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Celtic Diary Thursday November 5: Return Of The Old Firm

The Europa League campaign continues tonight in Glasgow with the visit of Sparta Prague, who haven;t been having a great time of it in the tournament so far. With a 3-0 defeat to Milan and a 4-1 loss at home to Lille, Sparta look to have already claimed the role of group whipping boys, so they’ll be looking forward to coming to Glasgow where they will probably turn that around.

 

Not because they’re any good, but because at home in Europe Celtic haven;t done very well at all. In fact, the three defeats that put the manager under pressure all came in Glasgow, and whereas you could usually expect the hoops to pull out a result when its needed at home, recent years have kind of bucked that trend.

 

We hear that just before the teams take the pitch at least two Celtic players re-enact the scene from Airplane….

 

Yarn | - Sure is quiet out there. - Yeah, too quiet. ~ Airplane! (1980) |  Video clips by quotes, clip | ce665c72-0385-4a80-b2b5-d9e2756cf09f | 紗

 

” It’s quiet out there ”

 

” Too quiet ”

 

 

There’s not really a solution to that, unless someone adds artificial crowd noise, which would probably be worse, although maybe it’s the insults and abuse they are missing.

 

Maybe we should all record ourselves as though we are at a game and get the club to play it over the PR system…

 

You know, cries of “Fuck’s sake , Duffy “, or the omnipotent “what the fuck was that ? ”

 

Or my own favourite, “Fuck this, let’s go for a pint ”

 

Feel free to add your own and we’ll get it put on tape and sent to the club.

 

Whilst I’m on the subject of Great Ideas , it’s been noted that Cadbury, part of the Kraft Food Group, have put a bit of money into both “rangers ” and Celtic, money that will go to charity, but the fact is that the Old Firm brand, which is how the idea would have been sold to them, is back, and that for me is confirmation that Celtic are happy enough to be associated with the fraudulent operation over the river, and consequently proof that they never really wanted to live without them in the first place.

 

Thats why Celtic allowed their own shareholders to be screwed over, why they’ve never looked to deal with allegations of corruption and collusion, and why they continue to take us all for mugs.

 

My idea, though, is a winner.

 

Cadbury make chocolate bars, and one bar that could be used to promote this new spirit of friendship and co-operation , and raise even more money would be my own creation, the Old Firm Bar…think of the money from tie ins with drinks firms as well….

 

A full white chocolate bar , coated at one end in green, minty flavoured candy, and at the other in an orange colour, with the middle remaining white.

 

That way both sets of fans would be happy.

 

If they just brought out an Orange Twirl there’d be all sorts of accusations of bigotry.

 

Breweries would doubtless jump on the idea of an Old Firm Bar as well, where fans could sit in harmony and politely applaud each others team whilst still supporting their own.

 

Back to tonights game, and Sparta boss Vaclav Kotal told the Daily Record he’s not going to divulge the name of any of his Covid infected stars ahead of the match, presumably as he’s noticed that appears to be the done thing in at least one Glasgow neighbourhood.

 

“I’m sorry but I’m not going to specify how many are out through Covid – but more are injured as well.

“We know this is a vital match. The players are aware of it as well after two defeats. We are hoping we play better than we did against AC Milan.

 

He also went on to clarify what he meant he he intinated that Celtic were the diddy team in the group, which was prbably because he;d watched us…

 

“I didn’t mean it to disrespect Celtic. When I said they were the ‘most accessible team’ for us I was talking about in terms of the in the group. AC Milan and Lille are leading the Italian and French leagues – two of best leagues in the world.

 

Which is fair enough, but you felt like taking the offered olive branch and hitting him with it when he added…

 

“I respect the quality of the Scottish league and especially the size of Celtic and Rangers.”  

 

Celtic have no fresh injury worries, and should be reasonably confident of winning against a side that has been in lockdown for over a month, and should that happen, a win over there would set up a winner takes all clash with Lille, presuming Milan continue t dominate the group, a scenario that was very unlikely when we watched the opening game…

 

Manager Neil Lennon had a pop at the media over the Jeremie Frimpong story, which was a classic case of deflection from the laptop loyal, when he questioned the timing of the story…

 

“I can’t comment on what the Rangers boys did. What I can comment on is the reaction from the government, which I find bewildering.

