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Celtic Diary Wednesday August 7: Lets Get The Job Done

Here we go again.

The fifth qualifier in five weeks and they certainly seem to come around fast.

but despite the travelling, despite the pressure and despite a mainstream media hell bent on throwing a spanner into the work being done by the new manager, Celtic can be reasonably confident of returning from Romania with at the very least a chance of progressing to the play offs.

Cluj are a side who demand respect, but it was nice to see among all the hullaballoo that their manager, former Chelsea man Dan Petrescu, has ignored all the Scottish papers..

“It is not going to be easy, but sometimes miracles could happen – even Leicester winning the league and even Unirea Urziceni winning the league and then beating Glasgow Rangers 4-1 away,” 

“I’m sure we need a perfect game in both legs.” 

Our spirit is good,” 

“We have players of 34, 35, 36 years old who will start tomorrow and it is not easy for them to play three games in a week.

“They have experience, they know how to play and hopefully they can keep pace with the young players of Celtic.” 

Ah, he’s not falling for that long ball nonsense spouted by the former Rangers player the other day then..thats a blow.

Or is it all part of an elaborate double bluff by the Scottish media, who have really been right behind us all the time ?

“In official games, they have scored 19 goals,” 

“That is not easy – it doesn’t matter who is the opposition.

“Maybe Sarajevo and the team from Estonia are not good compared to Cluj, but still they are champions of their country and Celtic destroyed them in both games.”

They have something like the style of Ajax. They don’t play long balls, play only short balls, pass all the time.

“They try to play good football and they have very good speed in midfield and attack – not only for goals but also to think.

“We have to make our best game ever and be fantastic in both games.” 

From that, my guess is they will pack the midfield and try to stifle the game, whilst playing a long ball game of their own.

Incidentally, Petrescu has revealed that he was very close to becoming the manager of Celtic..according to the Evening Times…

“It was a friend of mine who invited me to Scotland,” 

“I told this agent that I was really interested in being the coach of Celtic but I had a good contract and I didn’t want to leave my club. I was at Dinamo Moscow. I know Celtic came with a good offer for me, but unfortunately for me it was the wrong time. 

“I don’t know who called me, I don’t remember. Somebody from the club, I don’t remember who it was. Was I close to taking the job? Very close. Very close. That would been fantastic for me. It’s a great club. I think everybody in the world would want to coach Celtic, all the coaches.” 

Someone at a club ” everybody in the world would want to coach ”  at rang him, and asked him if he wanted the job, but he can’t remember who ?

Excuse me if I don’t feel I should take him entirely at his word on this one..

If I remember correctly he got his own tv show on channel 4 instead..

Pet Rescue was a British daytime TV series broadcast on Channel 4. Launched in January 1997, it chronicled various pets and animals being rescued, cared for, and then either rehoused or returned to the wild.

Produced by Bazal Productions/Endemol for Channel 4, and with a theme tune penned by Simon May, it ran to a set format, which developed little over time: 

( If fact checking like that doesn’t get you a job in the mainstream media then it’s time to give up-Ed )

Football Scotland have spoken to a Romanian journalist, and from reading that, I’d venture a guess we’ll see a lot of Romanian players trying to win free kicks in the final third, which in turn means we’ll finally get to see how the new look defence performs.

Celtic , however, are on form. Five games, five wins and nineteen goals.

We’d all have settled for that when this run started, and then there’s the added bonus of a team that is not only playing well together, but seems to enjoy playing well together.

Key players, such as Oddsone Edouard and Ryan christie Again are on form, and the team looks settled, with everyone comfortable in their own skin.

Sure, there are a few bits that need to be tightened up on, but everyone is pulling in the same direction, and thats as much as we can realistically ask for at this stage of the season.

Neil Lennon, a vastly more experienced and capable manager at this level than the previous incumbent, isn’t fooled by what he called “mind games “.. 

“Dan’s trying to play down their chances, but I think it’s going to be a tough tie,” he said. “They are champions of Romania, in good form recently and came through a tough tie in the last round. We are not buying into that at all.

 “They have a good core squad and quality. They are a threat, they score goals and they don’t give much away. 
Of his own charges, he added..

“We’re as prepared as we can be, and since Saturday, we’ve watched a lot of footage, including both of their games against Maccabi Tel Aviv,” 

“But it’s all on the night in terms of how we approach the game to start with. We need to be mentally strong and have good concentration.

“I’ve been clear on what we want to do in this tie, particularly away from home. It’ll be a competitive game, and both teams will want to win the tie. We’ve got a bit of momentum, we’ve got a good result at the weekend going into the tie, and that will give us a bit of impetus before tomorrow night.”

