Celtic 1 Hibs 0: Just Enough, but the Past Remains

By: Matt | August 30th, 2009

Celtic’s first half goal was enough to carry the Bhoys to victory, despite Aiden McGeady being sent off in the second half and Celtic having to finish the match with 10 men. Neither side could put a goal in for the first 40 minutes, despite chances by each side. The match was a physical, exciting one that finally got a goal in the 41st minute when Georgios Samaras, starting because Marc Antoine Fortune was kept out due to injury, got his head on a cross from Andreas Hinkel and put it home. Artur Boruc was at his best again today, making some great saves to keep Hibs off the scoreboard, playing well in a place that he has typically had trouble in. Boruc would have to work even harder after the 63rd minute when Aiden McGeady was sent off for his second yellow card for what ref Dougie McDonald called simulation (more on this later). Boruc made a spectacular save on a good 25 yard Hibs strike and then denied former Celt Derek Riordan on a point blank shot from a corner to save the three points. From there on out, Celtic held Hibs and were able to get to victory. Make the jump to hear my thoughts on the match.

-Aiden McGeady should have never been issued that second yellow. There was contact, the ref was out of position and in no way could make the correct call on that play. Hell, Hibs manager John “Yogi” Hughes even said that McGeady should not have been sent off. If the whole Eduardo situation had not occurred, this sending off would not have occurred either.
-Artur Boruc is back. Sorry Lukasz Zaluska, we didn’t mean to take you from your starting job at Dundee United. Artur was flaky last year, we needed cover. Cover that Mark Brown did not provide. However, the Holy Goalie is back. After having some really bad games at Easter Road, even before last season’s debacle, but today was his official welcome back party. So, welcome back Artur.
-After those talking points, the team was not their sharpest today. The defense did alright, but were saved too many times by Artur. The attack wasn’t the greatest, with Shaun Maloney struggling for the first time in the season. Though I thought Willo Flood, Paul Caddis, and Chris Killen did well filling in when injury and poor refereeing decisions changed the game plan for Celtic.

~~When I find some highlights~~ Found a video of Boruc’s saves but I’ll look for full highlights and I’ll put them up here. Until then, check out an interview I did for the Lost Bhoys podcast. I talk about life as a North American Celtic supporter and some of the work I do at the Na Dead Raibead forum. Check it out!