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Celtic Diary Sunday April 14: Big Game Today..

The two best teams in the country square up this afternoon for a place in the Scottish Cup final, where Hearts, the early season pacesetters, lie waiting.

Well, you have to make it sound interesting and exciting..

Yet there is every chance todays game could be a cracker.

Aberdeen are , to coin a phrase, due a win against Celtic, and as the League cup clash showed, they are edging closer to such a result.

However, today they will be without their captain, the industrious Graeme Shinnie, who never gives less than 100%. So much so, in fact, thats he’s been linked with Celtic, presumably as a long term replacement for Scott Brown.

Shay Logan, the likeable full back and Gary Mackay Steven, the former Celt are also missing, but they will still have Sam Cosgrove, arguably the best centre forward outside of Lennoxtown,

The papers will tell you that Celtic are not playing well, based largely on a number of recent sluggish performances in the league where teams simply shut up shop and hope for the best.

This is a cup tie, however, so Aberdeen will at least try to score more goals than the hoops, otherwise they won’t go through.

 

For Neil Lennon, its essential that Celtic win. If they don’t , it’ll be his fault. The press will have a field day, and those among the support who regard him as a step backwards will be furious.

Even though the poor performances are largely down to the relctance of Brendan rodgers to vary his tacitcal approach rather than Lennon’s failure to put it right.

It’s not been pretty, but so far it’s working.

And frankly, when the trophies are being handed out, I’d venture that those of us who seek entertainment would be as well heading off to the pictures for the afternoon.

Dedryck Boyata won;t be playing, it’s more or less certain he won;t play again having agreed terms with Hertha Berlin and no doubt a few other options remain available to him.

Scott Bain , Mikael Lustig, Kris ajer, Filip Benkovic and Keiran tierney should form the back line, with Scott Brown and Calum McGregor in front of them.

Lennon doesn’t seem to rate Scott Sinclair, which is scary in itself, but the Englishman has an excellent record against the Dons, and if he’s not in the starting line up today, a few frowns will begin to crease among the support.

James Forrest should be on the other flank, with Tom Rogic, hopelessly out of form of late, in the number ten slot.

Not on merit, but because Lennon likes him.

though surely if forrest is to be on the flank, then Ryan christie would be the number ten…

Edouard or Burke up front ? It has to be Eddy, although I’d argue that moving Forrest into the ten role and using Burke to support Edouard, or even the other way round would be a better bet.

Then there’s the guile of Timothy Weah….surely with creativity at a low , especially against Livingston, the game that started the doubts, Lennon will want to try something different ?

There are several options, but I’ve a feeling that Lennon will be conservative in his approach, and that could be becuase that’s a word the board like, and it may look good on his CV when the full time manager is announced.

So far it hasn’t been pretty, but it’s working… so don;t expect too many surprises.

As for the outcome, a lot depends on the line up, and even more depends on the attitude.

Scott Brown will drive the team, but if there’s no fuel left in the engine, the driver becomes redundant..

 

Yes, this one worries me.

Aberdeen will be up for it.

Though it’s nonsense to suggest that Celtic won;t be, perhaps there is a fragility about them when things don;t go their way.

Tactics ? Lenno joked that he would phone Rodgers about how to win at Hampden, and we can exclusively reveal that Rodgers told him that Hampden was a special place for him, having often travelled over on the boat to watch games as a kid.

He also told Lenny that he would make Leicester as a tribute to the midfielder, who would always have a special place at his new club, and as long as he was in charge the there would always be a job there for him.

What he was really saying was that he didn’t have a fucking clue, which will come as no surprise to any of us.

Prediction-this might not be a beautiful sunday, although Celtic are the better team, I’m worried simply because this run of cup wins has to end sometime, and today has that sort of feel to it.

 

But, thats what we love about football.

And if Aberdeen do win, good luck to them. Let’s be gracious about it, and not storm onto the pitch to protect our players, or have petulant displays from the players at full time.

 

Elsewhere, and there was a crisis at a junior match that perhaps is unique..

Five minute delay as sub Craig Dallas is asked to remove his underwear by the linesman.

 

Renfrew went on to explain..

Linesman checks studs and cycling shorts (presumably). Player lifts his shorts to show he is wearing a pair of black boxer shorts, and linesman asks him to remove them. Play delayed and substitution not made until our player removes his underwear. Unbelievable 

I’ve no idea who the referee is, but surely that’s taking things a little too far.

