Scotland on Sunday
January8, 1995, Sunday
Honours even as Celts go Dutch
BYLINE:Kevin McCarra
CELTICare on the verge of signing the NAC Breda striker Pierre van Hooijdonk for a fee of more than £ 1m. The club were reluctant to confirm the deal last night, but the few words on the topic which Tommy Burns was prepared to blab after the 1-1 draw withDundee Unitedserved to stoke the speculation."I hope," he said, "to make an announcement over the next couple of days."
Feelings of alarm may be prompted amongCelticsupport ers by the recollection of the last 6ft 5in Dutch striker to come to Scotland. Willem van der Ark never was all that convincing with Aberdeen. Van Hooijdonk, however, has lately been capped and was only deprived of the title of top scorer in his own country by one of Ajax's bud ding geniuses, Jari Litmanen.
The striker is likely to make his debut against Hearts on Wed nesday.It would be helpful so far as Burns is concerned if he turns out to possess miraculous pow ers. After this result,Celticwill continue to be regarded with horror by their friends and glee by their enemies. Curiously, the true extent of the club's failings is not really apparent at first glance. Having suffered just three league defeats all season, they cannot be relied upon to live down their bad reputation.
Indeed, Burns' team are ac tually unbeaten in the Premier Division since October 29. It is not so much the results as the manner in which they are ar rived at which deserves scorn.
The statistics are scathing: no more than two goals in any game this season and eight draws in their last nine league fixtures.
Any praise of their display at Ibrox on Wednesday must carry the weight of some hefty reser vations. TheCelticequaliser against Rangers came from the only shot they struck on target all night. That may be a 100% record of sorts, but it is scarcely enviable.
All of these facts are of course imprinted on Burns' sleepless brain. Buying van Hooijdonk may help but neither the coach ing staff or the players can be excused the team's ineffective ness merely because, until now, a huge sum had not been lashed out. Humble teams in the di vision, who need a stiff drink before they dare peek at a bank statement, still look far more likely to score.
Nor isCeltic'ssterility to be explained by an utter absence of technique. There is plenty of deft passing, but while the cal ligraphy is fine, this is a team with nothing to say for itself around the penalty area.
The solution will not be found in tactical adjustment or train ing-ground exercises. Only players with more purpose and a sense of adventure will ever locate all the missing goals. At least Phil O'Donnell, now with in striking distance of fitness, can provide drive, but even van Hooijdonk will falter unless the rest of the team acquires some adventure.
Yesterday's match allowed plenty of scope for such mus ings. United should be content with the result given the alarm ing events at Easter Road, where they lost 4-0 last Saturday. It could just be, given all the dis cussion about Ivan Golac and Jim McLean, that the pitch is the one place where they can now find a little tranquility.
A goal in nine minutes soothed them further. Brian O'Neil's clearance from the centre ofCeltic'spenalty area fell to Alex Cleland who aimed a 20-yard drive at the top corner.
Pat Bonner appeared to be cov ering that side of the goal but the speed of the shot took him by surprise and the ball smacked sweetly into the net.
There were few indications thatCelticwere capable of part ing United from the confidence they had so abruptly required. In fact, the visitors were close to scoring again when Jim McI nally intercepted a loose pass by Collins and fired just wide.
When Golac's team were obliged to defend, Gordan Petric was just as effective as he ap peared on first arrival in Scot land last season.
There were appealing aspects toCeltic'sperformance. Stuart Gray was an unruffled left-back and Brian McLaughlin, on the wing, seemed to be discovering the knack of not only tricking defenders but also moving clear of them, while centre-back Jim Slavin performed capably on his debut.
Burns' satisfaction with his young players had some foun dation in fact. Yet,Celticstill did not appear likely to score. When a goal did come, moments from the interval, a certain lack of attentiveness on United's part was involved.
"Amateurish," griped Golac afterwards. Yet, there was also an exciting element of imagina tion onCeltic'spart. Andy Walker gathered McLaughlin's throw-in and back-heeled the ball. It ran through Petric's legs and into the path of John Collins who curled his finish round Kel ham O'Hanlon.
IfCelticand United are to prosper, however, they will need to discover the vehemence which brings a supply of those ordinary goals on which every good team depends.
