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The Celtic/Hibs fixture is quickly becoming the game to be circled in every supporter's calendar. When these two play you can guarantee excitement and good football.
A strange one this. The elation felt with the signings of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Lee Naylor was quickly tempered by the news that Artur Boruc had been cautioned by police following an 'incident' at Ibrox during the 1-0 victory for the Hoops last season. Conflicting reports are coming through over what exactly he was cautioned for but there does not seem to be any doubt that Boruc making the Sign of the Cross proved too much for some of the Orcs and they consequently shopped him the nearest Bear in Blue. You can only wonder how the rest of western society looks upon the stupidity of Scotlands shame..... ....anyhow, Artur was replaced in goal by David Marshall. WGS said after the game that he picks players based on physial AND mental fitness. He may have figured that Artur was not going to be in the right frame of mind for this difficult fixture. Fair enough. His explanation though that he dropped Petrov and replaced him with Pearson because Steve has a 'better engine' just doesn't wash with this Tim. I suspect that Stan is on his way to join 2nd place Aston Villa (MON working some early season magic) very shortly - hopefully to be replaced by one Thomas Gravesen. There was a starting place in the line-up for Lee Naylor at left back but Vennegoor of Hesselink started on the bench. There was a cracking atmosphere at the game but the dampners were soon put on as Hibs went ahead in the 8th minute thanks to Scott Brown who was put through by new boy Zemmamma who looked to be living up to all the hype. Hibs could actually have been 2-0 up at this point but for a McManus clearance off the line minutes earlier. But Celtic were making chances of their own in what was a very open game (from the sounds of it - I was listening on the radio!) - even Neil Lennon had a shot on target which the keeper spilled and Nakamura should have done better from the follow-up. He nearly made amends from a free-kick but the bar came to Hibs rescue. The second halfsaw Vennegoor of Hesselink come on in the 52 minute for the unlucky Kenny Miller but it was Magic who got the equaliser 10 minutes later. A beautiful ball from McGeady picked out the over-lapping Naylor who squared it to Zurawski. He still had a bit of work to do but the ball nestled in the net. 1-1. Four minutes later and Celtic were in front and again it was McGeady who set it up - his 20 yrd drive coming off the post and Big Jan was on to it like a flash. Cue bedlam in the stands and an estatic celebration from the new Bhoy. Stand outs for the Hoops were McGeady who seemed to be at the heart of everything Celtic did well and he also put in a mighty performance tracking back. Pearson battled for everything in the middle of the park and one Gary Caldwell sprayed some glorious passes around as he looked to get things going from the back. A sympathetic mention must go to Kenny Miller - again certain sections of the support won't give time to the new guy to settle in - he hasn't got his name on the scoresheet yet but anybody that knows anything about this game must appreciate the power of work he puts in, the space he finds and creates for others with his movement and his involvement in setting up some of the goals this season. With Big Jan as the target man, Magic and Miller will be fighting for the remaning slot up front and I can see them both doing well. I hope he keeps his spirits up and I'm sure he will get that goal shortly. Also plaudits to Caldwell - he's made the step up and slowly but surely he is adjusting. Man of the Match though - Aidan McGeady. By a country mile. I don't care what the match sponsors say :-) |
