The only thing missing from this comprehensive, impressive victory was the opportunity to celebrate winning the league at the end of it. Fate decreed that Celtic couldn't be sure of their fourth straight title until Aberdeen lost at Dundee United the next day, which was a shame as this performance was deserving of a great big post-match party. This was Ronny Deila's side at their best, with wave after wave of attack, some terrific intricate passing moves, and threat from practically every outfield player (I've not seen Scott Brown make so many bursts into the box for a long time). Nir Biton's stunning late goal was the icing on the cake.
Guardian hack and Scottish football doom-monger Ewan Murray subsequently moaned that they "cannot be judged amongst the greats". Well, of course not - football in general, and Scottish football in particular, is a lot different than it was in the days of the Lisbon Lions. A better move would be to compare the current team with more recent Celtic sides. So, if they win their last three games, their points total will be slightly below last seasons...and will still be the second-highest total in any of the last eleven seasons. The primary reason for the title race lasting this long is not incompetence on their part, but a remarkably persistent challenge from Aberdeen.
That's not to say there isn't room for improvement. 'The hand of Josh' might have unfairly denied them a treble, but they will have to wait until July before they can try to atone for the dreadful European performances that blighted the start of this campaign. My inkling, though, is that they will be far stronger next time around, now that Deila has them playing the way he wants them to. And, after a shaky start, there's no doubt that the Norwegian is the right man for the job; the question now is if, or when, a bigger club than Celtic come a-knocking on his door. LS
Should slapstick Kilmarnock have put their faith in Locke?
This time last year, life looked pretty good for Gary Locke. Despite being unable to save Hearts from relegation, few blamed the former Hearts captain on account of the circumstances. A strong end to the season also meant there was some surprise and sympathy for Locke when the new regime in Gorgie replaced him with Robbie Neilson.
What a difference a year makes. Hearts have won the Championship with a level of ease that few people could have expected and the decision to put Neilson in charge looks inspired. In contrast, the decision to put Locke in permanent charge at Kilmarnock has been followed by six consecutive defeats and the playoff place is slightly too close for comfort.
Locke blamed the loss of sloppy goals for the home defeat by Accies, and few could disagree. Hamilton’s third was properly hilarious as Craig Samson put the “arce” into farce! Nigel Hasselbaink might have led with studs, but Samson led with his backside, which, if not 'dangerous play' (it's not that big), should be penalized as Bloody Stupid And Cowardly Play.
The problem for Kilmarnock is that conceding sloppy goals suggests a problem with the setup and coaching. And worse of all, Kilmarnock fans can look forward to three more years of this, because that’s how long Gary Locke’s contract is.
Special mention should also go to Nigel Hasselbaink and Lee Ashcroft who thought this game was on the undercard of the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight; both can expect a wee phone call from the Compliance Officer this week. So I can’t argue with the level on entertainment on offer at Rugby Park on Saturday. If there’s one thing I enjoy more in a football match that comedic goalkeeping, it’s a good scrap that unbelievably results in no red cards. We got both in this match, and I tip my hat to Samson and referee Steven McLean, making his comeback after Meekingsgate, for their services to the neutrals.
Kilmarnock will likely stay in the Premiership this season, but Locke will have to work hard this summer to ensure 2015/16 isn’t miserable from the off. IM
Standout Souttar gives the Arabs something to shout about
As I mentioned in my 'Talking Points' from last weekend, it was only three months ago that Dundee United were still in both domestic cup competitions and only six points off the top of the Premiership. Now, the biggest achievement that United may celebrate this season is the win that mathematically ended the title challenge of their North East rivals. For some of the players themselves, they could also have been celebrating a result that ensured that they may be playing for the Premiership champions next season...
In what must be becoming a more and more infuriating situation for most Arabs, Nadir Ciftci and John Souttar became the latest players to be linked with a move to Celtic. While the exploits of the former are well known to most followers of Scottish fitba, it was the interest towards the latter that I found more intriguing. I have long been an admirer of 'Soapy' Souttar's, Aberdeen born and Aberdeenshire bred (a Luthermuir loon who belongs to the land of the Mearns... sorry, I'm coming over all 'Sunset Song' here...) and a contemporary of the 'Dundee Messi', Ryan Gauld, when the two came through the Brechin City youth ranks to win moves to Tannadice.
