As the BT interviewer said last night ‘it’s been wonderful watching Celtic’.
If it’s been that good for the neutral you can bet your backside it’s been even better for Celtic fans to witness.
Top of a qualifying group for the first time ever and qualifying with room to spare. A Record points tally will now allow Celtic to play those on the periphery in the last game against Cluj on General Election day 12 December. A game that’s now a dead rubber yes that’s right a dead rubber in Europe! Now that was worth repeating.
It’s been a tough week off the park for Celtic but it’s not worth dwelling on unnecessary bans for Celtic supporters or Board capitulations. No, for the time being it’s all about that team on the park and haven’t they done us proud?
Paradise erupts ☘️
Lewis Morgan pounces to give Celtic a BIG goal in the grand scheme of Group E 👊 pic.twitter.com/sITnvYTVwo
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 28, 2019
It is however worth saying a very vocal, colourful and ultimately vital element of Celtic’s support missed that game tonight, a moment of history missed through the political standoff between supporters and the club. Whatever way you fall on the argument regarding the Green Brigade it’s a shame to have any Celtic fan miss that and it’s time it was resolved. That time is today.
Last night Neil Lennon, much like the starting line up in Rome caused us all to question his choices. For the second game running I hold my hands up and admit my own concerns were wide of the mark. For Hayes in Rome read Morgan at home. There are reasons I wanted Neil Lennon as a manager and the main one is he knows far better than me. Long may I question his starting line ups and long may Lenny get it right.
Lewis Morgan started up front and scored a wonderful goal, in fact his movement throughout and overall performance even without the goal points to an experiment worth repeating. The goal itself was a beautiful finish and I’m already realising I’d written the lad off far too soon.
Christie grabbed a goal his own play deserved. Again deployed on the right while Forrest played wide left it doesn’t seem to limit him as he grabbed a fine strike beyond the goalkeeper for a second goal and one that allowed Celtic to ease the pace second half.
And then there was Mikey Johnston. Probably Celtic’s best player pre-season he’d carried on the form into the beginning of the season before injury side-lined him. I hadn’t expected to see him tonight but what a wonderful re-appearance it was. His goal and Celtic’s third was a thing of beauty and just as Mohamed Elyounoussi took his chance when Mikey dropped out injured, you wouldn’t put it past Mikey to now return the favour. A fine example of Celtic’s strength in depth.
Talking of which it would be remiss to not mention both Celtic full backs tonight. Moritz Bauer and Greg Taylor could probably lay claim to being third choice full backs at this particular time but both showed tonight they can not only be called upon but also relied upon when needs must.
While Bauer is unlikely to shift Jeremie Frimpong for now, Greg Taylor has his chance to shine with injury to both Hayes and Bolingoli. Keep going as he has been and both those players will struggle to shift the Scotsman from the team, in fact I like him a lot but given previous experience I won’t be choosing anyone, I’ll leave all of that to Lenny.
Other performances of note have to include ‘The Wall’ His double save at 2-0 up, showed his ongoing worth to this Celtic team and the returning to form and confidence of a simply wonderful goalkeeper.
If Forster is third choice at Southampton then either they have to wonderful goalkeepers or their management has a judgement of player ability akin to my own. If it’s the latter I don’t fancy their chances staying in the English Premier League this season.
Then there was our imperious captain. He was his snarling and gnarling best. Nipping in, enforcing and there to back up teammates who often suffered from their opponents constant habit of leaving the foot in, but just one criticism of Broony tonight. Leave the acting to the Christmas adverts as you were fooling no-one in your attempts to do a Sergio Ramos and pick up the booking that sees you sit out Cluj away and spend that suspension.
It was more Albert Square than Hollywood. Do your coaching badges Broony. Broadway won’t be holding out for your arrival.
One final point. A 3-1 win and three Scottish goalscorers. I must say I kinda like that stat.
A fine win after a tough old week. Can we now put all this off field stuff behind us and focus on the toughest month of the season? Though some have one less to think about. Don’t you Broony?
Niall J
READ SANDMAN’S Definitive Ratings – Celtic v Rentaghost, ‘What’s French for suave?’HERE.
READ DAVID POTTER’S VIEW on Celtic 3 Stade Rennais 1 HERE.
