It’s difficult not to be a little nervous ahead of tonight’s first round qualifying UCL match.
It’s been a strange season so far, and there is always that risk it could get even stranger. A one off European tie that isn’t the final ?
Played in a vast empty cavernous arena…
Still, some things don’t change. Leigh Griffiths has a ” calf strain “.
Make of that what you will, but when you factor in that a loan deal to Hibernian won;t be happening as their manager reckons he’s not worth the hassle, then there is obviously something amiss.
Albien Ajeti hasn;t got a calf strain, but won;t make his debut in case he gets one, having not played first team football for a while, he’s not match fit yet, and probably won;t be for a couple of weeks.
As a result, we can expect the usual starting eleven from manager Neil Lennon, although there is a possibility that he will ponder a Ntcham for a Christie.
Christie offers the energy and the tempo, whereas Ntcham has a wee bit more guile when it comes to varying the play. I’d put both in and hope the referee doesn’t notice.
Of course, he could start both, but the only real option would be to drop Scott Brown, and only bring him into the fray if the rest of them need a kick up the arse.
Ahead of the game, the manager allowed himself time to dream of the group stages, and the importnace of being involved at the top table….
“The big European nights brighten up the season
They are important for the gravitas of the club and the development of the players, individually and as a team, to come up against the best and the Champions League is the best competition in the world.
“For myself as a coach, it would be amazing to go back there, but it’s not about me. It’s about the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Chris Jullien and Hatem Elhamed who haven’t experienced it before.
“Also guys like Ryan Christie and even Odsonne Edouard, who haven’t had much football at that level.
“In terms of their actual experience as players, there is nothing better than the Champions League.
“I was late coming to that party. I was 29/30 when I signed for Celtic. I’d played in the Premier League, but the pace, intensity and quality of the Champions League was fantastic.
“I want these players to experience that, but we need to do the hard work first and these are difficult games to negotiate.
“It’s always important for the club. We missed out on the group stage in the previous two seasons and we want to go one better this time.”
A further bonus is that of Lyon don’t win the UCL, and it’s hard to see past Bayern Munich as winners , Celtic will be in pot 3 should they qualify.
As ever, concentration will be as important as tempo , and the enforced lay off could yet play a part, but Lennon thinks he’s ealt with that..
“Obviously, we would have liked the games under our belt going into this one, but the players are just itching to get back on the pitch and get playing again.
“For me, it’s about us and how we approach the game. We’re at home, we know it’s only one leg.”
Any win will do, it’s all about progression, but a comfortable win and a good performance would help not only fans, but players get over the Kilmarnock game.
As an aside, “rangers ” didn’t perform at Livingston at the weekend, and it appears the plastic pitch played a part in that game too. The issue seems to be that the host side don’t water it , which affects performance.
Artificial pitches hold more heat than grass, and the prospect of sliding along on that surface to win a ball isn’t pleasant. It’s worth noting whilst manufacturers claim several layers of cushioning help prevent injuries, the reality is they don’t, but we seem to be stuck with it, until a player suffers a long term or career ending injury, and his club sues the pitch owners.
Maybe thats why Griffiths has a bad leg….artificial grass…
As for Celtic’s opponents tonight, Knattspyrnufelag Reykjavikur, to give them their full name, Kristinn Jonsson and Krystian Floka Finnbogasson are injured and not expected to make the trip.
Thankfully they have no more injuries, as its bad enough trying to spell our own players names correctly.
The game is available on the telly, with Premier sports, but you’re quite likely to find a stream somewhere.
I’ll probably be out and about and may have to try to pick it up on the radio, which is always a far better alternative when you consider some of the pundits on tv.
At least the one’s on the radio don’t appear to take themselves seriously, and as far as i can see there’s an ongoing competition between the west of Scotland’s big two, EBT sportsound and Radio Clyde’s Superscoreboard , to outdo each other in dopey presenters.
For instance, Alex Rae cranked up the stupidity bar again last night with this line….
