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Celtic Diary Thursday September 25: Treble Still On !

A mix up over kick off times meant I didn’t get home until the first goal had just gone in last night, tempting me to just leave the room and sit in the garden until the game was over, which would have ensured victory, but curiousity got the better of me, and even though i stayed to watch, Celtic swept Hearts aside 3-0 to book a place in the quarter finals of the League Cup.

After a period of uncertainty where Hearts held the upper hand, John Guidetti opened the scoring on twenty four minutes, but Celtic were fortunate to hold the lead until half time after a superb Anthony Stokes pass split the defence only for him to realise it was his own defence he had split and Hearts Jamie Walker beat Craig Gordon with his shot, only to see it cannon of the bar.

In the second half, Hearts were awarded a penalty after referee Willie Collum saw Virgil van Dijk swing a leg at a Hearts forward, and then as he writhed on the ground in agony, the Dutch defender pulled out a pistol and shot him neatly between the eyes.

Well, thats how Collum saw it. Everyone else saw an innocuous clash between the two players, and lets face it, Collum doesn’t actually need to see an incident to decide if its a penalty, and Hearts Osman Sow -thats his name, honest-lined up against Gordon to take the kick.

The Indian government, having recently placed a satellite around Mars have been in touch, demanding compensation as the ball skelped one of the aeriels on the side of their multi million pound craft.

The camera dwelt on his face for a moment or two afterwards…

the scream

Sorry, I meant;

Minutes later, Kris Commons scored from the spot as Hearts fell apart, and when their defender Eckersley chested the ball back to keeper Neil Alexander before he was ready, the scoring was complete.

Hearts boss Robbie Nielsen described the goals;

” The first one was a mistake, the second one was a mistake, and the third one was a mistake. ”

We were spared the expletives he would have used in the dressing room, as live on tv, that would have been a mistake.

Like my own mistake this morning. The kids had been feeding our goldfish polystyrene. Took me ages to flush him down the toilet.

Celtic manager Ronny Deila was pleased, after all, his side have progressed further in the competition than Neil Lennons charges did last year, and that means that his bid for the treble has lasted longer than the Irishmans attempt.

The boss described it as a complete performance….

“It was a very good performance and what has delighted me over the last two games is a team who works really hard together,” he said.

“We did that for 90 minutes on Sunday as well but what we didn’t do on Sunday is open Motherwell up in the first half, as we played too slow, not forward enough and had too few penetrating runs. Last night we were much better.

“In the first half we had six very good chances against a good team with good confidence. I was very pleased with the performance. I feel we look much stronger now and complete.

“You have to look behind the result. When you get so many chances you deserve to win and we did that comfortably in the end.

“If they had scored their penalty, I still feel we would have won the game. The team was 100 per cent switched on and that’s what we want in every game now.”

“We have got Thistle and that’s a difficult match but it’s good that it’s at home. We love to play in front of our fans and you saw last night that the players enjoy expressing themselves in front of them.” 

 Well, I wouldn’t have gone that far, but the game, and his comments should improve morale amongst the players.

 He reserved a special mention for goalscorer John Guidetti, who had a good game, and did give the impression that once he’s up to speed, he will be more than useful in front of goal..

“He’s a fantastic personality and he’s really looking forward to playing here which was one of the reasons why we bought him here – he’s a big talent,” he said.

“It’s important to remember that he hadn’t played first-team football for two years so these are the first two matches he has started. His energy is unbelievable but he has much more to go to reach his potential.

“We saw in Holland when he had a long season with games. He scored around 23 goals in 26 matches. We have big expectations for him.

“If he can do that in Holland, he can do it in Scotland, that I am sure of. But we have a lot of competition in that role as well.” 

Guidetti himself was delighted to get off the mark, especially as it is his fathers birthday, and it saved him a trip to the garage on London road to get a card;

“It was fantastic to get my first goal for Celtic, not least because it is my dad’s birthday in the morning.

“He is here to watch me as always. He has been a big supporter of me throughout my career and I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by a lot of good family and friends.

