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:: How to beat Rangers, part three ::
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Thursday, May 1, 2008

Paris St Germain banned from next League Cup Paris St Germain have been banned from defending the League Cup next season after some of their fans unfolded an abusive banner during this season's League Cup final, the French League (LFP) said on Wednesday. (Guardian)

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McManus targets top team return McManus suffered a calf injury in last week's 3-2 victory over Rangers but is confident he can play in Celtic's final three league games. (BBC)
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Thursday, April 17, 2008
Celtic 2-1 Rangers, 16 April 2008

Celtic recorded their first win over Rangers in five games in the most dramatic fashion possible at Celtic Park last night with Gary Caldwell picking out the move for both their goals.

With the game level at 1-1 in the fourth minute of added time, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink’s outstretched head knocked the ball into the net after Scott McDonald headed across goal to secure a well earned win for the home side.

Celtic totally dominated the opening half and perhaps should have made more of their possession; Vennegoor of Hesselink missed their best chance when he mis-controlled the ball on 10 minutes. Barry Robson and Paul Hartley picked up where they left off on Sunday; Robson in particular impressed. He ran the show in midfield, defended, attacked and let Christian Dailly know he was in a game with a crunching tackle in the opening minutes.

Not to be outdone, Hartley send a crunching tackle into Rangers’ agent provocateur, Lee McCulloch, as the Ibrox side found themselves coming off second best in the physical battle for the first time against Celtic in while.

On 20 minutes Gary Caldwell found Shunsuke Nakamura who cracked a spectacular swerving shot which had Alan McGregor moving left and then right; he would have been struggling to get a touch on the ball as it rebounded back out of the net.

Rangers charted unfamiliar territory after half time and introduced a second striker, Nacho Novo, who scored an excellent goal with their only attempt on target all night, after a foul on Scott McDonald was not awarded.

After 70 minutes Shunsuke Nakamura found space inside a packed Rangers box to thunder his second fabulous left foot shot of the evening which again beat McGregor but this time was stopped on the line by the fist of Carlos Cuellar who gave referee Kenny Clark no choice but to send him off and award a penalty.

Nakamura picked up the ball and looked to pass it to Vennegoor of Hesselink who suggested Scott McDonald was keen to take the kick, ignoring Barry Robson who wanted the chance to take the kick.

Nothing is going right for Scott McDonald these days and his penalty was well saved and held by McGregor, which came as no surprise to those beside me in the back row of the North Stand.

A few minutes later McGregor injured himself diving to save a shot after offside had already been awarded and was replaced by Alexander after trying to play on. His treatment took several minutes, which would provide the setting for what is becoming a Celtic Park tradition.

With the 90 minutes gone Celtic could have regretted their strikers had not made more of their chances, however, McDonald and Vennegoor of Hesselink proved up to the task.

Posted by Paul67 at 12:40 AM :: 

117 Comments:
  • At 17/04/08 00:40, Blogger PJBhoynyc said…

    DESIRE.......

     
  • At 17/04/08 00:41, Blogger Emmetbhoy said…

    I feel a special mention coming on for Paul Mcstay for some reason. This man more than any other Celtic player identified for me what it is to be within Celtic. hold your head up high.
    Why does tonight feel like winning a championship? still a long way to go... coin throwing inquests, extension politics etc. I have a feeling that i haaven't felt in my water since love street.
    By the way Paul 67, if we do win the league ... and we will mke sure zybseks post from last night makes it as the lead article.
    keep the faith bhoys. special times ahead....
    yours the soothsayer.

     
  • At 17/04/08 00:43, Blogger mcgrory-for-arsenal said…

    someone please explain the robson substitution?????

     
  • At 17/04/08 00:46, Blogger PJBhoynyc said…

    MFA

    Ask Roy Keane..... He's a winner an awe....

    Pub Calls...Will post drunker thoughts later...

    Stand Up etc.....

     
  • At 17/04/08 00:47, Blogger Emmetbhoy said…

    mcgrory, robson... attacking central midfielder... not protecting the defence... not a full back overlaping... not a winger who can cross the ball... not a striker who has scored a few coming off the bench. whats wrong with you man? do u need a slap on the coupon. we won. dont worry. be happy. go to bed, i should. wake up. the birds will be whistling the celtic song

     
  • At 17/04/08 00:48, Blogger Glasgowsellick said…

    Glasgowsellick said...
    If Novo hadn't thrown the ball away at the throw in awarded in the 92nd minute...

    If Novo hadn't wasted that extra second 'conducting the apes'....

    If Novo hadn't scored that goal...

    That sweetest of last minute victories would not have been possible!!

    Nacho Novo is the epitomy of rangers... hatred, cheating, scum!

     
  • At 17/04/08 00:49, Blogger southbhoy said…

    mcgrory

    easy, ugly betty gets sent off
    rangers are shutting up shop
    on ye go sammy!

    and caldwell proved once again that he takes far too much stick for my liking

    hail hail

     
  • At 17/04/08 00:49, Blogger Ulysses McGhee said…

    mfa

    going to my bed - but...

