2012-02-25: Celtic 1-0 Motherwell, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 20112012 | 2011-2012 Pictures

Trivia

  • Celtic go 23pts ahead! That's a phenomenal 38pt turnaround. We've played two games more than Huns who play next day.
  • Main focus remains on Hun's in administration (liquidation?). Lots of stories, with tales that liquidators arrived on Saturday to take pictures of the place.
  • Ex-Hun Mark Hateley makes a *** of himself by criticising Celtic & support of "dancing on Rangers Grave". Neil Lennon responds in kind!
  • GB Banner – "Let the rats drown!". (apt!)
  • 6 consecutive SPL clean sheets. 28 games since more than 1 goal conceded. 3 goals conceded in 17 domestic games.

Review

(JP of KDS forum)
A good game, and a good tough three points won imo. Forrest was poor for the first hour, and should probably have been hooked at half time. Thankfully he finished strongly. Sammy was very good again, and worked tirelessly, providing a lovely knock-down for Hooper's goal. I thought we missed Brown's energy in the middle in the first half. Ki, whilst undoubtedly an excellent footballer, doesn't offer the drive that Brown does.

The back four were very solid and I don't recall Forster having any saves to make of note. Mulgrew had probably his best game in the left-back position since his return to the club. A good captain's performance!

20 domestic wins in a row! (how many games unbeaten, including Europe…?)

We are going to win this without kicking a ball unfortunately, as Rangers will continue to drop points. Starting tomorrow hopefully…

2012-02-25: Celtic 1-0 Motherwell, SPL - Pic

Teams

Celtic

  • 01 Forster
  • 06 Wilson Booked
  • 21 Mulgrew
  • 25 Rogne
  • 02 Matthews
  • 16 Ledley
  • 18 Ki Sung-Yeung
  • 67 Wanyama (Stokes – 58' )
  • 09 Samaras
  • 49 Forrest (Commons – 88' )
  • 88 Hooper (Cha Du-Ri – 76' )

Substitutes

  • 24 Zaluska
  • 03 Izaguirre
  • 05 Majstorovic
  • 11 Cha Du-Ri
  • 10 Stokes
  • 15 Commons
  • 17 Brozek

Goals

  • Hooper (59)

Motherwell

  • 01 Randolph
  • 03 Hammell Booked
  • 15 Hutchinson Booked
  • 22 Clancy
  • 04 Law
  • 06 Hateley Booked
  • 08 Jennings
  • 14 Lasley
  • 09 Higdon
  • 11 Murphy (Humphrey – 64' )
  • 24 Ojamaa Booked (Daley – 79' )

Substitutes

  • 31 Bradley
  • 05 Craigan
  • 20 Page
  • 07 Humphrey
  • 17 Daley
  • 26 Carswell
  • 18 Forbes
Ref: Crawford
Att: 53,486

Articles

Pictures

Forum

MOTM

Stats

Celtic v M'well

Possession

51 v 49

Shots

12 v 2

On target

7 v 1

Corners

10 v 2

Fouls

10 v 20

Articles

Gary Hooper goal gives Celtic a narrow victory over stoic Motherwell

Scottish Premier League 2011-12
Celtic 1

Hooper 59

Motherwell 0

Ewan Murray at Celtic Park
guardian.co.uk, Saturday 25 February 2012 17.24 GMT

There could be some surreal occasions at Celtic Park before this season ends. With Celtic assured of reclaiming the championship, supporters and players would be forgiven a drop in intensity.

The cut and thrust of competition has been removed from the summit of the Scottish Premier League, an unusual circumstance in recent times. Celtic's lead over Rangers – which now sits at 23 points – means they must find fresh forms of motivation. For now, the continuation of a superb domestic run seems to fuel the fires of Neil Lennon and his players. That record now sits at 20 domestic wins in a row, with 17 successive victories secured in the league. The fascinating prospect of Celtic heading to Ibrox on 25 March to seal the title remains alive.

Dispassionate onlookers will be particularly interested in the level of atmosphere and standard of football at this venue as Rangers try to emerge from their troubled state. There has been no immediate dip in either, although the notion that the novelty of a lack of competition from across the city will soon wear off on Glasgow's green half is widely perpetuated. We are still a long way short of finding out, whatever the truth of that theory.

When Motherwell visited, it was Celtic's bullish second-half showing that kickstarted a hitherto tame affair. Gary Hooper scored the game's crucial goal, handing the league leaders a win they merited. There have been spells on this winning run where Celtic have performed to a far superior level than was the case here, although Motherwell's firm level of resistance is partly responsible for that.

