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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celt55 on 29 April, 2012 at 17:47 said:
Here ye go cara
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKmJPnAGUJk
TimJim on 29 April, 2012 at 17:29 said:
The wits called him the twenty four hour cowboy.
The 5-2 game????
the long wait is over on 29 April, 2012 at 17:53 said:
It was ^-2 m8 but I forgive you:0)
Never been so exhausted after a game.
Hard going ripping them for 90 minutes.
Jelly and ice cream when rangers die!
quonno on 29 April, 2012 at 17:50 said:
It sure ain’t tainted now.
We’d be ahead of them now even if WE’D been docked 10 points instead of them.
TheonlytaintedtitlesaretheonesyouwinbycheatingCSC
“Goodbye-ee, goodbye-ee, Wipe the tear, baby dear, from your eye-ee! Tho’ it’s hard to part I know, I’ll be tickled to death to go. Don’t cry-ee, don’t sigh-ee, There’s a silver lining in the sky-ee, Bonsoir, old thing, cheer-i-o, chin, chin, Nap-poo, too-dle-oo, Goodbye-ee.”
HH
^-2 correction 6-2
macanbheatha on 29 April, 2012 at 17:54 said:
Yeesss! That’s how it should be done. These guys knew how treat baddies.
ASonOfDan
me too bloody knackered; feels as if I played 90mns and led all the singing.
Was Audie murphy the most decorated American soldier in second world war?
Now we are the Champions no tainted title for us.Two celebration in one season great
timbhoy in spain
If you can send me some stuff I would be very grateful.
I just found out about Laying bets after joining Ron’s service.
I was away from the betting for a good few years.
I’ll get Paul67 to send you my email address.
For anyone wishing to join a Racing Club and Tipping Service check out this one.
http://www.postracing.net/the-500-club.php
You will not find any other giving better value for money.
Our Gaffer
” The only way it is tainted is if you have won it and you cheated to win it and we have done nothing wrong ”
Well said Neil.
Enjoy your night everyone and stay safe.
I’m heading over to Agent Craig’s ” green and white ” to watch it again with a few beers.
It will mean work in the morning with a groggy head but it will be worth it.
Hail hail
MME
Hoopalong Cassidy………..
Philbhoy – It’s just the beginning! on 29 April, 2012 at 17:59 said:
I was just thinking that, he was a Purple Heart Hero if I remember correctly..
A mighty Hail hail
Philbhoy – It’s just the beginning! on 29 April, 2012 at 17:59 said
Yep. Seemingly he was so wee and had so many medals that he kept falling on his face.
I ask again what the feck did theGB banner say
bonbhoy, 17:46
That sigh and pause before Neil has to point to them the obvious… it’s tainted only if you win by cheating.
Their default position is always that Rangers lose, not that Celtic win. Well they’re not going to have to worry about that one for some time and slap it up them
On cowboy theme –
Cavalry going through prairie and are running out of food. Colonel says to chief scout, ride ahead and see if there is any signs of food ahead.
After about two hours scout returns back with the news ” there’s a bacon tree up ahead, there’s a bacon tree ahead”.
Overwrought with starvation the Colonel ordered his troops to charge towards the bacon trees.
After 10 minutes they are attacked by Indians and all the troops are lying dead or injured when the Colonel turns to his chief scout and says –
” you fool that wasn’t a bacon tree it was a hambush” ;)))))
Sorry!
sparklegirl, 1st post on page 2. Many thanks for supplying my new laptop wallpaper! The best Green Brigade dispal EVER! By a mile.
Fantastic day and result – thought Commons was worthy MOTM.
Amen to them – 2:33pm 29th April 2012!
H!H!
Kris Commons has tweeted that he’s going to be a daddy again. Congrats Kris. Decent goal today too.
Jobo
snap re the GB banner.
Hail hail
Gaby Hayes
Timjim
Banner here http://xurl.es/8djhd
Jobo – I’m even thinking of giving in to the new style FB profile just so I can have it as a banner…. :)
TimJim
click on the link at the top of page 2 Sparkleghirl
the long wait is over on 29 April, 2012 at 17:53 said:
As a very old timer.
Bobby Lennox. Glasgow Cup tie Ibrox 1966.
Stevie Chalmers Scottish Cup Final 1969.
bonbhoy on 29 April, 2012 at 17:59 said:
timbhoy in spain
If you can send me some stuff I would be very grateful.
I just found out about Laying bets after joining Ron’s service.
I was away from the betting for a good few years.
I’ll get Paul67 to send you my email address.
For anyone wishing to join a Racing Club and Tipping Service check out this one.
http://www.postracing.net/the-500-club.php
You will not find any other giving better value for money.
share on F’book or Twitter
No problem pal.And the 500 Club is all in a good cause for charity.
The GB banner=best ever. They should sell prints to fund future paintings!!!!
HH
CRC
estorilbhoy on 29 April, 2012 at 18:01 said:
On cowboy theme –
:0( wish I had not mentioned cowboys
Jobo, that banner? Its not the greatest Green Brigade banner ever.
Its the greatest banner EVER at ANY football stadium.
SffS
TimJim on 29 April, 2012 at 17:16 said:
Of subject and I underastand if I do not get a response.Anyone of you aulder cqners tell me who the short arse actor was in the early fifties who was the star of many cowboy and war films
share on F’book or Twitter
———-
Timjim
If not already answered
Montgomery Clift?
Kojo probably knew him…
Hh
I’m really enjoying the 3-5-2 formation…. takes us back to the good old MON days.
Big Vic is quite simply the best signing we have made in a long time. He is Bobo Baldie V2.1, faster, smarter and doesn’t crash as often!
I really hope EPL teams don’t start sniffing around him this summer.
Rogne – Vic – Mulgrew away in Europe next season please.
With Lustig and Emilio at wingback.
sparkleghirl on 29 April, 2012 at 17:55 said:
Won’t argue with that.
Rieperman, it is Folly Folly who likes to punt on racing certainties, I’m much too confused to get involved!
Mountblow Tim, first time I remember hearing “we are the champions…” was when I was on altar boy duty at St Eunans and as me and Folly Folly enterered the Church, our curate ( The late Fr Peter Sweeney ), was giving it big licks whilst getting things ready for Mass. I think we may have played the foe malign the day before though. It sure of that. Fr Sweeney was a great Celtic man.
Bashi
quonno on 29 April, 2012 at 18:03 said:
the long wait is over on 29 April, 2012 at 17:53 said:
I think it was 1966 League Cup Final. Cross to Joe McBride who cushioned it perfectly on his head and Bobby Lennox smashed it into the net. A wonderfully constructed goal.
If you are talking about small cowboys– remember Hanniball Hayes and a Kid Curry??
http://www.justgiving.com/NiamhsNextStep
Sorry couldn’t resist!!