Quotehe's right sided, correct?Originally Posted by eirebhoy
Jim O'Brien scored and was Celtic's motm against Peterborough tonight.
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.
Yeah and can also play up front. He didn't set the world alight at Dunfermline imo but Kenny wanted to make the move permanent.
/edit - his goal is in here:
http://www.letthepeoplesing.com/vide...ltic_goals_ssn
Last edited by eirebhoy; 14/07/2007 at 11:18 AM.
Cheers, nice finish. Comical defending for the equaliser.
I rarely saw O'Brien last season, didn't stand out to be honest, but didn't seem to be doing much wrong, if Kenny wanted to keep him on he must have seen something in him. He'll have some battle to get into the starting midfield at Celtic, there must be at least 8 players going for 4 positions
Pardew has quoted that he plans to kepp Any Reid at Charlton for the coming season... Not big news I know but it's indicative of a couple of nibbles for him.. Hopefully he moves on. I think any of the promote clubs or even the Fulhams and Wigans of the world could do much worse!
Update on Steven Reid's progress: http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/pa...072442,00.html
Interview with Jim O'Brien:
http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/hea...549350.0.0.php
Finnan signs new 3 year contract with Liverpool.
hello all
just a quick update from the leicetser Irish pre-season angle.
Logan, and new signing form reading, Jonathan Hayes have featured regularly in the build up and have both done well enough to travel on the clubs preseason tour of Scotland. Alan Maybury is transfer listed and has been left behind despite other listed players making the trip.
and remarkably, forgotten man Alan Sheehan has also been involved in the preseason games and played well in one game i watched against unibond side Quorn, interchanging between left back and left midfield and maknig 2 r 3 eyecatching passes. he has made the trip ahead of other left sided player Levi Porter, who was a first team regular last season, scoring several times.
also last season, leicester, pre Mandaric takeover, were on the brink of administraton again, and despite being in a relegation battle had to shed 4 first team regulars, yet through all this Alan Sheehan has remained a leicester player despite not having been in a matchday 16 all season, now on his 3rd manager he finds himself back in the mix, for now at least as there are more signings expected.
Welcome back crafty!!
thanks docWelcome back crafty!!
in tonights game v Partick Thistle, Leicesters only Irish involvement was Alan Sheehan, playing left midfield ahead of a summer signing.He was injured however and replaced on the hour, no word yet on how serious the injury is.
Logan was on the bench for Leicester.
Ipswich Town have released their squad numbers for the upcoming season: http://www.itfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page...078973,00.html
1.Shane Supple
5.Alex Bruce
7.Owen Garvan
14.Alan Lee
19. Jon Walters
21.George O'Callaghan
24.Billy Clarke
31. Michael Synnott
LUTON are set to move for Arsenal's Joe O'Cearuill after he impressed in a trial.
The defender, 20, has been told he can leave the Gunners after failing to break into the first team.
Hatters manager Kevin Blackwell is keen to sign defensive cover after the departure of centre-half Leon Barnett to West Brom
Leicesters squad numbers have been announced also,
Maybury doesnt get one at all, Conrad Logan gets 21, with other keeper Henderson getting 31, with Rab Douglas being omitted completely.
Jonathan Hayes gets 15 with Alan Sheehan getting nr 16.
Steven Reid back in training, but still a few weeks from playing, according to is diary: http://www.icons.com/reid/diary.html?26.07.07
Gareth McAuley (played 90 minutes) might disagree...thanks doc
in tonights game v Partick Thistle, Leicesters only Irish involvement was Alan Sheehan
Anyhow, do you know was Gareth given a squad number for the new season? Is he likely to feature in Mad Dog's plans?
Kevin O'Connor is going on loan to Gillingham from Wolves until the new year: http://www.wolves.premiumtv.co.uk/pa...080014,00.html
Trundle targets Republic call-up
From BBC Sport:
New Bristol City striker Lee Trundle has revealed he is determined to force his way into the international reckoning with the Republic of Ireland.