There was a bit of an injury scare yesterday when Leigh Griffiths appeared to go over his ankle in training, but he seems to have recovered.

Other than that, it’s just a matter of keeping things going.

There’s a lot of talk about winning ugly, though frankly there’s no such thing. you either win or you don’t.

Lennon will have that in mond when he selects the team for the game, and given Cluj’s fondness of the set piece, I’d hope to see a back three of Ajer, Jullien and Biton in front of Scott Bain. Mainly because it would be stupid to have them standing behind him.

With Bolingoli Boli and James Forrest operating as wing backs, that would allow for MacGregor, Brown and Ntcham to do the midfield graft, with Christie Again drawing off their markers and Edouard unsettling their defence.

Piece of piss this management lark.

I’d be looking for a win tonight, but would settle for anything that means we’re still in the tie, and so would the players and management…but I like to think the bar has been set a wee bit higher.

 

 

Elsewhere, and there have been squirrels aplenty deflecting from a couple of issues south of the river. As its an important night for Celtic, we’ll leave most of that out of this piece, and with any luck do something separate pieceon what is now becoming even more of a danger to public safety than it should be allowed to, and how the media are actively encouraging it.

One thing you might want to look at though, is this… which seems to have evaded the mainstream, and is part of a campaign that could seriously endanger the continuity of the squirrel as a species.

Image

43 million shares…for approximately £8m…a dilution of value that more or less makes the shares worthless.

 

Or could they be deflecting from the fact that they will probably start the season without their three best outfield players from last season… Candelais has already gone, and now this heartbreaker..

Image

Of course, we have already seen the deflection from their supporters behaviour at Rugby Park, and its not surprising that they have added a tale of terror from Celtic fans to sort of balance things out..

Rangers to bolster women’s team security in wake of Green Brigade’s alleged ‘unacceptable sectarian abuse’

Rangers claim their players were subjected to sectarian and misogynistic insults throughout the game at East Kilbride which Celtic won 3-1. 

Gary Ralston here, lifting his head from between the cheeks of his master long enough to file this work of fiction…

A Rangers official even spoke to the referee at half-time to formally catalogue their concerns to the officials at K-Park, the home of the Hoops women’s team.

A Rangers spokesperson said: “Our women were subjected to misogynistic and sectarian abuse, which is totally unacceptable.

“Perhaps security measures need to be introduced for Rangers women when they have a match away from home against Celtic.”

The sides are next scheduled to meet in the league at the Hummel Centre in October, but Rangers will take steps to ensure spectators are strictly vetted.

Celtic have been approached for comment. 

If I may offer my services to the PR department at Celtic Park, because I think I have the perfect reposte…amd I’m fairly sure regular readers may have an idea what that could be.

Actually, there is a perfect reposte out there…

Margaret Lappin
@MargaretLappin
Replying to

and

Absolute crap! I attended the game in question, may I add supporting Rangers, at no point did I feel anyone needed security. 2 sisters playing in opposing sides, best of friends off the pitch. Find a real story to report on 
Well, thats one squirrel firmly volleyed back into the press box. Which is exactly where Gary Ralston wasn’t sitting during the game…
You know, and this will form the theme of the piece to come, because it genuinely worries me…
Are these stories at the behest of a PR company ?
Maybe so. Cartuja on twitter claims to have intercepted a memo, and if he says he has, thats good enough for me.
Image
More worryingly, much more worryingly, are they out there to try to promote  the womens game, which is becoming more popular-by adding to it the sectarian element that has damaged the male game, but is thought by many to be a major selling point ? As an extension of an agenda which, as we suspect, is largely based around the Old firm myth ?
Alright, I’ve maybe spoken about them a little more than I intended to.
Yesterday, we had this…
Image
Arsene Parcelie August 6, 2019 at 9:18 am · Edit · Reply →

WARNING!
You are about to enter [Insert Area Here] Safari Park.
The local wildlife WILL climb on your vehicle and WILL
cause damage.

Do NOT get out of your car. Do NOT open your windows.

These ANIMALS ATTACK!

We Accept no responsibility for ANY damage of ANY kind
to ANY part of your vehicle.

To exit the area take the next right ahead. 

Although Monti comes a close second with the bitingly satirical…

Monti August 6, 2019 at 9:26 am · Edit · Reply →

Caption: ” Did our parents really not vote for independence “? 

Today…

Image result for leigh griffiths scott brown

 

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4 years ago

Caption
Celtic modelling team prove there’s room for equal opportunities

4 years ago

Who farted.

