Ross McCormack, Kevin McNaughton and Steven Thompson all played their part in the build-up to Joe Ledley's 18th-minute strike, which sealed the win for the FA Cup finalists. However, a lack of cutting edge cost Celtic throughout the game at the Estad
io Algarve.
After the start of the game had been delayed by 15 minutes, it was Celtic who enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges as they dominated possession and forced two early corners.
However, the Parkhead side were served warning of Cardiff's threat just before the quarter-hour mark when Miguel Commingues broke into the box and Mark Brown, again deputising in goal for Artur Boruc, had to slide in to concede a throw-in.
Four minutes later Celtic found themselves a goal down when the trio of SPL old boys combined to set up the opener for Cardiff.
Former Motherwell forward McCormack dropped deep to collect the ball before spreading it out wide to McNaughton. The former Aberdeen defender lifted a cross into Thompson – previously of Rangers – who outjumped Bobo Balde and headed the ball into the path of the unmarked Ledley who rifled a superb finish past Brown into the far corner.
Despite going behind, Celtic continued to be patient as they went in search of an equaliser, with Georgios Samaras making his presence felt in attack alongside youth academy graduate Paul McGowan. With half-time approaching the Greek international almost broke through when he latched onto a Paul Hartley through ball but the striker was unable to control it on the edge of the box.
Both sides emerged unchanged after the break and again it was Celtic who had the first meaningful effort on target through Barry Robson. The Scotland midfielder, with two goals to his name already during Celtic's pre season, dispatched a 25-yard shot on the turn but it was easily collected by Cardiff goalkeeper Thomas Heaton.
Defender Balde had to look alert when he produced a timely last-ditch intervention after McCormack had escaped the attentions of Celtic substitute Stephen McManus.
Celtic: Brown, Caddis, Balde, O'Dea, Hinkel (McManus 64); Brown, Donati, Hartley (Caldwell 67), Robson; Samaras (McDonald 67), McGowan (Vennegoor of Hesselink 64). Subs not used: Boruc.
Cardiff City: Heaton, McNaughton, Loovens, Johnson, Capaldi; Rae, Commingues, McPhail, Ledley; McCormack, Thompson. Subs not used: Enckleman, Kennedy, Purse, Parry, Whittingham, Scimeca, Blake, Dennehy, Brown.
The full article contains 414 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
