| Match Pictures | Matches: 2000 – 2001 | 2000-01 Pictures |
Trivia
- Rafael Scheidt returned to Brazil on a 15 month loan to Corinthians, with the Brazilian club also have first option on buying the player outright. The club received £300k for the loan and the option price was set at £3.00million.
- Martin O’Neill went to see Newcastle Utd play Coventry to watch Shay Given. Given was in contract negotiations with Newcastle and O’Neill wanted another goalkeeper.
- In follow up reports on MacDonald’s resignation as Chief Executive, it was said that MacDonald had tendered his resignation on the day that O’Neill was appointed, at the same time as the resignation of non-executive chairman Frank O’Callaghan, but was persuaded to stay on till the season was up and running. He was said to believe that the club had treated O’Callaghan shabbily and he was frustrated at the slow speed and ponderousness of the plc’s decision making. It was also said that the Board and the principle shareholder had lost confidence in MacDonald. All this was gleaned from insider comments as MacDonald refused all requests for interviews.
- Mahe was out injured and Petta was out with a thigh strain. Thompson started his first League game and Johnson and Burchill dropped to the bench.
Review
An inspired performance – the best of the season so far, even beyond the brilliance of the Demolition Derby. Moravcik and Larsson were in blistering form
Teams
Celtic:
Gould, Boyd, Valgaeren, Stubbs (Mjallby 14), McNamara, Lambert, Petrov, Moravcik (Burchill 87), Thompson, Larsson, Sutton.
Subs Not Used: Kerr, Berkovic, Johnson.
Goals: Larsson 16 pen, 45, Burchill 90.
Booked: Valgaeren (Celtic)
Hibernian:
Colgan, G. Smith, Fenwick, Jack, T. Smith, Lovell (Brebner 82), Sauzee, Latapy, O'Neil, Zitelli (Lehmann 73), Paatelainen.
Subs Not Used: Westwater, Bannerman, Sar.
Booked: O'Neil, Jack, Sauzee, Paatelainen (Hibernian)
Referee: John Rowbotham (Scotland).
Attendance: 60,091
Managers Comments
Martin O’Neill post match:
"We are playing with confidence, but we're still a million miles away from the finished article,"
Pictures
Stats
| Celtic | Hibernian | |
| Bookings | 1 | 4 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Fouls | 18 | 14 |
| Shots on Target | 9 | 4 |
| Corners | 9 | 1 |
| Offside | 1 | 1 |
Bandwagon rolls on
Scotland on Sunday 10/09/2000
Graham Spiers AT CELTIC PARK
Celtic 3 Hibernian 0
NINE straight opening season wins for Martin O'Neill at Celtic, a post-war feat that not even Jock Stein could cobble together, says something about the bandwagon beginning to roll in Glasgow's east end.
Hibs, the dizzy league leaders who entered this arena yesterday, were made to look as if they were playing with a man short. In psychological terms they were, given the contagious inspiration given to Celtic by Henrik Larsson and Lubomir Moravcik.
Little Moravcik cannot possibly be edging towards 35. He is playing fluently and creatively, bounding like a gazelle and instigating wave upon wave of Celtic attacks. Positioned behind the strikers, Moravcik is keeping Eyal Berkovic out, and when you compare this shift with the slovenly antics of the Israeli, you can see why. The Slovak left the pitch after 88 minutes to a rapturous ovation.
Hibs' plight was summed up by an eye-watering incident as they struggled to keep Celtic at bay in the dying minutes. Poor Franck Sauzee, stretching and offering all as Chris Sutton aimed at a vacant goal from six yards, took the full blast of the striker's shot in the crotch and was left writhing in agony. This sensitive area, frankly, was where Hibs had been taking it all day.
Alex McLeish aimed two fingers at convention by playing with three strikers, a tactic that seemed admirable but which signally failed. On days like yesterday, though, no system set out on a blackboard can be held accountable.
