See what I did there ? Double meaning in the headline ?
Dedryck Boyata showed an inner strength that no one thought he had yesterday when he inspired Celtic to a 1-0 win over a stuffy and predictable Hamilton side just when the team needed it most.
Somehow, the story of the season so far got a bit mixed up with the media telling us that Stevie Staunch and his Stormtroopers were blitzing their way to a 55th title-a remarkable enough achievement in itself in just seven years of the clubs existence, and Celtic were buckling under the pressure .
Fair enough, it hasn’t quite gone to plan, but one likes to think there’s time yet to put it right.
With the conclusion of the European qualifying campaign on Thursday, and a showdown with “rangers ” next Sunday, three points and a good performance were needed yesterday.
When the team was announced, there would have been a few red faces in the Green Brigade, who presented a banner to the team which indicated that they weren’t too happy at the inclusion of the Belgian defender, who according to the press had downed tools when he was needed the most.
Despite his, and his managers denials, the support chose to believe the media line, and its probably fair to say that if he had been thinking of leaving, then his mind was getting made up for him.
My own view, if his head wasn’t right, for whatever reason, he shouldn’t have played. He was honest enough to admit that.
As for the banner… If anyone on our bus had booed a Celtic player before the game started, he’d be making his own way back down the M6.
Even if Mo Johnston had come back as a player he’d get a polite round of applause before the game.
Fair enough, the first time he lost possession, failed to win a tackle or didn’t discover a cure for cancer during the game, he would have been roundly and soundly abused, but not before.
Still, the important thing was how Boyata reacted.
He put in a man of the match performance in a defence that looked confident and assured.
He scored the winning goal.
And he’s been doing research at medical school on the first Tuesday of every month into carcinogens.
Thats good enough for me.
Its also worth noting the reaction of Craig Gordon, who ran the full length of the pitch to congratulate him after the goal, showing the unity of the team, the spirit of the invincibles, to coin a phrase…
They had a wee dance, gazing lovingly into each others eyes.
Gordon said;
“Whatever happens off the pitch we are 100% together on it,” he told Celtic TV. “I just wanted to show that we are absolutely together and fighting for each other and that was just a little show of that.
“I am sure he will be delighted with his goal but more important his defensive work was outstanding today.”
“And I’m fucking shite at crosses, so when the big man isn’t there we lose daft goals. ”
Mind you, if you think the Green Brigades treatment of Boyata was out of order, at least they didn’t stick the heid on him ….
The whole Boyata story has, from start to finish, divided a support that you get the feeling sometimes enjoys being divided.
This site is actually a good example of that. We can’t even agree what the right time is between us, and yet all of us support the team in our own way.
And there’s a clue in the word supporter…..
This week is the last week of the transfer window.
From Filip Benkovic to Harold Moukoudi to Scott McKenna we will hear stories, some made up, some true, about who the club are trying to bring in.
For what its worth, I’d take little notice of them.
We have our own sources and will let you know when we hear anything. sometimes even before the deal is done.
In a previous diary earlier this year, we revelaed that Celtic would spend £20m this summer. So far, its on the £9m -more if you count the improved deal for Rogic, as he would have had a signing on fee.
As for the £9m for Edoaurd, whether or not its paid up front or not, it still has to be budgeted for.
That still leaves a few quid for players, many of whom will wait as long as they can before choosing their move.
Lets hope they choose wisely.
Elsewhere , Hearts continued to set the pace at the top of the league table, recording a third successive victory, behind them are Celtic , moving neatly into position to take advantage of the inevitable shock that the Edinburgh side will have when they realise that not only are they early season leaders, but Craig Levein is the manager who has got them there.
Stevies Stormtroopers slipped up at Motherwell yesterday when they could only manage a 3-3 draw against struggling Motherwell, who prior to the game had not registered a goal or a point in the league.
I think they had a throw in in their first game, but thats about it.
Ahead of next week, the Ibrox support are taking this setback very well, at least by their own standards…
A young lady offered her opinion of “rangers ” shortly after they scored..
However, the puritans from the pits were outraged.
As usual.
And then this, when the Ibrox side didn’t get a penalty…presumably for a push on Kyle Lafferty, their latest acquisition during their “Summer of Stars ”
Er, “rangers ” are defending a corner here…
Motherwell got their late, late equaliser-93 mins -shortly after Ibrox manager Gerrard introduced a novel and original way of defending a late set piece.
He made a substitution, thus allowing his defence to re organise at short notice to become even more effective.
Sadly, this backfired, but we hope it won’t discourage Stevie from introducing other tactical revelations when he feels the occasion is right.
The man truly is a breath of fresh air.
Yesterday we had this picture..
CAPTION
I don’t think we could have been any more invisible if we were wearing them pink,seat-coloured,away tops.
Today…
By the way, I’ve heard something very distresssing re Ibrox and investment.
Distressing in that there looks to be a lot of money coming their way.
I’m reluctant to go into detail because even our regular pish stained drunk wouldn’t come up with something like this.
But I don’t mind admitting it flies in the face of everything we’ve been led to believe about their imminent demise.
Ah , fuck it.
Make your own mind up.
See that guy that joined the board the other week, Wolhardt, Dutch fellow with serious business links ?
If its not bizarre enough that a guy like that is involved with a club like that, it gets dafter.
King is going to raise the money to sort his TOP problem, there is going to be a share issue, but it will be kept in house, with money coming in to cover the share offer King has to make.
Yeah, I know. sounds fucking ridiculous, and to be fair to the reader bear in mind we did give you the story about them stealing water from the church.
So take it with a pinch of salt, I would, but our purpose is to entertain, and if someone wants to tell me scare stories about a resurgent “rangers ” , then its only fair I should spoil your bank holiday in the way they have spoiled mine.
Apart from anything else, what could a guy like Wolhardt possibly want with Kings “rangers ” ?
Unless he sees potential in the place.
In which case..
