This was a very fine Celtic performance against a team who were not without a few good players but never really looked like scoring. As a result we are now a little closer to our target. With only eight League games remaining, I think we would have to lose at least four of them – but I am always one of those who urge against the counting of chickens! Nevertheless there was a confidence and assurance about our team. They have had one or two difficult games of late, but they have come through them, and today was not one of them.
Deservedly Leigh Griffiths was made the Man of the Match. His goals were well taken (his first one may have been offside, but the St Mirren protest was muted) – a fine pass from Edouard, a lovely one-two with Tom Rogic, and an absolutely brilliant shot from the edge of the box which is the hallmark of a good striker. But not only that, he was always on the prowl for more, and how good it is to see him back at the top of the tree after his troubles of last year. His popularity with the fans is immense.
His partner Odsonne Edouard was also good. His goal today was sheer class, about which can say little other than “Keep doing it!” It was a delight to see him and Griffiths working together, and it is a partnership which I hope that Mr Lennon never splits up. Another man who had a far better game than some of his recent ones was James Forrest who showed commendable appetite for the game. You always got the impression that he was wanting the ball today, and he made great use of it when he got it.
It is difficult to find fault with anyone in the team today. Scott Brown made a few mistakes, and was rather silly to get booked, but he can be forgiven the occasional lapse. Everyone else played up to their potential including Greg Taylor who was not at his best at Livingston on Wednesday night, but regained top form to day again.
It was a good atmosphere with the Green Brigade in good voice, including even a wee ditty which seemed to criticise the Parkhead catering singing something about the “buns are white” – or something like that which I may have misheard. Referee Mr Duncan has not been at Celtic Park very often before but he had a good performance in what was not really a difficult game to control, but the St Mirren supporters, they tell me, said some stupid things about the Corona Virus.
On that subject, I shared Celtic Park today with some 60,000 very healthy people, and have lived to tell the tale. So please let’s have no more of this hysterical nonsense from those who run the SPFL (a depressing bunch at the best of times!) about playing football behind closed doors or even postponing games.
Already there have been a few blatant over-reactions in the world of rugby, prompted by promotion hunting officials and vote seeking politicians. Let it not spread to football! Let’s take the risk, and enjoy the game, particularly the way that Celtic played it today.
David Potter
ALSO ON THE CELTIC STAR…
Celtic 5 St Mirren 0 – ‘You really must believe us…’…see HERE.
Celtic were brilliant today yet the BBC described it as a run of the mill performance…see HERE.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ STAR #CELTICFC💚⚪
A fantastic five-star performance! The Bhoys extend our lead at the top to 16 points!
What a magical Saturday! Flaming hugs Celts! We are the CHAMPIONS!
Hail Hail! 🍀🍀#CELSTM #SPFL pic.twitter.com/7yvj3fxyZL— Ilir Meta (@ilirmetazyrtar) March 7, 2020
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