Bookmakers across the land were delighted last night when Kris Commons failed to open the scoring in a 4-0 win over Kilmarnock at Celtic Park. Joe Ledley got the early opener, a dazzling run from James forrest led to an own goal for the second, and after the break Charlie Mulgrew and Amido Balde netted to complete the scoring, scaffing a tired shot past a despairing keeper. To be fair to him though, he had been on the pitch for an astonishing twenty minutes.
After his ninetieth minute goal, Balde was booked when he leapt into the crowd to stop them singing that song about him, but an unsympathetic referee wouldn’t accept what seemed a perfectly good excuse, so his name went into the book.
Celtic played a crisp , entertaining passing game, but found themselves up against a resolute and packed Kilmarnock defence, who rarely ventured across the halfway line, which was surprising, because with a clean sheet record at stake, the referee would have given them a penalty at the first real opportunity, but to be fair, even he looked embarrassed when he had to wave away claims after a spectacular dive in the second half .
Celts bombarded the Killie goal, and really should have scored more, but who’s complaining ? Its another good win, a record equalling clean sheet, and , importantly, there were some very good shifts put in by pretty much all the players.
Fraser Forster made one great save with his legs, Virgil van Dijk was unlucky not to score again, especially in the second half with a Beckanbauer surge to support the attack, Izzaguere continued to rediscover his early Celtic form, and Charlie Mulgrew was outstanding on the left of midfield. ( Thats all one word, unlike when used to describe Samaras, who is usually out standing somewhere on the left of midfield . There was a point last night when it looked like the big Greek was being told to warm up, but it turns out there was a phone call for him inPeters office.. ).
Mulgrew ย was also unlucky not to score when he placed a shot onto the post in the second half, which rebounded back into the arms of a surprised and grateful Killie keeper. But he made amends with a cool turn and finish that any striker would be proud of just minutes later.
Speaking of strikers, Wolves have decided they want ยฃ1m for Leigh Griffiths, but having now sorted out the signing of Leon Clarke, they may yet buckle under pressure and accept a bit less, but in truth, Griffiths is easily worth that, and would certainly add to that value while in the hoops.
Lennon has mentioned that he has other options, including a foreign striker, as he explained;
“We started the ball rolling on him yesterday.
“It is a very delicate situation at the moment, and I need to see where we are on it.”
Foreign striker ? Well, that usually turns out okay.
All we can hope for here is that its someone who has suddenly become available, and not the one below Griffiths on the list, because that is truly frightening.
Please tell me its not the reason Kris Boyd was on the bench last night, and before you say he’s not foreign, I beg to differ, as he is, in fact, ย from Mordor, the land of darkness.
Anyone else think that we are about to see the traditional transfer window excuses trotted out ?
If so, its not the end of the world if the time left this season is used wisely to nurture the youngsters through, and if they get the chance, one or two could rise to the challenge, bearing in mind what we have seen so far in friendlies has been very encouraging.
And if that doesn’t work there will be no excuse for not spending big early next summer. Very early next summer.
The name of Lee Tomlin has appeared again. The rotund Peterborough man has handed in a transfer request, and there are stories linking him with a move to Celtic again. Which is exciting.
But not for us.
Those of you waiting for the rumour mill can get a wee taster here with this tweet that appeared yesterday..
Yep.Its that time of year again.
Alex Thomson, the channel 4 reporter who compared Celtic fans to Millwall fans the other week, seems to be trying to get back in our good books. He wrote;
” My source insists, vigorously, that Craig Whyteโs claim to own theย Rangersย assets is alive and well and we should all โexpect significant movement in the legal case in the next few weeksโ.
The source insists the previous transfer of assets under the then boss Charles Green has no legal basis and will be contested openly in the near future.
Many had rather assumed Mr Whyteโs claim over Rangers, already set out in a lengthy legal document, was dead in the water or lacked the necessary funding. Not so, according to the source who says the claim that Mr Whyteโs ownership of the club โabsolutely extends to Ibrox site, the training ground, the players, the entire entity as it standsโ.
โThere is no question about that, โ he continued. โThe ownership of Rangers by the Sevco company of which Craig Whyte is a director is beyond question.โ
No doubt many around Ibrox will just laugh this off, and they may or may not be right in so doing. But with the club asking players to take pay cuts, times remain financially critical at the club. So the timing of Mr Whyte is as unwelcome there as it is deliberate.
So, somewhat taken aback by all this, I asked how Mr Whyte would see all this actually working out in the real world.
