Celtic will have to keep the Champagne on ice for a while longer after failing to collect the three points required to win the league at Ibrox this afternoon. The champions-elect looked nervous early on with few looking comfortable in possession, allowing Rangers significant periods of possession. After only 10 minutes Rangers were ahead when Sone Aluko beat Thomas Rogne before cutting inside Charlie Mulgrew and firing a shot past Forster in the Celtic goal.
Celtic scarcely featured as an attacking threat in the first half but moments after going behind Georgios Samaras produced one of the most scintillating pieces of skill on the day. The Greek international collected the ball 70 yards from goal, beat four opponents before his shot from 12 yards was saved by Alan McGregor. Anthony Stokes mishit the rebound allowing McGregor to tip over.
Stokes forced a further save from McGregor with a fine volley after controlling on his chest but the game was soon to look ominous for Celtic. Cha Du-Ri was caught wrong side of Lee Wallace and made the slighted touch on the Rangers player who went to ground two yards outside the penalty area. Referee Calum Murray sent Cha off despite the covering attendance of Charlie Mulgrew.
Despite their numerical advantage Rangers seemed content to prevent Celtic scoring, Fraster Forster didn’t make a single save while Celtic were numerically on level terms or only a single man down. Ten minutes after the break Victor Wanyama was red carded for a two footed tackle on Steven Whittaker.
Lee McCulloch was fortunate to remain on the field after elbowing Scott Brown on the head. In a carbon copy of the incident which ended Beram Kayal’s season in December, McCulloch went to ground after the incident until attended by a physio, which perhaps tempered the referee’s response. Clever, if predictable.
With things clearly not going their way Celtic then lost an offside goal. Celtic had an opportunity to make an attempt on goal when they won a free kick 28 yards out. With Charlie Mulgrew still running into position Scott Brown played a quick pass to Kris Commons but Celtic players were crowded out by a number of opponents and lost possession. Rangers broke forward and applied pressure which brought the best out of Fraser Forster but Andrew Little put Rangers two ahead from what was clearly an offside position.
A further breakaway on the 77th minute resulted in Lee Wallace putting Rangers three goals ahead.
Despite being two goals down substitute Kris Commons started to dictate play and brought Celtic their best period of possession. In the 89th minute Georgios Samaras broke through the Rangers defence but was scythed to the ground by Bocanegra. The referee awarded a penalty and ordered the Rangers player off. Scott Brown scored the penalty
Moments later Commons got the better of Whittaker on Celtic’s left before being brought down by the Rangers player. Commons found Thomas Rogne with the resultant free kick which the defender powered home.
Issue 7 of CQN Magazine is out now! Go to the dedicated magazine site here to read it properly (which you’ll not be able to do below).
Thanks to everyone who has bought a hard copies of the magazine, it looks like the sold out sign will go up again. Order your copy for delivery by clicking on the link below for news and views from Celtic supporters.
Pay by card or Paypal.
1,137 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- ...
- 30
- »
Re all the controversy about Fat Sally shaking everyone’s hand …I think you are all being very harsh.
Just off camera there was a wee collection bucket and Fat Sally was thanking the Celtic players for letting him watch their motors.
Today’s gleeful ‘bouncy’ when they all know too well the connotations of that ‘song’ really brought it home to me why I hate the huns.
And I really do hate the huns…
The cheating cherry on the chin today was the MIB blowing full time 10 secs short of +4 mins when FF booted the ball into play at the hun end at 3-2. 3-3 and that would have been the end of his mibbery career.
Awe ye need to know really!
TET
Saw that too. I also thot he was going to book wallace for diving seeing as this is book for diving season. If you get ma drift?!
So any of you faithful through and through Tim Malloys still gonna fund the away games next season?
Thought so.
ScotPatsFan on 25 March, 2012 at 21:33
I was in BF1 too, row Q and saw that. The guy behind me was questioning the police too about that.
I thought the guy who tied them together should have been commended for his artistry with such basic raw materials!
