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Celtic Diary Wednesday July 17

There are still a few stragglers amongst the support arriving home from the Cup final in May as Celtic prepare to start the 2013-14 season in Belfast.

Cliftonville provide the opposition, and BBC2 ย Scotland the television coverage.

Belfast has seen a wee bit of unrest over the last few days as the PSNI-and a few British coppers-rack up the overtime ahead of their summer holidays. For nationalist areas of the city its been a batten down the hatches type of week as loyalists from all over the world-well, the north and some parts of Scotland celebrate whatever it is they are celebrating by antogonising all the decent people in the city.

There are fears that the presence of a few thousand Celtic fans could re-ignite tensions, and advice to travellers is being offered from all quarters.

Basically it amounts to watching your back, not wearing colours and avoiding loyalist areas. Common sense really, but to anyone out there, be careful. Don’t get hurt, and don’t give them an excuse to hurt you.

Neil Lennon admits the Cliftonville side -which has a number of die hard Celtic fans in their line up,- will be “highly motivated ” for the game. So, with all the expertise the diary can muster, which to be fair isn’t a lot, heres tonights line up and game plan;

There are a lot of players injured, and a lot of players either already away, or about to go.

So, its Forster in goal. As long as he records tonights episode of the Apprentice, and ignores calls from Leah Totton until he’s back in the hotel after the game. Incidentally, we have not seen a photo in the press of the Derry doctor with the Celtic team, entitled the Apprentice Bhoys. Which could have gone a long way to defusing any tension in old country.

Mikael Lustig should be at right back, after his post wedding exertions, having had a couple of cups of hot sweet tea.

Emilio Izzaguerre can rampage up and down the left, with Kelvin Wilson putting down the estate agents catalogues from the midlands to partner Efe Ambrose at the back. Lennon thinks that Ambrose, despite his Confederations Cup sojourn, is looking good. Lets hope he gets it right this time.

Into the middle, and Scott Brown, Bera Kayal and Tom Rogic should be handed starts, and heres where my idea comes into play. Hear me out.

Many years ago, the Netherlands played Egypt in a World Cup Finals group game. Up front for the Dutch were Ruud Gullitt and Marco van Basten, who battered the Egyptians for over an hour without scoring. When they were replaced, the Egyptians visibly grew two feet taller, got a second wind and saw out the draw.

So, up front, Kris Commons behind the two strikers in a free role, with Tony Watt and Amido Balde starting.

If the Belfast side manage to hang on for an hour, then the pace of Gergios Samaras and James Forrest can be added to the mix, as well as the predatory skills of Anthony Stokes. That way, our fastest players will be fresh, when their defenders are tired. There. This football management lark is a piece of pee.

So, its Forster, Lustig Izzaguerre, Ambrose, Wilson, Brown , Kayal, Rogic, Commons Balde Watt.

Notice I didn’t go for the cheap, well worn ย laugh by including their first initials.

Cliftonville, founded in 1879 , have won four titles and eight cups. Their Wikipedia page is an interesting read,

Cliftonville F.C. – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

( Thats an informative page. Much better than the one for Javier Saviola, which says he has signed for Celtic. but there is no mention of him singing any rebel songs or his favourite subbuteo team. )

Amongst notable former Cliftonville players is one Michael Collins, but I’m fairly sure its not the same guy.

Amongst current players is one Jamie McGovern, who spoke of his teams silky skills;

” Of course, Cliftonville is known for the football but we can put our foot in where it hurts when it matters. As you say ( to the reporter ) the big name stars are coming, thinking that possibly they are in for an easy night but I am sure a few of the lads will say differently to that. It is a game to go down in history. If Celtic can beat Barcelona, why can’t Cliftonville beat Celtic.?

Answers on a postcard.

The enthusiasm the Cliftonville players will have has to be destroyed straight away. Early goals, commitment to match theirs and use of that old maxim favoured in a time when Scotland had proper football journalists.

Keep the heid.

The press has had a bit of a field day of late, reporting only depressing stuff which has Celtic supporters dreading going on to the web, or even picking up papers on the bus or in the haircut shop.

Well, lets have a good news day.

Georgios Samaras is happy to discuss a new deal at Celtic! He says;

“I enjoy my football here. I’m at a club where I feel well. It was important to me to find an environment where i feel good because i’m away from my country, my family and friends. I need an environment that suits me and here i am. I’m not surprised how long I’ve been here. I always felt I’d be here a long time. I feel great at this club and that means everything to a footballer. Celtic made a lot of sacrifices for me and i did for them also. We have an understanding relationship and thats why I have been here for nearly six years. I have a great relationship with the manager , and if he wants me , i want him as well. I’m still young at 28, and i can see myself here for a few more years. I’d never say no to a new contract, if if they offer me something we can discuss it. ”

See, feel good stuff only.

TC12002 has been in touch. The creator of Sashes to Ashes has another belter for you. More later.

See, feel good stuff only.

The Scottish Football Monitor and Charlotte Fakeover are getting problems from unknown sources. If you manage to see any of Charlottes stuff, screen grab it. Someone somewhere is worried, and trying to stop the bold one. They are getting nervous.

See, feel good stuff only.

Sevco like to go on about their new sponsors and kits. Search for them here amongst the big names who also wear Puma.

Our-Clubs

Elsewhere, Wayne Rooney is ” angry , sad and confused ” Apparently someone has put a child lock on his fridge.

Billy Connolly was yesterdays ย man with a party in his heart, another celeb-another quote-who?

“I can confirm I have been in discussions. It is well known that I love this club and the people who support it. ”

Finally. in keeping with the age old tradition of Champions League away games.

C’mon the hoops.

 

 

 

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Charlie Saiz
10 years ago

Mo Judastone perhaps just before he decided to snub Paradise for Parasite..

P. O'Neill
10 years ago
Reply to  Charlie Saiz

Snoop dawg

Tony Paterson
10 years ago

A Balde Watt? A Balde Who?

Admin
10 years ago

Jim Traynor, Ibrox 2012

10 years ago

Jim kerr of simple minds or possibly da snoop dog lol

10 years ago

Jim Kerr of Simple Minds, or with recent speculation flying around doggy towers da Snoop Dog

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