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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Bring Me The Heid of Thunder Crap Reid,
I think Paul 67 is highlighting the thuggery as this is the umpteenth time we have faced a SMith or McCoist team and we have been at risk of losing players to injury. They are deliberately targeting Celtic players and trying to injure them. In fact if I was Paul I would have put that in a headline piece to drive an agenda. There is no point in being gracious to their defeat if they are trying to injure our players so that we are handicapped for our following fixtures. Their attitude to football stinks and always has done.
Healy cleaned James Forrest out as he changed gear. Healy knew exactly what he was doing and assaulted him at speed. McCulloch accelerated into the challenge with Kayal and left the boot in. Lafferty commited the same foul he commits in every game I have seen him in. (See Hinkel and Paul McGowan as a ref point.)
If I was a Celtic player last night I would have found it hard to not what to retaliate and then rub their noses in it at the end as we walked off the park.
Charitable in beating that mob. Not a chance.
Edu and Healy came on-game over.
Hail Hail
What can one say…
Have I told you LEDLEY that I love you…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Morning all,
Thought Neil’s team selection was brave last night it turned out to be a masterstroke. Great performances all over the pitch from GK up to Hoops and Sammi.
Someone either on Sky or on the radio after said of the Wallace header “if ever there was a case for goal line technology to be used then that is it”. Sorry but goal line cameras would be introduced to stop embarrassing mistakes like the Lampard one v Germany or I seem to remember a certain goal not given at Fir Park involving our very own Johann Mjallby. A camera on the goal line last night would prove inconclusive and, like in Rugby, any doubt and the goal/try cannot be awarded.
In any case, we were superior in EVERY department and thoroughly deserved all 3pts.
One final thing on the thuggish challenges from some of them… When I saw McCulloch writhing around waving his arms as if he had just broken his leg, I thought that he was genuinely seriously hurt. Like all of us I could not believe that within 2 minutes he was up on his feet having conned the ref. Utterly despicable, they stoop to new lows every time they play us.
Congratulations to Neil, The team and the Fans do rising above ALL of this.
Hail Hail
craggy
LiviBhoy says:
29 December, 2011 at 11:29
Last night was Laughatme’s 5th booking in the SPL this season.
The article from the Telegraph is interesting. Not a mention of two attempted on field assassinations of young Celtic players, yet space to mention a non-incident in the tunnel. Decent attempt at describing the weather though… That sound is the rattle being thrown from a pram. He IS hurting. Happy new year Ewing.
I think Neil deserves special praise for getting his team selection and tactics absolutely nailed last night.
Putting Wanyama in the defensive midfielder role was crucial. It would have been easy to keep him in central defence but the manager clearly thinks that midfield is Vic’s best position. Rightly IMHO.
It then allowed Charlie and Thomas to concentrate on the aerial stuff as Vic, Kayal and Broony broke up play in the middle.
Aye it wasn’t pretty last night but Celtic winning “ugly”, and it is maybe harsh to even call it that as we were the only team trying to play football, gave me immense satisfaction.
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Well I’ve had some crackin days watchin the Bhoys,in Doncaster and Leeds under MON but I will tell you what,Keighley last night will take some beating,apart from Paradise there is nowhere I’d rather have been last night,we have a crackin wee club and if anybody out there finds themselves in west yorks,come n see us.
That was magnificent!
Italiabhoy, I have read and heard a few people talk about the fee for Jelavic being low or the same as what was accepted from Vienna. What evidence is there to sugggest this is the case? Is this wishful thinking or is there a genuine bid on the table from someone? Great if they only get £4m but I tihnk in this market he is worth more.
There is the fact that Rangers need to sell so this should see the price drop a little. The only way the price could reach over £6m is if there is a bidding war.
Hodgson was there last night but I think that was to watch Gary Hooper and another couple of our players. QPR apparently have a bid in for Jelavic and McCoist admitted this last night. Apparently he heard about it before the game? Radio Clyde broke the news at 6 so they new before McCoist?
I think if they sell him early in the window we will see the usual press orgasm over how they will spend the fee only for the bubble to burst on the last day.
Who is this guy leggat………….cant be bothered schrolling back
iki
Collum is a spineless toadying lickspittle …he knows what is required to advance his careerand he acts accordingly
he is worse than the bluenoses
Very dark and pouring with rain in West Lothian.
However, the sun is shining in my heart.
Thank you, Celtic.
Good mornin’ troops….