    I think Hartley a more composed 'defensive' mid than barry. I would have worried if we'd taken off a defender - especially as the opposing team's narcissism led to Cousin coming on...

    Big Wattie wanted a win - 10 men - another forward.

    G I R R Y W S

    The inches we need are all around us in the game...

     
  • At 17/04/08 00:50, Blogger Johnny Mac said…

    mcgrory-for-arsenal, as I said on the other topic. Going to a 3 man MF meant tough decisions had to be made about the best 3 for the job at hand. Hartley had to stay in the holding role and so it could have been McGeady, Naka or Robson. Robson, in my opinion, looked knackered and almost out on his feet...WGS made the right decision on the best 3 of the 4 to do the job.

     
  • At 17/04/08 00:52, Blogger TerryO'Neill said…

    PJBhoynyc your right about Desire

    Desire trumped formation

    Desire trumped supposed physical superiority

    Desire trumped timewasting

    Desire trumped cliches

     
  • At 17/04/08 00:53, Blogger Serutiku said…

    This post has been removed by the author.

     
  • At 17/04/08 00:55, Blogger nelsbhoy said…

    Terry

    You are a true Celtic Inspiration.Ive got my doubts well win this league,but at least ive got some pride back.

    Wee man's over at your auntie Ellan's Tonight,but I kissed his photo constantly throughout the game.

    I know you Maria and the two Weans are doin great;Give them a big Smellin awe drink hug that we got when the Hoops won.

    Ps The meet is still on.

     
  • At 17/04/08 00:56, Blogger rimtimtim said…

    It really did need a special goal to get past that McGregor. What a swerver. The second was sublime too. Great banner as well.

    Scotland´s pride restored!!!

     
  • At 17/04/08 00:57, Blogger glasgow bhoy said…

    Some random thoughts on this evening's events (apologies if some of these have been repeated above - haven't had the chance to read comments yet):

    1. If you're going to beat the huns, is there a sweeter way to do it? That was special.
    2. Is there a more hateful hun than Ignacius? Ok there are a few candidates but he is a horrible little runt (sic).
    3. Lots of credit must go to Gary Caldwell - he's the subject of a lot of criticism, most ot it deserved and a lot of it from me, but the guy never shirks responsibility and is always looking for the ball. Had a big hand in both our goals and was always looking to take the game to the huns in the 2nd half. Well done Gary!
    4. From my view in the North Stand it looked to me that there weren't too many people looking to take the penalty - in fact I thought that it was actually forced onto McDonald by the captain - can anyone confirm that this is in fact the case?
    5. Just how good was Naka's goal - pity he didn't get the two that he deserved
    6. What a banner display - I didn't think that the 'evolution' banner would ever be beaten but the "Scotland's Shame" was just magnificent. How many pictures of it will be fired round t'internet tomorrow? Anyone know who was responsible - pure genius. The Jock Steiin's shadow and the European cup ones were also excellent.
    7. Don't want to appear churlish, especially after such a victory, but the Robson substitution has to be one of the strangest I've ever seen - during a period when we were just beginning to assert ourselves on the match again, with Robson very much at the forefront of this, he's hooked. Quite bizarre - unless he was injured of course? I thought that Paul Hartley was the prime candidate to be subbed - had a poor game I thought.
    8. Was a pity that no-one in the hoops took the opportunity to deck Ignacius during the melee.
    9. I hear that their physio was hit by a coin - not condoning this at all (in fact I hope they catch and ban the idiot who did this) but there was no mention of the object thrown from the scum at Robson.
    10. One bit of advice for Stephen McManus (as I fear we will never see him dropped during the current manager's tenure) - PUSH UP. His leading of the line and general positional player is awful. Tonight was just another in a long line of under par performances from the captain.
    11. Now that the manager is in a relatively strong position (well stronger than he has been for a few weeks now) now would be a good time for him to bring Bobo back into the team, especially as Caldwell is likely to be suspended for the next OF game.
    12. If we had a genuine top-class striker playing for us tonight (e.g. Henrik), we would have won that game at a canter.

     
  • At 17/04/08 00:58, Blogger Johnny Mac said…

    Is it s sign of the times that I just went to newsnow for the latest Celtic news and the banner ad at the top was for freemasonstore.com - Your Masonic Superstore.

    These cult members get everywhere.

     
  • At 17/04/08 00:58, Blogger Everything'sGoneGreen said…

    This post has been removed by the author.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:01, Blogger nelsbhoy said…

    Agree Caldwell had Great game.Wish he would play it simple and lay off these long hopefulls.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:04, Blogger lynott67 said…

    I wasnt there tonight but how i enjoyed that last gasp goal from big Jan.
    i thought we had blown it again but thats got to be the sweetest way to beat them..ever!
    Robson and Naka were immense tonight.
    To anyone that was there,take a bow it sounded fantastic.
    Can now go off to sunny spain on Friday with a big smile on my face.
    Keep believing.
    Lynott67

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:05, Blogger Dick Byrne said…

    Paul, I think you are the first person to mention the debacle over who would take the penalty. To see some of our highly paid players desperately trying to get out of the responsibility left me absolutely fuming & it was no surprise when it was eventually missed.

