Feyenoord 1-3 Celtic: Ruthless Celts Stun Dutch Giants
Feyenoord 1-3 Celtic Ueda (11′) Hyun-Jun (31′) Hatate (43′) Celtic shook De Kuip to record a crucial Europa League victory, in a potential send-off for interim manager Martin O’Neill. Feyenoord opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Sem Steijn gathered a Luciano Valente pass on the edge of Celtic’s box. The home captain showed composure, squaring the ball to Ayase Ueda, who finished low into the bottom left corner. The away side responded moments after the half-hour mark, with an efficient team move. Luke McCowan clipped a clever pass into the path of the onrushing Reo Hatate. The Japanese midfielder lofted the ball to the back post for Yang Hyun-Jun to volley home. Hatate put Celtic in dreamland on the stroke of halftime. Daizen Maeda pressured Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther, who rushed his clearance into Hatate’s path. The midfielder’s first-time strike nestled in the centre of the goal to give Martin O’Neill’s side an unlikely lead. Feyenoord threatened in the second half, but it was the visitors who scored next. The ball broke to Benjamin Nygren in the box after Celtic pressure, and the Swedish attacker finished high off the crossbar. The goal sent the visiting support into frenzy, and rounded off a superb away victory. The win lifted Celtic into 17th place in the Europa League standings. They return to Premiership action at Easter Road on Sunday. Feyenoord: Wellenreuther, Lotomba (van Persie 81′) Ahmedhodzic, Watanabe, Smal (Nieuwkoop 62′) Valente (Timber 76′) Steijn, Targhalline, Moussa, Ueda, Sauer (Diarra 62′) Celtic: Schmeichel, Donovan (Ralston 84′) Trusty, Scales, Tierney (Murray 70′) McGregor, Engels, Hatate (Bernardo 83′) Yang (Tounekti 71′) McCowan (Nygren 63′) Maeda
UEFA Champions League Review: Matchday Five
It was a week to remember in the Champions League for Chelsea and Arsenal, but not so for the rest of the English representatives with all four falling to defeats. Chelsea rocked Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, cruising to a 3-0 lead on Wednesday night. Jules Kounde’s own goal and a Ronald Araujo red card in the first half provided the Blues with all the impetus to take the game to the Spanish giants. Goals from 18 year-old Estevao and forward Liam Delap put the Catalans to the sword and made it 4 consecutive European matches in a row without a defeat for the World Champions. Also on Wednesday, Manchester City and Newcastle United lost out. Pep Guardiola made a brash decision to play a second-string side at home to Bayer Leverkusen, a decision he would be made to regret thanks to goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick either side of half time. Newcastle took the lead in Marseille thanks to a goal from potential Scotland international Harvey Barnes, but two goals inside the first five minutes of the second half from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave the Ligue 1 side all three points. In the early kick-offs, Ajax continued their pointless start as Benfica beat them 2-0 with Samuel Dahl and Leandro Barreiro getting on the scoresheet and Union SG, who Hearts shareholder Tony Bloom also invests in, ran out 1-0 winners away to the cauldron of Galatasaray. Canadian Promise David netted the only goal 57 minutes in. Kjetil Knutsen’s Bodo/Glimt ran Juventus close in the Arctic Circle, eventually falling to a 3-2 defeat when Jonathan David’s injury time winner secured victory amid unconfirmed reports of the Norwegian manager being ruled out of the Celtic running. Rasmus Hojlund missed a penalty in Napoli’s hosting of Qarabag after scoring one in Denmark’s World Cup qualifier against Scotland, but Hampden hero Scott McTominay replicated his overhead kick with a less-spectacular acrobatic effort to give the Napoleons the lead. He also got the last touch before an own goal for the second in a 2-0 victory. Borussia Dortmund defeated Villareal 4-0 at Signal Iduna Park and Slavia Prague and Athletic Bilbao played out a 0-0 stalemate in Czechia to round off Tuesday’s fixtures. Liverpool were in the back pages for all the wrong reasons after losing 4-1 at Anfield to Eredevisie outfit PSV Eindhoven. Dominik Szoboslai cancelled out Ivan Perisic’s early opener just 15 minutes in, but second half goals from Guus Til and a double from Couhaib Driouech completed the rout as pressure grows on Arne Slot. It is the ninth defeat in 12 games for the Premier League champions. Arsenal boosted their credentials as a European powerhouse after they beat Bayern Munich 3-1 at the Emirates. Jurrien Timber gave the Gunners the lead before 17 year-old Lennart Karl levelled things before half time. Two second half goals eight minutes apart from Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli created a historic night for Arsenal as they lead both