Celtic win does Lennon no harm
7 up in the league for interim boss
7 league wins in a row for any manager is a good feat, for a manager who has only taken charge of 7 league games, well, it has to be commended. You get the impression that it is the cup defeat that will hang over Neil Lennon’s interim reign as Celtic boss but at least he can say he came away with a win over Rangers.
Celtic were sharp from the off but the game was halted early on after an injury to Rangers keeper Alan McGregor, with the TV replays making it look like a rather sore injury for the keeper. Neil Alexander replaced him and the sub goalkeeper never looked comfortable all night.
Within moments he was picking the ball out of the net as Lee Naylor’s free-kick took a deflection and sped away into the bottom left hand corner. The left-back, probably playing his last game at Celtic Park, milked the moment for all it was worth. Naylor went on to have an impressive evening in the hoops and will at least leave a positive impression on the fans.
From here, the game got scrappy with occasional moments of good football breaking out from both sides.
It is easy to moan about the Scottish game and yes, there were plenty of late and meaty challenges (from both sides) but from time to time, the ball was played on the deck with pace and the standard wasn’t bad at all.
Rangers were starting to build a period of pressure before they scored and it was no surprise when the score was levelled at 1-1 when Kenny Miller buried a header beyond Artur Boruc. Cue wild celebrations at the Rangers end of the stadium as the Ibrox side looked to have pleased all the punters who backed a half-time draw.
That joy was short-lived though as Celtic rampaged forward down the left and a good swinging cross was met by Marc Antoine Fortune whose downward header was misjudged by Alexander and the ball squirmed into the net. After the controversy of Fortune’s “goal” in the January game, few would begrudge the striker a goal in the game.
There were no goals in the second half but still plenty of talking points. Between the 65 and 70 minute mark, Rangers grew strong and looked to press and you could see why Rangers had won so many games this season. Their spirit was fairly impressive but equally, a Celtic backline, which had started weak and then further weakened by the loss of Artur Boruc somehow stood strong. The hoops defence were throwing themselves in the way of everything and getting some luck which has evaded them for most of the season.
Lukas Zaluska pulled off a couple of great saves as did Darren O’Dea, which the Rangers fans will no doubt claim to be a penalty. The Irishman’s arm was up, how much he knew about the ball striking it remains to be seen but it provided a controversial moment in the match. Kenny Miller did slam the ball off the post second later though in a rather frantic period of the game.
The last act of the match saw Lee McCulloch see red for a stupid lunge at Aiden McGeady on the byeline. McCulloch never caught the Irish internationalist with the first leg so he then tried to catch him with the trailing leg as McGeady looked to get by. Probably frustration from McCulloch but a challenge that was worth a booking and as he was already on a yellow card, it wasn’t much of a decision for the ref to make.
So, it doesn’t really change much for Celtic fans. The game was pretty meaningless but at least they can take some joy in defeating Rangers. It also gives Neil Lennon a stronger hand in applying for the permanent managers post but it shouldn’t really come down to last night or not. That said, if Lennon walks away from Celtic Park this summer, he can do so with his head held high and an impressive league record which should be of interest to many clubs.
Rangers fans will be able to laugh it off and state that they were only for the party but the attitude shown by the Rangers players indicates it meant more. From the first whistle when Kevin Thomson came crudely in from behind on Robbie Keane, a replay from the Ibrox game in February, the away team were definitely up for it.
No more so that Kenny Miller. The striker scored a goal, which was celebrated to the television camera although unwisely also in front of the Main Stand but missed a hatful of chances. It would be no exaggeration to say Miller could have walked away from Celtic Park with the match ball after a hat-trick. How much the game meant to him was shown when he ran half the length of the park to confront the referee after Celtic were awarded a corner.
In fact, there was barely a five minute spell when Miller wasn’t in the face of the referee moaning about some decision or other. Then again, Rangers fans will be saying the exact same thing about Darren O’Dea or Scott Brown (whose challenge on Lafferty was stupidity of the highest order).
All of which indicates it was a tense night for Rangers but Sunday should see a more relaxed atmosphere at Ibrox as they collect the SPL trophy.
One game to go for the big Glasgow two…and then the fun begins!
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I thought the McCulloch “foul” on McGeady wasn’t deserving of a booking. I couldn’t see contact, it didn’t look dangerous. Just a foul due to the potential of taking him out.
Oh dear, where do I start here with this one.
Fortunes ‘goal’ in the Ne-erday game, FFS it wasn’t a goal is it wasn’t given for a foul on the keeper, how many times?? His goal last night was also another clear foul, have a look at his hand full in the face of Stevie Smith and tell me that’s not obstruction.
O’Dea’s handball was exactly that, his arm was in an unnatural position and gained an advantage for his team, penalty. His applause after Brown ‘done’ Lafferty summed up this bit part player for Celtic as the no mark that he is.
McGeady, not for the first time in his career, dived and ultimately got his opponent sent off, a total disgrace.
As for Hinkels assault, sorry but that was a Red Card offence.
Suppose we shouldn’t have exp[expected nothing less from a manager in Lennon who took his bludgeoning of players from St Martin.
Suppose these decisions even themselves out over the season or is it still part of a conspiracy?
Highlight of the night, the lap of dishonour from the men in green, boy I enjoyed seeing that team being clapped by the fans, hope they keep the same ones for next year as well.
53 and counting ……….
And this is why there’ll never be agreement between Celtic and Rangers fans.
We tried to praise both teams, we criticised both teams. We mentioned fouls by both teams and saying some players were lucky, we also let slide a lot of the fouls and niggly moments…well, there wasn’t enough time to write them all down.
Quagmire, your opinions are totally valid in highlighting your grievances with Celtic…however, a Celtic fan could come on and have just as many things to say about the Rangers players.
Heyho…thank goodness that ones over – lets just hope they dont meet in Boston….if last night was the measure of passion for a “meaningless” match, the Americans won’t know what hit them.
Craig, just watched it a few times on the BBC site:
BBC highlights – UK viewers only maybe?
The intent is there from McCulloch, he aims to take McGeady out and he also tries to catch him with the trailing leg after the first one.
If he hadn’t been on a booking, there wouldn’t be much argument about dishing out a yellow for that sort of foul on a player who nipped by him. As it was a red it can be scrutinised more but yeah, it was a bit of a lunge from McCulloch after Whittaker put his side in trouble.
Forgive my outburst; I’m suffering from severe cock withdrawal and, having watched my inept team out fought and out thought last night, am finding relief hard to come by (giggidy). Roll on Sunday’s post-match celebrations where the sight of hundreds of bare chested bears in the throws of euphoria is sure to lighten my mood.
Sorry, is this meant to be funny?
Oh haha, the mental age of a six year old thinking puerile and sad little thoughts is comical. The jokes on you mate to be honest…and you may want to worry about the repression you’ve got building up.
They do say those who like to taunt others for homosexuality usually have some deeper issues about it – when you realise it you’ll probably enjoy life better.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery ……
Your right in one part of your post though, roll on Sunday for the second leg of the party (first part was last night)
I guess that’s the definition irooonneeee!
did robbie [65,000[ a week miss our party or was he a sub.
It was so easy to beat Rangers the other night and they are such bad losers. Hahahahahahahahah girfuy!!!!! hahahahahahahaha