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Celtic Diary Thursday February 14: Lights..Music…Action

Celtic must step up a level tonight when spanish cracks…thats what the SMSM call teams they’ve heard of when they come to Scotland…Valencia, and even though we’ve played them on a couple of previous occasions, one great mystery remains..

Image result for valencia club badge

Theres a bat on their badge.

A mystery no more..

There is also a legend that says that thanks to the humble intervention of a bat, king James I of Aragon was able to win a crucial battle against the Saracens that allowed him to win Valencia for his kingdom. However, original documents state that the animal was a swallow and not a bat.[2] 

A swallow would have looked silly. So a bat it is.

 

What does worry me, and would worry anyone who believes in omens and that sort of thing, is that when we played them in 62-63, they had just won the Fairs cup, and when we played them under O’Neill, they had been in the previous couple of Champions League finals.

What if this time around we are playing them before they get to a final ?

Of course, this could just be pre match nerves, which right now are still at a manageable level, but as the day goes on, they will raise a notch or two on an almost hourly basis.

As far as europe is concerned, the team still has a lot to prove.

The Leipzig game earlier this season proved they can reach the heights on occasion, but the Salzburg clashes highlighted not a lack of ability, but a lack of confidence.

The manager needs to try to get the players to believe they belong at this level.

 

There have been a couple of significant changes since the group stages, and it could be argued that Celtic have been considerably strengthened with the additions to the european squad of Burke, Weah, and Toljan.

Burke especially will be out to make a name for himself, whilst the other two have it in them to potentially change games.

Toljan has pace, and Weah an exceptional intelligence.

Bain, Toljan, Simunovic, boyata, Izaguirre, Brown , MacGregor, Forrest, Christie, Sinclair, Burke.

The only other options i can see , should the manager attempt to be bold, are Hayes at left back, unlikely since Izaguirre is fit again, or Edouard instead of Christie, a move which would emulate the Dembele-Edouard partnership of early season.

That seems so long ago…

A win , possibly, but I wouldn’t expect anything dramatic.

Maybe a single goal victory, which would at least keep next week interesting.

One thing I would say, and Etims colleague Hector Bandido will probably agree, the main man tonight won;t be one of the usual suspects. It’ll be Calum MacGregor.

And i might even risk a few quid on him to score..now that I’ve opened an account with Bet 365.

This isn’t one of those advertising things…we don’t have sponsors or anything like that on etims.

There is a reason behind my venture into the world of planning to live in a flat above a shop.

It seems Bet 365 won’t take bets on “rangers ” being awarded a penalty. I signed up, and i couldn;t find a way to place this wager.

Bookies tend to cover each others arses, so when William Hill and Ladbrokes follow suit, surely that will be a sign that the games a bogey, when the two major sponsors know not to take risks on an event..

 

Then again, Scottish football isn;t as predictable as we maybe thought.

Alan MacGregor has been banned for two games, despite making a personal appeal to the tribunal judges, or more likely, because he made a personal appeal.

As usual, the Ibrox club made a statement, which marked their displeasure..

 Be careful what you wish for..it looks like the SFA have fallen out of love with Kings club, and it might get worse for them.

note also that the police are concerned about possible trouble at the Aberdeen -“ranger s” cup tie, which might just spur Kilmarnock on a wee bit..

Ach, sod the lot of them…

Tonights our night, and all i can say is…

come on the hoops.

Its a kind of good luck charm.

 

On this, the anniversary of the worlds longest running pantomime..seven years in and still going strong.

 

apologies for the brevity of todays piece, but i have to go…I feel a big day ahead of us.

you guys can fill in the rest.

 

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BJF
5 years ago

I’m with you Ralph, let’s see what we are made of and their £159 m squad can do.

Hartson's Comb
5 years ago

Happy Administration Day to you, too, Ralph!

Devoy45
5 years ago

Tonight, anything can happen but I’m pretty sure we’ll score. Will be exciting.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Will it?

You deserve more Devoy!

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

There’s no doubt that Valencia are a really good footballing side but methinks we’re in for one of those nights that you get nowhere else in European football. C’ mon the Hoops.

Monti
5 years ago

£2.3m safely tucked in the bank account of our esteemed CEO, nice relaxing day Peter before a big night in the EUROPA LEAGUE….Wow…..cannae fucking wait.
Cannae beat those games under the lights (@#$&€£¥% off )

Good luck to the team tonight but this isn’t where we should be.
Nerves? No.

We have papered over some cracks in the last window….i can see what you are doing Lawwell.