Ghuys and Ghals, any links to any banners from our end today? Could do with laugh to end the day as Monday beckons.
No wish to dismantle the game today, but one comment I would make and haven’t yet read.
We need to toughen up and act like a big team. Not only do we need to be more physically robust in an environment like Ibrox, we also need to stop being a meek, feeble side that fails to impose itself on a shockingly poor referee.
The players should be making a public show on the pitch of dissatisfaction with officiating like Murray’s. Force it into the public eye. Leave no one in any doubt that it is sub-standard and, more importantly, one sided. 3, 4, 5 players should have been around him in the first half given the nonsense of his decision making – we did nothing but move away and accept it.
Expect no criticism of the referee in any media this week. That only our manager made the point allows him to be easily isolated. Time to act like a big team on the pitch.
Scottish football today (in brief)-
– Referees get major decisions wrong and lie to match officials – when called on this they close ranks and go on strike. (Dougie Dougiegate);
– The Celtic manager is sent to the stand in a match at the home of rivals Rangers. Unfortunately he is unable to take his seat in the stand as – despite considerable police and steward presence – his security cannot be guaranteed given the level of bigotry and hatred that the Rangers fans have for him;
– Evidence emerges that Rangers may be guilty of 15 years of financial doping and playing players with illegal contracts. The authorities only investigate grudgingly and refuse to publicise terms of reference etc. Meantime the then Rangers Club Secretary, who is compromised as he is the one man with responsibility for signing off players` contracts, is allowed to remain in place as President of the National football association;
– Rangers accrue huge debts, accrued by tax avoidance, deliberate withholding of tax payments, and non payment of debts due to other clubs. The scale of the debts makes liquidation a certainty. The chairman of Kilmarnock FC states on national radio on 25/3/12 that the other 10 SPL clubs will give a newco Rangers a free pass to the SPL provided that they agree to change the league voting structure to 9-3. In other words its ok to cheat, to shaft creditors and to shaft the tax system as long as you give us more of your supporters` and TV monies;
– Foreign news reporters who try to shine a light on these matters are threatened with violence by home based journalists and abused by SFA officials;
– The majority of teams in the top league are at least £5million plus in debt, 1 is in administration and another 2 have failed to pay wages on time at least once this season;
– The national team have pioneered a 4-6-0 formation and were last represented at a major finals 14 years ago.
If this kind of thing went on in a banana republic or a former Eastern Bloc country we`d be amazed. Yet it seems to be allowed in Scotland.
Frankly if the safety of our manager cannot be guaranteed at any away venue then we should not be playing the team concerned and that team should be made to forfeit the points.
Scottish football in general, and Rangers in particular, is already stagnant, in the gutter, a basket case that is beyond repair. But they`re heading into an even greater state of decay and decline and I just hope we can get out of this hellhole so we`re not dragged down with them.
Sick to death of the reptiles who “run” and report on football in Scotland. They are actually Scotland`s Other Shame.
But Maggie!
the Bhoys need us!
Goaty support the team!
Goaty gie them a lift!
Goaty show our solidarity!
Goaty show ur support!
Goaty use the GB!
Goaty dae blah blah
Goaty support Celtic at the away games!
The only Goats yer funding are the ones ye no goaty
Gonny no dae that!
Could sumdae phone shugg and ask him about Neil Lennon not being allowed to sit in the stand? I would but im banned. Well maybe not but the last twice I phoned delboy hit the mute button. I only said, hide and age. Honest tae God!!
Hope Fletch tells it as it was.
CultsBhoy loves being 1st on 25 March, 2012 at 21:37 said:
was not convinced about brown until the end of last season and during the recent run, i think he brings drive while others can bring flair, passing etc…
to the other who said wilson pacy but bad, it’s hard to disagree that he’s not been particularly good, but this is his first season at celtic and it sometimes takes players time to settle, we’ll have a better idea about him next season.
we’re gonna win the league
Bhoylo83- There was some great stuff on show today, that was one of the best!
