Well there you go!
What was all the fuss about?
Somehow we managed to find our football feet despite constantly shooting ourselves in the brightly coloured boots for at least a few weeks.
Rangers and Super Stevie, came, sat in, and got slapped down. Pure and simple.
I had a strange inkling that Stevie isn’t quite the Messiah painted by Media when before the game, I saw his 2 centre halves practising defending high straight balls . When have we ever played the high ball game under Brendan?
After a longer than normal Huddle, the Celtic side lined up and immediately went for the win.
Celtic were clearly up from the very beginning to the end and this was reflected the fans who were clearly pumped up with The Celtic Way full of excited supporters from 11am and fair play to the Celtic DJ/Media team who timed a perfect and emotive Walk On and cheers for the side and especially a massive cheer for Brendan Rodgers just before kick off.
Every Celtic player turned up and then some and the standouts would be Brown, Boyata, Tierney and Ntcham.
I would also cite special praise for Mikel Lustig and Calum McGregor. The two of them play just in front of my seat and I always keep a special eye on them each game. Lustig was facing the key Rangers attack in Kyle Lafferty and never hid or shirked getting stuck in. Lafferty was hardly in the game and Lustig actually went closer to scoring than the Northern Irish international did for the opponents.
McGregor meanwhile was charged with being the Duracell bunny up and down the pitch and covering so much space when needed. Calum constantly listened to Brendans guidance from the touchlines and he chased and harried when needed. He might not seem as glamourous as Ntcham but every McStay needs a Grant and all that.
The big winner though was clearly Rodgers. He picked a side, motivated them to perfection and his side obliged. Its clear the bond is restored between players, management and the fans.
We just need to close the circle with The Board members and all will be back to normal within Paradise. The issue regards the crush event is one where Peter Lawwell can step forward and restore some faith in him by the Celtic family.
And so to the Ratings/Reviews:
Gordon
One very good save from Morelos after he gave Boyata the slip. Gordon achieved another clean sheet and the only disappointment was the fact he didn’t run 90 yards to celebrate the goal..unlike last weeks goal by Boyata…but I can forgive that as he may have fallen asleep by that point.
Tierney
Really up for the challenge and some brilliant runs, turns, cut backs and crosses into the box. KT caused Rangers midfield and backline on their right hand side so many problems even when they tried hacking him down. Not much to do defence wise but cleared his lines where needed.
Ajer
In truth, Ajer is liable to be the man who drops out for the new guy Filip Benkovic from Leicester. Ajer had a decent game, stayed on his feet and made no mistakes. Sadly his participation in this one will mostly be remembered for being on the end of MacGregors boot after contesting a set piece.
Boyata
The Prodigal Son returneth. 3 games since the strop. 3 wins and 3 clean sheets.
Boyata won almost every ball, with Morelos only getting passed him once. Headed danger away when needed and also almost set up Lustig for a goal. The guys a class act.
Lustig
Often berated but sometimes the guys experience and courage is vital to our defence. Happy to take the ball from centre halves and centre mid and also happy to deal with the physical challenge from Lafferty, even when fouled and stamped on. Almost scored a few times including a good flashing header from a Griffiths corner. Will have come out of that game rejuvenated after a touch start following a busy summer.
Forrest
Hit the bar from 25 yards out. No I am not kidding. Cracking shot and a very good game after a slow start which saw James hogging the touchline but not really involved. Came right into it and was soon running at and across the rangers back line. Ran brilliantly and played a peach of a pass for the goal. A proper first team pick and no mistake.
Brown
As I said on Twitter yesterday. Football is simple. Until Rangers have someone who can outplay Broony then they will always be behind us. Crazily booked when Lafferty dived over him but didn’t let that subdue his game, if anything he used that to spur him on and make the boys in blue look even more slow and stupid. A wonderful leader for the Hoops.
