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Celtic Diary Tuesday December 20: Youth Gets A Shot

Tonight Celtic play Partick Thistle again, this time at Celtic Park, and to confuse the opposition, Brendan Rodgers has hinted he might give some of the youngsters a shot.

Though I reckon this game might have come a little early for some of them.

Image result for celtic boys club

Rodgers explained..

“For me I can have a look at it now and have a look at my squad, Are there any younger players I can bring in? My vision here fundamentally coming here was to win trophies, to play attacking football the Celtic way and to bring young players through so we will see if there are any young players we can bring in over the next few games. 

“We have had a number of them train with us and they have done very well.

“There is an element of risk with that but it is my job. This is what building a club is about and creating hope for the youth players. If they don’t think they can play the why should you have an academy?

“We have to develop players here. It is how I have always worked, putting young players in but they have to be ready. Not totally ready of course but they need to show they can come in and play in the first-team. That is very important to a big club.” 

The Sun seems to think one of those players brought in will be forward Calvin miller, at left back. Presumably we’re short on those right now.

Others, notably Jack Aitchison, who scored on his debut against Motherwell last year are in the reckoning, and they might not be the only ones.

Tony Ralston is another, the right back who is sort of a mirror image of Keiran Tierney, so for those who do make the game tonight, one of two in the five days leading up to christmas, it might be a nice change to see some fresh players.

Alan Archibald remians sort of optimistic, in that maybe Celtic will be more focused on finishing the season unbeaten than winning each game as it comes, which is unlikely, but I suppose he needs some sort of fragment of comfort to hold on to.

“If you keep it close, what with them going for a record as well, maybe that will bring nervousness. They’re desperate to go unbeaten, without a doubt, and that will bring a bit of strain as well,”

“Do they go and keep on battering teams as they used to do or do they hold off and keep things tight? As long as you stay in the game you can get at any team.” 

He’s hoping Celtic have a night off, and at the same time wishing he had one.

Celtic should win this one comfortably, but the feeling of familiarity, combined with the strain of so many games in quick succession mean that Rodgers is probably right to change things around a bit.

Domestic economics never were a concern of the boards, and believe it or not, Celtic still have four games to play in what has already been a crowded month. After Partick, and Hamilton come Ross County and “rangers “, all of whom will be desperate to be the first Scottish side to break the relentless surge toward title number six, and already the media are focussing on the New Years Eve game as the best chance of an upset.

They could do worse than appoint Bobby Madden as referee if they want to see a shock result, if the look on his face when Leigh Griffiths scored on Saturday is anything to go by..

Though most of it really is cringeworthy stuff. For instance, the Record did a report asking…

Who is Rangers deadliest striker? We rate Joe

Garner, Kenny Miller, Martyn Waghorn and Joe

Dodoo on season so far

Is it….

Joe Garner:

Appearances: 15 (3 off the bench)

Minutes played: 1014

Goals: 3

Minutes per goal: 338 

or is it…

Kenny Miller

Appearances: 17 (3 off the bench)

Minutes played: 1123

Goals: 4

Minutes per goal: 280 

Perhaps it’s

Martyn Waghorn

Appearances: 12 (8 off the bench)

Minutes played: 461

Goals: 3

Minutes per goal: 153 

and thats without..

Joe Dodoo

Appearances: 10 (8 off the bench)

Minutes played: 272

Goals: 2

Minutes per goal: 136 

To place this in perspective, and to get the real picture, here are the achievements of Celtics goalscorers..

