News
HOOPS HUMP HUNS TO GO FIVE POINTS CLEAR
By The Lone Gunman
CELTIC 3 Rangers 2
SPL
Sunday 27th April
Kick-off: 1230pm
CELTIC scorers – McDonald 4 and 43, Robson 70 pen
Rangers scorers – Weir 17 and Cousin 29
CELTIC (4-4-2): Boruc; Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus (O'Dea 66) and Naylor; Nakamura, Hartley (Scott Brown 83), Robson and McGeady; Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 68) and McDonald
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Caddis, Donati and Wilson
Booked: Robson, Hartley, Naylor and Vennegoor of Hesselink
Rangers: Alexander, Broadfoot, Dailly, Weir (Faye 51), Papac, Whittaker, Hemdani (Darcheville 79), Ferguson, Davis, Novo and Cousin.
Subs Not Used: Graeme Smith, Boyd, Lennon, McMillan and Fleck
Sent Off: Whittaker (90)
Booked: Broadfoot and Whittaker
Attendance: 58,662
Referee: C Thomson
It's squeaky bum time for TFOD after Celtic humped the Huns 3-2 at Celtic Park this afternoon to go five points clear at the SPL summit, though the Evil Empire has three games in hand, albeit in a congested fixture list with injuries, suspensions and fatigue taking its toll.
Having increased the pressure on the Huns with a 2-1 victory at Celtic Park 11 days ago, Celtic intensified that pressure this afternoon in Paradise, with Man Of The Match Scott McDonald scoring a first-half brace and Barry Robson scoring the 70th minute match-winning goal from the penalty spot.
Scott McDonald fired home Celtic's opening goal in 4th minute when the Celtic striker latched on to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's headed knockdown.
CELTIC 1 The Huns 0 and Skippy's 28th goal of the season.
However, after seizing the early initiative, Celtic made the mistake of conceding territory to the Huns and allowing them to dominate possession.
And in the 17th minute, the Huns equalised via a David Weir header from a Steve Davis corner kick, with Celtic's zonal defence in disarray.
CELTIC 1 The Huns 1
Worse was to come for Celtic when, in the 29th minute, the Huns seized a 2-1 lead from a Daniel Cousin header, again from a Davis corner kick. Indeed, the Huns' second goal was almost identical to their first.
CELTIC 1 The Huns 2
However, Celtic responded to adversity and fought back late in the first period, Scott McDonald's shot looping into the net in the 43rd minute to restore parity at 2-2.
CELTIC 2 The Huns 2 and Scott McDonald's 29th goal of the season.
CELTIC 2 The Huns 2 at half-time
Celtic dominated much of the second-half and deservedly took the lead in the 70th minute after Scott McDonald was fouled in the penalty box. Incredibly, Kirk Broadfoot escaped a red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
Barry Robson hammered home the match-winning goal from the spot kick and Celtic comfortably coasted to the all-important victory.
CELTIC 3 The Huns 2
To compound the Huns' woes with injuries, fatigue and suspensions, Steven Whittaker was shown a second yellow card and therefore a red in stoppage time after the former Hibee lost his discipline after being tormented by Shunsuke Nakamura.
CELTIC 3 The Huns 2 at full-time and Celtic move five points clear at the SPL summit with three matches remaining.
The Huns have six League matches remaining, but with four of these games away from Ipox and the season taking its toll on TFOD, it's squeaky bum time for the Evil Empire.
CELTIC 3 Rangers 2 and the Championship race is most definitely still on.
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