Horror injury to McGeouch sours Celtic’s clash with Real

Published on 13/08/2012 07:56

EMILIO IZAGUIRRE last night admitted he couldn’t focus on playing Real Madrid because he was so worried about the horror injury suffered to Dylan McGeouch.

The Celtic kid suffered a broken jaw after a sickening clash with Madrid’s Nura Sahan.

Neil Lennon’s side eventually lost 2-0 to the Spanish champions.

But Honduran ace Izaguirre admitted he struggled to concentrate after the injury.

He said: “The heat affected us during the game, but the injury suffered to my friend Dylan McGeouch made it worse. It’s not pleasant to see a comrade who falls onto the ground with a broken jaw.

“After seeing what happened, it was hard to get back to playing football, but the important thing is that he gets better and makes it back soon with the team.”

Izaguirre would love to face Real Madrid again in a competitive game this season. He said: “My dream is to play Real Madrid in the Champions League. I want to play against them in the biggest competition in Europe.

“It was an important game to play them because it gets us up to pace for the Champions League qualifiers. And although we lost, we had five players who would have started normally, not able to play because of injuries.

“Celtic should be playing teams like Real Madrid in the Champions League. That’s what we have to aim for.”

Celtic confirmed McGeouch has been taken to hospital with a suspected broken jaw after being knocked unconscious during the match in Philadelphia, the 19-year-old having been caught late by a powerful aerial challenge by Nura Sahin and falling to the ground heavily at the Lincoln Financial Field.

Medical staff rushed on amid some urgent signals from players of both sides and McGeouch was carried off wearing a neck brace after more than five minutes of treatment.

And Celtic later announced on Twitter: “Dylan McGeouch has been taken to hospital with suspected jaw fracture.”

A useful workout for an under-strength Celtic, was overshadowed by the second-half injury to McGeouch,who had impressed with some composed possession play in right midfield.

There were other fitness problems for manager Neil Lennon, who also lost striker Anthony Stokes, who has been suffering with an ankle problem, in the warm-up, and fellow striker Daryl Murphy limped off during the first half.

There was a further minor scare late in the game, too, when defender Thomas Rogne needed treatment for what looked like a thigh problem.

Real won comfortably with a goal in each half by Jose Callejon and Karim Benzema, but Celtic were up against a strong Madrid squad who had put five goals past both Los Angeles Galaxy and AC Milan on their US tour and were able to bring on top internationals during the second half.

Lennon was without the likes of Fraser Forster, James Forrest, Scott Brown, Georgios Samaras and Victor Wanyama, while Gary Hooper remained on the bench. Youngsters Callum McGregor and Marcus Fraser both came on.

Celtic started brightly and Beram Kayal made a strong burst forward but shot against a defender when he should have played in Kris Commons.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka threatened before Callejon opened the scoring midway through the half.

Charlie Mulgrew, playing in left midfield, lost the ball and, with Kelvin Wilson dragged out of position, Xabi Alonso found Gonzalo Higuain in space on the edge of the box.

Rogne got a tackle in but the ball fell kindly for Callejon, who steered the ball out of the reach of Lukasz Zaluska.

Zaluska saved well from Ronaldo before Celtic had their best chance just before the break. Joe Ledley made a brilliant run from own half, rode two challenges and turned inside a defender but fired over the bar from 20 yards.

Real doubled their lead in the 67th minute. Mesut Ozil won the ball just inside his own half and played a brilliant crossfield pass to Benzema, who ran into the box and shot through the legs of Adam Matthews and in off far post.

McGeouch’s injury then put a dampener on the occasion and Celtic kept out Real in the latter stages.

Related Articles

• Real Madrid 2-0 Celtic: Weakened Celtic punch above weight in defeat

  IN WHAT was billed as their biggest glamour friendly in years, Celtic lost to Real Madrid in Philadelphia last night, but surely gained a huge confidence boost as their weakened team conceded just two goals and showed they could trouble a Spanish team full of superstars.

  134 Comments

• Martin Hannan: Emilio Izaguirre's attack mode proving a double-edged sword for Celtic defence

  Celtic's left-side wing back Emilio Izaguirre is currently taking English lessons three times a week in a bid to increase his familiarity with his adopted country.