Menu Close

Celtic Diary Monday April 9: Another Day, Another Three Points

Celtic beat Hamilton 2-1. And thats about all we can take from yesterdays game, although it was what the side set out to do.

Another game where Celtic did well until they reached the final third, whereupon the predictable sidieways football kicked in, and yet again a defence was allowed to regroup and get in the way.

The style was epitomised when Charley Musonda, an adventurous attacking sort, made a few yards, and then passed backwards. Chelsea will be delighted. He’s having the football coached out of him.

Celtic have had 93 shots on goal in our last 4 games and scored only 5 goals. Thats not great, and whatever reason is offered for such a poor return, something isn’t working.

But do we change a system that has the club on the verge of a historic back to back treble ?

Yesterday, Celtic were 2-1 ahead when Musonda took to the field, he was following instructions,  as the three points were there to be lost. Had he gone forward and lost possession, and Hamilton scored from the breakaway, then we’d have been a little fraught about it.

He did what he was asked, and we won.

Celtic were facing ten men after Hamilton lost their Lyon, who had roared around for a bit with the eye of the tiger before finally accumulating so many fouls that even Andrew Dallas felt obliged to send him off. That can create, and probably did create, a siege mentality among the home players. Which is why it finished only 2-1.

Anyhoo, Celtic won,  and we move on, despite the usual grumbles about style and content.

Scottish Premiership 2017/18
# Team Pl W D L F A GD Pts Last 6
1 Celtic 33 22 9 2 64 21 43 75
2 Rangers 33 19 5 9 67 38 29 62
3 Aberdeen 33 19 5 9 50 36 14 62
4 Hibernian 33 16 11 6 49 35 14 59
5 Kilmarnock 32 14 10 8 43 38 5 52
6 Hearts 33 11 13 9 35 30 5 46
7 Motherwell 33 10 8 15 36 43 -7 38
8 St Johnstone 33 10 8 15 32 47 -15 38
9 Hamilton Academical 32 8 6 18 42 58 -16 30
10 Dundee 33 8 6 19 31 53 -22 30
11 Ross County 33 6 8 19 38 57 -19 26
12 Partick Thistle 33 6 7 20 26 57 -31 25

As it stands, one more win will secure a  seventh successive title.

But it will have to wait.

Thats because the SPFL have to discuss matters with the police, the TV companies , the clubs and everyone else except the fans, without whom, there would be no point in having a league.

Celtic aren’t allowed to play “rangers ” when a title can be won. Thats possibly our own fault as we took it rather badly when Rangers won the league at Celtic Park.

There is also a reluctance to have “rangers ” visit Celtic after the title is won as they would be expected to perform a roll of honour ( Are you sure you’ve got that right? -Ed )

And there is even more reluctance to have the hordes anywhere near the trophy presentation.

It is a pickle, isn’t it ?

Neil Doncaster, a proven incompetent, explained..

This is the 18th season that we have had a split league, and with the split comes, just a matter of logic, imbalances that may mean a club or clubs loses or gains a home fixture. And it will mean distortions in terms of the amount of times clubs play each other home or away.

“So there will be clubs that end up playing others three times away or three times at home.

“What’s important is that we go through the process of liaising with broadcasters and the police, as you’d expect.

“That is something that [SPFL secretary] Iain Blair is well used to doing over the last 18 years and he will do that over the coming days to ensure the best possible set of post-split fixtures, but also the appropriate scheduling.” 

 

The real problem lies in the system. a league should be where everyone plays everyone home and away equally, be it once or twice. What we actually have is one of those ideas that was put forward to try and spice things up a bit, but in actual fact by definition a league should have all competitors on an equal footing, facing exactly the same challenges.

And this set up doesn’t do that, yet doncaster wants us to see that as the “norm ”

All of those who run Scottish football can’t see that the system is laughably amateur, and so we now have the annual shuffle where the two Glasgow clubs must be equal but no one else is, thus destroying the integrity of the system.

But then again, the integrity in Scottish football left a long time ago, closing the door firmly behind it.

However, manager Brendan Rodgers wants the Ibrox club at Celtic Park to showcase Scottish football.

