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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I thought the ref was intent from the start that he was not going to book players early on – didn’t want to give himself any difficult decisions later. There were a few huns who could have been booked before the late flurry.
McCulloch’s challenge was a nasty one for me. A yellow in my eyes, but in the current climate it was worse than several tackles that have resulted in red cards. Healy was a definite red for me – it wasn’t an attempt to play the ball, just to stop the player. And Lafferty was a yellow too, that type of tackle is often made and always gets a booking.
Twitter:
Hullbhoy Hullbhoy
OPTA stats – David Healy: Shots on target 0. Shots off target 0. Passes 0. Tackles 0. Assaults 1.
LawTop20 Gregory Ioannidis
Our research concludes that UEFA’s handling of ‘illicit chanting’ has been inconsistent, undefined & would be weak to legal challenges
LawTop20 Gregory Ioannidis
Regrettably we conclude that UEFA’s fine on Celtic lacks legal basis and was therefore inappropriate, disproportionate & illegal.
celticservant jake the snake
Paul-le-guen: P26 W15 D5 L6. Fat PLG: P26 W14 D6 L6.
polishturnstile Anthony R. Hamilton
RT: @OptaCeltic “The average age of the Celtic starting XI was 22 years old against Rangers.” #ParkheadYoungTeam
Twinbhoy says:
29 December, 2011 at 10:11
This must rank amongst the most remarkable Celtic wins in my lifetime. What a team Neil is building.
P.S. some of the comments on the Guardian site are worth reading..
share
Twinbhoy
They can have their bloated fetid abscess of a league. I used to hope that the English bubble would burst so they could get back to what English football was all about (it was great) but now they can have their cake and eat it. Overpaid shite hype their way round the grounds while young german teams tear their golden generation to shreds. Look at our stadium last night, look at the players wanting to play for us, look at our hero manager
hail hail
the celts are here
what the hell do we care
Paul-le-guen: P26 W15 D5 L6.
Fat Paul-le-guen: P26 W14 D6 L6
Hmmmm.CSC
Monday 2nd January, poorest league crowd at Ibrox for 30 years perhaps? Then 3 long weeks till they have income from another home game. Oh dear, it doesn’t get any better for wee Craig. Anything else happening in January Craig?
I hope Arbroath asked for the ticket money up front.
Still, at least they’ve a Semi Final to look forward to at the end of January. Oooops, sorry, correction – no they don’t!
Seriously, I just can’t get enough.
Well done to Lenny and all the bhoys
Many bhoys stood up last night and stood firm under great provocation from a team off thugs .
IMO the challenges (assaults) they made are the only way they know to placate the hordes
How the hell did they finish that game with 11 players on the pitch ,every time they look like losing a game against us they turn to thuggery .
I noticed that the BBC highlights failed to show the healy assault on JF ,funny that Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Laughatme’s on AM did not seem to merit a replay either .
Oh how I laughed when I heard them bleating on about the goal they never got ,I was wishing it had been nearer the back of the net so they might have felt for just a minute the total sense of injustice we feel every season .
Let’s see how Sally handles some pressure ,keep winning bhoys as now we are in front the honest mistakes will surely follow follow .
hail hail
Fittingly… Last nights Spl win was 9 in a Row!
great night , great morning after watching the Sky re run which failed to spot the hideous Healy assault. What a fud , a cowardly,useless,fat,bottom feeding pondlife excuse for a human being , James Forrest will be ten times the player you think you are.
Anyway first of all , BIG THANKS to Big Kev of Pride of Erin CSC, Nottingham for helping out with the ticket, I expect you enjoyed the night and journey home, much appreciated, good also to see my bhoy and his mate featuring yet again on the Sky coverage, I am thinking of charging a fee.
Going to be a good new year, Hail! Hail!
You could never know what it’s like
Your blood like winter freezes just like ice
And there’s a cold lonely light that shines from you
You’ll wind up like the wreck you hide behind that mask you use
And did you think this fool could never win
Well look at me, I’m coming back again
I got a taste of love in a simple way
And if you need to know while I’m still standing you just fade away
Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
I’m still standing Lenny Lenny Lenny
I’m still standing Lenny Lenny Lenny
Once I never could hope to win
You starting down the road leaving me again
The threats you made were meant to cut me down
And if our love was just a circus you’d be a clown by now
Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
I’m still standing Lenny Lenny Lenny
I’m still standing Lenny Lenny Lenny
Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
I’m still standing Lenny Lenny Lenny
I’m still standing Lenny Lenny Lenny
I’m still standing Lenny Lenny Lenny
I’m still standing Lenny Lenny Lenny
I’m still standing Lenny Lenny Lenny (fading)
RIP Phil
The BBC highlights don’t include Hooper’s non-offside or Healy’s assault. Guess we imagined them both
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon says:
29 December, 2011 at 11:08
im on it ……
A great win and remarkable comeback for Neil Lennon and Celtic. The momentum is with us now. Long way to go, but for today just enjoy! It wouldn’t be the first time there has been a debate about a goal in this fixture. I seem to recall something similar happening two years ago. Fortune(?) had a perfectly good goal disallowed which could have resulted in an important Celtic win. Don’t recall too much anguished outcry back then from certain quarters though.
