Celtic Diary Thursday September 3: High Anxiety ? Maybe Not

According to a Facebook Memories post yesterday, the Diary was nine years old, an astonishing revelation that shows just how fast time flies when you’re having fun.

And as one or two people pointed out, sooner or later we’ll get something right.

We recorded a podcast last night, which will appear on the site later today, and although the general feeling of doom and gloom from these pages was mentioned, we were astonished to discover that round about this time of year, we have always felt the same.

So thats that then, ten in a row it is.

Although I still reckon that it will be a largely different side that stumbles over the final hurdle come April or May.

One of those new faces is Shane Duffy, the Brighton defender who will be on loan for a year at Celtic Park.

Duffy spoke to the media …..

“Obviously, I don’t need a reason to go to Celtic but if there is ever a reason it’s this year to make history.

“It’s something I have been following anyway, hoping they would get the title every year so now to get the chance to be a part of it is a huge honour but there is a lot of hard work to do to get that 10-in-a-row. 

I know the fans are optimistic and I am too so we are going to do the hard work and hopefully the reward is at the end.

“I’m delighted, obviously. It’s taken a little while to get it done but I’m over the moon. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing and to get the chance and the club to want me is a special moment for me and I’m really excited to get up there and get going.

“Hopefully I can bring success to the club.

“It’s been a long time coming.”  

Later, he tweeted

Whatever has gone wrong for him at Brighton matters not a jot, it’s what he does now that matters, and we could well have a new Aitken / Mjalbby cult figure in the ranks, and thats exactly what we need just now.

This means, sadly, that the way is clear for Kris Ajer to move on. The word is that Lennon was told he could keep only one of Simunovic or Biton, due to financial restrictions, and the squad needed trimming anyway. If Lennon chose biton, it means he intends to use him, and that could mean two ball playing centre backs and a powerhouse forming a back three.

It could also mean the Ebn Hamed is now first reserve for right back or centre half, as Jeremie Frimpong and Greg Taylor will take it in turns with James Forrest to provide width, depending on the set up.

Then again, Ben Davies…..

Frankly, as long as it puts a stop to this sort of defending….

…I don’t care who we get in

Mo Elyannoussi though, will be squeezed in somewhere , and there’s still David Turnbull , Ismael Soro to supplement Scott Brown in the centre of midfield, even if , as expected, we lose MacGregor, Ntcham, Christie and Rogic.

Though it does look considerably weaker, and we may see a further addition, possibly an experienced fellow to add a bit of steel.

Up front, Griffiths is not going to feature unless everyone is in some sort of motor accident, which leaves Klimala and Ajeti to aid Oddsone Edouard, as long as the Frenchman ignores his agent, the media and his homeland.

And then there’s the Ryan Fraser mystery, as he has certainly been linked with Celtic, and there may actually be something in this one, with the winger not committing himself to anything yet.

No matter who goes , however, the tenth title not arriving at Celtic Park at the end of the season would still be a major upset, as there isn’t a side in Scotland strong enough to go the distance over 38 games and take the title away from Celtic.

Thats the cold hard truth of the matter, but it must be stressed that there is a lot of hard work to be done between now and then, and there is no room for complacency.

In other news, the delightful Brazilian forward Neymar has tested positive for coronavirus, presumably having contracted the disease from the spittle ejected onto the ground he loves to roll around around in.

It is not known if his sister has the disease, but she’s probably already sent off for a test.

In these often strange and unprecedented days, we’ve found it difficult to pick someone who has done enough to provide a suitable winner of the prestigious Etims Knob of the Week award.

Not this fucking week we haven’t….

https://twitter.com/i/status/1300916686191767553

Sometimes you just have to acknowledge genius…..

There are a few of them out there, and they fall into certain categories…

Let’s face it, some of them will never be described as the brightest star in the night sky, which is partly why someone is going to get a big apology quite soon after his treatment at the hands of the Scottish establishment and media….and it will just rub further salt into their wounds…

Look at how the poor soul ended up….

Not only that, he awoke from a coma to see this face leaning over him….

I’d have stayed in a coma.

Charles had a tough time trying to save the unsaveable and defend the indefensible, and reaped scant reward for his effort…

Then again, they always have had difficulty in seeing what is genuine and what is someone taking the piss out of them….

https://twitter.com/i/status/1299832634592432129

You need to click on that image..it’s a rolling video.

Anyway, doom and gloom ?

Not while there are gullibillies to provide the giggles.

Yesterday, we had this…..

Jimmybee 

 That guy yesterday must have sorted the fan  

Today… lets have a happy picture…