It wasn’t pretty, and it was far from entertaining, but Celtic kept to the task in hand yesterday with a 2-0 win over Auchinleck Talbot, who probably outdid their own expectations with a gutsy and well organised effort.
But, christ, it was dull.
Which may take the shine off the three splendid goals Celtic did score, even if only two of them counted. Johnny Kenny saw one good finish count and an even better one chalked off for offside, which showed us that there is a striker in there somewhere, and moaning at him isn’t going to help find it. Sebastian Tounetki finally got the ball from under his feet to finish one of those runs he’s been threatening to finish for a while, and though some might argue that Talbot are a sixth tier part time side, they set themselves up to deny Celtic time and space, and for a long time it worked.
Celtic will face Dundee at Celtic Park in the next round. Which will probably be less hard work.
Martin O’Neill made ten changes for the game, allowing some fringe players…yeah, we do have some…a bit of playing time, and afterwards he acknowledged that they would be nervous , and deep down I think he was relieved that it didn’t backfire like it did when he tried the same thing against Inverness many years ago.
Calum McGregor was the only first team regular, because someone has to do the pointing.
O’Neill even seemed relaxed enough to joke that Celtic might well get some players in before the end of the season, which provoked a bit of social media panic, although his body language suggested it was all under control. There was more reassurance when Neil Lennon pointed out that O’Neill was loving every minute of his Indian summer. After all, these two are old pals, and Lennon will have a fair idea of the man’s mood.
Speaking of signings, we haven’t announced any yet, but since the Tisdale Book Of Dross has been done away with, the manager is relying on his own contacts for help, and hopefully that will get us what we want from the season, which is at least two trophies and a Nobel Peace Prize.
Well, everyone seems to want one these days, some are even ready to fight for it.
O’Neill said:
“It would have been nice to put on a great performance. I was very concerned about the game – but that’s how I’ve spent the last 30 years.
These games can never be taken for granted. I’m old enough to remember Clyde and Inverness, while some readers might remember the Arthurlie game…
“We should have played much better. I’m not so sure I learned much more than I knew before.”
He’s having a look not at what the players can do, but what their attitude is at the moment, as he may well have to call on them to do a job later on.
He’ll need all his experience and charisma to make this season a success, and part of that will be seeing who he can count on and who he can’t, regardless of anyone who comes in to supplement the squad. As it stands, we haven;t lost any key players, and that means no one is in a rush to leave, which suggests the players are at least up to give it a go.
That’s half the battle.
The other half does involve the decisions that have got Celtic to where they are today. Put simply, massive mistakes have been made from the top down, and someone has to be accountable.
To start with wholesale changes in the boardroom at this moment in time would further add to our woes, but that must only be a postponement of the inevitable changes to come. While there is still a chance of a memorable season, we’ll just have to go with the flow, but when this battle is over, the real war must begin.
O’Neill doesn’t need any distractions from the job he has taken on, and we’d be foolish to offer some.
Instead, we must bide our time and then flex the arm that swings the axe.
Metaphorically, obviously.
There’s a couple of important games this week, and a draw in Italy on Thursday before a proper spanking of Hearts at Tynecastle would put a few smiles on our faces. Neither is beyond us, so let’s concentrate on that.
Last time we had a picture to ponder was a while ago, and it was this one…
Corrupt Official
“Just a wee tweak”, said Martin.
Today…
Livingston’s new all-weather pitch allows game to go ahead
Motherwells new pitch makes for entertaining football and tattie growing
And here is the half-tide scores
Nobel peace prize ✌️
Remember that game, around 1955, they still got the usual penalty
Kenny a striker? Get a grip! It was Auchinleck he scored against, ffs! .
Caption. “There’s a Flood on the pitch…lots of terrible damage done…league chances ruined”
FFS…has wee Gordon brought Willo on again?
Caption – Aye, just follow the weaving, meandering footprints and when you catch up, sign him! HH!
Caption: Rangers’ wartime heroes take a break from the yards for a kickabout on the beach as the tide recedes
It was what it was, 10 changes. Turgid should have done better but a big week, need 2 strikers in and a result against the ham tarts.
Ham, Shankland see what I did there,it wasn’t a fat finger honest.
Shankland sidelined for 6-8 weeks due to hamstring strain. The diets will be forced to search for some sort of repacement during the window but this together with Devlin’s injury could be a sign that their luck is starting to run out. Hope we can get Marcelo Sarrachi back soon.
They’ve actually got quite an easy ride with no Europe and out of domestic Cups early,
Europe has probably been the main benefit, as they probably would’ve performed as badly as normal, which would dent the aura that’s been created round them domestically.
They’ll still be a threat but all games will be hard for them from now on, as long as they’re on top.
100%. The huns will pose a bigger threat in the league title race, especially if they continue to bolster their squad.
Agreed.
Rumours that they’re now in for Maswanhise, which might be BS but they do seem to be splashing the cash.
They claimed to have spent £20m in the summer, up to £10m now, on top of a £20m loss last season and probably same this one without UCL.
It’s difficult to see how they can be compliant with financial regs but they’ve always employed, ahem, creative accounting.
O’Neill was at the Well game at the weekend but even if he was scouting Maswanhise, the shambles we’re in would be unlikely to get a deal done.
I’m dreading the thought of Maswanhise going to the dark side as they’ve also shown interest in him. That would be a double blow as the guy’s a class act. It’s not just his 15 goals in Scotland plus his international strikes this seasion, it’s all the other good stuff he brings to his team. Equally adept as a right winger or as a main striker, he’s exactly the type of player we should be looking for.
Meanwhile we’re being strongly linked with a loan deal for a big Czech striker who, while having certain attributes, has underachieved recently managing only 9 goals in the last 3 years. Unless MON gets him back on track, this could be another flop signing if it transpires.
Alarming to think that Maswanhise could end up going to the dark side as they’ve akso been showing interest. That would be a double blow cos the guy’s a class act.
Caption: Referee refuses to abandon the match after a sewage pipe bursts so players just go through the motions.