Paul 67,
Unnecessarily churlish in your report I feel. We won, deservedly. Let’s show some class.
” The league’s poorest player, David Healy….” I’m no fan of Healy. He plays ( sometimes ) for Rangers after all. Yours was an unnecessary comment. Let’s hope he doesn’t find himself in front of goal in the Ibrox game. Stranger things have happened.
No mention, by the way, of Hooper not scoring. Yesterday you assured us he would.
None of us is perefect, eh ?
All the hun forwards should have been red carded last night imho
When Stokes was booked and not shown the same understanding leniency it showed you all you need to know with regards Collum
Hail Hail
Bring Me The Heid of Thunder Crap Reid says:
29 December, 2011 at 11:10
that was the most churlish post I have ever read on hear.
I feel your pain brother …. and loving it.
Hail Hail
Late tackle from behind is a yellow card surely?
Evidently not.
BFDJ still talking sh**e!
And still just as ugly.
So he is.
Rangers foiled by the wind and the Old Firm rubbish as Celtic blow hot and cold at Parkhead
Controversy and the Old Firm are rarely far apart and last night’s meeting was no exception. On an inclement evening when building an ark seemed a wiser option than settling down to watch this encounter, it was Celtic who weathered the storm.
By Ewing Grahame, Parkhead10:12PM GMT 28 Dec 2011
They survived the loss of an early goal (which the match officials failed to notice) and went on to complete a 17-point turnaround against their rivals who, 15 points clear on Nov 5, now find themselves two points adrift of Neil Lennon’s side.
It almost became the first Old Firm match to be delayed by litter as stewards battled to clear the playing surface of the red, white and blue foil paper which the visiting support had scattered to the wind.
As the teams lined up prior to the kick-off, Celtic captain Scott Brown jumped up and down on the spot while staring at his immediate opponent, Lee Wallace, in a clear attempt to intimidate the younger man. Yet it was Wallace, making his Old Firm debut, who ought to have opened the scoring after only seven minutes when he failed to score with a header off Sone Aluko’s deep cross at point-blank range.
Television replays suggested that the ball had crossed the line before Fraser Forster clawed it back against his right-hand post, but Wallace probably should have buried it.
Of course, he could argue, with some legitimacy, that he misjudged the flight of the ball in the wind (Forster certainly has previous in that regard) because there is no doubt that the conditions impacted negatively on last night’s encounter.
Indeed, the force of it was such that a corner flag was ripped from its pole just before the start. It also held up a cross from James Forrest, allowing Georgios Samaras to nod it down to Brown for Celtic’s first genuine chance, although Allan McGregor was equal to the midfielder’s shot.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t only the ill wind which both sets of players had to contend with. On top of that there was the driving rain, which made for a greasy surface.
The first half ended goalless, with pieces of foil still strewn around the Celtic half and the wise words of Eric Morecambe sprang to mind. What did we think of it so far? Rubbish.
However, the vast majority of the spectators were quite prepared to abandon all notions of quality control once Celtic took the lead in the 52nd minute.
Kirk Broadfoot, a late replacement for the injured Steven Whittaker, was caught ball-watching as Joe Ledley powered home Charlie Mulgrew’s inswinging (and then some) corner.
Unusually for this most passionate of derbies, it took almost an hour before the first caution was administered by referee Willie Collum, although Carlos Bocanegra could have had no complaints after his late challenge on Gary Hooper.
Rangers needed a Plan B but a cursory glance at the visitors’ bench was enough to confirm that manager Ally McCoist requires reinforcements if the champions are to rack up a fourth successive title.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Whether owner Craig Whyte is in a position to provide the necessary funding remains to be seen.
Hear=here
sorry totally hungover
Hail Hail
BMTHOTR
I agree with you!
I think aluko is worse than healy!
Paul67, i really wish you would say it like it is!
Was that wee stunt with the Christmas wrapping significant, or am I just suffering from a sense of humor failure?
two turning points in game last night, in first half when Vic rag dolled Davis on half way line, then early in second half when Sammi left Clubfoot standing to get a cross in, after that we were comfortable in each half. They are poor but will still run us close, we cannot assume it is all over , keep Sally`s quotes and Jellylegs quotes up on the dressing room wall , keep twisting the knife wekk by week.
As for Leggat , he is the very epitome of the West of Scotland 50 something generation of bowling and golf club bigots who cannot see that the world has changed. Force yourself to read it again, it is painful I know, but the sub text is obvious.
Welcome to the 21st century you sad old turd.
Bring Me The Heid of Thunder Crap Reid says:
29 December, 2011 at 11:10
15 games in a whole year (and none for Rangers since September) tells it’s own story.
Hurtin’ much?
PFAyr & Philbhoy re Murderwell – curious also that they are the only team Healy has scored against since netting against Portsmouth in November 2010.
