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Celtic Diary Sunday October 29: Ain’t So Bad

Celtic equalled the British record of 62 domestic games unbeaten yesterday.

Oh yes we did.

I’ve checked the results.

But one or two don’t seem to realise this. One or two haven’t quite grasped the magnitude of this achievement, nearly two years in the making. Or, put another way, had Celtic lost yesterday, it would be nearly two years at least before the chance would come around again.

Which must have put a lot of pressure on those called into the side to give the more experienced campaigners a rest ahead of tuesdays clash with Bayern Munich. Put yourself in their boots.

What if Kouassi, just back from injury, had played a weak pass that was intercepted, and Kilmarnock had scored a winner ?

Or if a clumsy tackle by Kristoffer Ajer had led to a penalty and a sending off ?

An understrength Celtic got a draw, and they got a draw against a resurgent Kilmarnock whilst the weight of history was bearing down on their shoulders.

Maybe we should stop moaning.

Image result for kirk nodding gif

Fickle Celtic fans slated Tom rogic on social media with many claiming it was his worst game ever, and ach, I could spend all day going through some of the comments, but I won’t.

Instead, lets look ahead…this is a list of the next targets, the three longest unbeaten runs in Europe..

104: FCSB (1986–89)
The Romanian side set this European record during their mid-1980s golden age under Emeric Jenei and later Anghel Iordănescu. Winners of the 1985/86 European Champion Clubs’ Cup, semi-finalists in 1987/88 and runners-up in 1988/89, a team featuring the likes of Miodrag Belodedici, László Bölöni, Marius Lăcătuş, Victor Piţurcă and Gavril Balint were unrivalled at home. They lifted five straight titles until a resurgent Dinamo Bucureşti knocked them off their perch in 1989/90. They also won all 15 Romanian Cup matches they played in that period, making their total domestic unbeaten run 119 fixtures.

88: Lincoln (2009–14)
When Lincoln became the first Gibraltarian side to play in Europe on 2 July 2014, drawing 1-1 with HB Tórshavn before a 5-2 loss in the Faroe Islands, defeat was not something the Red Imps were used to. Between 9 May 2009 and 19 September 2014 they did not lose in the Gibraltar Premier Division, at 1,959 days the longest chronolgoical unbeaten league streak (though they did suffer two Rock Cup defeats in that time as well as they reverse at HB). That came in the midst of a run of 14 straight championships from 2002/03 to 2015/16 that equalled Skonto’s European record.

63: Sheriff (2006–08)
The Tiraspol-based side utterly dominated Moldovan football in winning ten straight championships between 2001 and 2010. However, they hit some kind of critical mass under Belarusian coach Leonid Kuchuk in 2006/07, becoming the first club to claim the national crown without losing a game. Arch-rivals Zimbru finally ended this famous streak in March 2008, before Sheriff marched onto yet another title regardless. 

Still, Celtic have two in the top five, and thats pretty impressive.

As is the tally of 176 points from a possible 186 on this particular run.

Image result for thats good gif

 

Now, on Tuesday Celtic face Bayern Munich, and with Patrick Roberts injured, perhaps the team will move away from the restrictive practice of two inverted wingers. Despite two heavy defeats in the competition, Celtic are still favourites to make the Europa League, and whisper it, a win against Bayern would put the hoops level on points with the Germans, meaning that a point in Paris and a win over Anderlecht would make it very very close at the top..

However, therein lies the problem.

Even domestically, the team seems to have slipped off track at home. Only the Astana drubbing has been worth shouting about this season, and in fact we have to go back to 2013 for Celtics last home win in the champions League group stages.

That is unacceptable.

Yet a return to the Fortress Parkhead days would lift the team to the next level, and given the huge improvement away from home, would propel the side into the latter stages of the UCL, regardless of opponents.

If, as expected, Celtic are in knockout football after christmas, and if the home form is improved to the level of the away form, and I genuinely think all thats needed is just a wee bit more belief, then this could be an even more memorable season than the one just finished.

So stop  moaning, and look ahead at whats to come.

There will be days like yesterday, there will, in fact , be even worse days, but the unbeaten run is still intact, there’s a cup final to look forward to, and we are still in Europe.

Image result for kirk nodding gif

More significantly, read these two tweets, and think about what they say..

And on a day when we matched Maley’s record, who was there from Day 1, who knew why we were founded, we once again supported the most needy 

To the support, thank you just isn’t enough. 8 services will be kept going now thanks to your efforts. Again. 

