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Celtic Diary Thursday July 28: That’s What Happens When You Wear The Hoops

It really wasn’t anywhere near as difficult as we were led to believe, was it ?

Not when you have players who do their job and believe in each other.

Not when you have a manager who knows when and how to change things.

And most importantly, when the players feel a little more comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. By wearing the green and white hoops that tel the world who we are.

A 1-1 draw in Khazakstan with the mighty-so we were told-Astana means that a full house in Glasgow next week should be able to roar Celtic on to the final play off round for this seasons Champions League.

Despite falling behind to an early goal, Celtic rallied , dug in and never really looked in any trouble, save for the time or two when the players realised that they weren’t really in any trouble, and the surprise seemed to make them lose concentration for a second or two.

But when that happened, Craig Gordon was on hand, or foot, to make a save. Or Eoghan O’Connell, who if he continues to improve at this rate, will save the scouts a fortune in air fares to eastern Europe, was around to clear.

Sure, they could all have done a wee bit better at the goal, but the Khazaks have a neat wee trick at set pieces which caught them out a couple of times, with a floater nipping in behind forcing defenders to track him and play others onside, but we should be able to deal with that next week.

In the past, Celtic would almost certainly have crumbled, but not this time, and they were well rewarded when a dogged Patrick Roberts won the ball on the by line, cut it back to Leigh Griffiths, and he finished wonderfully from just inside the box to make things a whole lot easier next week.

When it did look like going a little bit awry, Nir Biton took over in midfield and reminded us that he is a player, James Forrest and Tom Rogic ran at a tiring Astana, and these three substituions showed that it truly is a fourteen man game, but only if the manager knows what he’s doing.

Praise all round, and although its only half time, there’s not a single one of us who would not have settled for a 1-1 draw in this fixture  when the names came out of the hat a week or two ago.

The main thing to take from this game is that Celtic are improving with every outing. We haven’t been able to say that for a long time.

The agenda of the SMSM became more apparent than usual after the game, with some blatant “jammy fenian bassas ” themed reports, which can only be designed to gain some form of interaction with guilty parties. Either that or the Knob of the Week award is now genuinely a mark of distinction for them.

I’m only going to cite one example, the player by player marking in the Record, which gave Patrick Roberts a six, presumably because the paper doesn’t fully understand how the concept of numbers works. Then again, they do credit “rangers” with 54 titles in four years, so we shouldn’t be too surprised.

Someone who doesn’t seem to want to regain the Knob of the Week award is Keith Jackson, who gave a very fair and accurate assessment on twitter of the game;

Fantastic result for Celtic that in difficult circumstances. Job done. They’ll coast the second leg. 

We’ll leave the papers there for now, and look more into it when we do the award tomorrow.

Instead, lets look at what those who matter said, starting with Brendan Rodgers;

“It was an outstanding result for us. The resilience and strength, mentally, we’ve built-up over the course of pre-season came into effect on an evening like that.

“We were disappointed with the goal, that’s nothing new, but after that we showed wonderful mentality to keep fighting. In the second-half we restricted them to not so many clear chances and we end up scoring a fantastic goal. It’s only half-time but it’s a very important result for us.

“A huge amount of credit goes to the players. We were written off before the game. The opinion was we’d do well to come back with anything other than a loss but the players deserve an immense amount of credit to fight and show that spirit and passion in the game.

“We gained a bit more control of the game and scored a wonderful goal by Leigh so we know the significance of the goal but we are not getting too carried away as we have another game against a very good side.” 

and he had praise for a couple of the lads…among them Eoghan O’Connell

“I thought he  was outstanding for a young player being on the fringes of the team for a few years and coming into that environment under that pressure, he made very few mistakes in the game,” 

“You expect him to make some as a young player but in a real difficult situation he coped and I was very proud of him.

“We had two 19-year-olds in Patrick Roberts on the right and young Kieran Tierney, who it’s only natural for at this time of the season to get a bit of cramp in his calf but he kept fighting.

“Young Eoghan is just 20, other boys are still young, and they are showing signs which are very important at a top club and it’s that ability to fight and he was one of a number of young players that did very well.” 

Goalscorer Leigh Griffiths…

“I’m always confident of scoring goals, no matter what level that I’m playing at.

“I’m confident of scoring, it’s just about getting the ball in the right places at the right times.

“My decision making could be better on occasions, but, thankfully, I’ve scored an important away goal here and we’ll look to go back to Celtic Park and finish the job.

“Of course we fancy our chances.

“The crowd at home will create a lot more noise and we’ll be back on grass, which will be a bonus for us and maybe not for them.

“They will also have to adjust to the time difference over in Scotland.

“With the five-hour time difference, it’ll be like playing at 2 in the morning for them and that can help us.

“Back being on grass and moving it quickly, we can cause them problems. 

“Had we been better on a couple of occasions with the final pass, we could have scored more.” 

“Coming away from home, we would have taken a 1-1 draw.

“We knew it was going to be a hostile atmosphere with a lot of noise and that they would come at us, but apart from the goal we conceded, they didn’t create a lot of chances.

“We knew there was going to be pressure with the likes of corners and throw ins, but we knew if we could keep it tight in the second half, we’d get a chance.

 

“Fortunately for me, the ball fell at my feet and I’ve managed to put it away.

 

“The manager said from the first day that he came in that he was going to make us more compact and hard to beat.

 

“If we keep playing the way we did in the second half, we will be hard to beat.