“I was trying to get dad tickets for Paolo Nutini’s concert next month as a present but it is sold out.

“Paolo is a big Celtic fan so maybe he can sort me out. I’m following him on Twitter but he hasn’t given me a follow back yet.”

In his comments, Deila made no mention of changing the system to play with two strikers, which is a little depressing.

But there may be no need. Anthony Stokes and Emilio Izaguerre were outstanding together down the left, if you ignore the fact that they left the defence open to counter attack, and that partnership should be encouraged. In fact, Emilio nearly scored one one of his raids, which hasn’t happened for a number of years.

Scott Brown was his usual industrious self, and Stefan Johansen had his best game of the season so far.

Maybe the managers persistence will pay off, maybe his system will work.

Or maybe Hearts were just unlucky.

Overall , there did seem to be a fragility to Celtic that has not been there in previous years, a sense almost that the players have broken glass underneath their boots, which makes them seem more worried about doing something wrong, than confident enough to try to do something right.

Anyway, its a win, and thats the important thing. If the team keeps winning , the rest should fall into place.

The nightmare scenario of drawing Second Rangers in the competition was avoided, as those doing the draw thought that the two warm balls meant two home teams, and not the two fated to meet to raise money for the still skint Ibrox club.

Celtic host Partick next, Aberdeen face Hamilton, while the two lower league sides, Hibernian and Second Rangers face Dundee Utd and St. Johnstone respectively.

Elsewhere, there has been one of those behind closed doors meetings at Ibrox again, there is hardly any news of what it is about, but a drunk fellow took a photgraph of proceedings through a window, and it seems to show manager Ally McCoist in the dock for something or other.

Embedded image permalink

Had a rough morning myself today, half a dozen police-not the most competent these days- at the door. Theres been a major crime in the area, and they were looking for leads.

Which, as I told them, is bloody miles away near Bradford.

Ian Young was the former full back in the picture yesterday, which seemed to ignite a few good memories amongst the replies to the diary.

Memories…

Anyone know who this fresh faced young fellow is, he would go on to help provide a generation with one of its greatest memories, after participating in one of the worst.

 

 

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Lainie1888
9 years ago

Another great article. Thank you.

9 years ago

wim the tim

9 years ago

I notice that if you read down the first letter on ever sentence it spells out the words

Dear Ronnie, I apologise

Good for you!

Run Sammy Run
9 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Classic! The slender man is gonna be alright

Charlie Saiz
9 years ago

Would it shock you to know we created twice as many chances on Sunday as we did last night?
Conceded twice as many chances.
Gave away 9 more corner.
Yet I don’t seem to be hearing the same histrionics as there was on Monday.

The fickle life of the fitba fan eh.
Proving beyond doubt when we dont get the right result too many are quick to panic.

Good Cup Tie last night yes a few poor individual errors early on but on the whole we played well and attacked the game in the right manner.
Thought Stokes combined well with Izzy on the left and the same should happen when Efe is replaced by either Mathews or Lustig.
Onwards and upwards as they say.

liatroimbhoy
9 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

agreed – the one thing Ronnie does (now) have on his side is a bit of time; lets get behind him and the Bhoys for the moment at least. It’s the least they deserve

Old Father Tim
9 years ago

unconvincing – again

Buckie1967
9 years ago

Ronny 1-0 wihingers who said hearts would beat us.
Thought we played well even though you knew hearts would be up for it first 20-30 min, few mistakes at back with the 2 central defenders but a few winning games will sort that out.
But I can’t understand what the boy mcgregor brings to the team can’t or won’t take a man on, rather have griffiths there than him think a few games on the bench is needed.
But looking forward to the BIG glasgow derby next. Oh and one more thing why was the draw not after the live game on tv why on the radio it’s about trying to promote the game not trying to sneak a certain team into the final, just glad Hamilton stuffed Motherwell cause u know who would have got them.

deadhead67
9 years ago

The best thing was Salmond double ,two big defeats in a row
Still cannot understand why Henderson is not getting a game in place of Mcgreggor or the hopeless Johannson if only we could bring back joe ledley ,still need change at the top we were very average last night against a rubbish team full of youngsters

Devoy45
9 years ago

Wim Jansen.
Great memory: ending the Huns 9 in a row.
Worst memory: losing the European Cup to Feyenoord. Wim was on the pitch that night for the winners. I still think Big Jock got that one wrong.

