Murphy’s stuttering run fires Celtic to the top
Maligned striker the difference
With both teams crashing out of Europe in midweek, it wasn’t a surprise to see both teams be a bit sluggish and scrappy in the first half.
In saying that, both teams could have scored in the opening proceedings with John Sutton nodding a header wide for Well and then Randolph making a firm save from Shaun Maloney. However, after the opening flurry, mis-placed passes and poor control started to dominate the game.
Motherwell clearly felt that the way to get behind Celtic was to hit balls over the top and getting the Celtic defence turning. There is a lack of pace at the heart of the Celtic defence, so it was a valid style of play but the passing range of the Well wasn’t accurate enough to really test the new Celtic backline.
Celtic controlled most of the game but the need for a poacher in the box is becoming ever more apparent for the hoops.
The injury to Gary Hooper has robbed Celtic of the player who could have been on the end of some of the crosses but there may be an addition to the Celtic striking line-up soon.
However, even though the rumours about Anthony Stokes are building, it was Daryl Murphy that scored the only goal of the game, with his stuttering run to the 12 yard spot sending Randolph the wrong way and his finish placed Celtic into the lead.
Murphy has already had his abilities judged and berated by many of the Celtic faithful and his performance will have continued to split opinions. At times the striker looked wooden and cumbersome but at others, winning headers and holding of the ball added a different dimension to Celtic’s play at times. Celtic are crying out for a poacher, someone to finish off the balls in the box but Murphy may find he has a role to play as the season continues.
Celtic may even have had a second penalty near the end of the match when Murphy was nudged in the back in the process of shooting. To his credit, the striker remained on his feet but then to his shame, absolutely shanked his effort and the ball trundled harmlessly behind the goal-line.
If we said that Celtic’s Murphy split opinions, Dougie McDonald did his usual job of uniting the fans with both sets of supporters no doubt nursing grievances about the match. ‘Well fans will be sure to moan about a penalty decision which defeated their team because lets face it, in the eyes of 10 of the 12 SPL teams, Celtic or Rangers never get a decision that isn’t due to cheating.
In fact, it was a certain penalty, Shaun Maloney being bundled over in the box and Craig Brown even said so in his post-match interview. As for the red card, well, many people cite the “last man” argument but of course, that is not the rule at all. Maloney had a goal-scoring opportunity, which he was denied by the shove by Steven Saunders.
That is obviously going to be a more contentious issue but with Saunders already on a booking, even a caution for the foul would have seen the player dismissed. Still, the award lets the enclosure at Fir Park add to their list of decisions that only go to the big teams.
Celtic fans can look at McDonald’s decision to decide that a deliberate handball, a decision which saw the same ref book Marc Antoine Fortune at Ibrox for Celtic, was not worthy of a caution and a kick in the head to a player not being deemed worthy of stopping the game.
Edit here cos we’re a bit daft!! 
If McDonald is Scotland’s best ref, let’s be thankful the worst one wasn’t in charge.
Anyways, back to the game, a hard one to judge overall, it will be the last time these two teams will take to the SPL stage after a European match and it was always destined to be a tough match. For us, the difference came when Paddy McCourt was unleashed from the bench.
Motherwell were looking comfortable at the back although dropping deeper. McCourt has the ability to hold the ball and run with it, committing defenders and create the space for chances to occur. He may not have had a hand in the goal but the flow of the match had definitely been impacted by the changes McCourt brought to the game.
Once the international break is over, both teams can fully focus on the domestic front and both sets of fans can consider themselves in with a chance of having an interesting season ahead.
What were your thoughts on the game?
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Craig Thomson officiated the Anderlecht game.
Was it? Serves us right, cheers Buddy, we’ll edit that cos we’re stupid!
You’re right about McDonald being pish though.
It’s the thought that counts.
Haha…yeah, we were obviously just hoping to provide a complete case against him by throwing that in!
As you say though – hes not very good….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSO7dpGGfX0
A good wee highlights clip of the goal-mouth chances for both sides.
Murphy did do a stuttering run for his penalty….but the new rules refer to a pause at the point of when the ball is being kicked as opposed to the run-up. The new rules are as clear as mud to be honest but by the rules, it appears the penalty kick was a valid one.
We were poor, none of the players looked convincing, if it wasnt for a poor motherwell display, none of those players would have been in the team 6 years ago. by the way mastrononononovic is shite
Andybhoy, you still suffering from Thursday’s European hangover?
What did you all think of Emilio Izaguirre’s debut, I thought he was quite tidy for most of the game with a few passes going astray near the end. Looks better than Mulgrew, but that shouldn’t be to difficult.
Traffic cones on the M8 look better defenders than Charlton Mulgrew.
Izaguirre looked quite handy, he was dragged out of position at times with balls looped over the top of the defence (a tactic that Motherwell used repeatedly) but that aside, he looked quite assured for his debut. Looked to play clearances to a team-mate as opposed to just a hoof, which will help retain posession.
Wasnt truly tested but looked good for a first run out
Got the win which was a plus.
However it’s alarming just how complete and utter pish Celtic have suddenly become in the last 2 games.
Hows this referee conspiracy in Scotland going these days?
Celtic – Penalty given and an opposition player sent off
Rangers – Penalty given against them and a player sent off
Beattie one on one at the edge of the 18 yard box on Saturday and clearly pulled back in FULL VIEW of the linesman, move along nothing to see here.
Not seen the Rangers game from Saturday Quags so cant comment on that decision. Derek McInnes did state his side may have gotten out of jail with regards to a penalty shout or two but he also said that he felt the winning goal was a foul.
Also some selective choosing there – Celtic having a player sent off against them is worthy of mention but Hibs were also down to 10 men against Rangers and that doesn’t get listed?
Celtic were denied a cert penalty against St Mirren, had a great claim for a foul on the edge of the box against Caley (although equally, some think Caley could have had a penalty early on in that match) and could even have had a second penalty against Motherwell when Murphy was lining up a shot, which he absolutely shanked.
However….all of these points are ones which point to the fact that all fans can say their team is done over whilst other clubs get the benefits – we dont have a problem with that – we actually think all fans have a level of paranoia about decisions, not just Celtic fans…but clearly that isnt good newspaper copy.
Long way to go though Quags….just like no one (except success starved Aberdeen fans) takes the league table in August seriously….no one should take the first few weeks as proof that the corner has been turned with respect to refereeing.
I agree with your second last paragraph, most teams get a raw deal from the referee’s at some stage or another. By all accounts Celtic’s penalty yesterday was of the ‘soft’ variety and even harsher than that decision was the one to send off the Motherwell defender.
Rangers winner could very well been chalked off for a foul on the defender by Miller, such was the inept performance from Callum Murray, it didn’t surprise me when he let it go as he had got most major decisions wrong on Saturday. Sad thing is I thought he was one of the better refs we had.
By all accounts…of people who never seen the game perhaps!
(Not a dig at you….more of the ones who will be frothing at the mouth by what they read in today’s tabloids!)
On the radio after the game, having seen the TV replay, Craig Brown admits it was a penalty.
As for the red – well…there was another Motherwell defender alongside but the law states ‘goalscoring opportunity’ which is what Maloney had. Its very much open to interpretation so there will be debate, however, Saunders was also on a booking at that point so even a yellow card for the foul would have seen him sent off.
I know refs are under intense pressure and the game is quicker but is anyone happy with refereeing standards or individual refs at the moment? Suppose the problem is, you only remember a ref when he does something wrong – the best ref is one you never see…then again, how do you remember them to praise them if you dont see them!