 

“Like I said, they didn’t create much clear cut, but we had a threat.”

Moussa Dembele isn’t having a great time of it in some peoples eyes, but he’s not having much luck either. Denied a penalty ealry on, he looked knackered by the time he was withdrawn, and when Griffiths scored, there were accusations that he looked a little pissed off.

Some said he looked a little sulky, others that he didn’t even applaud and one fellow even accused him of racing to the referee demanding the goal be chalked off.

Lot of shite;

He’s just knackered. Plain and simple.

He’ll come good, and what he doesn’t need are comparisons with far lesser players who have come and gone over the last few years. He really isn’t in that league.

Just as the team will continue to improve, albeit with occasional wee blips, and this morning not only do the group stages look a whole lot closer, but the last sixteen and beyond is no longer a complete fantasy.

Okay.

For now, at least.

 

And now on to the silly bits.

Oh, come on sherlock, tell us why a midweek match wasn’t so well attended by the travelling support ?

I’ll help..

Map from Glasgow, UK to Astana, Kazakhstan

Glasgow

UK

Take Port Dundas Rd and Dobbies Loan/A804 toM8
6 min (0.9 mi)
And sort of fill in the rest yourself for 3,925 miles.
The guy doing the match statistics for the BBC was obviously knackered after the trip…
Awau from that, there were a couple of good news stories planted in the press in order to cheer up those of a certain persuasion who don’t have european football to look forward to. in fact, there isn’t really any solid , well founded reason for them to look forward to domestic football either…unless they can bag a couple of big name signings…such as Jordan Larson, son of Henrik, who did quite well for Celtic many moons ago.
We asked him if he was going to sign for “rangers “, as had been rumoured;
Ah, the benefits of an early education in Bothwell…
Then came the news that they were going to sign Robin van Persie, or rob vans and purses, or something like that.
Celebrated blogger The Clumpany had an answer to this puzzle…
Hi Sevco fans. This orange delight is also ‘van purse-y’ and won’t cost you £100,000 per week. You’re welcome.  
But the whole issue, in no way shape or form a level 5 inspired “aw shite, get them talking about the Gers again ” stunt, was solved by Justmicky1967 on twitter…
Breaking news Dave King got an orange lodge invite with RSVP on it and the Daily Record ran with the story RVP to Ibroke
 Then today, Keith Jackson, having had his haw maws booted, came out with this tripe, and even managed to sound apologetic whilst explaining how the media works in Scotland…
Pick a Celtic/Rangers select they said. So i did …. 
In a pathetic and desperate attempt, this example of car crash PR shows how badly they are hurting over at Ibrox, and how gullible the Gullibillies actually are.
There isn’t a player in the Ibrox team that would get into the Celtic squad-nor one that wouldn’t jump at the chance- but like all car crashes, you have to look , don’t you ?

KEITH JACKSON (4-4-2)

Craig Gordon; James Tavernier, Kolo Toure, Erik Sviatchenko, Lee Wallace; Patrick Roberts, Joey Barton, Scott Brown, Niko Kranjcar; Leigh Griffiths, Martyn Waghorn.

and thats one of the least funny….. 

We’ll keave it there, but i’ve mentioned it to show yet again that after an absolutely magnificent Celtic performance and result under extremely difficult circumstances, with pitches, travelling and injuries that would have crushed a lesser club, the Scottish sports media is reduced to shoehorning a club with no money, no prospects and very, very little to be happy about, into comparisons with one of europes biggest.
On to our caption competitons now, and yesterday we gave you this to think about, and to inspire us, and the winner was quite a long one…
Jimmybee July 27, 2016 at 12:59 pm · Edit · Reply →

Caption: I would give everything I have,just to be any one of you today. I have given everything I have following you at home and all over Europe. I have been raised and now raise my own children’s children,on songs and of stories of our past.
But today is about you,you can become heroes to my children’s children, all we ask is for you to have courage,you have the skill,just be brave as lions.
So today all I ask is Stand tall, look them in the eye,puff your chest out,let us see the 4 leaf clover upon thy breast,and remember this, you don’t play for a football team you play for a risen people and a cause that cannot be beaten.
Now get fuckin intae them.  

I’m thinking they may even have read that in the dressing room…

 

There was another picture above it, which deserves a mention to the quip added by Susan Murphy, because it made me laugh..

Susan Murphy July 27, 2016 at 12:55 pm · Edit · Reply →

Caption (first picture)…..”Hey Leigh” whispers Craig Gordon “I reckon we may have taken this Deila Diet too far”.

When you combine the two, I like to think that it epitomises all that Celtic is about, humour,  passion, and green and white hoops.
Today, a little gory, but an intriguing image…
Hang on, one more thing to show you, a photoshop from the Huddleboard of last nights celebration by Leigh Griffiths. Many, many rounds of applause to whoever created this…

 

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jrw
7 years ago

In years gone by we would have lost that gsme – but solid peformances all round. Leigh Griffiths has one chance and he takes it – exactly the sort of quality that is needed in European football, especially away from home. O’Connell looks the part and can only improve. And as you say, we would all have taken 1-1 when the draw was made.

Big Shuggy
7 years ago

If Van Persie is Available for for a load of ginger bottles maybe we go for him. more of jabbas jobbies.

