20,000 Quid a Week?

By: Matt | August 22nd, 2009

Really Gary Caldwell? Really? Peter Lawwell hopefully had Heid’s agent on speed dial after today’s game, which saw Caldwell responsible for both St. Johnstone goals today. Despite seeing Gary Caldwell circa early 2008, Celtic cruised to a 5-2 victory over the newly promoted Saints of St. Johnstone. Marc Antoine Fortune opened up the goals in the game and got his first Celtic goal in the 21st minute when Shaun Maloney set him up 16 yards away from goal and he fired it home. Maloney got his own goal seven minutes later, but no one in the park expected the smallest man on the pitch to put a header home from Andreas Hinkel. Celtic looked to put the finishing move on the Saints, but the Caldwell gaffe put the Saints back in it before the half. Early into the second half, Maloney and Fortune got another goal each and put the game out of reach in the span of two minutes, with Maloney scoring in the 53rd minute and Fortune getting his 2nd career Celtic goal in the 54th. Scott McDonald added a fifth goal for Celtic in the 74th minute, which would be more than enough for Celtic, though the Saints got a consolation goal two minutes later. Make the jump for some post match thoughts and highlights.

-And the ball bounces nicely for Peter Lawwell, the PLC and Co. in the Gary Caldwell contract negotiations. While the Arsenal own goal cannot be blamed on Caldwell, he had another howler that game. Now against St. Johnstone, he was directly responsible for both goals (though Darren O’Dea could have stopped the 2nd as well). I’d like to see O’Dea and Glenn Loovens starting on Tuesday in London, maybe it’ll register in the big Heeeiiid of Caldwell’s.
-Shaun Maloney had another great game today. Maloney was one of the bright spots against Arsenal and had two goals and an assist today. Is that Harry Redknapp on line 1 for Scott Brown? You don’t say…
-After lambasting him for his performance against Arsenal, I thought Andreas Hinkel was good today. He had the assist on Maloney’s goal and did well defending today. Although, I am realistic and understand that it’s St. Johnstone and not Arsenal this occurred. However, after considering it for awhile, if it was up to me, I would have a rather high price for Hinkel in the EPL continue to come calling for him. While I rate Paul Caddis highly, cover for the right back spot is something to be valued and it is something that we have currently.
-It was good to see Marc Antoine Fortune finally get some goals. He struck the first goal very well. After previously struggling when finishing with Celtic, it was a bit reassuring to see Fortune finally get it right today. Hopefully it continues. With Landry N’Guemo and Danny Fox playing well so far, the signings of Tony Mowbray have been a success so far.