First Half ends, St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 2.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Bryson.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Liam Scales (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Tomas Rogic with a cross.
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Post update
Offside, St. Johnstone. Callum Booth tries a through ball, but Viv Solomon-Otabor is caught offside.
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Post update
Hand ball by Viv Solomon-Otabor (St. Johnstone).
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Post update
Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
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Post update
Liam Gordon (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jamie McCart.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Liel Abada (Celtic) header from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Nir Bitton.
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Post update
Foul by Joey Dawson (Celtic).
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Post update
Jamie McCart (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by James Brown.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Liel Abada (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Liel Abada (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Nir Bitton.
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Post update
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Liam Scales.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Josip Juranovic.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Josip Juranovic with a cross following a corner.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Elliot Parish.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Liel Abada (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Nir Bitton with a through ball.
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Post update
Offside, Celtic. Carl Starfelt tries a through ball, but Joey Dawson is caught offside.
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Post update
Josip Juranovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Callum Booth (St. Johnstone).
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Post update
Attempt saved. Josip Juranovic (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Jacob Butterfield (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Alister Crawford.
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Post update
Foul by Joey Dawson (Celtic).
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Post update
Lars Dendoncker (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Goal!
Goal! St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 2. Liel Abada (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Tomas Rogic.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Liel Abada (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Stephen Welsh.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Stephen Welsh (Celtic) header from a difficult angle on the left is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Josip Juranovic with a cross following a corner.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Lars Dendoncker.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Joey Dawson replaces Kyogo Furuhashi because of an injury.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Stevie May (St. Johnstone) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Callum Booth with a cross.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) with an attempt from the centre of the box misses to the left following a corner.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Callum Booth.
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Post update
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Stevie May (St. Johnstone).
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Goal!
Goal! St. Johnstone 0, Celtic 1. Liel Abada (Celtic) header from very close range to the top right corner.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Liel Abada (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Josip Juranovic with a cross.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Liel Abada.
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Kick Off
First Half begins.
Post update
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Victory for the truth and Celtic support over Daily Mail as IPSO watchdog upholds Boxing Day complaints
https://thecelticstar.com/victory-for-the-truth-and-celtic-support-over-daily-mail-as-ipso-watchdog-upholds-boxing-day-complaints/#.YoKEKwxrDLU.twitter
Over the past few days we have witnesses a false narrative in the mainstream media over the Celtic celebrations in Glasgow’s Trongate and Merchant City at the weekend as the support celebrated the Scottish Premiership title win. Perhaps some of of these misleading articles – some featuring images from years ago that wrongly and even maliciously were being reported as being from this weekend, could land the newspapers in question in hot water with their own regulator.
This mainstream media agenda – printing lies to defame our support is nothing new but it appears to be getting worse. On Boxing Day last year Celtic played St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in the final match before the winter shutdown and there was a Scottish Government enforced restriction on that round of matches limiting the crowd to just 500 home supporters. McDiarmid Park, incidentally is in Perth and about 56 miles from Celtic Park.
26th December 2021; McDiarmid Park, Perth, St Johnstone versus Celtic; Locked out Celtic fans show support from outside the stadium
Some Celtic fans made the journey to the Fair City to cheer on the Bhoys from outside the stadium. Some flares were let off and there were a few Celtic chants – all good natured and without any problems with the breach of the regulations and there was no problem with the Police who seemed happy to keep an eye on proceedings.
There was an amusing photograph of the Celtic fans standing under a tree with one – with a striking resemblance to Celtic’s Nir Bitton – swinging on a branch.
That was that really but the Daily Mail saw things differently.
Celtic’s SLO John Paul Taylor was having none of that nonsense, mainstream media lies about the Celtic support.
“Just to clarify some inaccurate reports from yesterday. There was no clash with Police, no storm of gates, a handful of fans went to cheer their team from a an area which was away from the Stadium. Police were agreeable to this and fans dispersed at FT without any issue,” JP, who was in Perth – not Glasgow – stated.
