I watched Celtic put five and six goals past Oldco and Newco Rangers but never have I seen such a chasm between the sides. We operated on a higher plane throughout the game. Newco goalkeeper, Jak Alnwick, made five incredible saves, three from Olivier Ntcham, one from James Forrest and one from Tom Rogic, preventing a score, which could conceivably have hit double figures.
Ntcham and Rogic pulled all the strings. Their physical presence and use of the ball constantly bought Celtic space. Odsonne Edouard started the scoring with a six-yard box goal, but his second showed what an accomplished striker he has become in the space of a few months.
The pick of the bunch came from James Forrest, who beat three shadows before finishing on the stroke of halftime. Callum McGregor and Rogic got their customary goals against Newco. At this stage, with the goals flying in every few minutes, we anticipated more, but the scoring was over 37 minutes from the end, in part due to Rogic running out of steam, and part due to McGregor moving inside from the wing, where he had been so devastating.
Celtic sailed through the second half pinching police hats and watching Dedryck Boyata put in the most commanding defensive performances we have seen since Virgil van Dijk at his very best. You are watching one of the all-time great Celtic teams.
Once the sheer joy of watching the performance passed, the enormity of winning 7-in-a-row took over. I have watched us win many championships, but can think of only two which comes close to the impact of yesterday. You will remember it fondly for the rest of your life. It was one for the ages and suitably makes up for the missed opportunity at Easter Road last week.
If Jack Nichoson was one of those who stormed the Newco Player of the Year event last night, and made it to the microphone, he would have no doubt looked around the hall and said, “What if, this is as good as it gets?”
There is a great fallacy, believed by those who are in an unfortunate position, that a change will bring improvement. Such claims were made repeatedly by campaigning politicians in recent years, but it is a fantasy.
The truth is far bleaker. If you have structural problems, which could last a lifetime without any progress being made, every passing chapter will feel it was written by Dante, each one a fresh hell. For Newco, these days, where they compete for second place while selling close to 40,000 season tickets, this is good as it will ever be.
When this chapter ends, it will be replaced by one where the club has to stop the pretence of competing for league titles, and live within the budget provided by a fan base who are content to buy season tickets to watch a team of also-rans. They are a joke team, a dumb cash-cow for the rest of the league to get some shooting practice against.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this really is as good as it gets.
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Bateen bhoy
?
MAHE THE MADMAN, cheers pal lets live in hope.hh.
I’VEHADTOCHANGEMYNAME on 30TH APRIL 2018 9:20 PM
Thanks, that’s magic. Love the ball bhoy at the first goal
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 30th April 2018 9:28 pm
MIKEINTORONTO
Strange bedfellows indeed. The famously “right-on” Anti-Nazi League/Rock Against Racism icon’
###
Bragg wasn’t involved in the ANL/RAR, let alone an icon of them.
Apparently he was influenced/inspired by them.
Don’t blame them though, they weren’t to know.
Just noticed wee Jamesy giving a GIRFUY to the Hun hoardes and grabbing the badge as he wheeled away to celebrate his goal. Camera on the touchline missed it but main one caught it. Never seen him do that before.
Good video iof Celtic players enjoy sunny tenerife on facebook its on the CelticBlog not the James Forrest 1
any one copy it to here?
MURDOCHAULDANDHAY
This one ?
https://celtsarehere.com/celtic-players-doing-the-zombie-in-tenerife/
What a brilliant video posted there with the pitch side view. Yes the ballboy is hilarious at the first goal. Stadium looks immense too.
great articles by paul67 and jame s Forrest today. But still get the feeling they are only skimming over how good we were yesterday. common
Love the big flags from the green brigade yesterday.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 30th April 2018 9:28 pm
West Ham have always been a club that takes most of its support from the local community, with all that means in deprived, white, East London. While I’d not exactly be likely to know any far right west ham supporters the four I’ve known well in my life have included two unrelated Jewish guys from east end west ham supporting families. I don’t think its that strange that someone who grew up in Barking supports them, regardless of his politics
Their fans are pretty well known for hating everyone who isn’t them. I’ve been to watch London teams play them at the old ground and it was always a pretty nasty experience, but I got the impression it was an extension of their community, rather than at, say, chelsea where it felt more organised and the dodgy fans seemed to come from all over, attracted by the reputation of the club. Ive always had a grudging respect for what is a traditional working mans football club and I feel a bit sorry for what the greedy owners have done to them
ERNIE LYNCH on 30TH APRIL 2018 9:40 PM
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 30th April 2018 9:28 pm
MIKEINTORONTO
Strange bedfellows indeed. The famously “right-on” Anti-Nazi League/Rock Against Racism icon’
###
Bragg wasn’t involved in the ANL/RAR, let alone an icon of them.
Apparently he was influenced/inspired by them.
Don’t blame them though, they weren’t to know.
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Red Wedge was the ‘movement’ Billy Bragg fronted. Paul Weller etc. also took part – mid-80’s.
Rock Against Racism was earlier I think.
having trouble posting … but will see if this goes through
Nat Know … I think you are right …
RAR/ANL was Tom Robinson, Clash, etc… late 70’s and was tied in to the WSP, I think ..
while BB was the labour party supporting Red Wedge designed to get kids out to vote labour/against Thatcher, so a fee years later (early to mid 80’s) …
Mike in Toronto
https://youtu.be/9r8n_zvyMeQ
Just seen myself on video giving it big thumbs up to Stevie Woods and Kolo. My lucky The Clash tee shirt gave me away.
