| Match Pictures | Matches: 2015 – 2016 | 2015-16 Pictures |
Trivia
- Scottish Cup fourth round
- Having failed in Europe, the domestic treble is still on and is a possibility.
- Deila remains much maligned and for many is living on borrowed time.
- Big cold spell on at moment in Scotland, sosome games called off.
- Game marred by pre-show banner display which was very impressive in the small sold-out stadium, only to be spoiled by mass flares with one idiot throwing his lit flare onto the match pitch (pre-kick-off). Sky TV highlighted and repeated it often. Expect repercussions.
- Carlton Coles first goal for Celtic (unarguable goal).
- Griffiths almost close to scoring one of the finest goals of his life.
- Referee is theson of then infamous Hugh Dallas of the infamous match v Rangers .
- Collins again annoys Celtic fans by claiming that Celtic not getting due credit as Rangers not in top tier and the should get back asap. The rest of us just cringed.
- Transfer window is open.
Rumours: Tyler Blackett to be recalled to Man U. Ambrose to China?
Celtic want Aiden McGeady – but can't afford wages, says Ronny Deila
Darren O'Dea (ex-Celt) joins Dundee.
Stokes expected to go out on loan acc to assistant manager John Collins.
Review
(ftfdec of KDS)
A very comfortable performance IMHO. almost like a training match.
Lots of positives:
We won
Both strikers scored
LG and Cole got much needed game time
We experimented with 442
No injuries
A clean sheet
No bookings as far as I could tell
Blackett and Scott Allan got a wee bit of a run out.
All things considered not exceeded expectations but just about met them.
(Columbo fo KDS)
Team got stuck in on a poor pitch and even managed to play football at times.
Comfortable win and no injuries.
Griffiths is way too important to the team – need to get some one in on the same level to support / relieve him.
If he gets injured for any length of time we could be in trouble.
Teams
Stranraer
- 13 Currie
- 15 Dick
- 08 Bell
- 24 Rumsby
- 04 Pettigrew
- 11 McCloskey (Gibson – 61' )
- 07 Cairney
- 02 Robertson
- 20 McGuigan (Stirling – 61' )
- 09 Malcolm
- 14 Longworth (Thomson – 80' )
Substitutes
- 01 Brown
- 05 Barron
- 10 Stirling
- 12 Gibson
- 16 Turner
- 23 Thomson
- 25 Nequecaur
Celtic
- 26 Bailly
- 63 Tierney (Blackett – 77' )
- 05 Simunovic
- 04 Ambrose
- 23 Lustig
- 42 McGregor
- 25 Johansen
- 06 Bitton
- 15 Commons (Rogic – 74' )
- 09 Griffiths
- 24 Cole (Allan – 69' )
Substitutes
- 02 Blackett
- 16 Mackay-Steven
- 18 Rogic
- 19 Allan
- 34 O'Connell
- 38 Fasan
- 49 Forrest
Goals
- Griffiths 18′, 84′ Cole 42′
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
- Match Pictures
Forum
- Pre-match http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/9267779/
- Match http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/9268704/
- Post Match http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/9268713/
MOTM
- Voting Thread http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/9268714/
- Result Thread
- Winner –
Stats
Stranraer Celtic:
Possession
64%36%
90 Mins
Shots
2 16
On target
1 12
Corners
1 6
Fouls
5 8
Articles
Stranraer 0 Celtic 3: All smiles on the pitch for Celtic..but off-field antics leave sour taste after Scottish Cup victory at Stair Park
DAVID MCCARTHY (Daily Rec)
RONNY Deila will have been pleased with his side's performance as Leigh Griffiths bagged a barce and Carlton Cole scored his first for the club
RONNY DEILA would have wanted hard work instead of fireworks. Flair rather than flares.
And the Celtic manager got one out of two, which was enough to ease his team beyond Stranraer at Stair Park with the minimum of fuss.
Some of the visiting support, though, had fireworks and flares and used them to the full before kick-off. One was even lobbed on during the game and you have wonder when these people will ever learn, given that they’ve just about forced Celtic to set up a direct debit to UEFA to pay for the fines incurred by the same conduct. The full IRA repertoire was also belted out and it was all unnecessary.
First half goals from Leigh Griffiths and Carlton Cole – his first for Celric – gave Deila a stress-free afternoon and although his team wasn’t brilliant, it was as good as it had to be. Griffiths added his second and Celtic’s third near the end but the game was long won by then.
Even the weather played into the hands of the visitors. Stranraer boss Brian Reid would have wanted the rain to falling in sheets and the wind to be blowing the ball towards to Larne but there was little more than a stiff breeze and although it was cold, the weather would not be a leveller.
