SPL Discussion Thread

[eirebhoy]

Shunsuke Nakamura Outrageous banana shot deceived McGregor for the opening goal and it was his goalbound strike that prompted Cuellar to throw up a hand to concede Celtic's penalty. Aside from those two pivotal moments, though, it was hard to recall the Japanese creating anything else from open play 6


Aiden McGeady Celtic's most creative outlet. Had to cope with the twin presence of Broadfoot and Whittaker in the first half but still managed to send in a number of tantalising crosses. Faded after the break when Whittaker dropped back to full-back but was still able to add a contribution whenever he received the ball 7




hahaha :D They really haven't got a clue about the game of football in the Scottish media. Naka cannot be judged on the amount of chances he creates ffs. Imaging judging Pirlo on the chances he creates. I can't believe they still don't know what type of player Naka is.

[Lim till i die]

Shunsuke Nakamura Outrageous banana shot deceived McGregor for the opening goal and it was his goalbound strike that prompted Cuellar to throw up a hand to concede Celtic's penalty. Aside from those two pivotal moments, though, it was hard to recall the Japanese creating anything else from open play 6


Aiden McGeady Celtic's most creative outlet. Had to cope with the twin presence of Broadfoot and Whittaker in the first half but still managed to send in a number of tantalising crosses. Faded after the break when Whittaker dropped back to full-back but was still able to add a contribution whenever he received the ball 7


Out of curiosity what way would you have scored those??

[eirebhoy]

Hartley 7
Robson 6.5
McGeady 5
Naka 7.5

Vennegoor 7
McDonald 6

The defence as poor as always.

[Lim till i die]

Sounds a bit simplistic but the lack of shots from Celtic last night, first when faced with a crippled keeper, then with a reserve one, was astonishing. Surely the likes of Nakamura should have been peppering them in from all over the place, any spillages and a big boy like VoH would have caused all kinds of panic in the box.

Also, the amount of times McGeady and Nakamura give the ball away is staggering. In fairness, I suppose it could just be an Old Firm game thing

[eirebhoy]

Also, the amount of times McGeady and Nakamura give the ball away is staggering.
Naka very rarely gives the ball away. His passing hasn't been as good as last season which I think is a bit down to confidence (he seemed low in confidence before his goal last night). Last season it was a shock when he lost misplaced any kind of pass or lost possession.

As for shots, Naka rarely shoots from far tbh. It's a bit frustrating sometimes because he obviously has the quality.

[see's it]

hartley 7 what game were you watching?

[eirebhoy]

Rangers try to play on the break. Celtic played 2 strikers and 3 attacking midfielders. Hartley had to guard for that Rangers break and did so superbly. Excellent off the ball. Himself and Robson were up against Ferguson, Dailly and the excellent Davis and the 2 Celtic men won the battle.

[eirebhoy]

What a goal!!!!!!:eek:

Shunsuke Nakamura take a bow. Just when we thought the league was over the Man from Japan steps forward.:eek:
I'm surpised at the lack of talk of this goal. If it had been heading 15 feet wide and crept in by the post it would surely be making the headlines. It did move about 15 feet from right to left.

[cheifo]

Where was Scott Brown?Injured?

[eirebhoy]

Suspended. He has about 200 bookings this season.

[drinkfeckarse]

I think the midfield pairing of Robson and Hartley has looked Celtics most solid pairing all season. May just be the kick up the arse Brown needs now as he's tailed off big time. I still have high hopes for him but next season is a big year for him now and he needs to kick on.

[Bottle of Tonic]

Well the hoops nearly got burnt again yesterday by Aberdeen.

While not the worst performance of the season it was only a couple of notches above the home performances vs St Mirren, Hibs, Dun Utd, Motherwell etc. In terms of urgency and desire to win the game you'd swear the league wasn't at stake.

When Aberdeen scored at the end my heart sank. I didn't catch the infringment. What do the replays tell us? Still three points, and all that.

On Wednesday nights game, I would give Naka man of the match. A great performance dictating the play around the middle of the park. It looked like Celtic went 3-5-2 for a portion, pushing Hinkel up wide right and releasing Naka inside to make the play, the kind of situation he would thrive in.
After that I thought Robson and Caldwell were top performers.

3 in a row still a long way off though.....

