Normal service was resumed at Celtic Park yesterday with the presentation of the League trophy.
Ange Postecoglou’s swashbuckling Celtic picked up the trophy after a routine 6-0 win over a hapless Motherwell.
In doing so, he equalled the world record of 55 in a row set by another club/company just down the road, and in fact , you could almost hear the quaking of boots and the filling of trousers as he announced after the game….
“I want everyone to enjoy today, enjoy the summer and we’ll come back bigger and better, because we never stop!”
The automatic qualification for the group stages of the Champions League measn that some of the players will come back bigger, but no doubt they’ll shed that in pre season training, which given the intense attitude to preparation probably starts on Wednesday.
It’s hard to believe the roller coaster ride that has been this season. It’s also hard to believe that a man jumped off an aeroplane with just a travel bag and an A-Z of Glasgow could oversee such a turnaround in fortunes not only on the pitch but off it.
He’s given the support their pride back, it’s as simple as that.
We’re now debating which three of six top class forwards should start the match.
That’s a hell of a long way from blaming Lewis Morgan for being thrown in at the deep end because the other strikers weren’t fit enough or interested enough to play in some of the more challenging games.
When Tom Rogic , having stayed a year longer than he wanted to, came on to a standing ovation yesterday, it was a pivotal moment in Celtic’s history.
Indeed, this image, as he left the field for the last time, marks the end of an era…
Along with Nir Biton, the two players said their emotional farewells to the support after almost a decade each in the hoops.
Others will depart over the summer, such as Barkas, Ajeti..if he’s still there, that is, Jullien, who did try to leave on a number of occasions last season but usually pulled a hamstring or sprained an ankle while getting into the taxi, but it was clearly felt they would only be embarassed by a chance to say goodbye.
Especially as most fans probably wouldn’t recognise them these days.
There will be others, but we’ll scarcely notice them as they head through the exit, although we would rather Karamoke Dembele would stay.
James Forrest , despite having other options on the table, signed a new deal that will mean he’ll be challenging John Clark for longest serving Celt.
Forrest has his eye on a coaching post when he finally hangs up his boots, and although Biton and Rogic will miss out on testimonials, the winger is still hopeful of his.
It’s his best chance of a start, according to observers.
Who really should know better.
Forrest and captain Calum MacGregor will have an enormous role next season, as they are now the only players to have played in the group stages for Celtic.
Given that, it might be two years before we win the big cup again, as the others get used to the rarified atmosphere, although in fairness, they all seemed to enjoy the last time they played under the lights….
The players will get some time off, and supporters should notice there will probably be a little bit more money in their accounts with no qualifiers to fund this year.
In the old days, under Peter Lawwell, that would probably be mentioned as the club helping us out during this period of, shall we say, pre Depression days, and the board would probably have raised the season book prices to adjust the income accordingly.
With an exodus of players already well under way, speculation is mounting over who will replace them.
Arguably , Matt O’Riley, the potty mouthed chap who joined when Riley McGree went to Middlesborobscurity, is pretty much the man to take over from Rogic, even if he should wash his mouth out with soap….
Caption: And remember just pass it to Calmac, don’t try and dribble it round the SPFL suit first.
Wonderful season won with the help of established Bhoys such as Callum Mac, who took over the impossible job from Broony as if he were born for the role and Tom revived with recruits who just gelled, though it took Starfelt a few games, but after kicking back at the ‘Well who were kicking all of his team mates I fell in love with, though Carer-Vickers was so, so key to it all. Kyogo and Jota, well, wonderful! Abada and Hart, just magificient! And with Ange who?, WTF? to Angeba’! Superb and certainly unexpected. Also as Ange had an arm around an emotional Wizard as Ange pushed him gently out the door, who I am gutted at seeing go, show Ange is fair but ruthless, knows what he wants and takes no prisoners. Enjoy your break, those who can with the Scotland gane if it goes ahead and at least the same again next season Bhoys and solid in Europe too would be extra. No silly trip-ups in European qualifiers, so a real pre-season, I just canna wait! Champions again! HH!
Caption: No this one’s mine. You get next season’s.
fabulous end to a fabulous season. Thank you Ange and the Bhoys.
I’m telling you right now Joe, if you put that big muddy glove on my jumper I’ll put this big fist right on yer chin.
Yeah, like Joe ever uses his hands!!
Caption
Joe it’s bigger, stronger, because we never stop, OK?
Now two cities face the next week in dread, Seville the land of the Orange, and Glasgow the land the Orange marches. Love how the media try to make a non-story of Supporters celebrating in the city, the Idiot Polis ‘the litter was disgraceful’ and the Tron theatre had to cancel a performance as the fearties could not get through the jubilant celebration.
But we have much to look forward too, a few laughs at their expense, and the media in knots trying to make out they knew all along especially how good ANGE is
(caption)here boss its no that heavy.you’ll have to get used to this.
Before I even read the Diary or the comments, I’d just like to say this.
Ralph has brought this to us for many years and works full time (I think) too.
I reckon that’s too much, and hence occasional infrequency of The Diary.
I can allocate a couple or three quid a month for him to do this daily.
He’s clearly as good as ANY SMSM ‘journalist’, better of course.
Maybe the infuriating WordPress (or similar) shyte can then be consigned to the past. Oh, and allow an OPEN forum whereby one takes responsibility for what one says and monitoring is NOT required.
Just a thought.
I’m a Tim, I neither seek nor want freebies at another Tim’s expense.
Think about it!
I was speaking to Scott Brown a few days after he left the dons. He was pretty dismissive of Karamoko, saying he’s got the wrong attitude to make it with the Tic.