 

“It’s sad for Scottish football and it’s sad for society in Scotland. In any other country in the world they would look to play the game and showcase their football on telly – whether it was Real Madrid v Barcelona, Manchester United v Manchester City or AC Milan v Inter.

“They’d be falling over themselves to get it on the telly.

“For some reason, we can’t do that here which is a sad indictment of the world it is here at times.

“But if it’s one they want to do then they should do it and put it at an appropriate kick-off time and trust that people can behave themselves.

“Play the game and show it as a great advert for Scottish football. Don’t bury your head in the sand and hope things don’t happen.” 

Yes, but there isn’t another country in the world with a fan base quite like that of “rangers “.

If I were to tell you that I’ve heard of death threats to a Celtic supporter this week, which the police are aware of, would you believe me ? Or would you believe that those supporters are perfectly capable of doing this, which is perhaps a netter way of putting things ?

 

I’m awaiting clarification, though action may be taken before that comes through.

With that in mind, and you’ll have to trust me on this, I don’t see why we should even let their fans in. Ban the lot of them, and maybe the decent “rangers ” fans -or even the club-will sort it out.

A threat to life is a serious offence. And it should be addressed as such.

We’ll have to wait and see.

 

Celtic play “rangers ” at Hampden next week, and as the Ibrox side warmed up with a 4-0 win over a much more adventurous and fatigued side than Celtic faced, thats the signal for the media and their support to tell us they are coming again.

Its going to be a long week.

Saturdays caption..

Puggy67 April 7, 2018 at 8:50 pm · Edit · Reply →

Caption:My career was blessed, started with Weissmuller, then the Russian space programme, Tetley ads, happy days,..then that fat fuck Johnny Vegas ruined everything.

 

Today..

 

0 0 votes
Article Rating
62 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

RALPH

Yesterday was really the tin lid for me wi Musonda. Missed a one on one early,another from three yards later,mabaw wi virtually every free kick.

We’ve got a great player there,but not at the moment. Frankly he was more useful to us when he was injured than at the moment.

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

CAPTION

Shocking revelations that bootleggers are using charities to smuggle their wares.

(Original lost in cyberspace)

50 Shades of Green
5 years ago

Thatchers American granny caught red handed stealing the milk fae the weans.

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

Oh,straight in with a bullet!

I loathed Thatcher. She even robbed me of the pleasure of her death by contracting dementia.

TicToc
5 years ago

🙂

Brian (not the messiah)
5 years ago

Caption:
Daily Record canteen – feeding us the same shite since 1888

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

Good,but not good enough…

It didn’t exist in 1888. But if it had…

James61
5 years ago

Caption
Sevcos new catering division after Close Brothers foreclosed on the catering equipment
HH

Noelskytrot
5 years ago

The people in the caption photo look like extras from the oul Flash Gordon series, so…Caption….Merciless Ming steals foodbank provisions to donate to Tory foodbanks in the future.

I hope the Celtic players have remembered the huns “cheered” quote.

Cortes
5 years ago

Destiny and the rest of the Angel Interceptors are deployed to make sure “Spectrum is Green.”

Noelskytrot
5 years ago

With the game against the mutants approaching I’m going to post quotes each day to describe exactly what they are.

Brian Clough: “what team did you support again” ?
Man in the studio audience: “Rangers”!
Brian Clough: “That’s not a football team” that’s a gang of villians.”

Clough on the tv show Sport in Question

Johnjoe 6264
5 years ago

Totally unacceptable performance too many of them this season. Would be happy if Rodgers went to Arsenal, but it won’t happen he knows that he wouldn’t last 6 months at Arsenal a very over rated manager.

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Johnjoe 6264

Aye ok 😉

Noelskytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Johnjoe 6264

JJoe, in that case, who would in your opinion be his successor?

5 years ago
Reply to  Johnjoe 6264

Phuq aff ya tottie

Broxburnbhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Johnjoe 6264

Oh John joe – go back to follow follow and maybe w Meet who your next manager will be and will he be good enough to beat Brendan ? Let me guess – No

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Johnjoe 6264

Johnjoe,
Is it cold in our shadow ya hun fuck?

