Both teams were short of key personnel when Celtic met Newco yesterday. For Celtic, this resulted in a less-fluid central midfield, the consequences for Newco, short in defence, were more profound. Their two central defenders each sold a goal; Ben Davies, who failed to connect properly with a header and John Souttar, whose pass-back never reached his keeper.
On both occasions Jota was the immediate beneficiary. The fist, merely as a conduit as the ball made its way to Kyogo, the second when he raced ahead of Allan McGregor to win the ball before rolling it into the net from a tight angle.
The early phases of the game saw a goal disallowed for both teams. Kyogo’s excellent take and finish was offside. Morelos shoved Alistair Johnston in the back before finishing at a corner. It was one of those, two hands on the back, forcing the opponent to the ground shoves, but Newco’s acolytes seemed to take literally the notion that you get your first violent crime for free in Scotland.
Matt O’Riley had his best game in months and made the cutback for Kyogo to open the scoring. THE Japanese striker had to turn before finding space to shoot. McGregor got both hands to the ball but was unable to keep it out, a sure sign of his decline.
James Tavernier has suffered form lapses regularly against Celtic but on this occasion was at his very best. His free kick right on halftime clipped the underside of the bar on its way into the net, leaving Joe Hart helpless. Shortly after Celtic went 3-1 ahead Tavernier’s header into the ground again gave Hart no chance as he brought Newco back into the game.
For the second time Celtic conceded at a set-piece, on this occasion at the second ball into the box. Newco had a three against two overload at the back post, as Celtic pressed the ball on their left, where Tavernier loitered after taking a corner kick. It was another good goal with no clear defensive mistake.
In the closing stages of the game, with Newco ‘buying’ a free kick every time they were in possession, Tavernier had another chance but saw the cross too late.
There was a moment in last week’s game at Ross County which was very encouraging. Oh Hyeon-gyu collected a Joe Hart goal kick and turned his man in one move. It was so smooth it made me think we might have a real player on our hands, but my enthusiasm was tempered by the fact that the defender in question was a 16-year-old.
Late in yesterday’s game, he turned Ben Davies and released Alexandro Bernabei. This was the genuine article against an experienced defender. We have a real player on our hands. Bearing down on goal with only the keeper to beat, Bernabei didn’t read the script. Instead of shooting, he passed into an empty area, which he should have known could only be empty.
The game played out as most of us expected. Celtic missed Reo Hatate and Aaron Mooy was not match fit. Consequentially, our crisp passing game was missing, but we have match winners all over the field; Jota, Kyogo, Johnston and Taylor were never going to be denied. Newco profited from two excellent set-pieces, there’s not too much you can do when an opponent gets these right.
‘Mick’ Beale has been flawless at Newco apart from the three occasions he has faced Celtic. Alas, almost good enough is not good enough. I think we can all agree, this is a very Happy Easter!
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Yes
Mcgregor also had an assist in goal selling, although jota was brilliant
Guaranteed CL money, possible Frimpong sell on money, I hope we add some extra quality this summer. As much as I’m now seldom irked when we lose our best players, I’d hate to see that wee bundle of joy Kyogo ever leave.
Paul67,
Loving the Easter Sunday drop.
A rewind frae the last article.
Whilst not quite Paradise…. an Awesome backdrop for this mix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XvOhn7minE
Superb Celtic Yesterday @ Paradise.
I’m mair than sure Hampdump is gonnæ be Big.
I hope Ange can come up with a formation, to have Oh and Kyogo up front.
Good article Paul , although I’m not so sure I agree about their second goal . An unmarked player getting a free ,unchallenged header from a corner or free kick is asking for trouble . It’s not wiping the smile from my face though !
Hello again all you young rebels.
All the angst from der hun and the Scuddish meeja about
fat boys disallowed goal, embdy else notice sleekit Jack
having a tug at big Joes shirt as the cross comes in ?
Sometimes I think beating them when they think they are
hard done by is more pleasing.
H H. Mick
ZIGGYDOC1 on 9TH APRIL 2023 12:56 PM
Mcgregor also had an assist in goal selling, although jota was brilliant
ZIGGY, I thought McGregor trying to get out to beat Jota to the ball was hilarious. An earlier poster referred to him as looking like Captain Tom, which I thought was a bit unfair on Captain Tom.
Hate to say it, but the Beast was, for some time, an excellent ‘keeper (if an obnoxious human being), but his star is very much on the wane. There is talk, allegedly, of Thems trying to get him to sign for another year – please let that be the case.
Ave Ave
A Sunday article!
Author and our host obviously feels the joy.
I wonder if the letter wending its way to the SFA will be made public.
If it does, it should help extend the jubilation.
File it under “Hun tears.”
In the modern world would it not be quicker sending an email.
Bankiebhoy1 earlier – cheers.
Still buzzin’
SS – they do not have emails over at the Bigotdome as they still live in caves, feckin cavemen the lot of them.
D :)
Earlier posted stats .. (might have been Tom McL?) … cuts through the inevitable noise.
Four games, 3 wins and a draw.
Flip side (obviously) 3 defeats and a draw.
They can’t handle it.
They’ve been over promised since ‘Going for 55’.
