With John Guidetti hitting a slump in form, which is understandable, sometimes even Henrik Larsson went the occasional game without scoring. and for whatever reason not scoring in the last few games, Ronny Deila keeps looking across the training pitch at livewire forward Leigh Griffiths and thinking ” Should I, should I ?”
And increasingly, it looks like he thinks he should.
“It is important that Leigh gets games.
“He wanted to play in the Development Squad match at Sunderland last week, and that’s the important thing.
“It’s good that he shows an interest in playing.
“Leigh scored two goals in that match, and he has shown when he came on at Tannadice that he can make a difference to the team.”
Ronny isn’t quite making the leap to adding Griffiths to the team alongside Guidetti, a move which would almost certainly benefit both, but at least he’s thinking of making a change, and giving the Swede a rest.
Despite all the early hype, the Guidetti bandwagon has run out of steam a wee bit, and its important to remember that he hasn’t played a lot of football in recent years, so it might be that its all catching up with him.
So , a wee break for him, and a big break for Griffiths could be on the cards.
Another who perhaps could benefit from a rest is Adam Matthews, who looks a shadow of his former self, and he isn’t doing himself any favours while he’s in the shop window ahead of choosing whether he goes to play with Gary in Norwich, Joe in London or he’ll share a cab with Kris to Bolton.
With Dundee United and Aberdeen breathing down Celtics neck in the title race, the Welshman acknowledged that winning the league is not a foregone conclusion;
“Are we in a title race? Yeah, definitely. The top tier this year is strong. Aberdeen, Hamilton and Inverness have done well, so we know it’s going to be tough. But we’re where we want to be at the minute.
“We wanted a bigger gap, especially with the game in hand at Dundee United on Sunday. But we’ve got to focus on one game at a time and hopefully get the win in the next game.”
“That’s just them playing it down. If they’re close to us they’re going to want to make a title race of it.
“We know the pressure is on us and we’re expected to run away with it but it’s not going to happen like that in football.
“Every time someone plays Celtic they step up their game.”
Fair play to Matthews. He’s unlikely to win any player of the year awards this term, so he’s made a late entry in the “blandest Interview ” competition, and with only a week to go, he could yet have a souvenir of the season.
The transfer window opens next week, and with a few players ready to leave, a few others thinking about leaving and a few surprises for everyone no doubt in the pipeline, the manager looked ahead to doing a bit of business, and in one sense, you get the impression he’s already decided what he wants to do.
“Yes, we are more prepared than before,”
“As the manager, I think I am more prepared for it, too. That’s no problem.
“The most important thing is to get the best out of the players we have here.
“People are improving, and that’s what makes me happy.”
Which, in fact , doesn’t appear to be a great deal. Which is worrying.
Certain to leave are Beram Kayal and Jo Inge Berget,
Almost certain to leave are Adam Matthews, Kris Commons , Virgil van Dijk, Derk Boerrigter and quietly, while no-one is looking, Aleksandr Tonev.
Surprises are different. There will be a few, but they wouldn’t be surprises if we could anticipate them.
Martin Odegaard, the Norwegian superstar , hasn’t joined anyone else yet, despite whats been in the paper and on the web. Ikeche Anya and Stuart Armstrong head a list of who we’d like to sign if the price is right, and then theres a whole host of players that we’ve never heard of, and never will again after January.
There doesn’t appear to be a centre half on any of those lists, which isn’t so much worrying as alarming. Van dijk appears to have left in body and soul already, ambrose is playing like, well , Ambrose, Jason Denaayer has now decided that one injury is enough and he doesn’t want any more, while stand in Charlie Mulgrew shows no sign of returning any time soon.
That leaves Eoghan O’Connell, who whilst not letting anyone down, is not experienced enough to hold the fort on his own.
If Deila is prepared, lets hope he’s got a couple of big baby eating baldies ready to sign up as soon as the headaches have gone after the bells.
Still, its christmas, and thats a time of goodwill to all men, a time of peace and friendship.