    Of course, it's always sweet to beat them, all the more so with a last minute winner, but in my mind there is still a question over whether all of our players really have the necessary heart & desire to win this title.

    Sorry to bring a negative note to the table on such a great night but the whole penalty carry-on really bothered me.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:08, Blogger Paul67 said…

    Emmetbhoy, good call, remind me if I don't do it.

    Newsletter :-)

    McGrory for….

    I thought he would take off a defender for Samaras, but taking off Robson allowed Gary Caldwell to push forward – and to make the key pass of the night.

    I was not my choice, but that’s why Gordon gets the big bucks.

    Dick Byrne, as soon as you see that the penalty taker has not been decided beforehand you know to expect trouble.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:09, Blogger TerryO'Neill said…

    Thanks Nelsbhoy,am away to try and get to sleep,bask in the dark,plot their downfall in ma head.

    Talk tae yae soon.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:10, Blogger moonbeams wet dream said…

    mcgrory-for-arsenal

    can you not just enjoy our great result for one night. worry about the logistics tomorrow.

    We won
    We won
    We won
    We won
    We won
    we won
    We won.

    Get it.

    We outplayed them all night and scored one goal more than them.

    I'm a happy hoopy for now. yes I can see your frustration but GS finally went with 3 up front which when huns went to 10 men. Something we complained about when he didn't do it a week ago last sat against motheramnowell at paradise. I was a little perturbed (is that a word?) at the time but I think he could have taken any one of the 4 mids off and it wouldn't really have made a diff with regards the way the play was going to go. Huns 11 behind ball. Celtic wave after wave of attack. Robson had been all over the place and had played as a Celtic mid should. maybe Strachan saw he was tiring which he was.

    End of

    Enjoy the win. Soak it in. Sook it up and lets go for 5 more. You just never know.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:12, Blogger Стахановец said…

    It was probably the right decision for Robson to come off, they were still playing with Novo on the right and Cousin through the middle, pace and power, so no defenders could be sacrificed.

    As for the penalty, it should be decided before-hand. Robson would be first-choice as he has done it all season for DU. JVOH afterwards as aside from the miss against Spartak he has done the business. After that, we have a right-back who comes from a nationality that has a history of excellent penalty-taking.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:13, Blogger deliasmith said…

    One really important effect of our home support is way it adds an extra glow to cool, technical players converting them into red-hot, 'heart' players with exceptional technique. Nakamura in rational mode would never have hit that goal.

    A lot is made of the failings of Scottish football, but Nakamura, who strikes me as an honest intelligent guy, would surely agree that his life, not just his career, has been greatly enriched by his experience in the hoops. Not even playing for Japan in the World Cup could be more emotionally rewarding than tonight's game, or the two free kicks against Manchester United.

    It's often the cool players who benefit most from special Celtic nights - Henrik, of course, but I think back to young Kenny Dalglish.

    Incidentally, just watching Sky Sports News with signing for the deaf, I now know that it's not just bluenoses whe are cursing the late winner from J a n V e n n e g o o r o f H e s s e l i n k.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:15, Blogger irish.damo said…

    Great result and a great performance.

    Thought we dominated them from start to finish apart from one 10 minute spell after the scored.

    We where in their faces from the start and put them under pressure at every opportunity.

    The never say die attitude of this team never ceases to amaze me. That's 15 games now under Gordon we have won in the last 5 minutes.

    The last minute winner was a real bonus as they thought they had done enough. A massive GIRUY to smug Smith & Co.

    Am doing a night shift so to win like that has really given some extra energy to get through.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:16, Blogger moonbeams wet dream said…

    5 mins to go on setanta 2 right now if you want to re-live the glory.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:17, Blogger Glasgowsellick said…

    RE: Penalty incident..

    It came as no surprise to me that he missed it either.

    However, from reports on here it seems that no-one stepped up to the plate.

    Surely there is a designated penalty taker before a game?

    Well done to the team tonight. This is what it is all about!!

    I am glad for Alan Brazil who is a Celt through and through and will be able to give pelters on his breakfast show this morning.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:20, Blogger porridgeandbananas said…

    Great night, great performance, great result.

    Nakas goal looks even better when you see it on TV. The movement he generates on the ball is astonishing. It starts out going well to that cheating swine's left, then ends up so far out of reach to the cheating swine's right! A goal only one guy in Scotland could have scored and I'm very glad he plays his football in the green and white hoops of Celtic!

    On the Robson sub issue, at the time I couldn't understand it. Never mind the fact he was the best player on the park by miles, Hartley was sitting on a yellow and looked exhausted. Alls well that ends well though and you'll never hear me having a go at a Celtic manager who has just guiided his team to a win under HUGE pressure.

    On the subject of that cheating swine, is it any coincidence they manufactured a huge break in the play at the same time as they did at Ibrox with Thomson? These kind of breaks of play result in the game losing all pace and like Ibrox it was heading towards a feeble end. Luckily we managed to get the goal but I feel the timing of the injury was in no way coincidental. He was probably told to hang on for 5 mins or so before the sub was made. Will McGregor miss any games? Will he hell, like Thomson he will be playing their next game make no mistake.

