A couple of weeks ago, Celtic forward Leigh Griffiths was caught on camera eating a Tunnocks teacake in the dug out, if you’re not sure what they are, nip round and visit an old lady in your street, and when she makes you a drink, there’ll be one on a wee plate by the cup.
In these days of multi million pound sponsorship deals, and these days of substance abuse amongst sportsman, it was a refreshing change. Manager Ronny Deila, who is a masive fan of dietary control, wasn’t overly happy, but , after all, its only a teacake.
So, when Leigh Griffiths, presumably fired up after being left out of the starting line up in favour of want away Swede John Guidetti, had a point to prove when he replaced James Forrest after the break.
And he proved it.
Deila agrees;
“It looks like that, and that is how you do it. That’s what you expect from the other subs as well.
“You can be angry, but the only way to get back into the team is to really prove that you deserve to play like Leigh did today.”
Three points, in fact. Three goals, superbly taken, which made a poor performance into one of the best ones for a while.
Scott Brown, or Kris Commons, depending on where you were sitting, levelled an early second half opener from Kilmarnock, and after that Griffiths showed us that he can be the striker we are looking for. We just need to give him the ball every now and then.
Earlier in the day, he had registered a plea of not guilty to court in respect to his charge of singing a racist song in an Edinburgh pub, and with that out of the way, he could concentrate on doing his job.
Celtic finished up 4-1 winners, and now , if they win their next three games, will get the fourth consecutive title in the bag, as the quest for ten continues.
After the game, Ronny Deila was a little more relaxed than he would have been at half time. Griffiths, however, looked ready for another ninety minutes;
” Leave it mate, they’ve had enough , I’ll get you a drink and a teacake. ”
See, that’s man management.
Deila couldn’t praise Griffiths enough after the game;
“He was fabulous. You can’t do better than three goals and his contribution was excellent. He could be a kicker in American football, I think.
Maybe something got lost in translation here, such as what he meant.
“He has improved a lot. He is training well and as a 24-hour athlete he is getting better and better – even though he eats cakes on the bench sometimes.
“But still it is just a start and we will continue working on small things to get him better and we will get even more goals.”
He’ll get even more if you pick him.
Griffiths also pointed out to the support that we don’t need to buy Adam rooney, who has been mentioned as a possible summer acquisition.
“I have no doubt that, if I had played the same amount of games as Adam Rooney, I would be up there as top goalscorer.
“Everybody knows what I can do. I am a goalscorer.
“But I have had to bide my time, and, thankfully, I am seeing the rewards now.”
Griffiths may have arrived at Celtic with a bit of baggage, he may also have had a bit of an attitude, but no-one has worked harder, been more honest and changed his ways possibly in the entire history of the club.
He’s a different person now, and although we’ll still get the odd outbreaks of the old Leigh, they will gradually disappear, and we’ll get a home grown forward of the like not seen since Charlie Nicholas burst onto the scene, forgot his socks and went to London to look for them.
Imagine the player he would have been if he had had Griffiths new attitude.
The post split fixtures have been announced, and we’ll come to the tiniest bit of criticism about them later.
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Top six: Dundee United v Celtic – Live on Sky Sports, 12.30pm
FRIDAY, MAY 1
Top six: Celtic v Dundee – Live on Sky Sports, 7.45pm
SUNDAY, May 10
Top six: Aberdeen v Celtic – Live on Sky Sports, 2.30pm
FRIDAY, MAY 15
Top six: St Johnstone v Celtic – Live on BT Sport, 7.45pm
SUNDAY, MAY 24
Top six: Aberdeen v St Johnstone, kick-off 12.30pm; Celtic v Inverness CT – Live on Sky Sports, 12.30pm; Dundee United v Dundee, kick-off 12.30pm
Well, when I said later.
Three Sundays and two Fridays . The two home games, the last one obviously designed to be trophy day, and the other on a Friday night, thus meaning the total of home games on a Saturday afternoon this season will remain at four.
Tell me again about how much value for money a season book is….
The ticket office should look at where their season book holders live. That should be taken into consideration , because its a much more pressing issue than any other facing the club right now.
Friday nights are for talking about going to the game. Saturdays are for going to the game, and Sundays are for talking about what happened at the game.
This season, Celtic have had more midweek league games at Celtic Park than Saturday afternoons. Midweek games have to be prioritised by supporters, either for financial, logistical, or work reasons .
