celtic news 5yh Feb 2010--

This is a kind of late match review from that midweek farce, maybe not farce or maybe it was, it was all set the hype was there the transfer window shut and all was looking good again at Celtic, after the sneaky loan deal of Keane, we were really looking forward to seeing Keane in action was this going to be the turn around we needed was he going to our golden boy, lets face it when do we do things the easy way, after the amazing shock news had sunk in and we had all gathered outside Parkhead to get a glimpse of our new signing after YEARS of trying to get Keane to come to Celtic and after what looked like our manager gone nuts with selling players, i had thought he had lost the plot, we were all shocked at the last minute when Keane was said to be signing a deal, i had to read it 6 times, we have to say one thing here well done Mowbray for doing what other managers could not do.

The stage was well and truely set for sure the fans went to Killie to watch Keane in action for the 1st time in the Hoops shirt, also lets not forget Kamara also a good player, the press were also keen in seeing the new player for the 1st time in Scotland it was a little surprise at Mowbray's line up not 2 strikers but 3 on in the 1st half, over kill sprung to mind, so Mowbray was making a statement from the start here all excited that Keane would start along with Kamara ok i may be focusing on these 2 players here but that match EVERYONE was focused on them was this the turn around for us this season was it hell we all no the score and it was such a let down we needed a win not a draw a win and we got beat by a team at the bottom of the spl what is happening the game much the same all threw we just were not up for it like Killie were give them there due here they won i would not go as far to say they were the better team but they took there chance and scored i just feel that once again Mowbray got it all wrong with the line up he should have played Rasmussen with Keane after his first goal at the weekend he would have been pumped up to get more and also what was with bringing Brown on in a left back position we were a goal down we needed someone to get the ball from midfield into attack and who else is better at that than Brown that was strange, not as strange as what Brown done when he came on he went straight over to Loovens and took yes TOOK the captains band ????? WHY, is that us had our chance i would think so ok Mowbray is trying to look at the bigger picture here but if that is the case why sign a big player like Keane just till the end of the season would it have been better buying a player he new would stay for a few seasons and work with him this season is over in my eyes and really all i am looking forward to now is watching some good football can we at least do that ?

I say we can not come back to win this season BUT Mowbray thinks different here is the post from Celtic site

 Mowbray: title challenge is still alive


AFTER the euphoria of Robbie Keane’s arrival 24 hours earlier, defeat at Kilmarnock last night was a bitter disappointment to Tony Mowbray. But the Celtic manager has insisted there is still a long way to go in the title race.

Despite the Irish star’s presence on the pitch alongside fellow new Bhoy Diomansy Kamara, the Hoops went down 1-0 at Rugby Park thanks to Chris Magiure second half strike.

Plenty of chances fell Celtic’s way, but it was a night where they could not find the killer touch in front of goal.

The Hoops boss said: "For me, it's about trying to win every game - we've said that. We haven't won tonight, so we're obviously disappointed but we keep going. It's a long way to go.”

"We came here trying to claw back the three points and it didn't go our way. We were a bit disappointed with the nature of their goal. At the other end, we did create chances. We ended up in some decent areas but didn't take them.

"I'm sure there'll be some twists and turns and we'll look to try to get the next three points when they come.

He added: “We are going to try to build this club to the point where we can compete very successfully, both domestically and in Europe. That’s what we are trying to do. I've been saying that for a long time.”

It was certainly not the start Keane would have wanted in a Hoops shirt, but Mowbray believed that the striker’s display showed that he would be a big player for the Hoops this season.

"I thought Robbie played well,” said the manager. “He brings a different dimension to our team. At times he made the team tick by positions he takes up on the pitch. I'm sure he'll be a huge benefit for us as we move on."
Official Post By Mark Henderson Celtic site

lennon's praise for brown and grant

NEIL LENNON paid tribute to comeback duo Scott Brown and Charlie Grant after the midfielders played their part in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Drogheda United.

Brown built up his fitness with a 60-minute run-out against the League of Ireland side, while Grant made a welcome return to the fold after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Goals from Brown, James Forrest and Paul McGowan gave Celtic the win but Lennon had multiple reasons to be happy with the 90 minutes as 2,500 fans flocked to see the Hoops.

“Scott was excellent for an hour," Lennon told the Celtic website. "He’s just desperate to get back into the first-team now and hopefully he’ll figure at the weekend at some point.

“He’s working his way back to full fitness and is a good indicator for where these other players have to be. He’s the current Scottish Player of the Year, he’s a full internationalist and he led the way on the pitch.

“It’s good to see senior players bringing these kids on. They will learn from playing beside guys like Scott and I have to give him credit for the attitude he showed out there. His appetite was fantastic.”

Grant, meanwhile, hasn't had his injury troubles to seek for the last three years after a cruel run of bad luck. However, he took a small step on the road to recovery with a 20-minute run-out and produced a typically combative display.

Lennon said: “Seeing Charlie out there was the highlight of the night for me. That kid has had horrendous luck with injuries over the last few seasons.

“He got 20 minutes and looked like he’d never been away. I was delighted to see him play. He got stuck right in as he likes to and reminded me a wee bit of myself! We will introduce Charlie back in gradually but I was happy for him.

“Overall, I was pleased with the performance. We were up against an experienced League of Ireland side with 2,500 people watching. The game was designed to raise money for Drogheda, but it was a good opportunity for our players to test themselves."
Official Post by David Friel Celtic site