Rangers' widely publicised troubles should not mask what wider credit is due to Motherwell for their achievements already this season.

The fact Stuart McCall has guided his side into third place is notable enough, without Motherwell being so close to Rangers that a 10-point deduction for the Ibrox club triggered what now looks a meaningful race for second. McCall's annual budget sits at less than £2m, which highlights the excellent work of the manager as well as the gap in resource between Scottish football's leading clubs.

Motherwell duly played their part in an even, if flat, opening half. Charlie Mulgrew slammed a shot only narrowly wide of the visiting goal after 14 minutes, with Hooper only inches away from latching on to a rebound from Motherwell's goalkeeper Darren Randolph shortly after. A Celtic penalty claim, seconds before the interval, looked to have merit as Tim Clancy handled.

The breakthrough Celtic had increasingly threatened arrived within 15 minutes of the restart. The Motherwell defending – which had otherwise been somewhat combative – was chronically lax in allowing Georgios Samaras to chest an Adam Matthews throw-in right to Hooper. The striker, completely unmarked, drilled home a low finish without, for whatever reason, offering any form of celebration at all. Hooper was more animated when denied by a Shaun Hutchinson tackle, five minutes later.

By this stage, Motherwell were offering precious little in attack. Henrik Ojamaa went to desperate levels to change that, the Estonian rightly booked for a blatant dive inside the Celtic penalty area.

Celtic never came particularly close to doubling their lead. There was never any strong sense that they needed to. A Lennon tantrum over a dubious offside flag – Samaras seemed to be in his own half when a pass was played to him – was the most newsworthy act of the closing stages. The manager is not lacking in impetus; Celtic's results prove the same applies to his players.

Hooper strikes as Celtic keep winning

By: Laura Brannan on 25 Feb, 2012 16:52, Celticfc.net
February 25, 2012
Scottish Premier League
Celtic Park

CELTIC 1
(Hooper 59)

MOTHERWELL 0

GARY Hooper’s close-range strike, just before the hour mark, was enough to seal the victory against Motherwell at Celtic Park, extending the Hoops’ lead at the top of the table to 23 points.

The striker took his tally to 20 goalsfor the season as Celtic made it 20consecutive wins in all three domestic competitions, including 17 in the SPL. It was a run which began when they last faced Motherwell at the start of November.

The Steelmen put in a strong and stubborn performance, but the home side dominated in the wet conditions, and sealed a hard-fought victory.

Neil Lennon made five changes to the side which defeated Dunfermline midweek. Adam Matthews and Thomas Rogne returned to the backline and James Forrest and Georgios Samaras provided fresh attacking options. Victor Wanyama, meanwhile, replaced the injured Scott Brown.

In his skipper’s absence, Charlie Mulgrew took over the captain’s armband, and looking to build on his outstanding strike on Wednesday, he came close to opening the scoring on 15 minutes, firing a low effort just wide of the post, from inside the penalty area.

But Motherwell, with genuine aspirations of finishing second int he SPL, made it difficult for the home side to break them down and provided their own attacking threat.

The Hoops were looking dangerous on the attack, though, and as the first-half progressed, they grew in confidence. Ki came close with two free-kicks shortly before half-time. The first was knocked wide for a corner while the second forced Darren Randolph into an impressive save.

It wasn’t enough to break the deadlock before the break, and even though the second-half started in a similar style, Celtic were finally able to open the scoring just before the hour mark.

Anthony Stokes was introduced to play on 59 minutes but it was his strike partner, Hooper, who stuck the ball away only seconds later. Samaras collected Matthews’ throw-in andchested the ball to Hooper’s feet. The Englishman blasted it home from just six yards out, putting his side into the lead.

Thatopened the gameup and while Celtic were looking stronger with the one-goal advantage, it also encouraged Motherwell to start attacking the Hoops’ backline.

Ki came close with another effort on target before Forrest’s low drive was turned around the far post on 71 minutes. Just 60 seconds before that, Henrick Ojamaa broke into the penalty box, but went down easily and was booked for diving.

As the clock entered the last five minutes, Motherwell continued to seek an equaliser, but Celtic had made a defensive substitution, replacing Hooper with Cha Du Ri, and looked solid and well worth the lead.

Samaras was controversially ruled offside late into stoppage time, before Stokes made a break on goal, but it didn’t make a difference to the final score as the victory was already secured.

