Celtic blew Rangers away with a first-half display back in February to set the tone for Ange Postecoglou’s team. Goals from Reo Hatate and Liel Abada sent Celtic top of the Premiership, where we would remain until winning the title at Tannadice in May. However, before a ball was even kicked, Celtic had won. Spurred on by a capacity crowd who hadn’t witnessed this fixture in person in over two years, the You’ll Never Walk Alone before kick-off coupled with the lights and the support, was truly special. It is undoubtedly one of the best atmospheres in Paradise for years, if not the best.
🎥 Unique Angle 𝙐𝙣𝙘𝙪𝙩 – Part 2 🍀
𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻 🔊
Raw & unedited, just like the 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙨 Paradise atmosphere – thanks for your world class support Celts.#CELRAN | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG | #RollWithIt pic.twitter.com/YTBBFSsXKB
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 3, 2022
Brilliantly, Paradise was plunged into darkness as the anthem was belted out and the players entered the huddle and the Rangers players were forced to watch. The closed-door chumps were clearly spooked and that was evident as a Celtic team (missing key first team players) looked excellent.
It was a fast start and the Celtic midfield, led by skipper CalMac, dominated and helped the team get forward. Although, special mention needs to go to one man – Reo Hatate. Hatate was named Man of the Match after the Japanese midfielder contributed two goals and an assist over the course of the evening.
His first goal came after a cleared corner fell to his feet at the edge of the area, a drive that was moving away from Allan McGregor evaded bodies in the box before nestling in the corner. His second came from a lovely move down Celtic’s right-hand side, neat interplay allowed Liel Abada to play his teammate in at the edge of the area, allowing Hatate to bend the ball around Goldson and into McGregor’s near post.
Hatate assisted thereafter when he found the touchline on the left and delivered a delightful ball into the mix, which Abada ran onto – leaving Barisic on his knees. Celtic did their business early, Giakoumakis was denied on a few occasions by McGregor but the goals allowed Celtic to sit off and soak up the pressure.
On Friday morning, the new fixtures will be released and fans will be checking to see who we face first and when Rangers come to Paradise in the autumn.
UPDATE…Celtic open with a visit from Aberdeen, Glasgow Derby at Paradise on 3 September
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Ange’s style of football created a great atmosphere throughout the second half of the season even at every away game. He should change his motto to ” We don’t do boring ” . It’s a great feeling for Celtic fans to have a Manager who wants to play exciting football. Legend ?