The games continue to come thick and fast, with Celtic beginning their home league campaign this afternoon against Dundee.
In pre match interviews, manager Ange Postecoglou has been careful not to mix them up with local rivals Dundee united, as that sems to annoy Taysiders , as Steven Gerrard found out yesterday as they were beaten 1-0 by the Arabs, whose style of play was a little more combative than the Ibrox side were used to, largely down to Gerrard calling them Dundee in his press conferences.
Oddly enough, being mistakenly called Rangers never seemed to upset Gerrard’s players.
Hearts continued their fine start to life back in the top league with a win over St Mirren in Paisley, and now might even be thinking of a title challenge themselves.
Aberdeen and Hibernian both play today as well, and could join them on maximum points, all of which makes for an entertaining and interesting start to the season.
Not as exciting as this frenetic chase though…..
But, of course, it’s what Celtic do that matters, and new bhoy James McCarthy could make his debut today, in front of a crowd of 25,000…..
He’s a Celtic fan, and the media are making a fairly big issue about that, but what’s equally important is he brings a little bit extra experience to the side, having been around a bit.
When combined with his Celtic mindedness, that could turn out to be very important indeed.
Regarding his experience, he told the Glasgow Times about the other managers he’s worked under… Robero Martinez, Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane….
Martinez was a massive influence,”
“He took me down south and then to Everton.
“He was a massive influence on me tactically, every detail he’d go into on a daily basis.
“I think [he made me a better player]. I went down there as a young boy and grew into a man within six or seven months, because I went down there when I was 18 and found it difficult to get in the team. By January I eventually broke in but at that time I was more advanced midfield, inside left where I’d play for Hamilton.
“After a year or two I went to a deeper midfielder, so he changed a lot of things in my game and I am thankful to him. I still speak to him quite a lot. I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago on text.
“And having the likes of Martin O’Neill with Ireland has been a big influence. With Ireland, I loved my time playing under Martin. We had a lot of good times to be fair.
“We got to the Euros and done well in that, getting put out to France was disappointing but I enjoyed my time working under Martin.
“With Roy, he would tell you what he thought but that’s just the way Roy is. You see him on Sky and he’s no different to when he’s in the changing-room with you.
“Roberto and Graeme Jones were maybe not shouting and bawling but would get their point across as well. That’s just different styles of managers and part and parcel of football.”
Some have expressed doubts about his fitness, but he seems happy enough with how he feels….
“I feel good physically and mentally. I am looking forward to seeing the lads, training with the boys. It’s a new challenge for me and one I am excited about.
“I want to play as long as I can. I feel good, I have trained and done a few tests with the staff at Celtic and they are saying I look good physically.
“It’s taking it a day at a time but I feel good and I am looking forward to as many more years. I am not going to say I’ll play to this age because you never know in football, but I feel good and why not?”
Ismael Soro is everyone’s tip to be the fall guy, with McCarthy taking his place, but don’t be surprised if David Turnbull is given a wee bit of a rest , as he seems a little out of sorts at the moment.
Oddsone Edoaurd will be back in contention for a start, at least according to manager Ange Postecoglou who says the Frenchman was laft out against Jablonec as he wasn’t one hundred per cent fit.
He said;
“Nothing has changed for me. Everyone knows that Odsonne is in the last year of his deal and there is plenty of talk that he will move in this window.
“But I just treat it as something that’s happening in the background.
“I prepare the squad for the games and he’s played in most of them.
“He had a little knock after Midtjylland and didn’t train every day – so I put him on the bench in midweek.
There he goes, slipping back into his native “Strine”
Loosely translated back into English that means he’ll be on the bench again today until he starts to look like he gives a shit.
Celtic looked hugely improved against Jablonec, and we can expect that to continue this afternoon, and just maybe the defence, having worked out how to defend set pieces, will also cut out the basic errors that have haunted them for a while.
