Forgotten striker Daryl Murphy made his mark on the title run-in with a spectacular stoppage time goal against Dundee United yesterday.
After the disappointment of losing a consolation goal to Johny Russell Murphy decided to intervene and add his own contribution to the title race.
Comparing it to Lionel Messi’s midweek strike against Barcelona would be taking things too far but a comparison with Celtic’s own Derry Pele, Paddy McCourt isn’t too far fetched.
Collecting the ball just inside the United half Murphy brushed aside the challenges of three tiring defenders before drawing goalkeeper Dusan Pernis from his goal and slamming a 12 yard shot into the net despite Pernis getting a hand to the ball.
“He deserved his goal,” Neil Lennon admitted. “Daryl has trained really well all season and has been unfortunate to miss out in a few squads but showed what he can do with a fantastic goal.
“You could see what it meant to him and all the players. He’s been itching to play, he did a good job for us at St Johnstone and the only thing that he’s lacked is goals and to get one as good as that from open play was very pleasing.”
With four games to go in the title race every player and every goal will be vital as Celtic attempt to wrestle the title from Rangers.
Wednesday’s visit to Inverness will be followed by trips to Kilmarnock and Hearts before Celtic complete their campaign at home to Motherwell.
STUART MCCALL THAT WAS EMBARRASSING
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Messi wishes he had the same skill as daryl. Hail hail.
great goal murphy, keep working and mr lennon will give you a chance to silence all those critics, me included, hope you go on to prove us all wrong. hail hail