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League Cup, last 16
- 1-1 after 90mins, Celtic won 2-1 in extra-time. So avoided penalties.
- Lots of empty seats at the game today.
- Very poor performance today, and Referee Beaton (who goes to Sevco pubs for drinks) did not award a clear cut penalty to Celtic. You can argue these things, but for many he has too much of a track record!
- Dunfermline fans: number of them sang a repertoire of bigotted, sectarian & child abuse songs.
- Lennon criticism has become the norm and many are vocal for change but also change at board or club management level (e.g. Lawell).
- Celtic to play Partick at home next round.
- Tom Boyd caused some media hysteria. He was on Celtic TV and stated about the referee’s performance: “That’s a penalty, it’s a penalty kick. His arms are up, in an unnatural position, it’s a stonewall penalty and once again Celtic denied by a decision by the referee, the referee has bottled that. That is an absolutely scandalous decision by John Beaton, we’ve seen that before on many occasions/ It’s unquestionably a penalty as well, a handball, that was a stonewall penalty kick as clear a penalty kick. In the light of day he is putting his hand towards the ball, heading towards goal. What does John Beaton not know about the new rules. If he doesn’t know that that should be a penalty he should not be in the middle of the park refereeing a football game. Probably welcome down his pub tonight, again”
- Celtic make statement in support of Tom Boyd if there is any investigation. He was on Celtic TV, and it was definite penalty.
- Celtic lose Liam Morrision (junior) to Bayern Munich.
- Celtic sign Jonathan Afolabi, Irish player. Signed for free from Southampton on 2 year deal.
- Tipperary win Hurling grand final in Dublin v Kilkenny.
- Celtic’s first round in this tournament. Celtic currently holders of the trophy (for past three seasons).
- Celtic were knocked out of Champions league this past week.
- Celtic to face AIK from Sweden in UEFA Cup play-off for Europa League group stages.
- Rumours: Celtic to bring back Forster for goalkeeper place?
- Emilio Izaguirre: Ex-Celtic player injured in Honduras riot which leaves four dead Four dead and seven seriously wounded as rioting forces postponement of league game in Hondura.
- Celtic have agreed ‘significant’ compensation to a former youth player who was sexually abused by convicted paedophile Jim McCafferty. The club have also admitted liability for historic abuse carried out by McCafferty while he worked at the club as a coach. The award was made to the victim, who cannot be named, by the Personal Injury Court in Edinburgh. McCafferty was jailed for six years and nine months in May after admitting to 12 charges related tochild sex abuse against 10 teenage boys between 1972 and 1996. The 73-year-old was a coach and kit man for the Celtic youth team, who also worked for Celtic Boys Club.
Review
(martin of KDS)
(JBC of TheCelticWiki)
Any case, he was on Celtic TV, not the BBC, so he was always going to be partisan in his views.
From Celtic TV what was said by Tom Boyd:
Tom Boyd: Ah referee, he’s got to give it, it’s a penalty
GM: Is he giving it?
TB: No he’s not, he’s bottled out of it
GM: A strong challenge coming in, Scully on Jullien, it looked like handball, we’ll need to get a look at that one again Tom. Let’s have a look at it again, Christie swings it across, challenge comes in, a clash between the two players
TB: That’s a penalty, it’s a penalty kick. His arms are up, in an unnatural position, it’s a stonewall penalty and once again Celtic denied by a decision by the referee, the referee has bottled that.
GM: That is the best save of the afternoon, I say that with all due respect to Ryan Scully who has been in excellent form for Dunfermline this afternoon, that should have been a penalty to Celtic 12 minutes into extra-time
TB: That is an absolutely scandalous decision by John Beaton, we’ve seen that before on many occasions
GM: Coley coming in, unquestionably a handball
TB: It’s unquestionably a penalty as well, a handball, that was a stonewall penalty kick as clear a penalty kick. In the light of day he is putting his hand towards the ball, heading towards goal. What does John Beaton not know about the new rules. If he doesn’t know that that should be a penalty he should not be in the middle of the park refereeing a football game.