You see, it ain’t so bad…

Some people have very little to cheer about…pitch invasions over a draw at Firhill, and then the rush to celebrate

But we hear a new management team is almost in place..

But we must beware complacency, and the formation for the next league game could probably do with a bit of tinkering with.

Tell you what made me laugh yesterday, the picture above reminded me there, as it concerns a goalkeeper..

87′ – We can confirm that Crocombe has been sent off for urinating during the game. We are not joking. (1-2)

And then there was something that made me cry, well, nearly…
 Yesterday we asked for your thoughts on this..
Matt October 28, 2017 at 5:18 pm · Edit · Reply →

Caption…”And for my next trick I will conjure up a rabbit out of thin air”! 

Today..

15

 

 

 

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Level 5 plant
6 years ago

62 games unbeaten! Congratulations to Brendan and everyone involved! I dreamt that killie beat us 2 1, I even looked at the odds! 50/1, was tempted but when they equalised i turned the radio off! Keep it going bhoys! Bring on the Bayern!

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  Level 5 plant

Tempted ti bet against Celtic??

MON NOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pat Higney
6 years ago

Some really powerful stats there Ralph. Well done to this great team in equalling the record. HH

Devoy45
6 years ago

Brendan and the Bhoys.
Congratulations on equalling a record that nobody thought could be equalled! Well done to all the new lads who were playing on Saturday, who gave it their all. You made football history.
Maybe we can get 63 at St. Johnstone?
Be fearless on Tuesday night. Let’s make Parkhead a fortress again!
Bayern:
Gordon
Lustig/Boyata/Tierney
Brown/Bitton/Armstrong
Forrest/Rogic/Sinclair
Dembele

St.Johnstone:
Lustig/Boyata/Tierney
Brown/Bitton/Armstrong
Forrest/Rogic/Sinclair
Dembele
C’mon the Hoops! Hail, hail…

Pat Higney
6 years ago

Caption: The Glasgow city council safety committee test out Dave King’s latest engineering masterpiece to ensure the stands will stay up. “It’s holding 10 of us, it’ll do” says brother Billy, the lead engineer!

mike
6 years ago

Caption, Fergus McCann, His story told… in pictures.

I read that true story about one of my biggest hero’s Danny McGrain I think it was something like he played 652 games for Celtic, what a player, what a remarkable and humble person, an example to every young player, Lang may yer lumb reek Danny.

62 games unbeaten, never thought that I would see that in my life-time, well done Brendan and your bhoys.
I feel this sense of a remarkable game coming up on Tuesday, showcase your talents lahds history awaits.

mike
6 years ago

Our best wishes to big Billy and his family!!

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

Congratulations to the Green Brigade and all those who contributed to the cause,special people.That’s the good news.
Bad news,understrength Celtic? Self inflicted.Resurgent Killie? Park the bus most of the match and hold on because you realise Celtic have made ludicrous changes after one of the best performances I’ve seen for years against Aberdeen.Many Celtic fans stated on social media and radio,play your strong team at the start,score two,three or more then take off players for a rest.Tend to agree.GF63

Broxburnbhoy
6 years ago

Agree Ralph there is much more to celebrate than to moan about. Congratulations to our great team and manager for equaling the record. I hope they perform tontheir very best against Bayern and the crowd stays with them all the way to the end. Would be very nice to beat a big team
Like Bayern

jrw
6 years ago

There’s no pleasing some folk. I think the Conditional and Fickle Celtic Supporters’ Club must have one of the largest memberships – we equalled a 100 year record yesterday and that is one hell of an achievement. And another thing I thought that Ajer had a very good game, a future regular centre half is there in the making. The conditions yesterday weren’t ideal for good football – it was very windy, which could easily have led to a mistake that could have cost us that record.

Alzyerpal
6 years ago

After the American capture of the Bridge At Remagen, the British reserves, pulled screaming from the shipyard toilets, was sent in to hold the bridge.

Matt
6 years ago

Caption….”Ibrox club creates designated queue for ‘Rangers men’ applying for managerial vacancy.

