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Celtic Diary Thursday February 15: Tonights The Night

Just in case you weren’t dreading tonights Europa League tussle with Zenit St Petersburg, Brendan Rodgers has told us how difficult its going to be.

And for those of us looking forward to extended run in the competition, possibly even to the final, like in 2003,  he put that gas at a peep as well…

“It’s very difficult. You see the level of opponent in there. It tells you the difficulty.

“I’m a realist. I’m in my dream job, but I’m also a realist.

“There are two factors. The game has changed and Celtic have changed.

“Look back at the players Celtic had then. Celtic were taking some of the best players from the Premier League. 

And Magnus Hedman.

They were bringing Chris Sutton up here, John Hartson. Neil Lennon. They were bringing Paul Lambert back from Dortmund.

“These are top, top players, so the financial climate is totally different now to what it was back then for Celtic.

“We always want to fight and, like our predecessors, try to do the very best that we can.

“But when you compare it to that, football and Celtic have changed a lot.

“The club is run very, very well. You can spend the money, but it’s the player coming to Scotland which is the big factor.

“It’s wages, it’s astroturf pitches and all this. There are multiple reasons why a player would or wouldn’t come. 

I don’t think it will ever go back to what it was 15 years ago.

“What we have to do year on year is try and somehow bridge the gap, but it will always be difficult for us.”

They’re hardly likely to come for the managers cheery banter, but it will come as a relief that tonight he’s got his own seat away from the rest of us, you’ll see it clearly, as it has its own wee black cloud.

Anyway, now he’s implied that all his players are not top, top players, and that he’s only got them here because the ones he wants, the top, top players won’t come, he then set out to allay our fears about Zenit…you know, fill us with the confidence he just shot out of the players…

If you look at how they play, they are what you would consider to be a top European team.

“They are a club that want to be competing in the latter stages of the Champions League. It is a very good side.

“Should they be favourites to win the tie? Yeah. 

Well, thats fucking that then.

Close the doors, turn out the lights.

This is exactly the attitude that costs us those embarrassing defeats that have multiplied since he got here. any minute now he’ll mention how much money they’ve spent…

I never say that lightly. I always think we are Celtic, but I have always been realistic.

“When you look at their investment and level of players they have they will expect to go through. 

Well, at least he didn’t tell us it was about developing, or learning . Imagine the fury if he started coming out with phrases such as the Mowbrayesque “take it on the chin “…

“Listen, you get to the last 32 and they are always going to be tough games.

“There are teams that are winning their groups, there are teams coming out of Champions League.

“It’s just about improving, developing and trying to find a way to get a result.

“Sometimes you have to take your medicine in games. The challenge presented to us is tough.” 

Oh come on, they’re just back from a long winter break, they’ll be rusty, maybe not even match fit, and almost certainly not mentally adjusted to the demands of high level competitive football…

The break could maybe freshen them and revitalise them.

“We have the same experience in pre-season when you are not in top condition, but you can still be at a good level.

“We played against them when I was at Liverpool and went out on away goals.

It was a similar time, about February. They were pretty fit then.

“It’s a different team, a different manager playing in a different stadium,

but they will still be in a good condition.

Image result for mind games quotes

Whats he doing ?

Seriously, what is he doing ?

And why ?

 

Unless….. though I may have those green tinted specs on here…unless he is playing mind games with Roberto Mancini, his opposite number at Zenit.

Indeed . he could even claim Mancini started it..

“We know we can have a problem because, for us, it is the first official game for two months,” 

“We need to be at our best if we want to get through to the next round.” 

then he let slip his mask, and we knew he was talking nonsense…

“Celtic at home is a strong team and also the supporters push the team because the crowd is incredible,” 

Celtic are not, and haven’t been for some time, a strong team at home in Europe.

“I think most teams would lose to PSG and Bayern. It was a tough group and they will be better in the Europa League.

“If we are able to win this game, that would be a good result ahead of the second leg next week.

“It is important to try to be offensive and try to score.” 

Which alerted Police Scotland..

Match Commander, Superintendent Alan Murray, said, “Thousands of supporters will be attending this really important match and with our partners we have planned extensively with the safety of the public being our priority.

“There will be a noticeable increase in the number of officers in and around Glasgow and we have been working closely with British Transport Police to ensure all supporters can get to the match and home again safely.

“While the majority of the supporters attending matches are well-behaved and enjoy the game, we know all too well that here is a small minority who may drink too much and engage in criminal behaviour such as disorder, offensive behaviour and vandalism, so let’s keep the focus on the football and behaving responsibly.

“You should make sure you plan your outing in advance, know your travel plans for before and after the match, drink responsibly and be aware of what you can and can’t bring into the stadium.

