Celtic and Rangers deliver another sizzler
The actual quality of the match was nothing to write home about but despite that and the constant jibes that Scottish football suffers for lacking in the entertainment department, there are still few games in world football as gripping as the Old Firm derby, and last night's one didn't disappoint.
Three sendings off - one even after the final whistle had sounded - a touchline scrap between Celtic boss Neil Lennon and Rangers manager-in-waiting Ally McCoist, as good a goalline clearance as you will see all year and the presence of El Hadji Diouf made last night's Scottish Cup fifth round replay a clash that was impossible to ignore.
There were plenty of the kind of moments that pundits always describe by using the immortal words "nobody likes to see that sort of thing" when of course the complete opposite is true, as proven by their producer's insistence on showing the controversial incidents over and over again.
In amongst the immense excitement and shock value of the full-time confrontation between Lennon and McCoist, the question of whether the heads of two of the biggest clubs in the UK, if not Europe, should be acting in such a manner has to be asked. The likes of Walter Smith, Gordon Strachan, Alex McLeish and Martin O'Neill were rarely caught engaging in such unbelievable scenes.
One of the most hilarious subplots of the drama in the dugout however is that Lennon is attending a hearing today in which he is attempting to appeal a six-match touchline ban handed out earlier this season for what was judged "excessive misconduct" in a November encounter away to Hearts.
Back to matters on the pitch, Celtic are [1.78] to get their hands on the trophy now despite three more triumphs being required to lift the cup, even though they suffered a surprise semi-final exit at the hands of Ross County last year.
Even if the pursuit of silverware in that competition doesn't go to plan, Wednesday's victory could be viewed as a big boost in the Bhoys' bid to regain the SPL title, as the momentum Rangers had built at the weekend by closing the gap when Celtic lost to Motherwell has been surrendered.
Celtic are [1.7] to finish first, with Rangers [2.42] despite trailing by five points with two games in hand. Who's your money on? Tell us below...
Published: 3 Mar 2011
Carntyne (March 3, 2011 10:13 AM) said:
"The actual quality of the match was nothing to write home about"...........
I found the above a bit strange as some of the football played by Celtic in the first half was excellent.
In the first 30 minutes the stats showed Celtic having 78%...yes...78% of the possession
They passed the ball around quickly and accurately, the players movement a joy to watch, and had Rangers running around in circles.
This chasing of shadows wore out the Rangers players, and it was their tiredness and anger at their inability to maintain possession that led to the indiscipline that reulted in 7 yellow cards amd THREE RED!
The only people who could possibly think there was no quality in the match would be Rangers supporters.
From their team there wasn't!
Betfair Football (March 3, 2011 10:31 AM) said:
Cheers for the comment Carntyne. Have to agree with a lot of what you say. Our comment on the quality of the match wasn't meant as a knock on Celtic's display but instead to suggest that it wasn't a brilliant game because Rangers rarely looked like fighting back after going behind, so apologies if that was unclear.
The other thing that everyone at Betfair Football HQ has been discussing this morning is how well Just Can't Get Enough works as a terrace anthem - it's surprising that it hasn't really taken off in many places away from Parkhead, though it's refreshing really as any decent chants or songs nowadays eventually end up being used by everyone.
Big P (March 3, 2011 10:50 AM) said:
I'm very serious in saying i'll pay £100 for anyone that can tell me what was said between Lenney and McCoist? I reckon Lenney said something like "good game Ally, full on tonight mate ?".... "Aye go f*** yourself Neil, i'll have you if you start of my players again"..."will you".....melee
edd (March 3, 2011 11:57 AM) said:
the part of your article i find startling is what WASNT in there
that bougherra was even on the pitch after his cowardly stamp on the back of hoopers achilles amazes me. Add in the constant hacking and blocking of celtic players illegally then it is surprising rangers did not receive more cautions. Also in a cup tie sending your team out with 5 at the back and 4 in midfield is ludicrous.
Why do rangers persist in protecting weir at centre back when they should just bench him is beyond me.
On another point I hope papac is ok as i heard he has neck problems due to a serious car crash some time ago and his goal line stop of wilsons thunderbolt was both brave and excellent.
Betfair Football (March 3, 2011 12:08 PM) said:
Another great post edd. You are spot on about the first Bougherra challenge, it was in very poor taste given that Achilles injuries are among the worst you can suffer in football and should have been worthy of a straight red. The second yellow was debatable in our opinion but as you state, he was very lucky to stay on after the first.
It was indeed a fantastic block by Papac and gutting for him that it turned out to be in vain, while your comments on Rangers setting up 5-4-1 are on the mark and the Gers approach was a reason for our earlier comment that it wasn't a great match despite being utterly gripping.
Big P - we too would love to know what was said, the swift change in expression was incredible!