Recovery from an operation prevented me from being at Celtic Park today, but I was able to follow the game through BBC one way or other – TV, Radio, or website – and the overwhelming impression seems to be that it was not a bad game to miss!
Yes, we had men absent for one reason or another, but that was possibly not the only cause of a bad result. There is such a thing as complacency, ennui, not being quite “up for it” and sheer bad luck in front of goal – BBC showed two Kyogu chances and one Oh chance that might have been put away on a better day, while the Motherwell goal was a well taken counter scored by a class striker who left Greg Taylor looking distinctly second best. We always knew that a bad day was coming, and I assume that was it. Let there be no more of them.
Time to look forward. No-one needs to be reminded what next Sunday is all about, and there is no real secret about how to win. The answer is quite simply to play your best and take your chances. It is probably just as simple as that. One is reminded of the Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath who was asked what is the secret to taking so many wickets. “There is no secret”, he said, “Just bowl a good ball every time”. Similarly, “How do you beat Rangers”. Answer “Just play better than they do!”
We have the better players, I am convinced, and all we have to do is play to our potential. We hope that Jota and Hatate will be there. If not, we still have the players who can do it. It is a question of focus and professionalism. And we leave it to Ange to say what he must about the Motherwell game to the players at Lennoxtown, and then to turn to the game which means so much to us all.
By the time we run out at Hampden next week, we will know more about the SPFL “split”. Rumour has it that Celtic will have Hibs and St Mirren at home with away trips to Aberdeen, Hearts and Rangers. We could draw all five games and still win the League. The fixtures are expected to be announced on Monday. Sadly we cannot now be champions before the Scottish Cup semi-final.
Let today be a lesson to the players about taking things too easily. Success does not come without some sheer hard work and worry. Those of us who are unhappy at today’s admittedly disappointing performance may do well to reckon how unusual these unhappy feelings are on a Saturday night. We simply have to move on.
And there is also our old friend Barry Robson to cheer on tomorrow. I always felt that we should have employed Barry a bit oftener and a bit longer. He knew his football, and tomorrow afternoon he will be taking on the team that his own supporters love to hate. Come away the Dons!