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo says:
29 December, 2011 at 11:14
I’m just not sure what you’re getting at.
:-)
Aye, that’s right, one goal since November 2010.
pmslCSC
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo,
Thanks.
Re. Stokes’ booking: I believe Willie Collum booked him just to keep a lid on things. Fortunately for myself, not only have I seen more Celtic games than most posters on here put together, I am also honestly objective in my assessment of such incidents. I love Celtic to win. I love Rangers to lose but, mostly, I love Rangers to lose to Celtic.
Throughout it all though, I keep it real.
Happy New Year.
Je Suis Neil Lennon says:
29 December, 2011 at 10:52
There ain’t nothing quite as satisfying as a hurting hun journalist…….
read it and smile :)))))))))
Ewing Grahame in the Telegraph
hail \o/ hail
share
……………
Now that is a hurting hun
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Paul in an earlier article you drew attention to the need for discipline. Last night we had 11 fouls awarded against us, they had 22! We had one yellow (Stokes was bloody stupid doing that and deserved it), they of course had 3 yellow (and at least one them was debatably red). Overall we have the lowest number of yellow cards agaianst us in the league/cups so far this season (yup, the LOWEST) and we have the second lowest number of red cards. I think this shows that our lhads are quite capable of mixing it when necessary, but within the laws of the game. This will stand us in good stead the longer the season progresses.
And we’ve got inportant players coming back for the second half of the season!
On a humane note, at this time of year when charity should be to the fore, what an upset Christmas Thems had after Christmas Eve, now Thems are going to have a crap New Year as well.
A Happy New Year to Tims all over the world, but especially those in the west of Scotland today!
Great news. Wee man was brilliant.
Reminds me of a young McStay. Lots more to come from him.
Beram Kayal’s ankle injury is not as bad as initially feared according to Celtic manager Neil Lennon.
The Israeli midfielder had to be stretchered off late in last night’s 1-0 win over Rangers following a challenge involving Lee McCulloch but Lennon has revealed he is ok after receiving a very heavy knock to his ankle.
“Kayal is okay, he caught his ankle a little bit in a full-blooded challenge,” Lennon said.
“We’re hoping he should be fit for Dunfermline on Monday.
“I thought Kayal was magnificent, a real catalyst for a lot of good stuff. He broke up the play, got us playing.”
LB
Strong dung blue
Everybody knows one
Strong dung blue
Every garden grows one
Me and you are subject to the blues now and then
But when you see the blues scrape along
You sing them out again
Sing ’em out again
Strong dung blue
Weeping like a willow
Strong dung blue
Sleeping on my pillow
Funny thing, but you can sing it with a cry in your voice
And before you know it, get to feeling good
You simply got no choice
Me and you are subject to the blues now and then
But when you see the blues scrape along
You sing them out again
Strong dung blue
Weeping like a willow
Strong dung blue
Sleeping on my pillow
Funny thing, but you can sing it with a cry in your voice
And before you know it, start to feeling good
You simply got no choice
Strong dung blue
(Strong dung blue)
Strong dung blue
(Strong dung blue)
Funny thing, but you can sing it with a cry in your voice (fade out…)
Wonderful stuff last night. Most pleasing was the young age of our team, and the fact that we have options all over the park – Ki or Kayal? Stokes or Samaras? Cha or Matthews? Izzy?
The Huns on the other hand, are absolutely bereft.
Watch for a concerted MSM effort to big up Jelavic’s price tag in the next 48 hours. I predict he will be sold for 3 million, 1 million of which will go to Vienna, and the rest will be used to pay January’s wages. But it will be sold as a “9 million pound deal”, with the promise of Ally have a “significant warchest” in the summer..
I love these days when you wake up and the planets have realigned. Brilliant from the team and the fans just brilliant.
I noticed Mr Collum refused to send anyone off you are even allowed to man handle and bully him!
The lesser spotted Healy tried to become a Rankers hero and he couldn’t even do that.
We are top of the League…let’s stay there.
I am no fan of Collum.
Nothing has changed.
He will be praised for not being card happy but he was happy enough and speedy enough to book Stokes for his first foul. A foul which was not of the dangerous to life and limb variety as committed by Laff, Healy and McCulloch.
No matter what Collum does in the future, I will never forget that penalty he awarded but did not see.
What I noticed watching the game on the box late last night was the number of bookings some of the Rangers players have had.
Suspensions must be imminent. Elbows will get his suspension increased too.
Celtic have got the mix right. Hard but fair challenges. Thought Stokes was right to go through someone. Has to be done at some point. Let them know you are there.
Love watching Aluko duck on the line at the goal. He wouldn’t have got the header anyway but why duck? That guy was a great signing. Best moment of the match was when he bottled it and just kicked the ball out the park. I nearly wet masel.
LB
I just love coming onto CQN after we beat them……….so many happy bhoys……..what a Festive Season this has been !!!!
Bring me the heid of thunder crap Reid = FUD….!!!