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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Thai Tims at Lennoxtown
http://celtic-hub.com/main/2012/04/29/best-way-to-celebrate-beating-them/
thai tims celebrating
Lisbonbhoy, SingaporeTim and bro – good to meet more good CQNers last night. Hope you enjoyed the weekend guys.
Highlights on SS2 at 7pm.
T4
UTLR – Thank You. The best display to ever hot the shores of Scottish Footballl. Take a bow Take a now Take a bow… GREEN BRIGADE.
MWD
Did anyone record the big screen when the Celtic team was being announounced showing the players cupping their ears with the balloons/party scene in the background ?
TVBB
WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN
MWD
FF
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=buAPSV47Z7I
Thai tims celebrating Charlie Mulgrews goal
Hopefully copied it right. :))
Huge plaudits to the GB as well today. They have absolutely transformed the atmosphere at Celtic Park, and some of their displays have been inspired, including today’s “Four Horsemen”…
Algarvian – Before the game, I said to the guy next to me in 408 that Elbows would ragdoll Loovens. Very happy to be proven wrong!
Only thing is I can see Neil handing Glenn a new contract….hmmmm!
T4
Had a wee chuckle at Chic Nic and Turncoat McCann after the game – they clearly have no understanding of the facts of rangers predicament. McCann has absolutely no grasp of the basic rules of the game or the concept of why rangers were sanctioned.
McCann was ranting about Whyte. You’d think all those ex players who may or may not have been on two contracts were desperate to distance themselves from the real reason why their club will be no more in a few weeks time. But that would be me being cynical right?
Nicolas was more like a guy who knew he couldn’t tell the whole story for public order reasons. He proceeded to talk guff about the SPL needing rangers as did McCann.
As salesmen for the SPL product you’d think their bosses at SKY might be telling them to talk up the positives in case there is no rangers next season. A chance for Aberdeen, Hibs, DUFC and others to prosper, pick up some supporters……
But never mind Neil McCann – the gang of 10 might not be able to vote for a newco because they won’t be up and running in time for that to happen the way things are going.
Being an ex footballer does not qualify you to talk about football on TV.
slap it up them!
OMG – there’s a furry animal in the stand in front of Lenny…hope it didn’t bite!
T4
MWD thanks for that so many memories
where the huns out the ground when it came on today?
Pics from the game copied from rtc
Well worth a look
Og rafferty
We didn’t have a weak performance from anyone.
The (legitimate) bite all through the team was a huge factor.
As was posted above Loovens showed a different side to his play today. Real dig and guts.
As comprehensive a beating as I’ve ever seen us give them, even in the games with a bigger scoreline.
Any feedback from AT who seems to have been at the game you can disclose?
tommytwiststommyturns on 29 April, 2012 at 19:03 said:
I’m sure a lot thought the same tttt.
I don’t think he is as bad as some paint him, and for my money is a mile ahead of dan and k wilson, both of whom give me the fear.
Just glad to see him do well again.
Victor Wanyama @VictorWanyama
Guys that pic I see is not me that must be photo shop don’t want trouble
What picture?
Can anyone identify this chappie?
http://twitpic.com/9f99ix
Spit the dogs other half?
Well it’s nice to have a final 3 – 0 victory to go with all the other 3 – 0 victories against them we will soon be awarded.
I hope Neil Lennon has a fantastic night tonight. He deserves thanks from each and every one of us for what he has had to put up with and what he has achieved in spite of everything they could throw at him.
Neil Lennon – Celtic legend.
amazing day
indeed !
I read somewhere that Alex Thomson was impressed by them singing whilst being humped.
Don’t think he would have realised what their “song book” would have been though.
from FF above
quote of the decade is ‘… murray’s misplaced arrogance…’
sums up them and him and them and him really.
enjoy hell guys – you have earned it.
u
Great result today. GB banner was top drawer.
Only found out the other day that Mark Dingwall run FF and was grandmaster suck,can’t believe the media go this scum bag for interviews his web-site is full of low life scum. Chick young mentioned the GB banner on radio,this was a response.
#6
Today, 16:49
pennyblack
Sellik Knew not just a Few – مسلم مخلص
Join Date: 28-07-2006
Posts: 9,218
Re: Chick Young radio comments before k.o
would he see any dark sense of humour if someone had a banner about his son?
dont think he would you know.
SCUM
Paul 67 I don’t post often however I read all your articles,thanks a lot you have been a busy man of late.Home safe and sitting with a bottle of Merlot savouring the day.The team all superb,Neil and the staff fantastic,I sit in the Lisbon Lions lower, the support and especially the Green Brigade unbelievable I even got to pass the coffin.As an old Tim thanks to all.As for them I hope I never see them again or hear their bile again I only wish my Dad was here to see their demise.
Hail Hail and God Bless all.