The Herald (Glasgow)
January9, 1995
Opportunity knocks as Burns is forced to dig into reserves
BYLINE:James Traynor
LOTS of running, some exquisite touches, and a great deal of commitment, butCelticcould do no more than accept one point. It was just another Saturday.Celtic'sdraw againstDundee Unitedat Hampden was their twelfth in 20 premier division matches, but at the risk of beginning to sound like Tommy Burns and his assistant, Billy Stark, there is cause for hope.
Burns' younger players continue to impress and the team's general play has about it again a width, which means chances are being created. The downside, of course, is that these opportunities continue to be squandered, although that may be about to change with the introduction of a large Dutchman, Pierre van Hooydonk.
A goalscorer will not cure allCeltic'sills — the team requires perhaps as many as five new players — but adding a cutting edge to the play has always been the manager's priority. Knowing thatCelticwere in possession of a player capable of putting the ball in the net would make other sides more respectful again and a confidence would spread through Burns' people.He produced one on Saturday, Jim Slavin, who made his debut at the heart of the defence and later spoke about the experience with the almost weary air of a seasoned campaigner. "I found out about 11am on Saturday morning that I would be playing against United," he said, "and it was a good experience.
"I had played against Craig Brewster in the reserves and so I knew what to expect from him. I wouldn't say he caused me any great problems."
Brewster, in fact, didn't go the distance and was taken off, which tends to suggest Slavin, who will be 20 in a fortnight, did his job better than the United striker. "I can't say I had any problems either with the pace of the game and I believe that when a younger player gets a chance like this it offers hope for others."
Burns has said often enough that because ofCeltic'scircumstances and injuries — five or six players were unavailable on Saturday — they have become a club of opportunity for young players. So far it is fair to say Brian McLaughlin and Stuart Gray have grabbed their chances and both looked the part again on Saturday.
In fact, with Gray at left full back, but always seeking to push forward, and McLaughlin on the same flankCelticare becoming particularly strong in that area and are able to cause problems. Some of McLaughlin's work and deliveries into the box were enticing, but the old failing allowed the balls to drift free.
On the other side, Paul Byrne hurled in some excellent crosses, but his contributions also were given safe passage.
"It is another draw and if anyone wants to take a negative look at that then that's up to them," said Burns, "but I have to look at the positive things. I'm delighted again with the young players. McLaughlin did well, Gray, too, and Slavin has given me food for thought."
Yet,Celticalmost went indoors at the break a goal down. United had taken the lead in nine minutes — and Alex Cleland's goal was stunning. Maurice Malpas played a cross intoCeltic'sbox, Brian O'Neil passed the ball out, but only to Cleland, who met the gift perfectly and from 22 yards his shot beat Pat Bonner at his top left-hand corner.
The first half had run to 46 minutes when John Collins found himself in possession inside United's box after the Tannadice side had been shoddy in defending a throw-in. Andy Walker backheeled through Gordan Petric's legs and Collins, with his right foot, did the rest.
He glanced up and, from just inside the box, curled the ball away to Kelham O'Hanlon's left. The ball sailed gently into the corner of the net.
Two wonderful goals and some moments of subtlety, but that was about it in an otherwise prosaic match. At leastCelticknow they will get better while United cannot be so sure.
Ivan Golac's side are toiling and hardly inspiring confidence among their supporters, who are alarmed by the gulf which seems to exist between the manager and the board of directors. Perhaps the start of another Scottish Cup run will shake them out of their lethargy and bring all factions together again. Then again, perhaps not.
Sunday Mail
January8, 1995, Sunday
FANS UNITE IN GRIEF;
Tony Mowbray joins thousands of football in silent tribute to his wife Bernadette.
Tony Mowbray joined thousands of football fans yesterday in silent tribute to his young wife, Bernadette.
His 26-year-old wife died on New Year's Day – after almost 10 months battling cancer.Celtic and Dundee Unitedfans observed a minute's silence before yesterday's game at Hampden Park.
And heartbroken Tony, 31 – pictured above in the centre of the back row – thankedCelticteam-mates for their support.
"It's what Bernadette would have wanted," said Tony. "She wouldn't have wanted me sitting around the house."
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