“Folk are going on about Rangers not scoring against Livi but with all the world class players Celtic have they couldnt score against Killie”
They did, as we know, but Alex forgot to do his research again.
If there is a phone in tonight, could someone try to get him to pronounce that long and difficult name for a laugh ?
Then get him to have a shot at the Icelandic one.
With computer and video game technology improving all the time, maybe there’s a possibility that one day we won’t have to pay for tv subscriptions, maybe one day we will just have someone telling us what’s happening and it could be instantly transferred into images, maybe even viewed through a virtual reality headset.
In fact, I’m going to start work on such a device, or application, as they are called, and I’m going to set up a You Tube channel where I’m going to re-enact the match as it happens, with the aid of the latest in football gaming technology…
Surprised no one else has thought of it.
After all, we can’t trust the media in it’s present form…
Overwhelmingly, the mainstream has shown it doesn’t give a toss about the game itself, it just wants something to fill space on it’s pages, regardless of quality, veracity or objectivity.
Thats why sites like this exist, to point out the bits where they are lying.
To attempt to differentiate between what are facts and what is opinion.
Well, thats just my opinion, but you get the point.
Over on Twitter, Highland Paddy found something to take you back….which I found just a wee bit hypnotic….
https://twitter.com/i/status/1295096085518712840
Yesterday, we had this….
Caption: New property to rent . Has exclusive airy first floor landing.
Today….
Its fine the laptop loyal won’t report on us spreading the virus
Is that Wee Burnie in that football game?
Caption – Spot the hun
Has to be Griffiths 7th calf strain in about 2 seasons. They need to get rid.
Indeed.
“It’s a week aff injury, Gaffer”
Then we have a 5 million pound striker and a 3 million pound striker to rely on. Your holding out for a guy that has played about 10 games in 3 years.
That indeed is ‘clueless’
Appalling record and this is the 5th season in a row he’s been been largely posted missing.
115 goals in 8 years is decent enough but that was largely in Dunc’s delight but everyone else’s dunce Deila’s time.
Since he’s been out of the team we’ve won every domestic trophy going. 11 and counting.
Luckily the manager thinks the same way hence the promotion of Klimala and recruitment of Ajeti.
lack of cutting edge? he leaves rogic up the road and replaces a left back like for like with 3 mins to go whilst chasing a goal.
muppet
Griffiths was an irrelevance to the Kilmarnock game, as he didn’t have the professional discipline to stay fit for it.
That’s why the manager and a lot of fans have lost trust in him.
The Daily Record would like to point out that this pic dates from pre-lockdown.
Caption: The dick that threw the cheese toastie is getting it!
Caption: “Whit’s the guy on the right doin’ Tom?”
Caption: It was a shock to his best friend Patrick when SpongeBob Squarepants was outed as a closet blue nose
caption: right we drink every time alfredo misses
SpongeBob square pants loyal night out…. SpongeBob tells slippy that there is 20 000 leagues under the sea surely you could win one of them.
So busy making sure you spell player’s names right you make an arse of a heap of other words! Have you ever thought to read it before you post?
Also, can’t stress enough how much you need to go back to the old style web page as the new one is feckin’ hideous on a p.c. Looks fine on my phone but on a desktop it melts ma eyes ffs!
It’s irony and part of his, now legendary, sardonic wit.
Caption
Secret meet with the man in the middle at the Crown Bar
McAllister likes a wee refreshment, three pints on his table or are certain individuals out of the picture, the Buffalo?
Rae what a septic wee individual, as for the rest of them a list to long to regurgitate sad zombies justifying the unjustifiable.
Hope tonight is a skoosh, 4-0
Onwards and upwards to ten in a row
Remember the old Jungle. Standing on beer cans for a better view. Pat McCluskey getting dogs abuse for giving up chasing a ball that was going out for a corner against us. Men with huge cargoes laid out, flagons of cider, El D, Buck. European nights, smoke coming up like an opium den. The fan on Strachan, the bottle miles away from the Rapid Vienna player, the tv gantry getting it, Jinky and Bobby throwing their boots in. Lifted over in and off my feet going out into Janefield Street. Watching Celtic.
