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.
614 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- ...
- 17
- »
Do the Stock Exchange have to be informed if BR is leaving?
Life goes on and we cannot expect things to stay the same so Brendan will leave when he feels the time is right for him wither that is now or in the future we will have to wait and see.When it happens we will have to find a new manager and he will have to be top notch as Brendan will be a hard act to follow.However,there is no point worrying about it as we cannot change anything what will be will be. H.H.
BR away……to Leicester?
BR gone.
Ernie
I was thinking the same
Brendan, Chris, Kolo to Leicester, Neil Lennon back….
https://twitter.com/mcgowan_stephen/status/1100308663208763392?s=12
McGowan is Lawwells go to guy in the rags
The Blogger
I agree.I didn`t ssee him play so cannot comment on whether or not he was a brave goalkeeper. He certainly does not display courage as a pundit. He fits the bill for the MSSM`s template for a Token Tim.
JJ
Don’t panic.
So long as Peter Lawwell is still there. That’s the most important thing.
Lies , damn lies and rumours.
Hopefully .
Certainly nothing official .
Wow. At first I thought it was another squirrel but this looks like a done deal.
hmmmmmm…!!!
JUST got text from son who lives in GLASGOW.BR his assistant and TOURE going to LEICESTER.all over twitter AND GOOD SOURCES SO IT SEEMS.
Is that what CATMAN was hinting at last night??????????????
KIN LEICESTER.as i said last night anyone who leaves CELTIC for LEICESTER is too stupid to be managing CELTIC.
OH AND BIG THANKS AND BONUS TO NO PISTOLS PETE THAT WILL BE MORE MONEY IN THE BANK.BRO WIL SPINNING IN……………………………………………
Radio Scotland saying Rodgers is offski ..
Well done Lawwell !
DAVID17 on 26TH FEBRUARY 2019 8:32 AM
BR gone
—————
Where do you find that information. ? Why the indecent haste to offload the best fit manager we could possibly have.
BR away. NL in. SSB
Is Calmac injured or was he rested ?
JJ
Herald twattting it,short I on radio with it
HH
Although not yet official, I’m amazed if/that BR has jumped midway through the season.
A treble treble within grasp and he goes now?
Club statement 9am apparently.
IF it’s true, there must be serious ructions going on behind the scenes, worse than we envisaged, the tory will still be there to collect another big bonus he will be getting for compo for BR ;-)
Celtic have given permission for BR to talk to leicester
Disaster if true
Sky reporting John Kennedy taking charge tomorrow?
In a little while, we will know whether or not Brendan is going/has gone.
Let`s say he goes. What is the best way to respond?
a) Appreciate what he has done and respect his decision?
b) Accept what he has done but detest him for leaving at this stage of the season?
c) Ignore the successes and despise him now?
d) All pull together and get behind our team and any new/interim appointment?
e) Throw toys out the pram and blame Peter Lawwell?
JJ
There is going to be a meltdown amongst the fans if this is true.
Saying Celtic have given Leicester permission to talk to Rodgers..
6 million smackaroonies for Lawwells piggy bank..
Huge surprise hes gone, particularly at the business end of the season. Leicester clearly had no hesitation in paying to release him now.
Life goes on, Lennon is a better candidate now than he was when he got the job before.
And no more tippy tappy tiki taka at the back. Every cloud…
HH
Time for cool heads and informed decisions.
Our management team have down sized to leicester city. However, we still have a league and Scottish cup to win.
Let’s not begin the infighting until all silverware decided.
Keep the eyes on the prize(s)
Noooooooooooooo
@ HOT SMOKED on 26TH FEBRUARY 2019 8:47 AM
How about a reasoned view that can encompass more than one of the choices you listed?
On the manager front, happy for Lenny till end of season, but I would want Steve Clarke as long term appointment.
Ps, I don’t envy Paul trying to write his article today!
HOT SMOKED on 26TH FEBRUARY 2019 8:47 AM
e with a capital EH
Brendan who ??
Hot smoked
B and d
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE
I don’t know if Steve Clarke will be up for hanging around in Scotland tbh.
He seems to prefer those angelic Chelsea fans.
HH
Stevie Clarke would be a good choice .. would suit the overly prudent board .
So Brendan thinks that Leicester and a £100K a week is his future. To quit mid season is a measure of him, not us. Speaks with forked tongue if, as it seems, this comes to pass.
Whatever legacy he was building here will disappear like snow off a dyke. Celtic supporters won’t forgive him for jumping ship mid season and potentially disrupting a potential treble treble.