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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Kieran Tierney
“In the stands or on the park it doesn’t matter, so long as Celtic are winning”.
Great read about a brilliant day!
Here is my piece on how Sevco can improve [NB it takes the piss…]
“How Sevco Can Dominate Scottish Football”
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2017/04/30/how-sevco-can-dominate-scottish-football/
When you have “volunteers” orcs doing the stewarding, you are going to get trouble,
Penalties given at the Copland road end of the bigot den….. Not sure
But most blatant that was never given was Neil Francis “chopped down” not sure what Lenny was doing that far up the park, but a total joke
Hope John Higgins manages to triumph am sure the Cross Keys in Wishy will have took in a few quid from Saturday lunchtime till hopefully the winning black the morra
Hail Hail
MWD
I counted two close to us, it’s a regular occurrence at away grounds.
THECLUMPANY
That piece cannot be praised highly enough,absolutely brilliant!
HH
On the “volunteer stewards” am sure it’s the same as the “stewards” for al their walks, another get out for them not paying bills…….
Better go “line of duty” now on
MartinCompstonCSC
My da used to think Gerard would hamper my job chances, Tims are everywhere these days, I applaud the schooling :-)
HT 9.01pm
On Sky when KT was getting his man of the match award the guy asking the questions says..
“last time here you were in with the Celtic support, today your man if the match, how does that feel ?”
KT… “just the same”
Brilliant
TT you are right.
Celtic are going to get a lot Stronger though.
Pass & Move with speed. Faster.
When Xavi was making Barcelona the best Team ever, he passed and moved so sharp and crisply. Noone could Live with Barca then. He was the Main Man, even though most would say Messi.
Brendan – Rockin’ & Rolling.
:))
FAN-A-TIC on 30TH APRIL 2017 8:35 PM
Did the hun who ran on park get arrested?
In the video it only looks like he was returned to the stand.
He had the option of 4 years in Barlinnie or watch the rest of the game.
He starts his “Time”Tomorrow.
LEFTCLICKTIC
Way before Sevco did it, Partick Thistle initiated a ‘ volunteer stewarding ‘ scheme. It was heavily criticised
in SMSM and by the local authorities.
The help your club by being a steward and still see ‘the Gers’ campaign was lauded in a well known Glasgow Evening Paper.
We’ve seen similar abuse twice this season at Tynecastle.
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 30TH APRIL 2017 9:07 PM,
Saving up “The line of duty”.Like to watch them all in a couple of sittings.Wee Martin is brilliant.
Kouassi is watching Broonie play the best fitba of his career.
Outstanding.
ok ok
Happy Daze.
Gerry, Shaun Maloney , twice , around 11 or 12 years ago .
He was booked for simulation as was Mark Wilson later in the same game.
With regard to the stewards or no stewards in front of the Jardine stand , the same could be said this season at Tynecastle when Mikael had the match ball flung at him.
The board may have their reasons for not commenting on some issues in Scottish football but they should be vocal re the safety of our players from opposition fans.
I think its time someone at the top of our club,needs to go on Radio Clyde and Sportsound,that enough is enough,of.Celtic players, being singled out,to which leads up to the sevco supporter changeling Scott Brown
Gerryfaethebrig
I saw him at every away game while he was out injured. Celtic to the core.
And go to the Media,to and threating them also,the days of Celtic Bashing is finished,if it doesn’t stop,then they will all be barred, from Celtic park,and there will be no, information coming from all Celtic Football Club , Employees
The pitch invader was certainly taken out of the stadium but I don’t know if he was lifted.
It is illegal to have unregistered Stewards anywhere.Must be “Badged”.So many “health an Safety “rules which must be learned.An exam required.For example,a female ,causing a disturbance.How to handle her.”Oohhh Matron,but you know what I mean.Totally illegal for the Huns to be doing this,if this is the case.
From Dangerous Mader
Believe it or not there is intelligence that some mad muslims are threatening to ram down a street at a major sporting event – they couldve done that to me after the game yesterday – i wouldnt have bothered my arse!
:-@)))
MWD
Eventually the hangover begins to clear.
Majestic performance from the Bhoys.
I reckon another couple of goals would have been the end for Pedro.
Early night tonight.
HH
HAMILTONTIM on 30TH APRIL 2017 9:22 PM
The pitch invader was certainly taken out of the stadium but I don’t know if he was lifted.,
Well,there was a wall there,HT.Unless they just threw him over it.Which brings me back to the point of,Health and Safety.
Sevco are struggling. I couldn’t care less.
Eboue Kouassi – You go and Rock the SPFL young Dude.
I know Broonie will hope you make it hard for him to get back in.
Leaders appearing now.
SA, SB, ML, KT, CG
He got nicked
“A 23-year-old man has been arrested after a fan ran on to the pitch to confront Celtic captain Scott Brown during the Old Firm match at Ibrox.”
BBC
Turkeybhoy
It’s not shown on any footage I’ve seen but he was definitely taken from his seat.
Starry
Ahhhh thank you :-)
HT 9.19pm
Think KT’s girlfriend is from this neck of the woods, young nephew’s pal is really friendly and KT has been brilliant signing stuff for my nephews wee daughter (15) everybody loves the wee mhan, and as you say Celtic to the core, only way we will lose him if it’s stupid money, I think given the choice he will never leave…….but it’s easy for us to say that
Still love the fact him & Broony short sleeves in any weather at training they just love their jobs, by the way KT was seemingly gutted his sponsors have made him wear green boots as he always wore black boots, doesn’t agree with fancy coloured boots, that might just patter in the pub
Turkeybhoy…. Me & the Mrs very rarely watch the telly but the other week the wee yin was staying with my sister so watched first 3 episodes of Line of Duty so sticking with it, Martin Compston had the chance to do acting or a chance of a contract with Morton, by all accounts if it was Celtic he would have chucked the acting, I think the millionaire actor made the correct decision, he looked like one of the most serious players in the world in the Stan Petrov game
Saw your post earlier, we are all grumpy on here, this is our Celtic grumpy outlet :-)
Gamesmanship by Higgins there. haha
HAMILTONTIM
I hope they dubbed him up with 12 Tims:))
A jury of your peers:))
UTLR
Winnersville Central.
Right folks, controversial, but let’s get an 1888 club together to start buying up Ibrox season tickets. Think next sevco derby =)
Wise as an owl.
Selby will be better tomoz, but it’s been a great shift, hopefully it’s enough
What a Shot.
I think Steve Davis is a quality pundit.
Starry
That only happens in Edinburgh!!! :-)
Perfecto Break.