News
ZICO - BELIEVE
By Trialist
Paul Hartley believes Celtic's back-to-back victories over the Huns at Celtic Park have given the Hoops a fighting chance of winning the SPL Championship and with it the Holy Grail of three League Championships in a row.
However, Zico, who has been crucial to Celtic's recent resurgence and who was outstanding in both the 2-1 humping of the Huns 11 days ago and the 3-2 humping of the Huns on Sunday, also believes TFOD is still in the driving seat.
Celtic are five points clear of the Huns, with the Bhoys having three League games remaining and the Huns having six, albeit with four of the six away from Ipox and the Huns' woes with fatigue, injuries and suspensions ever worsening.
Paul Hartley said after Celtic's 3-2 win on Sunday: “It's another massive win for us and it also gives us a bit of pride back. It was good to win these games for our supporters as well, as I know they'll have enjoyed winning two O** F*** matches in a row.”
Paul Hartley continued: “But it doesn't change a great deal in terms of the bigger picture. We still find ourselves in a position in which we need to win every game and hope Rangers drop points in their remaining matches. But if we didn't win these games then it would have been over, so we've kept things going.”
Paul Hartley added: “What we've managed to do by winning these two O** F*** games is give ourselves a fighting chance of winning the League. Rangers are still in the driving seat but we've managed to move five points clear and we'll have to wait and see if they slip up.”
Paul Hartley summarised his perception of Celtic's 3-2 humping of the Huns, in which Celtic seized an early lead via Scott McDonald's 4th minute goal only for TFOD to equalise via David Weir's 17th minute header then take the lead via Daniel Cousin's 29th minute header.
However, Celtic fought back bravely, equalising the must-win match at 2-2 via Scott McDonald's second strike of the afternoon just before half-time, with Barry Robson firing home the all-important match-winning goal from the penalty spot in the 70th minute.
Paul Hartley said: “We got off to an excellent start when Scott scored the opening goal. You can never plan for taking an early lead and I don't think it changed the game. We were disappointed not to build on that and eventually find ourselves behind.”
Paul Hartley continued: “The two goals we lost were disappointing. They came from set-pieces but it's how we responded that is important and we got ourselves back into the game just before the break when Scott netted his second. It was good play from Aiden McGeady to find him inside the penalty area and it was an excellent turn and finish. It allowed us to go in at the interval with a bit more confidence and in a more positive frame of mind.”
Paul Hartley added: “After that I thought we played some really good stuff and got a grip on the game. Scott managed to win the penalty and Barry Robson stepped up and put the ball in the back of the net. So we can be pleased with our overall performance.”
Paul Hartley ended: “These two matches have been like O** F*** games of old. There have been goals, tackles flying in all over the place and sending-offs. The fans want to see that sort of passion and I think we have showed we were fired up for them.”
Do you believe the “near impossible” (quote courtesy of Gord several weeks ago) is now possible?
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