Monti
7 years ago

While I expect the job to be finished at home next week, we are only at half time.
This will be a nervy occasions and the fans will need to create an intimidating atmosphere, which we will do.
From the highlights of the game I see Efe was doing his usual nonsense, slicing the ball in the air backwards and Gordon did well to keep it out.
Ambrose probably had to play last night due to injuries, but I would be very disappointed if he hasn’t left the club in this transfer window.
Let’s keep our feet on the ground, we are not through yet, we need to keep the ball for longer spells in European games, especially away games. HH

Bob
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Aye ok Bob Crampsie

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Bob,
You still lurking about hun boy?

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti,I am pretty sure that a few players will leave before the deadline passes,or in January and he will be one of them.I also believe that Rogic and Johanson will leave,his wife went into labour,so didny travel to Astana.
Would like to have kept Rogic,but I think that Bitton might go also,but just my opinion.

From one bob to another,does that mean yous are two bobs.He.He.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike,
I’m neither up nor down about Johansen but i’d like to retain Rogic and Bitton.

P.S. I sent you my mobile number to the number on your business card, did you get it?

If you didn’t get it, Bob’s wife will give you it……..my phone number that is…cough.

Bob
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Don’t like the banter do you monti!Give it out but can’t take it.The crack the other day about the COCK you mentioned yersel in a previous post and it has to be personal eh! What has my wife got to do with anything?

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Ask her?

And remember you started it Bob, i’ll not be lying down to a hun my man.
Typical hun banter from you eh? Start pish and look for sympathy from others.
You were outed on video Celts.

Stupid huns.

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

No Monti, never got it,post it up if you can,to my address,it would be handy to have it.It would mibbee give us the chance to watch a game on the telly and have a couple of beers.
ps.The fax line is like the huns DEED and I hardly use my mobile any mair.or you could E-Mail me.

Uralius
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

2 bobs short of a ha’p’ny? I actually took young to know that money, but my mum used to say it.

john young
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Too many of these players have bottled it in the past for us to be confident,they have some dangerous players but if we apply ourselves we should go through.

Short and curly
7 years ago

HaT’s off to Michael Stewart for being very supportive of our team last night.
Great to hear a Scotsman using the word “we” whilst commentating on a team he doesn’t sup port.
He is an example of good punditry, finally unearthed by the media.
Hope he isn’t reprimanded to heavily for his enthusiasm for our league.

Bob
7 years ago

Exactly Short and Curly,though a fair and honest assessment of our performance will never do expect him to be dismissed asap

deadhead67
7 years ago

that will be a first for him,makes it patently clear he hates us on sportscene,maybe it was a doppleganger

Uralius
7 years ago
Reply to  deadhead67

I support any Scottish team in Europe. Hate all English ones including the scum. In Scottish competition they all are evil

Short and curly
7 years ago

Excuse the fat finger typos

7 years ago

Brilliant result yesterday and with the injuries we had and so early in the season made it even better, but on a negative note, that first half performance from oor central midfield and ESPECIALLY oor captain was absolutely dire, I’ve asked this question a lot lately of Broonie, ” What dies he actually bring to a game anymore???” His passing ability is piss poor,tackling poor,no more drives forward, yard and a half slow getting into tackles, and personally i think all he’s doing is upsetting what could be a better midfield by being in it, Armstrong is kept oot wide because of Brown when really Armstrong should be oor main man now in central midfield…. Rant over, so we’ll down the Bhoys, roll on nxt Wednesday. .HH

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  KEIGHLEY BHOY

He adds knowledge, experience,guidance and the fighting spirit to a set of young players who rely on him for on field guidance.

deadhead67
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

he,s a liability as is armstrong,time to give henderson his chance

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  deadhead67

A captain of the club for the past what 8 years,is now a liability,do you know anything about fitba?or are you just a keyboard player.
Armstrong proved last week and against the shrimps that he is a good player,Henderson some day might be a good player,but then you!ll know more about players than Rodgers.Leave the managing to him,thats why he is getting paid millions and yoo, well arny.

Devoy45
7 years ago

So far, so good. No complaints and full of hope.
Caption: An impatient Simunovic takes medical matters into his own hands!

Bob
7 years ago

By all accounts Brendan is pretty ruthless and captain or not i’m sure he would have no hesitation in dropping him if he continues to struggle

Bob
7 years ago

Going by reports Brendan is ruthless and captain or not i’m sure he will have no problem dropping him if his performances don’t improve

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Bob,
Going by reports, your original club that’s in liquidation didn’t get a CVA.
Now what did Charles Green say would happen if they didn’t get a CVA?

NO CVA=DEED!

NUNO CAPUTO…….

iancelt67
7 years ago

still pre season and mistakes are going to be made . fortunately last night the mistakes were generally high up the field and the players regrouped. thought tierney was getting the runaround early on by their winger who was getting past him with ease. but kt turned it around what a brilliant prospect he is. i agree rodgers is making substitutions at the right time and not freezing up like deila would. you get what you pay for . still like too see another forward added

mike
7 years ago

Well done Ralphy brilliant diary,sums it up for me,but in an elephant manner.He.He.
Critisising young players who travelled to the ends of the earth into another time zone isny for me,they were brilliant,the biggest difference was IMHO the same team but with a Manager who kens what he is doing,Knowledgable,Humble,Encouraging and Positive how would you not play for someone like him.You could add Disciplin to his list of attributes,add another 2/3 players and hear we go to 10 in a row.Without getting carried away,in Brendan we trust.H.H.

Caption,The Scottish Media investigates to seek an unbiased view.

