There will be one hell of a party in Dingwall tonight. Celtic's miserable season is over - surely these were not the childhood memories which Robbie Keane apparently held so fondly! Ross County strike a blow for us lower league tragics and thoroughly deserved victory against a lacklustre Parkhead outfit - men against Bhoys if you will.
I have a completely vested interest in this game in the shape of 5 ex-Livi players on County's books, including manager Derek Adams. Richard Brittain, the Staggies' captain, won the CIS cup with us 6 years ago and so knows how to win at Hampden but the other 3 guys never showed what they were truly capable of at Almondvale. Stevie Craig scored the first with a marvellous bit of individual skill and Martin Scott tapped in late on having provided a great link between defence and attack, a quality not often seen in lower league midfielders, who only really have one strong suit. Then there is brave Gary Miller, who produced a heroic block from Georgios Samaras having spent a good few years being derided for inept performances in the black and amber of the Lions. But it was not just these guys - Andrew Barrowman, Scott Boyd and Michael Gardyne all played above levels which I had seen previously. Boyd in particular kept Keane, Samaras and Marc-Antoine Fortune so quiet that they barely registered for 90 minutes!
Livi finished above County in Division 1 last year before our financial meltdown - they are not the best side in that league by a long shot. However, this result gives hope to all of those who see mediocrity week in, week out that the players at this level are truly capable of one magical performance and we should be a bit more grateful for the effort that they go to, so that these days can be made possible.
RM
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God, that last post eh? Really sorry about it folks. While Ryan can laugh at me for being quaint and providing a little match report on crap football, he certainly beats me hands down in the obsessive, ever-so-slightly desperate following up of his old players. Firstly, it makes slagging me just hypocritical. But mainly, please don't go on about it too much mate. No-one really cares what club they were at before; they're more interested in the club they are at now, and the way they handed out that humiliating loss to the Mighty Glesga Celtic TM. He can take this criticism on the cheek (I hope, or I might soon be taking something fist-shaped to my own cheek).
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, this level of football sees players move clubs constantly. Case in point ex-Livi clogger Davie Winters, who after a semi-bright start to his new career at Dumbarton, has...turned crap. Released by Livi for being crap, now playing crap for Sons; perhaps he is actually just not very good. Which is why he and everyone else down here in the bowels of Scottish football ends up having a resume longer than a Rory Delap throw-in; all form is temporary, most players are limited overall, regression towards the mean ensures that everyone will outstay their welcome sooner rather than later.
And the title of that last piece in no way does justice to Ross County's fantastic achievement. I'll get back to you when anything even remotely close to "Super Caley Go Ballistic Celtic Are Atrocious" is thought up. Play up County!
GM
Of course, there is little wrong with following players who used to play for your club - in no way is it obsessive, it merely gives you a point of interest in such games.
ReplyDeleteThe main point of that post was to praise lower league players in general, who often have fans who can get on their back and demand that which is beyond them. That I have done it from the point of view of players who I actually know something about is no crime. I am completely aware of the revolving nature of Scottish football and it pleases me to see familiar names being successful. For that, and the post below, I make no apology and do not need any made for me
RM