Super Hooper ensures Celtic don’t have to take it on the chin
A big difference from last season from the Hoops
Their city rivals have picked up a reputation in recent weeks for grabbing late wins but today was all about Celtic displaying their never say die spirit. It looked as though a combination of Dundee United’s dogged performance and a glut of strange decisions would leave Rangers as the only SPL team with a 100% record but Celtic never gave up.
There will be concerns for Neil Lennon with the amount of chances that his players missed but equally, the fact that Celtic carved Dundee United open time after time will be seen as a hugely positive aspect. Going 4-3-3 handed United a numerical advantage in midfield but it never told or showed as Celtic’s attacking play dominated the match.
The opening game came from a good move down the right hand side involving Samaras, Stokes and Wilson which saw the ball being swept home by Gary Hooper. One of the things Celtic have lacked in recent years has been a penalty box poacher so having someone in the six yard to finish these chances is a big boost for Celtic.
Celtic were in control but United started to cause some problems on the break. One break led to a United corner and the Tayside team had their opponents hemmed in their own box. A sharp save from Forster and good block from Samaras prevented an equaliser but Dundee United managed to level before the break.
Joe Ledley appeared to be bundled over and while most in the ground expected the whistle for a foul, United raced on and David Goodwillie was rewarded with a big deflection from Glen Loovens which wrongfooted Forster in the Celtic goal and brought United level.
Goodwillie was fortunate not to be booked for shushing the Celtic fans and cupping an ear to them…perhaps this was the inconsistency displayed by Dougie McDonald that seemed to get Peter Houston so vexed in his after match press conference.
Refs should book ALL players for winding up opposition fans when they score a goal or book NO players for winding up opposition fans when they score a goal. The only thing that genuine football fans (ie not the nutters) want from a ref is consistency. Refs aren’t going to get every decision right – NO ONE CAN DO THAT – but an attempt at consistency would go a long way to improving how refs are regarded by fans.
Anyways, the goal lifted United and seemed to rattle Celtic although Ledley nearly worked off with his anger on the stroke of half-time with a stinging shot that Purnis did well to palm over the bar.
The start of the second half saw United dominate for ten minutes and again forced a succession of corners which hemmed Celtic in. The Tannadice club were unable to grab a goal for their pressure at this point and Celtic clawed their way back into possession….and it seemed as though the rest of the game would hinge on penalty claims.
The first of the penalty shouts came when Scott Severin blocked a Georgios Samaras cut back with his hand, which was away from his body. This was a blatant decision but with the ref trailing play and the linesmen on the opposite side of the park, there is maybe a benefit of the doubt to be offered to the officials in it not being given. However, it was a certain penalty kick….but worse was to come for the travelling fans.
Gary Hooper was deep inside the United box when Garry Kenneth pulled him back, to the strikers credit he ran on and got a nick on the ball before Dursan Pernis came out and although he got a slight touch on the ball, the keeper then took Hooper completely out of play. Dougie McDonald wasted no time in giving a penalty kick, no doubt spoilt for choice between Kenneth’s foul and then the Pernis incident.
Some will say that because Pernis got a touch on the ball, he is able to do what he wants. This isn’t the case, the ball is still in play and the goalie took Hooper out of play when the ball was still live. It wasn’t intentional from the goalkeeper but they have been given time and time again.
The second penalty Celtic lost in Utrecht came when Lukasz Zaluska came out and won the ball with his feet but his forward momentum then saw him slide on and he made contact with the Utrecht forward. On that occasion, a penalty was awarded and you can see that today, McDonald almost immediately pointed to the spot.
Assistant referee Steven Craven moved into position for the penalty kick but then, and this is something the SFA would do well to explain, the two officials decided that a drop-ball was the order of the order.
As you would expect, Celtic were livid and their fans voiced their anger at McDonald and the SFA.
They also screamed for every award after this. There was a shout when Paul Dixon, who was staring at the man and not the ball, obstructed Ki Sung Yueng making his way into the box. It wasn’t a penalty but an indirect free-kick could have been given. Interestingly enough, Craven wasn’t keen to get involved in this decision.
