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Celtic Diary Monday September 16

Teemu Pukki is a happy wee soul. He is loving life at his new club, and has set his stall for the coming season;

“I hope to score a lot of goals.” .

In particular, the man described by the Evening Times Ronnie Cully imaginatively as the ” Flying Finn ” ( at least the Irish Examiner had a bit of creativity with ” Lucky Pukki ” ) wants to make his mark in Europe, but also hinted he may have to settle for a place on the bench initially, as he is still getting his feet in the door;

“I’ve only been here a few days, so I don’t know everyone.

“But I think we have a very good squad and a good chance.

“It’s not an easy group, but, of course, we believe in ourselves and we’re looking to go through.

“Last year, I played with Schalke in the Champions League, but not as a starting player. So I’m hoping to play a lot of games in the competition.”

Thats obviously why he joined Celtic, the Champions League, and with Virgil van Dijk and Derk Boerrigter also settling in very well, perhaps Celtic are stronger than last year, although some will say that Victor Wanyama will be missed at the top level.

I think we will cope.

Neil Lennon seems to be fairly happy going into Wednesdays game, having watched the Italians draw 2-2 at Torino, which was as good a way to spend Saturday night as any. Certainly better than the programme I had to watch, where a bloke told a judge about his father repeatedly abusing and torturing him over a nine year period.

The Judge told him that it was all three of his colleagues  agreed with him that their decision was a “yes “, and now he’s through to the next round.

Anyway, Lennon gave us his thoughts on Milan;

“Milan played with a diamond in midfield against Torino. They are strong and teams will find it hard to break them down.

“They did seem a bit vulnerable on the counter attack at times but they are strong opposition and I’m sure they’ll be a different proposition on Wednesday.

“The experience of last season will stand our players in good stead. I think my players are experienced enough now just to play the game and not the occasion.

“We’ve had a lot of experience of European football in the last couple of years and you learn from that so I don’t think we’ll be fazed at all by playing in the San Siro against Milan.

“We did okay last year away, although it’s still a record I’d like to improve upon.

“Our home record isn’t going to last forever. Eventually if we keep playing in the group stages of this tournament, we will lose at home so it’s important that we learn to play better away from Celtic Park and pick up more points.”

He went on to highlight Kaka, who scored a tremendous goal all those years ago to put Celtic out in the last 16 of the competition;

“Kaka’s a class player. I don’t think he’d be the Kaka of four or five years ago but he’s a player who just needs games.

“He’s home. This is where he made his name. He became World Player of the Year at Milan.

“Balotelli is strong with his back to goal and you have to watch him in full flow.

“He’s very powerful and a lot of good things come through him. He’s the pivotal point of their attack.”

More importantly, Lennon is aware of the “streetwise ” tactics that Milan may well resort to employing, similar to Juventus last year, who got the football rules mixed up with those of the World Wrestling Federation .

“I don’t think our players did a lot wrong against Juventus.

“They flagged the incidents up when they could but we just didn’t have a strong enough referee.

“I don’t think Milan will be as blatant as that but they will be competitive.

“It’s a game away from home so we’ll have to be mindful of that.”

 

Milan will be without eight of their squad, but will still be fielding eleven players, and although they will be without four regular starters, we should remember that this is Milan, and their squad players are likely to be better than the first team players at most clubs.

Although they did sign Luther Blisset and Mark Hateley in the past, the guy who spotted them has long since been replaced.

Their coach, Massimiliano Allegri, isn’t quite panicking yet, but then I’ll believe him when i see these guys are not playing, and not just because he has told us they won’t

In Italy , telling fibbers  is a national pastime. As is reflected in their patron saint.

They will be without Ignazio Abate, Mattia De Sciglio, Matías Silvestre, Daniele Bonera and Giampaolo Pazzini, who were already set to be absent for the Rossoneri, before they were joined by captain  Riccardo Montolivo with Andrea Poli also in doubt.