Hibs might have scored with 10 minutes remaining when Stuart Lovell's shot was scrambled clear by Celtic – an effort which, had it gone in, might have produced a fraught finish. This match, though, was all about a gulf in technique. "Christ! If my players were that good they'd be playing for Celtic and I'm not discrediting them," said McLeish. With Larsson, Moravcik, Jackie McNamara and Paul Lambert playing like this, it is bricks and cement that the opposition require. Celtic could even afford to lose Alan Stubbs after only 15 minutes, when the defender suffered a dreadful gash across the knee. "We are playing with confidence, but we're still a million miles away from the finished article," O'Neill said ominously afterwards.
All this simply gave Hibs' heady league lead all the quality of a flashing meteor. It had been a long time since the long-suffering Hibees from Edinburgh had commanded such a perch, but you would never have known from this game that the visitors had been savouring fine form.
Sometimes it all got too much for McLeish. The size and emotional weight of an Old Firm crowd in Glasgow is well enough recognised, but the Hibs manager was still beside himself at what he saw as unjustified bookings, especially for John O'Neill and Mathias Jack. When the latter was having his details jotted in John Rowbotham's book, McLeish made a theatrical flourish to the crowd, mockingly acting a scribbling motion to exhibit his disgust.
Big Eck, though, would have to admit that some very large writing had been on the wall for Hibs. The last man to win their first nine games of a season as an Old Firm boss was stentorian Bill Struth, back in the 1930s with Rangers – a time when sausages only had 15% percent meat in them. These are desperate times to be in the away dugout at Parkhead. There is nothing lean or meagre about Celtic. League leaders or not, Hibs yesterday faced the mincer.
The Easter Road side played with prettiness in patches, but there was an arduous quality to this match which Hibs couldn't cope with. Celtic, under O'Neill, seem to have added an intimidating physicality to their play. It was epitomised yesterday by McNamara and Moravcik, whose slaloming runs baffled Hibs but whose strength with the ball was also remarkable. McNamara, a slender looking fellow, seems to have an internal frame of cast-iron.
Even when Celtic seem diminished in some aspects, they still have a fierce array of weapons. Despite glamorous times since his return from injury, there are few discerning supporters who believe that Larsson is fully restored. After 10 months, it will surely require more months of play to condition his body. Yet Larsson, as against Rangers two weeks ago, even using 80% of his full powers, is still too much.
Poor Nicky Colgan, the Hibs goalkeeper, having bungled to offer Celtic a 16th-minute lead, watched helplessly as Larsson stretched that advantage to 2-0 just before the break. Moravcik's teasing cross flew to the fore of the Hibs goal and Larsson's dreadlocks took flight as he flashed his near-post header in.
Colgan had almost been ham-fisted in granting Celtic their opening. Alan Thompson was boring a route deep into the heart of the Hibs box when Colgan sprang from his line to duff Thompson about the head with flapping hands. The keeper will doubtless claim he tried to clasp the ball, but the incident resembled a back alley mugging. McLeish chose to disagree. "It looked a dubious decision to me, to say the least," he said. Larsson stroked home the penalty.
In the 90th minute, substitute Mark Burchill added to his astonishing goals-to-games ratio by tapping home Celtic's third.
[BBC]
Celtic cruise to the top
BBC
Celtic 3-0 Hibernian
Celtic maintained their magnificent 100% record under manager Martin O'Neill to move to the top of the SPL table with a comfortable 3-0 win over Hibs.
The visitors had been in pole position before kick off but a first half double from Henrik Larsson and a late goal from substitute Mark Burchill knocked the Easter Road side off their lofty perch.
Celtic dominated from start to finish and played with a fine blend of finesse and ferocity that had their fans purring with delight.
The margin of victory could have been greater had it not been for a number of good saves from Hibs goalkeeper Nick Colgan and the cool defending of French veteran Franck Sauzee.
The game began at a brisk pace with both sides intent on passing the ball to feet. However, players were given no time to dwell as opponents were quick to close each other down.
As the game progressed, the flow of play turned more and more towards the goal Hibs were defending.
Fierce drive
In the sixth minute Jackie McNamara dragged a shot wide of the target after cutting in cleverly from the right flank and, soon after, Colgan had to look lively to tip a fierce drive from Lubo Moravcik over the bar.