“If you shout in a high pitched voice you will hear it on the telly” fell for that one.
Jumpers for goalposts…..
Tonight’s game is part of the season ticket so no need to stream
That is how you watch it, stream via Pass to Paradise.
There’s only so many chances we can give Griffiths and if the nut was screwed I’d keep him. He scored 40 4 seasons ago then Rodgers came in and he wasn’t even considered so had to fight to get into the team and done a job. The same the next season when Edouard was brought in and the season after when he was experiencing mental health issues. Last season saw him eventually get back to playing and proving he’s still an asset whereas so far this season he’s already had 2 indiscretions with not training properly during lockdown then the house party.
Cut the lad some slack and support our players, nobody’s perfect.
cut the lad some slack?
he got some slack after being found to be a racist
that was about 10 indiscretions ago
I suppose we should cut boli some slack too? after all hes one of our players
does the daily record come on here and cut-n-paste your posts? I doubt they would find better material anywhere else on the net.
Of course Boli deserves some slack.
He made a mistake.
Some locals in Glasgow came back from spain this week and sent their kids to school !
Seems they did not understand the ‘ guidance ‘
John Swinney made a HUGE mistake a week ago , but most seem to think its ok for him to remain in his job.
Massive u turn after initially backing the SQA, but virtually nothing said…
Also on Leigh Griffiths , i would not believe any ‘ stories ‘ you read in the media regarding parties , fitness or anything else.
They want him away from Celtic because they fear him.
If he stays this season he will score important goals for us.
Unless any of you know the boy personally , how can you comment on his fitness or attitude ?
I know
Caption: McCallister was duped into thinking it was a Golem fancy dress party!
Keep the Diary going as long as you can Ralph. Hugely appreciated. Didn’t know how much I missed it until it wasn’t there. Come the Second Wave we’ll need it more than ever.
I will second that.
Quality site , apart from the cybernats.
Keep up the good work Ralph.
He’s scored 115 in 7 seasons. Not exactly a great return for a striker at Celtic.
so minus the 1 season he played great for us that’s a return of 12 goals a season
not worth the issues he gives the club, hes had his chance(s) and he continues to let down his manager, his team mates and his fans who pay his wages
we can get 12 goals a season elsewhere without the hassle
how is it deflection? its a fact
115 goals over the course of 7 seasons (with 40 goals in one of those) is a poor return for a guy you mention in the same breath as Henrik
I forgot celtic are known for scoring at will at corners so lets jus put him on 200 goal will we?
thats because Brendan Rodgers is a cvnt
as always some intelligent input by MR
dembele over griffiths every day of the week for the rest of eternity
one player has just fired his team into the semi finals of the champions league, the other is more interested in throwing a party for his ned bird and pals than getting fit to play for celtic
If only Griffiths could motivate himself to be ready for the biggest season in 50 years
What’s important for most of us is the team’s success and any personal glory is a distant second.
He was the undoubted success of the Deila dream team that won the Hunless league, largely failed in domestic cups and was embarrassed in Europe by the likes of Maribor, Malmo and Molde.
Since then we’ve taken our game to a new dimension with an unbroken domestic trophy haul. 11 and counting.
Although it’s personally sad for him he’s been largely left behind, I hope, all rational Celtic fans agree the raising of the bar with Dembele and Edouard was a no-brainer.