Just to clarify some inaccurate reports from yesterday. There was no clash with Police, no storm of gates, a handful of fans went to cheer their team from a an area which was away from the Stadium. Police were agreeable to this and fans dispersed at FT without any issue
— Celtic FC SLO (@CelticFCSLO) December 27, 2021
And while some people were reading this nonsense in the mainstream media others were getting the actual facts on what happened from the Celtic fan media including of course The Celtic Star. You can read our articles on this from 27 December below…
READ THIS…Celtic’s John Paul Taylor rubbishes shocking Daily Mail headline
AND ALSO THIS…Captain Bitton in the Tree, Special Branch but Joke is on the Mainstream Media
Well today, in a victory for the Celtic support and also a huge embarrassment for Daily Mail, the IPSO (Independent Press Standards Organisation) rapped the mainstream media title who were forced to issue a Clarification and Correction after the investigation was concluded by the media’s own watchdog.
Here’s the Daily Mail’s humiliation in all its glory:
An article published on 26th December suggested that fans stormed the football grounds at a match in Glasgow. We are happy to clarify that fans did not storm the football grounds and that the match took place in Perth. We have amended the article to reflect this.
To report an inaccuracy, please email corrections@mailonline.co.uk. To make a formal complaint under IPSO rules please go to www.mailonline.co.uk/readerseditor where you will find an easy-to-use complaints form. You can also write to Readers’ Editor, MailOnline, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, LondonW8 5TT or contact IPSO directly at ipso.co.uk
Incidentally that ipso.co.uk website is the place to go regarding events this weekend.
Here’s what the IPSO found in relation to the complaints received about the events at Perth (not Glasgow) on Boxing Day…
https://www.ipso.co.uk/rulings-and-resolution-statements/ruling/?id=01200-22
Decision of the Complaints Committee – 01200-22 Various v Mail Online
Summary of Complaint
1. The Independent Press Standards Organisation received various complaints that Mail Online breached Clause 1 (Accuracy) of the Editors’ Code of Practice in an article headlined “Defiant Celtic fans clash with police in Glasgow as they storm football ground to watch match after crowds were capped at 500 in Sturgeon’s Christmas crackdowns”, published on 26 December 2021.
2. The article reported on a group of football fans who were said in the headline to have “storm[ed the]football ground” and in text of the article to have “attempted to storm the ground” in order to watch a football game after Scotland capped crowds to 500 in December due to concerns around coronavirus. The article stated that these fans had “clashed with police” after “tensions boiled over” and that they were “armed with flares and sporting banners reading, ‘F**k the SNP’”. The headline of the article described the incident as occurring in Glasgow, whilst captions to the photographs said that the incident had occurred in Perth. The article contained photographs, showing fans holding smoke grenades, flares and banners, including one person holding a banner which stated: “[blurred word]the SNP” and police vans near the gathering. The article also reported on the wider restrictions in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England in December 2021.
3. IPSO received 356 complaints about this article. Complainants said that it was inaccurate in breach of Clause 1 to report that fans had either stormed, or attempted to storm, the grounds. Complainants, some of whom were present, said the correct position was that the fans had gathered at a vantage point and had made no attempt to enter the stadium.
4. Complainants also said that it was inaccurate to state that “tensions boiled over” or that there had been a “clash” between fans and the police, as they said the interaction was peaceful and no arrests were made. Complainants said it was inaccurate to report that the fans were “armed with flares” as “armed” gave the misleading impression that they had weapons and that the incident was violent. Complainants who were present also said it was inaccurate to state that fans were “sporting banners reading, “F**k the SNP”. Finally, complainants also said that the incident had taken place in Perth and not Glasgow.
5. The publication provided IPSO with images of both the football grounds and the fans, which showed that the vantage point the fans had gathered at was in close proximity to the seating area of the grounds. It also noted that photographs within the article showed attendees holding flares and a person with a banner that stated “[blurred word]the SNP”, which it said was the relevant expletive, which had been obscured by the publication, and the presence of police at the vantage point. The publication said that these images of the fans exhibiting disruptive behaviour and surrounded by the police gave the editor the understanding that fans were clashing with the police and “attempting to storm the grounds”. The newspaper also said that the headline had referred to “Glasgow” due to a human error, but it did not consider this geographical error to be a significant inaccuracy in the context of the article.