Alan Stubbs was stretchered off the park after 10 minutes following a full-blooded clash with Hibs midfielder Matthias Jack.
Swedish international Johan Mjallby replaced the big English defender.
Alan Thompson made a bright start to his SPL debut and it was the former Aston Villa man who was instrumental in giving Celtic the lead.
Thompson juggled the ball on the edge of the box and, although he appeared to wrestle Sauzee to the ground, he was allowed to carry on his run.
As the loose ball bounced towards the by-line, Colgan raced from his goal and rashly clattered into the chasing Thompson – appearing to punch the Celtic player on the side of the head.
It was a ludicrous decision from the Hibernian custodian, who had only conceded one goal in his six previous SPL matches, as the situation did not appear to present a serious threat.
Larsson converted the resulting penalty with ease after Colgan had dived to his left very early.
Hibs threatened the Celtic goal for the first time after 25 minutes when John O'Neil raced clear of the home defence but goalkeeper Jonathan Gould did well to block the midfielder's shot.
Controlled aggression
Celtic continued to play the ball around with great composure and snapped into every tackle with controlled aggression. Hibs' playmakers, O'Neil and Latapy were given no time to get their feet on the ball.
With half-time approaching, David Zitelli tried his luck with a free kick from fully 40 yards out but Gould stopped the ball comfortably.
At the other end Colgan did well to block a Moravcik shot at his near post.
Seconds before the interval Celtic doubled their advantage, and it was a second goal for Larsson.
Thompson floated in a good cross from the left and there was a queue of Celtic players waiting in the Hibs penalty box. The Swede got up highest and expertly nodded the ball high into the net.
Celtic began the second period at the same breathtaking pace and Thompson blazed a blistering shot just wide of the post with the Hibs defence still picking orange pith from their teeth.
Hibs had a case for a penalty when Tom Boyd appeared to tug Mixu Paatelainen down in the Celtic penalty box. However, referee John Rowbotham appeared unsighted.
Thompson again went close to scoring when his free kick whizzed narrowly past Colgan's goal.
Brave block
With 20 minutes remaining, only a brave block by Colgan denied Larsson a hat-trick after a clever pass from Chris Sutton had sent his striking partner scampering goalward.
Unsurprisingly, the tempo of the game dipped and Hibs were able to enjoy more possession.
The Easter Road side should have pulled one back when a Sauzee free kick found Tom Smith who's cross was headed down by Paatelainen to Stuart Lovell.
Lovell's shot was saved by Gould and the rebound was taken off O'Neil's toes just yards from goal by his over-anxious team-mate Dirk Lehmann with the goal gaping empty.
Rock at the back
Sauzee, who was a rock at the back for Hibs all afternoon, kept the score down with a goal-line block after Sutton had managed to wriggle his way past Colgan.
The Hibs captain was injured in the process, having stopped the ball with a rather sensitive part of his body.
Celitc grabbed a third goal in injury time when Paul Lambert, looking suspiciously offside, drew Colgan before squaring the ball to substitute Burchill – who had the simple task of tapping it into an empty net.
Stilian Petrov could have added a fourth in the dying seconds but Colgan was quick off his line to clear at the Bulgarian's feet.
Celtic: Gould, Boyd, Valgaeren, Stubbs, McNamara, Lambert, Petrov, Moravcik, Thompson, Larsson, Sutton.
Subs: Kerr, Berkovic, Johnson, Burchill, Mjallby.
Hibernian: Colgan, G. Smith, Fenwick, Jack, T. Smith, Lovell, Sauzee, Latapy, O'Neil, Zitelli, Paatelainen.
Subs: Westwater, Brebner, Lehmann, Bannerman, Sar.
Referee: John Rowbotham
CELTIC REPORTS 2000-2001
Celtic 3 Hibernian 0
By Chris Roberts, PA Sport
Swedish international striker Henrik Larsson produced a first half double as Celtic secured their ninth win in a row to leapfrog the Edinburgh outfit into top spot in the Premier League.
Substitute Mark Burchill added a third for the rampant Parkhead side which ended Hibernian's unbeaten start to the season.
The Celtic Park showdown never needed any pre-match hype as the visitors went into the game on the summit and facing their biggest test so far.