 

Holyrood, as we recall, “commended ” the “swift and decisive action ” of the Ibrox club in disciplining their errant players, well, at least the ones they named and blamed…

 

“Considering the way they treated us after the Bolingoli incident. There seems to be double standards at the minute as far as we’re concerned.

“You’d need to ask the government that. For the spokesperson, I found it strange to say the least. We as a club did and I’m sure our supporters did as well. I’m not happy about it. We were thrown under the bus.

“We were subjected to privileged footballers, yellow card and blah, blah, blah. We have been treated in one way and other clubs have been treated another by the government and that’s unacceptable from our point of view.” 

 

On the story itself, he defended Frimpong..

 

“It’s a non-story. Jerry didn’t break any rules.

“I have to question the timing of the story because we were aware of it a few weeks ago. And since then he’s had about half a dozen tests where he’s been negative. 

 

Thats covid, not chlamydia. He didn’t go near the girl.

“We talk to the players weekly about what they can’t do. It’s not easy for them, especially ones who are living on their own. 

 

“There is enough pressure playing football. Having to be restricted in your movements can be difficult for them. But it’s just something we have to adhere to until things start to get better. At the minute, if you look at the UK, things are getting worse. So we have to be really on point with it.”

 

Thats probably the first time anyone at the club has learned a lesson about anything, yet we’ll still send players off on the international break…or will we ?

 

Purely in the interest of balnce, the Record spoke to Jiri Jarosik, who will be remembered mostly for falling over against Manchester United, why they spoke to him isn’t clear, but you can see the narrative they encouraged…

 

Oh hang on, it’s a profile of Lennon, and guess what ?

 

It ain’t pretty…or at least, it isn’t intended to be pretty…

 

 

“To put it bluntly, he was a really tough captain.

“He came up in what was then a rough league where the treatment of the players wasn’t the best. 

 

“In Glasgow the city was always divided into quarters and he went into a pub where it wasn’t just Celtic fans cheering. People there knew who he was and he said he got punched in the mouth by one of the Rangers fans.  

 

Note the wording, for legal and sycophantic reasons..“he said ” he got punched…which compared to what was usually happening to him around that time, was quite mild….

 

“He was surrounded by that and behaved accordingly. That’s probably reflected in his coaching style.

“Everyone remembers him as a tough and competitive midfielder who would hit you hard in training.

“He wasn’t afraid of anything.

 

Wonder how strong the temptation to add “who brings it on himself ” was….

 

“In the dressing room when there was a problem with a player he’d calmly grab them by the neck and give them a clip round the ear.

“He drove us on. In short, he was able to bring order.

“Even though there were some big personalities in the squad everyone was afraid of him.

“Even his face made sure you respected him, he was always missing a tooth.”  

 

In truth, i think Lennon may have upset him in the past, with maybe a cutting comment like this….

 

 

Lord Flashheart Tumblr posts - Tumbral.com

 

 

Yesterday, we had this….

 

Image

 

Cartvale 88 

 

 What time does the Walk pass ? 

 

 

Today….

 

Image

 

 

By the way, anyone struggling to put a comment on in the replies, it might be worth trying with a new email address.. and please be patient if somehow one of your replies goes into moderation.

 

We try to keep on top of it, but it’s not always possible.

 

Our tech guys are working on the problem, but lets face it, I’m not hopeful.

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tony carlin
3 years ago

You can finger one of two pussies! Choose carefully!

alzyerpal
3 years ago
Reply to  tony carlin

Damn, Tony. Yours is the one and only reply here, at the moment, and my idea has been taken already 🙁
🙂

Cartvale88
3 years ago

Caption
The hostess of Sevco’s party reacts to the media.

The media and the Establishment hate Lenny, one reason why it would be great if he achieves the ten. As for the happenings in the sooth side, Covoid nothing to be seen, multi share offers, money oozing out of the sewers to keep the entity going nothing to be seen. At least Lenny calls it out for what it is, as for Liewell his achievement, waste money, fail to achieve the UCL., OH, and the disco lights, but fans think he is still doing a great job.

Tks for the Caption pick,

Hoop hoop hooray
3 years ago

Caption
What time does the walk pass

3 years ago

Caption: Frank get the door

henkesdreadlocks
3 years ago

Caption………

Think of an old advert and by the way, her cat is called Fudge.

portpower
3 years ago

Caption:
Trump`s Balmedie neighbour.

Bannockburn Bhoy
3 years ago

Whit’s the grannie dain’?