We deserve better!

Monti
5 years ago

People need to start shaking this board, they are taking the piss out of us!

Has Bankier said anything about years of cheating yet?
What happened to the title stripping?
What about the stolen prize money?

Where’s the compliance officers report?
Where’s the Police report?

It’s fucking nonsense!

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Board apologist below. Some are just willing to accept our boards footballing parochialism, Monti. I’m not going to get into any debate on match day and put a negative vibe on the site about the “custodians.”

Stevie D
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Careful Monti. That’s just the kind of talk that got me branded a hun by a brainless wonder on here.

Bobby Gallagher
5 years ago

Monti…….yawn…

Monti
5 years ago

Bobby,
‘ move on ‘ shall i?

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Wae hope in our hearts…

The yawn`s a dire supplication.

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti is as firm as the Elgin Marbles, Weered.

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

Lol, probably got balls as big as the Elgin Marbles, Weered.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

🙂

Brian (not the messiah)
5 years ago

No caption: ralph has no time this morning as he is sweetening up the wife so he is in the good books and can watch the match!!!!

Puggy67
5 years ago

Monti even John the Baptist took a day off the day Jesus turned up. Cheer up.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Puggy67

Puggy,
You’ll win the caption competition with that 🙂

Puggy67
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

🙂

portpower
5 years ago

I reckon this is the game that we all need at the moment.

Celts 3-2.

Enjoy.

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Scorers: Toljan, Simunovic & Boyata.

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Port, ye would get some odds at the bookies for that outcome.Stick ten Aussie dollars on. Lol

Brian (not the messiah)
5 years ago

Would put hayes in instead of Emilio….for his speed. Play a 3-5-2 with eduard and Burke as strike partners.
Btw in Spain the match is love on GOL TV which is free and online also. I dont know if you can access the game from the UK but here is the link for anyone Who wants to try.

https://www.goltelevision.com/live

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

CS, that’s all we ever ask for, full effort regardless of who we play. HH

Brian (not the messiah)
5 years ago

I meant live not love!!!! This valentines day melarkey is playing with my head or else its my spanish auto corrector. On another note my spanish friends say that in general valencia is renowned for its facism. So another reason to beat the spanish huns!!!! C:
Hail hail.

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

Brian, during the Spanish Civil War, Valencia was one of the last remaining Republican strongholds, but after Franco’s military coup and his subsequent dictatorship things changed for the people there as it did in much of Spain. I’m not sure about how it was during his terrible reign and then into the democratic transition to modern democracy in 1975. I suspect like most regions of Spain* there were great divisions that still exist till this day. The SCW was one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century.

No Pasaran

Uralius
5 years ago

Liepzig squad was worth more.

Monti
5 years ago

Bankier couldn’t stop for breath during his accounts statement, all i’m asking is what he has to say about years of being cheated?

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti, he could shout a response to fans questions about the things you’re asking up his own arse and it would echo. I notice the sheep on here trying to give you pelters, ignore them mate.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

Noel,
I welcome their pish m8, i hand it out, i’ll take it back!

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Fair fucks mate.

portpower
5 years ago

It`s the PLC`s middle passage schedule the day.

David
5 years ago

COYBIG monti as normal will be criticising from his goose us real SUPPORTERS will be in paradise supporting our team

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  David

SUPPORTERS:
Drafting suction from up the road.
The rest are no!

Enjoy Valencia Club de Fútbo.They`re solid players.

henkesdreadlocks
5 years ago
Reply to  David

Is that the same supporters who fucked off in their thousands as soon as Salzburg scored their second goal?

TicToc
5 years ago

AB, I’ve not always particularly liked you, but you’re consistently accurate, concise and funny comment on here is 2nd to none. The wit is the most important thing, but my anger allows the wit to pass on by.
Pisses me off, but so does everything else. Grrrrr! 🙂
HH (I honestly don’t goive a fuck about tonight, now. Except for the embarrassment of being tactically fucking GREEN.)
Our club should always explain our history to new employees, going back to Napper Tandy’s days “They’re hangin’ men an’ wimmin’ for the wearing of The Green.

I’m not sure where I was going here so I’ll, er, get me boots polished with dubbin, nail-in some brand-new studs, and get ma ‘wintergreen’ ready to rub on me balls; it kinda makes any opposition look innocuous……
HH

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  David

Monti, have a “gander” at this lol

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

Monti, think my comment swept by you, David is going on about a goose, hence the gander remark.lol

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  David

David,
You’re right i’ll not be there tonight, that’s because i get in from work at 19:30.

