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"Blood inspires Celtic to deserved win”
Celtic had being showing signs of improvement but last weeks “Halloween Horror Show” was a real set back with as poor a performance as we have ever seen. The problem with Premier football is that there is nowhere to hide and today would test Celtic’s character and ability to bounce back against a talented St Josephs Boys.
Celtic got the start wanted. 3 minutes on the clock , Mark Hughes finds Lloyd Turner on the right who hits a thunderous shot from 30 yards out. 1-0. The start Celtic wanted and NEEDED. Confidence grew and with it Celtic gained the upper hand but despite this a lack of quality in the final third meant chances were few and far between. Indeed it was Joeys who came closest as they forced a top class save from Tommy Bowe. As we entered injury time Celtic conceded a soft goal. A poor clearance from Bowe was punished with a classy finish. HT: 1-1
The early exchanges in the second half were even but as in the first half Celtic gained the upper hand with Sean Blood chief tormentor. His quick feet and quick brain were causing mayhem in the Joeys defence. First, following good work by Hughes and Antonio Neto he set up Leigh Reilly whose shot brought a good save from the Joeys stopper. Minutes later from 25 yards out he weaved his way through four tackles before seeing his shot from a tight angle well saved.
It looked like a goal would probably be decisive and despite Celtic dominating possession Joeys always looked capable on the break. With 20 minutes of the half gone a cleared ball by Joeys was missed by the Celtic defender. The Joeys striker was on it like a light but Tommy Bowe had seen the danger rushing off his line and although the Joeys striker got his shot in Bowe spread himself to make a wonderful stop bringing thunderous applause from the line. Tommy had made up for his half time error and probably earned a few bonus points in the process. Moments later Celtic were ahead but it all started with that save.
Celtic broke down the right with an exchange involving Blood and Neto. Neto squared to Hughes who slid the ball into Reilly who supplied a strikers finish. The youngster had been going through a barren spell of late but his look said “ What drought. I’m back and as good as ever”. 2-1 and Celtic never looked back as they earned a deserved but hard earned win.
An important win for Celtic earned with a solid rather than spectacular performance. Credit to the Boys for having the character to bounce back from last weeks performance. For the Coaches the improved performance was welcomed but there were many other positives. Reillys return to form and Sean Bloods all round display. Today was a good day at the office but for it to be of real meaning it has to be used as a springboard for future performances. Onwards and upwards lads but for now enjoy the moment.
