Carpe diem Celtic
Celtic seized the moment in this semi-final win over Rangers with a clinical display of quick thinking and ruthless finishing. They then defended their territory like a group of gladiators determined to return triumphant to the coliseum in just over a month for the final battle.
The matches between these two are usually won and lost by capitalising on the weakness of the opponent and Maeda’s quick thinking to play to the whistle, while the Rangers back line stopped expecting referee Don Robertson to blow for a foul on O’Riley, allowed the Japanese forward to pick out Jota for the fatal blow to Michael Beale’s cup hopes.
It was the same old Rangers with some fighting for the jersey and some looking as if they’d won a competition to play in blue at this semi final. Michael Beale reckons he needs a dozen new players and they have to be better quality than what will take him to the end of this season.
Thankfully, the Morelos and Kent era is over at Ibrox. They offered nothing for the manager in this game and their contribution this season stinks of players working their ticket elsewhere.
Celtic, once again provided the deciding moment in this fixture. The quality and work rate from Ange Postecoglou’s side is outstanding and in the back line Cameron Carter Vickers stood out like a general determined not to let any legion past their last line of defence.
Ange Postecoglou punched the air in delight towards the Celtic fans at the end as he displayed one of those rare moments of emotion in victory over his great rivals. The battle was won but the war is not over as he prepares for what should be an easier fight to secure his first treble for Celtic back here at Hampden on June 3rd against Inverness.
