The Ibrox gaffer had every right to be pleased – and relieved – at the final whistle.

That, of course, is also bunkum (copyright: J Sanderson). OH NO…Matt O’Riley reacts to his shot being saved.īeale has already gone on record as saying Postecoglou is “a lucky man”. So, there was a whole lot more at stake in Govan yesterday than mere bragging rights for all of 24 hours before reality kicked in. Who wants to perform continually in the overpowering shadow of your city neighbours?Īnd for a team perennially struggling to get their finances in order, there is also the little matter of season ticket sales. The supporters may have begun to wonder if he was an upgrade on Giovanni van Bronckhorst, a manager who had guided them to a Europa Cup Final and a win in the Scottish Cup, ironically after a victory over Postecoglou and Celtic in the semi-final.īeale may have found difficulty in selling his team to prospective transfer targets. Beaten in the League Cup Final and the Scottish Cup semi-final by Postecoglou while failure yesterday would have flagged up three unsuccessful league meetings. The pressure from within would have mounted on the Englishman. This was the chance to leave Michael Beale wondering if he could ever figure out a way to get one over on his opposite number if he had failed in five consecutive attempts since the turn of the year. This was the opportunity for Celtic to keep their foot firmly implanted on their city rivals’ throat. LISBON REWIND: DAY SEVEN: BILLY McNEILL’S STORYįACE TO FACE…Michael Beale with Ange Postecoglou before kick-off.

SMILES AMID THE SORROW: THE ROAD TO SEVILLE (Part Two).‘MY FATE WAS SEALED,’ SHAMEFUL DAY CELTIC SACKED A LEGEND.CELTIC TARGET LINED UP FOR ‘AMBITIOUS’ BID.LISBON REWIND: DAY EIGHT: WILLIE WALLACE’S STORY.SMILES AMID THE SORROW: THE ROAD TO SEVILLE (Part Three).GUARD OF HONOUR FOR CHAMPIONS: DONS TO STAGE ACTION REPLAY?.LISBON REWIND: DAY NINE: STEVIE CHALMERS’ STORY.SMILES AMID THE SORROW: THE ROAD TO SEVILLE (Part Four).‘CREDIT TO EVERYONE,’ ANGE AND DERMOT: A PARTNERSHIP MADE IN PARADISE.SFA not convincing itself it has a flagship.Player with most to gain should partner Starfelt.

A Million Little Moments by Riley Hart