First of all, apologies for the lack of match reports appearing on the web-site but we’re pretty sure you’re being well served by such fine web-sites as ETims  (aka Elder-Tims – the Grand Old Statesmen of online Celtic fanzines).

Celtic went into today’s game on the back of a fine win over the Orcs at Castle Greyskull last week. A performance that saw Celtic keep their first clean sheet since a 3-0 win over the same opposition way back in November. The game immediately after that, Celtic went down 1-0 to Dunfermline at Celtic Park and so began a run of games in which the Celtic defence return to the Sieve-like days of old. So today’s’ game was approached with a feeling of cautious optimism. By the end of the match, a huge smile had been planted all over the face of Timdom.

The game started for Celtic with a lot of pre-match nonsense about Artur Brouc. According to some half-assed sunday rag (hawk! spit!) Big Artur has been noising off about team-mates, coaching staff and the fans. A quick 5 minute glance at the various Celtic forums soon revealed the truth – some very nice Polish Tims accurately translated the ‘offending’ article and stated in black and white what Boruc really said. Turns out, the bog-roll-in-waiting must have being paying a junior reporter to translate his comments using their usual tried and trusted method – a free online translator. Other methods such as 1) getting a native Pole to translate the article or 2) asking Boruc to explain what he really said just didn’t crop up on the budgie-cage-carpet's radar and we look forward to another groveling apology from the odious hack responsible. We’re pretty sure a P45 will be winging its way towards said hack shortly (?!).

As for the game itself it started off very brightly from a Celtic view point. 3 minutes on the clock and Petrov adds the finishing touch to a Wilson cross. Celtic should have had a penalty shortly after when Petrov was brought down by Scott Wilson in the box but nothing doing. And subsequently Dunfermline went up the pitch and scored. A real howler from Boruc (who must have been wondering which particular god he had pissed off to deserve such a rotten start to his Sunday) saw him miss a cross completely and the ball was headed home for the softest of goals. The look on Hartson’s face said it all for me – the feeling amongst players and fans alike must have been one of ‘aw naw, not again’. 15 minutes in and the scoreline at 1-1. However come the 90^th minute it was a completely different feeling that would be coursing through our veins.

Here is the rundown of how it went:-

23rd minute – Hartson scores after Petrov slips a beaut of a ball through to Magic. His shot is saved but BBJ is on hand to ram the ball home.

31st minute – Magic gets his first of the game. Shaun Maloney, who had been having a quiet game, intercepts a ball and plays it to BBJ first time. He puts in Magic who lashes the ball past the keeper for as fine a finish as you're likely to see.

39th minute – Magic again as a long ball from McManus sees him time his run to perfection. Beats the keeper at his near post. 4-1 at half-time.

55^th minute – Maloney again plays it to Hartson. When a 1-2 seems on, BBJ hangs on a fraction too late – or so I thought. He finds Magic in acres of space and the Polish Bhoy has his first hat-trick for the hoops.

73^rd minute – oh mammy daddy what a goal. Magic turns provider with a cross to Maloney who finishes with a bicycle kick from 18 yrds.

81^st minute – you’d thought he’d won the World Cup (or the Sam Maguire for Armagh - nah the World Cup is more likely :-) such was the joy on the bhoy from Lurgan’s face. From 20 yards out Mr Neil Lennon scores his first goal in 50 months!! Just count yourself lucky he didn’t get injured in the pile up that ensued.

87^th minute – 4 goals for Magic and the perfect centre-forward display is complete. Beats the offside trap again with another timed run and long ball from the McManus.

8 goals in a game and only one conceded. Our 13-point advantage at the top remains and we’ve taken another step towards the title. It isn’t over yet but this was a VERY good performance by Celtic against the only side to have beaten us at home this season. Alright, Dunfermline did aid and abet their own downfall but Celtic’s finishing was clinical.

Given how this side has reacted in the past to losing a lead it was a joy to watch Celtic go on and absolutely dominate the game without the nerves that have marred recent performances. The next two games are at home to Aberdeen and away to Hibs. On the back of this performance I’m looking forward to some of the best football we’ve seen this season from the Bhoys.

“Uczciwe Dziennikarstwo? Wy nie poznajecie znaczenie słów.”

Player Ratings

Boruc 7
Had a mare in the first half but some fine saves in the second half restored his standing amongst team-mates and fans.

Telfer  6
Another player who had a shocker in the first half but came on to a better game when he got his passing together. 

McManus 7
Some fine passing that set-up a couple of goals.

Balde 7
Again showed he is the best tackler and strongest defender at the club.

Wilson 7
Playing out of position but played well. Already ear-marked as the new Jackie Mac.

Maloney 7
Quiet first-half but started to find his form in the second. His goal – fan-fecking-tastic.
 
Lennon 8
A Captain’s performance. His goal celebrations will live long in the memory. And the roars from the fans when he got within striking distance again showed how they felt about a player that knows what it means to pull on the Hooped jersey.

Keane 7
Settling into controlling the way this Celtic side play.
 
Petrov 8
Had he not been taken out by the Dunfermline team he would have made sure the goal tally would have reached double figures. Best performance since signing his new contract.

Hartson 7
Scored and had a hand in several of the goals. Enough said.

Zurawski 9
The best striking display seen brom a Celtic player since a certain Swede departed.

Subs:-

Dublin 5
Nearly opened his account for Celtic when he went through but a heavy touch saw the ball get away from him.

Thompson 6
This was almost the Thompson of old – crossing and crisp passing.


Nakamura 5
Comedy moment of the day when Strachan asked Nakamura if he fancied a game. A lot of finger pointing, gesticulating and shoulder-shrugging later on came our Japansese Bhoy. Nearly scored too.


Man Of The Match

Magic Zurawski. A striker of Champions League quality. Lets hope the players around him next year in said competition play to the standard that’ll allow him to shine.

Comments on this Article

Written by Guest on 2006-02-19 12:42:37 There is no such football club as GLASGOW Celtic. Hang your head in shame.

Retort Written by Steve on 2006-02-19 13:04:05 The Celtic Football Club is referred to by its fans in song as the 'Famous Glasgow Celtic'.    Hang your head out the car window....

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