CELTIC (4-4-2): Forster; Matthews, K. Wilson, Rogne, Mulgrew; Forrest (Commons 88), Wanyama (Stokes 59), Ki, Ledley; Hooper (Cha 76), Samaras
Subs not used: Zaluska, Majstorovic, Brozek, Izaguirre

MOTHERWELL (4-4-2): Randolph; Hateley, Hutchinson, Clancy, Hammell; Murphy (Humphrey 63), Lasley, Jennings, Law; Higdon, Ojamaa (Daley 79)
Subs not used: Bradley, Craigan, Forbes, Page, Carswell

Website man of the match: Thomas Rogne

BBC

Gary Hooper broke Motherwell's resistence to stretch Celtic's lead over Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League to 23 points.
Kelvin Wilson squandered Celtic's best chance of a first half they totally dominated, heading straight at goalkeeper Darren Randolph.
Randolph's saves kept Celtic at bay until the 59th-minute, when Hooper fired home from close range.
Well had one shot on target as their six-game unbeaten run came to an end. For Celtic, it was a 14th straight win in all competitions and their 17th in the SPL.
Home manager Neil Lennon again rang the changes as he looked to keep his players fresh with the title all but won after reigning champions Rangers were docked 10 points for going into administration.
Adam Matthews, Thomas Rogne, Victor Wanyama, James Forrest and Georgios Samaras came in for Cha Du-ri, Emilio Izaguirre, Kris Commons, Anthony Stokes and captain Scott Brown, who has a groin injury.
Motherwell, looking for their third win in eight days, made only one change, with captain Keith Lasley returning from suspension to replace Omar Daley in midfield as manager Stuart McCall vowed to attack the leaders.
But it was Celtic who started where they left off against Dunfermline in midweek, dominating possession and Tom Hateley, goalkeeper Darren Randolph and Stevie Hammell were all forced into making important early interceptions for the visitors. Charlie Mulgrew was full of confidence in a week when he followed his inclusion in the Scotland squad by being named Celtic captain for the day.
He loped forward and set up Samaras before firing wide after the striker's own effort rebounded back into the defender's path off Hateley.
The pair combined again moments later and the Greek's shot was cleared at the second attempt by Randolph as the goalkeeper juggled the striker's effort.
Another Hateley block denied Samaras at the back post after Matthew's cross found the head of the striker, whose effort on the rebound was also deflected for a corner.
Motherwell survived the pressure but were finding it impossible to create chances of their own and Ki Sung-Yueng came close with a drive that flew just wide of the visitors' goal.
A Ki free-kick gave Kelvin Wilson a great chance to open the scoring from eight yards, but the defender headed straight at Randolph.
Stokes came on for Wanyama after the break and the change appeared to disrupt Motherwell's concentration as they poorly defended a long throw chested down by Samaras into the path of Hooper, who scored with clinical precision.
Randolph saved well to deny Hooper as he looked for a quickfire double after again being set up by Samaras.
The Motherwell goalkeeper did well again to save from close range after Forrest threatened on the break.
Motherwell's in-form striker, Henrik Ojamaa, at last had a sniff at goal and perhaps would should have done better than fire straight at Fraser Forster as the visitors at last tested the goalkeeper.
Steve Jennings also fired disappointingly wide as Motherwell missed a chance to move level on points with Rangers, who face Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Sunday.

Live Text Commentary

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +3:06

The final whistle is blown by the referee.
90:00 +2:09

Steve Jennings gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.
90:00 +1:31

The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Stevie Hammell.
88:45

The referee blows for offside against Anthony Stokes. Indirect free kick taken by Darren Randolph.
87:07 Substitution

Substitution (Celtic) makes a substitution, with Kris Commons coming on for James Forrest.
87:07

Steve Jennings concedes a free kick for a foul on Joe Ledley. Sung-Yeung Ki takes the free kick.
86:28

Charlie Mulgrew takes a shot. Save by Darren Randolph.
85:59

Short corner worked by Sung-Yeung Ki.
85:01

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Michael Higdon by Thomas Rogne. Direct free kick taken by Tom Hateley.
84:22

Effort from the edge of the box by Georgios Samaras goes wide of the right-hand upright.
83:39

Free kick awarded for a foul by Omar Daley on Du-Ri Cha. James Forrest restarts play with the free kick.
82:24

Free kick awarded for a foul by Sung-Yeung Ki on Steve Jennings. Tim Clancy takes the free kick.
82:11

Nicky Law crosses the ball, Du-Ri Cha manages to make a clearance.
80:27

Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew, save by Darren Randolph.
79:36