The scenario unfolded to me would be a legal merger of the disputed camps laying claim to Ibrox under the banner of Craig Whyteโs Sevco and no doubt a new share offer.
I understand, for instance, that Mr Whyte believes the ban would not hold up in court for a second, were it to be so tested. Many may choose to differ with that sentiment.
As ever, it totally depends upon where you stand and like I say, I put this out and itโs for others to judge. Though one thing appears certain, the Craig Whyte Claim has not gone away. ”
Nothing we didn’t know already, but then we got his on twitter;
Turns put from another source that papers indeed exist for the CW merger proposal
Which could explain why Stockbridge-the last of the original spivs-has departed.
But it doesn’t affect the club, you see, all of this concerns the company. The company is skint, and asking players to take a pay cut, while the club is still out there in lalaland trying to sign players, the latest being Gabriel Tamas from Doncaster.
Then theres the recent triumph thay had beating off the interest from Nottingham Forest for international left back-there are no other experienced Scottish left backs- Lee Wallace, which drew a hilarious letter of assistance to the midlands club from Edgar Blamm, which he posted on twitter;
Worryingly, though, but with a hint of devilry, a strange thought did cross my mind..
Shit diary today. Can you bring back the jokes about Schumi?
Maxime Lestienne would be a good shout……;-)
My only Formula 1 related story is I once had to go as an Apprentice to The Earl of Butes House to fix a broken fireplace,his son Johnny Dumfries(Former F1 Driver) was there..anyway turned out the fireplace had been broken 20 years previously by Lord Bute himself during a particularly good Dinner Party as one of the guests fueled up on the Earls finest Malt had picked him up blootered and proceeded to fall into said fireplace (unlit I may add) and break it.
When I got home that evening and told my maw and da’ what I had been up to that day they both erupted with laughter?
That’s right turned out it was my Da who was the culprit on that fateful evening.
A true story.
Brilliant
Leigh Griffiths, Lee Tomlin, Lee Wallace….. Hmnnn. So who IS the foreign “striker” Leeny (<see wit I did there?) has in mind .. Lee Harvey Oswald? Jamie lee Curtis? Robert Lewandovski? Leo Messi?
Lee’ve it out!
CJB
Is this a Wiki Lee-k?
H H
Good to see no Schumi jokes today – when I lived in Italy he was driving for Ferrari and played in a televised charity soccer game out there. he has reputation for arrogance but seemed genuinely to care about the kids the charity was supporting and a decent fella when he was being interviewed and not “at work”. Wish him well.
TBEF, MBB, Celtic legend, Craigie Bhoy Whyte! What is he like! In the comments section after Thommos blog was a comment from Jack Irvine – basically saying Craig had tried the same stroy to the Scottish press who’d laughed him out of it. Which may be true but, 1) why bother to respond at all then jack, and 2) Scottish press and reporting uncomfortable truths about ‘ra Gers (I & II) are not exactly synonomous with one another.I m sure a wee call from Jack could persuade them to leave the story alone. The lamb isnt as succulent but its still being offered and taken. Still, great comedy value, he’s like Freddy Kruger, they think they ve killed him at the end of the movie, but lo and behold he manages to come back to life and scare the bears all over again.
Good to see ten clean sheets, and glad you highlighted Izzy, I think he is back, consistently, to his pre injury levels and his energy and desire to get forward down the left are a great option. Almost wallace -esque some one on SSB would try to have you believe. Kayal will never get back there and with any luck will no longer be at Celtic by saturday. harsh? I dont care, I really really really dont rate him as a player. There are headless chickens watching him going “Where is that guy running to?”
No quiz today? still think thats John Gorman even with you saying tis not! He is his double!
And Desi, fair point, the offer was in public domain, but I still prefer the classier approach of the club offically talking about a player when he actually signs. Us internet bampots can do the speculating, but fair point.
Sorry for long post, cant be arsed at work today!
In respect to nice guy Schumacher…John Terry appeared at Stan Petrovs game, will you be inviting him round for tea anytime soon?
God, Desi! Should I not have?
H H
Elcormaco,
Agree re Kayal,taking 20k+ per week,never going to regain first
season form.Problem is,who.will buy him ?
Looks like Samaras and Ledley are going to see out their contracts.Joe did have a good.game,but it would have been bettergetting a fee for him, and Samaras.
Pukki ? Never going to be a goalscorer for us.3 chances he should have buried.Griffiths would have scored them.
