Sat 15 January 2011, 12pm
Celtic V Hibs
The away game Celtic V Hibs saw the return of Gary Hooper who had spent weeks out of play with an ankle ligament injury. Following a disappointing draw with Hamilton a few days prior to this game, Celtic were determined to win and played in style. The striker scored on the 44th minute in a stunning return to make it 1-0 to the bhoys in green and white. Second half kicked off with a Celtic lead and it was soon to be 2-0 when Irishman Anthony Stokes scored on the 50th minute. A mere 15 minutes later one half of the goal machine duo landed a second goal with the final score being 3-0!
Sat 22 January 2011, 3pm
Celtic V Aberdeen
This was the first time since the 9-0 mutational over Aberdeen on the 2nd of November ensuring the Dons would be more determined than ever under their new manager Craig Brown. Whilst many (including myself) were predicting 4 and 5-0 results, the reality was a lot more nerve wrecking. A 26th minute goal from Anthony Stokes put Celtic in the lead throughout a dull but stable performance and whilst the second half was much weaker, the score remained the same leaving Celtic another clean sheet and 5 points clear in the table!
Wed 26 January 2011 7:45
Celtic V Hearts
This was a game that both sides were determined to win with the Jambos having beaten Rangers the previous weekend thus wanting to continue their winning streak and claim 2nd place in the table. Celtic also wanted to continue their run of clean sheets and beautiful football but here, the Bhoys played in a class of their own. In what some of my comrades have called "the performance of the season". James Forrest scored a stunning first goal from inside the box giving Celtic a 1-0 lead within 7 minutes of play
Whilst this goal rightfully belonged to Hooper, the Englishman would have rather seen his striking partner continue with his run of goals showing not only is he a capable and fantastic player himself, he is selfless and would rather see a positive overall team performance than his own recognition. Hail hail to Hooper!
Paddy McCourt then effortlessly sealed the victory in the 80th minute leaving a 4-0 win to the Bhoys in green.
It should also be noted that whilst this was an incredible performance, Paradise was tinged with grief and the atmosphere was brought back down to earth when a Celtic fan collapsed during the second half following a heart attack. Robert Coyle was then given ten minutes of resuscitation by paramedics and stewards whilst the Green Brigade fell silent as they looked on at the horror unfolding. When being carried out they burst into a chorus of "You'll Never Walk Alone" and those at the game have said it is an emotional event they will never forget. Major credit towards the Green Brigade for being so respectful, sadly the same cannot be said for the Hearts fans and their appalling and vile chants whilst Mr. Coyle was being taken away. "God will have the final say when their day of judgement comes". I wish Robert the best of recovery and he is in my thoughts and prayers.
Sat 29 Jan 2011 12:45
Celtic V Aberdeen
The CIS cup match at Hampden saw Celtic play another beautiful performance amongst many in recent weeks. Kriss Commons made his depute one to remember scoring in the 6th minute of the game. It clearly had impact amongst the Englishman's new team mates as the "new signing" Charlie Mulgrew scored four minutes later putting the game to bed and the team confidence soaring through the roof. Aberdeen fans were fleeing the stadium within twenty minutes as Rogne landed the ball into the net making it 3-0 soon followed by a penalty taken by stokes which meant that the team walked off the park at half time with a 4-0 lead. Second half was much more laid back which is fully understandable. With the game won, it would have been ridiculous to have given 100% effort and so the hoops continued to run circles around the gutted Dons. Aberdeen's Vernon scored in the 61st minute which left 4-1 as the final score.
Tue 1 Jan 2011 19:45
Celtic V Aberdeen
The third and final meeting V Aberdeen at Pittodrie made the hoops determined to put the sheep to shame whilst they pathetically tried to regain some dignity following a 4-1 defeat four days earlier. But their hopes of this were crushed when sixty seconds into the game, they were already on the road to further humiliation. Hooper stunningly twisted and turned around the Dons and sent the ball flying to the Celtic captain Scott Brown in an effortless and flawless cross in. It looked as though Brown was about to land an opening goal however Aberdeen's Considine held him back resulting in a straight red card and a Celtic Penalty. Down to ten men, Aberdeen felt a slight breath of relief when Stokes missed the penalty but this was short lived when at 12 minutes Gary Hooper and Stokes paired up in a drool-worthy 1-2 pass which led the Hooperman to blast the ball into the net
Kriss Commons was unlucky to have not scored when Paddy McCourt was brought on and made a pass which can only be described as dazzling to Commons who was unable to land the ball on target.
Wilson made it 2-0 in the 75th minute after landing his first ever goal for Celtic in his 154 appearances! Also adding a twist of humour to another great day following his post-match interview where he said he "didn't know how to celebrate". Then three minutes later Stokes sealed the 3 points with a 3-0 finish.
The final whistle blew which tallied the overall results of V Aberdeen games to Celtic 17- 1 Aberdeen.
Major credit towards the fans once again for singing their hearts and souls out week in week out and showing how we truly are one of the biggest and best teams in the World
In the words of the commentator "Bring on the Rangers they say". Hail Hail Bhoys and Ghirls.