Mike
4 years ago

They do have experienced players in the 34-35 years old bracket, they must have signed Clint Hill. We too have experienced players who have played together for years and are coming into their peak-ey Blinders years. I’m pretty sure that Lenny will stick Biton into the midfield to be the fire-fighter, to stiffen it up. “One step at a time, one game at a time”. COYBIG.

Monti
4 years ago

Caption: Hayes- ” Broony i left you a Tunnock’s teacake, now it’s not there “?
Broony- ” Griff, you’re a greedy c@nt “

Monti
4 years ago

” You get in there, you get the job done & you get the hell out “?

Sounds like a Saturday night in Kirkcaldy!

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Or Dundee……cough.

Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Ah Kirkcaldy, pleasant memories at the beach ballroom, was there a beach? but dancing the night away with Jimmy, listening to Cream, Amen Corner, Long John Baldry. “Let the heartache begin, I can take it on the chin”. Dipping poackits in Dundee for the cash, just for the expenses mind, but hey, I had expensive taste, no like some, from the pit face, the coos arse of F.F.F.

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Mike,
I remember riding in the back seats of the ABC Cinema 🙂

Can’t mind his name tho….

Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Happy Daiz at the Kinema Ballroom in Dunfermline, the Mrs. told me that’s when she first saw me, I don’t remember much about it. I went every Saturday night and some of the top bands played there, the place was heaving, my mate Jimmy, cough, he bought the drinks and I paid for the petrol. Hope the car springs were reinforced. 😉

Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  Monti

The Kinema in Dunfermline, Ooo Ahh Cantona. 😉

Morto
4 years ago

Caption: …and then Brendan kissed him right there!

Arsene Parcelie
4 years ago

Caption:
“Haha, I didny say “Simon Sez”, youse are oot, eh?”

Mike A
4 years ago

Caption: No you idiots, It’s you put your right leg in after you’ve put your left leg in. Duh.

Mike A
4 years ago

Think it needs a re write or I need better glasses.

So revised caption. Ok boys now we put our right leg in….al together now.

Puggy67
4 years ago

Caption: Leigh wins the ‘correct pose for the 3rd kit photo-shoot’ competition.

Binkabhoy
4 years ago

Caption:
Hayes ‘Broony, he says he’s aff the ching’

Broony ‘whit, there’s a dod of it stuck tae yer cheek Griff, likes eh’

Griff: ‘Oops’

AntonDeclan
4 years ago

Caption: Aw fur fecks sake, who jist fertit?!

Bognorbhoy
4 years ago

Caption

Griff s new goal scoring celebration practice ?

Bigdunno
4 years ago

Caption: Broony “Right Johnny, show Griff our synchronised Peter Grant impression”

Puggy67
4 years ago
Reply to  Bigdunno

ha ha fab, painful memories of him pointing at a team mate while getting nutmegged

Steve Naive
4 years ago

‘Bitingly satirical’ Monti is Samuel Pepys

charlie
4 years ago

mainly because it would be stupid to have them stauning behind him had me spluttering ma coffee ralph ……..yoov cheared up efter traingate was it only a small fine

Honest hoops
4 years ago

Caprion; guess who is scoring tonight …ahh

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  Honest hoops

griff snd callum he he

charlie
4 years ago

if we play that team am gon fur 2-0 …..9 tae wan in betfred …

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  charlie

sorry 0-2 in auld money

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago

I’d like to see us carry on where we left off from last Saturday and go all out for goals. With their best player missing, the Romanians might struggle to cope with our pace and precision in midfield and up front so they’re likely to bring in a couple of bruisers to try and suffocate our flow of play whilst hoping for a few breaks with counter-attacks and set pieces. If the ref keeps a good grip of things from start to finish and we play our natural game, I think we can come away with a great result although it is going to be far from easy. I can see wee Mikey Johnston pulling something special out of the bag tonight. Griff and Ntcham are likely to come on and make an impact in the second half.

——————————-Bain—————————-

Elhamed—————-Ajer————Julienne————-Boli

——————-Brown—————–McGregor—————

Forrest————————Christie——————-Johnston

——————————-Edouard—————————-

Subs: Gordon, Hayes, Bitton, Jozo, Ntcham, Shved, Griffiths.

Prediction: Cluj 1 Celtic 3 (Edouard, Johnston (2))

COYBIG Get intae them!!!

4 years ago

I remember that 1-4 victory for Unirea at Ibrox. The press conference which followed was extraordinary. It was like a death in the family. Not one member of the Scottish media had the guts to ask ‘Walter’ a single question. Not even – ‘What’s your favourite colour, Sir’.

