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Celtic Diary Saturday March 9: It’s that Time Again!

Celtic have the opportunity to go ten points clear this afternoon when Aberdeen come to town.

Some title race this turned out to be despite the hoops giving everyone a head start back in August.

As we head for more silverware, spare a thought for those who thought it would be their turn..their 55th title in just seven years…

Hibernian and “rangers ” fought out a 1-1 draw at Easter Road. that more or less kills off any lingering hopes that the Ibrox side had of winning the league and should they collapse to Aberdeen in the midweek cup replay their season will be over.

 

Their loyal support are still firmly behind their manager, as he’s repeatedly told them its not his fault the players he brought in are either too young, too old or too shite to make any sort of impact.

Reality is biting again..

Some of their support are disappointed, thats to be expected after the experts in the media told them it would be so much better..

It does say “shoots from the lip “. I thought that was a typo.

 

Its not gone their way this season-it was never going to-and their supporters will get to relive the disappointment the last time they got their hopes up so high..

Four cup final officials proving their neutrality at full time there..

 

 

For Celtic boss Neil Lennon, it will be an emotional afternoon as he takes his seat in the Celtic Park dugout for the first time since answering the call to step in when the previous manager saw some pound signs and dug out his copy of “Great Moments In The History Of Leicester City ”

“Of course it will be special. I’ll have a moment when it will mean so much then the whole focus will be on the team and on the club.

“I have the help of John Kennedy and Damien Duff. It’s been brilliant but it’s all about the team and the fans. I hope there’s that connection there more or less straight away between fans and players because they have been hurt. 

Hurt ?

Vindicated, maybe. Relieved even, but hurt ?

How can someone you couldn’t give a toss about hurt you, unless its with a hammer ?

But there is one legacy that can be attributed to Barney Redders, or whatever his name was, he certainly knows how to unify a support.

Image result for some people when they leave

The story continues today and the club would like to remind supporters to be on their best behaviour.

This follows another incident at Easter road when a supporter ran alongside the pitch before attacking “rangers ” captain James Tavernier Pen 88…to give him his full name, as usually noted in match reports.

Hibernian supporters are making a bit of a nuisance of themselves of late, and perhaps could find themselves on the end of a fine or even a stand closure, a move that would allow the SFA to pretend they are on the ball with recent fan trouble, and not upset what the other clubs call the “Ugly Sisters ” into the bargain.

Thats not a reference to Hibernian chief Leanne Dempster, as I’ve no idea if she has a sister, but to the two Glasgow clubs who,  according to neutral fans get all the decisions and all the trophies and anything else that happens to be on offer.

Of course, attacks on players are not as uncommon as you might think.

Remember these two “rangers ” supporters attacking two Celtic players ?

Aberdeen fans are generally easier to get on with than most, but we hear today they’re heading into town mob handed and have already caused chaos on the roads..

Image result for sheep on the road

 

They may take the game a little less seriously than in the past, as they will have one eye on the Cup replay with “rangers “.

Key players may be rested, as McInnes will fancy his chances of beating Celtic in a Hampden semi final, perhaps mindful of how close he got to us in the League cup final.

As for Celtic, manager Lennon has either completely lost it already, or he has a surprise or two himself in store.

Lennon: Compper could play for Celtic before end of season

That’s Marvin Comperr, by the way, in case you weren’t sure. He took part in a development game the other day, and played so well that he might even get a game for the first team.

Lennon said;

He could, yeah,” 

Image result for shocked baby gif

“He played a development game on Tuesday and I went to see it. His attitude was excellent. Scott Allan played as well, and Bayo. I was really pleased with what I saw from the senior boys as well as the younger players.

“He’s training with the first-team squad. And he’s keeping himself ticking over with match fitness with the development team. If called upon he’ll be ready, fitness-wise anyway.” 

Yeah, right up until the moment he hurts his back tying his bootlace.

Lennon may well just be trying to show the press he’s a changed man, all pleasant with a bit of a sense of humour.

Very subtly, sports editors have issued guidelines on which Lennon photgraphs can be used, and which can’t.

the Record lead the way this morning with this

 

The Express were a little more subtle, but again the vilification is underway ..all in order to tell us later this season that he nrings it on himself..

Neil Lennon

In all seriousness, ahead of a possible three more games against the dark side, maybe the club should consider hiring a couple of proper security guards to look after the dugout..

Image result for bodyguards

 

Speaking of the papers, the Daily Star, which some say is a newspaper, but they probably haven’t read it, offers an insight into the hunt for a permanent manager that Celtic are apparently participating in..