Hail Hail

Matt

Cartvale88
6 years ago

Danny McGrain a true gentleman, a delight to spend time in his company, a true Celt.
Ach yesterday things were a bit stagnant, but it was still a great result overall. Too many peepul are never happy as they rustle their sweetypapers
Whatever the result against Munchen, it will be a great night for all Celtic supporters.
Caption
Souness lookalike competition falls short at Ibrokes

mike
6 years ago

Living in the past,
how long is THAT gonny last,
only focusing on, in catching Celtic,
try another tack, try being more eclectic.

Put an all encompassing structure in place,
instead of being second to Celtic, in the race,
on and on and on, the drum beats sound,
we are the “Rangers” loud and proud.

Try to put your brains in gear,
show compassion, that we can hear,
get rid of the crooks and the cons,
try putting your thinking caps on.
the 1690 attitude should be long…gone.

SteveNaive
6 years ago

I have two grandweans who have never seen Celtic beatean in the league. Both under two but still.

BJF
6 years ago

Caption: build a pitch and they will come.
Great achievement, is 62,the new “67”, yesterday’even if tbe actual game was a disappointment. I was also impressed with Ajer yesterday a lot of potential and young Mike vwas very good, great skills. So at least 3 pluses for me.

Devoy45
6 years ago

I tend more to the idea that we should always start our best 11, with only a couple (2-3 max) of changes for tiredness, injury prevention and so on. Too many changes can be disruptive. We need now to put some gap between us and the rest of the League. My best 11:
Gordon
Lustig/Boyata/Bitton/Tierney
Brown/Armstrong
Forrest/Rogic/Sinclair
Griff or Dembele depending on the opposition
Room for MacGregor/Ajer/Roberts-when fit.
Brendan knows too that our ‘subs’ need match time, as much as we can spare: Hayes/Ntcham/Kouassi/Johnston/Ralston
We need to keep them in the working squad and match fit.
Our best 11 against Bayern should also be our best 11 against St. Johnstone.
Sevco will be our chief rival in the League after they entice McInnes away from the Sheep.
Due to injuries, we have not yet reached our best but are still unbeaten!It would be good to grab a point Tuesday night and then really thump St. Johnstone before the International break.

6 years ago

Caption : The secret diary of david murray age 59 & 3/4.

May 2011
“Ma foolproof plans fur savin the ranjurs and the metul company”
Plan A – Sell this replacement Forth bridge to the Scottish guverment for £2 Billion.
Plan B – Find a “billionaire” to buy the club aff me for £1.

Puggy67
6 years ago

Caption: Lowry struggles with perspective on his ‘men on Forth Bride’ painting.

Puggy67
6 years ago
Reply to  Puggy67

Bridge doh

Uralius
6 years ago

Caption: Efter the ranjurs fans trash their own toilets, King has to option, but to introduce safe standing.

Uralius
6 years ago
Reply to  Uralius

*no option. FFS

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

Caption: Doctor,I feel like a bridge…
Doctor: What’s come over you
Patients: 3 cars,a van and a bike…….

Uralius
6 years ago
Reply to  Rob O'Keeffe

I said, “I feel like a bridge…. NOT A PORN STAR!”

jimmybee
6 years ago

Caption: New hard border in C

jimmybee
6 years ago

Catalyuna that should be

jimmybee
6 years ago

Well done the bhoys on reaching 62 undefeated.
Yes we have been sloppy at Celtic park and for some reason we are far better away from home.
It might be teams are more open,or we are nearer to full strength away,whatever lets enjoy it whilst we can.
I was surprised Roberts and Rogic started yesterday to be honest i thought they would have been kept for Tuesday night.
But with all things Brendan is the man.
Tuesday
Gordon
Lustig Boyata Ajer Tierney
Forrest Brown Armstrong Bitton Sinclair
Dembele.
I would set up with 3 at the back
Lustig Ajer Boyata.
Forrest and Tierney as the wing backs.
Bitton to man mark Muller.
Broony as the anchor
Armstrong Sinclair to play as inside forwards.
Dembele up top.
2_1 the hoops.

mike
6 years ago

Brendan’s given us so much pleasure,
62 games unbeaten a gift to treasure,
17 months of unbeaten games,
created by Brendan’s footballing brains.

How long can it last this unbeaten run,
as long as we continue to beat the hun,
lots of teams will try to beat us,
but mostly end up just parking the bus.

We will try our hardest to keep it going,
when it ends the press will be crowing,
but we hiv the record and they’re no where near,
Cos we are the Celtic the one they all fear.

