It was Roy of the Rovers stuff at Fir Park today at 18-year-old Tony Watt made his Celtic debut and scored the first two goals of the game within five minutes of getting onto the field.
Celtic have been notoriously slow to start games this season but were on the front foot from the off today as Pawel Brozek looked lively on his first start for the club. They should have earned a penalty kick on 4 minutes when Victor Wanyama was dragged to the ground as he latched onto the end of a Ki free kick.
Thereafter Celtic’s experimental line-up laboured for much of the game. Passing from midfield was profligate and the front pairing of Gary Hooper and Brozek was never a partnership.
After Wanyama’s penalty claim Motherwell enjoyed the bulk of the first half chances. Craig Highton headed on for Chris Humphrey who had an excellent volley saved by an equally spectacular save from Lukas Zaluska to keep the scores level. Humphrey then had a shot blocked by Thomas Rogne before the rebound was fired goal-ward by Steve Jennings to bring another fine save from Zaluska.
Wanyama started the game in an unaccustomed right back role but got forward on 34 minutes as he carried the ball 30 yards before threading a pass through to Brozek. The Polish striker spun inside the box and prodded a shot but he missed the target.
The final minute of the first half brought two chances for Celtic. Charlie Mulgrew did well to rescue a ball on the by-line before flighting a cross in which was knocked out to Kris Commons. Commons shot from 18 yards went narrowly wide. Seconds later Commons and Brozek combined before the Pole’s shot clipped Randolph on the ankle and trickled behind.
Motherwell were first to show in the second half when Nicky Law’s shot from the edge of the area was saved by Zaluska, who had a good afternoon. Joe Ledley then pinched the ball from the toe of Humphrey after the Motherwell winger cut inside Izaguirre on the wing and set himself up for a shot inside the box.
Paddy McCourt, who replaced injured Ki, split the Motherwell defence open with a fabulous pass for Cha but the right wing-back’s cross went straight to Randolph.
Celtic then brought on Tony Watt for the ineffective Brozek and the teenager made an immediate impact. Cha knocked-on a long ball for Victor Wanyama to run onto before crossing deep beyond the far post. Watt had an incredibly tight angle but somehow managed to steer his touch between the posts, leaving Randolph helpless.
Two minutes later Joe Ledley exploited space in front of the Motherwell defence before passing to Watt just inside the box. Tony steadied himself before firing low and hard into the far corner of the net.
Paddy McCourt was quiet on his return to the team after a lengthy lay-off but on 83 minutes he used the abundant space afforded to him outside the Motherwell box to hang a back-post cross for Cha, who headed high into the net to complete the scoring.
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Celtic Hub
@CelticHub
Major announcement coming from us soon re Celtic. Please RT
Paul,
my take on the game is a bit more positive than yours. Yes, there was an absence of a link between midfield and the front 2 for a long time….however….
Today was the first day of pre-season training.
Izzy got 90 minutes. Commons showed that he is an excellent player – who has no future unless he gets himself fit.
Our Polish lad got a game. He didn’t take his chance, but will get another outing, I am sure.
Hooper showed that a move to Southampton would be best for everybody.
Victor continued his education, playing in a different position.
Joe Ledley showed why he really should be Celtic’s captain.
Zaluska got a game, a couple of saves, and a shut out.
And Tony Watt.
Yes, a good start to our preparation for next season. Questions being asked and answered to allow Neil Lennon to plot the next step forward.
Lots to like….:)
Well done Neil for the change in formation and a HUGE congratulations to Tony Watt for saving us millions in the summer.
Anyone see the Genoa fans stopping the players leaving the pitch until they removed the jerseys after losing 4-0.
Good on them.
Re that tweet from Celtic Hub – forget it, looks like nonsense.
After the huns game next week, we will have to give brozek and bangura as much time as possible to see what they can do, if they don’t cut it, its time to let them go imo.
Thought Ledley, Vic and Rogne were the best for us, Commons was ok but thought Hooper was poor throughout albeit he covered a lot of ground, he was’nt without trying.
Paddy did ok also, with izzi getting back his confidence a little towards the end.
HH
Excellent 3points today..
Anybody any idea what the major announcement is from the Celtic hub ! Is there another Hun bidder :-)
We had 18 shots, 10 of which were on target and only committed 5 fouls.
A good day’s work/
BTW; tired old cynic that I am, still think (in face of all the evidence and optimism) that the huns will survive, as is, with the support/allegiance of the power brokers and masonic carpet baggers that not only exist but thrive in the political corridors of Scotland/UK/Europe……..
Would love to be called out as wrong/misguided/afraid/deluded and historically lost/out of touch, on all of this ongoing game!
No, really want my feelings and (heartfelt) analysis to be way off the radar insofar as what the sensible and just outcome should be but I just cannot see it being anywhere near such………….
Plus ca change!
