Apologies to all readers about the lack of Match Recation from Saturday: I posted a match report after the game, which was somehow written over with a Footymad report.
Anyway, the minute that I walked into Paradise on Saturday I could feel something was in the air. The arrogance of both the Rangers players and fans before the game was clearly visible: The players were swaggering around the park in their pre-match warm-up, and their fans were all in about 15 minutes before kick-off, singing their bile hatred and filth, shaming themselves as usual. It looked as though they thought they only had to turn up to get a victory.
When the team news was read out, I must say that Ronald de Boer's absence really gave me a boost. He is the Huns' equivalent to Henrik (though not half as good!), the way he links up the Rangers attacks was clearly going to be missed.
Not even the Huns' 'twiddling round with scarfes in defiance' garbage during 'You'll Never Walk Alone' could not stop the best version I have ever heard of it being sung at Parkhead before a game. Perhaps it spurred the team on to victory?
The game was played at furious pace, and didn't really live up to the hype of the last two. However, their was no lack of passion or heart, and Celtic were clearly the better side - Big John Hartson should have had a hat-trick.
Rangers looked rubbish, Klos is the only good player they have; Ricksen and Moore are nothing short of thugs; Amoruso and Arteta are highly over-rated; Fergisin looked lost without de Boer; Bonnisell, McCann, Lovenkrands, Arveladze, Cannigia and the rest just got a showing up. I see no reason why we can't do them again next week.
The only bad news to come out of Saturday was Didier Agathe's injury. Apparently, the injury is looking not as bad as first expected, and we could maybe see him fit for Thursday night.
Which brings me on to Liverpool. The 'Battle of Britain' as it is being called. The last time the two sides met competitively was in the UEFA Cup, when Wim Jansen managed The Bhoys. Liverpool scored an early Michael Owen strike and a late Steve McManaman beauty, Celtic's goals came from Simon Donnelly and Jackie McNamara in a memorable 2-2 draw. Unfortunatley, a 0-0 draw at Anfield sent Liverpool through on away goals.
On Thursday night, they return to Parkhead. Every one of Celtic's players need to be on top form, and Celtic should beat them. As everyone knows, we are a hard team to beat at Parkhead, but will have to watch Liverpool's pace up-front. They are also very capable of shooting from distance, and big Rab will need to be on form, as he has been recently. It should be an electric atmosphere, and if the fans pump up the volume, The Bhoys won't let us down!
Moving to the weekend, it's the Huns again. This time it is at Hampden in the CIS Final. Alot of people are saying it doesn't mean anything, and they may be right. It does not guarantee anything - no recognition or a place in Europe. If I had to pick and choose between winning on Saturday or winning next week, then Saturday would have been top of the list. However, it is a game against Rangers, and the fans will be looking for another win.
Without getting over-confident, I see no way in which we will get beaten on Sunday. With a bit of luck, Henrik might return and we will hopefully overpower them again.
It will be a tricky week ahead but we can do well in it, and we should do well in it. Let's get behind the team and get a result for taking to Anfield, and let's see The Bhoys lift the first trophy of the season!
Hail Hail!