“However, anyone who is intent in causing disorder or indulging in antisocial behaviour or hate crime can expect to be arrested by police. So don’t risk missing the match.”

Supporters should comply with the ground’s safety and security arrangements and are reminded that is an offence to:

  • Use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or to display written material likely to incite hate crime
  • Enter the sports ground if you are in possession of any pyrotechnic device including flares, fireworks, pellets etc (matches/cigarette lighters are not included).
  • Attempt to enter the sports ground with a controlled container (any bottle, can or other portable container whether open or sealed) or alcohol either prior to, during or after the game. This is also the case inside the arena or in the surrounding area.
  • Be drunk within or to attempt to enter a sports stadium or surrounding area whilst drunk.
  • Be in possession of alcohol or be drunk aboard a coach or mini-bus taking you to a sporting event. The driver, keeper, employee or person hiring the vehicle on which alcohol is being carried also commits an offence. Please note that police checks will be carried out on buses and mini buses travelling to the game.
  • Drink alcohol or be in possession of an open container which contains alcohol in a public place.
  • Please be aware that if you commit any of these offences you will be arrested and held in custody for court which may involve missing your journey home. Why risk it?
  • Please ensure that your match ticket is for seating allocated to the relevant side as you may be removed if you are in the wrong seat.

The Russian club have seen their stand partially closed due to the racist behaviour of their support, and the police, reading between the lines, will be out in force tonight to make sure that there are no offensive songs or chants from the away fans.. but to keep things swinging along they have issued a cd of acceptable songs for the russian to learn on time for the game..

Image result for loyalist cd

Famines, Sashes…they’re all in there.

 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the players were introduced to a sports psychologist who showed them how best to deal with the manager’s press conferences..

Image result for crowd fingers in ears

And with a big game coming up, we can also announce the winner of this weeks

Not Unexpected  Injury Award. 

Nir Biton will miss tonights game, and probably the rest of the season having picked something or other up during training, or on his way to training, or in the bar afterwards.

There’s obviously a much bigger problem here , with Celtic having more players out than in, so much so, in fact, that Patrick Roberts has gone back to Manchester so his parent club can get him to see a real doctor, and protect him from whatever is going on at Lennoxtown.

 

That kind of leaves us thin on the ground, and there used to be a time when Celtic would relish this kind of game, when the odds are against us, when the breaks-literally-are beating the bhoys.

And maybe we are.

Maybe all the downplaying from the manager is just mind games, aiming to relax the Zenit players before crying havoc and unleashing the dogs of war at 8.05 tonight.

The reasoning behind the thinking ?

All along the stated aim has been to get European football after christmas.

Thats been done, and the pressure is off, to an extent. after all, if you can’t stop for a minute and pat yourself on the back when you’ve reached a target, whats the point in aiming at it in the first place.

But then you set the next target, and just by making it to the Celtic first team, the home grown players especially, these guys have shown that they do push the barriers, that they can break through the gate.

And I think we may see a little more heart in the performance tonight.

And I think its all part of the plan.

Image result for brendan rodgers celtic

 

Sure, all this tippy tappy stuff is nice, and holding possession is probably better than , er, not holding possession, but we didn’t get where we are today by playing like a bunch of lightweight lily livered lollygaggers.

Where would we be if Tommy Gemmell had been told to play it square along the back ?

Or if Bertie Auld and Bobby Murdoch weren’t allowed to flatten the occasional on field bully ?

and if..heaven forbid…Jimmy Johnstone had been told to track back ?

Some of you may argue that we have nothing at the moment, those days of glory are long gone, never to return.

Well, that means we have nothing to lose, and Zenit can’t embarass us any more than Lincoln Red Imps, or Barcelona or PSG.

Fuck it, if we’re going to go down, then we go down fighting… on our terms.

Image result for terms and conditions

We fight for every ball, even of its gone out for a throw in.

We tackle hard, we jump, we slide or we block every time they have the ball. in fact, if we can get away with it, do it when they don’t have the ball.

As soon as they get off the bus, in fact.

In possession, we run straight at them. It’ll confuse them.

If we have to pass, make sure it goes quickly to where it should go to. Hesitation is a form of weakness, and as anyone who has ever met a Russian will tell you, don’t show any weakness.

More important perhaps, is we need the players to play with the pride that comes with the jersey.

We can take getting beat, but we cant take a lack of pride in our club.

At shortly after eight o’clock tonight, we hit the Russians with everything we’ve got , which I’m sure is a quote from one of Ronald Reagan’s Presidential addresses, come to think of it.

Whatever happens, let them know they’ve been in a game, and perhaps we might just have something to remind us of who we are…

My prediction ?

Celtic 1 Zenit 1 .

Or something else entirely.

Whether its more in hope than in expectation, I expect Celtic to keep the tie alive, to coin a phrase, but win it over in Russia.

