2020-08-18: Celtic 6-0 KR Reykjavik, European Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 2021 – 2022

Trivia

First round of Champions League qualifying;
7.45pm kick-off; played at Celtic Park
One leg rounds due to truncated season due to Covid-19
No crowds due to Covid-19
KR Reykjavík (Iceland) : Knattspyrnufelag Reykjavikur
The Icelandic season had been suspended due to a Covid spike, KR needed a dispensation from the authorities for clearance.
Biggest win in 18 years
Debut goal for Taylor
Debut for Ajeti
Double for Elyounoussi – Excellent
Nir Bitton starts; two Israelis in defence (one an Arab, one is Jewish). Great unit and did a fine job on the day. Comes a few days after Israel/UAE joint historical agreement. Discussion for another forum and not here.
First match for Celtic as last two games (both league) were postponed due to Bolingoli breaking of the COVID-19 restriction requirements.
Griffiths is still out and Mikey Johnston has had surgery looking at a time frame for him of maybe 3-5 weeks
New Bhoy Albian Ajeti is in the squad for tomorrow but will have to content himself with a place on the bench, as the manager confirmed that the £5m signing from West Ham will NOT start against Reykjavik. “He’ll be in the squad tomorrow but he’s not ready to start as he’s got a little more work to do. He’ll be a good signing for us. He’s a natural goalscorer and that was a position we were looking to strengthen”
Reports that ex-Celt Henrik Larsson may move to Barcelona to be new Assistant Manager along with
Transfer:

Celtic are once again tracking Motherwell ace David Turnbull. The midfielder, who looked like getting back to his best against Hibs, has been watched by the Hoops who may make a return for the player

Ex-Celt David Marshall is set to move to Derby County for a small fee from Wigan Athletic

Neil Lennon is looking to Leeds United star Barry Douglas as a possible option for left-back.

Summary

“As poor a side as I have seen in a long, long time,” John Hartson on KR Reykjavik.

(JBC of TheCelticWiki)

With all due respect to the Icelanic team, they were probably the poorest side we have faced in many years (even taking in domestic sides). The scoreline could have been so far worse, and it Celtic could have scored 2-3 goals in the first 5mins.

For Celtic, Elyounoussi was on fire, Edouard had some great feet to score a sublime goal, and Hatem & Taylor had a good game too. Defence included Biton reintroduced, and did a fine job together with the rest.

There were some great passes and movements, but KR were simply out of their depth, too hard to take too much from the goals despite the admitted quality. Although after the dismal last Celtic match (1-1 v Killie), this is a booster.

Six goals, but long way to go. Good day.

(Tiny Tim of KDS)

Perfect game to ease back into match fitness. Elhamed should be starting more often.

Forrest and Christie, I’ll give the benefit of the doubt, based on past performances.

LB though is definitely going to be a concern, whether it’s Taylor or Boli that’s playing there.

(Midfield Maestro of KDS)

Eddy’s goal was absurd, but the one a few minutes before where he did the Ronaldinho shift and then hit it with his left would have been even better.

Moi looking great – I’d love to get him on a permanent deal.

McGregor and Bitton were pure class, and Ntcham too when he came on.

Great to see Elhamed get 90 minutes.

After a good opening 20 minutes, Taylor seemed to revert to what he was doing around December when he started getting game time – doing all the hard work to get himself into good positions and then being ultra-conservative. Kills our momentum. I really want him to do well as he’s a worker and he has some good attributes, but he needs to commit his opposing full back much more often than he does.

Barkas looks good with his feet. I won’t read too much into his two minor fumbles as he generally looks very capable.

Klimala fell over the ball a couple of times and picked the wrong option when he could have gone through on goal, but he seems to be one of these guys who always finds a way to get himself involved in things.

