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.
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ST
“Margaret. We dont have a striker who is guaranteed a start ”
Neither do Man City and Mancini will see that as a good thing. It means competition so that Aguero, Balotelli and Dzeko do not become complacent by being guaranteed anything.
Operating in a cheaper market than they do, I would not want any celtic player to be guaranteed a start either. I wish we had someone as good as Henrik to be almost undroppable but Henriks are rare in our history. Joe McBride or Kenny Dalglish maybe got there, but Deans, McAvennie or Van Hoojdonk don’t get to be counted at that level.
We do have a forward balance problem. Stokes and Hooper work well together but the 4:4:2 that suits them is looking increasingly more old fashioned as a tactic. Sammi suits the 4:5:1 best but is not prolific enough a scorer to be guaranteed a start.
Continuity of selection and building up of experienced partnerships are important, especially on our defence but no one should be guaranteed a start and that is a good thing.
Margaret. While I think sammi is by far the best football player of our forwards, he is not a goalscorer
I should have rephrased that question to ” we dont have a goal scorer who is garanteed a start”
I think I understand the problem.
Whenever someone at Parkhead sticks out the periscope to gauge the surrounding hunnery they crap themselves coz they dont understand the physics of a kaleidoscope. Hunwinked its called! Time to grow up.
SydneyTim
As someone who stays so far away and seems to garner no pleasure from following Celtic.
I have to ask you why do you bother?
i watched the end again
anybody see Brown waving goodbye to them as he went up the tunnel?
Setting free the bears
Mcgarvey. Hartson, viduka etc
While George mcCluskey was not picked every week, I think he was streets ahead of hooper and stokes
the ref was an insult to football today he done what he has been directed to do the same thing has been going on for 50 years no surprise but to hear the so called (ex celtic) peeple say he had a good game i think i am going off my heed am going to bed now Hail Hail Tiocfaidh ar la
Mayo mate. Home and away for 22 years
I call it as I see it
This is a Huns team that got pumped out of Europe by nobody and lost their last 3 home games
I want to see us streets ahead of them on the park
But to see the likes of cha in the hoops makes me vomit
MayoD on 26 March, 2012 at 01:38 said:
You should not say that to Sydney Tim. There are MILLIONS of Celtic supporters worldwide willing to support Celtic in any way. The practicalities prevent Celtic supporters outside of Scotland supporting Celtic outside the SPL. There are more Celtic supporters in New Zealand than Spurs supporters worldwide! Today the Rangers v Celtic game was shown live on American TV for the first time. Many people noticed the straight reds! Trust me Celtic are on a good thing. Lets wait and see. I am hoping for the best.
Bheadh smacht ag Eirinn soar ar a cinniuint fein on tSeisreach go dtina Realta
Seamus o Conghaile
Never been so unperturbed by a loss to the hun and its twelfth man.
The biggest loss this season has been Paul Mc Bride.
Glad we were able to shut their gobs in the last ten minutes.
ST
None of them were guaranteed starters either. BBJ forced his way into the team but without Sutton’s versatility, he would have played fewer games and remained 3rd choice striker.
Viduka was a lazy star in a poor Celtic team. Stokes and Hooper will have one more league winners medal than he has.
McGarvey and McCluskey were both good players but it may be a reflected pining for your lost youth that sees you label them clearly superior to Stokes & Hooper. Both had one season as Top Scorer with 23 and 21 goals respectively. I would not bet against Gary equaling those tallies this year as he is on 16 goals with 7 SPL games to go. Antony is still young enough to get 20 plus goals in an SPL season if he improves again.
SydneyTim
I did not question your Celtic credentials
We all want to see the best of Celtic but your last line
I want to see us streets ahead of them on the park
But to see the likes of cha in the hoops makes me vomit.
I have never felt like “vomiting” at anyone in a Celtic strip.
Margaret McGill
I myself am outside Scotland and I do not get to as many games as I would wish. I was also a home and away supporter for many years, my point was Sydney Tim has far more negative posts against Celtic than he has positive and if it is so much a burden why bother?
If you write the word “monkey” a million times, do you start to think you’re Shakespeare?
MayoD on 26 March, 2012 at 02:01 said:
He doesnt like the bored. Me neither.
.
G’Day CQN..
Today I am Very Happy..
Very Happy for All the Kids.. All the Young Bhoys and Ghirls who Go to Paradise with their Mums and Dads..
But are Not.. Quiet rightly Allowed to go to iPox.. These Young Bhoys and Ghirls will Now get the Chance to See their Beloved Hoops Win the Title at Paradise in Complete Safety..
So l hope All you Mums and Dads.. Have a Great week with the Young Hoops in anticipation of a Fantastic day in Paradise..
