| Match Pictures | Matches: 2018 – 2019 | 2018-19 Pictures |
Trivia
- St Patrick Day! Happy day to all who celebrate it
- Celtic the league leaders, now 10pts ahead following Sevco 1-1 with Kilmarnock.
- Celtic have another late late winner, 95th minute winner. Three last minute winners in the last 4 league games. That's the difference between a 10 point lead (all over) and a 4 point lead (title fight). As much as those last minute winners delight me it shouldn't disguise the fact that these games were a struggle. We have to do better.
- Regarding the 6 minutes of added time. Here are the 2nd half stoppages. Ajer – 30s O'Dea – 1m 10s O'Sullivan – 1m 20s Ajer – 1m 15s 6 minutes seems about right for this and 5 subs. I'm sure the outrage would be the same had Dundee scored their 95th minute breakaway.
- Eight league games left after this match.
- Sky Sports: Two discussion points post match: How many Celtic players will follow Rodgers to Leicester and could they even get in the squad, followed by the sacking of Lennon.
- Major match next weekend as Celtic v Sevco at Celtic Park, could seal the title or reboot Sevco's title aspirations.
- Scottish Cup: Aberdeen to face Celtic in semifinals. Sevco knocked out of the Scottish Cup in replay v Aberdeen, 2-0 at Ibrox. Sevco only have league to challenge for now.
- Silly season: rumours that Morelos agent has contacted Celtic to move from Sevco in the summer. A wind-up, and a funny one we all believe.
- Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar has urged UEFA to ignore coefficent and help Celtic – because of the Parkhead club’s standing in the game. “Celtic and Ajax are great names in history. They both have great followings, all over the world, not just in Holland and Scotland. They are historic clubs, they have both won the European Cup, but that is why it is difficult not to be involved. We see the Champions League running away a little bit.”
- Reports that Celtic got a whopping £9 million for Rodgers and the management team from Leicester City.
- EPL on a role, with 4 teams from their league for the first time making the quarter-finals of the European Cup, and still have 2 teams in UEFA Cup too.
- Sevco fans protest at BBC coverage with demonstration at Pacific Quay headquarters. Everyone else just laughed at them, banner said: “Biased, Bigoted, Corrupt. Don’t fund our haters. BBC, licence to lie.”
- A crowdfunding scheme has been launched to fund a mural on the back of the pavilion believed to have been used for changing rooms when Scotland romped to a 5-1 victory over England in 1882. The game was played at the first Hampden Park and Scotland included Andrew Watson, the world’s first black international footballer, in their line-up. The pavilion is now used as the clubhouse for the Hampden Bowling Club which sits where the ground built in 1873 used to be. The artwork would depict the scoreline as well as Watson and skipper Charles Campbell, who went on to become the president of Queen’s Park and the SFA and refereed the 1889 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Third Lanark.
- News: at least 49 people have been killed and at least 20 wounded in shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, RIP; UK has been caught in the shambles of the Brexit exits
- A Hibs fan who had a stroke has told how he shocked nurses by uttering his first words in four months – mocking rival club Hearts. Darren Thomson, 22, lost all feeling in the left side of his body just 15 minutes after he developed a blinding headache.The Hibs fan was rushed to hospital where scans revealed he had suffered a stroke and had a bleed on the brain caused by a blood clot the size of a 10p coin.
He had two operations to help drain the excess fluid in his brain, but he still couldn’t speak for three months due to a tube down his throat then brain damage. Darren heard his nurses talking about how they supported rival team Hearts – and shocked them by blurting out his first words: “Hearts are s***e”.
Review
“If he’d run that fast after Kaka in 2007 we’d have got to the quarter-finals of the Champions League!" Gordon Strachan on Neil Lennon on his post Dundee victory celebrations against the Last second defeat to AC Milan in the European Cup (March 2017)
To say Celtic were dire, disjointed and turgid would probably be fair comment. To say the win was undeserved is just ********.
