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Celtic Diary Sunday November 26: Cup Final Day

Phil O’Donnell will be remembered at todays game by both clubs . He died on 29 December 2007.

May the man live forever in our hearts and in the hearts of those closest to him

 

It’s here already, the first trophy of the season. Or the chance to win the first trophy of the season.

It’s the Betfred League Cup final.

Image result for celtic v motherwell league cup final

Hampden Park, three o’clock today.

A Sunday.

Yet again the sponsors and the television companies get their way.

Whereas those of us who form the bulk of Scottish footballs income have to go along with it.

It’s bad enough having to go to Hampden.. ask the manager..

There are better stadiums,” ( it’s stadia )

“If we’re talking stadia, then it’s not a great stadium. ( Ah, he’s remembered )

“If you’re talking access, comfort, the view of the game, there are many things about Hampden that are not good.

“When I came in I said, well, this is where we have to play the games, so we’ve got to like it.

“And as long as the pitch is a good pitch and there’s posts either end then we’ve got to perform and we’ve got to find a way.

“It’ll be the same this weekend.

“It’s not ideal and I don’t know the real story behind the investment and how it was reformed.

“You think about the supporters and I hear enough people saying it’s not very good.

“I’m the lucky one that gets to stand at the side of the pitch. I always wonder about how much the people behind the goals really see. It’s one for the SFA to decide.” 

But personally speaking, he added…

My experience of it has been great, of course,”

“Sometimes the atmosphere is right up there at Hampden.

“After the Scotland v England game, I remember people saying the whole place shook. So it has the potential and possibility.

“But I’ve never been to the other stadium. I know Hearts were playing at Murrayfield which looks a proper, well thought-out stadium.

“The other side to Hampden is the tradition it has. It’s where all the stories are, down the years right back to the black and white pictures.

“Real Madrid and European Cup and Champions League Finals – there is a real historical element there.

“I know there is a real mind-set for a lot of negatives around Scotland, but I try to look for real positives and I have enjoyed going there.” 

Winning does make a difference..

“It means everything,”

“My job at Celtic is to add to the legacy so when the time comes for me to pass the ball to someone else, we have added to the cycle.

“What we have been working on is a real dominant cycle where we play football that brings joy to the supporters.

“When it gets passed on we hope this is looked back on as a successful period.

“There is a wonderful history here at Celtic and my job is to add to that legacy.

“You do your very best and prepare your team. You know that you will lose. I said it last year – it will happen at some point.

“When it does, we will take it with humility and honesty – and press the reset button and go again.” 

In a one off game such as this one today, there is perhaps a little more danger of defeat.

Especially as Motherwell are continuing to improve.

And they have, er , a bit of steel about them.

Ryan bowman, who some of you will remember fro his tackle on Keiran Tierney back in February, provides that, er, steel, and he refutes accusations of being a “dirty player “..

I don’t want to comment on individuals but a lot of people have labelled me a dirty player. If you look at my stats, I’ve never been sent off for that before. 

“I’ve also only been booked once since the semi-final. So I’m not a dirty player. If you watch worldwide football, you see strikers go up and use their arms for leverage.

“I’ve been a bit unlucky with what has gone on.” 

Image result for bowman tackle on tierney

Yeah, looks like we should give him the benefit of the doubt.

Like when he broke Fabian Cardosa’s nose..

Image result for bowman tackle on tierney

And then there was the time his mate asked him to lend him a tenner…

Image result for random violence gif

Bowman can at best be described as enthusiastic , and his tackle on Tierney was part of a concerted campaign by referees to ignore meaty challenges on Celtic players which culminated in that injury.

Craig Thomson will need to have his wits about him today, as you can be certain fourth official Andrew Dallas won;t see anything.

 

It would be wrong to label Motherwell in the same way that Bowman has been tagged.

There have been some great Celts who started out there…Deans, Boyd, McClair…

And of course, Phil O’Donnell

Image result for phil o'donnell family

Lisbon Lion published this piece on a man who will be remembered today by both clubs…

Phil O‘Donnell

Hard to read that without welling up.

However, to bring us back to earth, there’s this, from Scott McDermott of the Sunday Mail..

But the Lanarkshire side aren’t just playing for themselves, their manager, their supporters and their town today.