the Premier League and Champions League table. The same success could not be managed by the other side of North London, despite their best efforts. Spurs took the lead twice away to PSG with goals from Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani but both were responded to by former Wolves loanee Vitinha. Fabian Ruiz and Willian Pacho gave the competition holders breathing room before Kolo Muani haunted his former employers again. Vitinha would reaffirm PSG’s two goal lead with a penalty in the 76th minute to complete his hat-trick, however. In the early Wednesday kick-offs, Celtic’s old foes Kairat Almaty conceded to a goal from Hoops legend Henrik Larsson’s son, Jordan, scoring in a 3-2 home win that saw Almaty score twice late on. Cypriot side Pafos, who used to be managed by Dundee gaffer Steven Pressley, drew 2-2 at home to Monaco in a game which seen David Luiz become the second oldest scorer in the competition’s history. Olympiacos took the lead against Real Madrid but four goals from Kylian Mbappe got Los Blancos over the line in a 4-3 epic, whilst city rivals Atletico scored a last minute winner courtesy of Jose Gimenez to dispatch last season’s runner-ups Inter Milan 2-1. Sporting Lisbon beat Club Brugge 3-0 in the Portuguese capital and Atalanta won by the scoreline away to Eintracht Frankfurt to bring this week’s Champions League action to a close. The Champions League is back Tuesday 9th December for the last time this calendar year, and the editor’s choice of clashes to look out for are Inter vs Liverpool on Tuesday, and Real Madrid vs Manchester City on Wednesday.
Scottish Cup Third Round Preview
The Scottish Cup third round returns as some mouth-watering ties away in this round with the potential of some Scottish Cup shocks. Linlithgow Rose v Queens Park Lowland League outfit Linlithgow Rose welcome Championship side Queens Park on Friday night. The hosts sit fourth, just five point off league leaders, Clydebank. The lowland league side bowed out of the third round last season, losing 4-0 at home to Championship side Raith Rovers. The Spiders made it all the way to the final eight last season, losing out to Aberdeen after a 4-1 defeat at Pittodrie. Queens Park created history last season, knocking out giants, Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox, yet sit 8th this season, two points off bottom placed Airdrieonians. Raith Rovers v Alloa Athletic. Raith Rovers host League One side Alloa in which will be Dougie Imrie’s first match in charge at Stark’s Park since arriving from Morton. Alloa last campaign failed to make it past round two following a 3-2 defeat at Dumbarton. Raith however, they were knocked out in round five following a 5-0 defeat away to Celtic. Alloa sit third in League One as they hunt for a return to the Championship. Raith are currently sixth, four points out of the promotion spots. Stenhousemuir v Clachnachuddin Stenny welcome Highland League outfit Clachnachuddin. The League One side sit second just four points off leaders, Inverness as they aim for promotion to the second division for the first time in their history. The Clach sit second, just two points behind Brechin City and have been unbelievable as they look to create history. Clachnachuddin were defeated by Linlithgow Rose 3-0 last season to knock the Inverness based side out early doors. The hosts on Saturday were defeated in Round four with a 3-0 defeat against Dunfermline Athletic. Airdrieonians v Hamilton Championship side Airdrie welcome League One strugglers Hamilton. Both sides are facing their own battles as Airdrie sit bottom in their league as Accies face issues financially. Hamilton themselves sit fifth, just one point behind East Fife in League One. Last season, Airdrie dropped out in the fifth round after a 4-0 defeat at Dundee. Hamilton were defeated in the same round, losing out 1-0 at St Johnstone. Annan v Buckie Thistle Annan of League Two meet Buckie in the third round. Annan sit eighth in their league after a dire start to their campaign. Buckie are seventh in the Highland League after a shaky start to their season. Buckie were dumped out first round to Clydebank after losing 2-0 despite being on nine-men. Annan were defeated by Fraserburgh 2-0 in the same round as Buckie dream on pulling off another shock over Annan. Ayr United v Turriff United The first ever meeting between the Championship and Highland league sides. Ayr are third in the Championship as the Honest Men continue their battles for the title. Turriff have struggled in the Highland League this season as they sit 14th in the Breedon Highland League as they will need to be at their best if they’re to progress. Turriff were knocked out by 10-man Fraserburgh last campaign after a 3-1 defeat. A Round five defeat to Hibernian confirmed the fate of Ayr United last campaign. Banks O’Dee v Ross