Celtic blitzed into the lead after an incredible opening two minutes of tonight’s SPL encounter at Tynecastle and went on to record one of their most impressive performances in years.
Hearts were miles behind the visitors in every department but could have taken the lead after a minute when Andy Webster was left unattended at a corner kick and his downward header was met inside the six yard box by Stephen Elliot who knocked the ball goal-ward. Joe Ledley intercepted on the line but the ball bounced net-side. As Elliot prepared to celebrate the left hand of Fraser Forster appeared from nowhere to remove any possibility of the officials having sight of the ball. Comments on Celtic Quick News suggest it looked a goal at the time and replays did little to contradict that view.
If the never-give-up spirit is alive inside Fraser Forster his captain was no less focussed tonight. Georgios Samaras cleared the ball out of the box and Scott Brown turned defence into attack with a deft flick on the middle of the field. Brown fed James Forrest who whipped in a cross that rebounded off Samaras, now inside the Hearts box to Scott Brown, who had jetted into the area. The captain steadied before shooting low past MacDonald in the Hearts goal.
The game was only two minutes old but we already knew we were in for a night to remember.
Full of confidence Scott Brown tried a decent effort from 30 yards that went narrowly over but Celtic were not to be denied a second for long. On 20 minutes Charlie Mulgrew’s deep corner was knocked back in by Forrest to Victor Wanyama, who turned and scooped the ball high into the net.
Celtic were motoring and looked streets ahead of their hosts as the reverential home support looked on.
By now Hearts looked more likely to score into their own goal. On three occasions in the opening 30 minutes MacDonald had to scramble across his goal under pressure from his own team. Zaliukas came closest to knocking the ball into his own net but his ‘clearance’ went narrowly wide.
Just after the 30 minute mark Scott Brown robbed Zaliukas as he took the ball out of defence and fed Samaras. Georgios hit the bye-line and send in a deep cross which hung at the back post just long enough for Joe Ledley to stretch and nod home. Celtic were 0-3 up and already guaranteed to move four points clear at the top of the table.
The fourth goal came on 60 minutes after one of the finest moves of the game saw Matthews feed Hooper and the striker tee-up Joe Ledley whose shot hit the post and was turned behind. Mulgrew’s resultant corner was met by Victor Wanyama and could have bounced over the line but Gary Hooper was on hand to clear up any doubt to hit the roof of the net from a distance no farther than 6 inches.
Late on Kelvin Wilson cleared out of the Celtic box to Samaras who was 40 yards from his own goal. The Greek international ran 50 yards before testing MacDonald from distance.
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479 Comments- Pages:
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Poordeadking says:
9 February, 2012 at 09:44
Aye, does anyone have a link to Lenny’s interview?
6 post before this
KevJungle says:
9 February, 2012 at 08:30
We are in this together and I will always give my opinion – more importantly if i get it wrong I will “eat humble pie” as i have done many times on this site
But you and I differ in one area – i think our board have been “sensible” yes they fu–ed up a few times but look at the other end of Glasgow look at Leeds Portsmouth Southampton and many more – we are where we are today (and will be for a long time) due to “sensible” decision making
I don’t doubt we could have been more ambitious – but I like where we are today
For the record I wanted Lennon to go in September (with dignity – I did not want him sacked) I also wanted Samaras sold – so the moral of the story
WHAT DO I KNOW – OBVIOUSLY NOT A LOT
Hail Hail
67ECW
Sorry jhilday…………. slip of the hand there :) HH
Agent Green says:
9 February, 2012 at 09:37
Aye and respect.
Fair play to Lomas i say.
HH
awe naw
Ironic additions, as much as I appreciate them, are really not needed when that great Hun fud shares the content of his empty big heid (and that of the Daily Ranger newsroom)!
On a related subject, any recent BFDJ quotes?
He’s even funnier!
HH
Morning, from a dreich and dreary downtown Glasgow.
‘Dreich and dreary’ that is until ones reflects on last night’s performance.
We were immense.
On and off the park.
As an aside, can I add my own tuppence-worth on the ball over the line/not over the line debate?
The mere fact that there’s still something to debate says it all.
As for broadcasters’ efforts to state categorically the ball had passed 100% over the line (for that’s the rule) is nothing short of shameless.
And it illustrates that some parts of the old media still exert undue influence.
I console myself with the knowledge that their favourites will soon be consigned to the dustbin of history.
And anyway. 4-0 it remains.
FF
PS:
Bring Me The Heid of Thunder Crap Reid says @ 09:44
‘Oh, almost forgot: One crucial factor in our victory last night was ………………………….NO CRAP AWAY STRIP !’
I’m with you on this: I wonder if there are comparative stats on the points we have won or lost when wearing ‘change’ strips.