    On the 'missile-throwing' I think we will need to strap on the seat belts because they will go after this like a dog on a bone. The potato throwing, which was visible from where I sit at the back of 111 will be overlooked. Hopefully we meet fire with fire on this one and point out the other cases of 'missile-throwing' that took place tonight. I do admit though that the TV pictures I saw on the BBC highlights do not look good.

    Like many others, I hate Nacho Novo. he lives down our way after hooking up with his former best friend and teammate at Raith Rovers who also came from down this way. they took him in when he first came to Scotland but when he was injured he started 'seeing' the partner when his hun friend was training and playing. She is known down here for being a junkie and not exactly the hardest bird to pull so they are a perfect match. If you recall the sign that made the papers a couple of years ago which read 'Novo RIP' daubed on a wall, it turned out it was his junkie bird that painted it on a fence in Inverkip. He socialises in Greenock at times and I really hope I never see him when I'm out. I'm normally a placid guy but I don't know if I could trust myself if I met him. he is a rat.

    Anyway, great night. Barry Robson and Andreas Hinkel were immense tonight. Keep this team fit for the run-in and we will be OK. have you ever seen a Glasgow derby where our keeper has had as little to do as Boruc had tonight? Maybe our defence isn't as bad as some would have us believe.

    Ed, just a wee question. A banner from the Rangers end read 'Scotlands Mhedia, Lawwels Monkeys'. On what basis do Rangers fans feel a conspiracy against them from Scotlands press. A genuine question because I find it unbelievable.

    Scott Booth is a (insert variety of names that would get my post deleted).

    A wee word on last nights post from Zybsek (wobbly spelling?). Truly inspirational! Absolutely loved the Winnie The Pooh quotes and hope you are a happy man tonight.

    Paul, many thanks for all your hard work in keeping this site running as it does with the post limit. I hope you enjoyed a good night.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:21, Blogger Michael Collins said…

    Looks like HMS Dignity ran aground tonight in stormy waters.

    Nothing like a show of petulance from Captain 8/10 to show how much it really hurt.

    Robson was magnificent tonight especially his "challenge" on Dailly in the first 30 secs of the match.

    How much of a marker did this lay down.

    When I saw him being substituted I was overcome with a feeling of dread that WGS had made one of these decisions that managers get pelters for but it panned out well and you can only congratulate him for getting it right.

    Big up also for Gary Caldwell who pushed the team on from 80 mins onwards almost single handedly.

    As one who has not been shy in dishing out critcism I just want to say how proud I am this morning of WGS and the bhoys.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:22, Blogger Stuart said…

    Paul,

    I've had my criticisms of WGS in the past but the man isn't a total moron. Why would he designate a penalty taker against Rangers? Like that would ever happen!

    Watching the match on Setanta with the help of Sky+. It's taking some time :-)

    Stand up!

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:23, Blogger moonbeams wet dream said…

    One thing that di surprise me tonight.

    After we scored our second I thought they may add on the 2 minutes that they never played from the IPOX game to give the huns another chance. I bet David Murray will be livid with Kenny Clarke for forgetting about that.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:25, Blogger malceye said…

    Kano, if you're there, Caldwell had a decent game tonight, not brilliant just really what we'd hope week in week out.

    Brilliant result, especially considering that Celtic pretty much lost their way in the 2nd half. The inability to change tactics/style is frustrating. Mr Strachan is a fortunate man this evening. If we had not scored then I would have feared (well, not really) for his position after taking Robson off. I maintain that was the wrong decision, and against 10 men, Robson would have threatened the Rankers goal more often than we did in the last 15. But, hey, what's to complain about ?

    McGeady's capacity/tendency to drop out of a game is growing. He gets frustrated and the fans in turn become frustrated with him. He is still far from the finished product. I look forward to seeing that product.

    I can't believe that during the game we received bookings but Elbows McCulloch barely received a cautionary word for some of his, and I use the words advisedly, aerial assaults.

    The good news is that Rankers best player, and I do actually think he is worthy, is injured, ie McGregor. Have the wheels come off Wttie's cart ? Let's hope so.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:25, Blogger greenlion2 said…

    Just in and totally shattered with the biggest grin in my face that you could not take off with a baseball bat.

    Thats the way to beat them.
    Not read back yet but my feelings on the game are we played the first half really well fell out of it for about 10 to 15 minutes in the second and then played well again.
    As usual I thought the ref had a terrible game. How the f.... mccullloch lasts a game I will never know.
    I thought Barry done well especially with his early challenge. He added a wee bit of threat that Scott does not in that his aggression seems controlled.

    Anyway we won, we won, we won.....

    I'll read back to see what everyone has said . No doubt we will have Mcgrory etc telling us how good we were.....ah maybe not.

    Even TTTT nearly smiled tonight.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:25, Blogger Dick Byrne said…

    Paul, Стахановец & glasgowsellick, agree 100% that the penalty-taker should have been decided before the game.

