There’s a cup final tomorrow, and Celtic, should the players take that glazed look off their faces after Paris, are expected to claim the first leg of a second consecutive treble.
But there has been a disturbance in the force, as they say, and the good times , whilst not exactly coming to an end, may not be as good as they have been .
We’ll get to that later, because after all, this is a Celtic Diary, and I’m kind of loath to repeat the tittle tattle we’ve been hearing, firstly because its probably bollocks, and secondly, because I’m not as worried as the media are about to tell us we should be.
We’ve heard it all before.
Mikael Lustig and Nir biton are doubtful for tomorrows match with motherwell. Tony Ralston isn;t fit, and an appeal to supporters with their own boots has failed.
That means that Christian Gamboa could step in for a shift, and although he hasn’t played for a while, he is ca[pable of doing a job.
Other options include going three at the back, with Forrest, Sinclair or Roberts taking up the two wing back roles.
Tierney can also fill in at right back, which would allow Calum MacGregor a game on the left in a four man defence.
We’re not playing PSG or Bayern, so it shouldn’t matter.
But Motherwell will be up for this one. As this picture from their training session last night showed.
A lot will depend on the referee and other officials..
Craig Thomson has been appointed to referee the Betfred Cup Final between Motherwell and Celtic on Sunday 26th November.
The assistant referees are David McGeachie and Sean Carr.
Andrew Dallas has been appointed as the Fourth Official.
Thomson is a fair chap, and has even gone out of his way to explain how high a hand must be for it to be deemed a handball by a defender in the Motherwell penalty area..
If i was one of those conspiracy theorists drowning in paranoia, I’d expect fourth official Andrew Clueless ( predictive typing did this ) to be hogging the headlines monday morning…
Anyway, has Brendan recovered from the mauling his troops took on Wednesday ?
“When you try to have balls to play, then you’re always going to be open to that criticism.
“I’m here to do the best for Celtic and I’ll do what I think is the best thing for the club.
“Hopefully up until this point it has been okay. I continue to work that way, to be better, to improve the club in as many ways as I can help it.
I would like to think the players have improved both individually and as a team.
“They’ve shown courage to go and play. Of course 7-1, no one wants that.
“It’ll always open us to ridicule from people who either don’t watch the game or just look at the result.
I watched the game. But I couldn’t bear to look at the result.
“But I can’t affect that. I don’t worry.
“When you have an attacking philosophy people think you don’t necessarily work on defending.
“Fundamentally we defend very well, in terms of how we press and the aggression we have.
“But you also have to respect we’ve come from Ross County on Saturday to play away at PSG.
“It’s not something our players unfortunately are used to – that speed.
“Look at Neymar’s goal. It’s incredible.
The one where Scott Brown claimed an assist ?
“But it was the same critics who would have said last year when PSG lost the six goals or in the Nou Camp that Thiago Silva should be out, that he’s not a good player because they lose that many goals.
“I’ve learned through experience just to not listen. The more experienced I get, I listen a lot, lot less. After the game my focus was on just making sure the players were okay, which they were, absolutely fine, and then yesterday I don’t involve myself.
“I’m not on social media. I don’t read so much of the press. I have not actually seen one letter or word that has been spoken.
One of the lessons in life I have learned, as I get older and more experienced, is that we are kitted out with two ears, two eyes and one mouth.
Its important to use them in proportion…
Celtic have performed above themselves on three occasions this season. Astana at home, and Aberdeen and Anderlecht away.
Motherwell does not begin with an A, so I’ll take any win and any level of performance.
Its a cup final, and that means there is no second chance…
Now, onto matters pertaining the news from over the river.
If it is news, that is, its more rumblings from the bowels of darkness to be fair.
There’s an AGM on the 30th November, Dave King did try to schedule it for the 31st, in the hope no one would turn up and he wouldn’t have to, but that failed.
Thats because there will be an announcement, if the burblings we’ve heard have any substance to them.
Lord Bannatyne is about to announce the upholding of the Takeover panel decision to cold shoulder King.
That means he will not be able to continue in his role at Ibrox.
Two chaps, and possibly a third are waiting for this to happen to make their move.
George Letham and Graeme Souness. Possibly along with Douglas Park, who really needs to restore his reputation after backing King.
There is little or no external debt at Ibrox, which means a coup will be fairly painless, especially as King has little choice but to quit. In fact, the word is he could be sacked…
These two, or three, have enough money to keep the lights on until the next share issue, which according to the idiot who told me this, and others have concurred, will see the gullibillies plough in whatever they have left and Mike Ashley finally get his way with external sponsorship, such as shirt and stadium branding.
though we hear another brand has put in a bid for shirt sponsorship
You heard it here first, and probably won’t hear it anywhere else, but as I’ve said before, this is what we have heard, you can make your own mind up.
Personally, i think its bollocks, but then again, most of what eminates from that pit usually is.
Then again, they need to do something.
And the lack of a new managerial appointment does suggest they are waiting for the right moment…
Though at least one director looked as though he has had enough, which tends to lend credibility to the guff we’ve repeated..
A loss last night coupled with the defeat last weekend has put them on a crisis footing, and thise feet need brown brogues..
Dundee , Hamilton, who’s next ?
The pope and the Vatican ?
Er, no. It’s Aberdeen. Twice.
They need to steady the ship before it sinks, and any possibility of good news, however fake, will be pounced on at the AGM.
The gullibillies are becoming less gullible..
It took a while for them to understand the bit in business law about liquidation, but he got there.
He looked fairly miserable on the bus back from Dundee last night..
As did someone else, before he got on the bus..
If only he had listened to this enlightened fellow, who has all the answers..
Elsewhere, there was evidence to back up a theory on the sudden sales of soup at the Sky TV canteen..
Yesterday, we showed you this image..
Caption: Bravely ignoring a spelling glitch on their plackards, protesters against the ban of venison from the Kerrydale Suite menu march on Celtic Park?
Today…