Not had the stamina to read the overnight stuff yet but quick swatch at the Beeb online gossip, always very revealing…..as there is never anything much after a Celtic victory.
Funny that.
HH.
Good good good morning all.
Just watched highlights on bbc ,Joe goal”there it is the old firm
breakthrough” witthefu??????????????
McCulloch ,studs up ,usually cowardly tackle,should have been off
along with Healy,and the big dreep.
That was fat salls last throw of the dice,I believe huns are on
downward spiral.
My opinion and I’m always right :O)
Disnae matter Bhoys!
We won.
It was on a dreary new yeas eve as the the shades of night came down….
Good morning bhoys and ghirls on this most beautiful of December days :-)
Does anybody have a link to a recording of the currant bun on Snyde last night who went in to meltodown and started bubbling before he was cut off?
Hail Hail!!
I love Celtic..
What a great day to wake up a Celtic supporter, the spirit and the guts shown by the team last night were something to behold, we didn’t react to the huns thuggery and conducted ourselves in a manner befitting of a Great Celtic Team.
The BBC football page never looked so good as it does today.
Well done Lenny for getting your team selection just right.
Courage in the face of overwhelming odds- the Celtic Way.
Hail massive Hail from a very happy Starry abode..
SP
I have read Aw Naw’s version of the Ewing Grahame report but I am finding it impossible to detect the bits that have been aw-gnawed.
Morning all….Im as happy as hoopy the huddle hound at happy hour!!!
A lorry load of volunteers approached the border town…
jmbhoy 67 @ 11.46,
think it was on bbc scotland with chuck dung
I see Sky sports are using our song in an advert
Just Cant Get Enough
Lubo.
Good morning Bhoys
Interesting stats……
Paul Le Guen: P26 W15 D5 L6
Fat Paul Le Guen: P26 W14 D6 L6
I say Sally must stay….
Anyone got a link to NL in the Sky studio after the game? I was in the Felons in Belfast last night and just seen him up there with McCann, Nicholas and Tanner. I was wondering if he was righting a few wrongs that had been said.
iki says:
29 December, 2011 at 11:46
Mebbes Awe Naw has just been outed as the self same EWING GRAHAME!!!!
has anyone ever seen them together? …. I rest my case
hail \o/ hail
….PFayr says:
29 December, 2011 at 11:41
iki
“Collum is a spineless toadying lickspittle …he knows what is required to advance his careerand he acts accordingly
he is worse than the bluenoses”
Yes, I have made several posts saying much the same but not quite so passionately.
Superb display last night – the best the players have produced.
Shame about the lack of goals, but when an opposition team sets out to defend in numbers like Rangers did last night, a low scoring game is what you end up with – and before anyone laments the quality of the game, remember they did this to both Barcelona and Man U, neither of whom could raise the game beyond the mediocre.
Adam Matthews – what a performance! Best player for me amongst a number of potential candidates for MOTM – Forster (whose kicking has improved), Mulgrew (superb defensive headers and consistently good set-pieces), Brown (excellent harrying of the opposition), Kayal (midfield boss), Forrest (rose to the occasion this time), and Samaras (the fact that he didn’t stand out this time due to the rest of the team being inspired by his example).
One point – just how bad was Jelavic? Horrendous first touch, lazy attitude – £8m??
Good morning fellow celts from sooside..who cares about the weather today?
A great result and tight as expected.
It seems like years ago when a young Thomas Rogne had to leave the park injured having given us a glimpse of his potential v orcs
I often thought about that performance when we were struggling to find a cb solution. Considered him a lost cause due to injury and bad luck.
Last night we saw the same TR step up to the plate on a night lesser men would find plenty of reasons to call off with a niggle or strain. Clearly Lenny wanted vic67 in beside Beram and took a chance on Tommy…it was a brave yet inspired choice. Paying off with interest.
For me we have just found a cb solution! Tommy was immense, towering headers, positioning assured 99% of the time, calm passing and a perfect partner for big Chas who was also playing with the kind of calm confidence needed on a night like that.
The biggest test spl fitba can offer in atrocious conditions was met and matched and overcome.
Matty too came in and did an excellent job and looked like he had never been away.
Big Fraser made an outstanding save to deny them. He had no right to stop that..pictures are not conclusive that ball crossed the line and big Fraser did his job. Growing into a keeper before our eyes.
