mcdonald on target as hoops win
David Friel
CELTIC ground out a precious 1-0 win against Falkirk to close the gap at the top of the table and stay in the hunt for a third successive SPL title.
Sitting seven points behind leaders Rangers before the match, the Hoops knew that a victory was vital to maintain their championship challenge and they delivered. Scott McDonald, with his 19th goal of the season, gave Celtic a narrow win.
It wasn’t a classic match by any means, but at this stage of the season all that matters is that Celtic picked up three points. The Hoops also recorded a fifth successive clean sheet, which equals the club’s best run since October 1999.
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was able to take his place in the Celtic starting line-up after recovering from a head injury suffered against Kilmarnock last week. However, Andreas Hinkel missed out, with Paul Hartley filling in at right-back.
With a heavily-sanded surface and a strong wind blowing, the conditions were far from ideal but both sides started the match in a committed fashion, with players flying into tackles all over the pitch.
Falkirk looked full of purpose from the start and were closing Celtic down at every opportunity. Chances, though, were scarce during a frantic opening spell.
The Hoops almost created an opening in seven minutes. Lee Naylor’s deep cross was headed back into the danger area by Gary Caldwell, but Stephen McManus couldn’t get a proper connection on his shot.
At the other end, Arnau Riera tested Artur Boruc with a long-range shot, before Falkirk had a penalty shout waved away by referee John Underhill. The Bairns claimed Caldwell had deliberately handled in the box, but their pleas were ignored.
In 19 minutes, Darren Barr thought he’d given Falkirk the lead. The Bairns captain diverted Tam Scobbie’s free-kick towards goal, but Boruc produced a world-class save to deny him from six yards.
Some 60 seconds later, Shunsuke Nakamura’s corner found McDonald lurking on the edge of the six-yard box. The Australian striker, under pressure from Barr, could only knock his shot over the bar.
With 33 minutes on the clock, Boruc again came to Celtic’s rescue. Dean Holden’s through ball found Graham Barrett inside the box and the Polish goalkeeper produced another phenomenal stop.
Yet, that attack came at a cost for Falkirk. Holden was injured in the build-up and, as players from both sides called for help, was immediately carried off with a suspected broken leg.
In first-half injury-time, McDonald put Celtic ahead. Picking up the ball in his own half, he surged forward and fed Nakamura on the right flank.
The Japanese midfielder jinked past Kenny Milne and crossed for the Australian, who nipped in front of the Falkirk defence to nod home from close-range.
Falkirk made the early running in the second half and put the Celtic defence under some pressure as the game continued to be played at a ferocious pace.
Riera drove past the post from 20 yards, while Barrett’s volley was deflected wide by Caldwell. The same player then fired a low shot into Boruc’s arms.
Going into the last quarter, it was tense stuff. Evander Sno was introduced for Nakamura as Gordon Strachan looked to stiffen up the midfield with the game entering a crucial phase. Paul Caddis also replaced Hartley to make his Celtic debut.
Falkirk applied some pressure in the closing stages but, with Caldwell and McManus outstanding, Boruc had little to do. At the other end, Vennegoor of Hesselink smashed the post as Celtic ran out winners.
Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk
FALKIRK…0
CELTIC…1
(McDonald 45)
FALKIRK (4-5-1) Olejnik; Ross, Barr, Scobbie, Holden (Milne 37); Arfield, Riera, Cregg, McBride (Latapy 81); Moutinho; Barrett (Finnigan 86)
Subs not used: Barclay, Aafjes, Bradley, Stewart
CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc; Hartley (Caddis 75), Caldwell, McManus, Naylor; Nakamura (Sno 68), Brown, Donati, McGeady; McDonald (Killen 90), Vennegoor of Hesselink
Subs not used: M.Brown, Riordan, Pressley, Zurawski
WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Gary Caldwell
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