Joe Ledley scored the only goal of the game that saw Celtic leapfrog Rangers at the top of the SPL. Celtic dominated throughout but it was a game full of controversial incidents. Lee Wallace appeared to have opened the scoring for Rangers but Fraser Forster scooped the ball out of the net. In the second half Gary Hooper was sent clean through by Georgios Samaras but was incorrectly flagged for offside.
Referee Willie Collum declined to show a red card to Lee McCulloch, David Healy and Kyle Lafferty despite plenty of provocation but Rangers never looked like forcing an equaliser once they went behind.
Celtic had the ball in the net early on when Rangers’ keeper, Allan McGregor spilled the first of two Gary Hooper shots he failed to keep hold off. Georgios Samaras was on-hand to clip the ball over the keeper but was flagged for offside. Despite Celtic enjoying the majority of possession Rangers had the best two chances of the first half. Wallace’s header which Forster’s alertness kept from hitting the net and then Carlos Bocanegra had a gilt-edged chance from six yards out but made a clumsy connection with his knee and sent the ball over.
Sone Aluko caused Celtic some problems early on when playing wide right but with Celtic dominating central midfield Ally McCoist pulled Aluko into the middle, which didn’t prevent Beram Kayal and Victor Wanyama from controlling midfield but blunted Rangers attacking options.
The gales which blew through Glasgow today faded as the game wore on but they were still strong throughout the first half with Celtic playing into the wind. On a couple of occasions Fraser Forster’s clearances didn’t reach the halfway line, in contrast to the second half, when his clearances repeatedly ran through to McGregor in the opposite goal. As a result, half time was a welcome break for Celtic.
The second half was five minutes old when Charlie Mulgrew got his first opportunity to send in a wind-assisted in-swinging corner. There is something curious about a 6’3” central defender taking corner kicks instead of trying to get on the end of them but Mulgrew’s delivery provided evidence as to why this is.
The corner was fast and direct but dipped five yards from goal at the far post. Four players jumped for the ball but Joe Ledley picked the flight of the ball out of the blustery confusion. All the ball needed was the faintest touch to send it bulleting high into the net.
Adam Matthews dominated the right side of the field. His pace allowed him to recover to inhibit any attack down the Rangers left while his control and passing pegged Rangers back throughout. Rangers played Nikica Jelavic on Thomas Rogne, who was hooked when the pair met at Hampden in March, but the 21-year-old Norwegian was never in trouble this evening. Jelavic was a sorry looking shadow of a football player who is flattered by reported interest in him.
Beram Kayal was taken out of the game by Lee McCulloch, who was red carded on his last appearance against St Mirren, but with Kayal on the deck McCulloch hung a limp ankle in the air while writhing in pain. It looked like a break for the Rangers player but he got up after referee Collum decided against showing a red card.
The league’s poorest player, David Healy, made a late cameo and should have been shown a straight red card for a dangerous lunge at James Forrest. Fellow Irishman, Kyle Lafferty, was also lucky to escape a red when he took Adam Matthews out of the game as Rangers lost their discipline late on.
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Algarvian says:
though i don’t think the whole of the ball crossed the line.
The white of Forster`s glove goalside merges with the white of the ball.
Great result tonight .
Enjoyed the company and the ambience as much as the result.
Watching the sky re-run.
A few thoughtson the ref :-
1. The ball needs to be totally over the line . Not sort of , not nearly , it’s 100% or it’s not a goal. It wasn’t 100% therefore no goal. End of .
2. McCulloch is a chancer , and he knows it. After the Kayal tackle he waved to the bench that he needed substituted – clever tactic as it saved him a sending off.
3. My seat is in south stand, and I initially thought the Healy tackle was no more than a a clumsy , slightly malicious tackle. But as a referee I spoke to after pointed it , he used his upper body, so the defence of clumsiness is eroded. Sending off .
@muireannf Muireann Fanning
WATP – Where’s All The Points?
