What looks like fine margins are actually chasms between Celtic and Newco

191

If you’re my age, you’ve seen Oldco and Newco lose hundreds of goals to Celtic. In all that time, can you recall as amateurish a goal to concede as yesterday’s? We all thought we’d see the worst of them when they came to Celtic a month ago. Davies and Souttar made individual errors that were bad enough, but in all my football watching life, I’ve never seen a defence switch off anticipating a foul against them that was never awarded, then compond that error so spectacularly.

When Callum McGregor took a short free kick for Celtic, the Newco defence and midfield were all in place. Kent, Rankin, Lundstram and Arfield were goal-side, behind them were four defenders and the keeper. Only Cantwell and Morelos were ahead of the ball.

Kent was ball-watching, so allowed a pass to Matt O’Riley. Raskin body checked O’Riley on the edge of the area and remarkably stood still with his hands in the air in a Surrender pose. Daizen Maeda was between Davies and Barasic, both were on their heels. Maeda was in front of Barasic before the defender understood what his job was.

At this point, Davies, still on his heels, decides to chastise Barasic, with a rapid clap of the hands, then outstretching his arms, expressing despair at his team-mate’s lapse – he made no positive contribution. Maeda took a touch then whipped in a cross. During this part of the move, Davies remains a spectator, guarding no one. Goldson is marking Kyogo and repeatedly glances at the striker, as good defenders know to do.

The Newco defence is in a fairly straight line, with Tavernier picking up Jota at the far post, but unlike Goldson, Tavernier does not look to see where Jota is once, he focuses on the ball. When Maeda crosses, Jota is a yard behind Tavernier but he’s already on the move, Tavernier, like the thousands of fans behind him, is just watching.

Jota meets the ball four yards from goal, between the posts and does not even have to jump. As Jota runs away to celebrate, Goldson turns to his captain in despair. It was a fairly even game, so it may look like small margins determined the outcome, but this was no small margin. There was only one team on the field capable of conceding that goal. Newco dominated the middle of the park for long periods, but Celtic have a far better defence and attack. There are no awards for unproductive possession.

Reo Hatate returned for his first outing in six weeks and his performance never reached the levels we saw before his injury. Callum McGregor was often crowded out, resulting in a few unaccustomed errors. We did not look solid in the middle until Aaron Mooy bedded into the game after coming on as a second half substitute. It was not pretty in the middle, but it sure was effective.

Tavernier could not have come closer to scoring when his effort from the edge of the area rebounded off the inside of the post, resulting in a Groundhog Day moment for Fashion Sakala. When the teams met at the League Cup Final in February, Sakala had an open goal from a tight angle but hit the side net. Yesterday, when the ball rebounded off the post, Sakala was presented with the same chance, at the same end of the ground. Just as he did in February, he again hit the side net. All players miss great chances but good ones tend not to double down.

Cameron Carter-Vickers took Man of the Match award, although it could just as easily went to Daizen Maeda, who continues to grow as a Celtic player. Special mention to Anthony Ralston, who before yesterday had only made one appearance in 2023. Everything about him was on-point.

Congratulations, Celtic, on a great win. And I think we’ve all seen enough of Inverness in the Scottish Cup to have none of this talk about the treble until it’s done.

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  1. Jimmy I checked but not saying if game is live its just the schedule.

     

     

    D :)

  2. Hard to believe its three years!

     

     

    Rest in peace Helen.

     

     

    HT, don’t be a stranger.

     

     

    God bless.

  3. BELMONTBRIAN on 1ST MAY 2023 8:13 PM

     

     

    BRRB

     

     

    I see that the Bo’ness carnaptious one is back on the blog. :) :)

     

     

    —————————————–

     

     

    Who asked you anyway??

     

     

    :-)

  4. BRRB

     

     

    Enjoy yer trip and don’t drink too much!

     

     

    It’s bad fur yer helth,

  5. DAVID66 on 2ND MAY 2023 9:34 AM

     

    Jimmy I checked but not saying if game is live its just the schedule.

     

    ……………….

     

     

    Sky wouldnt LIST any game if it was NOT LIVE .

     

     

    I have used that SKY schedule for ages and it is LIVE Games that they are advertising….Trust me Mate.

     

    LOL

     

     

    HH

  6. BIGRAILROADBLUES on 2ND MAY 2023 10:20 AM

     

    Phil

     

     

     

     

    I’m in Dublin, not fecking rehab.

     

    ……………..

     

    Funny that the word REHAB is an ANAGRAM for ” HE BAR”…

     

    Yer a ” HE”….and you are in a ” BAR”.

     

     

    Just an observation Mate.

     

    LOL

     

    Have a great time…just dont get the Jail at your age.

     

    LOL

     

     

    HH.

  7. Over on FF they have a thread about players who played for us but supported them and vice versa. The usual names are there like Dalglish, McGrain, Alfie Conn, Provan, McLeod etc. and more up to date with the likes of Greg Taylor.

     

     

    Here’s a shocker, Scott Arfield was a Celtic fan. Hard to believe, eh?

     

     

    Someone also claims that Calmac’s dad played the flute in one of their fine marching bands.

  8. My friends in Celtic,

     

     

    Many of us asked for more integration within the Celtic family.

     

     

    Our ghirls take on Glasgow City in a crunch league game on May the 11th.

     

    This game has now been moved to Parkhead and Season Tickets are eligible to maximise crowd potential.

     

    The GB and North Curve have all been moved to the Jock Stein stand.