These Kids are Our Future..
I’m the Same as Most on CQN.. I would have Loved to Win it at iPox and Gloat..
But Next week with 60,000 Young and Olde Hoops Fans that Deserve this Just as Much as Lenny and the Players..
Keep The Faith..
Summa
Snake Plissken on 25 March, 2012 at 23:19 said
I would normally copy and paste your comment, but in this case it’s too bloomin long ;-)
However, I agree with every word of your post.
During the game and the live updates blog, we actually had an alleged Celtic supporter post a comment to the effect that keevins was right and that Celtic don’t win big games.
Great comments by your good self.
Thanks.
Time for my bed CQN.
I’d have loved to win the league today. It was not to be. Here’s to next week
ok Goodnight to all you peripheral visionaries. Later!
Margaret / Sydney
Goodnight and cheer up we are all Celtic.
MayoD on 26 March, 2012 at 02:01 said
There were many vomit inducing moments in today’s encounter (not a game since it was not a level playing field).
The Ibrokes crowd in all their pseudo OO regalia.
The tunes from the PA.
The songs from the stands.
The sight of McCulloch in any pose.
The truly scary mad look on McMoist’s face when his mob scored.
The sight of Laugherty in any pose.
The sight of McMoist taking the p*** out of every Celtic player with his PR handshake stunt at the end.
The still photograph of Brines lecturing Neil Lennon as Neil sits in the dugout.
The site of McCulloch simulating injury and feigning innocence after every assault he perpetrated.
Etc., etc., etc.,
Any fan of this club who claims that the site of ANY player wearing the hoops makes him vomit, frankly, needs treatment, or maybe just left in a dark room for a very long time. You will find that some “fans” only appear when they can press home their own negative agenda, usually after a defeat. It’s almost as if they relish a defeat, because it gives them a sense of purpose, and vindicates their sorry little world view.
None of us like the taste of defeat, nor the sense of injustice when the officials fail to apply the laws of the game consistently. Cha is a decent enough player who was unfairly sent off today, end of. The folks who say what you quoted are the ones who pilloried Lee Naylor and even Neil Lennon, the ones who actually don’t understand how to support, and when Cha goes they will need to find someone else to be the focus of their ire.
Night Night & HH
Night Mr SFTB.
Great post earlier BTW.
.
@celticfc..
@celticfc: NL: “Couldn’t sit in stand for my own safety.Biggest game of the season and I can’t go into the stand, watch team or send down messages.(MH)
Summa
Classic Sabres of Paradise music
It won’t be long until the Celts are presented with the SPL trophy and the Huns are liquidated, 2 great things to look forward to indeed.
Summa of Sammi 02:51,
I think theres a lot more to come from this, Neil is not daft and he will only go down this route if he is on rock solid ground.
The SFA has not changed, the referees are as bad as ever and the media are as manipulative as ever.
I thought Georgios was fantastic today in both the roles he had during the game. The run in the first half was a joy to behold and it deserved a goal, he frightens the life out of defenders when running with that pace, power and skill. I hope Neil now has him down as one of his essential starters for every game.
Summi. Don’t you think Celtic should complain to SFA that our manager was unable to sit in the stand
If you take a step back and think about it, Neil is a part of our football team and because Huns are so vile he was handicapped
.
Petec..SydneyTim..
I Not only think He Should Complain to the SFA.. SPL.. He should Consult UEFA or FIFA..
Could the Huns Not Afford enough Police.. Would Sally have Been Safe (from his Own Fans) had we Been 0-3 Up..
This is Outrageous..Who made this Decision he Should be Sacked..
Game Replayed..??
Handicapped is NOT a Strong enough Word..
Come On PL.. Earn Your Bonus..
Summa
PS.. I hope Paul67 Highlights this Later Today..
.
I Also think it is Significant that.. This Quote was From Celtic FC..
Summa
Shamefully treated today we were,once again.But what does it matter?Next week it will matter not,next Sunday the silver shall be raised once again…in Paradise…It seems like such a long time,and rest assured,this one will be as sweet as any before.
Our manager,our leader…Neil Francis Lennon,the boss…18,holding that trophy aloft,like he has done so many times before,only this time Lenny Bhoy follows in the footsteps of the very few – to raise,and win the title,as both player and manager of our beautiful football club.
The ultimate Celt,with the Celtic warrior soul…the kindred soul…the brave soul,unbroken and unbowed.
This is the gift that keeps on giving,for we look ahead,we look to Europe,and we look to the start of the new season.A spring,and summer…safe in the knowledge that Celtic are the CHAMPIONS again.
To see our flag unfurl at the start of the 2012-13 campaign,in victory,will be a sight to behold.