Then again, would he do that if he was refereeing a ladies match ?

Yeserday we wondered if the Celtic Trust and the CSA would throw their weight behind the recent kickstart of Resolution 12, and they did reply…sort of.

 

The Trust assisted the movers of the resolution by advising them of the process for getting resolutions on to the PLC AGM agenda. We also signed the shareholder resolution requisition form. We have not played any active part since then.  

Hopefully they will get back on board…we need a united front here, because otherwise Lawwell will keep kicking the can down the road as its not in his interests if shareholders and supporters demand answers to the question of why he appears to be colluding with corruption and cheating.

Speaking of a united front…

Celtic and Aberdeen fans & players: enjoy the match, stay safe and remember that whatever divides us, we’re all the same scum, thugs and hooligans to the Sun, the Record, and We’re hoping for a good match without trouble; they’re the opposite.

Couldn’t have put it better myself.

Caption comp from yesterday…

Pat Higney April 13, 2019 at 6:37 pm · Edit · Reply →

Caption: Neil’s Charlie Chaplin impersonation goes badly wrong when he realises too late that he’s forgotten the walking stick. 

Today..

 

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BJF
4 years ago

Share a bit of concern that Aberdeen are due one but our relatively poor performances recently make me think Lenny will have the bhoys up for it. A proper week’s preparation will also help. I would prefer Tom Rogic,Sinclair and Ollie Burke maybe Weah also off the bench, defence picks itself, Forrest, Calmac, Brown, Christie and Ntcham, with Eddy up front.Torn between Ntcham’s strength ir Sinky’s record against Aberdeen.

Paddybhoy67
4 years ago

Caption: Morelos bumps into Ikpeazu in Edinburgh.

charlie
4 years ago

ffs ralph ye leftme gabbin away tae masel oan the last thread

Phaco
4 years ago

Not homaphobic, but that official should have been taken aside and given a good slap for being a pervo. Hh

Tourtenay
4 years ago

Ralph, what is wrong with you, Aberdeen are a good side but compared to Celtic they are second best.
We all know that Aberdeen will be up for it but so will the Bhoys so put that negativity away because Celtic are here to win, to think any other way is to sow the seeds of failure.
Good win for the Hoops today.
HH

Level 5 plant
4 years ago

Can’t play Rogic today as he isnt ready for it. Christie definitely for me, Aberdeen probably deserve a win sometime but it won’t be today! Coybig

Puggy67
4 years ago

Caption: All’s not well at the Tourettes Teletubbie Appreciation Society’s annual trip so Dipsy wee bastard gets on his bike.

Rebus67
4 years ago

Playing Simo instead of Benkovic is a mistake. He will be rag dolled by Cosgrove.

Also playing Hayes is a tactical error. Hayes can support his FB but there should be no need for that because the Dons will play defensive football, hoping to catch us on the break. Hayes other strength is his crossing, but we have nobody to get on the end of them.

Let us hope neither of these errors prove fatal. What is it with Lenny and the loan players? Use the best players we have, irrespective of their status, especially in cup games.

Rebus

Iljas Baker
4 years ago
Reply to  Rebus67

Lennie got some big decisions right today – left the loan players on the bench, it’s the others that know the importance of 10 in a row as they will be part of it. Johnny Hayes played brilliantly and is twice the player Sinclair is these days. SImo also had a great game and Cosgrove was nullified by him and Ajer. By the way, none of the loan players have set the grass alight, apart from Benkovic. So Rebus are you going to eat your hat?

TonyDtic
4 years ago

Had to double check the Renfrew article to make sure that it was the sub who’s name is Dallas and not the official. That could ruin one’s Sunday nearly as much as an Aberdeen win.

TicToc
4 years ago

Great minds, CS.

Caption: Monti goes incognito doon the Gallagate on cup SF day without drawing too much attention.

TicToc
4 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

Aye, Weered, that’s what I think!
HH

Monti
4 years ago

That’s me on my seat at Hampden, unscathed & unrepentant!
COYBIG!

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Where were you Buzz, did you have an upset tummy 🙂

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  Monti

bumm boy seek help we are awe rootin fr ye ha ha …….apart fae donnchadh who jeest wants tae root ye again aint ratification grand he he

highseastim
4 years ago

I’ll bet Tory bastard Ross, wasn’t shouting red card, red card either!!

portpower
4 years ago

You fucking animal Ball.
That was not a mistimed challenge.That was a criminal instruction from Derek McInnes.