Nevertheless Celtic, who started a day a point behind their opponents in second place but with 100% record, were in awesome mood and showed that the impressive beginning under new boss Martin O'Neill is no flash in the pan.
The former Leicester City manager has given the Glasgow side some resilience but against Hibernian they served up a tasty dish of attacking flair and it was once again Larsson who led the way to bag his seventh and eighth goals of the season.
The pressure on the Hibernian defence was relentless from the first whistle as the home side made a whirlwind start.
As early as the fourth minute Hibernian survived a penalty scare when Paul Lambert went down under the challenge of Paul Fenwick, but referee John Rowbotham waved away the protests.
Jackie McNamara then conjured up the first clear cut chance when he cut into the box from the right wing before unleashing a powerful left-footed shot just past the post.
The home side's tails were clearly up and Lubo Moravcik tried his luck from over 20 yards out in the 13th minute with a dipping drive which Nick Colgan did well to push over.
Celtic's confidence was replaced by concern in the 14th minute when Alan Stubbs collided with team-mate Lambert and the defender was stretchered off.
But those feelings of worry were soon forgotten in the 19th minute when the home side took the lead.
Colgan came rushing out to clatter into Alan Thompson on the very edge of the box before Larsson coolly stepped up to send the Hibernian goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.
The visitors did make a rare break into the Celtic half in the 23rd minute and it almost brought them the leveller when John O'Neill ran through unchallenged before hitting a right footed drive that keeper Jonathan Gould brilliantly saved to his left.
Celtic, however, pressed for a second and in the closing stages of the half it seemed they were camped out in the Hibernian box as they looked to wear down their opponents.
Striker Chris Sutton should have bagged his seventh goal of his Celtic career in the last minute of the half when he peeled away from the defence but he glanced his header, from Thompson's free kick, past the post.
Moments later and Moravcik should have doubled their advantage when Thompson again played him through on goal, but he blazed his effort straight at a relieved Colgan.
But there was still time for Celtic to bag their second of the afternoon and they did it at just the right time.
Lambert brilliantly played the ball out to Moravcik unmarked on the left flank and he delivered an inch perfect cross for Larsson to head home.
The home side began where they left off after the restart and Thompson went agonisingly close a minute into the second period when he rifled a shot just inches wide from 20 yards.
The former Aston Villa man was looking for his second goal in as many games and in the 58th minute he hit a rasping 25-yard free kick which flashed just past the post.
Four minutes later Colgan had to be brave to keep his side's faint hopes alive when Larsson played Stilian Petrov through but the Bulgarian international's first touch took it away from him and the keeper saved low at his feet.
Larsson himself had the scent of a hat-trick and only another great stop from Colgan denied the Swede a treble after hitting a first effort from just inside the box.
However, Hibernian were refusing to fold and in the 79th minute they gave the home side a warning that they could not afford to be complacent when Gould brilliantly saved Stuart Lovell's effort from close range.
This sparked O'Neill's men back into life and in the 81st minute Sutton and McNamara should have secured the points when the #6million man rounded Colgan on the ground but Franck Sauzee cleared off the line and the Scotland international followed up to fire well over.
Nevertheless there was still a time for Celtic to grab their third of the match in the closing seconds as Sutton beat the offside trap and unselfishly squared the ball to substitute Burchill who side footed into the empty net.
Teams
Celtic: Gould, Boyd, Valgaeren, Stubbs (Mjallby 14), McNamara, Lambert, Petrov, Moravcik (Burchill 87), Thompson, Larsson, Sutton.
Subs Not Used: Kerr, Berkovic, Johnson.
Booked: Valgaeren.
Goals: Larsson 16 pen, 45, Burchill 90.
Hibernian: Colgan, G. Smith, Fenwick, Jack, T. Smith, Lovell (Brebner 82), Sauzee, Latapy, O'Neil, Zitelli (Lehmann 73), Paatelainen.
Subs Not Used: Westwater, Bannerman, Sar.
Booked: O'Neil, Jack, Sauzee, Paatelainen.
Att: 60,091
Ref: John Rowbotham (Scotland).