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Seven Games To Seven In A Row

Hector Bandido reminds us that we’re living through a little piece of history, and to enjoy every minute of it

 

 

Seven games to go to seven in a row. Has a magical ring to it, doesn’t it? Celtic being twelve points ahead the league is in the bag and it’s only a matter of when, not if, the title will be staying at Paradise for a seventh successive season. 
 
  The number seven has a special place in Celtic’s history. It’s the number of goals Celtic famously pumped past Rangers in the league cup final of the late 1950s. To this day a record score in a Scottish and British cup final. The number ‘7’ was also worn by the three of our greatest ever players, Jimmy Johnstone, Kenny Dalglish and Henrik Larsson and is now regarded as an iconic shirt number. Here’s hoping we sign Paddy Roberts this summer and he can continue the legend of 7…we can but dream! Bringing it back to the league title, if (when) we win 7IAR it will only be the second time in Celtic’s 140 year history the club has managed to win seven successive league championships. 
 
  You are part of one of the greatest eras in Celtic’s history.
 
  Having just witnessed an invincible, undefeated, treble winning, trophy laden campaign last term, expectations this season have been through the roof. Many Supporters have been demanding more of the same with a very small minority even complaining about the manager…Yep, I don’t get it either. In saying that it’s only a small percentage and in most cases their panic is possibly brought on by believing some sections of the Scottish process they profess to not read! In many ways Brendan Rodgers and his players have been a victim of their own success due to an unparalleled undefeated season in the history of Scottish, British and possibly even European professional football. When you raise the bar so unexpectedly high after the inconsistency of the previous incumbent then expectations/excitement, realistic or not, can go sky high…
 
  I’m not disputing the football on show this season has been of a same swashbuckling standard as 2016/17 but there’s also a multitude of reasons for this being the case and they are primarily called Roberts, Rogic, Armstrong, Dembele and Griffiths. Those five have suffered a catalogue of injuries and it’s only now in April, for the first time this season, all five of those vital players are now fully fit and available to the manager for selection. Remove that level of goals, guile, pace, movement, skill, energy and match winning capabilities from any team and it’s going to have an impact.
 
  To be here on the cusp of 7 in-a-row, with the league cup tucked away already, having won the past 4 Domestic trophies and with a chance of winning back to back trebles for the first time ever in fantastic. Add in consecutive appearances in the Champions League, following a three year gap, and the additional number of extremely tough games this and international duty has added to our players match schedule, makes what we are watching even more incredible.
 
  The one area for improvement for me (see that expectations bar being raised comment earlier!) is to not only reach the Champions League but to see Brendan set out a team who will not get steamrollered by the core of 8-10 financially elite teams. I’d like to see a touch of pragmatism but a large part of me also admires Brendan’s philosophy in not parking the bus and allowing younger players to learn with the hope/aspiration they’ll be suitably equipped to push on after 2-3 years of experience playing at the top level. There’s also the sad reality that the core elite clubs have just pushed onto a different financial stratosphere the past couple of seasons and no matter how frustrating it may be, and we may claim the occasional financial big boy scalp, but we also know the competition is financially rigged to suit the five greedy leagues of the European game. 
 
  Getting back to the domestic platform, you are witnessing history. Soak every single second of what you are seeing, what you are part of right up as this is a great era. You are part of something special and seeing a level of success that is only one of three or four truly golden periods of Celtic’s entire history.
 
  Here’s to the magic number ‘7’ and here’s to Brendan Rodgers and our Celtic players on another terrific campaign..
 
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charlie
5 years ago

great article ………like somebody said aint life grand ha ha ha ha ……….and we got to watch the huns die anaw

John Morahan
5 years ago

Hail Hail well written

Mike
5 years ago

A great read Hector, canny wait for your 10 IAR. article, my preferred number combination is 67. Loved that green graphic, it reminds me of something or someone that I met some 3 years back, now what was it, I know it began with T.

jimmybee
5 years ago

Condolences to the family and friends of Ray Wilkins who has passed away.
RIP Ray always liked how you played the game.

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago

Well said.
I think the main stumbling block this Season has been the ongoing problems in defence.
Injuries,erratic form and players below the requirements needed at the sharp end in Europe have cost us no end.
I hope and pray we bring in a quality GK RB and CB in the near future to bolster what we already have.
To lose just 2 domestic games in 2 full seasons would be something quite remarkable for any Celtic side given our approach to playing the game on the front foot.

Long may this continue.
HH

Mike
5 years ago

People keep going on about the defence being the problem, but the reality is…the defence has only conceded 20 goals with only seven games remaining, that puts the defence on course for the same amount of goals conceded last season..25. The so called problem this season compared to last season is the eight draws, that is the problem.