    Given that it apparently wasn't though, I would have expected the likes of Naka, JVOH & Scott McD to be fighting for the chance to take it - not running away from it.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:26, Blogger Glasgowsellick said…

    Smith started again in his Post Match interview. Asked if they were still comfortable, he mentioned the fact that their game backlog had yet to be decided and could have a big effect on the title!!

    I think that if they had had got any reslut tonight, it would not have been an issue!!

    Gerry McNee also gave a post match interview. That man has so much hatred of Celtic his anti Celtic diatribe was actually quite amusing and predictable!!

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:26, Blogger ssm said…

    Been to the game,thought I'd lurk before beddybaws. TonyBananas,Kojo,JM188-hold your heads in shame ref"GET JVOH OFF".So called Celtic supporters who left with 10mins to go"Hold your heads in shame"The boo-boys at the substitution-Hold your heads in shame.I was there,seen it & still a believer.Hail,Hail.Gordon Strachan(Yes,that's his name)made a big substitution tonight & it kept him in a job.I say "Well done that man "& the least we can do is get behind Gordon Strachan & the team,now when they need us most.Hail,Hail.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:27, Blogger greenlion2 said…

    oh aye the YNWA at the start of the second half was special

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:29, Blogger Paul67 said…

    Porridgeand, thanks for your kind words.

    Yes, really enjoyed myself tonight.

    Stuart, :-)

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:30, Blogger greenlion2 said…

    and another oh aye.... The Scotlands shame banner is the best banner I have saw anywhere. Big Congratulations to the Bhoys who made it.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:32, Blogger malceye said…

    ssm,

    yes, let's get behind the team and the manager for that matter. However, don't start adding 2 and 2 and coming up with 56. That substitution hardly falls into the category of "tactical, match winning substitutions of all time."

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:33, Blogger Bhoy Sean said…

    I'm finding it hard to quantify how happy I am. We got what we deserved, I actually felt we played as well as we did the previous game against them but this time we got what we deserved. No one let us down and I feel Gordon deserves credit for getting it right tonight. People are happy to slate at any opportunity which is fine I guess but credit when it is due.

    I watched it in a Celtic bar in Bath which had a few Rangers fans there. They were shouting UDA and telling us how they will chase Fenians everywhere etc, not to mention the occasional Billy Boys and the chants about defending Derry's Wall. It was extra fun dancing in font of them at the final wistle.

    I'm in such a good mood, hopefully that's the league title back on.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:33, Blogger porridgeandbananas said…

    ssm

    I too was disappointed with the early leavers (how anyone could leave early tonight was beyond me), though not with one guy. The guys next to me normally stays until the end, but whenever he eaves early we score. He did it at AC and Shakhtar, but didn't against Dundee Utd and Aberdeen recently. When he left on the 89th minute I turned to my wife and those around me and said 'we'll be OK, whenever he leaves early we score'. Hopefully next time we'll be 4 up by the end, but if I had my way beating them with 90secs to go would be the way every time.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:36, Blogger Stuart said…

    thing that's struck me is how little Setanta have made of Cuellar's handball. At the end of the day it's the ultimate form of cheating, and they're talking about whether his gamble paid off.

    This is the player of the year? He's a disgrace and a filthy cheat. They should take that award from him and ban him for 5 games.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:36, Blogger moonbeams wet dream said…

    the seeds of doubt have been sewn. a little watering on sat against the dons and the seeds will take shoot of emerald green. The shoots will grow and produce their buds next Sunday again against the huns and then just wait and see that flower blossom as the seeds of doubt become 3-in-a-row.

    good night to you all.

    Hail Hail.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:37, Blogger CroydonCelticPunk said…

    glasgow-bhoy 00.57 - got to comment....

    1, 2 - fair enough
    3 - Caldwell was actually my MOTM
    4 - Looked like that skippy wanted to take it..
    5 - Genius
    6 - Genius
    7 - got to agree - really suprised that Robson went off - I thought Hartley (in general) was having a stinker, there were a couple of times when he pushed the opposition off the ball when he looked great,but he let the ball go far to easily....
    8 - .........
    9 - Yup, the physio did have what looked like a pound coin chucked at him - 'HIT' is a tad of an exaggeration
    10 - I like Mick - and I think youi're being unfair - did you know that in the 14 games that Mick has scored in - Celtic have won.....
    11 - Bobo??? You must be joking- his lapses of concentration are legendary - I dunno whether you saw the reserves gama against St. Mirren (yes Bobo scored) but did you you see his hack/miss in the first half when they hit the bar - THATS why he doesnt get a game....
    12. - I actually (sort of) agree with you - but not so much of a Henke - more of a Chris Sutton....

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:39, Blogger CroydonCelticPunk said…

    Michael Collins 01:21
    Well said - I've always thought of you as being a Sean South (by the waY WHERE THE HELL IS HE??) I've obviously got you wrong and I apologise....

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:40, Blogger Стахановец said…

    I don't see why people are so upset at Cuellar's handball. Okay, it prevented a certain goal from us, but hes suspended now, and it could well have given us the game.

