Untitled Document

Celtic 2-1 Dundee

Landing a cup tie against the green side of Glasgow meant a day out on the bus for the Highlanders who follow the Dee.So, as ever, we set off more with with optimism and hope than any real expectation of glory but a guid day oot was gaurenteed whatever the result.

Phil Harper from the Cumbernauld division of the Highland Dark Blues had arranged a conveniant stopping aff watering hole close to his hoose for food and refreshments.Meeting up with Phil and his dad Adam, we lubricated our vocal chords while Phil gave Tig a lesson in finishing on the pool table but refused to be drawn into a rematch claiming he was retiring at the top of his pool career!!!!

After a bit of discussion on times to leave the pub it was felt best to err on the cautious side, so we headed aff to Parkheid allowing for any hold ups but as luck would have it, we had a straght run in and arrived before the pies had warmed up,never mind the players.

This time was put to good use however by "singing on a Saturday" to "keep us fit" ( you all know the last line..................)

As kick off approached the Dens park choir swelled and a large and vociferous choir proceeded to outsing a pretty disapointing turnout of Parkhead "faithful"

The game got under way and while we were not creating much or putting Cellic under much pressure we were haudin oor own, and when Artur Boruc's fresh-air swipe in the 14th minute allowed Colin McMenamin to put us 1 up the dark Blue faithful began to think mebbes'just mebbes.............

But,when Scott Brown levelled from close range after a mis-hit effort from Scott McDonald rebounded into his path, any further thoughts of shocks were pretty much over.

With Aiden McGeady, back for the first time since his fall oot wi Gordon Strachan,causing all sorts of problems for our defence,it was a matter of time before he curled in the winner on the stroke of half time to end dreams of cup glory for another season

With high winds and rain making life miserable, Cellic huffed and puffed but could not inflict any further damage on a staunch Deefence and there was a last-minute opperchancity to nick a draw and take the tie to a replay at Dens when Boruc had another howler and spilled a cross from McMenamin a yard from the line, but sadly Glenn Loovens was on hand to clear.

After the match Gordon Strachan made the usual attempts at humerous comments and excuses for his team and Jocky said "we done arite"

Celtic: Boruc, Caddis, Loovens, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Scott Brown, Crosas (Robson 64), McGeady, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 70), McDonald.
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Caldwell, Mizuno.

Dundee: Douglas, Paton, Lauchlan, McKeown, Malone, Shinnie (Antoine-Curier 78), Cowan (Benedictus 90), Posniak (McHale 68), O'Brien, Daquin, McMenamin.
Subs Not Used: Roy, Williams.