5 years ago

They conceded seven in one night

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

The goals conceded relate to the SPFL only, we are not talking about the C.L. against PSG, and the HUGE gulf in monies. Hectors article is about the SPFL.
The total goals scored in the SPL last season was 106.
The total goals scored so far this season is……62.
The problem that we had this season is with serious injuries to key players, Dembelle, Griff. Roberts, Armstrong, Rogic, that seriously reduced the players who could score or create goals, bare in mind the 4 conceded in one game against the jam tarts.
So serous loss of key players and the 8 draws so far, compared to the total 4 draws last season is the problem, the stats don’t lie.
IMO the two centre-backs especially young AJER and Hendry with K.T. means that the back four should be good for next season, with just a r.b. to come in, but only if young Ralston is not ready to step up.

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Ye can’t compare this Season to last Mike that was a one off.
We have been miles off the pace this Season and that starts from the back right through the side.
Injuries have hit the attack and defence in equal measure.

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago

Would love to have seen some parking of the bus.After the CL “campaign ” it’s been brutal as BR stated recently.We are nearly there though and although we have a massive financial advantage over all the moving on clubs,a Double Treble would even bring a tear to my Republican eyes.
Hopefully turncoat McCann totally loses the plot at Parkhead tonight,wee EBT t.ss.r…..

Iain in Alberta
5 years ago

Couldn’t agree more Mike. We have to remember that not just our forwards have been injured this season but also Boyata has bee injured for large parts of the season thus keeping our goals against tally down, he he. Ajer and Hendry are class defenders. Watching Hendry pass and move the ball he reminds me of Rogic in his style. Ralston has been playing for Dutd so he is gaining experience.
RS Ronnie Simpson

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago

Wardrop has also been playing for Dumbarton at RB too.

charlie
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

sodgerboy the hun would drop a war anywhere its how he earns his corn …..personally a pity um

Mike
5 years ago

I like the physicality of young Ajer, he is a determined young player,
said it before and will repeat it, he is going to be a big, big star.
Young Hendry, has a calmness, a confidence that only the really good players have, he IMO is more suited to the way Celtic play than Ajer.
How great it would be to see young Ralston with his robustness moving
up the right side with pace and K.T. up the left, just think of that back line, with Bain who comes out for cross balls at the back. It just might be that the back four with Bain in goal gives us the defence that we have craved. Magic. Its a funny auld game Gov.
A team for the present and the future, World domination beckons.
but the Glasgow bhoys will keep their feet fixed to the floor.
Hope Big Billy is keeping alright, love ya Billy.

jimmybee
5 years ago

Tonights verdict from the wee grandson PISH

jimmybee
5 years ago

Poor once again and if this was Ronnie in charge all hell would be breaking loose.
Im sick of watching this pish to be honest.
We havent had a decent show at home this season.
Playing McGregor at left back is criminal.
Only Gordon, Lustig and Forrest for me with pass marks tonight.
Boyata has to go enough is enough.
Edouard is a poor mans Samaras.Not worth the money the transfer fee they want for him.
Really let down tonight off to fuckin bed.!

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

If I have said this once I will have said this 100 times…
Why play with a back 4 when a side comes to CP playing 1 up and 5 in defence?
Go with 3 and push the FB’s up if 3 defenders canny handle 1 Striker then they should be nowhere near a Celtic jersey.

It’s Dundee Brendan not Dortmund

charlie
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

if ive said this wance a wulnae say it again ……..enjoy hell zombie

Macca
5 years ago

Indeed, no Roberts, no Ntcham, no Griffiths and why sign Musonda and never play him. Was opportunity to run over Dundee tonight. Should have been setting up to score 5 or 6 against a v poor team. ‍♂️ Utter pish and Brendan needs to have a look at himself

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago

…blame Boyata 🙂

Macca
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Charlie S, Boyata was shite (again) but blame Brendan

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Macca

Hendry was superb I heard 😉

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

We’ve won a fuckin double but tae some that disny matter
Dropping points a crime they simply blame Boyata
Players canny make a simple pass or canny pass watter
Simply go to default and blame big Boyata
Dembele well off form is he looking fatter?
He’s a GB darling so just blame Boyata
Dembele could well be going he could be saying ta ta
Some ignore his form and blame yer man Boyata
Brendan’s keeping cool for he is no mad hatter
You will point and boo but he still plays Boyata
Calm doon we’ll win the League Hakuna Matata
So ffs gei him peace and stop blaming big Boyata

Macca
5 years ago

Mate of mine not renewing his season tickets x 2. Going with rugby next year citing shit product on offer. Can’t say I blame him. Poor entertainment. Poor value.

charlie
5 years ago
Reply to  Macca

ha ha fuck your mate tellum tae join the dug walkin club like saiz

charlie
5 years ago

has anybody seen saiz and macca in the same room ha ha ha ha ………….i think not

charlie
5 years ago

wan fur awe the hun lurkers

charlie
5 years ago
Reply to  charlie
charlie
5 years ago

jimmy b celtic are tellin them pick a day for the decider ha ha aint it grand watchin them squirm

charlie
5 years ago
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