First things first. Last night was a strange one. I enjoyed watching what was basically our reserve team a hell of a lot more than I expected. Some players put in performances I didn’t think they were capable of, while at the same time others probably proved they aren’t good enough to be anywhere near our starting eleven. As soon as I saw Kyogo stripping off ready to come on to replace Ajeti, I had an overwhelming feeling that we were tempting fate. That feeling proved correct.
Hearing Celtic Park so quiet due to continuing protests against Bernard Higgins is a strange experience as a fan never mind how the players must feel, it reminded me of the atmosphere at a soulless EPL ground. The Celtic board need to get this Higgins debacle sorted as soon as possible for the good of this team. Stop digging your heels in and announce he won’t be anywhere near Celtic Park. Not qualifying from that group is disappointing yet another fine win and bagging 9 points out of 18 against some decent opposition with basically a brand new squad was probably more than we could have hoped for. As I said at the start, it was a strange night.
Starting with the important stuff first, I thought we performed very well on the pitch last night. It was a joy to see that ‘angeball’ is something that is being implemented throughout the squad and that everyone is buying into it. With so many changes I was surprised to see us play with the tempo that we did. If this is what Ange Postecoglou can do with this squad in less than half a year in the job the future is going to be very exciting.
In what I thought could be a bit of a damp squib due to neither teams having anything to play for, it was actually very entertaining and I loved getting a closer look at some of the fringe players to see if they could cut the mustard. I was really surprised by some of them.
First up I have to metion Osaze Urhoghide. I saw the big Dutchman a few times in pre-season and felt he was way out of his depth. I thought he would be loaned out this January without ever having made an impact on the first team. When I saw him line up at right back as opposed to his more natural position at centre back last night I feared the worst. Yet the young defender proved my fears to be wrong as he put in an impressive performance and was one of the best players on the pitch last night. He deserves huge praise for stepping up and grasping his opportunity.
Another who like Urhoghide I had only saw back in pre-season and didn’t overly rate was his old Sheffield Wednesday team mate Liam Shaw. Again he did himself proud and proved that he may be good enough to make the breakthrough at Celtic in the future.
After coming on as a sub and bagging his first Celtic goal at the weekend, Liam Scales was rewarded with a starting position at left back. The former Shamrock Rovers star was probably my man of the match and it’s great to see him making that step up from playing in the League of Ireland and proving himself capable enough to be involved in this Celtic squad going forward. If he continues to improve at the rate he has been then Greg Taylor will have a fight on his hands.
Ismaila Soro is one that continues to frustrate. I actually thought he played well last night and like him as a player but he has a knack of picking up early bookings which leaves me feeling nervous the rest of the game everytime he goes to make a tackle. Fortunately it hasn’t cost us up until now but you just know that if he was to start against theRangers he would hand our inept Scottish referees the chance to reduce us to 10 men on a plate and they wouldn’t think twice about it.
Scott Bain got his opportunity last night and failed to impress. At one point it felt like someone had dared him to try and get through the game without using his hands as he refused to pick up the ball even when it was the only option. His passing was erratic at times too. Maybe Ange will be rethinking offering him a new contract if that rumour which surfaced a few weeks ago is to be believed.
I was glad to see Nir Bitton being handed the captain’s armband and it think it was just reward for a man who has been at Celtic Park throughout one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. He has gave his all for the cause throughout the years while often being played out of position, yet never complained or kicked up a fuss. With over 250 appearances for the club he is an extremely important member of this squad and it’s great to see him back to his best under Ange Postecoglou.
The loss of Kyogo to injury while chasing down a lost cause was heartbreaking. The run of recent injuries to this squad is horrific. Obviously we are more injury prone as a team than other side’s due to the intensity we play at but losing so many important players at one time is catastrophic. The next few weeks are crucial and if we can get through the period still within touching distance of the league leaders and with a league cup in our trophy cabinet, no matter how we do it, we will have weathered the storm. That winter break can’t come quick enough.
Conall McGinty
READ THIS…Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic v Fake Lizzies