They’re doing it for Scottish football as a whole.

A victory for the underdogs against the Premiership champions would give our game a shot in the arm. 

And no doubt put a smile on the writers face.

Our game doesn;t need a “shot in the arm ” .

Apart from one particular basket case, everyone else is doing fine. Which, of course, is what really annoys them.

By the way, if Celtic don’t win today, and motherwell do lift the trophy, then thats fine.

As long as they deserve it, I’ll have no complaints.

This is that new sporting integrity thing that seems to be catching on.

I don’t mind getting beat on a level playing field.

But its painful to see some are positively pining for a motherwell win.

McDermott again..

And as for Scottish football’s general reputation? It would be at an all-time low if no other club can beat Celtic in 90 minutes over the course of two seasons. 

Lime it was when the old Rangers were dominating.

Ach, we know all about their hypocrisy so lets move on..

 

Scott Sinclair, who missed last years final, should return to the line up today.

He’s found it harder this season, and some have criticised him for not trying, but Sinclair defended himself against that accusation..

People can talk to me about having lost my form but it’s not the case,”

“I still feel my form is there; I just feel like I have two players on me in every game. “That wasn’t happening last season. I’m getting a player standing next to me for the whole game doing nothing. I’ve got to come up with different things.

They are making it much harder for me to get on the ball. It makes my job harder. I’ve got to come up with different things to go forward, create and score goals.

I’ve been doing so. The stats are still not too bad but it’s up to me to make more happen.” 

You are not used to it,” 

“It comes to the stage where the guy is literally with you the whole game. You come deep, you go long, you could come all the way back in to goal and he’d come.

“The key is to stay patient. It might be the 60, 70, 80th minute. I’m always focused and there will always be one moment. He might man-mark me for 89 minutes and then I’ll get away from him and get the goal. The first 45 it is going to be difficult to get on the ball; it might have to just be bits and pieces. The key thing is for me to be as patient as I can. Ready. 

It’s very true [it is new to me]. For me it is about trying to keep coming up with different things in my game: What can I do to get away from my man? What decisions do I make? How do I come to get the ball deep or do I go long? Game by game I look over at all the videos and work at it.”

Henik Larsson was often slated during his time in Scotland and his talent was underestimated by the My-nan-could-score-in that-league brigade.

Yet he suffered from the same sort of attention, and had to come up with something different. He adapted and it improved his all round game, making him a far more cerebral player.

Sinclair, niow he has realised the problem, which many don’t, can now deal with it.

If you are looking for a matchwinner today, don;t look much further than the likeable Englishman.

Perhaps though, its time to rest Craig Gordon.

A little harsh maybe on cup final day, but he must have other things on his mind, such as the public break up of his marriage and his inability to get anywhere near anything in Paris.

So, for me at least, we’ll go with Des Vries, Gamboa…oh fuck.

thats just scared the shit out of me.

One last chance then, for Gordon, and we’ll play with three at the back and two up front.

Gordon, Simunovic, Boyata, Tierney, Brown, Ntcham, McGregor, Sinclair, Forrest Dembele and Griffiths.

That way we should avoid getting bogged down in a midfield slog, by using width.

Prediction…

Celtic 3 Motherwell 2.

Or the other way round.

 

Lightening up, here’s another one of those lookalike thingies…

And to continue the general mirth, there’s more tittle tattle about our new friends over the river.

Apparently, they’ve lined up Tony Adams for the new managers job..

Image result for Tony adams drink

He’s not the most successful manager of all time, but he does wear a poppy.

Well, they had to do something…

Some say we should leave them alone, as its not funny any more..

But we won’t, because it is .

This isn’t funny though…

Remember this guy, Police Scotland Reichsfuhrer Higgins…

Well, who’d have thought it…

Fancy that.

The worlds dodgiest police force having dodgy people at the top.

 

They will need to restore their public image after this, of course, to regain the trust of the people they are paid to serve.

Recruitment needs to be looked at, as the quality of officer has plummeted recently..

 

Image result for corrupt police officers

There is a feeling they do not have the impeccable standards of old..

Image result for corrupt police officers

And perhaps their attitude to the public could be given a little extra work…

Image result for police violence

They’ll be on duty today, no doubt dealing with important issues like drink on buses and people swearing or singing out of tune.

