What a difference a week makes in football, the two games played in the last week have been polar opposites of our games before that, and that is obviously down to the Martin O’Neill influence. All the talk from the mob from Govan was about how they were robbed, when in reality it could have been 6/7-1. They complained about Nick Walsh, he gave 26 fouls against Celtic to 13 against Sevco. We had six players yellow carded, they had 3 yellow cards and a stonewall red, it seemed to me that every tackle by a Celtic player was given as a foul.
The most pleasing thing for me was the attitude of the players, we were faster, more aggressive, and certainly more direct in our play, seeing our players making 50 yard diagonal passes was great, and seeing our players making challenges all over the pitch was also very pleasing. It was brilliant to see young Callum Osmand scoring his first goal for Celtic, he could have had a hat trick with a bit of luck. Auston Trusty and Liam Scales were immense at the heart of our defence, Kasper made a couple of important saves, Marcello Saracchi had another great game, and our front three never stopped running.
This was a real team performance, every player played their part, from the starting eleven to the five subs we used, the only disappointment was that we didn’t win comfortably in the 90 minutes. The offside goal was very tight indeed, I would like to see the picture with lines drawn. The penalty against us was dubious as well, Big Tony dives with his arms tucked in, I don’t know what else he can do there. Walsh continually stopping our play for petty fouls is infuriating, as were some of the booking he gave us. As usual Walsh was very poor, I’m not sure what his agenda is, but I can’t remember a game he officiated at that wasn’t controversial.
We need to now carry the feel good factor onto our next couple of games against FC Midtjlland and Kilmarnock, then after the International break we have three away games in a row. Hopefully in the next few weeks Martin will get his ideas of how we should play into the squad, it will also give young Callum more time as a recognised first team player, and Big Auston and Liam more time together on the training pitch, if the two of them can maintain that form going forward, Big CCV will have a fight on his hands getting his place in the team back. So it’s onwards and upwards for the Famous Glasgow Celtic.
Glasgow’s still Green & White.
