A Celtic State of Mind’s Post-Match Reaction – Apocalypse How?

Ten domestic trophies on the bounce, yet an end-of-year defeat to their closest challengers has been apocalyptically dramatised by the requiem writers, determined to dedicate chapter and verse to the plot of Celtic’s downfall.

Neil Lennon hasn’t read the script

An hour into Celtic’s participation in what will be targeted as their 12th successive gong and Leigh Griffiths’ solitary goal gave Thistle some belief that they were still in a game.

That was despite it being a fairly comfortable evening under the floodlights, with only a last-gasp penalty call against Jeremie Frimpong – yet another bewildering decision from Scotland’s kludge of incompetents – applying a respectable glean on the score-line for the home side.

Plus points for Lenny would undoubtedly include the appearance of a number of fringe players and the introduction of the recently acquired £3.5 million Polish striker, Patryk Klimala. Leigh Griffiths, who has looked woebegone in his fleeting appearances recently, got back on the scoresheet, whilst Jozo Šimunović – still only 25 – got back on the pitch for the first time since August. The reintroduction of a ring-rusty and slightly heavy-looking Daniel Arzani was an important milestone for the gifted Australian international. Meanwhile, fellow Aussie, Tom Rogic, had his best game of the season, albeit against lower league opposition, in what was only his seventh start.

It will be interesting to see how many of these five players will make an impact as Celtic lead the charge for their fourth consecutive treble. Even if Klimala or Griffiths do catch the eye, they will do well to dislodge Odsonne Edouard from this starting lineup. There was a moment of magic by Eddie in the closing stages of the game that no one else in Scottish football could summon in their wildest dreams. Had his two majestic touches resulted in Celtic’s third goal, it would have been one of the greatest Celtic goals of modern times.

Paul John Dykes

🍀 A CELTIC STATE OF MIND
⭐️ Man of the Match
🏆 Partick Thistle 1 Celtic 2

1️⃣ Callum McGregor
2️⃣ Tom Rogic
3️⃣ Scott Brown