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Celtic Diary Monday December 15: Celts Settle Into Top Spot.

Celtic moved six points clear at the top of the league with a resounding 4-1 win over hapless St. Mirren. On this showing, it doesn’t look like they will be moved from that position between now and May.

Captain Scott Brown agrees;

On this form it’s going to be hard for anyone to catch us, we are playing well and looking hard to beat The manager wants us to pass the ball and move so that we can attack teams. It’s working well and things are building up, we are starting to find our form.

“Overall it was a good attacking performance from the team, we were disappointed to lose a goal but kept playing and passing and took some of our chances. It’s good to create chances, if we do that we have the players to score goals.”

 There could have been more goals, and that seven goal thrashing will happen one of these weeks, but really no-one can have anything to moan about with how the campaign is shaping up.

Scott Brown score a couple, Anthony Stokes got on the scoresheet again, and James Forrest added his name to the list, and the only real worry was the injury to John Guidetti, and the ineffectiveness of Stefan Scepovic. He really needs to realise that the ball should be aimed between the posts.

Guidetti will undergo a scan today to discover the extent of his injury, and fingers will be crossed that its not serious. Well, nit that serious. Perhaps justs serious enough to discourage any suitors for his signature in January.

It could all be concluded very soon, however, as Ronny Deila told the papers;

“There has been some movement on Guidetti,” 

“Hopefully that’s encouraging. If it wasn’t, I don’t think he’d want to meet us, so it’s positive.

“There is no problem with his club Manchester City. It’s now about getting the player on board.” 

Thats encouraging, the sooner its all sorted the better.

In the meantime, the boss wants Guidetti to relax a bit, and stop trying so hard. He’s gone three games withut a goal now, and while thats hardly a crisis, Deila is worried that the Swede might think it is;

I think his spirits are too high, that’s the problem, He needs to calm down. I am aiming to get people to think ‘okay, what can I do better?’ It’s about the next move instead of thinking about: ‘I have to score’ or ‘I have to win’. He is very up about scoring goals and you can see his frustrations, but I also see positive things. I find it hard to sit here and be too critical when we won 4-1 and could have ended up winning by ten. 

 Perhaps he’ll settle when he gets a permanent move sorted.

 The Euopa League round of 32 will be drawn at lunchtime today. Theres some more than decent lubs in there, and whoever we get it won’t be easy.

We all have our preferences, but at this stage it doesn’t make that much difference who we face. All we have to do is be ready for them.

Ally McCoist has resigned, confirmation was given to the stock market this morning. He is now working through his twelve month notice period at an increased salary of £750,000 per annum, although , of course, it’ll just be the one annum.

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McCoist claimed he quit -or at least got someone else to claim he quit-because he was upset at seeing “good Rangers people ” losing their jobs in the recent round of cost cutting.

Te board have decided to meet with Mccoist on Wednesday in an attempt to find an amicable solution. Personally, I reckon they will tell the cheeky chappie to walk away without a penny or they will put the club into administration, blaming him for giving them a huge bill they could not pay.

Thats how I would play it, and after his four years in the job where he has achieved little except good press its all he deserves.

The fun hasn’t stopped yet, though, and it could be an interesting week down Kinning Park way.

Call me a little suspicious, but is it a coincidence that Mccoist wants out, and Stewart Regan may well be quitting his job at the SFA within a wek of Craig Whyte re-appearing on the scene ?

 

West Brom are the latest club to join in the hunt for forward Kris commons. Commons doesn’t seem to be in Ronny Deilas plans, and is likely to head back south in January.

Though Chris Sutton, the latest ex Celt to have his own newspaper column, disagrees;

 “The situation with Kris Commons has now become farcical. A one-year deal is not suitable as far as he’s concerned and I can understand that.

“I have said it countless times. Commons is a class act and arguably Celtic’s best player.” 

 Something must happen to ex players when they sign up to the papers. Commons had a good season last year, but it just hasn’t happened for him this term. Thanks for the memories and all that, but its better for both parties of he moves on. Sutton has got in for Ronny Deila, often criticising him and never seeming to praise him.

 Oh, wait. I think thats part of the remit when you get a gig in the MSM.

 Neil Mochan was the man pictured in Saturdays Diary, and of course there was no diary yesterday due to the trip to the game.

