In his press conference yesterday, manager Neil Lennon was at pains to stress that tonights game against Hamilton had an importance of it’s own, and claimed that he has put that across to the players over the last couple of days.
Hopefully, it has sunk in.
This game , sandwiched between a great European night and a cup final has the potential to be a non event, and maybe tonight we’ll see the answer to that age old question..do the support lift the players when the game is a bit dull, or do the palyers have to lift the support ?
The biggest threat to Celtic’s domination is Celtic.
Lennon has said he’ll put out a strong team and he will.
What I fully expect to see tonight is little more than a shooting practice and a workout for the midfield in possession.
However, if the players adopt that attitude , we could be in trouble.
Oddsone Edouard and Mo Elyanoussi won;t start tonight, leaving the door open for either Lewis Morgan to carry on as a false number nine, and he hasn;t done too badly, or the return of Leigh Griffiths.
Griffiths has shown he wants to play, but there is a kind of “he’ll have to do ” air hanging over this issue.
With Bayo and Edoaurd out Griffiths has been handed a chance to get back to being the player he once was and it’s up to him to take it.
However, if that is the case, then Lennon must give him a fair crack of the whip.
Lennons desire to “go strong ” tonight means there will be no rest for MacGregor or Forrest, though he did say that Olivier Ntcham would start, meaning someone has to drop out, and that someone will likely be australian enigma Tom Rogic, who is a laid back fellow most of the time, but now it seems he’s gone full horizontal.
Ryan Christie could also get a rest, with Mikey Johnstone certainly deserving of a start.
Celtic should line up with Forster, Frimpong, Taylor, Julien, Ajer, Brown, MacGregor, Ntcham, Johnstone, Griffiths, Forrest. But they probably won;t, as Lennon is likely to favour Morgan over Griffiths.
Speaking of yesterdays press conference, Neil Lennon had to point out several times that he wasn’t going to talk about the Cup final, and that simple statement seemed to confuse one or two of our esteemed reporters, with one even asking about his memories of his first Cup final, against Livingston.
We can probably guess which paper that guy works for..
Neil Lennon’s Celtic press conference in full as tetchy boss snaps at repeated Rangers questions
The Hoops boss refused to speak about the weekend’s Betfred Cup Final on the eve of their clash with Hamilton.
Thats the headline from the Record, which fits exactly the kind of headline you’d expect to see from someone who has made himself look a bit of a knob, in public.
Then someone tried to bring him into the debate surrounding Alfredo Morelos, the £50m rated striker at “rangers “, a club who owe roughly £50m in unpaid bills and other assorted debt. Many have made comparisons with Oddsone Edoaurd, wh++o one day may well sell for £50m , though not yet, and probably not from Celtic.
Lennon was diplomatic enough to keep a straight face..
“They are great players, each different in style and bring a lot of quality to both teams.
“Fans will compare. Young fans, old fans, that is what all supporters do when there is a rivalry. I don’t mind that at all.
“We have more than two top players in the country. They are two excellent forwards and are the ones that make a difference, I suppose.
“It depends how you define great. If he [Boyd] is comparing everyone to Messi and Ronaldo then…
“But Virgil van Dijk played in Scotland not so long ago. Do we have a Kevin de Bruyne or an Eden Hazard? Maybe not. But did we ever have great players at that level? Maybe Henrik Larsson.
“Listen, we had Virgil and can we go and create more great players along the way? Of course we can. I think it’s an idiotic statement to make.
“Give me £50million and I’ll bring in a load of players here and we’ll see what we can do with them. We have to create our own monsters again.
“John McGinn could potentially go on to be a great player. Callum McGregor, I think, is a great player.
“But how do you compare them? If you put them in the Premier League would they thrive in it? No question.
“McGinn already is. Callum would, James Forrest would, Andrew Robertson is a great player who was playing here in Scotland three or four years ago.
“It’s folly and doesn’t make a lot of sense to say these things. I get that pundits like Kris have to be controversial and make these sort of statements, but it just doesn’t wash with me.
“Whether it’s petty jealousy or something? I don’t know.”
He’s referring to Kris Boyd, and hos “no great players inScotland ” nonsense.