Celtic still in manager hunt after SNUB – could Frank Lampard replace Brendan Rodgers?

Snub ? What snub ?

CELTIC remain on the hunt for a new permanent manager after Preston boss Alex Neil ruled himself out. 

Presumably tomorrow they’ll tell us that Steven Gerrard has ruled himself out of the Real Madrid job, should it become available.

The Bhoys are currently eight points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership and are on course to complete the ‘treble-treble’.

But they’ve been forced to do so under the stewardship of club hero Neil Lennon after Brendan Rodgers quit last month to replace Claude Puel at Leicester.

Lennon is in charge on an interim basis until the end of the season but it is unclear whether he’ll be trusted permanently this summer.

 Then the warning…

Rangers have started to close the gap under Steven Gerrard this season, meaning a good appointment at the end of the season is essential for Celtic to maintain their dominance. 

But who could they hire to continue Rodgers’ good work? Starsport takes a look at three potential candidates. 

One of whom is Frank Lampard, a sort of English based Steven Gerrard

Frank Lampard

The Derby boss is another potential manager that would spice up the title race opposite Gerrard.

Lampard is enjoying his first season as a manager in the Championship but a string of poor results has seen them slip away slightly in the battle for the play-offs.

Touted as a potential replacement for Maurizio Sarri at former club Chelsea, Lampard may prefer a spell north of the border before trying his hand at the top of the Premier League.

Lampard is an outsider with the bookies to make a move to Parkhead and his chances will likely depend on whether Derby secure a play-off spot. 

His chances actually depend on a little more than that.

Harry Howes is the writer with the vivid imagination, and he’s the one on the far right, I think, according to google..

Image result for harry howes daily star

I don’t know when the newspaper industry will finally die, but I think I’ve spotted one of the symptons that will cause it.

The Record maintains that Lennon has already started planning for next season..

Neil Lennon reveals Celtic recruitment chief Lee Congerton’s plans for summer rebuild

The Hoops boss met with Lee Congerton and Peter Lawwell to begin discussions over their recruitment process. 

My guess is Congerton was asked if he knows anyone who knows anything about scouting and recruitment.

And Congerton would gently told that the scouting department was going to move in a different direction, and it would be nice if he could move in a different direction as well.

We intercepted this message that was left on his desk..

Image result for fuck off

 

Anyway, sometimes there is something worth reading in the papers…from the Sun

 

Palestine ambassador given VIP tour of Celtic Park as he thanks fans for ‘unwavering support for our cause’

Hoops supporters raised £176,000 for Palestinian charities in 2016 after the Scottish champions were fined by Uefa for a huge fan-demonstration against Israeli side Hapoel Beer Sheva

A PALESTINE ambassador was given a VIP tour of Celtic Park as he thanked Hoops fans for their incredible crowdfunding efforts three years ago.

Dr Husam Zomlot touched down in Scotland this week for the first time since taking his new role as Palestine’s head of mission to the UK. 

In 2016, the Scottish champions were fined £8,000 for a huge pro-Palestine fan demonstration against Israeli outfit Hapoel Beer Sheva.

But the charge was dwarfed by the £176,000 raised online for Middle East charities in a bid by fans to match what they thought would be a far harder hit.

And Mr Zomlot paid homage to the extraordinary sum raised by thanking the club and its supporters today during a trip to the stadium.

A tweet from the Palestine in the UK Twitter account read: “H.E. Dr @hzomlot visited today @CelticFC to deliver a message of thanks from the Palestinian people to the club and Celtic fans for #Palestine for their wholehearted and unwavering support for our cause. #YoullNeverWalkAlone”. 

 

Image result for Celtic fans palestinian flags

If you’re going to the game today, enjoy it..

This is the start of the run to the treble. Its that time of year when our moods are lifted, when the grin is that little harder to wipe from our faces.

The league is more or less done, the cup could be a problem but the spotlight will be turned on the referees via the bookies ahead of the semi final to ensure fair play, and the nights are getting shorter.

Which means more daylight of the undead on the streets.

Mind you, they do tend to retire early this time of the year..for obvious reasons. it was the hope that killed them.

And probably another Scott Sinclair hat trick..

Remember that 7-0 I kept harping on about ?

 

Yesterday we had this..

 

D’Fhinnein Mick March 8, 2019 at 10:24 am · Edit · Reply →

CAPTION

That’s the last time we let Cardinal Pell organise the school bus trip! 

Today..

Football fan

 

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BJF
5 years ago

Caption officials lead Taveneir away after unprovoked attack on Hibs supporters.