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago

This’ll be a very tough game for sure but if we can play our natural game and go all out for goals, we can come back with a great result. We should carry on from where we left off last Saturday. I reckon wee Mikey Johnston can come up with something really special tonight.

Bain

Elhamed Ajer Julienne Bolingoli

Brown McGregor

Forrest Christie Johnston

Edouard

Subs: Gordon, Hayes, Jozo, Bitton, Ntcham, Shved, Griffiths

Griff and Ntcham to come on and make an impact in the 2nd half.

Prediction: Cluj 1 Celtic 3 (Johnston (2), Edouard)

COYBIG Get intae them!!!

Mike
4 years ago

I’m gawn fur this:

Bain.

Elhamed, Ajer, Julliene, Bolingoli,

Brown, Bitton, McGregor,

Forrest, Edouarde, Christy. GIRUT & COYBIG…

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  Mike

hows it hingin mikeybhoy hope the families well ……..and yoor lookin efter MA sheep heh heh

Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Meh, they are in great shape Chico and thank you for asking, so are the sheep, am chuffed tae bits… Hope you are keeping fit and same tae yer family and the shotgun is locked and loaded, Ive been practising my shooting. 😉

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  Mike

family grand mike ….a heard yoov been practicing and yer noo hittin the barn door wan ooty every ten he he

Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Aye but then I send oot the bull…

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  Mike

ffs big buster the bull a feedum carrots fae between ma teeth

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago

Could be right about Bitton Mike, a lot will depend on whether Dan puts a couple of bruisers into their midfield to try and stifle us. They’ll be without their best player of course and I’m sure our technical staff will have done their homework. I’m hoping for a free-flowing game rather than a scrappy, physical affair. Whatever happens, I hope the ref keeps a grip of things from start to finish. Enjoy mate!

Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  Yoker Bhoy

Hi Yoker, Listening to Lenny, they seem to be a team that like to hit it long, big and powerful and that is why I added Bitton, Lenny likes him and he adds that wee bit of steel in midfield. If it was at home, well that would be different, but I’m sure Peter Houston will have done his homework. Dan rested his players on Saturday, so this game is a biggy for both teams, it will be tight, but I am very much looking forward to watching it tonight, anything with a score draw even would help, so fingers crossed mate and awerabest to you and yours. COYBIG.

bgbhoy
4 years ago

bain

el hamed, Julien, ajer, bolingoli

brown McGregor

ntcham

forrest Christie

eddy

MabozzaRitchie
4 years ago
Reply to  bgbhoy

ntcham cant tackle and tonight will be physical as … bitton before him. I wold start johnston or griff before forrest.

henkesdreadlocks
4 years ago
Reply to  MabozzaRitchie

Good for you.

Bgbhoy
4 years ago
Reply to  MabozzaRitchie

You had been saying……

MabozzaRitchie
4 years ago
Reply to  Bgbhoy

great goal by forrest, glad I was wrong

Devoy45
4 years ago

Bain
El Hamed/Ajer/Julienne/Bolingoli
Brown/McGregor
Forrest/Christie/Johnston
Edouard
subs to be used: Griffiths/Sinclair/Ntcham
Maybe 1-1.
Mike, Wouldn’t Long John Baldry be a great centre half, 6’7″ I believe. Saw him sing “Stormy Monday” once: “Tuesday’s even worse, and Wednesday’s oh so sad…” He died a few years ago out in Canada. Those were great years. Wee Jack Bruce in Cream gave it laldy…

Mike
4 years ago

Devoy, I liked the big fella, he gave Rod Stewart his big break, took him on tour with him when he was unknown, so fair play to Mr. Baldry.
Jack Bruce = legend, watched them both live at the Kinema and the Kirkcaldy ballroom, magical acts to listen too and you are so right, they gave us so much pleasure. No sure about the centre-half bit, I prefer big Kris Ajer, wonder if he can sing? 😉

5TB
4 years ago

Pet Rescue… Magic.

Caption;

Broony; Aye Haysie, this is Griffs favourite warm up exercise. He calls it the goose step!

Patrick o Hara
4 years ago

Caption. Oooh !! You are awful– But I like you.

BJF
4 years ago

I think we need to play it canny tonight a 1-1 draw will see us through but Lenny’s track record in Europe means he will know how to play it, certainly Bitton has done all that he has been asked of since he cane back.
See all this nostalgia about music in Fife, seriously, anyway don’t leave out Belfast. I played football every Sat., my mate Bruce( I was never a bigot) said “skip the game this week and come down to the Jazz Club, there’s this singer, he will sing in any song you like if you buy him a pint.” I said “ if you think I am going to give up my game to listen to a 17 year old singer called Ivan Morrison whom no one will remember by 1968, you are daft.” Oops!

Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  BJF

The White Van Man, a gifted singer/songwriter, his talent was wasted in Belfast, he had to raise his singing voice above the bomb explosions. When he got to London, they said to him “no need to shout Van” it took him years to lesson the decibels of his singing, it was only then folk began to appreciate his talents…

jimmybee
4 years ago

I think we will be more defensive tonight and maybe more the experienced players coming in to keep and protect the ball more.No need to go gung ho lets see what they have first.
Good luck to the bhoys im sure we will get the result we need to make it happen at home.
COYBIG

Mike
4 years ago

Its taken us years, to get to where we are, years, to see our good much in demand players become the settled side that we have always wanted, the players have matured and are well experienced in the C.L. qualifiers. A good manager, a good scout in Peter Houston, there is never a given in any tie at this level, but at last we are not going into them on a wing and a prayer. The forward players are a goal threat to any team and are playing with confidence, every team needs luck, a fair referee with the decisions going our way. There’s no Hunnery in play, no Beaton, no Dallas, so fingers crossed and GIRU the SFA cheating scum…

George Lazenbhoy
4 years ago

Caption: there he is

Bgbhoy
4 years ago

No Sinclair on the bench? Bizarre.

Devoy45
4 years ago

Mike, somebody once gave me a Jimi Hendrix ticket and I never used it because I had never heard of him!!! I like the blues but regret never hearing any of the heavies like Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Sonny Boy, etc. Now they’re all gone.

Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Sonny Boy, were brilliant..

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  Mike

jesus mary and joseph yoos two auld yins must be some age he he

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  charlie

see if yoos wer furniture ad be buying and sellin yees as antiques ha ha ha ha

charlie
4 years ago

2-0 to the paradisians COYBIG

Macca
4 years ago

Was just starting to get into the game and then we get some piss poor defending. Here we go again!!

jimmybee
4 years ago

Over committeed at our corner should never been left in that position but great goal by jamesy.
Boli off Hayes on hes walking a tight rope.

Mike
4 years ago

James Forrest, Legend! Cluggers 1- 1 Celtic. Common Celtic GIRUT.

Cartvale88
4 years ago

Sutton a doomsayer for Celtic, probably depressed Jamsie scored.

Bulli Bulli out of his depth, as for Broonie a step too far

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  Cartvale88

fook off chris isa good tim

Mike
4 years ago

James Forrest legend! He’s right up for this one, ElHamed looking pacy and playing well, Boli-off..

Puggy67
4 years ago

Glad of the away goal but looks like we’ve signed the holey Bolingoli

henkesdreadlocks
4 years ago

We paid half as much for the big Israeli as we did for good golly Boli Boli and he’s ten times the player.

henkesdreadlocks
4 years ago

Agree.

Uralius
4 years ago

They are pressing quickly and physically, I don’t know if Ntcham is the correct choice.

Uralius
4 years ago

He’s still a second off the pace.

Uralius
4 years ago

Simunovic balsa woods

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  Uralius

uranus have you ever said anything positive aboot celtic ya mug ye

Uralius
4 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Yes I have many times, there were plenty positives last night, but Simunovic is injury prone and Boli was 1 second off the pace of the game. These are both facts.

sfa unfit for purpose
4 years ago

BBC reporting KT is away for 25mil. Said it the other day , deals been arranged for weeks , conclude it last minute. Cannot trust this board.

charlie
4 years ago

excuse me but last minute for who

highseastim
4 years ago

Great result, would have taken a score draw before a ball was kicked. Another bad day for the “panty wetters”, who have had nothing better to do than slag off team selection, slag off certain players, they must be so pissed off. To all the aforementioned ” panty wetters” GIRUY, in Lenny I trust!!!!

henkesdreadlocks
4 years ago
Reply to  highseastim

Reply below Devoys post

henkesdreadlocks
4 years ago

He made his decision when he saw the new third strip.

Devoy45
4 years ago

As I said earlier, “maybe 1-1” Young Fenian pups, listen to your elders! Decent result. We’ll miss Kieran but he needs to take this opportunity. Hey, give Boli some time. And why not try Gutman?

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

am wae devoy even though hees frayed roon the edges like most antiques ha ha ha ha ha

henkesdreadlocks
4 years ago

You don’t do irony do you ya twat.

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