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:
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celticghirlanew – Brilliant!!! Great reply!
I know!
Every time I look at myself, I can’t believe how awesome I am.
One time, these government scientists hooked up a computer to my brain, to measure how cool I was on the Arthur Fonzarelli scale.
After about 30 seconds the C64 they had connected to my head started to emit smoke and then it exploded, because I was too awesome for its programming. (thumbsup)
celticghirlanew
Welcome. It is not a decision that you make. You are chosen from something greater than we know. If I was not a Celtic fan I would not be who I am. There is nothing better than waking up every day and knowing that no matter where you are in the world your heart is in the right place.
Goodnight CQN.
Glasgow Celtic Champions oh oh oh oh oh oh oh.
Neil Lennon Championship winning manager of Celtic.
Every player who played formCeltic today.
Hunskelpers.
History makers.
Árd Macha on 29 April, 2012 at 23:51 said:
This photo of the Thai Tims and Reamonn Gormley’s parents says more about our club than a thousand words.
https://twitter.com/#!/HannahPeyton94/status/196300370903969792/photo/1
———————————–
Makes me proud to be part of this great blog…..more than a website
HH
CRC
Right off to bed. today has been a FANTASTIC day. Looking forward to them getting liquidated tomorrow and then seeing the Thai Tims on Thursday.
Hail Hail
Song of the day for me was our take on the, ahem … bouncy…
Liquidation, Liquidation, la la la la la la
Liquidation, Liquidation, la la la la la la
the Wagyu game
.
29/4/2012 Best Ever Celtic Experience..
Summa
I must admit at being a tad dissapointed at the folks having a laugh at the Celtic man sitting in front of Lenny today.
I’m sure if they all had a good look in the mirror, they wouldn’t be so happy to have a pop.
He is a Tim, end of.
stattos
please
gals to games ratio for hopper and commons versus third lanark and the rangers
goals
Palacio67 on 29 April, 2012 at 23:20 said:
Would it be a sin to buy a few red tops tomorrow?
HH
….
You a Sheep fan?
Exiled Our defense played well today, only Glenda can make mistakes , but last night he was good
Keep your cha’s, Wilson’s away from the team and you reduce your chances of mistakes
Although we will in the future face teams who actually have forwards unlike Huns last night
Center half to play along side Charlie and a striker
Yes commons and izzie were magic
Punt
Ki
Cha
Wilson x 2
Dan
Paddy( you will be a star in the boring English league )
Glenda
Murphy
All the money we save and make above buy 2 players only who will be on 1st 11 team sheet
Spain eh. Very nice
ST
Zbyszek
Aye, we are looking good for the near future, today was good, we played with passion, we played the game like it should be played, we were strong, we passed the ball well, we tackled well but fairly.
HH
Somos el Celtic
THE EXILED TIM – I’m sure if they all had a good look in the mirror, they wouldn’t be so happy to have a pop.
Sorry I made a light-hearted comment about your syrup of figs.
I’ve been a victim of a selfish kind of love, it’s time that I realise:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLXYiF_BdAs (thumbsup)
Evening fholks.I didn’t attend today,gave my book to my mhum so she could go to her first good v evil contest at aged 60.My dhad and her dropped in on their way home and I asked her if she enjoyed it etc. etc..She said Elbows is a “shit Drogba.”I love my ma’. ;-)))
Blender,blender,you’re going in the blender!
DJBEE on 29 April, 2012 at 23:54 said:
celticghirlanew
Welcome. It is not a decision that you make. You are chosen from something greater than we know. If I was not a Celtic fan I would not be who I am. There is nothing better than waking up every day and knowing that no matter where you are in the world your heart is in the right place.
…………..
You are SO right…….. I didn’t choose this. The whole celtic ethos, and their amazing skill. It all just captured my heart. It did help that esteemed hubby was a regular attender……. but that aside, their values ring true. I respect your comment. And agree with it, absolutely.
I look at the behaviour of other clubs and their fans, and know……. I’m with better people than that……. I am with Celtic.
Individually, I’m no better or worse than anyone else……. but when it comes to the club I’ve fallen in love with….. well, that’s a different story.
Truly honoured to be welcomed into the faith.
HH :-) x
TET
Keep your hair on. ;-)
HH
philvisreturns on 29 April, 2012 at 23:52 said:
celticghirlanew – Brilliant!!! Great reply!
I know!
Every time I look at myself, I can’t believe how awesome I am.
—————————————————————————
Forgive me for sounding like Kojo..
But…
Still laughing here!!
HH :-) x
ST
Can’t argue with any of that to be honest, there are a few more I would let go as well.
Buy quality, and compliment them with the quality kids coming through.
Aye, in the sticks here, Spain at it’s rawest, and as sure as eggs are eggs, hun free.
a href=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJScBddlZfU’ target=’_blank’ >brian clough wgot it spot on
Amazing how Sally mcmoist puts himself in it
His shaking hands with everyone on the Celtic bench before KO was cringing, the look of the guys sitting at the back of the hoops bench said it all
He is no very bright mr mcmoist
brian clough wgot it spot on‘ target=’_blank’ >brian clough got it spot on
ah i give up
Agent Craig “Green and” Whyte!! on 29 April, 2012 at 23:51 said:
Well said Agent Craig
Hail hail
MME
Poor old huns, put through the wringer today and put through the smoothie maker tomorrow.
Hey Sydney Tim
Sorry to tell you this but it wasnae last night! It was early today. Honestly. Where have you been. Tonight is tonight you really want to wake up the party is going here tonight. Anyway. Good morning. Good evening or good afternoon. Whatever it is just enjoy that was one of the best ever.
Taking my top off when rankers die!
Taking my top off when rankers die!
Takinf……
repeat..
philvisreturns…Awe Naw
Ok yer man would normally never have been seen, personally I thought it was CCE, he was telling us last night that he was doing the hospitality bit, dressed up to the nines etc :>))))
There for the grace of god.
Wasn’t having a go, just reminding everyone he is a Tim.
Now there are real targets out there, hun targets that deserve our mocking, but not the googeled eyed chap, he is my hero :>)
Exiled. That has always been my Policy
Better to have 2 quality players and 9 Celtic bhoys , than 20 average players
Sounds nice the mountains
Amazing when you leave Scotland you realise you wish you had left years ago
I left in 2002 to move to Germany for 5 years before finding myself here
Wish I had left 20 years ago
For most people who leave, very few return
St
Mark \o/ McGhee’s \o/ Eyeliner \o/ AKA Mark Guidi on 30 April, 2012 at 00:11 said:
No probs……
We all say things we regret, not to accept its wrong…..well you start sounding like sally then….a hun!!
Great fans, when their team were getting humped…silence.
Last 20 minutes when the game was up…pure bile.
Quite sad…
Night bhoys and ghirls.
Take care and god bless.
HH
KTF
lucky cody on 29 April, 2012 at 23:52 said:
not sure i get your point – he was at Ibrokes only 34 days ago
Djbee. Defo morning here , I can see sun coming through blinds
Still in bed, maybe go downstairs later , but then again as on leave today maybe not
Had my party from 5pm till 1am last night!!!! I think :))
Ps Djbee. If party is still g
Ps Djbee. If party still going on
Why are you on CQN?? :)))
I would be oot there showing my chest off :)))
ST
Been gone from scotland for 15 years, worked abroad for many years before that, spent 10 years in Ireland before coming here, would never dream of going back.
Been here nearly 4 years, it’s my home.
Your are 100% about the team btw.
HH
TET
He wasn’t Craig Whyte ? ;-)
HH