Don’t forget Wim lost his first two league matches in 1997 and was getting pelters for that new dud Larsson who was no match for Chick Charnley!

dziekanowski's nightclub child
9 years ago

The reason Izzy and stokes played so well going forward was that Hearts played 1 up front, this gave the left side free roam. I thought that was Celtic’s only real threat for 90% of the game. If we come up against a side that play with 2 mobile defenders then we can’t get away with that. Hearts also targeted Ambrose as the weak link, any ball over his head and he doesn’t know what to do, he was also daydreaming most of the time and too far off his man.

A better performance but still not great, Hearts controlled small parts of the game and when they weren’t they sat back and let Celtic come on to them, which probably made the performance look better than it was. In my humble opinion.

9 years ago

Relieved by the win, and Guidetti looks a player — and more, he plays with a desire not a lot of other players do — but for huge swathes of the game we rode our luck. Our defending would have been punished by an even marginally better side. And McGregor looks to be regressing from his four goals first month, as his passing last night was shocking …

Spectrum is Green
9 years ago

At least we got through, but it was another of those displays that leaves you feeling more than slightly unconvinced.

We played some good stuff in patches, but we also played some awful stuff. Why Johansson has to take the ball off the centre-halves in order to make a 2 yard pass to a full-back baffles me. It seems he’s more interested in boosting his Opta stats than doing anything creative.

I must admit, I was slightly preoccupied with trying to figure out which 1980’s band the Hearts full-back, Paterson, reminded me of. Was it one of Frankie Goes To Hollywood? I haven’t checked yet, but he had some fringe on him! And a nice wee goatee!

But on a more serious note, I have to ask has Stokes’ visited the Advanced Hair Studio for a bit of ‘re-seeding’ to his napper?

9 years ago

Both Stokes and Gritthiths got the Rooney 30k treatment.
Stokes has been posting a regular update on Twitter, its filling in nicely so maybe thats where his attention has been instead of on impressing new boss

yestim
9 years ago

As I have been telling all of you doubters over the past few weeks, RD & JC are a fantastic management team. I never doubted for a minute they would turn it around…..okay sorry for the BS. I thought we looked better last night with a lot of positives and only a few negatives. Could be that Hearts were not a real challenge, but they have been dominant in the other league and you can only play what is put in front of you. Their chances came from our own errors and with one up front they never really gave us many problems. still think it’s a bit early, but credit where it is due, well done Ronny and Johnny.

holy sea
9 years ago

Like you,Ralph,I would like to see 2 strikers up front.We should be able to utilise a striking partnership,for EVERY domestic
game.
The difference last night,was Izzy putting dangerous crosses in.
Sometimes,Stokes got in his way.But the 2,did dovetail well.
Maybe,Stokes,like Sammi did,could reinvent himself as a left winger.He may as well,as we haven’t got any wingers.
Guidetti will probably be rested,against the Buddies.A player who should be rested,is McGregor.How he stayed on the pitch,
for 70 mins,before being subbed,was a mystery.
Still a long way to go, before being convinced,about the Deila
(fitness) revolution.Our next 3 games,before the international
break,are winable.This would help,both fans and players,grow in confidence.
However,would any fan bet on us winning all 3 ?

Charlie Saiz
9 years ago

When you have goalscorers in your midfield you have the option to play 1 main striker.
Barca coped fine playing no main striker for long enough after all.
Not suggesting we are Barca btw just using that as an example 2 up top is not always the best option.
Besides our strikers have struggled since Hooper left.

