Celtic collected all three points from St Mirren Park at lunchtime today but were under the cosh for most of the game. James Forrest opened the scoring in the 71st minute before Scott Brown secured the points two minutes from time to secure Celtic’s 11th consecutive SPL win.
Marc McAusland forced an early save from Fraser Forster on the goal line as a notice of intent on how the first half traffic was going to flow before Gary Hooper made Celtic’s only attempt on goal in the first half, a hooked shot from 35 yards. After 15 minutes a Mulgrew corner was headed towards his own goal by Steven Thompson, who was fortunate the ball struck his own player on the line. Five minutes alter Thompson tested Forster with a header at the other end which was saved well. Graham Carey had a good chance late in the first half but shot wide from a tight angle.
The second half started in much the same patter with St Mirren flowing forward at every opportunity and Celtic looking out of sorts. Paul McGowan setup Dougie Imrie on his St Mirren debut but Forster saved well again. The home team’s best chance of the game came when a Van Zanten shot from just outside the box was flicked towards the opposite post by McGowan but Forster somehow managed to twist his body and flick the ball safe.
Neil Lennon realised his formation wasn’t working and withdrew Samaras and Ki for Stokes and Commons, the addition of the latter proving crucial. Commons set pieces, intelligent use of his body and possession troubled St Mirren. On 59 minutes his corner was met by Rogne, whose goal-bound header struck McAusland on the raised arm, although the defender knew little about it.
On 71 minutes a Commons free kick was punched clear by Samson by Scott Brown met it at the edge of the area before rolling the ball in front of James Forrest. The Celtic wide player shot first-time from 19 yards and found the inside of the post to open the scoring.
St Mirren continued to push forward and McAusland forced yet another save by Forster. Hooper played a one-two with Stokes before shooting narrowly wide but a minute later Imrie came just as close to drawing St Mirren level.
An 88th minute short corner by Commons to Scott Brown caught St Mirren sleeping. The Celtic captain slipped a left foot shot inside the far post, a carbon copy of his Scottish Cup goal against Rangers last season.
A minute from time a Commons free kick was headed in off the post by Thomas Rogne but the assistant referee incorrectly flagged for offside despite the Celtic defender being four yards onside. The game poor advert for the SFA officials with a bizarre collection of mistakes made over which team knocked the ball out of play at corners and throw–ins.
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Celtic_First says:
21 January, 2012 at 21:35
“Beñat Ponsonby” s very much a big Tim.
Starryhope
Partizan
If your car is taxed and has a valid MOT, then your mate is ok to drive it.
Starry Hope. Of course he is.
Francis Andrews, Mike McCurry, Colin O’Neill, Alec O’Hara, Kyle Lafferty …
All these guys are uberhuns because their Timmy-sounding names requires them to over-compensate.
However, no uberhun has yet had to overcome the barrier that the name Bernard would represent.
hamiltontim at 21:42
My thoughts entirely.
Though Ki is an elegant player and can strike a ball beautifully, he is too static and plays short passes that end up, via Brown usually, out on the wing for Cha to put in a poor cross.
Ki hasn’t the change of gear, or solidity, that McStay had that would allow him to quickly drive on, hold off a tackle and pull defenders out of position which in turn would allow guys like Forrest to burst through and test the keeper.
We just don’t make enough chances and too often end up relying on individual flair (Paddy, Hooper, Stokes) to make something from nothing.
Celtic_First
I stand corrected sir-i must have misheard it-im happy to have my irrationalities
checked-helps my heartbeat regulate and my sleeping sounder
C1st
The wonderfull thing about being here is I learn something new every day, oh! and it’s hun free as well, thanks for that.
Partizan
Haven’t been on RTC since this morning, been on the betting sites far too much, who pray may I ask, or is it who we were talking about the other night with the JM initials ?
My mate and occasional poster DMcB refers to himself and fellow tims as ‘of the Bernard persuasion’
Starryhope
For the avoidance of doubt. I wasn’t directing my intended joke at Mr Ponsonby. My comment makes it sound like he’d be delighted at Rangers signing a good player. I didn’t mean that. Silly thing to say. Mea culpa.
Lennon’s Passion,
yeah lets hope so. If i was tempted by 2,500-1 I would have punted more than £1!!!!!!!!
Does any one know if Judd Trump is related to 80’s Spanish footy start Lopez Ufarte? :-)
Celtic_First says:
21 January, 2012 at 22:00
Nae borrur big chap
Starryhope
Celtic _first – I noticed that, I think Derek Rae always intended to mention the Europa league factor, but burley couldn’t wait to jump in with his paranoia accusations.
There was another occasion when Derek Rae asked him a question and he simply refused to answer, leaving an awkward period of the “dead air” (a massive broadcasting no-no) which Rae fumbled to fill.
If I was an ESPN commentator, I’d hate to have burley sat beside me.
Hamilton
” where are you Paul mcstay”
Canny remember Paul getting to byline and throwing in crosses and I was at approx 98% of all his games
Pps he is about 5miles from here in Gymea if you want to know where he is :)
Hamiltontim,
Think that’s a very fair point you make regarding the midfield and despite me wishing he’s going to prove me wrong when he starts away from home Ki just doesn’t do it for me when we face opposition with a packed defence.Only when he was subbed and Commons came on did we start to unsettle them and eventually wear them down.The way we love Celtic to play ,with slick quick passing doesn’t happen when Ki’s in the team.
