Hoops Make Hard Work Of Pars!

Keane Penalty Seals 4-2 Victory…

Robbie Keane came off the Celtic bench to stick away a penalty in the 68th minute and put the Hoops through to the next round of the Scottish Cup.

But it was a real harem-scarem performance from the Bhoys.

Mogga made seven changes from the Killie game with Caddis, Braafheid, Thompson, Crosas, Samaras and Rasmussen all starting.

And it took the Bhoys only 20 minutes to take the lead with Diomansky Kamara shooting home from the left.

Anyone thinking that would signal a Celtic goalfest was sadly mistaken. Only 73 second later the Pars were level. Thompson left for dead out on the right before Graham slotted past the Holy Goalie.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Dunfermline went 2-1 in front when Charlie Richmond awarded them a soft penalty after Paul Caddis appeared to ‘push’ Graham at the back post.

That seemed to shake the Hoops back into life.

Morten Rasmussen, in from the start, grabbed a much needed equaliser after the Pars keeper blocked his first shot.

2-2 at half-time was certainly a coupon-buster but more importantly for Celtic it highlighted our defensive deficiencies.

Mogga threw on Robbie Keane for Marc Crosas as Celtic began  to take control of the game. Keane had a great chance to put the Bhoys ahead but hit the keeper’s legs.

But Celtic weren’t to wait too long before restoring the lead. In 59 minutes Calum Woods was forced to put the ball through his own net after pressure from Rasmussen just two yards from goal.

Less than ten minutes later the tie was all but over when Robbie converted his spot kick after he was bundled to the ground in the home side’s box.

So, Celtic progress, but not without some scary moments.

Pluses and there are few, must be Edson Braafheid’s debut and Morten Rasmussen’s penalty box threat. Other than that……..

(Oh aye, three of Tony’s new Bhoys getting on the score sheet)

Click here to see Robbie’s goal