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Seventh heaven as Ronny signs off in style

Discussion in 'TalkCeltic News' started by Mr Shelby, May 15, 2016.

By Mr Shelby on May 15, 2016 at 9:25 PM
  1. Mr Shelby Moderator Moderator Gold Member

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    Celts hammer Motherwell in Paradise as Deila bids farewell


    [​IMG] 7 vs 0 [​IMG]

    Celtic Park
    Glasgow
    Scottish Premiership
    Sunday 15th May 2016


    After officially securing the title against Aberdeen last weekend, all that was left to do for Ronny Deila and his Celtic squad was to ensure they finished the season on a high note. There can be absolutely no debate over whether or not they did that today, as Motherwell were well and truly embarrassed in the Glasgow sunshine to give Ronny the perfect send off.

    From the very outset, it was clear that Celtic were baying for blood and desperate to put on a show for their departing gaffer and fans inside the stadium. With Biton and Brown both missing from the midfield, and main goal threat Leigh Griffiths suspended, the line up changed not for the first time this season, allowing Stuart Armstrong and Ryan Christie to make rare appearances of late. The change appeared to do the trick as Celtic produced arguably their most complete performance of the season in their final outing. What are the chances, eh?

    The game was full of slick, quick passing combined with a flurry of movement all over the park. It was terrfic to watch and lasted the entirety of the 90 minutes, making it even more impressive. If only we could have seen this more during Deila's reign as it was exactly the type of football he wanted us to play consistently.

    The opening goal came from a very fitting source. Kieran Tierney, nothing short of a revelation this season, was the man to grab it. Rampaging down the left hand side of the pitch in his now familiar style, he unusually cut inside onto his weaker right foot and buried a shot into the bottom corner of the Motherwell net. It was a goal that was greeted with a roar of delight from the Celtic fans as they had been waiting for him to finally open his account for the team he clearly adores.

    [​IMG]

    First of many?: Tierney jumps for joy after his opener

    What followed after the opener on the 21st minute was nothing short of sensational from the home side. In a 7 minute spell the lead was increased to three as Tom Rogic and Mikael Lustig both got in on the action. Rogic scoring from a tap in after a great piece of link up between Christie and Armstrong, resulting in the latters shot rebounding off the post straight into Rogic's path. He couldn't miss. Lustig then continued his recent form in front of goal with a neat header at the backpost on the 28th minute after a corner had been swung in. Less than half an hour had been played at this point, however it was already clear that Motherwell were on the plane to Marbella, Dubai, or wherever it is footballers' like to go.

    [​IMG]
    Deadly Trio: Rogic, Christie and Armstrong all grabbed a goal today

    In all seriousness, McGhee's men were extremely lucky to get to half time with the score at only 3-0. They did make a couple of changes at the interval to try and stem the tidal wave of Celtic attacks, however on the evidence of the 2nd half, it made little difference.

    The Hoops began in exactly the same fashion as they had left off in the first half. Fast and furious. On the 50th minute, the fourth goal came, and what a goal it was. Armstrong, who was terrific all afternoon and arguably man of the match, produced a terrific piece of individual skill just inside the edge of the box as he controlled the ball to lay himself off for a volley which he thundered into the roof of the net past Connor Ripley. It was a definite goal of the season contender had it not already been decided.

    At this point, it was simply a question of how many more Celtic were looking to score, and, similar to the first half, the goals came within a short period. After Armstrong's volley on the 50th minute, it took only a further 9 minutes for the next 2 goals to be added to the day's tally. Patrick Roberts produced a now trademark curling shot with his left foot after jinking inside. Similar to stars such as Arjen Robben and Lionel Messi himself, defenders know exactly what he is going to do at times, however it is so difficult to stop him. The sign of a quality player. Five minutes later on the 59th minute, Ryan Christie, starting up top in place of Griffiths, finished off a great move to make up for an open goal sitter he had put over the bar in the first half. After good work from Roberts, the ball found it's way to Tom Rogic who drove at the Motherwell backline, just when it looked as though he had taken one touch too many, he quickly shifted the ball between his feet and played a lovely ball through to Christie who had the freedom of the park to take his time and slot the ball past the keeper. It was a goal that the youngster definitely deserved and it delighted his dad Charlie, who was watching on from the stands.

    After that, the fans were forced to wait until nearer the end of the game for the next goal. Before that happened however, Emilio Izaguirre was given the chance by Ronny Deila to make one final appearance in the Hoops as he prepares to go on to pastures new in the summer. He replaced Tierney around the hour mark and his every touch was met by warm applause. A terrific servant throughout his six years at the club, he will no doubt be greatly missed.

    However, as the fans said farewell to one former hero, they were then introduced to someone who could perhaps go on to be a new one in the coming seasons. Jack Aitchison was given his Celtic debut on the 75th minute and it's a day he will not soon forget. At 16 years old, he is now the club's youngest ever player and after the 77th minute, he created another record. After barely being given any time to get accustomed to his surroundings on the park, he was given a glorious chance to score after the ball ricocheted through to him. Like a seasoned pro, he duly took it and wrote his name into the Celtic history books as not only the youngest ever player, but now the youngest ever goalscorer too. All with his first touch of the ball in professional football, not too shabby I suppose.

    [​IMG]
    History maker: 16 year old Aitchison wheels away after his debut goal

    His goal was to be the final one of the afternoon, luckily for Motherwell. The result was however emphatic in the end and it was the perfect way for Ronny Deila to say goodbye and thank the Celtic fans for all their support in what has been a difficult and tumultuous 2 years in charge. At the end of the game some may be asking themselves what might have been, as we saw a young, hungry Celtic side destroy the opposition. There has been so much talk of Celtic being in a bad way however it is clear that we do possess some talented young players and under the right management, with a few quality additions, the coming years look promising in my opinion. All that is left to say after the season has ended is goodbye Ronny and good luck. Hail Hail.

    [​IMG]
    Champions: Captain Scott Brown gets his hands on the SPFL trophy once again
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 15, 2016