 

 

Yesterdays caption competition..

Image result for rangers administration 2012

Far and away the hardest one to pick a winner from, and if you haven’t read all the replies, go back and do so.

 

However, my favourite -a laugh out loud moment-was..

greyheid February 14, 2018 at 11:59 am · Edit · Reply →

Roses are Red

Violets are Blue

My wealth’s aff the radar

And so’s your club noo…

Arsene Parcelie tried to embed this image in the replies, but couldn’t work out how.

If anyone knows how to do this, please help in the replies today.

Replies to this…

Image result for brendan rodgers scott brown

 

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BJF
6 years ago

Determined to be positive tonight Ralph I like your suggestion that BR is playing mind games with Mancini! I sense we will give a good account of ourselves. Interesting Brendan’s quite:” it is about “ the players coming to Scotland which is the big factor,” exactly.
Even Ajer is talking about hoping he played for Liverpool some day, it is the nature of the league that players see a movement south as inevitable if they are wanting the money. Brendan also says it’s the money, the AstroTurf pitches maybe the Scottish media might be added in as well.
I thought the police statement was an absolute disgrace, there has never been one instance at a European night of any misbehaviour by Celtic fans at Celtic Park and have been attending these fixtures for 25 years, has the top cop ever heard of EVIDENCE, would have thought it was significant in his job!

proddie
6 years ago

I never understood BR always being so tolerant when we get stuffed by seven odd goals in Europe.
Maybe its psychology, maybe he’s just covering his own arse.
I like the guy, I just get concerned that he seems too quick and too content to hoist up the white flag.

Celtic Symphony
6 years ago

I find it difficult to read you,Ralph.
If you’re not being negative,you are overly positive,’re a result tonight.
Brendan is being realistic,he knows how difficult these games are with Zenit.Factor in,a horrendous injury list,and he talks sense.
Yes,I am hopeful,the underdogs(us),can pull of a shock result.Would be our best result of the season,if we could.
As I said yesterday,these games DO NOT define our season.An historical Treble,with so many players out,would be a great achievement.
KTF HH

Mike
6 years ago

Great Diary Ralphy, one of your best and you hit every nail right on the head. I hate to hear any kind of defeatist talk, I cannot abide it. I hope the players listen to our support and take heart from it, it can lift the team to a better performance. GIRUT.

Devoy and Rebus, we need to hear your points of view, please come back on and talk about all things Celtic. COYBIG.

Celtic Symphony
6 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Is Brendan not allowed to be pragmatic,Mike ?
He’s being realistic,not defeatist.
Like I am also.He would be a bit more confident, if he was not down to the bare bones ‘re team selection.
I will go tonight,as I always do,with hope in my heart.We pull off a shock ? Great !
However,like many on here,if we get beat,I won’t be putting the boot in.
Faithful through and through.HH

6 years ago

Still you try and build your own team up with a bit of confidence. Rodgers is predicting his own team loses. Even Ronny wouldn’t say shit like that. It’s a craven way to go about things

Celtic Symphony
6 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

Sorry,Ian,I’m 100% in agreement with BR in his approach.He knows the knives are being sharpened,before a ball is kicked.
He’s outlining the facts.
Now,in the dressing room,he’ll be motivating the players,by telling them everybody has written them off.What a great result it would be,if they managed a win,under the circumstances.That is what he will be saying to the players.
He’s a clever Manager,who knows his stuff.We’re lucky to have him.
Regards,Ian.HH

Mike
6 years ago

Symphony, I have heard the same lines in this song book for every European game, its not the way to instil confidence in the players, if they go on the park with those words ringing in their ears, beaten before the game begins. I ask myself why are there so many players out injured, playing to many games perhaps or something is not quite right, certainly the players get no protection from the “masons in the black” so what do we do to fix it, we bring in players who can handle the opposition and take the cards that come with the territory
but make the point that, if you dish it out, you get it back. Every successful team has its hard men who can play. Bringing in young players is fine, but the team needs a percentage of older mature players, players who know the game and can handle the rough stuff. I believe in Brendan, but he is still developing himself, if he doesn’t have the players who can handle the pressure and the rough and tumble, then he needs to be banging on Lawwells door demanding that he gets them in, the money is there, its in the accounts, we are after all a football club and our wonderful support who put it there wants some of it spent on players.
I also will be at Paradise, singing my face of, trying to encourage MY team. God Bless the Celtic.

