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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oh what a beautiful morning….
oh what a beautiful day….
Good morning CQN from my 2nd train of this fine morning, this on taking me to Paisley Gilmour Street.
A spring in my step this morning after being one of the lucky ones witnessing the total demolition of hertz at swine castle.
Many great performances which I touched on last night.
They were expecting us to drop at least a couple of points last night, any win last night would be a psychological boost for us and the opposite for them. The manner of the victory compounds that effect.
The pressure is all on the huns, we’re playing well and if we treat each game
….like we approached last nights out it’s difficult strong anyone beating us
hh
bjmac
Morning and Hail Hail bhoys, just watched the highlights, what a team we have. AWESOME is the word and FUNNY listening to the pundit clinging on for some glimmer of a goal. karma is indeed a bitch. Neil you prove me wrong every week mate and i glady eat my own doubting words. What a man you are and you have turned our skoosh into the daddy. He looks so focused and determined now and whatever you feed Wayama, I think Sammys taken some as well. Joe and Charlie again were immense and wee James is learning there is more to his game in the last few weeks. anyway enjoy gloating in work and keep smiling. One final thought. real radio last night let slip that they were commentating on that game as they were sure it end our run. Insidious and hurting. get it up them.
Jelly and Ice cream anyone?
Hail Hail!!!!
KLV
Ouch……….
Hungover but Happy.
Well done Neil….
(may have to stop for a breakfast roll this morning)
HH.
pauloantony says:
8 February, 2012 at 22:46
O’neill must be looking at Lenny at the moment with a sense of pride close to that you have looking at your first born !
Clough moulded his influence onto O’neill
O’neill moulded his influence onto his favourite son Lennon
Lennon ….
I’m speechless!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
So am I m8!
Hail! Hail!
Reading back saw James Forrest with another Stephen King Reference, we read that man. Emperor of ice cream indeed!!!!! ; )
KLV
Was working last night and, missed the game.
Would be grateful if any happy fellow Tim could provide a link to full 90 mins!
Thanks in advance.
Hail Hail!
Celtic Champs Elect says:
8 February, 2012 at 22:34
you hear neg anon and donegal leprecahun get on here and apologies to every true celtic supporter about the utter tosh you both scribed some months back about neil lenny lennon about the players and most of all about the board ya pair of utter clowns
I am not hear to defend Neg Anon and Donegal Leprechan – I too posted NEIL LENNON MUST GO – BUT WITH DIGNITY – I have since been on hear and eaten Humble Pie (A lot of it) When we were 15 points behind we were in a real mess and I think hindsight is a great thing – if you were happy being 15 points behind then you are a far more relaxed man than me The position we are in now is the correct position – but we should have been in the same position in Sep Oct
As for now we look unbeatable and Lennon has learn’t a lot about himself and is proving to be a good manager
I think it is easy to mock the people that stood up and had an opinion when something needed to be said
Hail Hail
67ECW
setting free the bears says:
9 February, 2012 at 00:10
jc2
I’m saying he was better accepted after the Broonie (and, to be fair, the equalising goal he produced for a 10 man Celtic at Ibrox just preceding the Broonie).
I don’t think his form radically improved until fairly recently but I think Scott has been better supported by us since last February. I loved the Broonie too and I think it is a bit shallow of me to appreciate him more for a non-footballing contribution but, along with others, I am guilty of that.
As for the Tartan Army view, I’d wait and hear what CQN poster, curly, says about that. I don’t know if they love Broonie but maybe, they were less split, in regards to appreciating his merits, than we were. Curly has a better insight into the TA than I do.
sftb –
To be honest, I haven’t been to a Scotland game in a couple of years now. I like to think that it is down to getting Murphy (and Starsky now!!) and not wanting to put him (them) in kennels too often. It was more due to the fact that the SFA appointed Duffield to a position he never was, and never will be, qualified to carry out. While I still supported them from afar, I even gave up watching them on the tellybox – I will definitely be WG’s fave Proddie now!!
When I did pay attention to Scotland, it was mainly to see how our players fared, and in the case of Broonie I must say that I preferred him out wide, or one slot in with a 5-man midfield. The Scott Brown we have been priveleged to see recently is more like the one I remember at Hibs, and the one I was glad to see signing for Celtic.
If he continues in this current rich vein of form, he will be a very valuable player for us as we consolodate our lead at the top of Scottish fitba. Mair power tae his elbows, feet, knees and all the other bits that make him so good!
Luryc
Having watched the BBC highlights, and the goalline camera angle, I’m quite convinced that the Hearts goal was not over the line, the slo mo shows the ball was moving along the goalline- not inwards towards the net- when big FF scoops it clear. AM blocks the full camera view but there is no way that could be called a goal with any certainty.