At all costs Bhoys.

TicToc
4 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Exactly what I saw, port, it was a straight red all day, missed the ball by 6 inches or so, and it came out later he’s supposed to be a buddy of Ryan? FFS, with friends like that………
HH
BTW, Ferguson, that hun-faced, hun-related, hun cunt should’ve been booked at least in the 1st half for persistent fouling; what he attempted on Big Tom was a fucking assault, GBH style. The wee cunt. But the SMSM will spin it very differently. And Cosgrove’s melodrama……reminds me of some old craic…..is he a BIG cunt or is he a big CUNT. Rhetorical. 🙂
HH
PS Does anyone know if we do the triple treble, will it be unsurpassed in serious football?
PPS Necked a bottle of Chateau NdP amongst my usual imbibing earlier (now on some Syrah). The CNdP was the best I’ve ever tasted of this, often over-rated, plonk.
Hermitages (never heard of it before) 15% ABV. It’s luxury.
But so was Lanny, all them years ago. 🙂
HH
PPS+ Just hope Ryan is okay and will be playing again soon. My heart was going out to his parents whom I KNEW would be there. Saw his Dad going to hopefully comfort him. Get well soon Ryan, we all love you and we’re all rooting for you.

portpower
4 years ago

you beauty

Cartvale
4 years ago

The two best teams in the country, Ralph ie don’t think so. As the sheepies thugs run about fouling, especially Fergus on, Thomson and his merry men ignore everything.
Ball challenge on Christie atrocious, all down to Thomson letting them off with previous.
Cosgrove, Fergus on and Ball must have taken instructions from the Buffalo.
Put a bet on the first player to be bkd would be Celtic, what o u know

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago

Great goal wee Jamesie!! Mon the Tic, let’s go to town on this mob in the 2nd half and really rub it in. Ball ought to get a hefty ban for that disgusting headbutt.

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago

I just hope Ryan’s okay after that. It looked very nasty.

TicToc
4 years ago
Reply to  Yoker Bhoy

Yoker, I answered “port” on the same thing plus other points.
Fucking disgraceful is just about right.
The sheep had two ‘rams’ sent off from the pitch and another two from the coaching staff, wonder what the SMSM will do to deflect from our very deserved victory? Whaegiesafuck? We’re seasoned here.
THEIR grandchildren will be Celtic fans too! Mibbaes that’s enough, mibbaes?
HH

rebus67
4 years ago

I hope Celtic pursue the performance of the ref as a contributing factor in Christie’s injury. Why Ferguson is still on the park is a mystery.He got away with fouls on Eddy and McGregor in the same area of the park. The official behind the goals should call these.

So far, I was wrong about Simo…he is playing well and it should be easier for him with the Dons down to 10. Hayes is hardly in the game, tho.

Rogic would not have been my choice to replace Ryan but hopefully he makes a contribution.

You can see a difference in Lenny vs BR, more long balls over the top being used.

It seems our best chances are from range as the Dons pack the area.

Rebus

portpower
4 years ago

I`ll take it.

portpower
4 years ago

yassssssssssssssss

portpower
4 years ago

A goal from a corner`ll be the icing on the cake today.

portpower
4 years ago

Yet another mistimed criminal instruction.

You`re a disgrace McInnes.

Aussies do it better.

portpower
4 years ago

Are we goin` for Ralph`s 7?

portpower
4 years ago

Fuck off Sutton.This is a big win for all Celts.

portpower
4 years ago

COYR…and not a Broony involved.

portpower
4 years ago

Well survived Bhoys.

Stevie D
4 years ago

2 Aberdeen players plus Mcinnes and his managerial sidekick sent aff? Must mean a lengthy ban for Broonie surely . . . .

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago
Reply to  Stevie D

🙂

TicToc
4 years ago
Reply to  Stevie D

Just saw that Stevie D, exactly!
HH

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago

An easy passage to the final with the triple treble very much on. Obviously the two sending-offs helped to determine the flow of the game as well as the final outcome but they were thoroughly deserved. If only we’d bagged a few more but three will do fine. My biggest concern at this moment is Christie’s injury. Now we can focus on getting the league all sewn up ASAP. Well done Bhoys!!

HH

rebus67
4 years ago

Pity that Aberdeen descended to that level today. Refs need to step up and deal with teams that try those tactics early in the game. Ferguson is a total disgrace and it would be interesting to see what happened to him if he moved to England.

