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Celtic finish on a high as Lethal Leigh’s brace ensures a share of the spoils
Following their longest losing run in their young history the Celtic players were keen to see out their last home game of the season with a strong performance. Well they certainly started as if they meant business. Leigh Reilly , who had been off colour of late, had a look about him that said enough is enough “I’m due a good one today “and he nearly got an early goal following a through ball by Mark Hughes. Minutes later Reilly was chomping at the bit as he pressurised the Joeys defence into a mistake – a Celtic corner. Hughes stepped up. He had said that he wanted to swing a few in on the keeper over the next few games. Well he did today and Boy was he happy he did. 1-0.
Just what Celtic needed and wanted. Joeys were uncertain . Ciaran Collins and Reilly were electric while behind them Hughes, Antonio Neto and Dylan Mc Donagh were bossing the midfield and spraying balls all over the pitch. With 15 minutes on the clock Neto played a wonderful pass in to Leigh who rounded the keeper. 2-0. “LETHAL LEIGH” was back.
For the remainder of the half Celtic were dominant and the only disappointment was the half time whistle. The Coaches praised the players but warned that it only half time and cautioned against doing a “Liverpool”!!! To be fair to Joeys they started well as the looked to get back in the game. Still the goal that Celtic conceded was something that we have seen far too often this season. No danger but ball watching allowed the Joeys striker to power home from 8 yards out. Minutes later it was 2-2. A corner uncontested and a simple touch home. Celtic had lost their “mojo” and despite a switch to 4-4-2 it was soon 2-3. The Joeys No 8 went down the right wing and made a good cross where it was met by the striker with a deft header but again Celtic will be disappointed with 2 defenders ball watching 5 yards either side of the Joeys striker.
Unbelievable Celtic had been dominant for most of the game and 15 minutes into the half were 3-2 down. Joeys were on top and in truth Celtic needed to settle down but confidence was low and one feared the worst. Celtic threw caution to the wind. Anto went out right with Donatus Mweke helping to regain control of the midfield. They pushed and they pushed but Joeys were not going to give away a soft goal. It would need something special and special is what we got. Anto went down the right, past one, past two, he was tripped but the ref waved play on. Anto stayed on his feet before finding Reilly who was tightly marked. Reilly went one way, then the other but his path was blocked. He put the ball on to his weaker left foot and curled a blaster into the top corner. Weaker left foot my ass. Messi would have been proud of that strike. 3-3.
Celtic weren’t done. Hughsie went on a run. Past 3 players but his shot was blocked. Collins shot just shaved the post following a wonderful ball from Donatus. In the last minute Hughsie went on another run evading 5 tackles before finding Kiano who was denied by good defending. FT: 3-3.
A draw but for Celtic it was as good as a win. Maybe not 3 points but a performance to lift the spirits against a strong Joeys outfit. Before the game the Coaches told the lads to enjoy their last home game of the season and give a performance and a PERFORMANCE is what we got. All 12 players on display gave their all but two deserve special mention. One was Leigh who showed the quality that we know he has but have not seen for nearly 6 months. He was unplayable. Not just on the ball but also his work rate which on a warm day was admirable. The other “special mention” is Andrei Enache. Andrei played in goal today. He had no chance with the goals but his all round play was excellent. He was always in control. Talking, moving, early release of the ball, instructing his defence – he did it all. We don’t know if he wants to be a keeper but if he does he’ll be giving the Celtic No 1, Tommy Bowe, a run for his money. All in all a great team effort. Proud of you lads.
