Celtic throw down a marker ahead of Cup semi-final

Momentum is such an important word in sport, especially in football. Usually, the team with the momentum strikes a blow to the opposition.

Celtic haven’t been playing too well in recent weeks, but looked their usual self on Saturday with a win narrow over Motherwell. In theory, it shouldn’t have been as close as the scoreline was. And the momentum has shifted back in their favour once again.

Buoyed by Aberdeen throwing away the chance to close the gap to two points the night before, the Hoops went into the game against Motherwell, knowing a win would take them eight points clear at the top. An inspired Connor Ripley in goal for the Steelmen thwarted Celtic numerous times and really did prevent Motherwell from being hammered.

What was pleasing for Ronny Deila, was that for the first time in weeks, he managed to get the right balance between both attack and defence. For Deila, this match was important for him for two reasons. One, that they ended to Aberdeen’s title ambitions once & for all and secondly, laid down a marker for Rangers, this weekend.

The Hoops who have looked disjointed at times this season, but looked far more fluid and played with purpose against Motherwell. Apart from a few moments early in the first-half, Celtic dominated the opening period and this partly because of the formation Deila had played.

A few weeks ago, we gave fans the chance to vote on which formation they thought Celtic should play, the winning system being 4-3-3. As well as getting the formation spot on Saturday, Deila also played the right personnel in the three midfield positions. A trio of Stefan Johansen, Nir Bitton and Scott Brown, controlled the midfield and didn’t give the Motherwell players a chance in the first half.

One of the biggest advantages of using this system, is that it forces the opposition back and allows Celtic to pressurise the back-line and midfield. Not only was this shown convincingly in the first-half but throughout the game they dictated play and only allowed Motherwell a few chances.

With the added addition of Patrick Roberts trickery on the right-hand side and Colin Kazim-Richards height on the left, Leigh Griffiths was getting more opportunities on goal than what he got in his previous three matches for the Hoops (when he failed to score). Deila must build a squad around Leigh Griffiths because for Celtic, he is one of the few players who will guarantee you goals in any match, if he gets the service.

For Deila, the Motherwell victory was huge, but for fans it was encouraging to see a Celtic side prepared and up for a match, they can produce good attacking football. At times this season they have failed when the pressure is on but having experienced failure all too often this campaign, you wonder if now is the time for Celtic players to step-up and be counted for, in a season which must ensure a domestic double.

This Sunday s the Hoops go into another semi-final where they can’t lose their heads or allow the occasion to get the better of them, something which has happened in previous semi-finals. Regardless of whoever referees the match or how bad the pitch is, Celtic should have no excuses. If they play the way they did in the first-half, then Celtic should dispatch Rangers with ease, but if they don’t, then the momentum may well shift and that may cause some trouble for the Hoops.