The manager got the big calls right. Moussa Dembele’s form has shaded recently, while Leigh Griffiths has been scoring freely, so the latter was the form horse. Not only did Moussa score the equaliser, Newco found it impossible to deal with him throughout.
His circumference of control with the ball at his feet is considerable. I’m not going to burden him with the ‘new Dalglish’ tag, but that ability to shield the ball in tight areas takes me back to my early days watching Celtic. Kenny did this to great effect, creating space for others as he used his strength and close-control to create havoc.
Kenny Millar’s opening goal had been in the post from the first minute as Newco pressurised Celtic off their game. They were the team forcing mistakes of nervous looking defenders (I’m looking at you, Erik). Celtic just didn’t get going early on as the home team controlled midfield with Barrie McKay in particular causing problems.
The turning point came around the time Scott Brown picked up his yellow card (deservedly). It was a typically-calculated Brown intervention.
Moussa’s goal was quite unbelievable. The corner came from a breakaway chance when Scott Sinclair seemed to lose the opportunity by standing on the ball, but recovered to run at the Newco defence before firing a shot which was deflected onto the inside of the post before being knocked behind by a defender for a corner.
Dembele was standing 8 yards out when a high corner fell to his feet. Unchallenged. The ball bounced head-height but Moussa still had time to wait on it falling before finishing into the top corner.
Danny Wilson was marking him when the corner was taken but for reasons all too evident to those who have followed the player’s recent form, he left Celtic’s striker to challenge players already marked. It was an unfathomable mistake.
From that moment on, there was only going to be one result. Celtic should have gone ahead three times in the opening nine minutes of the second half. Their passing was now crisp and fast. Sinclair and Armstrong’s movement made defenders look statuesque.
One stat I’d like to see is the number of touches we had inside the opposition box. We spent a lot of time in there, pinging tight passes, which opened up the home defence. Dembele, Forrest, Sinclair and Armstrong should all have added to the score but Foderingham made himself big throughout and stopped the result from being as embarrassing as the performance.
Forrest made way for Patrick Roberts, who, at his first involvement, released Armstrong with a reverse pass into the box. Celtic had been in this position many times in the minutes beforehand. Their format was to cut the ball back, which is what we were all expecting Armstrong to do, but he released the ball a fraction of a second early across the face of goal for Sinclair to side-foot into the net at the far post.
Craig Gordon had a few comfortable saves, which he dealt with assuredly. Sviatchenko made up for two early poor touches by making the tackle of the game to deny Forrester. Emilio Izaguirre put in his best 45 minutes of the season in the second half; he looked like the player who arrived six years ago.
Mikael Lustig sprinted 40 yards across field to cut-out a breakaway inside the box. Big Jozo Simunovic must be wondering when kick-off is, he didn’t break sweat.
Off-piste mention to Leigh Griffiths, who was warming up behind the goal when the guy who kept him out the team picked himself up off the turf after a fruitless effort. Leigh stepped forward and patted his team-competitor on the back three times while shouting encouragement.
Great team-mates make great teams.
Have a Happy New Year, everyone.
842 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- »
Is it just me or does anyone think Martin Tyler is a bore? Watched the Watford spurs game and Watford were awful and now crystal palace V arsenal!!!!!!Best league in the world…..No way.What is it with players wearing gloves?I am in a good mood after the result yesterday,but f###### sky and their constant upping of English football the world’s best annoys me.GRUMPY CSC
Ud think Jonathan Watson would come up with ONE decent sketch given hes 12 months to work on
BHOYJOEBELFAST on 1ST JANUARY 2017 4:51 PM
Is it just me or does anyone think Martin Tyler is a bore? Watched the Watford spurs game and Watford were awful and now crystal palace V arsenal!!!!!!Best league in the world…..No way.What is it with players wearing gloves?I am in a good mood after the result yesterday,but f###### sky and their constant upping of English football the world’s best annoys me.GRUMPY CSC
Why watch or listen to the numpties.
Use the off button and shut your wallet.
By the way. I also am in good form after yesterday.
BHOYJOEBELFAST
without doubt the EPL is probably the most competitive because there is so much at stake (financially). But the standard of some games is awful and the sky hype is well OTT.
Does anyone else think we should buy Mackay? He looked far and away their best player (arguably MoM) and while he might not improve our team, he will seriously damage theirs, if they lose him.
