Post by Admin on Oct 20, 2012 18:07:44 GMT
Scottish Premier League
St Mirren Park, Paisley
Saturday, October 20, 2012
ST MIRREN…0
CELTIC…5
Hooper 15, Ambrose 18, Wanyama 32, 38, Watt 85
CELTIC warmed up for their UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona by turning on the style in a sparkling 5-0 victory over St Mirren in Paisley.
The champions inflicted most of the damage in a devastating first-half display as they blitzed the Buddies with four unanswered goals.
Gary Hooper got the ball rolling with a typical poacher's effort before Efe Ambrose volleyed in number two. Victor Wanyama then bagged a brace, the second of which was a wonderful shot from distance as Celtic swept their opponents aside.
They continued to control proceedings after the restart and only the heroics of Craig Samson prevented the hosts falling further behind. However, Tony Watt finally plundered the Hoops' fifth of the afternoon in the closing minutes to round off a magnificent display from Neil Lennon's men.
The after-effects of the international round of fixtures were reflected in the manager's starting XI, with five changes to the team that beat Hearts 1-0.
Adam Matthews, Beram Kayal, Joe Ledley, Lassad and Tony Watt all came into the team at the expense of Mikael Lustig, Emilio Izaguirre, James Forrest, Georgios Samaras and Kris Commons.
Without the natural width normally provided by the likes of Commons and Forrest, Celtic lined up in a diamond formation in midfield with Gary Hooper operating behind Lassad and Watt in attack.
And after 90 seconds the new-look strike pairing combined brilliantly to carve open the home defence.
Lassad flicked a forward pass on for Watt and the teenager took a terrific touch to flick the ball away from Lee Mair and bear down on goal but he was denied by the on-rushing Craig Samson.
Celtic had settled swiftly and were dominating possession but the home side gave a glimpse of their own goal threat when David Van Zanten picked out Steven Thompson at the far post. The striker's attempt was on target but was stopped comfortably by Fraser Forster.
Joe Ledley quickly replied with a left-foot shot that was straight at Samson before the champions made the breakthrough on the quarter-hour mark. Lassad found space in the box and his inviting cross was turned in from close range by the predatory Hooper.
Three minutes later, Celtic doubled their advantage. Watt was sent tumbling by Mair on as broke clear on the right for which the defender received a yellow card.
Charlie Mulgrew swung the free-kick into the box.
It was flicked on by Victor Wanyama and Efe Ambrose was perfectly placed to volley into the net. It was his first goal for the club and came just days after the Nigerian opened his account for his country - not a bad week's work.
It was a fine finish and his spectacular, acrobatic celebration had the away supporters crowing with delight.
Danny Lennon's men, to their credit, persevered in their attacking endeavours and Kenny McLean forced Forster into another save from a cut-back.
However, the Hoops looked a threat anytime they ventured forward and they soon added number three. Watt won a corner on the right, and the home defence failed to deal with Matthews' delivery, allowing Wanyama to drill home.
In the 38th minute a rampant Celtic struck again as Wanyama bagged his second of the afternoon – and what a goal it was. Collecting Mulgrew's pass, the midfielder steadied himself before curling a wonderful 30-yard shot into the top corner.
The shell-shocked hosts could have conceded a fifth as half-time approached as Ambrose headed over from Matthews' corner.
At half-time, perhaps with Tuesday's trip to Barcelona in mind, Neil Lennon replaced Kelvin Wilson with Emilio Izaguirre. The change made no discernable difference to the patter of play, however, as Celtic continued to dominate proceedings.
The lively Watt cut inside on to his left-foot and fired wide. Lassad then smuggled a pass through to Kayal in the box. Samson saved the midfielder's drive and the offside flag thwarted Ledley on the rebound.
It was one-way traffic. Ledley was next to try his luck, finding space inside the area but the busy Samson was equal to his effort, pushing it around the post at the expense of a corner.
The Hoops continued to pepper Samson's goal, with Hooper and Ledley both testing the Saints' keeper from distance.
The latter of those earned a corner which Wanyama headed powerfully on target, and only the intervention of a home defender prevented the Kenyan internationalist from completing his hat-trick.
Forster had been a virtual spectator since the restart but the Englishman, fresh from being called up to his country for the first time, was called into action by Thompson midway through the half, making a smart reaction stop. Graham Carey put the rebound over.
Thompson came close following a flowing move from the hosts before Miku, on a substitute for Lassad, showed a delightful piece of skill to create a yard of space but his shot was deflected wide. The Venezuelan internationalist came close again shortly after but, again, a defender took the venom out of his effort.
Hooper nearly added a fifth as the clock ticked down but his chip didn’t have height to beat Samson. However, Celtic did put some sheen on the final scoreline in their next attack.
Izaguirre showed excellent on the left and his delivery was buried into net via the head of Watt.
There was still time for Wanyama to crack a header off the bar and for Hooper to bring out a stunning save from Samason as Celtic finished the game in complete command.
CELTIC (4-4-2) Forster; Matthews (Lustig 75) Wilson (Izaguirre 46) Ambrose, Mulgrew; Kayal, Wanyama, Ledley; Hooper; Watt, Lassad (Miku 57)
Not Used: Zaluska, McCourt, Rogne, Ibrahim
ST MIRREN (4-4-2) Samson; Van Zanten, McAusland, Mair, Dummett; Barron, Goodwin McGinn (78), McLean, Carey; Thompson, Guy
Not Used: Smith, Robertson, Imrie, Smith, Parkin, Teale
Website man of the Match: Victor Wanyama
Attendance: 6,008
St Mirren Park, Paisley
Saturday, October 20, 2012
ST MIRREN…0
CELTIC…5
Hooper 15, Ambrose 18, Wanyama 32, 38, Watt 85
CELTIC warmed up for their UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona by turning on the style in a sparkling 5-0 victory over St Mirren in Paisley.