Delbhoy
7 years ago

I read deluded huns today convinced van persies going for five million pmsfl aye right.. speaking of deluded huns keith jackson has wallace before teirney , that dis credits that article straight away. Def knob of the week

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Delbhoy

Del,I wouldny waste my breath on them,I never ever buy or read them and wouldny bother posting about them.
Cos the Huns they are deed,
The huns they are deed,
Aye oh ma daddy oh the huns they are deed.
Die, Die, Die, Deed,Deed, Deed.

Tim Buffy
7 years ago

Caption,: Wonder if I ah can sew mah wullie back oan.

D’Fhinnein Mick
7 years ago

Caption-Tories still insist the NHS is safe with them as they pilot pioneering DIY surgery.

Monti
7 years ago

Caption: After a week of ‘ fun ‘ with Bob’s wife, this unfortunate dockyard worker has a spell in the infirmary……beside his mates!

Ooh matron…

Bob
7 years ago

Like I said in a previous post give it out pal eh but not so happy when it’s back at you.Like when you are constantly having a go at Mike

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Bob,
Why are you not haunting ” rangers ” blogs?
Why a hun would come on here is fucking beyond me?
Now, we Celtic fans are trying to discuss our unbroken club.
Kindly fuck off……

charlie
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

monti yoov got a lovely way wae words mate ime gonny steal that kindly fuck off patter to use on some unsuspecting hun today ha ha

Bob
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Same old pish from you Monti always revert back to the “HUN” pish never in my life have I had any association with that rancid mob you know your problem pal your a fuckin bully pure and simple

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Bob,
I’m not a bully, far from it.
Tell you what Bob, drop the ‘ Mongti ‘ stuff and i’ll stop the wife stuff? Fair enough?
Now if you aren’t a hun then time will show that. HH

Bob
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Fair enough the Simian comment was made before I read your last post

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Thank feck for that,about time yoo two kiss/naw and made up,I do not know the history of all of that but,FFS gies a wee break.
Dinny bother postin yoor protestations just STOP.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Bob,
” constantly having a go at Mike “? Lol

Mike i’ll be having a go at you later…..metaphorically speaking.

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Im no bendin doon for nabody,but am up for a wee discussion noo and again.

charlie
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

stop playing hard to get mike ha ha

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  charlie

charlie, if anyone tries that then good luck to them there teeth will be on the flair quicker than Lady Moans knickers.

Bob
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

I have to say as “SIMIONS” Go you are up with the best of them Monti.

Bob
7 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Simian

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Bob

You two keep my name out of your petty rows.I speak for my self,nobody else.

Highland Tim
7 years ago

What is all the stories of Lee Wallace being a Grass?

Good result last night as would even have taken a 2-1 defeat.

Brencelt
7 years ago

Good battling performance from the Celts yesterday. Never looked like they would fold. The signs are good, now get in a couple of your own players Brendan.

Caption: the real reason Derk B never got back playing.

Or
Sevco saves silly sums self service surgery specials

Iljas Baker
7 years ago

Things are getting interesting with Rodgers as manager. I think he sees Kolo Toure as a better role model than Brown. He has a number of excellent young prospects to work with so let’s give the youngsters encouragement not catcalls: mc Connell, Tierney, Roberts, Christie etc

Does he think he can rejuvenate Forrest? Why make him captain? Is he working on his confidence? For the long term or so he is more marketable in the short term?

Thought his use of substitutes was brilliant yesterday and the way he changed formation too. Who he lets go, who he keeps and how he uses them and who he brings in is exercising my brain cells in a way they haven’t been exercised in some time.

deadhead67
7 years ago
Reply to  Iljas Baker

who,s mcconnell

mike
7 years ago

Does it no fill your heart with pride when you look at that picture,to see those LIONS being led oot with that LEGEND Big Billy.Manh its just GREAT.
Brendan,stick that on the dressing room wall,just above the door,so when the players leave to go onto the park,the last thing they see is that picture.If they ever asked me to give a word of advice to Brendan then that would be it.

Delbhoy
7 years ago

Mike it amuses me when they think they are getting some one like van persie and they end up with a free transfer from preston north ends reserves haha.

a word on last night , looking at all the big teams , they have a talisman sitting behind the front , greisman at athletico , harard at chelsea , ozil at arsenal , pogba juventus. We really need this type of player and in my opinion we have the man there , kris commons if playing would have beeen linking up , shooting with both feet , putting people in, now i know ralph has his waistline jokes and others point to his age but early thirtys is fuck all these days. At the highest level we need kris , who cares if he doesnt run about like brown , do you see ozil doing that?. He is not there to track back. So come on kris get fit and get back in the side , we need you.

Tex
7 years ago

Great result away from home,but as many have said it,s only half time.Our defending at their goal was utter sh***,we had eight players in the six yard box and not one of them got near the ball,i,ve never liked zonal marking and I don,t think our defence can handle it ,no one seems capable of taking control of the situation and making decisions for themselves,Hope Toure plays next week as we need his experience.

Charlie Saiz
7 years ago

Thought the shape Rodgers went with was the right one though I did question why he went with Roberts instead of Janko at RWB?
Astanas main threat comes from wide so good to see us prepairing for that with the extra defensive cover out wide.
Also interesting to note that it was only after the 3 changes we managed to break them down.
Playing Deilas System as it happens.
Good result under very testing conditions and with another shite ref who more or less gave their LB free reign to kick Roberts all night without a caution.
How glorious it was to see the wee man get up and pick his pocket to set up the winner.
Karma what a fucking bitch eh Mr Shomko ya fanny.
Sets us up nicely and that away goal was a must I felt before kick off so well taken by Griff.
As for Dembele well there is promise there but he has a greedy side to him to as proven when about 30 yards from the box he failed to give Roberts an easy ball as we broke in attack but instead turned and lost possession.
His lack of exuberance on the bench after the goal does not inspire me to think he is a team player?
Time will tell.
I would have started Ciftci ahead of him he at least can hold it up away from home.
Hopefully next time he will.