Uralius
6 years ago

Caption: “Well Mr. President you did say the Mexicans had to pay for the wall.”

rebus67
6 years ago

Ralph,

I agree there is much to be happy about. The record is significant and the draw will fade into history rapidly.

There were positives yesterday as well as the slight disappointment. Kouassi’s display in the first half was outstanding. He dropped out of the game in the second half but that may be due to lack of games. If he remains fit, I see no reason for us to chase McGinn, sadly. Johnston was good up to having to switch to the right. He then played it safe by not taking chances when on the ball. Overall, another positive.
Bitton was also good(again) and there may be a future for him in that position. Not sure about his defensive qualities but he can both bring the ball out of defence and has passing ability.

I have high hopes for Ajer, who, it must be remembered, is learning a new position, similar to Bitton. Initially, I thought he was responsible for the Killie goal but now I am not so sure. He was not tight enough to the player that slotted the return pass into Jones but Ntcham should have cut the pass out. The latter did go off injured after their goal so maybe he was slowed by that?

This is a concern that I have about Ntcham, he seems to start well but falls out of the game. It is almost as if his concentration wanes as the game progresses. This was the critique of him from Genoa when he was on loan there. I am not sure on this but it is worth watching.

Several players clearly had Tuesday on their minds. I would include Sinclair, Tierney, Lustig, Armstrong and Dembele in that group. Going flat out can result in injury as Roberts found out.

But hey, it was still a good watch, especially first half.

Rebus

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  rebus67

We had a couple of teenagers on the park, anyone know the average age of the team yeterday ?

6 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

Aye Brian a lot younger than you

iancelt67
6 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

add age of players divide by 11

mike
6 years ago

Even when Martin O’ Neil was manager and we spent a lotta lotta money trying to overturn the HBOS money-ball backed “Rangers”, we would come back from European competition and get beaten by among others ICT.
He perhaps would make 8 changes to the team to rest his big players.
He and his Celtic team never got near to 62 unbeaten domestic games, of course I realise he had to compete with wee Dick’s money-ball team.
Even with starting his best players, it surely must be very difficult to lift players after European games and top of the table games and then come…..Kilmarnock. There is no guarantee that by playing his first picks that when teams come to parkhead and park the bus that, that will result in a top performance. No siree bob, al that does is..tire out the same players that have performed and then the same players will not last another 95 mins.
Far better methinks to rest your big players, mentally as well as physically for the next big game.
62 in the cauld of glesga,
the fans came in there thousands,
to see the team become…..Record Breakers.

Tim Buffy
6 years ago

Caption; Hopefuls queue as auditions are held for the next series of Peaky Blinders.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

What is Great in man is that he is a bridge and not a goal……

Doc
6 years ago

The performance was woeful yesterday, all the possession and all those passes yet very little was effective and it was route one that got us the goal. To lose a goal from a basic one-two was below standard.

Took the shine off a momentous, once in a lifetime occasion. Hopefully we’re saving something special for midweek and then breaking the record at the weekend.

Caption: Wall and moat still can’t stop a Nakamura free kick.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Doc

Max and Raoul?……

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

A guy meets a high class lady of the night in a bar.She says ‘This is your lucky night,I usually charge plenty but tonight I’ll do anything you want for £100 if you can tell me in three words what you want?
The guy says ‘Paint my house’……

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Rob O'Keeffe

HAHAHA paint mine when she’s at it……efter.

Devoy45
6 years ago

We miss Charlie Saiz and his stats but here’s an interesting one.
Celtic, Aberdeen and Sevco all remain unbeaten away from home and oddly we have only dropped points at home. All three teams are supposed to be very difficult to beat at home. Why do we struggle at Celtic Park? That seems a fairly new thing in my experience. In times past, we could probably have guaranteed that we would beat St.Johnstone, Killie and Hibs at home. Any ideas bhoys?

mike
6 years ago

Mikey Johnston, Kris Ajer, K.T. Ebouie Kouassi, Ntcham, Paddy Roberts, all really young players learning the game and physically growing, that allied to the fact that they along with Bitton that are mostly not playing first team games regularly are clearly a reason for a disjointed team performance. When you add on the Clark effect who knows the game extremely well and has his team playing with skill and new found confidence, it just proves what a good manager can achieve.

Matt
6 years ago

Caption…In an attempt to clarify the situation concerning the Pedro Caixhina departure, the Ibrox board have publicly issued a statement, declaring that ‘it is clearly water under the bridge’!