Its also a time for laughing at those less fortunate than ourselves, and across the city, there are quite a few peepil who will be feeling a little less fortunate than anyone this morning.
The Second Rangers club, the current entity plying their trade from Ibrox stadium, held their AGM at , er, ibrox stadium yesterday, come on, be fair, its difficult to hire a room this time of year, with all the parties going on.
Oh, and not having a valid credit card probably made it awkward putting down the deposit.
The blue hordes have often complained that they have suffered enough, and it was hard not to sympathise with them yesterday, when it became apparent that the board were going to hold the meeting from the centre of the pitch.
In a tent.
And they still profess to be our main rivals….
It didn’t help when the club crest fell off the front, which was kind of symbolic, in a way.
but the real news from the meeting came when Resolution 9 was rejected by shareholders, which concerned a new share issue. They just saw a potential revenue stream cut off, which won’t help their current financial issues.
But fair play to them, with mike Ashley now on board, they utilised his marketing skills to introduce a few new streama, and hopefully stave off the inevitable plunge into administration;
After the meeting, a few quid was raised behind the tent;
Theres the tent itself-
Or the replica kits, which is another speciality from Ashley;
Or the one for the garden, in summer;
Thanks to carhandle, cartuja, keyesy , liam macloughlin and Celtic Collectibles for posting those on twitter, so I could steal them and pretend i’m a funny and likeable guy at their expense.
Of course, the club were defiant about the future, with Ashley puppet Derek Llambias telling supporters that every penny raised will go back into the club, which caused hilarity on Tyneside when news filtered through, because oddly enough, thats what he kept telling Newcastle fans.
Malcolm murray, one of the True Rangers Men ( now theres a tag you’d like to be stuck with for life, as I’m willing to bet my definition and understanding of that phrase is worlds apart from theirs ) claimed that those fans who have remained loyal would have to
make some noise if they want to get their club back.
Actually, if I was breaking into a cemetery at night with a shovel, noise is the last thing I’d be intent on making.
Maybe its finally sinking in;
In yesterdays Diary, Murdo Macleod was explaining to the referee that he didn’t touch the stricken Davie McKinnon, and it was merely a bit of silliness between two cousins.
Today, another from Lisbon lion. Why the black armband ?
One more thing. a wee message for wee Jay;
First game after John Thompson’s fatal accident?
The death of a Glasgow football team.
RIP Third Lanark. The club lives on. It was the clumpany that died ye know 😉
Pics are great,but you stole them,so no praise.
To cheer Charlie Saiz up,we will win the league by 10+ points.
However,this will be down to the other clubs beating each other
(sory Chas).
I agree Ralph,Guidetti and Sparky should play together.
Teams are marking Guidetti tightly with 2 centre-halves.He needs a partner in the middle.I would drop Stokes(not a left winger)And buy Anya for left wing.Failing that,push Izzy into
left mid and buy a left back to play behind him.
Loitering within Tent. Those pics just go to prove that it’s always better to be inside ratent pissing out than outside ratent pissing in.
Anway piss on all of them. They deserve no better.
Ratenters. Will that be the name of the new 3rd entity?
S3vco
Or given the festive season the new entity could be called Mangers.
Boom Boom!
You will be aware there is a Danish team called Randers FC.
Therefore your suggestion is not as silly as it sounds,for their 3’rd entity.As of next season,Randers eufa coefficient will be higher than Sevco’s.lol.Add in Hearts,Motherwell,St.Johnstone
and Dundee United all having a higher coefficient,next season,
and it shows they really have hit rock bottom.
But,yet,MA’s side-kick,deludes with talk of Champions League
participation.Stupid,stupid peepel !!
Ratenters…. very good, reminds me of Ratners, remember him? With one outrageous quote, he wiped £500m off the value of his company.
Should be a shoe in for Poundland’s board.
Meant to say earlier,why is taking us until NOW,to look at Scottish based players ?