5 years ago

Caption: “rangers” hooligan led away by officials after unwarranted attack on his fan”.

I’m sure that was the intended headline in the Scottish newspapers this morning – honest!!

5 years ago
Reply to  Steven R

Hibs fan…

5 years ago

Hibs fan attacks “The Rangers” full back.
Daily Record blames Leigh Giffiths

Mike
5 years ago

Brilliant, again! I see “Her Majesty” is fuming and furious that her Hibs fan had the audacity to lay a hand on one of her own. She is a true Govanite, don’t worry Leanne, you can always return to your own. Secrets and lies, it all comes down from above, with putrid as the one leading the club, take your lead from him. Her “falling out” with Lenny was her improbable gift to Celtic, someday we will find out the REAL reason. Oh, the Sevco are shite, from morning till night.
Yoker, an excellent post on todays game, all the best mate from a sunny but cold Scotia. COYBIG.

Yoker Bhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Cheers Mikey – have a brilliant day and, all being well, we’ll see a five-star performance with quite a few goals rattling in to spoil the day for the dandies. This is a great chance to go 10 clear for the first time this season!

HH

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Dempster was pure ragin’ in total contrast to last week when the assault on Sinky was met by whataboutery and even after the failure of stewards and CCTV to identify his attacker there was no public apology.

I assume she only mentioned she’d written privately to Sinky that she knew it would look dreadful given her immediate angry reaction to an “attack” on a Ranger.

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

RALPH

Can I please draw the attention of your match-going readers to this:-

Glasgow City Council have finally granted approval for a memorial to AN GORTA MOR to be sited in the city. A fundraising bucket collection will be held today at Celtic Park.

Please give generously.

5 years ago

Caption: Statement from the accused “ well I seen how pish that Taverner was playing eh? So it wis obvious he’d tanned ma buckfast – that I threw last week likesay! So’s I just went an asked him for it back, ken”

gerry hughes
5 years ago

Got to be one of your best diaries ever. Just love those experts Jackson and Nicholas. Keep highlighting their brilliance!

Una
5 years ago

Caption

Bellends the pair of them

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Una

Una,
Mike & Yoker?

Bognorbhoy
5 years ago

Caption ..

Mcleans saying , I can’t give a penalty tav it was outside the box

His assistant was shouting ..
ned ned ned

SteveNaive
5 years ago

Just watched the recent Oscar winner Green Book. Disappointed, not a thing in it about Celtic at all.
Mei Mc Cann… we should be talking about how well rangers played and the last ditch defending if Hibs”… good grief.

Puggy67
5 years ago
Reply to  SteveNaive

No so sure SteveNaive the pizza scene was a clear Steve Fulton reference.

5 years ago

Irvine squelch in another publicity stunt to sell crap book

Monti
5 years ago

Morning Bhoys & Ghirls, or in Una’s case, the aged.
Disappointed to see these incidents, fans going on the park, bottles, coins & seats being thrown, not to mention the huns weekly sectarian songbook?
What is happening with folk?

No need ever to be throwing anything at opposition players or supporters, get a fucking grip!!

Big game today, just win Celtic, just win!

Good to see the panic & disappointment in the huns, long may their pain continue!

HH

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

The voice of reason.

Puggy67
5 years ago

Caption: Celtic fan throws 21 year old at Ragers player, calls for Neil Lennon to be sanctioned.

George Lazenbhoy
5 years ago

Caption : sorry brother James, even I can’t give you a penalty for that

Brian (not the messiah)
5 years ago

Caption: ref. Sorry tav I can’t award you a penalty for that.

Brian (not the messiah)
5 years ago

Ohhhh george you beat me to it!! Great minds think alike

50 Shades of Green
5 years ago

Caption,,,,

Begbie lookalike—-a wiz just looking fir ma buckie bottle I left it here last week like…

Pat mc cormick
5 years ago

Next target going for 55again next season so pony up with your money (ST) and we will buy more dross from EPL HHPJ44

Cartvale
5 years ago

Caption
Can u get me a transfer ref this mob are shite

The huns, what can u say, they think Alfredo is the best thing since sliced bread, mince is probably a better description.
Love how they highlight the mad mental Hibee, but ignore the sectarian singing (the Famine Song amongst others) and the seats ripped up, or is that cultural, and the great hordes of Ibrokes having fun?

portpower
5 years ago

Caption:
Brainspotting Generation Y.

Pensionerbhoy
5 years ago

Caption:

“It’s ye’r orange boots son. They are like a red rag to an Hibernian.”

