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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Re-post with a couple of new ones!
Some Tweets from tonight-apologies if any already posted:
@rioferdy5
Rio Ferdinand Atmosphere sounds unbelievable at the old firm game! 1 – 0 to celtic….
@themichaelowen
michael owen Do atmospheres get any better? Unbelievable
@JohnHartson10
John Hartson Get in there!! Is that another taff making a habit of scoring against them lot!!
@VaughanCricket
Michael Vaughan Just can’t get enough is loud… #oldfirm
JasonRoberts30 Jason Roberts
Fantastic Defensive display from The Bhoys…Samaras was immense…ran himself ragged and was the base of the performance!!!
GrahamSpiers Graham Spiers
A strange, almost pitiful 2nd half from Rangers at Parkhead, given they were allegedly ‘chasing’ the game from the 52nd minute
@McNallyMirror
Brian McNally Neil McCann- “Craig Whyte has to give Ally McCoist some money” SORRY- Big Problem, Neil- He has to give HMRC a shedload of money. #Celtic
@McNallyMirror
Brian McNally Just seen the David Healy groin-high challenge on James Forrest. Straight red in most leagues except, of course, the SPL. #Celtic
marccrosas Marc Crosas Luque
Yaaaaaaaas!!!!!!top of the league!!we just can’t get enough!!!what an amazing feeling being back home at PARADISE with the fans #hailhail
marccrosas Marc Crosas Luque
Can you hear the R******s sing?NOOOOOO…NOOOOO…
@GrahamSpiers
Graham Spiers Neil Lennon’s Old Firm record as Celtic manager: P10 W5 D2 L3. D’you think a ‘rookie manager’ can come in and handle the Glasgow derby?
@VictorWanyama
Victor Wanyama Am the happiest man in glasgow massive points unbelievable atmosphere these is more than i thought Hail Hail Celtic RT
mrewanmurray Ewan Murray
Further Celtic hope comes from imminent return of Izaguirre, probable arrival of c half and c forward in Jan.
@paddimir
Patrick McGuire rangers could go into administration tomorrow and… eh still be second #howtimeshavechanged
GrahamSpiers Graham Spiers
Final thought tonight: Ally McCoist has the makings of a very decent football manager. But this is a fateful time to be the boss of Rangers.
celticrumours Celtic Underground
Mccoist’s record – failed in champions league. Failed in europa cup. Failed in league cup. Oversees a 17pt swing to Celtic #cantwinbiggames?
Is there a spare buzzer available?
Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear And it shows them pearly white Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe And he keeps it, ah, out of sight Ya know when that shark bites with his teeth, babe Scarlet billows start to spread Fancy gloves, oh, wears old MacHeath, babe So there’s never, never a trace of red
Now on the sidewalk, huh, huh, whoo sunny morning, un huh Lies a body just oozin’ life, eek And someone’s sneakin’ ’round the corner Could that someone be Mack the Knife?
There’s a tugboat, huh, huh, down by the river dontcha know Where a cement bag’s just a’drooppin’ on down Oh, that cement is just, it’s there for the weight, dear Five’ll get ya ten old Macky’s back in town Now d’ja hear ’bout Louie Miller? He disappeared, babe After drawin’ out all his hard-earned cash And now MacHeath spends just like a sailor Could it be our boy’s done somethin’ rash?
Now Jenny Diver, ho, ho, yeah, Sukey Tawdry Ooh, Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown Oh, the line forms on the right, babe Now that Macky’s back in town
I said Jenny Diver, whoa, Sukey Tawdry Look out to Miss Lotte Lenya and old Lucy Brown Yes, that line forms on the right, babe Now that Macky’s back in town…..
Look out, old Macky’s back!!
Standing but occasionally bursting into a wee Irish jig for Neil Lennon
HH
hen1rik says:
28 December, 2011 at 23:30
Paul disagree healy’s challenge will never be a straight red especially yer 1st tackle unless studs showing.
—————————————-
You’re a strange Celtic supporter if that’s what you are. It was cynical in extreme and could have caused a bad injury. You’re a complete bawbag.
Make your point then move on, its just attention seeking otherwise
Of course I am happy for myself tonight.
It is a special result.
More importantly, I am pleased for Neil & his pride of young lions.
They gave me this with their courage & ability.
I would simply like some of those who are tonight lauding our manager & his young team to remember what they were posting only a few short weeks ago.
Neil has not changed.
The Young Lions have not changed.
Only some people’s faith in them has changed.
We should not be so quick to come to judgement.
God Bless the Great Glasgow Celtic.
Awe Naw, that’ll be the Threepenny’s that Rangers have left.
Celtic Soul Brother- Supporting Kano 1000 says:
28 December, 2011 at 23:36
Twitter rocks ;)
Any of you statos out there…how does a 17 point swing compare with previous swings in the SPL?
Neil Lennon’s Old Firm record as Celtic manager: P10 W5 D2 L3.
dirtymac, David didn’t get a sniff with Kayal and Wanyama controlling things.
Petec, cheers.
Sheik Yerbouti, thanks. Their Irish players didn’t handle the game well.
hen1rik, we’ve seen first tackles given a red before. Even if it’s uncommon, it’s still not in the rules.
DougC, what about Charlie taking the ball for a walk straight into enemy territory when he had a free kick inside the Celtic half? What confidence that guy has.
The Celtic pantomime starts this week.
Every time the word rangers is mentioned the audience shout…THEY’RE BEHIND YOU!!!!
I don’t want to sleep. I want this day forever but blood pressure has finally gone down and I gotta go, looking forward to DR and Clyde tomorrow !
met we Criagy Whyte comin up Kerrydale Street before the game – fans were givin him pelters – pay yer taxes, pay yer taxes !! haha
Paul67,
Apologies,didn’t even read your article.
