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Ibrox shaken to red brick core

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

Within the first minute at Ibrox yesterday, Newco sent a long ball forward that tempted Liam Scales into a challenge he missed.  Seconds later the ball ended in the net, only for the assistant to correctly flag offside.  It looked like a portent of doom to come, however, Liam was undeterred.  He threw himself at every ball into the Celtic final third, clearing danger throughout.  He earned his Man of the Match award.

Gus Lagerbielke was dispossessed when the foot of Dessers clipped his ankle.  The striker advanced into the Celtic box before squaring for Roofe to shoot past Joe Hart into the net.  Even after the first replay, I didn’t see the foul, but it was there.  TV viewers were later treated to bizarre weeping by some on Sky and the BBC highlights programme, where it was explained that while the rules say it was a foul, we just don’t agree with the rules!

This is what being conditioned to getting refereeing decisions your own way looks like.  It is also why Scotland, more than any other country, needs Video Assistant Referees.

Response to this incident determined the outcome of the game.  Our 23-year-old Swedish central defender, on his third outing for the club and still looking for a win, could have been discouraged from holding onto the ball or being open for a pass, but that didn’t happen.  Just as Liam immediately got over this first minute missed header, Gus continued to show, pull opponents towards him and play short passes into space.

Can we agree that Callum McGregor had his best 45 minutes in years?  Much of the credit for Liam and Gus’s fortitude came from the captain making the right angles.  The greatest thing about possession-based football is that it looks easy.  There is always a simple pass on.  Callum made sure this was the case yesterday.

35-years-ago (yes, really), Paul McStay ranged a pass deep into the Rangers half for Chris Morris to run onto.  He squared for Frank McAvennie to score a memorable goal in the Centenary Season.  Just when I was extolling the virtues of Callum’s play, he recreated this move.

The ball took two defenders out of play – then waited for Liel Abada to cross.  What would McAvennie do?  Score, of course, but Kyogo, realising he was at the near post with a keeper ready to block, tried a deft flick to the back post, where he hoped to find Daizen Maeda.  You are not going to remember Callum’s pass 35 years from now, which is a pity, because is was no less deserving than the Maestro’s.

Celtic were now in full control and with the home crowd audibly restless, Kyogo got free again.  This time his second touch let him down and the shot was eventually smothered.  Surely, they could not continue to allow the Japanese striker such freedom without consequence?

For all the great play, when the moment came, it was quite simple.  In the final minute of added time before the break, Joe Hart cleared a goal kick into the Newco half – you don’t want to mess around at the back so close to the break.  Connor Goldson stepped forward from marking Kyogo to head the ball back where it came from.

This is where it gets interesting.  Matt O’Riley, not known for his heading ability, fired his neck muscles to send the ball back, over Goldson and into space for Kyogo to exploit.  Perhaps wary of his second touch after the chance a few minutes earlier, he waited until the ball sat up, then (as they might say in Japan these days), gave it laldy!  It was a strike worthy of winning such a game.

Celtic emerged from the break with a lead to defend and set about doing just that.  Greg Taylor and Alistair Johnston tucked in, O’Riley and David Turnbull sat deeper.  This allowed Newco plenty of the ball, but no space in which to use it to any effect.

Their best chance came when Lammers rounded Hart but as we waited for the net to bulge, he mis-controlled and the ball rolled out of play.  They’re not very good, these new Newco-ers.

Johnston, with only an hour of play under his belt this season going into the game, doubled that time before being replaced by Anthony Ralston.  Then, on 75 minutes, Greg Taylor pulled up.  Celtic were forced to play for 15 minutes, plus 8 in added time, with a back four of Ralston, Lagerbielke Scales and Bernabei.

Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki, Nat Phillips and Stephen Welsh would all have played, if fit.  It was the most ridiculously under-strength Celtic defence I have ever seen, yet they glided through the game.  Ralston and Alexandro Bernabei had the better of their clearly troubled opponents.

Michael Beale will rue leaving Cantwell and Raskin out of the team, at least, that’s how I remember it.  I am sure his mind wandered to the break-value of his contract, in the hours since.  When Brendan Rodgers was interviewed before kick-off, I thought I sensed hesitation – I was wrong.  His record against Newco is better than any manager in games between Celtic and either of the Rangerses.  He is a talent and yesterday he shook Ibrox to its red brick core.  It was a sight to make your heart sing for a title so wonderous!

My friends in Celtic, enjoy your week.  We’ve still to speak about the transfer window – expect both barrels.

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  1. EspiritoDeCelt on

    May I also say the Thurday-to-Sunday will wreck Zombies season for a number of reasons:

     

     

    1. Having to always play after us on Sundays brings more pressure and Sunday games can be really flat atmospheres

     

    2. Playing Sundays reminds them of their champ league failure on every game they take to the pitch on Sunday.

     

    3.Sunday football will sap secco morale in general and will ruin their players Saturday night relaxation with their families. While Celtic players will be at a restaurant or at home eating popcorn on a Saturday night their players will be in a grotty Travel Tavern drinking Carrot juice.

