GREAT COMEBACK BUT THE PROBLEMS REMAIN

In Friday’s blog I talked about the Jekyll and Hyde nature of this current Celtic team and this was certainly displayed as Celtic recovered from 3-1 down to defeat Aberdeen 4-3. Despite the stirring comeback, the team’s problems were put firmly in focus and Neil Lennon acknowledged that things will have to improve.

Team wise, Lustig made his comeback from injury, Izaguirre was also back, Wilson and Ambrose were the center-halves, the old midfield duo of Kayal and Ledley played and Hooper and Stokes were up-front together for the first time in a while. Wanyama was suspended.

Celtic made the perfect start – opening the scoring after 12 seconds. The ball was played up to Tony Stokes who set Kris Commons to fire home the fastest goal in SPL history. The game then went into a lull, with only half chances being created, until a minute before half-time, when a Kelvin Wilson miskick allowed Josh Magennis to set up Scott Vernon to equalise. Wilson was claiming a foul but to me it looked like a he just made an error.

The second half then burst into life as Aberdeen took the lead. Celtic lost the ball in midfield and a Gavin Rae pass set up Josh Magennis who fired home, although perhaps Fraser Forster could have done better. With an hour gone Celtic then went 3-1 down, as Magennis flicked in a Gavin Rae shot to get his second, and leave Celtic facing the prospect of a third SPL loss in a row. Once again perhaps Forster could have done better with the goal.

Neil Lennon then made two quick changes, bringing on Samaras and Lassad for Kayal and Stokes, and the momentum started to change shortly after, Commons coming close before a Charlie Mulgrew shot was deflected in to bring Celtic right back into the match. Celtic then began to exert loads of pressure on Aberdeen, and the equaliser duly came in the 87th minute, Gary Hooper diverting home a Efe Ambrose header. The pressure continued, and Georgios Samaras continued his history of scoring iconic goals with the winner in the 94th minute. A Commons free kick led to Samaras finishing with an excellent overhead kick to spark scenes of wild celebration, and give Celtic an unexpected victory and probably the highlight of the domestic season so far.

On the plus side this Celtic side showed signs of fight which it hadn’t previously shown domestically this season, it was also the first time we have won an SPL game from behind since we beat Motherwell 2-1 in November 2011. Kris Commons played well, it was good to see the very important Lustig return and Samaras once more showed how vital he can be.

On the down side, both central defenders were very poor, Wilson and Ambrose were given a torrid time by Magennis, and Fraser Forster’s indifferent form since returning from injury continued, it seems to me he’s not fully fit. Stokes – who I have often praised on this blog – also had a poor game.

Neil Lennon’s stated after the game that during the international break he was going to try and sort the defensive problems which have recently blighted the club. In my opinion, he should drop Ambrose and play Mulgrew at center-back, which is his best position, and where he mostly played when he won player of the year. If Lennon want’s to keep Mulgrew in midfield then when Matthews returns from injury perhaps Lustig could be moved to center-half. Or Wanyama could play there again.

Despite the problems, it was a fine victory, and one which the club needed after recent setbacks. Let’s hope the problems are worked on during the international break and Celtic can get the league and cup double won.