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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Pauls article mentions that having a 6’3″ guy taking corners seems strange.
I’ve wonderer for quite a while can we not coach James Forrest to take them?
Wonder if tonight’s result will affect the creditors attitude towards them, snowballs to avalanches and all that!
reilly1926 says:
29 December, 2011 at 00:25
hen1rik says:
29 December, 2011 at 00:23
Even if you’re a Celtic Fan you’re a complete arse…..
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Ok I’ll agree with everyone on here just to be a Tim.
Mculloch shouldve been sent off.
Lafferty shouldve been sent off.
Healy defo a sending off 1st tackle.
Is that better for everyone on here am I classed as a Tim noo.
Give me a break oh I and who u calling an arse you pecker.
Very happy with that.
Came to work late today after watching match first. (kick off 04.45)
Continuing to spread the good word amongst Korean colleagues, no prizes for guessing who they support in these games.
Worth noting though that while their primary interest is in Ki & Cha, the TV commentators voices always rise an octave & a decibel when young James Forrest gets the ball – they are very taken with him over here.
Meantime, than you Neil & thank you Bhoys; perfect send off for the old year & it’ll be brilliant going into 2012 on Top.
Hope all of you in Glasgow & elsewhere are having great time tonight.
Just be careful of the Ugly Ones; I’ve seen plenty of their twisted hatred down the decades & this is exactly the kind of time & result which can bring out the worst of them.
As for their ugly players, any trepidation I had about them sclaffing an equaliser vanished once their ubiquitous indiscipline began to manifest itself more & more.
Great result, great day ahead, & Happy New Year to all Tims everywhere.
The scary thing is we can actually offload Commons in Jan, our best player 2nd half last season, and it doesn’t effect (affect :O) the current team. No one wouldve thought that at the start of the season. A lot of deadwood to get rid of but still some mighty squad of players.
A massive 3 points for us tonight.
We bossed the game and controlled it from start to finish. Difficult to pick man of the match as it was a superb team effort.
Mulgrew just edged it for me – immense – never put a foot wrong.
The most pleasing point in the whole game was our discipline. The biggest disappointment was the ref – an utter disgrace.
How jellyfish and laughatme were not booked (earlier in the latter case and his yellow could easily have been a straight red!) I will never know. Let’s be clear about this, had those challenges, persistent fouling, handball and petulant arguing with the ref been from our side, we would have finished the game with 8 men.
The evidence for this was shown with the speed and urgency he used when booking Stokes. As I said, an utter disgrace.
Well done CELTIC
Well done Neil Lennon.
Belated Christmas wishes to P67, his family, all on CQN and the whole CELTIC community and here’s to a CHAMPION new year.
I’m off to bed a Happy Hoop.
pyfinl
Well done, Celtic.
There is a long way to go but let’s enjoy the moment.
I rate Jelavic and can’t wait to see him depart the Huns – the fact that he was anonymous tonight is an absolute tribute to Rogne..
The Battered Bunnet says:
29 December, 2011 at 00:04
Your thinking on Sammi ….. I totally agree with you.
Does not happen often.
Hail hail
the huddle
True, although I wouldn’t offload Commons! We haven’t seen the last of him I think….
HH
hen1rik says:
29 December, 2011 at 00:27
reilly1926 says:
29 December, 2011 at 00:25
hen1rik says:
29 December, 2011 at 00:23
Even if you’re a Celtic Fan you’re a complete arse…..
share
Ok I’ll agree with everyone on here just to be a Tim.
Mculloch shouldve been sent off.
Lafferty shouldve been sent off.
Healy defo a sending off 1st tackle.
Is that better for everyone on here am I classed as a Tim noo.
Give me a break oh I and who u calling an arse you pecker.
————————-
Glad you changed your opinion…..
Thats my eldest in safe so off to bed. he took 2 uni mates to pub and they are now the supporters of the bhoys couldnt believe atmosphere and a pub doing the huddle :)
Night night sweet dreams for all
Some more Tweets including one from the man himself!
@joe16led
Joe ledley Buzzing to have scored the winner in a old firm!! The Atmosphere was unbelievable Thanks.. Have a good night #boomtown
@dariofranchitti
Dario Franchitti Thanks to everyone at celtic park for their hospitality tonight. A great result!! well done @OfficialNeil and the team
@TheHumanTorpedo
THT Just seen an old limo with blacked out windows driving very slowly down Edminston Drive with a massive portrait of Ally McCoist on the roof
@celticservant
jake the snake A 17 point swing. We’ve not seen swinging like this since the Krankies. #Celtic
stevendoyle75 stevendoyle
@ @MattMcGlone9 Paisley road west resembling north Korea funeral scene
hen1rik says:
29 December, 2011 at 00:22
For what it is worth, i agree with you, regards ‘elbows’ challenge,
but you should know betta’ when emotions run high !
He took the ball, no any of the man,
well timed, and not ova the ball.
Issue for me, and all of us us is,
we have a man injured,
due to a monkey….. who shouldn’t be on the park.
My issue is with SFA.
I’d like Commons to stay as well, but all signs seem to point to him leaving, shame but it’s great that it’s not really a blow anymore. He’ll regret leaving though, english lower leagues or that crowd tonight
Great wee night at the Glencairn in Rutherglen although the police tried to close it after a wee fight or two……common the hoops !