No prose required at present (i will read it later,promise).
I’m riding high on a mixture of Celtic,Heineken,more Celtic and sheer,unbridled joy.
I’m not going to give a review of the game,although i thought Adam Matthews was almost faultless,but just want to express my unfathomable pleasure at tonight’s result.
I recently posted that all we needed to do was keep winning until tonight then beat fantasy zillionaire Vague Shyte’s collection of cloggers,under the tutelage of zen Sally,and we would then motor to the title.Part 1 complete.
Looking forward to pulling away from them now and watching their heinous hordes resort to type.
Rebel treble me thinks.
FOREVERANDEVER!!!
hen1rik says:
28 December, 2011 at 23:34
Yer just talkin lilian gish thats all
Its all about opinions, thousands at Celtic park seen the real embarrassment that is McCulloch
Played and coached fitba for 40 years, i have seen players feign injury to escape punishment
McCullochs performance tonight was Oscar gold standard
Great result, what a turnaround.
As ive admitted before HUMBLE PIE tastes great
WELL DONE LENNY n THE BHOYS
HH
Whats all this about Neil Lennon getting the credit for winning tonight. Dont be daft it was me wot won it for us.
I didnt watch the match so we won:-) Seemples.
Didnt even check score until 10pm.
Now having a drink to kill sore throat from yippeeing. Hope you sky plussed it sis for me to watch when I get up.
Last season, i was in trepidation for 1 reason,
despite playing beautiful football at times,
i doubted our ability to pull results when not playin’ well,
and amongst thuggery,
very arsenal-esque, for want of a better description.
I no longer hold that fear,
and i see 2 men as the catalyst ,
Joe Ledley, the epiphany of professionalism, and
Vic Yanyama, a giant in the making.
bunburybhoy says:
28 December, 2011 at 23:25
And I am on the whisky…vino is for eating with
—————————————————————————————————————————————-
Mo chara, uisce beatha é an fheoil de na déithe, tá fíon le haghaidh níocháin
Celtic Soul Brother- Supporting Kano 1000 says:
28 December, 2011 at 23:36
Re-post with a couple of new ones!
great post mate. Loved your company tonight.
Thanks
Love beating them 1-0 , some how gives me more delight
McCulloch should be banned for life , Taken off before he was sent off , vermin of the highest order.
17 points swing , explain that Lap Top Loyal
owen
The whole 90 minutes are on Sky again at 1 am
I have been watching these games for 35 years through cracks in my hands. Tonight was the most comfortable I have ever felt. Loved the forced handshake with no eye contact from “Judas” Nicholas after the game…. priceless after all the abuse he has given Lenny over the past 12 months….
Thanks for that Celtic, that was wonderful. We have a team that we can really really be proud of. Big Tam Rogne? Excellent big man – he gave a master display on how to keep it simple as a centre half.
We MUST win on Monday. No blips please, like last season at Fir Park.
Well done all you
Can somebody remind me……
What did jellylegs say about the championship 5 weeks ago????
Ha ha ha ha ha girfuy
bankie
Been thinking the same thing about yer man for a time now, something just no right there.
setting free the bears says:
28 December, 2011 at 23:45
The whole 90 minutes are on Sky again at 1 am
Don’t have Sky anyone got a link to a recording ?
Big Packie’s Accent says:
28 December, 2011 at 23:44
Last season, i was in trepidation for 1 reason,
despite playing beautiful football at times,
i doubted our ability to pull results when not playin’ well,
and amongst thuggery,
very arsenal-esque, for want of a better description.
———————-
Good post, last year we’d played much better these last 9 games I’ve not been mega impressed, in fact we’ve struggled yet we’ve won them all. Funny ol game as they say.
Sorry folks, but I missed the New Post alert.
So, here’s a repost of my view of tonight’s festivities:-
Magnificent team performance tonight.
One thing we have to remember is that They are ALWAYS a hard team to beat.
It was always thus.
We had no under par performances. Everyone put in a shift.
RFC had will a plenty, which we more than matched.
What we had, which they couldn’t match, was superior skill.
I thought that the ref was doing well. the wallace “goal” was out of his hands, as was Hooper’s “offside”.
That was the Assistants call.
However, for the Mc.Culloch, Lafferty and Healy tackles, he bottled the decisions.
To think that we may be deprived of Kayal’s availability, due to Regan’s shambles of a fast track process, is worthy of litigation.
Tonight, gentlemen and ladies, we broke the will of RFC.
share
Thanks SFTB.
Might have control of TV back by then.
All, enjoy! It was a brilliant result tonight
GLASGOWS GREEN AND WHITE
COME ON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN
Won without playing well.
McCulluch could have been sent off and Healy should have. Violent conduct and then some. How did Jelavic get away with it all night?
Chuffed for Rogne, Matthews, Ledley, Forrest, Samaras and Kayal.
Surely there will have to be a summit from Salmond after that disgraceful show at Parkhead. Well it only seems to happen when we win.
Hail Hail
Paul forgot about charlies mazy :) kelvin has his work cut out to get a place in this team
Just heard Neil say he picked Thomas for his physical presence
Both bhoys were excellent
lionroars67 says:
28 December, 2011 at 23:42
I have noticed the McCulloch fella tends to clean out an opponent and then go down clutching
his leg, bollocks, whatever….
He is a nasty piece of work, well worth the “Elbows” moniker.
Tonight I thought it was a 50/50 with him and Kayal.
Also, usually, I never want him to get sent off because I think he’s rubbish and it’s
very generous that the mighty Glasgow Something regard him so highly they play him all the time LOL
pigalle
setting free the bears says:
28 December, 2011 at 23:45
same as BCW – not got Sky
any ideas how i can watch it ?
live stream somewhere ?