So who said that Celtic did not have a defence? This was a superbly disciplined performance from a so-called makeshift defence.
Christopher Jullien was absolutely outstanding, and there is surely a great future for this man. Nir Bitton was similarly so, and this surely must be Bolingoli’s best match to date. Rangers may have had the greater territorial supremacy – 60% – 40% – but they were quickly snuffed out in the penalty box, and the much vaunted Defoe and Morelos were reduced to impotence.
— Moravcik67 (@Moravcik67_) September 1, 2019
Fraser Forster must have enjoyed this game after wasting his time in his wilderness years in Southampton. And Sky Sports were right to highlight the awful passing of Steve Davis (was that not the guy that played snooker?) but it was all caused by desperation and frustration.
Odsonne Edouard was also a class act. He is not only a good goalscorer, but he is also an old fashioned “leader of the line” who can hold the ball and pass to colleagues. His weakness remains when it is “tight” in the penalty box, but other than that he is well worth the transfer money.
It would be difficult to point to any weakness in the Celtic team. Johnston, Christie, McGregor and Brown all played to their potential, but the really good thing was their ability to read the game, not least in the very first minute when the kick-immediately ended up at the Rangers corner flag. It was a rugby style “gaining of ground”, and it showed that Celtic meant business.
The expected midfield battle which we lost so comprehensively in the early stages the last two times we were at Ibrox did not occur until later, and by then we had the whip hand.
Full marks to Neil Lennon for his tactics and full marks to every player who played today as if they knew what a Celtic jersey means – and that included the guys who had not worn one until recently.
Several caveats however – not least the fact that we still have 34 games to go and another three games against Rangers, so let’s not hear too much about “n*** in a r**!” for a while yet. We now have an International break, but the really important opponents are now Hamilton Academical whom we meet on 14 September at New Douglas Park.
There will be no point in beating Rangers if we slip up to Hamilton! Attitude remains crucial, and there is no place for complacency. A long road lies ahead.
Rangers? Well, don’t write them off. They will come back, but we are still better. And Jordan Jones? Well, no need to say anything, is there? It speaks for itself.
Bobby Madden? Well, they tell me he is a Rangers supporter. No sign of that today. I thought he had a superb game, controlling everything, never letting anything get out of hand, and generally being “the boss”.
Sky Sports? Kris Boyd was gracious in defeat, and I was surprised to hear Kris Commons say that he had never won at Ibrox. I thought he had, but he knows better than I do, I suppose!
The Rangers crowd? Got all they deserved. Disturbing to see them all standing up to cheer the vicious tackle that Ryan Jack did on Bolingoli in the first half, but lovely to see them parting like whipped curs at the end. Enjoy the sound of silence!
Oh, and Kieran Tierney? Is there still time for him to say he wants back to join in this? That North London derby is a Sunday School picnic compared with this Beautiful Sunday.
David Potter
I wonder if @BBCSportScot Sportscene will mention the bottle thrown at Celtic players at the end of the game from the Sevco support. @policescotland had it bagged as evidence if they wish to enquire. I’m sure the @ScottishFA will be quick to act.
— RhebelRhebel (@RhebelRhebel) September 1, 2019
Also on The Celtic Star…
‘There’s the house toilet wrecked’ Captain Bluebeard, ‘I’m raging Rangers (sic)’
Ibrox Emptied! – Gerrard’s False Dawn and Rangers Fans’ Tears
Irishman Jonny Hayes scoring v Sevco at their midden just as they have been double charged for RACISM v Sevco by UEFA is just perfect timing!
Cherry on the Cake, alongside the jelly and ice cream. pic.twitter.com/6CfR727eTX
— JoeBloggsCity (@joebloggscity) September 1, 2019
