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8500 fans occupied the cold North Stand for the "beamback", with many disappointed fans missing out. It seemed the sensible thing to do to televise both the Celtic and the Rangers away games but the BBC did not see it that way. Confusion reigned in one Celtic outlet where a fan on enquiring for tickets was astounded to hear the response "What beamback?". Celtic gave a good account of themselves in the first half and actually had 2 good chances and one half chance. In the first a cross from Moravcik to Hartson looked a good chance to head home, but Hartson instead brought the ball down, pushing it to a wide angle and shot with his left foot. It still troubled Canizarro, but a defender was there to help. Larsson found Petrov who had made a good run, beating the offside trap, but his control let him down. Larsson himself had a shot from distance which was held easily by the keeper. In the second half though, the onslaught began. With the defence failing to clear its lines and with the quick passing and movement of the Spanish team it was looking ominous with Vicente impressing down the left. Our star man was Rab Douglas who threw himself around the goal with a particularly impressive dive to touch one shot over the bar. It seemed the goal was coming and it did. Lennon stupidly handled outside the box. The players bunched together in the 18yard box but as the free kick was about to be taken Vicente drifted toward the 18 yard line with no marker in tow. He received the ball and turned driving the ball past Douglas. A lot of Celtic play smacked of desperation with some wild tackles going in, and in the second half their was an inability to keep possession. Mjallby had a great game in defence and Crainey showed he could cope at a higher level. There's no question Celtic are still in the tie with the crowd at Parkhead behind them, but Valencia's strength is the quick break so I would say we are still second favourites to go through. |