Menu Close

Celtic Diary Tuesday October 25: Don’t Look Back

It’s Champions League night tonight, in case you’d forgotten, and although things are looking pretty grim on the European front, there’s still slight chance of playing on the continent after Christmas.

 

Though I wouldn’t start saving the pennies just yet.

 

Celtic need to win tonight to at least keep the door open for progression, and even that might not be enough.

 

 

Maybe though, with the pressure off a wee bit the team will find their confidence in front of goal, and kickstart the campaign. maybe saving a wee bit of pride.

 

On paper, it looks like a disastrous campaign, two defeats at home, one away and a solitary point on Donetsk when one could argue Shakhtar had an off day.

 

But it doesn’t feel like a disaster, the team have played well, the break of the ball just hasn’t gone our way.

 

 

Much has been made of our abysmal home record, something like seven defeats on the trot, and that’s got to change. Nothing is forever, especially in football, and if we are to put this right, then tonight is the night.

 

 

For years I’ve been harping on about making it more uncomfortable for visitors, and that’s what the club , as a whole, has to do.

 

 

Stop being nice to visitors, they’re taking advantage of us.

 

 

It’s all very well being lauded throughout the continent for a special atmosphere, and having a wonderful, respectful support, but that doesn’t win matches, so whilst I’m not advocating slapping the opposition players with a big goalie glove as they emerge from the tunnel, I’m sure we can be a bit more intimidating.

 

Looking ahead to the game, I’m expecting Celtic to fire on all cylinders, the Hearts game was a major bonding event in the face of adversity, and a close knit group of players will have been drawn even closer.

 

Even Ange got excited….

 

 

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou says Hearts clash too early to be 'statement  game' | Football News | Sky Sports

 

Four or five nil to the hoops is a conservative prediction if the players play the way they can, and the support gets behind them.

 

That’s not to say the support shouldn’t also intimidate the Ukranians, there is a difference.

 

 

A convincing win may set us up for a history making result in Madrid, but perhaps i’m getting ahead of myself here, and maybe we should face reality, in that we’re not at this level just yet.

 

 

Except, for a few chances missed, a few mistakes made, and some injuries to key players, we have proved we can compete, and there is consolation in that even if things don;t go our way, there is much to look forward to.

 

Speaking of injuries, they don’t make them like they used to…

 

 

Tweet Celtic 1952/53
@_Tweet_Celtic_
Saturday 25th October 1952 Celtic visit Tynecastle this afternoon and it looks increasingly likely that George Hunter will return to the team for the first time since recovering from tuberculosis.

 

 

We are due a good result. Though I’d like to think I’m basing my optimism on something more than the law of averages.

 

 

To balance what some may seem as my green tinted glasses, let’s look at what the Daily Record journalists think….

 

 

Daily Record Sport
@Record_Sport
Who will win Celtic vs Shakhtar Donetsk? Our writers make their predictions for Champions League clash  
 Even the Record won’t call them journalists, so I’m being generous, in case they’ve been upset at being referred to as writers.

 

 

KEITH JACKSON

THIS fixture always looked like being Celtic’s best chance of banking three Group F points and the rampant form Ange Postecoglou’s side are in ahead of a visit from Shakhtar bodes well. The Ukrainians are slick and dangerous on the counter-attack but an early goal for the home side could set the tempo for a first Champions League win.  

 

CELTIC 3 SHAKHTAR 1

GAVIN BERRY

There is pressure going into this one on boss Postecoglou as it’s their best chance of victory of all six Group F fixtures. It can’t be another hard-luck story and it won’t be – the signs have been positive on this stage without the result but this can be the night it comes together.

CELTIC 3 SHAKHTAR 1

MICHAEL GANNON

Celtic will fancy their chances of a first group win in the competition this season but this one is fraught with danger. Shakhtar are counter-attacking masters and they could really punish the Hoops
if they are allowed the space. Celts have the talent to cause problems themselves so it should be a wild night in Glasgow.  

CELTIC 3 SHAKHTAR 2

ANDY NEWPORT

The Ukrainians were moments away from sealing a historic win over Real Madrid last time out so clearly aren’t to be treated lightly but it’s time Celtic stepped up and claimed the result that will keep them in the hunt for a Europa League place. With 14 goals in their last three games Postecoglou will hope his side are over the crippling self-doubt in front of goal that’s hampered their Euro campaign so far.

CELTIC 2 SHAKHAR 1

FRASER WILSON

It’s do or die for Celtic and in front of a pumped-up Parkhead crowd I strongly fancy them to do the business and claim the three points. The Hoops should have won the away tie given the chances they created. Find their Champions League shooting boots and their Europa League hopes could still be alive come 10pm.