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 No to Summer Football !

 Caption competition now….

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Mike Annis
9 years ago

I know there’s a pie there somewhere.

Chris Bhoy
9 years ago

Congratulations on todays Diary. I was sure you wouldn,t manage it after our adventures yesterday Chapeau
With regards to Scepovic, I think you might be in for a surprise, I can see him scoring a barrowload if he gets some meaningful game time.

Ralph malph
9 years ago
Reply to  Chris Bhoy

Surprised me as well.

Gerry
9 years ago

Have to agree on Commons, someone posted a comment the other day to the same effect; reward players for what they’re doing now, not what they have done in the past. Good season is a little understating the exceptional season he had with 30+ goals, but this season not for me.
Last year he played at the top of the diamond and created havoc, so why can’t he play “in the hole” in the Deila system? Answer, there’s now no second striker taking players away from him, and he hasn’t the first touch or pace to create when defenders get on him quick. Great player in the right system, but the wrong player in our new system; sad but we’ve waved goodbye to better and will move on. Best wishes to him and his missus though, thorougly decent people it seems.

wilson130
9 years ago
Reply to  Gerry

Totally agree. Mata was Chelsea player of the year twice but Mourinho let him go. Right player wrong system

dziekanowski's nightclub child
9 years ago

Caption : Boyd puts in his first tackle away to Cowdenbeath.

I think there is a player in Scepovic, I like his movement but I do think he needs to play in a team with 2 up front, when played up with Guidetti I thought he did really well.

STELLBHOY
9 years ago

Nicely put Cmon The Hoops

As for New Signing Scepovic get off the Bhoys back he was very unlucky yesterday!! I also predicted that he’ll come very good soon as he regains his confidence watch The Bhoy Go

In The Europa League Draw Today I hope we get Everton as We’ll Easily Turn Them Over Home and Away!! # CMON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN

9 years ago

Is that Shooper Swally in the picture playing for the oldclub leg ends 11?

STELLBHOY
9 years ago

PICTURE CAPTION

STELLBHOY
9 years ago

PICTURE CAPTION

Brencelt
9 years ago

Razor ruddock and Julian Dicks lovechild takes Lizzie windsors grandson from behind. He tackled him also.

Cartval88
9 years ago

Inter Milan what a draw, 2015 looks great for the boys in Green and White

Old Father Tim
9 years ago

Celtic v Inter Milan

jpm 88
9 years ago

Inter currently 12th on 17 pts with 4 wins in 14.
All in all probably the best possible draw we could have got , plus with 1st leg at home . All the glamour of a CL tie , with the possibility of winning .(depending on Jan window business).

elcormaco
9 years ago

Inter? Good draw – glamour, adn at a push we ahve slim chance of proceeding given how awful Inter have been this year.
Not been on here for a few days so forgive the late in tehday rant regardign last Thursday. We were in the lead away from home in Europe but kept three up the field to try counter attacking.very brave and to be applauded.
However we were in the lead away from home in Europe, and kept three up top. Which was crazy and to be condemned and led to us losing the match as our defence and mid field were swamped. It was a strange game, with nothing riding on it, but I still managed to find myself shouting at the TV.

I like Bioton in the team, think he keeps it simple, and makes a lot of good blocks, doing good shielding, but Johansen is better higher up the pitch and the defence were not protected enough last Thursday. I admire the bravery of this approach,a dn we are scoring goals away from home, but also conceding a fiercely high number, so the balance is wrong imho.
Oh, and Sally, aha ha ha ha ha. I watched therir game – admit it a few of you did, and they really look like waht tehy actually are, a run of teh mill second tier Scottish team. Truly dire, if they make it as far as the semi final, if we play anything close to our potential it could get very very embarassing.

pat fla
9 years ago

pat mccluskey wipes out allen sneddon.

Morto
9 years ago

I’m hoping they die (again?) before that semi comes round.
Actually, thinking about them dying has produced a whole different type of semi!!

kenthehorse
9 years ago

Sleekits stunt double in training for ‘a shot at glory 2’

9 years ago

In Jim Bowen voice: Now then Fatso and all your zombie gullibles, here’s what you could’ve won.

Boo Hoo and Ho ho ho!

