I was meant to stick up this post-match article yesterday but alas I partook in a little too much alcohol on Sunday during and after the match and was in no fit state.
Celtic of course claimed three points to move 13 points clear at the top of the league and with only seven league games remaining it’s all pretty much over bar the shouting.
There is plenty of shouting though. Most of it coming from Govan int he wake of the blue half of Ibrox’s 11th defeat in the past 14 encounters with the men in hoops.
To the game itself and Celtic came out of the blocks flying and laid siege to the Rangers goal. Allan McGregor produced a few decent saves and there was a feeling of inevitability about the whole thing. Morelos was effectively cut off up the park and their midfield was pinned back by our constant advances. As expected their right side was targeted with Tavernier a definite weak link in any defensive shape. I was slightly puzzled by the decision to start Jonny Hayes when the experience of Scott Sinclair or the breakneck pace of Oli Burke would have appeared more appropriate but in fairness, he put in a shift and as the half progressed his delivery from set pieces improved.
When a superb first-time pass from Forrest in his own half released Edouard you could only see it ending one way as the Frenchman put Joe Worrall on his back legs as he bore down on goal before finishing superbly.
Celtic continued the onslaught thereafter and just after the half-hour mark and only four mins after the goal, Alfredo Morelos underlined his fantasy ÂŁ25 million price tag by lashing out at Scott Brown and receiving his fifth red card of the season. The replays showed Brown had slightly clipped his heels but to claim that it was anything more than minor gamesmanship on the Celtic captain’s part is grasping at straws. Morelos is as predictable as he is overrated and just can’t help himself.
Not surprisingly thereafter Celtic continued to dominate with Allan McGregor producing a fine first-half save from a fierce effort from Tierney and then again in the second half when he kept out Sinclair – a half time substitute for the injured Hayes – after the English winger had played a wonderful one-two with Callum McGregor on the edge of the box.
Mikael Lustig then tried his luck from distance but his effort whizzed past and from that point onwards Celtic seemed to fall asleep somewhat. With our visitors on the back feet and down to ten men as well as needing a goal – or two if they genuinely harboured any real remaining ambitions to win the league –Â this really was an opportunity to turn them over.
Instead, Celtic’s urgency evaporated and it looked like the cigars and brandy were out figuratively speaking.
From about the 60 minute mark onwards, Rangers came back into it and clearly sensed an opportunity. In a press conference yesterday Steven Gerrard claimed they dominated the game and were the better team for 55 mins. Absolute nonsense. The only reason they even came back into it is that we let them but still they were the better team for that final half hour.
Their best player Ryan Kent cut inside Boyata and finished well on 63 mins to put them back on an even pegging. Incidentally, Boyata had a bit of a nightmare all day and eventually limped off.
Rangers actually looked the more likely to score at that stage and Ryan Jack passed up a great chance to put them ahead when Kent cut the ball back to him from the byline but he hit it high, wide and handsome over the bar.
It was in the balance and you couldn’t help but wonder how the hell we’d got ourselves into this predicament when to our great relief that man Tavernier released a loose pass on the right flank and McGregor was onto it like a shot before releasing Edouard who set-up Forrest to slam home the winner on 86 minutes.
There was one particularly hairy moment at the end – not including the fact Ryan Kent should have got a straight red for a shove to the face on Brown in the aftermath of the Forrest goal – when Ajer had to make an incredible challenge to prevent Joe Worrall from knocking the ball into an empty net after more good wing play from Kent who had tested Scott Bain with a stinging strike.
Ajer was a real lion for Celtic all day and especially in the final five minutes or so when we had to baton down the hatches. He really had to be though as Boyata was in bomb scare form all afternoon. His injury means he is probably out for the rest of the season and therefore it’s likely the last time we’ll see him in a Celtic jersey. To be honest that doesn’t really upset me. Boyata had his moments but produced too many calamitous ones for my liking and I wish him well for the future wherever he ends up.
The three points were achieved and I guess that’s what is most important but on the whole, I’m somewhat disappointed. We had a chance to really put Rangers to the sword and put Gerrard under massive pressure. Instead due to poor game management, we let their ten men back into it and now due to the circumstances, they have emerged with a moral victory of sorts. At least that’s the vibe they are giving off.
Once again it was a close one that required a late winner and I remain completely unconvinced that Neil Lennon should be our manager next season. Metting him later on that night in Tennent’s bar where he refused to get his picture taken with me and some friends – in fairness we aren’t the best-looking bunch of guys – has perhaps coloured that a little but in truth, I just think it reeks of lack of ambition and regression. Let’s not forget Hibs deemed him not good enough to remain as their manager only two months ago. And the football we’ve seen so far since his return has been enough but no more.
Of course, if he gets it – and barring a calamitous failure not to win the treble again I think it’s a stick on – I’ll support him but I don’t think anyone should be surprised if the overall quality of the product denigrates with the appointment over the next few years. As much as we loathe him now Brendan Rodgers was a consummate professional and highly thought of within the game. Lenny just isn’t on either count and there’s only so much you can claw that back with passion and commitment to the cause.
Of course, also hovering over the game is the usual nonsense talk about sectarian violence etc. There were six arrests in and around the stadium out of a crowd of just shy of 59,000. Talk about a storm in a teacup.
In the city centre, there were some battles and three Celtic fans have ended up in hospital, one of whom is in a critical condition. That’s horrendous and he has my hopes and prayers but trying to attribute that to a game taking place several miles way is stretching it.
Scottish Police Federation vice-chairman David Hamilton has waded in with nonsensical talk about how it’s worse than it’s ever been and has even said players need to improve their behaviour. He also washes the police’s hands of it claiming they receive little back from the clubs. He forgets of course that the 59,000 or so supporters inside the stadium are all taxpayers, pay his wages and his force’s responsibility don’t stop at the doors of private property. You’re a public servant Hamilton. You’re not doing us a favour by doing your job.
Anyway, no doubt that will grow arms and legs in the coming days and weeks as the SNP once again try to force through another ludicrous behaviour bill.
In the meantime let’s take in the highly original perspective offered on events by the good people over at ‘Gers TV’. Top notch stuff:
....Always A Tim! 