keane on target as celts progress

David Friel
ROBBIE KEANE and Diomansy Kamara scored their first Celtic goals as Tony Mowbray’s side beat Dunfermline 4-2 in an epic Scottish Cup tie to reach the last eight of tournament.

Kamara grabbed the opener at East End Park with a wonderful rising drive, but Celtic were left stunned as Dunfermline scored twice in the space of six minutes to move 2-1 ahead. David Graham and Andy Kirk, with a penalty, were the men on target.

Celtic striker Morten Rasmussen poached an equaliser on the stroke of half-time and a Callum Woods own goal put the Hoops ahead 11 minutes into second period. Keane then converted a penalty to make it 4-2 and secure Celtic’s passage.

Hoops boss Mowbray used his squad to the full by making seven changes to the side that started against Kilmarnock in midweek. The injured Jos Hooiveld and Andy Hinkel were replaced by Josh Thompson and Paul Caddis, while Lee Naylor, Ki Sung Yueng, Aiden McGeady, Marc-Antoine Fortune and Keane dropped out of the side.

In came Scott Brown, who captained Celtic, debutant Edson Braafheid, Marc Crosas, Georgios Samaras and Rasmussen. Keane and McGeady were joined on the bench by January signing Thomas Rogne.

Celtic dominated possession from the start and Samaras had the first chance in six minutes. The Greek striker rose above Dunfermline goalkeeper Greg Fleming and won the break of the ball. However, the Greek striker's shot was blocked.

A succession of corners followed but Dunfermline held firm until 19 minutes when Kamara lashed Celtic into the lead. Braafheid was the architect with a jinking run and cross. Samaras hit the bar with the first shot and when the ball fell to the edge of the box, Kamara found the top corner from 18 yards.

That goal should have settled Celtic down. Instead, Dunfermline – who had barely been in the Hoops’ box – equalised inside 60 seconds. Nicky Phinn skinned Thompson at the corner flag and picked out Graham, who rolled home from 15 yards.

There was worse to come. Woods made progress on the right and sent over a cross that looked to be sailing out of play. However, Caddis was adjudged to have barged Steven Bell and a penalty was awarded. Kirk sent Artur Boruc the wrong way from 12 yards.

Samaras fired a Braafheid corner over the bar as Celtic now looked for an equaliser. Kamara then almost picked out Rasmussen in the box. The Dane was then inches away from picking a loose Alex Burke passback.

Loovens headed a Crosas corner over the bar before Celtic almost capitalised on their best move of the first half in 41 minutes – Kamara, Brown and Caddis were involved but Fleming somehow saved from Rasmussen.

Celtic’s great Dane wouldn’t be denied for much longer though, with Rasmussen hauling Celtic level in 43 minutes. Braafheid crossed, Brown had an effort blocked and Rasmussen fired home at the second attempt.

Keane replaced Crosas at the break as Celtic moved to what was practically a 4-2-4 formation. Yet, it was Dunfermline who had the first chance of the second half – Willie Gibson’s drive was clutched by Boruc.

Dunfermline were containing Celtic’s forward line but Keane did find space in 53 minutes to send a cross along the six-yard box. Rasmussen was again on the end of it but Fleming saved from three yards.

Moments later, Keane danced along the goal-line and left Neil McGregor on his knees, but Fleming was again up to the task as he made a low save at his front post.

The Irish striker was denied again in Celtic’s next attack, Fleming once more in inspired form, but the ball was only cleared to Kamara and his cross was diverted into the net by Woods – as Rasmussen waited to convert.

Then, in 67 minutes, came the moment the Celtic fans had been waiting for – Keane’s first goal for the club. He had been fouled in the box by Austin McCann as he was about to shoot and won a penalty.

There was only going to be one man taking the spot-kick and Keane made no mistake – sending Fleming the wrong way and then producing his trademark cartwheel celebration in front of the jubilant Celtic supporters.

That goal killed the game but Celtic still went in search of goals. McGeady, on for Kamara, twice chipped over the bar. Keane was also inches away from conveting a Rasmussen cross.