Sevco 0-2 Celtic

It is becoming almost a ritual with Saturday’s 2-0 victor Celtic’s third Ibrox success within 12 months.

Whatever the circumstances in the 24 hours before kick off a strange feeling of expectation, with no basis in fact, comes over the home fans as they convince themselves that the gap is narrowing and that Celtic are there for the taking.

Brendan Rodgers manages to divorce himself from much of the emotion, looks at the fixture and isolation and sets out his side to deliver the required result.

Celtic looked capable of matching last season’s five goal haul as they started the match full of drive and conviction but somehow they failed to make the breakthrough.

Decision making around goal was poor but five minutes into the second half that was put right when Tom Rogic smashed a half chance high into the net.

From that moment there wasn’t going to be an upset, it was simply a question of how many with Leigh Griffiths delivering the second showing him as the top class striker that he is. 67 goals in 100 league appearances says it all.

For the fans the celebrations will continue all weekend, already Brendan Rodgers’ thoughts are on Anderlecht and the next challenge for his squad.

It’s so good to be Celtic!

After a tough 90 minutes it’s all smiles as the players get to join in the singing and dancing of the fans.

With 7,000 supporters behind the goal out singing the muted home fans there’s little doubt about the advantage of the 12th man.

With the job well done the players can enjoy a brief moment of celebration but thoughts of Anderlecht will soon be dominating.

Rogic strikes

Five minutes into the second half he added another memorable big match goal to his catalogue.

As the ball slipped through the legs of Young McCrorie Rogic didn’t need a second invite as he turned to slam the ball into the net from 12 yards out.

When the ball hits the net in front of the away fans at Ibrox it is a special moment as normality is suspended as fans jump around celebrating knowing that another special day is well underway.

Nice one Leigh

He does enjoy scoring at Ibrox and sharing his delight with people that really can’t stand the sight of him. And he loves it.

It was a vintage strikers goal. Patrick Roberts supplied the perfect pass, Griffiths timed his run brilliantly and without looking up slammed a low shot low past Wesley Foderingham into the net.

Almost as perfect was the arrival of a Celtic scarf on the pitch for Griffiths to wave. The despair in three stands at Ibrox was matched by the exhilaration of those in the stand behind Fodderingham.

Broony

He has looked a little tired and off the pace at times this season but the clear blue air of Ibrox seems to bring out the best in the Celtic skipper.

From the moment he showed quick feet to leave Graham Dorrans wishing that he was still at Norwich City the Fifer bossed everything at Ibrox.

During the summer Pedro Caixinha recruited a team of men/leaders/captains but not one of them could even get close enough to lay a glove on the inspirational Celtic striker.

Penalty against Young McCrorie?

This penalty incident seemed to be overlooked by Sky Sports, perhaps they thought that Young McCrorie’s hands were in a natural position.

Leigh Griffiths had positioned himself goal-side to race on to a long through ball when a hand appeared to deny him the chance he was looking for.

Incredibly both Craig Thomson and his assistant both missed the handball, they never even noticed the contact and awarded Sevco a goal kick rather than a corner to Celtic. Bizarre.

Out his depth

The mismatch between the two clubs is perfectly highlighted in the dug out.

Celtic have a streetwise but progressive manager who is a student of the game, putting his ideas into every training session and matchday.

With the fifth best coach in Qatar Sevco have a rabble rouser utterly out of his depth and clutching at anything to deflect from his own failings. Caixinha will almost certainly be in a television studio the next time Celtic visit Ibrox.

Glasgow’s green and white

Past generations suffered at Ibrox but for five years Celtic fans have been partying at the once Fuve Star stadium- the only threat to another five years of partying is the liquidity of the tribute act.

From the pre-match unfurling of a banner Celtic fans had the edge throughout with the second half one long celebration against the best squad in Scotland.

With a young team developing and getting stronger things are only going to get better, with the usual pre-season noise coming from Ibrox the chance to dampen their bluster is always a joy.

Always look on the bright side

What could these two possibly be discussing?

Under a previous regime their lorded it over Celtic, cheering on every success of a club that cheated Her Majesty on an industrial scale while Celtic were left chasing shadows.

The boot is now most certainly on the other foot, the times have certainly changed with no sign of stopping a Celtic side despite repeated messages of hope with each change of regime. Watch your back Pedro.

Paddy special

Look at this picture, the balance, the concentration- it’s not unlike the Jinky statue outside Celtic Park.

No one would have complained if James Forrest had started but Brendan Rodgers had started with James Forrest but the Celtic boss makes cold hearted decisions for the team.

Lee Hodson was brutally exposed, twisted and turned with the icing on the cake being the perfectly placed pass for Leigh Griffiths to score the second goal.

Mind the gap

The best squad in Scotland were once again taken apart, despite the spin there is no sign of the gap narrowing.

Early on the decision makers inside Ibrox must have realised that they had been sold a pup, gicing him ‘a £10m warchest’ during the summer magnified the mistake.

He hasn’t learned anything other than the art of deflection since he took charge. With no real friends in the media it won’t take long for the tide to turn and flush away the fifth best coach in Qatar.

A couple of Hibbies?

These two really are detested at Ibrox, giving the people a hate figure to replace Neil Lennon.

When Celtic went 2-0 in front their joy was matched by the despair of the fans in the Sandy Jardine Stand.

Smiling isn’t a crime, there were no gestures with half of the fans in this picture unable to muster and sort of reaction to the celebrating bhoys.

KT spots the Wishaw Emerald

He’ll never tire of that Ibrox feeling.

KT put in some great defensive work yesterday but managed to pile forward, especially in the second half, as Celtic dominated the match.

Right to the final whistle they were pushing for more with Moussa Dembele almost getting on the end of a low cross from Tierney to put Celtic 3-0 in front. He’ll be looking forward already to the next party at Ibrox.