A slightly deceptive scoreline, perhaps, because it really was a lot more decisive than that, but it underlines how close every game can be in this strange situation that we find ourselves with an empty echoing stadium and real problems for the players who are clearly missing the fans every bit as much as we are missing them. Celtic and their fans are a symbiosis – each needs the other.
I will repeat my contention that we could easily get 10,000 and even 15,000 into Celtic Park without putting anyone at risk, but this weekend with cases rising is perhaps not the time to say it. Once the cases begin to fall again (as they will), that might be football’s best time to put its case forward.
My first complaint is with Celtic TV who are not really coping well with the demand. Maybe it was just my computer, but I had a few “freezings” and several losses of picture and sound. Is anyone else having problems in this regard? Or is that a stupid question? It is certainly extremely annoying, and I look forward to a great improvement by the time of the Hibs game next Sunday. But the punditry and commentating is first rate. Gordon Strachan can still clown a little but is always worth listening to, and seldom have I heard a more clinical and incisive pundit that Michael Stewart! Yes, I know he can upset folk – but they are usually folk that need to the upset!
The team had a few changes from Wednesday, but no-one really looked out of place. The goals were all good, particularly the first one from Callum McGregor. The second I had to wait until half time to see it because my Celtic TV reception had turned awkward at that time, but it was a crisp well-made goal, and the third one was likewise – again, though, marred by Celtic TV not yet being back from its half-time siesta in the warm Glasgow sunshine.
As for the Livingston goals – the first one was a penalty correctly awarded in the letter of the law by the referee, but it really is time for the lawmakers to have a think about that one, and the second one was when the Celtic defence temporarily fell asleep and gave Livingston far too much space. It would have been a travesty if Livi had scored again and earned a draw, but such things could have happened. The line between success and failure is a narrow one.
Callum McGregor was once again superb and clearly the best man on the park. Ryan Christie has had better games but still contributed magnificently and it would have been nice to see Shane Duffy get his third goal in three games. My only questions marks are the goalkeeper – the jury is still out here, I fear – and, much as it hurts me to admit it, Scott Brown who looked a little slow on several occasions today, and it might be an idea to give him a rest now and again. The player I would have liked to have seen a lot more of would have been David Turnbull, because I saw one or two fine flicks in the short time that he was on.
The biggest question mark, however, remains Celtic TV! The players on the field are good enough for the moment, I feel. Riga on Thursday will be difficult, and Hibs on Sunday will be no easier.
David Potter
