Callum McGregor would have started the scoring on 65 seconds if he got his shot away a fraction earlier, but it was the intelligence of Patrick Roberts after 5 minutes that started the party. He laid the bait in front of Newco’s Beerman, showed him enough of the ball to convince the left back to attempt an interception.
At that moment, Patrick conjured up his version of the Missing Lady. Before Beerman could make contact, the ball was gone, replaced by Robert’s limbs. Referee John Beaton took his time before awarding the kick. Conditioned by an earlier refusal to give a stonewall penalty to Celtic, we thought the worst, but the award was made and Scott Sinclair rolled the ball into the corner of the net.
Leigh Griffiths unleashed a lethal shot for the second. Stuart Armstrong won possession off Hyndman, when he really shouldn’t have. Goalkeeper, Fotheringham, got a hand to the shot, but, in a moment symptomatic of Newco’s entire play, he didn’t have the steel to divert the shot from goal.
Scott Sinclair will be exhilarated today, but on the odd occasion he’ll ponder why he didn’t help himself to a hat-trick yesterday. He squandered two great chances, one after a Griffiths shot from 18 yards rebounded off the crossbar.
Measuring a manager is difficult as there are so many other variables go into a club’s season, but if you want to judge Brendan Rodgers, take a look at Callum McGregor. He opened Celtic’s account in the second half, six days after scoring the first against Newco at Hampden. This season, Callum has emerged as a tidy and skilful central midfielder. So much of our play is dependent on the speed of thought and movement he brings to the game.
Dedryck Boyata scored the fourth, a header from a whipped Griffiths free-kick. This act was superfluous to the big man’s imperious performance. He simply won everything that came within his considerable reach. More evidence of his manager’s ability to improve players, teams, leagues and the mood of a nation.
I doubt Dedryck’s partner, Jozo Simunovic, required a shower after the game. He strolled through the occasion. Really good defenders are not called to defend too often. They simply know where to go to inhibit or intercept. This was Jozo’s game, apart from a simply stunning tackle on Kenny Miller. He swooped like an eagle picking up a field mouse, making a surgical contact with the ball and clearing the danger.
This brought a period of utter nonsense on the Sky Sports commentary, where we were told Jozo’s “speed” should have been penalised with a foul. I can only assume parallel universes exist, in another, fast players are not allowed. We were also told that Jozo went in “with two feet”. He didn’t, one knee was bent, foot under his gluteus maximus.
We are at a stage where television is asking for fouls when Celtic bring genuine world-class football to Scotland. Make no mistake, this tackle was of Beckenbauer standard. Mr Walker, take a look at yourself.
We lost our shape around five minutes before Newco’s late consolation. The players are not robots, fatigue may well have crept in, and the occasion was getting to all of us, but fortunately Mikael Lustig had a plan.
You remember that moment in Escape to Victory, when Bobby Moore is talking tactics, and Pele picks up the chalk and says, “Give me the ball and I’ll go here, here, here and here, the score”, while meandering across the blackboard. Mikael must have watched that movie as a child, and some long dormant neurons, which were protecting the memory, sprung into life.
That’s pretty much what Mikael did.
They were absolutely brilliant, every single one of them. But let me assure you, this really is just the beginning. 12 of the 13 Celtic players who touched the ball yesterday were at the club last season. Wait until you see what Brendan does when he makes the squad his own.
Newco surrendered. They looked like they didn’t want to be there. By the end, not many of their fans were.
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CorkCelt, feel free to spread that one around:-)
As JJ points out, yours was a cracker!
We could take it further of course, their grandchildren will be talking about it!
Because they will be Celtic supporters;-)
StillsmilingfromeartoearCSC
CowieBhoy, so will John Higgins:-)
Wonderful performance yesterday in great company with Almore, Timbhoy05 and many happy Celts. Every player was exceptional and it was evident early on that players were told to back each other up. Also late into the second half they were closing down their players in their own 18 yard line; as a result they were happy to kick ball away to get rid of it inevitably to a Celt. Spent yesterday and today reading and enjoying all the marvelous posts.
Jamesgang, feel guilty about not getting back to you after the Dublin 1916 event. I have a great picture which I can forward on to you. I will be over for cup final and will be happy to buy you a pint or 2 when over.
Cloghercelt hope to visit Dowth cemetery next week to see the Plaque to John Boyle O’Reilly. I shall forward on pictures to you. KTF
Cathach
Moonbeams,
Sorry its taken me so long to get back to you.I never saw the post.OK,we are convinced,I am a Tim.