Apart from physicality, the Dons did not threaten Celtic so it is difficult to judge our strengthens. Certainly, Simo looked impressive and against a big physical opponent. He may get the opportunity again against Hearts with their bustling giant.

A dominant performance and result. I suspect that McInnes will claim that the ref was biased against his team. He cannot defend the incidents that led to the two sendings off, so he will claim that Celtic offences went unpunished. It is the formula.

A poor advert for Scottish football but a great result.

Rebus

Stevie D
4 years ago
Reply to  rebus67

Even in the lead up to Forrest’s goal Ferguson assaulted McGregor off the ball and took him right out the game. If we hadn’t scored I don’t think the ref had any intention of giving anything for it. Ferguson was getting away with murder during the first half.

Stevie D
4 years ago
Reply to  Stevie D

Agreed

portpower
4 years ago

Short and sweet interview from Neil. Did he pay for the catering? 🙂
GBNL.

Why didn`t the ref go across to the ball boy and explain what he did wrong.
I felt sorry for the lad.

SMSM`ll say it changed the game though.

TicToc
4 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Port, Eddie did the sporting thing and gave the ball away, thereby saving sporting integrity and the wee boy’s blushes too. Eddie clearly understands “A Club Like No Other” and behaves in that tradition. And then there’s that CUNT Lawwell…..Ach, it’s been another great day to be a Tim, Lawwell’s day will come in its own time.
And what a fuckin’ day that’ll be, for “A Cunt Like No Other”, roll on!
HH

Broxburnbhoy
4 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

Why a perfect description – you must have been looking in the mirror !

TicToc
4 years ago
Reply to  Broxburnbhoy

Broxburn, not too clear on your comment, but then, I’m NOT a fuckin’ tory. Jew to this, I don’t see your ‘angle’. I’m told it’s steep. Oh, FFS, you’re a property developer, and you always had your eyes on “Gazza”? Not just a cunt, a triple cunt.
One day, our paths will cross. I know this. I look forward to it in the same degree that you hope it all goes away. IT WONT GO AWAY, time will out the diamond from the diabolical.Just as I have been able to separate establishment pish from reality.
Up until now, I’ve been kind to you.
That kindness is gone.
You’ve been a laugh, now just fuck off.

Mike
4 years ago

Celtic 3- 0 Dirty Dastardly Dandies.

Thomson should have yellow carded Ferguson long before his red card, that was a contributing factor in the game.
MOM James Forrest, a brilliant goal, dummy, turn and inside of the boot, to the inside of Lewis’s R.H. post. But oh dear, he was Buzzin.
A straight red card for the young ball bhoy, who kept the ball in play before it left the pitch. ( A Dandy in the making).
Hayes inclusion fully vindicated Lennon’s pick.
McKenna, he turned his back on Rogic’s ball into the net, bad decision.
Aberdeen offered nothing in terms of attacking football or attractive football, nothing but a bunch of cheating fowlers.
Celtic were the only team trying to play football and fully deserved their win. Well done Lenny and your bhoys, brilliant.
A

Monti
4 years ago

Well done Celtic!
James Forrest take a bow!

Hail Hail!

portpower
4 years ago

Caption:
Ferguson idles away the rest of the afternoon chasing rabbits.

Puggy67
4 years ago

So the Aberdeen manager reacts to ‘sectarianism’ and gets sent off. And the story is us. Look out for the most stringent penalties being applied over the next 2 seasons over an issue over a century in the making of which we were almost exclusively the victims. If you can’t beat us on the park…

portpower
4 years ago

Big call for the SFA.

Ann Budge meant The Celtic End`s to be closed.

BJF
4 years ago

Didn’t factor Jony Hayes into my equation but if things look difficult a tough wee Dubliner can be relied on. Even at 11 v 11 Celtic really looked the part today, every team in Scotland could have come onto the pitch today and tried to score against that
defence and they would have had no joy. I don’t think Mciness should have been sent to the stand, I hate sectarianism in any form and he was on the receiving end. If as a club we aren’t sectarian then our supporters shouldn’t behave like the Sevconians, either you buy into being a sectarian bigot or you don’t , the pathetic “they” are worse bigots than us is seriously not bright. However one thing we will take away is a brighter on the ball Jozo. Mciness’s claim that Ball’s assault on Ryan
was the same as Boyata’s on GMS in the LCup is clearly nonsense and the Celtic supporters had the class to applaud
GMS as he was carried off unlike the Sheep today, their supporters were a disgrace

Stevie D
4 years ago
Reply to  BJF

I wish Celtic supporters wouldn’t sing that song BJF. I hated it when the huns invented it aimed at Tommy Burns and Big Fat Derek Johnstone declared it his favourite football song (aye really!). I still hate it and I cringe when I hear it from our own.