After this, another Scott Severin handball had the Celtic fans shouting but this time, Severin’s hand was drawn in to his body and would have been a harsh decision if given.
It looked as though United would take a point and that Neil Lennon’s introduction of Paddy McCourt with three minutes of the 90 was far too late to change things.
Not a bit of it as the Irishman, with the captain’s armband shuffled to the edge of the box and supplied a cross that caused great confusion in the box. United defenders were putting their bodies on the line to block the incoming shots but another handball from a United defender allowed the ball to roll into the path of Gary Hooper who prodded home to grab all three points for the Glasgow side.
Hooper nearly got a third in injury time after a long run but his shot was superbly saved by Pernis, who yet again proved he is an excellent shot-stopper and can probably consider himself unlucky to be on the losing side.
United showed a lot of good movement on and off the ball and their defending was desperate yet heroic at times. The late defeat will no doubt be cruel to United’s fans and players but if they can maintain that level of performance, they should be Scotland’s third best club by a lengthy distance.
As for Celtic, there were a lot of impressive performances and it would probably be quicker to say that only Shaun Maloney could have offered a lot more for the Glasgow side. Joe Ledley’s shot off the post was probably the best chance for Celtic to have regained the lead earlier than they did but their amount of pressure throughout the game as an attacking force was impressive.
Two sides giving their all in an end to end game is exactly what Scottish football needs to lift its spirits and show that this nation can play attractive football. Whilst Celtic take all three points both sides can take comfort and credit for such a tremendous game of football. As for the officials, a little spell on the sidelines may not cause them any harm after a game where they got a lot more wrong than right.
Still, on a street that has suffered with respect to football this week, it was good to see many elements of what makes Scottish football alive and kicking today at Tannadice.
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McDonald seemed to have a stinker, not uncommon for Scottish Ref’s unfortunately. He also rather strangely blew for full time about 2 minutes too soon and when United were in a very promising looking position.
How long before the tabloids build the game up with a 9 in a row spin? I give it until tomorrow!!
Credit to both Rangers and Celtic though, Rangers have managed to win all 8 games when it’s looked like they could have lost or drawn half of them, they’ve yet to hit the heights of last year but the team ethic and desire is still very much in evidence. As for Celtic, to win all 8 games with pretty much a new squad, is a fair achievement. Especially given that Lennon is doing a fair bit of tinkering to get to his magic 11.
Next weeks shaping up to be the biggest Old Firm game since, eh well the last one!!
I predict a draw.
We made reference to the 9 In a row thing yesterday – apologies…sometimes we’re just lazy!!
The time was well over the 5 minutes that were supposed to be added…but given that it would have been lucky if there was a minute of football in that added time, the game could have went on a good bit longer.
McDonald was pretty rubbish as usual but the penalty incident really needs to be explained. The ref gave it, the linesmen immediately went to his position indicating his agreement…and then the same two men came up with a changed opinion. Given that the 4th officials can assist with the refs decision, perhaps he made a call over the mike to the ref. If so….on what basis did he do it? There is no way from his vantage point he would have had a clearer view…unless he watched it on TV…but thats not allowed.
Still….can you imagine the fun if a similar incident happens this Sunday?
Listen, I and other Rangers fans would be livid if the same thing happened to my team. The referee should have blew and ran to his linesman for clarification first, instead of immediately pointing to the spot like he did.
Like so many things in Scottish Football, it will be left unexplained and inconsistency will rule the day. The SFA done a unique thing this weekend, the had both sets of old firm fans singing ‘fuck the sfa’
Next big topic will be who the referee is for the big game on Sunday, not going to get too concerned though. The Champions League must take centre stage again, hopefully Rangers can keep up their unbeaten run on Wednesday.
That’s the thing Quagmire…if we want these issues to be improved – people need to put aside club differences and put pressure on the SFA to resolve these concerns.
Last season we moaned about the way the video panels were set up / organised / and decided – at the time it involved Celtic. This time around, it has involved Rangers…and we still feel as strongly about it, hence why we used the same arguments and complaints.
