Sunday 18th August and so it was that Celtic faced Hibs for the 2nd of 2 successive games against our Edinburgh cousins.
The last one was a 2-0 win which saw a bright start and an easing down towards the finish.
This game too would be a 2 goal difference between the sides on the score-line but the easing down started about 20 minutes in for the League Cup encounter.
Lets not be too harsh though. It was a very professional job from a Celtic side that really really impressed for the first 20 minutes.
A 20 minutes led by the hero that is Daizen Maeda. Maeda, all blonde hair, black beard and NO moustache!, was playing through the middle in place of Kyogo who was recovering from a fall on his shoulder back at Easter Road in the previous games against the Hibbees. Poor Hibs…Maeda, assisted by Nicholas Kuhn and Reo Hatate ran them an absolute riot.
Maeda is usually out wide or pressing high for us but every now and again we get to see just why he is chosen to play centre forward for Japan. Against Hibs on a bright and windy Sunday, it would take him approximately 4 minutes before he had scored for Celtic and settled all our tiny nerves without our talisman Kyogo.
A lovely pass from Kuhn to Hatate on the right allowed a recharged Reo to pull his low drive back across the 6 yard line where Billy Whizz Maeda slid in to send the ball up and over the keeper via a knock off the defender lunging in about 0.5 seconds after the Japanese whizz had long won the 5 yard chase. Maeda would then get his second about 12 minutes later when Kuhn out wide on the right touchline, took a quick look up and expertly sent a wonderful 30 yard pass into the channel for the chasing Maeda to outrun the defence and Daizen then bravely charged on and lifted the ball over the advancing Hibs keeper for Celtic to go 2-0 ahead.
It seemed, like the previous week that it was gonna be case of simply how many did Celtic fancy scoring.
Some of the football was sensational. At one point Michael Stewart in commentary suggested one narrowly failed goal attempt “would have been Harlem Globetrotters stuff!”. With Calmac keeping it ticking over 40 yards out, it was left to Forrest, Kuhn, O’Reilly and Hatate to constantly keep moving, passing, turning and utterly bewildering the Hibs midfield and defence. Thankfully Hibs did have the Ref to help them now and again with constant calls for fouls rather than playing on or dismissing valid Penalty claims, especially when wee James Forrest hit the afterburners on his zimmer only to then be blatantly sandwiched by 2 Hibs defenders in the box.
It seemed only a matter of time for the next goal.
And it was.
On 34 minutes.
Sadly it was for Hibs.
Hibs had been trying their lunch from set pieces, at one point a throw-in into the box was attempted from the half way line ( Is Rory Delap on staff there? – Ed), but the goal would come after CCV conceded a clumsy free kick from a long clearance. The Celtic back line retreated ..the Hibs free kick came in…and for some reason, the Hibs centre forward Kukharevych was allowed free reign to head the ball into a gaping Celtic far corner. The crowd looked as stunned as the static Celtic defence as Hibs suddenly hoped they had a lifeline back into a match that seemed long dead to them.
I know many folk praised the great looping Hibs header but from a Celtic perspective, it was pretty poor. Hatate was no match against their main forward in that line up, Carter Vickers seemed to jump 3 seconds after the ball has been headed and Kaspar the keepers shocking positioning was a contender for “Whats the goalie daein?” but thankfully for him, the only goalie gaff being talked about would be the Hibs keeper in the second half.
And so it was that we went in 2-1 up at half time in a half where we only played a half of a half.
A satisfactory if not substantial scoreline and everyone hoped we could kick on in the second half.
Hibs came out and huffed and puffed and did try and force the game but we always looked like we had a few gears to move up if absolutely required. While we weren’t rattling the back of the net, we did see flashes of quality and some impressive showings in the Hoops, especially from Hatate and Kuhn who tried to keep the tempo high and constantly took the the danger to Hibs.
Matt O’Reilly was trying his best to feed the forwards but as per the first half, at times we were probably just trying that bit too hard to score for the perfect goal. All in all though some of the link up play was a joy to watch and was nice to see the full backs Johnston and Taylor getting involved.
Celtic’s 2 goal cushion, and effectively the end of the contest, came in 56 minutes when Hibs tried to play the ball out from a by-kick. The Hibs keeper played it to one defender, who played it then over to another, and sadly for him, Celtic smelled blood in the water. First Maeda harried the defender who sent a too firm a pass back at the keeper who hoped he had time to try and move the ball to the side. Sadly, for him, that split second was a split second too late, and his touch was intercepted by a very happy Kuhn who then had the easiest of tap-ins and a well earned goal reward for his great overall contribution.
So 3-1, aka game done.
From there it was just a case of “Release Adam Idah!”.
The new signing came on for 30 minute and while rusty, got stuck in and showed the hunger we all appreciated during his loan spell. The midfielders tried to play him in a few times but he was needing an extra yard and the next few weeks should really see him kick on. Welcome back big man. Also getting on was Yang, Bernardo and Palma and they tried their best before a welcome whistle from the ref to confirm Celtics progress into the Quarter finals where they would duly be drawn to face Falkirk back at Celtic Park.
MOTM -Who would be a judge?
Loved the very impressive showings from Reo Hatate, he looked like his old self after a timid show at Easter Road, chasing down, 1 touch passing and great interaction.
We would be remiss not to give a very special shout out for the performance from Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn yesterday. The winger had an assist for the assist for the 1st and an assist for the 2nd before scoring the 3rd. Quite the game and his dribbling, running and passing vision is really starting to impress. It would be nice to see Kuhn do a Bobby Petta style show when the Huns come to town.
