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Celtic Diary Sunday March 6: Group Hug!!

Prior to the game today, instead of the traditional huddle in the centre circle, how about all the squad, all the managment and coaches, in fact everyone including those who normally sit in the boardroom and take selfies to send to their pals-well, i don’t see any other reason as to why they are there- should get into a big group hug.

This will wash away all the little niggly ( it’s okay-I’ve checked. I can say that word. ) doubts and fears that everyone has within themselves and each other, and then we can get the show back on the road.

Celtic host Morton at lunchtime in the Scottish cup, and run of the mill tie against a lower league side is fast becoming a potential banana skin.

How anything can be potentially a banana skin is beyond me. Its either a banana skin or it isn’t. Same with apple peel, orange peel and coconut shells. Hailing from the west of Scotland , you’ll have noticed that fruit isn’t my speciality.

Theres still time to decide on nipping down to the ground for the game, if,  of course you live close enough, and theres a whole world of pre match entertainment before kick off to help sway those who are still to make their mind up.

9:00am: Celtic Superstore opens. Pop in before the game and relive some ‘goal’den Celtic memories with £10 off our classic range of retro Celtic shirts.

When the Bhoys score today, you can get the goalscorer’s name and number on the back of any new 2015/16 New Balance Celtic shirt at no extra cost.* This great offer is available immediately after the final whistle and ends when the Celtic stores close on Monday, March 7.

Adult home, away or third 2015/16 New Balance shirts are available from £29 and from just £19 for children.

9:30am: The Ticket Office at Celtic Park opens. Supporters can buy or collect tickets for today’s game right up until kick-off at 12 noon. You’ll find all the latest Celtic ticket information here.

10:30am: Stadium opens.

The official matchday programme will be available around Celtic Park and for a special combined price of just £4 fans can also get their hands on the latest issue of the Celtic View.

There will be no Paradise Windfall this Sunday but you still have a chance to win a £5,000 jackpot with our ‘Captain Edition’ scratchcards. Keep an eye out for the famous yellow jerseys in the North and South Stands.  

12:00pm: Kick-off. The main event, come on the Hoops!

1.45pm: On the final whistle, the Kerrydale Bar opens and we’ll have live Scottish Cup action with Hibernian v Inverness Caledonian Thistle showing live on the big screen before the bar closes at 3pm.


No paradise windfall !

Right, I’m putting the helicopter away and watching it on the telly.

If ever there was an example of the penny pinching , money grabbing , biscuit t tin hiding mentality making a return its not holding the already downsized paradise windfall because it won’t make any money.

Due to licensing laws, you can’t even get a drink before the game.

When you look at todays attendance, its worth taking other factors into account as well. Turning up at Celtic Park at nine in the morning to get a tenner off a shirt they probably already have isn’t going to draw the crowds in.

What would draw the crowds in, not today, granted, but for the rest of the season, would be a swashbuckling performance of attacking and entertaining football.

With that in mind, lets look at the probable line up for this afternoons game…

Craig Gordon will be between the sticks, Mikael Lustig, Erik Svaitchenko , Dedryck Boyata and Keiran Tierney will give a little continuity in defence, and Scott Brown will be one of two holding midfielders , probably alongside Tom Rogic. There could be a place for Kris commons in beside Stuart Armstrong and Patrick Roberts, or maybe even Scott Allen.

Leigh Griffiths will be expected to add to his haul of goals in his role up front, and if it all goes to plan, Celtic should win comfortably.

What we need from the players is a lot more focus, a lot more fight and a lot more effort. If they do that, the result won’t be in any doubt.

They all know what they have to do, and they simply need to go out and do it.

Just stick to the plan.

Oh, and if you are bored you can always go along to this event next month…

I’d just like to remind everyone of the backing that these two have given the club in recent weeks, and how they are fully behind the manager and in no way adding to any unrest that may or may not be currently an issue behind the scenes.

Still, if you want to go , you go.

I’d rather nail my bollocks to the dinner table and hit them with a lump hammer.