Stephen el Shaaraway, pictured below

El Shaarawy, Montolivo join Milan injury list

who spoke of his sides strength in attack will also miss the game when he walked under one of these

There were also rumours that Kaka won’t make the game either, but again, lets wait and see. It could all be just mind games, and anyway, with Mario Balotelli on the pitch, they are always likely to score.

Allegri elaborated on his fears;

“The team needs to be tweaked.

“We have to find the balance we have lost as we’ve changed the way we play.

“The performance against Torino didn’t shock me as the team needs to be altered. We were poor and not good defensively.

“We need time because the players have to learn how each other plays and also to find the balance between defending and attack.

“We need to play more as a team and defend better but it will come and we knew it would be tough to change the way we play.

“Montolivo, Mattia De Sciglio, Ignazio Abate and Stephan El Shaarawy will not play on Wednesday. We’ll make do with who we have.

“We are light in defence for the Celtic match and can’t afford to make any mistakes.”

Personally , I can’t wait.

My first heart attack will undoubtedly occur during a champions league game, though to be honest, now that the central defence seems to be sorted, that likelihood is diminishing.

And if we could persuade Izzaguerre to get back a bit quicker, I might just make it to full time.

Heard a wee joke at the weekend that made me chuckle;

Q:  How many huns does it take to change a light bulb ?

A:  all of them, one to change it and the rest to claim its still the same bulb.

Well, it made me laugh.

Davie Provan, as correctly explained by San Miguel was the player in yesterdays quiz , and here is todays little teaser;

Sorry, google got all confused again. Its this one.

 

 

 

 

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10 years ago

John ( clerk ) Clark.

10 years ago

I can see Terry Hurlock in the first picture, is the second picture David Cassidys grandads, therefore given us that Celtic Legend, Mr Terry Cassidy isnt it?

Who tomorrow?, Jock “Traded” Brown?

CarlJungleBhoy
10 years ago

It’s Monday morning, so I’m even slower than usual. How the fork did he get John Clarrk from that? I got stuck at Tongue Finger (Ian) Write/Wright… NURSE!

San Miguel
10 years ago
Reply to  CarlJungleBhoy

My interest in the Arts tells me that it is a Da Vinci potrait of John The Baptist , which was possibly Leonardo’s last painting. It is a particularly important period in the rennaisance movemnt as mannerism was beginning to take a hold.

Note the gesture of pointing towards the heavens indicating the importance of salvation, copied 500 years later by 60,000 believers in the East End of Glasgow to their former rivals pointing out which divsion they are in. Also Da Vinci mimics his most famous painting the Mona Lisa with it’s famous smirk again copied by the faithful in repsonse to news of their rivals demise.

The last picture I haven’t a scooby.

Now you don’t get that on follow follow !

CarlJungleBhoy
10 years ago
Reply to  San Miguel

Aha!I googled John The Baptist (<that sounds vaguely manky btw),but, unlike you renaissance art cognescenti, I was thinking more Bottichelli or Raphael & other names that sound like they belong in AC Milan's back 4. Note: Although that painting of John The Baptist is generally attributed to, it's NOT universally accepted as a work by Da Vinci.Frankly I find Bottichelli's John The B more aesthetically appealing and Leonardo's John crude, crass and utter keech by comparison. see comment imagere

Also, can I respectfully point out that there are numerous theories about John's digital dexterity. For furher reading may I recommend http://www.philipcoppens.com/johngesture.html

Yours, Anal Retentively,
Sister Wendy Beckett

CarlJungleBhoy
10 years ago
Reply to  CarlJungleBhoy

Uhn, Ur. feck. I mean, Raphael’s John the B..

comment imagere

YNWA
Sister Wendy

San Miguel
10 years ago
Reply to  CarlJungleBhoy

Carl,
Leonardo telt me he did it, when he was wallpapering my living room. His Pal Mick Angelo made a right mess of my ceiling though.

