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.
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Didn’t think we played well in the first half and was glad to get into half time drawing. Second half was the case of their goalie keeping them in it and us being slack.
Stuart Armstrong was excellent again.
Unbelievable achievement to go into the 3 week break unbeaten domestically. Especially when you consider that we have played at least 12 games more than our “rivals”.
Yeah, we are not as dominate or as slick as earlier in the season but who cares. I reckon we will be better in the second half of the season.
Watched the game with a sevcoite. Mrs G was bemused at my lack of reaction at the goals. I said, it annoys him more…..
Anyone heard from Mr Gilligan. Just thought I would ask.
One thing that really pleased me today was Scott Brown being adamant that he was contesting drop balls after ref stopped play for injuries in the face of the ref looking for a nice wee kick up the park from the Huns and Kenny Miller greeting about it twice.
Good on you Broony. Keep getting intae the fruity beerstewards.
MWD
CASTLEBHOY on 31ST DECEMBER 2016 8:58 PM
Anyone heard from Mr Gilligan. Just thought I would ask.
———–
https://twitter.com/LilZe7/status/815209588391874561
Dessybhoy
No fault whatsoever against Erik,
Karma sure is a bitch tho :-)
Was hoping he was going to get done, don’t normally wish that against a footballer, but as he aint one.
HH
Moonbeams 8.59
Broony in the drop balls were the biggest cheer for us today (apart from the goals) and greeting face Miller was also mentioned :-)
TET
Yip and now having to sit in an A and E. :-)
Relieved the hatefest is behind us, for once didn’t bother to get up at 4am, and won’t be watching their other games against us either.
That being said, we can look forward to an ever increasingly successful season compliments of Brendan and his assistants. Qualification for the CL begins now in terms of preparation and further signings.
An exciting 2017 lies ahead.
GFTB – The hypocrisy of those gutter dwellers calling Celtic supporters pedos is astounding, considering their own club’s previous track record.
Peepil in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
The next time they complain to Celtic FC about any issue or matter, they should be politely told to go away.
No moral high ground when dealing with that level of scum.
HH.
MoonbeamsWD on 31st December 2016 8:59 pm
One thing that really pleased me today was Scott Brown being adamant that he was contesting drop balls after ref stopped play for injuries in the face of the ref looking for a nice wee kick up the park from the Huns and Kenny Miller greeting about it twice.
Good on you Broony. Keep getting intae the fruity beerstewards.
————-
Didn’t really work out though when Jozo kicked the ball out late in the game because Brown was down (I think) and the huns launched an attack rather than return the ball to us :o)
they gave it everything they had, new formation, new attitude, good play but were well beaten.
next game, they’ll bounce back then have an off game etc. etc.
solution to themses woes; money.
JNP
Eh naw he didn’t make it to Mass with us and mother isn’t best pleased! :-)
A fantastic second half performance from Celtic today and it was an absolute delight to, at least for a while, shut up their vile songs and chants.
Happy New Year when it comes my friend.
Agree with HAMILTON TIM re the sequence of events at minutes silence which we timed to 1 min 41 secs, although idiot at front middle of rear stand shouted Bobby Sands after initial shout from lower Sandy Jardine stand.
WC
The initial shout came from the section beside us where the manky ultras were positioned. Is that the SJ stand?
Einstein on RM,
“i know weve lost 2 games against them,but we would be much nearer if we hadnt dropped points against other teams”,
no shit Sherlock
16roads 9.07
They will never be on any moral high ground because they have no morals…..
They might try and blame the odd Celtic fan (if it even was a Celtic fan) but they then go into their repertoire of hatred, for all I dislike them I never want to be up to my knees in any of their blood, but their “kulture” is what keeps them forever in our shadow
Hope you have a great 2017
Celtic are in a very good place…… Brendan can be whatever Brendan wants to be, he has the backing of every Celtic fan old or young (well maybe apart from the odd cqner :-)
The Huddle
And why should they. It’s part if the game I hate. Man up and play like men. Every ball should be contested and the ball should never be kicked out or given back if a player injured. Mamby pan by footy for pussies. Just get intae the opposition whoever they are and attack from whatever opportunity arises. More than most we tend to be the nice guys far too often. Fleck that. Nae more MrNice Guys. Just 100% winners. If our player is down then fine kick it out but don’t expect it back and vice versa and if the ref stops game then contest the bounce ball.
MWD
Well done the Hoops after a shoogly start. Mousso just won goal of the day on Sky Sports, with Kris Commons cracking free kick runner up. .Remember in your prayers Denis Fallen , Shuggy Jr brother in law. On a working trip to London early December, had an anyeursm on the brain. Is now out of intensive care in Paddington. His wife got links to the highlights for him, as he is Celtic daft, and, I think , on CQN. A hard time for the family. Happy New Year to all at CQN, and thanks to all who organise the competitions for Wee Jay, what a Bhoys ! Thought the minutes silence was well observed. You will always get the occasional Neanderthal. Incidentally, that was my last visit to that stadium,. Remember my dear mother being worried out of her wits as I was late coming home. In fact, I knew nothing about it until much later. Disgraceful that such a tragedy should happen, but it was on the cards.
