Lennon upbeat after Euro flop
05 Aug 2010 - 08:08:40
Manager Neil Lennon refused to be too downcast despite seeing Celtic slip out of the Champions League at the first hurdle.
The Bhoys faced a mountain against Sporting Braga after losing the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round 3-0 in Portugal and they were unable to turn things around, winning 2-1 on the night but losing 4-2 on aggregate.
Lennon commented after his side's exit: "Overall I'm delighted with the performance and intensity and all the things you ask for - commitment and passion.
"The pace we played at and the passing was very pleasing.
"At half-time we just asked them to win the game and I thought we deserved to win.
"But we keep conceding soft goals. I'm learning from it and hopefully the players are learning."
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Ki defiant after Old Firm setback
26 Oct 2010 - 18:00:28
Ki Sung-yueng believes Rangers are not any better than Celtic despite the Hoops going down 3-1 to their Old Firm rivals in their first meeting of the season at Parkhead on Sunday.
Both teams went into the match with 100% records in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League but it was the visitors who drew first blood to take them three points clear at the top but the South Korea midfielder believes Celtic were the architects of their own downfall and claims they can make up for the disappointment when they travel to Ibrox on January 2.
"The atmosphere was amazing. I had never felt anything like it before, it was a very good experience," he said.
"We scored the first goal and then for 15 minutes in the second half there was a lack of concentration.
"But I don't think that they are better than us. We just made some mistakes and it was unfortunate that we lost because of mistakes.
"It was the first Old Firm experience for some of our players and so maybe when we go to Ibrox the next time we will be stronger.
"If we play the way we played in the eight games before Sunday and we don't panic when we go there, I think we can win."
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Referee targeted after Old Firm clash
26 Oct 2010 - 10:07:32
Old Firm referee Willie Collum received a number of threatening phone calls following Sunday's Glasgow derby at Parkhead, the Scottish Football Association have confirmed.The 31-year-old made his debut in the fixture and was criticised by Celtic manager Neil Lennon for awarding Rangers a penalty in the second half of the 3-1 win for the visitors.The official reportedly answered a number of phone-calls at his Lanarkshire home with the caller threatening to "go after him and his wife and children".It is understood that Collum reported the calls to the police but turned down the offer of protection outside his home.SFA spokesman Darryl Broadfoot told the Daily Record: "Willie received a number of threatening calls at his home on Sunday night, one of which was taken by his wife. This kind of behaviour is abhorrent and has no place in football."
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Referee targeted after Old Firm tie
26 Oct 2010 - 09:34:47
Old Firm referee Willie Collum received a number of threatening phone calls following Sunday's Glasgow derby at Parkhead, the Scottish Football Association have confirmed.
The 31-year-old made his debut in the fixture and was criticised by Celtic manager Neil Lennon for awarding Rangers a penalty in the second half of the 3-1 win for the visitors. The official reportedly answered a number of phone-calls at his Lanarkshire home with the caller threatening to "go after him and his wife and children".
It is understood that Collum reported the calls to the police but turned down the offer of protection outside his home and SFA spokesman Darryl Broadfoot told the Daily Record: "Willie received a number of threatening calls at his home on Sunday night, one of which was taken by his wife."
Broadfoot added: "This kind of behaviour is abhorrent and has no place in football."
The incident can only de-motivate further the several top officials who are believed to be considering their futures due to the intense scrutiny they are being placed under.
Assistant referee Steven Craven resigned on Monday after being caught up in a furore over a decision to deny Celtic a penalty at Dundee United last week.
Meanwhile, Celtic assistant manager Johan Mjallby hit out at his players' performance against Rangers, telling the Scottish Sun: "I was disappointed with how we lost the initiative in the second half.
"It was almost like boys against men in the second half. Rangers were very effective, but we did not get a shot on target in the second half."
Mjallby, however, refused to single out any of his players, saying: "We do not comment on individuals.
"We win and lose as a team, but we gave away goals - and the match - too cheaply."
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