Don’t you love Joe Ledley? Always responds to the call and one clearance where he tucked in on jellylegs on the one occasion Tommy and Chas were stranded. His overall tenacity was vital and close contention for my motm. His goal was delightful and illustration of our need to be able to get the heid on the ball when our preferred approach is being slowly blunted by schiltrom defence a la orcs.
Lenny mentioned the specific need to strengthen that aspect of the team for away games in his post-match sky interview.(how much did he cherish that wee chat with the currant in the bluest tie ever seen ?) He must bring in a striker who can heidy a goal…tho’ I feel he already has the cb in Tommy Rogne.
To think Izzy to return to that defence…is a comforting feeling!
Broony looked ok and mostly kept the heid when the provocation wasat it’s zenith…good on him. Personally I would prefer Joe Ledley beside. Beram and vic67 in a line of 3.
Beram was immense and will be well barked that elbows saw him off the park with his over the ball tackle…what a total thug! Hopefully he will be back in the middle soon beside big Vic67. What a player we have there, strong, quick, composed and has a range of passing and the ability to step our of holding role and break as we saw a few times last night. Simply an awesome prospect in green and white hoops…he looks magnificent.
Up front Sammi used all his experience and really is a cunning player..very unluckly on the offside goal and the breakaway on thw half-time whistle ( weel done oor wullie eh?)
Jamesy showing he can do a shift on left when required and caused them probs all night…would look better if he had a target man to aim crosses to when short game is being stifled. Took a sore one from thug healy who was embarrassingly junioresque in his crude attempt to finish jamesy’s season…an obvious red card for intent!
Ghoops worked harder than is his custom and looked eager..tho’ service was denied most if the night. He can link with Sammi and Jamesy and in most games I feel the three of them form our most effective attack..with stokesy on regularly to bolster.
Having said all that. The night belonged to our much maligned manager and the outstanding green brigade. The noise generated was deafening and must be recognised as the asset it is by the club.
When people on this blog were calling for Lenny to go I was sick to my stomach. There was no excuse for that and in the interests of unity will leave it at that.
Lenny must have enjoyed looking Sally right in the eye last night at final whistle…oh aye
How do ye like them apples mccoist?
If we can keep the heid we have the makings of a great team and we should enjoy watching them blossom
From a very, very happy Celt
Hail Hail
M
E grahame`s article is embarrassing
report on the match ya hun fud
Will Ewing GRAHAME get the pelters I took ?
HAil Hail
Just catching up from last night, got to about 01:00
Back in November I didn’t lose faith in OfficialNeil, but I did think his whole management team were failing to take players, improve them and build a team. I guess I was comparing them with MoN, and while they haven’t shown that level of ability they are improving. Since then the team stabilised around and grew around some of the summer arrivals: Matthews and Vic have been immense and are now first choice picks.
The Elbows vs Kayal tackle last night I thought was 50:50 with neither player giving an inch. Reckless and careless but isn’t every other challenge in these games carried out with reckless abandon? Hopefully Beram will be back soon as he and Broony bossed the game last night.
Healy was a red card and I dont care if it was his first act on the pitch, it should have been his last. I found the video of Collum giving JF a red against Hamilton for much less. If my memory is working that was also the game following the last festive derby victory (wont use the O** F**** term) with THAT offside goal and McGinn getting booked rather than getting a penalty. Beating Dunfermline on Monday is a must.
The Starry Plough………..I was astounded to forehead at the confidence / ease of the players last night……..their composure / discipline was astounding….great night
Did anyone see Charlie laughing at broadfoot during the aftermath of healy’s assault on James……….broadfoot puffed oot his chest, looking for someone to confront……he approached Charlie, and Charlie just laughed in his face……he duly ‘retreated’…………hilarious….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PD GD pts
1 Celtic 21 26 50
2 Rangers 21 25 48
Happy New Year!
Mick1888 11.55
The journalist is a Tim :-)
HH
M
Ewing Graeme’s report is utterly typical of the LL. When we win, the game is routinely dismissed as “rubbish”, with no skill or inventiveness at all. Snide remarks are made about our fans “not caring about this”, as if we are less educated than the refined scribes who write for the Scottish sporting press.
When they win, on the other hand, it’s Real Madrid – Eintracht Frankfurt all over again.
Someone once told me Ewing is a Celtic fan. He hides it awfully, awfully well….
Cheers lafan
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo says:
29 December, 2011 at 11:55
“Will Ewing GRAHAME get the pelters I took ?”
Naw, Aw Naw.