Celtic outclassed what could simultaneously be both the worst Rangers** team in past 20 years and the best in the next 20 years.
**If they survive.
Goals win games but on so many occasions in the 124 year history of these games brave tackles are equally important and it was an exceptional tackle from Adam Matthews which set this contest alight. Lee Wallace was in possession when Matthews hooked the ball away from him before whipping in a cross which Goian knocked off the toes of Hooper and behind for a corner.
Kris Commons was to have an enormous influence on the game starting with the resultant 17th minute corner. Rangers marked man-to-man but as the Celtic players inside the box moved towards the front post a huge zone was left unmarked at the back post. The ball was inside the box before Charlie Mulgrew but the Celtic defender was flying and dived full-length to head downwards. The bounce left Allan McGregor no chance.
Celtic’s stranglehold on the game was a result of their domination of the key midfield area. Rangers played with Little and Aluko either side of McCulloch up front but Celtic matched up with a risky three in central defence, Loovens, Mulgrew and Wanyama. Such was the gulf in class between Rangers forward players and Celtic’s defenders that the profit Celtic gained in midfield didn’t have a corresponding debit in defence.
Kris Commons scored his first goal of the season on 31 minutes. Gary Hooper collected on the by-line before playing a square pass into space 25 yards from goal. Commons was first to the ball but feigned forward before pulling back and allowing the ball to pass across his body. This fooled Kyle Bartley into lunging for a tackle in a space Commons never ventured into. The deliciously intelligent move unlocked Rangers defences; Commons was clean through with only the keeper to beat, and boy did he beat him.
With McGregor advancing as though the tax man was chasing him, Commons was the personification of cool, carried the ball until 13 yards out and chipped the goalkeeper.
Although Charlie Mulgrew’s crossing was missed, the addition of Emilio Izaguirre, Commons and Adam Matthews into midfield ensured Celtic were always comfortable and threatening in possession. This allowed Scott Brown and Joe Ledley to dominate the central midfield area. Brown played his best game of the season, putting his body between ball and opponent innumerable times, no matter the odds.
By half time, the only question was, how many?
The record books will show a Kris Commons tackle won the ball off Ross McCabe on 54 minutes before Giorgios Samaras passed to Gary Hooper. Hooper’s shot from the 18 yard line rifled into the top corner to complete the scoring.
I said the record books would show this is how the goal happened but another version of events will say that coordinated singing from Celtic fans spooked an inhibited looking Rangers team.
*In administration.
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hamiltontim on 29 April, 2012 at 19:46 said:
Thanks HT, I just spotted my mate from Coatbridge in one of those foties he’ll be well chuffed!
im really disappointed today
“thats why we’re the champions” didnt get an airing – poor show ha ha ha
i hope Ally still loves the “old firm” matches
i hope they dont get liquidated, i hope they have to struggle on and on while paying off the debts bit by bit each year
that was the best they could muster coming to paradise today – imagine a depleted squad coming here
hail feckin hail
…..he who watches the Tic on the tranny.
Fud
The 4 horsemen banner again – I really didn’t think it looked like Craig Whyte (made me think of Michael Kelly, tbh) but there’s a close up here and yes, definitely Whyte.
HamiltonTim, those are great photos, thanks.
Date-mark: 290412
Event: The last ever game against Zombie Rangers
Location: In Paradise, this is the stuff that Celtic dreams are made of.
What goal did you enjoy the most today and why?
I will start it:
Hooper; great finish after superb play by Commons and Sammi. The final name in the coffin!!!
HH
CRC
tommytwiststommyturns on 29 April, 2012 at 19:25 said:
I thought we did the lap of honour because it was our first home game after winning the League away. I’m sure we’ll get a bigger celebration when we are awarded the trophy.
Aye….At least he attends matches ya muppet.
celt55 @18.08,
That was one of the goals I mentioned last night. Great great goal.
Anybody else notice one of the songs played as we left the stadium “when will I see you again”. Any chance there was a message being sent with that, I sincerely hope so.
Dickie Davies Eyes 19.34
Me too. Have my own business. At least i can talk to myself about how good we were today & nobody will argue with me !
If the barnet was trimmed, it could well be EDB !!
T4
Won a few bob on Celtic- 2 , lost a couple on a penalty in the game, in-profit, that will do :-)
rebuswad
Just seen the Thai Tims at Lennoxtown,fantastic!!!
I thought it was Paul McBride at first but yep looks like Whytie.
First time on today, how poor was the pre game stuff on Sky. All praise for the huns, McCann even implied that when/if the huns will it will be 3-1 this season so the Huns are better. Di*k.
Thought Nicholas was ok at the end when he said the huns should be punted to the 3rd division when they are found guilty, McCann and Blinker didn’t like that.
