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Celtic Diary Monday February 23: Focus Gets The Three Points

Despite Hamilton reverting to the now outdated ten at the back and hoping for the best system, celtic eventually wore them down and emerged 4-0 winners in yesterdays league game. The result restores the three point and a game in hand gap between celts and nearest challengers Aberdeen, and sets up a game that should provide an early pointer as to where the title will end up when Aberdeen come down to Glasgow next Sunday.

Goalless at half time, there was always the chance that the Hoops would be caught out in between the two Inter games, either through lack of concentration or perhaps a reluctance to pick up an injury, but they kept going, and were rewarded with four second half goals from the restored Kris Commons, the back on form John Guidetti, and the ever lively Stefan Johansen.

Manager Ronny Deila was , predictably, very happy with the way it turned out.

 “It was a good match again. It’s very tough when you come from the Europa League and go into a league game three days later with a different atmosphere. But we were switched on, and we created four or five chances in first half.

“They sat very deep and I don’t they were once inside our 18-yard box. But when you don’t take your chances, it’s harder to open them up.

“But in the second half, with all their running, they got tired. We passed the ball quite well, and when the first went in they had to go forward, it opened up and we got four in the end. I was very pleased with the performance. “

So was I.

And its given me an idea as to how we can get a result in the San Siro on Thursday.

With Commons and Guidetti back, that adds a little more guile up front, and instead of just marking a lone striker, the Inter defenders will have to keep an eye on Commons as well, With the pressing game having tired Hamilton, as it was applied constantly, maybe it will have a similar effect on Inter. Then, with twenty minutes to go, replace Commons and Guidetti with Mackay Steven and Griffiths to use their pace on an already knackered Inter back line.

Piece of piss this management lark. Anyone can do it.

 

mccoist

Er, almost anyone.

Ronny also talked a little about his squad;

We have a very good squad and I feel comfortable whoever I need to pick to play the game it’s a selection celebration – we need all those players we have and it’s good to have different types of players as well.

“It depends how we see the game and how we want to play and we pick players on that. We get high quality in training when we have so many good players and you see that when we come onto the pitch. We are very fit and it’s hard to play against us.” 

Thats an interesting point about the quality in training, as it mirrors what the former Dundee United lads said when they first encountered the training sessions, indeed they were told to do what they can, and ease themselves into it.

 Deila looked ahead to the Inter game, at teatime on Thursday-imagine how the likes of John Hartson would have coped with mealtime kick offs-and seemed fairly confident.

“It’s more important away in Europe, when you play very difficult opponents, to think more of them, at home, we have to attack but away we have to defend better, especially against good teams.

“It’s another football match. We have to be prepared like we were today and Thursday. If we put on a good performance, we will have a chance in Milan as well.”  

He may call upon Kris commons for a wee bit of help when he sits down to discuss tactics ahead of this game.

Kris Commons disguised himself

to watch Inter thriller sat among

Celtic fans

He reckons he’s spotted a few things from his vantage spot in the stand. Presumably he turned around after this photo;

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That jacket  looks, er, cosy. He must know someone who is knocking them out cheap.

lennon calendar

He tried the hat on at home -it belongs to his good lady-and even the pets were a little surprised;

 

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“I watched it in the Jock Stein Stand & it was difficult because it was probably the first game I had watched from behind the goal” 

“I don’t think I’ve ever done that. It was like watching Playstation. You see every pass, every bit of space” 

“You question the guys out there, asking ‘Why hasn’t he seen that?’ or ‘Why did he do that?’” 

Or why didn’t he notice he was in the Lisbon Lions stand ?

Commons does have a point, though. You do see the whole pitch from higher up, and no amount of video re-runs is going to capture the big picture where off the ball movement is concerned.

Maybe we could get someone to sit up there and feed information back to the bench. Along with the five or six thousand others who sit up there and relay information back to the bench.

Commons is desperate to play against inter, and reckons he is ready.

‘It’s going to be extremely difficult – but I think we will get chances out there, I  don’t think they are defensively great, I think they have shown that the other night. 

‘If the ball had gone our way at times we could easily have scored four or five. 

Easy now, tiger.

‘They could probably say that about ourselves. But, if we can cut out the defensive errors and still put them under pressure, we’ve got a chance – although I’m sure their guys will be saying the same things in their press conferences.

‘I can’t wait for the San Siro – and I hope I’ve done enough to win a place in the starting XI.

