Goals from Japanese striking duo Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda contributed towards a deserved 2-0 Scottish Cup win for Celtic on Sunday afternoon. Although the forwards’ actions were key, the Hoops’ backline were equally as pivotal to the win.
Stephen Welsh and Liam Scales partnered up at the heart of the defence. Alexandro Bernabei continued at left-back while Tony Ralston came in for the injured Alistair Johnston.
Every defender played their part in the victory, with Joe Hart coming up trumps between the sticks with saves, punches, and clearances alike. The English ‘keeper is on quite the run of form.
Hart and his defence have proved their worth in recent matches, with St. Mirren’s manager praising the champions’ rearguard. Due to the fact Celtic are known for dominative, attacking football, their defence perhaps gets overlooked, but not by Stephen Robinson: “About Celtic defensively, they don’t get that kind of credit”, he said (PLZ Soccer).
“They’re classed as a very good football team but some of the blocks that they made in the six-yard box – and Joe Hart I thought was superb on the day dealing with corners and deliveries into the box – they deserve credit for that as well at times.”
Particularly with the way the majority of Celtic’s domestic games go, it can be easy for the players at the back to switch off. Against St. Mirren at the weekend, though, the defence remained locked in and the plaudits they are receiving are fully deserved.