    As for the penalty goal thing, well, I don't agree. The reduction in players is the penalty, the same as any gamble. Are you going to start giving a penalty goal if a player goes round a keeper and gets brought down? Maybe any last-man challenge should be a penalty regardless of where it occurs?

    No, the law is fine as it is. If it was the last minute and one of our players had made a deliberate handball, and the penalty saved, he would be applauded to the high heavens.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:42, Blogger CroydonCelticPunk said…

    The Gerry McNee interview on Setanta was incredible - how someone who is so obviously biased is allowed on tv is ridiculous

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:42, Blogger Fred C. Dobbs said…

    I hate them for making me feel what I feel towards other human beings…

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:46, Blogger CroydonCelticPunk said…

    Bhoy Sean - get the feeling- they were just 'poseurs' unlike the real thing - always fun to take the piss tho'....

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:49, Blogger Glasgowsellick said…

    Стахановец,

    I earlier felt that a penalty goal would not be a bad idea.

    However, upon reflection, agree with your stance.

    The player knows the rules and the consequences of the action. If he is prepared to 'take one for the team', so be it.

    Sometimes it will pay off, but normally, the penalty will be slotted away and the peretrator will have just handed his opponents an extra advantage.

    It woud have been so hard to take tonight though as Naka's 'goal' would have been another piece of magic and 1-1 would have ended our challenge!!

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:50, Blogger CroydonCelticPunk said…

    We won!!! WGS pulled off a tactical change (Robson going off) that I and virtually everyone else disagreed with - but heh, he's the manager and that is what he's paid for....he had to go for it - AND ND IT WORKED.... AND WE DESERVED IT....

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:50, Blogger setting free the bears said…

    Just in from t'pub and ever so slightly pashed but no work tomorrow so who cares.


    "Nakamura ate my league title" says Wattie Smith.

    Any truth in the rumour that Kenny Clark red carded 21 players in the tunel and awarded a penalty to the only remaining player, Captain unbookable?

    I know we're supposed to condemn the last minute shenanigans but the first minute tackle by Barry Robson on Dailly and the aggro at the end from Mick and GC will earn them more plaudits from our support than any alter boy act.

    Life remains bearable for the next few weeks.

    Hail Hail to all in timdom

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:51, Blogger Panda Hands said…

    Random.

    SSM. Agree.

    Robson 2nite was great.
    Hartley. Great

    Fair play to Naka ... I was one of those boys caliing for him to be dropped

    To add insult to injury re: selection .... I also was calling for JVOH to be dropped, and then when I discovered he was in starting 11 I called for him to be subbed at the 60min mark !!!!!!!!

    Shows how much I know about football management :)

    Fans tonight were EXCELLENT

    I have been a critic of G.Caldwell in the past so I take GREAT pleasure in eating some humble pie. Fantastic big guy.

    LOVED the fact that Big Mick got stuck in to FergusHun ... yeeee haaa. Now you're showing Celtic qualities

    Ref was not toooooooo bad tonight considering ...

    Why was Naylor subbed??? (not easy to tell if injured as I was in packed bar)

    Isnt it great to be a Celtic supporter:)

    Anyhoo, Im off to bed rather drunk and in the wifes, and Neighbours, bad books for blarring(?) Charlie and the Bhoys .... so what eh? what they gonna do :-)

    Listen, thats me off to bed.
    Just want to wish you all a good night. Peace bro's


    Oiche mhaith agus adh mor !

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:54, Blogger Kingoh said…

    Pleased to see that some of Caldwell's biggest critics on this site have had the dignity(strange choice of word!) to at least give him a bit of praise tonight.

    Surprised (though I shouldn't be) that even after tonight many still decide to have a pop at him. I really do despair with some supporters if that's indeed what they are.

    How Barry (never use his surname) avoids a booking I will never know.

    Surprised at the substitution. Thought Robson was immense.If he was genuinely tiring then fair enough. He had put in some shift.

    Their goal should never have happened as we should have had a free kick on the half way line in the build up to it. Funny thing is if you complain about that when you win 'you're never happy' but if we had drawn the game it would be sour grapes to complain!

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:54, Blogger CroydonCelticPunk said…

    Setting free the bears - I thought 2 defining moments in the game one - when Robson clattered Dailly after 30 seconds, two, when Jan took out Novo on the half way line at the start of the 2nd half - both of those incidents showed 'intent'...

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:57, Blogger ~Kevtic said…

    Laugh of the night.

    Lassie laptop loyal this time from Real Radio.

    "When asked about the incident at the end Walter (the Goodie) said he didn't know anything but he went and found out and then told reporters that Weir was to be reported. Now this was coming from a beaten OF manager.

    Now Gordon Strachan (I presume the Baddie in her blue eyes) was not so forecoming"

    We nearly wet ourselves at this young ladies loyalty to her team's manager.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:58, Blogger Stuart said…

    Sorry, I think that deliberate handball, like diving, has no place in the game. I'd never applaud a Celtic player for doing either. I remember being furious with Tom Boyd (?) for stooping to cheating many moons ago.