Neil Lennon: “Very important and significant win. Dundee are fighting and aren’t going to roll over. Our final ball wasn’t great. We kept going and had some speed in the attack that had been missing all day. There’s times I don’t like the way we play but that’s for another day”.
(bmh of KDS)
Very one paced and lacking in imagination a days like today you need Forrest and Sinclair driving at them from the off – never happened
Johnstone needs to stay a sub for now – potential to impact as a sub but starting a game ? Nah – a way to go yet
Didnt think KT Lustig or Toljan played well at all today
Was absolutely convinced we had effed up today – delight and relief in equal measures – spewing orcs are magical wonderful things
Today really does show NL is not the man long term. Tactically poor and changes made at the wrong times and a poor selection to begin with
Players lacking clarity and purpose today – class from Eddy and Forrest for the goal
First half we made some very decent chances but second half was ugly – proper ugly stuff
NL and JK got to take some of the blame for that today
Eddie McGaw@ferryeddie13 on Twitter
Teams
Dundee
31Dieng
29Horsfield
5Kusunga
15McGowan
6O'Dea
3Ralph
7O'Sullivan Substituted forCurranat 72'minutes
4Woods
16RobsonBooked at 21mins
10Wright Substituted forDalesat 90+4'minutes
20Miller Substituted forCurranat 71'minutes
Substitutes
2Kerr
12Parish
17Dales
23Curran
27Curran
28Hadenius
45Moore
Celtic
29Bain
2Toljan Substituted forWeahat 78'minutes
23Lustig
35Ajer Substituted forBenkovicat 73'minutes
63Tierney
8Brown
42McGregor
49Forrest
73Johnston Substituted forHayesat 59'minutes
11Sinclair
22Edouard
Substitutes
10Bayo
15Hayes
24de Vries
25Burke
30Weah
32Benkovic
52Henderson
Goals
Edouard (95 mins)
Referee:
Bobby Madden
Attendance:
7,608
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Forum
MOTM
- Voting Thread
- Result Thread
- Winner –
Stats
Dundee
Celtic
Possession
Home37%
Away63%
Shots
Home8
Away24
Shots on Target
Home3
Away8
Corners
Home5
Away12
Fouls
Home6
Away5
Articles
Dundee 0 – 1 Celtic: Lennon's men leave it late to extend lead over Rangers
Celtic players celebrate Odsonne Edouard's winner. Picture: SNS
Celtic players celebrate Odsonne Edouard's winner. Picture: SNS
Joel Sked
Email
Published: 14:36 Sunday 17 March 2019
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/dundee-0-1-celtic-lennon-s-men-leave-it-late-to-extend-lead-over-rangers-1-4890859
Dundee were left heartbroken as Celtic hit a winner in the sixth minute of injury time to extend their lead at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership to ten points.
Neil Lennon knew his side could take a big step towards the league title after Rangers were held at home to Kilmarnock, while Dundee were looking put some distance between themselves and bottom-place St Mirren with Hamilton in 10th earning a crucial win themselves on Saturday against Hearts.
It appeared that the home side would earn a valuable point with an excellent rearguard performance, led by Genseric Kusunga. However, deep into injury time Odsonne Edouard netted to send Celtic fans into rapture and Lennon down the touchline in celebration.
Following the international break Celtic know they can all but confirm their eighth successive league title with a win over Rangers in the Old Firm derby at Parkhead.
It was the home side who would have the first effort of the game with midfielder Ethan Robson clipping a shot narrowly over the bar from the edge of the box after some good build-up play.
But that was as threatening as the home side would be for a while as Celtic took control and dominated proceedings.
In the 10th minute, Callum McGregor exchanged a one-two with Mikey Johnston but shot straight at Sonny Dieng before James Forrest blazed over the ball after the ball fell to him inside the box.
