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Celtic Diary Monday April 15

On last weeks Etims podcast, I mentioned that Dundee Utd and Aberdeen should provide a challenge to Celtic. What I meant was long term. The Taysiders obviously misunderstood, and yesterdays thriller at Hampden showed that other Scottish sides are not just here to make up the numbers.

Seven goals, end to end football and a huge sigh of relief at the end.

Saturday saw another seven goal epic, and if those semi finals had took place in England then the commentators would have been gushing about the quality, about the entertainment, and making sure that everyone with a tv got to see it.

We had Willie Miller on Sportscene saying it was a “wonderful weekend for Scottish football,” but I missed the rest of it because his voice sent me to sleep.

Back to the game, Kris Commons scored his customary early goal, but Dundee Utd came back at us, then we came back at them, and the two teams went toe to toe until Anthony Stokes bagged the winner from a James Forrest cross. Forrest had been largely anonymous until then, in the way that you wish Fraser Forster had been, as the big keeper still clearly has his mind elsewhere, choosing to stand back and admire Dundee Utds efforts rather than try to catch them.

It would be easy to criticise Celtics players, but you have to say well done to the Tannadice side, who rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in.

Neil Lennon praised his charges;

“I am so proud of the players. They have had a monumental season up until now. This was pivotal for us. Otherwise the season might have petered out so I am happy. They are one point away from winning the title. We have had a great European campaign, we fell short in the Scottish Communities League Cup and we are in a cup final. They have performed heroically, some of them are dead in their feet at the minute. We are delighted for the club and the supporters but more importantly I am delighted for the players. It is good to get over the line for the first time in a while. We are the only team who can win the double and it would be pretty special for the players to do that but if we don’t then it will still be a fantastic season.”

He’s right. Lets actually be proud of what we have done, as opposed to moaning about what we should have done.

As with all cup games, its great to win, and to have won a game like that, is especially enjoyable. Sure, a few players weren’t at their best, but there were two teams on the park who gave their all.

Both semi finals were a great advert for the game in Scotland, and it makes you wonder what everyone is worried about.

The vote for reconstruction will be done today between the SPL clubs. So far, Stewart Gilmour of St. Mirren is definitely against it, while Roy McGregor of Ross County isn’t sure what he’ll do. Peter Lawwell has commented that the highland club should listen to clubs who have been in the SPL for a number of years when they do decide.

No pressure there then. Lawwell said;

We are coming to the end of the process and its either change or the status quo” ย which means there is going to be no SPL2, or any of the other rumoured plan b solutions.

He continued;

“From Celtics point of view, come Monday night , it will be disappointing if it doesn’t go through because we have put a lot of work into it. and we see it as the right thing for the game.”

“fuck the huns”, he didn’t add.

Speaking of the delightful new club and its whiter than white board, captain Lee McCulloch has demanded cklarity over the clubs affairs after the board-appointed by Charles Green-announced an investigation into his takeover. apparently there are whispers of shennanigans which could be a little bit illegal, and it appears that Craig whyte, who bumped the club, may well have been behind the consortium who bought the assets.

All very murky, and not entirely unexpected, and McCulloch has spoken out;

“A bit of clarity would be great. And just the truth. I think everyone deserves to know the truth.”

Okay, Lee, but you are not going to like it.

Your club died last year. The venture capitalists are arguing over who gets to make the most money out of the assets they shifted before the tax man and other creditors could get hold of them. The club you play for now will go tits before Christmas, and the guy who signs your paycheque will be away over the horizon with anything thats not nailed down.

And your manager is clueless.

Hope that helps.

Still, its all good fun, and as long as it continues to provide the rest of us with classic comedy then its been worth it.

Bayern Munich are the only one of this seasons Champions League semi finalists who Celtic have never beaten in a competitive game.

John Clark, Brian MacLaughlin, John Divers and Willie McStay. Which of these famous names is different, and why.

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Frank Henderson
10 years ago

John Clark -all the others have had 2 players of that name playing for Celtic but there is only one John Clark-I think!

GaryBhoy
10 years ago

John Divers was the only one that was a Guidance teacher at my school.

Peter Campbell
10 years ago

Willie McStay is not from Airdrie (although I am not entirely sure where John Divers is from).

maniche
10 years ago

Brian MacLaughlinis the only one to appear in the Munsters

10 years ago

THE STENCH OF THE SHADY HUNS IS THERE FOR ALL TO SEE ,SMELL AND BELIEVE, IT REALLY IS WONDERFUL TO WAKE UP IN THE MORNING AND REALISE THAT THEY SCABBY BASKETS ARE GETTING KICKED AW’ O’ER THEIR BONNIE WEE SCABBYHUN COUNTRY, REMEMBER THE WISE EASTERN PROVERB ,GOOGLE IT YE SONS OF “BILLY A KAKA,” AND DON’T SAY YE HUVNAE BEEN WARNED ABOUT WIT WIZ GONY HAPPEN TAE YUR DOSH, G.I.R.F.U.Y. YA M. H. Bs. FARETHEEWEEL HUNNISH HOARDES FAE HADES,FARETHEEWEEL

Kingsnake
10 years ago
Reply to  weefeeski

Indeed, they floated back up to the surface of the loo like a half-flushed turd, awaiting break up with a wire hanger prior to a final flushing.

Iain McAllister
10 years ago

Neil. this is quite simple
Sign jon Daly for nothing.

Iain McAllister
10 years ago

Ross County and St Mirren have voted against any change for the new leagues. Would that because they have nae debt?
Do the Scottish suits have the balls to change to a summer competition. Great crowd at firhill last week and nae TV. 2000 less at ipox with 2 cameras. Do the bosses at hampden notice these things? Two great Scottish semi finals with half empty stadium, Would it not have been better to play one at swinecastle and the other at the trainsoppers pitch seeing the hoodoo is bust noo.

jon littledick
10 years ago

Totally agree Iain. And we should have what the fans want – a 16 team top leaue. Did my heart good to see Stewart Milne raging – the ‘Deadly Doug’ of Scottish football.

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