As for owning the narrative?
Leave them to it.
Same M.O. as 2016 Cup Final.
Can’t handle reality? Invent your own.
We know they’re hurting.
Pointless listening out for every instance of verbal diarrhoea.
As for Mr “We’re better / smash Kyogo / baying mob / we lost but we’re still better” ?
Let him drown his sorrows in his bar of choice before heading home to his wife’s house.
🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
Maybe we weren’t at our best yesterday, but we secured the points. They are not very good and although they scored two goals, I thought both were completely preventable. Joe Hart should get the 1st one, everybody in the ground knew where the ball was going and from that disance a top keeper saves it. The 2nd one was another cross where a quality keeper comes and claims it. We need a top class keeper for next season, I had high hopes for Siegrist when he came in, but injury has kept him out. Will we see him play before the end of the season ? If not we will have to sign a number one. Hail Hail
Seen the video of sevco players leaving paradise….Oh how sweet is their pain you can never get enough laughter in your life.
D :)
imo, we gave them too much encouragement.
I have never played Chess before.
It wiz a battle Yesterday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzU5jdbKOUk
How much did Soapy Souttar cost?
An abject excuse for a centre half.
Brilliant atmosphere yesterday. The only point I’d make is that if the huns had gone ahead, then some of us would have been agitated, as opposed to singing to shut them up (when they’re in the stadium). Only having home support adds a different dynamic and hopefully when we go ahead at Ibrox, they’ll be extremely agitated. Just watched a pathetic hearts support, many leaving the ground early after st mirren scored their second in the 57th minute!
‘GG on 9TH APRIL 2023 1:57 PM
How much did Soapy Souttar cost?
An abject excuse for a centre half.
_____
They’ll never get an injury free season from that guy.
A wee reminder that for yesterday’s game, the polls will stay open an extra 12 hours until 10.00am on Monday morning. results should be out before Noon.
Enjoy your Easter Sunday!
SENCELPOTY@GMAIL.COM
Watching football and racing with Brian M in the International. Getting practice in for our visit to Dublin May 2-5. You can never have enough good times. 👍
We were all disappointed at the departure of Josip Juranovic but who would have thought that in Alistair Johnston we would find an even better replacement.
Take a bow son.
“TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 9TH APRIL 2023 2:12 PM
We were all disappointed at the departure of Josip Juranovic ”
I wasn`t TOO disappointed because I thought, under Ange, Anthony Ralston had come good . I now think Alistair Johnston offers more than Josip did !!!
‘GG on 9TH APRIL 2023 1:40 PM
I wonder if the letter wending its way to the SFA will be made public.
——-
Lol GG.
Even Big Jimmy couldn’t get odds on that one.
The public will know at the same time as the SFA.
Collaborative partnership working not in their lexicon.
They are the peepul after all
https://icdn.thecelticstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/celtic-fc-v-rangers-fc-cinch-scottish-premiership-160-768×514.jpg
https://icdn.thecelticstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/celtic-fc-v-rangers-fc-cinch-scottish-premiership-147-768×512.jpg
https://icdn.thecelticstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/celtic-fc-v-rangers-fc-cinch-scottish-premiership-148-768×512.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzSILx7oJeI
We’re Not Half Of Anything.
Tom
Alistair is a warrior.
What a player we have, reminds me of Kieran Tierney.
Melbourne Mick on 9th April 2023 1:32 pm
Hello again all you young rebels.
All the angst from der hun and the Scuddish meeja about
fat boys disallowed goal, embdy else notice sleekit Jack
having a tug at big Joes shirt as the cross comes in ?
Sometimes I think beating them when they think they are
hard done by is more pleasing.
H H. Mick
————————————————————————————————
Hi Mick
At first I thought that what the foul was given for. Glad I was wrong and it was for fat boy’s push.
It’s really annoyed them.😊😊😊
KEEP THE FAITH
Could win the league on Coronation Weekend😃👍🤞
Good afternoon and a Happy and Holy Easter from a bright but chilly North Staffs.
3 points is all that matters so great result.
Expect Crawford Allen to crawl out from under his rock this week.
He is Risen Alleluia
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/2023-kyogo-furuhashi-celtic-leads-808649569.jpg?w=620
Sorry, I have just realized that I should not have used that last photo.
‘GG on 9TH APRIL 2023 1:57 PM
How much did Soapy Souttar cost?
An abject excuse for a centre half.
GG, agree that he’s a bit of a no-mark, but I don’t think our winner was entirely down to him. When he pushed that (poor) pass back towards McGregor it was still the ‘keeper’s to win, but because of his age and stage The Beast just could not get his legs to move fast enough. I’m sure Jota realised that immediately and took off for it, winning the race easily. In times past the Beast would have tried to clatter Jota, but he couldn’t even get near enough to do that!
What larks right enough.
Ave Ave
at the first goal, when kyogo runs to the corner flag, look at the wee group of rangers supporter behind him, faces trippin and no celebrations.
——————-
E-Tims
@ETimsNet
·
4h
After the third goal another marvellous moment as wee Ball Bhoy runs past ‘Greegsy’’ 😀
https://twitter.com/i/status/1644988522326106112