SM

CarlJungleBhoy
10 years ago
Reply to  San Miguel

SM. Just be thankful it wasn’t that Tit Ian

Admin
10 years ago
Reply to  CarlJungleBhoy

Im no having that. Caravaggio ( the real Michaelangelo)) did the best John The Baptist. Its the Pride of place in St John Co Cathedral in Valletta Malta. Captures the beheading wonderfully. A man losing his head, never happen at the SPFA.

ClassicPictureLovers CSC

CarlJungleBhoy
10 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

Right! That it! I’ve forking had it wi yer pinko, Kafflick scumbag, soapdodger holy saint shite/cross aestehich of renaissance masters master-forking-bating debate. It’s a well known fact that THE definitive John The Baptist photie is fae Bottischelli. It says it here – and we Mason’s always know best – that THE best photie eh John The Baptist is fae Bottichelli. FACT! Also, The Virgin Mary – depicted along below – proves she was also a loyal member of the lodge. I’m reporting you lot to my grand master. Also, stop dissing follow follow, cause that’s wear I red this!

http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/ward.html

CarlJungleBhoy
10 years ago

I’ve decided I’m going to answer “Teemu Pukki” every day until it’s right. Now there’s a challenge!

Charlie Saiz
10 years ago

Has Kayal been booked yet?

Bawsman
10 years ago

Henrik Larsson

Pensionerbhoy
10 years ago

Ralph

Nice to be talking proper football stuff, eh. Listen, I have to take my ticker out and put it in a drawer. See, I don’t have the number of chances left the you have. Still, if it comes to missing games, I’ll just order the cardboard box now. ” It could all be just mind games”. You would think they would come up with something new. This is Hitler stuff. I just hope it isn’t the same outcome.

I honestly think that even without the injuries we have a better chance than we did last week. Only because the games two days away and I don’t want to be thinking Europa just yet.

I liked the joke but I thought they wanted to remain in the dark. Och, wrong again it’s “the red”, isn’t it?

Quiz: John the Baptist giving it to Herod and The Rangers accountant, sorry they can only afford a clerk, making up the annual returns . JC the silent Lisbon Lion. Always got his man!

H H

Admin
10 years ago
Reply to  Pensionerbhoy

Hitler stuff?…i think your talking a lot of Goebbells there!

Pensionerbhoy
10 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

Desi

I am undone, as the wife often comments when removing my corset.

H H

elcormaco
10 years ago

Long time no reply, teacher holidays and all that.

Love the art history response here, you certainly dont get that on Follow follow, although they may argue that Da vinci isnt dead, his titles and history were merely transferred to a holding artist…

Proudly, chris graham has blocked me from Twitter! My crime?
Pointing out that Jim Spence was merely voicing what most non 2nd rangers fans feel, when rangers walked away from c50m of debt they died, if they had paid their debts then others would consider them the same club. No foul language, no insults, just facts and reason. They dont seem to sit well with Ra peepil. Oh well!
Ive got a good feeling about Pukki, I signed him on FIFA for celtic last year and he scored a lot of goals before I sold him on to spurs for a healthy profit! Premonition?
With Milan’s defence feigning injury to avoid Big sammy and stokesy, and then our home banker agaisnt Barca, we could be top of the group after two games!
mon the hoops!

Charlie Saiz
10 years ago

Having watched Torino tear Milan a new one for 70 minutes l really do fancy us getting a result over there.
Their defence is poor both first choice FB’s are injured,Montilivo
is out so creativity and defensive cover is affected,Kaka is not 100% match fit and Abbiati is slower across his goal than Rab Douglas was at Petrovs Charity game.
Seriously Torino caused them serious problems throughout.
Play Sammy and Derk on the wings and hit them at pace and we will win this.

binkabhoy
10 years ago

You definitely don’t get this type of debate on zombie forums!

Pensionerbhoy
10 years ago
Reply to  binkabhoy

blinka

You should stay away from those seances 🙂

H H

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