R No. Pos. Nation Name Scottish Premiership Scottish Cup Scottish League Cup Europe Total
1 10 FW France Moussa Dembélé 7 0 5 5 17
2 9 FW Scotland Leigh Griffiths 7 0 0 5 12
3 11 MF England Scott Sinclair 9 0 1 0 10
18 MF Australia Tom Rogic 6 0 3 1 10
4 49 MF Scotland James Forrest 4 0 2 0 6
14 MF Scotland Stuart Armstrong 6 0 0 0 6
5 27 MF England Patrick Roberts 2 0 0 2 4
6 8 MF Scotland Scott Brown 1 0 0 1 2
42 MF Scotland Callum McGregor 2 0 0 0 2
7 23 DF Sweden Mikael Lustig 0 0 0 1 1
17 MF Scotland Ryan Christie 1 0 0 0 1
6 MF Israel Nir Bitton 1 0 0 0

 

Perhaps its the battle between Griffiths and Dembele that has prompted the paper to try to show there is a similar contest at Ibrox, though i can only imagine the reporter, Fraser Wilson, pitching the idea to his editor.

“Hey, boss, know how Sellick huv goat two class strikers and don;t know whit wan tae pick. ? Well, Ra Gers huv goat four !”

Somewhere, there will be “rangers ” fans actually discussing their best strike partnership, the competition being between four guys who have totalled twelve goals between them.

They’ll never learn.

The idea is clearly to hype the upcoming Hogmanay clash as much as possible to get the viewing figures up in an attempt to show that Scottish football needs this fixture, when in reality the only entity that needs it is the one currently calling itself after a liquidated club.

The Sun outlined the reasons-or so they say-for the ridiculous Hogmanay lunchtime start..

A SECRET police report backing the Old Firm showdown’s Hogmanay date claims fans are less likely to turn up drunk than if it was on New Year’s Day.

The barmy defence is in a force briefing document compiled after top brass rejected pleas by Sky TV for the flashpoint match to be played on January 1. 

Although they did warn of something else..

Expert warns Old Firm’s Hogmanay showdown is “perfect storm” for frenzy of violence and wife-beating

Top psychologist Dr Mairead Tagg fears a “significant” hike in domestic abuse as fans get tanked up for a double whammy of football and the Bells 

A frenzy of wife beating ?

Is this another hint that Celtic should lie down to save all the Wilheminas from a kicking ?

Now that the press have managed to slip the fixture back onto the calendar by proclaiming the same club myth, are we about to go back to those pre liquidation days fully, with all the delightful trimmings this game brings ?

They wanted it so desperately, and now they’re moaning about it again. Theres no pleasing some people.

Elsewhere, Mighty Stewart Regan has swung into action after Scotland were fined for wearing a poppy on their shirts against England, who were also fined.

Despite knowing full well what would happen if the poppy appeared, the SFA boss is quick to show his outrage, delighted that he could well have found an enemy to get his teeth into. Anything, in fact, that deflects from his utter uselessness at doing the job he is paid for.

No doubt his appeal will fail, the fine maybe even increased, but as development officer Malky Mackay would have said, based on previous statements, there’s too many foreigners at that FIFA, though some of the women are worth a crack at.

Which makes them everyones enemy, apparently.

The English FA are going to just pay the fine, in case the governing body have a look to see if they’ve made any political statements in the past during games..

For a caption competition winner, we have to go all the way back to Friday, and this..

Americans smoke opium in a Chinese-run opium den in New York City in 1925.

Jez December 16, 2016 at 11:01 am · Edit · Reply →

Caption:-

Big Jim Traynor & the Level 5 team prepare another Ibrox press release!’ 

However, whats going on in the Celtic mans mind here?

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Tam The Tim
7 years ago

It’s a lot of games to play in one month and with the stupid way the league is set up, playing a team possibly four times it becomes too much. For instance we played hearts in August yet not again till the end of January. I don’t read the gutter press so the only inkling I get is from your little clips Ralph. Nothing changes, they stir things up then throw their hands up in mock horror when things get rough. I look forward to their demise as much as I did when our bluenose pals went down the bog.
HH

Rosco
7 years ago

What’s this talk of u catching us in the league, u can’t even spit polish my boots!

George Lazenbhoy
7 years ago

If only I was fit enough to kiss the big man’s boots. Caption, not a grovel at Ralph.

Celtic67
7 years ago

Hun sticks the heid on Nir Bitton.