I am a crabbit faced bassa.I admit that..I am terrible.Funny thing is,i am in total agreement with most of your posts.Especially ,on Paddy.
Lets just say we got off on a bad foot,and agree we are 100% behind the Hoops,and I hope we can now be friends inn the Hoops cause.
I dont want to fall out with anyone on here,but as I said,I am a right crabbit bassa.As many will OK on here.
My 1 love is Celtic,never has faltered,never will.
We are now friends in Celtic,is that OKwith you?.
Put up with my “Crabitness”.
CATHACH on 30TH APRIL 2017 5:32 PM
Give me a shout when your over for the Final. I’ll be in Javea 23rd to 26th May. When do you go back after the final?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Yet another player diving/ throwing themselves to the deck to win a penalty in an EPL game today.
This is getting endemic in football – roll on Video Technology.
A midfield to take us into the CL again this year.Broony,Armstrong,Mc Gregor,Eboue.We have the firepower up front.We have the best defence we can afford.
Lets have a go at it.We really dont want anyone coming in to upset the balance.
The shout to sign players should take a back seat this year.
Let this team have a go.We are a team.playing like one,so why not.
Cowie
6-2 has been a favourite scoreline of mine for years now.
1-5 is my preferred scoreline now. :)
I dont want to look back,but did Madden give the penalty?If he did,did he look at the replay on TV.Beaton took his decision from Madden.The linesman was saying nothing.
Did Madden see it from his position,or did he use TV evidence?
we cant have enough good players, so if Brendan want to put his mark on the team than I can only see anyone he brings in as an improvement on who he wants to replace and increase competition for places improving the standard across the board.
I’ve got a pal who at the start of every season bets every game 5-1 says the odds are always better such that it only takes a couple of results to cover the total outlay and has never ended a season down. Though next season I expect that might change.
Turkey,
Don’t care, penalty lol
HH
Just watching Sportscene and the third goal I shall make an obvious and almost certainly unoriginal observation.
James Tavernier does terrible mermaid impersinations.
Jimbo67
Sportscene was good fun, just a bit more of pouring on the agony, lovely.
Really good to hear that the Orcs are now hoping Mike Ashley will ride to their rescue.
Yes, a man with a really poor public perception of his listed company will be desperate to align that brand with one of the most toxic sporting brands in the UK?
Aye right, jog on ya fuds.
When was the last time Celtic were given a penalty kick at the Copeland rd end ?
What a week,eh. In fact, what a season and what a manager we have in Brendan. These guys come once or twice only in a generation. We should be so thankful, to him, the board and of course the players.
Not since Brian Clough I think have man management skills been so obvious. He could probably make me a star defender. I could have played yesterday and we’d still have one.
Great times indeed to be a CELTIC supporter, great times. So, enjoy it.
Saddo that I am, I’m not sure if I’m happier to see us so dominant or to watch that disease suffer, that is a tough one to call.
Hail Hail
KINGLuBO ( and a million wee smiley things)
Windass should have been sent off yesterday, the first tackle was a strong yellow and then he pulled back Roberts when we were about to break away. It should have been a 2nd yellow. Watching it back, only Lustig seems to pick up on it from the players on the park.
ANGELGABRIEL on 30TH APRIL 2017 6:24 PM
When was the last time Celtic were given a penalty kick at the Copeland rd end ?
——
Probably Alan Thompson, 2003 or 04.
OOps sorry.. One should be won, eejit or whit!!!!!
KoJo my auld pal, hope you watched the game from your Vegas mansion
KINGLuBO
sevco brand
ˈtɒksɪk/Submit
adjective
1.
poisonous.
“the dumping of toxic waste”
synonyms: poisonous, venomous, virulent, noxious, dangerous, destructive, harmful, unsafe, malignant, injurious, pestilential, pernicious, environmentally unfriendly; More
2.
FINANCE
denoting or relating to debt which has a high risk of default.
“toxic debts”
noun
1.
poisonous substances.
https://thecelticblog.com/2017/04/blogs/someone-has-to-put-a-stop-to-the-howling-hatred-in-the-ibrox-stands/
Hi Bhoys
Regards the pen yesterday just watching the highlights again and after Pat goes down the camera goes on Beaton and you can clearly read his lips saying Bobby. So he only awarded the pen on the Madhun’s say so.
