Celtic manager lauds his team’s support with trophy presentation

Chief Sports Writer

Monday 14 May 2012

THE gesture was suitably dramatic. Neil Lennon marched across to the corner of the stadium hosting the Green Brigade before planting the Clydesdale Bank Premier League trophy on the turf. He then walked away, leaving the trophy at the feet of the support.

There is always an element of theatre about a packed Celtic Park and this was a scene that produced a noise that shook the rafters. It spoke, very loudly, to the bond that exists between manager and support.

"I just wanted to say thank you to them because week in, week out they create a great atmosphere. Sometimes they are a little bit controversial but in the main they have behaved themselves impeccably and they have changed the culture of the stadium. The atmosphere over the last few years in some of the big games has been fantastic," said the Celtic manager, adding: "The noise, the singing, the pride is all there now. The fans have their pride back." The club also has the title in their hands for the first time in four years. Five goals by Gary Hooper were the most convincing lines in a play that stretched joyously over an hour and half for Celtic. The pure drama always occurs when the championship is won rather than when the trophy is presented, but Hooper is a leading man who captures the limelight with an unerring regularity. The last match of the league season always has the capacity to serve as an audition, given football's relentless need to look forward. It was one that Hearts failed miserably ahead of this week's cup final. It was one that several Celtic players passed with ease, offering substantial promise as a polish to the league title. The most conspicuous performer was, of course, Hooper, who may just be auditioning for a role elsewhere. The English striker has intimated a desire to sign a new contract at Celtic but reports persist regarding a move back to his homeland, most particularly to Southampton, who will play in the Barclays Premier League next season. Hooper advanced his cause for either a wage rise or a lucrative move by completing a first-half hat-trick, adding two more in the second half and impressing with his touch and movement. This all amounted to Hooper's version of five a day, and 29 goals for the club this season. His cause was helped immeasurably by the performances of Georgios Samaras and Kris Commons, and by the fecklessness of Marius Zaliukas. His first goal, though, owed much to a missed clearance by David Templeton that fell to Commons, whose shot was parried by Jamie MacDonald. Hooper netted the rebound and scored his second from similarly close range after Samaras showed his undoubted capabilities by receiving a pass in his impressive stride, driving past Zaliukas and presenting his team-mate with an unmissable opportunity. The hat-trick was completed emphatically from a penalty after Novikovas Arvydas brought down Joe Ledley. The fourth came in the second period after Zaliukas could only divert a Commons pass into Hooper’s path. The striker took the ball around MacDonald with some ease and scored. The fifth came from a clever Samaras cross. Hearts, seeking to protect a place in Europe, were desperately ineffective. Those seeking to find a role at Hampden next week in the William Hill Scottish Cup final against Hibernian muffed their lines, though Europe still beckons because of St Johnstone's failure to win against Rangers. On past form, the back four can consider their positions secure – which is just as well given their incompetence yesterday. The rest of the side was fighting for starting positions in the cup final and their collective performance can be summed up with the observation that Mehdi Taouil has the best chance, as at least he will be fresh. The midfielder was taken off after 24 minutes, presumably because he had already been given a yellow card and should have been given a second. The constant procession towards the Hearts goal can be accurately summarised by pointing out that Fraser Forster did not have one save to make and his only moment of anxiety was when substitute David Holt's shot was diverted for a corner. With Emilio Izaguirre offering further proof of his recovery from injury, Beram Kayal returning for the first time since the Old Firm match in December and Victor Wanyama strolling powerfully through the match as part of a back three, this was an unconstrained celebration for Celtic fans who paid due tribute to their heroes. And to a certain Craig Whyte, who could not be found on the team sheet. Given Mr Whyte's contribution to the mayhem across the city, Celtic supporters will now expect that championship celebrations form a production that runs and runs.

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Celtic manager lauds his team’s support with trophy presentation

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED