Celtic moved seven points clear at the top of the SPL with a high tempo swashbuckling defeat of Dundee at dens Park on wednesday night. Yes, I know I should have written this yesterday, but when of of your mates phones up before and mentions the words beer and football in the same sentence, then it will have repercussions.
Watching the game again, it wasn’t quite a high tempo as first thought, but we had recorded it and somehow left the sky plus on x2 speed.
Manager Neil Lennon seemed happy enough:
“Overall I’m pleased with the performance on a difficult pitch,it was quite rutted and bobbly (so were at least two fans who watched the game) . We have toadapt at times better to the conditions but we had two bits of real quality to win the game. I had to rely on my goalkeeper to make a fantastic save. We have seen that time and time again it was another wonderful point blank save. Thankfully he was able to keep a clean sheet, and we went on to win with a superb individual goal again from Hooper. I didn’t think we started the second half well at all, but when James Forrest came on he just gives a better balance to the team and its a great win for us.”
Afterwards, armed with a fresh beer and a box of chocolate roses, the biggest cheer was saved for gordon strachan, who reminded viewers that when a player leaves Celtic, it doesn’t always turn out for the better, whilst staring hard at Craig Burley. Which could only have been funnier had the wee man pointed across the table and added, “ya knob.”
The tow goals were both superbly taken, Samaras with an overhead kick, and Hooper with a sublime chip, and this on a night when former Celt Rab Douglas was in the sort of form that once defied Valencia in the Mestalla.
Next up are Hibernian, who have slipped into fourth place having only taken one point from four games. another day out in the capital, and for those of us not going, its on BBC Alba at six o’clock.
News that Celtic -well, rumours anyway-may be about to offload Paddy McCourt (Crystal Palace?) may well have been behind the “riot” in the concourse at Dens Park, as women, children and the disabled ran for cover whilst drunken terrorist supporting fans, all wearing balacalavas and carrying armalite rifles caused havoc before, during and after the game. Some “witnesses described it as a “return to the seventies, ” which bearing in mind Dens has wooden benches with paint marking out the seat numbers, thats hardly a surprise. (At least it did have when I last went there)
Or , of course it could just be the drink…evening kick off, holidays, etc…
Transfer window is looming , and Hugh MacDonald, in the papers has hinted, well urged, that Celtic should sell Gary Hooper in January because its “preposterous” to think that he will spend his career in Glasgow. He might be right, but strangely enough the tone was more that of happiness and not lamenting the fact that a move to a bigger pay packet is probably inevitable. Maybe Strachan should remind him that the grass isn’t always greener etc..
Todays Telegraph sport has a pull out which features the Green Brigades iconic Four horseman banner, with several Rangers players in the pic all doing their best to look away, in a similar manner to the press, who looked away as the club was raped and murdered earlier this year. Still, as in all good horror stories, the beast has refused to believe its dead and is still lurking around on the outskirts of town, bellowing loudly at anyone daft enough to stop and listen.
But, its not all bad-Fran Sandaza, the pemanently injured striker, is “loving life at Ibrox”-despite being “advised ” not to bless himself” before, during or after games! Oddly enough, the paper didn’t run with the religous intolerance side of the story, and the club haven’t distanced themselves from the claims, and it just goes to show that the new club are every bit as bad as the old one. Same name, same stadium, same management , same logo and still the same intolerance of anyone who isn’t a raging right winger aith a hidden desire to burn catholics at the stake.
Isn’t it time to switch the life support machine off yet, Hector?
The zombie club has another Glasgow derby this weekend, with Queens Park the opponents, hot on the heels of the recent game with clyde-not technically now a Glasgow club, but then Rangers aren’t technically Rangers either. One Clyde fan made a banner (see main pic) wishing the new club a happy first christmas, which shows that they are indeed making friends down there.
Incidentally, former Rangers boss is now the new Nottingham Forrest manager, as if things weren’t bad enough for the midlands club.
