Chris Davies is the one doing the talking again now, which means that all is well back at the ranch.
The Hibernian game at the weekend has got the juices flowing, with both sides capable of playing free flowing entertaining football.
But perhaps thats just what they want us to think.
Neil Lennon is a shrewd manager, his joyful and playful boyish exterior hides the mind of a cunning and ruthless tactician. Don’t be surprised if he floods his team with defenders-and Efe Ambrose-as that has been shown to work against Celtic.
Then again, what if Hibs win, and Neil Lennon, having taken the Celtic job shortly after Christmas, finishes runner up to the Edinburgh side-by just one point, and the ten in a row dream has evaporated…?
If Charlie Nicholas reads this, or has it read to him, no doubt he’ll explain away any Celtic win based on the last paragraph. There’s no hiding anything from Charlie, sharper than a packet of scissors that one..
So, Chris Davies is back in the spotlight, and he’s been lauding the two Croatian centre backs, who are both now fit and ready to play.
As long as it isn’t raining, or cold, or a bit windy.
The club have done everything they can to help the two settle, even planting some big trees behind the goal to shield them from the early morning west coast sunshine.
With the addition of special protective sportswear, however, perhaps we’ll get a run of games out of them…
Anyway, back to Davies…
It’s great to have them back fit, strong and ready to play,”
“It’s important that we have a good pool of central defenders to pick from and they have to fight for their place.
“There are some good players there and that’s important because competition is healthy. Hopefully it keeps each of them at a high individual level.
“I’ve been impressed with Filip. We obviously did our work before he came in so we knew all about his qualities.
Ah, you said that about Comperr…
He is very imposing with his size and he’s dominant aerially. He’s good attacking aerially as well, although he hasn’t scored a goal yet.
“He’s a big imposing figure and is technically good on the ball. He can play short and long passes with quality and is a defender who can defend with good aggression. Hopefully with momentum and playing games, that’ll get him really going.”
Sounds like he’s saying he needs a kick up the arse to me.
The other Croatian defender, Jozo Simunovic is ready for his annual run out as well.
I see the Hibs game as a big opportunity for me to impress the manager and earn a regular place in the starting XI,”
“But all I can do is work hard and try to improve every day.
“I’m sure it’ll be a good game. Hibs are always playing well and they make it difficult for opponents.
“They are different to many other teams in that they really want to play. We want the toughest tests, though, and this game comes at a good time because it we want to face good opponents before going into the Europa League game next week.
“I’m feeling fit. I felt fit coming into the last game and for sure, my fitness will be even better by the time the Hibs game comes around. Everything is up to the manager and what he decides.
“It doesn’t matter who plays because we have a big squad and everyone is capable of doing what the manager expects. It’s up to us in training to show that we are deserving of a place in the team.”
He’s going to have to do something, there’s a transfer window coming up, and he might not get a move this time either. Unless he plays well.
Leigh Griffiths has been putting in the hours at Lennoxtown during the international break, which has pleased Davies..
He’s looking to do extra training and is pushing as hard as he can to get as fit as he possibly can,”
“That can only be a positive for Celtic and Griff himself so we’ll support him to do that. Hopefully he can have a good strong week and be in good condition leading into the Hibs game.
We have a good block of games coming up so it’s important we have everyone fit. We have league games and then cup competitions with the Europa League and the League Cup semi-final.
“We’re playing in numerous competitions and they’re all important in their own right. As always the next game is the most important, so we’ll focus on that.”
There have been one or two problems since August, but the club look to be back on track again.
Should be an entertaining few weeks…
Kyle Lafferty pulled out of the North of Ireland squad. He did so by ringing manager michael O’Neill after midnight on the morning of departure day, which is the equivalent of getting your mate to write you a note to get out of PE.
This appears to have annoyed O’Neill, who invoked the five day rule, which means the player cannot feature for “rangers ” against Hamilton this weekend.
Which, of course, has upset the hordes and triggered their victim mentality.
Kenny Miller, who didn’t get the Dundee job when Neil McCann was sacked earlier this week, gave his thought provoking and interesting view…
“I just don’t see who the winner is,” said former Scotland forward Miller.
I do. Integrity is the winner.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound, he added: “It’s a strange situation for both the player and the FA. They’re ruling Kyle out from playing at the weekend, which is clearly going to anger Kyle.
well, he should have thought of that before phoning his manager at midnight.
“I can understand they may be a little bit disappointed in the call-off and maybe in the timing of the call-off and the reasons given. Kyle did say there’s been an injury and ongoing problem.”
Well, the rest will do him good then.
You’ll notice a completely different narrative here, compared to that taken by the media when Leigh Griffiths decided to ask not to be considered for selection.
He was professional about it, despite the claims in the media about him taking the huff, and how he was throwing away his international career.
Lafferty took two ex-lax and stood over his manager and team mates with his legs spread, but the line is that “no one wins… ”
The Ibrox support are, of course, right behind him.
And they’ve had enough, not only of this new persecution, but the other slaps in the face they’ve had this season…
Already surrendered ? Their club died, so it could be argued they might as well surrender.
Anyway…one gripe at a time…
The Rangers fanzone
Its not their land, and they’re moaning the council won’t give it to them, free of charge, to create a rangers fan zone, where they can all meet up, drink beer and pick fleas off each other.
Come to think of it, its not Rangers either, and you’re hard pushed to find a definition of “fan ” that suits the slavering hordes who will take advantage of the zone.
It’ll look like the casting room at the Walking Dead studio.
Gazza and the HOF
Apart from Gascoignes personal demons, which of course , are everyone elses fault, and his record in domestic violence, which was probably her fault, his anti catholic on stage rants, which are the promoters fault, and the goal he scored against Scotland, which was Colin Hendrys fault, the Ibrox loyal want him judged purely on his on field merits.
Not the flute playing antics, but his football record.
Lets compare it to another Englishman who has been around for roughly as long as Gascoigne was at Ibrox..
Semi final ticket allocation
I wonder if the police will step in and restrict the numbers of Aberdeen fans, like they did for European games, for safety reasons…
I can see their point. They want as many fans as possible there for what could , in hindsight, be the closest they come to winning their first major trophy. So I can sympathise a little.
Maybe they should march on Hampden-they like marching-to show their ire ( dont worry, bears, thats not short for Ireland-it means anger ) , only this time they could check if its open first…
Dumbest…and most sensitive.. (this report from the Evening Times )
A PEAKY Blinders star has praised Celtic‘s Kieran Tierney in a viral video.
Paul Anderson, who plays Arthur Shelby in the BBC hit, was filmed holding up the Hoops ace’s shirt and kissed the Celtic Logo.
He said: “Come on you boys in green.
Glasgow is green and f****** white.
“Kieran, this if for you by order of the Peaky f****** Blinders.”
The Times knows its readers, and yup, they’re off……
They’ll never change, even if the club they support does every couple of years or so.
Yesterday, we had this picture..
Caption: Remake of ‘The Kenny Miller has landed’.
Today..