Sparkleghirl- 14 days payment terms?- so no need to pay just yet!
setting free the bears on 25 March, 2012 at 21:37 said:
Understand all that but did you see Hooper ” pounce ” on the chance in the first 10 mins of the Cup Final.
2 mins to go its a lottery and frankly delayed the game.
Bad Call in my view.
Goldstar 10
Brilliant! Thanks for that. I’m actually in it at the end.
SPF
Ki , as Predicted.. by Somewan…oan here.. afore the Game..
Wiz a disastrous Choice.
Also..
Ledley,
Again.. a Fine Techician.. a Guy who kin play very well..
However..
He, also, has a Glaring Flaw in his Personality..’
And that Flaw,in not quite as Obvious… as that Flaw in in Ki’s Make-Up Boax..
but,it is There.. aweright…
Ledley,is Also, jist like Ki..
Faur, Faur, Too Diffident..and Gentlemanly, in his Apporoach tae this Beautiful Game..
Not a Man tae ride the River Wi, eethur’.. when the Blood-thirsty Savages..come steaming up the River in Thur War Canoes!!!
Celtic, Need.. Hearts of Oak.. no … Hearts o’ Balsa Wid!
Kojo
Still Laughin’.. Though!
The video, not the coffin.
SPF
Persistently letting McCulloch elbow and maim across our back line.
Murrays resposibility.
Cha decision: the howls from their fans was for a penalty not a red card, since in fact even their hordes knew that it was not a goal scoring chance and Cha was not the last man. The contact was less than occurs in the box at every corner, so simulation was in operation.
Murray’s call and he got it wrong.
Persistently overlooking the assaults on Samaras.
Murray’s responsibility.
Very clear offside position of RFCIA player at their second goal. Assistant refs call, and any talk of a last touch from a Celtic player is feeble minded nonsense. The linesman has no discretion in this situation, and has to raise his flag.
Official’s resposibility.
Failing to allow the full officially allotted time for the game. At least two minutes was inexplicably deducted from the allotted time.
Murray’s responsibility.
Both sets of players and both sets of coaches knew very quickly how this was to be operated today. One team was to be allowed to offend with relative impunity and the other would have to play the game loaded against them.
Clearly, the decisions a referee makes decide on the outcome of a game. Hopefully, these decisions are non-contestable and consistent for both teams. When they are not, then increased tension and frustration become elemenst in subsequent actions for adversely those affected. The referees want to have their decisions accepted and unchallanged, yet they insist on a wall of silence that would do justice to a Trappist monastery, and choose to hide behind that wall to avoid being accountable for what they do. They and the SFA cannot have it both ways, otherwise we fans are being patronised and treated as little more than naughty children. This way of working is part of the same SFA style of governance that has been variously labelled as dysfunctional and not fit for purpose.
At least two posters yesterday swore as to Murray’s integrity and honesty, so we are left with “honest mistakes” or incompetence.
Last week Collum was incompetent, and this week Murray does not pass the competency test either.
Murray’s decisions today influenced the result, as do the decisions of all refs, but far too many of his important calls were at best questionable and at worst just plain wrong.
No excuses when we are beaten fair and square, but this wasn’t fair an square, and no amount of mibbery, whataboutery, and even we-have-no-bottle-for-the-big-gameism can change that fact.
Neil’s explanation of his sending off in the BBC interview speaks for itself. Another mishandled situation by officials.
When referees start believing that they are never wrong, then we know we have a crisis. No acceptance of the problem means no change.
HH
Don’t know if anyone was in BF1 today and looked over to the main stand on the right. A particularly obese Rangers supporter was seated about ten rows back,wearing his untucked checked red, white and blue shirt in a vain attempt to cover his rolls of blubber. His face was contorted in rage for the whole game, his veins popping out his bald dome as he dragged his knuckles up to point at our support and gesture toward us. Seated next to him was another portly member of the species, this time the opposite sex, who was wearing the full union flag top with a blue and white scarf draped over – and in a vain attempt to hide – her flabby pups.