When the team has played ten home European games as well, the league games drop down the list. Oh, and a cup replay. And the league cup…
Five games were moved to midweek. Maybe we should forget the pre season and mid season jollies….
But the biggest problem, if we can call it that, was moving six home games due to Europa League commitments.
So, maybe try to make sure we don’t end up in there next season. UEFA tried their best to help us last year, kicking out Legia and letting us play Maribor, but we still made an arse of it.
It’s not even the fault of the television companies. As much as I would like to blame them, they hardly ever cover home games, and only moved two this season, to early kick offs. So at least it was the same day. We can live with that every now and again.
The club needs to look after the supporters. While some things are out of their hands, they are actually very few. But the priority must be to make every game a Saturday 3pm. Really, Europa league participation is the only acceptable excuse.
You will also notice that all of the final games of the season take place at the same time on the same day.Thats the norm for any league anywhere in the world.
However, Neil Doncaster, who is in charge at the SPFL, reckons that is not neccessary for the First division, and one of those games will take place a day later.
No prizes for guessing who is involved.
In a surprisingly, well, not that surprisingly, arrogant statement, the League tried to justify this, er, unusual move.
Mind you, you try finding it on the web. i’ve had to copy Keith jacksons twitter;
By “unusual “, presumably they mean that any possible help to get the Ibrox franchise into the SPL will be given to them. Which, of course, is not unusual.
The statement also claims that fans around the world will want to watch it.
Er, no they won’t. and I don’t suppose that it entered into their heads to consider the fans of the two clubs at all.
By the way, does anyone know if Zoe Ogilvie, a director at “The big Partnership ” is related to Campbell Ogilvie , who has been clinging on to a job in scottish football circles for the last few years ?
Just curious.
Hibernian are furious, as are their support. Quite rightly.
Hearts and Second Rangers aren’t happy either.
Then theres the farce around the play offs, where they will have to be put back until after the Scottish cup final should Hibs dispose of Falkirk in the cup.
Is Willie Collum the referee for that one ?
It’s incredible that the people who are paid to run scottish football are still being paid to do it.
They don’t have a clue.
And they don’t give a toss about you, me or anyone else that wathes football.
This summer, while theres no football, we should do what we have to do to get rid of them, before they damage the game beyond repair.
God knows, they’ve been trying for a while.
You might be surprised that I haven’t mentioned the hugely successful foodbank appeal until now. There’ll be a separate article later from Hector Bandido later, who was there last night. all I can say is well done to everyone who donated, and don’t forget, if you couldn’t do it last night, sadly there’s probably one near you that needs your help.
Meanwhile, here’s something unusual, from Lisbon lion on twitter. What’s the story ?
KD press conference in Bairds bar.
HH
the bold Kenny Daglish having a press conference in the CSA on London Road, before Hugh Keevins got “Finbarred” off the premises
That’s definitely not Bairds Bar, although Kenny did hold a press conference in Bairds around the same time.
KD giving the press report in Bairds, due to the poor press he and the club were getting from the MSM. (no laughing at the back!)
I think last night was proof that Griffith should not be on the ench as much as he is and that we can have a front 2 playing together.
Spot on with regards the Saturday home games, it is a disgrace.
To be honest though I don’t know how much leverage we have if a TV deal is not due for renewal. If lots of fans cancel Sky now they’ll offer pennies at next negotiations again; if we’re in deliberations then that’s when a small degree of power comes back to fans. If the deal for 2015/16 is already done what can we ask the Board to do as we’re contractually obliged to let them (TV) do what they want.
Doncaster et al must get their jotters (for you PB)!!
Thanks for the memory again, Gerry. I think I’ll look out some of my old school ones.