Ntcham
Got all the headlines yesterday and easy to see why. Sometimes a player can look lazy when in fact they just see everything quicker than the rest of the guys on the pitch so they don’t act until the exact point necessary. Like a pigeon seeing a car in slow-mo and casually lifting off just as the car gets close. Ntcham can see any danger and also any space quicker than most. Olivier repeatedly found a colleague with the ball ( one pass to Edourd cut through 4 Rangers men) or droped an easy shoulder to leave an opponent standing. Mr Arfield for Rangers will still be wondering where he went during one hopeful tackle attempt. A wonderful run for the goal and almost a great 2nd with a run and shot that was pushed onto the bar by a prostrate McGregor.
McgGregor
Up and down and all around. Chased, harried and gave his all. A players player and a manager and fans delight. Not getting in as many scoring positions at present but that’s nowt to worry about, plenty of time for goals.
Rogic
Struggled to dance when on the ball for at least an hour and just when you think “Get him aff”..up steps Tam. He picked up the ball 70 yards out from goal and duly sprinted forward with the ball apparently glued to his boot. A perfect pass to Odsonne, a pass to Jamesy and a pass to Ntcham, and goal. All started by Rogic. Will find his scoring feet again soon enough.
Edouard
Was given the start and got involved where possible but will rue heading the ball straight towards McGregor after brilliant play down the left for Celtic. Still finding fitness and was never gonna last the full game and again another for whom the goals will come in time.
Subs
Griffiths
First touch was perfect corner kick onto Lustigs head for a near miss. Made space and hit a lovely shot that hit the post and also a powerful free-kick that was saved by McGregor. Great shift and really enjoyed the celebrations. Sharing the front position with Edouard might not be so bad after all.
Christie
Told he wasn’t getting a new contract next year but been used a good bit recently as a dynamic front running sub. Ran about well and almost stole the ball a ffew times as well as “winning” ( ahem diving!!) the free kick from which Griff nearly scored.
Sinclair
On to kill time as clock neared the very end
Manager
A wonderful day for Oor Brendan. Took everything that has been shite for our club upon his shoulders and kept his calm to produce a winning plan and his team executed it perfectly. Will have loved that result and will now have a few weeks to plan ahead and re-engage with his squad and prepare them for Europa League and the dour Autumn and Winter months ahead.
Fans
Special shout to fans who really showed their love for their club, players and manager. A really wonderful output and true hairs on back of your neck atmosphere.
Each and everyone delivered and Bravo to one and all.
Lets finish with a gag:
Knock Knock!
Who’s There?
Moussa Dembele!
Who gives a f*ck!
Desi,
I think you have captured it all!
I had the same feeling about Rogic and then he creates the goal.
No comments about the ref?
Rebus
I would be there all day.
All I kept thinking was that even with Willie Collum, we still beat them!
There is no “Old Firm”
I couldn’t add to your excellent summation, so lets take a look at Sevco. Ironic that they moved the parked bus further forward and got picked off with a wonderful example of counter attacking football. They do look tighter at the back, but with one exception, Tavnier, ok going forward but weak defensively. McGregor has always been a good goalie but has added assault to his armoury of being a fud. That’s two weeks on the trot that he has committed dangerous premeditated assault, if the Compliance Officer doesn’t act on the latest one, then some player is going to get seriously injured. His fellow super tuper Lafferty wears his bigotry on his studs, Morelos is cut from the same cloth and Jack has always been a sleekit piece of shit. There is a pattern emerging, its always been in Govan, but the proof was evident in Russia when two players were red carded. What can you add to Willie Collum that hasn’t been said before… often, three blind mince.
Mike, the precedent was set by Slippy after the carry on with Morelos and McKenna at Pittodrie earlier this season. In saying that they really need to do something with the officials, they’re terrible.
I agree completely Noel, its an affront to football, even the BBC have highlighted the assault, if the Compliance Officer doesn’t do something then, someone might take matters into their own hands…
On another subject Noel, the story of Ireland continues tonight on BBC4 @ 9.00pm.
