london calling for the champions

David Friel
CELTIC supporters turned West London into a sea of green and white as thousands turned out to pay tribute to the SPL champions at Fulham’s Craven Cottage.

A staggering 11,000 Celtic fans descended on the stadium for the club's second pre-season friendly in 24 hours. Following on from Friday’s 2-0 win over Southampton, the Hoops slipped to a 3-1 defeat.

Erik Nevland gave the Premiership side the lead in two minutes and Bobby Zamora added a second, before Barry Robson’s free-kick reduced the deficit.

There were few chances in the second half, but Leon Andreasen rounded off the scoring with Fulham’s third goal in the closing stages.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan again named a strong side, with 10 of the players who started Friday’s match in the starting XI. The only change was Massimo Donati coming in for Paul Hartley.

As expected, almost the entire squad was utilised throughout the 90 minutes, with Celtic making seven substitutions in the second period.

The game got off to the worst possible start for Celtic when the hosts took the lead inside two minutes. Andreas Hinkel was robbed of possession in the Fulham half and Jimmy Bullard stormed forward.

Instantly, the ball was played to right flank and a deep cross found Nevland unmarked at the back post. With time to compose himself, he slotted a low shot beyond the helpless Mark Brown.

Celtic responded well. Hinkel curled a wonderful pass forward for Scott McDonald, who took a touch and sent a drive inches over the bar.

With Bullard influential, Fulham looked bright. Simon Davies forced a routine save from Brown. Barry Robson then burst to life with a run and drive, which Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale did well to palm away.

McDonald headed over in 21 minutes after some sublime skill from Aiden McGeady. Celtic were starting to enjoy some possession and Chris Killen was next to threaten.

McGeady and Lee Naylor combined on the left flank and full-back’s cross was met by the Kiwi. Stockdale, positioned well, saved the header.

While Celtic looked more settled, Fulham always appeared dangerous and they grabbed a second goal in 32 minutes. Nevland was the provider this time, hooking a ball into the box for Zamora – who rammed a stunning half-volley past Brown.

The Celtic goalkeeper pulled off a spectacular save from Simon Davies before Robson struck with a stunning strike. The midfielder won a free-kick 22 yards out and bent a wonderful shot into the bottom corner.

Mark Wilson, Georgios Samaras and Paul Hartley were introduced at the break as Celtic went in search of an equaliser. McGeady was seeing much more of the ball and had a fascinating contest with Fulham right-back John Pantsil.
Fulham had to withstand some serious pressure around the hour mark and Samaras came close after great work on the left wing by substitute Darren O’Dea.

Youngsters Paul Caddis, Koki Mizuno and Cillian Sheridan were given another run-out as Celtic continued to press forward. Fulham captain Aaron Hughes was lucky not to score an own goal when he diverted a cross into the arms of Stockdale.

Into the final stages, Celtic were getting little change from the Fulham defence and it was the hosts who grabbed the killer third. Danny Murphy picked out Andreasen at the edge of the box and the midfielder volleyed home from 18 yards.

Scott Brown crashed a shot off the bar as Celtic finished with a fight. Stockdale was beaten by the rising drive, but it bounced away to safety as Fulham ran out winners.

Pre-season Friendly
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Craven Cottage, London

FULHAM…3
(Nevland 2, Zamora 31, Andreasen 86)
CELTIC…1
(Robson 42)

FULHAM (4-4-2): Stockdale, Konchesky (Kallio 71), Pantsil (Volz 71), Hangeland, Andranik (Andresen 46), Nevland (Healy 65), Gera (Cook 65), Hughes, Bullard (Dempsey 46), Davies (Murphy 46), Zamora (Johnson 46)
Subs not used: Etheridge, Ki-Hyeon
CELTIC (4-4-2): Brown; Hinkel (Wilson 46), Caldwell, McManus, Naylor (O’Dea 59); Robson (Caddis 67), Brown, Donati (Hartley 46), McGeady (Mizuno 76), Killen (Samaras 46), McDonald (Sheridan 67)
Subs not used: Fox, Balde, Nakamura, McGowan

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Aiden McGeady

ATTENDANCE: 16, 508