You have my backing 101% (that’s the kind of maths Dumbcaster and co. will understand) regarding a total clear-out of the sludge clogging Scottish Football right now. I would love to be the one shoving the rod right up ’em. It is intolerable, disgraceful, embarrassing and incomparable f**k-up all at the same time. However, my understanding is the TV deal is so outrageously bad the loss of income without it for Celtic could be easily absorbed and enormously improved by increased season book sales. I believe it would only take basic maths to work it out – but you see how bad mine is from the above :). If right I think that the notion is a genuinely viable one. That being the case, any time would be good to kick Sky in the proverbials. Unfortunately, I have never given them the means to grow proverbials so I will just have to kick thin air. But I have some mouth on me if that would help. And, if I may add, the Hibees Bounce shows there is widespread dissatisfaction with the administration and everything else that is destroying football in Scotland at every level. I have long advocated that the focus should be on the Hampden Harlots as the root of all that is evil in our game. The book of judgement has run out pages on them yet they still wallow in infuriatingly insulting disdain for fans and collect their excessive pieces of silver year on year without a challenge. However, to have the necessary teeth we need to pressurise our clubs to take up our case and agree with us about the blatantly obvious at the top viz. (now there IS a memory and I am not referring to any comic) the top has no brain whatsoever. We all did it to some extent in 2012 to prevent unscrupulous privilege and got some kind of a result but we should never have allowed that demonstration of fan power to diminish. It seems to have drifted back to either apathy or acceptance rather easily and we desperately need to get it back and hit these people where it really hurts, right in their pockets through making them unemployed and ensuring they never cause such harm to anyone ever again. After all, they have shown for years they are completely redundant, not even worthy gardeners.
Apologies for the rant on your comment, Gerry.
H H
Kenny in Bairds, giving one of his classic “mibbies aye, mibbies naw” press conferences. Bairds is closed now – they should have put it in the Celtic museuam – as a reminder to never let ourselves look this pathetic again.
On the topic of pathetic, good old Donkey excels in ineptitude once again – how do we get him out of his job -its untenable now after that statement last night – Richard Gordon, a good Scottish sports journalist imo – no laughing- absolutely tore SPFL him a new one last night, and the “whats the big fuss?” statement
Could only get the game on the radio – bit odd listening to that with images from Paris v Barca on TV. I mean Casualty, having already cancelled Sky
Surely now that is an end to Guideetti starting – he’s clearly away in a month, is slow, lazy and not as dynamic as Griffiths. He must be no.1 striker now – remember at the start of the season Ronnie played him on the right wing if at all, and it wasnt until November / December he started to even get a sub appearance as a striker, yet he is our top scorer now. What Scepovic has done / isnt doing is a mystery -even the rumour mill threw no made up light on it, but Id have him on the bench and Guidetti in the stands now, with Griffiths first pick. What a strike from outside the box he hit, an absolute rocket.
SPFL & SFA………….Not fit for purpose.
Maybe the 50 brick hike on seasons is a wee something from them to us? After reading the new terms and conditions it’s clear the Board are making provision for “the greatest game in the world” NEXT SEASON. What was it Johnny Lydon said all those years ago?!
I could be wrong….
Do you think it would be outlandish for me to say that Neil Doncaster, Paul Brennan and Phil McG are all PL apparatchiks?
Towing the PL Party line?
Perhaps though I doubt it personally.
125,
The legendary “Ever feel you’ve been cheated” line? Yes, every one of us since the Oldco ship sank all those many years ago.
Have to hand it to Griffiths last night 3 very well taken goals of 3 very differing ranges of technical difficulty.
The first yet another well placed header.
The second a marvellous effort from range hit with perfection.
The last off the shoulder and fired calmly into the corner.
A perfect Hat-trick by all accounts and 100% certifies him first pick on the Striking front.
Guidetti has failed to justify a large fee in my eyesI think he flatters to deceive and his ability is erratic from week to week.
If he was as good as he thinks he is he’d be on 20 goals by now with the chances he’s had and squandered in the League.
The fact is he isn’t.
I thought Killie defended well for the first half and made life difficult for us throughout their goal was a bit lucky and totally against the run of play but I had a gut feeling they might just do that.
I think Ronnies decision to change shape and bring in Griffiths was inspired and made with conviction.
He made the decision quickly and without fuss which is good to know.
Lenny was guilty of leaving it late at times I felt during his tenure.
Commons wide play was great to see also he did come as a winger from Down South and he showed that aspect to his game with great effect I thought.
We really could have put 7 or 8 past them last night with a bit of luck Van Dijk,Denayer,Forrest,Brown Johansen all had clear cut efforts to score.
Last word on Craig Gordon what a fine effort from him at 3-1 when he denied the boy clean in on goal a top drawer save from a top drawer Goalie who must be the single most important signing at Celtic in years.
One hand on the Double let us hope we produce some quality from here on in and finish this with a Treble.