The THAI TIMS nearly went as mad as me when Mulgrew scored ….!!!!!!!!!
Dixiebhoy69 19.50
Who was playing at The Clock,was it a good gig.HH
I know i’m arriving late at the party
but what a day.
celticrollercoaster says In Neil we trust on 29 April, 2012 at 19:32 said:
Quality reply……
Haul hail
Weeron, you’re not letting that one go are you :-)
midfield maestro, thank you. Inspiring stuff to write about today.
Alasdair MacLean, yes, other teams have been able to stay in administration for years, but they hadn’t securitised their season tickets to Ticketus.
emusanorphan, you’ve been shared.
Celtic Mac, indeed.
taggart nobody move, I’m not arguing with that, not today.
stpatricksbhoy, thank you.
ticgaz, indeed they were.
bould Hector’s bhoys, deleted, language.
The rendition of well meet again was inspired……hysterical stuff, suppose thats vera lynn on the banned list as well?
DB
‘When will i see you again’ followed
‘Don’t look back in anger’.
midfield maestro 19:59
Oh well, our pain at this inconvenience is as nothing to theirs in general.
name= nail of course doh
Goodnight ladies ladies goodnight It’s time to say goodbye, let me tell you, now
Goodnight ladies ladies goodnight It’s time to say goodbye
Now, all night long you’ve been drinking your tequilla But now you’ve sucked your lemon peel dry, so why not get high, high, high and Goodnight ladies ladies goodnight
Goodnight ladies ah, ladies goodnight It’s time to say goodbye
Goodnight sweet ladies ah, ladies goodnight It’s time to say goodbye, bye-bye
Ah, we’ve been together for the longest time But now it’s time to get high come on, let’s get high, high, high And goodnight ladies ladies goodnight
Oh, I’m still missing my other half oh, it must be something I did in the past Don’t it just make you wanna laugh it’s a lonely Saturday night
Oh, nobody calls me on the telephone I put another record on my stereo But I’m still singing a song of you it’s a lonely Saturday night
Now, if I was an actor or a dancer who is glamorous then, you know, amorous life would soon be mine But now the tinsel light of star break is all that’s left to applaud my heart break and eleven o’clock I watch the network news
Oh, woh, woh, something tells me that you’re really gone you said we could be friends but that’s not what’s not what I want Ah, anyway, my TV-dinner’s almost done it’s a lonely Saturday night I mean to tell you, it’s a lonely Saturday night One more word, it’s a lonely Saturday night
HH
Missed the league win at Killie, stuck in France. So, home from game know & celebrating becoming champions for the 2nd time this season, bet no other club has done that. So far i have celebrated with my international friends from Spain (cava), Italy (pinot grigio), belgium (stella), australia(fosters) & ireland (baileys). What to have next?
In advance , PC67, thanks for doing my work in morning!!!
ParkheadcumsalfordwhoisNeilLennonand PaulMcBrideandTrishGodman on 29 April, 2012 at 19:57 said:
I remember it well. I, also, remember, in the same game, Willie O’Neill having a wonderful goal line clearance which helped win the cup.
aw naw
tax bomb could do with getting aw nawed…
Evening Paul, what a day.
Phil Mac has heard they might not fulfil their next fixture and the end is nigh.
Any info?
TJ
Celtic Football Club@celticfcReply
1st prize of the night, top goalscorer with 24 goals, Gary Hooper! #CelticPoY
Celtic Football Club@celticfc
Gary Hooper: ‘Nice to score all season, nice to beat Stokesy!’ #CelticPoY (gk)
Evening bhoys , did anyone get a photo of the new Kano Foundation banner surfing in JS/South stand today ? could you forward it please ?
thanks
As the esteemed poster Kojo wid say.
Today was awe about the players possessing the correct attitude and they hud the right attitude in spades today.
Right.
You betcha.
maks sense to us.
Kojak
There’s some internet chatter about a guy in the metals business who does business with Murray (David not Paul) looking to buy Queen of the South.
It probably means nothing – as QoS are being relegated to division 2 it’s hardly a great buy.
Aye that’s the same kojo that slated Brown and Mulgrew, two of our best players today!!!
Kojak- you talking about yourself again?
midfield maestro @ 20.08,
Not prosecco with the Italians? Still, at least YOUR Italian friends drink.
English FA to open talks with Roy Hodgson about the England job. Wot no ‘Arry???
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon on 29 April, 2012 at 20:16 said:
Is Div 2 not higher than Div 3?
HH
CRC
Someone posted earlier that Nevin (I will condemn sectarian singing wherever I hear it) was actually praising their songbook today. What a total nyaff. Rascal of the highest order.