Good call linesman!
DBBIA & sftb –
Do you guys require Red Cross parcels this weekend? Usual delivery point?
Ulcyr
KevJungle says:
9 February, 2012 at 08:07
One hours highlights on SkySports2 at 10.30am
Tom McLaughlin 6.05am
You are right and I have been saying the same since 7.50pm last night to anyone who would listen.
The freeze frame they chose is clearly designed to sho a gap between line and ball but from a poor camera angle which could not show the right perspective.
The ball was about to land on the line which it does do if you nudge it on a frame or two and as it is about to cross the line we cannot see if our keeper scoops it way but there is NO evidence to show it did cross the line, none at all.
Pathetic, weak individuals such as Walker are then at liberty to shape opinion and many in our ranks have chosen to fall in line with that, including Neil L (before he had chance to properly analyse it I am sure). .
We are in dangerous territory when we hear Radio Scotland and Sky TV twist what they can blatantly see or not see to form a national concensus.
It is going to be a tough next few months, but winning will be all the sweeter for it. And their slow agonising demise (as the media dont know whether to stick or twist) is sweeter still.
SonOfDan
In regards to our conversation yesterday.
You were spot on. I am humbled by your football knowledge, more power to you sir
Hail hail
Now if the Scottish rugby team would just drop Dan Parks -)
KTF
Mtt
67 European Cup Winners says:
9 February, 2012 at 08:15
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
I have posted on here for almost 2 years now that, the board should be sacked and, Neil should be backed! I jingoed my posting name with an assortment of anti-Celtic board/hierarchy/CEO messages and, been called a hun and despised by fellow Celtic fans for, refusing to bow to what I seen as, orchestrated shafting by the fore mentioned parties! By shafting I mean, not being seen to be the best we can be by, dragging their erses through various transfer windows when, a killer blow could have been struck! Also, by their not standing up for us when, we were being dumped on by Nevin and, McLean to a national audience during the SCF v’s Murderwell and, by allowing themselves/us to be dragged to a mock-summit on the back of having THREE players booked during the shame-game!
But, Lennons Lions are on the cusp of a wave and, NO-ONE should interupt that! IMO!
Hail! Hail!
Utterly miserable morning, weather-wise, here in North Ayrshire. I’m sure the sun is shining out of the eyes and HEARTS of every Celtic supporter.
WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED.
Kayal33 says:
9 February, 2012 at 08:28
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Thanks for the info m8 but, I don’t have SKY TV!
Thats why i’m reduced to the begging bowl!
Cheers anyway m8!
Hail! Hail!
Goldstar.
Small point as we won the game in a canter but…
Their “goal” came off Joe’s knee and was going along the line and clearly bounced on the line. It was not going over the line but along it. The camera angle chosen to show this incident does show clear daylight between the ball and the goal line but from that angle that daylight is formed from height above the line not distance over the line.
Anyway the Gazebo is being primed for Saturday’s celebrations. has Bjmac learned the huddle yet?
EC67
By the way, can those who have made a habit of undermining the Board (and giving succour to the likes of Tanner) not give it a rest for one day at least? We are where we are, in a great position, in great part, due to our Board’s sensible running of our Club.
Big Forsters famous scoop again …stopping the ball from crossing the line…- Imperious Samaras and Mulgrew – Dynamic Captain Broonie -getting better by the game Rogne .
The Welsh connection -the quiet but detemined Ledley and Matthews unlimited potential who is become a real attacking force and even his long throw gives us something extra. Big Vic winning header after header in mid-field and taking his goal like a top striker. Forrest is exciting and going to get better and better -Hopper sharp as a tack- Wilson ,a solid physical presence . And it looks like they can all get better.
P.S. Pawel looks like he will do the business as well -quick sharp mobile and aware . He wiil get goals if he can get into the team.
Marvellous being a Tim innit. Just awaiting a visit from my Jambo colleague, who did predict an easy victory for us. Oh the wee huns are
Just seen the goals too,Wanyamas defied belief,Broonies was really well taken too with a strikers predatory instinct to balance himself and totally focus on teeing up the shot and overall what a star we now have in him,on the supposed farts goal,I don’t know if I could deny it was over the line especially with the cheeky angle their showing it at,their is definite uncertainty though which is no basis for awarding a controversial goal but I think I would’ve been raging had it been us and adding to the tally of at least 3 legit goals we’ve had taken off.
One Neil Lennon.
