REMEMBER, remember the five games of November. Celtic coasted through the month with a 100 per cent record, with 16 goals scored and four conceded.
The Hoops played in three different competitions, made European history with their 2-1 Europa League Group B success over Lazio in Rome – their first win in Italy at the 13th time of asking – made certain of a place in the Betfred League Cup Final on December 8 with a 5-2 romp against Hibs and picked up Premiership points with a 2-0 victory over Motherwell and a 4-0 triumph over Livingston, both at Parkhead.
They brought down the curtain on an enjoyable and eventful month with a 3-1 stroll against Rennes, once again in the east end of Glasgow.
THE LAST POST…Mohamed Elyounoussi squeezes a shot past Hibs keeper Chris Maxwell only for his effort to strike the upright. The on-loan Celt still managed to score a double as the holders romped to success.
Mohamed Elyounoussi made a two-goal impact in the rout of the Easter Road side with skipper Scott Brown also chipping in with a double. Callum McGregor got on the scoresheet, too.
James Forrest and Olivier Ntcham, with the winner in the fifth-minute of stoppage-time, were the goal heroes in the Italian capital while Odsonne Edouard and Richard Tait (og) made certain there was no slip-up against the Fir Park visitors three days later and Forrest (2), Edouard and Brown were the marksmen against Livi as the champions exacted revenge for the earlier defeat at the the cramped Lothian ground.
Rennes also perished in Paradise when Lewis Morgan, Ryan Christie and Mikey Johnston fired beyond overworked keeper Edouard Mendy for yet another evening of European celebration.
As ever, CQN‘s ace lensmen were there to capture the action. Here is the pick of the pics.
NUMBER ONE…Mohamed Elyounoussi heads Celtic in front against Hibs in the Betfred League Cup semi-final.
CHEERS…Mohamed Elyounoussi turns away in triumph as Odsonne Edouard prepares to join in the celebrations.
NUMBER TWO…Callum McGregor sidefoots Odsonne Edouard’s cross into the net.
HAMPDEN PARADISE…Callum McGregor celebrates his strike.
NUMBER THREE…Mohamed Elyounoussi snaps up another cross from the grounded Odsonne Edouard to give the Hoops a 3-1 half-time lead.
NUMBER FOUR…Scott Brown plays a captain’s role following his goal after a left-wing corner-kick. Kristoffer Ajer, Odsonne Edouard and Christopher Jullien join in.
NUMBER FIVE…Scott Brown thumps in the decisive goal with a low drive past the helpless Chris Maxwell.
HEAVENS ABOVE…Scott Brown looks skyward after claiming his second goal.
PYRAMID OF PLEASURE…Jeremie Frimpong joins in the happy throng with Celtic heading for another Hampden silverware showpiece shoot-out.
THE ITALIAN LOB…Olivier Ntcham dinks the ball over the Lazio keeper for the Hoops’ winner deep in stoppage time in Rome.
ROME SWEET ROME…Oliver Ntcham celebrates his historic strike.
THREE CHEERS…goalscorer Odsonne Edouard is congratulated by Callum McGregor and James Forrest after the opener against Motherwell.
ON THE RUN…James Forrest races at the Well rearguard.
HIGH AND MIGHTY…Fraser Forster confidently clutches a high ball.
UP AND AT ‘EM…Jeremie Frimpong throws his weight around.
THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT…Jeremie Frimpong and Odsonne Edouard are delighted after the second goal.
CAPTAIN CANNONBALL…Scott Brown zips in a low drive against Livingston – his THIRD goal of the month.
THE BROONY…the Celtic captain celebrates in time-honoured fashion with Odsonne Edouard about to join in.
EYES ON THE PRIZE…Odsonne Edouard watches as his shot sails into the Livi net.
HAPPY DAZE…James Forrest looks delighted with the first of his double against Gary Holt’s visitors.
JINKY JEREMIE…teenage full-back Jeremie Frimpong turns inside a befuddled Livi defender.
CAPTAIN TO THE RESCUE…Scott Brown arrives on time to help out fallen Lewis Morgan against Rennes.
GOOD CHRISTIE…goalscorer Ryan Christie celebrates the second goal against the Frenchmen.
BY THE LEFT…Leigh Griffiths fires in a low shot.
AIR RAID…Christopher Jullien gives the French defence a hair-raising moment.
YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE…the Celtic choir – with a little help from the visiting support – in full voice during the Rennes encounter.
TOMORROW: The best in words and pics from December.
