TalkCeltic - The Ultimate Celtic FC Forum

Celtic took a major step towards lifting the SPL title following a crucial win at Fir Park. The victory now moves Celtic ten points clear of Hearts at the top of the SPL table, and retains a seventeen point advantage over Rangers who are currently in fourth place.

Strachan was forced to make major changes in defence due to the injury of Keane, the suspension of McManus and Balde's absence due to his invlovment in the African Cup of Nations. This saw a recall for Mo Camara, in an unfamiliar defence that included Stanislav Varga and Adam Virgo who partnered each other in centre defence for the first time. Telfer kept his place in the side despite the recent signing of Mark Wilson.

The two teams had served up an amazing 4-4 draw on the opening day of the season and with Celtic winning 5-0 in October at Celtic Park, everyone attending the game were expecting goals and excitement, and they would not be dissapointed. Motherwell started the game well and were unfortunate to not take...

Celtic won an exhilarating encounter at home today and maintained their seven point lead at the top of the SPL despite squandering a two goal lead. The atmosphere inside the staduim was electric before kick-off as the crowd were eager to see Roy Keane make his home debut. As the Irishman entered the field he was greated by a giant card display in the Lisbon Lions Stand of an Irish flag. It was a great gesture and one I'm sure Keane appreciated.

Strachan made a few changes in personel as Celtic aimed to recover from the embarrassing Scottish Cup exit to Clyde last week. It meant that Roy Keane was given his home debut in a defensive role following Du Wei's dissapointing debut. Pearson also missed out as Petrov returned following a hamstring problem. Maloney was moved to the left side of midfield and Zurawski was given his first start in a couple of months following injury.

These changes had an instant impact as Celtic opened the scoring after only three minutes. The Japanese...

Celtic came from two behind to win a thrilling encounter at Tynecastle, and move seven points clear at the top of the SPL table. In the best game of the season so far, two late goals from Stephen McManus completed a fantastic comeback against a Hearts team that finished the match with ten men.

It was Celtic who created and missed the first chance of this exilirating encounter. Alan Thompson who replaced Aiden McGeady in midfield, brilliantly found Petrov unmarked at the back post with a pinpoint cross following a piece of individual brilliance on the wing. However, quite amazingly the Bulgarian captain powered his header just over from just five yards when it looked easier to score.

Hearts made Celtic pay for that great chance immediately. 18-year-old Calum Elliot, again deputising for the injured Roman Bednar up front rolled Balde and sent Hartley clear. And the Scotland midfielder's low pass across the face of goal was unfortunately bundled into the net by the helpless...

Celtic maintained their four point lead at the top of SPL after winning a needlessly tense match at home to struggling Livingston. A late winner by Shunsuke Nakamura prevented the Bhoys from dropping more points at Celtic Park to one of the bottom sides in the table. The victory stretches Celtic's lead over third placed Hibs to eleven points and opens up a massive seventeen point gap to fifth placed Rangers.

There was a delay of approximately 45 minutes due to a power failure around Celtic Park which left the freezing crowd a bit flat. Many fans were unable to enter the arena until the problem had been rectified. However, the mood inside the staduim was lifted when new signing Roy Keane made an appearance on the pitch minutes before kick-off. The Irishman was given a great reception and the Celtic faithful can't wait to see Keane makes his first appearance in the hoops against Clyde in the Scottish Cup in January.

Celtic started brightly and were left frustrated after strong...

Celtic increased their lead to four points at the top of the SPL despite only managing a draw at Inverness. On a wet and windy afternoon, Celtic came from behind to get a point but their performance on the day was largely dissapointing. ICT have now taken points from every team in the SPL including taking points from Ibrox and Tynecastle so this result should not be taken out of context.

Inverness had he perfect start as they caught the Celtic defence napping by snatching the lead after only 31 seconds. Player manager Craig Brewster flicked on Ross Tokely's long throw and Craig Dargo was allowed to swivel and fire the ball in off the far post, giving Boruc absolutley no chance. Dargo did not catch his shot cleanly but the player certainly wasn't complaining as he celebrated his seventh goal of the season.

Celtic did not look comfortable in defence and were fortunate that Stephen McManus was only booked when he hauled down Dargo as the striker charged towards goal. Many...