Be careful, I hear that the charge of walking on the cracks in the pavement now carries a custodial sentence…

 

whatever happens today, enjoy yourself, after all, these are the good days, the days of wine and roses, as they say.

 

And it should be the first leg of an unprecedented back to back treble..

 

Yesterday, we had this…

Puggy67 November 25, 2017 at 10:46 am · Edit · Reply →

Caption: Passenger:Maternity unit driver it’s…
Driver: I know where it is. 

Today..

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charlie
6 years ago

heers a video for the bhoys tae watch oan the bus

charlie
6 years ago
charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

ile take any ten ae them he he

Rebus67
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Charlie,

Thanks, I enjoyed that!

Rebus

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  Rebus67

rebus ime gled ye liked it

charlie
6 years ago

thomson will rest gordon first chance he gets

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

right am away fur a pint before the loonies turn up ha ha ha ha aint life grand

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

lance is oan the other thread talkin tae hisell ha ha ha ha

Bognorbhoy
6 years ago

Caption..
Ringo that’s not a chip on your shoulder it’s a stone of king Edwards…

David
6 years ago

4-1 to the famous Glasgow Celtic HH

Arsene Parcelie
6 years ago

Caption:
“Abbey Road? My nan could write better”

Monti
6 years ago

” Where’s Richard Gough “?
Any given kerbside i’d presume.

Broxburnbhoy
6 years ago

Everyone seems very worried that Motherwell have suddenly improved beyond all recognition and are a major threat to end our treble hopes. Any logical reason for this? I see a very poor side built on over aggression and clearly “kick them off the field” tactics. A decent high pressing game will find them out and a decent referee will set out some early yellow cards for serious foul play which is inevitable with Motherwell. Time to show Scotland how good we are.

Broxburnbhoy
6 years ago

Sevco followers – your heroes are all consulting their financial advisors to try and avoid paying back the illegal loans they got while your deid Club was cheating the rest of us. Hector will be visiting them soon. Yir clubs died, beat it.

mike
6 years ago

Tie our ribbons to the cup,
make them green white and gold,
Tie our ribbons to the cup,
win today and lift it up,
Lord its so good to be a Tim,
singing Celtic songs and Hymns,
Help us win the cup today,
playing fitba. the Celtic way,
Tie our ribbons to the cup.

portpower
6 years ago

We`re rank.

Take.HH

G`day all. Have fun and enjoy.

Because

Brencelt
6 years ago

“They never die who live in the hearts they leave behind “

mike
6 years ago

Caption, Our next song, is the Celtic song.

portpower
6 years ago

Caption:
Tar for my airport please.

portpower
6 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Caption:
Paul,don`t bother with that lambeg drummer.

portpower
6 years ago

r wee ta poo it?

Hit and hope for both… why before a game starts,thy officials might spoil the spoils?

They still class and name Neil Lennon as a Hibernian coach. Plicks.

You`re sitting in their domain today,have them for what they are FFS.

portpower
6 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Or you`re just yuppies who started this shit.

Doc
6 years ago

Not as confidant as I should be for today, but surely we can’t not turn up for three games in a row.

Gordon
Gamboa Ajer Tierney Miller
Forrest Brown McGregor Sinclair
Dembele Griffiths

Caption: Orange bands delay album photo.

Monti
6 years ago

R.I.P. PHIL O’ DONNELL

ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS

COME ON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN!

jimmybee
6 years ago

Celtic team today
Gordon
Lustig jozo boyata tierney
Brown armstrong mcgregor
Forrest dembele sinclair.
COYBIG

Monti
6 years ago

Celtic will win the cup today, it’s a big game & Celtic win the big games.
This manager & his team never let us down, they keep delivering domestically, i have complete faith in the Bhoys to win the cup again.

Hail Hail!

Celtic 3 Motherwell 0

jimmybee
6 years ago

Sinclair hat trick 5_1 the hoops.

jimmybee
6 years ago

Caption: The fenian lamppost
Give Ireland back to the Irish

portpower
6 years ago

portpower
6 years ago

Shall Peter come out if we`re jipped again today?

Let`s hope the 4th official buggers one of his legs up.