Charlie Saiz
7 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

One other thing yet again Griffiths fails to make any decent inroads playing 2 up.
He scored not long after we went to the Deila setup.
Never managed a single goal in all the games Deila altered it to a 2 man attack last Season scored 40 as a lone striker.
Coincidence?
I don’t think so he is much more effective when he has the freedom to roam across the front.
Time will tell as always.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Charlie Saiz,
See throughout the history of football, the most entertaining and successful sides played with two up front.
Leighton will always score goals be it in a lone role or with a fellow striker.
The point you are missing and seem to always miss, is that myself and others prefer a Celtic side with two or more strikers in it.
It’s what I was brought up watching and it’seems something I believe in.

iancelt67
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

gordon
lustig toure. o connell

roberts. bitton. brown. armstrong. tierney

rogic.
griffiths

just a thought

iancelt67
7 years ago
Reply to  iancelt67

free reign for rogic. much like commons is best at

Charlie Saiz
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

The point is surely Griffiths seems to prosper more when there not 2 up front?
He never scored a single goal last season when we did go with 2.
We changed it to 1 up last night and he scores?
What am I to think other than he seems to thrive more under that set up?
I think he can play with 2 but not with 2 alongside each other.
1 in behind or off to the side yes possibly.

andybhoy
7 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Deila’s system?? Good grief!

FredCDobbs@hotmail.com
7 years ago
Reply to  andybhoy

theres a man over there who doesn’t know how to give it up.

FredCDobbs@hotmail.com
7 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Playing Deilas System as it happens

fuck off.

Charlie Saiz
7 years ago

There’s a set of sweaty baws in the corner Fred you should go lick them.

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Charlie S, The two up front was the right way to go,Dembelle should have had a penalty and we had a couple of chances,he took Dembelle off at the right time,also his choice of Roberts over Janko was fully vindicated by not only the result but by Roberts brilliant outplay.Janko would never in a million years give us what Roberts does.
Dembelle was knackered and as for the greedy bit,show me a striker including Griff.who isny.

Charlie Saiz
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

Greedy 40 yards from goal?
Aye ok.

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Aye even from 40 yards.its the nature of the beast.

Delbhoy
7 years ago

Mike i read an interesting article today about yer man from hearts , seemingly he played against a team rodgers was in charge of and he was very impressed with him. Also john mglynn brought him through at hearts and he is now a celtic scout/coach so will def bring it to brendans attention mate

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Delbhoy

Del, I was always a big fan of Lustig still am,but long term we need a good R.B.IMHO neither Fisher or Janko fit the bill,but Paterson,I really like this player,young yet,but would be great for us.Really strong in the tackle fast and what a crosser of the ball,first started as a centre forward so has a good shot on him,with K.T. long term fookin majic.
Seen what you said about what i would term a no 10,Big,Big fan of Commons,great player and yes not all players indeed you would not expect Messi to track back.Sadly although Chris would always be in my team,time isny in his favour,like Rogic young yet but not as good as Commons,so a place for someone else later on.

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

Del, meant to add,Paterson seems to be stalling on the new Hertz contract,is the Fix in? hope to hell it is.John McGlyns influence might just see us capture a future Scottish captain.
Its great to see McGlyn at Cellic,he will also be agreat scout for us,much in the same way that Peter Houston was,he like McGlyn came to appreciate and form a strong tie to the club.They are both very knowledgeable and know Scottish fitba. inside out.

Delbhoy
7 years ago

Charlie i would love to see cifti get 90 mins with griff as unlike dembele who is similar to himvwith positioning , cifti will come that bit deeper and let griffthis play on the shoulder. It will work a treat

Charlie Saiz
7 years ago
Reply to  Delbhoy

I agree with Ciftci just playing off to the left like Stokes did behind Hooper.
More a supporting role than a finishing role.
Griffiths operstes much better with the freedom to move across the back line he’s a mare to pick up.

FredCDobbs@hotmail.com
7 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

ciftci can hold ambroses hand on the brexit bus.

Charlie Saiz
7 years ago

Look Mammy I have anew troll.
Welcome Fred enjoy the ride.

FredCDobbs@hotmail.com
7 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

stop talking shite. This Delia pish is getting on everyones fucking nerves. The guy was pish and the football he was serving up was emptying the stadium and DULL as. We would have lost that game if he was still in charge. time for him to get back to junior footy or wherever the fuck he came from. Ask your mammy what moving on means.

FredCDobbs@hotmail.com
7 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

nearly forgot. Ciftci is never a celtic striker in his life and another white elephant left behind by Delia. Sooner gone the better. Bamford is completely different proposition and proves once again BR is a real manager, not a bargain basement for a bob manager

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Charlie Saiz,
So you do rides then…..I knew it!! 🙂

Delbhoy
7 years ago

Spot on charlie this is the position cifti and his agent big pierre have always said he should play . Hopefully he will get the chance

Charlie Saiz
7 years ago
Reply to  Delbhoy

Cheers Del I hope he get’s the chance he’s shown more in pre Season so far than Dembele IMO.

