Want to Win 1- Dont want to lose 0

An hour before the game we were getting told old Magic Hat Mark had came up with a shock selection and thrown a total tactical curve ball into the mix by playing 2 right backs and changing the keeper..

Says a lot about Kieran Tierney when Warbs plays 2 right backs against him but lets be fair and say the change of keeper did indeed produce positive results for old “Please tell me Im good” Warbution as Matt Gilks had one of the games of his life. The keeper single handled and single legged tried to keep Celtic from breaking through but thankfully persistence ( and 2 dynamic subs!) paid off and a brilliant reverse backheel double nutmeg by Dembele saw the Hoops through after what had been quite an irritating afternoon up at the Mount Florida Masons HQ.

The result was 1-0 but in truth only 1 team went out to win the game and thankfully for the sake of us and the sake of football,  they did. Warbutons side seemed to be following a tactic of  “Just kill the game” as his side started playing for time from the very start and delayed every throw-in, and every goal kick lasted an eternity.

Kenny Miller seemed to be trying out his best “Pantomine Villian”  routine and  it was embarrasing to watch at times as he argued about anything and held then threw the ball away from Celtic players after fouls.No doubt of course being praised by the studio analysts for “holding Celtic”. Yeah its easy to hold a team by trying to stop the ball actually being in play. Genius Tactics!

As for Celtic, the stats ( thanks BBC) show we rained down on them but the final product just wasnt there today but we did get over the line so thinking positively, it was job done after a harsh football lesson midweek against BMG so well done for the team and management getting the result and booking that final place.

For the forwards there is a need for some extra shooting practise in training as we should have scored at least 4. For Brendan  there is a reminder to execute Plan B  earlier when its clear Plan A isnt fully working. It wasnt until the substitution of the slow and sideways Bitton and Rogic for the direct  and forward driving Armstrong and Griffiths that Celtic finally pulled away from the cloggers in blue.

Hopefully the final against Aberdeen will be a totally different game and both sides will attempt to win the Trophy rather than one side holding out for penalties. Then again Derek McInnes might have similar thoughts in mind so we better prepare ourselves for another long day awaiting that late winner yet again.

Ratings

 Gordon – 6

Nothing really to do in respect to saving goal attempts. Distribution could have been better and quicker.  I think it would be harsh to criticise the keepers punts up the park as we should have players who can bring the ball out from the back and save Gordon that annoying kicking routine which just kept gifting the ball back to the opposition.

Tierney – 6

Playing against 2 right backs was Warbs attempts to nullify any attacks from Tierney and while it wasnt Tierneys greatest game, he still got forward when possible and interestingly found his partner swapping from Sinclair to Forrest to Sinclair again through the game.

Jozo – 6

Solid at the back and made one good block from a Holt shot on goal in second half. The bringing the ball out from the back was rather limited though and too often it was sideways and back again but the whole side need to work on that area including movement of backs and midfielders.

Erik – 6.5

Gets and extra point for scoring a goal only for Craig the Mason, i mean Ref declaring Lee Wallace is a gentle flower who should never be brushed aside by anyone. Kept it simple and getting to be reliable and hopefully the partnership with Jozo will continue to blossom.

Lustig – 6

Found himself on the wrong side a few times as opponent tried ball over the top but stood up to the challenge wisely rather than diving in and giving the ref a decision to make. Mikel also tried to get up the park a few times to try and help in attack.

Bitton – 5

Sideways and pedestrian was never going to suit a game where the opponents were biting at the ankles. The Languid style is lovely when space and time is given but with every game lately more and more people getting exasperated with Nir’s contribution. Subbed for Armstong.

Broonie – 8

Captain Marvel. Ran about like he was full of Red Bull and never gave the opponents a moment and a truly inspirational performance, expecially in the first half. We could really just do with another one alongside.

Forrest – 6

A few chances at goal that went wide and played a great ball in first half that Lustig should have did more with in truth. While Forrest is doing okay and his fitness levels are impressing, he will be feeling Patrick Roberts breathing down his neck  as not currently making that clinical impact in final third.