In the cup yesterday, an exhausted Dundee failed to lift themselves for a tie against a lower league side, and as a result, crashed out of the competition. as a tribute to the new club who beat them, we present the Ibrox 2016 Lady Of The Month for March.

It’s refreshing to see lower league sides have a crack at a major trophy, and fans of the Ibrox side must thank Sir David murray for leading Rangers into liquidation to allow a wider spread of big days out for lower level clubs, as its always nice to see a club believe it can win  its first major trophy.

Right, I’ve a lot to do before the game starts, and befiore i go, i’d just like to congratulate a couple of old pals on their wedding anniversary;

Enjoy the game, and don’t worry, we’ll be fine.

Meantime, amuse yourself by coming up with an appropriate and witty rejoinder for this picture..

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mike
8 years ago

WOW,she is a Hunee,goat her tele. no, Ralphy?

Now repeat after me Common The Hoops,yesterdays result was well yesterday,so today we are looking for a reply a statement of intent.Lets hope we get it.

H.H.

basqueceltic
8 years ago

Heeeeeeeere’s Ronnie………..Ralph,7-0 today,total domination.If not,players should be dropped and those with more conviction given a chance……..change has to start somewhere,why not today.COYBIG.

basqueceltic
8 years ago

4-3-3 and no Boyata,jo’s back,Commons starts…….some changes ,lets see.

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  basqueceltic

Basque, My best Formation 4-3-3,been going on about it for 20months,are you listening Ronny.

Mike Annis
8 years ago

Look, for the last time, you don’t have to go on the bus trip to Ibrox.

Monti
8 years ago

Charlie Saiz,
Apologies for calling you a ‘ dickhead ‘ last night, no need for that on reflection!

Prediction today: (with Ambrose) Celtic 1 Morton 1 – replay at cappielow.

(without Ambrose) Celtic 3 Morton 0

For those of you with Sky, there’s one of those ‘ Greatest clubs ‘ programmes on, it’s about the Lisbon Lions.
I have seen this programme a thousand times and I still listen like I’m watching it for the first time.
Ronny Deila at the start of his Celtic ‘ reign ‘ should have made the squad watch this programme at least twice a week throughout his time!

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Cool Monti to be fair I called you a Dundonian.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Charlie Saiz,
I think I was the more harshly treated 🙂

I have worked in Dundee but I don’t like the place!

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Are you two pricks still on about Bonny Dundee?

Repeat after me, I am a Dick,Dundees Braw,

Repeat again, I am a Dick Dundees Braw.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike,
Shut the fuck up Donny…your out of your element!
Did you bring the wringer?
Dundee is a shithole, full of Scaghead junkies out their pus on methadone! 🙂

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

Michty Me and help ma boab,Maw and Paw listen tae whet that Bawbag is sayin aboot Bonny Dundee.Well whit else di ye expect from a toffee nosed Edinburger shithead.
His comment aboot oor wee Daphne is shockin.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike,
Can you get Wi-Fi in your Fintry penthouse 🙂

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Charlie Saiz,
Would one like a ‘ PEH ‘ Broons sauce optional 🙂

Hahahahahaha
Mike,
Do you live at 10 Glebe Street? 🙂
Soapy

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Why diy you think ae wis pushin for Soapy Soutter tae come and play fur us.

And hear this Montgomery if ae ever find your address, oh shockerooni Ralphy will ken.
Ralphy where does he stay,please,please let me ken?
Whits that? the Royal Hemmerroid st.Edinburgh,
right Mrs Mikey,get ma coat.

Mick
8 years ago

Ffs,Ralph.

That pit me right aff ma pint!

