And so it was old Caledonian McBrayne who delivered the goods at the end! Welcome back, Callum! What a strike! What a player! And what a piece of justice after almost total domination!
If I were an Aberdeen supporter, I think I’d be wanting my money back for this performance. This was absolutely no way to play in front of your own fans at home. We have become used to see such “parking the team bus” performances from away teams at Parkhead, but it did not do the image of Scottish football much good to see the HOME team playing like that! We just have to hope that there is a sort of reaction from the Aberdeen support who will demand a slightly more positive approach on Tuesday night. We wish them all the best, incidentally!
Yet, Celtic did not really miss an awful lot of clear cut chances. Kyogu missed a shocker and so did Giakoumakis, and there were a few half chances, but I suppose we can use the word “rusty” to describe such moments? Apart from that, there were some fine performances with Liel Abada particularly impressive when he came on at half time.
The defence were never really all that severely tested, and other than McGregor (who would have been praised to the heavens even if he hadn’t scored), Hatate and O’Riley also made a good midfield. Generally a very good performance which at the end got its reward.
💥 What a hit from our skipper! #ABECEL | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 17, 2022
And the game was considerably enriched by the absence in any meaningful way of VAR. Mr McLean actually had a good game, I felt.
Many empty seats in the home support, and there may be a few more on Tuesday. (For goodness sake, Aberdeen, give Celtic the Dick Donald Stand next time, and make some more money for yourselves!) We heard from the more intellectually challenged of the Aberdeen support that appalling rubbish about dead cats and dustbins – it would get complained about if it weren’t so ludicrous, while the Celtic fans responded by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas before clearly looking forward to the Christmas Dinner by saying “Pass The Buns” – or something like that! I prefer the Irish rebel songs, myself!
As for the commentators and the pundits, Stiliyan Petrov is thoughtful and incisive, and even Mr Boyd didn’t annoy me all that much – well he did a wee bit, but then again that’s what he’s paid for, I suppose.
Finally, did anyone like me retire to another room after the goal went in? I decided that a few minutes of quiet contemplation and prayer was called for, lest our own beloved Jonny Hayes might run up an grab an undeserved point. Is it just me who exhibits such bizarre behaviour?
Livingston at Parkhead on Wednesday night! “Real” football is back! Thank goodness!
David Potter
Live from Pittodrie pic.twitter.com/hk9BvkkFNb
— Eddie Kane (@EdKane1070) December 17, 2022
Our national broadcaster at its best. Surprised they haven't used it as an excuse to rule the goal out. pic.twitter.com/xqEQJ08pUl
— Moravcik67 (@Moravcik67_) December 17, 2022
Maith thu.
Spot on