Celtic Symphony
6 years ago
Reply to  Mike

You can be sure,he’s motivating the players,by telling them how much of a massive win it would be.
Injuries ? Very unlucky.Didn’t happen last season,not down to training routines etc.
Yes,BR has said himself,early days for him at Celtic.He knows the market.He likes developing players,adding quality like Sinclair into the equation.
In 2003,Celtic had the 5th biggest wage bill in Britain.Let that sink in.
Average players(one footed)get 50k in EPL ?
Can we compete with them ? No.
We have to shop around in Europe.Always a risk(Kouassi) as we don’t see these players playing.
Brendan will lead us to more glory,bud.
HH COYBIG

desdamoaner
6 years ago

wish he’d be pragmatic on the park instead of off it. We’ll be wide open again tonight and still manage to isolate our own attackers

Daniel Docherty
6 years ago

I hope he allows our team to be pragmatic on the field as well losing only teaches you how to lose

Doc
6 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Spot on, Mike. Negativity spreads, with some of the attitudes its like being given a Mercedes and moaning because its not a Ferrari. We need to stop worrying about players that don’t want to be here and support those that do.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

Ralph,excellent today,you turned up.Have to thank Real Madrid for wiping the smiles off the faces of the financially doped team plus ratbag Naymare should’ve been off for simulation after being booked for a right hack.Thought we couldn’t do that in Europe? Must thank BR for his call to arms at the presser.Did Monti and John write the script? Congratulations to greyheid,£30 to me for calling it.Remember the guy who told you 2 players were carrying injuries,first up,Best CH outside of Celtic,Aura of Calmness etc,next is………it’s the bloody training,maybe you’ll begin to listen.
See the keepers on the coaches and minibuses,are they any good? Signed Not very good defence(bricking it wing)…..

Broxburnbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Rob O'Keeffe

You think Real Madrid are not financially doped?

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Broxburnbhoy

BBhoy,I simply pointed out that I was glad to see a financially doped team,who humiliated us on and off the park,get beaten.As for Real,I refer you to an interesting article……How Real Madrid surprisingly came to dominate the Champions League….www.espn.co.uk>blog>post….11th Sept 2017…..very interesting…..

Andy Borland
6 years ago

“I dropped my shoulder & threw that Ralph Malph fella a dummy Browny.”
“Really boss?”
“Lightweight lily livered lollygaggers? We’ll fecking show ’em!”
Broony sniggers ….

Mike Annis
6 years ago

Bloody hell Ralph you’re one depressing sod today. Hope all the knives in the house are hidden. Despite being shite, despite having a crap manager, despite having players with no bottle etc etc we are still in Europe after Christmas. Relax, lighten up, take the tablets and ffs cheer up, you’re bringing us all down.

Bognorbhoy
6 years ago

Caption

Hey broonie did you see the amount of Valentine’s cards teacake got ?

Noelskytrot
6 years ago

Ralph,
I share your optimism and hope we get right into Zenit from the off, no shirking or fucking about, we’ve nowt to lose, so heres hoping we get right into them and hopefully take a decent lead to Russia.

Caption…BR “when Putin phoned me Broony” I said we’re the “Green and White Army, not the Red Army.”

I’m as sick as a hun on admin day but nothing will stop me from travelling to the game tonight, the things you do for your love of your club.

Off topic but reading the stuff from the DUP regarding the failure to get the power sharing Executive up and running again, it seems that they have all the self awareness of a curtain pole, thick bigots who are stuck in the past.

A wee question for the comrades on here. Best free kick you’ve saw by a Celtic player? I said to my partners son,, either, Naka’s at CP against Man U or Provan’s in the SC final in 85

jimmybee
6 years ago
Reply to  Noelskytrot

Nakas for me m8 to do it insuch a game and no keeper in the world would have saved it.

Noelskytrot
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Cheers for the relpy, JBee.

Doc
6 years ago
Reply to  Noelskytrot

Naka’s is best but I loved Thompson’s cheeky under the wall against Liverpool.

Noelskytrot
6 years ago
Reply to  Doc

Cheers Doc.

Doc
6 years ago
Reply to  Noelskytrot

Special mention for John Collins.

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  Noelskytrot

Its no a caption, but for me its a winner:

“I’m as sick as a hun on admin day but nothing will stop me from travelling to the game tonight, the things you do for your love of your club.”

HAIL HAIL !!

Noelskytrot
6 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

Cheers, BB. Still in my kip absolutely fecked. Walking down the Gallowgate on my way home was tortorous.

greyheid
6 years ago

Caption

‘Don’t look Scott! – But that bearded guy back there in the bushes watching you – isn’t that Craig Levein?’

Noelskytrot
6 years ago
Reply to  greyheid

Greyheid,

Chuckled at that.

greyheid
6 years ago
Reply to  Noelskytrot

Cheers!

6 years ago

No Brendan I can’t see Seville getting another final in the foreseeable future. Don’t like his comments here. Starting to question his interviewing integrity. You don’t say shit like that

CD
6 years ago

BJF , never been any instances of misbehaviour from tic fans in 25 years ? You forgetting the muppet that got on the pitch to try and attack Paris player few months ago ?

