It is with great sadness and regret that the League cup has thrown up -I use that phrase deliberately-another clash between Celtic and “rangers”, and it seems that the powers that be are desperate to milk the so called cash cow until it runs completely dry.
After four years of blissful peace and quiet the game that is apparently essential to the well being of all of Scottish football is now guaranteed to take place four times this year, which the League had to make sure of with the form of the Ibrox club beginning to suggest they may not make the top six, which would guarantee a fourth league meeting.
And so, with the tie scheduled to take place at the end of next month, we can look forward to another month if shype, as Etims colleague Desi Mond desribes it, as the press build up the game as though its Barcelona v Real Madrid, or Juventus v Milan, when in reality its more of a Manchester City v Altrincham.
Can’t wait.
Can you ?
Unless you happen to like that sort of thing, I suppose, and there is a certain appeal on putting the fledgling Ibrox club in their place, but the fallout isn’t worth it.
The Ibrox club needs the money from a big game, and presumably the Scottish league didn;t think they were strong enough to overcome Aberdeen or Morton, and thus wanted to make sure they’ve a few bob from the semi final, because after all Christmas is coming, and we all need a wee bit more in the pot at that time of year.
And does the prospect of skelping them really as important as it was when we skelped the old club ?
For some it does, obviously…
One wonders what the reaction will be of the Ibrox support… I think we can guess..
Although they do seem to think its a chance for revenge after they were outclassed a few weeks ago.
DRAW: #RangersFC have been drawn against Celtic in the League Cup semi final to be played on the weekend of October 22.
@RangersFC let’s not get pumped this time boys
Here we gooooo!!!!!
Absolutely buzzing. Come on @RangersFC. Redemption time. Up the ‘gers!
Note the one who reckons the odds on a “”rangers ” win are only 5/1. At least thats what I think he means, because even the staunchest gullibilly cannot possibly think they will score five times against Celtic.
Worryingly for Celtic, we never seem to do well against the lesser teams in semi finals, but there is something to think about, something that makes a win desirable.
With a treble still very much on this year, victories over “rangers ” in both cups, and three-possibly four if they discover a bit of form and adapt to the higher level-will mean there can be no claims that it is valueless, as there would have been had Ronny Deila secured the holy grail of three trophies in one season.
And should the victory be as convincing or more convincing than the lat one, it could spell the end of Mark Warburtons time at Ibrox, and herald the advent of the Barry Ferguson era.
After all, all good comedies need to introduce new characters to keep standards up.
After the drama of the League Cup, its back to the six in a row campaign tomorrow , and Celtic face Kilmarnock, wo i could have sworn got relegated last season, but after checking it appears they are still clinging on in there, like some sort of clingy on thing you just can’t wash away, making it fairly uncomfortable to walk.
Brendan Rodgers will have Leigh Griffiths back, probably, and he’ll have a point to prove as Moussa Dembele hasn;t done badly at all during his absence.
Hey, there’s a thought. Griffiths hates being upstaged, and it might be worth putting a few quid on him to score four in the League cup semi final. After correctly predicitng a 2-0 win over Alloa, i might be worth litening to on this as well. ( you’re not-Ed )
More of a concern for Rodgers is which goalkeeper to choose..
“It’s just like the outfield players. If you’ve Leigh Griffiths playing as the only striker all season then he doesn’t get pushed.
“Everyone needs a little push. Everyone needs to be striving every day to be the best.
“Since Craig has been out of the team, he’s been brilliant, very professional. He’s a good guy who works very hard and that little goalkeepers’ union get on very well and they push each other.
“When Craig was in the team, I was asked if he was the right one. Now he’s not in the team, I’m being asked why he is not No 1.
“For me, it’s important to accept the goalkeeper that we play. Just as with the outfield players, I will always pick what I think is the best team for the game.
“I have got very good goalkeepers. And if I choose to put that goalkeeper in, he will be the one in possession of the jersey.
“Then it’s about retaining the shirt, as it is for every player in the team. Who will play against Kilmarnock and Manchester City? Wait and see.”
He’s waffling a bit there, a bit like a man who has to choose whether he wants to be shot or hung after the judge has decided to put on his black cap.
Gordon is the better keeper, there can’t really be any doubt about that, but his rush of blood to the head could have been costly against ?alloa on Wednesday.
De Vries could well turn out to be a good keeper, but in order to do that he would need games, and to be honest, the thought of him up against Manchester City is tempting me to watch the game from the comfort of my toilet to save me getting up every time the ball goes near him.
And based on that, Gordon needs to start tomorrow, so he can get used to his defenders again, as all this chopping and changing isn’t doing anyone any good.
Lets try a five three two with Lustig, Simunovic, Toure , Sviatchenko and Tierney in front of Gordon, because that flexible system, with Brown in front of them alongside Biton with Sinclair advanced, supporting a free Forrest and Griffiths is how I’d approach the Man City game, and therefore I’d play that eleven tomorrow.
It’s Friday, the weekend beckons and don’t forget Malones tomorrow night for those who fancy a drinky poo.
As always on a Friday, we award the lucrative
Knob Of The Week
title, and as ever , its been a tricky one.
No, it hasn’t. It really hasn’t.
Joey Barton has got himself suspended from the team over at Ibrox, he’s also claimed, in his new book, that Celtic tried to sign him, which was instantly denied by Peter Lawwell, and he has excused his poor performances in Scottish football by saying he’s never played at a level this low before.
There is no one else in the frame when Joey made a play for the prize this week.and so , therefore, Joey Barton, footballer, poet, author, gambler, football pundit and all round media celebrity you are this weeks Etims
Knob Of The Week
Caption competition now, and yesterdays picture,
was a tough one to call, but there was one reply which offered advice as well as making me chuckle..
Caption: Never swallow chewing gum before a long walk.
Today, we have a stranger than usual picture, and I wonder what you’ll make of it…