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.
935 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- »
Well,off to work.
I hope you all have a well-deserved hangover.
Especially every lucky bassa at the POTY do.
Yes,I’m walking away……..
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS – Till we meet again!
Hangovers are for children and less advanced drinkers. (thumbsup)
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/ on 29 April, 2012 at 23:07 said:
Exactamundo.
Well the End of the Taxes Rangers after a 3-0 going on 7-0 performance.
Its being repeated here in the USA in 45 mins. So I’m offsky.
After a taxing episode its taxis all round and the last unpaid creditor will be the taxidermist..that guy w/the hair. Looks like he knows what he’s doing.
You couldnae make this stuff up…at one point Neil said to him
“Dermot is statue?”
El Madrigal on 29 April, 2012 at 22:48.
I’ve always loved Scott Brown and although he started slow for various reasons he is now turning into the player/leader we all want..
the_huddle on 29 April, 2012 at 22:54 said:
If you are half as good as broony and half the size of commons then you’ll be a cert for a game..;)
Hooper fantastic today.
Off to bed and sweet dreams.
Margaret McGill – My dear, sweet Margaret.
Enjoy! (thumbsup)
Jamsie I think ur send buttons stuck!! lol
AtticusFinch – Where’s Boo? (thumbsup)
quonno – Goodnight to you too.
Can you feel the love tonight? (thumbsup)
Big Fraser bored out his skull.
Saltires
Will do
Off to my kip now, I will send you an email with my mobile & let you know when I am in your neck of the woods
JamsieBhoy – I remember seeing Big Fraser in “California Man”. (thumbsup)
Would it be a sin to buy a few red tops tomorrow?
HH
dannygall on 29 April, 2012 at 23:02 said:
Neil Lennon has found the new Neil Lennon… And he’s called Scott Brown
MAGIC
Agreed..
Who was the guy sitting behind Lenny who he hugged after Hooper’s goal?
Stokesy, Watt, and Paddy fantastic today.
a few more youngsters should get a run out to prepare them for next season, think a lot of players will be leaving this summer with a couple of quality additions coming in. i hope we promote from within to make up the shortfall i.e. 19 man squad with youngsters making step up as and when required/ ready.
think someone on here said we should give first team players time off now so we can get them in earlier next season to prepare for euro qualifiers (i agree)
celticrollercoaster…
Thanks!
New to all this…… but now addicted to Celtic!
In 6 months, I’ve gone from a girl who avoided football, to a ghirl who loves Celtic. How did that happen???? lol
What a day!!
HH :-) x
Your up to your knees in EBT’s
Your up to your knees in EBT’s
Is that guys syrup for real….that must be a photoshop. photosyrup..
Celtic fans fantastic today.
Season 2011/2012:
Celtic: Won 2 Scored 8
Rangers: Won 2 Scored 7
Phew, this title win was closer than I thought!
Huns, cheats and tax evaders.
What an incredible day.
Ran into this guy coming out of The Park, who I have known for about 40 years. He stayed across the road from me when we were growing up. I always thought he was a Hun – turns out he’s one of the good guys.
Still a bit shocked to be honest.
What was coffin count today? I only saw two.
We’re passing the coffin as rankers die
We’re passing the coffin as rankers die
Fat Sally, Fud.
Steinreignedsupreme – The great thing about human beings is that they can always surprise you, in a good way. (thumbsup)
philvisreturns on 29 April, 2012 at 23:17 said:
Its been a great day philvisreturns ..more later!
Mc Leans getting good wear out that shirt. Last 3 progs he’s had it on.
Ta for the feed back lads re the Thai Tims and the game. Sleep well Lenny.
Night U ALL.
celticghirlanew – In 6 months, I’ve gone from a girl who avoided football, to a ghirl who loves Celtic. How did that happen???? lol
I don’t know, but welcome.
I tried being a ghirl once, but the high heels were killing me. (thumbsup)
Bhoys/Ghirls
All funds for the remaining CQN badges will go to the Kano foundation.
10 left.
Special mention to an old CQN friend Fantim. A CQNforKano cyclist and a Kano bucketeener! Your badge is secure as is the other CQNers that have just emailed you. Will contact you soon.
HH
CRC
philvisreturns, commons is a fantastic player it is a pity that we lost him for much of the season, back to his best today.
more later?? mmmmmmmmmmmmm
For those asking about Thai Tims today, enjoy -:
http://celtic-hub.com/main/2012/04/29/best-way-to-celebrate-beating-them/?
Margaret McGill – Its been a great day philvisreturns ..more later!
Aye, the best is yet to come.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tX4rjHMBCQ (thumbsup)
Just arrived home. Moonbeams I guess you just left. Bassa, I’ll get you next time.
PS quite pleased I’m one of the minority that always backed Scott Brown to be Celtic class. Captain fantastic!
celticrollercoaster says In Neil we trust on 29 April, 2012 at 23:28 said:
Just in case the email didn’t get through, I would like a badge, let me know where to send payment.
Thanks.