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Mick

Dinnae gie us yer pish, she’d be a looker in Dundee!
It’s all boarded up flats and Buckfast…a bit like Lancashire actually 🙂

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Mick

….of lemonade? 🙂

Iancelt67
8 years ago

caption
jack tries his best to get tickets for the upcoming sutton/hartson extravaganza. security reminds him its just for those with double digit iqs. those are keith jacksons orders and if he had only brought a copy of todays daily record he could maybe get in

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago

Caption “And another thing Jack this fucking Vibrator is useless”

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

“You ruined mothers day ya prick shagging that imaginary burd in the bar..noo am goony rap this roon yer nut Jack ya bawsack”

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Charlie Saiz,
I’d love to meet your mum, I bet she would tell me stories about you talking shite as a kid? 🙂

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Unless you have a black belt in Ouija then you have next to no chance of having a conversation with ma wee maw.
Sure we all talked some shite as kids Monti 😉

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Sorry to hear that mate, lost my Dad when I was 18, myself so I know how it feels!

wulz
8 years ago

Monti
Is that bobs Mrs ?
HH

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  wulz

Wulz,
I can confirm it is, although she appears to have lost a lot of weight.

wulz
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

lol,
She certainly has !
HH

cliftbhoy
8 years ago

Never mind the hope, get behind the team and let’s hear some of the rousing stuff from yesteryear without, the sectarian bit of course, and let the team feel the support coming from the crowd.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  cliftbhoy

Cliftbhoy,
What sectarian bit are you referring to?
Before you answer though, you are aware that supporting Irish nationalism or indeed Republicanism is non sectarian?

Go on…..

Iancelt67
8 years ago

looks like one of my plenty of fish dates

Uralius
8 years ago

I saw Bob’s wife make a champagne bottle dissappear do you think she could do the wi this Jack?

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Uralius

Uralius,
Do you think she could make Deila disappear?

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago

Celtic team to face Morton: Gordon; Lustig, Sviatchenko, Mulgrew, Tierney; McGregor, Brown, Johansen; Commons, Griffiths, Mackay-Steven
Subs: Bailly, Rogic, Roberts, Ambrose, Kazim-Richards, Forrest, Armstrong.
I think he will stick with 4-2-3-1
With Brown and Johansen in the DM slots and Mulgrew slotting in at CB.
Commons in at 10 with McGregor on the left.

Uralius
8 years ago

Finally an A symmetric front line! GMS out wide left to stretch the Morton defense. Fucking brilliant. It’s official Deila follows ETims! 5-1 if all players turn up.

Uralius
8 years ago

Scratch that he has them sitting in….

rebus67
8 years ago

OK. Fast flowing football here. Celtic 2 up. Griff, of course and then GMS from a Tierney cross.
Where is the crowd? The terraces look empty.
Morton not without danger, tho’.
Lustig took a knock prior to the second goal.

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

The pace has gone out of the game a little. As Celtic start to pas the ball around.
By the by, Mulgrew is at CH and our old friend, Denny Johnston is against him for Morton.

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

Beautiful cross from Tierney and Commons misses foefully with a header.

Ooops! 3-0 MacGregor advances in from the right and hits a beauty into the top left of the Morton goal.
Prediction: Celtic will win this game!!

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

Celtic picking Morton off now. GMS misses a good chance.

Good football from Celtic.

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

The slower pace of the game suits Morton. They have a period of possession. They are not a bad team, but are well below Celtic class.

Our target here should be to beat 4-0 for some reason.

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

The ref finally realises that the yellow card matches the Morton jersey. He books Miller. About time. He has avoided cards for MOrton, even although he booked Erik for similar tackles earlier.
Colum does not pull up Miller again for a bad tackle on Jo Hansen. Johansen is down, hopefully not out. The ref blows for halftime to avoid a decision. Pathetic! Sometimes the game seems too quick for Collum, or he simply does not understand what he sees. A poor ref.

Rebus

Iancelt67
8 years ago

playing ok cinsidering it looks like a game behind closed doors with a smattering of strangers clad in green. johansen took a sore one

rebus67
8 years ago

Of for a cup of tea since it is just 7.50 am here.

Rebus

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  rebus67

Where?

Rebus67
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Ottawa, Canada

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

CZR on in place of Johansen and we have switched to 442.

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

The only downside I can see to Tierney is his lack of height. Excellent player overall.