Consistency in selection will help, but there’s always the Biton Factor, and the sooner he’s left out the better. He’s not the long term solution, or even a possible long term solution, so it’s baffling as to why he’s being selected.
Having been sent off against Midyyjtland was bad enough, and then his own goal in Czechia are making him a liability, so maybe it’s time to bring in Stephen Welsh, and give Biton a bit of a rest. For say, five years or so.
One or two have commented on the inverted full back style, and Celtic by Numbers on Twitter has analysed it in action, which makes for interesting reading.
Note, in picture three that is not a real arrow, although it’s unlikely a Scottish referee would deem it an offence even if it was.
It appears we have been working on things in training, and it’s beginning to pay dividends.
Today, a win would be good, a clean sheet would be even better, but what would be the icing on the cake is if the supporters didn’t meet up and 1pm and start moaning about the board.
Yes, we know they are culpable, yes we know they blew the ten, but if we are prepared to give Ange Postecoglou time to fix thngs on the pitch, we need to give Dominic McKay time to fix them off it.
At this point in time, the priority is getting the team firing.
Any other firings can wait….
Elsewhere, and Inter Milan, one of Europe’s biggest and most successful clubs has joined Barcelona on the financially fragile list, with stories from Italy claiming they will have to sell players to avoid liquidation.
Barcelona are also in deep doo doo, which could very well be the beginning of the end for ludicrous player wages and payments to those not directly involved in the game, but seem to do fairly well out of it.
Directors at both clubs will be looking at avenues to save their skins, and are believed to have contacted an expert….
The problem for Inter is that they can’t just sell their ground to another club as they don’t own it, and coming back as Internazional Internazional Milan would just sound stupid.
Barcelona have found out, somewhat embarrassingly, that they can’t afford to keep star player Lionel Messi, although this could merely be a ploy to get the Spanish league to ease their own financial fair play rules, but if that doesn’t happen, Messi could end up in England or France, as they don’t worry too much about the rules there, and until they do, and clubs and associations start to work together to curb player demands, this may well turn out to cause headaches for other clubs, except Celtic , of course, who are run by a bunch of tight arse tories who seem to think that the clubs money is their’s and would rather not spend any of it if they could get away with it.
Again, look at the bigger picture before you dig out your pitchfork and head to the car park….
Speaking of recruitment policy, the local side at the best little town in Antrim are looking for players, and if this is you, give them a shout….
Get to the stadium early, even those who haven’t got tickets and give these bastards plenty. Don’t forget the contempt they have treated the support with over the last 10 months. Barricades erected and using their ‘friends’ at the likes of the Daily Ranger and the Hun to vilify the support. Get them so far to fvck and give them hell.
Caption, “I see English, Tom English, will he do.”
Loved your comment Ralph about no one minds them mistakenly being called Rangers. I wouldn’t rush McCarthy in but agree David Turnbull has not been at his best after an excellent first season also time Welsh came back in.
I know some folks hate talking about Rangers but our success is tied into defining where our rivals sit. So since they were enjoying life too much at the moment
I want to develop my theme about getting more than 55 or whatever ‘they’ get. Most of the media including the BBC have worked hard to prop up ‘ Rangers.’ Maybe Celtic did too.
The point is are they ‘ Simply the Best’ or ‘ Simply the Second Best?’ The millstones of Liquidation and EBTs will never go away. FERGUS got Celtic supporters to chip in £500.00 each. If ‘they’ had had a visionary leader who was prepared to put in what Fergus did to save our history plus the 2012 equivalent say £750.00 each they would have saved their history without any argument. The tax bill was much less than the rumoured
£72 m so they would have had a fortune to invest in 2013. Murray let them down again and the cast of Whyte and Charles of Normandy would never have got near them.
It was Rangers people who destroyed their club. When we go past their 55+ X, X being the number they get from now on, they may well win this year even next year they are done. Gerrard has a shelf life, have they a post-Gerrard plan?