Deila handed Cole his first start after three substitute appearances.The former Premiership star has played in more salubrious surroundings but like the rest of his team-mates, his attitude had to be spot on. Celtic were up against a team with nothing lose and some of their opponents – inncluding 18-year-old keeper Max Currie – were playing in the biggest match of their lives and highly motivated.
They were, but the gulf in class proved insurmountable.
Before kick off, Deila handed over a Celtic Charity Foundation cheque for £5000 to the nearby Newton Stewart Flood Relief Fund. It was a kindly, timely gesture given the misery inflicted upon this south-west corner of Scotland by the elements recently. But any charitable gesture by his club on the pitch yesterday would have been unacceptable and Celtic went about their business properly and professionally.
Stranraer started full of fight and desire, as expected, and created a half chance in the first couple of minutes, Jamie Longworth wriggling his way to the byleline and cutting back for Mark McGuigan to fire high over the bar.
Celtic began to impose themselves without having any real fluency to their work but the chances they carved out fell to Cole and the striker’s ring-rustiness did him no favours on a couple of occasions when he was crowded out inside the box as the tried to find a yard of space.
In the 18th minute, though, Griffiths showed him exactly how it should be done with a superb finish after being played in by a clever Callum McGregor flick on the edge of the box.
The Scotland striker was on it like a flash and his left foot finished blurred high past Currie, who had shown commendable bravery a couple of minutes earlier by hurling himself at the feet of Cole to make a block.
The goal should have taken the spring out of Stranraer’s step but the part-timers dug in and continued to be stubborn opponents, making it difficult for the Premiership leaders, who were in control without being overly impressive.
Kris Commons, who had been quiet, suddenly burst to life in the 36th minute with an inventive, curling chip from the right hand side of the box but young Currie got up to tip the effort over the top. It was a fine save and kept his team’s hopes alive.
The kid did even better with a stunning double save from Griffiths, the second of which from close range was a stunning piece of work after the initial shot had been parried high into thr path of Cole who steered it back into the path of his striker partner. Griffiths thought he’d scored with his second effort but Currie threw himself to make the save.
Stranraer needed the half time whistle at that point, though, because Celtic had upped the tempo and were at last posing problems. It didn’t come quickly enough for them.
A minute from the break, Celtic got plenty of bodies into the box and when Nir Bitton stood up a cross from the right into the six yard box, Cole finally opened his account with a point-blank header to give the visitors the two-goal cushion they wanted.
The pattern didn’t change after the break. Within seconds Currie was diving to keep out a Griffiths drive and it looked like being a long second half for Reid’s men.
Stefan Johansen being allowed to breeze through four tackles before poking the ball under the keeper didn’t look like helping the Stranraer cause in the 50th minute but captain Steven Bell got back to scramble the ball off the line.
On the hour mark, Reid threw on fans’ favourite Willie Gibson for his debut on his second spell at the club and the winger saw plenty of the ball in the few minutes that followed, but they couldn’t find a way back.
And they had Currie to thank again for keeping the score down with another fine save from a spectacular long range Griffiths’ effort in the 67th minute.
Cole’s work was done for the day two minutes later, with Scott Allan replacing him. Tom Rogic and Tyler Blackett followed soon afterwards for Commons and Kieran Tierney respectively.
Stranraer had a chance to throw themselves a lifeline from a corner 13 minutes from time when Bell headed on for Craig Malcolm, who should have done better than glance a weak header at Logan Bailly, who made his first real save of the day.
At the other end, Currie was busier and kept producing fine saves. Griffiths was denied again before the kid rushed from goal to dive at Allan’s feet after the sub had been played in by Bitton’s defence-splitting pass.
Six minutes from time, Allan was provider was an equally good pass into Griffiths’ path and this time the striker won the battle with the keeper.
Three-nil and game over, although it had been since Cole’s goal just before the break.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stranraer-0-celtic-3-smiles-7152571
BBC
By Richard Wilson
BBC Scotland at Stair Park Celtic's two strikers delivered the goals that knocked Stranraer out of the Scottish Cup in a composed display.
Leigh Griffiths struck once in each half, and almost scored a third with a remarkable volley.
Carlton Cole headed his first goal for Celtic in between, as the duo showed signs of a developing partnership.
Stranraer worked hard, but made little headway in front of goal as the gulf between the League One side and the Premiership champions was laid bare.
Ronny Deila's team selection set the tone for Celtic's display. There was no sense of the visitors using the tie as an opportunity to bring fringe players to the fore, and the performance was shaped by its professionalism and attitude.
Leigh Griffiths fires home the opener Leigh Griffiths fires home the opener
Inevitably, it was Celtic's greater quality that separated the teams. Stranraer were industrious, working tirelessly to close down space. In possession, though, they could not create anything meaningful, whereas Celtic were at their most alert in the final third.
