Be careful what you wish Four

THE CHEERING, now a distant memory, long since died out and replaced by utter despair, a broken club’s problems ruthlessly exposed.

Scott Brown stood up to them as only he can, a Celtic legend of gigantic proportions. The player they brought in to handle Broony was hauled off, throwing the dummy. When the teams were announced and displayed on the impressive big screens each player’s name was displayed alongside his photograph. Apart from Andy Halliday who was photo-less. In the game he was clueless.

Callum McGregor, majestic. He scored again, adding to his own personal skelping total, and when Kieran Tierney lost possession and Windass drove three quarters of the park with only McGregor for company and Calmac winning a throw in.

Moussa Dembele did something I’ve never seen before. A Celtic player dinking a penalty against an Ibrox club. And he ran towards us with the biggest smile you’ll ever see.

Tom Rogic deserved a song and he got one today, appropriately enough it started at Hampden. He started slowly but then those feet got going and he is a joy to behold. It was no surprise that he got the opener because it was coming.

2-0 at half time and the annoying new Hampden compère – for those playing Old Firm bingo he managed to remind us it was apparently an Old Firm game 6 times before the match kick-off- held an Old Firm quiz. He likes his Old Firm does this chap – Celtic won the quiz 6-2 which was just as well for the fat Zombie in the orange top – the prize was a ticket for the final.

Right enough he may have a need to support Celtic that day as a Motherwell win could see Rangers failing to qualify for Europe. Hard times for the orange tops.

Our bench – every single one of our subs and a few more not stripped – would walk into their team. They are a long way away from stopping Celtic and they are about to go onto the fourth manager trying to get the better of Brendan Rodgers.

Their loan signings could walk. Their season tickets – each year skilfully sold under one false promise leading to a false dawn – going for 55, Barton, Alves, Pena and the like, gimmicks. Dave King had been found out on and off the park.

The build-up to Beautiful Sunday was intense. This past week has been low key in the extreme. They have been found out and just before the renewals too.

Celtic can rub salt into their wounds in a fortnight and they are going to have to fork out £49 each for the thrashing. You almost feel sorry for them – haven’t they suffered enough? Almost!

Ntcham taking the second penalty – graciously offered by Moussa. Lovely.

Leigh has a tap in if KT had crossed to him instead of trying to be clever. He tied a scarf to the Hampden goalpost though.

So we are now off to Easter Road for a title party then we can get ready for our day of destiny for the historic double treble chance against Motherwell.

For them though the cheering had stopped. Be careful what you wish four…

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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