Spudscave
3 years ago

This means come on in and have a cuppa tea in Columbia says Sevco spokesman

Cortes
3 years ago

Cap’n Birdseye’s wife shows off her fishy finger.

Johnny
3 years ago

Brace yersel ginger

pilsbury dough bhoy
3 years ago

Caption:
The wind’s definitely coming from the south east

James
3 years ago

Caption

Are the huns gaunnae win the league hen?

Owen Mullions
3 years ago

Caption:
F*ck off Trump, yer no’ grabbin’ this pussy.

Frank McGaaaarvey
3 years ago

“Mollie Sugden lets her feelings be known as to what she thinks of the potential remake of Are You Being Served”.

Ralph, as per your suggestion of fan banter being piped into the stadium, here is one of my fave exchanges from a few years back “You’re fuckin shite Douglas. Get tae fuck”, response “That’s Magnus Hedman ya fuckin rocket”. These are the things I’m missing. Fuck off covid.

3 years ago

I’m bitterly disappointed by the association with Cadbury and the old firm brand. We were told we were stand alone. Doesnt look like it. Why has no statement came from the hierarchy regarding the covid situation with the huns there has to be more in it than 2 players.
They should be holding the sfa and the government to account.
Silence is not golden Peter.
Tonight a good chance to build on recent performances and hopefully our first win in the group.
3_0 the bhoys.

Tenaka Khan
3 years ago

Caption….”Fuck off Trump, you’re not grabbing my pussy!!”

desdamoaner
3 years ago

the cat quivered in fear at the prospect of what came next

desdamoaner
3 years ago

I’ll eat my hat if there hasnt been a hushed up covid case or two down sevco way

Cortes
3 years ago

It’s the kiss of death from Mrs Oldfinger

BornCelt!
3 years ago

Caption – And we leave the final word to Daily Record reader and die-hard sevco fan Elizabeth, ‘F*^K YOU! We’re going for the one, na bother!’

Tyrone9
3 years ago

Caption
Anne Budge still not happy about SPFL decision.

Whirearra
3 years ago
Reply to  Tyrone9

Caption : ‘A house visit by Winston Churchill during the 1945 election campaign goes disastrously wrong’.

basqueceltic
3 years ago

Caption…..’oh my days’he screams,slaps ma pussy and runs like fuck shoutin ‘come on you boys in green’.

Whitearra
3 years ago

Sorry Tyrone9, that was obviously not a reply to your comment. It was me f##king up!

The Cha
3 years ago

According to philmacgiollabhain .ie/2020/11/05/wicked-deflection-2/ a couple of senior people at Celtic contacted the Sun re Frimpong story.

That’s all well and good and we’ll see what, if anything, comes of it but the real issue is the SFA’s double standards and that’s the ones the Celtic high heid yins should be taking on.

3 years ago

Dear oh dear Benfica, huns look a more formidable outfit this season

The Cha
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmybee

Woohoo, sounds like you gave them the gee up they required.

3-1 down with 10 men and only a few mins to go and drew 3-3.

Hopefully we do the business and ram it roon them.

3 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

See if it works for us cha
Dear oh dear Celtic.
Duncan still think Bitton is a centre back?
Ball is a hot tattie again calm heads required we are poor in possession only laxalt looks lively. Poor display.
But early goal 2cd half we can turn this round a defeat to a reserve team would be terrible fr this Group of players.

The Cha
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmybee

Bitton – its bizarre, most players take a few games to get back up to speed but he looks good immediately then after a few games he gets worse!

sfa unfit for purpose
3 years ago

Had similar thoughts. Also for all teams , who gets the results of tests ?
Are they automatically sent to the SFA or is it just up to the individual clubs to supply this info to the SFA ?
Answers on a postcard to the SFA spokeswoman in the caption.

henkesdreadlocks
3 years ago

Embarrassing. Clueless, Shambolic. What is the game plan? Another Lennon masterclass versus Sparta Prague reserves.

Cartvale88
3 years ago

Caption

Praha supporter gives the finger

Our defence is crap, Duffy a lumbering donkey, as for Brown his days are over. Eddie is isolated upfront, every time he gets the ball he is surrounded.
Bring on another forward, whoever and ElHamid in defence.
But Lenny will ruminate as usual.