Well said
aw it couldn’t be easy for those football players during lockdown?
that the same players that live in mansions with acres of grass out the back door? luxury entertainment systems and all the rest?
he couldnnt even get fit when all he had to do with his time was get fit! work that one out?
he was also the only payer to refuse a wage deferral, he is scum, simple
a player on 20 k a week refusing to take a wage deferral? what else would you call it?
known racist? father of 4 kids to 3 women?
no excuse for coming back out of shape and overweight
and not putting in the hard graft when required
if it was messi then maybe id give him another change, sadly its not
the snake played one up front in a tappety tap system that was less exciting than watching paint drying, dembele was also injured a LOT! and Griff still wasnt getting game time. Rodgers f u ked griff over from the start. shuv yer stats up yer erse.
erm are you high?
Griffiths played and scored at ibrox when moussa was injured
played the cup final and done nothing
anything else?
aye Griff’s plays for us and one up front in the SPL is a joke and stopped griff getting game time. Had Griff got more games he would have scored more goals. its that simple. your stats are skewed, like your thinking.
and won every trophy going and secured ucl football twice
where is he now? 10 in a row season?
who dembele? f@cked off first chance he got, Griff is playing for us. pretty sure hes injured.
Caption – “DOH!!!”
Caption …
Raised celebrities area in the louden
Caption………
The blank look on Bart Simpson’s face is understandable sitting beside these twats, a truly hair raising experience. Careful Bart, you might burn your hair on that light bulb.
Griffiths hasn’t been good value for money this past couple of years. Pity I always liked the wee rascal.
Compare and contrast much both will make for Peter Lawell’s moneyball game though Chaz?
Face mask fail
?
Caption : ‘An unusually reclusive John Beaton meets up with some pals in The Crown, Bellshill.’
Griffiths is special and should still be helped. We’ll need him this long season. Lenny should be a good man manager by now so should man manage.
Tonight:
Barkas
Elhamed/Jullien/Ajer
Forrest/Brown/McGregor/Taylor
Christie
Edouard/Klimala
3-0 to the Bhoys. C’mon Hoops.
lenny has done well getting the best out of him over the last 18 months, 10 games is it?
lenny trusts him that much hes paid 8 million for 2 strikers in the last 2 windows
no surprise either to learn that eddy has a better goals to game ratio that Griffiths
so lets wrap the 115 goals in as many seasons chat
hahaha if we listen to you Griffiths would be worth more than Edouard
1% better in half the time
ok mate, sure Griffiths is better than eddy
its fair to see you mention him a lot more than me
any self respecting human would have no time for the wee scumbag
Frimpong clearly still under investigation then
Calling a Celtic player ‘ a scumbag’ ?
POOR
id happily take evidence that hes not
I support celtic, not individuals
But he ain’t Celtic
Caption,The Sevco crotch holders whats app group have night out
Team for tonight ffs
Starting XI – Barkas, Elhamed, Bitton, Jullien, Taylor, Brown, McGregor, Christie, Forrest, Elyounoussi, Edouard.
Substitutes – Bain, Ajeti, Klimala, Rogic, Ntcham, Frimpong, Ajer.
Brown McGregor and Christie have been terrible in pre season and in the last game against Killie.
Bitton in for Ajer El Hamed for frimpong ffs.
I just don’t see the sense in it.
Frimpong under investigation
ajer was posting pics on social media at a restaurant
Caption: John Beaton gets another free beer.
At the SFA referee influence course , another anonymous ref awaits the soup entree
Last post gone….. sp apologies if this is repeated
Caption
At the SFA referee influence course , another anonymous ref is ready for his soup starter
Thats 2 posts gone missing……….same old
3-0 Celtic
more to come
Greg Taylor scores his first goal for Celtic , and only his second professional goal.
4-0 Celtic
Ajeti to come on for Eddy…
Pure Class.
Eddy scores with his last touch
Dancing feet !
Ajeti and Klimala to come on….
Ntcham simply has to start more games far superior to Christie
Despite being far off our best form we coasted it. I thought the icemen would have given us sterner opposition than that but on the whole it wasn’t too bad. A bit of rustiness at times but complete control of the game. Some cracking goals and good to see Barkas make a fine save just before half time, one of the very few moments when he was called into action. Looking forward to the next round.