Hail Hail the fenian hammie post

Monti
6 years ago

Caption: Liverpool player turns up late for the bus before the FA cup final.

portpower
6 years ago

Nae point explaining to the cognate.
Shall Peter unsnarl if we`re jipped once again in this position today?

Broxburnbhoy
6 years ago

I see Messi resigned for Barcelona. I’m sure he’ll pay the appropriate tax this time and his buy out clause is 626 million euros! Different world I think.

Puggy67
6 years ago

What’s with all the treble pish? Last time I checked the possibility and dare I say likelihood of the Europa League title was alive and well. Does that mean Aberdeen/Hibs get a CL shot? HH KTF

portpower
6 years ago

On your tippy toes Celtic.
In off the crossbar.

portpower
6 years ago

Once

portpower
6 years ago

Do some wear contacts on the pitch?

Puggy67
6 years ago

Caption: Ringo’s ‘let it be Paul’ comment changes musical history.

Monti
6 years ago

Nowhere near good enough in the first half, no quality or creativity in anything we do.
Scott Sinclair is showing nothing so far.
It is a concern how we have started this game, it is crying out for creativity, i’d give Sinclair the first ten mins of the 2nd then bring Roberts on, same period for Mcgregor for Rogic.

We need a lot, lot more from everybody? WAKE UP AND LIFT THE LEVELS CELTIC!

HH

portpower
6 years ago

Have those that can shoot outside the box to take a chance but don`t forget to bump the keeper when he saves it in the middle of his goal line.

Why aim for the keepers tits when there`s space either side? Bafflin`.

jimmybee
6 years ago

If we play like this against anderlecht we will be out of europe very poor from the bhoys.
Sinclair looks moody Roberts on for him second half Moussa took a sore one dunno if he will be able to carry on griff on for him.

portpower
6 years ago

We`ve penalty takers.

portpower
6 years ago

By-line cross back goal/penalty.

portpower
6 years ago

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

TicToc
6 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Port, if you’ve done what I think you’ve done there, that’s fucking class. Ha Ha Ha 🙂 🙂 🙂
HH

portpower
6 years ago

Sweet goal.

portpower
6 years ago

Pair of pommie cvnts commentating on a Scottish game? Fvck off!

It`s all startin` off now…

Pair of pricks,pricks,Honestly.

Broxburnbhoy
6 years ago

Whoops 2-0 up and playing against 10 men now – just be patient and good things come – this could be 4 or 5 by the end come on the celtic

Broxburnbhoy
6 years ago

Motherwell are thugs in football shirts- appalling level of foul play

Monti
6 years ago

YYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSSS

🙂

Broxburnbhoy
6 years ago

First silverware of the year another clean sheet and another unbeaten game to add to the tally. Had enough chances to score 10 today.

Bgbhoy
6 years ago

Forrest again? Whoops

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Bgbhoy

Another cup final and another Forrest goal….

Some can’t see the Forrest for the Woods!

Well done Brendan & our Bhoys

TIOCFAIDHARFUCKINGLA

mike
6 years ago

F O R R E S T. Awenawagaininawe.

mike
6 years ago

Brendan handing his medal over to the wee ghirl. M A J I C.

mike
6 years ago

Fitba. One Thuggery away tae buggery. Nil.

Puggy67
6 years ago

The cup and the caption contest are back where they belong.

Yoker Bhoy
6 years ago

Ya beauty!! Championees yet again and well deserved too. Even if the penalty decision and subsequent sending off was a bit harsh on Motherwell there’s no doubt in my mind that we’d have won comfortably anyway. We upped our game a lot in the second half and could have scored quite a few more but then quite rightly stepped off the gas towards the end to save the legs for the upcoming games. At last there’s a smile back on my coupon again after the Paris nightmare.
Well done again bhoys and great goal wee Jamesie!!!

Phil O’Donnell RIP

jimmybee
6 years ago

Poor performance again from the bhoys the passing is a joke sometimes.
Good to see big jozo back though gives us steel and set the ball rolling for the first goal.
Jamesie does it again class.
But the team is not at our best the passing especially from our midfield is of great concern.
But another trophy to enjoy so lets not ponder onwards and upwards 65 and counting.

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