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Tom Hateley, clearance by Charlie Mulgrew.
79:29

Chris Humphrey delivers the ball, Kelvin Wilson manages to make a clearance.
78:43 Substitution

Substitution Omar Daley joins the action as a substitute, replacing Henrik Ojamaa.
77:41

Shot from just outside the area by Steve Jennings misses to the left of the target.
77:11

The ball is sent over by Du-Ri Cha.
74:48

Shot from 18 yards from Henrik Ojamaa. Fraser Forster makes a save.
74:48 Substitution

Substitution Du-Ri Cha replaces Gary Hooper.
74:48

Chris Humphrey is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Sung-Yeung Ki takes the direct free kick.
74:00

Corner taken by Sung-Yeung Ki from the left by-line, clearance made by Tim Clancy.
73:35 Booking

Booking Caution for Kelvin Wilson.
73:01

James Forrest has an effort at goal. Darren Randolph makes a save.
72:29

Sung-Yeung Ki takes a shot. Darren Randolph makes a save.
70:23

Darren Randolph takes the direct free kick. Foul by Georgios Samaras on Keith Lasley, free kick awarded. Nicky Law takes the free kick.
70:23 Booking

Booking Henrik Ojamaa is cautioned by the ref for time wasting.
67:16

Foul by Henrik Ojamaa on Kelvin Wilson, free kick awarded. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
66:02

Charlie Mulgrew produces a cross, Tom Hateley makes a clearance.
65:25

Short corner taken by Georgios Samaras.
64:54

The ball is crossed by Chris Humphrey, save by Fraser Forster.
63:09

Clearance made by Steve Jennings.
63:09 Substitution

Substitution Chris Humphrey replaces Jamie Murphy.
63:09

Gary Hooper takes a shot. Clearance by Darren Randolph. Corner from the left by-line taken by Sung-Yeung Ki,
61:39 Booking

Booking The referee books Stevie Hammell for unsporting behaviour.
61:11

Foul by Stevie Hammell on James Forrest, free kick awarded. Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick.
58:34

Georgios Samaras provided the assist for the goal.
58:34 Goal scored

Goal – Gary Hooper – Celtic 1 – 0 Motherwell Gary Hooper fires in a goal from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 Motherwell.
57:49 Substitution

Substitution Anthony Stokes is brought on as a substitute for Victor Wanyama.
57:41

The ball is sent over by Adam Matthews, Shaun Hutchinson manages to make a clearance.
57:23

Adam Matthews sends in a cross, Steve Jennings manages to make a clearance.
55:54

The ball is delivered by Henrik Ojamaa, Thomas Rogne makes a clearance.
55:16

A cross is delivered by Tom Hateley, Joe Ledley makes a clearance.
54:37

The assistant referee flags for offside against Gary Hooper. Darren Randolph takes the indirect free kick.
54:37

Gary Hooper is caught offside. Direct free kick taken by Darren Randolph.
54:07

Michael Higdon concedes a free kick for a foul on Victor Wanyama. Direct free kick taken by Kelvin Wilson.
53:37

Free kick awarded for a foul by Keith Lasley on Georgios Samaras. Joe Ledley takes the free kick.
52:25

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nicky Law by Kelvin Wilson. Stevie Hammell takes the free kick.
51:50

The ball is delivered by James Forrest, save made by Darren Randolph.
50:13

Free kick awarded for a foul by Stevie Hammell on Georgios Samaras. Free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
49:40

Unfair challenge on Victor Wanyama by Henrik Ojamaa results in a free kick. Fraser Forster takes the direct free kick.
48:56

Georgios Samaras has an effort at goal from close range which goes wide right of the goal.
48:26

Steve Jennings gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Charlie Mulgrew. Sung-Yeung Ki restarts play with the free kick.
47:23

Gary Hooper produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the target.
46:41

Shaun Hutchinson challenges Georgios Samaras unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Joe Ledley.
45:52

The ball is swung over by Jamie Murphy, clearance made by Victor Wanyama.
45:01

The second half begins.
4:47

Tom Hateley takes the outswinging corner, clearance by Thomas Rogne.
45:00 +0:26

The ref blows to signal half-time.
44:10 Booking

Booking The referee shows Tom Hateley a yellow card.
43:57

Free kick awarded for a foul by Tom Hateley on James Forrest. Free kick taken by Sung-Yeung Ki.
42:47

Kelvin Wilson takes a shot. Save made by Darren Randolph.
42:24

Keith Lasley gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras. Sung-Yeung Ki takes the free kick.
41:29