The whole Celtic experience is enhanced when we play in the Hoops.
Just got caught doing a Broonie(and singing it) in the office by my company’s owners!! Pesky board meetings.
I’ll just say I am stressed by overwork.
PS
Scottish Young Player of The Year nominations?
Forrest
Wanyama
Matthews
Rogne
any other club candidates – can’t think of any.
evidence we have a great scouting system and are not stifling football by buying in expensive established player to keep the young lads out.
Hail hail
AWE NAW—— @9 31.
The typical Italian mobster has a huge ego.
They will not take kindly to being compared with a low life worm like Wiggy ..
Wiggy’s finest moment was when he explained away the Cadette goal at Ibrox.
merseycelt
I agree they are beyond parody. I hope that´s the message anyone gets from reading them. If they dont then they are completely missing the point
I wont heard a word said against BFDJ … the man served me my first pint when I was 16 and looked 14.
HAil HAil
WGS@09:44
Big Vic shows great promise but let’s not forget it was his dawdling on the ball that resulted in Hearts breaking upfield to win the corner that led to the ‘goal’. He was guilty of a similar mistake in the Falkirk game which resulted in them scoring
I’m sure Lenny + the coaches will be drumming into him the awareness that is required from him when on the ball in the middle of the park
Once that is sorted then i agree he will be a top player
,
Webster cynical lunge last night reminded me of his crude foul on Agathe a few years back , which effectivly finished him as a top flight player.
I was amongst the jambo support that night right next to the incident and was sickened not only by Websters challenge but also the reaction of the home fans.
Screaming abuse at Agathe as he lay in agony .
Clyde aaaarrrghhh
Listened to podcast earlier,apparently any opposition to newco huns getting onto the spl by Celtic fans is a smokescreen to us wanting to see the huns obliterated!
Er,no Hugh,if the huns go into liquidation its of their own choosing and their own fault and ultimately to AVOID paying the tax penalty,it is NOT a condition set by Celtic fans who have absolutely no say in it.
Also,if you are going to phone Clyde and discuss the newco parachute scenario and are fed the line about a reduced tv deal will you please mention SKY has NOT said anything about paying less money to clarify that as certainty and please remind the panel that SKY IS NOT THE ONLY BROADCASTER IN THE WORLD AND WHY WOULD SKY WANT TO BE SEEN TO OFFERING LESS MONEY TO A GAME THAT HAS RIGHTLY PUNISHED CHEATS?
67 European Cup Winners says:
9 February, 2012 at 09:55
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
You know what…I’m starting to feel a bit like that!
But, as Neil himself would be the first to say _ nothings won yet!
Hail! Hail!
Lennon n Mc….Mjallby says:
9 February, 2012 at 10:03
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Perfectly put!
Hail! Hail!
Great performance last night – a total demolition of the cousins. It wouldn’t have mattered had they got their “goal” – we would still have won. So many good performances and a whole host of contenders for man of the match.
Neil Lennon is putting together a very fine young squad. If the nucleus of this group can stay together for a few years then things look bright.
Meanwhile (I can’t resist a gloat) the huns are desperately trying to wriggle out of paying £250K for a player who got subbed at half time.
Anyone noticed the pattern of the Scottish media?
They get a dubious goal…..it’s never controversial and accompanied by the ball / player “appeared” to….. ( add whatever the circumstances are). Spin later will be these things will even themselves up over the season so move on.
When we get a decision for or against us the word “appeared” is never there. It’s always factual and definitive and almost without any doubt. Last night Hearts were denied a goal. Nice and clearcut in their eyes….never a doubt…
However since that could be a bit of the “evening up” they still cry like babies.
Thought the team were fantastic last night from big FF – what a paw-out he made in the first minute to Sammi who gets mu vote as POTY just ahead of wee Jamsie at the minute.
We have the makings of a magnificent team here folks. Enjoy.
Kittoch says:
9 February, 2012 at 09:01
Some say that he turns TV channels by blinking his eyes
and that he once lent his codpiece to Cameo
All we know is he’s Victor Wanyama
Kittoch, I’ve been loving these since you started them but this is my favourite! FantasTIC!
A very good morning to one and all
There is only one problem with how our beloved Celtic are playing at the moment!!!!
How in god’s name is a man supposed to get any work done?????
The Cheshire cats smile on my face is getting bigger by the day and although there are no huns around to be upset by it, i think it’s worse working in a place where people don’t really bother about football at all!!!!
My boss is wondering WHY i am SO HAPPY
I might try offering to buy Jelly and Ice cream for all at lunch time
bamboo says:
9 February, 2012 at 10:02
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
I hope you don’t mind me asking but, who did Webster lunge at ?
