celts gather pace with posh win

Gregor Kyle
AS the preseason programme continues to gather pace, Gordon Strachan’s side received a genuine physical test in the shape of Peterborough United, with Scott McDonald and Jim O’Brien’s goals earning the 2-1 win.

Celtic initially took time to warm to the task at London Road, with McDonald’s 19th minute opener and first goal in Celtic colours cancelled out by Aaron Mclean just three minutes later.

But as half-time approached, the Scottish champions began to get to grips with the game and in the opening period of the second half, they blitzed their English opponents, with O’Brien rattling home the sweetest of right foot finishes in the 53rd minute.

The Celtic youngster was in fact a stand-out in this match, with on-trial Calgiari playmaker Andrea Capone also showing some nice touches on the opposite flank.

O’Brien actually set-up Celtic’s first chance with just one minute on the clock, with his dipping free-kick screwed wide on the turn by McDonald.

The little Australian covered almost every square inch of the park during the course of the 90 minutes and in the latter stages of the game was a constant thorn in the Posh’s side, having two efforts chopped-off for offside.

However a ball swung in from the right, that was knocked down by Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink in the 19th minute, allowed him the room to turn and drill a perfect low finish beneath goalkeeper Mark Tyler from seven yards out.

A defensive mix-up and scramble in the penalty box allowed Peterborough back into the game just three minutes later, with Rene Howe’s lay-off running through to Mclean who produced a side-footed finish from close range to level.

There were other chances for Peterborough in the wake of the goal, with Jamie Day stinging the palms of Mark Brown with a dipping volley. But as half-time approached, Celtic had the bit between their teeth and with Gordon Strachan making no changes during the interval, they took control after the restart.

Attacking in waves, Celtic penned in a home side, who in contrast had been completely changed at half-time by manager Darren Ferguson and the goal that followed in the 53rd minute was one of outstanding quality.

Jim O’Brien had shown some great touches throughout this match, at one point nut-megging his marker on the right as he took control of a long ball, but his winning strike was undoubtedly the highlight.

The ball arrived to him at the edge of the box and in one movement, the 20-year-old stepped onto the ball and placed a beautifully measured right-foot shot with the outside of his boot into the bottom corner.

With Celtic making changes late in the match and with the ‘new’ Peterborough line-up having found the pace, the home side succeeded in exerting some late pressure.

But the Scottish champions finished well and Gordon Strachan is likely to be pleased with the aptitude, ability and growing fitness of his players.

Preseason Friendly
Friday, July 13, 2007
London Road, Peterborough

PETERBOROUGH UNITED… 1
(Mclean 21)

CELTIC… 2
(McDonald 19, O’Brien 53)
WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Jim O’Brien

(1st half)
CELTIC (4-4-2) Brown; Wilson, Pressley, McManus, Naylor; O’Brien, Brown (Hartley 68), Donati (Jarosik 68), Capone (Bjarnason 75); Vennegoor of Hesselink (Killen 68), McDonald.
PETERBOROUGH (4-4-2) Tyler; Gnakpa, Lee, Charnock, Day; Whelpdale, Hyde, Keates, Low; Mclean, Howe.
(2nd half)
PETERBOROUGH (4-4-2) Jalal; Gain, Boyd, Newton, Blackett, Strachan, Crow, Day, Branston, Potter, Benjamin.