Sunday morning for me, like most Celtic supporters started very anxiously, with the stomach in knots, the usual Glasgow Derby day feeling.
The nerves got even worse when the team sheet was announced. No new boys in the starting XI. A rookie centre back paring off Gustav Lagerbielke and Liam Scales. But we needn’t have worried as the side toughed it out and earned a hard fought 1-0 win when no-one including many of our own supporters held out much hope.
Brendan Rodgers passed his first big test with flying colours and showed why he commands a big salary. The below par displays we’ve witnessed these past weeks were banished as every single player in green and white put in a shift in a daunting situation.
Liam Scales was superb, he was deservedly named player of the match. Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley ran the show in the middle of the park and Daizen Maeda as usual put in a solid shift, he was everywhere
Kyogo, well he was just Kyogo and struck a goal fit to win any game. It was a glorious strike.
Special praise also for Joe Hart, whom for the second week running produced class saves to help the side.
This was a monumental win and could prove pivotal even at this early stage of the season. We are the champions and reminded everyone of that today. We’re top of the league looking down on Motherwell, St Mirren and then theRangers…who have to come to Paradise twice.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Like yourself, I got that terrible sinking feeling when the team sheet was revealed, and fearing the worst.
So to get a comfortable enough victory, that could have easily been by far more, was such a wonderful experience to enjoy.
And yet, we didn’t play particularly well 2nd half, and a few disappointing displays also thrown in also.
Main focus of late has been upon what sort of squad we might have for the upcoming CL?
A few tough decisions await Rodgers now, especially as I would have thought scales stood no chance of making it, not so sure after today.
With a 2 week break now, will give Rodgers plenty of time to work upon a few things, that still need to be worked upon before the CL starts.
The LB position still remains a problem, and wouldn’t be surprised to see Rodgers work upon a 3 at the back with wing backs for the CL campaign imo.
Could allow us to go 343 with the football and 541 without it, and enough pace to play a strong counter attacking game, especially away from home.
Few signs today that it could work especially with meada looking stronger defensively than attacking.
With the extra quality hopefully been added to the team shortly, then like today, might not need to be as fearful regarding the CL as I was a few days ago