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
tomthelennytim on 22 April, 2012 at 17:00 said:
Sheesh… Was hoping for something good there, still Kentucky fried chicken will cheer me up.
Snake Plissken on 22 April, 2012 at 16:53 said
I agree with you that I think we have a very good young squad and we need experienced players to bring them along. 3 or 4 in my opinion. A midfield enforcer who would protect the young guys when they are being bullied and getting no protection from the MIB. Also experienced guys could be the difference of going further in Europe as well.
Dan
Enough of this Man City pash, going to cut the grass.
Cue a sudden weather change in the Port soon.
HH
Michał Zachodny @polishscout Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Jarosław Fojut will come off due to injury, Pietrasiak replaces him. Something with knee ligaments.
rt by Celtic Underground
Ab’dy in the huff?
bournesouprecipe on 22 April, 2012 at 15:17 said:
Tony Watt, – Celtic not taking this game too seriously
——————————————————-
Remind me not to take bsr to seriously:O)
Disgracetoruglen
My dear,dear,dear,friend… The Singing Detective.
Hiya, palomine..???
Nice tae Meet and Greet..
Aye.. Tony is The Real Deal..
And Neil, knows it..
Noo, Tony, came tae us… fae Airdrie United..
And
Noo. Airdrie,hiv jist done the Impossible..
Yep.. the Impossible..!
Fur, they hiv Mined anither.. Wonderfull Nugget..
In the Form of
Ryan Donnelly. thur present Striker.
This Kid has Awe the Right Potentials,Poppin’… tae the Fore.. tae make his Mark .. as a Very
PROLIFIC STRIKER..
He is Eighteen Years Old.. and Is Leading his League.. in the scoring Charts..
He has Netted.. Twenty Odd Goals… this Season..
and.indeedy…
Shall Wonders Never Cease??
Fur..
This Young Stiker , is TWO FITTED..!!!!!
which means. Nothing, tae the Non Initiatiated.. Fur….. Why,Heck . .Disnae Everybuddy..hiv.. welll. Two Feet?
But, tae the Fitba’ing Cognoscenti..
Fur a Striker tae Be. “Two Fitted”… is the Equivalent tae finding
a Real Diamond..in a Boax of Crackerjack!
which is .. Slim tae None!
Anyway..
Neil, Does Know aboot All aboot Young Ryan..as he has Had him watched,already.
Ah Ah hope oor Manager…acts oan
that Knowledge…. as Soon as the Window of Opportunity Opens .
Nice Chatting , Pal.
Kojo.
yer pal. .who thinks ye ur swell.
Still Laughin’… and Happy as Larry… wiz..oan his
Honeymoon.. wi’ .. Heidi!
Posted during game
Paul McConville says:
22/04/2012 at 3:25 pm
4 0 i
Rate This
A technical guide to what the resolutions voted on by Rangers creditors meant, and how likely HMRC was to oppose them.
If the votes have gone against them, might D&P take the chance of the case being in court on Wednesday to “get the hell out of Dodge City”? This might be especially so if they consider that their safety has been put at risk by the identification of where they stay by a bloogger seen as connected to some of the more “vocal” Rangers support.
http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/rangers-virtual-creditors-meeting-what-happens-now/
This boy Watt.
What possessed his parents to call him Anthony?
And is he related to Fran and Anna?
Just has the misfortune of reading that Cretin Waddell’s article in the Mason. Who is manager of the year? He doesn’t know yet. Could be any one from three dependent on who wins the SECOND Champions League spot.
What he DOES know is that he will NOT be voting for Lenny despite the claptrap that he’s written that “Lenny’s an intelligent, decent, likeable guy – something I’ve written over and over” – except that Waddell clearly does not like him.
Wonder when was the last time this idiot did not vote for the Manager of the team that finished Champions? Maybe he should just do the honest thing and tell us; there again maybe I shouldn’t care but I do. I just hate to see this pathetic and pathological hatred of our manager being printed.
whitecrook tim on 22 April, 2012 at 13:40 said:
good afternoon cqn
sorry to dampen things today but have lost a very good friend today to cancer.
I had mentioned on here that he was ill,please remember Eddie Mcgrory in your prayers.
H H
————————————————-
Thoughts with you and your friend.
Superb First goal from Tony Watt..
Great to see the future of Celtic we hope.. Always love beating Mc Call…
Happy days..
Now…. What’s happening tomorrow?
HH
Gonna go tae bed.noo..
Good Night Scotland
Good Night Ireland
Good Night Wales
Good Night England
Good Night Canada
Good Night New Zealand
Good Night Australia.
and
Good Night.. Shug and Jimmy Cardle.. where ever you are.
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
Lookin forward tae Partakin’ in ,The Slumber of the Contented.
Snake Plisken presents a fair picture of what Lenny has in front of him: A Gala Day procession of talented kids, faces painted in Green and White Hoops, itching for a chance to join the big Bhoys.