Rock the Kasbah.
Couple of questions re: yesterday’s game for those who know the rules –
1. In the first half (I think!) the ball came off referee and went out – a corner was given?
2. On around 49 mins, we had a free kick but ball was kicked away by hun player – ref then indicated that ball back in play?
Were these decisions correct??
Delaney’s, sorry I never replied to your post earlier about Neil Lennon.
A few friends of mine have been in his companyocasionally over the last 10 years. They say he is a good an and great company.
The Glasgow Uni bus had a few rock against Rangers events including one at the QM union at Glasgow University prior to the 1982 leage cup final . It was a great pre match occasion.
Natknow
I thought the last player to play the ball counted. Ref is neutral so correct decision. It could be argued that Thompson is their 12th man,therefore, a hun player. ?
VOGUEPUNTER on 30TH APRIL 2018 9:54 PM
This one ?
https://celtsarehere.com/celtic-players-doing-the-zombie-in-tenerife/
Thanks vogue thats it
DELANEYS DUNKY on 30TH APRIL 2018 11:05 PM
Natknow
I thought the last player to play the ball counted. Ref is neutral so correct decision. It could be argued that Thompson is their 12th man,therefore, a hun player. ?
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Exactly the joke I made in the pub yesterday!
Or was it a joke….? :-)
Dallas
Thanks for reply J. My screensaver on my phone is my Ryan and oor Lenny in Tennants Byres Rd. Watching a Celtic away match. Ryan loved watching and learning about Celtic beside Neil. The following day, Hibs won at Ibrox. Jags game on Friday it was.
I love Neil Lennon too.
Natknow
It is an honest statement of fact.
We were not paranoid enough.
Gene, good news
Hope the wee mhan recovers swiftly and fully. HH
Delaney’s, ryan has had a great education in life and football from your good self .
He will feel enriched spending time in Neil’s company .
James Forrest Goal from yesterday……no commentary
Just a thing of beauty……..Big PC Mika on it too :)
https://youtu.be/rVLJfbM9BCE
HH
DELANEYS DUNKY on 30TH APRIL 2018 11:16 PM
Natknow
It is an honest statement of fact.
We were not paranoid enough.
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You’re not wrong mate.
Just watched the game again. An utter humping. Wonderful.
Dallas
Ryan enriches me, more than I do him now.
The Young Knightswood Tim Team are all well educated Bhoys in top jobs, better than their dads. I blame the parents and the underrated Educational Establishment, Saint Tams, Jordanhill.
Natknow
Just Can’t Get Enough.
Perfect Day in Paradise for me yesterday.
It felt spiritual
YNWA
Can I start hating Steven Gerrard yet? No? Not yet?
WBC
As my mammy would say. Never hate, pity them. I will pity SG if he takes the doomdome gig.
Quick ‘fishal SPFL Highlights
https://youtu.be/JI_EOvieuCI
No commentary…….just crowd noise :)
No PC Lustig though :(
HH
PC Lustig caught on hahatv
https://youtu.be/E–Wrh5336g
HH
BMCUWP
Partied hard yesterday and struggled all day today.Stopped off on the way home from work today for a couple of straighteners. Early bed tonight and should be recovered by Tuesday. Absolutely brilliant having you back on the blog and I’m just thrilled that CCB is getting some mileage out of his lucky shirt. Hope our paths cross soon.
HH
The Wakes – The Myth of Return (jamming session)
https://youtu.be/HHX2j-AMhSk
HH
Full match replay for any night-shifters/insomniacs (delete as appropriate;) )
https://youtu.be/2bn2D7M4Jvo
HH n Gnite
TEUCHTERARLA
My version of it is getting its fair share too,old bean. And very nice it is too,tyvm. Canny beat The Working Man’s Reward on the way home from work.
Sadly,the pubs are closed when I finish at 5 or 6 am. Just as well,I reckon!
HH
It was good winning the title with a fair performance but let’s not go overboard about the performance, no too long ago we done the same only to get beat the following week against another inferior team. Some teams make us look better than we are and it’s only when be come up against teams that are a wee bit better we struggle. The fact we took our foot off the gas instead of going all out displayed to me we still don’t have the killer instinct we need to compete at a higher level.
There, cat, pigeons, pigeons meet the cat :)
Gerrard’s thoughts on the Sevco speculation
https://youtu.be/v7inon7f1oU
,Mean Mr Mustard sleeps in the park
Shaves in the dark trying to save paper
Sleeps in a hole in the road, saving up to buy some clothes
Keeps a tenbob note up his nose
Such a mean old man
Such a mean old man
CELTIC40ME
You are,of course,correct. I too knew one or two WHU fans when I lived down there. No more interest in the politics I mentioned than I had.
In my defence,I did use the word stereotypical.
ERNIE
I didn’t say BB was instrumental in the founding of either organisation,and as has been pointed out,his claim to fame,so to speak,is more RED WEDGE. However,BB was a frequent player under the banner of both the organisations I referred to.