The signs were ominous for the first 55 seconds of yesterday’s game at Ibrox. Newco successfully pressed Celtic back and forced a corner, from which Leon Balogun struck the crossbar with a header. That was the last time the home side were able to press Celtic out of shape.
In the previous three games between these sides, Newco upset Celtic’s possession by pressing defenders out of their comfort zone. By contrast, this game was characterised by Celtic’s defenders linking with Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Arne Engels to play triangles around opponents.
It is worth analysing this variable in more detail than I have thus far, but Celtic’s composure on the ball made the Newco press look unstructured. My suspicion is that the press was not fundamentally different than before, but Celtic’s ability to play through was more practiced.
I only have the one witness, but when Raskin’s header hit the net midway through the first half, I immediately called it offside. Replays show the ‘scorer’ was a yard off, five attackers in total were in offside positions. Despite Celtic’s defensive line holding straight, the assistant referee failed to raise his flag. The same official would later incorrectly flag Celtic’s goal offside. Never question the value of VAR in Scottish football.
Newco are a counterattacking team and with seconds of the first half remaining they broke from a Celtic corner. Cerny’s step-over setup Dessers, who caught Liam Scales on his heels. Scales attempt to stop the striker by grabbing his jersey and lunging to block were not enough. Newco were again in front against Celtic.
This was Viljami Sinisalo’s sixth successive start for Celtic and his only real test in that time. There was nothing he could do about the goal, or the offside effort, however he more than delivered on other occasions. I counted three excellent saves by the Finn. His distirbution was also a factor in Celtic’s ability to succssfully play out from the back.
Celtic’s equaliser was all about attitude. Daizen Maeda did what he always does against Newco. Harass James Tavernier, then somehow erect a wall so wide, John Souttar was unable to clear past the on-rushing Daizen.
Adam Idah had no right to score. His back to goal with the ball heading in the wrong direction – this was a chance which called for the agility Kyogo was famous for. The Irish striker steadied, opened up space, then put his laces through the ball. It was a lesson on what happens when you get the ball into the box when playing against limited defenders. Adam should have put Celtic ahead immediately prior to the opening goal. They all miss ’em, the good players score important goals too.
In the final seconds of the game, Reo Hatate lunged to intercept a pass and divert it towards Daizen on the halfway line. There was no chance on and any other player would have held play up and waited for reinforcements. Daizen, however, channelled his inner Usain Bolt. When he next drew breath, he was inside the Newco box, but travelling so fast, he was unable to execute the killer move.
I suspect everyone left Ibrox happy. Newco held the champions and are now four games without defeat (penalties aside) against Celtic. Celtic rediscovered their ability to pass around Newco and are setup for the Cup Final.
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Gene – hoople
ty
got lucky – got it in 2
stebhoy on 6th May 2025 12:36 am
watched the game twice now and heard Brendan comments after the game. Bottom line, considering we are so far ahead on points – we should be blowing them off the park. They have been better than us in the last 3 matches. Maybe we are so far ahead that we dont give it the full 100% but I think it’s deeper.
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To be honest I can’t remember the other two games but to say that ‘they have been better than us in the last 3 matches’ does not on my viewing hold up when it comes to the last match. They had a spell in the first half but for the rest of the match we were better, as others have said with better final third passing and better finishing we could/should have scored 4 or 5.
Good morning all from Govanhill. A terrific Tuesday coming up. 👍
We went into the weekends game as champions already, 17pts ahead, four first team regulars missing and another with a painkilling injection.
With KT coming and probably another couple of additions we were six or seven away from next years team.
Although we were vulnerable at times, we have been against other teams too, we looked pretty comfortable for large parts, it’s not an easy place to go to.
I obviously missed it but over heard 2 guys speaking about a Celtic fan on a video mocking the Ibrox disaster on Sunday at the game ?
Did anyone see this ? I didn’t but if such a clown exists I hope anyone knowing him sorts him out. Up there with the David Cooper stuff imo.
As a player Kieren Tierney is very good,but why would you take him back with him being injury prone ,and with Taylor probably away this summer there is no backup, So Celtic stop mucking about we need another left back ,Scales,Nawrocki,Trusty,Ralston,Welsh Lagerbiele,need to be replaced, also a top defensive coach ,
the record goals scored is 116 in season 1915/16
The guy referencing the 66 disaster has been sacked by his company as Project manager .
Awe naw nae noo article to moan aboot anaw noo
MARSPAPA & 11.44 am.
…..I hope the 1000’s belting out the BB & NPOR ( ‘a minority’ suggests big Swinzo) are not in line for the Roberta Flack. Otherwise we could – in an instant – clean out about 50% of the adult workforce in bonnie Scozia !