‘Hopefully the boys have done enough at home to give us a chance over there, so we can go and nick a win.

‘I think we’ll get chances. It’s just on the night, hopefully we can keep them at bay and not give them as many chances as they had here. 

‘It’s going to be a very difficult task, we know that. They’re a very good team, a very experienced team, and whenever you play away in Europe with your backs against the wall, it’s a tough test. 

‘If we can go out there and get the win, it’ll be a huge achievement for us.’

I’m tempted to agree with him. Deilas system is almost designed to be effective away from home in Europe, but there are a couple of things-four or five actually -that need working on. Lets , for the sake of argument, refer to them as the defenders.

They need to get back to working as a unit. Looking out for each other. Izaguerre was left to deal with Inters top man -Shaqiri-and in the return the shackles need to be applied to the forward.

 Not like the shackles that were applied to the lady arrested at the cinema for er, enjoying herself during a performance of that Fifty Shades film. She was arrested and removed from the building, though I can’t help but feel handcuffs were the correct tool to defuse the situation here.

 But just enough to frustrate him, and make him blame his teammates for not giving him the ball.

Another little point worth considering. Inters keeper didn’t look to be of any real quality, so a few long range efforts-Commons, Johansen-and a swift follow up for the rebound could pay dividends.

For a more detailed, and sensible critique of Deilas system, have a look at this from tictactic, who knows about that sort of thing.

Deilas system-tictactic

 Away from the football for a moment, and lets hope that the squad now lock themselves away to concentrate fully on the game, there was a bit of controversy on the Radio Clyde phone in show when a caller described the tricolour flag of Ireland, which symbolises peace between the “green” and ” orange” sections of society as the “flag of the IRA “, and the Irish anthem, Amhran na bhFiann as  offensive or lets the club down”

 Hugh Keevins, the nasal whine of whataboutery, agreed.

 The show finished seven minutes ahead of schedule, unlike Keevins career, which has dragged on way beyond its usefulness.

Radio clyde, which is a fairly low brow staion, financed by advertisers, which should give us a clue as to which products to buy the next time we go shopping.

A quick glance at their facebook page shows “sponsorship ” from Optical Express and Jet2.com holidays. And their coverage of Motherwell against Dundee is backed by Toolstop.

 You know what to do, and if you can think of any others, share them in the replies. Make sure you are right , though.

 Clydes editorial policy-such as it is-seems to be along the “both sides are as bad as each other “, which usually gives a clue as to which side is favoured by those at the station-although a quick glance at their “experts ” gives us a clue. Intellectual heavyweights Derek Johnstone and Gordon Dalziel represent the “blue ” side of the city, whilst their “Green ” equivalent are Hugh Keevins and Frank MacAvennie.

 Well, in the sense that they are all intellectual heavyweights, I suppose both sides are as bad as each other, with a combined IQ several digits lower than their combined ages, but thats not what the phrase applies to.

 Its all about evening out the blame, so that one section of society, the one mired in the late seventeenth century, is just as much to blame as the one  who didn’t operate a sectarian and racist signing policy until they were forced to abandon it.

 Lets examine the evidence,

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 Aye, two peas in a pod right enough.

I can’t think of any reason why Radio clyde should adopt this obviously one sided policy.

Meanwhile, heres a picture of sports controller Lorraine Herbison, and Sevco PR man Keith Bishop

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 I think she’s the one one the left.

 Its taken Stan Collymore, a former footballer turned pundit on Radio 5, to draw attention to the issue, and so far, only Willie Miller, former Aberdeen player , manager and assistant referee has publicly backed him.

Why is it obvious and natural for Chelsea to do right thing & seek to ban culprits, yet here with Rangers desire is to sweep under carpet?

and he’s issued the most damning and thought provoking statement of all….referring to those in the media who don’t condemnn bigotry and racism when they see it.

Demand they come out the shadows and explain support for bigotry 

Such as Pat Nevin, who was eager to report on sectarian singing live from the Cup final a few years ago. Nevin once told, in 2011, a committee of MPs that he;

“Whatever we do, I want to make it [sectarianism] culturally unacceptable and legislation may be needed to do that. ” 

He also said, at half time in the above mentioned game;

“I’m going mention it every time I hear it and I don’t care if it’s Celtic or Rangers or Hearts or Hibs or whoever, I will mention it and lets embarrass these teams”.  