The huddle and Patrick. Commons will come good second half of season.
So, let’s suppose you are who… Roy Hodgson? Neil Warnock? Tony Pullis? Alex McLeish? Martin Jol?
You’ve rolled up to Celtic Park to watch the SPL players mit niveau.
You have a chat on the mobile with your Chairman after the game.
Are you talking about a big bid for Jelavic? A bid that will apperently blow your budget?
Are you thinking about what Stephen Davis might offer your club?
Or are you wondering what you might need to pay for talent such as Tommy Rogne? James Forrest? Georgios Samaras? Victor Wanyama? Beram Kayal?
Are you wondering what on earth your international scouting network was doing while Celtic snaffled up these prodigies?
There is unllikely to be an unruly queue of EPL managers at Gordon Smith’s door in the morning waving fat cheques . Which of course means he’ll not be interrupted while caring for his elderly parents, which is of course a good thing for all concerned.
Commons will be gone in Jan if the rumours are the believed :O)
Footballer??? Kirk Broadfoot.
Discuss.
;-)))))))
The huddle
Aye, I rate it at 50-50 to stay or go. However, he seemed in good spirits last month with that prank, and he hasn’t played since only because of injury so you never know!
Cumbernauld
That is what I’m hoping for! Another 7/8 goals from him plus some of his assists will do quite nicely!
HH
I Just Can`t Get Enough!!!
You know if i was a boss of a lower EPL team, with limited money to spend after watching tonight’s game I’d been most impressed with Chuck, tall, strong, LEFT PEG and cheap.
I think the G B has grown from 3000 to 55000!!
Battered Bunnet
Good post..
Been on my mind for a few weeks. There are a few EPL teams in a dog fight at bottom of league who are looking for cheap Goalscorers. Jelavic and Hooper will fit the bill for a lot of teams. I would be surprised if both these players are not subject to bids.
‘hic’ you beauty!! Hail Hail ‘hic’
Player of the year -WE OWE SAMMI
BA BA
See if I was a footballer id sue you!! lol
SALLYSGETTINFUNOOTcsc
Big Packie’s Accent says:
29 December, 2011 at 00:31
hen1rik says:
29 December, 2011 at 00:22
For what it is worth, i agree with you, regards ‘elbows’ challenge,
but you should know betta’ when emotions run high !
He took the ball, no any of the man,
well timed, and not ova the ball.
Look matey me and my bro were going nuts but please watch it again and you will see kayal’s foot catches ground heavy nothing to do with Mculloch.
I like to be honest but a lot of people on here don’t and maybe that’s why we are called paranoid.
The 1 thing that pisses me off on this forum is when people think your a Hun when you tell the truth.
I will meet anyone on this forum to prove I ain’t a Hun.
My Missus is a Hun and she is sick of listening to me about honest mistakes the lot.
Do you know what pleased me the most tonight is when Neil got interviewed tonight on SS1 they tried to make it look as if Huns were hard done by but when hooper was onside I text all my hun mates saying I guess it all evens itself out.
All I’m saying is I guarantee when people on here watch highlights they will agree Mculloch’s wasn’t a sending off.
Healy’s was a bad challenge but it is not a red unless studs are showing and itvwas only his 1st.
Laffertys on saturday against McGowan wad s red and I remember Laffertys against hiinkel but not healys I just mean a ref will not send a player off for that tackle unless it’s maybe his 3rd challenge not his 1st.
Voguepunter
Us Rutherglen fellas ain’t wrong too often.
Georgios Samaras: Watch as the butterfly emerges from its cocoon.
Could be quite magnificent.
TBB
Anyway lads, as much as I’d like to be on CQN all night, I can’t so bye for now
HH
Ps
Let’s all laugh at r*ngers, lets all laugh at r*ngers HAHAHAHA
Yeah PT27. I agree, even when he was in england he did not seem to play till the second half of season. There are plenty of goals and assists to come from him. Where do these rumours come from. Fleetwood Mac. Hail Hail.
Tonight Celtic showed that they can handle the physical side of the game – big performances from Thomas Rogne, Joe Ledley, Biram Kayal and Vic Wanyama. We won a physical match in appalling conditions. As for the possible R*ngers “goal” – yet another excellent stop by Fraser Forster.
Forster 8
Matthews 8
Rogne 9
Mulgrew 8
Ledley 8
Forrest 7
Brown 7
Kayal 9
Wanyama 9
Samaras 7
Hooper 7
Team – 9. Great desire, great composure and the heart that has been questioned in recent months emerged for all to see.
As for them? McCulloch will get the three game ban he deserves, an old, slow thug of a player. David Healy should have been given a straight red and Lafferty delivered his trademark coward’s stud challenge on a full back clearing the ball. Where would they be wothout the helping hands they’ve enjoyed this season?
2012 could be a year to savour.
Ally McCoist – let’s see how you handle the pressure now.
I used to winch a burd called Fanny Aitken.
Ceaser67 says:
29 December, 2011 at 00:39
BA BA
See if I was a footballer id sue you!! lol
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That’s just what Kirk said! ;-)
seanbhoy69 says:
29 December, 2011 at 00:36
I Just Can`t Get Enough!!!
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Glad to see you on matey not seen you in a while.
Honestly what about us going ahead after 15 behind totally unreal.
any gems from FF?