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Celtic Diary Tuesday September 10: The Way Ahead

If we are to conclude that the first part of the season ended with the 2-0 win at Ibrox, then the next phase, which runs until the 30th of December.

One can also assume that there were certain targets for the first phase, Champions League qualification, League cup progression and of course to be top of the league going into the international break.

Two out of three ain’t bad, when you take into account the amount of new players playing in a new style under a new manager.

Lennon may have been in charge since February, but the risks were too high for him to try to impose his own ideas on the team, and the transfer window too shut for him to make any changes.

 

So, going into the Hamilton game on Saturday, followed by four more games this month, what can we reallistically expect, or hope for, from the team ?

 

The defence, which is now entirely different from the one that secured eight in a row, will continue to learn and grow together as a unit. The introduction of Fraser Forster, a much better organiser than Gordon or Bain, will give the back line more shape, and he also instills confidence in thiose around him. Gone now is the idea of having a sweeper who is allowed to catch the ball, and in comes a man who will prioritise keeping the ball out of the net.

That will allow whichever four are fit enough to play a chance to get to know each other, and work as a unit rather than four players who aren’t quite sure what the other three are doing.

After the lesson of Cluj, we might just stop giving away daft goals.

The shape is pretty much the same as it was last year, with two midfielders behind three forwards and one striker, with everyone being told to get the ball back as quickly as they can when they lose it.

What appears to be different is that Celtic will adapt to the game on a match to match basis, as the Edouard kick into touch from the start at Ibrox showed.

Lennon, despite what some would say, is a wily old fox, and has returned much calmer and much more mature than when he left the first time around. Gone are the influences of his old back room team, and perhaps the habits associated with them, and we’re getting a much more cerebral manager in his place.

This is why I think he’s divided the season up into three parts, with a plan for each. That way, he avoids the hype surrounding a second nine in a row for the club, and that means the players can focus on one game at a time.

Between now and the end of December, if we can remain in pole position domestically, with the League Cup retained on December 7, and round that off with qualification for the knock out stages of the Europa League, then I don’t think too many of us will be disappointed.

And there are good reasons to expect the half time season report to look very good indeed.

Celtic now have the strength in depth to play two games a week without a significant drop in quality. That will be important, injuries and fatigue play their part, and it’s clear that Lennon will rotate his squad, and so far there has been no noticeable drop in effort or results, which suggests that he is keeping a fairly large squad happy.

That must remain his priority throughout the season, and , of course, the more competitions the club are in, the more chance he has of keeping everyone on their toes.

Domestically, retention of the League Cup is just three victories away. We need this not only because it’s a trophy, and part of a possible quadruple treble, but because of the message it sends out to the other teams.

It tells them that there is no intention of slacking off, that Celtic will continue to be ruthless and continue to dominate the domestic scene.

It will also be a proper kick on the goolies to those who lie awake at night dreaming of a first trophy for their favourite club /company.

With the money spent at Ibrox under Steven Gerrard, and the approach of financial disaster, they really need something to cheer, and they will have their eyes on this particular prize, as it will show the rest of us that they are serious contenders, and not the laughing stock we make them out to be.

If that trophy remains at Celtic Park, it will be a massive psychological blow to their season, one from which they might not recover.

If it ends up at ibrox, the boost they get will send morale over there through the roof, although it’s probably fair to say it wouldn’t take much of anything to get anything through that roof.

The financial infrastructure at Ibrox is in similar shape to the big hoose itself…

Image

 

A few years ago, we celebrated an invincible season, and there are murmurings that Lennon wants to emulate that.

He’s already faced the hardest fixture and come through with it with immense credit, but it’s important to remember to treat every game with the same attitude, and if he manages to do that, the momentum of domestic performances will mean that the leap in quality presented by Rennes, Lazio and Cluj shouldn’t be too great.

The eight European games so far have seen a couple of outstanding performances, especially away from home, culminating in the performance of the season so far in Stockholm.

When we look back on the season in May, it may well be that we point to that game as the turning point in Lennons second spell in charge, the night when all the plans came together.

We need to remember, this is a new team playing in a new way under a new manager, and Cluj apart, he’s doing a tremendous job under an awful lot of pressure.

And he’s hardly had any tantrums…

 

One of the most pleasing aspects of the season so far is the emergence of Oddsone Edoaurd as a genuine class act.

He has made a couple of appearances for the young French side this week, and has scored four goals. Which, in turn means that eyes will be upon him, and there is every possibility of a bid coming in during the winter, and if not, it’s certain there will be in the summer.

After his two goals last night, Edouard appeared on the television and gave his thoughts, translated here by Celtic France on twitter..

