After the demolition job on the Ibrox outfit the other night, everyone wondered if our intensity would have dropped off at Fir Park today. No dice. We came out of the traps as we did on Wednesday night and penetrated the Motherwell defence, until eventually their resolve could no longer stand the onslaught of green and white jerseys descending upon Liam Kelly’s goal.
The manner in which the first goal was crafted is like one would expect Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to carve out for themselves. Another stupendous ball across the goal early from Reo Hatate to find the precocious talent that is Liel Abada. My word the young Israeli is proving difficult to stop – and even more so to criticise. His movement is the definition of grease lightening. Like a viper awaiting his opportunity to strike our foes down with a calculated pounce.
I was more than pleased to see the return of our Wizard of Oz, Tom Rogic. Having been away on international duty with Australia, many questioned if he would be rested for a couple of games, but manager Ange Postecoglou waived away such ideas earlier in the week which pertained to Tom’s situation amongst others. He was in from the start today and didn’t mess about; showing Matt O’Riley what he’s competing against to get into this Celtic team on a regular basis.
Ralston was his usual, physical and ultimately enthusiastic self. Running himself into the ground for his teammates and oh, pulling off a wonderful pass for Liel Abada to set-up Rogic for his second of the day. How rude of me! I haven’t even mentioned Tom’s first… A goal that would be the highlight reel of most midfielders careers, yet for Tam it’s just another day at the office. Kris Boyd in the studio tried to question the Motherwell goalkeeper for this one – who by the way prevented a ridiculous scoreline – but that’s just typical from the patron saint of hammer throwers.
Up top, Giorgios Giakoumakis looks more and more like being the target man we have been missing for some years now. His hold-up play was spot on. He dug in when required and received a booking from the dubious John Beaton. Penalty kick anyone?
Nevermind. Maeda was efficient, if not spectacular today on the left, proving even more of a handful for Bevis Mugabi and the Steelmen’s defence when he moved to the centre. He got his just desserts in the end with a rather fortunate goal, but one nonetheless that both he and Celtic will take.
The substitutions Ange made keep us fresh for Pittodrie midweek and will safeguard the wellbeing of a squad that has been in a quagmire when it comes to injuries of late. It was so refreshing to look to a bench that has genuine options now. Earlier in the season a match like this could have been an uphill battle for the full 90 minutes.
🎙️ Ange Postecoglou 𝙊𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 ⤵️#MOTCEL | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/FlkKHaWjx4
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 6, 2022
Not now, however. Now we have the capabilities to exchange like-for-like on the pitch, all thanks to Ange and his miraculous eye for a player. It speaks volumes when we were able to take off our captain and replace him with a player who was unlucky not to be involved from the start today, given his recent exploits since arriving from League One in England.
This afternoon saw us lay down a marker to our rivals at Fir Park. The sort that can leave those with a weak stomach give up the fight inside. They know we mean business now and the game through the week wasn’t just a blip in their so called “dominance”. We have the pendulum swinging in our direction as I write this. We don’t look like stopping.
Send them back to Hell, Bhoys!
Paul Gillespie