Monti
3 years ago

Woeful performance in the first half, as bad as i’ve witnessed as a Celtic fan.
The moment Shane Duffy kicked the ball straight out the park should be accompanied by the Benny Hill theme tune…..in fact Benny Hill would get a game.

This cannot be acceptable??

Bbbbbut but bbut bbut we have injuries…bbbut but but

henkesdreadlocks
3 years ago

Playing in straight lines, easy to play against rubbish.

henkesdreadlocks
3 years ago

The fallout should be the removal of the clueless one and Duffy should go back to Brighton carting kids up and down the beach.

henkesdreadlocks
3 years ago

Thanks Mr Lawwell, you’ve fvcked things up nicely. Your day is coming. Horrendous. Get yourself and that moron in the dugout to fvck.

henkesdreadlocks
3 years ago

That’s mild. Needs to be gone now.

Yoker Bhoy
3 years ago

Totally outplayed by a faster, fitter, hungrier and more clinical side. Time for some drastic changes and a new pair of hands to pull us out of this terrible rut before it really is too late.

Monti
3 years ago

Goodbye Neil!
Fvck this!

Frank McGaaaarvey
3 years ago

A line had surely been crossed tonight. In European terms we have regressed back to pre Martin O’Neill levels. We can blame the players (and we will) but ultimately one man carries the can for the performances on the field. As I, and many others have stated, lose the 10 and the consequences will be dire.

james
3 years ago

Neil should’ve been sacked after the huns game and in any other era all Duffy would be defending was the Bogside.

henkesdreadlocks
3 years ago
Reply to  james

He should have been sacked after the Ferencvaros debacle.

Monti
3 years ago
Reply to  james

Iol

portpower
3 years ago

Dire, just dire. A vital decision is needed from the board today whether Neil stays.
As supporters, we have no say.

henkesdreadlocks
3 years ago

Pretty damming words for Griffiths from Sutton and 100% justified. He should have been papoed out the door after his lockdown shenanigans, selfish little shit.

3 years ago

It’s sad to see but this great club of ours has been driven into the ground by Lawwell once again he got involved in football matters brought in a player the manager didn’t want. Has bought poorly the scouting network is a joke.
We won’t recover from this.
Eddy didn’t look one bit interested.

henkesdreadlocks
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmybee

The manager is ruining players. Calmac doesn’t look a shadow of the player we know he can be. Eddy has gone from being outstanding to a guy that looks like he doesn’t want to be there. Lennon went baws out for Duffy who is neither a footballer or leader. He is absolutely atrocious . Barkas and Bain? You couldn’t make a goalkeeper out of the pair of them. Those with a brain knew when Lennon got the job that there was a good chance of something like this happening, but the speed of the destruction of professionalism that Rodgers brought in is breathtaking. Those thinking that the ten is still a possibility are clueless. As things stand, the title will be gone before the end of December.

sfa unfit for purpose
3 years ago

This year for me Europe is no more than a bonus/distraction.
I would have played a second team , with any players needing match fitness in all these European games.
Anyone thinking Neil Lennon is about to be sacked is very mistaken.
The league is the priority.
Have Faith.
HH.

The Cha
3 years ago

Blind faith isn’t working and hasn’t done all season.

sfa unfit for purpose
3 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

I am sure AC Milan will also be looking for a new manager ,since they lost 3-0 to Lille ?

I don’t have blind faith .

A dictionary definition of blind faith is: “belief without true understanding, perception, or discrimination.”
This is quite unlike the Bible word for faith, which by its very definition, “refers to a logical, robust, unwavering confidence in the truth” (see Hebrews 1:1).

henkesdreadlocks
3 years ago

What a stupid comparison. Lille played a weakened team against us. They would have played their strongest team against Milan, as to them it was the glamour game of the group. Lille are a very good side and you should have been aware that they were more than capable of turning over a moderate Milan side.

sfa unfit for purpose
3 years ago

Stupid ?

Lille team had 2 changes both due to injuries.

If we had lost 3-0 to lille last week what would your response have been.
Keep trying.

henkesdreadlocks
3 years ago

It was 5 changes not 2 from their previous game. Is the 2 just plucking figures from thin air.? Keep trying.

sfa unfit for purpose
3 years ago

Starting line up had 3 changes ( not 2 )
Out of the 15 players Lille used at CP 12 featured tonight against Milan.
You want me to name them ?

henkesdreadlocks
3 years ago

I wasn’t talking about tonight’s game, I was talking about their league game prior to playing us..

sfa unfit for purpose
3 years ago

hahahahaha

Monti
3 years ago

Fvck off

The Cha
3 years ago

Sparta had 7 players out due to a mixture of Covid and injuries and played reserve/youth players in their stead.

