Hoary old phrases like, “Trophies are not awarded in February” will be heard today. While this is technically true, let me add another, last night’s performance was Season Defining.
I worried before the game that our midfield would be too new for the occasion and too lightweight for the ‘robust’ opponents. As it transpired, anyone in blue who intended to offer a robust and in-your-face derby baptism, were like statues, compared to Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley and Callum McGregor. For the majority of the game, Callum played the Masked Virtuoso No. 6 role, before moving to the No. 8 position, then ending at No. 10. Quite a shift for a man carrying an injury.
Throughout the first half I continually said, “It’s all about the movement”, but then I watched Josip Juranovic and thought, “When did I last see a Celtic right back put in a performance like this?” Yes, movement was the masterplan, but the reality is, Celtic have far better players.
Metrics detailing the effectiveness of shots from outside the box give you a sniff of what might happen when a player pulls the trigger from distance, nothing more. Outcomes depend on your survey population. If I shoot from 20 yards, one outcome will occur. If Reo Hatate shoots from the same distance, another. Reo’s conversion ratio from distance will surly drop, but goodness, what an outstanding threat he is.
With Cameron Carter-Vickers in front of you, a goalkeeper should put in a calm performance. Joe Hart had a relatively easy evening, but with the score at 1-0, he raced from goal to smother a through ball which evaded the Celtic back line. It was a crucial intervention, within minutes Celtic were 2-0 ahead and there was no way back. Across a pulsating 90 minutes, this detail could be overlooked. That would be an error.
The only goal I have seen back on video (so far) is the third. Before watching, the question was, Where did he come from? When Reo Hatate crossed from the left, Liel Abada was standing at Springfield Cross – believe me, I’ve watched it repeatedly.
You’ll hear people talk about having a change of pace. Liel started his run at a sprint, then, when it was too late for his defending full back to react, he dropped a gear and exploded forward. Barisic, the full back in question, dropped to the ground, knowing the horrors he was about to witness. It was too late to do anything else. That change of pace brought Liel into the heart of the box unmarked.
The finish looked easy. I remember Kenny Dalglish, who watched on from the stands, made the same thing look easy at Celtic Park. It was not easy, it was masterly. Leil met the ball on the drop volley and allowed the pace of his run to apply the necessary force to tuck it away.
At halftime, one of my sons held up his fingers in a ‘5’ gesture? Oh, to be brought up in an era when we expect to score so many against the other side of the city. Ange is too clever for that. Four days earlier, Matt O’Riley got cramp during a game, Callum McGregor has been out with a serious face injury, Reo Hatate is still going through his preseason regime. We started the second half intent on maintaining our winning lead, an objective delivered with comfort.
As we discussed, trophies are not handed out in February. But to paraphrase that old antifascist, this is not the end of the Ange Postecoglou development plan for Celtic. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.
Enjoy your day.
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feckin brilliant, some northern hun, uses a line inclding “the battle fever”
Man United are in negotiations with Greg Taylor to release their multi million wonder kid from his back pocket.
btw, i thought Callum was beyond brave last night, seemed to head the ball more than usual and was channeling sensai scott brown.
SAINT STIVS and LEFTCLICKTIC
Thanks.
ben doak,
chelsea added to admirers that include Liverpool, get him signed.
i wonder if Kenny D was watching anyone, maybe kent -))))
Saint Stivs – watching this again and keeping a close eye on our Cal. He absolutely bossed that midfield.
Goldson looks like a horrible team mate. Constantly looking to blame others, no encouragement. Taverner the same. Barasic was brutal but he was getting zero help from his team mates. They are a horrible shower.
ROBERTTRESSELL on 3RD FEBRUARY 2022 7:34 PM
they are complaining thier players never laid anything on ours, simply i thought we moved the ball so fast that they couldnt get near them.
is celtictv the only place to watch the game again in full??
RT- they actually had a feature on the game at tge lunchtime bulletin at half 1….? McIntyre and Wilson probably pulled it for tonight
puttin on a show
Someone at the academy should be gett8ng ben doak and his family in and go through a list of players who have left celtic at a young age for bigger money and ended up nowhere.
ROBERTTRESSELL on 3RD FEBRUARY 2022 7:37 PM
Goldson looks like a horrible team mate. Constantly looking to blame others, no encouragement. Taverner the same. Barasic was brutal but he was getting zero help from his team mates. They are a horrible shower.
=====
Correct and Allan Mac Gregor is the same.
Horrible guy
One of the reasons why my single favourite part of last night – apart from the obvious –
Is the ball boys behind the goal giving him the internationally recognised GIRFUY signs.
23 secs or so in.
Still laughing my head off after them.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/60239178
At them…
SAINT STIVS, your stories about the Berrrs outside yer local Morrisons were funny.
