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Celtic Diary Friday April 13: Celts Play Down Semi Final

Todays Diary was originally going to start with a look at the dilemma facing Tony MacGlennan, the SFA compliance officer, as he figures out who to blame for the granting of a licence to Rangers, back when they were Rangers.

But boy did I ramble on, so thats now a separate piece online at noon today, and even if i do say so myself, its worth a look.

And the conclusion actually worked itself out as I was writing it, which helped, and if i’m hnest it had never occured to me before, so its a new take on an old theme.

Anyhoo, lets see whats happening back at the ranch ahead of the Cup semi final.

Whats on the managers mind ?

The history is not weighing on us.

“We just have to do our job. We set our targets and goals and one of them is to win the league. The Scottish Cup is another.

“We wanted to not just defend the trophy, but to win it again.

“That doesn’t cloud our thinking, though. We still come in and enjoy our work. I tend not to think about the other stuff too much.

“If you do, and got wrapped up in the whole history or the expectation, then you put yourself in a pressure trap. You don’t need that. There’s enough pressure in football.

“I am here to win, but I am here to get the team playing well enough to win and, hopefully, that will continue in all of the games until the end of the season.”

Oh.

Right, what about the captain, then ?

Scott Brown Retweeted Celtic TV

These jeans🔥🔥🔥🔥

Scott Brown added,

Bloody hell.

What about the experts ?

And what about Charlie Nicholas, what does he think ?

Image result for father ted rabbits in head gif

No, about the game.

“People are suggesting that Griffiths might play. That might be the big issue. If I’m picking the team, then Moussa Dembele and [Odsonne] Edouard up front, if he’s fit, would be the partnership for me. Rangers still have the same weaknesses at the back.” 

Charlie isn’t picking the team, which is a relief.

Clearly, Celtic are focused on the game.

Theres going to be little comment from Lennoxtown, and there’s not going to be any Celtic cheerleading in the media, and in fact, one could almost argue that the SMSM have got their excuses lined up for a “rangers ” defeat.

Well, sort of.

Celtic WERE lucky against Rangers and Ibrox side are due a rub of the green – Barry Ferguson

The former Gers captain stands by his opinion that Rangers were the better team and the gods were smiling on 10-man Hoops as they ran out 3-2 winners at Ibrox

In fact, not only do I stick by every word but I’ll go one step further and say I hope he used up all his good fortune that day at Ibrox because it’s about time my old club catch a break or two when the two sides come together again at Hampden in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi.

I’m not trying to rile anyone up here or cause controversy. I’m merely giving my opinion.

And, as far as I’m concerned, Rangers were the better team even though they lost the last Old Firm game 3-2. 

Against ten men. At home.

Also, I feel I’m as well qualified as anyone to talk about this particular fixture as I’ve played in enough of them down the years. 

Er, none , actually.

And I’m telling you now, luck plays a massive part in almost every single one of them. 

Though not as much of a part as in Ferguson finding a career in the media.

The article continues in much the same vein, and is only noteworthy because its a rarity in that it talks up their chances.

Most, like Stephen thompson in the Herald , seem resigned to a “rangers “defeat, and that, of course, is bad for the game.

Steven Thompson: Celtic double-treble would hit a bum note in Scottish game

 

The rest have moved on, as has the young defender David Bates, who has signed a pre contract to join Hamburg in the summer. It seems the Ibrox side staunchly refused to be held to ransom…

Why Rangers refusal to bow to David Bates wage demands led to Hamburg move

The 21-year-old will move to Germany in the summer after Rangers refused to match his wage demands. 

Rangers are in line to net only a five-figure compensation payment under FIFA guidelines but they point-blank refused to salary demands from Bates and his advisors they believed excessive.

His package would have outstripped considerably the salary levels of other young Rangers and Ibrox chairman Dave King and his board decided to draw the line on a player who has made just 19 appearances for the club. 

Yeah…”we didn’t need him anyway ”

He’s the second asset to walk away for nothing, following the departure of Danny Wilson.

Simple fact is, they can’t afford to retain all of their players. Even the ones where they would make a profit further down the line.

Though they are on the hunt for a new manager, which should lift their current managers morale.

Marcel Keizer, currently unemployed, has expressed an interest in talking to “rangers ” about being their new man.

Or rather, his agent said he would talk to them. Bizarrely, this is seen as a “keen interest ” in taking the  post, and even more bizarrely, shows the contempt that is out there for Graeme Murty, who presumably can’t wait to get out of dodge.

