On its own, winning 0-3 at Livingston would not move the dial, but the manner of Saturday’s win surely did. Joe Hart’s (correctly awarded) red card sent the flare up, Celtic would have to play on plastic for over an hour with 10 men. This followed a tiring game in Rotterdam, where they finished with 9 men. Aspiring challengers knew this was a chance to claw the champions back into the mix.
Livi’ manager, David Martindale’s post-match comments told the story better than anyone, “We have to give credit to Celtic, they are a very good team”. The visitors had better players in every position and were collectively devastating to their hosts.
Early in the season, though it is, Matt O’Riley has shown clear signs he has stepped up a gear from last term. He is so much more composed on the ball, a benefit of confidence. His run into the box just after the break, was timed to perfection. The Livingston keeper could only claw Daizen Maeda’s bum-shot back into play, where Matt lunged to finish. He is a great example of player development. It is never linear and never guaranteed, but with correct support, talent will rise.
After Matt scored, Livingston never threated Celtic. Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor played a classic full back role, instead of taking up their normal advanced position. Taylor in particular enjoyed his afternoon.
It should surprise no one that Maeda came alive when Celtic went a man down. He is a player who thrives on space to fill. Instead of being hedged in against the wing, he played in a central role for the last hour of the game and gave the Livi defenders a torrid time. A low centre of gravity is his secret weapon. He can thrust his body between opponent and ball, and remain upright, where others would be brushed aside.
Whatever hope our challengers had that Hart’s red card would crack open an opportunity, was long gone before Daizen finished the scoring with a fine shot from outside the box. This Celtic team can go anywhere in Scotland and win, as performances at Piddodrie, Ibrox and Livi atest.
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HAIL HAIL.
Wherefore art thou BRRB ?
Turd?
Brilliant result! 😃🍀🏆🇮🇪
https://x.com/camer0n_mcd/status/1706058778217529834?s=48&t=VGQ-dz7XnGoK0iCf5HYDYA
Brother Muir to the rescue…
Blatant cheating
TBB- Only a fool would predict the outcome of The Solheim Cup………great comeback
BADA:
Hunbelievable! por cierto
Parkroad 67
Crystal Palace G. How’s things your way?
Bada, looking at that short video, Muir blows for a foul on Tavernier as the Motherwell player is set to shoot. I was under the impression that in those circs the VAR protocol directed that the move should be allowed to play out then subsequently VAR checked if necessary.
Is that not the case?
P67
Can’t argue with Matt as MoTM and most improved player this year.
If only he had put away 1 of his chances against St J it would be a near flawless start to the new season. A few times against Livi he danced past a good few of their players and kept possession very well indeed. A joy to watch.
“!!BADA BING!! on 25TH SEPTEMBER 2023 12:07 PM”
Is that the same guy that missed the ICT handball from 8 years yet he indicates that he can see a shirt pull (which I can’t see on any replay) from further away and from behind the play.
Talk about seeing what you want to see (or not seeing what you don’t want to see in the ICT case)!
QB
Paul I am in agreement with this: “It should surprise no one that Maeda came alive when Celtic went a man down. He is a player who thrives on space to fill. Instead of being hedged in against the wing, he played in a central role for the last hour of the game and gave the Livi defenders a torrid time”.
A good reason for playing a more traditional 442 against CL opposition? As soon as we introduce a winger on the other side, Maeda becomes less effective.
Who drunk more?
Eric or Jocky?
I have no Abdul Quadir….
TBB- Agree,play on then a VAR check
Quad- same guy who missed a penalty and a red card for Ross County at Hampden
“Early in the season, though it is, Matt O’Riley has shown clear signs he has stepped up a gear from last term. He is so much more composed on the ball, a benefit of confidence.”
——///
His pre-season thoughts on his different interaction with Brendan, as opposed to Ange, apparently now making sense and paying dividends. He looks a happier player who’s at ease with himself and his game.
Daizen is a Superstar who is gonnae do the Mae West for our Beloved Hoops.
He is getting better and better.
Difficult to imagine we’d be talking like this a month ago
That was a monumental performance, every player stepped up, the wee guys weren’t bullied, we played with immense heart. individually and collectively getting better. We should have known better than to doubt Brendan.
Matt O’Riley, signed at 21 and still only 22 has stepped up in a way you’d hope some of the other younger signings will over time. One and a half million pounds for a player who’s been our best performer and will hopefully get better as the season progresses
We have footballing department full of winners. A great environment to bring new young players into
Who’s the mason in the black?