Decent comment but one GLARING ERROR: ‘They’ got 54 and died, there are NO MORE to come: Dead Clubs can’t add to their tally, FFS see this and NEVER forget it. It’s what ‘them’, the SMSM, Desmond, Lawwell et al WANT you to believe…..but it’s a fukkin’ BIG LIE.
CALL IT OUT!
Celtic’s unique angle proves conclusively there was no malice in the Halliday attack on Calmac.
Sometimes, you just have to admire a genius and that’s what Lionel Messi is. Watching him play over the years at Barca along with Xavi and his teammates raised football to a new higher level, my goodness, but the joy of watching him play is a joy that will last a lifetime. His huge talent did almost as much for European football as big Jock and the “Lions”, Barca without Messi will be just “Barcelona FC”. A wee mention to his Da, because he had his sons back in every respect. “Football isn’t football anymore”, throughout the world it’s been taken over by the exploiters and FFP has been its biggest casualty. Our emotions are all over the place as we realise that the beautiful game is no longer, as greed and ambition has replaced enduring love, human frailties does what it always does. I am reminded of when Murray tried to buy into the “Honest Men” of Ayr Utd. and was chased, like father, like son, what a spiv, naturally he found his spiritual home in Govan. The proposal for a European Super League, is the latest project of football greed, but make no mistake that the supporters of all the clubs involved would be crying with unmitigated joy at the thought of their club being involved. It’s down to honest men like Turnbull Hutton RIP to gain control of the game and to try to keep it clean. Supporters too, are right to protest and to try to wrestle control of their clubs, the future of the game is in their hands. FFP – RIP.
Eh….Messi and his father were both found guilty of tax fraud in July 2016 and were handed suspended 21-month prison sentences and the forward ordered to pay a 1.7million Euro fine. No point being hypocritical
….they are thieves.
No point at all, still a football genius though, despite their human frailties.
The point is about FFP. Barca’s debt is estimated at £1.1 Billion.
PSG – founded in 1970, then fan owned for only three years, it accrued substantial debts and eventually it was taken over by the representatives of the State of Qatar, it’s been investigated twice by UEFA and treads a fine line, but mostly crosses it.
Spurs – borrowed £637 mill. just to build a new stadium.
Man Utds net debt, pre-Covid in 2019 was £203 mill. But the club is valued in the Billions.
Man. City, – Zero debt.Owned by Sheik Monsour raised £650 mill. in a mega debt deal, Barca also raised £448 mill.
Hun-co, Never made a profit ever.
Celtic FC. Zero debt. The point is how can you compete against huge loss making football clubs who borrow huge amounts without FFP being governed properly. It’s not just it’s soul that it’s lost, it’s lost its integrity and honesty, sport without ethics is just like Bet 365, a gambling company, where honest clubs lose out on endless titles and trophies.
Reply moderated. No point at all, but still a footballing genius, despite their human frailties. The point is about lack of FFP, where honest clubs are penalised and football is a gambling company like Bet 365. Honesty? well its out the window.
….they are thieves.
They are in good company then, because, think of the clubs in billions of pounds of debt, where palms are greased constantly and FFP is a joke. Where honest clubs spend within their means and are cheated out of sporting prizes. Think of the players on a pittance while the big clubs pay huge wages and FFP is ignored by UEFA. The pigs are feeding at the trough and yes Messi too, but their are Hun ers more, he at least is a football genius.
Hmmm, CBN does indeed do a great job and here shows one example of how the IFB system works. Would need to read it all to see if he examines how many times it broke down, gave away possession, caused keystone cops
defending and helped lead ( thanks Rogic, Starfeld Hart and Bitton) to their second, Ralston being inverted as he was. It’s not the system, which you rightly say needs to be worked on, it’s the technical ability and intelligence of the players chosen to play it.