 

As we are now risking merely pointing at laughing at that lot, time to wind it back over to the good guys, and there is considerable debate about who will line up to face “rangers ” at Hampden.

There are two ways to go about this.

What I think Rodgers will do is play this eleven…

Gordon, Lustig, Boyata, Ajer. Tierney, Brown , Armstrong, Forrest, Rogic, Sinclair Dembele.

What I would like to see is..

Gordon, Lusitg, Ajer, Hendry, Tierney, Brown, Armstrong, Forrest, MacGregor, Sinclair, Griffiths.

I’d do one of those man for man analyses but frankly i don;t even know eleven of their players, let alone who teir opposite number is at Celtic.

As for a prediction…as long as we up the pace and drop the tippy tappy, there will be another chapter in the Hampden in the sun song, with the score being the same…

Too much of the sidieways stuff allows their most influential man-Bobby Madden-a chance to stamp his authority on the game.

Elsewhere, and Celtic could be about to go global.

FIFA want to expand their fledgling International cup, and there’s a lot of money involved. Celtic took part in the competition a while back, facing Leicester, Barcelona and Inter, and due to the size of the clubs international, especially US, fanbase, another invite is on the cards.

Sky Sports had the story, and they would leap at the chance to cover the tournament, as they recently lost the UEFA club games

Meanwhile, there’s evidence that Celtic really do run Scottish football… well, the fixture computer, at least.

Kind of nails the conspiracy theories..

 

 

Back to the gullibillies as someone else is after their money…

 

£12 ?

They even fleece their own.

 

It’s Friday, and of course that means we award the Etims

Knob of the Week 

In a week where world tensions have escalated up to Cuban missile crisis levels, Common sense, discretion and diplomacy are required to see us safely out the other end.

Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!

Frightening.

but be reassured, they’ve told him the missiles have been fired, and ushered him into his bunker and told him the country is now a nuclear wasteland.

Donald J Trump, this weeks

Goddamn Knob of the Week 

Yesterdays picture..

puggy67 April 12, 2018 at 9:29 am · Edit · Reply →

Caption: Juve fan ponders what might have been over two massive legs.

Going for his own seven in a row, it seems..

Try this one..

 

 

 

 

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D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

CAPTION

ASH vow to get serious with the few remaining smokers.

portpower
5 years ago

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

RALPH

I couldn’t get most of your photos,including the caption,over the last few days,so I missed that one.

About 20 years ago in South London,my girl and I would be in a group of friends who included someone similar to that poor soul.

Thankfully,not to that extent,but it was clearly getting gradually worse.

Stunning from the waist up,and an absolutely brilliant lass too. Just a fucking shame. Good lad that he was,her bloke was besotted regardless.

portpower
5 years ago

Caption:
Say goodnight Virginia.

puggy67
5 years ago

Caption: They, said some day you’ll find
All who love are blind
When your heart’s on fire
You must realize
Smoke gets in your eyes

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  puggy67

^^^
Winner

henkesdreadlocks
5 years ago

Caption……..

Donald Trump’s father shows his boy how to treat a lady.

Duntocher Celt
5 years ago

Is Hendry not cup tied

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  Duntocher Celt

Yes but Bain can sit on the bench.

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Hopefully the penalty spot doesn’t move.
If it goes to penalties Brendan`ll sub Craig Gordon.

Broonie for keeper…

I want them to suffer to their loftier echelons.

portpower
5 years ago

Said and done eff all,so far.
Batten down the hatches.

If no,i`m no.HH

puggy67
5 years ago

Caption: Pixellation 50’s style.

Noelskytrot
5 years ago

Caption…..Ye got a light pal?

Monti
5 years ago

Caption: Margaret Thatcher test runs the original vape machine…
It didn’t catch on & the idea lies in ashes.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

No problem my man!

Monti
5 years ago

Caption: Mills & Boon pilot

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

The good, the bad & the Dyson 2000

Devoy45
5 years ago

Caption: New anti-smoking cure said to be more effective than nicotine patches…
Caption: Godammit Ethel, I warned you about smoking in my presence…
Caption: Trump’s suggestion for teachers having guns in schools has unexpected results for student smokers…
Caption: Dammit, missed…

puggy67
5 years ago

Caption: 1950’s contraception – smoke like a lum and have a man who’s firing blanks.

GAV
5 years ago

Caption: away FFS. I was hoping her fag would hide the smell from me sneaking oot a sh1te

Cortes
5 years ago

Caption: Carlos Peña: “¡Ay Caramba! How I miss the world class full Mexican breakfasts at Auchenhowie.”

desdamoaner
5 years ago

Hendry is cup tied mate

James61
5 years ago

Caption
I think I’ll find an easier way to stop smoking

portpower
5 years ago

Show ponied from the SFA at Hampden Park.