Teams

Celtic

1Barkas

2Jullien

17Christie Substituted forKlimalaat 73’minutes

8Brown Substituted forNtchamat 63’minutes

3Taylor

27Elyounoussi

6Bitton

22Edouard Substituted forAjetiat 73’minutes

49Forrest

44Elhamed

42McGregor

Substitutes

10Ajeti

11Klimala

18Rogic

21Ntcham

29Bain

30Frimpong

35Ajer

Goals

Elyounoussi (6′ minutes, 90’+1 minutes),
Adalsteinsson (17′ minutes og),
Jullien (31′ minutes),
Taylor (46′ minutes),
Edouard (72′ minutes)

KR Reykjavík

1Olafsson

10Pálmason

4Kristinsson

5Adalsteinsson

11Chopart

19Jónsson Substituted forSigurjónssonat 45’minutes

16Punyed

25Pálmason

8Margeirsson

21Finnbogason Substituted forJónassonat 73’minutes

22Hauksson Substituted forHilmarssonat 73’minutes

Substitutes

3Bernhardsson

7Bjarnason

13Sigurjonsson

14Jónasson

17Hilmarsson

23Sigurjónsson

29Geirsson

Referee: Sebastian Gishamer

Att: 0 (COVID-19 restrictions)

Celtic (SCO) -KR Reykjavik (ISL)

Overview Statistics Match info

Attacking

Goals
24

Total attempts
14

On target
4

Off target
6

Blocked
9

Corners
2

Offsides

Defending
2

Blocks

Disciplinary
4

Fouls committed

Articles

Match Report (see below)

Pictures

Match Pictures

Match Links

Stats

Dundee UtdAway TeamCeltic

Possession

Home36%

Away64%

Shots

Home7

Away23

Shots on Target

Home1

Away9

Corners

Home6

Away10

Fouls

Home18

Away10

Articles

Celtic 6-0 Reykjavik: Lennon’s side deliver a high tempo and clinical dismantling of Icelandic champions

Parkhead side ease into second qualifying round

By Stephen Halliday

Tuesday, 18th August 2020, 10:17 pm

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-6-0-reykjavik-lennons-side-deliver-high-tempo-and-clinical-dismantling-icelandic-champions-2946252

Neil Lennon has experienced plenty of nerve-wracking nights on Champions League qualifying business during his two spells as Celtic manager. This wasn’t one of them.

As stress-free an occasion as the Scottish champions could have hoped for, they cleared the first hurdle on their path to the group stage of Europe’s elite club competition with ease against a hopelessly outclassed KR Reykjavik side.

Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports

Celtic can anticipate a tougher assignment next week when they welcome the winners of tonight’s match between Hungarian champions Ferencvaros and Swedish title holders Djurgardens to Glasgow in the second qualifying round.

But as facile as this victory was for his team, Lennon can take satisfaction from the attitude and sharpness his players displayed.

Both physically and mentally, they appear to be well prepared for the challenge of trying to take the club back to the biggest stage of European football for the first time in three seasons.

Having been forced into domestic isolation by Boli Bolingoli’s disregard for Covid-19 convention, Celtic looked every inch a team desperate to release some pent-up energy as they returned to action following the postponement of two Premiership fixtures.

Lennon had urged his players to set a tempo which the semi-professional Icelandic champions would find difficult to live with and they heeded his call.

Right from the outset, Celtic’s movement and accuracy of passing left Reykjavik chasing shadows. The signs were ominous for the visitors when Beitir Olafsson had to make a smart save to keep out an Odsonne Edouard header in the third minute and it took only another three minutes for Celtic to make the breakthrough.

It came from a simple through ball from inside his own half by Christopher Jullien, which Reykjavik defender Arnor Adalsteinsson chose not to attack in the air. It soared beyond him, allowing Mohamed Elyounoussi to race in and take the ball wide of the advancing Olafsson and slide home a low shot from close range.

Lennon made two changes to the back four which had looked vulnerable in Celtic’s last outing at Kilmarnock nine days earlier, replacing Jeremie Frimpong and Kristoffer Ajer with Hatem Elhamed and Nir Bitton.

But there was little for his defence to concern themselves with as Celtic set up camp in the Reykjavik half. Olafsson did well to block Edouard’s close-range shot in the tenth minute but more goals from Celtic looked inevitable.

They duly made it 2-0 seven minutes later as Elhamed powered forward from his right-back beat and drove the ball low across the face of the six-yard box. Edouard failed in his attempt to make a clean contact but the ball ricocheted off the shins of Adelsteinsson and beyond Olafsson.

The veteran goalkeeper had probably expected to have a busy evening and so it proved.