I can explain that, though, you see, it’s because he’s a knob, and more than that, he’s a knob with a microphone and an audience, which means everyone can see he’s a knob.
Still, he got everyone talking, and when he does that, it comes with the blessing that it means he isn’t talking any more.
Also tonight, “rangers ” travel to Aberdeen, and as its a tricky tie for the new club, they will be delighted that star man John Beaton has passed a late fitness test and is available.
Beaton twisted an ankle as he leapt for joy when he was selected for this game, as he feels he can make a difference.
Oh, and spare a thought for a former Rangers player who has fallen on hard times..
Yesterday, we had this… my own entry would have been..
Long ago, we were the next big thing,
but this one is a clear winner…
Caption: With laughing eyes I do recall
Every face that crammed this hall
And in this room our hats were hung
And words were written and songs were sung
And we held our glasses high
And we dared to reach for the sky
And we never would grow old
When we were the new bhoys
And on these streets we were like kings
We’d roll and tumble, fight and sing
And in these smoky pubs the yarns were spun
And many a sweetheart was lost and won
And on these green fields we played for pride
No quarter given, no compromise
We were lovers and we were sons
When we were the new bhoys
When we were the new bhoys
Behind this cellar door on cheap guitars
We played our blues till the early hours
No one listening but a few old friends
We never dreamed it could ever end
This was our moment, this was our space
This was a jewel of a time to have graced
But they’re all sweet memories now
When we were the new bhoys
When we were the new bhoys
All my life I’ve been running
down the side of this hill
But way down deep in my heart
don’t want the water to ever be still
All these friends have long since gone
Blown and scattered like autumn leaves
Some are lawyers and some are thieves
Some are now behind the sun
But I’ll never, never be afraid
From the cradle to the grave
I learned my lesson and I learned it well
When we were the new bhoys
When we were the new bhoys
And we held our glasses high
And we dared to reach for the sky
And we never would grow old
When we were the new bhoys
When we were the new bhoys
When we were the new bhoys
When we were the new bhoys
Today…
CAPTION
Graphic image of Rangers accounts.
Caption…….
Nacho Novo Car Sales.
I watched the clips of what sportscene judged the best bits of Morelos against the wee cousins. Ffs if that’s his best bits and they want 50 million all I saw was a headed goal against a smaller laddie, a 1v1 situation with the goalie which he missed, a chance to lay off to a team m8 which he didn’t and fuck all else. It really is pitiful the way they are trying to justify the overhype.
Tonight maybe a chance to rest Broonie McGregor Jullien Forrest Christie and McGregor.
Gordon
O Connor Bitton Ajer Taylor
Morgan Rogic Ntcham Johnstone
Griffiths Sinclair.
But expect Lenny will go stronger than this
5-0 the bhoys COYBIG
Caption: Donald Park shows what supporting Dave King has brought him too.
Caption: I told you to give the wee prick a pound to watch the motor.
Caption: Esso Kilmarnock – put a Kris Boyd in your tank.
Nacho No dough?
Oh dear what a pity never mind.
Reading that doggerel, you’d have to have a heart of stone…………………………………………
not to pish yourself laughing.
Oh pleeze no rippa de pish!
Caption: Its OK I ve already reported the stolen hubcaps.
Caption: If Carlsberg did Sat Nav…….
Caption: Drunk wife phones hubby from filling station..”Hallo hunney (hic), shjoo shtill wanna do that banger raishing thingy, yup? Shjoor jusht ganna love it when shjoo see the wee alterashins ah’ve made….hahahahahahahahaha (hic)…hunney, aw, (hic) shjoo no’ shpeakin’ (hic)?”
Henke day’s to his good lady “there’s plenty in the tank, “its just the outer edges that are a little ruff, ruff”.
Caption:
Undercover Polis fill up before the game.
Another ‘backs to the wall’ job for Accies tonight so patience will be the key. Absolutely no doubt at all we’ll see a strong Celtic line-up for this one. I’d have Christie as our false nº9 with Leigh Griffiths entering the fray later on. I sense a routine win but won’t be too greedy. 4-0 will do fine.
