It was like The Alamo without the shooting

SEVEN thoughts on the bus home after a goalless night in Paradise…

1. Celtic failed to score for the second time in our last three games, so that’s the second goalless draw – a rather unusual score line under Brendan Rodgers whose side has always been free-scoring.

It’s hard to describe how that game finished goalless but when the dust has settled the closest we got to a goal was a last gasp Boyata tackle that he play off the inside of Craig Gordon’s post just before the half time whistle. The ball rolled along the goal line and luckily enough only Jack Hendry was on hand to clear.

Hendry could have been a real hero though. A late Leigh Griffiths free kick landed on his head four yards out but he couldn’t direct his header into the empty net.

The new Scotland defender has a rather unsteady night beside Boyata and the central defensive positions remains the area of biggest concern. A strange point to make given the score line – you would think our problems were further up the park.

2. It was like the Alamo – without the shooting. Dembele was impressively strong when he gathered with his back to goal but there was no real threat from the French striker. On the left Scotty Sinclair looks like he is trying too hard. Nothing came off for him but plenty nearly did. A rub of the green and he’ll put this poor run, which clearly has affected his confidence, behind him. Tom Rogic was strangely subdued – one lovely turn and a stab at goal apart. All three were pulled with 25 minutes left as Brendan – like the rest of us – had seen enough. A triple substitution saw Griffiths, Edouard and Ntcham introduced as things got a little hotter at the Alamo.

3. Charly Musonda and Paddy Roberts were both on the bench but even in these circumstances weren’t used. The on loan stars from the Premier League of course have big reputations and for Roberts his is tried and tested at Celtic.

Charly is a strange one. He was involved in that wonderful Callum McGregor goal against Zenit in the Europa League – when Brendan looked to him to make a difference in a goalless game. He delivered that night alright but he’s done next to nothing else of note. He is beginning to look like a player not enjoying his Celtic experience one little bit.

For Paddy time is running out on his second loan spell. Hopefully Peter Lawwell will not have had second thoughts from last summer and will remind Manchester City where they had got to in bringing Roberts to Celtic for a club record transfer fee. If that happens, where is the place for Charly?

4. Academy Bhoys James Forrest and Callum McGregor were the stars tonight. Forrest had the beating of the Dundee defence all night and put plenty of good crosses in the box but somehow little of note came from his good play. He rightly got the man of the Match from the sponsors.

McGregor too was impressive as an attacking left back and linked the play well. How no goals were scored as a result is a mystery to me.

5. Stuart Armstrong didn’t maintain his performance from the weekend and whisper it, seemed to be showcasing his own game rather than being what Gordon Strachan used to call, a good team mate. Moussa pointed this out to him a few times in the first half.

Meanwhile the skipper picked up a deserved booking for professional foul after a poor pass from Hendry.

Craig Gordon, made his 200th appearance for the Hoops, kept his 100th clean sheet and played very well. Mikael Lustig wasn’t as impressive as McGregor at the other side.

6. It’s a point closer towards the title, true. But the home entertainment on offer this season hasn’t been brilliant. Our away days have been by and large where we have enjoyed our season’s highlights. Is this to do with the formation? Would 2 up front and the old ‘go for their throats’ approach to Celtic at home not yield more? Brendan’s decision but it has been an underwhelming season in the league at Celtic Park.

7. We go again at Hamilton. COYBIG!

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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