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Jags prove to be a thorn in the side

Discussion in 'TalkCeltic News' started by Callum McGregor, Apr 7, 2017.

By Callum McGregor on Apr 7, 2017 at 10:45 AM
  1. Callum McGregor The Captain Gold Member

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    Fresh from clinching a sixth successive title, it seemed that three points from the first game after that historic victory would be assured. The big Glasgow derby fixture threw up an alternative ending though - causing us to drop points for only the third time this year.

    Brendan Rodgers rang in the changes to his starting line up and gave a well deserved rest to first team stalwarts like Kieran Tierney and Scott Brown. In came Emilio Izaguirre, Cristian Gamboa and a first start for £3m starlet Kouassi Eboue.

    The young midfielder looked slightly nervous in the early exchanges, but after the first few minutes seemed to settle comfortably into his role. He strolled through the first half in what looked like a training game. Celtic probed a packed Thistle backline whilst the visitors sat in and soaked up the pressure.

    The best chance of the first half fell to Bitton from around 20 yards, but his powerful, yet guided shot was well saved by Cerny in the Thistle goal. Celtic looked neat, yet uninspiring in possession whilst the visitors seemed content to soak up the pressure.

    Nothing each at half time was a fair scoreline and a bit of Rodgers magical team talking was required during the interval.

    The second half opened with a decent effort from Calum Booth which Gordon easily saved. A minute later the managers team talk seemed to have borne fruit as a neat pass from Patrick Roberts put Scott Sinclair through on goal and he despatched his effort with typical aplomb to put the freshly crowned champions in front.

    [​IMG]

    The expectation that this first goal would open the floodgates failed to materialise and Thistle actually galvanised themselves and moved from an ultra-defensive formation into a far more offensive one. The introduction of Erskine and former Auchinleck Talbot star, Doolan gave them far more impetus in the forward third.

    Celtic made changes around the hour mark. Eboue and Izaguirre make way for the in form Armstrong and the very gifted Australian playmaker Tom Rogic, making his first appearance since being forced out through a long term injury.

    Some confusion as to the new formation after the substitutions leaves a gap down the champions left flank and a good ball across goal was pushed home by Thistle striker Azeez.

    [​IMG]

    The jubilation of the travelling support was short lived as a promising move down the right flank led to a penalty being given for a foul on Armstrong in the six yard box.

    The normally clinical Sinclair stepped up to take the spot kick, but saw his effort read well by Cerny who managed to parry the shot away from his right side and to safety.

    Azeez could have scored for Thistle but as he dallied on the ball Simunovic made a fantastic saving tackle to thwart his efforts.

    St Brendan of Rodgers made his final change bringing on young Jack Aitchison for Callum McGregor, but the young striker couldn't repeat the heroics of his debut and the game fizzled out. A one each draw was just about the correct scoreline on a poor night of football. The endeavour of a spirited Partick team was rewarded with a point from the game - only the third team to take league points from us all season. The one redeeming feature of the performance was the retention of the unbeaten record and the very decent first start of our young Ivorian midfielder.



    Article written by @Chefe