Daziekanowski's nightclub child
6 years ago

Caption: ‘I told the media that you are all shite!’

jimmybee
6 years ago

Brendans only saying what we all say.
We cant get top players its as simple as that.
No one wants to play up here now unless they can get to the premiership quicker.
Times have moved on from those great days of Martins time. Football has changed sky has ensured that.It takes a top manager to bring top players who otherwise wouldnt be here.
Or a top scout who can get in before the rest. Scottish football needs fresh ideas.
Summer football to stop those horrendous plastic pitches for a start.A bigger league to stop this 4 times a season pish. A stop to the split which is the most unfair system i have ever witnessed where clubs have to go to an away ground for the 3rd time.
Scottish football needs to freshen up, its the same old same old.
Funny how the talk of reorg has died since sevco came up wonder why?
No one gives a monkeys about scottish football down here in England.
They did when the lions played, they did when Martins team played because we beat them. We could hold our own. Now all they see is a mediocre Celtic and a very poor sevco.
The game isnt even advertised in any pub even though they have Arsenal on earlier.
The powers that be have killed our game. The wee clubs who voted against sky killed it

The clowns that have ran our game have killed it.
So we are left with players who deserve our full support. They are the ones who need us the most.
So tonight get behind them one and all, let them know from the off we are behind the team and give us those magical nights that only Celtic can do.
With hope in our heart and a 4 leaf clover on our chest this us our city these are our colours Glasgow is Green and White.
COYBIG

Mike
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Little men, just stand aside,
we all know what it is, that you are trying to hide,
little men, change your tune,
follow, follow Regan, the conflicted balloon.

Mr. Petrie and McRae,
those two clowns, at the head of the SFA.
Wisen up, its time for you to go,
its time for honest men, to lead the show.

Noelskytrot
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

“so we’re left with players who deserve our full support”, “they are the ones who need us the most”

JBee,

that’s what supporting Celtic is. Well put mate. When it’s on top, we need to be the same.

Lavvy1888
6 years ago

If any goals are conceded tonight it won’t be from skilful play by the opposition, it will be from unforced errors as per.

Broxburnbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Lavvy1888

Hard saying not knowing

Iljas Baker
6 years ago

WIsh it were mind games, but don’t think so.He’s preparing the fans for a defeat. How might the players react if they read this: Not: “I’ll prove him wrong” to be sure.More like:”Is there any point in busting a gut?” This isn’t the way to inspire players or fans.

Let’s face it, we all expected the team to make a fist of the Europa League but the transfer window just showed how that wasn’t really the plan.

BR never mention his own weaknesses, only his successes and brilliant coaching skills. Is he preparing himself for a move down south. “I was brilliant but couldn’t attract the right players and the pitches were woeful. Down here I can work wonders. Just hire me and you’ll see.”

Broxburnbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Iljas Baker

We can speculate how the players might take it. Hard saying not knowing and we are unaware of what Brendan is saying behind closed doors.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Broxburnbhoy

Unless some of us do know……it’s that c word,again…..

Honest hoops
6 years ago

Let’s get straight into their faces from the off and keep the tempo high….2-0 to the Celts..time to replant the fortress..

BJF
6 years ago

CD my understanding of the police statement it was aimed st the Celtic support attacking Zenit fans in and around the ground or generally st the GB. I don’t believe it was intended to be aimed at an individual nutter, how can any club or indeed police prevent one individual behaving like that, a bit nit picky and missing the point?

jimmybee
6 years ago
Reply to  BJF

BJF the police have a fuckin cheek,as they allowed Ajax to run riot in the gallowgate

bawsman
6 years ago

Manager calls it spot on. If you go breenging in you end up with less players on the park, we canny play ‘the Scottish way’ in Europe, ask Broonie?
We need 100% effort and the breaks to go our way and not theirs, the game is about fine margins and a lot of the time the rub of the green is the difference.
League cup done
Big points lead in the lead
Europe after Santa
Cut the gaffer/team some slack FFS, they players have also played more minutes than any other team in the world to this point in the season.
Always up for it. Hail x2

Brian (not the messiah)
6 years ago

Cheesy old joke for the ocasion
What do you call a Rusian defender?
Ivanac of nickinthemov

It’s when we are not expected to win in Europe that we are at our best.
David Marshall v Barcelona. Everyone expected us to get hammered. When the celtic park crowd expect to win they moan and groan more, when they are fully supporting we are invincible. COYBIG

Bongo
6 years ago

Brendan – That prick on e-tims thinks I was being serious.

Broony – do you think he’ll be up for ‘Knob of the Week’ after our performance tonight.