Armstrong was an intelligent player with United and now that he has added a bit more athleticism he is becoming a great player.
He started the move that led to second goal with crisp angled pass to Roberts. He ambled rather than raced forward preventing an offside decision but always into the gap into which Roberts played another intelligent pass.
Armstrong pass across goal was beautifully weighted and aimed giving Sinclair a tap in.
Some player.
And a Happy New Year to all.
hmmm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfnWqmZySww
I think a remembrance for the victims of the ibrox disaster at a game involving Celtic is appropriate- it was a game we were involved in. It should be remembered.
The way RFC people are looking to use it is entirely wrong. Is a minutes silence the best way to do it? I think a Kirk service nearby with representatives of both clubs and invited supporters groups from Celtic too would be a far more respectful and meaningful thing to do.
Parkheadcumsalford
New Year prediction. Holding on to McKay will become a media saga in Jaunary.
He is a player when on form makes the difference in games v the rest. Selling him puts UEFA money at risk in a footballing sense but might put more balance in their books in UEFA FFP terms.
However I don’t see big money being offered to a skint club so it’s a fine judgement.
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD on 1ST JANUARY 2017 4:58 PM
Does anyone else think we should buy Mackay? He looked far and away their best player (arguably MoM) and while he might not improve our team, he will seriously damage theirs, if they lose him.
—–
The thought crossed my mind. He is out of contract summer 18.
Barrie MacKay ?
Personally wouldn’t take him if free in a lucky bag, onetrick pony (a bit of pace) who looks good in a bang average Sevconian outfit, going by performance Kenny Misser is better than him
Just my opinion :-)
Wee note to the Elmers who get their Celtic fix via dodgy media streams the £49 spent yesterday was worth every penny just to watch big moussa nutmeg the two currants with the back heel in the closing minutes
ps heard the NHS got their own on the tax dodgers yesterday apparently the wait time for the celebrity patient at the southern yesterday was horrendous
Jamie Walker of Hearts is a far better, more consistent player than Barrie McKay and along with the now croaked Calum Paterson the only SPFL players who would make it into our squad. IMO.
McKay is very inconsistent, though he has played well against us recently
Barry Mackay easily their best player but wouldn’t make our bench
Ivehadtochangemyname@5.02;Yes a good goal but………..Getting paid x thousands per week surely they are capable of notching one like that! CynicaldoyouthinkCSC
Gary67@1.51
Look closely….still not a handsome one following new club or the old one. Need a wide angled lens to get the big Hun with a beard in bottom right….jeezoh.
HH. Their children will be much happier.
McKay is one of a long line of wingers who look good from time to time.
If be concerned about his overall contribution to a game. He can, when poorly marked, get past a player but I’m struggling to recall any real damage he did. The game suited him yesterday because of the space afforded by an attacking team. What does he do against teams that park the bus? From what I’ve seen of him, not much. Decent shot at times but so do most of our players on a more regular basis. He’s destined for league 1 or the championship in my opinion.
MacKay found himself in acres of space and one on one against Lustig on a few occasions. Whilst he showed an ability to run with the ball and beat players there wasn’t a great deal of end product although I have seen end product from him in the past. During the 5-1 game he dug in towards the end and showed a willingness to help out defensively. He’s certainly not in the class of a Sinclair. Probably one of those ones where he’s not quite good enough for us but will cause us problems in the future if he hangs around there.
MacKay is a decent player but not as good as the wide men at our club.
Until yesterday the huns have been moaning about his selection.
He does not have good enough physical attributes to wear a Celtic jersey as the hammer throwers and compliant refs in spl would nullify him.
I thought Lustig made him look better than he actually is by being to square and diving in which makes it easy for a winger.
Is Kiernan still worth £2 million?
High level stenography warning with that one (as a Donegal based blogger is want to say)
I’m still laughing at the idea
QUONNO on 1ST JANUARY 2017 1:13 PM
HAVANALAUGH on 1ST JANUARY 2017 11:39 AM
I have a question if I may regarding yesterday’s win. I heard a statistic that said BR was the first Manager to win his first 3 games against Rangers. But. Can’t remember is he the first ever, or the first since e.g. Jock Stein? Stand open to correction.
Celtic lost Stein’s second game against THEM 2-1.