That’s half seven…..cough.

Doc
5 years ago

No idea about tonight, would be delighted with a clean sheet and a goal to take to Valencia, maybe two just to be greedy.

Would be surprised if Hayes started at left back and i’m not sure about Toljan.

My line-up which we’ll never see:
Bain
Lustig Boyata Jozo Izzy
Forrest Brown Ntcham Sinclair
Burke Weah

Caption: The only Valentines card I want.

Hairlikespaghetti
5 years ago

My valentines day wish would be for Ralph to announce the introduction of a block/mute option so that the comments weren’t consistently ruined by the resident moonhowler….

Monti
5 years ago

Leave Charlie Saiz out of this…..

portpower
5 years ago

ETech 🙂
Whatever you wish for you keep.

Bain

Toljan Simunovic Boyata Izzy

Brown McGregor

Forrest Christie Sinclair

Burke

henkesdreadlocks
5 years ago

Using a name the huns called Cadaete. Classy. Ralph, getting rid of twats like this would be a start

Hairlikespaghetti
5 years ago

Wind yet neck in, hun xx. Think you’ll find that most of us who actually bothered to turn up that season also used the HLS moniker when referring to the bold Jorgw…

portpower
5 years ago

Credit Caption:
Markle sent us all a Valentine’s Day Cards.

portpower
5 years ago

Fitting:
Countersunk fastenings for Hibs…Heckingbottom?

portpower
5 years ago

No doubt the compliant referee shall see the planar played surface today,in full.

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

I’ve not see the fermer on here, is Mike alright?

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

Charlie, where’s yer love today? I’ll be sorely disappointed if you’ve not sent Monti a card for Valentine’s.

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

Im reading lots of remarks from Valencia players from here and and the past talking about just how good it is to play at CP, and how we are. Are you not just proud to be a Tim when you hear guys who’ve played in some great stadiums rolling out the respect for us. I so wish I wasn’t on the night shift.

Stevie D
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

When I was a wee boy Noel there was an old guy forever telling me that if we all marched at once the earth would tremble. We’ve a world-wide fan-base – earned by example. No by repeatedly dismantling European cities we visit and terrorising and disgusting their inhabitants like the rotten mob tend to.

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Stevie D

Aye, Stevie, the list for the tramps causing bother is long. I hope yer good mate.

Stevie D
5 years ago
Reply to  Noel Skytrot

Just champion pal. Champion!

portpower
5 years ago

Note to sevco:

Ian Bankier`ll pay for the titles stripped.

Darrell Currie
‏@darrellcurrietv

Must be a big game, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin is heading to Glasgow for the Celtic v Valencia match, with UEFA Director of Competitions Giorgio Marchetti. Maybe just to see the game? Maybe for talks about the future of Uefa club competitions?

Ban SFA for Life.

Puggy67
5 years ago

See the People’s Front of Judea are out in full force. Thumb’s getting tinnitus. Is there a game on? Mon the Hoops!

portpower
5 years ago

If Bain keeps a clean sheet over two legs shall he be known as The Antonine Wall?

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  portpower

No.

TicToc
5 years ago

No time to read the Diary and hence not read the comments.
In my view tonight is ALL about entertaining our supporters and sending them home happy. To progress against Valencia into the last 16 would be a nice achievement, help maintain our status in Europe et cetera.
However, we’ve suffered so many injuries to key players and there’ll be no protection of them from our MIBs so I’d focus on the League this year for 8 IAR and hope for the Treble Treble. We’ll soon have serious rebuilding of our defence in the Summer and we can, hopefully, bring in determined, focussed CBs (unlike some of whom I’ve mentioned many times) who’ll help us into the groups in 2019/20. So tonight’s about entertainment for our marvellous supporters, IMHO, and ‘que sera’ after that.
Come On You Bhoys In Green.
HH

TicToc
5 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

Weered, I’m just catching up -, and my latest comments (see below) are typically accurate from me.
I’m a really hostile cunt when my cage is rattled, and that’s no apology, it’s me.
However, many of my ‘mental’ rants are OTT and I know this. But again, that’s me.
End of day I’d sooner get on with everyone than not, I’d probably buy all/any of my ‘adversaries’ on here a drink of their choice at any time. But I’m *me today, and have no intention of being someone else tomorrow, or ever.
HH
* I laughed at Monti’s caption comment of the 4 ugly, growling weans but would like to remind him that there’s FAR more than FOUR of me!

