After making the last couple of games a handicap event by conceding an early goal, it became perfectly clear what the manager had been working on during the week more or less as soon as yesterday’s cup quarter final kicked off.
Within the time it takes to ask the guy in front of you to sit down, the game has started, Celtic had taken three pops at goal and scored one.
Two more goals followed in due course, and with the exception of an outstanding save from Joe Hart that was a result of Celtic getting back into their stride.
It’s refreshing to have a manager that deals with issues as they arise, and even more refreshing to have players that respond.
The 3-0 win means Celtic join Inverness CT in the semi finals, along with either Raith or “rangers “, and Falkirk or Ayr.
It means that three relatively unsuccessful clubs have a chance of adding to their trophy count, and for them the cup is usually the one they consider their best shot.
That’s what football is all about…giving the fans of the smaller teams a day out at Hampden.
Whilst yesterday will be remembered for the collective performance, and no one had a bad game, one or two caught the eye. to do that these days, a Celtic player has to do something that wee bit special.
Kyogo Fuhruhashi was tireless up front, his head never dropping even if his movement sometimes was too quick for his team mates to see. In next seasons champions league, where the margins are finer, this development, could be the diofference between progress and failure, with the midfield moving with that little extra guile as Mooy and Hatate develop their partnership.
Reo Hatate was immense in the middle, and it was interesting to see Tomoki Iwata and Yuko Kobayashi fit seamlessly into the side when called on, adding calmness and strength respectively.
Cameron Carter Vickers adapted to his new partner flawlessly, which again points to a lot of work being done on the training ground.
We never stop applies not only to the ninety minutes on the field, but the week’s work leading up to the game.
If any English clubs are considering an attempt to poach our manager, they might do well to consider his approach to the game is to improve and develop players, which wouldn’t sit well in the EPL as most of the superstars down there see playing in that league as the summit of their career, and a contract with even the minor teams is hyoped as having made it…
Something I’m sure Ange Postecoglou is well aware of….and will take into consideration when anyone asks him for a chat.
With Gary Lineker elevated to Leader of the Opposition, ably supported by his colleagues at Match Of The Day, the onus was on BBC Scotland’s “experts ” to follow suit.
Sportsound covered the game, but went straight to recorded material at full time, returning live to cover the Morton Partick game. Their narrative seemed to be along the lines of who can stop the “Celtic Juggernaut “, a phrase they semed so pleased with they repeated it at every opportunity….they talked a lot, presumably they get paid by the word, as they had to get their quota in before going off air.
Of course, they suggested that only “rangers ” could stop they who never stop, which is why they were party to perpetuating the same club myth in the first place.
Happily, though, Sportscene dispensed with the expert analysis, going straight to the players coming out of the tunnel before going straight into the highlights.
There is little need for any intro these days, most people know the results anyway, and all the audience looks for are the talking points, but unsurprisingly not those doing the talking.
Back in the days before live television, fans could avoid the result thus making the highlights show sort of exciting, although you could usually tell if Celtic had won by the dour expression on Dougie Donnelly’s face.
Mind you, was he a happy bunny if we’d lost . Positively beaming, if I recall correctly.
Sportscene produced it’s most entertaining show in it’s long history last night, and although they will probably bring back the muppets next time out, the writing may be on the wall.
Short term, that means they’ll be even more, er, impartial, as this picture shows when they auditioned for new pundits.
As the Celtic juggernaut rolls on, there are still a few optimistic voices in the media where their favourites are concerned.
Such as Kenny Miller, who played for the two “Old Firm ” clubs.
And the one that thinks it is.
Every Rangers fan would love a crystal ball to predict their team’s fortunes next season.
I can help here…I’ve had a look.
But the performance of Michael Beale’s side against Hibs on Wednesday night might just have given us a glimpse into the future. Listen, I don’t claim to know the manager inside out. But I’ve followed his career from being Steven Gerrard’s number two to taking over at QPR then returning to Ibrox.
Miller is sticking his neck out here. He thinks they’ll beat Hibs next season.
And what I witnessed at Easter Road is exactly the type of display I’d expect from a Michael Beale team. It’s only one game, so no-one should get carried away. But make no mistake, that was the highest standard we’ve seen from Rangers this season. The ball speed, the tempo, the intensity – on and off the ball – was fantastic.
Just like Celtic, in fact. Like Celtic do every week.
The pressure to regain possession high up the pitch and release forward players closer to Hibs’ box – which led to a couple of goals – was outstanding. Rangers were in total control of that game and Lee Johnson’s side couldn’t get near them. People talk about certain grounds in the Premiership as ‘hard places to go’ for Rangers.
That’s hard place to go to play, not hard places to go when they have to have a whip round for the bus fare.