Forster
Frimpong Jullien Ajer Taylor
Brown McGregor
Forrest Ntcham Johnston
Christie
Subs: Gordon, Bauer, Bitton, Rogic, Shved, Morgan, Griffiths
COYBIG
You must be reading my posts Yoker because that’s what I posted last week. You know that it makes sense. Either that or great minds think alike. 😉
Maybe the latter one Mikey. Did you also go for Christie as our false 9?
Yes Yoker in mid last weekends game I suggested that Christie be moved to striker and Morgan be moved to outside right to cover for young Frimpong. IMO Christie is perfectly capable of playing in the striker role, when required.
The Diary on the 1st.
Agreed. With a bit of luck both Odsonne and Mo will be ready for the hun final on Sunday to complete our impressive strike force. Enjoy the action 2night m8.
Fingers crossed Yoker and cheers M8. Best…
Think Morgan might start with Johnston dropping out.
I was hoping Griff would be up to speed to start but given he’s only played 20, 10 & 15 mins, its certainly slow progress.
As its “only” Hamilton at home what confidence would you want, would an ability to play only 45 minutes be good enough?
Personally I’d take that, with the attendent risk that it uses up a sub early that you’d ideally keep for later in case of injuries etc.
You could be right about Griff. I think that most believe that Ntcham should start, I would also like to see Bitton start, giving Brown – McGregor a rest.
If possible it would also be great to rest Christie and Mikey for Saturday’s game against the ghost team. Sinclair still sits on the bench for what?
Caption: sevco’s new share issue
Caption : James Traynor’s description in Daily Record sales column – “Great little runabout, sold as seen. First £50m secures”
Caption.
Petrol costs more than team bus to Aberdeen.
As Ranger’s mark one continues to travel through liquidation and ‘ranger’ mark two enters it’s first administration period before liquidation, the new team transport is fueled up ready for the journey to renew old friendships in league 3.
Fife’s most popular car dealership unveils new model.
Oh aye eh?
What’s wrang wi Fife like?
Fifers. Dahling I missed your effervescent reply this a.m. I hope that you dinny haud it against me, my sweet. 😉
And please remember sweet, that it was a Fifer who won the league, tonight. How sweet is that?
Sweet
“This game , sandwiched between a great European night and a cup final”
Did Kris Boyd write that?
Caption:
“Keep pumpin’ the gas till it straightens out.”
What King says to the gullibillies and they just don’t get whose pockets they’re straightening.
As for Lennie’s interview, if that’s “tetchy”, then keep it comin’. Time someone remembered Stein or O’Neil and called out the “false journalists” and told them tae get tae f####, in the nicest possible way, of course. I wonder how many felt somewhat “tetchy” after that session.
H H
As well as the absence of the email notification of a new diary, I’m now getting an email that my comment is approved.
Are others getting same?
Yes me too.
So, we don’t get the notifications we want and get the ones we don’t?
As Charlie would say, ain’t Etims grand? 😉
CS awfy quiet today….must have got a delivery of replica mortars from Amazon.
Can just see him his loft running around with a mortar shell, shouting ” incoming incoming “
that or a he’s finished the ronny deila mural
Shh, don’t poke the bear, which, for the avoidance of doubt, isn’t an indication of football allegiance.
I heard his head was stuck on a large industrial magnet. You know, like the ones in a scrapyard.
Me tae….much to my amazement 🙂
Caption:
When the wife said she wiz gettin’ a new volvo, Ah thoat it meant ma sex life wiz gonny improve.
Ha ha he he! Hilarious RSP.
Was it a bright red volvo?
Sadly, it turned oot she waanted rid o’ ma auld banger
Caption:
Oh, God, Ted! There’s a dent in the car! What?! – Where’s the dent? – Just there, Ted.
God, how did that happen? When you hit that fella on the bike.
Don’t mention that to anyone.
Anyway, I saw him get up.
It’s not too bad.
I can straighten it out with a hammer.
Have a look in that box.
Oops, I didn’t mean to do that.
I’ll just tap it the other way…
“I’m sick telling k.monstermunch not to lean on the car when filling it”, said supersally leaning on the other side.
Caption : FOR SALE… ONE CAREFUL OWNER… THE REST DIDN’T GIVE A FUCK
The cry was “No Suspension!”