The champions inflicted most of the damage in a devastating first-half display as they blitzed the Buddies with four unanswered goals.
Gary Hooper got the ball rolling with a typical poacher's effort before Efe Ambrose volleyed in number two. Victor Wanyama then bagged a brace, the second of which was a wonderful shot from distance as Celtic swept their opponents aside.
They continued to control proceedings after the restart and only the heroics of Craig Samson prevented the hosts falling further behind. However, Tony Watt finally plundered the Hoops' fifth of the afternoon in the closing minutes to round off a magnificent display from Neil Lennon's men.
The after-effects of the international round of fixtures were reflected in the manager's starting XI, with five changes to the team that beat Hearts 1-0.
Adam Matthews, Beram Kayal, Joe Ledley, Lassad and Tony Watt all came into the team at the expense of Mikael Lustig, Emilio Izaguirre, James Forrest, Georgios Samaras and Kris Commons.
Without the natural width normally provided by the likes of Commons and Forrest, Celtic lined up in a diamond formation in midfield with Gary Hooper operating behind Lassad and Watt in attack.
And after 90 seconds the new-look strike pairing combined brilliantly to carve open the home defence.
Lassad flicked a forward pass on for Watt and the teenager took a terrific touch to flick the ball away from Lee Mair and bear down on goal but he was denied by the on-rushing Craig Samson.
Celtic had settled swiftly and were dominating possession but the home side gave a glimpse of their own goal threat when David Van Zanten picked out Steven Thompson at the far post. The striker's attempt was on target but was stopped comfortably by Fraser Forster.
Joe Ledley quickly replied with a left-foot shot that was straight at Samson before the champions made the breakthrough on the quarter-hour mark. Lassad found space in the box and his inviting cross was turned in from close range by the predatory Hooper.
Three minutes later, Celtic doubled their advantage. Watt was sent tumbling by Mair on as broke clear on the right for which the defender received a yellow card.
Charlie Mulgrew swung the free-kick into the box.
It was flicked on by Victor Wanyama and Efe Ambrose was perfectly placed to volley into the net. It was his first goal for the club and came just days after the Nigerian opened his account for his country - not a bad week's work.
It was a fine finish and his spectacular, acrobatic celebration had the away supporters crowing with delight.
Danny Lennon's men, to their credit, persevered in their attacking endeavours and Kenny McLean forced Forster into another save from a cut-back.
However, the Hoops looked a threat anytime they ventured forward and they soon added number three. Watt won a corner on the right, and the home defence failed to deal with Matthews' delivery, allowing Wanyama to drill home.
In the 38th minute a rampant Celtic struck again as Wanyama bagged his second of the afternoon – and what a goal it was. Collecting Mulgrew's pass, the midfielder steadied himself before curling a wonderful 30-yard shot into the top corner.
The shell-shocked hosts could have conceded a fifth as half-time approached as Ambrose headed over from Matthews' corner.
At half-time, perhaps with Tuesday's trip to Barcelona in mind, Neil Lennon replaced Kelvin Wilson with Emilio Izaguirre. The change made no discernable difference to the patter of play, however, as Celtic continued to dominate proceedings.
The lively Watt cut inside on to his left-foot and fired wide. Lassad then smuggled a pass through to Kayal in the box. Samson saved the midfielder's drive and the offside flag thwarted Ledley on the rebound.
It was one-way traffic. Ledley was next to try his luck, finding space inside the area but the busy Samson was equal to his effort, pushing it around the post at the expense of a corner.
The Hoops continued to pepper Samson's goal, with Hooper and Ledley both testing the Saints' keeper from distance.
The latter of those earned a corner which Wanyama headed powerfully on target, and only the intervention of a home defender prevented the Kenyan internationalist from completing his hat-trick.
Forster had been a virtual spectator since the restart but the Englishman, fresh from being called up to his country for the first time, was called into action by Thompson midway through the half, making a smart reaction stop. Graham Carey put the rebound over.
Thompson came close following a flowing move from the hosts before Miku, on a substitute for Lassad, showed a delightful piece of skill to create a yard of space but his shot was deflected wide. The Venezuelan internationalist came close again shortly after but, again, a defender took the venom out of his effort.
Hooper nearly added a fifth as the clock ticked down but his chip didn’t have height to beat Samson. However, Celtic did put some sheen on the final scoreline in their next attack.
Izaguirre showed excellent on the left and his delivery was buried into net via the head of Watt.
There was still time for Wanyama to crack a header off the bar and for Hooper to bring out a stunning save from Samason as Celtic finished the game in complete command.
CELTIC (4-4-2) Forster; Matthews (Lustig 75) Wilson (Izaguirre 46) Ambrose, Mulgrew; Kayal, Wanyama, Ledley; Hooper; Watt, Lassad (Miku 57)
Not Used: Zaluska, McCourt, Rogne, Ibrahim
ST MIRREN (4-4-2) Samson; Van Zanten, McAusland, Mair, Dummett; Barron, Goodwin McGinn (78), McLean, Carey; Thompson, Guy
Not Used: Smith, Robertson, Imrie, Smith, Parkin, Teale
Website man of the Match: Victor Wanyama
Attendance: 6,008