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Honda Civics flourish with a new driver

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

What a game of football!  That was 120 minutes of exhilarating action from two teams who wanted to win.  Celtic had by far the better of the exchange, but credit to Newco, who for the majority of the second half and with 10 men, took the game to the champions.  The headline facts show Newco survived until extra time despite their disadvantage, brought about by the most reckless challenge you will see all season, but Celtic were far better all over the field.

Johnny Kenny led the line.  His strength and link-up play was set the tone for Celtic to dominate the first half.  Scoring with a header direct from a corner kick is not easy (stats prove as much).  His defender was touch-tight, Johnny was four yards beyond the near post, yet rose and directed the ball high into the net.  Let’s remember, he turned 22 this summer; his career is all in front of him.

The only surprise when Auston Trusty was named Man of the Match was that the award did not go to Liam Scales.  Scales won everything in the air and executed a lunging tackle inside the box which is one for the ages.  Trusty’s award doubtlessly came as a result of him breaking the lines with the ball – something Celtic have badly missed out of defence in recent seasons.  The player had previously been discouraged from doing this, but was freed by his young Irish manager.

We all knew that one goal was probably not going to be enough for large parts of the second half before Newco’s penalty (a tad harsh, I thought).  It took this incident to shake Celtic into action, as they ended the regulation 90 minutes by peppering the Newco goal.  James Forrest’s introduction to the action had much to do with this.

Extra-time stared as the 90 minutes ended, with Celtic surging forward.  Jack Butland came to the rescue of Newco throughout the game, but three minutes into the added period, he was deceived by Callum McGregor’s thunderous strike from 25 yards.  The shot was still rising when it hit the net.

By this stage Newco were on the ropes and had no reply.  You and I will talk tomorrow about Callum Osmand.  The 19-year-old, making his second professional appearance (of the week and of his career), was an absolute handful.  Like Kenny earlier in the game, he was able to win and control forward passes, and test his defender.  The third goal came from an excellent Kieran Tierney delivery, with Callum timing his run and turning the ball into the net.

Thelo Aasgaard’s red card was for one of the highest and out of control challenges you are likely to see in the game.  Anthony Ralston’s shorts were ripped at the groin and his upper thigh bore visible abrasions.  Auston Trusty and Newco’s Derek Cornelius were both given the benefit of the doubt by referee Nick Walsh.  Newco have shouted lots about the former, without reference to the latter.  Losing is tough, I suppose.

As I walked down Aitkenhead Road after the game, I wondered what could have been, had we played Trusty last weekend, or either Kenny or Osmand in the Champions League qualifiers (both were unused subs for the first leg but did not even make the bench for the second).  What could have been……

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  1. celtic40me on

    Martin and Shaun deserve huge credit but they have only had 5 minutes with the players so to have produced such a strong, resourceful performance in a huge game so soon after the resignation of the manager shows great resolve from the entire squad.

     

     

    Distractions like that are ready-made excuses for less competitive footballers but the squads attitude has been first class. There might be gaps in the team in terms of quality but there are times when attitude is more important. We’re in one of those moments, good teams are forged from days like yersterday, who knows with the shift in attitude we might actually have better players than we thought.

     

     

    It didn’t feel like it but the stats showed equal amounts of possession. We’re already a far more efficient team, than we were, maybe giving the kids a go at driving the car can work

     

     

    I’d expect a different performance on Thursday, hopefully another good showing in a big game

  2. quadrophenian on

    For years we fans have been crying out for a team that shows some good old-fashioned fight against thems.

     

    Did it take young Shaun and ole Martin just a few training sessions to get that wee bit of mongrel in us which helped make a real difference. I also loved seeing Daizen defend Tony after Arsegaard’s assault.

     

    Oh and remember, we’re short of AJ, CCV, Jota and Kels.

     

    The potential of Kenny and Osmand may hasten the loan departure of Yamada, tho.

  4. the long wait is over on

    TURKEYBHOY on 3RD NOVEMBER 2025 1:40 PM

     

    Nothing weird about the decision.You can only name so many.Kenny,Mazda,Iheanacho,3 strikers,more than enough.

     

     

    ———

     

     

    Given the cars references of the last few weeks , that typo/ autocorrect made me laugh out loud!

  8. celtic40me on

    QUADROPHENIAN on 3RD NOVEMBER 2025 2:09 PM

     

     

    The fight yesterday was great to see. Maeada grabbing Aasgaard after he’d studded Tony in the Gorbals, he looked like he meant it. We were first to everything in the first half.

     

     

    I think we’ve used up our loans at the moment, so Shin might have to wait his turn at Celtic to get some game time

  12. Celtic Mac on

    Dont forget that it was Martin O’Neill who gave Shaun Maloney his opportunity at just eighteen in a never to be forgotten 3-0 victory at Ibrox back in April 2001, when not only did Lubo score a double but Henrik scored his 50th goal of the season. Also gave Aiden McGeady his debut at only seventeen, at Tynecastle I think, so not averse to giving younger players a chance. Jimmy McGrory introduced more than a few back in the day, or was it Bob Kelly?…..

  13. Auldheid on

    I think the referee helped Rangers 2nd half with fouls awarded to Rangers in both halves of the field.

     

     

    It allowed them to get into Celtic goal territory with 10 men which equalised the number of players in the box.

