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Celtic Diary Tuesday January 5: There’s No Pleasing Some People

Ronny Deila has been out in spain, apparently looking at centre half Aleksandr Pantic. He’s currently on on at Eibar from Villareal, and he helped the Yorkshire ex-pats old boys club to a 4-0 win at Real Betis.

You didn’t know that Eibar was originally pronounced Ee-bar and the original name included the word gum in it, did you ?

Every day’s a school day.

What does concern me, and should concern the rest of us is how we appear to have become interested in him….as he shares the same agent as Croatian Jozo Simunovic.

And herein lies a major problem, which we have been aware of, and is probably the reason we end up with so many diddies.

Surely there has to be more to our scouting network than ringing an agent up and asking if he has any more players on his books that could do a job for us?

Where are all the guys who spent their weeknights watching youngsters on red ash pitches ?

Look, if they even meet me halfway on the fares. I’ll pop out to rio for a couple of weeks and see if there’s any future Ronaldo’s-the fat one, not the one who thinks he’s made of chocolate-playing five-elevensies on the beach.

From this particular rant, you may have noticed that my thoughts are that our current scouting system isn’t working. And hasn’t been for some time. Still, at least the manager has been out to see this one, presumably at his own insistence, and if he’s as good as the majority of the players that have landed at Celtic in the last five or six years, we can safely say he won’t be coming.

No matter how good he looks on video.

A “source ” close to the club

laughter

 

told the Daily Record;

 

“Pantic has been on Celtic’s list for some time and there are a lot of options under consideration.

“But obviously when the manager goes out of his way to check on the player in person it’s a clear indication of the level of interest.

“If Ronny has decided this is the guy he needs to fix his defence then it makes sense to bring him in this month so he can strike up a relationship with Simunovic.”  

I’m afraid it’s more likely he’s sick of being landed with people signed on the strength of agents recommendation and has decided he wants a look fir himself.

We all know what happens when the scout -or agent-is no good at his job, and/or fails to understand what he’s supposed to be doing.

Just thirty or so years later-boom-no club !

So you can’t be too careful.

But then again, maybe I’m being a little harsh on the Serbian, as you cannot always judge a book by his cover where sportsmen are concerned, as there may be more to them that meets the eye.

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A wee  bit of team news ahead of Saturdays crucial season defining trip to Stranraer is that Logan Bailly will start for the first team, giving Craig Gordon a much needed rest.

Gordon has been impressed with Bailly in training, and said of his rival for the number one shirt;

 “He’s a typical European keeper in that he’s very quick and lively around his goalmouth. I’ve been very impressed.” 

Quick and lively in his box ? Thats not always the case with continental keepers.

If its not bad enough the old boys network in the Scottish press are on Ronny’s back, aided and abetted by deflection seeking journalists, Sky sports are on his case…

Celtic fans want change

I already changed, dumping the however much it was subscription to fund the purchase of Celtics better players, and if you haven’t yet, then do it now.

Apparently, one of their reporters contacted Edinburgh Leith CSC when they were putting together this particular advertisement for on line streaming.

 

I don’t know who the representative of the Leith CSC is, but when they start looking for nominations the next time there is a statue commissioned for the Celtic way, he or she is getting my vote.

They will keep running with their stories, they will try to whip up their agenda wherever possible, and if thats what you want, then go read their papers, watch their channels and swallow their horseshit.

Like this from Andy Walker, on the old two up front routine, in the National, still Scotlands only single figure circulation newspaper. Which given the opposition, is some achievement.

Football: Andy Walker tells Ronny Deila to try a double act

“He could shake it up a bit,” 

“Celtic are renowned for their striking partnerships down through the years.

“I played in one myself with Frank McAvennie, who was a terrific player. Larsson and Sutton were here not so long ago.

“I think Nadir Ciftci, if Leigh Griffiths is injured, certainly needs a bit of help. He’s not the type of striker who can play up front on his own.

“Leigh Griffiths has been terrific but is not quite 100 per cent fit at the moment although [he was] still able to come on at the weekend and score the all-important winner.

“So I think the supporters would like to see some flexibility from the manager in the way that he plays.” 

“When you look at the amount of money Celtic spent getting the likes of Boerrigter and Scepovic in, that’s the best part of £5 million,” 

Which is offset against the transfers of Forster, van Dijk and Wanyama, and thats just the ones who went to Southampton. You know, to further their careers with medals and European champions league football.

“When Celtic spend that type of money, you expect to see a bit of evidence on the park that they are improving but those two players on the park have done absolutely nothing. Certainly the recruitment can improve.” 

Especially if you don’t mention the ones who were successful, and were sold on for a massive profit, largely because they wanted to go.

Celtic moved three points clear at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership on Saturday but Walker feels that seeming eminence is disguising problems.

“In the last half hour I’ve spoken to half a dozen Celtic supporters, every one of them unhappy with the product they see on the park,” he said. 

And probably nearly all ex players gurgling through a bowl of soup.

“I don’t think you can kid thousands of Celtic supporters and what they want to see is a better product on the park and more entertainment. 

Fair jump that, Andy , from half a dozen to thousands.

“This is a great time to be a Celtic manager because it’s pretty much a one-horse race for the title and as yet Ronny Deila, while continuing to say there that improvement has been made, I don’t think the supporters can see it on the park.” 

With Hugh Keevins ready to be put out to pasture,( I’m guessing that as his recent ramblings seem to be wild even by his own , er, high, standards )  theres a nice little earner over at Radio Clyde soon to become vacant, so don’t be surprised to hear more absurd declarations  from people , who whilst entitled to their opinions, should try to at least make sure they are their own opinions, and not delivered in the hope of a pat on the head, a quick “good bhoy ” and a wee treat flung in their direction.