Morton getting more of the play.

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

Celtic arrogance returns. PLayers showing how clever they are and playing no purpose football.

Morton break and get a chance which they miss.

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

Roberts coming on to replace Griff.

Should be interesting to see him against a team like Morton.

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

Roberts bursts into the box, shoots and hits the post!

Rebus

AyrCelt
8 years ago

Still not convinced, the decision making at times is terrible. At least its a win

rebus67
8 years ago
Reply to  AyrCelt

Ayr,

I agree. Maybe it was because the urgency went out of the team in the second half.

I still have a feeling that against an average team, we could easily lose. The defence does not look solid and we overwork the ball in the final third. Much of our shooting is powderpuff.

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

Morton move into attack, win a corner. Total chaos in the Celtic defence and, luckily, Morton fail to capitalise.

This is a different game in the second half. Celtic have lowered their pace and have lost some cohesion up front. Where is the killer instinct?

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

GMs misses a sitter set up by Roberts.

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

Armstrong coming on, probably to replace GMS….we hope.
GMS good first half, powderpuff in the second.

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

This is Robert’s game as he shoots and the goalie saves for a corner. Armstrong on now.

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

Correction. Commons is offski.

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

Roberts is ripping Morton apart, slides the ball into CZR who shows his skills by bloatering the ball into orbit.

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

Come on Celtic get at least 4. Armstrong shoots goalie fumbles; CZR attacks the ball and goalie brings him down….no penalty. Foul to Morton. Collum is foefull. If CZR does not score, he will kill someone.

REbus

rebus67
8 years ago

5 mins left and there will be no destruction of Morton. Disappointing that they cannot score at least one in this half.

Rebus

rebus67
8 years ago

Barr shoots and just misses to win a corner. Corner cleared.

No more comments until this is over.

Rebus

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago

I think we looked alot better in the first half.
Kazim Bangura is mince btw.

rebus67
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Ha, ha!

Rebus

Uralius
8 years ago

Wow that 4-4-2 was devastating in the 2nd half.

rebus67
8 years ago
Reply to  Uralius

Uralius,

It is a clever plan by the coach to show that 4231 is the only option!

Let me be charitable and commend him for trying it.

Rebus

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  rebus67

🙂

Uralius
8 years ago
Reply to  rebus67

Totally agree Rebus, I have been banging on for some time about playing 1 wide player on their natural side to stretch defenses glad he did that in the first half. Also glad he allowed the 2 midfielders either side of Broony to rotate going forward as opposed to rotating backwards into the defensive line. It makes for a simpler tactic where less players need eyes in the back of their head.

Morto
8 years ago
Reply to  Uralius

I don’t think he did change the system, just dropped Griff in where Johanson was.

Iancelt67
8 years ago

commons is average now not enough around him for him to hide. roberts a class apart. would like to see him team up with our other playrr with s football brain… rogic. griffiths a petulant brat. this shit has to stop its embarassing

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

Iancelt,
Calm down neebs, I don’t like seeing a Celtic player doing that either, but we didn’t have that ” petulant brat ” I doubt if we would be in with a chance of two trophies.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

If

Thewildgoose
8 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

What did the Griff do, must have missed it?

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Thewildgoose

Just looked pissed off,kicked a water bottle or something….

john young
8 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

Lancethecelt67 he Roberts is what we pay for,great ability and awareness,I would play him in the middle because we have no one like him,problem is he needs a bit of strength around him something we don,t have as Broonie is gone,McGregor is the best of the rest he uses the ball well but won,t ever dominate in a game.

rebus67
8 years ago

Game over. 3-0 Celtic. No goals in the second half.

