Dunfermline 2 - 4 Celtic: Robbie Keane endeavour helps vulnerable Celtic shake off Fifers

Published on Sunday 7 February 2010 23:21

QUALITY finally prevailed and triumphed over perspiration at East End Park. But Celtic could not quite shake off an aspect of vulnerability against First Division opposition, and had to rely on Robbie Keane's energetic contribution from the substitute's bench.

What has Dermot Desmond got for his first installment of 65,000? A week on from his move on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, Keane can reflect on one-and-a half-game's work and the return of one goal – from the penalty spot. Rugby Park on Wednesday, and now East End Park. Keane's unlikely tour of venerable Scottish football stadiums continued, but his luck improved.

Greg Fleming, the Dunfermline goalkeeper, looked to have continued where Cammy Bell left off for Kilmarnock on Tuesday night. Twice he thwarted Keane with good saves, but was left exposed after referee Charlie Richmond penalised Austin McCann for a challenge on the Irish striker on the edge of the six-yard box. The left-back looked to have played the ball, but Richmond was at least consistent. He pulled up players for such challenges from behind all afternoon, whether the ball had been played or not. Keane needed no invitation to take the award, and slammed it into the net at the away end. It meant the Celtic fans had the best possible view of the first sighting of his trademark celebration in Scotland.

Instead of tumbling out of the cup, Celtic cart-wheeled their way to victory. But it had looked rather desperate for Tony Mowbray midway through the first-half. For almost 20 minutes Celtic trailed, having earlier taken the lead through a sweet strike from Diomansy Kamara. Dunfermline levelled a minute later, abruptly silencing those away fans who might have thought their troubles were now at end.

It grew worse for them too, with Paul Caddis penalised by Richmond for a two-handed budge into the back of David Graham as the Dunfermline striker sought to connect with a cross. Andy Kirk converted the penalty, and again Celtic suffered for their season-long tendency to concede cheap goals.

But this is not to take away from the part played by Dunfermline in claiming them. They harried Celtic all afternoon, and in Alex Burke had a willing outlet for possession. Graham and Kirk were an effective front partnership too, and perhaps sensed the chance to profit at the expense of a Celtic defence still enduring operational difficulties. In fact, the whole Celtic side remains very much a work in progress.

Mowbray again listened to his attacking instincts, and made the decision to line-up in what looked like a 4-3-3 formation. It often became 4-2-4 as the visitors poured forward. This approach looked foolhardy. It was a game Celtic were expected to win, but they could also not contemplate failure. Even though both Keane and Aiden McGeady were named among the substitutes, Mowbray's side still packed an attacking punch.

Rasmussen was restored to the starting line-up, with Kamara and Georgios Samaras urged to play off him. Full-backs Caddis and new arrival Edson Braafheid were also cast as auxiliary forwards at times, and needed little encouragement to hurtle up the flanks. Celtic reaped a dividend from such a ploy, with both of their opening goals stemming from fine work from Braafheid. But they also paid for the tendency to attack in such numbers. Dunfermline sourced both their first-half strikes from moves down Celtic's left, where Braafheid was posted missing.

But the left-back distinguished himself after 19 minutes with the cross which led to Celtic's opening goal. Samaras collected the ball in the middle, but could only plant a shot against the underside of the crossbar. Dunfermline failed to clear the danger and Kamara took the opportunity to sweep home from the edge of the box.

The Celtic fans erupted but had hardly settled in their seats again before the hosts equalised. Nick Phinn made a fine intrusion down the right, and when he whipped in a cross Graham reacted quickest. He beat Caddis to the ball, and stroked a shot into the net. Artur Boruc was well beaten, just as he was five minutes later. Caddis was penalised for a nudge from behind on Graham, and Kirk converted from the spot.

The nightmare scenario had begun to unfold for Mowbray, ten years after John Barnes had seen his Celtic tenure ended by a defeat in the Scottish Cup to First Division opposition. But the manager needed only to look over his shoulder for some comfort. On the bench behind him sat Keane and McGeady. But it was the less acclaimed Rasmussen who rescued the visitors, stabbing home the equaliser just three minutes before the break. Once again Braafheid had done well to make it to the bye-line. His cross was headed towards goal by Scott Brown, and following another goalmouth melee Rasmussen pounced. The Dane's first effort was blocked by Fleming, but he made no mistake from the rebound.

It had been a thrilling half in which Celtic rarely looked comfortable. But the suspicion that Dunfermline's chance had gone could not be avoided. Their inability to hold on to the lead until half-time meant Celtic could not only regroup at the interval, but also send on a multi-million pound man with a mission. Keane was desperate to open his account for Celtic, perhaps too desperate. Fleming blocked one effort after a solo run into the box, and came out on top again when one-on-one with the striker. But this led to Celtic's third goal, with Kamara the provider. He picked up the ball on the right and sent in a cross which the unfortunate Callum Woods turned into his own net, when under pressure from Rasmussen. The Dane, as expected, later claimed to have got the final touch.

There was no mistaking the identity of the scorer of Celtic's fourth and final goal. Keane slammed his penalty past Fleming, and celebrated in familiar fashion.

Dunfermline: Fleming, Woods (Ross 81), Bell, McGregor, McCann, Gibson, Dowie, Phinn (Cardle 69), David Graham, Kirk (Holmes 74), Burke. Subs not used: Paterson, Willis.

Celtic: Boruc, Caddis (Zhi 69), Loovens, Thompson, Braafheid, N'Guemo, Brown, Crosas (Keane 45), Kamara (McGeady 66), Samaras, Rasmussen. Subs not used: Zaluska, Rogne.