Jonathas leads AZ to Hoops win

28 April 2010 22:18

Celtic surrendered the lead to lose 2-1 to Dick Advocaat's AZ Alkmaar in their friendly at a ghostly Parkhead.

The former Rangers manager watched Hoops' striker Georgios Samaras fire the home side ahead on 39 minutes but Graziano Pelle equalised for the Dutch side three minutes later.

In the 74th minute substitute Jonathas scored from the spot after Celtic left-back Edson Braafheid had handled in the box but in truth it was much ado about nothing.

The match was free to season ticket holders who had not had a home Active Nation Scottish Cup game this season, but it had to battle against Champions League football on TV and an Old Firm Youth Cup final at Hampden. As a consequence, only around 3,000 fans turned up and Advocaat felt comfortable enough to sit in the stand alongside the home fans.

Celtic's interim manager Neil Lennon started with a totally different 11 from the side that beat Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday.

Fringe players like Paul McGowan, Paul Caddis, Ki Sung Yueng and Braafheid were given a run out.

In what had the feel of a glorified training session, Celtic racked up a few early corners but in the 24th minute Pelle headed a Jeremain Lens cross over the bar from 10 yards out when he ought to have tested goalkeeper Lucasz Zaluska.

Moments later, Zheng Zhi drove wide from a similar distance after being set up by Caddis, who had been played in by Niall McGinn, appearing in an unfamiliar right-back position. In the 29th minute Samaras set up Morten Rasmussen with a wonderful cross from the right but the Danish striker's header was saved by Joey Didulica, who made further good saves from Ki and Zheng in quick succession. In the 36th minute Lens had the ball in the net but referee Willie Collum blew for handball.

Three minutes later Celtic forged ahead when Samaras curled a shot from 16 yards past Didulica after the goalkeeper had made a fine save from Josh Thompson's close-range header which followed a Ki corner. After 60 minutes, Samaras helped McGowan's scuffed effort into the net but was ruled offside.

There was more controversy at the other end when the linesman indicated that Braafheid had handled in the box and referee Collum pointed to the spot, with Jonathas slamming the ball past substitute keeper Dominic Cervi. As the minutes ticked away and the game became increasingly disjointed, Samaras had several attempts to get the equaliser but to no avail.

Source: PA