Cartvale
4 years ago

McInnes horrible wee bitter man, Ball should not have been sent off, what planet does he live on? the Celtic fans chanting caused him to behave like a gutter snipe, his true colours will out.
Aberdeen embarrassed themselves today

portpower
4 years ago
Reply to  Cartvale

Derek McInnes. Wow!
You`re hierarchical now.

Pensionerbhoy
4 years ago

Ralph,

I also had some jitters earlier because of today’s game, but I thought getting that shiver in your bones was just for neo-skeletons like me.

Then the game started and I soon felt calm. Aberdeen may at some time in the distant future be good enough to be the second best team in Scotland and then might even topple us from our self-constructed pedestal. But, if they are to achieve anywhere near that, they must first rid themselves of the pretender who manages them. Tactically, he has nothing to offer and approaches every game against us with a fear and trepidation that is patently transferred to his players. Consequently, his team immediately does an Alamo thus, given Celtic’s current malaise, losing an opportunity today to take the game to us. We have struggled when teams take us on. However, McInnes’ idea of “take on” seems to be more “get ’em” and any way you can at that. Right from the start I detected an aggression from Aberdeen that to me would inevitably lead to the actual consequences we witnessed this afternoon. Ferguson, behaving with the nastiness that trademarked his father, should have had his early bath a lot sooner than he did and he should not have been alone. It would appear that McInnes’ answer to unsuccessful negativity is elimination of opponents by viciousness. His plan today was obviously to beat us into submission if he could not beat us with football. Aberdeen got everything they deserved as did their manager.
As for Celtic, we are still firing on about three cylinders short but, like an original little Beetle, we are grinding our way to our destination and getting there in spite of our mechanical deficiencies. Today, it was also in spite of some incredible “honesty” by the magnificent Mr. Thomson of Lanarkshire referee fame. If he could have “seen” at least two penalties and some potentially threatening free kicks, you may have gotten your 7-0, Ralph. As it was, his inexplicable interpretations and the continued misfiring of our forwards, meant the score was as it was.

In spite of spouting all that guff, I really am an extremely satisfied auld grump tonight and I hope your collywabbles are pacified too, Ralph. I am certain you will have taken the proper medicine for your affliction – better to read it in the morning when you can see the words :).

Caption: “The tubby life cycle”

H H

portpower
4 years ago

I thought the SFA were to be giving away with the byline officials?

Pensionerbhoy
4 years ago

Ralph,

One should at least be allowed to do one’s shit before the flushing starts. Maybe that does apply to the diarrhoea I posted.
H H

charlie
4 years ago

caption bumm boy arrives at the hoops bar but alas his maw went furra swally wae monti ha ha ma question is this is bumm boys maw his maw or wissy dumped on carstairs doorstep he he ony kiddin bumm boy its a conspiracy

portpower
4 years ago

God I hope this doesn`t get past moderation.

G`day Pensionerbhoy.
Your missing post didn`t mention the caption;”Scottish forklift rally” did it? 🙂

charlie
4 years ago

caption bumm boy arrives through the lookin glass tae find his maw geidum a dizzy ha ha aint demented cunts demented ha ha

charlie
4 years ago

port heers a good yin fur ye

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  charlie
charlie
4 years ago

port the moderator fcked it ……neil lennon song god blessum

portpower
4 years ago
Reply to  charlie

G`day charlie

back of 4am and i`m just past the bottom of the label on the bottle.Lovely game.

While you`re here charlie.Do all supporters come home with a wheelbarrow after a home game?

Or is it true that a wheelbarrow`s a Glaswegian`s ambulance?

Got my first pair of so called leather boots from the Barrowlands.

Nite.God bless. For we only know.

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  portpower

god bless you and yours port but ffs wheelbarras are fr good shoplifters………..ask mike the fermer ha ha

charlie
4 years ago

port heers another wan

charlie
4 years ago
charlie
4 years ago

fuck the modrator lennys got something inside so strong

charlie
4 years ago
charlie
4 years ago

let the good times roll

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