The Liverpool-born forward, who has an Irish grandfather, is set to complete his £1m move from Swansea on Monday.
He impressed when scoring on his City debut in a 2-2 home friendly draw with Yeovil Town on Saturday.
And afterwards, Trundle told BBC Sport: "I'd like to play at the highest level and that includes internationals."
The arrival of the prolific 30-year-old, who has a pop star girlfriend and dapper dress sense, has caused a real buzz around Ashton Gate.
At Swansea, where he was revered by fans, Trundle even secured his own image rights deal.
His grandfather is from Inchicore, a suburb of Dublin, and Trundle has dreamed of playing international football since he was a schoolboy.
He said Republic manager Steve Staunton was aware of his eligibility and will keep an eye on his progress in the second tier of the English game.
"I scored 20-plus goals a season four years running for Swansea and I believe in my own ability, otherwise I wouldn't have come to the Championship," said the 6ft frontman.
"I could have stayed in the comfort zone at Swansea but I had to take the chance to step up and prove myself at a higher level."
He has an amiable personality, good looks and is engaged to former Atomic Kitten pop star Liz McClarnon, a fellow Everton supporter.
She has been scouring the property pages of the Bristol Evening Post to find somewhere for them to settle in the city.
It is the latest step in Trundle's blossoming professional career, which only started at the age of 24.
Trundle's path so far has some parallels with former Republic of Ireland striker John Aldridge.
Both Liverpool-born strikers did not turn professional until their 20s, before making a big impression at Welsh clubs (Aldridge for Newport) and going on to rise through the divisions.
Staunton is not overloaded with options up front as he struggles to lead the Republic to qualification for Euro 2008 but Trundle is an interesting prospect.
"Steve Staunton knows I'm eligible to play and looked at the level I was at, scoring goals, so I now have to do it in the Championship," he added.
Trundle looked sharp as he scored and also set up City's equaliser against Yeovil and manager Gary Johnson is confident he can improve further.
"I'm pleased we've been able to get a top person," revealed Johnson.
"He loves training and playing football, he has ambition and enthusiasm and that's why I like him so much. He's a great individual but with a team ethic.
"He was Swansea's best player for four years so they weren't going to give him up lightly.
"I don't normally talk to people over 30, never mind sign them, but he has the ambition of a 25-year-old."
Trundle, who angered rival fans with an anti-Cardiff City T-shirt during one controversial post-match celebration with the Swans, clearly wants to keep his supporters in south Wales on side.
He commented: "There might be some fans who are sad that I left but I hope the majority look at what I've done for the club because Swansea is a city I would like to go back to for visits.
"I do think they will be in the Championship soon. I'll keep a look out for them because it's a club close to my heart."
2 years ago, maybe he would. Strikers were thin on the ground, and if one of Keane or Morrison was injured, or suspended, it was usually left to the Doc or Connolly to go up front.
this season, we can look to Keane, Doyle, Stokes, Long, Murphy, Connolly, Folan, even Macken, all in the Premiership
In the Championship, there's Morrison, Best, Elliot, Keogh, Ward, Lee all looking good, with Clarke, Rooney and Walters all with potential.
Trundle is 31 in October, the average age of those players listed about would be about 24-25, I think it's too late for him.
Gareth McAuley (played 90 minutes) might disagree...
Anyhow, do you know was Gareth given a squad number for the new season? Is he likely to feature in Mad Dog's plans?
the temptaton to poke you with the wind up stick is strong, at this moment in time EG,but strongly suspect the mods wouldnt deem it the appropriate place to do so, but with Gods help i will conquer this terrible affliction
yes, McCauley has been given nr.5 for the upcoming campaign and with one out one in thus far for the CB spots he does look like a player who will feature, particularly as the arrival is N'Gotty, who at 35 is unlikely to play every game.
and rightly so too, IMO, as Gareth has made the step up from league 2 comfortably enough, and even managed to look half decent at times in a poor poor side last year, got a goal in him too from the set piece.
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