______
haha
I read somewhere that Neil Lennon expects Beram to be fit to play on Monday.
Hail hail all
Just logging in on the BB so have not view earlier comments(usual bust ups) so here is my view after coming back from the game:-
Nice pint or 2 of Ossian in Babbity Bowser
Great dominant perf by Rogne – never let it bounce.
Total influence from the right but coming in when needed by Scott Brown
Ran their socks off- Sammi and Hooperman
Adam Matthews – a star is born
Joe Ledley – a man amongst boys
Healy – tit
McCulloch – cheat
Lafferty – thug
Hail hail
the_huddle says:
29 December, 2011 at 01:45
Algarvian
Personally I think we’ve played worse this season then we did last, we lost last year when leading. Yeah I know negative but don’t think many will disagree, only difference this year is I think we have to improve and they are dead
Agree completely, though we will improve, i’m sure of that.
HH
tarrant says:
29 December, 2011 at 01:44
henr1k
leave the rows until tomorrow buddy, I didn’t come on here to agree with you and other people haven’t come on to disagree with you, people call it as they see it and might change their mind this time tomorrow…Big picture: take the win and the top of the league and the hurtting huns and enjoy it. Don’t sweat the small stuff, not now anyway.
Everyone agrees with you on the main point anyway, which is McCulloch’s a filthy dirty nasty cheating backing hastard. Maybe not on that specific one isolated tackle in that one moment in that one game on that one night last night. But hey, you give a dog a name and you expect him to act like a dog, why quibble about the timing cos he’s still a fking dog.
Obviously when I use the word dog, I mean dirty orcange gastard, or something. I like actual dogs.
M8 I hate them and I hate everything they stand for.
It’s that bad I can’t even look at that clown Sally on tv after last year and smith.
If smith is this great man with dignity then why didn’t he come out when Neil was getting the death threats.
Do you know what I’m a bigot I hate them there I’ve said it and I pray to god I hope they goto the wall.
Now please I’ve gave my honest opinion on some decisions surely I’m aloud an opinion on here.
Now let it go 15 PTS down to 1 let’s see traynor, keevins the lot squirm out of this 1 tomorrow.
Just heard Ian Crocker say “The Glasgow Derby” see they do read our blogs.
Clashcitybhoy
Correct. People who have not seen the incident will be expecting a Frank Lampard against Germany thing.
When they actually see it, any reasonable person would draw the same conclusion you have.
Kit
Have been swithering about having a wee libation.
You just twisted my arm.
James Squire`s “the Chaser”
Cheers,my fellow Tim.
Celtic_First says:
29 December, 2011 at 01:46
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I did miss your post M8!
I’m now on the case! Thanks.
Hail! Hail!
kitalba:
Seriously? Jeeezus … you just made my night fella!
Top of the League to ya!
The full-time whistle has just gone for me, fholks.
Hasta Wanyama.
reilly1926 says:
29 December, 2011 at 01:46
hen1rik says:
29 December, 2011 at 01:38
Some people on here just make me nauseous..
share
LoL
Aluko;
Played 4 lost 3.
And this is the cheatin diver the huns are pinning their season on?
Almost every Celtic game i watch the ref blows at 45 mins, I’m assuming they are adding this to the 90. Is this only in Scotland?
Cults Bhoy
“I think you are splitting semantics…
I also refuse to believe any Celtic fan could on the EVIDENCE of early performances and previous league defeats honestly believe that we would find ourselves in the position we are in. Only bjmac was prepared to put his money on it. ”
I am not splitting semantics (however that works) but I am defining the real meaning of words.
The EVIDENCE of early season form showed objectively that we had had a very poor start to the league but it proved nothing more. It showed that we had little wriggle room left. However all that has been turned round by an 8 game winning streak. Is it really all that inconceivable that Neil Lennon’s Celtic would have a very good winning streak. In my view, and it is supported by the stats, the poor form in the start to this season was the ATYPICAL part of the evidence. Neil’s teams at the end of the Mowbray season, and even in the lost league, show a high win rate.