Doc
9 years ago

Good game yesterday, still think if we play two up front we’ll give someone a hiding, like we did to Dundee Utd.

Worried about Inter game as St Mirrens only goal in five games was against our sieve defence.

sally, the highest paid manager in the country, and kris boyd’s love child takes a break from drumming in the o.o.

9 years ago

If they die another 3 times then the old ditty

Die die die die ya huns

Would seem particularly apt.

holy sea
9 years ago

Is that Jimmy 5 Bellies,digging a hole for Gazza ?

jpm 88
9 years ago

Inter’s Managing Director ,”The Celtic tie has the feel of a Champions League match , due to the two sides history . There will be an incredible atmosphere.”

The glamour is back.

Gareth Savage
9 years ago

Regarding Commons, you cannot go from the best player in the country to not getting a game in 3 months! Imagine Liverpool not playing Suarez if he hadn’t been sold! It’s an awful mess.

Bartfast of Napoli
9 years ago

I admit it Elcormaco. I did watch them on Friday night and if I am being honest I was shocked at just how shite they are! I thought it would be a case where you could see them having another gear to go into if they needed to, but they didn’t, they don’t even have first gear! They were really really shite

andybhoy
9 years ago

Ajax v Legia… If ever two sets of fans were made for each other. Should be fun.

holy sea
9 years ago
Reply to  andybhoy

Pity is,Andy,Legia fans are banned from travelling,and the
home game is to be played behind closed doors,due to their
racism at Lokeren.
As for Inter,tough draw.Unbeaten in the group stage,and Mancini will soon have them firing.However,they are not the Inter of old,but neither are we.Or even 2 years ago.But we
have a chance.

Tubbytubthumper
9 years ago

That extra strong laxative is dangerous when your as big as Sally

1888fc.
9 years ago

Not sure about a caption but hasn’t the magnificent 7 let himself go recently?!

Inter Milan is a dream for Lawell and co, big enough a name to create some interest, opportunity to honour the lions at the game to help pull the fans in and they are not the force they were/should be so we may even have a chance of a decent result. Hell I’m even looking forward to it!

May also convince Virgil to stick around until the summer? How about offering him a new improve deal to try to hold on longer?

Re commons, he doesn’t look anything like the same player this year and Johansen is dominating in the attacking mid position. I would prefer Commons went and we use the wages on a quality centre half (one can dream)

Charlie Saiz
9 years ago

Caption:
Kris Boyd the Auchenhowie Express

Kris Commons is lazy that’s why he’s not first choice under Deila.
Deila wants us to play a pressing game this only works when all the players press as a Unit.
Any gaps left by players not doing this can be easily exploited.
Poor fist touch
Doesn’t track back
Canny be arsed getting it back when he loses it.

Johansen does and will.

andybhoy
9 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Jeez, you go on about supporting the manager and you constantly condemn Commons. Don’t wash with me mate or in your own words, pathetic. Commons has done more for Celtic than Deila will probably ever do for Celtic. As for Guidetti and Scepovic, both have a lot to prove and I will probably get it in the neck from most of you guys for that comment but from what I hear, that’s how those playing view it.

Charlie Saiz
9 years ago
Reply to  andybhoy

I think Commons is a decent player but just not in this setup or system.
No room for laziness in a system that demands increased work rate and pressing.
Good back up for Johansen though.

holy sea
9 years ago

That’s all well and good Charlie.But,will Johansen score 72 goals in 134 starts ? No.As his miss before half-time showed,from 7 yards he somehow managed to put it out for a shy ! I like Johansen.But,Commons should be in before Bitton,especially at Celtic Park.Kris deserves a compromised deal.

Charlie Saiz
9 years ago
Reply to  holy sea

We have created 267 goal scoring chances in the last 16 League Games of those 267 chances 116 have been on target.
Johansen does not need to score every chance bud all he has to do is contribute to creating those chances.
Which he has and does very well up till now.
Perhaps if he starts taking the penalties he might score a few more eh? 😉

holy sea
9 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

He is not a back-up striker,and that’s what he’s been asked to do.Systems don’t score goals,strikers do,and Griffiths is a better goalscorer than Scepovic will ever be !!

9 years ago

Caption –

Sensationally, McCoist shaves his head and returns to playing football.

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