Whether Deila takes Walker’s advice and goes back to the days of a double attacking force against opposition they should be able to overwhelm remains to be seen.

I’d be pretty pissed off at this last line, not Walkers, but the authors, Neil Faskin, if i were a Partick fan-or any other fan, because Partick, to their credit, made a game of it, and showed why they’d only lost once in their previous ten outings.

Whilst some on here would disagree with me, the other Scottish sides are getting , if not better, than certainly more competitivem as they now don’t think-on the whole-its worth parking the bus against Celtic, as they might as well have a go.

Not just because they think they can win, although that may be a part of it, but because their mentality has changed since the world ended on Armageddon day, and there was a realistic chance of them winning cups and getting a shot at European football, when all clubs were forced to live within their means and not employ creative accounting.

Celtic should still be dominant, but a biiger budget isn’t going to guarantee it, no matter who we buy or sell.

Anyway, back to our expoert media, and lets circle the wagons and keep these idiots  at arms length.

Things aren’t brilliant. We know that. Ronny , Johnny and John know that. Let them get on with sorting it.

We’ve lost more or less a full team since last summer, either through transfers or injury. That is how it is, and that is what they must deal with.

Maybe there really is no pleasing some people.

Are there really supporters out there worried that the possible entrance of a basket of assets to the top table next season will influence Celtics thinking ?

Do we need to worry about this sort of signing…

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You’ll notice that all of their signings are short term.

If i was one of those intrepid sports reporters who kept fans informed and educated about the game, i’d be asking if the short term contracts are because they cannot offer a longer deal due to current financial a, which would be a little like writing a cheque you know is going to bounce ?

But, I’m not, so I won’t.

 

Ach, away from all that nonsense, and back to a time when life was much simpler, apart from starvation, disease, poverty, war, and, oh hang on…

Lets leave it at just a look at our past, with this extract from an article about ….well, read it.

 

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Then again, maybe the future might be okay after all…

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Now, a caption competition

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Dziekanowski's nightclub child
8 years ago

Caption comp

Celtic scouts hard at work looking through pictures of players to see who would look best in the hoops.

I don’t like the media input and don’t buy papers or lisyen to phone ins that pander to yhe lowest common denominator, however everyone around me at the game on saturday was of the opinion that Ronny has had his day and the football on the park is atrocious.

corktim
8 years ago

yeah same as me on sat, majority have seen he is lost in this job,and aswell teams have improved a small bit but we have regressed alarmingly under this manager

seldomsober
8 years ago

That’s below the belt considering the goalie(pavel srnicek) only just passed away.

andybhoy
8 years ago

Not funny that joke about Srnicek, not funny at all.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  andybhoy

Morning Monti….

andybhoy
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Morning M.. oops… who am I today??

seldomsober
8 years ago

I have had my season book since the early 90’s and the football we are watching is drivel, it’s getting to the stage If they don’t do something about the manager and football the entire top tier will be next to empty.
This is the 1st time I’ve ever contemplating not renewing as I’m sick of watching a team play with no ideas.

timbuffy
8 years ago

Wouldn’t go to Stranraer on Saturday – the game’s on Sunday.

Monti
8 years ago

Is that really a joke about Pavel Srnicek? For fuck sake?
That is fucking low!

Let’s see what the teachers pets think……..

Out of order Ralph!

Danny Bhoy
8 years ago

Caption competition:
Lost in translation,
When RD asked Celtic’s scouts to go and find a player to get the fans excited in a record deal this was not what he meant!

Lenny Bruce
8 years ago

The goalkeeper reference -it’s not a joke- is sick and unnecessary.

Delete it, for fucks sake Ralph. It brings down everything else you do.

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago

Just checked aye still 3 points clear at top of the League with a game in hand.
Our scouting has been fairly successful on a Financial front but not so on a Footballing front.
We sign players from abroad with a view to moving them on that’s just how it has to be until that £10m black hole is filled again by whatever incarnation of 2angers appears in August.
I guarantee there won’t be many seats spare in the top tier when they do.
We have been riding through a storm these past 3 years.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

I see you have failed to question the Pavel Srnicek part of today’s diary, Charlie.
You weren’t too slow with condemning honest Hoops yesterday though.

Interesting.

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

I never got the Srnicek joke so I dismissed it (as I do plenty other subjects I have no interest in-see Desi’s piece from yesterday if you need clarification on that).
I got the 66 reference though and felt compelled to respond to it.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Aye ok then…..

8 years ago

Ralph I think the reasons teams are having a go against us is because;
A. We are so bad.

B. We are so predictable.

They can spend an entire week preparing the game plan knowing exactly how Celtic are going to line up.
all they need to do is watch over DVD’s or games against Hearts, Motherwell, Kilmarnock and the likes.

If we varied our formations, varied our play opposing teams wouldnt know exactly how to play against us. They’d have to prepare a Plan A and Plan B to deal with 1 up front or 2 up front etc.

Andy
8 years ago
Reply to  Danny Paton

Danny I agree we are predictable, but worse still we can’t even encourage teams onto us and then counter. I have recently been watching videos of Stuart Armstrong, GMS, James Forrest and Shifty. All of these videos had something in common most (not all) of these moments of brilliance were from quick attacks a against a back line. Unfortunately the way we are playing right now is not conducive to any of these players. Shame we can’t play that style of Football, but every time the opposition attacks it looks like they might score. Ronny please sort out our defense so we can start playing football that suits our young squad.

