SENTINELCELTS

The midweek games provided more than a couple tales of the unexpected, something always to be happy about.
It’s always nice to be reminded football is not played on paper and occasionally the fancied team dont walk away with all three points, no matter how many wish otherwise.

Of the three main contenders for shock result of the night, I just can’t look past the ten men Staggies victory. A mere two points above Dundee earlier in the day they somehow pulled out three goals to collect a huge three points and some breathing space.

I admit it was a good time to play the ‘Well as they had sold their talisman and the leagues top scorer the day before, but still there’s no way I would have placed money on that result. Their manager hadn’t been getting a tune, had faced some supporter backlash over his well publicized history, and I got the impression he was using that club to get on the merry-go-round again not necessarily viewing the place as his next project.
Ideally they shall now carry some positivity into the weekend’s Cup clash against the horrible Livingston and dispatch our bogey team just in case.
Well done Ross County.

Coming in a close second is St. Mirren for another fantastic shock result. With only 36% possession and a pretty poor accuracy of 60% (Uniteds was 79 for example) they even managed to shut out the league’s top scorer who appeared off the bench. Being away from home, unable to name nine subs showing how bare bones they are, playing three at the back including Garry’s (RIP) nephew, they deserve some respect for going after the victory and not simply trying to halt the opponent by any means necessary.

The stats show they didn’t turn it into a scrap with the Tangerines receiving more yellows and giving away much more fouls in their failed attempt to wrestle control.
Big Charlie Mulgrew was up against a player a decade younger who scores every three games on average, perhaps it’s no surprise he ended up on the losing side with a yellow card for his troubles.
If Tam Courts suffers any more similar results he might get replaced by the former Celtic left back only four years his younger but with much more experience in the locker.
Well done the Saints.

Last but not least was the Pittodrie result.
Of course I’m delighted their huge six weeks has started with a hiccup, but I’m not sure a draw qualifies as a huge shock considering both teams also tied last time they faced each other.
I believe the Don’s were actual underdogs with the bookmakers to help them qualify for this article.

Having endured a long coach journey not ideal for athletes muscles, then facing just about above freezing temperatures and the wind-up merchant that is Scott Brown, it can’t be an easy ground to visit but coming away from there with all the spoils is almost necessary in order to become Champions.
It’s a stiff test, and Pittodrie may yet play an important part in helping decide the title’s ultimate destination.

Kent’s two game absence for seeing red shall be served against Livingston and St.Mirren, not necessarily costing any points. However it does mean a two week lay off before taking to the field against strong title rivals. Is that good or bad? No idea but I do recall he wasn’t very effective in the earlier derby clash so I doubt Ange will be losing sleep just because he’s ‘fresh’.

If there’s any sleep to be lost, it’s probably denied penalty calls causing it.
The non decision literally changed the game, not for the first time as we all know.
I believed it was a clear penalty and red card, that ‘keeper has a habit of pushing the limits and not facing justice so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised no red card was produced.
The later handball incident which was correctly awarded as a spot kick couldn’t be denied, it was simply so very blatant, but it helps take Willie Collum out of the spotlight and helps deflect ‘allegations’ of bias, as does the red card he produced.

We know there’s extra eyes on the refs now because of the suspicious gambling patterns, and all Tims are watching them, we had Bankier saying the club had wrote to Hampden regards them (I’m calling bullshit on that),,they can’t go Tonto out there on the park.
They can however slip in one single decision per game.

The most recent “poor” call was somewhat negated, but then again if the title comes down to a single point then yesterday’s decision and others helped select the league titles destination.
A different ref every week with a poor decision, spreading them around to muddy the waters, and over the course of the season they’ve tinkered or nudged the trophy towards their beloved Ibrox 38 times.
With impunity, slowly cheating in plain sight.

Call me paranoid but having failed to win the points last night in their first high profile game, it places even more onus on the whistler to ensure the next high profile game isn’t a bust, for that could and would signify a slide and momentum shifts.
And we happen to be the next high profile opponents.
The stakes have been raised.

By Mahe