I had EVIDENCE too but it still all boils down into belief & faith. What we both have as we attempt to predict the future outcome of this league is a faith and a belief not EVIDENCE.
Back to watch the second half. Joe is about to score
Really lhads .
Look at the game tomorrow in sobriety .
Did Celtic ever look like losing the game?
This rangers team is the worst I’ve seen in many a year
They will only get points because some players in the other side wish them to .
what a great Christmas
God and Santa are hoops
Santa emptied his sack 24 hours before he should have
and then
i had a great time with my neice/god daughter at the first Christmas she really knows what this boy santa is all about
then God took over on 28/12/2011
HOOPY NEW YEAR CQN
Back from the game Ive enjoyed a nice wee Pinot grigio watching sky coverage. Is Fat sAlly morphing into walter? Saw the spiv whispering in Lennies ear at end of his managerial career(game).
Polish up your brogues Alistair. The wee swingersgettin yer job!
Has there ever been a 17 point swing in 52 days ever? I’m sure if there was the swinging manager would be sacked , rather than appointed.
Happy New Year truth 1690 and all yer pals;-)
Who is this NEW GUY?
KevJungle – “Put the GREEN BRIGADE into a new JUNGLE” says:
29 December, 2011 at 01:47
Try this
@RonnieJ1967
Ronnie Links to the full #Celtic game. 1st half – http://www.filesonic.com/file/qy0pazN/Celt…11_1st_Half.asf 2nd half –
KevJungle – “Put the GREEN BRIGADE into a new JUNGLE” says:
29 December, 2011 at 01:52
Sorry missed a bit!
@RonnieJ1967
Ronnie Links to the full #Celtic game. 1st half – http://www.filesonic.com/file/qy0pazN/Celt…11_1st_Half.asf 2nd half – http://www.filesonic.com/file/e95rWnH/Celt…11_2nd_Half.asf
Healy’s strange contribution to the game has got me thinking.
Did he touch the ball at all ?
I know he tried to amputate James Forrest’s leg at the knee but was that it ?
If only we had a panel of independent experts who could look at these type of
hideous actions and suspend those players involved… LOL
Or how can a concerned citizen like myself report such violent crimes ?
pigalle
hen1rik says:
29 December, 2011 at 01:57
Attention seeking ned.
Ignore.
SFTB
Thats a tad nut job of a post, and I aint having the argument now tomorrow yeah, just throwing it out there.
macanbheatha says:
29 December, 2011 at 01:56
Neil is very methodical in his thinking, Thankfully Neil was a part of a Midfield that urinated ALL over Ibrox when he and Roy played there.
Neil Knows Exactly what is required to beat them. You better believe he will mould a team that will be constructed to urinate over Ibrox regularly, because he likes doing it.
Celtic Soul Brother- Supporting Kano 1000 says:
29 December, 2011 at 01:57
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I Luv U Brother!!!
Hail! Hail!
You are right I dont think Healy touched the ball
James Forrest is Lennon says:
29 December, 2011 at 01:19
I believe most of it is to do with being online, and not actually seeing each other, knowing each other, like in a pub setting.
I have had plenty of disagreements with fellow fans about players before. But, if someone played really well, no one started jumping up and down, shouting GIRFUY! Sure, there was a bit of a nod, a wink, a laugh, a ‘your due me a pint’ comment, maybe even the odd annoying ‘I told you so’. But I think when you dont know the other person, there tends to be a bit too much over emphasis, in order to make sure a point is ‘heard’, or in this case seen.
