Celtic stayed eleven points clear t the top of the league with a 1-0 win over (insert name of opponents ).
Celtic look tired/ were flat/missed Rangers as they went through the motions and showed they needed a break/new players/ fresh ideas/Rangers.
Joe Ledley scored the goal that clinched the points though ( insert name again ) were unlucky not to get a share of the points after a late rally/ shot cleared off the line/penalty claim turned down.
There, you don’t need a paper this morning.
So, go to the football instead. They should put me in charge of marketing.
Its not the players who need a break, its the support. Perhaps we should all go to Turkey and the team should stay in Glasgow.
The press, having failed in their initial campaign to admit the new club Second Rangers into the top level, are beginning to turn the screw with their latest initiative and it looks like some Celtic fans are starting to agree with them.
According to the MSM, Celtic are out of Europe, losing what players we have and replacing them from the bargain basement at the same time as fans are turning their back on the club in droves because there is no competition in this country.
Despite last year telling us that the relative success in Europe was down to being able to take it easy domestically, and our shrewd policy of developing relatively unknown footballers. It now seems that it is, in fact , that lack of competition and poor signings are the first signs of our demise, and before long we’ll be playing one game in Europe before elimination and the league matches will be played in front of no more than 20,000.
The MSM will say whatever they believe they have to to get their favourites back into the Premier league. For whatever reason, those who cheated must be absolved and allowed back, because apparently, we need them back for our own survival.
They’ve stopped short of telling us we should let them cheat again, though unless they do , they have no chance of providing the mythical necessary challenge. The best chance of a sustained challenge will be from one of the three or four teams below improving, and keeping their players.
Its kind of tiring reading-and writing-about the new club, but with costs about to be slashed to keep them trading long enough to skank a few more quid out of the fans, those same fans need to be deflected from the truth, and you can bet the MSM will do their part.
So, back to the good guys.
After the win over Partick, we should all be pleased. Into the New Year unbeaten, a side that can be exhilarating to watch ( twice ) and a couple of trophies there for the taking, but there are rumblings afoot.
The club, despite giving out free tickets and transport to yesterdays game, is facing a bit of a PR crisis. The knee jerk reaction when banning the ultra group the Green Brigade has backfired, largely because they were all innocent of the crimes they were accused of. Theres no playing this down. It was a shameful move by the club. Although the GB can be accused of having a bloated sense of their own importance, that may be largely down to their vocality, at least they are complaining. Most individuals would just sigh and stay away from the football. ( football here is a sort of loose description of the product on show. )
Fortunately for Peter Lawwell and his lackeys, there was something even more shameful for them to take away attention from this, when they blocked calls to pay a living wage to employees at Celtic Park, showing that they really have lost all pretence at having the clubs ethos at heart. This is the bit that stings. This is what will turn people away. Celtic is a different club, because the supporters are different. If we become just another money making machine, crowds will drop, and those who don’t return will not be replaced.
Celtic supporters are the club. And we are a wee bit different from other fans, even if our club wants to be something it isn’t.we won’t allow that. Too many clubs have lost their identities already pursuing the TV pound. I’d rather we didn’t go down that path.
And then theres the treatment of fans by the stewards and police at the ground. Whichever way you look at it, its a little over the top. The standard of football-or the style of football on show at Celtic just now means that supporters don’t need much of an excuse not to turn up.
But some kind of statement does have to be made, if only to make the PLC aware that they cannot take the support for granted, so for this New Year, lets see everyone hold their hands up, and admit where they have gone wrong, before all getting together to put things right.
Its not rocket science. We’re better together. ( Hang on, am I getting my blogs mixed up ? )
Meanwhile, the transfer window is open. Its January, which is also the time of year for the big sales, with massive , knockdown prices everywhere. Though you do need to be careful.
We bought a new telly from Currys about six weeks ago. It cost £529. The same telly was advertised in the sales, on tv, at £400 off. You’d think that would make it £129. Er, no. Because back in July, for a week, it was on sale for £999. so the £400 off brings it down to £599, £70 more than I paid for it when it wasn’t on sale.
So, be careful out there. and the same goes for the club. Don’t buy someone just for the sake of it, because of the limited time available to do these deals. If there isn’t a proven striker/creative midfielder out there, then forget about it, and promote from within.
The first big deal south of the border has already gone through, with Howard Webb joining Tottenham from Manchester Utd yesterday.
But we can be optimistic for the moment. Leigh Griffiths might well be about to bring his haircut back up north with him, and theres always Kevin Doyle. And theres still a chance of Alfred Finnbogasson, although Aiden McGeady has read what one or two of us on here have said about him, and is now talking to Everton. I may have misunderstood the meaning of optimism here.
Joe Ledley wants to stay, and so does Georgios Samaras, which has dismayed the board because it means they will have to offer them more money, and a signing on bonus. And only Peter gets bonuses at Celtic.
Neither player could be reasonably asked to accept a drop in earnings, not after their on field performances helped to swell the bank account in two champions league campaigns. Yet the word on the streets is that Lawwell is going to try to do just that.
There have been one or two worrying reports that it is Lawwell who is pulling the strings, not only in the boardroom , but on the pitch. Maybe there is a reason for Lennon not playing his charges in such a way to bring in the crowds….
On Ledley, Lennon said;
“I want Joe to stay. He has shown great mental strength because it must be very unsettling for him as it will be for Georgios Samaras as well.
“He has intimated that he would like to stay and we are hoping we can speak to his representatives this week and get it finalised.
“I have spoken with Joe over a number of weeks but the talks certainly haven’t affected his performance levels.
“I thought he was our best player yesterday by a considerable margin.”
