A weekend round up of games from around the UK. The big game on Saturday with Killie hosting Hibernian while Sunday saw the Premier League champion declared down South. There was also a game taking place in Glasgow, apparently.
Killie vs Hibs
We’re on our way….
The pressure was firmly on Steve Clarkes team as Aberdeens win on Friday night leapfrogged them into third place, the guaranteed European spot. This could be the writers curse, but id be willing to place your mortgage on Hearts losing this Scottish Cup Final they are “preparing” for. They are dire, a shadow of the team that started the season so strong. Although yes, injuries have hampered their league campaign. How they’ve got to the cup final, ill never know!
Back to the Killie.
A rapid start from the boys in blue and white saw us taking charge of the game pretty quickly. A corner in the first couple of minutes followed by some good play from the midfield set the stall for the first half. No clear cut chances came for either side until Alex Bruce was manhandled in the box and Eamon Brophy slotted his penalty home. Hibs manager Mr Heckinbottom decided to call out Bruce after the match as a “fucking diver”. Strong words indeed for a press room!
Brophy missed a great chance in the second half with Hibs lacking any real threat until Thomas Agyepong came off the bench. His pace and directness was a worry at a time where players were starting to feel the strain of the season.
Killie managed to hang on, making the final 10 minutes a rather nervy affair after Stuart Findlay went off after a clash of heads. Dicker slotted into centre back with Kris Boyd making possibly his last appearance at the club.
Killie held out and it all goes down to the last game. Match the Aberdeen result, and we are guaranteed a place in Europe. Lose on Sunday and Aberdeen win – We will all be getting behind Celtic in the cup final….
Them vs Them
Celtic visited Rangers on Sunday for the lunchtime fixture already having secured the title. This gave the media a big spoon to stir weeks before the contest. I was never aware a guard of honour could be so debated. Are we living in an era where the expectations of how one team act, are just given as the norm after that? Either way, the media had made a massive deal of this, far bigger than either of the clubs. Turned out as most thought, no guard of honour.
Its no secret i have little time for either of the Glasgow sisters and I feel this is a classic example of tabloids trying to create a story that doesn’t actually exist. Callum McGregors interview where he stated “we don’t need a pat on the back from anyone” sums it up rather well, for me. Fans should always think if the shoe was on the other foot.
The game itself will always bring hostility to the streets of Glasgow. Ironic that only weeks ago, everyone in tandem, came together after the passing of Billy McNeil. Both sides showed their respects impeccably for a man who everyone knew as a giant of the Scottish game. It just goes to show that deep down, it really is just a game, rivalries can and are put aside when the time is right…but we all love a football rivalry. Unfortunately it’s all too easy to revert back to normality.
Rangers dominated the derby at Ibrox. A goal inside 3 minutes pretty much set the stall for the rest of the game. Celtic looked a shade of the team they have been for the past few years, and most of this season. Burke was a player I always thought deserved a chance, but based on yesterday, he will be lucky to get any more minutes for Celtic. An impressive display from Rangers was typified with a good piece of play from Kamara, a clever dummy from Defoe and a good finish from Arfield, who was man of the match for me. What this result will do is ask questions from both sides of the city. There is no doubt since the last derby at Celtic park, Rangers have raised their game. They’ve won every game since the split. So how do Rangers carry these post split performances onto next season? And who do Celtic need to get into that dugout to ensure performances like that aren’t the norm when they visit Ibrox?
Liverpool have 97 points, still not enough.
Liverpool eclipsed the largest total of a second a placed team in English Premier League history yesterday. Winning at home to Wolves was the least Liverpool could do to stand any chance at the title. This accompanied by Man City dropping points at Brighton, would secure a much desired Liverpool title.
Sadio Mane put Liverpool ahead and then Glenn Murray put Brighton ahead…IT WAS HAPPENING!! For 90 seconds at least.
Sergio Aguero equalised for City who eventually went on to comfortably win 4-1 and secure back to back titles in the division. First team to do so since their Manchester rivals back in 2010. 14 wins on the trot is an amazing record to secure the title, not a single slip up shows just what Pep Guardiola is all about. Sensational.
Liverpool now look forward to a Champions League Final in Madrid to end their season with a trophy. Should Liverpool go onto win the Champions League, I reckon if you offered Liverpool and Man City a trophy swap, both would be delighted!
Cheers!
Post Match Pints 