A Celtic away game at 3 o’clock on a Saturday for the first time in seven years? And a top of the table clash as well? Your humble correspondent had to be there!
And so it was that Celtic went to the top of the league after easily our best performance of the season after a comfortable 2-0 win.
Our esteemed manager played a formation with Tuesday trip to Moscow in mind, a sort of 4-5-1/ 4-4-1-1 hybrid, which worked, as Celtic bossed the game from midfield, Kris Commons in particular running the show. His beautiful flighted pass setting up the opener for Gary Hooper after 31 minutes. The lead was then doubled four minutes later after a cross from Scott Brown was put into his own net by Adam Cummins.
In the second half Cummins was then sent-off for a last man foul on Commons, but Brown’s resulting penalty was weak and Randolph easily saved. Maybe time for Mulgrew to take the penalties? I can’t see Brown hitting another one after missing two in a row. Celtic then spent the remainder of the game camped in Motherwell’s half and managed to miss some sitters – a free header from Wanyama – force Randolph into some excellent saves, and waste glorious positioning by ‘overcomplicating’ things – main offender: James Forrest.
However, what will please Lennon was the return to form of EMILIOOOOH! Yes, Izzy had has best game in well over a year, turning a load of marauding runs down the wing and handling his defensive duties well. If he can recapture anything like his form of two seasons ago he’ll have a fine season.
Charlie Mulgrew played ahead of Izzy in a left midfield role, possibly as a ‘dry run’ for Tuesday night. He played well, possibly better than he’s played in defence this season. Lustig took the place of the injured Adam Matthews at right-back and had probably one of his best games for Celtic so far.
In defence, Efe Ambrose looked very good. I know it’s early, and yes, he’s only played two games, but he looks like he could be a real find. And what of the much-maligned Kelvin Wilson? Well, he done the things that needed to be done, and was only really caught in position once. Could he finally be the player Lennon always said he would? Tuesday will be the acid test for that I’d expect. As for Fraser Forster, he literally didn’t have a save to make.
In more encouraging news, both Joe Ledley and the Enigma that is Samaras made their returns from the subs bench, both will start on Tuesday I’d imagine. So, all in all things are looking good for Celtic, we’re back at the top of the SPL, our injury situation is clearing up, and we don’t owe the public over £90 million. If only we had somebody who could take penalties…