Steven Rowan
7 years ago

Caption: Bitton sees his opponent wearing a head bandage and decides that it’s a shame to let it go to waste.

Munichbhoy
7 years ago

Caption: Here Erik, catch this.

Uralius
7 years ago

Caption: If I swing my leg, I’m off! Just point the toes and keep eye contact with the ball…….

HH

jebus
7 years ago

Caption: man kicks cunt!

Uralius
7 years ago
Reply to  jebus

Caption: It’s called a cunt-punt!

Morto
7 years ago

Caption:
Bitton doing his best to educate the gullibillies one at a time.

charlie
7 years ago

awe this pish about going unbeaten awe season is hun media pish to keep pressure on celtic fuckem play as many of the young bhoys as possible COYBIG

charlie
7 years ago

caption the hun garner shows he knows his place by kissing nirs foot

charlie
7 years ago

caption the animal garner develops foot in mouth

charlie
7 years ago

heersa laugh for yees crazy mike and pentionerbhoy start fighting after some cunt stole a tenner oot the buckfast kitty rebus is the referee meanwhile the baldy cunt at the start is monti heading to the pub he stole the tenner ha ha ha ha

charlie
7 years ago
Reply to  charlie
Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  charlie

Lol!!
The tenner was stuck to his cords with werthers sweetie paper lol

Fucking Dundonians ken

Monti
7 years ago

Caption: Erik- ” Nir, studs up and fucking mean it”!

Monti
7 years ago

Caption: Erik- ” Nir i said he was a Philistine not a Palestine”!

Thewildgoose
7 years ago

Caption

Take that ya wee prick

charlie
7 years ago

heers a wan wae aussie translation for our aussie tims

charlie
7 years ago
Reply to  charlie
Vinnie
7 years ago
Reply to  charlie

HaHaHa, that’s hysterical. Is the cunt in the blue check Jim Traynor? You know, him from Level 5, ex Daily Rancid and perennial hun apologist. Lover of “succulent lamb”. TWAT.
HH

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  charlie

HAHAHAAAAAAAA
Quality!
Think the guy in the light coloured t shirt is mike, this is outside Malones when Mike, Andybhoy and Pensionerbhoy were refused entry unless they handed ower their baggies of werthers….lol lol

henkesdreadlocks
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Andybhoy? Jeez, thanks M.

Monti
7 years ago

Lol, just kidding m8

mike
7 years ago

Sook Sook, just kidon,ha ha,yoo tell him henke,fit in the ging gangs again.

Greenmaestro
7 years ago

Zombie takes a bite of Sviatchenko. Nir “Rick Grimes” Bitton steps in.

mike
7 years ago

Mon the Weans, the nicht.Drive us oan tae V V is for Victory.

Just back hame from my bone scan,the Braw awfy Braw nurse said,take doon yer breeks and sit on the bed,i said i will if you will,she said GTF ya daftie.I said listen hen,have ye read some of the comments oan E-Tims,if ye want dafties try going on there.

charlie
7 years ago

mike hope yer bone scan was awright but if it wisnae ide sue that pentionerbhoy ha ha

Vinnie
7 years ago

Caption:
Erik: “Nir, forget the ba’, just keep yer eye on the target and make sure you follow through”

Vinnie
7 years ago

Mike, hope the result from your scan is a good one.
HH

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Vinnie

Vinnie,
They found a bone……8″ up his arse!

Vinnie
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti, If you mean his heid, he must have an awfy short boady!
🙂

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Vinnie

Nose maybe 🙂

Vinnie
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

You mean Mike ‘nose’ somethin’ nobody else does?
Or do you just mean he’s maybe a wee bit ‘nosey’?
A big bit ‘nosey’?
Perhaps he’s just got a ‘nose’ for things we don’t have? Testin’ the depth of rivers?
All smells a bit fishy to me.
Ah, who ‘nose’? 🙂

mike
7 years ago

Here we go AGAIN. V isny for Victory,it is_________

VVVVVVVVVVV up yours and yours and yours.Dundee rules ya bass.
Hame of the pehs and hame of the brave,there!s nae mankies in Bonny Dundee cos they have all been run oot of toon.

