Post-match, Martin O’Neill expressed frustration that Celtic dropped the pace after their electric start and taking an early lead at Pittodrie last night. Aberdeen were unable to get out of their final third, before a couple of fouls gave them a bridgehead to launch a forward push. Other set-pieces followed, in the form of corner kicks, and then a penalty. The subsequent equaliser was enough to fortify the home team into a battling performance for the remainder of the game.
There were two penalty incidents to discuss, highlighted by both managers in BBC interviews post-match. When asked about the equalising penalty, Martin O’Neill confirmed it was the correct decision. Adding that some managers could game the system, but instructing their players to place a leg in front of a defender intent on clearing the ball. This is what brought the Aberdeen equaliser, Olusanya placed his leg in front of Liam Scales. [The same player deliberately placed his studs on Kieran Tierney which should have resulted in a red card]. It was a correct award but it is worthy of consideration by rule-makers as it clearly contravenes the spirit of the game.
I am sure Martin was not talking about Aberdeen’s interim manager, Peter Leven on this occasion. Leven did enough talking in this context about himself. When he spoke to the BBC he suggested Lyall Cameron was not “streetwise” enough. Inside the Celtic penalty area in added time, Cameron drifted past Reo Hatate, who made a challenge on his blind side. No contact was made, however, Leven bemoaned the innocence of his player, who could have seen the opportunity and bought another penalty.
In his own words, Peter Leven told you what he wants his players to do in order to game the rules. Referees beware.
Benjamin Nygren is a one man league challenge. Without him, we would finish fourth this season. He competes for end of season rewards only with Liam Scales, who is the most 100% footballer we have seen in years. They are writing a chapter in Celtic history between them.
The relentless pace of Celtic’s season now drops. International breaks aside (when many of our of players have other games), we have had only four weeks without two games since August. Hearts have had four in the last four weeks.
The drop in intensity you, me and Martin O’Neill noticed last night could be a result of fatigue. Players are not machines, they need recuperation time like every other athlete. We will have six days to prepare for our next league game against Motherwell at Celtic Park. That is a luxury our players will enjoy.
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They do
It’s the gamers on here I’m more worried about…
So, they want their players to cheat. Unfortunately, it’s now a case of if you can’t beat them, join them.
Paul67 et al
Liam Scales?
He gives you 100%….
I’ll grant you that….
From previous blog –
Dexter,
Cvancara- 5. I actually don’t think he was as bad as some say. There’s a bit of a pile on. He is getting no service especially across the face of goal. Not a single ball of note from either Tounetki or Yang.
–
Caught the second half and then watched the highlights on Sportscene.
I thought the same, there wasn’t one ball in to him that I thought was a clear opportunity missed.
There was also a couple of times he held back for a cut back and was in a good position but didn’t receive it.
A problem with chopping and changing is that players won’t know where he will be automatically. Hopefully the free time we have midweek from now will give is some time to train this.
https://x.com/i/status/2029342086181401047
Red card,not looked at by VAR, no replays from compliant Sky Sports, remember when Trusty murdered Butland, was in the SMSM for a week….
On Celtic TV l, they kept saying if the Aberdeen boy goes down, it’s a penalty. I haven’t seen it back but it’s either a penalty or not, irrespective of any player going down. Refs and var, simply need to be better. No Huns refereeing Hun matches, would also help.
Have Celtic asked for the VAR audio for the assault on Tierney?
The link that Bada just shared …
Video clip shows Aberdeen player fully and speedily extending his right leg way outside the arc of his running line
And the first still image shows the resulting studs contact … starting ABOVE the ankle.
Clear red card offence.
Celtic Mac – agree with you.
Liam gives 100%.
And that 100% gets us what Liam gives.
Some good, some not good.
And that’s our dinner for rest of the season.
Fine.
I’m not sure what point Paul is trying to make
Whatever the result on Sunday, we should use the first free midweek to our advantage.
Give the players Monday off, and then take them down to somewhere like Lillieshall for a couple of days.
Use the change of location to refresh, and reset. Core fitness shouldn’t be an issue, so work on shape, set pieces, breaking at pace from opposition offensive play and defending set pieces.