Bizarrely, they didn’t use this as an excuse to play poorly and lose and instead went for it.

Who knew you could do that?

Monti
3 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

Cha,
You beat me to this, blows away the myth that injuries & suspension should be all conquering factors.
Also i was very impressed by the hunger of the Sparta players.
A credit to their club.

james
3 years ago

Lawwell has been the common denominator in every period of failure over the past 15 years, how he has been able to remain in the job I’ll never know, he shouldve been sacked after WGS failed and appointing Neil permanently this term will be what he’s remembered for if he doesn’t sack Neil tomorrow.

The Cha
3 years ago

Lennon throwing the players under the bus again and accepting no responsibility.

“The culture will need to change in the dressing room”.

Obviously, everything has been all hunky dory up to now.

Tam the tim
3 years ago

The failure to buy John McGinn is now coming back to haunt us. Typical Celtic not wanting to pay the asking price for a player who wanted to play for the Tic and now never will. I know one man doesn’t make a team but you build one round guys like him.

sfa unfit for purpose
3 years ago
Reply to  Tam the tim

1 of too many that has continued through several managers.
And only 1 man to blame

Barkas -private pilot
3 years ago

“ there’s only one Neil Lennon “ thank fuck for that. Once again we look to a country where Hurling and Gaelic Football is the major sport. Because we have this agenda to fill the quota of low quality Irishmen, Rodgers and O Neil apart. You may say this is a bigoted attack but it’s the truth. Wtf has norther Ireland done for world football this century? Lennon has taken this team and turned it into the worst possible rendition of itself. The only reason Laxalt is standing out is because he doesn’t understand one word Lennon is saying. He’s playing football as we know it should be played.

Mark McDonagh
3 years ago

If Chris, loyal to a fault, is throwing Lenny under the bus, time to ring the changes. Best way to be rid of Lawwell is to demand our Season Card refunded if he stays. Desmond will no be happy right now. HH!

Barkas -private pilot
3 years ago

Caption.
Fuck you!! Don’t ever tell me gingers are useless !

3 years ago

The writing has been on the wall for some time. The decision to give Lennon the job after the cup final was foolish.
He hasn’t laid a finger on rangers in 3 games, that game tonight was the sane as the hun game, no desire no one going the extra yard , edouard unwilling to sacrifice himself headless chickens with the ball. We have seen the movie once too often.
The scouting network a joke players like ajeti soro turnbull ellynoussi shouldn’t be near our club. An embarrassment tonight and he has to go that was worse than watching Tony Mowbrays last game at St Mirren.
There is no road back
Enough is enough

The Cha
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmybee

Its been pretty much from the start against the Huns:

March 19 Home, won 2-1 but completely fell out of it in 2nd half against 10 men and only rescued by individual brilliance of Eddy and Jamesie

May 19 Away, lost 2-0, simply awful, even worse than the 1-0 5 months earlier. Players allowed to go on the piss in Dublin after winning the league at Aberdeen the week before.

September 19 Away, won 2-0. By far the best performance but involving Eddy kicking for touch from ko in a rope-a-dope performance, its not one the Hun coaches will be not be unprepared for again.

The last 3 are well documented but, for me, the warning signs have been there from the start.

Barkas -private pilot
3 years ago

Didn’t see game but just watched the goals. Looked like shooting practice for them. The fourth and second goal were particularly poorly defended. Rogic magic turn that only he could do in the whole of Scotland great goal there. Just reading player ratings in various papers griff tops all of them yet Sutton lambasts I don’t get that. This team is so disconnected. I’ll rephrase this club is so disconnected from each other. Holistically there is nothing an organisation that’s to succeed has. Dermot to lawell to Lennon to Kennedy to Strachan to the goalie the defence the midfield strikers subs on their mobiles blade checking out the molde score most likely. Last week was great. What’s happening? Brown is backing up too much that’s for sure. 35 means every second game. No individual but lawell is to blame. Then maybe Lennon

R.St.Parsley
3 years ago

Caption:
“Is the cat oot the bag?”
“Naw, the bag’s oot wi’ the cat”

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