Dunfermline v Celtic - Official Report

[celtic bhoy92]

Dunfermline v Celtic - TC Official Match Report



Dunfermline 2 - 4 Celtic
East End Park
Sunday February 7th 2010


A spirited Celtic side had to fight every step of the way to progress to the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup against a determined Dunfermline side. All three of Celtic's new strikers were on the scoresheet with Morten Rasmussen grabbing a double to add to goals by Diomansy Kamara and Robbie Keane despite the Pars leading at one stage.
Both sides were slow and sluggish in attack in the opening stages with high balls into the area being of no threat to Dunfermline goalkeeper Greg Fleming. However, there was nothing he could do to prevent the opener in the eighteenth minute. A Samaras effort from a cross by impressive debutant Edson Braafheid crashed off the bar and back out and, after much scrambling about in the area, the ball fell to Diomansy Kamara on the edge of the box who made no mistake, rifling his effort high into the roof of the net.

New bhoy Kamara gives Celtic the lead.

Unfortunately for Celtic, the lead lasted little over a minute before Nick Phinn's low cut back after impressive work at the by line found David Graham who stole in ahead of Caddis to equalise for Dunfemline with a low effort. Things were to get even worse for the SPL side when the Pars were given a highly dubious penalty after Paul Caddis was said to have nudged Steven Bell in the area. The experienced Andy Kirk stepped forward to slot the kick away easily and give Dunfermline a shock lead.
Celtic carved out little chances after that sucker punch but almost drew level when Dunfermline midfielder Burke almost diverted a Kamara cross into his own net and Glenn Loovens fired a free header wide from inside the area. However, the Hoops did manage to draw level before the break when Scott Brown's header was blocked accidentally by Morten Rasmussen but the Dane managed to score from the rebound after his first attempt was blocked by Fleming.

Like he did the previous week, Rasmussen saves Celtic before half time.

With the second half came the introduction of Celtic's star signing Robbie Keane who was hoping to get his first goal for the Hoops and help them to the next round. Less than ten minutes after his entrance, Brown played the Irishman in around the back of the defence and his low cross was parried into the path of Rasmussen but he fired his shot straight at Fleming. Minutes later, Keane was at it again, dribbling easily past two challenges in the area but his near post shot was again dealt with well by Fleming. Dunfermline's resistance was becoming weaker with every passing minute and they offered little in attack, inviting Celtic forward.
This again resulted in Robbie Keane finding himself in on goal and for the third time Fleming denied him with a smart save but the ball found itself out wide with Kamara who instantly crossed to the back post where Rasmussen prodded it home. It remains to be seen whether or not the Dane will be awarded the goal however as there was a prominent touch en route from defender Callum Woods.
Celtic ensured their passage to the next round twenty minutes after the restart when Keane was hauled down in the box as he was about to pull the trigger. The Irishman picked himself up and dusted himself down to step forward and place the kick into the corner for his first goal in Celtic colours, much to the delight of the jubilant away support.

Robbie Keane's first Celtic goal will live long in the memory.

After Keane's strike, Dunfermline became dispirited knowing the game was over and both sides were content to sit deep and see out the remaining twenty minutes with ease. The closest Celtic came to adding to their tally was an effort from subsitute Aiden McGeady which drifted over the bar from the edge of the area. Celtic's cup fate will be decided on Wednesday lunch time in a draw eagerly anticipated by Celtic supporters hoping to claim their first Scottish Cup since 2005.



TC Member Quotes



mickcfc91 praised the new strikeforce:
Keane's movement was different class and his partnership with Rasmussen looks great.



Braafheid impressed hairytoes on his debut:
Braafhied will make a big difference to the team, defensively and in an attacking sense.



Andy bhoy was pleased, especially with the new captain:
We played quite well except at the back and Brown did well for his first start in months.

Dunfermline: Fleming; Woods Ross 78), McGregor, Dowie, McCann; Bell, Phinn (Cardle 69), Burke, Gibson; Graham, Kirk (Holmes 72)
Subs not used: Paterson, Willis

Celtic: Boruc; Caddis (Zheng 68), Thompson, Braafheid; Brown, Crosas (Keane 46), NGuemo; Kamara (McGeady 65), Samaras, Rasmussen
Subs not used: Zaluska, Rogne