Tierney was excellent. I note that Erik has fallen into the bad habits of Celtic CHs, hammering the ball aimlessly up the park…pity. Mulgrew not challenged so do not know if his lack of pace will be a problem. Brown was better today, MacGregor, a player I have consistently underestimated was good. Have we missed his kind of solid distribution in the “Three”, possibly. Griff was Griff. Lustig will need to be replaced, sadly. His injuries have taken him out of high level football. Johansen was good in the first half and harried Morton into mistakes. Hope he is not seriously injured. Roberts electric….we must use him better. He is left to create his own opportunities. A good pass to this guy and he will terrorise defences. CZR ….well, who knows? I doubt he will set the heather on fire. Maybe if he plays as a holdup man, he will contribute. So far, is he better that Ciftci or Scepovic….Nope.
Commons…not his best day, but he is experienced and maybe that contributed to the excellent first half. But why oh why can we not play two halves of football?

Overall, a positive day. Who is up next?????

REbus

PS The ref was poor. This guy needs retrained in the arts of refing……poor decision making and inconsistent throughout the match.

rebus67
8 years ago

Finally, the caption:

The new CEO is congratulated on his appointment!

Rebus

maryhillbhoy
8 years ago

First half was ok second half very very poor possession with no end product, Roberts is a genuine talent CKR is a hold up target man ffs give him a partner spoke to the guys around me some of them have sat there since the rebuild nobody wants to renew under Ronnie not a scientific survey just an observation.

Monti
8 years ago

I don’t know what the fuss is regarding the Hun lass, I have shagged worse I kid you not!

Good first half today. Played at the tempo that fits with the club, quick, one two’s, a bit of craft and guile.
Disappointed we didn’t add to the goals tally second half, Roberts looks like a player but he will rightly be judged against SPFL opposition, so my praise will be tempered for now.
Gary Mackay Steven is a player that I rate, but the more I see of him the more I get frustrated with him, he needs to do more, good to see him out wide on the left, must provide better quality to be a first pick.
Get selfish Gary, pick up the ball and just go for it!
I see Griffiths looked unhappy at coming off, I know this is natural for a player, especially a goal scorer, but it does leave questions open.
The tackle on Johansen? WTF?

maryhillbhoy
8 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Jesus Monti you do know people are reading this?

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  maryhillbhoy

Go on….

mike
8 years ago
Reply to  maryhillbhoy

Maryhill,

Some of these Edinburgers have no shame,from the little i know of them,there taste is in there erchie,it always seems to hover in that direction,they have even miscried Bonnie Dundee,
can you imagine that.
Same wi they Lancastrians,imagin styin in a dump like that.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  mike

🙂

Iancelt67
8 years ago

second half was crap because the game was won and it was first gear stuff. great teams are ruthless we are a seven goal better team than morton. hoewever, job done cant be too critical

AyrCelt
8 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

If thats first gear stuff then am the man on the moon… it was ok at best against a really poor side.

Monti
8 years ago

Kieran Tierney should be given the Captain’s arm band from the first game next season.
This young guy plays for the Jersey.

Keep it going Kieran, you are making a grumpy man happy.
Is there not a few more in the development squad?
Give me a Kieran Tierney before a £3M signing every time! HH

Doc
8 years ago

Caption: I would rather go out in my bra than wear that filth.

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Doc

🙂

Charlie Saiz
8 years ago

Good to see the senior players show some fucking pride and put a shift in.
I thought we lost a bit of impetus with Johansen going off as Commons was a bit subdued today.
That’s 3 times we have shifted to 4-4-2 and it’s not benefited Griffiths once.
He seems alot more comfortable up on his own with freedom to move about rather than having to play alongside the shite we have in reserve.
Straightforward win no dramas and a thoroughly professional performance from them all.
Craig Gordons distribution was excellent today more of the same please big man.
Mulgrew solid in defence(as expected).

Monti
8 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Charlie Saiz,
I see what you did there….

Thewildgoose
8 years ago

Some great play early in the game, lovely one touch football played at pace and with purpose. Was it the quality of the opposition that made us look good or can we produce that type of performance against premiership opposition, time will tell. Thought the change in formation also helped 1st half. I just love the way young KT plays the game, while far from being the finished article he’s brave on the ball,fearless loves a tackle and plays his fucking heart out every time pulls on those famous hoops. More power to ya young man

Hail x2

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