In Lawwell’s address to the nation,at the start of the season,
he said, ” our guys( Team Park ) have looked at players,at other
Scottish clubs,and they are NOT good enough ” Really ?
Has the failures of Pukki,Balde,Boerrigter and possibly Scepovic
made our scouting department(Park) have a rethink ? Not
before time.I have always said Ciftci,amongst others,would do a job for us.
Let’s see what transpires in the window ??
Said it for a good 2 seasons now Pedro, I would have bought Johnny Russell ( now Derby) , Gary Mackay- Steven and Stuart Armstrong from Utd, I would also like to see Celtic show interest in Pawlett of Aberdeen.
Celtic more than anything need a top central defender to play beside Virgil and someone tobcompete with Izzy at left back. HH!
I know you have, Monti.But our club keeps going down the same route,by buying duff foreigners,mainly strikers.Why is
that ?
If they are good players definitely, Can only be good for the Scottish game in terms of keeping the money within the game here and the money filtering down to other clubs, something we haven’t seen regularly enough for years.
No idea m8,
We could have got Russell for £750,000 yet pay over £4M for Balde and Pukki?
Crazy!
I was warming to Deila but I’m losing faith again, I am 43 years old and have never seen Celtic approach games with one striker, it is holding us back!
The best sides have a strong strike partnership!
Very frustrating.
Fitba? Just a game at the end of the day.
Celtic Football Club is a house of many rooms.
Gay/straight. Catholic/Protestant.Hindu/Muslim
Believer/atheist
Yes/No 55%-45%
Poor/poorer/poorer still!
More than a football club!
Thoughts for all of those affected by the bin lorry tragedy yesterday.
Please keep giving to your local food bank.
Peace and Good Health to all of you in 2015 and beyond.
C’mon the Hoops in 2015!
Gay?
He had you in mind,with that ditty,Monti…….lol
Yup, the G word, just like our dearly departed friend Paul McBride QC who you were hankering after in one of your recent posts Monti. You did know he was one of the ‘evil’ ones didn’t you?
The act is evil in my opinion…oh no here we go again, you’re getting me in trouble here.
Monti, gie a rest eh? You’ve shown everyone that you have hate in you, your ‘mascara’ comment towards me in that thread also shows that it’s more about some macho bullshit than Christian values – your arguments and snides were merely showing yourself up so I didn’t bother to respond (I actually feel sorry for you now), and you stated you wanted to move on, so park it.
Devoy45 gets it spot on, our club welcomes all under a common cause – accept it or find another team more than line with intolerant views. There used to be a dangerous one in the same city, if you’re quick you may catch their tribute act before they die choking in their own bile.
Hail hail to all – Merry Christmas. What would Jesus do if he were here today to see it?!?
Like it
First game after the death of Johnny Thompson.
Yes Sevco AGM was a hoot yesterday however pales into insignificance after the events at George Square.
Thoughts & prayers to all those involved.
Congrats to all at E-Tims for another year of comprehensive coverage. Outstanding bhoys.
Post lost in reply to Green Lantern.
Sorry for being a pain !
Thanks for finding it.
This is the winter of our discount tents !!
Now that’s funny. 😉
Celtic and second Rangers should give all the money from the League cup semi – final to the victims families!
Just a thought….
Don’t think Sevco and the other semi finalists would wear that Monti, but yes, a good idea.
Sorry but cannot get any grief over the death of people I have never met,first thing I saw on the news was the usual christian vultures in attendance,what if some of the victims were not christian or hated the lying church no doubt we will have to have a service which will be taken over by those lying religious sod,s,even if some of the victims were atheists and would have hated the whole event,six humans died big deal,unless you knew them,i,ll grieve for all the wildlife killed for pleasure by so called humans(the only pest in the countryside),and all the extinct species that the humans are to blame for,6 billion less humans woyuld be so good for this planet
Wow, gobsmacked. A family with links to Celtic died in that accident ya fucking scumbag.