Any word on KT injury?
Be mid-table without Nygren’s goals. Khun and Kyogo’s replacements still to get off the mark.
Surprised we didn’t see Kenny and Yamada coming on. Remember, those great players who were just being held back by Brendan Rodgers not being able to develop them?
Anyway, now ahead in the old firm championship so could still be some bragging rights if we end up with no silverware.
One game a week will obviously help us keep players fit and hopefully get a few back from injury.
In terms of extra days training leading to a more recognisable Celtic team, I’m not convinced.
Yup, long season. Players are falling like flies. Thank God we planned for it so ambitiously in our squad management… Hope Dane and KT are okay.
Benji Nygren is slower than a week in the jail, as he displayed chasing back last night. He wasn’t he’d be playing for Man City. His instinct for goals is the best I can remember from a midfield player and his range of goals is magnificent. What a finish again last night. His defence splitting passes were also worthy of note and I don’t think he’s been given enough credit for his pinpoint chip to Jamesy on Sunday. We would’ve had a second had the otherwise excellent Saracchi not fluffed his cross late on.
Every game is a struggle for us. There remains a real possibility we’ll finish 4th (although the tantalising prospect of the huns doing so is stronger).
However, Martin’s spirit is dragging us kicking and screaming towards the title. If he does it build a statue over the summer. With a smaller one for Benji.
PS Scales shares Martin’s spirit. Love that guy’s attitude.
Happy St. Colman of Armagh Day!
Petition:
One Celtic. Back our Board, Manager, Players and Charity.
https://c.org/kC24nkswRn
Ave Ave
Ziggy, no Huns refereeing our matches would also help?
In all the discussion about referees declaring their allegencies, meaning Huns bejng denied their blue-tinted pleasure, I’ve often thought that one of the knock-ons from that would be more and more of them refereeing our games, thereby giving them extra opportunities to indirectly help John Beaton’s favourite team.
Ave Ave
3 pts and down the road
Thank you Celtic.
Onto Sundays cup game.
Good to get a week off after we need it.
Bada- horrendous challenge on KT,ah the ol hooped shirt rule- no foul given,shocking
Hail Hail Celts
On the Tierney assault
(as an example of a wider issue)
There is an element of this we own and are owning very badly.
Namely, the on field, “looks instinctive … but is actually coached … collective outrage” response from team mates.
… Approaching the ref from multiple distances and multiple angles
… With the Celt closest to the assault leading that charge
… Arms outstretched
… Raised voices of concern (no swearing)
Stopping five yards from the ref while the captain takes it to the ref’s face in a 1-2-1
… complete with faux “step back and respect the ref, lads” gesticulations for the cheap seats.
All the while the Celt second closest to the assault engages the assailant
(No locking of horns required. Just “look what you’ve done” moves)
… to give the ref yet another dynamic to deal with.
Stating the bleeding obvious, The VAR and assistant VAR are WATCHING THE GAME.
… Looking for incidents to then focus on.
Rightly or wrongly
… Images of player reactions to assaults … often executed (almost matter of factly, under the radar) by “clumsy” footballers …
… Is one of VAR’s triggers to get involved.
Thursday 5th
The Welfare sent for me today to inform me of my father being taken ill to hospital. Tried to get me to crawl for a special visit with my family. I was distressed about my father’s illness but relieved that he has been released from hospital. No matter what, I must continue.
I had a threatening toothache today which worried me, but it is gone now.
I’ve read Atkins’ statement in the Commons, Mar dheá! (Atkins pledged that the British government would not budge an inch on its intransigent position.) It does not annoy me because my mind was prepared for such things and I know I can expect more of such, right to the bitter end.
I came across some verse in Kipling’s short stories; the extracts of verses before the stories are quite good. The one that I thought very good went like this:
The earth gave up her dead that tide,
Into our camp he came,
And said his say, and went his way,
And left our hearts aflame.
Keep tally on the gun butt score,
The vengeance we must take,
When God shall bring full reckoning,
For our dead comrade’s sake.
‘I hope not,’ said I to myself. But that hope was not even a hope, but a mere figure of speech. I have hope, indeed. All men must have hope and never lose heart. But my hope lies in the ultimate victory for my poor people. Is there any hope greater than that?