Anyway on a vastly more positive note I thought Fraser Forster was absolutely superb with two or three outstanding saves and since that penalty save against Hearts he hasn’t looked back.Two great goals and a great three points from a real potential banana skin.
Well done Celtic.
HT,
A player like dare i say it,Craig Burley..?
ST
Ha ha ha nice try buddy but no I’m not like you at all in this respect.
You see, I’m pragmatic whereas I believe that frequently you ignore, as is your right, the financial limitations which we are forced to live within.
Yes I would love a big striker and a creative midfielder but we need to be realistic. It will only be sensible to sign these type of players if they are of a sufficient quality. In today’s climate I really don’t know if we can afford that.
Celts were 5,000-1 to win the 26 league games BEFORE the Rennes H game, 2,500-1 after it
TET
Ellis went to the game with Barry Hughes. Has a similar CV to ones mentioned in the past.
TET
The older we get the more we realise we need to learn more.
As you said every day brings us something new.
Life is good tonight.
HH
Barry Hughes beat that 2009 attempted murder rap, didn’t he?
ST
My reference to Paul McStay was as a creative midfielder and not a wide player as well you know! :-)
Hamilton We have lost approx 30 million in income over last 3 years due to policies like that
I do agree the money is not there now
Not the fans fault, but due to board and it’s policies
We should be actively looking to punt Ki and paddy to bring in a first 11 pick
ST
Hamilton. I believe commons is that man you want
St
hamiltontim says:
21 January, 2012 at 22:03
IF he is back to his form of last season, we already have a creative midfielder. One who can score 14 golas in half a season. his name is Kris Commons.
We have also just singed Ibrahim who is exciting Neil Lennon as a creative midfielder.
That just leaves the big, powerful centre forward to complete the jigsaw.
Starryhope
Ref Ki
I think he has great ball skills, and when he is playing well he looks a really classy player.
But, for some reason, we have a better win ratio when he is not in the team, or, on the park
I read a bit in chris sutton’s (auto)biography, where he talked about Stan at Villa, and he said Stan struggled initially because he was two moves ahea of his team mates.
Not sure if Ki fails to see the pass, or is too one footed to play the pass, or, if his team mates are too slow to see the space.
ST
Your calculator must be doing overtime down under,
With respect do you only see Celtic in terms of pounds spent ?
I would still support the Celtic if the team was made up
of lads who were all born 30 miles from Celtic Park.
Partizan
This Barry Hughes
It’s beginning to make sence now.
O.G/ TR
Ki had a 100% success pass rate in one of the games at Ibrox last season. That’s right, in the modern Scottish game in it’s much maligned form, every pass he made went to a player in green and white. Extraordinary, it really is.
However, he tends to be a tidy player ad opposed to a productive one. As you say far too many passes go backwards or sideways. For me he’s not creative enough.
Now here’s a thought. What about trying McCourt in that role?
G64
Aye, today has been a good day :>)
TET
That’s the one.
Over on RTC there is a link to his landlord. I’ll leave it there, but enough to make you go ‘Wow’
TET
Let’s hope there are more to come mi amigo.
HH
Lenny,must realize the awful Truth..noo.
Broonie, should no be uppermost in his mind..when he sits
doon..tae mak his Team Selection.
He should always go with his maist successful Line-up
And .. In MA opinion..
Lenny, should pick this team fur oor next game..
NO MAITTER WHO IS THE COMPETITION.. he should ALWAYS
pick..his Maist Successful Line-Up.. barring injuries.. which goes withoot
saying,of course..
Oor best Line-Fur oof Next Game..’
Ah bet ye arer Jist DYING TAE FIND OOT?
Wee.. here it is.. folks
Forster
Matthews Izzy
Rogne Mulgrew
Forrest Wanyama Ki Ledley Commons
Gary and Stokesy.
Kojo
Smiing like the cat who goat the cream.
Still frozen,great result despite indifferent performance.
Well done FF and Broonie who worked his socks off,subs done well and I think Commons is due a start.
Surprised Neil did not anticipate Imrie as a right wee nyaff causing problems as I thought Ledley was exposed throughout and Ki appearing in what was always going to be a battle,plus adverse conditions, was a surprise ( to me ).
That apart Referee was dire and the Stand side linesman was so poor it was laughable,as I was directly behind him at the penalty and offside ( in enemy territory ) and he did not want to know despite clear evidence,no blocking of his view.
All in all a great day,given other results.
Kojo
Ki and no Sammi ?
hamiltontim at 22:15
I’ve thought that too. And Paddy did it a couple of weeks ago when he was played deeper (and got slagged of on here for his contribution). He has a gift to see passes as well as playing them and produced three (I think) that were Hoddle-esque in their ambition and execution. Sublime, in other words
Partizan
What time frame is the post ?
great to see KC back in the thick of it today
Kojo,
We’ll hump emdy wae 12 men.
Kojo 10.19 I like your idea of playing 12 in the team but rules is rules and we have to stick with 11.
G64
Got a feeling there will be many more good days this season, and that’s without thems going Phut :>))))