Macca
8 years ago

Ah, that’s what it is Charlie, we’re missing a strong Rangers to get us to play football of a standard worth paying to watch..

FFS!!

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Macca

Who mentioned “Rangers”?
You should read it again I clearly stated “until that £10m black hole is filled again by whatever incarnation of 2angers appears in August.”
Fist off there is a £10m black hole in our finaces thanks to the DEATH of “Rangers”.
This was confirmed by Pete Lawwell as he explained the drop in Finances away and the reason we have had to develop a different strategy to Transfers these past 4 years.
Secondly attendances have been sliding for about 4 years,mostly in part to do with the economy but also as a result of lack of interest in what some perceive as a one horse race?
It would appear though from the response last season he appetite for these games seems to be there after the 51,000 full house at Hampden last Season in the Cup no matter what incarnation we will play?
Time will tell of course but I reckon I won’t be too fa off the money when we meet.
If you have any facts countering the above then by all means feel free to tell me because I would hate to be ignorant of these facts and be spouting pish based purely on emotion alone.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

You miss them don’t you?

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Nope.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Ye dae…..

Devoy45
8 years ago

Caption (girl on phone)”Monti, me and the ghirls are having an anti-Ronny Dancette Party. Can you and that handsome hunk Andybhoy jive and twist with us?!…”
Caption (girl on phone)”Devoy darling, me and the ghirls are having a pro-Ronny Dancette Party. Can you and that handsome hunk Charlie Saiz jive and twist with us?!…”

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy,
Girl on the phone ” Devoy, you can come but don’t bring Charlie Saiz, he’ll just talk statistics all night and everyone will fall asleep, bring Monti though “!

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Girl on phone “Yes Devoy bring both Montis so I can have a threesome” Turns to her mates…”Honest ladies it’s like pumping Andy Goram”

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

I am much taller than Goram and have all my own teeth, much more acceptable to the ladies.

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

It’s the peronalities(plural) that count for women though.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Never had any trouble with attracting the opposite sex, personalities is second to looks in my book, for example I would rather be with a woman who looks good rather than her having a ‘ great ‘ personality.

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

I managed to get both beautiful inside and out.
The fact she’s a Rangers fan is/was the only drawback.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

What’s her stats? 🙂

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Charlie Saiz, My wife was a Hun as well,
A Hunee,she was that eneamored by me that she changed her religion to the one true faith,thats right she became a Muslim.He He,
Allah Ahkbar,God is Good,it goes without saying that she was visually impaired.
Im not wanting an argument nor do i want to be saturated by Stats,but and there is always a but and you know what it is.

a

a

BJF
8 years ago

Ralph
Poor taste about Pavel. Otherwise re the scouting system, or systems. Surely the system that produced Forster, Victor, Virgil etc isn’t the same as the one that produced, Balde, Pukki (although he at least looked as if he could play football somewhere, just not the pub league).
We are the best team in the League have always been leading , well more or less, and we should and must win it. Bringing in a new manager might well upset the applecart, too big a risk.What will be interesting to see if the aboard wantvRonnie to stay and allow him to buy now to provide a foundation for next year’s Champions League challenge, my guess is they will hedge their bets and allow one defender to come in and maybe a loan striker, no pun intended!

Devoy45
8 years ago

By the way, I agree with Danny Paton above. It is no crime to vary a formation, depending on the weather, the opposition, our own fit or injured players and so on. 4-4-2, 3-5-2 or even 4-3-3. I like the idea behind 4-2-3-1 because it effectively gives us four attackers and four likely goalscorers. Johansen was a big part of that last year so that’s why it’s not working this year. In that system instead of two strikers giving us 20+goals each, we should have four attackers giving us 10+ goals each. We had that last year with Stokes/Griffiths/Commons/Johansen. You could say the 4-2-3-1 is not working as well this year because of injuries and dip in form.

8 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

The problem with 4-2-3-1 in my opinion is specific to domestic home games.

In away games and against European teams the formation functions as it should, in normal football games under normal circumstances.

The attacking wide men get more space to attack in between the midfield and defence and full back and central defenders.

They cant do this at home because they are faced with a wall of 8 or 9 men ahead of them, effectively isolating the 1 guy up top and turning what is intended as an attacking formation into an ineffective one that is neither attacking nor defensive.

Its weakness is enhanced by the fact that ‘bank’ of 3 we have thats supposed to fit into pockets in between midfield and attack and attacking full backs leave us so prone to counter attacks.

They are taken out of games by hoofs up the park.

Last year was masked over to an extent because we had 2 sensational central defenders who, while Simunovic was injured were replaced by 2 absolute clowns dressed in football kits.

Simunovic comes back from injury and whilst 1 defensive clown is replaced, another, I wouldnt call him a clown he’s more of a balloon comes in to replace Griffiths up top.

I am not an advocate of 4-4-2 because what it does, again against blanket defence is encourage passes that go from side to side.

I’m not suggesting a Jock Stein style 2-3-5 but 2 or 3 attackers would put more bodies into the ‘mix’ and the thick of the action, as opposed to the periphery.

Opposing teams now know that.
Theyve played against it numerous times.
Theyve watched DVDs of other teams playing against it.

If our board are intent on backing Deila who has no Plan B, and Collins or Kennedy are unable to bring a credible and effective ‘plan b’ to the table then one of them should be replaced with someone who does..?

K-Dhogg
8 years ago
Reply to  Danny Paton

Great analysis

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Danny Paton

Danny,
Post of the day……..