 

Celtic France
@Celtic_FR
Replying to

It’s a big pleasure and pride to score, his goals give him confidence for future. He wants to be a leader on and off the pitch for France U21. He thinks at the Olympics he wants to show his capabilities in each game. He also said he works hard with us and he’s always a PSG fan

 

Ah.

The Olympics.

So we might want to start planning for next seasons UCL qualifiers now, as the Olympics run at the same time ( June 22-July 8 )as our qualifying campaign.

Unless we win the Europa,  that is.

 

Celtic may want to consider an improved contract, in that way his value will increase come the inevitable move to one of the big leagues… and buy him some flowers or something.

 

There’s a video of Jordan Jones, the fellow who hurt himself trying to hurt Mauritz Bauer at Ibrox, doing the rounds.

In it, he sings the Celtic Symphony, clearly a bid to get himself out of his Ibrox contract, which was probably already on their agenda when he went and got himself injured pathetically trying to appease the crowd, who at that point weren’t aware of his vocal talents.

They are now, and nothing short of riding a white horse across Celtic Park bearing the standard of King Billy himself will win him a place in their ever darkening hearts.

 

Still, they have plenty to cheer about having managed to get more viewers to their You Tube channel and more people interested looking at their strips to see if they match.

 

Some of those press puffs were ridiculous, which allowed for thise of a certain humour and talent to make it increasingly difficult to spot the real news stories from the, er,  fake ones.

Image

 

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Or guff such as this, in the Record, form Ben Ramage…

Rangers star Steven Davis compared to Cristiano Ronaldo as he prepares to break cap record

 

It’s clear they are worried, and if I’m correct in thinking that Lennon has a plan, and a desire for another invincible season, then the League Cup should be our next target, because I’ve a feeling that it’s their target, and that a failure for them in that tournament could see significant problems for the new club, which is always good for a laugh.

 

On Sunday, we showed you this and asked for witty or thoughtful replies..

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R.St.Parsley September 8, 2019 at 3:46 pm · Edit · Reply →

Caption:
Thick Sevco fan to passer-by
‘Any electricity oan ye pal?’ 

Today…

 

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Dziekanowski's nightclub child
4 years ago

Mon the hoops

Jazzy K
4 years ago

Caption ” You’ve overdone the Readybreak again Billy”

Mike A
4 years ago

Caption: “Hey, Billy, yer weans gonna support Celtic.”
“That will be shining bright!”

Bognorbhoy
4 years ago

Caption

Some say Johnnie wasn’t the brightest ,but I beg to differ…

Bognorbhoy
4 years ago
Reply to  Bognorbhoy

Caption too

“But my darling, there’s no such thing as the light at the end of the tunnel, you must realize that you are the light.”

Anon

“Light up the darkness.” Bob Marley

Paddybhoy67
4 years ago

and perhaps the habits associated with them … Care to elaborate?

henkesdreadlocks
4 years ago

Caption………

Ah didnae tell that thick Sevco fan that a had plenty o electricity oan me.

Bognorbhoy
4 years ago
Bognorbhoy
4 years ago

😉

Monti
4 years ago

Caption: ” Viddy well brother, Viddy well, can i have another bowl of the old ready break Moloko plus, dear brother “?

John McDermott
4 years ago

Kenny miller relaxes after his sunbed!

Boyceybhoy
4 years ago
Reply to  John McDermott

Belter John… Lol

Salad queen
4 years ago

Nice jug of electric soup down at the laarger for the lying king.

Mike
4 years ago

Like water Scottish football has reached its own level. When the quality of its leadership, reaches out to peepul of similar “low quality” lacking in any kind of integrity then you know that the games a bogey. For decades the peepul who have ruled over and ruined Scottish football, they will not accept their very own responsibilities and deflect the blame, pointing their fingers onto others. With Mr. Petrie as president you have the person who was chairman of the licencing committee overseeing the licence awarded to the Huns to participate in the 2011-12 C.L. qualifiers. Who looked away from the various frauds, who helped to instigate the 5way agreement facilitating the cheating, then Scottish football has plumbed new depths. A lack of sponsorships, honest leadership, a lack of investment, is the perfect storm of under achievement culminating in as poor a Scottish teams performance that I have ever seen. And its no wonder, asking full time Scottish premier league players to risk their careers playing on plastic pitch’s and referees with blue hued tendencies. Honest leadership is sadly lacking, until it is cleansed then look out for more of the same…

Whitearra
4 years ago

Caption : The ghost of 2012 reappears and raises it’s glass once again in the Ibrox Suite.

The Bahia Emerald
4 years ago

CAPTION: “Rangers” unveil their new signing Ivan Afterglo, who’s contract with Spartak Chernobyl has ended.

charlie
4 years ago

caption a dont know who he is but una sais hees hot stuff

Mike
4 years ago

Caption, I saw the light.