H H

5 years ago

Cmon the cottagers. Suddenly have an interest in the epl

5 years ago

Caption
A hooded Lee Wallace gets led away by the police humming the old 70s tune “it should’ve been me” but he promises not to grass anyone up this time

Pensionerbhoy
5 years ago

Ralph,

I hear the “rangers” have given up football for Lent. Little do they know what is waiting for them at the Easter rising. As ever, their sacrifice and increasing debt for the sake of Scottish football will be in vain once more as the pesky rebellious underdogs sweep all before them for the third time in a row.

My one hope today, ahead even of a sparkling result, is perfection from our fans. If ever there was a time for exemplary behaviour from every single one, it is this afternoon. There is absolutely no excuse for anything else and that includes the dangerous and totally pointless smoke canisters or flares.

Let it be a day to remember for all the right reasons.

H H

B Boru
5 years ago
Reply to  Pensionerbhoy

hear hear!

The Cha
5 years ago

What did we win the league by last year, 13 points?

We should be able to comfortably beat that (15+ points) to send Slippy homewards to think again.

Lenny bruce
5 years ago

Caption

“The police have got him, just get in with the game. It’s a penalty to you”

Yoker Bhoy
5 years ago

Confirmed line-up for this afternoon:

CELTIC: Bain; Toljan, Boyata, Ajer, Tierney; Brown, Bitton, Forrest, Henderson, Sinclair; Burke.
Subs: De Vries, Lustig, Hendry, Hayes, Weah, Johnston, Edouard

A possible comeback for Dorus the Dutchman between the sticks – Gulp!

Mon the Hoops!!

molledog
5 years ago

Any streams that work?

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  molledog
portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  molledog

Fingers crossed

copy and paste into search bar molledog…

http://www.streamendous.com/ch_a.php?96

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  molledog

Sorry molledog my comment is awaiting moderation.

Google Davy`s Streams then click on streamendous.

molledog
5 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Many thanks

Abalony
5 years ago

Hendo Snr goal @ 2:12 mins for Verona last night:

larathedog
5 years ago

Lenny not proven verdict sets Edinburgh precedent for loons attending games to do as they please knowing no jury of their peers will convict regardless of the crime or available VAR.

Owen Mullions
5 years ago

Caption: Neil Lennon arrested for ‘looking like a taig’ as Tavernier agrees time of next penalty award with match officials.

CD
5 years ago

Lot of supporters thinking Aberdeen were in for a tanking today , underestimated how defensive they would play and just assume we would rattle a few by them , Scott Sinclair hat trick ? Ralph counting his chickens again ,

jimmybee
5 years ago

Nothing lost nothing gained another game down

Flat perfermoance I thought and the fans not as vocal as I thought they would be. We are missing a creative midfielder Christie McGregor Rogic are big losses at the moment so a little surprised we aren’t going with 2 up top.
But on we go just disapointed the lead at the top wasnt extended today. HH

Bobby Murdoch’s Crumpled Up Chip Wrapper
5 years ago

Caption;

“Listen Tav, I might be a Sevconian but I simply can’t give you a penalty for that!”

Uralius
5 years ago

Caption: One of Scotland coppers doesn’t even try and hide his true colors with blue emblazoned across his shoulders.

Uralius
5 years ago

We did alright, we have to remember that Lennon is on a mission from God. While he is under orders to win the treble we have to remember his higher mission; to destroy that mob, be it in the form of Rangers, Sevco, zombies or anything else they or we come up with to describe them.

Iljas Baker
5 years ago

Uninspired performance today. Maybe down to tiredness as Lennon stated. We really are missing Rogic, Calmac and Christie. They are all potential game changers.Thought Sinclair was posted missing again and Ollie Burke really needs to do more than just run fast – he ran off the park a couple of times! I’m sure Lenny will sort it out. As things stand I wouldn’t pay 10 million got Burke and wouldn’t really extend Sinclair ‘s contract if we want to do better in Europe.