FredCDobbs@hotmail.com
7 years ago
Reply to  Delbhoy

big pierre? is he that mad fucker

Elcormaco
7 years ago

Didn’t see the game but great result. Let’s not F it up at Celtic Park, go out and try to win the game rather than hold what we have

Griffiths could break a lot of scoring records if he stays… He is limited as a player but will always score goals & we’re lucky to have him IMHO.

Delia’s system? Pretty sure he didn’t patent it, and systems aren’t the be all and end all, needs players buying into it, which they didn’t seem to with Ronnie.

And Ciftci into this system? No, just no. Never good enough no matter what system.

Charlie Saiz
7 years ago
Reply to  Elcormaco

“didn’t see the game”
I left it there.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Charlie Saiz,
You are a bit spikeyou today….somebody steal your nosebag?

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Spikey

andybhoy
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

comment image

FredCDobbs@hotmail.com
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

pikey

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

🙂

mike
7 years ago

Cormac, I was not a big fan of Griff.however he has changed my opinion,he just seems to get better and better,he is very determined and I love his loyaly to the club and can see him staying a while.We deffo need another back up striker,cos if anything happened to him then we are fecked.
Agree on Cifti we could do so much better.
Brendan alters his system before and throughout games he adjusts to the opposition,something his predessessor could not do.His man management is first class again IMHO his predessessor was divisive so thats why the same players are improving at every game.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike,
Delia couldn’t change because he didn’t know how to….

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

EH I think I said that.

Bob
7 years ago

All i’m going to say to you Monti is have all the posts that I have written checked and show me anything that would suggest I am a Hun and I can tell you that you won’t find any.I may have slagged you off but that doesn’t make me a Hun if that was the case then you would be the biggest on here,you on the other hand have a go at everybody.

Charlie Saiz
7 years ago
Reply to  Bob

There worse things in life than a hun.
A troll for example.
At least you can pity a hun.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

There is a thing worse than a troll out there….someone who cannot admit when they are wrong.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Bob,
Are you fucking letting it go or no?

Bob
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti,

I did earlier

BondiBrian
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Mon noo Monti & Bob, both yer patter is a lot better than you are dishing oot to each other, get back on the patter wagon N gies a laugh.

Ah don’t think Bob is a hun, anyhoo MON TE HOOPS !!!!!!!!!!

BondiBrian
7 years ago
Reply to  BondiBrian

..was tha Freudean slip: MON TE HOOPS ( Monti HOOPS !!!! )

Cartvale88
7 years ago

Overall Celtic were the better team, playing on a crap surface where the ball bounced about like a beach ball.
The majority of the team, especially O’Connell played like seasoned professionals The Italian referee was pathetic, the two defenders kicked the shit out of Roberts, but the wee man got up and stuck it to them.
Astana are not as organised as Qarabag or Karagandy.
The crap the Scottish media broadcast or print appears to make Celtic lucky last night, that is the vitriol they spout all the time.
They ignore the shambles that happens at Ibrokes, we should ignore them to.
Their sales figures are heading for oblivion, as they ignore the rest of Scottish football at their peril.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Cartvale88

Cartvale,
” overall we were the better team “?
Not in my opinion we weren’t, it was a good result but there is a hard 90 mins ahead of us!

Remember Maribor?

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Cartvale, Monti is right,we have an advatage right now and we are at home next so 60% to 40% just now thats all.

BondiBrian
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

Agrre Mike, we aw know if the score first. No red alert…code brown.

Devoy45
7 years ago

I think we can give Astana a real doing next week. However, who on our team will score if Leigh ever gets injured? A real nightmare, that.
If we get through next week, any ideas on who are final round opponents will be? Go on, put me out of my misery. Are there any next round who might be easier than others?
Also, can any one tell me why a team without a credit line from a bank (and no credit) can afford to pay some salaries to those spoiled in the English leagues: Barton/Krancauer etc? How can you pay wages if you have no money? I thought that was illegal? (see 2012)

FredCDobbs@hotmail.com
7 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

right now. I would take 0-0. I think dembele will come good he is still settling in. This guy from chelsea also looks a stick on. There are others in the team with goals in them. My worry right now is the back line, we were exposed big time on wed on several occasions. CH and RB the priorities for me.

btw I thought Bitton was excellent when he came on for us. Shows how a real manager can get the best from players.

Monti
7 years ago

Fred,
Completely agree!
Build from the back.

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Correct Bogard bhoy,that is the worry but Rodgers will see it,Toure for experience is the right move,I believe he also rates Sumonovic and will wait to see him with,
Toure, Eric and Sumo.
I have a good feeling about the Right Back position being filled with Paterson from Hertz,and if anyone says anything about him being pish then they ken fuck all about fitba,cos he is exactly what we need for that position.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy see 2012..2011..2010..2009…2008..2007…2006…2005…2004..2003…2002…2001..2000…1999..1998.

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy,when the manks post there accounts we will find out then whats happening,until then its pure guess work.

BondiBrian
7 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Devoy…ah think Phil may have an answer to that. Chapeau N aw that.

PeteCon
7 years ago

Caption: ” No you canny go to hospital it might look bad for Joey.”

7 years ago

Agree the treatment of Roberts was disgraceful but it was also poor that none of our players supported him. Neither remonstrating with referee to get perpetrators dealt with nor letting opportunity know what was coming their way.