  2. Turkeybhoy on

    Beale,on today Bealin.

     

     

    “We never spent the amounts being reported,we spent Firteen million,not fifteen.

     

    No one would complain that Kemar Roofe played before the new signings,the form he has been in”

     

     

    Eh,Mikey,would that be the same Kemar Roofe you omitted from your Euro squads.Or have you got two of them?

  3. Burnley78 on

    Nick

     

     

    That really has made my day.

     

     

    A 4 year deal for that chap. He looked like a very poor man’s Bassey.

  4. DeniaBhoy on

    We have from now until 16th before next game and until 19th for CL. A good spell to get the new boys up to speed and integrated into the squad and training games. The feel good factor will have everyone buzzing.

     

     

    Japan have games on the 9th and 12th and Maeda and Kyogo could be involved but thankfully both games are in Europe so jetlag not going to be a problem. Other than Calmac, who else is away?

  9. Turkeybhoy on

    The hated International break coming at a great time.2 weeks training with all the new players,whilst the Huns stew in that gubbing.

     

    Anyone know the timeline for Hatate coming back.

  11. 67 European Cup Winners on

    You may or may not remember- when Brendan was announced and The Green Brigade were kicking off I was delighted he was back

     

    I said it was like forgiving an unfaithful lover – allow them back into your life but it was the spare room for a while and we would see how thing are after IPox

     

    You will not be surprised to hear Brendan is now back in the main bedroom

     

    Things are back to normal

     

     

     

    On another note

     

    The Celtic TV clip showing Kyogos goal is brilliant but a fascinating insight into Japanese culture

     

    As the players were walking back to the halfway line the Ref came towards then and gestured them to get a move on Kyogo obediently breaks into a sprint – complete respect for the official

     

    What a player he is

     

     

    67ECW

  14. An Tearmann on

    67 ECW

     

     

    Re Celtic fans called green brigade

     

    I take it you didnt note the total vitriol to our club coming from posters here this last week or so!at least one section are paid up Celtic fans and dont fart thro their thumbs.

     

     

    Hope you enjoyed yesterday

     

     

    HH

  15. Celtic Mac on

    deniabhoy

     

     

    Think both Oh and Yang are in Klinsmann’s South Korea squad, but their games are, I think, in Wales and Newcastle, so no jet lag involved.

     

    Other lags are available of course.

  18. BlackSox on

    The disallowed goal for the foul on Lagerbielke was the correct decision – Dessers didn’t get his body in front nor did he touch the ball first when he stuck his foot in and made contact with Lagebielke to prevent him striking the ball. A foul without question.

     

     

    Unfortunately these games seem to pass Turnbull by, in general and I wonder what’s going on with Taylor as his defending has been very poor so far this season.

     

     

    Holm impressed me when he came on – a tidy/neat player on the ball, quick, can see a pass, accurate and can tackle … he’s just 20yrs of age and I reckon he’s going to be a top player for us.

  23. Celtic Mac on

    lefclicktic

     

     

    Then again maybe playing Hibs took it out of Aston Villa…

     

    They went down 3-0 at Liverpool

  24. 67 European Cup Winners on

    AN TEARMANN on 4TH SEPTEMBER 2023 3:43 PM

     

    Yes I read most – passion is hard to control and most on hear are passionate

     

    The key board can give great comfort when you need to get something off your chest

     

     

    Although I was happy to have him back in a heartbeat I get some would be less welcoming after his previous departure

     

     

    But after Sunday I hope TGB (and those passionate enough to hammer their keyboards last week) are happy with our brilliant manager

     

     

    67ECW

  27. scullybhoy on

    https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/W81kw8ck0IfB1mocfbVkqw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_scotsman_111/be42f0a49c66e419d6cae7b93bba6222

     

     

    https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/JxjZORVIhtZ4..qlPpyrFQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU5ODtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_scotsman_111/48e4145b09f535396eec9e8416598bed

     

     

    https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/exwpD1b1M1ZfgWlgvPZ7Og–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU3NDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_scotsman_111/3382396c09c691b07db9a273b222e416

  31. bigrailroadblues on

    Time for a wander around the old town. Alfredos seems to be infested with brainless huns in denial. And I don’t mean the river.

  34. Cloud9 on

    The (GB) Green Babies should be working on their display for when we return to Celtic Park on the 16th.

     

     

    “Sorry Mr Rodger’s, all out toys are now back in our prams and we will be good boys………until the next time”🤪

  40. Hot Smoked on

    !!BADA BING!! on 4TH SEPTEMBER 2023 4:56 PM

     

     

    That`s fair enough. It obviously wasn`t a highlight for Sky Sports.

  42. Prestonpans bhoys on

    Bada

     

     

    There was 8 shots on target 5 for us and sky didn’t show the goal, unbelievable 😳

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