SPL: Gretna 0-3 Celtic 23/03/08

[DavidMc]

Gretna v Celtic
Scottish Premier League
Sunday 23rd March 08
Almondvale Stadium, Livingston

Gretna should have a full squad to choose from now that players have been promised payment of money owed.

However, playmaker Fabian Yantorno remains on the sidelines with his long-term knee injury.

Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley has recovered from the illness that saw him miss Wednesday's Scottish Cup defeat at the hands of Aberdeen.

Sunday's match is being played at Livingston's Almondvale Stadium due to the poor state of the Fir Park pitch.

[DavidMc]

Cant expect anything other than a comforatable Celtic win today. The match is being played in Livingston because Fir Park has been deemed unplayable for 3 months or so (Motherwell/Gretna ground share taking its toll on the playing surface)

Gordon Stachan will be looking to his players to go out and boost the goal difference today and I wouldnt be surprised to see Celtic scoring 4 or 5 today. Confidence going into an Old Firm derby can make a huge difference and with Celtic playing us at Ibrox next Saturday, they have a chance to put a few goals past Gretna and go into the game on a high.

Gordon Stachan is coming under a bit of pressure and anything else other than a comfortable win for Celtic this afternoon will see him facing more criticism.

[LAF]

A 2-0 I feel.

It's pretty much an away game for both teams.

[DavidMc]

Originally Posted by LAF

A 2-0 I feel.

It's pretty much an away game for both teams.

Thats true.

I think Stachan will want Celtic to go out and score a good few. I expect to see a few goals.

[DavidMc]

Will be updating this match from Kick-Off (2pm)

More match build up to follow.......

[DavidMc]

Barry Robson looks set to start for Celtic this afternoon.

[DavidMc]

Match under way........

[DavidMc]

Nothing much happening so far. No Massimo Donati for Celtic this afternoon. McGeady, Nakamura, Brown and Robson in midfield.

[DavidMc]

Scott Brown gets his 13th booking of the season.

Suspended later in the campaign. Eligible to face Rangers next Saturday but will miss one of the three Old Firm derbys.

[DavidMc]

Gretna 0-1 Celtic (McDonald)

[DavidMc]

Gretna 0-3 Celtic

Scott McDonald netted his 20th SPL goal of the season as Celtic ended a run of four games without a victory.

With half-time approaching, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's flick was converted from close range by McDonald.

Soon after, Vennegoor of Hesselink missed with a close range header but made amends when he nodded home Aiden McGeady's 69th-minute delivery.

Georgios Samaras completed the scoring late in the game, steering home another excellent cross from McGeady.

Celtic trail table-toppers Rangers by three points and have played a game more than their Glasgow rivals, who they meet next Saturday lunchtime.

The match was switched to Livingston's Almondvale due to the poor playing surface at Fir Park, where Gretna have been tenants this season.

However, a poor crowd of 3,561 will not have done much to alleviate the ailing club's financial problems.

With Gretna scrapping for every ball, Celtic found it difficult to establish any rhythm in the early stages.

The visitors took 20 minutes to pose their first serious threat but defender Danny Hall was well positioned on the goal-line to nod away Scott Brown's clumsy close-range effort.

McGeady then cut in from the left flank and let fly from 20 yards only to see Greg Fleming claw his strike away from the top corner.

Shunsuke Nakamura's free-kick was easily gathered by Fleming but the keeper needed to look livelier to beat away a stinging long-range drive from Barry Robson.

Frustration got the better of Brown when his miscontrol led to him lunging at Ryan Baldacchino and the resultant yellow card earns him a three-game ban, although he will be available for the forthcoming Old Firm clash.

Gretna's stubborn resistance was broken three minutes before the interval and in the most straightforward of fashions.

A long punt from goalkeeper Artur Boruc reached Vennegoor of Hesselink on the edge of the penalty area and his header was volleyed home by McDonald from six yards.

Vennegoor of Hesselink should have extended the advantage a few moments later but he skewed a header wide from Nakamura's floated free-kick.

With 58 minutes gone, Nicky Deverdics squandered a great chance for Gretna when he scuffed wide from six yards after running on to Brendan McGill's low cross.

Celtic responded with their best passing move of the game, which culminated with McDonald's powerful strike being well saved by Fleming.

With 20 minutes remaining, Vennegoor of Hesselink got the goal that his industry merited.

The Dutch international striker popped up at the far post to head McGeady's deep cross past Fleming.

Gretna ran out of steam towards the end and Celtic added to their tally when substitute Samaras smartly stroked home McGeady's whipped delivery.

Vennegoor of Hesselink was denied a second goal when Fleming did well to block his strong downward header.



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Gretna: Fleming, Naughton, Hall, Meynell, Skelton, McGill (Griffiths 82), Murray, Osman, Baldacchino, Deverdics (Barr 66), Wilkinson (Makinwa 72). Subs Not Used: Krysiak, Hogg, Schultz-Eklund, Taylor.

Booked: Osman, Skelton.

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Scott Brown (Hartley 72), Robson (Sno 80), McGeady, McDonald (Samaras 63), Vennegoor of Hesselink. Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Riordan, O'Dea, Killen. Booked: Scott Brown.

Goals: McDonald 42, Vennegoor of Hesselink 70, Samaras 88.

Att: 3,561