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Trivia
- First domestic match of new season.
- Celtic unfurl league title flag; honorary guest to raise the flag was Celtic great Sean Fallon.
- Brown out injured, Mulgrew out suspended from Red card from Ajax friendly match.
- First league season ever without Rangers in top division. Sycophants in the media still push for Rangers back next session in SPL.
- Next Weekend (Aug 11th) dubbed Sellout Saturday by fans across the SPL in hope or aim to have all the league fixtures on day sold out.
- New TV deal announced.
- European Cup second leg next Wednesday.
- Darren O'Dea leaves for Canadian team.
Review
(AntonRogansRightBoot of KDS)
It felt like another pre season friendly, tbh. No real drive from the players going forward, nobody bursting from midfield to get into the box.
There seems to be a lot of players running into each other or getting in each other's way – communication a little bit lacking I think. It's a bit worrying, but it is still early doors. Grind out a result in Helsinki and then some serious work needed. And a centre half.
Izzy as well… I hope I'm wrong, but he has the look of someone who's confidence and bottle has gone because of the injury. Hope he gets it back soon. We miss him, even for the threat of him down the wing on the left.
Matthews is looking impressive though. Full of running, uses the ball well (mostly)
Teams
Celtic
01 Forster
02 Matthews
03 Izaguirre
25 Rogne
15 Commons
16 Ledley
33 Kayal (McCourt – 70' )
67 Wanyama
09 Samaras (Wilson – 55' )
10 Stokes (Murphy – 77' )
88 Hooper
Substitutes
24 Zaluska
06 Wilson
23 Lustig
20 McCourt
46 McGeouch
56 Twardzik
27 Murphy
Goals:
- Commons 79′
Aberdeen
01 Langfield
04 Anderson Booked
06 Considine
17 Naysmith (Clark – 72' )
02 Jack
05 Rae
10 McGinn (Magennis – 89' )
11 Hayes (Fraser – 79' )
16 Osbourne
18 Hughes
09 Vernon
Substitutes
32 Brown
07 Clark
08 Milsom
15 Pawlett
20 Fraser
14 Fallon
21 Magennis
Ref: Murray
Att: 48,251
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
- Audio Report: Paradise Report
Pictures
Forum
MOTM
- Voting Thread
- Result Thread
- Winner –
- 2012-13 Winners
Stats
Celtic v Aberdeen
Possession
58% v 42% 94mins
Shots
9 5
On target
5 2
Corners
6 4
Fouls
5 9
Articles
Kris Commons gives Celtic opening day victory against Aberdeen
Scottish Premier League
Celtic 1
Commons 79
Aberdeen 0
Ewan Murray at Celtic Park
guardian.co.uk, Saturday 4 August 2012 17.05 BST
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Kris Commons, Celtic v Aberdeen, Scottish Premier League
Celtic's Kris Commons scored the only goal to give the SPL champions a 1-0 win against Aberdeen. Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images
There are two ways of looking back at this match. Either it offered the perfect antidote to the theory that Celtic will have everything their own way in this season's Scottish Premier League, or it proved precisely that.
For concerted spells, the reigning SPL champions visibly toiled against an Aberdeen side who could reasonably argue they did not deserve to lose. Yet despite that, and Celtic giving the impression in spells that they were not particularly bothered about winning, Kris Commons ensured the title defence began with a victory.
Commons may take the credit for that scoring intervention, 11 minutes from time, but the role played by Jamie Langfield must be acknowledged. Aberdeen's goalkeeper somehow allowed what looked like a perfectly routine angled shot from a short corner to slip right through his body at the near post. It was a horrendous error – from a player who has been known by the nickname of "Clangers" in the past – and one which undid Aberdeen's earlier fine work. Even Commons looked embarrassed at claiming the goal.
"I would never criticise one individual," said the Aberdeen manager, Craig Brown, afterwards. "I would criticise the team for not responding appropriately to a short corner. They had clear instructions and they switched off momentarily. You cannot do that at this level. Up until then, I felt the least we would get was a draw."
Brown can take solace from the fact Aberdeen looked a vastly improved side to the one which finished ninth in the SPL last season. This time around, they should have aspirations of moving into the top half.
For Brown's opposite number at Celtic, there was relief. Occasions such as this can often prove awkward; the championship flag was unfurled before kick-off, with Celtic expected to swamp Aberdeen thereafter. The Scottish champions are also between crucial Champions League qualifying legs against HJK Helsinki.
"There was a flatness about us going forward," conceded Neil Lennon. "There was a bit of a hangover from Wednesday night but I totally understand that. We will pick up a bit more zip as we go along. Once the players find their feet they will be okay."
Of more concern to Lennon is the injury incurred by his captain, Scott Brown. The midfielder is a doubt for Wednesday's match in Helsinki because of a degenerative condition in his hip.
The pace and guile of another Celtic absentee, James Forrest, was notable during a generally turgid opening half. It took 22 minutes for a meaningful shot on target – Langfield batted away Commons' effort on that occasion. Moments later, the hosts' Georgios Samaras curled an effort wide of Langfield's upright.