While his handling was less than convincing at times, he made another fine stop down to his left to keep out an Elyounoussi shot in the 20th minute.

There was little respite for the Reykjavik defence and they were breached again 11 minutes later.

Kristinn Jonsson made a brilliant goal-saving challenge on James Forrest inside the six-yard box but only at the expense of a corner, which Ryan Christie whipped in from the left for Jullien to head powerfully home from around ten yards.

A goalline clearance by Danish defender Kennie Chopart prevented Edouard adding a fourth before the interval.

Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas, making his home debut, had scarcely had a touch of the ball but he was finally called into action in first-half stoppage time when he made a sharp save to deny Kristjan Finnbogason after a smart break forward by the Reykjavik striker.

Normal service was resumed less than a minute into the second half as the hosts’ full-backs combined to make it 4-0 as Elhamed’s looping cross from the right eluded the flat-footed Reykjavik defence to allow Greg Taylor to nod in his first goal for Celtic.

Firmly in cruise control, Celtic were able to ease the load on the 35-year-old bones of captain Scott Brown as he was replaced by Olivier Ntcham just after the hour mark.

While there was less intensity about Celtic’s play now, they still carried a consistent attacking threat and Edouard claimed their fifth goal in the 72nd minute, showing delightful footwork inside the penalty area before guiding a low shot beyond Olafsson.

It was the French striker’s final touch of the night as he made way for £5 million debutant Albian Ajeti, joined up front by Pole Patryk Klimala, who replaced Christie.

New Swiss recruit Ajeti was unable to sniff out a goal on his maiden outing but Celtic did add to their tally in stoppage time when Elyounoussi, probably their leading performer on the night, slid in his second goal from close range after being picked out by a low cross from Ntcham.

BBC

By Andy Campbell

BBC Sport Scotland

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53807497

Mohamed Elyounoussi scores

Mohamed Elyounoussi opened and completed the scoring in Celtic’s rout

Celtic hammered Iceland’s KR Reykjavik in Glasgow to cruise into the Champions League second qualifying round.

Mohamed Elyounoussi tucked in the opener with Arnor Adalsteinsson’s own goal soon making it two.

Christopher Jullien and Greg Taylor netted with headers and Odsonne Edouard and Elyounoussi added further strikes.

Neil Lennon’s side, back in action after having two league games postponed, will host Djurgardens or Ferencvaros next week.

Swedes Djurgardens visit the Hungarian champions in Wednesday’s one-legged tie and either side will offer Celtic a much stiffer test.

The Scottish Premiership winners’ matches against St Mirren and Aberdeen were called off after Celtic’s Boli Bolingoli broke Covid-19 protocols by visiting Spain then not quarantining before playing in the draw with Kilmarnock on 9 August.

The left-back was unsurprisingly omitted from the squad and his team-mates made short work of their semi-professional visitors.

Jullien’s precise long ball unlocked the KR defence to allow Elyounoussi to round goalkeeper Beitir Olafsson and finish.

Hatem Abd Elhamed centred low for Edouard with the ball deflecting in off Adalsteinsson and Ryan Christie’s corner was powered home by Jullien shortly before the break.

The onslaught continued in the second period and Taylor notched his first Celtic goal from Elhamed’s deep delivery before Edouard danced away from a clutch of defenders to slot in the fifth then made way for debutant Albian Ajeti.

KR improved in the closing stages and had the ball in the net following Palmi Palmason’s header but the offside flag was raised.

And substitute Olivier Ntcham’s superb pass into the box met the sliding figure of Elyounoussi for goal number six.

Man of the match – Greg Taylor

Greg Taylor scores

Taylor had little to do defensively and took full advantage with his forays forward rewarded by a goal

What did we learn?

Much like their opening Premiership win against Hamilton, Celtic’s full-backs were constantly high up the park, as the fourth goal typified, and Elyounoussi turned in his best performance of the season so far.

With such a commanding lead so early, the match became shooting practice for Lennon’s men and James Forrest and Scott Brown could have added their names to the scoresheet.

New signing Ajeti and fellow striker Patryk Klimala were given some game time but Edouard, with his movement and scoring contribution, once again showed why he is Celtic’s go-to striker.

One note of concern for Lennon will be the ease with which Kjartan Finnbogason latched on to a long ball to force a save from Vasilis Barkas in the first half.