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Danny Paton

All the fuss about Deila seems to be about the results in Europe.
Deila stated that he would be deploying the same System (rightly in my opinion) on the Domestic front so that when we play in Europe the team does not have to alter it’s approach.
The System is flexible it is not a rigid System when the Wingbacks push up on of the DM’s is meant to drop and hold whilst the other joins the attck this creates a 3 man defence.
Both Brown and Mulgrew had this down perfectly for Scotland under Strachan.
Bitton is not switched on enough IMO ,good player in the making but takes too long on the ball and does not drop when he should.
At the moment or since Brown got injured Deila has been rotating Johansen Armstrong and McGregor in there to find the right paiing for Bitton.
I think he’s the problem and it could well be solved when he misses the next game.
The System worked well both in Europe and on the Domestic font after Christmas last year the performances were alot better in the run in.
Now the fact both Denaayer and VVD have left coupled with the injuries to Lustig and Mulgrew put a severe spanner in the works straight off this Season.
We were left with no option but to throw Boyata (zero European experience) and Jozo in at the deep end.
Jozo’s injury complicated matters more as Ambrose had to step in.
All the while Gordon was having a mare with the constantly changing backline.
The Brown injury ,the loss of form of Johansen and the loss of form of Armstrong severely affected our ability to move the ball forward at pace as a result it all became disjointed and slow again.
The system broke a 96year League defence record last Season.
The System has already bagged us 48 goals in the league ,18 Goals in Europe and 4 goals in the League Cup.
It’s our defence that has cost us dearly not our attack.
Once these key players have retuned to form and once our central defence is settled we will be an entirely different proposition for these teams who “have worked us out”.

LogicAl
8 years ago

Ralph, please consider re posting article without reference to Pavel Srnicek. It’s in poor taste buddy.

Monti
8 years ago

Teachers pets are still quiet…..

Can you imagine if Monti posted that?

Mike Bhoyle
8 years ago

The Smicek reference is bang out of order..and not funny.
Lose it now Ralph..you’re better than that.
As for the team…
We can talk about players and systems and tactics,and you can quote statitics ’til the cows come home…It won’t change the fact that our style of play is crap.
Play a high line against us and we’re clueless.
RD has had his time…time to change things.
I’ve never met so many dispirited fellow Tims in my life…oh and bringing Sevco back won’t help…trust me. !!

Mike Bhoyle
8 years ago

You can quote statistics as well..if you prefer…:0).

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  Mike Bhoyle

Mike Bhoyle,
I second that.

ewanbhoy
8 years ago

We certainly are playing terrible football right now and the big question is, can Ronny turn things around and get the team playing good football which will be good enough for us to qualify for the CL ?
Big improvements must be made in a short space of time and for me I am willing to give him till the end of February to show these improvements but if by then we are still as bad as we are now then his time might be coming to an end. I hope he does get things right but I am worried and even though we are top of the league, it’s our very poor performances that must get better because if not then we might not even qualify for the Europa league next season.
Saying all that, hopefully some good signings and getting our injured players back and players finding form, this Celtic team can and will come good.

Monti
8 years ago

DEILA OUT!

Andy
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Buy a defender and change the tactics.

Plumsaucesaurus
8 years ago

Some people on here need broader horizons. Greeting about a joke like a bunch of perma-offended Huns. Gie us a break.

andybhoy
8 years ago

Who is greeting and what the fuck has that joke got to do with ‘broadening horizons’.

Plumsaucesaurus
8 years ago
Reply to  andybhoy

You and Monti greeting like a pair of Sensitive Sallys over an innocuous joke. The “broader horizons” part is self-explanatory…if you’re getting worked up over a silly joke on a blog then you’re a genuine sad-case and need a hobby.

andybhoy
8 years ago

Nothing about being sensitive numbnuts, merely being respectful to the recently deceased.
As for being a sad case and needing a hobby? are you omniscient, with the powers of the almighty, or are you just a twat that needs a good kicking?

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  andybhoy

🙂

Plumsaucesaurus
8 years ago
Reply to  andybhoy

You can’t kick your drugs habit FFS.

Monti
8 years ago

Plum,
By name and by nature!
There was and is no need to make a joke about Pavel Sernicek, it’s that fucking simple!

Plumsaucesaurus
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Still crying like a massive girl’s blouse Monti ya miserable fud?

Monti
8 years ago

” Ya miserable fud “?
Bit harsh….

🙂

andybhoy
8 years ago

Caption (Ghirl on the phone)
‘Hi Bernadette, no we’re not going to the game today, why not?
have you seen the mince they’re serving up at the moment and it’s no the pies I’m talking about? No, me Bridget, Mary and Teresa are just gonna stay at home, do a bit of bunny boilin and listen to the Tones.

Bgbhoy
8 years ago

Caption- All these pictures of sevco fans and I wouldn’t ride one of them!!!

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Bgbhoy

Bgbhoy,
I have to admit I have dipped a couple of Huns in my youth, to be fair they weren’t bad looking.

🙂

Bgbhoy
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

You where drunk monti

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Bgbhoy

Yes, most definitely!

Monti
8 years ago

I personally hope the rumours of Aidan Mcgeady coming back are true, was gutted to see him leave in the first place.
He has it all, Pace, skill and with Ireland at Euro ’16, you are going to have a highly motivated, quality player on your hands, he will be busting a gut to make that squad.
Anthony Stokes should be another with a Euro 16 place to go for, but this Fugazi of a manager can’t manage him.

Come home Aidan!

Joe
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Stokes going for Euro 16?!

He’s played for Ireland 9 times in 9 years, and he’s scored as many for them as I have.

Nonsense.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Oh I do apologise, I didn’t know you picked the Irish squad?
So if Anthony Stokes was playing regularly at a decent level for a club and scoring regularly, are you saying he wouldn’t be considered like all other Irish players?

