Scottish Cup Final
Saturday May 4th

Celtic 2

The Forces Of Darkness 3

1:0 Hartson (19); 1:1 Lovencrap (21); 2:1 Balde (50); 2:2 Fergiehun (69); 2:3 Lovencrap (90)

Att: 51,138

MIB: Pooh Dallas

Celtic: Douglas, Mjallby, Balde, Sutton, Agathe, Lambert (McNamara 42), Lennon, Petrov, Thompson; Larsson, Hartson

In the third century AD Manichaens espoused that evil had won the battle in the heavens and that the world was evil's creation. Good was constantly trying to win it back. After this horror show at Hampden, their heresy might have some truth in it!

A jaded, unfit Celtic failed to overcome a mediocre shower of overrated leftovers from the Cat in the Hat's litter tray. Only Hartson and Balde looked at the races and twice managed to give Celtic the lead.

The frailties of a makeshift defence, however, incorporating a half-fit Sutton , soon came to the fore as TFOD levelled each time. The loss of Lambert and the failure to bring on young blood or Lubo, saw the writing appear on the wall, complete with Masonic serifs, references to Jack the Ripper and a picture of King Billy on horseback.

The winner, seconds from the end of normal time, was as palatable as a bluenose burger.

There is little of merit to say about this game, save we were there. Roll on season 2002-2003.

 

Paul Shiels

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What an unfortunate way for another fine season to finish. The most distressing thing about today was that the right team won, because we were terrible. Going through the team man for man only Sutton, Balde and Hartson could really say they performed, the rest were either unusually nervy (Mjallby), anonymous (Agathe and of all people Larsson) or simply playing an absolute stinker (just about everyone else).

They had control of the game from first kick to last. It beggars belief that we actually had the lead twice, and it says much for the state of Rangers to point out that besides their goals they created nothing much else in spite of our horrendous display.

Like the league game of last month Rangers exploited our lack of real pace on the midfield; Lambert never looked fit, ditto Lennon, and with those two toiling Petrov didn't dare venture forward. On the wings Thompson never really saw a lot of the ball, and didn't do much when he did get it - few of his crosses got beyond the first defender. Meanwhile Agathe simply hid, never even threatening to try his pace against Numan. Is his knee still a problem? Did he come back too soon? The figure stuck out of the right wing here bore no resemblance to the flying winger who tore Juve to shreds.

Up front, you had to feel sorry for Hartson;, he had a good game, scored a goal, and led the line, but the big question was what happened to Henrik? He's still a hero and a legend, but he picked a hell of a time for his worst ever game as a pro (surely).

Our goals were both from set pieces. The first was a corner that Balde headed into the path of Hartson, the second a free kick that Balde reached having muscled Amoruso out of the way.

Realistically they were the only times we threatened, Klos must have had a good read of the match programme during the second half, because he had hee-haw else to do. Their goals were all easily avoidable, Sutton and Mjallby got in each other's way to let Lovenkrands have the ball for the first, Balde gave away as stupid and senseless a free kick as you'll ever see for the second, and the third came when two Celtic defenders couldn't block a cross and the defence were ball watching. Hell of a thing to do with 10 seconds left on the clock.

That said we didn't deserve the cup because we didn't play. Bummer. Lets hope we can take our frustrations out on the huns next season.

 

AB Murdoch

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