Our scorer in the last SPL game, Blackman, started on the substitute’s bench and Jennings was restored to midfield. In a post match interview. Craig Brown let it be known that he was recovering from an illness and that explained why the switch was reversed at half time.
Our best chance of the game came after a minute. Hateley took a free kick from the left touchline and whipped the ball in to the near post. Sutton won the race but his glancing header flew on the wrong side of the post. The bright start was not a signal of what was follow for we didn’t manage a shot on target or the rest of the game.
Sutton came close early in the game
Seconds after Sutton’s effort the ball was at the other end, where Forrest delivered a perfect ball for Maloney. His header was well directed and with pace, it looked goal bound but a terrific one handed reflex reaction from Randolph saved the attempt.
The game then settled with Celtic playing a passing game while we chose the more direct route. Unfortunately Majstorovic completely dominated Sutton and we got little success from the tactic. Humphrey was well contained on the right while Murphy found it difficult to escape the clutches of his attendants.
Hammell was troubled with a thigh strain having ushered the ball to safety and he was replaced by Page before the break. Blackman’s appearance for Jennings at the interval gave us some hope that we might see some attacking play in front of the Cooper Stand but we were to be disappointed.
Randolph was kept busy making routine saves but although Celtic were dominant it seemed that would not find a breakthrough. That changed in the 72nd minute when a Celtic punt over the top aught our defence out of position. Maloney was in possession bearing down on our box with Saunders alongside. Maloney, already unpopular with the ‘Well fans for falling too easily in the first half, felt a touch from the defender and went to ground. Dougie McDonald immediately pointed to the spot and Saunders was dismissed. Daryl Murphy sent our keeper the wrong was and the match was lost.
Our ten men never looked like recovering and Randolph had to make a few more stops to keep the deficit at one. We can have few complaints at the result as Celtic had the majority of the chances.
Brown said afterwards that we didn’t do enough and the edge was off our performance. We were second too often and at times we looked tired. Celtic’s big squad allowed them to make five changes from the Thursday night game and that gave them an advantage in fitness.
The international weekend will give most of the squad a chance of a early season break and a chance to recharge the batteries.