February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
It happens in football. Fortunately, it was early days in the game against Aberdeen. There was still time on the clock, lots of it for Celtic to get the two goals back.
No mistakes at the back were paramount while Celtic went in search for their first goal, taking it one goal at a time. In the 27th minute the roof lifted off the stadium as Stanislav Varga scored. The comeback was on. But in a frustrating 20 minutes that followed Celtic couldn’t equalize. In they went a goal down at the half.
The Bhoys came flying out of the traps in the second half and scored within 6 minutes. Heads dropped a little in the Aberdeen side. Martin O’Neill wanted the fight completed as soon as possible. He sent on Chris Sutton in the 57th minute. The immediate presence of Sutton in the Aberdeen box gave Craig Bellamy a back door from an Alan Thompson corner. The ball flew over everybody to where Bellamy was poised. The Welshman drove a superb volley home to finish off a very important comeback.
The pressure was on and the Bhoys came through. It’s championship material, though O’Neill and the team will not want that to happen again. The Celtic defense must get back to shut down over the last five games. It’s nice to know the Hoops can roll back but the faithful wouldn’t want them to make a habit of that. Now firmly back on top of the table Celtic have their necks out in front of Rangers again. O’Neill will want the Bhoys to keep that lead and not lose it again.
It was John Hartson who leveled matters against Aberdeen. Hartson has done well for Celtic this season with 28 goals. The elegant footballer lacks in pace and even if he makes up for it with his positional play and a lovely touch. He’s more than happy to have Bellamy play in front of him. Hartson can now show off more of his talents while Bellamy can cause havoc in defenses — havoc that provides space for his teammates to work in. And space is not something you want to give Hartson, if you’re an opposing defender. O’Neill expects Hartson to continue his goal-scoring form. Goal difference might yet decide the SPL title.
With Sutton coming back on the field after a worrisome foot injury the Celtic attack is very much shaping up to win a title. While O’Neill will now look to buckle down the defense after that early period against Aberdeen the manager is also looking to go all out and score loads of goals.
The return of Didier Agathe in the 31st did not go unnoticed. A Hoop favorite, Agathe has not played since November. After a welcomed half time break Agathe looked set to contribute to Celtic’s road to victory. The ever-alert defender made Hartson’s goal. Agathe did feel the pace of the game and O’Neill wisely took him out in the 85 minute. Stephane Henchoz replaced him. Things are falling in to place on the field for O’Neill and Celtic but unfortunately the same can’t be said for off the field matters.
Finally O’Neill has admitted that Celtic did not spend enough money in the transfer market since the UEFA Cup final in 2003. This for O’Neill is the main and obvious reason why Celtic has not progressed on European soil. The outspoken manager has a question or two about figures that the club has produced regarding salaries and wages. Chairman Brian Quinn is said not to be over the moon with O’Neill broadcasting his opinions. The word “liar” has made its way into the public discussion and that is not a good sign between manager and chairman.
O’Neill wasn’t sure whether the dollar amounts were for all club employees or just the players. For a manager who claims he doesn’t want to get in to an argument he’s certainly going the wrong way about it. O’Neill also said that Quinn’s assessment that only five EPL teams had a bigger payroll was inaccurate. O’Neill claims there are 12, according to his sources. It’s finally coming to the boil. It was only a matter of time really. O’Neill looks to be on his way out of Glasgow. Patience has likely worn thin for O’Neill. He has spoken out. Quinn it seems has taken it personally, and to the next level. The PR is not great these days at Celtic.
Nonetheless, it would be naive to think that O’Neill did not see the great potential for him to gain European experience with Celtic. He could get CL games, which were too much to ask for at Leicester City. There is a great manager at Celtic right now. The club must recognize this. At the same time Martin O’Neill knows full well that his statements are going to cause what Quinn calls “storms.” It’s building up, even the faithful know that. But it’s not the way to go for the future. It just seems ludicrous that Celtic has not moved on in Europe. It’s crazy that matters off the field may take precedence what matters on it. Surely the fans deserve more, as success is indeed there for the taking. It just seems that O’Neill is destined to move on one way or another.
There is always hope that Celtic can again reach those lofty glory days of European football. They have knocked on the door with O’Neill. But can they keep pounding under Quinn is another story. In the meantime, it’s back to the playing surface. Mark your calendar. April 24 — Rangers vs. Celtic. O’Neill knows that the title race does not depend on the Old Firm clash, but it’s close. It’s certainly a 6-pointer for Rangers; they have to win. Meanwhile, Celtic are in the driver’s seat on the field but direction off the field is disappointing for their fans and for football.