I’m just hoping and praying, praying and hoping that its clear.

Mike
4 years ago

I’m a cling-on, after Moussa left, I knew that we still had some great players. I clung-on to the hope that we still had Odsonne and that he would fill the giant shoes of Moussa, hoping against hope that no-one else would cotton on to how good he was and that somehow he would slip under the radar of other richer clubs, fat chance. Four goals in two games for the French under 21-s has raised his profile big time. Sit back and watch the clamour in January or next Summer, sadly it is inevitable that he will be our next transfer bursting star player heading for the exit door. How can we replace him and with whom? Please start or continue looking out French wards for his replacement, meanwhile enjoy him while he is here. Tear drops on my pillow, remind me Eddy off you. 😉

4 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Hydadids ^^^

Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

There’s only Wan Obi Kenobi, There is no moon just the howler. ^ ^ ^

Puggy67
4 years ago

Caption: After a successful mission to destroy the Klingons Craig Whyte is beamed up.

Monti
4 years ago

R.I.P JOCK STEIN

ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS!

HAIL HAIL

5TB
4 years ago

Caption

When asked to provide something more illuminating in the diary, Ralph takes it too far.

Mike
4 years ago

BBC 4 tonight at 7-30pm. Great Irish journey’s.

8-00pm. In search of the Celts. (Explores where Alfredo Morelos was found in Christian Julliens pocket).

8-30pm. The Troubles, a secret history, begins a series of programs about the troubles in the North of Ireland, it should make for interesting viewing.

Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Yes Weered, Everything is fine, wet, but fine, praying for some good weather to get the tatties in. The programme on the troubles is also available on BBC N I. But you would know that. I trust you and yours are tickety boo, pity about last weekends result, so hopefully better next game. I watched the Scottish game last night, bloody hell we are so far away its shocking…

John D
4 years ago

What do you mean the emergence of Eddy!! What were you watching last season? How many crucial goals did he score, especially in the second half of the season?

The Cha
4 years ago
Reply to  John D

ah but that was under Rodgers, so doesn’t count.

Last half season report; top of league, Europe after Christmas and League Cup win. Verdict – definitely not good enough.

This half season report (hopefully); top of league, Europe after Christmas and League Cup win. Verdict – Excellent.

Get with the zeitgeist.

The Cha
4 years ago
Reply to  John D

The news that Eddy (and Oli?) may be at the Olympics next summer was rather an unpleasant surprise.

I’m not sure if they’ll simply keep the U21s that qualified in the summer, which excluded him (yes, please) but I assume they’ll pick their best available players (gulp). Also the French FA may be wary of pissing off the likes of PSG by picking their players but doubt they’ll give a second thought to us.

If they go all the way then they’ll miss the 1st round. The 2nd round should be 2 weeks after, so also not ideal but think we got some of our players back at this stage after the last World Cup.

Either way should be available for 3rd and Play-Off Rounds unless we’re looking to flog him, in which case I’m sure an injury happenstance will occur.

As Mike says, hopefully we’re scouting the French U19s and U17s to get our next hero.

hoop hoop hooray
4 years ago

The Union Bears latest applicant a neon nazi awaits his interview

henkesdreadlocks
4 years ago

Caption……….

They warned me your curry was hot.

Honest hoops
4 years ago

Caption; too hot to handle… as Broonie takes a break as the internationals play out…

Patrick O Hara
4 years ago

Caption.
HG Wells and Thomas Edison meet at a local Macdonald’s to discuss flaws in both their theories.

Cortes
4 years ago

Caption: “You are my Odsonne, my glowing Odsonne
You make me happy when skies are grey…”

mckenzke67
4 years ago

Caption: Celtic sign new Ukrainian Striker, glowing reports and no one can touch him

Bigdelboy
4 years ago

Caption:
“when you’re glowing in the gloaming with a shamrock in your hand”

Cortes
4 years ago

Caption: As an outstanding international class night watchman, 65 years old Alfredo Morales wondered “How did I miss that sitter?”

Cortes
4 years ago

Caption: Rumour Mill reveals the Hoops’ new midfield dynamo.

