Today we made that look simple, and everyone deserves great credit for that because with the pressure swirling around the club lately it had to be anything but.
The team did very, very well and showed that when they turn up we can play good football.
Obviously, the first half had the goals but I found the second half far more interesting, and that’s due to one man in particular; Patrick Roberts.
I have one word for his second half substitute’s display: wow.
He was superb. His every touch, his every move, his running, his pace, his footwork, his control and his vision. You hear a lot about some players and when you watch them you wonder just where the Hell the hype came from. With Patrick Roberts there’s no hype; everything you’ve heard is there, on the pitch, when you watch him play.
Put bluntly, this kid is a superstar in the making. What a thrill to think we’re going to have him at Celtic Park for the whole of next season. That he will almost certainly be joined by Ryan Christie is mouth-watering. At a time of cynicism and general gloom this is a prospect that should please everyone and give us all cause for optimism.
As usual Leigh Griffiths got on the score-sheet, opening proceedings today in his usual style. He didn’t look very pleased coming off, and I wasn’t pleased seeing him go, but Roberts made us forget that very quickly.
I like Callum McGregor when he’s playing in his natural position, and it was good to see him score today, but I got a lot of pleasure out of watching Gary Mackay Steven get one too. I’ve always liked this kid, and although he hasn’t popped yet and really shown us what he can do, the talent is there.
Kieran Tierney … what else can you say? He won the Man of the Match award today and he clearly has maturity and skills beyond his years. He was excellent from first minute to last, and today’s reports suggest that the first of many Scotland caps is on its way. Brilliant news.
Stefan Johansen started the game but he didn’t finish it, after a shocking tackle, completely ignored by the official, saw him taken off at half time.
Tell me something; how can a ref be so bad as to get demoted and still be considered good enough to take on a Scottish Cup quarter final involving the league champions? These people continue to make decisions that appal you … this is another in a long line of them.
I see there’s been some internet commentary on the attendance too; a match against lower league opposition, live on telly … were these people expecting a full house?
Having watched one of the other ties yesterday I can’t help having noticed it wasn’t exactly filled to capacity either; these people and their dreary obsession with ephemera like this … why do they bother?
I understand it from Championship team supporters who like to think they are special … but quite what the Hell it has to do with TalkSport I’m not entirely sure but if I tried hard enough (if I gave a monkeys in other words) I am sure I could find a lot of half empty grounds at FA and League Cup ties … not to mention a few in the “world’s greatest league” itself.
All in all this was a decent enough performance, no more than we were entitled to expect from the team and no more than was due.
It wasn’t a classic … but it was a good display and in particular those dancing feet of our on-loan winger from City. This kid might be young, but he has quality aplenty.
Let’s see if the manager deems it worthy of a sustained run in the team.