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Dolly Celts reach summit despite Menga madness, Ajer struck again by injury

Discussion in 'TalkCeltic News' started by Mr. Slippyfist, Nov 12, 2018.

By Mr. Slippyfist on Nov 12, 2018 at 6:42 PM
  1. Mr. Slippyfist

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    On a day when all suspecting eyes were on the Celtic support to see how many would "ruin" the Remembrance Day minute silence, Celtic aimed to carry on their renaissance of form into this game at the Tony Macaroni stadium.

    From all reports Celtic supporters observed the minute's silence impeccably, despite personal opinion, therefore giving the shower of * that usually crawl out from under their rocks this time of the year sitting in their livingrooms watching our game with their ears superglued to their telly speakers like some sort of pretend sonar technician on a submarine listening out for organised farts ruining the silence, the travelling support gave not an inch that could lead to any criticism. Fair play to them indeed...


    Now, onto more important matters, the game itself.


    The biggest change for this game today was that Craig Gordon was unfit - having sustained a heroic injury v Leipzig the Thursday prior to this game, therefore giving Scott Bain another chance to impress between the Celtic sticks. Kristoffer Ajer also came in for Filip Benkovic - perhaps due to the game being played on artificial grass?



    Celtic aimed to continue on with their 5 match winning run, in which they managed to score a whopping total of 23 goals, but the first 45 mins at the Tony Macaroni stadium was abysmally boring - much akin to watching two slugs pumping, although that may have been more entertaining, as well as disgusting.


    Before the previously free-flowing Celtic managed to get their first shot off on target around the 30 min mark, the most interesting incident in the game up until then was the altercation between Ryan Christie and Livingston forward Dolly Menga, as the * from Angola attempted to headbutt Christie as both men tussled slightly whilst awaiting a Livi corner coming in. Menga also tried a sneaky 2nd headbutt shortly after, both of which should have saw a red card produced on both occasions. No doubt both incidents will be looked at by the incidents panel, punishment will depend on what clown is looking at it...



    [​IMG]



    BRENDAN RODGERS ON THE MENGA INCIDENT:


    "He should have been sent off," said Celtic manager Rodgers.

    "In real time, I thought he gestured with his head towards Ryan and when I saw it after the game it was actually more aggressive than I thought."
    The incident took place as Livingston were defending a corner kick.
    "It's not a great action by the player, so I assume the referee hasn't seen it," added Rodgers.




    Rogic's shot on target was the first of a few good saves that former Sevco youth goalkeeper Liam Kelly managed to produce for Livingston, as their dogged defence continued to try and win as best they could.


    Scott Bain also produced a save of great quality at the other end as his save of the match came from a cracking reflex save from Liam Gallagher's header from a corner, but shortly after Bain almost sold the jerseys as he was caught embarrassingly flapping at a Livingston corner, only for Kristoffer Ajer to bail him out.


    Celtic tried their luck again via a James Forrest shot on goal after yet another jinky run typical of Forrest's form this season, only for the flying Scotsman's effort to go unrewarded.


    This just looked like one of those days for Celtic, on another one of these ghastly plastic pitches where the rubber pellets bounced about any time the ball moved, but the day was about to get worse for Celtic as Kristoffer Ajer - returning for his first game back after a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury - rose high to challenge Craig Halkett for an aerial ball, only for the Norwegian to suffer a clash of heads with his counterpart. Ajer had to make way for Filip Benkovic after receiving treatment on the side of the pitch. Later scan results showed that Ajer had suffered an agonising broken eye socket, and will require surgery.


    [​IMG]


    Celtic continued to try and press but looked less than impressive. Ryan Christie hit a snapshot that had decent power, but was straight down the impressive Kelly's throat and easily held. Lewis Morgan - who was later introduced for Forrest, whilst the lack lustre Sinclair remained on the field - hit a tame effort over the bar, but the miss of the game came from the yet again unimpressive Scott Sinclair, as a ball came in from Livingston's left and side which fell to Sinclair's weaker left foot, only for the Englishman to slice well wide with a pathetic volley. Some say it was harder to miss than it was to score, others say it was an understandable miss, either way it was a sitter.


    BRENDAN RODGERS ON AJER INJURY:

    "He's struggling - he's broken his eye socket and he's in a lot of pain at the moment," said Rodgers.
    "He will need surgery which is a shame. There was nothing in it. He's just headed down into their guy's head."




    The match ended 0-0 after the 95th minute, despite a seriously unimpressive performance from the entire Celtic team, the Celts still managed to regain the top spot in the league for the first since this league season began, with a game in hand over the replaced leaders Hearts.




    BRENDAN RODGERS ON THE GAME:

    "Sometimes these games, after the big show in midweek, can be flat but I think the players gave absolutely everything," he told BBC Scotland.
    "The game isn't as quick on this pitch as it would be on grass. You also have to give credit to Livingston because they are very good defensively and round the box. It's a cup final for Livingston and they put bodies on the line.
    "It's a good point after our long run of games. We'll take the positives out of it."





    The players and management now have themselves a decent break to take note and recoup, before recommencing after the international break with an away game at Hamilton on the 24th of November.








    SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP TABLE
    P
    P GD PTS
    1

    [​IMG]
    Celtic 12 21 26

    2
    [​IMG]
    Hearts 13 6 26

    3
    [​IMG]
    Rangers 12 21 24

    4
    [​IMG]
    Kilmarnock 13 7 24

    5
    [​IMG]
    St Johnstone 13 -2 23

    6
    [​IMG]
    Aberdeen 12 6 21

    7
    [​IMG]
    Livingston 12 5 19

    8
    [​IMG]
    Hibernian 12 9 18

    9
    [​IMG]
    Motherwell 12 -10 11

    10
    [​IMG]
    Hamilton 13 -19 10

    11
    [​IMG]
    St Mirren 13 -20 5

    12
    [​IMG]
    Dundee 13 -24 4
     
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