     

     

    I thought they must tire in extra time and they did.

     

     

    MacGregor’ goal was a thing of wonder, wonder why he does not do it more.

     

     

    Not surprised JF replaced Tounetki who caused them problems but held on to the ball a second too long.

     

     

    Best thing was the football on display a a joy yo watch.

  18. bigbhoy on

    As Auldheid says we were a joy to watch. A change in attitude and commitment. Do you think MON patter allied with Maloney analysis and Fotheringham training has changed the mindset.

     

     

    Maybe we should be thinking longer term here. Another change brings it’s own risk

  19. Bhoys Town on

    Absolutely loving the set up at the moment. I’d stick with it and see where it takes us…

     

    The players need an older wise head, not playing politics, reminding them how good they are and how they need to fight for one another. And reminding them what the club means.

     

    Meanwhile Shaun quietly doing the coaching and tactics.

     

    Early days, but it’s looking really good.

     

    Who knew we had good players after all?

  21. Burnley78 on

    Turkeybhoy

     

     

    Clearly 3 strikers are NOT more than enough.

     

     

    Kenny limped off

     

    Ihaenacho ? Is he fit ?

     

    Maeda just recovering.

     

     

    Kenny is a free hit in the squad as he is a list B also. An additional striker in a 25 man squad would have made sense.

  22. KINGLUBO on

    Happy wee bhoy today. Despite all the cheating by the brothers from the ludge, we stuffed it right up them.

     

     

    Serious question. Cannot for the life of understand why McKenna is favourite for the managers job, or is he just a mate of Desmond.

     

    Mystified

     

     

    KINGLUBO

  24. KevJungle on

    Tobago Street on 3rd November 2025 12:49 pm

     

    “Because the poppy is a universal symbol, not British.”

     

    …..

     

     

    The Poppy is the symbol of a masonic ritual.

     

    11th hour

     

    11th day

     

    11th month

     

    11 x 3 = 33 masonic number.

     

    Hundreds of millions of mainly white Christians from Europe, Russia, America, 20 million Chinese, etc, murdered because of what?

     

    When it is proven liars telling us what to believe, then what should we believe?

     

    A starter for ten….don`t believe any media, especially the BBC or The Guardian, it helps to see more clearly.

     

    Or any political figure except, George Galloway.

     

    Corbyn/Zara/Lab/Lib/Snp/Gre/Con/Ref/FF/FG/SF, etc, are controlled by the Lobby.

     

    MON & Shaun YNWA.

     

    HH

     

    oot.

  27. DeniaBhoy on

    Delighted with how this week has turned out, much better than I think anyone could have hoped for when BR and his coaching team all left. We have stumbled accross our old identity of fighting for everything and playing until the final whistle. How much of that is due to Shaun, or to MoN or the departure of BR, who knows. Players feeling relieved that they are just being asked to go out and play the best they can and not be obsessed about losing possession has to help.

     

     

    MoN clearly believes he is only here to steady the ship, Shaun also said he expects to return to his other job. So what happens if in the next couple of weeks a new manager/head coach is appointed? One who has a very fixed way of playing? Who wants to bring in his own staff and players (as they mostly do)? My new fear is that having tripped over our DNA, we inadvertently place it back in the closet.

  29. Saint Stivs on

    danny rohl.

     

     

    4 games.

     

     

    2 wins

     

     

    2 losses.

     

     

    mr 50%

     

     

    what has actually improved at the 2nd rangers imposterteers ?

  30. Bhoyjoebelfast on

    Two Joe’s.

     

    1) Played one game 2015/16 season.Came on replacing Tom Rogic.

     

    2) Irish International 1964 v St.Mirren?

  31. Tom McLaughlin on

    Yesterday told us everything we needed to know about Brendan Rodgers. Two of the goalscorers plus man of the match Auston Trusty wouldn’t have got near the squad.

     

     

    Self-serving indeed.

  33. Tom McLaughlin on

    ACSOM’s PJD today criticising Osmand and Kenny, saying they shouldn’t be anywhere near the first team and blaming poor recruitment for them being there.

     

     

    Honest tae feck man.

  34. Bhoys Town on

    I suspect the clickbaiters are as disappointed with the last two results as the SMSM.. If MON keeps winning and we see we have good players, it kinda blows the whole BR inspired Honda Civic nonsense out of the water.

  36. An Tearmann on

    Brilliant result,brilliant day,bring on Kilmarnock.

     

    DD when yir in the mood an end of season deal for SM&MON.

     

    Rejoice Celts.

     

    Another final awaits.

     

    God bless Celtic

     

    💚💚💚🤍🤍🤍💛💛💛

  37. the Bada Bing on

    We obviously have to go with what we have till January, as Tony Soprano said- you can’t put the shite,back in the donkey…

  38. Brass Man on

    With regard to BR. Use Hanlon’s Razor…never attribute to malice that which can be explained by incompetence.

  40. Weebobbycollins on

    The captain’s goal right up there with Nakamura’s and wee Shaun’s against the uglies…

  42. stebhoy on

    should we give Mon and Maloney until the end of the season – bringing in a new manager, new staff would be too disruptive for a team already through the emotional turmoil of the past few weeks. Stability , togetherness etc..

     

     

    question is – do we give them a window? I’d trust them to know what we need – Mon has already talked about our lack of physicality

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