Celtic vs The Champions of Europe

Celtic vs The Champions of Europe

Battle of Britain part IIBonfire night at Celtic Park created a cracker of a match between two friendly rivals Ferguson and Strachan.The stage at Parkhead had been eagerly anticipating this second leg as Gordon Strachan was in search of revenge following the 3-nil drubbing at Old Trafford.The old master Fergie however had other plans, with one eye on Arsenal at the weekend, both in form Berbatov and Rooney were left on the bench in favour of Tevez and Gale Sayers Jersey Giggs. There were to be starts again for young Rafael as well as a return to action for 3rd choice keeper Ben Foster, who has been hampered with injury problems which have almost threatened his career at United.It was United who started the brightest of the two teams as they looked to stamp their authority on this match early on. Ronaldo went close with a volley and also a free-kick which whistled inches over the bar.However, it was to be Celtic who made the clinical breakthrough. Scott McDonald was played through the United defence on the edge of the penalty area in the 13th minute, and produced an exquisite lob over Ben Foster as United were caught ball watching.The goal brought the crowd to life and left United somewhat stunned. Being 1-nil up and playing at home, Celtic began to settle down and looked a lot more comfortable than they did a fortnight ago at Old Trafford.There seemed to be more desire as Celtic were not prepared to disappear from the European stage without a whimper. The team pre sed United hard, chasing down every ball as the players were given more freedom to attack and get in the Jonathan Bullard Jersey faces of United.United responded with numerous chances from set-pieces. Every corner they had could have ended up in the back of the net and could well have been 4-1 up on the half hour mark. A series of goal mouth scraps saw Ronaldo and Vidic go agonizingly close each time, as well as Rio Ferdinand blasting over the bar in the 6-yard box.Young Rafael, given his chance again on the European stage by Sir Alex failed to di sapoint and showed his quick attacking flare down the right wing as United went in search for an equaliser.Maloney went close for Celtic with a rocket to test stand in keeper Foster as both teams went at it toe-to-toe.Going in to half time 1-nil down, Sir Alex would have obviously told his players that the match was there for the taking.By playing with 1 striker on the pitch in the first half in Carlos Tevez, it left him isolated and having to work a lot harder than he usually does; Uniteds attack was seemingly 1 dimensional. Ferguson relpied to this after the break with Cody Whitehair Jersey the introduction of Dimitar Berbatov.As United pre sed hard for an equaliser in the second half, the last throw of the dice relied on both attack minded Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra.It worked well as the game developed in to a series of attack versus defence as United placed Celtic on the back front for most of the second half with efforts from Berbatov and Ronaldo.The game mirrored Liverpools antics the night before against Atletico Madrid as there was a sense that Celtic would crack under the pre sure eventually.It was sure to come and Cristiano Ronaldo hit a swerving, dipping shot in the 84th minute from outside the area which Celtic keeper Boruc could only parry into the path of the advancing veteran Ryan Giggs Cordarrelle Patterson Jersey who headed the ball in from close range.Giggs ran away to the travelling fans in celebration with a goal that was well deserved, and United didnt stop there.United built on this pre sure and carried on in search for a win, and Berbatov could have wrapped up proceedings in injury time with an effort which he scuffed wide of the post. The striker fell to the ground with his head in his hands in disbelief at having mi sed an easy chance to win it.This was to be the last touch of the game as the ref then blew for full time giving the teams the share of the points.A point seemed a fair result as the scoreline from Denmark filtered through that Aalborg had also drew there match against Villareal meaning there was every chance that Celtic could still qualify from their remaining matches.Ferguson now has one foot in the knockout stages and finishing top of this group must be high on his agenda. However this campaign will be put on hold for now as the struggling Gunners face a stern test as the Red Devils visit on Saturday.Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson, Hartley, Scott Brown, Robson, Maloney (ODea 75), McDonald (Hutchinson 81), Sheridan (Donati 63).Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Naylor, Nakamura, Caddis.Goals: McDonald 13.Manchester Utd: Foster, Rafael Da Silva (Evra 66), Ferdinand, Vidic, OShea, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Carrick, Nani (Berbatov 46), Tevez (Rooney 71), Giggs.Subs Devin Hester Jersey Not Used: Kuszczak, Anderson, Park, Evans.Booked: Nani.Goals: Giggs 84.Attendance: 58,903Referee: Tom Ovrebo (Norway)

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