Ok, I watched the game with my dad, who's not really a Celtic fan - he just likes a good, clean and skilful game of football. We both agreed with you in that if was a rather scrappy match overall, and that the passing of the Rangers players was woeful! So what happened to them, I wonder, as before this game they'd been great in that department?
However, right from the off, Celtic were clearly the more determined and resolute team (they obviously wanted it more) and set out to press and frustrate Rangers, by denying them any space or time on the ball, nullifying any threat they had in the process, and it worked a treat, as Defoe was starved of service, and Forster hardly had a save to make throughout the whole match...
Indeed, Rangers only had one shot on target during the whole game, which proved how effective Celtic's tactics were. They huffed and puffed, but lacked penetration and never really posed a threat to the makeshift Celtic defence, and indeed had it not been for McGregor, who pulled off great saves from Julien and Ntcham, Celtic would've won by 3 or 4, so whilst Celtic were far from at their best, I can't agree that they were poor.
They controlled the game, pretty much from the off, and were more threatening than Rangers going forward, plus much more of an organised unit. The most pleasing thing for me though was the performance of players such as Julien and Bolingoli, who beforehand had been slaughtered by the press/media and some of the Celtic fans. Both sailed through the game and had very confident and commanding performances, particularly Julien, who cleared almost everything that Rangers threw into the box, and won man of the match.
It was a close call for that between him and Edouard, who once again, like Dembele before him did, showed his class and that he is a big game player. He took his goal brilliantly. I firmly believe that Julien and Bolingoli will go onto do a great job for Celtic, along with El Hamed, who also looks the part, as does Bauer. One criticism I'd aim at Lennon, however, is his treatment of Craig Gordon, who hasn't put a foot wrong, and indeed has been playing superbly, but has been unceremoniously dumped for Forster!
Yes Forster is quality, and last time he was at Celtic did a superb job, but right now I don't see him as being any better than Gordon, and I dislike 'old pals acts'I just hope Lennon can keep Gordon happy. as we still need him as a quality back-up, because I don't think that Bain is as good as some think. Plus, no goal again against Celtic for Morelos... He's undoubtedly a very good striker, but he'll never go down as a Rangers hero or true great until he breaks his Celtic duck!
Pound-for-pound, I still think that Edouard is the better player and the more likely to get you a vital goal in the biggest games. The referee I thought had a good game, and tried his best to be realistically lenient and let the game flow, so if that's what you meant Robin by "interesting", then fair enough. What about the disgraceful tackle though by Jordan Jones on Bauer?
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That was ridiculous and could've been a leg-breaker!! Gerrard shook his head in disbelief when it happened, and no wonder, as that's another one of his players who clearly has discipline issues and been sent off in a game against Celtic, so Rangers will now be missing him through suspension, when things start up again after the international break.
All in all it was a great result for us, but I'm certainly not getting carried away. Like Grant says, there's a LONG way to go!
However, it'll be interesting to see how Rangers bounce back after this defeat. Their home game against Livingston should provide the platform for that, and of course I'm sure that they'll be all out for revenge in the next Old Firm encounter at Celtic Park, where they'll no doubt be trying to do to Celtic, what Celtic did to them.
It's been a good season so far, and I'm certain that there are still plenty more thrills and spills to come!
Marco.
Originally Posted by Marco
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