County Banks O’Dee welcome the Highlanders to Spain Park in the Scottish Cup. Banks O’Dee are sixth in the Highland League, 10 points off top spot with two games in hand. County have had a difficult return to the Championship as the Staggies sit 8th as they continue to struggle. Banks O’Dee were knocked out by Hamilton last season in a game they’d say they were very unlucky to lose. The Aberdeen side also shocked East Fife 1-0 in the process. The Staggies were put out instantly by Livingston, a 3-2 defeat in Dingwall. Benburb v Montrose Montrose travel to face junior side Benburb in the Scottish Cup. Benburb are the lowest ranked side remaining as they sit 12th in the West of Scotland first division. Montrose sit 8th in League One, just 6 points off of 10th placed, Kelty Hearts. The side from Govan didn’t appear to play in last year’s Scottish Cup, their last time in the Scottish Cup was 2022, losing out 2-0 to Wick Academy. Queens Park deflated the hope of Montrose, knocking out the Links Park side 3-2. Bonnyrigg Rose v The Spartans Lowland League title challengers, Bonnyrigg welcome League Two leaders The Spartans. Bonnyrigg Rose were relegated from League Two last season as they look to fight back to return. The Spartans are also having a great season so far, topping their league. Bonnyrigg were knocked out right away with a 3-1 defeat away to East Kilbride at K-Park. Spartans were also put out at the same time, a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Lowland League outfit, Cowdenbeath. Camelon Juniors v Edinburgh City Junior side, Camelon Junior sit fourth in the East Of Scotland Premier division as they go up against bottom of League Two, Edinburgh City despite the Cityzens point deductions earlier this season. Camelon Juniors were beaten at first attempt after a 1-0 defeat to Highland League opponents, Keith. Championship, Dunfermline were at the driving seat as they knocked out the League Two side following a 2-1 win last season. Dumbarton v Auchinleck Talbot The junior side who have made a big name for themselves in recent times make the trip to Dumbarton on Saturday. Auchinleck sit second in the Premier Division, five points off Troon who sit top despite three games in hand. The Sons’ sit 7th in League Two following relegation last season. Broxburn were the side which saw Auchinleck bow out last season as they hope for a better result this time around. Dumbarton had a slight run last campaign but Airdrie had other ideas and ended their Scottish Cup hopes. Dunfermline v Queen Of The South The Pars’ sit fifth in the Championship after an alright start to the season. The visitors sit 6th in the third division
PSG 5-3 Tottenham: Incredible Game Ends in a Win for Champions League Holders
An eight goal thriller in Paris saw PSG beat Tottenham 5-3 in an instant classic Champions League game tonight. The Champions League holders come into this game in 7th place in the League Phase with three wins and one loss after their last European game, losing 2-1 against Bayern Munich. Spurs are 12th in the League Phase with eight points with two wins and two draws after their last Champions League outing, a convincing 4-0 victory against Copenhagen. PSG made six changes to the team that won 4-0 against La Havre in Ligue 1. Marquinhos, William Pancho, Fabian Ruiz, Bradley Barcola, Quentin Ndjantou and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia all replace Illia Zabarnyi, Lucas Beraldo, Senny Mayulu, Lee Kang-In, Gonçalo Ramos and Ibrahim Mbaye. Tottenham made five changes to the North London Derby loss against Arsenal. Archie Gray, Pedro Porro, Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr and Randal Kolo Muani all come in for Kevin Danso, Destiny Udogie, Palhinha, Mohammed Kudas and Wilson Odobert. As the referee blew the whistle in the French capital it was the hosts who started the strongest as Joao Neves cut inside and Fabian Ruiz hit a powerful shot that went just wide. A few minutes later Spurs managed to break up the pitch with Bergvall but he didn’t connect with his cross properly and the ball went into the arms of PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. PSG had the upper hand in the early stages and came close again when Ndjantou played a quick 1-2 pass with Kvaratskhelia whose curling shot bounced just on the wrong side of the post. Another chance for the Parisian’s as Vitinha plays a dinked pass to Warren Zaire-Emery whose control lets him down allowing for Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario to punch the ball away. Spurs have a few minutes of pressure themselves winning a corner but it’s punched away by Chevalier and the chance is gone. Tottenham open the scoring against the run of play in the 35th minute a good run by Gray down the left, he received the ball from Djed Spence and he played a dinked cross to the back