I think it’s you who is talking nonsense, sir.

Good day to you.

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

McGeady’s sale paid for Lennys initial squad rebuild and seeing as he wanted to leave Glasgow and further his career I think we did well out of the sale.
He’s not the player he was 3 Seasons ago he hardly get’s a game at Everton for good reason.
Even though I still think he’s way better than either Forrest or GM-S I don’t think we can afford him so it’s a no for me I would rather see us promote from within.

Monti
8 years ago

Caption: Lady on the phone has just heard Charlie Saiz isn’t coming!

seldomsober
8 years ago

For me Stokes(short term answer) has got to be better than playing the Turkish waiter.

Andy
8 years ago
Reply to  seldomsober

Now that offends me.

ewanbhoy
8 years ago

Don’t see the point in bringing McGeady back on loan till the end of the season. It might be good for him but its not going to do our chances of CL qualification any good.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  ewanbhoy

Did you not read my post?
We would be getting a highly motivated player who has a target to reach, it would be a shot in the arm for Celtic!

Lurking Huns? Don’t get confused with the term ‘ shot in the arm ‘…

franko
8 years ago

So did I just read a diary slaughtering the current transfer policy / scouting network; then go on to have a go at Andy Walker for doing the exact same thing?

schoosh71
8 years ago

We all know what RD wants his team to play like and at the end of last season we seen it come to fruition. He has been unable to take that good form into the new season, it happens. Just look at Mourinho. It’s the ‘players’ who aren’t playing as a team. It’s the players on the park that are responsible not the formation. 4-2-3-1 isn’t ridged, when we are on top and in control of a game it becomes a 4-2-4 and when we are under pressure it becomes a 4-5-1. Now what is it that the players can’t understand. From what I see is players getting a rush of blood to their brain(?) and losing their shape and playing the 2-8 formation that leaves us vulnerable from ANY team. HH

caption- Yeh ‘Rod’ we are all ready.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  schoosh71

Are you drinking heavily?

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  schoosh71

Spot on and in line with what Brown,Lustig and now Johansen have said about players taking responsibility for their actions on the pitch.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Interesting that the players seem to be protecting Deila, I thought it was meant to be the other way round.
That’s what happens when you make it up as you go along tho.

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Or could it simply be they are having to speak up and tell it like it is due to the amount of unwarranted nonsense peddled on a daily basis by the Internet Steins,Cloughs & Shankly’s ?

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Charlie Saiz,
Interesting that Broonies the club captain,
Lustigs injury means hes playing at half pace and is the clubs vice captain and Johansons teachers pet and a fanny.

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

All 3’s form has been poor his Season all 3 has stood up and owned it.
Others have failed to comment or acknowledge their part.
Apart from Griffiths who open admitted last month he was gash and should be putting his chances away.
There is a with hunt going on right now with Deila on line and in the Media jus look at the headlines we are getting even though despite all the pish ,written and spoken there we sit on top of the pile?
Deila talks sense has done since he came.
Selling VVD losing key men to injury have greatly affected his plans and our ability to operate anywhere near the level we reached last season.
But hey the doubters can dismiss that as shite all they want I have watched Celtic long enough to know when the time is right for change and mid season when on top of the league still in 3 Competitions with key men still to come back to form is not it.

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

have’

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Conveniently missing out the embarrassing performances and results in Europe under Deila!

Andy
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

When we beat those big teams in Europe under Lennon did all of their fans start trying to get their manager replaced. Now I understand that there is a huge difference between Molde and Barcelona, but my point is we are right in the middle. We were their Barcelona.

maryhillbhoy
8 years ago

Ralph please remove the srnicek joke, it demeans you and all of us.
Mike totally agree re the feelings amongst the support.
Charlie saiz do you really think it’s good enough that a collection of 90% of the best players in the country are 3 points clear? It’s not just about winning that’s the hun way! Do you enjoy the football we play, do you look forward to going to the game?

Bgbhoy
8 years ago
Reply to  maryhillbhoy

He doesn’t go to the games. If he did and sampled ye atmosphere he would have a different opinion. Or if he tried to present stats walking out the Celtic end on Saturday someone would have offered a slap

andybhoy
8 years ago
Reply to  Bgbhoy

😀

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Bgbhoy

🙂

Andy
8 years ago
Reply to  Bgbhoy

I agree the atmosphere is terrible. I’m not there, but I can tell when I watch the games on Celtic TV. I look forward to EVERY game. Oh how I wish I could be there.
An’ you lot moan and groan your way through the game. Almost wishing for a reason to leave the stadium complaining. You think the players don’t feel that? When Izzy is the last man or Shifty has a chance to score? You think they don’t feel the doubt and fear emanating from the stands? That probably makes them shit their pants, “oh flock I’m going to be the next scape goat.”
Those of you that are oh so good with the ladies will know just a second of doubt in front of her and she is going home with that arrogant prick at the end of the bar.
All of us must stop losing before a ball is kicked, we must stop feeling hard done by and we have to start feeling like winners because in spite of everything. In spite of 9-in a row from cheating scum. In spite of our club being on the ropes guess flocking what? We still won and still flocking are! Shoot some of that shit into your arm before you go to matches! Maybe, just maybe you will start to feel more confident and that will run off on our Bhoys who must know everytime they pull on those hoops they represent a very important dream within every Celtic Supported all flocking 9 Million of us!

