Match Reports : Dunfermline 2 – 4 Celtic

By: Cham | February 8th, 2010

Scottish Cup Fifth Round

Dunfermline 2
Graham 21, Kirk (pen) 28

Celtic 4
Kamara 20, Rasmussen 43,
Callum Woods (o.g.) 59 Keane (pen) 68

Keane

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Comment:

First Division Dunfermline, given a second chance at the Scottish Cup Fifth Round, gave Celtic a small handful of trouble for at least a good 30 minutes. At least the 2-2 halftime scoreline may have suggested such. Celtic at times looked to be playing 30 a-side football to deny The Pars any offensive opportunities. This also denied their ownside the opportunity to play any beautiful football.

But I don’t think Tony Mowbray wanted beautiful football Sunday afternoon. His strike force of Georgios Samaras and Morten Rasmussen was a decided contrast to Fortune and starting Robbie Keane, Diomansy Kamara aside. At the same time Samaras had had a relatively poor show of form in front of goal, and Fortune most likely needed a match day’s rest. Perhaps the advent of Robbie Keane was too high, too fast, and he would get his second bit of the cherry, making good of a run, felled in the box, and precise on the spot.

First, thank god Aiden McGeady was given a break, or as much of a break as he got, starting on the sub’s bench and coming on for Kamara in the match’s final third. He was quick, but not precise against Killie in the midweek, and his condition was giving him up to some obvious frustration. He should no doubt be back for Hearts Wednesday.

Second, Dio Kamara’s wonderstrike was well…. a wonderstrike. I wonder how many of those Celtic can hope to witness. He’s strong, he’s got touch, and his head is nice and shiny. What a right foot!

Morten Rasmussen must think he’s the hottest striker in Hoops right now, and perhaps he is. A fortunate goal to tally his second goal in two showings, and, in truth, Calum Woods own-goal was a bumble-bee stocking away from being his Scottish Cup second. Mowbray will wonder if Rasmussen workman-like goals are what he needs, and he may have to saddle Celtic on the Dane’s back.

Paul Caddis earned a start, or slipped in under the cover of Hooiveld and Hinkel’s injury. Either way: I’m confused with Caddo – grand on attack, pushing up on the pitch, grossly fallible in defense against Dunfermline’s spirited attack. I liked Caddis the last two times out, and his offensive minded moves endear me to think he’ll deliver a few assist or even a set-piece header. But Caddis gambling into the midfield is dangerous as Celtic’s true woes are still in the defensive third.

Robbie Keane traversed the bridal threshold and netted his first Celtic goal. He was unlucky or perhaps just a step-off (I don’t think a step slow) not to score against Kilmarnock. Will a penalty against First Division Dunfermline prove enough to get this season’s monkey off his new #7? Great question.

A partnership between Rasmussen and Keane might be worth a thought, but Kamara and hard-working Fortune have done nothing to also have their place in Wednesday league match-up.

But is this to be Celtic’s lot for the rest of the league and Scottish Cup? Too much offensive names and mindedness and still too much worry on the defensive backfoot? Was this match the birth pangs of a potentially silverware-less season?

(God, I hate being negative after a good Cup win.)