“I wonder if Kenny D was watching anyone, maybe Kent -))))”
That was REALLY funny!😁😁😁
I think Alan McGregor will end up at Raith Rovers.
one other thing there was a kid front row near the brigade section, everytime arfield came near he stood up on the barrier and saluted him
now that was funny.
Starfelt was every bit as good and possibly better 5han CCV last night. It was interestingbthe Roofe seemed to want to take on CCV more than starfelt.
Also, Gavin Strachan has rid himself of the laptop and is using an ipad. Upgrades all round the club.
Clunks,
I have been trying all day to get the replay on CTV.It won’t play.
Complained,but no answer back.
Fekin hopeless.
Tom Mc Laughlin,
Yep,maybe the DJ reads the Blog.
Exactly the fantastic spectacle I imagined.
How great was last night.
CADDINGTONCOMMON on 28TH JANUARY 2022 9:33 PM
Sorry for not replying earlier. The guy I used to work with drank in the Big Tree and the Clock Bar, you might know him, drop me an email lennybhoycfc@gmail.com
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWWwM2wwMww
TURKEYBHOY on 28TH JANUARY 2022 9:57 PM
Sorry for not getting back to you, yes mate still in County Coatbridge.
I rarely visit these pages these days, if ever you want to drop me a message lennybhoycfc@gmail.com
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
RT- Someone at the academy should be gett8ng ben doak and his family in and go through a list of players who have left celtic at a young age for bigger money and ended up nowhere.
Correct, same with Jota and CCV, sign up ,guys who have been on loan plenty of times without finding a home,see Paddy Roberts…..settle down, a possibility of CL football, if a Club meets a valuation, then we won’t hold you back…
It really is instructive watching this without the real time nerves. Last night I thought they were much better 8n the second half. They weren’t. Powder pyff stuff from them. We limited them and killed the game. Had we kept possession a bit better itvreally would have been the complete performance. Theresa’s some tiredness to blame I think.
Tavernier was every bit as bad as barasic by the way. Utter mince.
Full game was on sky this afternoon until about 5.30 have a look on the Sky schedule.
9pm Sky football channel SPFL highights 9.30 Highlights of Celtic v Sevco
ROBERTTRESSELL on 3RD FEBRUARY 2022 8:14 PM
It really is instructive watching this without the real time nerves. Last night I thought they were much better 8n the second half. They weren’t. Powder pyff stuff from them. We limited them and killed the game. Had we kept possession a bit better itvreally would have been the complete performance.
————-
i wanted a complete 95 minutes of the high press and more chances, an early goal in 2nd half would have seen them lose their discipline,
however,
the early ange-critics said he needs to change his style, we cant defend we will lose often, i thought last night we became very pragmatic, soak it up, dont bust another gut or tear a hammy or indeed bring on james to do something different, and given all that, i still thought we would score another on a break.
still basking in it,
Desperate Dalek Rae
https://twitter.com/sean_ftb/status/1489198662634905608?s=24
here callum you finished wi that mask can you give it to alex rae
Thanks Dessybhoy
the rangers – waddell
https://twitter.com/i/status/831477527524868096
peacock in colraine
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FKqYPn_WQAc8rjq?format=jpg&name=small
St Stivs – I think if Kyogo was fit, hatate fully fit and turnbull or rogic available to replace o’riley we could probably press them throughout and absolutely batter them.
You’re right about is being pragmatic last night. Reviewing the game it was much easier than I had thought at the time.
Hope yeez are awe prepared for the ugly invasion following the likelihood of a Sinn Fein First Minister!
Tic, toc….
________________________
Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) Tweeted:
Early election must be called in absence of functioning Executive – @MaryLouMcDonald https://t.co/MzTwXt218D https://t.co/n47tpGW5vs https://twitter.com/sinnfeinireland/status/1489294351826145284?s=20&t=V-IzPxfACQut15JdHkicdg
Also, on veing pragmatic – our midfield 3 were a guy with two broken bones in his cheek who hadn’t played or trained as normal in two weeks, a 20 year old just out of the third tier in England playing his third game for the club and a Japanese player who is not fully match fit.
Our main striker on the night still getting up to speed after a long lay off, his replacement travelled 9k miles the night before the game, our left winger just back from 8 weeks out. We bring on a 16 year old late on.
Still battered them.
Awesome
Anyone know if Kyogo was there last night watching? Would love to have seen his face when Hatate scored.
Moving forward, Hearts better be ready for industrial-scale honest mistakes this weekend.
Sceptical Citizen @ 5:39pm …
… Respectfully, I think you’ve totally misjudged the mood on here today.
Conjecture layered upon speculation layered upon “what ifs” ….
… interwoven with faint praise and, worst of all, outright insults about our manager.
What is the basis for calling Ange “naive”?
Celtic went top of the league after blowing away the so called benchmark.
A team we hadn’t defeated in a long time.
There are no downsides from last night.