yeah its weird for such hyped player not to get at least a single chance...but this the same team that barely playe Weah....and its pretty clear in hindsight that that was much more about Celtic than Weah.
Celtic are now coming under big time heat for their little Dubai excursion. 13 players including Neil Lennon are self isolating and will miss tonight’s match vs Hibernian. This match was already a rescheduled fixture from earlier in the same. The match will go ahead. I don’t know Harper’s status but safe to assume he’s not one of the 13 due to not traveling to Dubai. I also don’t know his club status as @bshredder mentioned Harper is likely to leave Celtic. No team sheet yet as Celtic has been hush-hush on who those 13 are. Could we see Harper tonight? We shall see.... The match is on ESPN+ @ 2:45 EST.
Our boy is in the staring XI! 📋 Your #CelticFC team to face Hibernian at Celtic Park.First team coach Gavin Strachan takes charge of the team tonight, supported by Reserve team Manager, Tommy McIntyre & Reserve team coach, Stephen McManus.#CELHIB🍀— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 11, 2021
It’s actually not a bad lineup for Celtic with Harzard, Turnbull (SPL player of the month), Rogic, Johnston, Frimpong, Duffy and Laxalt. I was expecting worse.... Great chance for Harper to showcase himself. The silver lining for most Celtic supporters - who are already pissed beyond repair - they seem happy to see Harper get a chance tonight. I’ll be watching as I “work” this afternoon. Match is on ESPN+ at 2:45 EST.
Hoppe’s performance has me bashful.... Harper’s going to net one today. A far post curler after cutting inside.
Looks like he's the striker in a 4-2-3-1 at first look. Commits a forechecking foul in the second minute.
Johnston attempted through pass to Harper in the box just not quite good enough. To be fair, high degree of difficulty. Nice to see this random Celtic side look better early.
Harper is popping up on the left and right. He seems to have a some flexibility playing on either flank.
Damn, turnover leads to Johnston feeding harper near the end line wide of the goal left - blasted shot toward near post hits side netting. That felt like it might happen.
Great opportunity for Harper! Makes a good run and hits the side netting. Unlike the commentators, I do like the effort. I don't mind that it was near post. He could have hit it slightly better, though. Commentators wanted him to cut it back.... there was no one in position to receive a pass. Good effort despite the commentators saying otherwise.
Harper down the right for a cross - about one yard too close to the keeper, would have been a tap-in if the keeper hadn't made the play. Announcer blames Harper's youth, even though it was closer to succeeding than about 80% of crosses at this level.
Decent half for our boy. Good work rate, quality runs, not shy asking for the ball but the end product needs to be better. A couple of services into the box were gobbled up by the keeper or cleared by the defender. A better ball and those could be legit opportunities for his ‘mates to finish. Just needs a little improvement but promising.
First half, he was ok. Unfortunately, his personal highlight reel is a shot into the side netting and two crosses that didn't find the mark. High work rate, covers a lot of ground, makes runs like a finisher. Celtic outplayed Hibs early and late in the half really knocked on the door with some blasted long shots.
these commentators must be friends with lennon. everything that doesnt go perfectly characterized as fault of youth
ha! Lennon was feeding them that info from home. Several times - like 3 or 4 - I heard the iPhone text message ding in the background of the remote studio broadcast.