As for Celtic.. listen. 😉
https://youtu.be/jNbQ7d0pD60
Apart from all of the above…I feel your love Desi but think PL’s love for this game is superior. Being hung only days before but we don’t really care now do we.? In the scheme of things it is three points we should have expected to get against a lower team ( two as Big Jock used to say). It is though the psychological advantage both for our players and us as fans. Ralph mentioned it last week before Hamilton that the next three games were important and we have completed that part well. I still think we can pull away and put distance between us and all of them then totally cement it in January in preparation for July.
Colonel White says “Spectrum is Green.”
Agree guys big week successfully negotiated,maybe the transfer window finished better than it looked it was going to.
Calum McGregor has been our most consistentl player over the last two seasons, I was standing next to him when we came back from Milan, quite small guy but very very pleasant, nothing big graded. Compared to the Maestro now that is a compliment!
I think Sevco are better organised than under Pedro or Warbs maybe not that much more than McMurty but McGregorvwascskways a good keeper, Gerrard should take him and the two Celtic cross bars out for a drink, or stopped a real doing.
Boyata out!
Class act my bawz!
Yeah that’s right, let’s all rally round a player who basically shat on the club from a great height….not for me & i’ll not change my opinion of him, he’s a fucking snake who should be out the door!
And he will be, after his new 5 year contract.
Ajer will make way for Benkovic?
Really?
I assume that was a typo!
Benkovic is a defender, a natural defender, Ajer is a midfielder who is being manipulated into believing he is a defender.
When you play against quality strikers Ajer will be less confident in his defensive abilities than Benkovic.
CBN,
Have you played football or spend all day with opta?
Scottish Football:
It`s that,that that shouldn’t be though,though it`s tough, for though.
h
Knock Knock!
Who’s There?
Moussa Dembele!
He`ll have a skelf on his arse.
Desi,
where is this seat that Lustig and McGregor play just in front of ?
Are you so in the with the bricks at Celtic that they allow you to change satnds at half time ? Lol !
IF I was a betting man I would guess your seat in the Auld Yins stand with the camel coats and Jaguar motors brigade !
If your a North Stand punter then please accept my apologies !
San Miguel,
Having met Desi, i’d definitely have him in with the prawn sandwich brigade 🙂
Stands !
Apologies , my spelling and grammar is shocking in that post !
San Miguel,
Don’t apologise for a spelling mistake or two….we won’t pick you up for that….cough.
Knock, knock.
Who’s there.
Dembele. Let me in or I’ll call you a liar
and then you’ll have to let me in.
(Door remains shut)
Just stick the boot into the up.
If a Celtic player turns when he`s had enough,I expects 10 behind him.
Great summary. Has it been confirmed that Christie has been told there will be no new contract for him at Celtic?
I have not heard that Christie is not being considered for a new contract Yoker, I would be surprised if that was the case, but who knows. The Dons are missing him big time and if we continue in January to be linked with McKenna (which I doubt) then he could surely be part of any swap deal. He faces a lot of competition to play regularly for Celtic.
Heard this before (was it also Desi?) but seems odd that this would be the case, as if you could’ve punt him then you’d simply let him go.
Wouldn’t’ve thought he have any resale value in January but any opportunity he gets he needs to take to try to win a new contract.
Mike,
When was the last time you heard anything? 🙂
I know that Sunderland were very interested in taking him on loan and there was even talk of them buying him but it came to nothing in the end with no detailed information published on that outcome. Being used as a makeweight in Jan for McKennma could be possible. He’s still handy for us at the moment, however, as a false no 9 as we only have two recognised strikers for the time being.
I agree that the McKenna deal will be unlikely though as I think only an English club might be willing to pay the kind of money that the sheep are demanding for him.
McKenna isn’t a £6m player in my opinion.