Rogic – 5

One of those “Och!” Tom Rogic games. Seemed a bit off the pace and then when handed the ball at his feet right outside an open goal, Tom sadly took that half second too long and fluffed his shot. Tried a few runs along the 18 yard line and shooting but it just wasnt happening and was subbed for Griffiths and may well fear losing his starting position for Ross County midweek or up at Pittodrie.

Sinclair – 6

Could have scored a few today but for some great goal keeping from Gilks. Tried to drive forward but it was still one of those games were Sinclair would have done more to grab that game by the throat ( ala Broonie) as at times he just seems to drift out the game. Scott did seem to find his second wind and purpose when Griffiths came on so it might be that Rogic, Sinclair, Dembele triangle that needs looked at by Brendan as well as his good interaction with the drives of the positive Armstrong.

Dembele – 7

Up to Griffiths coming on, this was looking like a score of 5 for Dembele. He did play a great ball for Sinclair in the first half but a lot of the match saw him lose ball after ball to his opponent or end up on the deck looking at the ref. Then came the change and Dembele fell back a little and allowed Griff to drag the back line of the Opponents. Sure enough thats where the goal game from and the back heel was a brilliant piece of composure to double nutmeg a defender and the keeper  and the celebration was a joy to behold.

Subs

Armstrong – 7

Gets a high score for making a great impact and driving Celtic towards the finish line. Dynamic on and off the ball and made plenty happen when he appeared on the pitch. Will hope for a start at County or  Pittodrie but even if not next week, the chance will come after such great performances.

Griffiths – 7

The crowd cheered loudly when SuperLeigh stood on the sidelines awaiting the swap with Tom Rogic. I imagine inside our opponents hearts sank. Griff was soon dragging the game, this way and that and Lee Wallace is still wondering how he got into that space to drive the ball across for Dembeles goal. Should have scored near the end when through 1 on 1 with Gilks but tried a chip rather than hard drive. Booked for a curious moment when kicking the ball into the crowd when he seemed to think there was already one in play but when you watch Dembeles celebration, its lucky he didnt get booked for his “hibs tribute” celebration dive into the crowd so he wont mind that yellow!

Gamboa – 4

One for last few minutes, no chance to make an impact but helped close the game out.

Manager

 Rodgers – 7

During the game, up until 70 minutes of so, I admit I was cursing our Brendan. Everyone bar Broony had the ball going back, sideways, back, sideways and we were crying out for some direct attacks played through the middle on the ground. Warbs had decided to close down any midfield space and played a high defensive line which cramped the Celtic style and we hadnt taken any of the chances on offer while our star striker stood waiting on the sidelines.

All we seemed to have as a Plan B was Gordon punting the ball to a Moussa Dembele who did not seem to be enjoying his afternoon up against the aerial challenges of Hill and Kiernan. At half time, I hoped we would make the changes but Brendan kept his trust in his starting XI for another 15 minutes before making the executive decisions needed.

The introduction of Armstrong delivered the impetus needed and then bringing on Griffiths 10 minutes later closed the winning deal. Those two players changed the game from one in which we were dominant but blunt to one where we were dominant and driving down on goal.

Armstrong had and made some great chances and whilst he had the opponents heading backwards, more importantly he had fellow Celts, Sinclair and Dembele finally charging forward facing the goal rather than awaiting high and hopeful kick outs from Gordon.

Griffiths was that extra special touch that had the opponents totally bemused trying to understand his pace and movement whilst wondering where Dembele was now playing. They soon found out when Griffiths outside of the boot low drive was touched in by Dembele to rapturous applause and a big Brendan smile with a few minutes to go.

After a hard week, Im happy to say Well Done and allow the Manager and players to take on the lessons needing learnt after BMG and this game. More and more sides will try and curtail us in this nullifying fashion and  more players need to take ownership driving us forward and Brendan will have to look to make changes earlier, or even between games to keep our side fresh as well as keep the opposition guessing on whats coming next.

Bottom line is we are in the final thanks to the Manager and his personnel. Thats all we asked for before the game and its actually a positive that a few of our side have real competition for their places as over the next few intense weeks for the club, every player will need to be at the top of their game.