*Correct Quonno, I was there that day, Big Jock inexplicably left Joe McGoals out for Johnny Divers after he had scored a hat trick 3 days earlier at Starks Park in the LC. He didnae make the same mistake 5 weeks later when we won the LC with a Yogi penalty double.
Big Billy was injured in the 2nd half and played the rest of the game on the wing with Chopper moving to centre half and yet the game finished with them desperately hanging on for the win.
Gary67@1.51
Look closely….still not a handsome one following new club or the old one. Need a wide angled lens to get the big Hun with a beard in bottom right….jeezoh. Bottom left….directional dyslexia.
HH. Their children will be much happier.
Up the hooops
Ps
Just put that pic up on the mantle piece to keep my wee Bhoy away from the fire.
What an ugly bunch.
HH
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821 on 31ST DECEMBER 2016 9:12 AM
Happy Mary the Holy Mother of God Day (used tae be the Feast of the Circumcision).
At Mass this morning the choir sung a hymn in Her honour to the tune of “The Boys of Wexford”.
Faith of Our Fathers was originally written by englishman Frederick William Faber, who converted from anglicanism to the Catholic priesthood, in memory of the Catholic martyrs from the time of the establishment of the Church of England by Henry VIII.
Faber wrote two versions of the hymn: with seven stanzas for Ireland and four for England. The Irish version was sung at hurling matches until the 1960s and also at Celtic games. (I added the latter bit).
St Mary’s and St Pats version as well as Notre Dame/Clerkhill according tae Mrs TT below:
Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
Ireland shall then be truly free.
Feliz año nuevo from Murcia.
Myself, Wee NatKnow, ma burd, ma mate and his Spanish family and friends had a great time last night. The Spaniards received an education in football following yesterday’s result. :-)
Mate’s wife says she’s never seen him so animated watching a game and put the blame on my presence. She admitted that after 20 years of marriage, there were new Scottish sweary words for her to pick up. He can be quite creative. I accepted this accusation as the disguised compliment it was (no doubt) intended to be. :-)
Unsurprised, but still delighted, at the result. MIBbery continues as expected. SMSM continues as expected. None of this matters. Celtic will continue to dominate.
Totally agree with Italiabhoy, Canamalar etc. re: the minute’s silence – a L5 setup if ever there was one. Let’s arrange a commemorative mass for the victims and see who turns up.
Thanks for the replies, lhads, about Mackay. I don’t watch them unless they are playing us. So, I can’t judge him on anything else. I wasn’t really thinking he would improve us; I think he would be a serious loss to them. Imo, he was far and away their best player on the day. Might be the difference when they’re playing the likes of Aberdeen and Hearts or even the Motherwells of the SPFL.
Celtic had their first win at the stadium in almost six years in a 2-1 triumph over Rangers.
From the hurting huns at STV…
GARY 67
the now croaked Calum Paterson
I knew he was injured but I didn’t realise it was that serious-))
Great watchin big moussa nutmeg them Huns on a perfect stream, even better knowing I never supported secco or sky financially.
Or sevco
GLENDALYSTONSILS
Haha. It was a bad one!
Tontine / vfr800
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9Xr5MAt_AE
I’m cancelling Skysports after the darts is finished.
Only subscribe to watch the Celtic games anyway and their coverage of Scottish football is brutal.
BT Sports is light years ahead of that mob.
Sure any punters who backed over 10.5 corners in yesterday’s game thought the bet was beat, until Moussa and wee Patrick Roberts skills during the last 10 minutes won a series of corner kicks making mugs out of the zombie defenders.
Like a cat playing with a mouse.
Marvellous.
HH.
16 Roads- Dembele playing rope a dope with Sevco was brilliant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYH69Y6l7PM
2 mins 33 secs, you’ll see us jumping about in the background.
English football is pish by the way.
Bet over 3.5 goals, over 4.5 cards & over 10.5 corners in that Liverpool game yesterday @ 14/1.
The bet was looking good after 10 minutes, then the game quickly went into tripe mode as usual.
Switched it off at half time.
Dire it was dire.
HH.
He’s a brilliant footballer Bada.
Slim chance he’ll be with Celtic for much longer, but sure he is already a Celtic legend.
Seen a video of his goal in slow motion, and can hardly see the ball moving such was the pace and power in the strike.
Incredible.
HH.