Twitter has Chilean Nicolas Castillo on the radar, and various other names have been mentioned again, but not with any credibility. But Darren Fletcher was given a “Rough Guide to Glasgow for Christmas..” And he should have until the summer to read it.
The former Celtic managers still in the game are Tony Mowbray, (god alone knows how) , Billy Stark, and Martin O’Neill.
Former Celtic players managing are many many more, but Paul Lambert might not be after his eight and four goal drubbings sustained while at the helm of Aston Villa. How did he end up at Borussai Dortmund as a player, and what gift from Andy Moeller has he been known to mention from time to time?
Did PL go to Dortmund after a trial with the Little Genital at PSV, hot on the heels of leaving Muderwell on a free?
Did he get a watch from Andy Moeller? I think it was one of those black Casio digital types with a handy calculator fascia.
PS – Didn’t Joe Jordan and Eric Black both manage Celtic on a caretaker basis (although Black was sacked yesterday)?
Did Moeller not give him a rolex
How did he end up at Dortmund? I think he flew to Germany then took a taxi.
Moeller gave him a fancy watch for the role he played in the European cup win. Kaiser Lambert did his thankless role between the midfield and the defence to perfection, mopping up everything then giving the ball to Moeller so that he could look good pinging the passes about the place. Moeller said that if it hadn’t been for Lambert Dortmund would never have won..and he was right! Hope he keeps his job at Villa, one of my favorite players.
A wee note to Mr Lennon in case he happens to read this. Get rid of Hooper and keep Miku. Santa brought me FIFA soccer 2013 [I know I’m a bit old for that) and that Hooper is pish, Miku has scored 4 goals in 5 games for me so get him signed up long term Lenny!!
Ralph
Dundee seemed a bit too comfortable for us from what I saw but I willingly admit that was probably not a lot. We ended up over-playing at times instead of just banging in the nails. However, as some optimist reminded me, we got the result and that’s what matters – probably one of my offspring who have formed an advisory committee for their senile old man. Regarding the “incident” in the Dundee sheddings, I have to condemn the behaviour no matter the cause. I simply do not understand fans who give our media friends good cause to go to town. It might be unfair but it is reality, we need to be ultra careful and some are currently still not getting it. Mind you, you did mention the “demon” which is the at the root of much of the idiocy.
I must beg that you give some good will to the “evil dead”. Even they are deserving of a Christmas especially their one and only. Besides, Sandaza is rumoured to have the words of some Coflic carols written on his wrists so he can hum them without being seen by Chic and his burd Sally. I believe one is “O little town of Bethlehem, I’ll be playing there next year. My dreads and fears through all this year, was an extension contract here.” So let us offer tidings of comfort and joy to all the “blind” and “duped”.
I also wish Paddy all the best if he does move to Palace. At least it will be down hill all the way but if Hooper goes he’ll pass him easily on the slide he’ll take.
Finally, I hope to see that iconic piece of art with four riders in Glasgow Art Gallery some day. There are a lot of iffy bits that could do with replacing and that would be as good a contender as any in the modern day. For me, a bit of genius.
Quiz. Part 1 – no idea though happy to go with bhramblejelly.
Part 2 – twas a watch he saw before him with Rolex on the face – methinks, sire!
Just in answer to Run Sammy Run’s comment, his send off at the end of his last game did not reflect a man doing a thankless job. He got an incredible ovation. But I know what you mean RSR about his role in the team.
All the best to everyone for the New Year in case I do not get the chance between now and Monday.
H H
Yeah Lambo went to Dortmund on a free but he went and played a trial first as I recall as Dortmund had been very impressed with him in a pre-season friendly.
Apparently when he told big Eck (he was his manager & wasna for giving him a new contract) he was away on a trial at dortmund big eck just laffed which pretty much sums up his ability to spot a player – he’d still not be able to spot a player at a Barca training session wud big eck!!!
The watch I believe was, as sum othas say, a gift for the fetchin & carryin he did for andreas who did say they wudna have won the big cup withoot oor lambo!!
We certainly wudna hav stopped the 10 withoot him & a few others!!