See bro beaton has the Aberdeen game means no chance of Aberdeen getting into them tonight and a pen for them.
You just couldn’t make it up.
“I have to be very careful what I say, obviously. But I don’t think there will be a more disappointed person outside of Rangers tonight than John.”
Slippy g BBC
CAPTION…. Parks of Hamilton provide Morelos with specially adapted car…
A spokesman said ” it’s designed to accommodate the shape of his heid”.
Dave King knows a boy at Parks that’ll get ye an MOT for that.
Boris Johnson hails british car manufacturing as the best in Europe after brexit
Lada model their latest car on Alfredo Morelos’s heid.
CAPTION: As the jury were shown the shocking images of the vehicle, Mrs Morelos said, “He was very angry”. Asked by the prosecution why he was so angry, Mrs Morelos said, “the radio guy played a song he doesn’t like”. The case continues.
I wanted to get on the train.
YYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS
BROOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNYYYYYYYY
Nail these bastards on Sunday. Shouldn’t be too difficult as their two central defenders are as slow as a week in jail, not only in pace but in the head.
Destroy them Bhoys.
Just depresses me.
Henke… I’ll send you some spare meds I have 😉
Kleenex sir?
Fake celebration
Caption……
Crash bang wallop what a picture,
Nacho sticks a fiver in his Lada.
The day a Fifer won the league, ssweeeett.
The Celtic manicure…
\O/ winner
https://streamja.com/a94z
The month that could shape the rest of the season and step forward our captain.
On nights such as this leaders are required to drive you home.
Thankfully we have Broony.
It’s not the silky football but the courage and desire that has to come through also.
Well done bhoys job done tonight
That’s you fucked then
Caption
The engine room subsidiary needs topping up ?
==========================================
A celticrollercoaster of an evening thenailbitingheartdroppingroofraisingthingofbeautythatissupportingceltic…
The busses back from the pen must be lively
Up the hoops
Hahahaha…They`re effin baananas.
sevco 3.141 gate FC.
Not so sure about that like lofty, he looks like a Killie player to me.
Early days but he’s no Anton Rogan.
I think Bolingoli is terrible m8. Good at running but not much else Taylor is the better defender. I would also play Bauer on Sunday with Frimpong on the left side. He would tear tavenier to shreds.
Forster
Bauer Jullien Ajer Frimpong.
Brown McGregor
Christie Rogic Forrest
Edouard if fit if not Griff.
Forrest will do the ripping on that side m8.
Not convinced!
Finding out that ‘The Broony’ scored the winner from the commentary of the sevconian game was a delighting milestone.
Kudos for the updates Ghirls and Bhoys.
Moritz Bauer has got a weekender attitude to the game at Celtic.
Did the referee take Greg Taylor aside and tell him to calm down after the winner?
I realise it’s a bit sad but havin’ a peek on ‘Ragers’ Media; what a fukkin’ riot! They’ll need to change their name (again) to Apoplectic FC. Check out a “club legend” called “sassaaaa” whose IQ must be about the same number as the points they dropped last night. Blaming Beaton, oh, the irony of it. HaHaHa, stupid, stupid huns (as Monti oft says). 🙂
HH FC not PLC
When Hamilton scores I had that wee burst of temper towards the team, just a flash but it was an unnecessary lapse, we could see it coming. A few guys stood up pointing at the dug out , can’t for the life of me blame Lenny, it was the team that switched off. Guys walked out, seriously and then Broonie, what a captain, what a Celt. I saw Leigh’s blatant push on the Hamilton player, them’s the breaks! Beaton sees off the hun, acting under orders of course.
Still not getting ETims like others, any explanation about what has changed Ralph?
The Rangers Rover.untaxed ,
Only 2 owners going for 3.
Take it to SFA garages for
M O T,great car for going in circles
They miter sit.
Caption: For Sale… ONE careful owner, the rest didn’t give a fuche
I was watching the Aberdeen v Filth match, with the Huns two up, the commentator must have mentioned goal difference at least three or four times, yet when the Dandy Dons made it 2-2…….not a mention of goal difference for the rest of the game? 🙂
Scott Brown? Real men are made in Fife!