Hail Hail

Matt

jimmybee
6 years ago

Caption: Hard borders start after brexit

JOJOPICASSO
6 years ago

Caption
is that a swans neck you’ve got in you pants

JOJOPICASSO
6 years ago

day late
caption
10 in a row

mike
6 years ago

McInnes’s dilemma!

Does he stay at the Dons or if he is asked to take over in Govan, what will he do? Knowing how he admires Brendan, I am sure that he would have asked for his opinion regarding the poison chalice that is the Sunderland job, Brendan would have advised him not to take it and that other better jobs would appear. That might be bourn out by Brendan recommending him for the Scotland job, but what about the hun job, well if he is offered it I am equally certain that he would not ask Brendan’s opinion. Everyone seems to be suggesting that he would go to Ipox…if asked and its true that he is ambitious and he seemed to suggest after the Celtic game that there was nothing else that he could do at Aberdeen. However, will he be asked or if asked would he refuse or would he go for the safety net of the Scotland job. Peat the past President of the SFA although voting for WGS was slightly critical of the wee man, suggesting that he neglected the Scottish based players for lower league English based players, which might suggest that the next Scottish manager would have more knowledge of the Scottish based players.
Who knows its just speculation but its good to talk…..mince.

jimmybee
6 years ago

What a privelage for us to witness the invincibles with a manager who wants only the best for Celtic. Instead of basking in glory our manager is out there installing into our under 14s what he expects from them,what they need to do to be the next Kieron Tierney.
These are special times,enjoy them to full.
HH

jimmybee
6 years ago

Well done Girona in defeating Real Madrid 2_1
Magic bring on Bayern

iancelt67
6 years ago

caption
line up of applicants for the vacant position at ibrox waiting for the facepainters and clown shoes to arrive

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  iancelt67

I seen what you posted about me and my wee white grass cutters, so.. what goes on in the field…..stays in the field. Keep yer nose in yer ain business….OK.

6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike I’m sorry don’t be daft. Full respect for you pal. Jealous of the rural tranquility. I’ve a warped sense of humour… animal lover here
HH

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

Same here Ian only kidding man, am no that sensitive that I canny take a joke, btw I really like your humour…maistly!
😉

6 years ago
Reply to  mike

WHERES Monti!!!! Having a sabbatical. We are losing the titans of the blog. Charlie saiz now Monti.

portpower
6 years ago

Caption:
If we play in the burn we will support them from the temporary sevco span.

mike
6 years ago

Give me a ….C
Give me a…..E
Give me a…..L
Give me a…..T
Give me a…..I
Give me a…..C

I give you Celtic the Champions……….of the World.
Well done everyone who contributed to the Food Banks at the Park, every little..Helps. you did brilliant, as your reward……:-)

mike
6 years ago

Where it go, well the..sun has got its hat on HIP HIP HIP HOORAY,
the sun has got its hat on and they will soon come out to play. 😉
Ya Beauty!!

mike
6 years ago

Deek McInnes, Will he go or will he stay.

Will he leave his flock of sheep at Pittodrie and go to the dark side of the World, I think that he very much respects what Brendan saiz and that he advised him not to take the poison chalice that was the Sunderland job. It was no surprise that Brendan recommended him for the Scotland job, if he is asked to go to Der-Hun then he will not speak to Brendan/or will he? I think that he recognises that he has taken the sheep as far as he can and being ambitious that he is looking for a new challenge. So will he go or will he stay, who gies a fuck. This post was posted by a mince talking farmer who only cares about one team as for the rest, they can join the Governing bodies and……….

Uralius
6 years ago

Tomorrow is the 500 year anniversary of Martin Luther, and of course the anniversary of….. 2 days off work? Why thank you sir.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Uralius

Thanks for reminding us Uralius, add ma sincere thanks to him…….if you see him.

jimmybee
6 years ago

Both Celtic and Motherwell have agreed to maje the cup final a tribute to Phil ODonnell.
A fitting tribute to a wonderful player.
RIP Phil.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

A fitting tribute to Phil jimmy…a show of solidarity with the steelmen no striking tho…. then hammer them in the final.

mike
6 years ago

Nesting….Doormouse, Nesting Doormouse, DA DA DA DA DA DA….DA DA DA,….DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA….DA DIDDLY DA DA DA. Gone yersell Pavarotter.

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