I will be there at 1 pm to make me feel like I am l, at least, against these ‘tight arsed forties’
Down with that sort of thing.
Correct … especially regarding Rogic. As CalMac says, “Watch it back”. The number of times he lost the ball, both before and after their 2nd goal, and left us wide open was shocking. Unless there’s real improvements we’re going to have to score 4 in every game to get a win. Love the new Naka though … His movement is wonderful.
Tories
Caption……
Nice to see the huns getting horsed.
Caption
The Huns try to resolve crowds entering football stadia.
Ange appears to be moving the team in the right direction as the Scots media are hysterical in their bad mouthing. As usual they think Sevco winning the league is a Cinch, but yesterday showed them up as bang average, why it was lispdicrous Lenny and the CEO and Board flung away ten.
As for the demonstrators if you pays your money you are entitled to a view, far too many follow the official bullshit. Just think How the media portray the Sevco dispute, strange how Cinch sells used cars as a senior Sevco man.
A few goals will be scored today to further depresethe Sevco rabble rousers.
Caption: If zeez hunz are coming I vill shoot ze vun ze call Gerrard.
Caption
Shoot the one called Broonie on the back his leg. We’ve arranged with SKY to report it as a pulled hamstring
Caption,police Scotland practice dealing with our fans for Celtic Park opening
Caption: ” Hans why are you taking so long to shoot?”
“Otto I charged you a thousand marks per bullet to assassinate Chic Young and Steven Gerrard but they’re in the Ibrox toilets and I think I could save you a thousand marks.”
If we get 9 points clear of this mob the George Square ‘minority’ will destroy them. Racially and religiously abuse them and wreck West Central Scotland attacking ‘her maj’s’ polis with Bucky bottles paid for by the giro provided by the tax they dodged . Oh I can’t wait.
Caption : ‘Franzi, I know your arse is chapped, but you’ll just have to get used to it and use the Sudocrem’.
Caption …
Look at the size of them dicks on those horses ..
Caption – History shows us that, despite years of blatant cheating and a totally misplaced ‘superiority’ complex, the Huns always end up being knocked off their high horse.
Caption – Dammit Stevie, Charlie Mulgrew ducked behind fat bastard Morelos. Keep at it Gary, we need those 3 points to stay in front of Celtic for another week. HH!
Kyogoaaaaaaaaaal
x2
x3
Beautiful.
And there it is. The referee sets the tackling standards for the season. Hartson too feart to criticise the referee.
Yes please
Marvellous. The futures bright the futures OorAnge. That’s the most I’ve enjoyed a Celtic performance in yonks.
I predicted on yesterday’s diary that we’d win by a handful and go above the huns…now let’s keep the pressure on them and leave them in our slipstream.
That was a breath of fresh air from the team today and it’s early days and they’re still gelling. That’s the best 90 minute performance we’ve seen for a loooooong time.
The hacks at the Daily *ranger will be foaming at the mouth….they started the live text updates with adjectives like “sloppy”, anticipating a Celtic slip-up, but they must be away in their dark corners worrying about how this new Celtic team is gonna improve as they play more games. Kyogo missed 3 and scored 3 and never stopped running into space. Ryan Christie remembered to be Ryan Christie and the enthusiasm running through the team was refreshing.
Yep, it was “only” Dundee, but you’d need to be a manic depressive to pick faults with today’s display…especially after a season of passing the ball sideways like fekking crabs until the opposition got themselves back into their defensive positions.
Now we have players who play with enthusiasm again and I for one am very happy with the potential of this team.
Wouldn’t it be sweet Karma if us winning the league this season denies them the Champions League money that they DESPERATELY need to survive. That would go a little way to making up for the disappointment of missing out on the Ten.
Well done Ange….don’t here too many jokes about about your name now!!
“HEAR”…I blame my school,. lol
There`s that feeling I missed.
Well played Bhoys.