Aye, well mibbaes aye, mibbaes naw but it takes a move tae the true capital to bring it out! 🙂
HH FC not PLC
Don’t let Lawwell away with it all!
Watched it back. Morelos escaping a double trip on Ferguson.. no booking. Jack leaves the field of play to celebrate with the vermin after running 35 yards to them..no booking. Cheating Beaton saw Morelos dive going away from goal outside the box and offers a heart breaking apology to the scouse git………Pathetic.
Nice one 🙂 Hope all’s going well with you, your wife and family Weered and good to see the Reds joint top. COYBIR 🙂
HH
TicToc thanks for asking… All doing well… The reds should still be top if it wasn’t for a shite home display against Glentoran last Saturday. They deservedly beat us 2 0. A great disappointment 🙁
Weered,
Probably inevitable that there would be a drop off eventually after such a great run.
Hopefully they will be back on it again this weekend and we can celebrate a double Hun Humping! 🙂
Cha… Oh yes please..
Reds are away to Larne tomorrow. They are handy enough tho but I imagine the reds will be up for it
Stay strong Weered, your wife, family and team(s) all need your support! Also I echo Cha’s sentiments about a double hun-skelping at the week-end. 🙂 🙂
HH
A big Ryan Christie type bow to the Celtic Ironman, made in Dunfermline, Fife from girders. With the heart of a lion and an appetite for football bigger, much bigger than Desperate Dan’s pies. Broooony who loves yeh baby.
Can’t make my mind up about the Taylor Boli joust, Taylor is the better defender BoiI’s pace makes him more dangerous going forward. I thought initially people jumped on Boli with too much haste, some, though not all players, take more time to settle into the Scottish League. Morgan has offered more than I thought up front but if Eddy isn’t fit I would rather have Griffiths leading the line.
if Griffiths cant get a start ahead of a winger v county and Hamilton there is literally 0 chance he will play from the start against the scum, he still looks over weight
eddy will start, much deserved rest and I think lenny is playing at the mind games
Agree with that.
I thought Griff was quite lively when he came on but more in the link-up play and still, understandably, rusty in front of goal.
It would be a hell of a call to give him a starting berth, which he hasn’t had in months.
Hopefully in the games afterwards but not Sunday.
So Beaton apologises for not giving a penalty and Stevie G responds with outside of Rangers Beaton is the most disappointed person in Scotland tonight Sorry but am I missing something here. I think Beatons apology was something like Stevie G couldn’t give you the pen I’m gutted but as you can see it was a blatant dive so the free kick was the only option I had to cheat a little and it’s in a great position. So again really sorry boss.
Whilst over at Celtic Mr Clancy
Anything to say on why you never awarded 2 pens to Celtic at Easter road. Nah okay then.
Only in fair caledonia eh
Gerrard has form for this.
At the first game against them last season he claimed that the 4th official had told him it was a foul to them before Ntcham’s goal.
Personally, I think its bullshit and even if the MIBs were that way disposed 😉 they wouldn’t want it broadcast otherwise people remember Buf’s 5 red cards and no apology etc.
Caption: John Beatons car at Bellshill Tesco early hours this morning
HaHaHa! 🙂
Aye well, there was uproar in the Crown loyalist bar in Bellshill last night, where there was a wake being held. The main door was boarded up by a local joiner and a new side door installed with key pass entry. A sign was hung on the door saying “no Pape’s, no Blacks and John Beaton GTF. A police Scotland statement was issued in the Bellshill Courier that multiple death threats had been made online against brother Beaton. Some apparently from inside Police Scotland H.Q. A force from England has been employed to protect brother Beaton’s from multitudes of Celtic supporters who are intent in thanking him for his honesty (P.Lawwell’s call has been effective) The Bellshill lodge has barred him from using its special handshake, taken away his apron and gloves. He cannot attend any functions, so no more free beer for him. Apparently he is living incognito in deepest Carfin far away from Larkhall before he emigrates to New Zealand.
Mike… 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hope you and Mrs. Red are good mate 😉
Mike… Thanks for asking. She is now cancer free. I submitted a long update a few mins ago but it has disappeared for some odd reason ffs
Found and re-instated, just WordPress being uppity as usual.
Cheers Desi