6. Prior to IPSO’s involvement the publication removed the reference to Glasgow in the headline and added the following as a footnote:
“An earlier version of this story suggested that Celtic fans clashed with police at a match in Glasgow. This has been amended, and we are happy to clarify that the Boxing Day match against St Johnstone was held at McDiarmid Park, Perth.
During IPSO’s investigation, and within its first substantial response, it also offered to remove all references to “storming the grounds” and offered to publish the following as a footnote, and a slightly amended version as a standalone article:
“An article published on 26th December suggested that fans stormed the football grounds at a match in Glasgow. We are happy to clarify that fans did not storm the football grounds and that the match took place in Perth. We have amended the article to reflect this.
Relevant Code Provisions
Clause 1 (Accuracy)
i) The Press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information or images, including headlines not supported by the text.
ii) A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence, and — where appropriate — an apology published. In cases involving IPSO, due prominence should be as required by the regulator.
iii) A fair opportunity to reply to significant inaccuracies should be given, when reasonably called for.
iv) The Press, while free to editorialise and campaign, must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact.
Findings of the Committee
7. The article had stated in the headline that fans had “storm[ed]” the football ground, and it was repeated in the article that they had attempted to do so. The publication was unable to demonstrate that the fans had either stormed or attempted to storm the grounds – instead the fans had simply been in close proximity to the stadium, and the publication had based its assertion on this alone, without seeking to verify its assumptions. In these circumstances, it had not taken care not to publish inaccurate information and there was a breach of Clause 1(i). The inaccuracy stated that fans had stormed the grounds, which indicated a significantly more aggressive behaviour on the part of the fans than what the newspaper could demonstrate. On this basis, the inaccuracy was significant and required correction under Clause 1(ii).
8. It was accepted that the headline had inaccurately reported that the incident had occurred in Glasgow rather than Perth, and the publication said that this was due to human error. It had, therefore, not taken care not to report inaccurate information under Clause 1(i). Where the inaccuracy appeared in the headline, and related to a completely different city and stadium, this was a significant inaccuracy that required correction under Clause 1(ii).
9. The publication offered a correction which acknowledged the initial inaccuracy and put the correct position on record in relation to both inaccuracies. It was offered in its first substantial response after the matter had been referred to it by IPSO, which represented due promptness. The correction was offered to be published as a footnote to the article and as a standalone article which represented due prominence. There was no breach of Clause 1(ii).
10. The article had contained photos of the fans waving flares and banners whilst surrounded by the police. In circumstances where it was clear that police had interacted with the fans, and that fans had been using flares and waving banners, it was not misleading for the article to describe this as a “clash” or “tensions boiling over”. The Committee also did not consider it to be misleading to describe the fans as being “armed” with flares, where there was photographic evidence of the fans holding flares, and the article made clear what objects fans were “armed” with. Similarly, where a photograph showed a person holding a banner with “[blurred word]the SNP”, the Committee considered that it was not inaccurate to report that fans were “sporting banners reading, “F**k the SNP”. There was no breach of Clause 1 on these points.
Conclusion(s)
11. The complaint was upheld under Clause 1(i).
Remedial Action Required
12. The alterations and correction which were offered clearly put the correct position on record, and were offered promptly and with due prominence, and should now be published as both a footnote and a standalone correction.
Date complaint received: 29/12/2021
Date complaint concluded by IPSO: 20/04/2022
IPSO Complaint response Daily Mail article on Celtic fans in Dec 2021
“Decision: Breach – sanction: action as offered by publication”
Link: https://t.co/VsWdO85NcH
Correction: https://t.co/6zJs7GfX00
— JoeBloggsCity (@joebloggscity) May 16, 2022