Celtic just beat the Rangers. Preview of next July in Mass.?

[Captain Hilts]

Are Susan Boyle's whereabouts accounted for?

http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2959192/Celtic-2-Rangers-1.html

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2010/05/04/spl-celtic-2-rangers-1-86908-22233774/

CELTIC stand-in boss Neil Lennon boosted his chances of landing the Parkhead job on a permanent basis after claiming victory from his first Old Firm derby in charge.

Lee Naylor opened the scoring for the Hoops before Kenny Miller levelled for Rangers.

Marc Antoine Fortune restored the advantage on the stroke of half-time with what proved to be the winner before Lee McCulloch saw red in the last minute.

Lennon made five changes for his first Old Firm derby as Celtic interim boss.

Mark Wilson appeared to be preferred to Josh Thompson in the heart of defence after Glenn Loovens failed to recover from injury.

Robbie Keane, Landry NGuemo, Lee Naylor and Diomansy Kamara were also drafted into the side for the visit of Rangers.

The Scottish champions had a more familiar look after the weekend with Allan McGregor back in goal and Miller, McCulloch, Steven Whittaker, Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davis also starting.

Rangers were dealt a blow early on when McGregor was injured while defending a Naylor corner and left the pitch on a stretcher after five minutes.

Unfortunately for replacement keeper Neil Alexander, his first task was to pick the ball out of the net when Celtic took the lead three minutes later.

Naylor stepped up for the free-kick after a Steven Naismith foul on Aiden McGeady and his low shot was helped into the bottom corner by a deflection off David Weir.

Rangers could have hit back but Miller's cross from the left was stabbed wide by Lafferty.

The game was becoming increasingly fiery and Kevin Thompson picked up the first yellow card before being followed into the book by McCulloch.

Celtic were dominating and had the chance to pile on the pressure again with another free-kick but this time Alexander was able to gather Naylor's shot.

...

Then, with 53 minutes gone, Celtic were also forced to change goalkeepers.

Boruc had picked up a hand injury late in the first half which appeared to be causing a problem and he was replaced by Lukasz Zaluska.

...
The match ended in controversy when McCulloch was dismissed in the final minute for a second yellow for a foul on McGeady.

[MrCoffee]

1. I love that Rangers brought Nacho Novo into the game

That's such an awesome nickname.

[Captain Hilts]

2. Yeah, id'n it? A Boston Globe article has pissed off the Rangers and they're pouting.

But they need the cash as much as Celtic does, so they'll come to Mass.

http://www.irishcentral.com/sport/Celtic-versus-Rangers-Boston-friendly-in-doubt-over-Boston-Globe-article-92768154.html

he proposed exhibition game between Glasgow Celtic and Glasgow Rangers, due to be played on July 21 at Fenway Park, is in some doubt after comments in a Boston Globe newspaper article.

The article alluded that Rangers’ supporters were in some part culpable for the 1971 Ibrox Disaster, in which 66 fans were crushed to death.

The recently crowned 2010 SPL champions took offense to the following excerpt:

"Most notably, disaster struck at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium in 1971 following a crush-barrier failure. It is widely accepted that the tensions between Celtic and Rangers fans played a major part in the 66 deaths."

An official inquiry into the disaster ruled that it was the failure in the stairwell barriers that caused the tragedy.

Rangers’ chief executive Martin Bain released the following statement about the proposed trip to Beantown: "In relation to the match against Celtic, the club is far from having anything confirmed and while we have received an extremely positive letter from the Mayor of Boston looking forward to our visit to the city, this is somewhat premature as we are still considering other pre-season options,” he said.

"It is extremely disappointing that comments in the Boston Globe do not reflect the Mayor of Boston's invitation letter to the club."

Rangers Supporters Assembly club vice president Ross Blyth was not so diplomatic, and argues that the friendly would pose more problems that it is worth. "I would urge the club to look elsewhere. There are plenty of teams we could play," he said. "Rangers were never going to be very popular in Boston anyway so this is just an indication of the kind of hassle we could face. It's difficult to try to change people's perceptions. The team, the club and the fans could do without the hassle."

...

[MrCoffee]

4. What brainless douchebag wrote that article?

Here's his weasel apology

http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/blog/2010/04/message_from_ma.html?comments=all#readerComm

[joeybee12]

3. No, the Celtic(s) beat the Cavaliers...

...big upset.

[Captain Hilts]

5. Woo hoo!

Capt. Hilts owned one share of the limited partnership of the Celtics.

Framed on my wall.

[joeybee12]

6. Cash it in after they win it all again this year!!! n/t