A lot on here are talking about doubts. Personally, I didnt doubt that Neil was the best man for the job, even after the Killie game. I wouldnt have put my house on us winning the league! But I just thought, if we can take some pressure off him, Lenny can do something. Something way more exciting than anyone else that was a realistic possability. I did think winning the league was getting less and less likely, but I felt Neil was growing in experience. That the short comings of the board, WGS final season, The TM season, had nothing to do with our current coaching staff. That taking the league, down to a missed pen/cheating mibs/poor game away to ICT, was an achievement. That if they could make this league go down to the wire again, losing would be bad, very bad, but not all their fault. That given time, they could put a winning team on the park.
Well, thankfully, they did it before the end of the year! Because, I do feel, that if we were still say 12 points behind, it would be Lenny’s job that would be getting discussed. And although 12 points, or the 15 it was, is certainly nothing to feel good about, I did feel that players coming back would make a difference, that the mordor lot couldnt keep winning 1-0 or 2-1 with luck and dodgy decisions for a whole season, that their short squad would start to crack.
But your right, everyone is entitled to doubts. People who write a reasonable statement, that states they dont like something about Celtic, while still being respectful, should be allowed to do so, without fear of ‘get lost ya hun’ replies. Its the challenging debate that makes it interesting. I think its comments that are not respectful, like ‘NL GTF’, or Sammy GTF disgrace’, that bring the blog down in general, and probably help create some of the tension that builds, when 2 generally otherwise decent posters, start to call each other huns, instead of having a reasoned debate.
Dont know the answer, perhaps more comments should be deletd. People will of course say they have a right to free speach, but its not actually their blog, so infact Paul has the right to decide which comments reflect negatively on the blog, and should therefore be deleted.
Anyway, could hardly be happier right now!
Anyone else excited about the possability of us winning the next game, and them dropping more points……….??
Celtic Soul Brother- Supporting Kano 1000 says:
29 December, 2011 at 01:59
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I Luv U Even More Brother!!!
Hail! Hail!
reilly1926 says:
29 December, 2011 at 02:01
hen1rik says:
29 December, 2011 at 01:57
Attention seeking ned.
Ignore.
share
A lot of people on here will be saying your describing yourself to a T ma boy.
Yeah James, he does not appear to be too badly done.
Top of the league to you too and may May see us up there too.
Just turned noon here, time for the game and a beer.
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?p=7380&cpage=7#comment-1233143
Gonnae sumbdy email this to every London based Scottish football “reporter” every hour on the hour until they put it in their paper, and tell em it’s the tip of the tunting iceberg. Or at least post it on here and on every other Celtic site, and send it to the Motherwell sites in the hope that they feel some shame.
Unlike this Drunken Anglohun
petec says:
29 December, 2011 at 02:03
One of my big rants tonight was over David Tanner’s shocking negativity about the Celtic starting lineup (and everything else Celtic related … and that blue tie …. not even a suggestion of impartial professionalism about him tonight, shameful) …. he questioned, in particular, Thomas Rogne …
Cue Neil before the game. Asked the question. Gave the answer. “Rogne is our best header of the ball, and tonight we’ll need that …”
Cue second half. Rangers tactics, completely one dimensional. The punt up the park.
Rogne was the perfect man for the job.
Absolutely first-rate tactical decision. One amongst many.
hen1rik says:
29 December, 2011 at 02:04
I’m 85 years of age ya sad eejit…..
KevJungle – “Put the GREEN BRIGADE into a new JUNGLE” says:
29 December, 2011 at 02:03
No problem-don’t thank me down to @ronniej1967 on Twitter!
P.S. Use the link at 01.59 (not the one at 01.57)
Night all and hail hail!
Imagine how we’d feel?
Imagine we had been as far in front as they had?
Imagine we’d watched them troop in 3-0 down at half TIMe at Killie?
Imagine?
Now imagine how they feel now?
Imagine how it feels to be as far in front as they were?
Imagine we’d let lead that slip to one point before going to Ibrox?
Imagine?
Imagine we’d got beat?
Imagine how they are feeling tonight?
Hail hail
MME