HH
GordyBhoy64
I thought that was a very intelligent point being made by a Hun. Surprised one of thems understands the basics.
Listened to Snyde for a while in car after game and it saddened me to note that one or two of them are actually beginning to get the position they are in. One guy even had a dig at the potential Widow Maker (aka Dave King) for not having two thruppence to run together.
It then goat serious as the panel began to discuss and debate whether Sevco should hold Celtic as the bar they aim to meet or stick with winning second for the foreseeable. Winning second place. I love that terminology.
MWD
oh jeez, I’m about to drink some Limoncello – I think I’m drunk !
One of the funniest sights today came after the final whistle. I’m sure some of you will know of ‘Abdul’ he’s a Muslim who supports the EDL, right wing extremism and, not surprisingly, Newco. He’s relatively well known for his participation in some documentaries about our rivalry them.
Well, he comes charging over to the celebrating Tims with union flags over the top and bottom half of his body whilst displaying an Ulster (sic) flag.
Deluded fool :-)
Have now watched lots of him highlights and shows me of the stuff on Twitter.
Looked fairly comfortable to my eyes. The responses that the silence debate tells me all we need them know about them. I am not surprised, I am delighted that we did not fall into their trap.
As for their obsession with “peedo (sic) ” and “bheast” chants, I am a great believer in letting them have enough rope to hang themselves by. When the put themselves on such a lofty pedestal, a mighty fall is not far away.
The fact they see this as a matter for taunts is shameful enough. There are many lives ruined by this type of offence.
I hope we are all safe and well, my own lhad is still out there somewhere but in good company.
I am having an early night, a good New Year to all of you and keep your family close.
Hail! Hail!
Dodgy spell check going on in first two paragraphs above.
Apologies.
Thanks GFTB and Happy new year to you mo chara.
I for one am revelling in their misery if the truth be told. They are a laughing stock and a parody.
Apparently Celtic paid for the damage caused by the stinkers the last time they darkened Celtic Park.
To think that Minty once barred the magnificent Celtic support from the swamp,because of one or two wrecked seats.
Hopefully Celtic don’t retaliate in kind, so they will be back to witness their zombie team being deconstructed once again.
Terrific.
HH.
Just seen Warburton’s interview on sky. Apparently,in the second half,we had two or three good chances and they had four or five.
BigShuggy 9.29
A bit taken aback….. Is it Dennis that sometimes came and watched us on a Saturday morning ?
If it’s the same bhoy he always gives me a shout on the train going into work, hope and pray everything goes ok, let ShuggyJunior know his brother in law is in my prayers…..
And then you remember Felix Magath holds shares in rangers ;)
Is there a link to Brendan’s post match interview?
I thought he was overly nervous in pre match one. Must have been the worry about the roofs holding up.
MWD
GFTB
Yes, Gerry, same Dennis.
Very difficult time for his wife, Anne.
Has been transferred to Charing X hospital, but still not too good.
Hope you have a great New Year with your family.
Tried to call in to The Bammy earlier to see you, but was not allowed entry as I had a tie on !
Well done Moussa, hammer of the Huns! Magic!
Now have a granddaughter, Rose, coming up for 3 weeks !
God Bless, H H.
16roads
I was in an environment today that I have never experienced, am usually out with the bhoys but young nephew especially asked me to go, it was a total family occasion (not all mine) all his pals, wives and kids……..our Celtic heritage is in good hands, no hatred in any of our households, and I can assure any doubter on here….the young team want to cuff them whether liquidated or not, it’s still the same vermin singing their songs of hatred
I have never been that fussed about a treble because a MacLean or a Madden, never mind a Thompson could always define the ending, but I have a feeling in my water (& am still sober) this could be a wee treble in May in honour of our Lions ….. Like the centenary season, like stopping the Bank of Scotland sponsored 10….. Things are sometimes just meant to be…..
If not…. Who cares still a Celtic fan so it’s a win – win situation
Theglasgowcelticway
I’m listening to the Clyde podcast,
Mea culpa for indulging in their misery.
Apparently, according to the half loaf, they should have taken some of the many chances they had.
No one questioned him being unsighted when we hit the frame twice, or when Dembele fluffed an easy shot from 12 yards, or when Forrestfailed to connect in front of goal, or when Armstrong…….
You get my drift.
Anyway I’m questioning my view of the game.
Did we have more shots, more goals and more chances?
Or was I dreaming?
Gerryfaethebrig
Its always nice to win at Ibrox .whether the opposition were formed in 1872 or 2012 .
Really enjoyed todays game,good test of character….should have and could been 6
GG
we battered them 2 1
BigShuggy
Gutted about Denis, hope things improve defo one of the good guys
Rose ?
You will have me greeting soon after my mum, I posted a couple of weeks back after I saw the BigShuggy family at 12pm mass, tell ShuggyJunior all the best but I realise there are other worries just now ……. Take care
I was wondering what the equivalent of “Moussa” was in English.
I am now convinced the name means “Hunskelper”
md’s first touch from the corner is unbelieveable- larsonesque
Moussa is a great hunskelper. Magic!
Up the rebels
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2M4usgh8Ss