Scott Brown was the outstanding player today. And it was a day on which he had serious competition from Commons, Izzaguirre, Loovens (!!!), Ledley, Hooper, Samaras, Wanyama, Mulgrew, Matthews…….
He has turned in to a midfield general. There is now substance to his harrying and chasing – and despite a fairly stupid tackle on Kerchar (I thought at the time it was Bartley and was more than pleased that Broonie had done it!) he deserved MOTM.
My only criticism of the team is that at 3-0 up with 5 minutes to go no one took the opportunity to ‘deal’ with Elbows.
The next time he comes to Celtic Park will be as a mid table SPL player, so I suppose we can wait. Despicable player. As is Bartley for his attempted leg breaker on Izzy – a straight red any day of the week.
Well done Skoosh. You’ve come of age.
notthebus – that’s the furry animal I was talking about….! :-)
T4
Watching the game on Sky Planner and as we come out I second half, commentator calls it the 399th Glasgow Derby.
It is getting to them, re-education.
Amazing day at Celtic Park
Team were excellent , all 11 played well but i thiught a special mention should go
to the following
KC and izzy ……………… great to see both find a bit of form . Hopefully the’re fully fit and raring to go for the start of the season .
Broony……. great game , in about everything despite not been 100% and his celebration in front of the huns after Kriss’s goal was brill.
Glen Loovens…….. never thought i’d say this………..great game big man , got in about elbows big time and ‘ ruffed ‘ him up . Never allowed him to use his bully boy tactics.
GB……………awesome banner display , 4 horseman is now my screensaver ! !
and finally………..the dj at full time……… when will i see you again ! ! brilliant
Now for a cpl bottles o red wine to round of a perfect week end.
To all fans out celebrating in pubs and clubs , take care and stay safe going home tonight. Hail Hail ……………..
bonbhoy. Thanks.Would have got back to you earlier if I could but only just logged in again.
I am currently relying on my own selections but have used tipsters before with varying degrees of success.
I will give this guy serious consideration.
notthebus on 29 April, 2012 at 19:09 said:
He’s Sally’s hair specialist come to give him a demi weave..
notthebus on 29 April, 2012 at 19:09 said:
Can anyone identify this chappie?
http://twitpic.com/9f99ix
Spit the dogs other half?
Ah thought it was Teezy Weezy when Ah saw him at 1st
I’m happy to admit when I get it wrong about one of our players.
Last season I was in the “Scott Brown, headless chicken” group.
This season he has been instrumental in our play, looks a totally different player, and was outstanding today. (still a daft challenge at the end though)
Paul67 ,
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.
Spot on mate , the huns didn’t have the Will to try and drown us out , they
were on their knees , great build up to the 3rd…
notthebus on 29 April, 2012 at 19:09 said:
Can anyone identify this chappie?
http://twitpic.com/9f99ix
Spit the dogs other half?
Craig Whyte turns up in disguise at todays game….can you spot him?
What a great day and I was so impressed with the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse; wow !!! big well done to the Green Brigade.
Back home watched the game on tv and opened a few cans to celebrate hail hail to the champions
Did Broonie take the players on a lap of honour because we won the title (without the points deduction) today?!
I thought he was extracting the urine, but makes sense now.
T4
roy croppie 16:48
thanks for posting links to the goals
check this outside of the foot caressing pass by Georgios
(and of course, what a finish by Gary)
shear class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPA2VZmUy-8
HA!
Hahahahahhahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaha, etc, etc.
Lenny – disappointed me. I thought the introduction of Paddy, young Watt, and Dylan on the hour mark would have guaranteed 6 at least.
Still….
What now for the embittered Hun vermin? Those ultimate LOSERS,
Yes, lurking Huns – you’re LOSERS. Completely. Comprehensively. In business and in life.
The ‘Million Brain Cells March’ achieved ZERO. Except of course to engage the rest of civilised Scottish society in cumulative bewilderment; Like peering through a microscope as some ancient plague attempts to reconstruct cell mutation against the debilitating veracity of savage modern antibiotics
We won. 15 points behind, condemned, crucified. And we still won.
And they lost; not just to us, to the superior skill and competitive attributes of our 23 year-old* squad (*=average age, not administration…).
They, der HUNS, are losers in life. Respected by nobody, admired by none, condemend by all right-minded individuals.
They have only the support of their own extremist factions; like Hitler requesting a vote of confidence from the Hitler youth, they plough on in myopic self-vindication believing their pointless protests to be the will of the many when if fact they are the folly of the few.
They are dead. In history and in zeitgeist. An anachronism beautifully and casually confined to the archives today by a young, vibrant Celtic.
Whatever the future brings, friends, be assured of one thing – it carries CELTIC on the crest of the wave.
God Bless Neil Francis Lennon.