In a game were football for one team was desperately trying to be circumvented by the other team trying to stick the boot in, I have to start by pointing out one of the best old firm moments of all time. Firstly I want to point out that Rangers tactics seemed to be about trying to emulate Motherwellââ¬â¢s performance against us at the weekend. They wanted to get in our face and break up our play. Their whole game plan seemed to be about sticking the boot in and getting to the second ball. But, when youââ¬â¢ve got a team that are less fit and less skilful, what you end up with is three red cards and a ridiculous amount of yellow cards to said team. Celtic were not playing on a bog this time. We played on grass, which is more suitable to the kind of football Celtic play best. Passing expansive football. So, it was fitting that the goal that won the game was one of the best OF goals Iââ¬â¢ve seenââ¬Â¦.Let me explain. With his first shot, Wilson knocked out the hapless Papic and his second found the net. It was never the most spectacular if goals, but there was a sense of justice and karma about it. So much so I have to say I truly loved it. Fair play to Papic for being brave enough to make he clearance. But, you have to love the fact that by playing football and firing in a wonderfully powerful shot not only took out their left back, but won us the game. I commend every Celtic player for being composed with their play while Rangers quite simply lost the plot. It all seemed desperate from the disgraced players in blue. Made visual by Bougherraââ¬â¢s desperation to stop the ref from giving him his second yellow and McCoistââ¬â¢s bitterness with his words to Lenny and the end of the match. From what I heard from the BBC, Celtic and Lenny were upset by Diouf pushing the Celtic physiotherapist when he came on to take care of Izzy. Diouf then took it upon himself to have a go at Dolph and Lenny. If there was one player in the world more unsuited to the pressure of an old firm game, that would be Diouf. Heââ¬â¢s a liability in these games, as he has more than proven tonight. McCoistââ¬â¢s bitter wee words to Lenny also proves that he has a lot to learn in the game after seven years of tutelage under Smith at Scotland and Rangers. No manager likes losing these games. But, I suggest McCoist looks to Smith and Lennon on how to conduct himself when losing an Old Firm game for future reference. Some sense of fair play and dignity is needed. He did himself no favours tonight. For Celtic a result was important after our slip at the weekend. And yet again, Lennon proved that the big games are no longer our Achilles heal. Celtic-1 Rangers-disgraced. Hail, Hail
Great post and a deserved article. The only thing I have to add, and I may do so in my own full article at some point - I believe that McCoist deliberately tried to behave as if he was outraged tonight, so that Rangers fans could no longer accuse him of caring less than them. McCoist achieved a master stroke by diverting the attention away from his attrocious tactical decisions and on to the fact that he would like to try 'nut' Lennon like the lowest common denominator also would. It appeased the masses for now at least
I reckon Sally has made a rod for his back by trying to back up Diouf from the get go. Diouf is a guy you can't backup. He's been a disgrace to any club who's been unlucky to have him on his books. Rangers tonight showed they still have plenty of dig about their team which will serve them well in the SPL...But against a team who wants to win playing football they will always get shown up for what they are. A side with poor footballing ability and a manager who knows their limits and plays to try and frustrate. This season I hope football wins. We are following the righteous path....karma and football will win the day hopefully.
The first half was indeed atrocious at points, for Celtic. They stiffled us well. But in the end it really, honestly felt that we were playing a standard SPL side - we are on top and we are obviously better, but with only one goal in it the diddy team could always come back and bite you at the death if you are not careful. In that way the nerves I felt against Rangers towards the end tonight were in no way different to what I feel against Aberdeen or Hearts when there is only one goal in it. That's not being disrespectful, it's how I genuinely felt. When they delcared 5 minutes extra time I was happy - get another one Celtic!
The game is being painted as a ill tempered game but one team lost the plot, really gets my goat that. They had a free kick toward the end but I can't remember another shot but Smith says they where better than the last game that wouldn't be the case for any other football club in the world but he genuinely thinks that.
What sort of fine will Rangers be looking at for that match? 3 reds, 8 yellows - should be pretty hefty!
