Celtic v Dundee United-Liveblog?

By: Matt | March 12th, 2008

Well, two days into my journey as a “blogger”, I am heading into territory where some bloggers dare not go. The dreaded liveblog! Being as I’ve never done this before, we’ll get through it together, ok? On my way home after skipping my Cultural Anthropology Class for the game, I figured, “Hey why not?” Hooray irresponsibility! Hopefully Celtic will be a lot easier on me then my beloved Dayton Flyers were this afternoon, needed overtime to defeat the lowly St. Louis Bilikens. What’s a Biliken you ask? I couldn’t answer that question. Regardless, check back here at 3:45 Eastern time for kick off!

Pre-Kick Off:
Starting Lineups (according to the Beeb)
Celtic
01 Boruc
02 Hinkel
05 Caldwellw
44 McManus
03 Naylor
25 Nakamura
08 Brown
15 Sno
46 McGeady
27 McDonald
09 Samaras

Substitutes
21 Brown,
48 O’Dea,
10 Vennegoor of Hesselink,
11 Hartley,
19 Robson,
18 Donati,
14 Riordan

Sno probably deserves the start after his performance in Catalonia. No homecoming start for Robson, which I am surprised about. Of course, the same fucking backline as always. My liveblog idea could be dead in the water if I don’t find a working stream soon…

6th minute-At the mercy of the Beeb text as of now, while I try to sort out my tech problems. Says Naka had a shot wide. Good to see the offense is moving forward.

14th minute-And a picture! Success! (*in Borat voice*) Celtic have plenty of possession and had a chance with Brown but the cross to Scott McDonald wasn’t the best.

16th minute-”That’s why we’re paranoid!” Ref is letting Dundee mug Aiden McGeady, but as soon as Aidendihno sticks his foot out, he’s in danger of a yellow. Incredibile…still controlling most possesion.

22nd minute-Dundee on the attack now, after Scott Brown gets a foul after being pushed over and the Dundee player tripping over him. Surprised the refs jerseys aren’t orange tonight (multiple meanings!)

26th minute-more Celtic attack, fancy footwork by Samaras. A corner goes to Naka and is saved out for another corner, but nothing comes out. Dundee on the attack!

28th minute-Free kick finally for Celtic. Naka with the free kick, good header by McManus but just wide!

33rd minute-Ball in Dundee end, weak shot and easy save by the Holy Goalie. Not much for him to do so far.

37th minute-more Celtic pressure, but nothing in the net so far. Samaras with a weak shot and more possession but ball taken from McGeady then a foul on him. Free kick taken quickly and Dundee on the break! Luckily offsides! Celtic back on the break! Nice cut by Hinkel and a good pass to Brown, tries to give it to Samaras, but probably should have shot it!

40th minute-Whew! Poor defense from McGeady allows a cross and Dundee nearly heads it in. Probably the best chance of the half so far. Goal kick….whew way to close!

41st minute-More Dundee United attack. Get their third corner. Christ! What a poor clear by Hinkel, right to a Dundee United player. Luckily he Sebos it. We seem a little off the pace, can’t let teams like Dundee United hang around, they have quality and the longer it’s scoreless the more confidence they gain!

Halftime-0-0 score. We have had 70% possession, but nothing to show. The start we all feared. Some good play seen in the beginning, but give credit to Dundee for closing everything down. Just saw the Naka chance from the 3rd minute and it was a great chance. Such is football. The passing has been terrible, especially in our own third. If we tighten up our passing then I think we’ll get a goal, but Dundee have had some runs and some chances so we have to keep it tight! C’mon the Hoops!

Beginning of the 2nd half-Would like to see Robson get a run in the 2nd half. Certainly would want to prove the move was justified, why not against his old team? Teams coming out for the 2nd half. Before the start, must mention tense atmosphere so far, not much singing except a few “Hail, Hails!”. Kickoff!

46th minute-More sloppy play in the final 3rd of the field! Naka plays the ball to Brown who runs out of real estate and has to pass to Hinkel, but it goes out. U-G-L-Y!

55th minute-Had a bit of tech trouble, but I’m back. While I was gone, Brown with a header on a free kick that just went wide and McManus and a Dundee Utd player knock heads and stay down a little while. Free kick given to Samaras 25 yards from goal. Dundee player booked for dissent after kicking the ball away after the foul. OOOH! Naka has a dandee free kick that was just over the bar. Had quite a bit of bend on it!

57th minute-McManus hurt his leg apparently in the clash earlier. Almost cost us on a corner as he just got to a ball. Dangerous play and tense times for a Celtic supporter!

59th minute-Samaras almost on a break but clipped! SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RED! HE WAS THE LAST MAN BACK! Naka’s freekick easily gathered by the Dundee United keeper. Samaras and Sno taken off for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Robson.

65th minute-More sloppy passes. Scott Brown plays it off his foot and asks for a foul that wasn’t there. Dundee on the attack now and Scott Brown with a stupid foul. Free kick punched out by Boruc but right to Dundee who shoot it off Robson, could have been a handball in the box, but no call and no complaints from Dundee United.-Looks like it bounced off Robson’s arm pit

67th minute-Corner for Celtic-First in Celtic half. Off of someones head and JVOH lurking so Dundee clear for another corner. Cleared out, but Naka keeps it in and swings it in. Lands on a Celtic foot…shot! Right at the keeper…

71st minute-Ball played to Brown…near the box, played to McDonald on the left and he Sebos it. Terrible.

73rd minute-Jim OBrien leads a Dundee run, good cross but Caldwell with the clear. Dundee get a soft free kick after a dive!

79th minute- More slop. McDonald on a run in the box and slight contact but not enough for a corner. Mostly Celtic possession but not doing anything with it. Story of the game!

83rd minute-Scott Brown gives the ball away AGAIN! He’s been terrible all game. Looks like Dundee is looking for the draw now. McGeady had a shot blocked and played back to him fires again it Lee Naylor who heads it over the bar. McGeady gets a foul on the left and Naka heads over….fires into the box and header over the bar by a Dundee player…corner…inswing and save but loose…back to Naka who has a good cross and JVOH fires a header over the bar! UGHHHH! Looking like only a point here!

88th minute-Good long ball by Naylor to JVOH who leaves it for Hinkel who fires a shot but saved by the DU keeper. C’MON!

90th minute-4 more minutes as Dundee have a goal kick…Naka fouled in midfield. Naylor with the free kick with everyone else up front. Ball bounces to McGeady who sends it into orbit! Terrible…Scott Brown with a terrible clearance but Dundee with the foul. Brown gets a foul and that should about do it…Full time. Final score 0-0. Terrible passing, terrible finishing ruled the day. Perhaps I’ll do a match recap if I can get that terrible taste out of my mouth.