Aberdeen's best chance arrived six minutes after the interval. As Celtic failed to clear a corner, Scott Vernon blazed the loose ball over the bar. Matters had returned to the realms of mundane before the winning goal came. The lively Commons played a one-two with Adam Matthews but still found himself completely unmarked. Brown is correct to identify Aberdeen's shortcomings there, but Langfield's mistake was criminal for an experienced professional.
"I don't think the keeper was on his toes to deal with anything at the near post but we will take it," Commons added. "It was a bit muggy and a bit warm and there were a lot of tired legs. We would have liked to play a bit better and we were not as free-flowing as we would like, but three points is three points."
Onwards now, for Celtic, to Finland. A much bigger prize is at stake there.
BBC
By Andy Campbell BBC Sport Scotland
A howler from Jamie Langfield allowed Celtic to open the defence of their Scottish Premier League title with victory against Aberdeen.
The well organised Dons limited Celtic to few chances in each half but the visitors rarely threatened themselves.
Kris Commons was the hosts' most prominent threat, forcing two solid saves from Langfield.
But the goalkeeper then let Commons' trundling shot slip past him 11 minutes from the end.
Celtic unfurl the Scottish Premier League championship flag
Celtic marked last season's title win before kick-off
Celtic now turn their attention to Wednesday's Champions League qualifying return leg against HJK Helsinki, who trail 2-1 in the tie.
The unfurling of the league championship flag preceded the start of the match and both sides took their time to get into full stride after the action had got underway.
Georgios Samaras, captaining Celtic in the absence of Scott Brown and usual deputy Charlie Mulgrew, required treatment and a change of shirt after Ryan Jack's elevated foot gave the Greek a cut lip.
The first chance of any note came when Commons' fierce drive was beaten away by Langfield.
Play media
Samaras began to find some space cutting in from the left and his curling shot swept wide of target.
Experienced Dons duo Gavin Rae and Russell Anderson were marshalling central areas and frustrating the hosts but Craig Brown's side did not make the most of their possession in attacking areas.
Last term's SPL top scorer Gary Hooper lifted a shot over Langfield's goal and Commons' shot was blocked by Andrew Considine as the impasse continued until half-time.
Aberdeen posed more of a threat just after the break with Celtic struggling to deal with debutant Jonny Hayes' deliveries.
The former Inverness winger's free-kick deflected awkwardly out for a corner and Hayes' next inswinger was palmed away by Fraser Forster to Scott Vernon, who could not direct his shot on target.
Victor Wanyama was pushed up into Celtic's midfield after Samaras was replaced by Kelvin Wilson and the Ugandan flashed a volley well wide as the home crowd's frustration became all the more audible.
Commons was more accurate with his next shot, Langfield diving low to his left to punch away another powerful strike.
Play media
For all of Aberdeen's endeavour, Vernon's increasing isolation up front made breakaways difficult.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon looked for fresh impetus and sent on Paddy McCourt and Daryl Murphy for Beram Kayal and Anthony Stokes.
But it was a mistake that gave Celtic their breakthrough after Commons had played a corner short to Adam Matthews.
The winger received Matthews' return pass and fired in a low shot that should have been comfortably saved by Langfield but the keeper was slow to react and soon looked distraught as Celtic celebrated.
However, Aberdeen can take heart from their stubborn performance, which served to remind title favourites Celtic this season may not be as straight-forward as many have predicted.
Live Text Commentary
90:00 +3:01 Full time
Full Time The referee ends the match.
90:00 +1:14
Emilio Izaguirre takes the indirect free kick.
90:00 +1:14 Booking
Booking Booking for Russell Anderson for unsporting behaviour.
90:00 +1:02
Unfair challenge on Gary Hooper by Russell Anderson results in a free kick.
88:51 Substitution
Substitution (Aberdeen) makes a substitution, with Josh Magennis coming on for Niall McGinn.
83:13
Corner from right by-line taken by Kris Commons.
79:00 Substitution
Substitution Johnny Hayes leaves the field to be replaced by Ryan Fraser.
78:08
Assist on the goal came from Adam Matthews.
78:08 Goal scored
Goal – Kris Commons – Celtic 1 – 0 Aberdeen Kris Commons finds the back of the net with a goal from just outside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 Aberdeen.
77:51
Kris Commons decides to take a short corner,
76:15 Substitution
Substitution Daryl Murphy joins the action as a substitute, replacing Anthony Stokes.
74:27
Corner taken by Johnny Hayes from the left by-line, clearance by Anthony Stokes.
71:45 Substitution
Substitution Chris Clark replaces Gary Naysmith.
69:06 Substitution
Substitution Beram Kayal goes off and Patrick McCourt comes on.
68:08
The official flags Joe Ledley offside. Indirect free kick taken by Jamie Langfield.
67:48
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Victor Wanyama by Isaac Osbourne. Victor Wanyama restarts play with the free kick.
67:04
Unfair challenge on Kelvin Wilson by Niall McGinn results in a free kick. Emilio Izaguirre restarts play with the free kick.
65:27
Shot on goal by Anthony Stokes from just inside the area goes over the target.
64:39
Isaac Osbourne takes a shot. Emilio Izaguirre gets a block in.
62:25
Kris Commons takes a shot. Save by Jamie Langfield.