The reason I’m asking is…I was working last night and, was trying to get a link to the full 90 mins but, so far no joy.
Hail! Hail!
SOT
they must be on their way to Sweden as we speak then ;-)
Hail Hail
jimmci says:
9 February, 2012 at 10:09
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
The media in this country, dispense instant anti-Celtic justice! IMO!
Hail! Hail!
Who is Martin Conaghan at shortbread ? after reading this report I wonder if in fact he watched the same game that I did. On examining the stats I note Celtic had only 4 shots on target !! ok we hit the back of the net 4 times but I clearly remember Ledley hitting the post and a pilediver from Sammi that the keeper turned away for a corner, do they not count ?
As for the “goal” I agree with other posters that the camera angles used clearly favour Hearts. No camera angle in line with the post ? Hmmmmm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16828801
jimmci
I noticed that Brown was “clipped” by Foran and that Bartley was “scythed down” by Mackay-Steven at the weekend according to the BBC for very similar offences.
HAil Hail
Paul 67
I apologise if I broke the blog again.
Off to bed now.
May God Bless ‘Every’ Celtic Fan
Hail! Hail!
AWE NAW ——
Relatively short journey from Duisburg.——– a place with a Palermo vibe.
TheGreenManalishi(WithTheTwoProngedCrown),
The BBC web site stats have us with 12 shots on target and 4 off target, which sounds about rght
dirtymac says:
9 February, 2012 at 09:42
Not sure any club buys other players to weaken the opposition.
Seems like a flawed waste of money. Moneybags like Chelsea and City.have not even done that.
His club should not sell to the opposition.
St Martin’s Bhoy
I thank you
I better write some more
I see there’s also the counter argument now to how the game thrived in the early 80s without the huns in that the game was full of quality players then.
Excuse me for using common sense but those so called legends of the 80s weren’t bought from foreign clubs for big money,they were brought through the ranks of Scottish clubs and it takes no stretch of the imagination to understand that less money in the game,if that would be a consequence of not having the huns for 3 or 4 seasons,might just actually level things out a bit more and force clubs to bring through youngsters and can somebody tell me if that’s any different to what the wealthiest club in Scotland is doing now?
A resetting of finances in the game would actually be a massive help to it.
KevJungle:
Webster didn’t lunge, he kicked through Gary Hooper in a very vain, but painful for Gary Hopper, attempt to clear the ball. Or so he would claim.
It would have been a red for some referee’s. McGowan’s studs up lunge at Kevin Wilson also would have produced a red from many continental refs.
Was the ball in for Hearts, well the ref said no so the record books will forever say 4 – 0 regardless of what any prejudiced outsider might opine.
Kittoch,
don’t listen to that St Martin’s Bhoy ;-)
Your best so far was “…and that he once won an argument with a woman…”
Back to work for me…
Jobo
Say good morning to all on the wonderful CQN.
Get the wheelbarrow and go to the bookies.
Go to the pub and enjoy the orcs embarrassment, as the subject of fitba is avoided.
Glow and smile as each arriving bhoy walks in, and as prearranged greets us all with ‘Magic eh?
Goooooooooooooooooood Morning Tims everywhere!
Right away back to read and catch up.
Is it just me or is today a fine fine day?
hail hail
The Tics Tactics from tictactic
Sky Sport 2. SPL THE NOO…
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon says:
9 February, 2012 at 10:21
If click on the link I posted from the BBC website it clearly states Shots ON target = 4
HH
Many happy returns to ole Jinkyredstar.
Jinkyredstar gets to blow out his candles with hoopslegend Johan Mjallby, hoopslegend Gordon Strachan and Brill Building alumnus Carole King.
A pretty impressive list.
TheGreenManalishi(WithTheTwoProngedCrown)
and Sammis pile driver that the keeper didn´t turn away for a corner.
The hun media in Scotland is in a bit of a stookie at the moment and it all hinges on next seasons season ticket uptake for Ibrox.
Currently they need to encourage the line that the SPL is far from over. Which of course it is not but they have to inflate the beliefs of the hun populace having been dicked out unceremoniously from all other competitions.
Now BBC Scotland and The Record have character assassinated Craig Whyte …. designed to turn the hun off. Look at the attendance at Ibrokes at the weekend it worked.
The Sun … is solely focussed on attacking The Record and sales
STV is Craig Whyte´s official mouth piece so they have been designated as the piggy in the middle as far as the hun masses are concerned.
Not buying ST under the present circumstances ensures the end of the Whyte era and naturally the proposed solution is a parachuted Newco.
Ask any hun the question especially those in the media…. Do you recommend to buy a ST for Ibrokes next year and why ?
and what is the answer to those two questions ?
It has not even been broached yet ?
Hail Hail