HH
Great Diary again Ralph. I thought the comments page would be full of “See…4 4 2 works!”. It has been said on here before that we should play two up front in Scotland when we face 10 men defences and have trouble breaking them down and revert to 4 2 3 1 when playing in Europe or against any Scottish team that doesn’t camp in their own box. Watching the game last night it was instant the difference made by switching to two up front when Griffiths came on and the Killie massed defence had trouble trying to cover two mobile strikers. I understand Ronnie believes the way forward is one up front and certainly in Europe we need to do that but the amount of games we dominate and don’t score enough is getting painful to watch and I hope Ronnie uses this tactic a lot more in Scotland. I also hope Scotland tells Sky to feck off or, some hope, give us a better deal. Sure it’a a grand old team to support…Hail, Hail!
4-4-2 is dated and to easy to nulify.
We were basically playing with 2 at the back last night for long periods especially in the second half which was needed as Killie swamped their defence leaving little threat up front.
It makes more sense to persist with a Formation that works as well in Europe as in Domestic games 4-2-3-1 does this.
We created more than enough chances to win by an even bigger margin last night but yet again the quality of finish was the issue not the amount of chances created.
We DOMINATED Killie that comes from having 5 in the middle.
They defended well their Keeper had a good game by all accounts I thought.
Guidetti is not good enough to play up on his own I don’t think.
We should INVEST in a Striker who is proven to be able to cope on his own in Europe.
Agreed on the need for the right type of quality lone striker Charlie.
A bit of a physical beast, that defenders ping off of, with good feet is required.
Hi Charlie, yes 442 is easy to nullify when we are playing a team that wants to win but that doesn’t happen often in the SPL. Last night in the first half we dominated but did not score, in the second half we adjusted our shape and scored four and it could have been more if not for their goalie. I would love us to play 4231 in every game but we don’t have the players for that and do you really see the board spending money on a decent striker? I know we need to move on but is it a crime to change tactics to suit the game?
Whoriskey
“I know we need to move on but is it a crime to change tactics to suit the game?”
Could not agree with you more if winning is the be all and end all. I do not think it is for Ronny and I admire that. But, if he wants to achieve the treble then he has to be prepared to sacrifice high ideals on occasion if for no other reason he faces poor quality and iron curtain opposition. Someone mentioned recently that route 1 football was worth a try at some point in the game to get all 3 points at Inverness. I think it was Monty replied with Route 1? For me that is a choice of winning or entertaining. It is seldom fans get both. On the other hand, if we want to see long term achievement especially in Europe, then perhaps we need to be more accepting of the current style of play. Just one final point. I did think it interesting Ronny actually discussed the question of 4-4-2 after a recent game and admitted to perhaps making a mistake in not using that formation. Either he is learning how to cope with the vagaries of Scottish v European football or he really has started to listen to Ralph.
H H
It was me who suggested we need a target man if it comes to the last 5 or 10 minutes and route one is your only option.
(Tony Watts winner v Barca was Route 1 btw)
You need to have different options and we simply haven’t had that option since Big Jan left.
We need a Big Strong Striker as comfortable in the air as he is on the deck someone who can finish and has proven ability.
Finnbogson was that man it never happened due to Penny pinching.
There are others out there Rudy Gestede at Blackburn
Jordan Rhodes another
The big lad at Young Boys who used to be at PSG all of whom are a handful and know how to boss and bully defenders.
These types cost money and if the Board is serious about Champions League then they will have to bite the bullet on price at some point.
After all we have had 3 players leave Celtic for over £10m each the past few years a couple at £5-6m in Ki and Hoope so mibees it’s about time we spent £5-6m on one coming in?
Scot Brown was our last major Investment that was 7 year ago ffs.
Thing is we Invest in a £6m pound player we can hopefully put him in the CL arena and turn him into a £15m player?
This is what we should have done with Finnbogason but the Board were too short sighted and reluctant to gamble.
Everything involves risk in Football with better talent your odds of success improve and failure decrees.
Finding the right player is the secret.
Well said Whoriskey.
The vast majority of us are behind Ronnie and ‘his system’;
but look Ronny….4-4-2 can work and sometimes be effective too!!
Looks like Caretaker Manager Kenny in the CSA with Lambert.
2 of our 3 highest league scoring games have come from the game and a half we played two up front. Why does Deila continue with the formation of underachievement?