     

     

    I am aware that Ladies football is not for everyone, but it’s good to see Celtic PLC being pro active.

     

     

    HH, our journey’s continue.

  9. I had heard that Greg Taylor had grown up supporting them. I would say he has had a complete conversion. He would be one of my first picks especially against them.

  10. Scott Brown used to go to Ibrox for midweek games if he didn’t have a Hibs game.

     

     

    Now there is a complete conversion.

  11. The Onlooker on

    DENIABHOY on 2ND MAY 2023 10:44 AM

     

    Here’s a shocker, Scott Arfield was a Celtic fan. Hard to believe, eh?

     

     

    ==================

     

     

    I can confirm that … he was a school friend of my son, i took him to Celtic Park a couple of times when my other son couldn’t go.

     

    A very polite and well mannered young lad…

     

    ( no tattoos at that time 😀)

     

     

    The Onlooker

  12. Callum McGregor may not win player of the year, but he is without doubt Celtic person of the year.

     

     

    What a brilliant captain and ambassador for the club he is turning out to be.

     

     

    Is exfluted a word, I prefer treble flute 🤣🤣🤣

     

     

    HH.

  13. Belated Birthday Wishes to DANNY MACGRAIN.

     

     

    Just ONE of CELTICs FINEST Players…EVER.

     

    Whit a Player Danny was.

     

     

    HH.

  14. Greenpinata

     

     

    How many ladies games have you attended this season?

     

     

    Your a champion of the womans game by your posts

     

     

    HH

  15. DENIABHOY on 2ND MAY 2023 11:01 AM

     

    Scott Brown used to go to Ibrox for midweek games if he didn’t have a Hibs game.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Now there is a complete conversion.

     

    ………….

     

    Many of us will remember the Hun fans singing to the Hibs fans at Eater Road….” WE’RE GONNY TAKE SCOTT BROWN”…

     

     

    How did THAT work oot for the Huns ?

     

    LOL

     

    HH

  16. Deniabhoy

     

     

    Re Liverpools Jota head kick,a defo red I seen the footage now.

     

     

    HH

  17. AT,

     

     

    Unfortunately I’m away on May 11th.

     

     

    I did say that the Ladies game is not for everyone, but Celtic are recognising it’s transformed status..

     

     

    I’m afraid my indulgence is limited to the box, however if games are going to be on the ST then yes I would probably attend some.

     

    I could definitely see me driving up on nice day / evening.

     

     

    HH.

  18. AT,

     

     

    I will pose you a question.

     

     

    On CQN we’re all champions of the Celtic men’s team.

     

     

    How many posters / lurkers actually attend games on a regular basis ?

     

     

    Do you have to attend to champion our team ?

     

     

    HH.

  19. THE ONLOOKER on 2ND MAY 2023 11:03 AM

     

    DENIABHOY on 2ND MAY 2023 10:44 AM

     

     

     

     

    Here’s a shocker, Scott Arfield was a Celtic fan. Hard to believe, eh?

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ==================

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I can confirm that … he was a school friend of my son, i took him to Celtic Park a couple of times when my other son couldn’t go.

     

     

     

     

    A very polite and well mannered young lad…

     

     

     

     

    ( no tattoos at that time 😀)

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The Onlooker

     

     

    ————–

     

     

    I salute your inclusivity

  20. GREENPINATA on 2ND MAY 2023 10:51 AM

     

    My friends in Celtic,

     

     

    Many of us asked for more integration within the Celtic family.

     

     

    Our ghirls take on Glasgow City in a crunch league game on May the 11th.

     

    —–

     

    I’ve watched several of the games this year and previously. We have two Chinese girls. One of them, Shen Menglu, is a cracking wee player. Very fast and good control. Just to confuse us, the other girl is Shen Mengyu. I think the women’s game, at the top level, can be a decent watch. Hopefully, the Celtic girls continue their upward trajectory.

  21. Saint Stivs – Amazing. Did he have the pimp swagger back then? I also wondered if he saluted when scoring before going to Ibrox or was that a pandering to the mob action?

  22. Greenpinata

     

     

    Fair play to you if you go to woman’s game and support it.i don’t.i feel the football has a bit to go,and a lot of organic growth has still to occur.

     

     

    I feel for Glasgow City and other woman’s club who struggled for years to keep woman’s football alive,now established clubs like ours are in there.where were they few years back?

     

     

    Re your 11.24 questions

     

     

    We are all champions of Celtic.

     

     

    I think on a global forum like this to be an attendee at a Celtic game is an absolute privilege when you read posts from US/Aus/far East of guys steeped in Celtic,you can only say its down to Geography,as I know that those Celts would be in attendance if they were in or around Glasgow.Does that make me a better Celt than those who don’t attend- nope,

     

     

    I haven’t been to a woman’s game for 15 years,I thought you’d be a regular as you champion it,do carry on it needs it.and get along when occasion arises

     

     

    HH

  23. That FF “players who used to be supporters” thread is another bat-shit made up urban myth level non-sensical daftness of hysterical proportions.

     

     

    My favourites are McGregors dad was a flute player in the orange band.

     

     

    and yet the kid was training in Celtic academys from the age of 7.

     

     

    ————–

     

    McGregor has spoken of the influence that the late Tommy Burns had on him as a young footballer, stating that Burns had always indicated his belief that McGregor would be the next successful product of Celtic’s youth academy. McGregor particularly cites a conversation with Burns as a 13-year old as staying with him throughout his whole career, where he urged him to match his ability with the correct attitude and a desire to prove himself.[7]

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