[Poor Student]

To be fair to Nakamura he really scored a double but for a flagrant and serious breach of the rules. I just don't have faith in this Celtic team to win every game this season. I have a feeling it'll be a draw in the next Old Firm game.

[Marked Man]

Even with a win against Rangers, Celtic would still need Rangers to slip up twice, and would have to win out themselves. I can't see either of those happening, let alone both.

[Poor Student]

Rangers struggled badly to beat St. Johnstone in the cup today. They seemed unable to up the tempo at all. Chris Burke and Steven Naismith also got injured. I'd say there's a glimmer of hope that Rangers could drop some points due to being knackered but like I say I just can't see Celtic winning all their remaining games.

[eirebhoy]

Even with a win against Rangers, Celtic would still need Rangers to slip up twice, and would have to win out themselves. I can't see either of those happening, let alone both.
Hibs (a)
Motherwell (h)
Dundee Utd (h)
Aberdeen (a)
Motherwell (a)
St Mirren (a)

I can definitely see them failing to win 2 of those.

Celtic would only have 3 games left after the Rangers game and a week in between each.

[Pike B]

Hate to say this but, I can't see Rangers slipping. Walter Smith wouldn't allow it. Thay'll hang on I reckon.. Just...

[Bottle of Tonic]

Rangers have been struggling badly but are grinding out the results, the kind of run you think has to end for them sometime. However looking at their last few league fixtures I think they'll hold on. The fixtures people would be looking at as the obvious ones for them to drop points, Hibs away and Aberdeen away, I can see them winning both. You can never rely on Hibs for a result against Rangers and I don't see Aberdeen doing anything on the last day of the season with nothing to play for (and the two jimmys).

Reckon Celtic are just as likely to drop points, as the posts above suggest. Scoring goals is a problem, and with Aiden increasingly marginalised the last couple of months I don't know where they will come from.

However a second derby win next Sunday will heap the pressure on nicely....

[eirebhoy]

Thursday 24 April
Fiorentina (h)

Sunday 27 April
Celtic (a)

Thursday 01 May
Fiorentina (a)

Sunday 04 May
Hibernian (a)

Wednesday 07 May
Motherwell (h)

Saturday 10 May
Dundee Utd (h)

Tuesday 13 May
St Mirren (a)

Thursday 15 May
Motherwell (a)

Sunday 18 May
Aberdeen (a)

Saturday 24 May
Queen of South


That's if (as is likely with all the injuries and suspensions) they don't make UEFA cup final. If they do make the UEFA cup final that's played on 14th May and the season will be extended by 4 days.

[Bottle of Tonic]

Dunno what to make of todays SPL announcement re: possible extension to the season.

I'm glad they didn't bend too much and let Rangers play out their remaining games over an extra week or two. However, even with the possible four day extension, as Lawwell has pointed out, the integrity of the league is compromised. I agree 100% with this stance.

The season is the season. There haven't been any extraordinary circumstances save Phil O Donnells death, yet Rangers have a backlog of fixtures due to their successful progress in the cups. Surely this is not enough reason to extend the league to aid one teams quest for the title? Drawing cup games and needing replays to decide them are in the rules, I can't see how they can justify extending the league season because of this.
Lest we forget the hun getting the Gretna game called off so they could prepare for a CL humping by Lyon.

You can't have it both ways boys! Or in Scotland, maybe you can?

[drinkfeckarse]

I enjoyed the game yesterday. Rangers are really struggling now with injuries and suspensions so the impossible is looking possible all of a sudden. I thought Caldwell had one of his best games in the hoops yesterday and he certainly answered a few of his critics who feel that he isn't tough enough to be a centre half. He was the only defender on the pitch that actually attacked the ball aggresively I felt.

[Junior]

Great game and atmosphere - Electric stuff. The bhoys showed some real dig and Barry Robson had another excellent game, regardless of the bottle shown in taking the penalty.

Listening to the radio on the way home, some of the radio pundits actually had us down as favourites now which seems ludicrous when Rangers could be 4pts clear if they win the 3 games in hand? - still at least it makes it interesting over the coming weeks.

C'mon the Fiorentina - A win in Extra Time on Thursday would do me nicely!!!!!

[OwlsFan]

I see Robbie Keane, Duffer and Carr enjoyed the result:

http://www.spurspies.tv/2008/04/see_robbie_keane_and_damien_du.html

[Stevo Da Gull]

Celtic have a tough enough finish as well, away to Dundee United on the last day.
Great to see Dean Shiels on form for Hibs, pity about his team mates!

[cheifo]

Dammit , missed the game and it looked a thriller.I know he was a bit off colour before yesterday but what a signing Scott McDonald has proved to be.

[pineapple stu]

Just a quick note that East Stirling finished second last this year, narrowly avoiding six cnosecutive bottom of the table finishes and the possibility of being voted out of the league.

[eirebhoy]

Carr the grumpy git. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWTj6wuEqzc

[Poor Student]

The title race is very much back on. Celtic scraped through Motherwell with a very poor performance and Rangers drew 0-0 with a woeful Hibs side. Celtic are 7 points ahead with Rangers having played 3 games less. If Celtic won their remaining games and Rangers drew one of their remaining games it would go down to goal difference. Celtic look so poor I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped points in one or both of the last two games. However, Rangers recent form is woeful too. Rangers haven't won in four league games and have only won four of their last fifteen competitive games in 90 minutes. It might serve them well in cup competition but 0-0s will kill their title bid.

[eirebhoy]

I was much more nervous watching todays game than yesterdays for some reason. Couldn't sit down for the last 10 minutes. Delighted though. Hopefully Rangers drop points before the last game because if they have to win on the last day of the season I'd say they will. Hibs played well today.

[Junior]

Its a sign of how much has changed in the last two weeks. I got a text message of a mate saying if rangers lose on Weds & Sat - Celtic can win the title on Sunday against Hibs!!!!!!! Who'd have thought it....................................

[Poor Student]

I'd be reluctant to get carried away. This Celtic team is playing very poorly. Hopefully Strachan will play Wilson for Naylor in the final two games, he's been absolutely woeful. Baldé also reminded me why he hasn't been near the team in a long time, plenty of wayward headers and passes and was terrible for Motherwell's goal. Thank God Celtic signed Barry Robson, he isn't the greatest player but he's got more dig in him than anyone else in the team and his deliveries have been crucial.

[eirebhoy]

Thank God Celtic signed Barry Robson, he isn't the greatest player but he's got more dig in him than anyone else in the team and his deliveries have been crucial.
He's doing what Scott Brown should be doing and certainly not what I expected Robson to be doing. The last time Brown was superb for the 90 minutes was probably the last game against Hibs. Most games he hasn't been doing enough for the entire match. Robson gives his all and has been excellent off the ball, leading by example, but hasn't really been great on the ball. So Brown should learn how effective it can be and give his absolute all for 90 minutes.

[Poor Student]

He's doing what Scott Brown should be doing and certainly not what I expected Robson to be doing. The last time Brown was superb for the 90 minutes was probably the last game against Hibs. Most games he hasn't been doing enough for the entire match. Robson gives his all and has been excellent off the ball, leading by example, but hasn't really been great on the ball. So Brown should learn how effective it can be and give his absolute all for 90 minutes.

Pretty much the two most unfashionable midfielders at Celtic are the only two doing the business. If you told me two years ago that Hartley and Robson would be Celtic's midfield pairing I'd have laughed. Robson's and Hartley's use of the ball has been far more effective than Brown or Donati. They may not do anything fancy but they retain possession. I admire both players for their tenacity and desire but the fact that this is now Celtic's central midfield pairing represents a detioration in quality. I'm hoping Brown can still come good but his control is very loose and unrefined and his passing is wasteful.

[eirebhoy]

Robson seems to be too anxious for my liking. He seems to run onto passes and quite often his touch is too heavy. I certainly wouldn't be changing things now but I think his performances are being overrated.

[Junior]

Robson seems to be too anxious for my liking. He seems to run onto passes and quite often his touch is too heavy. I certainly wouldn't be changing things now but I think his performances are being overrated.


I tend to agree but the 'dig' he shown in the first of the last 2 old firm games alone was enough to send Celtc on their way to 2 victories against Rangers.

Its still very much in Rangers hands but it is just unbelieveable to think that if we win 2 out of 2 and they draw just 1 out of 5 the title could be ours.

Its part 1 of that equation that leaves me in doubt though...........

[bellavistaman]

i cant see rangers losin the title this year. Wonder what walter smiths pick would be if he could have one trophy, where do his prioritys lye

[jebus]

i cant see rangers losin the title this year. Wonder what walter smiths pick would be if he could have one trophy, where do his prioritys lye

I honestly think Celtic are going to win it. Rangers have too many games coming up for a squad like theirs to cope with. If I were Walter I'd want the Uefa Cup more than anything else, it'd be a great achievement for a Scottish side to win a European competition in this day and age, would be a great addition to his CV, and would give Rangers a lot more bragging rights than winning the SPL would

[Pike B]

I honestly think Celtic are going to win it. Rangers have too many games coming up for a squad like theirs to cope with. If I were Walter I'd want the Uefa Cup more than anything else, it'd be a great achievement for a Scottish side to win a European competition in this day and age, would be a great addition to his CV, and would give Rangers a lot more bragging rights than winning the SPL would
Plus they have never won a European trophy and would be far better than a 370th league title!! :D

[Poor Student]

Plus they have never won a European trophy and would be far better than a 370th league title!! :D

Cup Winners' Cup, 1972.

[Pike B]

Cup Winners' Cup, 1972.
Well would you look at that....

[Poor Student]

Rangers dug out a 1-0 win over Motherwell tonight to pull Celtic's lead back to four points with two games less played. Next up for them is Dundee United at home on Saturday.

[Donegalcelt]

Not complaining after the event (I was moaning as it happened), but was it not unsporting for Barry Ferguson to contest the bounce ball when Ally McCoist kicked the ball when it was still in play? Surely it should have been left to Motherwell. Rangers got the corner and then scored from it right afterwards. It did change the game.

[Poor Student]

Not complaining after the event (I was moaning as it happened), but was it not unsporting for Barry Ferguson to contest the bounce ball when Ally McCoist kicked the ball when it was still in play? Surely it should have been left to Motherwell. Rangers got the corner and then scored from it right afterwards. It did change the game.

From Rangers' perspective it was going to be their throw in and McCoist touched it a second too early. They felt aggreived in being denied a throw in and contested the drop ball. Personally I think McCoist should have been sent to the stand.

[NeilMcD]

Ref was a disgrace today. How he did not give a penalty and ruled out the Dundee Utd goal.

[Poor Student]

Ref was a disgrace today. How he did not give a penalty and ruled out the Dundee Utd goal.

Or send off Cousin.

[Plastic Paddy]

Simple answer; McCurry is clearly "Rangers minded". There's no point in claiming otherwise as the evidence was plain for all who watched today's charade.

:ball: PP

[Poor Student]

Simple answer; McCurry is clearly "Rangers minded". There's no point in claiming otherwise as the evidence was plain for all who watched today's charade.

:ball: PP

I'd like to believe he's just very incompetent, it's the only thing that keeps me sane. Otherwise, like Levein suggested today, there's no point in participating.

[Plastic Paddy]

I'd like to believe he's just very incompetent, it's the only thing that keeps me sane. Otherwise, like Levein suggested today, there's no point in participating.

Incompetence would be expected to even itself out over time, PS; for what it's worth I think you're being generous in the extreme to McCurry. His record over the years of gifting duff decisions to Rangers is more than coincidental. When manager of Aberdeen Ebbe Skovdahl complained twice about McCurry performances in games versus our "friends" and now Levein has cause to do the same. His appointment to matches involving RFC and, indeed, his continued presence on the SPL list both stink to high heaven.

:ball: PP

[Poor Student]

His appointment to matches involving RFC and, indeed, his continued presence on the SPL list both stink to high heaven.

:ball: PP

There was Tait before him and some would argue Dallas as well and there will be others to take his place. As Martin O'Neill said in 2003, for Celtic to win the league they have to win it by miles.

Good win for Celtic today although I wish they'd added at least one more. I'm convinced McGeady's run was going to produce a third before Ian Murray scythed him. It's very hard to predict this one. Theoretically if Rangers lost their two league games Celtic could be champions before the final game but I see them dropping two points at best. They'll definitely beat St. Mirren but hopefully McGee can fire Motherwell up to take points off them. I have this nasty feeling Dundee United and Levein will be fired up by the sense of injustice and topple Celtic on the final day.

[tetsujin1979]

They'll definitely beat St. Mirren but hopefully McGee can fire Motherwell up to take points off them. I have this nasty feeling Dundee United and Levein will be fired up by the sense of injustice and topple Celtic on the final day.
Motherwell are guaranteed the UEFA Cup spot after Celtic's win today, so they have nothing left to play for. Still, stranger things have happened...