Then in the space of five minutes Sinclair was denied twice by Dieng, both following shots from the edge of the box. First McGregor's wayward effort was directed goalwards by the Englishman but the goalkeeper reacted smartly.
A few moments later, in the 20th minute, Scott Brown hit a daisy cutter straight at the Dundee stopper but he could only palm the ball into the path of the onrushing Sinclair but he once again reacted quickest to thwart the 29-year-old.
Dundee's defence was holding firm with plenty of bodies in and around the box, making it difficult for the away side but also to create chances of their own.
Celtic's best opportunity of the half fell to Sinclair, who felt he should have had a penalty earlier, again. This time Forrest picked Martin Woods pocket, slipped in his team-mate but his curling effort was pushed away impressively by Dieng.
On the stroke of half time Dundee should have taken the lead. Fine hold up play by Kenny MIller brought Robson into play, who fed Scott Wright breaking from midfield but Scott Bain in the Celtic goal was equal to his shot.
The second half was a slog for all viewers. Dundee rarely ventured into the Celtic half while Celtic huffed and puffed but were unable to blow the Dens defence down.
Jock Stein's statue outside Celtic Park. Picture: SNS
Johnston sent in a dangerous cross seconds after the restart but the visitors would have to wait until the 80th minute before they came close to opening the scoring.
Jonny Hayes, positive down the left after his introduction, sent in a cross which founds its way to the feet of Forrest. However, the in-form attacker could only turn and see his shot deflected just past the post.
Just when it appeared Celtic would be unable to penetrate the Dundee defence Hayes burst into the box and cut back for Edouard to find the back of the net.
'There's times I don't like the way we play' – Neil Lennon on big Celtic win
Joel Sked
Email
Published: 15:06 Sunday 17 March 2019
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/there-s-times-i-don-t-like-the-way-we-play-neil-lennon-on-big-celtic-win-1-4890861Neil Lennon was left delighted with Celtic's late show to win 1-0 at Dundee and extend the lead over Rangers at the top of the league to ten points.
However, despite Odsonne Edouard's goal in the 96th minute, the Northern Irishman was critical of the pace of his team's play.
Lennon chopped and changed personnel and system in the second half to inject a bit more verve into his side's play.
With Jonny Hayes working well down the left, it was a combination of Edouard and James Forrest who ultimately earned Celtic the three points at Dens Park.
"It's a brilliant win, it's a significant win and it's a very important win.," Lennon told Sky Sports. "It's what we deserved over the course of the game and we have to remember that Dundee are playing for their livelihoods and playing for their league standing and their not just going to lie down and roll over which they didn't do.
"We got a little bit bogged down for periods in game even though we had so much possession and we changed it, went to a back three to get more width at times. Hayes was starting to cause them problems.
"Our final ball, our final third entries wasn't great. We created some good chances in the first half, unlucky not to be one or two up but we could easily have been undone end of the first half.
"We kept going and we produced a bit of urgency and a bit of quality, a bit of speed to the attack which had been lacking all day and we scored a great goal.
"There's times I don't like the way we play without being over critical. I think we are a little bit slow and a little bit pedestrian at times and I would like to speed things up a little bit but I can't have everything. They've won the game and that's all I can ask of them at the minute."
Celtic now enter the international break with Rangers the next opponents when they come back, giving them an opportunity to extend their lead at the top further.
"It's huge," Lennon said when asked about the ten point gap. "We're not taking anything for granted but it is a very welcome cushion at the minute."
BBC
1 hour ago From the section Celtic
'It was pointless having defenders on the pitch'
Celtic registered "a significant win" after scoring late to deny Dundee, says manager Neil Lennon.
Odsonne Edouard's 96th-minute goal took Lennon's side 10 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
"That was the whole remit before the game," said Lennon of stretching Celtic's advantage.
"I think I aged about three years there. In the end it's a dramatic win but we're well worthy of the win."
Edouard's goal takes Celtic 10 points clear
Reaction & as it happened
Player rater – who was man of the match?
