The Monday Morning View from the Gutter

Celtic progressed into the next round of the Scottish Cup with a journeyman-like performance against Stirling Albion. The game was marred by some amateurish officiating which done little to warm up the home support.

This was one of those situations that Celtic really couldn’t win. If they turned in a good performance then the journos would proclaim that that is what is expected against lesser opposition, if they didn’t they would get slaughtered. In the end it was a professional performance with some shining individual merits.

The crowd for this match was no doubt bolstered by the debut of new Bhoy Andreas Hinkel who had an inaugural game to remember. Looking as confident with the ball at his feet as a proven midfielder and displaying pace and crossing ability not seen consistently at Parkhead since the days of McGrain the new Bhoy looks to be a class act. The fact that he said after the match that he knows he can play even better once his "rhythm" improves is enough to keep the faithful happy and also should prevent any hack using lower Division as an excuse to belittle his man of the match performance.

Other notable performers on the day were Massimo Donati. The Italian midfielder continues to frustrate with his short passing game but his long-range passing and willingness to get involved in the play should have been rounded off with a goal but the affable big player was unlucky to see his acrobatic attempt round the post. More of the same please Massimo!

And then onto the officials. Having missed BBC’s ‘extended highlights’ on Saturday night (I blinked) I was unable to see the many issues that occurred on Saturday. Incidents such as the non award of a penalty (for a tackle on Donati) or the linesman failing to see the ball cross the touch line from all of two yards or McManus clearing the ball off an attacker only to concede a corner (again within two yards of the assistant) the officiating of this match was below even the low standards we have come to expect.

It was also great to see the return of the Japanese genius Shunsuke Nakamura. Although far from match fit Naka displayed the fine talents he has at his disposal with a cracking curling effort from twenty yards. Even if the Albion keeper hadn’t been four-foot zero a full sized keeper would not have saved that perfectly placed shot! The news that Nakamura is planning on staying here "until Celtic decide they have had enough of me" should keep the hacks off his/our backs regarding his future.

It was also good to see Boruc having a bit of fun responding to the ribbing he was receiving from the Albion supporters, although I am unaware if it was just harmless banter that was descending from the away end. I haven’t heard otherwise so I can only assume that it was.

So all in all it was a decent performance, if I were to have any moans it would be aimed mainly at the front two pairing, who both took their goals well but offered little in the match. JVH has looked like an improved version of his former self in recent times but has to contribute more. Skippy is still the top scorer but has contributed little more than a few goals in the last few months. Where has the player who was not giving defenders a moment’s peace, terrorising them every time they were in possession gone?

Yours in Celtic

Clydebuilt