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Celts hoping for leniency from UEFA IF the midweek
match against AC Milan was eventful, Sunday’s defeat of Gretna,
which sent the Bhoys back to the top of the league, was dull.
Late goals from strikers Scott McDonald and Chris Killen were needed to
beat bottom of the table Gretna as the Parkhead lads looked to be suffering
from a Champions League hangover after the drama against Milan.
As this column goes to press, UEFA have made no decision as to the punishment
which Celtic will face.
According to the letter of the law, Celtic would lose the match 3-0. That’s
what happened when a flare from an Inter Milan supporter injured the AC
Milan goalkeeper in the Champions League two years ago.
The Celtic supporter in question has pleaded guilty to breach of the peace
for his antics and is expected to be sentenced later this month.
But given the behaviour of the same keeper and Celtic’s previously
unblemished record in European competition senior figures at Celtic Park
are hopeful that the Bhoys will be allowed the keep the tie leaving them
with a realistic chance of progressing to the knock-out stages. They have
two consecutive matches against bottom side Benfica to play.
The league win over Gretna means that Celtic have a one point lead over
Hibernian, who beat Rangers at the weekend, with the Gers two points off
top spot.
So after the first third of the season things are looking pretty rosy
for Gordon Strachan’s men: Top of the league and starting to hit
top form with the new players brought in by the manager over the summer,
particularly Massimo Donati and Scott McDonald, proving their worth.
A pleasing aspect of the Bhoys current form is that they are on top of
their game while missing some key players, including full back Mark Wilson
and striker Jean Vennegoor of Hesserlink, and their understudies have
proved well-capable of keeping Celtic’s winning run going. |