Griffiths could return this season
The reigning champions dominated at Dens Park and could have been two or three goals up by half-time but chances were more limited after the break.
Edouard played a one-two with James Forrest and finished from close range, having also scored Celtic's winner in Lennon's first match back in charge against Hearts last month.
"Patience was the key," Lennon told BBC Radio Scotland. "They left it pretty late again. I think that's third game out of four. You think of Kilmarnock and Hearts and then today.
"They keep going. I didn't like the way we played today at times. We just got a little bit desperate towards the end, firing straight balls into the box, which is unlike us. We got a bit of magic from Forrest and Edouard and Edouard's come up trumps again for me, which is brilliant.
"There's a lot of room for improvement, there's no question of that but I'm very, very grateful for the three points and it's a big, big win. It's a brilliant win, it's a significant win and I think we got what we deserved."
By Andy Campbell
BBC Sport Scotland
3 hours ago From the section Scottish Premiership 143
Celtic celebrate
An 18th goal of the season from Odsonne Edouard gave Celtic the points
Odsonne Edouard's 96th-minute goal moved Celtic 10 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership as Dundee's relegation fears worsened.
James Forrest and Scott Sinclair had multiple efforts as the visitors dominated at Dens Park.
Scott Wright could have put Dundee in front, the midfielder going through on goal only to be denied by Scott Bain.
It looked as though the hosts had done enough to earn a point until Forrest squared for Edouard to convert.
With nearest challengers Rangers drawing on Saturday, Celtic extend their lead and could stretch it further when they host the Ibrox side after the international break.
Dundee remain a point above bottom side St Mirren but the Buddies could overtake Jim McIntyre's team by winning their game in hand against St Johnstone, with Hamilton Academical six points ahead of the Dens Park outfit.
Celtic make pressure count – eventually
It was almost relentless Celtic pressure with Kieran Tierney's effort deflected wide via a deflection, Forrest knocking over from a promising position and Callum McGregor off target then denied by Seny Dieng. Tierney and Forrest would also go close after the break.
The goalkeeper was less convincing with a block on Scott Brown's long-ranger, which created another chance for Edouard that had to be dealt with.
Dundee hearts were in mouths again when Celtic attempted a rehearsed corner routine. McGregor found Forrest on the edge of the box and the Scotland winger's volley was blocked by team-mate Brown right in front of goal.
There was more assured goalkeeping from Dieng when Sinclair attempted to curl home from the left-hand side of the box, the Swiss getting a powerful hand on the ball to turn it over. A similar effort from Sinclair in the second half was deflected wide.
The hosts had struggled to get out their own half but when they did they passed up the first half's best chance. Kenny Miller released Wright but the forward took the ball wide and Bain came off his line to turn the eventual shot wide.
Scott Wright's shot is saved by Scott Bain
Wright could not get the better of Bain
There was no let-up from Celtic in terms of possession and territory after the break but chances were more scarce.
The six minutes of added time provoked ire from the home fans, who felt there had not been such a level of stoppages.
Dundee had defended valiantly and looked to counter where possible but it was from one such advance that they were undone. Martin Woods' deflected shot was collected by Bain and within seconds Celtic were up the other end with Edouard playing a one-two with Forrest and tapping home in a crowded six-yard box to send the visiting fans home happy.
Frustration avoided for leaders – analysis
Celtic were looking at a missed opportunity for the second weekend running until that late Odsonne Edouard goal.
They were held at home by Aberdeen last Saturday after Rangers had drawn with Hibernian the night before.
But late goals during a crucial phase of the season have proved to be the difference for the league leaders. Edouard netted in injury time in Neil Lennon's first match back in charge of the club away to Hearts last month, while one of Brendan Rodgers' last games as Celtic boss featured a stoppage-time winner by Scott Brown against Kilmarnock.
With eight league games to go and a Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen to come next month, League Cup winners Celtic's bid for a third successive domestic treble remains on course.