Those of who follow the Scottish Premier League know it. Those who run the Scottish Premier League know it. And, I'm pretty sure everyone who plays in the Scottish Premier League knows it. It's the ones who run the League that don't want the "secret" getting out. The secret? The SPL is a league with two really good teams, and a bunch of pathetic teams with no chance to contend. Celtic and (cough, bitches, cough cough) Rangers are the ONLY good teams in the SPL, and the remainder of the squads wouldn't even be able to hold water in the MLS (no disrespect intended). We all know it! In case we didn't know it, we were pretty much shown that fact last weekend when Celtic embarrassed Aberdeen 9-0. 9 goals to zero goals. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Those running the SPL hope you skimmed past the score without noticing, because it surely makes their overall product (everything outside of the Old Firm Derby) look like garbage.
It would take way too much typing to break down all of the domination, so I'll try and make it brief. Celtic's Gary Hooper (or H88per, if you prefer) and Irish boy Anthony "Just Outside of Dublin" Stokes each had a double in the first half, walking the Hoops to a 4-0 lead after the first 45. Two of the four goals were scored from the penalty spot. In the 25th minute, Sung-Yong Ki blasted a goal bound shot that a Dons defender could only stop with his hands. Obviously, the flag went up, and Stokes blasted the PK home. The Dublin native set up a Hooper goal 3 minutes later with a spot on pass. In the 33rd, Hooper scored again with a nifty pass from Niall McGinn. 7 minutes later, Celtic's Thomas Rogne was sent off for a little shoving (kind of stupid), but Fraser Forsters save on the Aberdeen free kick kept the momentum in the Hoops' favor. Stokes converted another penalty after Shaun Maloney was dragged down in the box, and the Green & White were off and running.
No one would have imagined 5 more Celtic goals were to come, but that's exactly what happened. Stokes and Hooper completed their hat tricks, Joe "The Killer Wale" Ledley added a beautiful stike, Aberdeen helped with an own goal, and my boy and Derry native Paddy "O'Furniture" McCourt drilled a third penalty. After all of that, which was completed by the 84th minute, Aberdeen had to up the effort and get a little bit of good fortune just to keep the day from getting to double digits. It was a dark day for the Dons, and really the SPL as a whole. But, as a Celtic fan, I really enjoyed it. Is it proof that we should get a chance in the EPL, as has so often been talked about before? Not really. But, it does prove that the talent in the SPL just isn't to the level of the top two teams.
Sure, Fraser Forester didn't face much pressure, and could have taken a nap for large portions of the game, but he was tough when he needed to be. He has been impressive in his transition from the backup to the backup role at Newcastle, and has really stepped into the spotlight. Emilio "Izzy" Izaguirre finally got some time at defender, and I think it was a huge decision, as rumors have started to float around about teams wanting to lure him away from Celtic. It was great having Shaun Maloney back out in the midfield, but I think Niall McGinn deserves huge love for being our most underrated middie (and not just because he's Irish...well, Northern Irish, which is like about half as good, if that). He's been hooking up great passes and solid play for a couple of games now, and I've enjoyed the heck out of it. What can you say about the guys up front? Hooper and Stokes crushed it, showing that we are still an impressive top of the table team even with Samaras sitting on the pine.
Speaking of top of the table, we're not there. At 10-1-0 (30 points, +24 GD), we trail Rangers (10-0-1) by a single point. Motherwell still sits 11 back of Celtic in third, with Heart 13 back in fourth. And, Heart of Midlothian is the squad Celtic will be facing in their midweek match tomorrow evening. Heart (5-4-2), also known as the Maroons, the Jam Tarts, the Jambos, and the Famous, are supported (as we've covered before) by fans who do the "twirly" with their scarves prior to the game to the tune of "Hey Jude" by the Beatles. That actually sounds kind of cool. This weekend, Celtic will battle St. Mirren, the club known for being called the "Buddies," and for wearing Newcastle-esque kits. Hopefully we can pick up a couple wins and get the top of the table back.
Briseadh an gcroí!
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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