Deadbrainhead,
You are the lowest of the low.You must stay alone with no female companionship.You are sick in that lonesome,deadhead
of yours.
I usually have a wee smile at your trolling attempts, you disgust me with that soul less rubbish you bashed out, go get help, you are sick.
Deadhead67,
That is the worst thing I have seen posted anywhere…you are a fucking wank!
Shame on you. God may forgive, but I don’t you piece of shit. R.I.P. the innocents and heartfelt wishes to their families. Hh
Time to ban this scumbag
Fholks,
Please do not take the bait and bite. Ignore it. No reaction is the best option.
Agreed Frank, completely agreed.
Has it not had two strikes already, surely that’s a third and no more shambolic bait can be laid?
Matthews and izzy need to be dropped. The amount of balls izzy gives away to opposition is shocking. Adam needs just to refocus he’s going through a bad patch. The thing that annoys me at celtic at the moment young Robertson of Hull wasn’t snapped up by the club along with gould. Instead were constantly trialing or loaning players from anywhere and everywhere. Someone at Lennoxtown at youth level not quick enough or just not good enough. God bless families of terrible accident in glasgow, my heart goes out to them.
I tend to treat DH posts with benighn neglect they deserve however today IMO he has stepped over the line. Surely if ever a post required moderation it was that one. What a buken grub.
Well said Broxburnbhoy “there lies the rub”. In my minds eye I agree that Griffiths needs a longer run in the team but maybe with Stokes who has done well recently. Prayers and sympathy with all those affected by the tragic loss yesterday.
Charlies Christmas Checklist:
1 Top of League … yes
2 Still in Europe…yes
3 Still in both Cups..yes
4 Still scope for improvement..yes
5 Folk still moaning about 2 up front..yes
6 Folk still claiming Guidetti is new Larsson..yes
7 Ambrose still fucking useless..yes
The Magnificent 7
1 Top of the league, yes but only 4 points ahead of Dundee Utd, last time the teams were so close at this stage of the season was under Lou Macari.
2 Still in Europe, yes despite being knocked out twice.
3 Still in both cups, we won all three of our cup games
4 Still scope for improvement, understatement of the year
5 Still moaning about 2 up front, looks like I’ll still be moaning about it for a while yet.
Wish everyone reading Etims a very merry Christmas, except deadhead, and a big well done to Ralph, Desi, Hector and the rest of the team at Etims Mansions for another year of top quality.
Hail Hail.
Well said Charlie. The new year bodes well!
Can’t resist!
Devoy’s Reply to Charlie Saiz:
Top of League. May—not certain he way we’re playing right now.
In Europe: for one more match only.
Win both Cups? Sorry, but no.
Hope for improvement? We had better improve.
Folk still moaning? Count me as one of them.
Guidetti the new Larsson? He’s not even the old Larsson.
Ambrose? Agreed.
Devoy wish list.
Win the League.
Beat Sevco and win the Cup.
Win both Cups.
Beat Inter, then take it from there.
Go on a long unbeaten run, beginning with Ross County (same as our last long run)
Buy some good young Scottish players like Armstrong and offload dead wood.
Find a way of playing that let’s the players play, and score goals. Give Griffiths a go, play two up front. Our current system is not working. You buy shoes to fit your foot, you don’t hack off toes to fit the shoe.
Peace and Good Health to all of you.
Totally agree Devoy, it’s staring Ronny in the face and rumour is, the penny is starting to drop.
Devoy,
Gaun yer Cel…..
Lost comment again bhoys, can you dig it out / uncensor it please? Cheers
Merry Christmas to Ralph, Desimond Hector and all the Bhoys, enjoy the laughs and the passion, have a good one. Grandine, Grandine!!
Merry Xmas to all the Hoops on here and let’s all have a season,a treble season to remember!
Looking forward to Xmas as I have a young family, however my heart is with those families who lost their loved ones in that tragic accident in George Square.
I can only pray for them!
Would it suprise you to know my favourite formation is 3-5-2?
Merry Christmas one can only hope 😉