Soccer Scene Johnson’s goal gives Glasgow Celtic Scottish title

By Joe Behan

As always, it comes down to composure to win championships on the day of the final game. Tommy Johnson, at his second bite of a chance, put the ball away to give Glasgow Celtic the winning goal against Saint Mirren and an easy Scottish League Premier title at the weekend.

The championship trophy is back in the east end of Glasgow way ahead of its time, just like Celtic boss Martin O’Neill. The hard-core Irish boss removed the goal scorer for Jackie McNamara early in the second half. Poor Johnson was in tears in the dugout as he watched Celtic struggle to maintain his 1-nil lead. The fact that his goal not only gave the Hoops the championship but set them up for an amazing treble is immaterial to O’Neill. The bhoys in green hit the treble in 1969 and O’Neill attempts match that feat in his first season. Indeed, the very history of the club is on the brink of a huge revival under the Irish mastermind with Europe in his sights, not the tears of Tommy Johnson.

While it was not the best of wins, it was only a matter of time before the League was over. The Celtic fans now have more time to celebrate the title. It was obvious that O’Neill wanted a quick goal to get the job over with. Celtic has succeeded with this desire to score first all season. The prime example of this tactic was all too evident against archrivals Rangers. How can one forget that weekend when we all knew that the Bhoys had it wrapped up by beating Rangers in the League and the Cup, with early decisive goals.

Against St. Mirren, while the Hoops flowed they seemed somewhat nervous. At the same time Ludovic Roy, Mirren’s goalkeeper was outstanding. But Celtic’s Lubomir Moravicik was on song and continuously set up the Hoop attack as chance after chance missed the target.

Neil Lennon got into the game and played some nice passes through the Saints defense, but Roy was yet again denying Celtic’s scoring. Johnson was on fire and made a brilliant run into the box only to see his shot just wide.

After 30 minutes, it seemed that Roy of the Saints was going to delay any Celtic celebration. With less than 10 minutes remaining in the first half, the Celtic fans erupted. The Mirren defense were all over the place, finally Roy was beaten, Mirren’s McGowan made a desperate effort to clear the ball, but in it went. Johnson had done it, Celtic were on their way, the championship was theirs.

Despite Celtic’s inability to win in style against St. Mirren, it is the season’s performance that the fans will rant and rave about. Martin O’Neill’s not only wins the title in his first attempt but the shear domination of it all is quite impressive. The Irish coach is worshiped at Celtic and the 60,440 crowd made no secret of their love for their new leader. However, the fanatical crowds were not to be treated this time around on the field by their Park Head prince, Henrik Larsson. Probably just as well, the roof would have caved in. The Swede just couldn’t find the net against St. Mirren. Roy was at it again and denied him two times and Larsson was inches wide with a couple of great efforts.

No Celtic fan across the world will really care that O’Neill won it in his first term, that Larsson didn’t score, and that Johnson shed some tears, what the fans will care about is, "We don’t care whether we win, lose or draw . . . for all we know there’s going to a show and the good old Glasgow will be there."

FA Cup Final

It should come as no surprise that Liverpool have made it to the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff for the final of the FA cup. Perhaps the same can be said for Arsenal. Would it have been so if George Graham was around? Tottenham Hotspurs’ season is over thanks to poor administrative tactics. Sure enough, they had their reasons for letting Graham go. But we will probably never hear the real story. Graham’s Spurs were a force in the Cup up until the semi against the Gunners when Hoddle’s let down Southampton to join Tottenham. Hoddle’s tactical madness ended up being a reflection of the administration.

It sure looks like a mistake by not letting Graham bring his Spurs to the semi. Tottenham had somehow managed to seize the lead after just 13 minutes with their first attack, as Gary Doherty headed past David Seaman. Sol Campbell went off injured after a foul on Ray Parlour, and Patrick Vieira was thereby allowed the space to head home the equalizer on 34 minutes. Arsenal controlled a one-sided second half and eventually made the second breakthrough.

Spurs seemed to attempt to play a 3-4-3 formation and defensively they were deplorable. It was obvious Hoddle made a blunder the way he behaved on the sideline. He stuck to his plan even though all the signs were there to change things around. Arsenal were destroying them in every facet of the game. Then Hoddle seemed to switch to a 3-5-2 while urging his defense forward. Just when Spurs put a little something together the Gunners hit them with a counter with 17 minutes to go. Spurs pressed for an equalizer but to no avail.

Liverpool prevail

Robbie Fowler has done it again: He scored Liverpool’s second goal to put them into yet another cup final. Wycombe Wanderers were always up against it but were by no means an easy push over. Pool’s 2-1 victory sets up a treble cup dream thanks to Emile Heskey and Fowler strikes in the last 12 minutes. It was a dramatic ending for Wanderers when they scored in the 88th minute to go 1-nil up. Wycombe threw every man forward and had Liverpool desperately on the ropes at the end. Gerard Houllier seeked out Lawrie Sanchez to shake his hand on the field as Wanderers received a fully deserved standing ovation. Wycombe were within touching distance of becoming the first side from the third level of English soccer to reach the FA Cup final.

Nick Barmby, Gary McAllister and Robbie Fowler — none of whom started in Barcelona on Thursday in the UEFA Cup semifinal first leg — also got into Liverpool’s starting lineup. It was only when Steven Gerrard and Emile Heskey came into the game did Liverpool put the ball away. The £100million Liverpool outfit eventually overcame the £1million Wanderers. The combined threat of Fowler, Michael Owen and Barmby threatened with most attacks. Wycombe would never say die and with two minutes from time the Wanderers nearly spoiled Liverpool’s tremendous cup run but it wasn’t to be and the fairytale ended for the underdogs.