‘The Battle of Easter Road’ – Ange came, he saw, he conquered

Well, well, well. How gratifying was that last night? After several years of failed attempts to win away at Easter Road in the SPFL, we done it emphatically on Wednesday night. An explosive half-an-hour saw Celtic swat aside Hibs in a fashion that I haven’t seen in a long, long time. Some of that stuff was utterly mesmerising to the point it almost became sensual. I make no apologies for that last statement either.

 Anthony Ralston of Celtic celebrates after the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Hibernian FC and Celtic FC at on October 27, 2021. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

For a spell Celtic were downright unplayable in Edinburgh, whilst Jack Ross’ side really had no answer to it in the opening exchanges. It was great to see Celtic scoring from set-pieces, as we have been neglecting this possible goal avenue for a time which makes no sense considering the plethora of talented crossers we have in this team.

I am more than pleased for Tony Ralston who has been nothing short of solid in these past few weeks. A well deserved goal from an extremely hard-working footballer. The ball in from David Turnbull was different class and he should be looking to deliver more like them for this Celtic side.

Anthony Ralston scores Celtic first goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Hibernian FC and Celtic FC at on October 27, 2021. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Cameron Carter-Vickers has gone from strength to strength beside his defensive bedfellow, Carl Starfelt. Both performed to a very high standard last night (the Hibs goal aside), and were reinforced by a giant in the form of ex-England international, Joe Hart. Hart made a particularly crucial save from Joe Newell in the first-half which kept Hibernian at bay and allowing Celtic more breathing space to go and impose their game. The third was just masterful. The Wizard of Oz at his best, dancing and jinking with those ballerina feet to slip in Jota who found his partner in crime Kyogo Furuhashi for a delicious team goal. One of the finest I’ve seen at Easter Road in all honesty.

Cameron Carter-Vickers celebrates scoring Celtic’s 2nd goal with his team mates during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match against Hibernian on October 27, 2021. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Then of course the magician Rogic had a niggling worry with his hamstring which resulted in a substitution taking place just as we were in cruise control. Nir Bitton came into the fold and to be fair never really put a foot wrong or looked out of place. The only caveat was that this did disrupt the fluency we had going in the middle of the park – undestandable really when you consider the discrepancy between Rogic and himself.

Tom Rogic picks up an injury at  Easter Road.(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

I must say though, Bitton was very streetwise at times with the ball and his overall game management. A certain moment springs to mind when he found himself at the right-wing position and carried the ball to the byline to win the corner kick. He could play a significant role this year in seeing games out at tough away venues. Don’t discount the big Israeli just yet.

We withered the Hibs storm very effectively in the second period of the game, when it became apparent the fluency wasn’t quite to the same standard anymore after Rogic left the field of play. Both Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt marshalled the defence well and made timely interceptions to deny the Leith club any glimmer of hope in the game. So much for folding like a pack of cards eh?

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic are really begining to motor again after a period in the club’s history that should be consigned to the rubbish bin. The new found optimism is beginning to manifest itself into results on the park, and Ange gave us all a glimpse of what the finished product of “Angeball” might be like. I have to say it’s got my head in a bit of a spin today and I can’t stop smiling.

We have momentum now and they know it. Keep the pedal to the floor Celtic and we could see them collapse like Slippy’s teams have done before. The intensity and desire was there for all to see and now another monkey is off the back. Ange came, he saw, he conquered Easter Road.

Onwards and upwards, Bhoys!

COYBIG

Paul Gillespie

About Author

I'm a Garngad Bhoy through and through. My first ever Celtic game was a friendly against Italian side Parma at Celtic Park, in 2002. Currently a student of English Literature and Education at the University of Strathclyde for my sins. Favourite game would be a toss up between beating Manchester United with that Naka freekick, or the game against the Oldco when Hesselink scored in the dying seconds. I'm still convinced Cal Mac is wasted playing that far back.

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