Four weeks ago, Celtic hammered Dundee United without breaking sweat. Today, a similar feat was achieved against a mostly good Motherwell side who, like United, came with the intention of giving it a go (in spite of having Craigan, Lasley and Hammell in their line-up). Today's performance was in stark contrast to the shambles witnessed three weeks ago against St. Johnstone. The Perth side showed up with the aim of stifling Celtic with their 9-0-1 formation and they succeeded. Were it not for Big Dan Majstorovic, the tumshie (Glaswegian for swede), the match would have ended in a 0-0 draw, but he gave the Saints such confidence in their limited ability to break down our defence. Thankfully for all concerned, the idiot was nowhere to be seen today.
The central defensive partnership comprised Kelvin Wilson and the reborn Charles Mulgrew Esq. Adam Matthews came in at right-back, either for the injured Cha Du-Ri or the emergency right-back/left-back/centre-half Mark Wilson. Badr El-Kaddouri made his debut at left-back, and looked like he'd always been there and Ki replaced the injured Scott Brown in midfield. James Forrest started for the second time this season, and made the most of it with a goal in each half and a few chances which, on another day, may have hit the back of the net. He also got bundled off the ball in the box, but the ref ignored it. It's just as well the outcome of the game didn't hinge on that honest mistake. Forrest richly deserved his man-of-the-match award.
Fraser Forster had little to do, so threatening were Motherwell in the final third, and Matthews kept Jamie Murphy in check for most of the game. After a slow start, no doubt due to his exertions during the International break, Joe Ledley was industrious and linked up well with his new partner on the left, in spite of the short introduction. Beram Kayal was made captain for the day and really looked the part, giving it welly in midfield and seeing out his entire contribution to proceedings without being booked. He was replaced by Victor Wanyama, who looked very comfortable in the holding midfield role Neil doesn't want him to play! Up front, Stokes and Hooper still look off the boil (as did Kris Commons,when he came on for Ledley). New signing Mohammed Bangura made his debut, replacing Stokes, and looked lively but didn't get on the scoresheet. So, all in all, some good passing and link up play, particularly by the Welsh contingent and the on-loan Morroccan, and four good goals, the third yet another masterful strike from Ki. I hope everyone went home happy.
p.s. I want to talk about 'The Girl Who Waited', but I fear it may end in tears.
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