I grew up hearing stories about Bobby Murdoch’s ability to play the game in four dimensions. He could play a pass forward into space, across the field, at the right height, and arriving at the necessary moment, when that area would look completely different than it did when Bobby made his move.
That ball from Ryan Christie for the first goal last night fired a childhood recollection. Ryan took the ball on his chest while looking to his left. He volleyed a pass in the opposite direction into unmanned territory. It ended Alloa’s remarkable resistance. We still haven’t seen enough to know what level of player we have in Ryan, but there are reasons for encouragement.
James Forrest still had a lot to do but his shot was the first accomplished effort from Celtic after (literally) dozens of poorly composed attempts. The Alloa keeper deserved the plaudits, but he didn’t actually make a wonder save all night. He was repeatedly in the right place to do the right thing, we didn’t stretch him.
We dropped points at Inverness due to a truly inspired goalkeeper performance, and a remarkable attraction for the woodwork, but last night’s misfiring was all down to a lack of composure. Kilmarnock may reap a reaction on Saturday.
It’s hard being a keeper. Craig Gordon was caught off his line when Greig Spence got a millisecond of freedom in the first half. Spence fired off a remarkable shot which forced Craig into a diving block. It was as good as save as was made by either keeper all night, but what possessed Craig to go walkabout later, when Kolo Toure was on-hand to shepherd the striker wide is a mystery.
Decision-making like this has nothing to do with core goalkeeping skills. You can drill handling, reactions and starting positions all week, but if there’s a rush of blood on match day, or worse, panic, you’re going to lose a lot of goals.
We’ve seen this movie before. Artur Boruc was, by his own admission, the best goalkeeper in Europe in 2008. By 2010 we did well to get £1m for him, as he made his way to the Fiorentina bench. At 30, Boruc was all over the place. The superstar status had evaporated and few were sorry to see him move on.
Six years later he still has enormous potential for the haphazard, but he’s playing a lot of FA Premier League football on merit. He got his head straight and the rest followed. I’ve no idea what the issues are with Craig Gordon but if Artur can get himself sorted, Craig can too. He’s overcome greater odds already.
The same source of my Bobby Murdoch stories last night referred to Ryan Christie as Tony Christie. It’s a generational thing. Show me the way…..
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Sheep beat the tractor boys in the Old Farm derby .
My heart is bleeding for Steven McLean and Murray Davisdon.
Sheep 1-0 up, reckon we know how the draw will go now, chip on the shoulder Tim! could be worse…. A Hun Boulder on a shoulder.
Well that sheep game was so good I fell asleep for 30 mins of the second half!
Ross was arrested yesterday morning and kept in custody until his court appearance today. He’s been granted bail under conditions.
Twice in the space of two weeks FAC representatives have been arrested and charged under the OBaF Act.
I suspect things are only just heating up. They’re rightly worried.
FAC yer Act
Guaranteed the tribute act get Morton…
HT
Was he lifted re the blow up dolls?
As the adverts cut in the Hun ball comes out the freezer
Malorbhoy: Fair play to you, made a great day for others, as well as boosting funding to good causes.
Tullybhoy: Lennoxtown & stadium tours are excellent. My only gripe is that there is nowhere to ‘chew the fat’ before and afterwards for fans.
C’mon the fans’ café.
Philbhoy
The banner and the dolls, both under the Act.
Malorbhoy/Tully
Great stuff lads I’m glad you had a fantastic day.
HT
Can we crowd fund a defence?
Tullybhoy=Tully57. Apologies.
I see the orange bastard and fenian act has raised its ugly head again today in Scotland.
When it comes to blow up dolls maybe the Scottish cops misinterpreted the words excitement and incitement. I blame kafflik Skools.
Philbhoy
Many thanks but it’s not needed just now.
If I get lifted just but a wig, false moustache and some mascara :-)
Hamiltontim,why didn’t the bhoy,get a lawyer,to tell the police to go and catch real criminals,oh wait they can’t even do that,and the lad should go after the media,two faced shower,
So the cup draw and for us it’s……………..the hun
Morton v Aberdeen
HAHAHAHA!
Shockeroonie!
Sevco
Got the huns!
Huns it is then, must need the dosh.
Celtic were charged £500,000 to rent Hamdump in season 94/95. With inflation Sevco in Administration (hopefully) should be charged £920,000.
MORTON V ABERDEEN
HUNS @ Home (shocker) V CELTIC
MWD
Fs
Craigan really is a hun loving prick!
Oh Dear, weeks and weeks of OF shite
Chris Sutton sacked for not grabbing the frozen ball?
Shite and more shite. This a hirrible
Night bhoys and ghirls!
TIMBHOY3 on 22ND SEPTEMBER 2016 9:46 PM
Hamiltontim,why didn’t the bhoy,get a lawyer,to tell the police to go and catch real criminals,oh wait they can’t even do that,and the lad should go after the media,two faced shower,
——-
Sadly, the focus is more on football supporters rather than real acts of criminality.
Bloody hell.
Well it was October or November. Any one suited me!
We’ll beat them any time!
FAC the Act
KTF
Will be great to meet up with Jim Duffy again in the final.
HH
Well the draw the magic hat didn’t want !
Hope wee Joey is back for that wan.
O kwap we will get weeks and weeks of ” am no going ” again. :- (
Are the semis at hampdung
Wee Joey’s ban will be cut short then?
They’ll be shitting themselves.