Doc
6 years ago

Can’t believe how negative Rodgers is about tonight’s game, this stuff about not being able to attract players is nonsense. He cites wages and astroturf pitches seemingly oblivious to the fact that Zenit also can’t pay the same wages as the CL ‘big teams’, play on more astroturf pitches than we do and the temperature can reach -35.

We know there are mercenaries in the game, it was hammered home nearly thirty years ago when that treacherous scumbag went to ibrox. Even Barcelona lost naemark to the prospect of more money.

According to Rodgers, every European team we play are world beaters and we’re lucky just to be there, he is talking up our opponents far too much, he said PSG would be the CL “eventual winners” but they didn’t do too well last night against a Madrid team that’s fourth in La Liga and 17 points adrift.

De Vries
Lustig Hendry Jozo Tierney
Brown Ntcham
McGregor
Forrest Dembele Edouard

Caption: Billy Connolly visits Lennoxtown.

Brian (not the messiah)
6 years ago
Reply to  Doc

In fairness Doc Brendan doesnt have the wages or transfer budget that mancini has how you can claim any different is factually incorrect. They have spent over £76m this season alone whereas Brendan has spent less than £10m. Mancini would be taking Home a tidy paypacket also!

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/schnellsuche/ergebnis/schnellsuche?query=Celtic&x=0&y=0

Ps ralph you may have put the jinx on bitton for selecting him in defence in your best line up earlier un the week

Brian (not the messiah)
6 years ago
Doc
6 years ago

I’m not claiming we have more money than Zenit, just pointing out that even Barca have lost top players to the prospect of more money. It’s something that almost every club in the world has to deal with, but we seem to deal with it badly.

broxburnbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Doc

because Brac and other get 200M per player, they can spend 200 million to replace. Kind of simple

Doc
6 years ago
Reply to  broxburnbhoy

You’ve hit the nail on the head, the money we make should be re-invested in the first team to replace and improve on the players we lose.

Brian (not the messiah)
6 years ago
Reply to  broxburnbhoy

Sounds like sound financial logic (in a sevco kind of way!!)

broxburnbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Doc

You missed the point Doc. Its the amount of money that makes the difference. we get the odd 10 mill here and there they get 200m

Brian (not the messiah)
6 years ago
Reply to  Doc

The top salaries in the Russian Premier League: 2015

1: Hulk, Zenit €7 million

2=: Aleksandr Kokorin, Dinamo €5 million
2=: Ezequiel Garay, Zenit €5 million

4: Javi Garcia, Zenit €4.5 million

5: Vedran Corluka, Lokomotiv €4.4 million
6=: Igor Denisov, Dinamo €4 million
6=: Axel Witsel, Zenit €4 million

8: Mbark Boussoufa, Lokomotiv €3.9 million

9: Manuel Fernandes, Lokomotiv €3.8 million

10: Artyom Dzyuba, Zenit €3.6 million

11: Danny, Zenit €3.4 million

12: Christopher Samba, Dinamo €3.3 million

13: Aleksandr Kerzhakov, Zenit €3 million

14=: Salvatore Bocchetti, Spartak €2.7 million
14=: Roman Shirokov, Spartak €2.7 million

16=: Igor Akinfeev, CSKA €2.5 million
16=: Gökdeniz Karadeniz, Rubin €2.5 million
16=: Aleksandr Samedov, Lokomotiv €2.5 million
16=: Yura Movsisyan, Spartak €2.5 million
16=: Oleg Shatov, Zenit €2.5 million

CD
6 years ago

BJF , its always just one or two individual nutters usually with too much booze in them who cause us the embarrassment in these type of situations , as we know by far the majority of Celtic fans are well behaved in any circumstances, and long may that continue

BJF
6 years ago

CD you are spot on mate, I am not anti police but sometimes I wishb they would try an approach like: “Massive game at Celtic Par, 60,000 in attendance but Police Scotland is confident the Cektic support will do their club proud as ever.
Confession my daughter and I were coming out of Tannadice 20 years ago Celtic and Dundee United supporters exiting together, no issues, and then a rain of bottles from Celtic supporters above us came in, she never lets me forget it and she was only 13 at the time, better days now!

jimmybee
6 years ago
Reply to  BJF

BJF I remember that well m8 those Celtic casuals with their stupid hats fuckin clowns,they got ran out the jungle every game.

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  BJF

Ah remember witnessing as ah was coming oot Tannadicelate 70’s ( or mibbei Dens Park ) but there was a running battle between fans, police horses etc…full on 70’s fightin. Nothin mentioned on the news or newspapers the next day. Strange.

desdamoaner
6 years ago

like to see a bit of the Valencia / benfica / lyon spirit at least some of the time tonight. attack them and keep attacking them, from both sides.
and get the shape right at the back, no more get by one player and you’re in defending please.