CELTIC 2 SHAKHTAR 1  

 

 

 

They think we’re going to win !

 

 

We’re doomed.

 

What time is Coronation Street on ? Or Eastenders ?

 

 

As for shakhtar, their gaffer knows what to expect…

 

 

We have our plan, but we must account for the energy from the start because all starts from Celtic are frenetic and high tempo.

“It’s tough to play against them. I spoke to some of the Real Madrid players who said the same.

“Remember in the first half against Real Madrid, Celtic had three chances and they might have led 3-0.

 

 

We have to make sure his best laid plans gang aglae….

 

 

 

Interestingly, as I write this, Rishi Sunak has been appointed Prime Minister, the third in a couple of months and the fifth since David Cameron decided to allow a referendum on exiting Europe.

 

After such a plethora of arseholes holding office, it’s perhaps symbolic that the latest one is an anagram of Hi Risk Anus.

 

 

Yesterday, we had this….

 

 

Tom Boyd unleashes on Celtic TV over 'scandalous' Hearts handball VAR call  - Football Scotland

 

 

Whitearra
 1 day ago

Caption : ‘Twelve year old youth ruins Celtic’s pre-match huddle’.  

 

 

Today

 

 

Image

5 7 votes
Article Rating
24 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Woof Charlie
1 year ago

Caption: Final preparations backstage at the Paul Weller gig.

Andrew Coyle
1 year ago
Reply to  Woof Charlie

Classic,I was there and got covid Heh Heh

tony carlin
1 year ago

the SFA VAR expert gets his PPE on ready for the next Celtic match

Boyceybhoy
1 year ago

El Buffaloes new shooting boots.

Andrew Coyle
1 year ago

Paul Slaney gets ready to come on for Broomhill F C

the real Anton Rogan
1 year ago

Caption: Seeeeeeeeeeebo

1 year ago

Unseen Fenian hand laces Kent’s boots.

1 year ago

Caption: Rishi Sunak gets ready for his first day on the job

Jonny
1 year ago

CAPTION: whos paying for the facepaint?

Luke Warmwater
1 year ago

Whoever replaces Van Bronkhorst has some mighty large boots to fill

Mcklintop
1 year ago

Ryan Kent puts the shooting boots on the wrong feet…..his own.

Sancheto
1 year ago

Caption – SFA referee chief introduces new kit and boots to enable Scottish referees to keep up with play and VAR!

Bognorbhoy
1 year ago

Caption …
Ally has to wear the clown shoes as his brogues are in the cobblers , won’t stop him talking cobblers though …

henkesdreadlocks
1 year ago

Caption…….

Oh look Boris, your shoes fit like a glove. I heard Liz got them on ok, but she didn’t know how to tie them

NJ7
1 year ago

Bobby Tait fully prepared for his last match as a grade 1 official.

The Cha
1 year ago

“Remember in the first half against Real Madrid, Celtic had three chances and they might have led 3-0.”

I hate this type of take. Yes, we could’ve scored in the 1st half but so could they have, as well.

The only game we’ve been unlucky in was away to Shakhtar and we were well beaten, in the end, in the others.

Unless we confront reality rather than feel good pish then we’re not going to improve.

Even though we were the best team away, I have concerns tonight, as they might be a better away side, witness the thrashing they dished out in Leipzig.

Hopefully, we can take our chances and keep it tight at the back, so tomorrow we’re not talking about what might have been.

henkesdreadlocks
1 year ago
Reply to  The Cha

Cha,if you watch that game in its entirety it was a fluke of the highest order. Leipzig bossed it but were totally shambolic at the back. I think Shakhtar had exactly 4 attempts but as I said, Leipzig were horrendous at the back.

The Cha
1 year ago

If you can’t be good, be flukey!

Whitearra
1 year ago

Caption : ‘Captain Tav boots up for another Champions League circus act.’

Desertbhoy
1 year ago

Circa 25 mins gone (according to watch) and Sevco supersub laces up!

Ally, sumday nicked yer brogues

Woof Charlie
1 year ago

Caption: Where’s my bucket full of Sevco share certificates?

Woof Charlie
1 year ago

Aye well. Onwards and upwards. Another great performance from Taylor and two of our best missing. Big GG is my kinda forward. This time next year….

The Cha
1 year ago
Reply to  Woof Charlie

… “as everyone must know,
They’ll be 2 green bottles,
Standing in a row”

Just back from (underwhelming) game and pretty disillusioned, as I just can’t see any progress from game 1 to 5.

To simply do the same thing next year and simply expect something different…well, we all know what that is.

Uibh fhaili
1 year ago

Since Dave king left the hun board have large shoes to fill

Follow us on Twitter @ETimsNet