Kick a concomitant Catholic.

sevco stretchers FC.

Monti
5 years ago

Shoot 🙂

Monti
5 years ago

Caption: Local Armadale residents take offence at this Catholic lady heading to church…
” we’ve had enough of these Vapeish bastards ” said local William Williams.

Monti
5 years ago

I see Douglas Park is taking on a more prominent role at the bigotdome….
Am i alone in thinking we need to stop our business dealings with this cunt?
I’ve said it before & i’ll say it again, Celtic football club is fucking big enough to own our own team luxury coach.

” World class in everything we do ” – Peter Lawwell.

Fuck off and stop puting money in Douglas Park’s fucking business.

I want fuck all to do with any hun!

World class my fucking arse.

puggy67
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

we have a luxury coach – John Kennedy

Pat Higney
5 years ago

Caption : Dave King demonstrates the new Ibrox no smoking policy, it’s caleed, ‘How to deal with a pape with a vape!’

Monti
5 years ago

Think about it, we get told by Lawwell we are this we are that, millions of fans world wide, blah blah….yet we get our team bus…..from…..Huns.

That needs to fucking stop now.

puggy67
5 years ago

Caption: From Ralph’s big book of spellcheck. Woman in park gets shotfaced.

henkesdreadlocks
5 years ago

Caption………..

Who’s firing blanks now bitch?

Stevie D
5 years ago

Caption: When I was at school they only gave you the belt for smoking.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Stevie D

School? 🙂

Stevie D
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

And confiscated your Boz Scaggs of course . . .

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago

Quite agree with Barry(honest I’m skint,but my wife isn’t),God was smiling down on 10 man Celtic that day.Well done Master Bates for walking away,good decision you’ll not regret.
I can confirm(like that word) that we are trying to dry out TicToc in time for the “big” game on Sunday against the Primary Twos.
Talking about quiet at the ranch,has anyone heard from Lee Congerton or ex- club spokesman(after his MD gaffe)Chris Davies……money for nothing and sex is free…..

portpower
5 years ago

What`s everyone’s Sunday`s Tic list?

I`ve got a vape bong tippled with Bushmills and curried sweet and sour chook wings.

Noelskytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Wheres the rebs Port, wheres the rebs?

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  Noelskytrot

Noelskytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Caption….Tories look at new ways to save NHS finances regarding smoking cessation classes.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Port,
I start a new job on Monday morning up at 6, so i’ll be on the Diet Coke & Ice cubes.

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago

Congratulations must go to Puggy…….Signed Ralph(more crooked(allegedly) than Nigerian e-mailers)…. ..

puggy67
5 years ago
Reply to  Rob O'Keeffe

Rob I’ve got that cheque for you, just send me your bank details and my father, King Ralph, will give you a massive deposit. Prince Puggy.

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago
Reply to  puggy67

Puggy(Championee),I’m going to send your dad’s pal,TicToc,round to give him a doing and pick up my cash.Sharing is Caring……the dafties on here haven’t realised that we’re making a fortune out of this,don’t tell them….£££s…KTF

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago

Caption: Ha,ha,missed both of my tits…..

5 years ago

Caption
Leigh Griffiths Answers the missus’s request for a new addition to the family in no uncertain terms

Charlienich
5 years ago

Strut, “missed again, wonder if he fancies a boat trip”?

portpower
5 years ago

Is Greg Docherty a registered properly skint SPFL player?

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Port,
Love this song!

5 years ago

If Boyata starts then we’re putting ourselves under pressure straight from KO, and Sinclair will be his usual self this season, pretty much non existan and lacking beleif and confidence, Rodgers has been far to predictable this season in selection and definitely tactics, sevco will already have a very good idea what the Celtic team will be and what style they’ll play, and will set their stall out accordingly, it’s an advantage Rodgers shouldn’t be gifting them. What’s wrong with maybe starting Jamsie on the left wing and Roberts on the right, then have the advantage of switching if necessary, for once this season I’d just like to naw watch the same player’s, playing in the same positions, playing the same type of game… COYBIG

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  KEIGHLEY BHOY

KB,
Agree with you on Boyata, Sinclair has been more cold than hot this season but i always feel reluctant to leave him out.