All in,good performance last night.Special praise for big Fraser, the ‘ wall ‘.
The GREEN MEAN MACHINE steamrolls another team.
Jamie Lee Curtis – now thats a pairing up front worth watching……!
A body built for sin…
Was than not Melanie Griffiths line?
Tess McGill: I have a head for business and a body for sin. Is there anything wrong with that?
Jack Trainer: Uh, no. No.
Jim Trainer: Uh, my , my! – a mouth for for succulent lamb and Heeps (as in Uriah) of lying crap.
H H
I had to laugh last night, caller on Clyde stated that Lee Wallace is the best left back in BRITAIN….Daft Gordon Dalziel didnt even try and mention the 5 guys vying it out for the 1 England place let alone bring Izzy or any other foreign left-back into the argument.
The caller stated that if Wallace is sold for less than 2 million, its a disgrace. Jim Duffy had to politely point out “Your club might no have any choice in the matter”. Cue screams down the phone!
I work with a guy who is a Peterborough fan and mentioned Tomlin to him. His response was:
“..please take him, he’s a liability. Sent off at least twice recently…”
A fat League One player who can’t control himself. Super.
A fat League One player who canโt control himself.
Wasnt that Kris Commons a while back?
Too much happiness and positivity on the site these days! It surely can’t continue for long? And no pops (yet) at PB which is sweet.
On last night’s game, one thing really struck me (and maybe it was just me) but I was starting to get bored at one point in the 2nd half. Now, this is not a slight on Lenny or the players who played very well and tried to entertain the crowd (special mention to Joe Ledley’s cheeky backheeled nutmeg on one of the Killie statues and Amido Balde’s wee keepy-up display) but it was the sheer inevitability of it all. We are now beginning to steamroller all and sundry in the SPL and I am delighted with that but we seriously need some good competition (and no, I don’t mean Oldco or Zombie FC) to keep us at least somewhat interested domestically. Killie last night were about as much of a physical presence as Michael Schumacher (don’t blame me, a big boy called Ralph said it and ran away).
Incidentally, the good news is doctors are preparing to bring Schuey out of his coma. When are they going to do the same for anyone who has watched 5 minutes or more of a Grand Prix on the telly then?
More good news, another few ours have passed and thumbheid hasn’t signed yet. I hope I don’t hear Jim ‘slimy bawbag’ White mention his name and ours in the same sentence over the next couple of days. I wonder who this ‘unnamed’ foreign player is? Leighaz Griffthsino perhaps?
Frank
When people get to know the real me, they always want to kiss, cuddle and make up – especially the fellas!!!!!
H H
OKEY DOKEY, KEEP CALM AND WATCH ‘SCUMBAG FC” CRUMBLE AND DIE FOR A SECOND TIME ,NAE NEED FOR SWEETENER IN THE COFFEE THIS MORNING, BIG ALEX QUOTE ABOUT CRAIG WHYTE STILL IN CHARGE,ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING, P.S. THE QUESTION MUST BE ASKED AND ASKED IT WILL BE “HOW THICK ARE THEY CLOWNS WHO GO TAE LEGOLAND AND SINGETH OF SASH AND DELLY’S WALLZ,THEY ARE GOIN TAE GET ” FLEECED YET AGAIN,AND THERE IS NOTHIN’ THEY CAN DAE ABOUT IT,COS THEY ARE THICK AS SHIT IN THE NECK OF A DOMESTOS BLEACH BOTTLE TEE- HEE SONS OF HUNNERY YOUR DAY WILL COME TEE-HEE
EASY SEVCO FANS YOU KNOW IT’S THE TRUTH
VVD swans around the park, like somebody who knows he’s at a big club and he is the best player. Pure class, Victor who!
He’s Dutch Scoosh he’ll be doing that round his Kitchen ๐
Come on Ralphebuoy. I got the John Dowie correct the first time round ,although I spelt his name wrong.
What is Arthur Scargill’s mug shot doing in your diary?
Ralph
Been in Berwick all day. Yes, the only place in Scotland where there is still a Rangers team.
I know you caught some backfire from the Formula 1 grid but please do not give your satirical flair. You are not quite the same in sobriety.
Keep em comin’!!
H H
“give up….” – it’s late. I usually have my nappy on and my dummy in by now.
H H
WHY DON’T ALL CELTIC FANS HAVE A WHIP ROUND FOR THE CRAIGY WHYTE FIGHT THE HUNS IN COURT FUND!
I’D GLADLY GIVE A TENNER!