Uralius
4 years ago

Caption: In a bid to raise extra funds for the Ryan Kent payments a subsidiary of Dave King’s bid and won a contract to dispose of nuclear material….. Morelos a shining example of a hothead pictured.

sfa unfit for purpose
4 years ago

After telling tales about Putin , another Russian dissident gets the polonium 210 treatment.

sfa unfit for purpose
4 years ago

So there now seems to be a loyalist squad who are going to turn up at any republican marches to intimidate the marchers and those walking with the march.
Evidence suggests that they are bringing large amounts of ‘ protesters’ from Norn Ireland to the republican marches.
Scottish justice secretary Humsa Yousef said “It does frustrate me, quite a lot frankly, that we are having to talk about legislation for disorder that is committed by grown men in 2019 in a multi-cultural city like Glasgow, when they are fighting battles of centuries gone by.
“I think the fact you have to think about legislating to stop these individuals from committing that disorder is a pretty depressing state.”

Humza is a waste of a beard. Get your Blue police Scotland force to start arresting the ringleaders ya baw bag.
Him and his boss Sturgeon are obviously takin the soup.
the longer it takes the more empowered these morons become. Scotlands streets are now more dangerous for Catholics .

jimmybee
4 years ago

Caption: Peter the guy brought the new heated chairs to go with the driveway said not to use it just yet till he gets it tested Okay!

Steve Naive
4 years ago

I don’t think Fraser Forster is good enough for the Europa. Beating the Klan can blind us in the feelgood glow to areas where we could still strengthen. Launching it works in Scotland but is not the way to play( as a style of play) in Europe. Ask Steve Clarke.

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  Steve Naive

would big frazer have came back if we had any other manager than lenny ….. its debatable ……..lenny has covered every position we needed covered and heel take yon bhoys as far as ther ability can take thum any naysayer can kiss ma bum …..noo COYBIG

The Cha
4 years ago

“The men’s football tournament at the 2020 Summer Olympics will be held from 23 July to 8 August 2020”

NB Not until 8th July.

That effectively rules any participant out of all European qualifiers.

Time to crank up our worldwide scouting dept.

Magdalena’s Chestnut Gelding
4 years ago

Caption

Head bonfire lighter of Belfast settles down for a Horlicks before turning in for the evening.

The Cha
4 years ago

Caption “Even though I can see in this dark decrepit crypt, I still can’t see the rangers coming”

paddybhoy67
4 years ago

Caption: ” Effin driveway heater was on all night!”

Brian (not the messiah)
4 years ago

Caption: odsonne is simply brilliant!

4 years ago

Caption: Peter lawell proves that being in the hot seat does not make you popular

jimmybee
4 years ago

Should we protect eddy and some of our players from the plastic pitch at Hamilton.
With the Europa league on the horizon I wouldn’t want to risk them but then Do we keep the momentum going. Tough call for Lenny I would protect him and keep him for Thursday.

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

ffs jimmy if any thum need protectin they shouldnae be wearin that jersey screw the nut fgs

jimmybee
4 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Charlie the plastic pitches are a disgrace m8.I wouldn’t want our main players injured and out for a couple of months because of that. I believe they should be banned from our division as they are a danger to the players and the games are usually dire to watch.

Mark67!
4 years ago

Caption – ‘Planet Earth to Mother Ship’ – ‘I Wanna, I Wanna, I Wanna be Edouard!’

jimmybee
4 years ago
Reply to  Mark67!

🙂

Bgbolingoli
4 years ago

Regardless of this Charlie edouard is on a different level to Griffiths. The same as Dembele before him.

There is a reason why he will leave for the same or more money than Dembele and Griffiths couldn’t combine those fees in 2 careers.

Hopefully Griffiths can get back to decent levels. But with the exposure Bayo now seems to be getting it would take an injury or 2 to see it I think

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  Bgbolingoli

griff is the best striker ae a baw at parkheid the noo fae ootside the area and every team in the league puts ten men behind the baw when they play us so dae the math ffs

charlie
4 years ago
Reply to  charlie

lenny will play wits in front ae um and pick who he thinks can dae the job ffs let the man dae his job

Bgbolingoli
4 years ago
Reply to  Bgbolingoli

Regardless of this goals to game ratio

Eddy is a far superior player.

40 of these goals came in one season

That leaves 60 over 5 years or so

Sinclair has done near 100 in 3 seasons but everyone seems to be happy to let him rot

I don’t get it

Eddie
4 years ago

Caption – “You got a light on ye pal”

sfa unfit for purpose
4 years ago

Safety concerns are raised at the re opened Mcdonalds Chernobyl .

Magdalena’s Chestnut Gelding
4 years ago

Caption

McDonalds introduce limited edition McBarium Happy Meal

Magdalena’s Chestnut Gelding
4 years ago

Caption

Invisible man goes for a curry

charlie
4 years ago

caption some people only see tommy rogic relaxin but celtic fans get tae watchum on fire ………….aint tg on fire a sight to behold

charlie
4 years ago

caption a jungle bhoy sais …..goodness that poteen and buckfast mix fair keeps oot the cauld

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