     
  • At 17/04/08 01:59, Blogger CroydonCelticPunk said…

    I am a critic of Caldwell, BUT tonight he had what I think was his best game (despite the possible penalty in the 1st half, when he clambered over McCullough) for Celtic - he was actually my MOTM

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:04, Blogger ~Kevtic said…

    croy

    One of the most pleasing things was the yellow cards actually meant something tonight.

    Amazing how ref styles change game to game.

    A few weeks ago at Ibrox how many Celts were booked for discent? Yet tonight Barry backchats all 90 minutes yet no yellow card.

    Although Clark had a good game as Paul stated there was a clear foul leading up to their goal. Plus at least two off side calls that were on.

    So even when the ref has a good game we can still find faults in his decisions.

    Consistently inconsistant but always in favour of one team!

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:05, Blogger Timmy7 said…

    McGrory For Arsenal, what is the reasoning behind your moniker?

    Fabulous display by the bhoys tonight, including the manager's inspired substitution; totally flummoxed der hun.

    The banners? Superb. Especially compared with their pathetic 'mhedia' effort. They are truly beyond parody.

    From my vantage point (section 401, row B) it appeared that Nakamura, Robson and Skippy all wanted to take the penalty. Also, the lead up to their goal looked to have included three fouls against us. Wattie sent them out at the start of the second half to rough us up, and it worked.

    Finally, glad to see Mick get into Bazza's face. More of the same next time please.

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:08, Blogger setting free the bears said…

    Croydon Celtic Punk

    Quite right. I don't advocate thuggish anti-football but when you know you are going to be in a battle and you know that you did not match up previously then these statements of intent are vital.

    Skillful Celts like Bertie, Bobby and Davie Hay could all do it. Robson, JVOH, Hartley and Mick all made such statements tonight.

    I might just make it back from orbit in time for Saturday's win against Aberdeen.

    Life is beautiful. Cuellar (& Broadfoot & McCullough & especially Novo) is ugly.

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:08, Blogger o1bhoy said…

    croydoncelticpunk...01:59...

    Re: Caldwell... Fair Play Mate...A few people have been saying that lately...

    Maybe WGS is Right and He is our Best Midfeilder...!!!

    o1bhoy

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:09, Blogger CroydonCelticPunk said…

    Everyone who reads this.... You are all CELTIC supporters - we WILL win the title again (3-in-a-row) ... 'the seeds of doubt' have now been sewn.. The forces of light will always triumph against TFOD.............. and we shall send the orcs back to Mordor with their tail between their teeth... Rejoice - my brethren - for we of the greenish hue shall be victorious

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:09, Blogger Panda Hands said…

    Have said for ages that anyone handling the ball to prevent a certain goal should be sent off (as Ugly betty rightly was) and a goal given.

    By the way .... meet my dream girl tonight(apart from wife and daugters) ....

    Page 3 model looks.
    Drinks pints.
    Knew more about Celtic than my mates
    Sense of humour.

    Luckily for her, (and me, cause her 6ft 15st hubby was there) I did not try to persue ! :)

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:10, Blogger Стахановец said…

    Stuart:

    Deliberate handball is the non-aggressive version of a tactical foul. I don't see anyone complaining about JVOH hauling down Novo as he sprinted down the right wing. What difference to that and handball? Both are blatant breaches of the rules.

    My pet hate is attempting to deliberately injure another player, for obvious reasons, and diving, because it is deception. Handball is blatant at least.

    And yes, I am ashamed of Scott McDonald for his dive in the second-half, not becoming of a Celtic player. I will say the same of any of our players who do so.

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:15, Blogger BHOYSFOUR said…

    Hail Hail, one and all that's the way bhoys never say die!

    I had to laugh at somebody earlier on talking about the tackle by Hartley on Mc Cullough(sp), having had the benefit of the instant replay, Hartley never touched him, though I think he wanted to. The supposed hard man that he is went down like a stuck pig! CHEATS.

    and what the f**K is Fergiehun doing going after our Captain.

    I have to say congrats to the Bhoys and Gordon tonight for a job well done! with a pinch of Neil Lennon thrown in for good measure.

    BF

    BF

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:19, Blogger jmyjnstn67 said…

    Was At the game and currently watching re-runs of the goals and the fracas at the end.

    I feel absolutely brilliant

    One wee question though-

    Why were our players so keen to pull back them from getting further into trouble at the end of the game?

    We should have let them incur further suspensions.

    Make no mistake that they have been rattled.Five more wins for us might just achieve 3IAR.

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:21, Blogger Craiginho said…

    Not long back from the game and just wanted to pick out my own watershed moments:
    1. JVoH mis-controlling the balln on 10 mins. I started to have the feeling that it could go down alongside Brown's miss at Ibrox as a big regret come full time. Very glad I was wrong.

    2. Caldwell's pass to Naka. He played a few really good balls in to our front two before this and deserves a lot fo credit for refusing to aimlessly punt the ball long all the time. He always looks to find a team-mate even if it doesn';t always come off for him.

    3. Naka's finish. He hit it early (just like Maloney against Klos a few seasons back) and that is what unsteadied McGregor. The action he got on the ball was awesome it looked like it was heading top right and ended up top left.