I know they were probably concerned about their positioning for the restart but they’ve got to support their teammates.

It was great credit that Roberts kept going when he could easily have just hid.

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

The cha that is a bugbear of mine,they dont seem to stick up for one another as they should,mibbee they have been told to keep from being booked or sent off,playing in Scotia mibbee conditions them to being restrained.

7 years ago

Maybe get Wee Ten Thirty to have a word with them.

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

If we could turn back time,yes, every day of the week,or another of my heros the silent assasin.
But another good point,often wondered if the Lions ever met the current squad and passed on there advice,it would be great to think that they did.
Read a wee story in the DUNDEE courier today that young Finacair,who moved out on loan to Brechin was advised to do so by a Lisbon Lion.Makes you wonder,brilliany ghuys every one.Watched them all as a youg bhoy,they were/are the very best of the best.

7 years ago

Delighted with the result but still thought it was a relatively poor performance. No different to the Maribor game. And we are in exactly the same position. Some decent performances but our lowered expectations mean that any time we unexpectedly get a decent result away from home we take to dancing in the streets. Still couldn’t pass the ball to each other for about 3/4 qrs of the game. Roberts, Tierney and Griffiths are the only decent players we have. Fully expect Celtic to go through and for that I am grateful. Really looking forward to next Wednesday. Don’t do any thing stupid and we should be through. A step up awaits us inthe next round as they didn’t appear to be up to much. Hopefully we will avoid Bate and Legia. The other possibilities I would be more comfortable in beating.

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  john

John, good post, a wee bit mair positive,keep them comin.

iljas Baker
7 years ago
Reply to  john

A bit harsh John. I thought O’Connell, Lustig and Gordon were more than okay and when Bitton came on so was he. I’m starting to believe BR can get something out of the young players. Stray passing still a worry, even when not under pressure.

mike
7 years ago

Caption, Stewart Reagan operates on himself to find out if he!s got any guts.OOPS sorry he!s nane.

iancelt67
7 years ago

john it wasnt poor it was a typically good performance from an away side. the ‘poor ‘ part of our play was the passing at times and we rode our luck. but the performance was ok and highlited by the fact we didnt crumble. under deila we would have crumbled most likely. playing against a match fit team well into their season, that was a good performance and it got better when we brought three better technically gifted players than the ones they replaced.

we need a bit of luck for a change and we got it albeit denied a penalty. as a footnote if griffiths is going to lash out and punch opposition players or knee them in the balls like he did at malmo hes going to get suspended. i hope rodgers is across this because ronny wasnt

iancelt67
7 years ago
Reply to  iancelt67

just watched the video of griffiths incident . no punch, though he did raise his arm as he was being jostled. still we had the ball inside the box here with the possibility of a chance at goal . needs to cut that part of his game out and channel his aggression in the right way

Charlie Saiz
7 years ago
Reply to  iancelt67

Just as well he was booked he could have been looking at a ban I reckon.

Bob
7 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Totally inconsistent by the ref though i’m glad it was only a booking but if he has lifted his hands it’seems a sending off soft or not

Bob
7 years ago
Reply to  Bob

It’s

Mcklintop
7 years ago

Caption: Intrepid Sevco fan seeks to raise funds for RVP signing by selling his other kidney after using his first for roof repairs, on the same day as Mensa confirm he won’t be accepted as a member.

Charlie Saiz
7 years ago

Caption:
Inside the new Zombie Cafie @ Ibrox
Giant Donor Kebabs All You Can Eat For £5

7 years ago

Thank you for the caption award I dedicate it to the Wimbledon csc to whom I watched the match with yesterday. I very much enjoyed the beer and the craic. Thanks to everyone at the Irish Centre. If your ever down that way,this is the place to watch the game.
Now some mention Maribor,and what happened there.
Ronnie fucked it up against Maribor, Brendan won’t.
We will win easily 3-0. They will depend on cheating,getting fouls etc to try set pieces. So if we stop that,with a strong ref it will be no problem.
Ronnie played the home match,against Maribor,this was the subs he made,
Commons on for Kayal,although the midfield were pretty poor,Kayal was the only one trying.
Then on came Matthews for Berget, and the daddy of them all,fuckin Derrik Boetinger for Lustig.Griff sat on his arse,as we went out.
Yes folks we threw it away against Maribor,we threw it away against Malmo,because we had a manager out his depth.
This won’t happen here in Brendan we trust.
HH.

FredCDobbs@hotmail.com
7 years ago
Reply to  Jimmybee

3-5-2 against imps was an outstanding maneuver. Plus going over there and getting 1-1. The bitton substitution was truly inspiring and got us the draw imho. BR knows what he is doing big time and shows up delia for how clueless he was with pretty much the same players.

Charlie Saiz
7 years ago

and the same system…

Arsene Parcelie
7 years ago

Caption: “Maw, ah telt ye to no get sauce wi the munchy box. That sausage is boggin’ by the way.”

iancelt67
7 years ago

think our confidence was shot against maribor because we got through on a technicality against a team who thrashed us.

we are a lot better now with a bit of positive impetus

cartvale88
7 years ago

Totally agree Jimmybee, Delilah was a one [up front] trick pony, Roy Rodgers has more up his sleeve and fans who gitter on about the past did not watch yesterdays game.
OVERALL THE TEAM PLAYED WELL ON A SHITTY SURFACE. Brendan changed the shape of the team to deal with Astana. Yes they had hots at goal but next week the following:
we play on grass, Eric and Toure will be in the defence, they will be playing a game at 01:00 when they should be beddy byes.
Karagandy beat Celtic by two clear goals, yet clearly tired in the second half,
Qarabag were better organised.
We now have some brilliant young players, Tierney, Roberts, O’Connell, also a manager that is tacically aware, the positives are their for all to see.
Caption ,SMSM looks for a noteworthy story about SEvco, has to dig deep@

Rebus67
7 years ago
Reply to  cartvale88

Cartv,

I do not think Eric will be back. I thought he was out for 3 weeks.