Looks like the Bhoys are back in town. Not a single below par showing from anyone today. This was a performance that was both encouraging and entertaining. The football going forward was delightful to watch at times. Kyogo, who could easily have been on a double hat-trick and Abada really look like the real deal, especially the former who impressed not only with his deft touches and finishing prowess but also his immense work rate and courage. I think we could have a real hunskelper in the making here. Good man Tony Ralston who doesn’t have too many fans but what a performance today! Time to sit down at table and present Christie with an offer he can’t refuse. Feet are still firmly on the ground but I think we can look forward to a lot more from this new-look side. Well done Ange and the lads! HH
Don’t want to start sucking my own dyk, BUT I haven’t seen that commitment or fluincy in yonks, and my spelling is shiyte..
Ralston was always too good for Lennon’s team and tactics as he consistently charged up the right wing only to cross to Edward surrounded by five defenders. He was made the scapegoat.
Dear Ange
Please excuse Ryan from dead ball situations like corners and freekicks as, despite have many fine attributes, does not possess that particular skill set.
Yours Mrs Ryan.
Tamarin has been consistently good. Maybe a striker in there as well. That was a tidy finish. Guy is solid. As a side note wtf happened to mcgowans hair. He looks like he’s the victim of a drunken joke
Ralston ffs tamarin. Not even close
Caption – Peter, I can’t see any protesters! Dom if you stand up here like me you can see the green brigade swarming all over The Celtic Way! Don’t shoot until you can see the colour of their eyes!
The yellow of their eyes
Caption: Wow! Who would have thought they would be riding giraffes? Did you get him?
Caption
Huns shooting blanks again
That was a lovely weekend. Maybe savour it fuhurashi has made his mark. Extreme effort graced with guile and finishing. That never giving up defending from the front. Eddy has never done that.
One last game. Two this game. Next game…a players livelihood taken ?
Why do Celtic FC tolerate such insolence from officials ?
Dunk, dunk. Nutmeg, Goal. Who am I ?
5 Talking Points
1.When you’ve got a GK you’re more likely to have a defense. We’ve missed both for a while now. So hopefully post-Dundee that section of the team will get even better. We’ve turned a corner.
2.The mid-field on paper looked weak and likely to be easily breached but they were all in there for their passing ability (forward, not sideways) and it worked a treat. The front line’s diligence in defending from the front prevented the mid-field from being easily over-run. And who’d have thought Turnbull could play 90 minutes?
3.The front line were impressive to a man – skill and speed and good awareness of who is where – Abada is a delight to watch him run and look up to see who’s where. He will only get better with proper coaching and management, as of course will all our young and not so young players.
4.Kyoko is a star in the making as he is not just a goal poacher he is an all-rounder – skill, speed, awareness and motivation.
5.Ryan Christie has a big future in Ange’s team – he wants to be here. Do the right thing and increase his wages commensurate with his contribution. Who is worth more than him? He should be one of our highest earners. Do it this week.
6.I know, I know I said 5, but it just has to be pointed out: Ange is the real deal. Do whatever he demands in terms of recruitment.
We all know the difference a good manager can make, if the players respect him and are willing to take instructions from him. He must be free to construct his own team with his own players, playing his own system. It is clear that the new players have been his own choice, I doubted Abada was because he came from Lawwell’s favourite agent, but he is probably the best one of that I’ve seen.
Kyoko certainly is Ange’s choice because of where he played, but don’t mention his name too loud because the window is still open and we al know what happens to successful Celtic players. Both Hart and McCarthy are unusual in the sense of their age and the length of their contracts and contrast big time from the Lawwell era, when only sell-on value mattered, a welcome change.
We still need some players in, but perhaps under the new manager the existing players have improved a lot, thinking about Tony Ralston, he has matured and is performing well, he has guts and gives us a bit of strength at the back. So, well done Ange and credit also to Dom McKay for the different approach. it’s brilliant to see the support wearing big smiles and enjoying the team.