But when you move the ball the way they did in midweek you remove that danger. Because teams like Hibs can’t get close when you’re in that form. Michael likes this system of a diamond-like midfield, with Ryan Kent at the tip of it and the two strikers playing a bit wider. It reminds me of Liverpool at their best when they had Roberto Firmino dropping off with Sadio Mane and Mo Salah at either side.
Like Liverpool ? Why not a Messi inspired Barcelona, or Real Madrid’s original galacticos?
Or someone else, closer to home ?
Kent has that ability to roam which led to such a free-flowing, wonderful team performance. Honestly, it was a really enjoyable watch. And dare I say it, that’s how I feel when I watch Celtic under Ange Postecoglou. It’s the other side of the city and I don’t want to be seeing it.
He was watching Celtic while typing that yesterday, and clearly got a bit mixed up.
Celtic face Hibernian next week.
Miller, and his colleagues are already drafting articles about how poor Hibernian are…..which they collectively ignored when they faced rampant “rangers ” and their “rompers ”
Yesterday, we had this….
Caption: Look boss, this is the hair product I was on about! They’ll not call you a baldy prick anymore…you’ll just be a prick!
Caption: because you’ll not be marching down Garvaghy Road
Sevco players heading for lunch in their new suits and brogues
Caption: Chaotic scenes as Karen Miller drops her Trans Tosser of the Year award after receiving it from Nick Sturgeon.
Caption : ‘if it moves, hit it until it stops………..’
Caption; Come with me bhoys, I’ll show you why Glasgow is green and white just like my clothes.
And in yet another change to our scheduled programmes we bring you recorded highlights of last years pizza rolling championship.
Unfortunately, the Boclair Academy pupils don’t have a real trophy to practice collecting, but they can kid on, nonetheless……Just like the big team
Glasgow dramatic society reenactment of Rangers liquidation, it’s called “PAN BREAD”
The Alfie Morelos catering team hunt down another terrified Steakbake.
Snow White and the 7 dwarfs return empty handed from the annual ibroke feed the poor day.
caption.hello,hello we are the pizza boys
Caption
NewRankers Sports Directors being trained to find a bargain,
They are gnashing their teeth trying to find ways to stop Angeball. But again yesterday poor refereeing, penalty by Halliday ignored, the idiot linesman giving offside, as on Wednesday. In an odd way VAR could be a bonus. Again items thrown at Hart, but nothing to be seen
Mickey Rookie talking diarrohea in the papers today as if it is fact and not major downsizing at ‘the other Mob’ next season.
Easter is near and more for Catholic’s let’s try and ambush it with rolling pizza down a hill
Caption …
Mcgees workers think they’re rolling in the dough , as the news of Morton’s breaks …
OK. Getting tired of seeing this every day blocking Etims comments. WTF is going on?
blob:https://etims.net/e7fca903-499d-4dbc-9e51-561efb532f8b
“Such as Kenny Miller, who played for the two “Old Firm ” clubs.”
Wrong, he’s the only player (so far) to play for all 3 Old Firm teams.
“Like Liverpool ?”
Wrong again, “It reminds me of Liverpool at their best“, so not like the poor team of this season.
I mean this poor lot were getting beat at Ibrox.
Caption “when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s Ange-more”
Big decision for the board at the end of probably another treble season. Stick and sell some talent to maintain domestic dominance but risk losing our greatest asset in Ange or twist and add to an already good squad but progress in Europe? Easy in my view. Get Tierney back.
I’m in the Chubby Checker camp.
We made £33m profit in the 1st half of this season, so the resources are there to make serious money acquisitions.
We wouldn’t need to sell good players to do that but Ange doesn’t like to just stockpile players and perhaps some who would move further down the pecking order (Turnbull, Abada?) might want to leave.
We came up short in Europe this season, so was it simply a year too early or do we need to ‘up our game’.
Tierney is a ‘no’ from me, there’s, admittedly lazy, talk of £30m bid from Newcastle and he’s injury prone.
Tierney was tongue in cheek, although I can see him as a center half for us before his day is done. Are his injuries down to being over played at Celtic? I always start at the back ond big Joe is quality but bring in his replacement to benefit from his mentoring. CL football needs an outstanding keeper. Fortunately we’ve had a few in recent times (how many Tims over time can say that in the last century?) Still believe that we can pick up Celtic minded millionaire players from EPL who’d like some medals rather than another Bentley. Don’t think that’s Ange’s way though.
Caption: Ffs boys, let’s get to that pizza before Alfredo scoffs it.
Can any one of you help me? l live in the USA and am coming to Scotland on Wed 15th of March and would love to take my son to a Celtic match. Saturday against Hibs is the only one available while we are in Scotland. The match is a sellout. Is there any way to get 2 tickets? Cancellations etc?
There’s a Twitter account, @SparesCeltic, that maybe able to help.
Thanks, I don’t have a twitter account.
I’ve had a quick look, there’s quite a few looking for tickets but no one offering them other than obvious scammers.