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  maryhillbhoy

Ralph wrote it that has no bearing on anyone bar him.
Form is temporary we have had a slow start to the Season Aberdeen have had a decent start to theirs the class divide is not that great man man for man IMO so all it takes is for 3 or 4 of our side to be playing below average then the gap becomes irrelevant.
Teams raise their game when they face the fancied teams that’s how it is and always has been in Football.
We no we have several more gears to find can Aberdeen say the same?
Good sides win when playing shit really good sides keep a clean sheet and win when playing shit.
Not pretty to watch but hey it;s still as effective come point tallying time in May.
Browns been poor-injued
Lustig has picked it up but was poor and injured
Mulgrew would have steadied that defence if fit again out injured
Johansen has been poor and injured last seasons POTY
Commons has been average and again had injury issues
Armstong another who has been poor this Season
Ciftci has yet to prove himself
Mackay Steven has been poor when given a start.
Simunovic came in as VVD’s replacement..again injured early on
That’s a helluva list don’t you think?
Key men in key areas out or off form plus bedding in a new Central pairing?
fs top of the League is fairly good going I think considering all of the above?

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Charlie Saiz,
or maybe just maybe they are not trying to hard for the management team,if not why not?
Hope im wrong but i thought a couple of months ago they had lost the senior players.

Andy
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

Maybe, just maybe they are not trying hard enough for a bing of whinging moaning fans. Celtic, Celtic, Celtic. Oh a goal……

tony carlin
8 years ago

caption competition:

woman on phone “ive just been on to Anne Summers and told them they sent the wrong type of rabbit!”

andybhoy
8 years ago
Reply to  tony carlin

😀

Brian53
8 years ago

Caption competition:
“Hello Mr Keevins it’s Morag fie Govan, can you do twist & shout again”

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  Brian53

Caption,
Hello Mr Lawwell its Marydoll from Govan,you know Rabs wife,
I can tell you about a player who costs nout and is so cheap that hes willing to pay for the privellidge of playing for the Hoops,whats his name its Chris Boyed.

Devoy45
8 years ago

Right now, I’m NOT enjoying the football we’re playing or going to games where we struggle for 90 minutes against teams we should handle easily 3/4/5-nil.I think/hope/pray it is a bad patch that will come good shortly. Football (and life) is just like that sometimes. I want to see repeats of some of our good passing, fast-flowing football, the Celtic Way. We’ve seen some of it last year and this. I don’t understand what’s happened to Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Lustig (sometimes)and especially Johansen. How and why does a good player lose form? Johansen should be rested, given a few weeks off. We should see Allan more. Naw, somethings not working right now.
Caption: “Naw, don’t bring Monti after all. He’s been dipping Huns lately…and don’t bring that old Fenian Devoy. He only trouser tents when The Celtic play sweet-flowing football which means right now he cannae get it up at all…but honey, I can do statistics all night long…”

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Ha Feckin Ha,but i know a man whos got a big tager,whats his name ah canny remember but he can spout pish and stats all day long.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy,
Do you think anyone should be cracking wise cracks at the recently deceased, Pavel Srnicek?
Thoughts?
Your sideshow buddy doesn’t have the balls to condemn it, do you?

delbhoy
8 years ago

Shame on you for that attempt at a joke , thats disgraceful from someone who runs a web site . I hope that people dont think thats the kind of people celtic fans are

delbhoy
8 years ago

Monti cant agree about mcgeady , time and time again under strachen he would be passed the ball run down the line do a couple of stepovers and lose the ball. Please naw

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  delbhoy

delbhoy,
No problem with you disagreeing with me on Mcgeady, I see it a different way tho! HH!

Monti
8 years ago

Still no criticism from Charlie Saiz…..

Oh dear…

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Back to trolling again I see.
Think you will find I answered that one 2 hours ago.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

You answered fuck all brown nose!
Because it was Ralph, you dare not criticise.
You have no balls.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

If that ‘ joke ‘ about Srnicek was posted by a non brown noser, you would have been all over it.
Sleekit!

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

We all have differing levels of acceptance Monti perhaps I have moe affinity with death of 66 Rangers Supporters than I do with a former Newcstle player I have never met or even had an interest in prior to todays we spat instigated by yours truly.
You think and do what you want Monti It has no relevance to me whatsoever.
Much like Srnicek’s untimely and unfortunate demise.

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Btw you are the site troll.
Another fact for you to dismiss.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

“Srnicek’s death has no relevance to you”?
What a total fucking moron of a man you are, I’m glad you have showed your true self….
Fucking idiot!

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Oh dear!

Monti
8 years ago

Caption: Lady on the phone has just heard Ronny Deila mention the words, progress, treble and Champions league qualification….
She is relaying it to the rest of her pals….

Run Sammy Run
8 years ago

Woman on phone: If yiou’re looking for my scud mags, they’re under the bed.

Sean O'Kane
8 years ago

I enjoy reading the daily diaries for all the different opinions, and I know that humour can be quite subjective, but theat ‘joke’ about Srnicek really is tasteless. The majority of us celtic fans have higher standards, surely?

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Sean O'Kane

Very surprised at that from Ralph, but not as surprised at the lack of criticism from a few of the brown noses.
Honest Hoops got a bit of stick yesterday for less…..

🙂

Raymobhoy
8 years ago

I dont think that asking for 2 up front is an “absurd declaration”. Leicester arent doing too bad with it.

“Let them get on with sorting it” but they are not. They are not doing anything but repeating everything over again.
If we dont do something now, the League might not be the given that everyone thinks it is.

