Lethal Commons has Bhoys in wonderland
JOHAN MJALLBY watched Celtic stretch their unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership to 16 games with a 2-0 win over bottom side Hearts at Parkhead thanks to goals from Kris Commons and James Forrest then said: ‘Make it 20.’
The Hoops had thrashed the administration-hit visitors 7-0 in their Scottish Cup clash at Tynecastle at the beginning of the month and Jambos boss Gary Locke was keen to ensure there would be no repeat.
However, Commons opened the scoring in the 63rd minute with his 13th of the season before Forrest, on in the second half for Nir Biton, clinched the points in injury-time.
Hoops assistant Mjallby believes the Celtic players and management need ‘new targets’ after being knocked out of the Champions League - the first of which is to go four more games unbeaten.
He said: ‘Obviously there is not going to be any more European football this season, so we have to set new targets and incentives.
‘Being unbeaten is going to be very important and obviously right now, the target is to go 20 games unbeaten and then we take it from there.
‘You always look for progress and to do better. Being knocked out of Europe was disappointing but the first target was to get there. In Europe, you are fighting teams who have bigger financial muscle.”
Top scorer Commons also cleared a Dylan McGowan header off the line in the closing stages when it was still 1-0 for the home side.
However, he declared himself more pleased with the impact he is making at the other end this season.
He said: ‘It is good. I have not set any targets so it is not like I am going to be shooting from here, there and everywhere. I just try to stay in the team and keep scoring goals.
‘For an attacking midfielder, any- thing in double figures is good. I don’t think there are many attacking midfielders looking at 20-plus,’ said Commons. ‘That is the sort of thing you look for from your strikers.
‘It was never going to be another 7-0 because they made it very difficult for us to score but we did well to change things to add another dimension to our attack and Forrest brought that into the second half.’
While Celtic move inexorably towards the title, a youthful Hearts remain slumped at the bottom and on course for relegation.
However, Locke, who had only five subs on the bench due to injuries, was glad that some pride had been restored after their cup thrashing.
‘We learned a harsh lesson the last time we played Celtic but I thought to a man, we were fantastic.
‘We kept our shape well and Dylan was a wee bit unlucky at the end. It was a far better performance.
‘We tried to contain Celtic, the last time at Tynecastle we gave them far too much space and so we tried to be compact and I think we did that brilliantly,’ said the Heart boss.
‘We asked the players to restore a bit of pride after the last game and we certainly got that. It is difficult place to go to but we are not going to stay in the league by winning at Parkhead, it is the games coming up, they are big for us.
‘We will get players back from injury and if they give us that commitment we won’t be too far away.’