The MOTM though goes to Daizen Maeda. The guy is just great. Turns up every week and works his arse off for the Hoops. Never complains, never lets us down. 100% sheer commitment and class. Scored 2 yesterday but my favourite spectacle was a moment when James Forrest cut in and attempted a 1-2 with MOR. The ball went loose and Hibs attempted to break up the park via the big gap left after Forrest’s run. Who immediately started chasing back to pressure Hibs and ease the danger. Our superstar Daizen of course. A wonderful team player who everyone really appreciates these days. I’m still not sure about the no moustache look mind!
Can’t disagree with most of that, although quibble from last week about dropping out of games for periods remains extant and will kill us in Europe if it persists.
I was also disappointed that there wasn’t more rotation and I would like to have seen Sinisalo, Ralston (Johnston seems to feel knocks more), Welsh (ditto CCV) Holm, Palma, Yang (both came on) and even a cameo from young Turley.
I suppose after last year’s early exit Rodgers wasn’t going to take any chances of a repeat.
Don’t disagree with MOTM, although he could/should’ve had, at least, another couple and it was noticable that it was when he tried to take more touches that he didn’t score.
According to BBC Gossip Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says surgery would cure a recurring shoulder problem for Kyogo Furuhashi but would sideline the striker for four months.
Its also rumoured that Kyogo doesn’t want the surgery and, as we apparently knew about it before he signed (3 years ago) then I can’t see how we can insist.
It would be typically Celtic, though, if an operation that could’ve been carried out at 4.30pm on 25th May was delayed 3 months until the season had started.
Strange how Kyogo doesn’t want surgery to correct his shoulder problem. Can it be something as basic as fear of going under the knife? That seems highly unlikely. However, the club can’t force him to do it, especially if they knew the situation when they gave him a contract.
More like fear of missing playing in CL
Yeah I see that but he could still have had it done last May for example – we were well out of Europe by then.
That’s only a rumour and NOT something Rodgers or anyone at Celtic have said.
Cha, wrt Kyogo’s shoulder, issue the physios with a wee bottle of super-glue and next time it “pops out” just run the glue over it before “popping” it back in. SORTED! Kyogo only misses 5 minutes and no painfull surgery, we have our No 1 striker and that miserable twat of a bean-counting Chairman won’t have to have sleepless nights over paying Kyogo sick money for 4 months.
Hmmm, every silver lining has a cloud!
Terrific article which was just about how I saw it with the differences too small to bother about.
I think the wind was a factor too, though we were never in any trouble at any point in the game.
Very comfortable with the promise of much to come.
If the Board and Chairman would become visible and the former back Brendan and the latter learn to speak up for OUR club then there should be little to complain about and much to thoroughly enjoy.
Come On You Bhoys In Green!
I really don’t see much of a future for either Yang or Palma at Celtic. Hope we manage to ship them out this window albeit on loan deals and bring in higher quality to properly strengthen the position. Much of the football on show, especially the 1st half blitzkreigs, is a delight to watch. Most teams dread playing against us atm while the very same sides are starting to smell blood when they face the huns. Can’t take anything for granted though and we have to constantly strive to keep improving. Falkirk will be no pushovers in the QF btw and I’m glad we’ve got them at home.
Palma’s a bit of a mystery, as he looked the part last season or perhaps just flashy, which tends to get noticed more.
With Kuhn, Forrest and the returning Maeda in sparkling form then maybe he sees his chances diminishing.
Can’t put my finger on it either Cha but here’s a player that flatters to deceive. After an impressive start last season where he even showed up really well in a couple of huge CL games, his performances began to drop off and tbf, apart from poaching the occasional goal, he’s been ineffective since before xmas. Is it a psychological thing as you suggested, did he simply play way above himself during his first couple of months or has the ugly physical side of Scottish football been getting to him? Who knows? Bottom line is that his indequate work rate, poor decision making and lack of cossing and shooting precision (he’s definitely lost his ‘magic touch’) causes us a lo of frustration.
Reply hooked Cha, which is almost as frustrating as watching Palma play. Can’t really put my finger on what happened to him either
I would have liked more rotation. The goalkeeper in particular needs to be kept match sharp also having cover in positions doesn’t work if the players do not get game time. I was initially impressed with Palma, I thought his ball striking technique was excellent. The boob he made with the penalty last season was a mistake. He ls lacks pace to go round the outside but we will only know if we have a player there if he gets games. Kuhn always looked a player, he just needed a preseason.
Morning BJF, hope you and you’re wife are keeping well and have good memories of Valencia. Did you try the Horchata (tiger nut milk) when you were over here? There was actually quite a good turn out for the last Hibs game at St Pats, close on 20 of us!
Totally agree on your points regarding giving opportunities to Sinisala, our Finnish keeper.
Palma, on the other hand, is an unusual case. He seemed to play way above himself during that early purple patch, even in huge CL games but has been consistently poor since pre xmas. He hasn’t been playing a great deal since then but when he does make an appearance, his poor decision making, inadequate work rate and lack of precision when crossing or shooting can be painful to watch. Whatever he had going for him early on he seems to have lost. Whether that is down to psychological or personal issues or whether the physicality of the Scottish game is a bit much for him is anyone’s guess. The bottom line is he’s shown no signs of positive progress in over six months.
Yoker Bhoy good to see your posts always. I am sorry I missed the full force of the Valencia Celtic Supporters club. I saw a hoops shirt in the old town, looked a local too. For all my reservations about Harare I do not want him to leave. A lot of posters were more impressed with his performance against Hibs than I was, happy to bow to the majority. Losing O’ Reilly and him would not be great. This could be a great season for us if we strengthen and ai don’t mean frees loans are OK if they are quality but we need to buy too.
Not full force yet but nearly halfway there. You ought to see us when we play against the huns 😉
Yeah, it would be a bit hard to take if we were to lose both Reo and Matt in the same window as players like these are not easy to replace although this Arne Engels guy looks like a great prospect. Hope we can get him.