Unfair challenge on Kelvin Wilson by Henrik Ojamaa results in a free kick. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
40:47

Unfair challenge on Tom Hateley by Joe Ledley results in a free kick. Darren Randolph takes the free kick.
38:10

The ball is swung over by Adam Matthews.
36:07

Corner from the left by-line taken by Sung-Yeung Ki, clearance by Tim Clancy.
36:07 Booking

Booking Booking for Shaun Hutchinson for unsporting behaviour.
35:37

Nicky Law delivers the ball, clearance made by Kelvin Wilson. Shaun Hutchinson challenges Joe Ledley unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Adam Matthews.
33:30

Shot from just outside the area by Charlie Mulgrew goes over the bar.
32:59

The ball is swung over by Stevie Hammell, Charlie Mulgrew makes a clearance.
32:00

Unfair challenge on Jamie Murphy by Kelvin Wilson results in a free kick. Tom Hateley restarts play with the free kick.
29:58

The referee blows for offside against Michael Higdon. Indirect free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
29:26

Unfair challenge on Nicky Law by Charlie Mulgrew results in a free kick. Darren Randolph takes the free kick.
26:11

Corner taken right-footed by Sung-Yeung Ki, clearance made by Tom Hateley. The ball is crossed by Kelvin Wilson, Stevie Hammell makes a clearance. Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line, clearance by Tim Clancy.
26:02

Adam Matthews produces a cross, Tom Hateley gets a block in.
20:58

Charlie Mulgrew produces a cross, clearance by Tom Hateley.
18:34

Joe Ledley delivers the ball, clearance made by Nicky Law.
17:30

Gary Hooper concedes a free kick for a foul on Shaun Hutchinson. Free kick taken by Steve Jennings. Unfair challenge on Thomas Rogne by Michael Higdon results in a free kick. Adam Matthews takes the direct free kick.
16:41

The ball is crossed by Adam Matthews, Tom Hateley manages to make a clearance.
15:50

Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save by Darren Randolph.
14:36

Nicky Law concedes a free kick for a foul on James Forrest. Adam Matthews takes the free kick.
13:56

Effort on goal by Charlie Mulgrew from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.
11:34

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance by Tom Hateley.
10:28

A cross is delivered by Tom Hateley.
9:42

Sung-Yeung Ki gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Keith Lasley. Keith Lasley restarts play with the free kick.
4:47

Corner taken right-footed by Kelvin Wilson to the near post, clearance made by Henrik Ojamaa.
3:41

Foul by Kelvin Wilson on Henrik Ojamaa, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Tom Hateley.
2:34

Unfair challenge on Victor Wanyama by Michael Higdon results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
1:44

Georgios Samaras is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Free kick taken by Darren Randolph.
1:09

Free kick awarded for a foul by Steve Jennings on Victor Wanyama. Free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
0:24

Unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras by Steve Jennings results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
0:00

The referee starts the match.

Celtic are wrong to dance on Rangers' grave
Daily Record
By Mark Hateley on Feb 24, 12 08:29 AM in rangers

CONGRATULATIONS, Celtic. This year's title is yours and even though I believe it's tainted that's none of your concern.
It's not Celtic's fault Rangers have ended up in a mess of their own making.
So Neil Lennon and his players have every right to milk the moment from here on in until the medals are passed around in May.
The club's supporters are also entitled to enjoy the rest of the cakewalk.