CAPTION.
A son of Zeus finds his spiritual home.
CAPTION.Even up close Ange will always be the bigger man
“You’re definitely a Keeper !” …. from Both
Caption,Hey boss,how come Rangers name isn,t on the cup?
Because that name only lives in the Ether son
If I had a favourite name on here, I think it would be the thoughtful Owen Mullions. Please get posting again, you’re missed.
Must say I miss Mike the farmer ‘frae Bonnie’ and hope he’s keeping well and watching his flocks. Calton mhen, mehhhhhen, need “the watchin'”.
Over to you, ‘Peas’n’barley’?
One of the best / my favourite ‘names’ was / is:
AwnawnoAnnonionanawnoo…..!
Just brilliant! Have always said I would get a t-shirt done with that on it….need to get round to doing that………!
Never take it for granted being part of the global Celtic family.
YNWA, COYBIG!
Nice wan Anton, you’re right it’s a cracking name but you’d need tae be a helluva big fella to get all of it on a t-shirt!!
The name comes from when I used to troll Tim sites in the guise of a thick Hun. It was meant as a parody but I should have known better – the thicker you are, the more people assume you really ARE a Hun so I had to pack it in.
As for Ralph, he tries hard but there’s no denying the atroshus speling, offal poofreading and abysmal grammar what he has wrote this diary with. Clearly, he’s a man with a very limited vocab…vocib…hingmy o’ words ‘n’ that. If you ask me, he’s a bit of a mormon.
HaHaHa, you’ll be gettin’ the “Awaiting for approval” crap next!
I never saw it as anything other than takin’ the piss out of THAT shower as they’ve been “Owen Mullions” since shortly after their highly illegitimate ‘birth’ in 2012. Keep the name, it’s still a belter!
THIS: “He’s given the support their pride back, it’s as simple as that.”
Fkn BRILLIANT Ralph. After being sold out by Lawwell, and NFL apparently taking the “Queen’s shilling”……..we needed that.
Lawwell? Not missed, NOT forgotten. Fkn scoundrel traitor.
The big kaflik Spanish polis did it.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/may/15/camp-nou-glory-remembering-rangers-1972-european-triumph
Can’t get link past admin but there’s an article blaming the Spanish polis for their first European riot. It’s in The Guardian, formerly the Manchester Guardian. You can make it up seemingly.
Wonderful scenes yesterday, delighted for all the players and particularly Calmac who bravely fronted up after games every other week last season showing true leadership.
Now, Ange says we will be bigger and better next season. We need to bring in some real quality to enhance what we have. Ange also said during the week, the signings will be more targeted and implied they will be players who will ‘start’
You mention Solbakken from Bodo in the article, he’s a superb talent but sadly he appears to be Roma bound now. (I also thought their left back showed up well at Celtic Park) However it’s players of that quality we undoubtedly need. We appear to be wide open in the middle of the park in many games against better quality sides and in the Champions League we will be found out if it isn’t rectified.
So many times over the years, we should have strengthened from an already fairly strong position and we didn’t do it. I suspect this time might be different as Ange can clearly spot a player and the Board have no excuse as huge Champs League money is guaranteed.
And: The pope is on a visit to Liverpool. He claims that he has powers to cure almost any human ailment. Wee Billy shouts to him, “Father, can you help with my hearing?” The pope says, “put your hands over your ears and let us pray together…… after a moment or two the pope, says “how is your hearing now?” Wee Billy says, “I don’t know father, it’s not till next Tuesday”
Caption “Ted Hastings wants me for a summer job, okay boss?”
Caption : ‘Really, Australian lambswool?
Jersey?
Caption – Before it goes in the trophy cabinet, make sure to wipe those grubby Hun paw prints off it.
Caption- “yeah,yeah mate just try not to look so stupid with the ball at your feet next season”
Caption:
“Have ye seen this gaffer? A feckin receipt fae Cash Convertors made oot tae a Mr.Douglas Park”.
‘Ooft it stinks a bit boss!’
‘Aye sorry joe, we’ve no had time to disinfect it yet’
Tamthetim I don’t believe you on two counts. 1. Broony wouldn’t say that about a fellow pro even if it was true. 2. The lad knows a bit about the game and 20 in your first season having moved across the globe and experienced a major injury is outstanding. So it’s not true. Thanks for popping in though.
WC, I think you got a little confused, TTT was talking about Karamoko Dembele our former Academy player not Kyogo Furuhashi ( think that’s the right spelling) one of our Japanese recruits.
My bad apologies.
Don’t stress it, Charlie, all those K’s in those two names would confuse anyone.
Well, maybe not anyone but you catch my drift.
Salbakken has agreed terms with Roma. Next.
Caption: you’re the man boss!
I note two cases of monkey pox down south that no one on here has picked up on. Only joking. What a year. Some things you can bluff but team spirit cannot be counterfeited. These guys are playing for each other and for Ange. What an achievement in a year. And who knows what transfer diamonds will be unearthed this summer with the money released by Bitton/Rogic wages never mind the CL cash. I’d prioritise a quality young keeper to learn his trade and another centre half off the Julien wage. Happy days.
Caption..
‘ listen boss, before we fill it with the Champers is their anyway we can add some Hun tears as a mixer!’
‘Why’s that mate?’
‘Well it’s odds on that any of us driving home are going to be stopped by the Polis.
It would be a laugh to see them using our samples in court.’
You can take your gloves off mate ,it was cleaned after them filthy huns had it
We have the cup, where’s the tea?