What did they say?

Celtic manager Neil Lennon: “Lot of positives, sets up nicely for the weekend and the next round. It was a good night’s work.

“Really important to get 90 minutes into the legs and negotiate the tie. To score six goals and keep a clean sheet is very good, so I am pleased with a lot of that tonight. We look forward to Saturday now.”

Celtic goalscorer Mohamed Elyounoussi: “We wanted to start fast. We did. We scored six, that’s nice with a clean sheet as well.

“Everyone knows it’s our target to get back to the Champions League. I’m expecting Djurgardens to win their game – they are a strong team. We expect a tough game but we have to focus on the league and take it from there.”

What’s next?

Celtic visit Dundee United on Saturday evening and return to Champions League qualifying action in Glasgow next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Runar Kristinsson’s KR Reykjavik will enter the Europa League second qualifying round, which will take place in September.

Match ends, Celtic 6, KR Reykjavík 0.

90’+3′

Full Time

Second Half ends, Celtic 6, KR Reykjavík 0.

90’+1′

Goal!

Goal! Celtic 6, KR Reykjavík 0. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.

73′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Albian Ajeti replaces Odsonne Edouard.

73′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Patryk Klimala replaces Ryan Christie.

73′

Substitution

Substitution, KR Reykjavík. Aegir Jarl Jónasson replaces Kristjan Flóki Finnbogason.

73′

Substitution

Substitution, KR Reykjavík. Alex Freyr Hilmarsson replaces Oskar Orn Hauksson.

72′

Goal!

Goal! Celtic 5, KR Reykjavík 0. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.

63′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Olivier Ntcham replaces Scott Brown.

46′

Goal!

Goal! Celtic 4, KR Reykjavík 0. Greg Taylor (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.

45′

Substitution

Substitution, KR Reykjavík. Atli Sigurjónsson replaces Kristinn Jónsson.

Second Half

Second Half begins Celtic 3, KR Reykjavík 0.

45’+3′

Half Time

First Half ends, Celtic 3, KR Reykjavík 0.

31′

Goal!

Goal! Celtic 3, KR Reykjavík 0. Christopher Jullien (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.

17′

Goal!

Own Goal by Arnor Sveinn Adalsteinsson, KR Reykjavík. Celtic 2, KR Reykjavík 0.

6′

Goal!

Goal! Celtic 1, KR Reykjavík 0. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.

Kick Off

https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2030232–celtic-vs-kr-reykjavik/

90’+ 2

Chopart (KR Reykjavik) is penalised for a foul on Ntcham (Celtic).

90’+ 1

Assist by Taylor (Celtic)

90’+ 1

Gooooal!

Elyounoussi (Celtic) scores!

+2 Added time

88′

Elyounoussi (Celtic) takes the corner.

88′

Corner awarded to Celtic.

88′

Klimala (Celtic) has a shot blocked.

86′

Punyed (KR Reykjavik) delivers the corner.

86′

Corner awarded to KR Reykjavik.

86′

Sigurjónsson (KR Reykjavik) has a shot blocked.

85′

Olafsson (KR Reykjavik) blocks a shot.

85′

Elyounoussi (Celtic) has an attempt on goal.

84′

Pálmason (KR Reykjavik) is flagged for offside.

82′

Ntcham (Celtic) misses the target.

80′

Forrest (Celtic) is adjudged to be in an offside position.

78′

Klimala (Celtic) is penalised for a foul on Pálmason (KR Reykjavik).

77′

Kristinsson (KR Reykjavik) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Klimala (Celtic).

76′

Ntcham (Celtic) misses the target.

75′

Chopart (KR Reykjavik) takes the free-kick.

75′

C. McGregor (Celtic) is penalised for a foul on Sigurjónsson (KR Reykjavik).

73′

Substitution

Jónasson (in) – K. F. Finnbogason (out) (KR Reykjavik).

73′

Substitution

Hilmarsson (in) – O. Hauksson (out) (KR Reykjavik).

72′

Substitution

Al. Ajeti (in) – Édouard (out) (Celtic).

72′

Substitution

Klimala (in) – Christie (out) (Celtic).

72′

Gooooal!

Édouard (Celtic) scores!