There are hospitality packages but they’re a horrific £199+VAT per person.
The only other options I can suggest is get to the ground early and ask about, especially supporters buses but this may be fruitless.
I had a look but people looking but none available.
Celtic offer hospitality packages but very expensive.
The only other options I can suggest is get to the ground early and ask about, especially supporters buses but this may be fruitless.
Thanks for your help The Cha. Is it on tv?
Fraid not.
‘tommybhoy’, I think your best option would be to find a top Celtic club/pub and watch it there, where you’ll almost certainly experience a great Celtic atmosphere and huge welcome, as Tim visitors. It may depend a bit on your bhoy’s age? Reply here with approximate area you’ll be staying in and I or another eTim will try to help you.
Once approx. staying area is known, I’m sure one of us, with localised knowledge, will try to help you further. HH
Plus there’s celticbars.com
I’m staying at my sister-in-law’s house in, of all places, Larkhall. My son is 37 so no issues there. Would take the train into Glasgow. I really appreciate what you are doing.
Tommybhoy, I didn’t realise the match was only on Celtic TV.I’ll get in touch with some Tims and see if I can help you. I’m with my grandson all day tomorrow due to local teacher’s strike but I’ll do what I can and advise as soon as I can, back on here.
PS, are you driving whilst here or just using public transport? Just so that I know what’s feasible and what’s not.
I’ll have a rental car.
Tommybhoy, really sorry to say I’ve drawn a blank here. It will be possible but I’m not in Glasgow area and no-one wants to put details of where you could watch it as it’s not permitted to show this game in UK. It’s just bad luck that you’re over for this particular game. I suggest the following, if you can.
Post a comment like your 1st one on here, on the latest threads here, VideoCelts, CQN and Sentinel Celts. YOU’D NEED TO PUT AN EMAIL OR MOBILE PHONE YOU CAN BE CONTACTED ON FOR ANY REPLIES.
I really hope you get some help with this and without contact details you’d struggle due to privacy needs. I’ve just had a text message saying to contact John Paul Taylor, Celtic liaison officer and that he’ll fit you in somewhere if he possibly can.
Keep the Faith (in Celtic family, says the Atheist!) and Good Luck with everything you do over here.
PS The Brazen Head in the Gorbals is well worth a visit but try to choose a quiet time to really appreciate all it has to offer Tim supporters.
Tommybhoy, I’ve replied but it’s gone to the dreaded “Awaiting for moderation”. I’ve mentioned this to the site so hopefully it will appear soon!
For now, contact John Paul Taylor at CP and explain your plight; he’ll help if he can I’m told.
Thanks TicToc I’ll try JPTaylor.
You’re welcome Tommybhoy and hope it all works out for you.
I note some prick has been down-voting our comments. Sad,sad individual(s) but we’ll forgive ‘it/them’, it’s saint paddy’s day and it’ll be some very sad RC that’s doing the sly, anonymous deed. Glad I’m Atheist!
Good Luck to you and your Bhoy,
Vinnie.
PS I note my longer comment is STILL in that stupid place “Awaiting for moderation”. jesus H christ, it does even make sense. I actually asked Ralph to sort it……..but……
TicToc I really appreciate everything you tried to do. I called JPT a couple of times but he never picked up. I also emailed him but no answer as yet. Thanks again for your help. HH
TicToc JPTaylor came through for me and got me 2 seats for the game. I can’t thank you enough for all that you did to help a fellow tim. HH.
JP Taylor actually got me 2 tickets to the game. I still can’t believe it. Thankyou so much.
The game is only on the internet Celtic TV outside of UK and Ireland.
There are places that show this but they’re under the radar to avoid hassle.
I can help in London but I’ve no knowledge of Glasgow pubs showing it.
Caption
While the young team chased the pancake, Souness threatened to break it’s fenian legs with a harsh tackle and a swipe of a frying pan
We all know that eventually Ange will move on. I think we’ll definitely have him for next season and if we see some progress in Europe I’d be hopeful of the following one but after that? I’ll give you a suggestion that might surprise you but I think it’s a distinct possibility for a number of reasons. Girona FC are a mid-table La Liga team who have steadied themselves after a period of yo-yoing up and down. The big thing is they were taken over by the City Group about 5 years ago. We know that Ange has worked with the City Group for years and we’ve also seen a lot of cooperation between them and Celtic for a long time now. Girona being in La Liga would be attractive to Ange. They’re also a team whose profile suggests they would allow a manager a few seasons to work on a development program which is a scenario that Ange relishes. Another factor (which I hate) is that Kyogo has said in the past that his ambition is to play in La Liga due to working with Iniesta in Japan. While various English mid-table clubs might look at him and wonder, The City Group know exactly how good he is and they could give him financial and continuity assurances that EPL chairman can’t.
Get them in the semis and pump them oot!