TicToc
5 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

?

Iain in Alberta
5 years ago

Looking forward to watching the game tonight. Portpower your team is pretty much what BR will play tonight. I would be more inclined to play Ajer instead of Jozo? Also would like to see Eddy start with Burke taking Sincs spot on the left. Don’t think that will happen from the start but maybe after 60mins. Toljan has given us the balance that we have needed on the right and I hope we buy him at seasons end.
It is all about belief and decision making at this level as we have skill, speed and the shape to do well and win.
GC George Connelly

Gerry
5 years ago

Would have much rather Benkovic and KT were fit for this but can’t complain too much. I just hope the confidence gained recently spurs us on to believe in ourselves at this level.
Doc, no Calum in your team? Seriously?!

Iain in Alberta
5 years ago

Benkovic is class as is KT but they will return. As we know that Benkovic and Boyata will be gone in the summer why not play Ajer and Jozo as the CBs? It would let us see how they work as a pairing against top level opposition. Plus Boyata is way more likely to give the ball away with slack passes. I would love to see us buy Benkovic and Burke this summer (think Weah might be out of our price range) although not too likely.

jimmybee
5 years ago

Tonight bhoys as you make your way up the Celtic Way, and you see Billy Jinky Jock and Brother Walfraid remember what they have given us and many more like them. Remember in the words of Tommy it is a cause we play for, remember that this club is a club like no other.
Tonight Bhoys give us our pride back in Europe, play like Lions do not be afraid for we are with you and you will hear us roar.
Leave nothing give everything be Celtic.
HH COYBIG

5 years ago

If yeez want tae rock the SFA AND AW THE CORRUPTION THAT IS GOING ON THEN FUR PHUXSAKE STAR BHOYCOTTING THEM PHUQN AWAY GAMES WE DONT GO TAE IBROX ANTMER SO IT SHOULDNAE BE TOO HARD TAE STAY AWAY FAE OTHER GROUNDS IN DIRTY HORRIBLE WEE SCUMBAGGERY PORRIDGELAND

5 years ago

And i see dem moanin faced h unz are complaining about fairness HA HA PHUQN HA YI COULDNAE MAKE IT UP COULD YI PHUQN O RA N G E SCUMBAGS

5 years ago

Fucking shite. Brown izaguirre Christie. Sinclair the only awake player out there.. so many unforced errors.

jimmybee
5 years ago

One mistake punished thats how it is against top level teams

5 years ago

Been many mistakes jimmy all their doing is keeping their shape I don’t think they are any great shakes.

jimmybee
5 years ago

Toljan to left back Lustig on Christie off Edouard on we can still do this bhoys.

jimmybee
5 years ago

In possession m8 again in Europe we are our own worst enemies but we can still turn it around
HH

TicToc
5 years ago

Brendan Rodgers is either a tactical fucking idiot or there’s something deeper going on here. We’ve shot ourselves in the foot in Europe once more and I’m fucking disgusted.
I only asked for a performance; not of fucking clowns.
Really disheartened, but maybe bigger picture is 8 IAR and the Triple Treble. THAT would be sufficient recompense.
HH

5 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

Not a tactical idiot just lacks quality players. Get brown to fuck

Puggy67
5 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

I can accept getting beat at this level but Brendan has led is to a few right humpings. It’s a flaw.

5 years ago

Brown can come and stay with me in Australia

TicToc
5 years ago

This is NOT a Lawwell result, as fucking arsehole, bean-counters, like Lawwell, just want revenue. They’re NOT fans.
Well there’ll be no more Euro-revenue.
So, all things being equal, just WHAT THE FUCK ARE US SUPPORTERS BEING FED? And by whom?
I only wish I had some answers that didn’t involve ICBMs, Neutron-‘equalisers’ and all the rest of it.
Tonight is just a game of football……what BASTARD coined that? “just a game of football”?
Ah, game-over (just now), BUT Celtic FC did NOT provide our marvellous supporters with a good night.
My 1st question would be (to Brendan) “just what the fuck was that all about, and I’ve got all night for your answer”.
Fucking dreadful, but you used to get “dreadful” for a fucking penny.
Our supporters paid £50 a head for THAT?
Without plagiarising Monti’s patter, PL says “but you had that fabulous light-show”.
Hmmmmm. Heated driveways? Hmmmmm.
Hmm! Hmm!

