man city v Celtic

City ended their pre-season games with a win at last - against Celtic. The visitors had brought along plenty of support as expected. It was the first time I had seen them play.and we achieved the same result as the last occasion I watched their rivals Rangers play City in Manchester way back in 1946. Then 48,000 flocked to Maine Road. Today we never reached 30,000 ! I really thought we would get a bigger crowd for the home debuts of our new signings. It was good to see our ex players ( Flood, Samaras and Killen) and all three of them put in good displays
The game itself was a typical friendly. Not too many crunching tackles and neither keeper had saves to die for! While the midfield and attack now looks promising with some nice link up plays the defence still has a question mark against it. The injury to Toure early on does not help so a new signing is essential. Adebayor's reactions need speeding up but Tevez and Bellamy look full of effort. Robinho was just ... Robinho. Gareth Barry looks a really good buy.
Roll on next Saturday- cant wait!

The Celtic supporters were in full voice in passionate support of their team

A local pipe and drum band made a brief appearance before the start

Bellamy lead the attack with both Tevez and Adebayor being on the bench. Celtic fielded three ex City players - Flood, Killen and Samaras

Gareth Barry was soon in the thick of the action

Robinho tries a header !

Zaluska just manages to beat Bellamy to the ball to clear

Celtic clear a City corner

After 15 minutes Toure passed to Zabaleta who crossed the ball.......

..... for Gareth Barry to dash between two defenders and volley the ball past the Celtic keeper to give City the lead

A Celtic attack by McCourt and Killen is blocked by and Toure is injured......

..... and it was a bit worrying to see him go off after such a short time

Come on Robby it just wasn't leg before !
- oops wrong game

Samaras watches Given tipping over a header from O'Dea from a corner

Dunne clears from Killen

Celtic drew level after 24 minutes . Samaras was the provider- his excellent through pass found Dunne leaden footed and Killen raced through to give Given no chance

On 27 minutes lack of control by Ireland cost the chance of City going ahead again

Craig Bellamy was giving the Celtic keeper plenty to think about as he went about the business of proving to the manager he deserved a place in the side

Captain of the team Richard Dunne in action for City against O'Dea and Samaras
- but for how much long we wonder!

The thin yellow line

SWP and Bellamy contest the ball

City supporters gasp as Willo Flood dispossess Robinho and takes off towards goal

Ben Haim tackles Killen

Robinho fails with an effort

Gareth Barry has a shoulder to lean on !

Celtic's Japanese wingmen Koki Mzuno puts across a dangerous cross which was fortunately diverted by Ben Haim away from Killen

The keeper saves from SWP

A Robinho run down the left flank is thwarted by Caddis

Given saves at the feet of Mzuno

Five minutes into the second half Bridge put over a great cross field pass which found Bellamy......

The Welshman beat O'Dea and beat Zaluska to give City the lead

He looks very fit and raring to go for the new season.

A mazy dribble by McCourt beat several City defenders but his dangerous cross just failed to be converted by Killen

Samaras had a shot saved by Given after 57 minutes

We had our first look at Adebayor when he came on for De Jong in the second half

After 66 minutes the moment everybody was waiting for came when Bellamy was substituted by Carlos Tevez. I cannot remember a previous occasion when an ex-United player was given such a big welcome. He had a standing ovation!

He was soon in action giving the visitors a few problems and showing no signs of his recent injury

A Danny Fox free kick is saved by Given

We had a few minutes to enjoy the skills of Vladdy Weiss before the final whistle went with City 2-1 winners

Ben Haim has a last ditch tackle on Flood

Zabaleta who had a good game crosses