To McGeouch and Twardzik now add Tony Watt to this season’s Troupe of Talented Teenagers who have made their first team debut to good effect this season. Marcus Fraser and Paul George looks on expectantly.
We really don’t know what Blackman, Bangura, Slane and Ibrahim have to offer.
Then look at the likes of Victor Wanyama, Adam Matthews, James Forrest and Thomas Rogne. Each an established first team player, and only Rogne has yet reached his 21st birthday.
We forget that Ki, Kayal, Hooper, Ledley, Izaguirre, are all under 25 years old. Maybe Forster will join up. We take it for granted that they’re seasoned pros. They’re not.
Brown 26, Mulgrew 26 and Samaras 27 are the veterans in this squad, all younger than Henrik Larsson when he joined the club.
It really is a rather exciting spectacle.
My dear,dear,dear,friend… Kojo
Hiya palomine.
It was great to see young Master Watt have such a significant contribution today.
Once again you have led the way on the blog with inspirational player selections.
I know you are a modest man but take a bow for continuously good player advice. The wisest of the wise would be a fair assessment of You!
Kojak
Yer pal.. who likes ye even mair and mairer the mair ye speak.
Still, Laughin….. fervently.
Interesting how the administrators pressed the panic button, with a Monday deadline, after the Creditor’s meeting on Friday ……… Must have got the feedback they didn’t want……..DOO DOO, DOO DOO
Are there any Thai Tims functions at Celtic Park ?
If Dunfermline’s Andy Kirk had scored his chance in injury time yesterday to make the game a 4:5 thriller, the all 6 SPL games would have been away wins this weekend. Wonder if that’s ever happened before?
I posted earlier about the shocking article about Lenny in the Sunday Life (6 counties paper).
Anyone else had the displeasure of reading it?
We’ve all come to expect that from the scottish media but i’ve not seen anything so vicious over here before (although admittedly im not an avid newspaper reader!)
Im definitely complaining about it and would urge all other local tims to do likewise!
whitecrook tim on 22 April, 2012 at 13:40 said:
Sorry to hear about your friend!! May he RIP.
Knoxy
Just back from Fir Park. Well done Tony. What a buzz that must have been. All in all a lovely way to spend a Sunday giving it tight to the mullet. HH to the Champions!!
The battered bunnet …….
It’s a team in a half no doubt, we need to keep the Mhan who brought them all together.
Neil Francis Lennon is a Brian Clough in the making, one day he will surpass my/ our expectations.
V
Paul 67-
I disagree that Paddy was quiet when he came on; I thought he was frequently involved and didn’t waste a pass. He’s played that midfield role, just behind the from 2, a couple of times this season and rarely wasted a pass in all the (limited) time he’s been on the park.
If Neil is to continue using 4-3-1-2 next season we have ready made competition between Paddy and Kris for the “number 10” role.
Fantastic result today against a club that I truly detest.
Another set of scum ‘supporters’? who are fascinated with child abuse….sickening.
I remember a few seasons ago going to swinecastle and losing ( 0-3 I think ) and I wasn’t bothered in the slightest as it meant the huns finished 3rd in the league.
When we go to Tannadice for the 2nd last game of this season I maybe in the same mood.One thing I dont want is the ginger mullet finishing 3rd and getting a shot at qualifying for the CL.Even though they have absolutely no chance of reaching the group stages.
If utd get themselves into the position were they can finish above the mullet then not winning at Tannadice maybe easier to take.
Now usually I want Celtic to win every game, I even get abit annoyed if I lose to the huns on FIFA and even though Houston can be a fud most times, I really dont want m’well finishing above utd this season.
So lets give the huns a DVD gubbing.
Let the Thai Tims have a party against St Johnstone.
Lets give the edinburgh bigots a demoralising defeat before the cup final.
But lets see what happens at Tannadice even a draw maybe suit us that day in the grand scheme of things.
I’m not saying to cheat, thats for the huns to do, just that our 3 home games we have left are alot more important to us than our 1 away game we have left.
Im sure Im not alone in these thoughts…..or am I ???
Aulheid
I hope your ‘how much did that save us’ was a joke…..
Whiterock
I’ll light a candle in St Simons on Wednesday or St Patricks tomorrow if I manage..
God bless…
vmhan
the problem with the Engerland early opening means you talk manure earlier that me… o))
Frank McGarvey
Charlie nickerless
Chocky
le merde
Frank Mac Avennie
Tony Watt
Here’s hoping we have a home grown
striker that can just fekin put the baw in the net without thinking.
grassyarse
VP
Maybe drop him a wee letter outlining the dangers of China Sinks?
Paul,
It’s not a volley if the ball bounces before it is struck.
Pedanticcsc
Árd Macha
VP
plenty of erses in that list….
surely you could have cme up with better…?
you on the Peroni again..
The Battered Bunnet on 22 April, 2012 at
Toe gowpin cause you mentioned that.