Joe in London
6 years ago

I love the debate on here about pragmatism over optimism. I am never happy when Celtic go into a game overly confident. I think he have produced some of our greatest results when we adopt a siege mentality. But to be clear; Brendans job is NOT to “say what we all say”.

I don’t think any of us disagree with what Brendan says. The problem is that in recent European adventures, we have tended to dwell; gaps in money, experience, whatever. The praise we heaped on PSG pre and post getting thumped annoyed me a fair bit.

When Lenny took the reigns he talked about brining the fire back – and he did. Brendan just needs to stoke it a wee bit. He needs to rile EVERYONE up. The gap exists as it did against Man U, Milan, Barca..

Honesty, pragmatism and realism about the money and skills gap are fine, but I think I have had enough of the reality check. We are already a very well informed fan base. I want to hear more about the players believing they can out run them, out work them and ultimately beat them. I want anger/hunger. foam at the mouth.. I want to hear what I imagine is going through Scott Browns head when is lines up in the tunnel.

I think Brendan is immense and I love the direction of the club, our style of play and they way we are run now.. but I want someone to raise temperature a couple of degrees.

Monti
6 years ago

On a forklift three day training course today, three of us.
The tutor is a hun & was asking the guys what team they liked…..then he came to me, let’s just say i quickly asked him about stripping titles 🙂
For the next half hour there was an almost full blooded argument….the two other boys sat there and didn’t say a word….it got quite heated.
The cunt was going down the road that they didn’t cheat???

I don’t expect to pass my licence.

jimmybee
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Run him over

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

According to Scottish football they apparently didn’t.It’s moving on time.Take care not to reverse over the tutor 54 going on 55 times.That would be a shame……

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Staunch as.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

Bondagebrian,
” shut the fuck up Donny “

Noelskytrot
6 years ago

Monti, they got a licence to join the SPL back in the day by the most nefarious means. Cheating fucks. I hope his non progressive outlook doesn’t prevent you from doing so, then again!!!!

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Noelskytrot

Noel/Jimmybee,

It was an astonishing start to the day, the two other guys just put their pen down and gave up….
I tore right intae the cunt, Full Monti mode at 09:00 in the morning.

Fuck him….he knows who i am now!

jimmybee
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

🙂 need that attitude the night m8 from the guys on the parl

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Pure radical.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

” Woo peed on your rug “

Mike
6 years ago

Little men, stand aside,
we all know what it is that you are trying to hide,
Little men, change your tune,
and Follow, Follow, Regan, the conflicted balloon.

Mr. Petrie and McRae,
two clowns at the head of the SFA
Wisen up, its time to go,
Time for Honest men, to lead the show.

Don’t look back and shut the door on your way out!!

Una
6 years ago

Caption:

Broony i think we might actually win 2night.

Celtic Symphony
6 years ago
Reply to  Una

Caption:

Broony,” Una’s sources,said you’re going to Chelski,by the end of the week ? ”

Brendan,” Lol,surprised it was Una and not Ralph who said it.”

Donegal
6 years ago

Just a test to embed an image

comment image

Tommybhoy
6 years ago

Caption: Hey Broony did you see the latest list of money making ideas from the huns? It’ll make you pee your shorts.

Honest hoops
6 years ago

Monti,they are not worth arguing with as the majority of them are thick as ferk….I had a debate with one of them on Tuesday and he is a season ticket holder and I pointed out that he has put more money into the club than pontoon eyes king has…to say he lost all dignity is an understatement…frothing and spitting at the mouth…made my day though

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Honest hoops

HH,
I like to argue with them m8….

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

WOW.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

You just had a hit from the bong?

jimmybee
6 years ago
Tommybhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

That was the last cup final i was at. Been in America since 1987.

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  Tommybhoy

Tommy ah was livin in Holland, came back for he gemm then straight back ti Europe. Last Scottish Cup final for me N aw.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

Scotland is in Europe!!!
I blame the Schools.

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Roaster circa 1989: “Sir, ah really want ti be an asbestos removalist when ah leave school”

Teacher: “With no O’levels that’s a good choice young Roaster”

jimmybee
6 years ago
jimmybee
6 years ago
jimmybee
6 years ago
jimmybee
6 years ago
Cartvale88
6 years ago

Caption
Told you boss PSG were shite

We can only live in hope, playing Zenit tonight if we go at them from the first minute we could turn them over. Playing friendliest for a few weeks will have affected them.

Ref the polis, usual pish, no your place. There attitude towards anything Celtic is crap. Do not remember any attempt to charge the morons that made monkey gestures at Sinclair.