CTV: You heard it from Tom Boyd, telling it as it is
TB: Probably welcome down his pub tonight, again
From <https://videocelts.com/2019/08/blogs/latest-news/tom-boyd-accuses-john-beaton/>
“How John Beaton hasn’t given that, we have seen it before from referees like this.”
“I’m mystified, well I’m not mystified. John Beaton as though it was a pre-meditated decision not to give that penalty because it was so late in the game, I’m not sure.”
“He has given us a corner so he has seen it hit the hand of the Dunfermline player and it should be a penalty kick. An absolutely outrageous decision from John Beaton.
Teams
Celtic
1Gordon
33Elhamed
2Jullien
35AjerSubstituted forNtchamat 76’minutes
23Bolingoli-Mbombo
Substituted forHayesat 90’minutes
19JohnstonSubstituted forMorganat 115’minutes
6BittonBooked at 118mins
42McGregor
17Christie
9Griffiths Substituted forForrestat 56’minutes
22Edouard
Substitutes
10Bayo
15Hayes
16Morgan
20Shved
21Ntcham
49Forrest
- Johnston (55′ minutes),
- Forrest (114′ minutes)
Dunfermline
1Scully
2Comrie
6AshcroftBooked at 116mins
16Morrison
4Martin
11DowSubstituted forToddat 112’minutes
21PatonBooked at 46mins
12TurnerSubstituted forColeyat 65’minutes
8BeadlingBooked at 114mins
24EdwardsSubstituted forRyanat 75’minutesBooked at 120mins
15Nisbet Substituted forMcGillat 85’minutes
Substitutes
9McGill
10Ryan
14Devine
20Gill
22Coley
26Todd
- Beadling (77′ minutes)
Referee: John Beaton
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Stats
Celtic
Dunfermline
Possession Home64% Away36%
Shots Home36 Away3
Shots on Target Home11 Away1
Corners Home23 Away1
Fouls Home10 Away13
Articles
Celtic 2 – 1 Dunfermline (aet): James Forrest spares Celtic blushes as Pars run holders close
James Forrest scored Celtic’s winner
Gavin McCafferty
Published: 17:31 Saturday 17 August 2019
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-2-1-dunfermline-aet-james-forrest-spares-celtic-blushes-as-pars-run-holders-close-1-4986088
James Forrest’s 114th-minute strike edged Celtic past Dunfermline after the Fifers threatened to end the champions’ stranglehold on domestic silverware.
With a penalty shoot-out looming, the substitute worked space to steer a deflected effort into the far corner from 14 yards and send Celtic into the Betfred Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 home win over the Ladbrokes Championship side.
Neil Lennon’s side were looking for a lift following their European disappointment but they again started slowly and needed a wonder strike from Mikey Johnston to open the scoring 10 minutes into the second half.
But Celtic suffered a double blow when Kristoffer Ajer went off injured before Tom Beadling levelled in the 77th minute.
Dunfermline clung on during a one-sided extra-time but Forrest netted his fourth goal in as many games to make it 28 consecutive domestic cup wins for his team and keep alive the prospect of a fourth treble in a row.
The discontent among the Celtic support following their Champions League exit was evident in the much smaller and muted crowd and also a banner in the safe-standing section which accused the board of “downsizing” and “gambling 10 in a row”.
Neil Lennon made five changes following Tuesday’s defeat by Cluj. Nir Bitton, Boli Bolingoli, Christopher Jullien, Leigh Griffiths and Craig Gordon came in with Scott Brown absent and both Jozo Simunovic and Scott Bain injured.
Dunfermline had a glorious chance 11 minutes in after Jullien misjudged a long ball, but Kevin Nisbet shot wide with only Gordon to beat.
Jullien’s difficult afternoon continued. The £7million defender gave away possession, launched into a rash tackle and then got away with a high challenge on Nisbet in the box which left the striker needing treatment on a head injury.
