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
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 25
- »
Timjim
Audie Murphy
TJ
This him?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxD5qE8gAIA
midfield maestro on 29 April, 2012 at 17:18 said:
Broken seats probably just accidents.
You have to remember your average hun weighs around 35 stone and has the turning circle of an aircraft carrier.
the 24 hour cowboy….auhday murphy
THE EXILED TIM on 29 April, 2012 at 17:19 said:
Thanks m8 I lost the bet I thought it was Gene Autry
sparkleghirl on 29 April, 2012 at 17:05 said:
>>>>>>>
that’s just so good! HH!
Pee-peed all over them.
Scott Brown my MOTM with Izzy not far behind him. Overall though nobody in a Celtic jersey let themselves or the team down today. All three goals were top drawer.
Now. Dig it. Dig it deep, and BURY them.
BroonSauce
Standing up for Lenny’s Champions 2012
I doff my hat to the Gren Brigade for that banner, ab fa
Re the broken seats , damage etc.. Celtic FC should publish photos…
What’s that coming over the hill??
HH
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000 on 29 April, 2012 at 16:41 said:
All done as promised, go on guys a worthy cause
timjim,
Would that be Audie Murphy?
TimJim
or Alan Ladd
Mark \o/ McGhee’s \o/ Eyeliner \o/ AKA Mark Guidi on 29 April, 2012 at 17:19 said
Hawl you…..we’re waiting to watch the game when you come over….ya big daft dog!!
An here’s you trying to watch Lenny’s interview before us.
Do you want picked up?
weeron
Nothing could have been done to prevent our first goal.You see it was written is the book of the Apocalypse that today’s events would come to pass.That evil would be defeated,(or sent to a lower division) and the Four Horsemen would be seen.
TimJim, not so auld but was it – Audey Murphy?
The huns dead yet?
should be ab fab
Thread on FF……Desperation or what?
“Why can’t we just stay in admin like other teams?”
It’s almost getting sad..
Timjim
Could be the 24 hr cowboy Audie Murphy or Alan Ladd.
I’d like to echo the request for Lenny’s post match comments please!
BroonSauce
Just back in ….. WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL DAY ….3 going on 10 …… What price a level playing field…!!!!!!!!!
THAT GREEN BRIGADE BANNER WAS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING, SPARKLEGHIRL ……..WHEN I SAW IT, I WAS TRULY GOBSMACKED …….WILL NEVER FORGET THAT MOMENT………STAND UP FOR THE GREEN BRIGADE..!!!!!!!!!!!
TimJim,
Agree with the others.Definitely sounds like USA´s superhero who won the 2nd World War singlehanded but couldnae act tae save his life.
Neil Lennon BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/scotland/17888308
We are the champions
I’ve paid my dues –
Time after time –
I’ve done my sentence
But committed no crime –
And bad mistakes
I’ve made a few
I’ve had my share of sand kicked in my face –
But I’ve come through
We are the champions – my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting – till the end –
We are the champions –
We are the champions
No time for losers
‘Cause we are the champions – of the world –
I’ve taken my bows
And my curtain calls –
You brought me fame and fortuen and everything that goes with it
–
I thank you all –
But it’s been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise –
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race –
And I ain’t gonna lose –
We are the champions – my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting – till the end –
We are the champions –
We are the champions
No time for losers
Mcmoist, Niven, Walker, Niven, Traynor, Young
Hail Hail
For what it’s worth, it’s not my photo ;)
Someone here linked to the KerrydaleSt forum earlier, that’s where I got it. But it’s easily the best I’ve seen so far. Superb stuff, from the banner makers and whoever the photographer was.
http://xurl.es/8djhd
Thanks for the responses about Audie Murphy wonder if he was a Tim
That £60 I won the day has just shrunk to £50 the better half is now purring
Thought the BTC decision was due in April? Not another Carlsberg day tomorrow?
Raymy on 29 April, 2012 at 17:16 said
I hear you, if your going to step on someone Aluko would be my second choice, Elbows would be my first
HH
gsu
estorilbhoy
Is that where the rumour that they won’t play their next fixture is coming from, I wonder….?
TimJim
Glenn Ford
timbhoy in spain
Do you subscribe to any Lay betting services.
I’m currently researching results for Laying with the exchanges.
Any links to the CB banner or at least what it said
sparkleghirl on 29 April, 2012 at 17:05 said:
Thank you, looked great
Sparkelghirl, not in the know but am aware that announcement had been deferred from Feb to April. Maybe they’ll announce it tonight :)
Five live coverage with Forsythe and wee Nevin was dreadful.
Forsythe though did say it will be weird going to places Arbroath and Peterhead next year
Nev reckons the great atmosphere and black humour of both sets of fans make this game unique.
Whete is the black humour in what they sing?
Their defiant songs as he called them.
This is why.this fixture has to stay.
It is like advising a battered and abused woman to remember the laughs and good times and sending them home.
Despicable.
If that makes me one of the internet extremists and bampots, Nevin .then I am that man.
BonBhoy
well I get a lot of different laying stuff from various friends etc.
Are you looking for selctions or just tha tipsters websites ?
So did nobody see McElbows stick one on the refs chest at Broon’s yellow?
Great day for us……spread the joy amigos, what a family we are, humbled to be a part of it. We had to dub the the doors of the club to enjoy a wee snifter post game:)
slainte
tony