Diarmuid O'Carroll scored the winner as Celtic beat Arbroath in a friendly -
Arbroath 0, Celtic 1
GAYFIELD’S BIGGEST crowd of the season so far were treated to an
entertaining and eventful friendly last night as the home side were unlucky to lose out by a single goal in a match where they gave as good as they got.
A mainly young Celtic side—bolstered by big-name players of the calibre of
Didier Agathe, Stephen Pearson, Ross Wallace and summer signing Adam Virgo—had to work hard to overcome a dogged and, at times, almost inspired Arbroath, to claim victory.
The Lichties had new signings Ian Dobbins and Pat Clarke on from the start
and Mark Peat came on to replace keeper Mark Cairns on the hour mark.
Frenchman Agathe’s flair, pace and accuracy were a constant threat to the
home defence, who breathed a sigh of relief when he was replaced at half time.
Taking charge of the visitors last night was Hoops legend, and former
Arbroath boss, Danny McGrain, who received a warm welcome back to Gayfield.
Arbroath seemed the more determined with Clarke and Davidson both testing Michael McGovern while, at the other end, a rasping Ryan Conroy free kick from all of 35 yards grazed Cairns’ crossbar.
On 26 minutes, McGovern suffered a nasty, but completely accidental, knock to his face as he dived to deny Jay Stein a scoring opportunity, and he was replaced by Sandy Wood.
Celtic took the lead on 74 minutes when Nicholas Riley slipped the ball
through for O’Connell to beat Peat from close range, after he had launched
himself on a fine solo run.
Arbroath had chances to level the score and, to their credit, never gave up
against their full-time SPL opponents, but the equaliser was not to be
forthcoming.
Attendance—871.
Arbroath—Cairns (Peat 60), McMullen (Reilly 84), Watson, Bishop (McCormack
45), Dobbins, Black (Smith 66), Millar (Cook 79), Davidson, Brazil, Clarke,
Stein (Warren 78). Sub not used—Rennie.
Celtic—McGovern (Wood 26), Virgo, O'Dea, Quinn, Cuthbert, Pearson (Riley
45), Agathe (McPartland 45), Gardyne (Harris 80), O'Carroll (McGlinchy 80),
Conroy (Mulgrew 60), Wallace.
Referee—Willie Hornby.