Although Cole was occasionally sluggish in his movement, his power and wiliness provided Celtic with a presence to play off up front. Even in a strong wind, and on a bobbly pitch, the visitors took command.
The breakthrough came when Callum McGregor saw the opportunity to slip Griffiths through, and the weight of his pass was perfect. The striker weighed up his options and expertly placed a shot beyond Max Currie.
The teenage Stranraer goalkeeper was helpless on that occasion, but he was impressively resolute moments later as he saved twice from Griffiths in a matter of seconds. Celtic's intent was evident, and there was reward for that endeavour before half-time, when Cole headed Nir Bitton's cross in from close range.
Smoke-bombs thrown by Celtic fans had to be cleared from the pitch before kick-off Smoke-bombs thrown by Celtic fans had to be cleared from the pitch before kick-off
There was less coherence to Celtic's attacking play after the break, which allowed Stranraer a sense that the game was not over as a contest. Even so, Currie had to be alert. A jinking run by Stefan Johansen ended with his shot being cleared off the line by Scott Robertson, then Cole's overhead kick was held in a diving save by Currie.
As if not wanting to be outdone by his strike partner, Griffiths unleashed an outstanding acrobatic volley, flipping in mid air to send the ball over his shoulder and on target, but Currie tipped his effort over the bar.
Stranraer remained subdued as an attacking force, although Craig Malcolm's header from inside the six-yard box forced the Celtic goalkeeper Logan Bailly to dive on the ball. In contrast, when Griffiths was sent through by an excellent Scott Allan pass, the striker finished decisively.
Celtic will be satisfied with this display, but the behaviour of some away fans – smoke-bombs were evident before and during the game – will have caused them some dismay.
Live Text Commentary
Full time Full Time
Match ends, Stranraer 0, Celtic 3.
90:00 +2:02 Full time Full Time
Second Half ends, Stranraer 0, Celtic 3.
90:00 +1:05 Attempt missed. Scott Allan (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
90:00 +0:23 Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
85:37 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Max Currie.
85:31 Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
83:57 Goal scored Goal!
Goal! Stranraer 0, Celtic 3. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Scott Allan.
82:45 Foul by Liam Dick (Stranraer).
82:45 Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82:34 Attempt saved. Scott Allan (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
81:22 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Steven Bell.
80:30 Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
79:41 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Stranraer. Ryan Thomson replaces Jamie Longworth.
76:52 Attempt saved. Jamie Longworth (Stranraer) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
76:32 Corner, Stranraer. Conceded by Stefan Johansen.
76:23 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Tyler Blackett replaces Kieran Tierney.
73:50 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Tomas Rogic replaces Kris Commons.
72:12 William Gibson (Stranraer) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
72:12 Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
68:15 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Scott Allan replaces Carlton Cole.
.67:57 Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
67:00 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Max Currie.
66:52 Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top right corner.
61:45 Paul Cairney (Stranraer) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
61:45 Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
60:32 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Stranraer. William Gibson replaces Sam McCloskey.
60:06 Substitution Substitution
Substitution, Stranraer. Andy Stirling replaces Mark McGuigan.
58:39 Foul by Scott Robertson (Stranraer).
58:39 Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
57:27 Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
50:54 Attempt saved. Carlton Cole (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
48:30 Steven Bell (Stranraer) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
48:30 Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
47:42 Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
45:00 Second Half begins Stranraer 0, Celtic 2.
45:00 +0:08 Half time Half Time
First Half ends, Stranraer 0, Celtic 2.
41:41 Goal scored Goal!
Goal! Stranraer 0, Celtic 2. Carlton Cole (Celtic) header from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Nir Bitton.
40:37 Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
39:53 Scott Robertson (Stranraer) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
39:53 Foul by Carlton Cole (Celtic).
36:41 Scott Rumsby (Stranraer) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
36:41 Foul by Carlton Cole (Celtic).
35:52 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Max Currie.
35:42 Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top right corner.
33:37 Foul by Paul Cairney (Stranraer).
33:37 Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
31:57 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Craig Pettigrew.
29:13 Jamie Longworth (Stranraer) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
29:13 Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
24:23 Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
21:31 Attempt missed. Craig Malcolm (Stranraer) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
21:00 Steven Bell (Stranraer) wins a free kick on the right wing.
20:58 Foul by Kris Commons (Celtic).
17:45 Goal scored Goal!
Goal! Stranraer 0, Celtic 1. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
14:22 Scott Robertson (Stranraer) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
14:22 Foul by Carlton Cole (Celtic).
13:56 Foul by Scott Robertson (Stranraer).
13:56 Mikael Lustig (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
8:52 Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Scott Robertson.
4:00 Mikael Lustig (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
3:58 Foul by Sam McCloskey (Stranraer).
0:00 First Half begins.
0:00 Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
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