Killen scores as Celticboro beat Barnsley

All five former Celtic players were in the Middlesbrough team tonight as Gordon Strachan celebrated his 53rd birthday with a 2-1 home win over Barnsley.

Scott McDonald made his 'Boro debut but it was Chris Killen that opened the scoring in the 24th minute.

The win takes Strachan's side to within two points of Leicester City who are sitting in the fourth play-off position and will be a big relief for Strachan.

Middlesbrough's form has been less than inspiring since the Celtic boss took over from Gareth Southgate but after a taking full advantage of the January transfer window it is now without doubt his team on the park.

Stephen McManus made his Riverside debut while Barry Robson and Willo Flood have established themselves as regulars in midfield.

McDonald's goals will be crucial if Middlesbrough are to make it into the play-off's with Strachan looking forward to working with the striker for the third time.

The Boro boss said: “McDonald is a striker that scores. I've realised over the last year that people call themselves strikers without striking. Scott lives up to what he's called - a striker.

“He scored regularly for Motherwell and he scored in many big games for Celtic. His record says he has earned the right to call himself a striker.

“You can't build a team around one man, that's been proved before. Without Adam Johnson, we have to be a more rounded team and it's the same with Scott.

“We can't rely only on him. If you do that and the player is unavailable for whatever reason then it's not worth us turning up. That can't happen.

“As I keep saying, we have to be a more rounded team. We have to keep working hard and if we get a bit of luck then life will be easier."

“What the new strikers do is create competition, it tells everyone that to get a game they've got to play their best.”

The other group of former Celts at Swindon also had a successful night beating Oldham 4-2 at home to remain in a play-off spot from League One.

On-loan Simon Ferry was joined by Scott Cuthbert and Jon-Paul McGovern as Danny Wilson's side claimed all three points.

Shunsuke Nakamura expecting to quit Espanyol to return to Japan

Shunsuke Nakamura is poised to move back to Japan from Espanyol.

Coach Mauricio Pocchetino has informed the former Celtic midfielder that he doesn't feature in the clubs long term plans and is willing to release him to Japan.

"Nakamura is a big player, but his problem has been adapting to Spain," said the Espanyol coach.

"Then he can also not communicate with his team-mates and because of this it has been hard for him to offer good performances."

Nakamura barely spoke any English whilst playing for Celtic but with a club that dominated matches his football certainly did the talking.

Espanyol seem less willing to let Naka do his own thing with the parting of the ways expected shortly.

Sadly it seems that the wear and tear of four seasons in the SPL complimented by regular long-haul international trips have left the midfielder drained.

The 31-year-old had been expected to return to Japan after ending his Celtic contract in May but a long standing wish to sample Spanish football proved too much to resist.

Middlesbrough had put in a bid to take Nakamura on loan during the January transfer window but that was turned down by the Barcelona club.

Nakamura is expected to return home to the J-League when the new season begins next month.

Revealing insight from Tony Mowbray

After yesterday's 4-2 win at Dunfermline Tony Mowbray gave a relaxed and revealing interview to Radio Scotland's Jim Spence.

Most of Mowbray's recent press duties have been defensive and confrontational but Dundonian Spence put some enthusiasm into his questions and got  interesting answers from the Celtic boss.

For the first time Mowbray hinted at some concerns from the decision makers at Celtic but remained focussed and confident that a successful team was beginning to evolve.

There were no stock answers about taking defeats 'on the chin' but an interesting insight into his thoughts as he attempts to create and build a successful team against a mixed reaction from supporters concerned about falling ten points behind a Rangers side flirting with financial disaster.

Mowbray said: “I'm sure that the people that make the real key decisions at this football club can see what is developing.

“I hope that Celtic supporters and the extended Celtic family can see what we're trying to build here.

“While there is a certain amount of hysteria at times about what is going on I'm very confident about what we are building.

“The signs were there, when we are in possession of the ball and going forward this team can be exciting.

“I have great belief in the group, we were disappointed that we couldn't bring in a one or two players in the window.

“You have to have quality all over the pitch, at this moment we have a young 18-year-old centre half (Josh Thompson), we did try to strengthen in that area during the window but it didn't quite happen for us.

“We will get there. It's a longer term plan, once you build something with solid foundations you will find longevity of success.

“That's what we're trying to do here, the ingredients are coming together, they don't click overnight.

“I understand the hysteria around defeats but I try to build football clubs from a base of strength, you do that by bringing in quality players”

Celtic's attacking options were impressive yesterday but equally the defending was a concern.

Wholesale changes have been made across the back four over the last three games with Darren O'Dea, Lee Naylor, Scott Brown and Edson Braffheid all playing at left-back at some point.

Mowbray acknowledged the problems and difficulties in that area and is determined to get the team playing together as an effective unit.

He added: “There was some good and bad from us today, we have to set our standards as high as we can high.

“At times we were in total control and looked like scoring at will but other times we let our standards slip.

“The signs were there, when we are in possession of the ball and going forward this team can be exciting.

“At the other end of the pitch we have work to do, we had a few changes, we missed Hooiveld today, he brings composure to the back line

“Robbie Keane has genuine class, if you can add can add class to any hard working, talented football team, that little bit of class makes a difference.

“He ignited the team, it might not be any individual thing that he does but just by the cleverness of his movement, his little touches create space for others to do the damage.”
Evening Herald Celtic report

Radio Scotland interview

Ras- the ultimate predator

“I'm a striker and most of my goals are scored in the box. I am a box player, I like to be in the box."

Reading that quote from Morten Rasmussen as he joined Celtic I thought 'Great, a penalty box striker'.

Wrong. Rasmussen isn't a penalty box striker- he's a six yard box striker.

Three goals, yip, I'll credit him unofficially with the third goal today at Dunfermline, in 139 minutes is a fantastic return at any level. With all three goals coming from within the six yard box it's even better.

Weaving the prettiest of patterns will always be pleasing on the eye but without the ball ending up in the back of the net all the possession in the world is pointless as Arsenal found out again at Chelsea today.

The direction of the Celtic team under Tony Mowbray is unclear but without doubt he has uncovered a gem of a striker in Rasmussen.

None of his 'three' goals will ever feature in a goal of the season, or of the month, competition but having someone hovering around in the penalty box with the instinct to find the ball and lose defenders is priceless.

Rasmussen looks capable of linking play up as well, giving midfielders a target to aim for, but all the time his aim is to be on the end of the move to put the ball in the net.

The third Celtic goal today at Dunfermline was the perfect example of a predator. Rasmussen found space as Robbie Keane steadied himself to shoot but the ball broke off the keeper. Rasmussen didn't let his head go down, he hung around and as the ball was crossed back into the six yard box his presence panicked Callum Woods into putting the ball into the net.

There were real signs of a partnership and understanding forming between Keane and Rasmussen during the second half with Diomansy Kamara linking well with both players and looking a serious goal threat himself.

With all three players finding the net there will be a sense of anticipation and excitement about the game with Hearts on Wednesday although Jim Jefferies could be using the same words as he looks at the Celtic defence.

Landry N'Guemo finished today's match at right back just as Scott Brown had came on at left-back in the defeat at Kilmarnock.

Getting the balance and mix right at the back is vital if Mowbray's side are to make the most of their attacking options- till then it's hold on tight for a white knuckle ride that requires four straight wins over Hearts, Aberdeen, Dundee United and Rangers to make a fight of things in the SPL.
Evening Herald Celtic report