It took almost half an hour for Celtic to seriously trouble Ryan Scully. The goalkeeper pushed away Johnston’s strike after positive play from the wide man, then made decent stops from Callum McGregor and Bitton, both from long range.
Jullien then missed Celtic’s best chance of the half when he headed Bitton’s cross over the bar from four yards.
The hosts started the second half slowly but Johnston lit up proceedings when he collected the ball 25 yards out on the left channel, looked up and curled a looping effort over Scully’s dive into the far top corner.
Christie could not take two opportunities to double the lead and Dunfermline struck back soon after Ajer went off wearing a makeshift sling.
Substitute Andy Ryan got round the outside on the left and cut back for Beadling to slot into the corner from 12 yards.
Celtic had two headed chances to avoid extra-time but Bitton hit the top of the post before Jullien headed wide from close range.
The first period of extra-time resembled an attack v defence training session but the Fifers held firm. Scully made an impressive stop from substitute Olivier Ntcham’s long-range hit and Forrest headed over as the first period ended.
The one-way traffic continued and Lennon’s frustration was evident after Ntcham struck his latest ambitious strike over the bar.
But Forrest popped up with another crucial goal after collecting a pass from Hatem Abd Elhamed following a half-cleared corner.
Celtic face disciplinary action following former captain Tom Boyd’s commentary August 19, 2019 by Football Paradise Staff Reporter 0
Boyd launched scathing criticism of John Beaton on Celtic TV’s live coverage ofthe Hoops’ 2-1 extra-time victory over Dunfermline on Saturday after the referee ignored a penalty claim.
Boyd, a Celtic ambassador, claimed his former club were up against 12 men and that Beaton had “bottled” the decision.
He also claimed the Lanarkshire-based official would be “welcomed down his pub again”, in an apparent reference to a photograph of Beaton which appeared after he refereed last season’s New Year derby between Celtic and Rangers.
Scottish Football Association compliance officer Clare Whyte is understood to have been alerted to the comments and is expected to review them.
Celtic could face action under the SFA’s disciplinary rules, specifically rule 38, 29.2, which states: “A club or recognised football body which publishes, distributes, issues, sells or authorises a third party to publish, distribute, issue or sell a match programme or any other publication or audio/visual material of any description in any media now existing or hereinafter invented, including but not limited to the Internet, social networking or micro-blogging sites, shall ensure that any such publications or audio/visual material does not contain any criticism of any match official calculated to indicate bias or incompetence on the part of such match official or to impinge upon his character.”
Ladbrokes Premiership clubs face fines ranging from £1,000 to £100,000 if found guilty of the charge.
Boyd, in the immediate aftermath of Beaton’s decision to award Celtic a corner after Ryan Dow blocked Mikey Johnston’s shot, said: “Once again Celtic are denied the decision by the referee and the referee has bottled that.
“That’s an absolutely scandalous decision by John Beaton and we’ve seen that before on many an occasion.
“It’s unquestionably a penalty. He’s moved his hand towards the ball, heading towards goal and what does John Beaton not know about the new rules?
“If he doesn’t know that’s a penalty then he shouldn’t be in the middle of the park refereeing a football game.
“He’ll probably be welcomed down his pub tonight again.”
Speaking before the second period of extra-time, he said: “Old law, new law, no matter what the law is, that is a penalty in anyone’s book.
“How John Beaton hasn’t given that, we have seen it before from referees like this.”
“I’m mystified, well I’m not mystified. It was obviously a pre-meditated decision not to give that penalty, because it was so late in the game, I’m not sure,” Boyd added.
“He has given us a corner so he has seen it hit the hand of the Dunfermline player and it should be a penalty kick. An absolutely outrageous decision from John Beaton.
“We have not played well today but a decision once again from a referee may cost us in this game.
“Hopefully we go on to beat not the 10 men, 11 men of Dunfermline, but the 12 men of that decision from John Beaton.”
After the final whistle, Boyd said: “We should have had the opportunity to get it over earlier from what was as stonewall penalty as you will likely to see ever, ever in a game of football, and once again John Beaton, controversial decisions in a Celtic game.
