BBC pundit mesmerised by move from Celtic win; praises Abada

By Euan Davidson

December 16, 2021

BBC pundit and former Scotland talisman James McFadden has been left dazed by the move that led to Celtic scoring the first goal against Ross County last night.

Speaking on BBC Sportscene, the former Everton and Motherwell attacker loved what he was seeing from Ange Postecoglou’s side, and had some kind words for goalscorer Liel Abada.

Abada was brought into the middle of a front three in the midst of an injury crisis at Celtic. And he did exactly what he was asked to; provide a goal threat up front.

On the move for the goal, McFadden said [BBC]: “It was a really good goal from Celtic’s point of view.

“When the ball comes out, or it’s on its way to Starfelt, normally you’d expect a full-back to go wide. And offer wide. But it’s a theme of Ange Postecoglou’s way of playing. Scales comes inside, Callum McGregor then goes out and almost becomes the left back, Scales becomes the midfielder.

“You’ve got Hungbo, who’s having a look at Scales, [Scales] looks at him three times, and then he drops him. It’s a brilliant run.

“It’s a bit of a mess in the middle from the Ross County defenders. But Abada’s shown that… he can be that focal point up front, getting on the end of the cross.

“It is a brilliantly worked goal from Celtic’s point of view.”

BBC pundit James McFadden right to pick out Celtic move, finished by Abada, amidst the bedlam of the game as a whole

Most of the headlines today will be about the fantastic finish to the game, the scenes of celebration, the never-say-die attitude of Ange and his team.

That’s entirely fair. Abada’s goal wouldn’t have counted for as much if there wasn’t a winner. But Abada’s finish from a fantastic Celtic move needs some more attention.

McFadden has it bang on. The rotations within the move are excellent. Scales perfectly adapts to the momentum, switching with Callum McGregor to then underlap the captain. That’s a lot happening in a very short space of time.

Then when he does get the ball, it’s a sumptuous cross for Abada to get to. Dare we say “liquid football”? BBC pundit James McFadden probably thought it.

It’s a goal that’s emblematic of the Ange approach as a whole. We had a corner on the opposite flank, and within a few quick passes and some exceptional movement, it was a goal. These Celtic players look finely-tuned to what Postecoglou believes works.

The evidence is there. Yes, last night was a blood and thunder rammy of a match in the end.

But don’t be forgetting about the move for the first goal, which Abada dispatched comfortably.

Read more: Owen Moffat and the Celtic Academy landmark reached this season