I do love the diary, but dont usually comment when things are going well. I think thats why there does seem to be a lot of negativity on here.

delbhoy
8 years ago

I think mckay steven should be given an extended run on the left before any talk of mcgeady

bigbhoy
8 years ago

For me the only major difference from this year to last, is the quality of the centre halfs I am not saying that Boyata and Simunivoc are bad players by any stretch thet are both decent young defenders that will improve over time. We were lucky last year to have two centre halfs who were extremely comfortable on the ball and could easily step out of defence and begin an attack, Denayer struggled with this initially but really flourished as his time went on. Maybe Pantic is more of a ball playing centre half and this is what RD needs right now. He does not want to change the style of football so he really needs to have a centre half who is comfortable on the ball and can begin attacks.

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  bigbhoy

Think I just heard the sound of a Penny dropping ….

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Nope,
That was your solitary brain cell dropping!

Quick Draw
8 years ago

Top of the league with a game in hand. Still in contention for the treble. Two trophies in the bag last season with the chance to make it five in two years. The football might not be pretty, and I’ll be the first to say that this season has been extremely frustrating in regards to the performances on the park, however we are a big team with a budget of an English league 1 team. We live within our means and are, as of now, on track to make a domestic clean sweep this season.

I remember the 90’s very fucking well and even then, when we couldn’t win a fucking thing and didn’t have two quid to rub together we stood by our team.

Deila has a plan, and damn it, it’s a good plan. But please tell me again how he’s ruining our club and how Moyes is going to be our saviour.

If any one of you can give me the name of a manager that would be able to deliver success within our current financial structure to the same degree that Deila has (And he has!) then let’s hear it.

The Scottish press have latched on to our in fighting and are now actively pushing an anti Deila campaign whilst simultaneously lauding a morally and soon to be financially bankrupt football club… Company…fucking whatever they are, for signing Accrington Stanley wonderkids. Are you fucking kiddimg me?

I’d even go so far as to suggest that the flood of negativity coming from the press is having a knock on effect on the players. We have a talented team, We have seen it… Second half of last season showed it. But consider the passion and the positivity coming from the support whilst we were barrelling down on the treble, Deila had the fans on his side and the players seen that at the end of each game when they won. Now the fans have turned on him (at least a notable amount of them have) and the rags are running stories daily about how the fans want rid of him and how the team is “rotten”, which actually appeared in a headline of an article today. The team look scared at times, unwilling to play a killer ball, they are passing sideways and backwards way to often, all clear signs of a lack of confidence.

The saddest part of all is that I know that nothing I or Ralph or anyone else says will change any of this.

This isn’t the Celtic way. We support the team, no matter what. We have suffered through a lot fucking worse and when we did we stood together as one voice, as one family. We filled our new Stadium, We rejoiced at stopping ten in a row and we shed tears when Henrik left.

Now it’s a treble or you’re canned.

Support the team and try and remember that not that long ago we cried with joy when Tommy won the Scottish Cup.

Oh, and the joke was in bad taste, however this is the internet, everything is in bad taste. Get a grip.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Quick Draw

Utter shite!

Run Sammy Run
8 years ago
Reply to  Quick Draw

I’m standing and applauding, that’s a Larsonesque chip over the huns keeper type of post. Well written, well said, well done!

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Run Sammy Run

Run Sammy Run,
Thanks m8!

charlie
8 years ago
Reply to  Quick Draw

quick draw couldnae agree more mate some on here crying every day about ronny are childlike in my opinion we all know things could be better at the club but them repeating it every day is borng the arse aff me COYBIG

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Meh!

ewanbhoy
8 years ago
Reply to  Quick Draw

Well said, I’m not happy with the football at the minute but I’m hopeful that will come good soon.

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Quick Draw

It might have been a quick draw but by christ it was terrific shot bang on target.
Well said that man the loudest voices you here on the net are those who constantly moan.
The reason being it is constant and repetitive.
Some of us offer up some hope,some fact and some stats to back the Manager,the side up and as you will see in the response to the post above it is dismissed and ridiculed in an instant.
Well said that man.
HH

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Hahahaha

Quick Draw
8 years ago

Top of the league with a game in hand. Still in contention for the treble. Two trophies in the bag last season with the chance to make it five in two years. The football might not be pretty, and I’ll be the first to say that this season has been extremely frustrating in regards to the performances on the park, however we are a big team with a budget of an English league 1 team. We live within our means and are, as of now, on track to make a domestic clean sweep this season.

I remember the 90’s very fucking well and even then, when we couldn’t win a fucking thing and didn’t have two quid to rub together we stood by our team.

Deila has a plan, and damn it, it’s a good plan. But please tell me again how he’s ruining our club and how Moyes is going to be our saviour.

If any one of you can give me the name of a manager that would be able to deliver success within our current financial structure to the same degree that Deila has (And he has!) then let’s hear it.

The Scottish press have latched on to our in fighting and are now actively pushing an anti Deila campaign whilst simultaneously lauding a morally and soon to be financially bankrupt football club… Company…fucking whatever they are, for signing Accrington Stanley wonderkids. Are you fucking kiddimg me?

I’d even go so far as to suggest that the flood of negativity coming from the press is having a knock on effect on the players. We have a talented team, We have seen it… Second half of last season showed it. But consider the passion and the positivity coming from the support whilst we were barrelling down on the treble, Deila had the fans on his side and the players seen that at the end of each game when they won. Now the fans have turned on him (at least a notable amount of them have) and the rags are running stories daily about how the fans want rid of him and how the team is “rotten”, which actually appeared in a headline of an article today. The team look scared at times, unwilling to play a killer ball, they are passing sideways and backwards way to often, all clear signs of a lack of confidence.

The saddest part of all is that I know that nothing I or Ralph or anyone else says will change any of this.

