Category: Match Reviews

Valencia 1-0 Celtic: Review as Celtic Exit Europa League

Brendan Rodger’s Celtic were eliminated from the Europa League as they fell to a 1-0 defeat away from home to Spanish side Valencia completing a 3-0 aggregate win following their home defeat in the first leg.

Celtic had a massive task ahead of them to get back into the tie from 2-0 down in the first leg but started brightly in Spain.

Kristoffer Ajer came very close to the opener in the opening minutes for the visitors with his header being expertly saved.

the turning point came later in the first half when on loan Dortmund defender Jeremey Toljan was given his marching orders for a second yellow card putting the visitors down to 10 men.

From then on Valencia took full control of the match dominating possession and forcing Celtic to play on the counter attack through young winger Oliver Burke.

Despite being second best Celtic should have given themselves the lead with Ajer somehow heading over from six yards out after an expertly delivered freekick from the right.

Valencia ultimately put the tie to bed with 20 minutes remaining when Frenchman Kevin Gameiro netted a simple finish after clever work up the wing to send the hosts comfortably through.

With Celtic now out of the competition they will need to give their full focus on both the Scottish Cup and Premiership table.

Dundee 2-2 Kilmarnock: As Killie Fight Back Twice for Draw

Steve Clark’s Kilmarnock fought back twice against Dundee to secure a 2-2 draw in an exciting match at Dens Park.

Dundee drew first blood on 8 minutes when Andrew Nelson netted well to open the scoring.

The lead was short lived though as on loan Fleetwood forward Conor McAlney equalised 10 minutes later for the visitors with a well placed shot.

Dundee showed good resilience though regaining their lead just 2 minutes later with Nelson once again with a bullet effort to the bottom corner.

Nelson proved to be a thorn in the side of Clarke’s men as he continued to cause problems coming close on multiple occasions looking for his hattrick.

it took a second half moment of magic from Kilmarnock to get the equaliser again when winger Chris Burke smashed home a sublime freekick into the top corner on 54 minutes to once again pull the visitors level.

Dundee spent most of the second half on the back foot as Kilmarnock pushed hard for a winner forcing Dundee keeper Seny Dieng into multiple high class saves.

The hosts defended well and held on for a well deserved point to help push them towards safety from the playoff places. Meanwhile Kilmarnock continue to press for a top three place alongside Aberdeen, Rangers and Celtic.

Rangers 4-0 St Mirren: As Ref Awards Four Penalties

Referee Andrew Dallas awarded four penalties to Rangers in their 4-0 victory over St Mirren.

New forward Jermain Defoe drew foul in the penalty area inside the opening two minutes in what was the first of many penalty decisions. Captain James Tavernier made no mistake from the spot to give the hosts the lead.

Rangers were awarded a second penalty twenty minutes later when Defoe again drew foul in the box. the hosts were not best pleased by the strikers antics with the foul being a light one. once again Tavernier stepped up but was unable to capitalise on the opportunity as his shot struck the post.

still the hosts continued to push with Defoe and Ryan Kent both coming incredibly close in the first half.

but it wasn’t until ten minutes into the second half that Rangers doubled their lead. and once again, referee Andrew Dallas had a big role to play. James Tavernier’s appeared to strike the arm of St Mirren’s Greg Tansey and Dallas awarded a third penalty to the hosts. Tavernier made no mistake this time.

Rangers continued to dominate and were awarded a fourth penalty with ten minutes remaining as Tansey brought Gers winger Candeias down just inside the box. this time it was Defoe who stepped up to fire home Ranger’s third,

just a minute later and Rangers added a fourth through Ryan Kent. this one came from open play though as Defoe set up his fellow countrymen to hammer home a comfortable win.

the win puts Rangers comfortably in second, three points behind rivals Celtic. Meanwhile, St Mirren remain rooted in last place, two points behind second bottom Dundee

Raith Rovers 3-0 Dunfermline: As Rovers Win Derby to Progress

The William Hill Scottish Cup returned this weekend for the fourth round which drew up a derby match between Championship side Dunfermline and League One’s Kirkcaldy based side Raith Rovers. It was a sell out crowd in Kirkcaldy as both sides looked to get a win over their rivals and progress to the next round.

It was an intense first half with both sides looking cautious to go behind and little clear cut chances to note.

the second half however, exploded into life when Dunfermline’s Lee Ashcroft was sent off for a last man foul on Rover’s Chris Duggan.

The host’s were later awarded a penalty when Duggan was again fouled, this time by substitute Mark Durnan. Striker Lewis Vaughan made no mistake from the spot to give Rovers the lead. Chris Duggan again provided the second as his cross met the head of Vaughan who celebrated a brace. Three minutes later and Vaughan rounded off the scoring with a hattrick when he finished well with nine minutes remaining.

it was a truly excellent performance from Raith Rovers which was, unfortunately, overshadowed by the disappointing actions of some of the fans who destroyed parts of their artificial pitch when they threw flares at the ground. Police are investigating the incident in the hopes of finding the culprit.

the win has seen Rovers drawn away from home to Premiership side Hibernian in the fifth round where ties will be played on the 9th and10th of February

Celtic 1-0 Aberdeen: As Rodgers Secure Third League Cup

This weekends biggest result was unarguably Celtic’s League Cup victory over Derek Mcinnes’ Aberdeen.  

Having already won six trophies with Celtic Brendan Rodgers went into the game with his sights on a seventh piece of silverware. 

Celtic Lined up in an attacking fashion with James Forrest and Odsonne Edouard both starting for the Glasgow side. At the other end Aberdeen chose a more defensive outlook with out of form Stevie May being left on the bench as target man Sam Cosgrove started. 

Celtic looked in control from the first whistle leaving the Dons on the back foot for much of the opening half. Still, Aberdeen defended bravely keeping their opponents out for most of the first half. 

The breakthrough came deep in the first half with Ryan Christie netting what proved to be the winner just as it looked as though the game would go to half time. 

Celtic were controversially awarded a penalty in the second half after a soft foul was given despite being outside the box. However, justice was served as Dons keeper Joe Lewis kept out Scott Sinclair’s driven spot kick. 

Despite a final push for an equaliser Aberdeen couldn’t break through and Celtic held on well to secure the win and lift the Scottish League Cup. 

Celtic will now turn their attention to fixture away to Motherwell in the Ladbrokes Premiership while Aberdeen will hope to bounce back against league leaders Rangers in Glasgow.