CarlJungleBhoy
5 years ago

BTW Ralph. Have you been taking Dutch lessons? “a netter way” = “a neater way” which I guess is pretty much what you meant 🙂

charlie
5 years ago

caption is that the new ibrox canteen it was advertised as canteen for yanks but was mispelt so the huns bought it

Honest hoops
5 years ago

As long as the ludge goat groomers are at the top of sfa spl and the police, then I’m afraid nothing moves on, they will cheat at any price to ensure their own propaganda is paramount, immature and very small minded….

charlie
5 years ago

big hal hail to the celtic academy 3rd behind barca and juve in the munchengladbach tournament COYBIG

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago

Four players I think would be attainable and make a difference to the current side:
1 French Goalkeeper Baptiste Reynet Dijon Fc Cost £4m

https://youtu.be/cG6wXnyDBTg

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

2 Wingback/Winger (both sides) Fabian Johnson Borussia M Gladbach
Cost £4.5m
Very experienced,quick and versatile player who can operate as a conventional Wingback or winger comfortably on either side of the park
As comfortable defending as he is attacking.

https://youtu.be/JnmMo_BTUUg

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

3 Left Winger Maxime Lestienne Malaga Fc Cost £2.5-3m
Very fast ,very skilled natural left winger 25 now and has experience in 5 different Leagues. Has fetched a previous fee of £9m.

https://youtu.be/_smAiWWxf7g

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

4 John McGinn CMF Hibernian cost £4-5m
No nonsense quality MF with similar attributes to Scott Brown.
In fact I think he could be the natural replacement for Brown when he retires.

https://youtu.be/9kUpL51YpaM

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz
Mike Annis
5 years ago

Caption: Russian very secret service warming up the Novichok.

Noelskytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike Annis

Mike A, had a wee chuckle at that one. Give it to Trump.

CarlJungleBhoy
5 years ago

Caption: Deep under Paisley Road West, secret volunteers (aka BlueBottles) store emergency supplies siphoned from Ibrox Parish Church in case the annual cheque for £16.90 to Scottish Water bounces

Noelskytrot
5 years ago

I see the Donald Trump of football has just launched his manager under the wheels of the bus. Murty should take for the hills. Recruitment is not King and the mutants boards strong point.

D J Smyth
5 years ago

Charlie, Any four footballers bought would change the Celtic Football team . One group of four may make us better another four would make us worse & ensure there would be no treble three times in a row

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  D J Smyth

Those 4 would make us better in my opinion hence why I suggested them.
I was going to suggest CB Alfie Manson from Swansea but his price has risen since I last looked.
Since Spurs took an interest apparently.

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Mawson ‘

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  D J Smyth

All 4 would make a positive impact in my opinion hence why I suggested them bud.
HH

Doc
5 years ago

That’s us had a couple of opponents sent off for very little, allowing the MSM to roll out the ‘evens itself out’ defence for a ref to send of one of ours for nothing in a big game.

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Doc

Was thinking the same thing after the last game Doc.

jimmybee
5 years ago

So we are one game off winning the title.
Yet dont know who or where we will be playing.
Its time this split was ditched.
Ludicrous that teams dont have equal games home and away.

BJF
5 years ago

Here is my “ go” for next Sunday’s 11. Gordin, restore Lustig better balance and he has the experience and knows what this fixture is all about, Boyata, Ajer and Tierney with Hendry to back up all except KT.
Midfield Brown, and McGregor easy, Forrest instead of Paddy and Sinclair is also getting a bit better and we don’t have anyone else on the left. That leaves Ntcham, Armstrong and Rogic, I favour Armstrong with Dembelle up front, U would have picked Leigh for the Hamilton game.Against a better team than Sevco I would have gone for Ntcham, Paddy, Leigh and Rogic on the bench awesome.

Fuctivano
5 years ago

Caption: Lee Wallace first in queue for world class breakfast at Sevco.

Puggy67
5 years ago

Caption: Genuine misunderstanding as pub advertises for a barmaid who can pour a good pint – must have massive jugs.