Tomo
5 years ago

Another big reality check. So easy to get caught up in the hype – won all those games since the break. But it was against Aidrie, St Johnson three times and so on. We won’t get near the Champions League with these players assuming we win the league this year. No Dembele to sell to compensate for not getting into the Champions League. Huge wage bill for the quality of player that was on show tonight. The management will have to look at value for money. Either pay big bucks for true quality or settle for spending just enough to win everything in a poor domestic scene.

TicToc
5 years ago
Reply to  Tomo

CS, I generally agree with you, with what you say on here.
You’ve tolerated some shit and carried on regardless.
Anyway, point is, you’ve been giving John James pelters recently and I DO NOT agree nor accept that.
I’ve given YOU some “pelters” on JJ’s site as IMHO, JJ needs our support as he regularly brings out truths which are unknown to most Tim sites, including PMGB’s.

IF ONLY, the sites that offer the BEST would stop competing and unite, we’d have a replacement for the currently useless, tainted, bigotted “4th estate”.
Hail! Hail!

TicToc
5 years ago

Brendan: “we brought pressure on ourselves”, NO admission of tactical stupidity, fucking about at the back (to maintain pointless possession), which has NEVER done ANYTHING else but inspire opponents and scare the fucking shit out of us supporters, which is ultimately heard by the team and so, the vicious cycle begins……
WRONG FUCKING TACTICS, end of.
HK
(Hari Kiri)

jimmybee
5 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

Agreed m8

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

TicToc,
You are obviously Mensa trained & of course hold a current UEFA coaching licence, so share with us what Brendan should have done last night in terms of tactics?

TicToc
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti, it’s rather clear your Mensa level is under 20. (mine is 117-ish)
Read my comment again, and try your best to make some sense.
“fucking about at the back (to maintain pointless possession)” may just give you a clue.
Love and kisses,
TicToc

Macca
5 years ago

Domestic success = Lawwell bonus. Until this changes this is “our level” Did you see our financial results. Hey, feckin magic! Progress in Europe? Feckin shambles….#notgoodenough!

TicToc
5 years ago
Reply to  Macca

Macca, I really do not get this “feck” stuff.
As far as I’m aware it’s a soft (Irish?) “fuck”, but WHY?
Maybe tell us all later, but you’ll be addressing a split audience of ‘feckers’ and ‘fuckers’. I’ll state MY case now, I’m a “fucker” (and, if you doubt my sincerity you can feck off! 🙂
Anyway, Lawwell will manipulate figures, as bean-counters do, and ‘manage’ (massage) his bonuses until he’s called out.
Your assessment that PL’s bonuses are based on domestic football is flawed; Euro money is written in.
I need to desist here and go, as that bastard sticks in my craw, and will do until a crow sticks in his (craw).
Good night (it fUcking wasn’t) but 8 IAR IS.
HH

Macca
5 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

Hi Tic Toc My kids follow this site and know my name. Wouldn’t be nice to see their old da using the F word but I’m with you

TicToc
5 years ago
Reply to  Macca

Macca, thanks for taking the time to respond, and with such clarity.
I’m sure that your children will ‘survive’ with or without ‘swearing’, but it’s a parent’s responsibility to offer their children ‘the best’. I respect that.
Cheers, Pal.

Cartvale
5 years ago

Whit happened there, we are pish.
With Laurel and Hardy at the back and Broonie in the middle what can you expect.
Lawell get to fuck, take your lights with you, the only true Celtic believers were the fans, as for BR think about using a system that wee teams used, do not try and play them a their game.

jimmybee
5 years ago

It was again sad to say same old same old.
Brendan in my opinion is out his depth in Europe.
We play he same tactics against St Johnstone as we did against Valencia ffs.
Although players were poor Brendan must take responsibility and ask why you have 2 midfielders against 4.

TicToc
5 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Jimmybee, you are far more eloquent than I am but your assessment is regularly the same as mine.
I GENUINELY feel privileged to hold similar opinion to you and wish yourself, your family and all the Very Best.
(As a granda, I fully appreciate what and why you treat your grandweans so well, I’ve only ONE but he’s plenty; he looks so natural in the Hoops, and almost from he could speak it was “Green, Celtic, yeaaahhhh.
Anyway, Jimmy, you truly are “Some Mhan”.
If my anti-religion comments are offensive to you I regret it.
Of course, deeply-held belief, either for or against religion, should be respected by all. So I’ll try to respect the religion in which I was brought up, Catholicism.
Good night, and as Dave Allen used to say, may your god go with you.
HH

Cartvale
5 years ago

Sorry Monti Boyata serious pish

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