Vinnie
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

But whit aboot Oor Wullie and the Broons. An’ you forgot marmalade; not tae mention Black Bun. Oh and a certain Cake?
And then there’s the femmes fatale. Michty me ye’d just die for wan ae them.
Are you sure yer frae Tayside? Mibbaes Tyneside?
Onyway, anywhere that’s hun-free will do for me.
“So it’s up wi’ the bonnets o’ Bonnie Dundee!”
HH

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Vinnie

Och its a wee bit foggy dew here,in TAYSIDE awe hivny forgotton those luvly Dundee icons,they are always close to my hert,no as close as the Tic. tho.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

It’s a shithole……..

portpower
7 years ago

Caption:

Hey Joe C Garner, heebie Jeebie this ya prick.

Cartvale88
7 years ago

Caption
Joe Garner feigns another foul as he tries to bite Bittons big toe

rebus67
7 years ago

Ralph,

Whatever your views on supporting the club, I hope you keep this blog going.
Please do not make me homeless! I shall have nowhere else to go.

Rebus

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  rebus67

Lou Macaris the place for you bhoy,mind and wash your hair before you go,go,nae fleas admitted.

Tommy
7 years ago

Fifa should be fining every national team that takes the field ever. The very act of representing a nation or country, under a flag and honouring its national anthem, is a political statement! How could it possibly be anything else?

They should then fine themselves out of existence for allowing these gross displays of political statements.

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Tommy

NO BLOOD STAINED POPPIES ON OUR HOOPS!

Paul1888
7 years ago

Caption: Hun finally tastes success

Half_Fool
7 years ago

Caption:

St. Brendan shouts: “Kick the Baw! No th’ Baw bag!!”

Celticmikey
7 years ago

Caption: a welcome outbreak of foot and mouth.

mike
7 years ago

Caption, Garner wears a bandage,before he!s kicked in the heed,the mahns a clairvoyant i tell ye.

henkesdreadlocks
7 years ago

Caption…….

A rancid, diseased little hun, suffers from foot in mouth.

Monti
7 years ago

Just watching the STV Scottish news there and listened to Ann ‘ Jigsaw ‘ Budge chirping about their new stand being built.
Ken.
Maybe Hearts could sell their old roof to ” rangers “? They could loan the roof out with a view to buying in the summer 🙂

Would love to see the look on the Huns directors faces when they hear the weather forecast for this week lol.

Gale force winds lol

Creek creek………eeeeeek.

Funkyy
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti…As long as Hearts remember tae get paid up frontlol!!!

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Funkyy

🙂

Monti
7 years ago

Stupid huns!

henkesdreadlocks
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

After the grand speech by bgbhoy the other day about not going to the Park, he’s off to the game. No cajones.

Monti
7 years ago

Lol

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Its in his DNA,canny deny whats in your heart.

charlie
7 years ago

WARNING WARNING watch yer steps the last time a kidded that bgbhoy on he wanted to meet me for a date ha ha ha ha

Rob O'Keeffe
7 years ago

Caption: WE KICKED YOU ALL OVER HAMPDEN!! Ralph,unfortunately the under 20s have a game tonight so no chance of a few of the young guys playing against Thistle.Listened to RC for a wee while,honest.There was a Foosty Bun on saying we are preparing our “too tired” excuse for the match at Leaky Roofland.Apparently,they are gelling and we are faltering 🙂 LMFAO.Cant wait to fukkin gub them,get pure pissed and rebel it up all day and night!! WHGA

portpower
7 years ago

Have a Grand Day Ghirls and Bhoys.

The Celts by Ralph`s lucky number.

Come On You Colts In Green

Rob O'Keeffe
7 years ago

Caption. We Kicked You All Over Hampden!!

Rob O'Keeffe
7 years ago

Ralph,under 20s play tonight so no chance of a few of our future stars featuring against Thistle.

