Celtic Diary Thursday January 9 2025: One Step Back, Two Forward

Another routine win on paper, but a marked improvement in a few aspects that show the manager already has Young Boys in his sights. Probably could have worded that better, I suppose.

Dundee United were beaten 2-0 at a freezing Celtic Park last night, and credit has to go to the support for their response to the media suggested rift between manager and fans.

After Rodgers had spoke harshly, according to some, about the supporters not being behind the team against St Mirren, the media spoke of a rift between them, a subject they pursued with more than a little enthusiasm, as it allowed them to continue to ignore the somewhat more serious question of player and manager safety at Ibrox, a recurring theme that has yet to see any action taken by authorities after several incidences of assault on Celtic players and staff during games there.

The support last night sang as many songs about players they could think of, even bringing Willie Maley into it, though there was no sign or sound of the Peter Grant song, which according to the former midfielder, went

“Boooo”  

Good natured banter from the crowds, a refreshing change from the musical history of Ireland that cannot possibly inspire players, and last night it seemed to work because although Celtic dominated, there was a sticky patch when if Dundee united were any good, they could well have equalised.

The players didn’t panic, Rodgers made a few adjustments in personnel and positions, the players settled quickly into the new approach, and a second goal was added.

A plan for the two remaining European games, perhaps ?

Movement and pace from back to middle was vastly improved from the last few outings, though work needs to be done up front. In and around the box, the goal itself must be the target, and not the closest green and white shirt, but there’s time yet.

Arne Engels, the Belgian midfielder who has recently been told he can keep the man of the match trophy in perpetuity, was the obvious exception. He spotted a lad in the stand who resembled the lad who threw a coin at him at Ibrox and spent most of the game trying to hit him with the ball.

Whatever it takes to encourage more shots works for me, especailly as the dundee United keeper was prone to slapping the ball back to Celtic forwards to give them another chance.

Ross County in Dingwall is the next outing for Celtic, but only if the club can find enough huskies to pull the team sledge.

Meanwhile, as our neighbours continue their freefall after someone explained their freak 3-0 win on January 2 wasn’t the replay of the League Cup final they felt they deserved, the Sun pointed something out about penalties….

After a run of getting a penalty whenever they needed one came to a shuddering halt under new referee chief Willie Collum, a new narrative, purely to defend manager Clement from accusations of incompetence, suggesting a pattern of assistance has emerged.

As yet, no one has pointed out Collum is a teacher at a catholic school, but it’s coming.

Things have changed, as this table shows ( thanks to GrandOLTeam on Twitter )

Any narrative to deflect from the lack of crowd control at Ibrox.

And the lack of transfer activity. Which can be summed up as thus…

No one wants their players , and they can’t afford anyone else. 

Celtic , however, are doing what they usually do and playing their cards close to their chest, presumably in case Peter Lawwell sees the money involved.

Each report or claim about a player is denied or countered by whichever outlet thought of it last, and as such it’s hard to see which rumours have substance and which haven’t, but don’t worry, if nothing happens soon we at Etims have vowed to seek out the most pish stained in the land as we seek the truth.

And if not, we’ll do what we usually do and make something up.

On Monday , we had this…

Today…

A big thank you, by the way to whoever poured the Celtic Cocktail in the Benidorm bar last night for my wee sisteras she celebrated her birthday. Although it looked a bit like Fairy liquid, windolene and a dash of lime cordial it was , i’m told , very nice.

And don’t forget, even if you are steaming drunk and steaming from incontinence events, if you have heard anything or feel like making something up, you can find us @Etims.net or @Richiestoke on Twitter, or whatever that lunatic calls his playpiece these days.