MOR getting better and better. Been looking for this type of goalscoring midfielder since Armstrong left. Rogic got a few, but mostly from on-the-ball situations rather than following up play and producing the finishing touch.
Top two look like they are pulling clear but we should just focus on ourselves. Should be targeting one hundred points which is 2.63 per game and we are on track for that.
That awkward moment when your shot is a bummer.
One position still to be nailed down on this team and its the most important position to which any player can aspire.
SCAPEGOAT…
Taylor Scales Hart have all been there but we need a player who is consistently ineffective on the park..Players like Scales and Taylor and indeed Hart are prone to man of the match performances so lack the complete SCAPEGOAT quality
THE BATTERED BUNNET
Bada, looking at that short video, Muir blows for a foul on Tavernier as the Motherwell player is set to shoot. I was under the impression that in those circs the VAR protocol directed that the move should be allowed to play out then subsequently VAR checked if necessary.
Is that not the case?
No.
That only applies to offside situations.
What is the Starz- these past few weeks David Turnbull probably edged the title though he may not see much game time now Hatate is back.
BRRB 12-14pm
Aye all good here in sunny South Ayrshire J , need to get up for a beer sometime 🍺🍀
DENIABHOY on 25TH SEPTEMBER 2023 12:18 PM
I’d try Oh and Kyogo in a front 2, with Calmac on the left like how we finished on Saturday and Maeda on the right.
Ten men with an hour to play at Livi, I’m sure some hopes were dashed elsewhere when the final score came in.
Next up, probably our biggest domestic challenge of the season if the weekend’s performances are anything to go by and for me, a make or break European game against Lazio.
I’m happy to have a free week in the run up to these two big games.
“THE BATTERED BUNNET
Bada, looking at that short video, Muir blows for a foul on Tavernier as the Motherwell player is set to shoot. I was under the impression that in those circs the VAR protocol directed that the move should be allowed to play out then subsequently VAR checked if necessary.
Is that not the case?”
For offside the move SHALL be allowed is how they word it I believe. Just as blocking a free kick or showing dissent to an official SHALL be a yellow card (it rarely is).
I’ve heard first hand from a category 1 ref that there is lee-way that if the ref is in any doubt they can let it play and VAR can get involved after the action completes if it becomes a potential game changing decision.
I think the theory is that whilst a ref should not give what they can’t see they do often use a little guesswork and this will reduce such “mistakes” where they thought there was a foul but there was not.
I think in this case Mr Muir was CERTAIN that he was giving the foul whether there was one or not! ;)
QB
A low centre of gravity is his secret weapon.
if only he and kyogo were taller.
The mystery foul against Motherwell when about to shoot happened at Ross County, in an identical move.
It’s called cheating 👍
Parkroad 67 12.38
Forget October G, I shall be St Johnny Sobersides until the 28th. Charity stuff.
Some real hun roasters in the pub today. Keeps me amused though. Beale must go, players are keech, blah blah blah.
BRRB
No problem J I forgot about Sober October !!
https://thelaziali.com/2023/09/25/lotito-lazio-training-poor-start/
Lazio president Claudio Lotito was furious after the team’s draw with Monza and has ordered the squad into a training retreat.
https://www.thecelticwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/FQFa2JWXEAcBNEI1.jpg
john mcmaster
Lucky he didn’t break his leg
!!BADA BING!! on 25TH SEPTEMBER 2023 12:07 PM
Not only was it a dreadful decision by Muir but the lack of Media comment ( or maybe I am just unaware of any) on the incident is also very telling.
BIGRAILROADBLUES on 25TH SEPTEMBER 2023 1:20 PM
Some real hun roasters in the pub today. Keeps me amused though. Beale must go, players are keech, blah blah blah.
Send them Ma Davie Hay, Bach in the olde Day.
It’s a knockout.
Ta Newco for getting coefficient ponts.
I’m wanting to See Aidan going berserk as Celtic kick ASS. Apologies for a sweary. vocabulary.,
FFM is a Genius.l
Marco.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq7JSic1DtM
Brendan is a Mightily Cool Dude.
I was fortunate to Witness the Bhoys with him once.
philvisreturns.CSC
HOT SMOKED on 25TH SEPTEMBER 2023 1:39 PM
Catching up on sportscene and both Stewart and McCulloch say it was never a foul!