71′

Christie (Celtic) takes the corner.

71′

Corner awarded to Celtic.

71′

Édouard (Celtic) has a shot blocked.

66′

K. F. Finnbogason (KR Reykjavik) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Jullien (Celtic).

64′

K. F. Finnbogason (KR Reykjavik) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Taylor (Celtic).

63′

Substitution

Ntcham (in) – Brown (out) (Celtic).

62′

Bitton (Celtic) misses the target.

62′

Christie (Celtic) delivers the corner.

62′

Corner awarded to Celtic.

59′

Elyounoussi (Celtic) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Pálmason (KR Reykjavik).

55′

Barkas (Celtic) blocks a shot.

55′

O. Hauksson (KR Reykjavik) has an attempt on goal.

52′

K. F. Finnbogason (KR Reykjavik) misses the target.

52′

Christie (Celtic) delivers the corner.

51′

Corner awarded to Celtic.

48′

Taylor (Celtic) is penalised for a foul on Kristinsson (KR Reykjavik).

46′

Assist by Elhamed (Celtic)

46′

Gooooal!

Taylor (Celtic) scores!

46′

Substitution

Sigurjónsson (in) – Jónsson (out) (KR Reykjavik).

The second half begins.

The referee blows for half-time.

45’+ 2

Barkas (Celtic) blocks a shot.

45’+ 2

K. F. Finnbogason (KR Reykjavik) has an attempt on goal.

45’+ 1

Olafsson (KR Reykjavik) blocks a shot.

45’+ 1

C. McGregor (Celtic) has an attempt on goal.

+2 Added time

45′

Olafsson (KR Reykjavik) blocks a shot.

45′

Brown (Celtic) has an attempt on goal.

43′

Christie (Celtic) takes the corner.

42′

Corner awarded to Celtic.

41′

Édouard (Celtic) has a shot blocked.

41′

Olafsson (KR Reykjavik) blocks a shot.

41′

Elyounoussi (Celtic) has an effort on goal.

39′

Forrest (Celtic) has a shot blocked.

38′

Olafsson (KR Reykjavik) blocks a shot.

38′

Christie (Celtic) has an effort on goal.

38′

Christie (Celtic) takes the free-kick.

38′

Punyed (KR Reykjavik) is penalised for a foul on Elhamed (Celtic).

37′

Forrest (Celtic) is adjudged to be in an offside position.

36′

Punyed (KR Reykjavik) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Jullien (Celtic).

33′

Olafsson (KR Reykjavik) blocks a shot.

33′

Christie (Celtic) has an attempt on goal.

31′

Assist by Christie (Celtic)

31′

Gooooal!

Jullien (Celtic) scores!

31′

Christie (Celtic) takes the corner.

31′

Corner awarded to Celtic.

26′

Elyounoussi (Celtic) has a shot blocked.

24′

O. Hauksson (KR Reykjavik) misses the target.

24′

Chopart (KR Reykjavik) takes the corner.

24′

Corner awarded to KR Reykjavik.

22′

Margeirsson (KR Reykjavik) is penalised for a foul on Taylor (Celtic).

21′

Christie (Celtic) takes the corner.

20′

Corner awarded to Celtic.

20′

Forrest (Celtic) has a shot blocked.

20′

Christie (Celtic) takes the corner.

20′

Corner awarded to Celtic.

20′

Olafsson (KR Reykjavik) blocks a shot.

20′

Elyounoussi (Celtic) has an effort on goal.

17′

Assist by Elhamed (Celtic)

17′

Goal

A. Adalsteinsson (KR Reykjavik) scores an own goal.

13′

Édouard (Celtic) misses the target.

13′

Édouard (Celtic) takes the free-kick.

12′

Chopart (KR Reykjavik) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Elyounoussi (Celtic).

10′

Olafsson (KR Reykjavik) blocks a shot.

10′

Édouard (Celtic) has an attempt on goal.

6′

Assist by Jullien (Celtic)

6′

Gooooal!

Elyounoussi (Celtic) scores!

3′

Olafsson (KR Reykjavik) blocks a shot.

3′

Édouard (Celtic) has an attempt on goal.

2′

Christie (Celtic) takes the corner.

1′

Corner awarded to Celtic.

…