I’m saying prayers — crawler! (and a last minute one, some would say). But I believe in God, and I’ll be presumptuous and say he and I are getting on well this weather.
I can ignore the presence of food staring me straight in the face all the time. But I have this desire for brown wholemeal bread, butter, Dutch cheese and honey. Ha!! It is not damaging me, because, I think, ‘Well, human food can never keep a man alive forever,’ and I console myself with the fact that I’ll get a great feed up above (if I’m worthy).
But then I’m struck by this awful thought that they don’t eat food up there. But if there’s something better than brown wholemeal bread, cheese and honey, etcetera, then it can’t be bad.
The March winds are getting angry tonight, which reminds me that I’m twenty-seven on Monday. I must go, the road is just beginning, and tomorrow is another day. I am now 62 kgs and, in general, mentally and physically, I feel very good.
Agreed Paul, Liam is – by objective measure – a real defensive asset for us.
While I like his controlled yet consistently rugged aggression, Alan Morrison of The Huddle Breakdown’s analysis concludes:
Liam Scales has developed into a reliable, ball-playing centre-back for Celtic, often performing well in possession-dominant scenarios and under pressure:
Passing Mastery: As of early 2025, Scales has been highlighted as a primary ball-mover in the Celtic defense, with his passing game holding up strongly in both the Scottish Premiership and Europe.
Packing Metric: Morrison noted that Scales has achieved high numbers in “packing”—a stat measuring how many defenders a pass takes out of the game—recording around 50 opponents passed per 90 minutes.
Performance Under Pressure: Contrary to some criticism, analysis indicates Scales is highly effective in his passing under pressure, often displaying better composure and accuracy against higher-quality opposition in European competitions compared to some SPFL matches.
Defensive Metrics: While recognized for his improved composure, analysis of his defensive actions shows a high success rate, though his aerial duel win rate (approx. 76% in some data sets) is lower than teammate Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Impact: He has been a consistent performer, contributing to a high defensive line (averaging 49.89 metres from goal) and playing a crucial role in ball progression from the back.
Morrison has noted that while Scales initially split opinion among fans, his consistent, data-backed performances—particularly his ability to progress the ball—have established him as a key component of Brendan Rodgers’ defensive structure.
I’m a bit torn about this gamesmanship . I hate to see it , but are we disadvantaging ourselves by playing fair in comparison to most other teams ? The Aberdeen penalty was awarded for Scales breaking Olasunka’s femur in 3 places , just as Trusty was sent off for ripping off the Hibs players arm at the elbow and dislocating his shoulder . At least that’s what their reactions would have you believe . Did Olasunya’s deliberate ankle breaker on KT provoke an extreme reaction from KT or his team mates ? No. Might it have encouraged VAR to take a closer look if it had? Maybe .
Totally agree with Paul 67 though , this is something that’s spoiling the game and SFA and officials need to be talking about this .
Re Cvancara
Bottom line is that he is a journeyman who jad one good season at Prague
Since then he has scored approzimately 10 goals in the last 4 uears.
Adamu is not dissimilar, although I suspect he may be a better option.
Bottom ine is they are both OUR journeymen, so lets try and get the best oit of them while they are here
Obviously the game on Sunday is important
But our next league game is really important
Motherwell have aspirations of European football
If we can beat them next week for Motherwell to get European football….. they would then need to beat Sevco and Hearts. Now where is the harm in that ….
67ECW
P67 writes: ‘We will have six days to prepare for our next league game against Motherwell at Celtic Park. That is a luxury our players will enjoy.’
Is that code for ‘we’re sending out an SOS’ (surrender on sunday) ‘ ??
Was that Lyle Cameron on loan from Rainjurz Lyle Cameron on loan from Rainjurz Lyle Cameron on loan from Rainjurz Lyle Cameron on loan from Rainjurz Lyle Cameron on loan from Rainjurz
IanCroker CSC
BSR
Noticed that . Crocker also has an encyclopedic memory for any player in an opposing team who has ever scored against us .
BSR @ 12:56pm – Lol.