He was less optimistic about Samaras;
” Again, we need to speak to his representatives and see how the land lies,’ said Lennon. ‘At the minute, he’s unsettled and a little bit insecure about things. We need to try to get him happy again.
‘I think he’d like to stay but whether we can strike a deal or not is another thing. There has been no interest from any clubs expressed to us but maybe there has been to his representatives. As far as I’m aware, there has been some interest from other clubs.’
Atletico Madrid have joined Hull in the chase for the Greek forward. Even though Lawwell has made his mind up he’s selling him to Hull.
And Lennon reminded us his team are tired;
“We lacked spark, particularly in the final third. There were some good bits of play
but I and the supporters expect better.
“That’s two our of the last three games we have been flat and it looked like things are catching up with us. We need this break.
“We looked heavy-legged and mentally tired. We also need an injection of new blood. There is no question that the squad needs freshening up and we will endeavour to do that.
“It needs a jag as we are starting to look laboured in our play but it was a win, we need to take the positives from that.”
Well, he could try just resting one or two of his precious little flowers. Theres about half a dozen international players not getting a game at the moment. And then theres the youngsters who have dominated youth and reserve football in Scotland for the last hundred years or so. They could be given a shot.
Still, theres a break in Turkey that needs to be justified.
Steven Craig was unable to re-sign for Partick in time for the last Etims quiz, so he remains at Wycombe whilst our credibility is in tatters. Thanks to those who pointed that one out.
This morning we show a picture from a tour of years gone by-what year, and where are they ?
The Govan Ferry?
As you say, the players might be tired but there are a shed load of guys waiting on the bench. I know we’ve had injuries as well but there must be a least half a dozen first players itching to get a game.
There’s your fresh blood, Neil.
Seamill…The Wonder Years
Bermuda 1972. Murdoch, Hay & SkipTaeMalo…. McCluskey, Callaghan?
Yesterday was as dismal as the Hearts game, although the crowd were probably even quieter yesterday.
The fans who got free tickets to try and entice them back will just have had it confirmed the reasons why they aren’t going anymore.
I am beginning to lose faith with NL – his selections are baffling at times and his substitutions (unless due to injuries) are becoming even more baffling. Pukki was having a decent game yesterday, his movement is good, he seems to be an intelligent player who is still trying to get to grips with Scottish football (and the rest of the team need to learn his game), so why take him off? Forrest was anonymous yet got 90 minutes. Mulgrew was our best midfielder and Commons our only creative player, yet NL takes them off?
“The team were flat and looked like they need a break”? Biton was on the bench and has impressed me when he’s played, Boerrigter appears to be fit again and Balde was on the bench again – why not play those 3 from the start?
We need to get ready for the CL qualifiers and get the players who are likely to be playing into the team now, not at the beginning of the season.If those 3 aren’t likely to feature, don’t have them on the bench and look to move them on now, although I reckon they will be part of the team next season.
Samaras has had his chance, time for the parting of the ways – yesterday was another one of his couldn’t care less performances when he came on – if he’s trying to impress in order to get a new contract, yesterday wouldn’t have helped.
What is wrong with our youth policy ? If nobody from the under 21’s / 19’s / 17’s are good enough to be on the bench (and give some of the overworked stars a break) then we need to have a radical look at Lennoxtown.
p.s. the attendance looked about 20 – 25,000, yesterday, the official figure is 52,670 – I find these lies an embarrassment to the club – we’re copying the tribute act, pretending that we’re more popular than we really are and that there is nothing wrong – if anyone from the PLC reads this, please start telling the truth, you are kidding nobody, just making yourselves look pathetic.
I thought they played some decent one and two touch fitbaw in spells yesterday, All be it short spells. But i think the intention was there, they just lost their way and started taking five and six touches when one would have done. They need to learn to work smarter not harder. Anyway credit to Thistle who tried to play fitbaw. HH
Whatever happened to John Cushley?
Tourtenay
What ever happened to Rangers? 🙂
john cushley died a wee while back
Thank you for that.
Have West Ham phoned for permission to speak to Lenny yet?
McCluskey, Hay and Macari in top photo. Jimmy Quinn and George Connelly in bottom one. Bermuda. Do I get a prize?
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTI4OFgxNTk5/z/C4cAAOxycSdRzTNj/$(KGrHqYOKo8FGsqeq!4lBRzTNjnjNQ~~60_12.JPG?set_id=880000500F
I thought the stadium was more than half full, so way more than the 20k – odd…. But please tell they’re not trying to say 52k?? Proof the the PLC think we’re THAT daft. No doubt there will be some board apologist along any minute to justify it…
Also, it really was like a library yesterday – could hear every single thing the players and coaches were shouting, never a good sign.
happy new year to all you sod busters who travail to CELTIC PARK TO contribute tae the S.F.A. COFFERS HAFWITZ
Let’s face it- the criticism of NL and PL is disgraceful.
Given the level of support to the club – be it over the green brigade fiasco or at the last three home games in particular is it any wonder that the MSM are jumping on this as a sign of the Celtic support hating rangers more than they support their “own” club. there is a sense of nonchalance within the support. With the lack of this common enemy – we have turned on our board. It is disappointing that with a galvanized approach we could dominate for years.
Ges, could not agree more. It was not long ago Ralph was promoting togetherness, now all he and others seem to do is create divisions between, board and fans and also fans against fans. We should all be supporting the team we love and getting behind them when they need us most. Whilst I understand some people are hard done by, we have fans representatives who get the opportunity to air their grievances, and get a fair hearing. The club have legislations and laws which must be adhered to, we may not agree with them but unfortunately we have to abide by them, or oppose them through the proper channels.
HH For 2014 lets keep the faith and support our club and let the tribute act do the infighting