KEEP THE FAITH
James Forrest
On all the video footage, there has not been a policeman in sight, from that clown entering the pitch to being shepherded back to the stand, it may be a policeman coming down to meet him ? Not sure
But, surely FtSFA must act on the very very poor crowd control yesterday
Where the numbers right ? Why did it require 3 stewards from the opposite side of the pitch to come across ? Where were the police or stewards from where he entered ? They did not come on the pitch to protect Scott, it took 2 of his teams players to shepherd him of the pitch
And well done to the Ref who also stepped in
What action would be taken against any other team if such an incident took place ? Amateur or Junior.
Lots of question should be asked by Celtic for the protection of their players, many many questions to be answered
Well done Scott Brown on not reacting
Hail Hail
TTR 6.53pm
Cheers for that . Found it on you tube. Amarouso brought down Hartson . Converted by hunskelper Alan Thompson . April 2003 . Main memory of that game was the pre Seville celebrations . Btw Dallas was the referee . HH
Cathach,
Welcome Home!
I go up to Dowth quite a bit. The John Boyle O’Reilly statue is in the graveyard next to the Dowth Passage Tomb.
You are probably best to park outside the passage tomb and walk around the complex before walking down to the graveyard. It’s a lovely walk and free with 5,000 year old Neolithic artwork on show.
There was an Obelisk nearby which commemorated a battle a couple of hundred years ago but unfortunately it ‘collapsed in 1922’ in similar fashion to Sevco yesterday. :)
The ‘stub’ is still visible at Oldbridge, due east from Dowth on the Boyne.
http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000558723
http://www.historyireland.com/18th-19th-century-history/john-boyle-oreilly-moondyne-1878/
Tennis player Mnica Seles was stabbed during a match,and although she recovered
She was never the same
TALLYBHOY & BMCUWP
Good advice and many thanks!
Went to the lounge bar in the Lonsdale and had a great time!
Met and made some new friends so many thanks to Jim, Brian and Stuart if you are lurking!
Oh, and the Ice Cream Factory was a bit special too!
Thanks again!
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
COWIEBHOY:
Three stewards from the OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE PITCH?
Are you serious? WTF is going on there?
What a day…what a game…what a team…what a manager…what a hangover
Kikinthenakas
anybody seen the barry ferguson headline saying he’s not worried about md because wangers are building a squad – hilarious
Sinclair penalty, rangers fan on the park with stewards running across the pitch to assist.
https://youtu.be/4eAShxoXQ1c
Watching the game again for the third time, I want to point out Andy Walker’s incompetence – not bias, just basic incompetence. Let’s forget his analysis of Simunovic’s tackle,but on the 50th minute Kieran Tierney ran into their box, over-ran the ball, and it went out for a goal kick. A Sevco defender almost tackled KT about two yards away, yet Walker said KT “could have gone down” I.e. Dived.
On our Boyata goal in the 64th minute, why nowadays doesn’t any defence do a Tony Adams/Steve Bould move of shouting “out” then all the attacking players are offside.
On Patrick Roberts, it looked like he was very disappointed coming off. We obviously cannot break our wage structure to keep him, but he has something about him that I like.
Anyway, still got Lustig’s goal to come, so I’m signing off now – see most of you in Lisbon.
Angelgabriel
Copeland Rd End?
Sammi scores 2011
HH
TTR- Correct , a 2nd yellow for Windass, i thought Madden gave pen , the linesman was disgraceful and bottled it.
PHIYLIS DIETRICHSON
On Patrick Roberts, it looked like he was very disappointed coming off. We obviously cannot break our wage structure to keep him, but he has something about him that I like.
………………………………………………………………………………..
You know this for sure?
Or is it made up pish?
I feel the press must once again take a portion of the blame for their irresponsible attempts to demonise our captain. They obviously didn’t learn any lessons from when they portrayed Neil Lennon as some sort of modern day snarling demon.
CATHEDRAL VIEW:
That footage is unreal. That guy WALKS PAST A STEWARD to get onto the park. The same steward watches him and does sod all. Then, and only then, with a cop charging down towards it and stewards from the other stand running across the pitch, does he bother his arse, and then to get the guy back into the stand.
That is incredible. That has to be investigated.
JAMES FORREST on 30TH APRIL 2017 7:36 PM
COWIEBHOY:
Three stewards from the OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE PITCH?
Are you serious? WTF is going on there?
———
Watch the game again, there are no stewards along the Sandy Jardine stand (far side) that can be seen on TV. When the incident happens stewards stand at that area for a few minutes then move on. It looks as though there are no stewards or police along a 100 yards stretch of the stadium. Astonishing and downright dangerous.
Celtic should be asking serious questions about player safety from yesterday…