5 years ago
Reply to  KEIGHLEY BHOY

Think Sinclair’s picking up a bit but felt that boyata has another few mistakes in him

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago
Reply to  KEIGHLEY BHOY

Tut,tut,KBhoy.Spelling and grammar? Were there no proper schools where you grew up? Proper=RC…..

Monti
5 years ago

Does anyone know how Erik Sviatchenko has been doing at Midity…Midti….at Midtti…fuck it, how he’s been getting on in Denmark?

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Check the fashion mags Monti.

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

He is currently under arrest in Copenhagen on a charge of fraud, he was trying to impersonate a defender.
All this criticism of some players and the manager, look at our scoring records, that is where (due to injuries) criticism of the team belong, the stats. do not lie. We are on course for another treble, lets get behind all the players and the manager, focus on the team and the positives.
A long time ago I was given a tour of the ground and the stadium, I was very surprised to put it mildly that when we played Sevco, their plastic cups etc. were delivered on their behalf and the same applied to ours. The thing is if/when we beat them on Sunday, their dreams will be crushed and consequently their season ticket sales will go down once again, slowly slowly catchy mankies.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

I’ll take a look…..

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Weered,I’m worried about him,but his rehab is going well……he’s a good defender and just needs to find the Lord again….

portpower
5 years ago

Whoever the sevco keeper is on Sunday,the first chance you get put him on his backside. Take the free kick. Let hymn know.

Semi-finals are a bassa of a game.

Alzyerpal
5 years ago

Caption:
Police Scotland play down sharp rise in domestic violence after Rangers* lose 6:0 in hard-fought, six goal, “Old Firm”, semi-final thriller.

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago

Caption

He was the Marlboro man
His wife she smoked Capstan
He used tae light her cheroot
With a Colt that he did shoot
Firing from the hip
He never singed her lip
She lived to tell the tale
And to her pals she would regale
That when he shot his gun
Oh her arse how it would run

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz
portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

flip-n-heck 🙂

Yoker Bhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Congrats Charlie S for putting up that sensational track ‘Another Girl..’ from the Only Ones yesterday – one of my all time faves. Sooner or later I was going to post it myself but you beat me to it. Roll on Sunday!

Yoker Bhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Yoker Bhoy

And now for something completely different.

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  Yoker Bhoy

Charlies favourite…and mine

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Yoker Bhoy

@weered Glad you liked it bud
@Yoker Bhoy Nae bother pal cracking wee tune that HH

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Dinnae encourage him ffs

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Did I mention ma Granny was a McStay?

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Right Weered,you are banned for using the p word.You are sentenced to watch Cliftonville for your sins….
P.S.Tickets?….

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago
Reply to  Rob O'Keeffe

Sharing is Caring…..isn’t it?…..

5 years ago

Bain
Tierney
Hendry
Simonovic (is he fit?)
Ajer
McGregor
Rogic
Brown
Sinclair
Dembele

portpower
5 years ago

Caption:
sevconian pinwheel.

5 years ago

Griffiths

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

For 3 from off the splintered bench.

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

Best striker at Parkhead…..

Mike
5 years ago

I’m in the Ralph Malph camp regarding team selection, Dembelle and Eddy together up front, Strength pace and power, I can see the manager retaining Boyata with Kris Ajer and K.T. Griff. can come on later to mop them up. Sinclair to start for me and James Forrest on the right with Paddy the same as Griff.
One Team, One Target, One result. A Celtic the Champions to win, let them worry about us, they have more to worry about.

portpower
5 years ago

It`s what said outside the changing rooms before that wins the game.

Retreat they speeded-up orange.

5TB
5 years ago

Caption

Buy the bullet proof visor, when smoking just isn’t cool enough.

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

The sharp eyed among you will have spotted Demis Roussos on lead vocals …

puggy67
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

do you need to be sharp eyed to spot a 20 stone Greek in a white poncho? : )

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  puggy67

Depends how much the Greek men are offering these days for
the 20 stones?

Charlie Saiz
5 years ago
Reply to  puggy67

🙂

Stevie D
5 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Here’s hoping the skelly eyed one makes an appearance at the game on Sunday and gets huckled into Helen Street. I’d probably laugh masel into a coma.

Yoker Bhoy
5 years ago

I think Hendry is cup-tied so I’d risk Simunovic instead of picking Boyata.

Bain

Lustig
Ajer
Simunovic
Tierney

Brown
Armstrong
McGregor

Forrest
Dembele
Griffiths

portpower
5 years ago

Glib

portpower
5 years ago

Joe Tex

portpower
5 years ago

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