There are too many blazer wearing piggies at the SFA with their noses deep in the trough.
It shouldnt be forgotten that today was an exciting and end to end game. A few weeks back, Rangers trip to Tynecastle was fairly eventful and full of action and excitement too. When Celtic and Rangers hit the road, the potential for cracking games is there and we shouldnt lose sight of that.
We can all deride Scottish football…and whilst its not at the top of its game or able to compete against teams from other nations (Rangers excepted) – there can still be some hugely engrossing games. You sometimes feel it is in spite of the refs and the SFA though as opposed to being aided by it.
The talk appears to be that Craig Thomson will referee Sunday’s game but as you said, Rangers have a big game this midweek, which will hopefully dampen some of the pre-match build up to the Parkhead clash.
Given the way Valencia got behind a Barcelona defence that attacked and pressed up….it would be madness for Rangers to do the same. And to be honest, you cant blame anyone at Ibrox for taking a cautious approach, at least for the opening segment of the game, on Wednesday night.
William Collum is the referee for next weeks Celtic v Rangers game.
Information can be found here:
http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/resources/documents/RefereeAppointments/SPL/SPL/Round%209(23-24%20OCT).pdf
Let’s hope were not talking about the referee next Monday. I actually think he’s not too bad a referee, hopefully the occasion doesn’t prove too big for him though.
McDonald played more than six and a half minutes stoppage time.
Sorry, six minutes seventeen seconds.
Dalys head knock took exactly one minute fifteen seconds from McDonald blowing his whistle, Daly being substituted and McDonald dropping the ball to restart the game.
Dundee Utd were in such a strong position that Sammi had a shot cleared a yard off the line at five minutes fifty seconds.
5 minutes of stoppage time were to be played, going by your calculations there was at least another 28 seconds left when Dundee Utd were just outside Celtics box. Clear proof then that the referee got it wrong again.
Is that what your saying Max?
They were 10 – 15 yards outside Celtics Box ffs you are cluthing @ straws. With regards to the referee already the dumb nonsence has began photographs of Willie Collum with a cross would somebody please educate these dumb fucks there are outher faiths that were a crucifix is worn not just RCs next they will be saying RCs go to Chapel & Protestants go to Church oh i just remembered the dumb fucks believe that as well
Danny I initially mentioned the fact that McDonald blew early as more evidence of a poor game that he had. I also stated that I would be aggrieved had that penalty scenario happened with Rangers. Not point scoring.
As for Collum, the crucifix that he wears is in line with his Catholic faith, he also teaches religious education at an RC School. Let me be clear on one thing, something I also mentioned earlier, I happen to rate Collum very highly and I’m glad he got the gig over Thomson, whom I think is going through a poor spell also. Collum’s religious beliefs have nothing to do with the game of football, perhaps in some twisted minds of the Old firm fans it does, similar to the baptist minister McCurry being ‘outed’ as it were. It’s the goldfish bowl that we live in I’m afraid.
Let’s hope we have no reason to debate decisions next week.
anyway weve a champions league game before we go to the san giro whose the ref on that gig
hes islamic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where’s the Champions League preview guy’s, come on the big leagues in town again and we all need to get behind Scotland’s only European representative!
The big match Champions League preview is coming online at lunchtime Quags – been a hectic few days at the WeKnowSFA bunker (there’s a recession on, we’ve downgraded from the towers!!)
What’s your thoughts?
We can’t help but think if Rangers get anything from tonight it’ll be a bonus. Not because we expect them to get gubbed but just with regards to how the thought the group would pan out.
We’re still debating this amongst the team
I imagine this will be harder than the Man Utd game to be honest, there was little expectation in Manchester of getting a result and indeed attacking them at any great level. Being at home though the fans, whilst accepting we can’t go gung ho, will expect more from the team than we seen in Manchester.
I saw them against Barcelona and they look a right good side, even without their two star men Silva and Villa. Scotland showed against Spain though that they can be got at and hopefully Rangers can get something tonight, be happy with a draw and ecstatic with an unlikely win.