Iljas Baker
5 years ago

for Burke

Devoy45
5 years ago

Very disappointed. I thought the home crowd and energy levels should have been a big factor against a team that dug in to frustrate us. Our problem is scoring goals and I hoped Lenny would see this and do something about it. We’ve only scored 4 goals since Lenny took over and I fear Brown/Bitton has slowed us down. Yes, we miss Cal Mac, Christie and Rogic but that’s where we need to switch tactics and formations.
Burke shouldn’t be an automatic starter either. He’s a winger but James Forrest is a better one
Bayo wasn’t even on the bench. Lenny? In a dour scoreless draw, why not someone different?
Sometimes, with Brendan, it was frustrating when he persisted with things that weren’t working. I forgot that Lenny can also do that same thing.
We have 3 games to rack ups some goals and more convincing victories:
Dundee/St. Mirren/Livvie at home.
Sevco? Lenny must win that one. A loss to Sevco would be unthinkable and would also convince me that Lenny is not our long-term man. I’m having my doubts now, after yesterday. Tiredness should be no excuse for a big squad like ours.
Uninspiring. Disappointed.
Our perfect home record is now gone and I remember how Lenny didn’t always shine in cups either.
I was totally fooled by Brendan so don’t want to make the same mistake with Lenny so am trying to be realistic, not fickle.
C’mon the Celtic

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

PISH

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Devoy,
At the moment we are missing too many of our main players, Benkovic, McGregor, Rogic & Christie, this does & will have an impact negatively on the team.
Sometimes also we just have to acknowledge the opposition for executing their game plan.
One thing that is a bit puzzling is, if Edouard is 100% fit then he should be starting.
We could always turn to Griffiths i suppose…….when you can be fucked Leigh, maybe head back to work.

Mike
5 years ago

Head south from sweet Carnlough bay, take the M2 passing Antrim on your right, Carrickfergus on your right, (I wish I was in Carrickfergus, only for nights in Ballygrand, I would swim o’er the deepest ocean, just to see you before I die, Nor have I wings so I could fly). Take a left through Belfast, past Lisburn, then you arrive in Lurgan, county Armagh, a distance of some 59 miles. That’s the journey from the Departed, you are in ARRIVALS, the home of the Celtic manager, Neil Francis Lennon. He won as the Celtic manager, the first three off the league titles, he is here hoping to win the last three, the eighth, nineth and tenth. “So I had a meeting with Lawwell and Lee Congerton on Wednesday last. So, there are plans in place he said, positions and players have been identified for next season”. We wish him well….

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Unless, you are locked and loaded… 😉

Mike
5 years ago

“On the twelth of November, that day of renown,
McGrath and his keeper, they left old Lurgan town”.

When winter was brawling, O’er high hills and mountains,
and dark were the clouds o’er the deep rolling seas,
I spied a wee lassie, as the daylight was dawning,
She was asking the road to sweet Carnlough Bay”.

Mike
5 years ago

How we miss Dembelle, coming up against hod carriers, like Hertz and Aberdeen, Kilmarnock, the Huns, you need that big physical but skilful type of player. Disappointed not to see Bayo, was he injured?
but its clear as day that we need a big striker, only Lenny would be able to tell us how Edourade was not started perhaps even with Burke up front together. I suppose he is just feeling his way in with players that he isn’t used to. A new right back is needed, Toljen returning home and Gamboa’s time is up, their wages will be used to bring in a new right back. But for me a big physical, talented finisher, a centre forward must be the priority.
I missed the “bucketeers” yesterday, if anyone could provide a donation link to “An Gorta Mor” it would be most appreciated….

alib
5 years ago

So, Steven Gerrards “sevco” is he the owner ? if so is he liable for debts of the previous entity and the burgioning debts of the latest bunch of ?

Iljas Baker
5 years ago

Don’t think Toljan is the answer anyway Mike. He’s good at attacking but not defending. We really need to discover some new talent or spend a bit like Ajax.

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Iljas Baker

I agree IIjas., Toljan was found out a couple of times already. C.S. Lustig perhaps another year, but its all about ambition, the policeman was found out in Europe, I agree that we need another quality right back, one who can defend as well as go forward…

Iljas Baker
5 years ago
Reply to  Iljas Baker

Sounds about right CS. Interested in being manager?

Devoy45
5 years ago

Good responses. Thanks Monti for going beyond PISH. What you say makes sense. Like you, I hate giving any quarter to the Huns and I saw yesterday as a chance to increase our lead. I wasn’t expecting that flat display and result. Until we get Cal Mac, Christie and Rogic back then Lenny needs to re-jig things. I like the 3-5-2 wingback idea and it would be good to get two bigger strikers up front. We need to see what Bayo can do.

Monti
5 years ago

CS,
You are talking shite, Griffiths being a ‘ set piece specialist ‘is a myth.
Nakamura was one of the best as was Alan Thompson.
Griffiths?

Devoy45
5 years ago

I think Griffiths is easily the best set piece specialist we have on the current squad. Correct though, he isn’t as good as Naka was. Thommo was pretty good too. I would like to get Griff back on the pitch under Lenny.

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