What did McCoist say to Lennon? Also when did Diouf push the physio? When did Diouf go out of his way to have a go at Mjallby and Lennon? Yes Rangers (again) lacked any threat whatsoever to Celtic thus Celtic more than deserved to win the game. I always knew this game was beyond us However, from what I gather McCoist had enough of Lennon's neddish antics and pulled him up for it (rightly ****ing so). McCoist was as cool as a cucumber before Lennon flared up. It appeared to be Lennon's body language that would suggest he was the one that "lost it". Right enough though I don't what was said between those two and neither the **** do you. So until the truth comes out all this blue/green tinted speculation counts for **** all As for off the ball antics don't get me started on that "rotten to the core" motley management crew you've assembled. When Diouf was at the touchline with Brines and McCoist what possessed Thomson and Lennon to come all the way out to get in the face of Diouf???? Also the antics of Mjallby at half time going up the tunnel. What possessed him to go all the way up and attempt to taunt Diouf in to some fracas. Thankfully he handled it well and Bartley told Mjallby to **** right off!! This was happening constantly throughout the game. Each of those **** taking shots at Diouf for **** all! Now we're hearing that Diouf pushed the physio? Were the **** did that come from?? I don't recall seeing that!! Diouf's behavior has been exemplary since arriving. Don't get me wrong I think the guys a scumbag for what he's done in the past but up here? Nah **** off and jog on. Diouf has acted better than most human being would if they were treated like that If you're wanting to talk about the behavior of players look no ****ing further than that lego eating ****knuckle you call captain. After Dioufs getting pushed left, right and center by Commons. Brown bounds in like a ****ing Non Educated Delinquent (shockerfuckingrooney) and starts it again with his childish skin gripping. Honestly what's next hair pulling by that ****? There's been much debate over the years regarding violence after old firm games and how we need to rid ourselves of it. How the **** can we do that when all Celtic seem to do is fan the flames with their behavior over the past year or so. Before the game I totally expected to lose last night so don't give me the sour grapes pish. Also don;t give me that pish about McCoist's handling of the situation. Losing is something Smith and McCoist have had their share of. Is it any coincidence that OF games have fell into mayhem since the appointment of Lennon? My rant has solely came for the behavior from John Reids dismantlement of OF relations, to the lies of Lawell, to Lennon's animal behaviour, down to your captian who looks like he's being stripped of all humanity in his manager image. From conspiracies, to clarifications, to honest mistakes, to neddish captain behaviour, to inciting anarchy on the streets of glasgow and to having the sheer audacity to question our diginity? You're having a laugh aren't you?
Well he didn't get sent off for exemplary behaviour last night. His shoulder barge at the physio (I seen it my own eyes) when he's running to attend to Izzy is the lowest act I've ever seen on a football park, his jumping up and down like a wean when he doesn't get his own way is well short of exemplary. Shall I continue?
At what point did he barge the physio? Absolute ****ing bulshite Tom! Please don;t let me stop you. Continue...
I seen it, you can live in denial all you like. I'm not going to try anymore to show up Douif he's more than capable himself.
Joof shoulder barged our Physio and that raised Joahann's ire. As for McCoist Bollo, if Lenny was winding him up why did his smile turn to fury? As far as I saw it Lenny was willing to shake hands and forgive until Ally said something. What did McCoist say to him? "Why don't you stay way from our players?" is what he said. He obviously meant Joof who as far as i'm concerned deserves everything that is coming his way and by saying that at the end of the gaem McCoist knew exactly the reaction he would get the fetid fat arsehole.
The fact of the matter is Dev no **** knows what was said but Lennon's behavior, never mind Diouf's has been atrocious since his appointment. Celtic have successfully sent us back into the dark ages. Is it coincidence that OF games decorum has went into melt down since he was crowned King of the Filth? Because for the record it not that McCoist and Walter have suddenly become different people. Lennon is nothing more that a ****ing scum bag and it's shows in his protege Brown. I don't use the word lightly but he's absolute scum! Say the **** what will about Rangers, say what the **** you want about their Football and I'll stick my hand up to 99% of the critisim. I'll tell you one thing though. I'm ****ing livid that Celtic Football Club have brought the OF games to this has came to this, ****ing livid!!!! This has now went beyond football!!!
I'm tired of people going on about Lennon Bollo, he's no angel but he's not the man who caused all this, that lies fairly and squarely at the door of Joof. Rangers tactics last night were not Lennon's fault as it's patently clear Rangers tried to kick Celtic off the park as Bartley suggested they would the other day in the papers. Bougherra lost it, Joof lost it. That's the truth of the matter.
Diouf after all the ****ing gip he's been receiving from your poisonous management team has acted with better decorum than your backroom staff and Brown stuck together!!! So nah **** that. Not having that Dev. Not one ****ing bit! Bougherra's studs down Hooper was ****ing shocking. Very true but **** all wrong with the second yellow. On balance though he should have walked for the lunge on Hooper Lennon's a ****ing scumbag nothing ****ing more!! The guys a ****ing legend to you lot. So if he acts like a ****ing ned it's all about the banter!
Lennon is a ginger racist scumbag, who knows Diouf would cause problems for the hoops so who better than get neanderthals like Brown to wind him up. Celtic scum, forever scum.