Mike Bhoyle
9 years ago

I thought we were decent, at times, and that’s the best we were.
There’s still no discipline in the team…players just seem to have a licence to roam about.
Izzy and Stokes did combine well…but against ,say Aberdeen or Dundee Utd…we would have beeen ripped on the counter.
I’ll give Ronnie the benefit of the doubt that he’ll only allow that… depending on the opposition.We shall see.
Some of Broonie’s passes were too casual and rank rotten…
McGregor should never have stayed on as long as he did…
And Kris,for me, was missing in action…again.
I’m getting really annoyed with the sound-bites coming from RD and JC…
We know what we’re watching lads…and no amount of smoke and mirrors will change it.
Just concentrate on getting it right…’cos you’ve along way to go.
Apart from that…?…
‘Mon the Sellik.

9 years ago
Reply to  Mike Bhoyle

Dundee Utd or Aberdeen…..if only we had already played those sides for a comparison?

the real Anton Rogan
9 years ago

It was Izzy who played the ball back for the wattery farts chance in the first half, not stokes.

Decent performance. Still ropey at the back. Stokes/Izzy played well. Perhaps young McGregor could do with some bench time and Wakaso/Tonev given more game time.

I like the look of Guidetti. Strong with an eye for goal. Good promise.

Gerry
9 years ago

That’s what I thought, to be fair to Ralph the co-commentator said it was Stokes, but said person was numpty Steven Thompson so brains are not to be found in that host.
Better performance, Stokes looked confident again trying a few tricks and so on, but definitely think a pinch of salt should be taken due to the opposition we faced. Still on we go and hopefully we start moving in the right direction. That said I’m one of the select few who hope we are moving in the right direction already and want Deila given time, I’ll judge him post January window and see what competitions we’re in and how he uses that window to improve.

elcormaco
9 years ago

Yep, defo izzy with the bomb scare back pass. And it was a penalty, VVD clipped him
I was far from convinced last night…okay attacking, but mc gregor is looking tired, where’s all this fitness training 😉 and the defensive side off the performance was poor, how many causal passes in defence, how often do we easily turn over the ball from our throw ins, one long punt forward can create mad panic. If hearts had scored when clean through or from the penalty the crowd may have got onto the team, who look fragile at the moment.
Guidetti did look good, and as others have said, actually seems happy to be here, which is refreshing. It was telling how few of the new guys got s game in a better showing – a car of going back to the old guard maybe?
On to the next one, a similar line up, a clean sheet and a couple of goals please Celtic.

Doc
9 years ago
Reply to  elcormaco

I thought the same thing about McGregor, he looked knackered most of the game.

That could have been our best team against one of the worst teams we will play this season. I’m not convinced, was looking for a lot more. A few players have an off day and we or key players get injured and we could be in real bother.

Rab Wallace
9 years ago

no need to panic we are the 4th best team in the north Britain league.

Charlie Saiz
9 years ago
Reply to  Rab Wallace

A whole 6 games in…………
Jesus Wept.

bondibrian
9 years ago

Up The Celts !!!!!

Devoy45
9 years ago

Bondibrian may be the same “Wee Brian” from the late lamented Maley’s Forum? If so, welcome aboard!

binkabhoy
9 years ago

Barely good enough to win THIS game against a championship side at home who missed a pen and hit the bar. If it think this makes us a good team or even the makings of a good team fine, happy clap away now you have your fingers out your ears. Same problems were still on show, this is a disjointed, planless, inflexible outfit bring propped up by individual quality, experience and game knowledge of the players out on the pitch (even that is lacking but it’s all we’ve got), those same players who are considered not good enough because they are not at a level of physical ‘fitness’ some guy with, sorry – how much top level experience again – deems appropriate.
Sorry big bad John, the 50+ goals you scored including the screamer at anfield and all the hunskelpers and the countless more you helped create don’t really count as you seem to be a bit heavy there….
Same goes for you Mr evil genius Sutton, as well as those outstanding performances in midfield and filling in at centre half showing your all round game knowledge…. as you weren’t in the top five in our bleep tests none of was really worth shouting about was it…?
Lubo? Well….

You get the point.

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