Rob O'Keeffe
7 years ago

Hope Storm Barbara hits the Crumbledome like Big Billy hit McNee.Brown (John) trousers all around.HH

iain in alberta
7 years ago

Miller starting tonight. He has a great cross with his left foot and is very skilful. Hope he doesn’t get caught out position wise as left back isn’t really his position. Also please to see Gamboa down the right zooming past opponents.
Really mixing it up team wise. Looking forward to game and please for Calvin Miller.

Celticmikey
7 years ago

Anyone else disappointed by the lack of anticipated youth team participation tonight?

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Celticmikey

No.

Pensionerbhoy
7 years ago

charlie,

At least mike and I are still fit enough to trade a few. You lot will be wheeling yerselves about in Lidl trolleys. Nothing like a good round between Casius Dundee and Geordie Marciano. It’s more of a round than Monti gets in from what I hear 🙂
Put that in ye’r pipes and werther it!
Hope the old bones are ok, mike. I gave mine tae the dug years ago. He prefers them tae a sookie sweetie.

Caption: “I’ll see to the ball, Erik, you catch his teeth.”
“Spot the ball. Nir Bitton is way out!”

H H

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Pensionerbhoy

🙂

mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Pensionerbhoy

He floats like a butterfly but stings like a HIVE of bees,that Pensionerbhoy is naebodys fool.No like charlie,he gets carried oot in round three.
Common the auld yins,game oan.
Left hand udder the shin and jab,jab, jabba.

Rob O'Keeffe
7 years ago

Celticmickey,keep up.Under 20s have game tonight.At least Henderson plays,feel he could become superb with proper coaching.HH

Celticmikey
7 years ago
Reply to  Rob O'Keeffe

Hi rob,
Yeah I saw the earlier post about the u20s but are we that hard pushed we don’t have anyone to step up into their shoes? A run out against the big boys works all the way down the age groups I.e the little scot/English dembele fella.
An opportunity missed against a last placed team.
Mind you as I think about it BR is probably keeping them back for unleashing against sevconians!
HH

Uralius
7 years ago

Kolo Toure is auch a nice guy. When asked by that silly woman on Celtic TV if he was looking forward to Christmas he said something very close to, “almost the whole world is happy for a few days so although he doesn’t celebrate he looks forward to it.”

Monti
7 years ago
Reply to  Uralius

I would ride her!

Rob O'Keeffe
7 years ago

Celticmickey,just as well only the one youngster.Brendan has to be carefull.One nil,although weather bad.Not impressive recently.As you say ,hope we are saving the doing for the Sevco!! HH

Celticmikey
7 years ago
Reply to  Rob O'Keeffe

Perhaps I am a bit too gung-ho sometimes! . Big packie made a good point, BR has to be careful the key players don’t go off the boil.

Forgot to say Ralph really enjoyed the stats in the diary.
Shame the SPL doesn’t make it into the top 10 leagues.
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2432779.html#top+five+best+attacks+europes+leagues

charlie
7 years ago

well 3 points is 3 points thats oor raison detre as they say doon the respectable gallowgate drinking establishments

charlie
7 years ago

pb some mug tries to show cassius dundee how to suck eggs ha ha ha ha

charlie
7 years ago
Reply to  charlie
charlie
7 years ago

mike the geordie marcianno takes nae shit

charlie
7 years ago
Reply to  charlie
charlie
7 years ago

ime jeest gettin ma apoligies in early in case yees look for retribution at the next e tims hootenanny ha ha ha ha

mike
7 years ago

He!s da Mahn,thon Auld Age PensionerBhoy.

When he wis just a little bhoy,
he asked his mither,what will he be,
will he be handsome,will he be rich,
she said nae fookin chance,lifes a bitch.
Great to see young Calvin Miller get his start,you must give the young ones,darling there the young ones,there chance.

charlie
7 years ago
Reply to  mike

mike see yer rudolph article a must say as soon as a read it a thought who taught that fermer how tae spell

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