When their stand burst into “We arra peepul” I just thought thank f you are and I am not.
Haveyouseenahandsomehun CSC
Even Sportscene commentators voice didnt raise an octave at Cha’s tackle.
TJ
C Murray cheated us today.
We didn’t play as we can.
The team is still a young one, learning and growing together.
For a manager not to be able to get a seat in the stand, beggars belief.
I am disappointed, but as someone said earlier, it is temporary, what is coming to the Hun, that is permanent.
Wake up tomorrow, you’ll still be Tims, that s a good thing to be.
Trust Neil Lennon.
I am looking forward to winning the league and seeing Neil lifting the trophy.
Kojo on 25 March, 2012 at 22:06 said:
ahhhh kojo..never met a phor ah never liked..howevvah inane and ridiculous eh?
Whits that other wird fur thesauraus?
Agent Craig
yes there is a parallel with Linfield and rangers(note:small r as they are not an entity) did you know that Linfield actually own Windsor Park,where N.Ireland play their home games and the IFA pay Linfield over a hundred thousand pounds for the rent, yes level playing field indeed
HH
Phil
Agent Craig “Green and” Whyte!! on 25 March, 2012 at 21:50 said:
Can any of our Irish Bhoys answer this please.
We all know that the huns have won a good few of their ‘world record’ league titles on the back of ‘honest mistakes’ and the corruption in Scottish football.
Have lingfield won titles also with cheating and corruption, have to be honest and admit i dont know much about the football in Ireland.
I’ll be gutted if the answers no.
they get a 200k hand out from the ifa for the usage of windsor park every year – no other club can anywhere match that over here
the Glens fans over here would probably say yes, Cliftonville havent really been a big team over here until the last 6-10 years if truth be told
linfield claim to be the biggest club in Ireland – but Derry hand their arses to them on a plate on Monday night past – and a Derry director had to run for his life after the game and windows were put in at houses beside the Brandywell
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/59225000/jpg/_59225610_martinmullan.jpg
Stephbhoy
I remain convinced Brown is a player who can not lead Celtic. I think he would be great if led.
the glorious balance sheet on 25 March, 2012 at 22:02
Fantastic post.
Regarding elbows elbow on Broony.
Seen as the cheat never took the approriate action on him.Then surely the compliance officer has to look at the video evidence and hand out the appropriate punishment, in fact maybe have a look at whittaker also with his stamp on Vic.
Stupid Hurting Huns!!
Josef K on 25 March, 2012 at 22:08 said:
wiz that “opposite sex” blonde and very large, remember from last year…
That butcher’ll be busy tomorrow, selling a ship load of square sausages, can’t you just hear the fat squelching up and down their arteries.
Scottish football can be summed up by the following two incidents:
Stokes getting booked last week in injury TIMe
and Cha getting a red card today.
18 points in front
GLASGOW CELTIC CHAMPIONS
Hail hail
MME
Mags,
yer ragin for a fight tonight…. would like to indulge, but nothin I can argue against
JimmyQuinnsBits on 25 March, 2012 at 22:14 said:
Sure ..in a nice way of course!
Mags
Aye ok we’ll stop following our team because someone who never pays to watch Celtic says so.
Away and find a short pier and take a long walk :-))
hamiltontim on 25 March, 2012 at 22:17 said:
in yer dreams goaty
I turned to my best mate as soon as went….
Change it round!
Sammi up front stokes off,
Commons LM
Mulgrew LB
Wanyama CH
is there any pics or videos floating about from the away end today?
2nd or 3rd time now Sky dont seem to be showing much from the Celtic end – the big top with HMRC on it wasnt shown at Hibs and basically f all from our end today again
we did get the bouncy and “the backward bouncy” shown in all its glory a couple of times today
Take it on the chin and move on
Party line being touted on Shortbread. ‘Can’t let them die’ blah blah. Propaganda at its finest.
SPF