This isn’t the Celtic way. We support the team, no matter what. We have suffered through a lot fucking worse and when we did we stood together as one voice, as one family. We filled our new Stadium, We rejoiced at stopping ten in a row and we shed tears when Henrik left.

Now it’s a treble or you’re canned.

Support the team and try and remember that not that long ago we cried with joy when Tommy won the Scottish Cup.

Oh, and the joke was in bad taste, however this is the internet, everything is in bad taste. Get a grip

Frank McGaaaaarvey
8 years ago

When did criticism of the manager and/or the players from Tic fans turn into a shady conspiracy by the smsm? The ghood fholk who go to games have eyes in their head and pass judgement on what they see regardless if they are daft enough to buy a rag of a newspaper or worse listen to a phone-in. What they have been seeing thus far this season has been inept, insipid and predictable. We are rudderless, leaderless and utterly without spine or fight which is the most unforgiving fact about a Celtic team that you can possibly state. FFS, even Lou Macari’s teams probably had more bite to them! I hate to admit it, but it is now a chore going to Parkhead of a matchday and if you had told me that as a nipper, when I would get butterflies on the approach to Celtic Park and seeing those floodlights, I would have thought you were insane.

And, no, these are not the words of Spew Keevins, Keeck Jackson or even a Dandy Walker. They are mine and it is quite heartbreaking to have to type them.

RIP Pavel Srnicek.

Monti
8 years ago

Well said Frank!
Spot on!

charlie
8 years ago

i still get butterflies every time i get near paradise but i dont cry when we have a bad game anymore its called growing up ha ha

Frank McGaaaaarvey
8 years ago
Reply to  charlie

‘A bad game’??? If you think this season has been about a bad game then I give up. What do you do when we are watching regression week-in week-out? Just say “Ho-hum, it’ll all come good in the end. La la la”. If that is your version of growing up you can shove it. Were you still happy clapping under the Whites and the Kellys?

Monti
8 years ago

They probably think Cambuslang would have been the better option to staying put!

Frank McGaaaaarvey
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti, Cambuslang is never the answer to anything except for a route to get to Rutherglen (in order to get to Toryglen) or Hamilton!

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Used to drink in the Vogue bar in Rutherglen, is it still there Frank?
The Vogue that is, not Rutherglen.

Frank McGaaaaarvey
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

It certainly is Monti, a sanctuary for Tims in an otherwise loyalist and orange Ruggie, before the safe haven of Toryglen is reached (ask Desi Mond).

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Charlie,
If your all grown up why are you constantly pished?

andybhoy
8 years ago

Well said Squiggly, absolutely correct.
Also, a question to all Celtic supporters, would you give Deila funds, if there are any, to spend in the transfer window?

Frank McGaaaaarvey
8 years ago
Reply to  andybhoy

Andy, definitely not. I haven’t called for Ronny’s head yet this season because I am loathe to do that with any Celtic manager but there comes a breaking point and it was breached long ago.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  andybhoy

Andybhoy,
Wouldn’t trust him with a Sunday league team, he is bluffing his way through…
Deila knows it, Lawwell knows it……so does the dressing room and supporters!

andybhoy
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

So true M and a helluva lot have known since day one.

Monti
8 years ago

Quick draw,
Do you think that by just covering our eyes that things will get better?
Most of us on here are probably of an age to remember the 90’s.
We have all seen good and bad Celtic teams through the years and yes, we stood by our team and club, in fact I remember feeling more proud and closer to my team the worse things got.
I don’t feel a sense of entitlement where Celtic is concerned and believe firmly that we can only be successful if the whole support and club are united.
Watching those Huns win 9 on a row changed me, I believe it changed our support, mentally and emotionally.
What is frustrating the fucking life out of me is this current board, they treat our support with a contempt and arrogance, usually associated with our dead foes.
They do not stand or speak for us, they have not fought the Police intimidation of our young fans, they are not fighting the SFA over the years of cheating Huns, this board are taking our money and laughing.
This board take gambles with the clubs success which is fucking outrageous, we want better on the park, the club should be vibrant and pushing on, we are neither.
Celtic are on the slide and it’s getting worse, never mind this pish about three points clear, we should be twenty clear in this league.
This manager plays one striker up front against Hamilton and Partick?
A lot of fucking nonsense!

Thewildgoose
8 years ago

Respect going out to the Leith CSC for their response to those cunts fae sky. Aiden McGeady, yer having a laugh, a selfish one trick pony with little end product. Tony Stokes will never be an international regular mainly down to his stinking attitude rather than footballing ability.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Thewildgoose

Pish!

charlie
8 years ago

see this crowdfunding james doleman lark its fucking brillant the zombies are going tonto like zombies do ha ha

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Aye but what about our own house?

charlie
8 years ago

james doleman says charlie g bought the stock at sevco for a pound i wonder if that included the stolen trophies ha ha

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  charlie

How much did he pay for the St. Etienne Racer?

charlie
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

more than h paid for the tv income dont you just luvam ha ha

charlie
8 years ago
Reply to  charlie

he also paid 1and a half mill for the deeds ha ha

Devoy45
8 years ago

Monti and others: I do condemn Ralph for the sick ‘joke’. Poor taste, not funny at all. Sometimes all of us push humour too far. It’s a mistake and I reckon Ralph will atone for it but he was wrong to do it.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Well done for saying so Devoy, I see your pal Charlie Saiz described the death of Srnicek as ” an irrelevance to him “?
Bit of a fuckwit yon bloke eh?

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

The full quote: “You think and do what you want Monti It has no relevance to me whatsoever.
Much like Srnicek’s untimely and unfortunate demise.”

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Dear oh dear, it’s still at it….

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