“Absolutely stunning. And what will be done about that? Absolutely nothing.”
Beaton was at the centre of controversy after taking charge of Rangers’ 1-0 win over Celtic on December 29 last year.
Celtic called on Beaton to be allowed to publicly explain decisions not to punish Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos over a number of incidents during the game.
Three men were arrested and charged in connection with communications offences in February after Beaton called police to report abusive messages and calls received in the wake of the game.
BBC
James Forrest’s strike in extra-time saved Celtic’s blushes as they edged past Scottish Championship Dunfermline to reach the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
Mikey Johnston’s cross-***-shot had put them in front, before Tom Beadling’s leveller forced extra-time.
But Forrest’s deflected effort rescued the laboured hosts, still reeling from their midweek Champions League exit.
The holders are now unbeaten in 28 domestic cup matches.
Worryingly though for Celtic, defender Kristoffer Ajer was forced off with a shoulder injury in the second half.
Sluggish Celtic endure Euro hangover
Pre-match the Celtic fans group known as the Green Brigade held up a banner criticising the club’s board after the chastening midweek Champions League exit at the hands of Cluj, and the swathes of empty green seats at Celtic Park told its own story.
Long before Beadling’s strike hit the back of the net to silence the already sombre home support, the signs of a European hangover were there as the defence, on the few occasions it was tested, looked frail and the attack was laboured.
Neil Lennon came in for all sorts of flak after leaving £10m worth of new defenders in Christopher Jullien and Boli Bolingoli on the bench midweek as his side shipped four goals at home, with midfielder Callum McGregor playing at left-back. Both started this time, but neither impressed.
Jullien’s performance in particular suggested why he was not trusted to start in Celtic’s biggest game of the season as the £7m pound signing from Toulouse seemed off the pace from the start. Dunfermline’s Kevin Nisbet should have rifled his side in front after he pounced on Jullien’s sclaffed clearance to race through on goal, and last season’s top scorer in League One had the Frenchman in all sorts of trouble minutes later when he allowed a long ball to bounce.
Almost symbolically, Dunfermline’s equaliser came as Celtic’s most reliable defender Ajer was forced off the pitch with a shoulder injury. Substitute Andy Ryan made an instant impact as he got round McGregor in the right-back area and cut back for Beadling to despatch emphatically. The concern for Celtic now is whether the Norwegian will be fit for Thursday’s Europa League play-off tie with AIK of Sweden, which now takes on huge importance.
For all Jullien’s defensive frailties, the fact he and Nir Bitton had Celtic’s best chances with their heads spoke of Celtic’s sluggish attacking play, which so far this season had been seriously impressive. He nodded wide in stoppage time as Lennon’s side chased a winner, and Bitton hit a post only minutes before.
It was fitting that it was Johnston who initially broke the deadlock after the break given he was the only player who looked to draw Dunfermline defenders out from deep positions with his teasing runs. The 20-year-old’s lack of fervent celebration suggested it was perhaps a cross, but regardless the fact it was either a piece of individual brilliance, or a stroke of luck, was also telling.
Dunfermline were dogged and defended bravely and Beadling showed a clinical edge when it was required. Celtic threw everything at them in extra time, and the blow was so cruel when it came as Forrest’s deflected strike flew beyond the impressive Ryan Scully. Heartbreak for Stevie Crawford and his impressive team and relief for Celtic. But this will do little to dissuade the doubters.
Man of the match – Mikey Johnston
BBC Scotland’s Jane Lewis at Celtic Park
While the Dunfermline backline are due a mention for their resilience, my man of the match goes to Celtic’s Mikey Johnston.
His wonderful long-range strike was pleasing on the eye, but that skill aside, he looked hungry throughout and his work rate never tired. His pace and movement is impressive for a 20-year-old, who’s starting to make a name for himself in this Celtic team. He was in the thick of things for today, and although Celtic made life hard for themselves against the Pars, Johnston never let up.
He created chances and was on the end of plenty of opportunities himself.