Many had commented before this game that Souttar had started to look at home in midfield. Covering the back four whilst keying many of United's attacks going forward, 'Soapy' bossed the central midfield role on Saturday. When Adam Rooney played a cross in from the right that was looking for Peter Pawlett, Souttar was there to clear the danger. As for United's goal, this all started when Souttar eased Pawlett off the ball from his own goal line. Rather than howking the ball away like your average defender, he lofted the ball out to Ciftci, advanced 30 yards to collect a return pass, then sent a sublime long ball over the top of the Aberdeen defence for Robbie Murihead (ironically,one player who United managed to acquire ahead of Celtic...) to score.
It was an outstanding performance from a player who is still only 18, which is remarkable considering his debut at Pittodrie was so long ago that Craig Brown was still in charge at the Dons. Souttar is out of contract next season, but if he isn't Parkhead bound then I certainly wouldn't mind if the incumbent Dons boss fancied pursuing any interest...MI
Signing up Boyce looks like shrewd business
A win for County against St. Mirren next week, and they're pretty much safe. That's just remarkable considering the fix they were in three months ago. This draw was a far better result for them than for Motherwell, and came courtesy of Liam Boyce, who celebrated a new two year contract with his eighth league goal of the season.
We've previously lauded his strike partner Craig Curran, so it's time for some Boyce love. Like his fellow forward, he works tirelessly, but his size gives him an extra physical presence. He's also surprisingly skilful in the penalty area...at least, in comparison to Stephen McManus, which may not be saying much. Two more goals in the last three matches would make him the first County player to manage ten in a season since they won promotion.
Signed by Derek Adams last summer, the Northern Irishman didn't offer much in the first half of the campaign. Recently, Jim McIntyre admitted that fitness had been a big issue for Boyce at the start of the season - he was previously a part-timer in Northern Ireland - and that he'd need to shed a few pounds to get up to speed. Given that he now looks like a very competent Premiership striker, County will fancy that, for the next two years, Boyce might provide sufficient firepower that they won't find themselves in this situation again. LS
Remarkably given Partick's dominance, St. Mirren felt a bit aggrieved after this game; just before half-time, with the score goalless, Stuart Bannigan bundled over Jason Naismith for what looks like a penalty and a straight red for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Thankfully for the Jags, Craig Thomson disagreed. Again, the home side did their best to shoot themselves in the foot just after the break when a defensive mix-up resulted in Scott Fox's clearance hitting Steven Thompson...and flying wide of the goal. Heck, even at 2-0 up they tried to gift Alan Gow a goal.
So, even when Partick Thistle are playing well, they just can't resist trying to screw it up. But they were well deserving of their 3-0 win here against a Buddies side who managed no efforts on goal at all in the first half and none on target in the whole 90 minutes. If Celtic's perfomance against Dundee deserved a title-winning party at the end of it, St. Mirren's deserved confirmation of relegation. That will surely come next weekend. Partick fans, meanwhile, can dare to look ahead to next season with a bit of confidence, providing Alan Archibald has at last found the key to getting Good Partick Thistle to turn up most weeks. LS
Is Dallas the sort of ref the SFA are looking for?
Yes, I know the irony-meter went off the scale when John Hughes claimed the referee in Perth was "out of his depth". But, in a game without an especially bad tackle he managed to produce ten yellow cards and a red card - though the two yellows that David Raven received were hard to argue with, it must be said.
Given that this was a game which showcased a lot of effort but few chances, it wouldn't have taken much for Dallas to hit the headlines. But, curiously enough, prior to kickoff I chatted with a friend who is good pals with a SPFL linesman; this lino had apparently suggested that Dallas "is, shall we say, rather confident in himself". The son of the famous Hugh Dallas is being fast-tracked to the top by the SFA.
Dallas' performance should perhaps be compared to those of other Scottish refs this season. Top of the list by a mile for red cards and penalties, by the way, is one Willie Collum, whose jobsworth officiating of matches infuriates us all. And yet Collum is the one that keeps getting Champions League games. Is this the sort of referee the SFA is advising Dallas, and his peers, to imitate? The thought fills me with dread... LS
Martin Ingram (MI) is our Aberdeen Correspondent. Legend has it that he is the tallest man in the Red Army. He writes regularly for Aberdeen fanzine The Red Final.
Iain Meredith (IM) is technically a Rangers fan, but these days he tends to support them ironically. He only agreed to help with this blog because now he can tell his wife that he's "only watching the game to help a friend out".
Lawrie Spence (LS) has ranted and spouted his ill-informed opinions on Narey's Toepoker since September 2007. He has a life outside this blog. Honestly.
Andrew Sutherland (AS) occasionally writes for When Saturday Comes. He would never miss an ICT match unless he was offered a date with the lead singer of CHVRCHES...who he would then take to said ICT match.
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