Koki Mizuno headlines 3-0 win for Celtic

By: Matt | December 21st, 2008

In his first Celtic start, young Japanese international Koki Mizuno scored to help Celtic cruise to a 3-0 victory over the Bairns of Falkirk. Celtic’s roster was even more depleted than originally thought, with Paul Hartley missing the match due to illness and defenders Stephen McManus and Mark Wilson missing the match due to injury, along with previous injuries and Aiden McGeady’s suspension. Mizuno, Darren O’Dea, and Lee Naylor all took places in the starting XI. It took a half to get Celtic started, after a scoreless first half with both teams threatening the goal. Falkirk nearly took the lead in the 32nd minute when Steve Lovell was in on goal and beat Artur Boruc, but Darren O’Dea was able to clear the ball off the goal line. Georgios Samaras also had a chance to net the first goal of the game when Scott McDonald played a through ball that left Samaras one-on-one with Falkirk keeper Robert Olejnik was able to make a foot save.

Celtic finally found pay dirt two minutes into the second half. Skippy McDonald received a throw in and was able to flick the ball over his head to an unmarked Samaras who headed the ball home. Celtic held that lead for the rest of the 2nd half until the 90th minute when Mizuno made a great run and slotted the goal past Olejnik. Scott McDonald also added a late goal to put the game fully out of reach and Celtic remained four points ahead of Rangers going into next weekend’s derby at Ibrox.

Going into next week’s derby, it was good to see both strikers find the net today. Both Georgios Samaras and Scott McDonald had been in a goal scoring funk and often times strikers just need to find the back of the net to get out of it. Both played well, especially McDonald who not only scored, but also set up his striking partner once (nearly twice). While there is a gulf in class between Falkirk and Rangers, it was also nice to see young Koki Mizuno and Darren O’Dea have solid games against an SPL opponent in a typical Scottish weather day. There’s no indication just who will be missing next week, so for these two youngsters to produce creates some momentum going into next week. Overall, it was a good day and a much more positive step going into next week’s derby than a week before.

TAL

Koki’s goal while it lasts before the youtube fun police take it away: