Bhoys Back On Top, Rangers On Deck

By: JT | October 8th, 2007

Celtic grabbed back their traditional spot at the top of the Scottish Premier League table yesterday, snatching two late goals from Gretna, and completing what can only be deemed a magnificent week for the club and its supporters.

Scott McDonald was the hero at Fir Park just like in midweek against Milan, beautifully poaching a winner with only a few minutes left on the clock. Chris Killen had brought Celtic even with a perfectly angled header in the 84th minute. The degree of difficulty on that header grows every time I see it, because it just didn’t look like the speed of the ball was enough to make that goal possible. Killen must be close to 100% because that leap showed no ill effects of the long-term Achilles hell that he’s suffered through.

With Mark Wilson in the States getting his chronic knee issues checked out, Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe on the shelf for a few months with an Achilles tear, and reserve right-back Paul Caddis also among the walking wounded, WGS curiously chose to play Paul Hartley in the right of defense for this match. Unfortunately for Hartley and Scotland, he injured his hammy, so he’ll be sitting out the Scots’ crunch Euro 2008 qualifiers with Ukraine and Georgia.

Overall this is not a performance that the gaffer will be enamored with, but considering the circumstances, the three points are more than enough to ease any discomfort over the way the Bhoys played. It can’t be easy to take on the European Champions in an electric atmosphere and four days later head to a stadium thats one-quarter full and challenge the bottom team in the league. Really the poor display and late, late result should have been anticipated.

Some other quick notes…

–Isn’t it amazing that Jiri Jarosik is playing for Celtic again? I have to admit, he was great against Milan as a secondary striker/fifth midfielder, and got some deserved time in the victory over Gretna. Is he back in the reckoning, or is this just because Naka is hurting? His attitude must have improved because I know WGS wouldn’t hesitate to let him rot in the reserves until his expected January departure if he felt he needed to.

–It was great to see young Jim O’Brien get a run out against Gretna. He had a successful loan spell at Dunfermline for the second half of last season, proving he’s ready for SPL action. Not that playing for a relegated club really proves anything, but I think you catch my drift. Its always encouraging when the academy kids get a shot to show what they can do.

–UEFA have opened an investigation into Dida’s antics on Wednesday. I don’t think that any penalty needs to be levied against the Brazilian. The infamy should have the same effect, and last a whole lot longer.

–Celtic’s next match isn’t till the 20th, and its the titanic derby clash at Ibrox with Rangers. Another international break sits between now and that time, so my posts for the next few weeks will be designed to get you familiar with the greatest intra-city rivalry that exists in world football. Check back often, cause I’ve got some good stuff lined up for ya.

Mon the Hoops!