The most feared men in Ulster:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx2ExLiuNE8
Summa of Sammi,
I agree, Neil had plenty time to compose himself and he never missed the target when he done the media interviews.
I could still sense the anger (slightly higher pitched) in his voice but he was still magnanimous towards Rangers and the way they played in the game despite knowing the big hoose had rigged it from start to finish.
Neil is a Legend and the SFA/Fleming/Referees have done everything in their powers over the last 7 days to take the smiles off Celtic faces.
They are about to be totally exposed as the cheating corrupt entities that they really are and today was just another nail in their coffin IMO.
The party for Rangers is over.
The party for Celtic is only just about to start and it’s going to be a long and memorable one, make no mistake about that.
Forza Celtic
raymac at 17:07
Summed the game and the day up perfectly. I said before Cha sending off there
was no way they were letting us win today.
Sixteen roads to Golgotha 03:42
Well Said.
Because of all the disgraceful decisions given against Celtic at the Bigotdome I really wanted Celtic to win it there for all the away supports incredible support of Celtic all through the years.
It will just have to be in front of 60000 Celts in PARADISE.
The Motherwell game at the end of last season I sang my heart out for Neil Lennon and this week I’m going to sing even louder if possible.
Neil is a Giant of a man and this title will be savoured by ALL Celts.
Glasgow CELTIC, Champions.
Tell you one thing.
Thank god Sammi didn`t score after skipping through their defence midway thro` the first half.
Summa would have been “Ah told ye so ” – ing for the forseeable future.
Smile,lads.The future is ours.
petec on 26 March, 2012 at 04:06 said:
Yer a million % sir.
This is what it is…and this is all that matters:
GLASGOW CELTIC CHAMPIONS!!
There’s gonna be a show next Sunday,so there is.
That’s what they’re gonna get – live & direct from Celtic Park,the arena.
Over and out.
I am normally a quite placid person, usually accepting these kind of results as the rub of the green.
However today I am angry.
Are we supposed to acquiesce to this kind of treatment meted out to us, be quiet and return to our previous place at the back of the bus?
Can we allow the SFA to appoint crooked officials with a point to prove, a cause to uphold and a tradition to keep? Can we allow our manager to be treated like a common criminal and be prevented from guiding his young inexperienced team from the dugout?
This exile says “NO.” In fact “Hell NO.”
Make no mistake this was an attempt by a faction in Scotland to slap us back into our perceived proper place. We may have won the league but this was a reminder that “We are not ra peepil.”
Murray’s performance is in line with some of his prominent predecessors, Dallas, McCurry, aye and even Davidson and Syme. Decisions such as we saw yesterday, caused break ins, fights and a shower of bottles in games at Ibrox in my time. Were Celtic fans not more sophisticated today than in the past, the scenes yesterday could have really been ugly. Had the same “dishonest mistakes” been made in our favour, there would have undoubtedly been serious trouble.
The catalogue of injustice was extended from the field of play to the tunnel and media room as our manager was excluded from the stand and consigned to watch the second half from the media room, supposedly “for his own safety.”
Today I saw reports of fans being warned about wearing T Shirts with IRA slogans. Had they displayed messages of support for Pol Pot or Che Guevara they would have been tolerated and ignored. What kind of society has been spawned from government interference in football?
Our club guardians now must speak out and ask questions about this treatment of both our fans and manager. These questions must be loud, clear and probing. We must not be deflected by the perennial accusation of paranoia. We have been criminalized and marginalized recently, and we must not permit it to continue.
What other country would tolerate this kind of treatment of a rival football manager?
What kind of society would tolerate, glorify and encourage an unruly element at a club which threatens the safety of a rival football team’s manager?
Today I am ashamed of the country of my birth.
Today I have lost all feelings of pride and respect for my nationality.
Today I want to see a hateful, prejudiced institution quickly obliterated and consigned to the same shameful pages of the history books as the Black and Tans and the Billy Boys.
Today I will begin to seriously pursue becoming a naturalized US citizen.
‘GG
A lot of people think the title will be clinched next week against St Johnstone. Do you really think that Stuart McCall will allow Fat Sally to go home without his customary gift of a 0-4 or 0-5 to the visitors?
MJM
macjay1,
We have a wonderful future to look forward to. There are many places around this World where people have had their lives bettered because of Celtic and it’s supporters.
These are the best ever mustard seeds that have been sown, for the future.
We went to a hate fueled place full of liars and deceivers doing what they do to keep up their false image and we lost by 1 goal when Murray was allowing for it to be a 5-0 defeat or worse.
I saw Joe Ledley run around like a man possessed because he had to after going down to 9 men, he played poorly according to many. I never saw that, I saw a heroic man giving it everything for Celtic.
The future is indeed ours my man, it is indeed.