post that’s headed back across goal by Muani for Richarlison who tapped the ball in with his head. PSG got the equaliser right on the 45th minute, a short corner was played to Ndjantou who passed the ball square across the area to Vitinha who rifled the ball into the Spurs net. Tottenham took the lead again in the 50th minute a corner was sent to the back post headed back across by Richarlison, hit on the turn by Gray but his shot hit the bar and bounced back to Muani who hit the volley hard into the net. PSG tried to draw level again as Zaire-Emery’s cross was headed just over by Barcola. Just three minutes after Spurs went in front they were pegged back again Kvaratskhelia finds a bit of space on the edge of the box and finds Vitinha who curls in his second of the game. The Parisians got in front for the first time just before the hour mark as high pressure from sub Lucas Hernandez won the ball back and a flick from Neves played through Ruiz to slot home to make it 3-2. PSG got their 2 goal cushion a little over five minutes later from a corner whipped in by sub Kang-In and bobbles around the front post area as it falls to Pancho who side foots it in for 4-2. Spurs weren’t finished yet as they pulled one back when Vitinha lost the control of the ball to Rodrigo Bentancur who played in Muani for his second and Tottenham’s third. PSG were then awarded a penalty for handball as Vitinha had a shot blocked by the raised hand of the sliding Cristian Romero and the penalty was expertly converted by Vitinha for his first senior hat-trick. Just as the game was coming to an end it was finished with a sending off for PSG as Hernandez was given a straight red for a blatant elbow to the face of Spurs substitute Xavi Simons. This crazy game finally comes to an end with the score PSG 5-3 Tottenham, definitively one of the most entertaining Champions League games of all time. PSG Chervalier, Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Pancho, Mendes (Hernandez 46’ sent off 90+3’), Neves, Vitinha (Zabarnyi 90’), Ruiz, Barcola (Kang-In 56’), Kvaratskhelia (Dembele 79’), Ndjantou (Ramos 79’) Vitinha (45’, 53’, 76’ pen) Ruiz (59’) Pancho (65’) Tottenham Vicario, Porro, Gray (Palhinha 76’), van de Ven, Romero, Spence (Udogie 84’), Sarr (Odobert 84’), Bergvall (Kudas 76’), Bentancur, Muani (Simon’s 84’), Richarlison Richarlison (35’) Muani (50’, 73’)
“It Would Be So Lovely to Leave on a Good Note” – Martin O’Neill Second Celtic Chapter Set to Close
Interim Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is set to hand over the reins at Celtic Park to incoming replacement Wilfried Nancy after the Parkhead club’s next two matches against Feyenoord and Hibernian. The Northern Irishman took over after countryman Brendan Rodgers’ dramatic departure, and has steadied the ship amid turbulent off-field circumstances, which included an abandoned AGM. The 73 year-old has won three of his four matches so far, losing only to FC Midtjylland of Denmark in Europa League, in which they face Dutch side Feyenoord tonight. “Listen, I have no doubt that there is difficulty ahead of us, but it would be nice to do that.” O’Neill responded in a press conference ahead of tonight’s game when asked about leaving on a high. “We have this game [vs Feyenoord] and then the Hibs game at the weekend and seemingly, although I have not been told officially, from what I have heard, that will be it. “There are still things at the other end that have to be sorted out yet, but I think I am definitely here for this one and then Hibs. “So it would be lovely to leave on a good note. It seems like 10 points would be enough to see us through, so that means winning another two games. This will not be easy.” Celtic have picked up four points from as many games in the Europa League this season, with Wilfried Nancy’s European competition debut expected to be against Serie A leaders AS Roma on 11th December. O’Neill said that he is prepared to give the Columbus Crew manager advice, should the Frenchman want it. “I think one of the unfortunate things for the length of time I’ve been in is that I’ve not got to known all the players. “He has to win and he has to win right from the off. You’ve got to win. “Winning gives you a bit of respite, and then it gives you the chance to build a team in your manner, whatever that manner may be.” An official announcement from Celtic is expected over the weekend confirming the hire of Nancy and his assistant Kwame Ampadu from MLS side Columbus Crew. For Martin O’Neill, he faces Robin Van Persie’s Feyenoord at De Kuip before a potential last game at Easter Road to visit Hibernian. Wilfried Nancy could be in the dugout for Wednesday’s hosting of Dundee, kicking off a first full month in charge that would include a visit from league leaders Hearts, a cup final against St.Mirren and a derby clash against Rangers.