I'd prefer just to leave them to it. Congratulate them and move on. I just wish they had the good grace to do likewise as my club attempts to battle for its very existence and good people are worried sick about their jobs.
I find the tone that has been set by the men at the top at Celtic Park in recent days and weeks has been ill-judged at best and, at worst, deliberately inflammatory.
Let's be honest here, Rangers are lying in the gutter, bleeding badly. There is no need for the likes of Lennon and Peter Lawwell to continue to sink the boot in when our wounds
have been self-inflicted.
I would hope Rangers, as a football club, would conduct themselves with a bit more class if the shoe was on the other foot. In fact, I'm sure they would.
Calling for Rangers to be stripped of titles? Political manipulating and manoeuvring in order to make sure no mercy is shown should their rivals get back on their feet?
All this crass stuff about celebrating the death of Rangers with bowls of jelly and ice cream? Is that really necessary? It smacks of the behaviour of people who hate Rangers more than they love their own club. It reflects very badly on them all.
No one expects Celtic to shed a tear over the state Rangers have got themselves into.
But, even so, there is a venom about their recent reaction which has shocked me and should embarrass the more level-headed, decent people at Parkhead. I hope it does at any rate.
It saddens me that these extreme times seem to bring out the worst in supporters on both sides of Glasgow.
I include Rangers supporters in that because last week, when they were all hurting so badly, some of them chose to bring further shame on Ibrox by singing the kind of songs that have been making us cringe for so long. Thanks for that lads. Just what the club needed in a time of crisis.
As much as I would prefer for Celtic to concentrate on enjoying their success, I would also hope Rangers and their fans can act with dignity and decorum as they fight to get through this, one of the most horrible periods in the club's 140-year history.
These are the qualities the club was built on and these same qualities have never been more important than they are right now.
In fact, I'd go as far as to say how the Rangers support acts at this crucial juncture may decide the very fate of their club.
It's time for them to think smart. Singing stupid songs of defiance is hardly what's needed now. They have to take a step back from all that nonsense and attempt to get a clear view of the bigger picture.
It's not about mindless bravado, it's about making the right choices and ensuring the club they love is around another 140 years from now.
There is no shame in being duped. Let's be honest, it happens to us all.
But what's the old saying? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
They should have those words engraved on the front doors of Ibrox as a permanent reminder and a warning to the next man who gets his hands on the keys.
Yes, the Rangers support is just about to realise how powerful it really is now it is galvanised again and pulling in the same direction.
These fans are about to become the king makers and that's why they should behave in a manner befitting the club they represent.
The next man who steps up to the plate will expect them to scrutinise his every move like never before. The fans will demand that, from now on, the people at the top are open and transparent. They deserve nothing less.
What the future holds is still unclear. In the short term, we can only hope the administrators find what they are looking for to keep the business going and then had it over to a safe pair of hands.
Hopefully the time will come soon when the fans are being asked to throw their united support behind a new regime.
In an ideal world a group of well meaning, wealthy and reputable Rangers supporters will step forward to claim control as a consortium to make sure that, never again, the club is left in the hands of just one man.
If all these interested parties can find a way to club together for the greater good and drag Rangers away from the brink I'm positive the rank and file won't be slow in identifying them as the men who saved them from their darkest hour.
It's time for Rangers men to stand up and be counted. It's time for the club to rid itself of all the old unwanted baggage so that Rangers can be proud of itself again for the fantastic football club it always has been.
So let Celtic get on with celebrating their title – a title they somehow failed to win throughout the last three years of financial troubles – and let Rangers get on with the painful process of putting their club back together.

Neil Lennon
The Sun
http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homesport/4154836/lennon-in-title-blast-at-hateley.html

NEIL LENNON last night slated Rangers legend Mark Hateley and branded him an EMBARRASSMENT.
comment on this story 0 comment

The Celtic boss was seething over a bitter rant from Hateley against him and his champions-elect.

The ex-Gers striker slammed Lennon and the Hoops hierarchy for making what he called 'inflammatory' comments about administration-hit Rangers.

Lenny was fuming at what he reckoned was Hateley branding Celtic's likely title win 'tainted' because of Gers' worries.

Lennon and Hoops chief Peter Lawwell spoke out strongly on Gers' downfall and the gaffer stands by their words. He said: "Mark's brought this up two weeks after we've done the interviews, so why he's bringing it up now, I don't know. I find it embarrassing.

"It caused a lot of amusement among us. At the end of last season I said there were a lot of people outside the game who don't put anything constructive into it. It's just take, take, take.

"And Mark, I'd put into that bracket. I don't know where he's coming from with his comments about us dancing on Rangers' grave. That is completely misconstrued.

"In his opening paragraph he basically says 'I don't care what you think, but your title's tainted'. To me that's disrespectful and inflammatory to the supporters of this club, the club itself and certainly my players.

"Basically it's just PUB talk. Someone in his position should know better.

"So if anybody's being inflammatory about the whole situation it's him.

"We'd still be well clear without Rangers being in administration and the ten-point penalty."

Lennon added: "Hateley is someone who has played the game and should know the game.

"We've never mentioned dancing on Rangers' grave at all. We haven't taken a gloating theme to it.

"He's using the words dignity and class — well Rangers are the ones under investigation.

"They're the ones who the police have been called in to look at.

"We've done nothing wrong. We've played the game on the pitch as honestly as we can — and off the pitch we do our business properly. It was a cheap shot from Hateley.

"Our fans won't take a blind bit of notice of what Mark says or thinks. And neither will we."