Good to see the natural order restored in the caption contest, cheers Da…Ralph.

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago

My team v dear huns

Gordon must start as he’s the no1 keeper.
Griffiths over Dembele for me as Dembele has looked well off the pace to me for the bulk of this Season and Griffiths has looked a lot sharper on his return.
Not too mention he’s the only one who can deliver a set piece correctly.
I would start Forrest on the left and Paddy on the right and keep Sinclair as a sub his form has deserted him this Season and he’s low on confidence.
3-4-3
……………………GORDON
………LUSTIG HENDRY BOYATA
MCGREGOR BROWN ARMSTRONG TIERNEY
……..ROBERTS GRIFFITHS FORREST

Subs BAIN AJER NTCHAM ROGIC SINCLAIR MUSONDA EDOUARD

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Damn you productive text … der Hun

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Walloper!

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Evening fanny baws.

jimmybee
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Is Hendry available i thought he was cup tied m8

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Insert Ajer if so.

5 years ago

http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/stats-not-entertainment/

Celtic have scored 23 LESS goals than after 32 matches last SPFL season. Yet they are creating chances of equal quality. xG may get a mention!

Remember and vote for http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/ at the https://www.footballbloggingawards.co.uk/about/vote-now-football-blogging-awards/ in category Best New Football Blog.

Or Tweet:

I am voting in @theFBAs for @Alan_Morrison67 in the category #FBAnewblog #FBAs

Many thanks eTimers!!!

BJF
5 years ago

Charlie good to have the choice but you can make a case out for all these guys but BR needs to get them up
and at em, Lenny or MoN style.

Broxburnbhoy
5 years ago

I saw the King nonsense about managers and how “rangers” have a culture and of winning. You really can’t make it up. They talk like they are Real Madrid and awash with money and choices. Only the spectacularly gullible can believe this pish! A culture of cheating and perceived and completely bogus racial and religious superiority. In debt up to their ears and an academy boss running the first team who has just been insulted by the bold glib and shameless one himself. When will relality ever set in there?

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Broxburnbhoy

Sunday!

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Mike
5 years ago

Well done James Dornan who is rescinding his application for the Deputy leadership of the SNP to focus on the fight against Sectarianism. After receiving a sectarian circular on “Smash A Fenian Day”. He decided to withdraw his campaign for the Deputy leadership, so that he could concentrate all his energy on the scourge of sectarianism, the blight of Scotland. At long last we have a politician who recognises the injustice and the damage that it causes, this “Scotland’s shame. We applaud his unselfishness and his commitment and his bravery, we will watch his progress with interest, his progress in ridding us of this abomination.

Rebus67
5 years ago

Life is a funny old thing, isn’t it? Football shares this fate. Take the last transfer window, I think Commper was to be the big innovation with The possibility of getting a creative influence from Musonda. Hendry was a bright young thing who we originally thought we could pick up for half of what we paid. There was a last minute scramble, along the lines of what used to happen as the future bride and groom took off for their wedding. In this case the scramble was to get a backup keeper….a backup for De Vries!

What happens? The star of the window turns out to be Bain!

Give a man an unexpected chance and sit back and watch what can happen! So far, Bain is the find of the transfer window. Who would have thunk it.

Rebus

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Rebus67

Bain has always looked decent whenever he played us so no shock here Rebus.
Too early to make any assessment of Commper but given his experience in the Bundesliga I should think he is a fairly competent defender?
I trust Brendan on the latter score.
Time as always will be the real judge.

Rebus67
5 years ago

Another post gone Missing. Hopefully it will be found.

Rebus

5 years ago

Comperr must be a dud. Why would an experienced bundeslegia cb be left out? He’s 32 that’s not old. The game he did play apart from one fuck up he looked alright. He should be given more of a go you can’t beat experience, but if he’s another dcheidt then who are these scouts. One of us could do a better job

5 years ago

Scheidt

5 years ago

Musonda is built like a child he needs some mince and Totties and a whore

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

🙂

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

🙂

Monti
5 years ago

Weered,
Did the wedding go well?

Yoker Bhoy
5 years ago

Follow us on Twitter @ETimsNet