Lyall Cameron is no Stephen Welsh.
🤔🫡🤪
PS – Stephen might yet be pivotal in Celtic winning the league
Maybe we could use the extra days to work on corners.
McCowan’s were awful last night. Rarely passing the first defender.
Even for the first goal it was a poor corner. Only Scales run and athletic flick made the goal.
SIONNAIGH on 5TH MARCH 2026 12:37 PM
Happy St. Colman of Armagh Day!
————
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
quadro…
You can reference Alan Morrison till the cows come home….
Fact is it only takes one bad pass, one bad tackle, one missed cross, one red card, one own goal, one penalty….
To cost Celtic a goal, a lead, or worse, the game.
The fitba game….
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4g00mr00zdo
Good idea IMHO
Apart from the “semi-finals”
Should be a single home match for the best performing team rather than 2 legs.
Not enough recognition for finishing 3rd or 4th in a tough league.
I am all for teams below them in the league still having a chance.
But it should be more of an outside chance.
I’d be interested to see the stats on how often the team finishing 3rd in the Championship is promoted to the Premier League since the play offs started.
At a guess, I’d say its less than 50%.
(Our Martin was a beneficiary way back)
“I’d be interested” perhaps needs qualified.
Not interested enough to look it up myself
Where to start.
Should have been a straight Red.Shocking deliberate attempt to injure opponent.
Very soft penalty.Seen them given,seen them not.Refs get conned by players.
Celtic penalty claim.Dons player has stopped a cross into goal area with his arm,slightly stretched.Pundits saying”Where is his arm supposed to go?”.Not there.Defenders put their arms behind their backs in these circumstances.Just when is a penalty using an arm or hand,deliberate.About 95% of the time,not.Still a penalty.
Celtics goal.All of a sudden,the VAR team are at it with the lines.Leven and now Mc Coist,raging Huns , this morning disputing the lines,everyone has been complaining about since inception.
3rd high pressure game,lot of travelling included,in 6 days,for a team,injury ravaged,saddled with loan replacements,not ready to step in,to really help,a fantastic feat to remain unbeaten.4 points from 6 at two difficult venues.Big Arthur ,brilliant game.
Vale Bhoy- Saracchi could easily play left midfield, he’s far too good to be a sub in this squad, must start when fit
Our last two League games which brought us 4 points are down to MON, no NOT his selection and tactics alone, but how he stood up to the forces of the crown in calling them out, quietly but forcefully with their VAR decisions especially in our home game against the Leith Louts, so after a game in Stuttgart where the home side had 2 goals disallowed by VAR, we then went intae hatebrox where we bounced back after being 2 down and equalised in injury time.
Footage of that penalty as it occurred was indecisive, none of our players called for it and none of the sevco ones held their heads in disbelief as they didnae feel it was one but again but someone in the VAR room requested cheaton to have a look at it, 11 times he did, 11 effin times before awarding it, and our much maligned Japanese lhads were pushing each other out of the way to grab the 2nd rebound and gives us a share of the points, also look at the line up at the penalty, nae Tims in sight as the sevcoites are crowding around the perimeter of the box in case of a rebound but who got their first, again our much maligned wee players.
Then last night we went ahead with a goal that in the past could and would have been disallowed for offside, but naw again VR allowed it to stand, MON is living rent free in their heids and before any of you jump in and cry what about our weakling board, we have no idea how they approach these things as we unlike sevco and previously 1872 have NEVER EVER aired our durty laundry in public.
Oh an lets NOT forget our away support who cheered us on, nae STB or GTF just over and over we will follow you
Glen D- we are too honest, at home and in Europe
Quadro,
Agree,re protests.Just watch Arsenal,City,etc,surround the Ref at incidents.They make him consult with VAR.
We need to wise up.
FWIW, I don’t think the handball was a penalty, might be t- shirt line as they call it now,and arm not out far enough, MON should be using airtime to highlight VAR ignoring KT last night, Scales penalty at Poundland, and the assault on KT which resulted in a broken nose
Bada
I agree.Both full backs too good to be left out.Both terrific players.Put Sarrachi in Left mid,don’t need a winger.Can play two strikers,to change it up.