So, when Nevin was on Sportscene last night, the Scottish footballing world awaited with bated breath for the Great Crusader to give us his condemnation of the singalong at Starks Park on friday, especially as he has had a couple of days to examine the evidence and clarify it.

 We’re still waiting. He said he didn’t see it. Presumably in the same way he didn’t hear those songs at Hampden all those years ago, but in that instance, felt the need to condemn it anyway.

Have you noticed, that give or take a letter or two, an anagram of Pat Nevin is “two faced cowardly little ratbag ” ?

Give or take a letter or two.

 Celtic v Ayr , from 1977 was our little picture teaser on saturday, yesterdyas diary didn’t appear because i had to take the dog out-two hours-do the dinner-three hours and then continue my study of living conditions in a womans prison, in the excellent documentary series Orange is the New Black, which discusses the problems of living in a confined space in the modern USA.

 Today, we have another  little picture teaser

nevin

oh, my apologies, I must have typed “tosser ” into my browser.

Its a teaser. Can you remember the story behind this headline ?

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Gary B
9 years ago

Is the story about really cheap whisky being sold by the AA brothers? A bit irresponsible I think.

Bawsman
9 years ago

That headline in any other country in the world would cause a shockwave.

In Scotland it was accepted.

Independence? That’s a frightening thought, they haven’t gone away you know.

It’s as plain as the nose on your face that they still want us where they think we should be.

Bring on the Milan.

Half_Fool
9 years ago
Reply to  Bawsman

Well said!

Morto
9 years ago

Is that Lorraine Herbison any connection to Drew Herbison of SFA refereeing fame (infamy)?

highseastim
9 years ago
Reply to  Morto

Drew Herbison belongs to Keith(Highland league territory)!!

hoopsbhoy777
9 years ago

anybody need some beer tokens for thursday?inter away tonight at cagliari ,they will probably rest a couple.cagliari are 5/2

schoosh71
9 years ago

The question that needs to be asked is, why has it taken 3 years for a match delegate to clean out his ears and report them? Watch the SPFL sweep this under the carpet, as in the league cup semi-final, whereby they didn’t find any of their bigoted songs of hate offensive. Gutter rats to a man. HH

Carntyne
9 years ago

Picking Commons means dropping someone else.

So who?

Scott Brown? No.

Gary McKay-Steven? No

Johanson? No.

Bitton? No.

Stuart Armstrong? No.

So Who?

GaryBhoy
9 years ago
Reply to  Carntyne

Simple…Drop Gordon. Big diddy was hopeless the other night

Monti
9 years ago

Carntyne,
I agree mostly with your points there, I just think Commons could be a bit fresher on Thursday.
Gordon
Matthews
Denayer
Van Dijk
Izaguirre
Brown
Bitton
Johansen
Mackay-steven
Armstrong
Griffiths

That would be my starting line up on Thursday.

Commons, Guidetti, can come on and make an impact, also Wakaso has pace to burn and could
be used late on, Forrest needs game time at home.
As for Stokes, I don’t know what he’s done this time but if he’s been out on the sauce I would be letting him go at the end of the season.
We need to have a dressing room that is unified and happy, if an individual isn’t wanting to be part of Deila’s plan, then they should go.
Stokes isn’t 17 anymore, he shouldn’t be acting that age.

holy sea
9 years ago

As Ralph say’s play Commons,and bring on GMS in the last 20 mins.to run at them.Likewise,play Guidetti,and bring on Griffiths,to do the same job.
This season,our away from in Europe,was been woeful.Yes,we will score,but can we keep them out.I have my doubts.
My attention has been switched to the sheep.
Flood say’s we are scared of them ? Eh..
Now McLean,just in the door,say’s their going to give us a bloody nose,and blow the title wide open.Really ?
Sick of these sheep bleating.We have to give them a good humping.Go 6 clear,then 9,when we play the following Wednesday.

Monti
9 years ago
Reply to  holy sea

If you could win one of these next two games Holy sea, which one m8?

holy sea
9 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Tough one,Monti.On the basis,I don’t think ourselves and Inter,are good enough to win the Europa Cup.I would take a win against the sheep first,m8.We have to win the league,and they are too close for comfort.

9 years ago

How many willies could Wee Walter whack if Wee Walter whacked wiilies?

Celtic125
9 years ago

And when it does get swept under the carpet, will we get as much as a peep from PL and the Board?
That should be the question we should be asking but won’t.

