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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We won at a canter today
with plenty to spare.
Credit to KK and CM but
Broonie was outstanding.
Any chance that Hibs, now looking at the real possibility of relegation, will maybe be a little more pliable for Mr Lawwell and co?
I mean, would Hibs vote for Newco knowing a no vote could mean escaping the very real possibility of relegation?
Two good results for Celtic today.
Can’t see me getting up at my usual 6.15am tomorrow…
But dazzling white shirt and green tie already looked out….
Oh, HAPPY DAYS, OH HAPPY DAYS
Wives of the horribles beware!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czdv9UNKhbM&feature=relmfu
A wee whiskey for me and then an early night.
Crazy busy lately. Other fights outside of football to be fought.
10th May – keep it in mind Fholks. Another bunch of blue wearing reprobates, thieves and cheats need sorting out.
Up the Celtic. Up the Workers!
Hail Hail
hamiltontim,
I understand to an extent, they infuriated me today and driving down London Rd I heard Neil’s interview. But he has called it as it is so many times, fearlessly, like no one before. He’s allowed to let one slip past him.
Like I say though, I see where you’re coming from because they are vermin.
Have a great night pal
TJ
Jobo
put it on the noo and go tae sleep in it
Ton Che Dan
Congratulations to you and Mrs TCD. Fantastic news:-)
HH
CRC
Anybody coming to Norwich?
Let me know
hamiltontim on 29 April, 2012 at 20:20:
Today is a day I think of all the Celtic family that are with us today and are is presently in a better day. I also think of those I consider to be close friends…
Today is our day…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
UTLR
Absolutely fantastic display today, best one ever
Damnonnii
That still scares me.
What is wrong with them ?
Paul67
Sorry for language violation. Supposed Tims ripping into a Celtic man got to me.
No excuse though.
We all new what there repertoire would be before the game and they didn’t disappoint.I wonder if Peterhead fans will be offended by them?
cheers aw naw..
whisky and me are the gest of friends….
well we are tonight… o))
Jobo– are you in the Chambers tomorrow???
who is the gest friend i have? hmmm o))
Lennybhoy
well said but also those that are not with us who would’ve loved today
raise your glass bhoys
to absent friends
HH
dannysbeard –
I might as well as I fear it might be the sofa for me tonight….
Don’t want to tempt fate but….
The streets near me seem pretty quite. Are they so gubbed they can’t find will to fight each other?
Also the blog seems fragrant san the eau de Orc
Long may it continue.
TON CHE DAN
wonderful.
I really wished my dad had lived to enjoy today, a 3-0 hammering and it was the last game against club 1872!!!
dannysbeard on 29 April, 2012 at 20:31:
Definitely Ton Che Dan, my best days are behind me…:)
I have passed on you best as I have done for starry plough, Gordon_J and CRC.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
did anyone see the guy in the full clowns outfit.
i saw him parking his car.
but when he pulled the handbrake on the roof blew up and the doors fell off
TJ
On reflection you’re probably right and I’m in the wrong. It just sickens me that once again they will get away with singing their pish and either it will be ignored, or worse they’ll be praised for their ‘no surrender ‘attitude.
Paul67 et al
The 21st Century has just begun
WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN?
WHEN WILL WE SHARE PRECIIUS MOMENTS?
GIRFUY DIRTY HUN BASSAS.
ATTACKING CELTIC FANS JUST OFF NUNEATON STREET. SCUM HUN BASSAS
MWD
UTLR.
that was an outstanding works today. you boys are the heartbeat of the club
simply awesome to look at.
keep it lit
The bould Hector’s bhoys….. Tá ár lá anois on 29 April, 2012 at 20:47 said:
———————–
BHB –
your post might have been deleted but I agree that , even allowing for some understandable giddines, the slagging of a Celtic man simply for an , erm , unfortunate style choice was definitely OTT.
Not a nicht for a ficht among us however…
HH
Evening bhoys just catching up, taking a breather at page 6, Offshore watching the game in a cinema big screen on a barge ( mixed company,) any way think we have won a watch bridge is up all morning for maintenance not expected to go down again until 3pm so no access to platform. 3rd goal goes in P.A.announcement “bridge is now down you can return to work ” Angry hun, out of the cinema to ” doing the congo when the bridge goes down”Tims , geordies scousers, boro bhoys , HuNs not happy
PS they got there own back tonight couldnt see the highlights left sky sports 4 on WWF or CQN, and the winner is ,BIGHAPPYTAMFAETHERIGS
Lennybhoy
Pass on my congrats as well please
HH
What a brilliant day! We totally horsed the Hun then I find a youtube video “We don’t do walking away” which is the funniest thing I have ever seen, totally brilliant.
I can’t do the link thing but just google it. It is fantastic. Could be a Timposter but I really do hope it is just another Stupid Hun. comedy Gold indeed.
HH
EC67
Great meeting so many CQNers today.
MWD .
was that today .
also could you post that wee picture i sent. i can’t get it to work.
much obliged if you could
Did anyone make sense of their 1993 banner at half time? At least you understand ours.
RobertTressell on 29 April, 2012 at 20:31 said:
Spot on. The MSM are real scumbags. They can’t handle this new media lark. Lenny played it cool, as he did this season. Give them a 15 point start and then start trying!! :-)
HH
CRC
HT
I feel your pain..
take a step back and breathe…
don’t let them drag you down…
dannysbeard on 29 April, 2012 at 20:48 said:
Lennybhoy
well said but also those that are not with us who would’ve loved today
raise your glass bhoys
to absent friends
Well said my friend . . . . . . few good Celtic men looking down on us will be grinning from ear to ear tonight as they loved days like today and enjoyed them
to the full ! ! ! they are all sadly missed