    4. Big Mick's block on Darcheville. Naylor slipped and let Darcheville through. Mick slid in and turned it behind for a corner at that vital stage just before half time.

    5. Succession of fouls ignored by Kenny Clark before the Rangers goal. Pick of the bunch being a block on Barry Robson that somehow became a foul to Rangers. I thought McDonald was barged in the back trying to kill a high ball when Cuellar nooded it down to Novo.

    6. Having a go from distance. We tried to create chances in the penalty box at Ibrox and got nowhere but Naka's goal and his dipping curling effort that was palmed away by Cuellar was evidence that we maybe learned something from the Ibrox defeat.

    7. Players low on confidence should not hit penalties. McDonald has not been at the top of his game for a while and he should have left the penalty to JVoH, Robson or Naka. This should have been sorted beforehand but without a crystal ball and seventeen lucky Rabbit's feet how could anyone ever dream we'd get a pen against Rangers (the fourth this century!)

    8. Never give up. Shame on the early leavers tonight. I hope they felt very silly hearing the cheers from the stadium as they stepped into their cars. I thought we might get something if we persevered and the players have driven until the very last in every big game this season. Games against Aberdeen, Motherwell and ICT have been the problem!

    9. Unsung heroes. Gary Caldwell was fantastic. If anyone watched the game without knowing who the captain was they would be very likely to point to Caldwell. He drove us forward at every opportunity and never shied away from the ball, Some of his passes were poor, some weren't anticipated but he got on the ball and made plenty of them. He was my pick for MOTM and without his searching ball to the back post 3 minutes into injury time we'd be sitting here discussing next season's preparations. McDonald also deserves praise for sticking with it after the penalty miss. He laid the winner on a plate for JVoH and I hope that helps him deal with the penalty miss. Last gasp goals are a much better way to win the game anyway!

    I'm off to my bed doped up to the eyeballs on Strepsils. Hope that my throat will have recoverd and I will be able to speak again in time for Saturday's game!

    Hail, Hail! What a night to be a Celt!

    Craiginho

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:21, Blogger o1bhoy said…

    craxahobe...

    WGS has made Scott MacDonald look in the Mirror before... I think he needs to do it again...But his knock on for the Winner...Class...

    o1bhoy

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:24, Blogger awalkacrosstherooftops said…

    evening all..a quick view from on high..every credit to the team..would have been easy for heads to go down after the pen. miss.
    to the guys with the scotlands shame banner.brilliant mind indeed..
    a quick question no ss or neg.anon posting??doubt we must have won..

    finally calling sftb..ordered an internet vanessa feltz bride this week..was told all stocks sold to a mr.a.mcgregor..oh well shes chucked then..fern britton next...

    STILL STANDING UP.

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:26, Blogger CroydonCelticPunk said…

    Stakhanovhets... got to agree with you on Skippys dive - really embarassing.....
    We won - I'm going to bed now - happy, drink, ecstatic - must admit my (nearly) 4 year old daughter said to me that Celtic would win 2-1 (I didnt believe her because she said that we'd beat Barca 3-1....) great performance from the Bhoys - the team obviously wanted to win the game - and WGS did really well tactically.... bring on the Sheep, then 'them' again...

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:28, Blogger CroydonCelticPunk said…

    Bhoysfour -02:15 - well said!!!!!

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:32, Blogger o1bhoy said…

    craiginho...

    I watched the Game from 12,500Miles away...The Booing when Robson went off sounded just as loud as Nakas Goal...

    Hail Hail to the players and Supporters who Kept The Faith...

    And let the Huns show The World their Real Side...

    o1bhoy

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:36, Blogger o1bhoy said…

    Question...

    Does anyone have the final reds and yellow count...?

    o1bhoy

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:39, Blogger greenlion2 said…

    Read back and going to bed with still the biggest smile on my face. I would not even dare out the folk who wanted Jan taken off and then said it was wrong that Barry was taken off.....

    Thats why we post on blogs and Gordon picks teams.

    Tonight was special and hopefully a turning point in not only our season but peoples minds about Gordon.

    I thought the skirmish at the end actually showed something I thought we were lacking. If Barry was still on the pitch I think we would have taken them right out. That made my night, the best teams at any sport always stick together tonight we showed that from the fans to the players to the management team.

    CELTIC


    Goodnight and God bless from a bhoy with a happy smile

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:43, Blogger awalkacrosstherooftops said…

    01..fraid that still seems open to debate at the mo..certainly gc and weir to be reported..mick booked in tunnel..all sorts saying neddo and baz involved as well as was aideniho if you believe media outlets..probably wont be sorted out til thursday pm

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:43, Blogger greenlion2 said…

    PS the ref was crap

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:49, Blogger Panda Hands said…

    At 17/04/08 02:21, Craiginho

    whilst i agree with only 99% of ur post i have to say that point 9 was EXCELLENT my friend .. spot on


    half bottle left .... off to bed in a minute ... unlike an hour ago.

     
  • At 17/04/08 02:55, Blogger o1bhoy said…

    awalkacross...

    Cheers... they have just shown the