Neil Lennon’s team selection today was influenced largely by
two factors: a raft of injuries depleting his options and the looming Champions
League qualifier second leg against Helsingborgs. However, with a starting XI
which had an average age of just 23, Celtic secured a very credible three
points, scoring more goals than they ever had previously at the Tulloch
Caledonian Stadium.
As happened in midweek in Sweden , Celtic raced into an early
lead which settled the team. Wanyama – who gave the sort of assured and mature
performance that has come to be expected from him, despite his tender years –
rose to head home a nicely-weighted Adam Matthews corner after four minutes.
The second goal was assisted and scored by the two teenagers
making their full debuts for the Hoops. Receiving the ball from Wanyama, Filip
Twardzik cleverly found Tony Watt with the outside of his foot and the young
Scot nutmegged King before bearing down on Ryan Esson’s goal and coolly
finishing.
The two youngsters, who starred in last season’s NextGen
Series, acquitted themselves very well in their first 90 minutes for the senior
team and showed they can play at this level. Twardzik looked intelligent in his
movement and passing, while Watt proved a real handful for the new-look Caley
defence. Both are certain to get more minutes this campaign, having made their
debuts earlier in the year.
Celtic continued to dominate after the break and the third
goal came from another man who put in a very good shift, but it was no less
than expected from last season’s player of the year: Charlie Mulgrew. The Scotland
international, and captain for the day, was solid and composed throughout, and
it was no surprise to see him rattle the bar with a free kick from distance in
the first half. His goal came from another set piece, one clearly prepared on
the training ground. After a discussion with Twardzik and Matthews, Mulgrew
trotted into the box. The Welshman feigned to swing the ball in but instead
rolled it square for Mulgrew to slot beyond Esson on the run.
Tony Watt later added a poacher’s finish after good work by
Emilio Izaguirre to give the Bhoys a four goal cushion and allow Lennon to
start thinking about the Helsingborgs game.
Forrest replaced Hooper on 65 minutes. Bangura came on for
Matthews shortly afterwards and Joe Chalmers made his debut on 76 minutes,
allowing Izaguirre a rest. The contest was over, however, and none of the
reinforcements made much of an impact on the game. Bangura’s quest for a goal
and to convince the Celtic faithful continues without having made any progress.
Two late Ross Draper goals took some of the shine off an
otherwise emphatic Celtic win. The Glasgow side had somewhat switched off; minds
were perhaps drifting indulgently to Wednesday night’s vital game, but, all
things considered, Lennon probably won’t lose too much sleep over this late
lapse.
Lustig should have done better to prevent the first and
Chalmers lost his man for the second but the former had a decent game on the
whole, while the latter can be forgiven on his debut.
The two other players who came into the Celts’ starting line
up that haven’t been accounted for yet, Paddy McCourt and Kelvin Wilson, did
well enough without being outstanding. It will have been a welcome 90 minutes
for both, especially the Northern Irish international who hadn’t started a game
since January.
Heads and hearts can now, legitimately, turn to the
Helsingborgs game, when Lennon will hope to call upon Rogne, Samaras, Brown and
Commons, who all missed out today – the latter two as precautions. James
Forrest will also be in contention to start after being reserved for a
substitute role against the Caley Jags.
Wednesday is arguably Celtic’s biggest game of the season so
far. It’s been too long since the Celtic
Park
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