fat_tony

I'm going to make the assumption that you're disappointed by the boos towards Sutton and not the applause? There were a few boos from where I was in the Cooper but as soon as a few of us started clapping, the half-hearted boos were quickly drowned out. He was a good player for us and deserved a warm welcome back but that's all he'll get. "Welcome to the game John, now Craggs...go flatten him".

Law for me, followed closely by Hateley who had a great game. Law's comfort on the ball and range of passing really helped open things up, especially after Black was sent off. Great pass to Murphy for the goal too. Thought Higdon had a decent game too, looks like he's getting sharper with each game.

I have no problem with it at all and would much rather we hold onto the ball rather than pump it up the park every time. Some fans were going mental today with the way we were passing the ball around, looking for an opening. I'd imagine the same fans would be raging if somebody just took a long range shot or lobbed the ball in only for it to get picked up by Hearts. If you look at the best team in the world, Barcelona, that's exactly how they play. Keep a hold of the ball, look for an opening, move it backwards or sideways if necessary. While I'm in no way suggesting we're even near the same class as Barca, it's good to see we're taking a similar approach. It may be controversial, but Jim Gannon tried to do the same thing. The difference so far is that McCall seems to realise that there are times where you need to get rid of the ball or go route one and he allows the players to make the call. I'd much rather see us hold onto the ball and dictate the game than give it away constantly and have our backs against the wall for 90 minutes. Okay, it may not get the blood pumping as much, but it's certainly better for the blood pressure!

It must have been a different incident you're talking about as the one I meant was when the Caley player jumped and slapped the ball away with both hands at head height in front of the Cooper. May not have been in the box right enough. It's not so much the cards themselves I was complaining about, more the fact that they were not reflective of the way he was handling the match. There was no consistency in what he considered a foul from one minute to the next and identical incidents were being treated differently. As you say though, the ref's decisions had no bearing on the result thankfully, however I don't think that makes it okay. Still though, it doesn't detract from a very good performance and a great result.

Some lovely football today, the build-up to goals 1 & 2 was easily as good as anything we created under McGhee. The first one started over on the left with Murphy and worked its way across the pitch in 1-2 touch moves and triangles before the ball was played across towards the back post where Hammell put it away brilliantly. The second was a great move too, quick passing and movement, just great to watch. And to top it all off, THAT goal from Lasley. Great day out. I thought Law looked like a very exciting player, perhaps tried a little too hard on a couple of occasions but all in all very impressed with him. Also thought Higdon did reasonably well, he had some nice touches and flick-ons, maybe a yard short here and there and a few things didn't come off for him but he had some nice ideas and looks like he could become an important player given a wee bit of time. Thought the ref was shocking today, there wasn't a bad challenge in the game yet we got 3 players booked for hee-haw. And to pull up Law for handball, then completely ignore a Caley defender playing volleyball in the box was just ridiculous. My granny's half-blind and she could have done a better job of refereeing that game. God forbid if he'd actually had any real decisions to make. Excellent start to the season though and although early days, I can't help but be excited at the prospect of the season ahead.

Can't disagree with the sponsors, Stevie Hammell was superb today. Looks like we could have an astounding left-side this season, Hammell -> Law -> Murphy could be our best left-side setup since Hammell -> Pearson -> McFadden...

Love it

And there was me thinking the technical term for that was a groomer?

Not at all, I loved it. My pals used to refer to it as a "fruit salad" right enough. I really loved that kit though.

Accrington Stanley....who are they? Good to see us looking a little longer term as I'd imagine this would be a move with a view to either replacing Murphy or Humphrey in the longer term or allowing Murph to move into the centre.

I really applaud what Alex Salmond is trying to do but it does all seem too rushed for the new season and a little too "scattergun" in its approach. The big problem they'll continue to have is what we've all witnessed....police standing there, watching the mob singing their sectarian filth and doing nothing about it. I think it's a brilliant idea, I really do...but the execution's just so flimsy I don't see how it's going to have any real impact.

Wow. Even a quick google would reveal that he left us last year. There really is no need for that level of laziness.

Aye, was that not the one where he'd been throwing up for days before the game and had to try and pull himself together in the couple of hours before kick off?

Why did I go and do that? I'm just glad I'm not at work.

The thing is, Celtic genuinely won't admit that they have a problem. They see those songs as being a form of political protest, not sectarian behaviour. The Scottish Government's stats on the Old Firm's action to sectarian behaviour amongst their own fans speaks for itself. In the last couple of years, Rangers have handed out 500 bans to people identified as singing songs or making sectarian remarks. Celtic have handed out 2. I have absolutely no love for either side of the Old Firm, but at least one lot can be seen to be trying to do something about their fans.

100% agree with this. Craigan may be slowing down a bit but his reading of the game is still superb and he has a lot that he can teach the likes of Hutchinson, Saunders and Page. They'll really benefit from working with him for another year.

He'll still bag more than Casagolda...

I don't think we can put all our hopes on the back of a young, relatively untested striker. If he makes the breakthrough this year, then great. But I think we need a bit more experience up front. Higdon would be a great shout but I expect McCall will have his eye on someone from down south.

Nah, if he acknowledges the Well fans in our first game against them, I'll happily give him a clap. Played his heart out for us and deserves a crack with a bigger club. Just gutted he's going to be playing against us.

Gutted. Really sorry to see the big man go as he's been fantastic for us.

I agree completely. Sutton's busted a gut for the team, scored some cracking goals and been an important part of our success over the last couple of years. If he wants to move on and earn substantially more money (and get another crack at Europe) elsewhere then, while gutted, I can only wish him well. The Lee McCulloch thing annoys me too. Always conducted himself well since his return and hasn't spoken ill of Motherwell or our fans, despite the treatment he receives at times. I remember at the end of his first game back at Fir Park for Rangers he actually went over and applauded the East stand, not something many players would do.

Absolute wank. How HE of all people can complain about anybody being overly physical, is beyond me. And to single out Lasley's challenge with no mention of his own team mate's on Sutton is pathetic. Neil Lennon really has the perfect guy to replace him on and off the park.

Agreed. He was in an awkward situation and I think did the correct thing. Decent of him to explain the reason why, too, rather than just not being there. Have to disagree with the comments about Craig Paterson being negative towards us on radio. I've always found his comments to be pretty fair and sometimes even flattering to us. There's a few times I've heard him talk us up a bit more than I've felt we deserved.

Doubt he'll be wearing it again if he's the superstitious type...

Just back in and absolutely gutted. Really disappointed that we just didn't show up today. It's sad considering the effort that the players put in to get to the final and the effort that so many fans put in to get there and/or put together an impressive display for the game. On the game, I thought we were well beaten, without Celtic ever having to get out of second gear. We played like we have the past few weeks, like a friendly. I'm not one to be overly critical of the team on any occasion but I thought that was unacceptable. Aside from the result, the thing that's annoyed me the most has been talking to some 100% arsehole Celtic fans. They spoke about McCall being a shite manager because he "lay down" to Rangers in the 5-0 game and the fact that we always want Rangers to win. I asked about the 3 losses to Celtic prior to today and was told it was because they were so good, not that we lay down. I'm tired of these fucking old firm pricks who think everyone's life revolves around them and that teams play to help one side of the old firm. Fuck off and realise that every team is out there for themselves and nobody else. Everybody hates you, please piss off and let the rest of us get on with some football! Majstorovic should have been off, no doubt about it. Whether it would have changed the game, who knows? Rant over.