Ryan Christie’s pitched cross for Scott Sinclair to open the scoring with a volley was a thing of beauty. It was 30 minutes into the game and Motherwell were withstanding everything Celtic could muster; it was going to take something special to open them up. Sinclair’s finish was accomplished.
Ewan Henderson, on his first start in senior football, created space on the right wing to send a ball onto the forehead of Odsonne Eduard for the French striker to score his first of the day. His second, which arrived on 88 minutes, but was just as crucial, was a thundering free kick from 26 yards, which clipped the underside of the bar on its way in.
You wait weeks for a great goal then you get four in one afternoon. James Forrest darted into the box before sliding the ball into the path of Oliver Burke, who finished in the top corner.
So good for Celtic, but the story of this game runs a little deeper. As though our central mid problems were not significant enough, Ryan Christie collapsed injured, prompting Kris Ajer to knock the ball out of play. But, also making his first start in senior football was Motherwell’s 18-year-old striker, James Scott.
Scott collected the subsequent uncontested throw-in, which convention dictated would be returned to Celtic, but the teenager ran into the empty Celtic half and fired a shot at Scott Bain. The Celtic keeper saved, but Scott had an accomplice in the form of 24-year-old Gboly Ariyibi, who scored with the rebound.
At this point, the game needed someone of character to make the right decision. Unfortunately, this proverbial football fell at the feet of Motherwell manager, Steve Robinson. He just “didn’t know what to do”. Motherwell accepted the advantage their break with acceptable standards provided them with, without recourse.
I get teenagers make worse mistakes than this, although we should be clear, he has played the game all his life and will be more familiar with this scenario than you or I. I could also understand that Robinson was caught like a rabbit in the disco lights, but then the Motherwell manager tried to throw Celtic fans under the bus in a clear case of whataboutery in his post-match interview, by accusing them of celebrating the departure of injured Carl McHugh. Robinson has already told the radio audience McHugh has been knocked unconscious for the fourth time in his career.
This context was unavailable to Celtic fans during the game. The context of Robinson’s comments were crystal clear. It was shoddy, calculated and therefore worse than James Scott’s earlier transgression.
If you like football of the blood and snotters variety, the remaining 39 minutes, plus 9 minutes added-time, were right up your street. The goal upset Celtic’s hold on the game and until Edouard’s late strike, Motherwell controlled the game. But, the champions had enough and finished the visitors off in distinguished fashion.
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if it’s Lennon, then say goodbye to progressive football. We won’t do the treble and probably won’t do 9, never mind 10.
Celtic FC always find new ways to boot the paying customer in the baws.
BTW I don’t believe this deal was put together in under 48hrs. BR was probably tapped up prior to the weekend.
It’s the huns who will be eating jelly and ice cream this morning. Jim Traynor organising free pies at the Louden.
Has it been confirmed? If it has been, imho, and Brendan has chosen to leave Celtic at this juncture the fault lays firmly at the boards feet. Parsimony in the transfer market, not getting the guys BR identified, with the exception of Eddy, has brought us here. No doubt a whopping fee will be paid by Leicester for securing Brendan’s services little of which will be spent in attempting to bring in someone of the same level of. Watch this space for Cal mac & KT heading south in the summer.
Totally scunnered – I think 10IAR is well fecked now
79caps on 26th February 2019 9:34 am
Leaving now? And we were led to believe that he’s a Celtic supporter? Oh dear, what a let down. I suppose the gullible will blame Peter Lawwell as usual.
#############
Celtic could have refused Leicester permission to speak to BR.
The hands, Don’t know what the penalty would be for breaking that contract, if it’s money he won’t be short of a few bob, when he signs on at Leicester, like I say show some back bone, still in shock
The only thing that can defeat Celtic is Celtic, the last thing we need is a civil war but considering most Celtic fans want Lawwell out when their Pies are cold I don’t expect this to end well.
He should have stayed until end of season..
This is so disappointing..a self declared Celtic fan can do this to us…we have fallen very far…this looks very bad for our image and ability to attract people.
My guess is pl thinks going for 9 and 10 will take care of season tickets.
Also they could be thinking about downsizing due to sevcos finances…they look like they are going bust very soon.
One good thing…maybe the next manager won’t cause us so many heart attacks at the back with his insistence on passing
EDDIEINKIRKMICHAEL on 26TH FEBRUARY 2019 9:35 AM
if it’s Lennon, then say goodbye to progressive football.
==============
Goodbye ‘progressive football’ and hello playing to your strengths?
HH
Good luck to BR – did a great job!
The day Paul McCartney announced he was leaving The Beatles is about the only comparisson that comes to mind….Tragic day for us Celts…the dream is over
lenny for the interim please
Songwriter required for new version of ‘This is how feels to be Celtic..’
January’s transfer window was a massive signal this was Brendan’s soiree. He chose the timing so he has to carry the can for some of the anomisity. The destabalising impact of a backroom team leaving at this stage is just madness.
Still doesn’t compare to the tears I shed as a kid when King Kenny left.
p.s Who cares what the Huns think?
p.p.s Lenny should know a bit about our forhccoming cup rivals and will cherish wearing the trackie at pitchside at Tynecastle…
Personally , if I was in BR’s shoes , my conscience wouldn’t let me jump ship mid season . The players and fans would be a more important consideration than PL.
If Leicesters offer is a take it now or never and I had BR’s pedigree , I would be confident of waiting until summer for a bigger club.
Lenny will not come back without guarantees of the board spending lots of money. Anyway why would he want to put himself in the position to be abused and attacked week in week again out in the best wee country in the world. Nah my money is on David Moyes or Steve Clarke (SC – may not want it after his recent comments) with Scotty Brown being a possible contender. We will not be getting anyone of the standing / reputation of Brendan
I think its evident he’s going, works out best for both parties, BR and PL, BR goes back to the premiership and mediocrity and PL goes back to running the team.
As someone else tweeted, at least we’ve solved the parking issues for next season.
As someone else posted my season book renewal has never been based on who the manager is or what state the club is in, but the older you get the wiser you get (hopefully) and the more cynical you get. Scottish football is a busted flush and Celtic PLC (does it stand for Peter Lawells club) are complicit in this. Im sure there are many like me that are seriously considering giving it up (no great loss to many i bet)
IF and as it’s not official, it’s still IF he leaves near the end of the season this will be down to him, but the fact remains that the real underlying problem is Pedro.
ERNIE LYNCH on 26TH FEBRUARY 2019 9:39 AM
Not if there was a buy out clause triggered by Leicester.
I don’t care what has happened. I’ve always backed BR but he can go to fuck if leaves now. 14 games away from a treble and more importantly 8 IAR yet to be sealed.
Absolutely,totally stunned!But,why Leicester?Why anyone outwith the top six?Possibly Spurs if Pochettino left and Chelsea because Sarri will go.The other four are settled.So! Why?
I wish Brendan well but when sometime in the future when i’m asked about his contribution to Celtic I’m going to add a BUT…..!
@ BIG G on 26TH FEBRUARY 2019 9:40 AM
He won’t do that. It’s common place for managers to leave and keep quiet about their experiences.
I expect that he will publish memoirs in 10 years detailing his time at Celtic and his relationships with some of those behind the scenes.
But we are a well run club, so let’s see how we react over the next 6 months: interim appointment, full time appointment and summer transfer window.
If its David Moyes then my mind is made up
Actually, maybe its the best time for this to happen.
8 points clear, time to plan for the summer.
If this had happened when everything was level in the league the rest would have smelt blood. Their joy will be tempered, and short lived.
HH
Leicester sacked a manager who won the league for them what does Brendan think he can achieve, he was a dozen games away from being immortal in the eyes of the fans bonkers
Hear Mourinho on the radio this morning saying his priority is to be happy in his next job :)
Once again Celtic fans around the world sitting with their heads in their hands!!.
Leicester ffs.
Vintage Celtic!!.
BiG G – Agree with you on that one however I can’t see us knowing the truth about this until BR writes his story a decade from now. He’ll be extremely diplomatic and complimentary about Celtic as always.
I wonder if Peter Lawwell will want to continue after this. He may also think it’s time for a new broom in the Hottest Seat! por cierto.
We certainly as supporters deserve an explanation, our Manager on the league run in and on the brink of an unprecedented treble treble quitting his so called ‘dream job’ to join a mid table English Premier league club with nothing to play for between now and May. Are we just supposed to quietly accept that and move on?
To leave now, right now. Some “Celtic” man! por cierto.
Not only leaving for Leicester but to walk now. Celtic fighting for a treble and 8IAR and Leicester with the square root of fuck all to play for over the next few weeks. An utter disgrace.
Absolutely gutted .
Is Ronny available?
TRADITIONALIST88 on 26TH FEBRUARY 2019 9:47 AM
Actually, maybe its the best time for this to happen.
8 points clear, time to plan for the summer.
If this had happened when everything was level in the league the rest would have smelt blood. Their joy will be tempered, and short lived.
HH
——-
Paul67’s article just got written for him!??
???♂️
No matter how bad things were with Lawwell, he should have seen the season out, huns/SFA/MIBs will all get a huge lift
The Hands
We know how this is gonna pan out , the board are good at fleecing us for money, thats it. the rest is a shambles.
We’ve seen this every single year in the PLC age.
They have tried everything and failed to stop us winning and becoming the preeminent club in Scotland now we basically hand them back the initiative. Once again we shoot ourselves in both feet .Shame on all those involved with this- Celtic men my f’ing arse.
Heard he was away in the summer anyway . However to walk out at this stage with so much at stake is disgraceful .
Despite somebody having a go last night at me when I passed what I heard on .
I also was told next manager by same guy who informed me BR was in a hotel with his new CEO last night at. 9 pm it won’t be popular but I won’t name him .
@ ROCK TREE BHOY on 26TH FEBRUARY 2019 9:52 AM
Agreed but we will get platitudes. Expect zero insightful information to be provided by official channels. We will have to survive off off the record quotes from those in the know, with supposition and conjecture filling in the gaps.