Ralph
Excellent Diary today with many truly important and interesting topics – proves there is no need to discuss the trials and tribulations of other Glasgow teams to get a good read. I feel I have more than exhausted any comments in replying to others. That means you are let off today. Just to say, the fixture dates and kick of times are the equivalent of building a house in Glasgow and the garage in Stoke. Not so far fetched if the architects were based at Hampden. Time for the heavy artillery with the sights firmly fixed on the corridors of shame. That will need local leaders to be on board if it is to be effective. But the farce can not be allowed to go on any longer.
The only story I remember about KD doing a PC in a pub was in Bairds but having frequented the establishment on many an occasion in years gone by, I agree with Flann1gan, if it is Bairds, I have never sat at that angle. But then, there would have been temporary changes to accommodate the media. So, I give in. Never though Paul Lambert was with us when that young. Anyone heard anything about him since he left Aston Villa?
H H
I was just reflecting on my visits to Bairds and could not recall sitting at all. Lying flat out on the sawdust, yes, but sitting? Has anyone else ever staggered out of there with Wee Jimmy? Now that is a memory and a half or maybe I just dreamt it.
H H
So after their bullish – “fuss, what fuss” statement last night the SPF*@kinHell have back tracked, U turned, flip flopped, backed down.
What an utter utter shambles but Ive heard one thing I ll give them the benefit of the doubt over – I don’t think this situation occurred because they were setting out to help 2nd Rangers as much as possible. It was a happy side effect of the situation from their point of view and I m sure no one was raising their voice to complain that it may come to pass that 2nd Rangers get an advantage, but ultimately I think its an indication more of their absolute spinelessness than “lets get Rangers up at any cost” approach. That is more nakedly apparent in a perfectly good Livi goal being disallowed last night against 2nd Rangers. When Chick Young believes a fair goal was disallowed against 2nd Rangers we are going beyond “honest mistake” territory.
Since they briefly showed some balls and went with Setanta the football authorities in Scotland have become ever more completely cowed by TV. When Setanta went under and they had to go back in desperation to Sky they accepted a shit deal on less money and doffed their cap as they did so. Where do you ever hear of a league season finishing for different teams at different times? It doesn’t happen, for very good reason, except here, where Sky go “we’ll take that Rangers – Hearts game, but want to show it on Sunday after the other teams have all played“ and Flat top F*ck up Donkey happily agrees. When they U turn they take time to thank Sky – but not fans or apologise to them.
The league have no balls and no bargaining position with the TV companies, happy to chuck notions of sporting integrity aside for the few measly quid Sky deign to chuck our way. Remember not long ago the SPFL had to admit they were paying broadcasters to show Rangers games.
So what next? There needs to be the resignation of Donkey & co for a start, a review of TV contracts, ripping them up if necessary and some move to an online subscription model or at least an increase in what the BBC pays for highlights, as the national broadcaster, lets say pro rata in line with what it pays for EPL highlights based on English and Scottish populations. That Gary Linelker is getting paid the same as they give the whole of Scottish football is outrageous.
The game is slowly dying (and yes I’ve seen TSFM stats showing attendances are up, but its not what it looks like when you see highlights and 20 people are at Ross co games) – my little nephews in Ireland couldn’t give a hoot about Celtic, too wrapped up in EPL and its big money and big names. Without some support, which the state broadcaster should be committed to doing, its going in ever decreasing circles and becoming less and less palatable as a product.
So Donkey out – now – and pressure on the BBC to be the national broadcaster of Scottish football in the same proportion it is to English.
Dual ownership. Different rules for livie and sev Co?
ditch sky now – both the SPL and the subscribers (you).
Maybe then sky will negotiate a decent deal for Scottish Football.
I’ve never been a fan of Guidetti (I’m sure I was ridiculed on here for this belief) and have always reckoned Scepovic was a better option if he was given a chance. Now is the time.
Get Scepovic in the team for the rest of the season. If he doesn’t cut it, offload him in the summer, but at least give him as much of a chance as Guidetti’s had.
I agree cut Guidetti loose his heads elsewhere (up his own ringer)and give Scepovic a run.
I think Stokes will be gone in the Summer myself have a feeling Lenny being at the Development Game with Ronny was no coincidence it’s either Stokes or Scepovic I reckon he’s after.
I’d offer both for Matt Mills he’s a solid CB and a danger on set pieces.
Donkeyasster is a knobjockey.