A terrific tremendous tornado of a performance last night, to be on easy street at tynecastle with just over 30 minutes played is a statement of intent that the SPL title is badly wanted at paradise
Lenny and his squad are now showing the requisite combination of qualities required by a championship winning squad we are far and away the best in the SPL
The transformation of Neil in the last few months has been a joy to see, i had my doubts but delighted for Neil that he seems to be now growing into being a Celtic manager with intelligence and integrity, it will be a very emotional day when the SPL title is won, i cant wait
Nothing won yet though i will be in paradise on Saturday and im sure Butcher intends to make as hard as he can on Sat so stay focused Celtic! eyes on the prizes
and on to the next game , big butcho will have them sharpening their stud for sat at paradise. choking to stop the juggernaught. lots of yellows on sat, Brown has learned to keep the head. matured that man.
KLV
Absolutely fantastic, everything is coming to the boil nicely. Confidence is so important in sporting performance – it cannot be bought, it needs to grow from the inside and once it has taken root it transforms a player. Brown, Samaras and Foster are all showing how important it is.
One wee observation last night, Vic shrugging off the other players to allow him to do his own celebration. He looked pretty annoyed that the others were trying to crowd him. Maybe not quite integrated into the whole “all for one and one for all” mentality yet.
Great to be a Celtic Supporter right now…..Really Great….
I cannot help but feeling we would have really had an impact in the Europa Cup too had we held onto our lead.
Still enough to focus on as we try to win our domestic cups. Europe can be left for another season.
DeniaBhoy
Big Vic was fine, just didn’t get “you don’t celebrate at the opposition fans”. Look at Broonie, he was trying to get to him then just pi***d himself at how funny it was.
curly
Thanks for the views
I hope to be fit again to attend Saturday ( I missed last night’s game) and would be happy to purchase some genuine NE butteries. Always earns me broonie points
One wee observation last night, Vic shrugging off the other players to allow him to do his own celebration. He looked pretty annoyed that the others were trying to crowd him. Maybe not quite integrated into the whole “all for one and one for all” mentality yet.
Big Vic wanted to put an African slant on his celebration, let the young man celebrate his own way, all good families let their young members breathe a little
Mornin’, bhoys and ghirls.
Weather in ole D and G a bit Ice Station Zebra today, but everything else is fine and dandy.
We played really well last night, achieving an almost Martinist efficiency, and keeping the pressure on the NoPopePaupers.
Clearly ‘fixing the team’ has got a lot going for it.
Well done Neilly, Johan, Alan and Garry.
Eurochamps67 and Lionroars67 – fair points and you no doubt are correct. It just looked a bit strained to me, that was my gut reaction to watching it.
PS Ylurc- see you there.
We’ll need all kinds of spiritual nourishment for the quiz, where I expect Sannabhoy, SFTB, DickByrne and ole Don’bratt will reveal an unparalleled knowledge of UNpopular music, which may not do us any good ;/0
Absolutely superb performance from the manager, coaches, players and supporters last night, i JCGE !!!!
I see Dunfermline have the chance to leapfrog Hibs and get off the bottom of the league with their early KO on saturday!!!
salivatingCSC
Absolutely loving it. Power and pace was the order of last night, and I thought James Forrest did more pressing off the ball then he’s ever done. One thing he’s had to learn is the contribution needed when not on the ball and it looks like the message has got through. In terms of his value to the team, and in fact to his cash value, it’s still on a steep upward climb. What a prospect.
Brown and Sammy were utterly rampant in the first half. Brown got the rest he deserved, Sammy took one out on the left wing for the last half hour. Pity we’d ‘wasted’ a substitution on a centre half. Wee Commons for example would have kept the momentum up and given Stokes and Brozek half a chance of getting into the game.
I hear Neil saying it was the best ever performance at Tynecastle. Not sure how much of that was adrenalin but although it was magic I can remember better. In fact the game at Tynecastle at the end of last season following Inverness was special. And we went 2 down early at New Year 2006 under WGS, the 2nd half that culminated in McManus’s equailser and winner was an absolute assault on Hearts goal with pace and skill.
Temper last night with the 3 Hearts players being out that you would have hand picked given the choice. Kello, Black and Templeton and I think you have to measure the performance and the team in the cold light of day a wee bit less euphorically. Although I do enjoy the euphoria, so let the good times roll!
What’s the coming over the hill, is it the tax man? Is it the tax man?
Mornin all,
Oh what a beautiful morning
Oh what a beautiful day
All the sounds of the earth are like music,
All the sounds of the earth are like music,
The breeze is so busy it don’t miss a tree,
And an ol’ Weepin’ Coisty is cryin tee hee !
Great performance and a pleasure to watch ane be a Celtic supporter.
Take care all,
Hail Hail
‘NO HUNS IN SCOTLAND’
I couldnt watch the game for laughing. The Lennon and McCartneys of the Green Brigade are doing us proud.
hh
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