Glasgows top two clubs clash at celtic Park tonight in the League cup. You can’t have a treble or, indeed , a quadruple, without it, so that makes it an important game in my book.

Hopefully, Ronny Deila will take it seriously and continue the recent run of wins and put out a strong side as a statement of intent.

Chris Jack, writing for the Evening Times, continued his “anybody but Celtic ” theme as he pointed out that no-one is going to the game, and that means Partick are in with a shout.

Doolan’s hoping to noise up Bhoys as fans desert Parkhead

THE much-acclaimed Parkhead roar is likely to be muted when Celtic and Partick Thistle go head-to-head in the East End tonight.

 Desert ? Well, that kind of implies we all left at half time. Or, we just quit going to the games altogether. With two games a week since July, though, bar internationals, maybe the cost comes into it a little.

But, theres no need to mention that. As far as Jack is concerned, we’ve all run away and Partick could cash in. Oh, and the team aren’t up to much either.

Thistle make the trip across Glasgow in high spirits that they can cause an upset and book a place in the last four of the competition against a Hoops outfit that have flattered to deceive so often this term. It is not just on the park where Celtic have not been at their strongest, with the noise coming from the stands far less intimidating for opposition players than it once was.

But Doolan is confident the Jags can shine no matter if the roof is raised or you could hear a pin drop inside Parkhead as he looks to give the red and yellow army something to cheer. 

Phil “Space ” Gordon chips in with his rallying cry in the Herald;

THERE is only one person in this world who knows what it feels like to lead Partick Thistle to cup glory. 

Davie McParland is 75 now, yet he can recall every moment of those League Cup final celebrations with true clarity after humbling Celtic on October 23, 1971.

That’s because the legendary Thistle manager does not drink. However, McParland would love to see Alan Archibald make it a Firhill ‘double’ by beating Celtic tonight and taking another step closer to Thistle’s holy grail. 

 Actually, Gordon deserves a little credit for his knowledge of Scottish football fiction here, by managing to subtly refer to the classic tome “The Thistle and the Grail “, which is a funny and entertaining tale of the Junior cup in the days before internet and tv.

 Which I thought displayed an unusual level of knowledge amongst that particular profession. So i sent him an email of appreciation, and he sent me a nice picture back.

 Ach, just kidding.

 Of course the media will be looking for an upset, its what cup football is all about. Scottish cup holders St. Johnstone, who have lost their talismanic striker Stevie May, are a shadow of the side they were last year, and they succumbed to a cup shock last night when they were beaten 1-0, their sixth consecutive defeat, to Glasgows newest club, Second Rangers.

 However, a crack at Scotlands three times champions doesn’t appeal to the new club. Not According to their rookie manager Ally McCoist.

 I met him for a light breakfast this morning to hear what he has to say;

 “When you get to the semis you can’t really pick and choose. We all know who our favourites would be to pick up the domestic trophies before the season starts.

“In that respect, I’d take anyone other than Celtic, to be honest. I don’t think it is rocket science to work out that it wouldn’t guarantee you a better chance of reaching the final.

“Celtic would be a very, very tough game. We would be underdogs but the underdogs can sometimes win.”

 He is terrified of that prospect. Whilst not wanting to jump the gun, or tempt fate, its extremely unlikely that McCoists collection of journeymen, and er, journeymen, would be able to hold off a determined Celtic side.

 And heres the dilemma.

 Half of me wants to avoid the poisonous atmosphere that would surround a game against the new club.

 Half of me dreads the inevitable re-writing of the truth if we did play them, including our own match programme and advertising. It would be a first meeting of the clubs. I don’t want to read anything that welcomes back the Old Firm.

 And the other half of me wants to put them in their place with a double figures victory to shpw them just exactly where they lie in footballs pecking order.

 ( Eagle eyed and numerate readers may have spotted why i didn’t get my Maths O Grade. )

 Lewis MacLoed, who scored the wonder goal which sunk St. Johnstone is of a different mind. although in all honesty they all have a different mind down Ibrox way. Usually defined by a failure to recognise and accept reality.

Wonder goal.

Thats not a wonder goal. This is a wonder goal. Kieran Tierney, for the youths against Hearts.

Tierney goal

 Anyhoo, back to Lewis in LaLa Land;

 “I would obviously fancy playing Celtic.

“I’m a Rangers fan, so I think everybody would be happy to get them, whether it is in the semis or if we progress to the final.

“I believe we can beat anybody.

“It would obviously be a massive occasion after everything that has happened.

“It would be one of the most hyped-up games for a while, although we will wait to see how the draw goes.” 

Mind you, if he’s in LaLa Land, Express hack Michael Baillie is even further away from the real world;

There hasn’t been an Old Firm derby since April 2012. 

Do we really need to explain to this fucking idiot why. Perhaps its easier in pictures.

When something is dead, its unlikely to fucking reappear. My dear old granny died a few years ago, theres a young lass living in her house now. Even got the same name.

Its not my Granny though, as the policeman explained when he found me in her bathroom.

Mind you, its safe to say that the support are equally unaware of whats going on around them. With Mike Ashley holding the rights to the name of the shitpit they call home, they made a defiant stance at last nights game, showing the new man who exactly is in charge.

To be fair, the lass who organised this has previous…

Manchester City will try to sell John Guidetti in January, and they want £5m. According to anyone needed to find something to fill a few lines in the papers this morning.

Guidetti, who begged his old pals at Feyenoord to get him away from the Manchester club-well, its based in Manchester, which is sort of the same thing-is enjoying life at Celtic, can play football a bit, and may well sign up for nothing in January.

Thast probably alarmed accountants at Manchester City, because they worry about money over there, but more importantly, its terrified the life out of the MSM.

With Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller already in Scotland, theres clearly no need for any more world class talents.

Guidetti holds the key here. If he wants to sign a pre contract at Celtic in January, he will. Peter Lawwell, based on his previous reluctance to spend any money-he was late for work this morning when the bus driver had no change, and Lawwell waited beyond his stop to get the extra money he was due-will noit fall for any of the hype, probably engineered by agents who want their two bobs worth.

The game is not on the telly tonight, but there should be plenty of radio coverage.

I emailed Radio Clyde this morning offering to summarise the match at half time, and again at full time. I won’t actually be able to see the game, or even hear commentary of it. However, that should not make me any less competent, or my views any less important , than those of the  fabulous array of talent which the Glasgow based station has at its disposal;

Finally, don’t forget about the foodbank collection on Saturday.