Celtic Ease Through To The Quarter Finals

By Jack the Lad

An average performance from Celtic was enough to see them through to the League Cup Quarter Finals after a third round win over Raith Rovers.

Stefan Johansen scored late on to add to Kris Commons’ early strike to send the Hoops through 2-0 on the night.

Given the gulf in quality between the two sides, Deila opted to award starting berths to Nadir Ciftci, Calum McGregor, Kieran Tierney and Tyler Blackett, while the enigmatic Efe Ambrose started at centre back.

Normally I would have a lot to write in a Celtic match report, given our usual dominance over the rest of Scottish football. I mean, if we’re not thumping a team, or at least I hope that’s what the BBC commentary were trying to say, by 3 or 4 goals, we’re normally churning out a shite performance coupled with a few dodgy refereeing decisions which question the very integrity of Scottish football.

However, Wednesday’s game almost failed to produce any incident of note barring a couple of excellent individual goals by the Bhoys.

Indeed, it took 13 minutes of play before a shot on target was registered.

Wighton found himself on the end of a flicked on goal kick, but could only force Craig Gordon into a low save.

The Bhoys went on to dominate possession, but a series of square passes and lack of penetration restricted Deila’s men to strikes from distance, with McGregor’s shot on the twenty minute mark coming close to opening the scoring.

Coincidentally, it was through one of these long range strikes with which the hosts managed to open the scoring.

Commons found himself in acres of space 25 yards out from goal, and in trademark fashion, drilled a left footed strike into the bottom left hand corner passed the motionless Raith keeper. 1-0 to the men in green after half an hour.

The Bhoys upped the tempo, and almost immediately got a quick fire double. Aiden Tierney, searching for his first goal for the club, raced into the box and fired a left footed drive goal wards, but his shot was blocked by an outstanding sliding tackle, typifying the Raith performance.

Indeed, the Kirkcaldy outfit looked astute in defence, while Deila’s men were labour some and gradually turning the game into an arduous watch for the Parkhead crowd.

Rovers began to grow in confidence while the deficit remained at a single goal. The Bhoys failed to clear a throw in from the away side as the ball broke to Matthews, who really should have hit the back of the net with a free shot at goal.

Celtic looked to hit back 10 minutes later, as the impressive Tierney floated a delicate cross into the penalty area, but Ciftci could only loop his header over the bar.

With the game nearing a climax, Rovers went in search of a goal, but their desperation created space for the Celtic attack to exploit. GMS and Tom Rogic both had excellent chances to double the Hoops lead, but both seen their attempts whistle narrowly by the post.

Daly came close for Raith moments later, but he could only angle his shot over the bar from 8 yards out. A further period of Raith pressure resulted in a chance for Ryan McCord, but his shot went the same way of Daly’s.

Just as the feeling of inevitable collapse crept in, Stefan Johansen doubled the Hoops’ advantage.

A Celtic counter attack found Johansen on the halfway line with virtually an empty opposition half to run into. The Norwegian skipped passed a Raith defender, before composing himself to slot coolly into the bottom corner. 2-0 to the Hoops, game over.

A boring performance from Deila’s men but a win nonetheless against a resilient Raith side. Tierney in particular impressed, looking defensively astute and equally adept going forward, while both Ambrose and Blackett looked very comfortable. Nadir Ciftci got some much needed game time and put in a decent shift, but still needs a few goals under his belt to get the ball rolling. Overall, a lot of positives to take out of the game. Potential opponents for the next round include Hibs, Hearts, Dundee Utd (surely not again!), Morton, Inverness, Ross County and the conquerors of a measly tin pot club in the pits of Scottish football, St Johnstone.

Three very decent results on the bounce suggest that our season is finally getting underway. Up next for the Bhoys are the Jam Tarts, who after an incredible start to the league campaign have been less than convincing in recent games. Defeats to Accies and Aberdeen have somewhat derailed the Edinburgh outfit but a late win at Kilmarnock last night will have restored some confidence.

Given the almost mythical 3 o’clock Saturday kick off we should expect a good crowd to be up for a great game of football.

ETims POTM – Saidy Janko. A class above.