Celtic Tame Roar in Festive Friendly

Celtic football club, showed class and finesse to dispatch a disappointing Brisbane Roar 3-0, in front of 31,340 fans at Suncorp Stadium.

Two goals from New Zealand striker Chris Killen, and a third from Japanese superstar Koki Mizuno, powered the boys from Glasgow to a resounding victory in front of a crowd that came from far and wide.

Fans from Scotland, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia among others, took the rare chance to watch Celtic Down Under, and the team didn’t disappoint them.

Lee Naylor, rampaging down the left wing for Celtic, put in the perfect cross for Chris Killen to prod home the opener in the 39th minute.

Only three minutes later, some lovely build up, and a superb cutback from Celtic captain Scott McDonald, allowed Killen to score his second, when he slotted the ball into the bottom right corner of the Roar net.

After changing four players at half time, Celtic took no time at all to regain their rhythm, scoring a classic goal just 5 minutes after the break.

Andreas Hinkel made a fantastic run down the right hand side, before crossing to ball to Koki Mizuno who met it with a diving header to clinch the game for Celtic.

Celtic made four more changes after this goal, and the game evened out with Brisbane Roar playing some entertaining football.

Isaka Sernak made some skilful runs after he came on as a 59th minute substitute for the Roar, and Brisbane Striker Sergio Van Dijk played well at times up front, without troubling the Celtic keeper.

New Celtic signing Marc-Antoine Fortune had a relatively quiet debut, but he pleased the incoming Celtic manager Tony Mowbray.

“He showed how strong he can be. How well he holds the ball up. We are very conscious of the fact he’s done no training with us. We signed him the day before we came, but we have no fear about his quality,” said Mowbray.

Brisbane Roar captain Craig Moore was philosophical about his team’s defeat, realising the importance of the game for both teams in their pre-season preparations.

“It’s a great stadium and the crowd created a great atmosphere. I think it was important for us as far as our first real decent hit out. It’s probably come at a good time. The last few games we’ve been a little bit flat, and there was a completely different tempo out there,” said Moore.

“It was important for Celtic as well, because they’ve got a few important games coming up, a Champions League qualifier on the 28th, so they’ll be pleased with there hit out as well.”

Brace scorer Chris Killen was also well pleased with his pre-season form and looking forward to a good season up front for Celtic, hopefully alongside Australian Scott McDonald.

“Being such a big club there is competition for places all around the field, we’ve got four good strikers at the club, and plenty coming through, so I’ve got to keep on my toes, work hard and keep my head down,” said Killen.

Premier Anna Bligh was on hand to award the ‘Roar against Racism’ trophy to victorious captain Scott McDonald, who didn’t disappoint fans staying behind after the match to sign autographs and pose for photos.

The Celtic v Roar game seemed to be a success for all, particularly the multitude of fans that travelled from all over the world to watch their football team win a thoroughly entertaining match.