After an inordinate amount of added on time, Mr Beaton blew for time up, and Ange Postecoglou’s team had three very hard earned points at a very difficult venue.
It was a game that had a lot going on in it, but Celtic’s first half performance with two superb goals (the first one in particular) was enough to win Celtic the game, and the gap remained four points. It might have widened last night, but it might also have narrowed – indeed that seemed a likely outcome at one point. But basically no change at the top and now more and more, the three head to head clashes look as if they are going to be very significant.
The “offside” goals? We are talking about millimetres, and if Mr Beaton got it wrong for one, he also got it wrong for the other one, and the score would have been 1-0 rather than 2-1. It matters little, and no-one can really blame a linesman for getting it all wrong when the margins are so tight.
This does not invalidate the point that Giakoumakis took his goal very well. And of course the Hatate goal was something else. New boy Matt O’Riley is worth another chance.
Disturbingly, for the second game in a row, we came perilously close to throwing it all away when we had the game won. It would have been unfortunate to lose a game from a dodgy (although possibly technically correct) penalty, but fortunately, Mr Boyce hit the post. But it seems that two goals is not a comfortable enough lead, and it has therefore to be three!
So a good game to get out of the road, and we move back to Parkhead on Saturday. It is likely that the parked bus will be in evidence in the penalty box. Half a century of watching Dundee United at Parkhead would indicate that this is not an unrealistic expectation.
David Potter
Meanwhile constructive talks producing results over at Ibrox last night as the new two goalkeeper rule is introduced and implemented by Don Robertson….
Just a handball into McGregors hands but no penalty pic.twitter.com/CEh2loDInY
— HenkeMcD (@PaulMcD93532054) January 26, 2022
If Celtic had got the penalty we should have it might also have made a difference.
Nervy at the end, especially with the penalty but the first half was outstanding. Some of the new recruits looked like seasoned players already, a real testament perhaps to how they train. O’Riley and Hatate are genuine considerations for 1st team. Once our captain is back, that will make selection interesting. The key thing is, we have more now in depth. We have Hatate, O’Reilly, Turnbull, McGregor, Soro (as a sub), McCarthy (sub), Ideguchi, Bitton, Rogic, Turnbull. That’s a helluva choice for midfield. Then Abada, Jota, Forrest, Johnston for wingers. Maeda, Giomakis, Furuhashi as strikers. And then the defence…..even the loan guys like Shaw could prove useful in years to come. I think we’re doing okay if everyone is fit. The big teams (certainly in England) have almost 2 players for every position. With our squad, we have a lot of top quality players to fit in. If Ange can keep them all happy, then we have a big chance of seeing this season out. Beat the huns both games and keep it tight against the rest and we have that big Ch Lg payday coming. That has to be a huge incentive for the board, money that can only come with winning the league
Wish somebody would ask Ange how he works out when to make substitutions. Hatate and O’Reilly were knackered after about an hour yet stayed on for some reason. I thought the idea was for the opposition to tire quicker etc,it seems though the opposite is the case.
To use a golfing term,Driving for show,Putting for dough.
Our possession and passing for most of the match lovely to watch but the finishing erratic.
Hopefully next 2 matches will see a change.
Where now D Turnbull?
New midfielders bringing steel as well as skill to the proceedings.
Onwards and upwards.