FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.02.2008 10:12

Celtic’s winning ways

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Over recent weeks Celtic have had a run of 8 straight victories, six in the Scottish Premier League and two in the Cup, scoring 23 goals in the process and conceding just two.

Glasgow Celtic come into their Champions League tie with Barça on the back of an excellent run of 8 victories in a row and a 100% record in 2008. However, despite six successive wins in the Premier League Gordon Strachan’s men are still second 4 points behind Rangers.

After qualyfing for the knockout stages of the Champions League, the Scottish outfit has played twelve games, ten in the League and two in the Cup, with the fabulous record of nine wins, two draws and just one defeat away at lowly Inverness (3-2).

On a roll in the SPL

Celtic are on a roll of 6 straight victories in the Scottish League. Gordon Strachan’s men began their winning streak at Dundee (0-2) before winning their next two matches at Celtic Park against Gretna (3-0) and Kilmarnock (1-0). Back on the road they won at Falkirk (0-1) and thrashed Aberdeen (1-5). In their last game before meeting Barça in the Champions League, Celtic strolled to a 3-0 home win against Hearts.

In the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup

Two out of Celtic’s eight victories have seen them reach the quarter-finals of the Cup. In the fourth round they had a competent win over Stirling Albion (3-0) and in the fifth round disposed of Kilmarnock (1-5).

McDonald, the goalscorer; McGeady, the sensation

Two of the reasons for Celtic’s winning streak are the goals of Australian Scott McDonald (six in the last four games) and the emergence of Aiden McGeady who at the age of 21 has become the young sensation of the Scottish outfit.

Scott McDonald has a tally of 18 goals in the League and alongside Dutchman Jans Vennegor of Hesselink leads Celtic’s line. McDonald is also coming into the match with Barça in great goal scoring form as he has found the back of the net in four matches in a row, with four goals in the League and two in the Cup.

Aiden McGeady, aged just 21, has become a key figure in Strachan’s side through his skill and ability to create danger down the left. McGeady made his debut for Celtic in 2004 and is now one of the idols of the Celtic Park faithful.

But Gordon Strachan has other quality players available including goalkeeper Boruc, Japanese midfielder Nakamura who’s a free-kick specialist, and centre backs Caldwell and McManus.