BJF
6 years ago

Has to be Naka but I was in a great angle to see David Provan’s kick wonderful. Jimmy Bee right about the
Ajax issue, I was walking onto the Gallowgate with my son that night and a guy stopped us and said don’t go that way they are attacking Celtic supporters in a pub. Actually we weren’t going that way but the warning was appreciated, could Police Scotland have anticipated it, could they have got to the pubs quicker?
Anyway tonight is getting closer I am getting nervous or is it excited, off to Glasgow in an hour and a half feel wevwill
lay a glove on them, possibly irrational but hey ho.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

As financial matters and Liebrox Sound have raised their heads today.Someone doesn’t even like Real Madrid?
Anyway,moral discussion at work,mixed attendance.Concerning finance and how you accumulate some of it.You have a “team” that plays in your league(for the moment).Their supporters absolutely detest your club,team,everything to do with you and blatantly and loudly break the law when they turn up at Your stadium,singing outrageous songs and chanting filth.Do you:a:Say nope,no £49 tickets for thousands of you,just £1 for the minimum amount allowed under the “rules”.b:Say nope to taking thousands of tickets to visit their hovel,thus not helping keep the lights on and not encouraging their supporters to think that they matter or c:Money is money,filthy lucre acceptable.Business as usual,but greet about the “people” that turn up indulging in the way you know they will and don’t bother that these same supporters supported a club/company that cheated you for many years and went bust.d:Greet about the big boys in Europe having more money than you so you lower your expectations as you can’t possibly compete when,domestically,you are cash rich compared to the opposition who seem capable of competing against you and occasionally get results.Mind you,Trebles are Trebles.Just be careful how you make some of your cash like,those pesky foreigners …….

jimmybee
6 years ago

They knew m8 what was going to happen,when a game is on the gallowgate is full of polis that night no one in sight.
Poor guy behind the hoops bar got a right going over,fair play to him he gave it a go.
Enjoy it m8 I need to miss out tonight as I’m doun souf nightshift. But the daughter and the grandson will be there.
Let’s hope the bhoys give it laldy.
COYBIG

jimmybee
6 years ago

Aye they phoned up ,asked if they could train and get world class breakfast, it was griffs phone,he said yer clubs deid m8

jimmybee
6 years ago

Caption: Charlie’s fuckin booked a chateau in Lyon,and jimmybee is going tae, fuckin eejits.

Mike
6 years ago

History is great, great to see history being made on the park, a couple of weeks ago Kilmarnock made history at their midden, how did they achieve it, they brought the pitch in and packed the defence with blooteres, that’s how. Simple tactics for simpletons, pack the middle of the park and narrow the pitch and then leave your foot in.
If you hurt the opposition players when you do it….result.
Now I would never advocate doing all of that….mibbee, but it seems to me that the stakes are high tonight, especially with so many players out injured, we need some kind of positive result tonight to help with our co-efficient. I would love to see us play like we did against Man. City, Gladbach, Aberdeen even, with a high press and the players working their balls of, getting right up the rear of the Russians, they dinny like it up them, no by golly they don’t. So to hell with the sand shoe shuffle from the back, crisp passing, break fast and get tore into them, if you canny win pretty, then win dirty, because a mans a man fur awe that, fur awe that. Make us proud. COYBIG.

Monti
6 years ago

Fuck the moaning
Fuck the pessimism

JUST GET WIRED IN FROM THE FUCKING FIRST WHISTLE CELTIC!

COME ON THE HOOPS!

jimmybee
6 years ago

451 tonight
Too much of a risk to play any other way.
De Vries
Gamboa Lustig Ajer Tierney
Forrest Brown Ntcham Bitton McGregor
Dembele.
Forrest and McGregor can back track best
Ntcham to play the number 10 Bitton to play defensive midfielder in front of the back 4
Kkep it tight then we can bring on Sinclair Charlie and Edouard when they tire final 20 mins. Fuckin easy
COYBIG.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Bitton out for rest of season JB,training injury…..

TicToc
6 years ago
Reply to  Rob O'Keeffe

So Rob/anyone, what the fuck is going on at Lennoxtown?
A WHOLE TEAM OF INJURIES!!
We’ve fucking ‘sports scientists’, all sorts of ‘coaches’, including ‘defensive’ ones, dietary restrictions and fuck knows what all………Jesus H Christ, I ask again, what the fuck is going on at Lennoxtown?
How would wee Jinky (arguably the ‘best ever’ Celt) have viewed all this PISH and could it have ‘improved’ him? My arse it could! He was just a remarkable player and mhan.
They’re trying to ‘run’ fucking robots off a capitalist-contrived conveyor belt whilst us fans are just ignored; but, EVEN WORSE the bastards, generally, ARE NOT succeeding.
FC not PLC
HH

jimmybee
6 years ago

Jamesy first goal 9/1 get in

Monti
6 years ago

Defensive line up from the start…….no Sinclair?

Cortes
6 years ago

Caption: No shittin’, Scott, McLeish is the new manager.

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