CarlJungleBhoy
9 years ago

Phew! That was a diary and a half Ralph – Next time you take a Sunday off – DON’T! – Having a life is simply NOT an acceptable excuse!. Nah, only joking M8. Good stuff, but I have to take you up on 2 points….

The Aberdeen match is “an early pointer” to where the title will end up? Naw it’s no! First of all, 1st March is hardly early any more and – irrespective of the result, I’m confident enough with the way things are going to say that if Celtic don’t win the league I’ll gladly take your dog – or your wife (whichever is the shaggiest)- out for a walk every Sunday for the next 10 years.

I’m pretty much in agreement with you on the Inter line up – Commons to start, with GMS as coming on later, but – for the same reasoning (extra pace tends to be more effective when the opposition are tiring) I’d start with Guidetti & bring on Griffiths later)

BTW: I said before last weeks match I wasn’t convinced that Denayer has the maturity for this level, but – then again – there’s no better alternative. It’s also a real pity Lustig is still out, because, even if we were (we can but dream!) 2-0 up with 5 minutes to go, the thought of Efe getting a run out at the San Siro is the stuff of terrible nightmares.

Phaco
9 years ago

Do the Tic do winning one game? Mon the Hoops. Hh

Half_Fool
9 years ago

I would start with Commons. As much as going forward we were good sometimes great against Inter, the first 20 mins showed that a couple more ‘auld heaids’ in possession and positioning at the start might have been a good thing.
As others have stated, save better pace for later in the game when it really can hurt more.

Not that Commons will do this, but additionally Izzy and Matthews needs more support and protection on their sides.

For me, The Celtic Way is to try and win every game; but I’d rather win the league (comfortably).

Boitheimeach
9 years ago

KC says he was in the JS stand. Looks like the LL end to me.
If the celtic can keep a clean sheet up to HT, I reckon celtic can scare inter later on in 2nd half.

Know yer ends!!

steveo
9 years ago

Aye no catholics at Ibrox nae surprises there!! Bunch of neanderthals. When they signed Judas my ex – brother in law (an otherwise reasonable human being) was apoplectic & asked me what I thought as they had never needed one before.

I couldnt believe his attitude but casually pointed out that they had never won the Big European Cup or done 9 in a row at that point. Completely took the wind out of his sails he pointed out that there were very few good catholic players I then casually reeled off Pele, Eusebio, Italian & Spanish national team’s etc etc! Needless to say he was speechless!!!

Monti
9 years ago
Reply to  steveo

Your ex brother in law sounds like a total prick to me!

holy sea
9 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Agree,Monti.
It was the reasonable human being bit,I couldn’t
get ? Eh!

steveo
9 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Yer nae wrong!!

Charlie Saiz
9 years ago

I would start with the squad that started last week.
Bring on Guidetti Commons and perhaps Ambrose if Matthews tires again.
Efe had a really decent game at RB yesterday before he was switched his delivery and pass selection was spot on for most of the game I thought.

Doc
9 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Theres a player in there

Monti
9 years ago
Reply to  Doc

Aye,
A shite one tho…

Scott Bhoy
9 years ago

Get your fixed odds coupons out for this double.
Glorious 2-1 defeat in Milan, a tired hard fought 2-1 win at home against the sheep.

Funkyy
9 years ago

Now that the old pulse and heartbeat have lowered to somewhere near normal I’ve been reading all the reports and comments about last Thursday’s match. For me the big stick out was how the team’s attitude after going 2-0 down was so different than in the last match at home against Barcelona when they gubbed us 6-1. That night the heads went down and they lacked belief in themselves. But on Thursday I was damn proud of how they fought and took the game to Inter….and reaped the just reward.
For me a 0-0 draw would have been a worry, but with 3 goals scored against them we have shown that we CAN hurt them and I’m quietly optimistic that we can surprise them in the San Siro. I’ll go for 2-1 for the bhoys. Hail, hail.

Cortes
9 years ago

Richard Barklie, ex of RUC and PSNI and now possibly implicated in Paris Metro nonsense…Could the Chelsea fans in Manchester story be true after all. (Gotta love the bold Richard’s involvement in an antiracist organisation :))) )

Bawsman
9 years ago
Reply to  Cortes

There’s a job waiting at the SFA for this fine upstanding chap.
Probably working under cover.

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