Anyone notice the contrast between the Imps and Astana. Both were physical teams but the Imps were nearer the hard but fair spot than Astana. The latter were in the business of trying to hurt players. We do need a bit more steel in the team but I remain positive. I am enjoying the football under BR considerably.

Rebus

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Rebus67

Rebus said the same,they are a dirty shower of bog rollers, yes you are right mair steel of the Ravenscraig type.We need that ASAP.
Need a strong ref. for next weeks game,I thought the Italian ref. who was nowhere near the play was garbage.

Lenny Bruce
7 years ago

Caption comp….

Budget cuts bite at ibrox as Lee Wallace carries out his own hernia surgery.

7 years ago

I wouldn’t count our chickens though. We still have to perform next Wednesday. When I mentioned Roberts, Tierney and Griffiths I was not talking about the performances last night I am talking about players who can operate regularly at the level needed to qualify for the CL. I don’t think it was a great performance but it got the job done. And hopefully we will keep on improving. We need to be passing the ball much better, to each other preferably. I know the surface was rubbish but we should still have been a bit better. Believe me nothing would make me happier than coming on here and admitting I was totally wrong about everything. I actually look forward to it.

mike
7 years ago

Thats mair like it John,nobodys gettin carried away,the tie is only at 60–40% to us,there time clock at 2-00am and a home game should give us that advantage.Fingers crossed with Toure guiding the back four,then hopefully we will go through.

Devoy45
7 years ago

Although I hoped we would improve under Ronny (over time) we may have actually gone backwards at times and by the time of the Sevco match, I realised my Ronny glass was nothalf empty, it was the dregs. However, with Rodgers I am actually beginning to feel we are improving in certain things, by small degrees. Once we get Simunovic/Sviatchenko/Toure ready, I think Dembele, O’Connell, Christie and a few others are improving. What the feck is Mulgrew up to?
I will continue to like James Forrest and hope Brendan learns what to do with him. (Right side, substitute, game changer) I think we should keep Izzy. Paterson as right back would give us some power too. These early qualifiers will always be a bitch but we are getting there.

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Now your talking young man,Paterson IS the future right back for Cellic,Rodgers Will get the best out of Forrest,now that he is getting some game time,watch him get better and better.
Izzy should stay,I like that wee man to bits.just in case god forbid K.T. gets injured or needs a break,they play a heck of a lot of games over a season.

Monti
7 years ago

I see a future defence of Sviatchenko, simunovic and Toure with Janko and Tierney in wing back roles.
If Janko can’t play this role then a new rwb must be scouted.
Paterson at Hearts is an option, but is he the best out there that we can get?

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Said the same further up,but no to janko,he will never be the R.B. answer,Paterson at hertz is the man for that job.Wait and see.
Of course there are other options,but for the money he IS the best option.

Delbhoy
7 years ago

Sorry mike the mrs dragged me into town there for new shoes for her work, told her i was busy on etims and got the stare of death!

Well by all accounts pattersons a player and hearts looking to sell , id imagine he will endup in the hoops. I like the young team that is being built , got three academy kids just now its great to see, hopefully wee henderson and eventually nesbit can join them and it will be like the lions again! No that i can remember them lol. I understand where charlies coming from about griff scoring when hes up front him self, he needs a partner who will sit deeper and give him room to roam about

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Delbhoy

Delbhoy,
I don’t agree at all with this Leigh Griffiths must play on his own stuff, yes it may suit him better but it isn’t about what is best for Leigh Griffiths, it’s about Celtic as a team! HH

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Delbhoy

The reason that I started posting on E–Tims was because the wifey likes her soaps and I dinny,so I started looking at the shite that Monti was saying and fuck me I started to agree with him and thats how I started.You know what I enjoyed it and having played a lot of fitba in my youth I felt some Cellic kindred spirits.
Monti, Andybhoy,the two charlies and everyone else including yersell all share that passion for the tic.So open a bottle of wine sit back and put on Barry White and tell her how great she is and if THAT disny work then shes oot.Ha.Ha.
ps yoo could also tell her that yoo are practising yoor computor skills,works for me.

CarllJungleBhoy
7 years ago

BTW Not only did the guy doing the match stats for the BBC fall asleep or lose his pencil, but the match report from the BBC reporter Alistair Lamont was…. Alas,Lamentable (< see what I did there?). It was as if he'd already written a totally negative – wishful thinking – Celtic being hammered report… and couldn't be arsed changing it. I struggled to find a single positive thing he'd written. You could even hear him struggle to show even a hint of praise over Griffith goal.

Of course, I've already got Alistair Lamont's card marked. He'd the same excuse for a journalist that published the cardigan's – "Rangers fans are bitter" rant prior to last season's cup semi. IT's ridiculous that the publically funded broadcaster cna't even see fit to applaud a good performance under very difficult circumstances against a team that have had good results against some pretty decent sides

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