Sometimes, when I have a look at the papers to see if theres anything that catches your eye, you have to do a quick double check. Certain papers have a certain agenda, and it can be quite a shock to find that their headlines are not always relating to what you would expect from them. For example, when the Daily Mail spoke of a “wave of brown filth engulfing southern England “, it was surprising to see that they were, in fact, referring to the floods.
Perhaps there is hope for them after all.
And perhaps there is hope for Celtic, after they swept aside St. Johnstone yesterday, 3-0 , with all the goals coming from Anthony Stokes, who was the only player not predicted to score in the pre match diary. Stokes was outstanding yesterday, revelling in the role beside his new partner, Leigh Griffiths, in the way he used to enjoy playing with Gary Hooper. Griffiths himself was unlucky to have a goal chalked off for offside, largely because the replays showed he wasn’t.
St. Johnstone kicked and fouled their way through the ninety minutes, preventing any real flowing football from Celtic, but Stefan Johansen and Nir Bitton staked their claims for a regular start, and on this performance, we look to have signed a couple of good ‘uns.
The three in midfield worked very well, allowing Scott Brown to come into the game a bit more, knowing that Johansen is a tireless worker who can also pass the ball with a considerable degree of accuracy, and Bitton is strong enough in possession to kill any opposition moves. although there weren’t that many. St. Johnstone kicked a Celtic player at least as often as they kicked the ball.
Fraser Forster equalled Bobby Clarks consecutive shut out record, which had stood since 1971, and all in all it was a good day that went some way to removing the memory of last weeks disaster.
Neil Lennon agreed;
“I am very happy. It was a brilliant performance more or less from start to finish which makes last week even more of an aberration,” said the manager.
“I just wanted to get today out of the way after last week.”
“I couldn’t be happier with the reaction I got from the players and I couldn’t be happier with the support we got today,”
“They created a great atmosphere. It’s been a very good day.
“We have been playing so well for nigh on six or seven weeks now and we just have to put that one behind us.
“We want to be relentless in our pursuit of the title and I think the players made that pretty clear today.
“That has given me a huge boost.”
I think its kind of cheered all of us up. He went on to praise some of the players;
“A lot of players can be very pleased with their contribution,” said Lennon.
“I thought Biton was superb. He has struggled a wee bit to reach the pace of the game but he was outstanding. He read the game brilliantly.
“Griffiths worked tirelessly for the team and Fisher was excellent in the second half.”
Darnell Fisher was an early , enforced substitution for Emilio Izaguerre, who pulled up after he felt a hamstring go. The injury will be assessed today, and it looked quite serious, as the Honduran imediately signalled that he wanted to come off.
Lennon seemed concerned;
“He’s the only real, recognised left-back that we have at the minute and he has been very consistent for us,”
Which had Charlie Mulgrew even more distressed, as he started out as a left back. Charlie will now become Celtics utility player, able to stand in for anyone, which makes him a very important member of the squad. Adam Matthews can also play there, which would allow Fisher to continue his progression to first team player, so its probably not as bad as we first feared.
Lennon also took time to dispell rumours that he had said he had taken the team as far as he could, and was looking to leave;
“I never said that. On the contrary, I’d rather stay here for as long as I can and build another team. I can’t be blasé enough to say I’m leaving and going to get a job somewhere else.
“I’m in a very privileged position here. What I said was this season hasn’t been as good as last season.
“Every year it gets harder, more and more claustrophobic. It can be quite suffocating at times. It has been a tough season away from the pitch but on the field we’ve still got a very good team.
“You can look too far ahead. You never know in a manager’s position where you’re going to be in six months’ time.”
With hindsight, what Lennon actually did was take the pressure and spotlight away from his players, to allow them to focus on yesterdays game, which was a clever piece of management, which he tends not to get the credit for.
Anyone else watching the winter olympics. No, didn’t think so. But the curling is quite good. The womens event is of quite a high standard, but with all that shouting, sweeping and moving stuff around its only to be expected.
I shouldn’t joke about women, a friend of mine had to identify his wifes body down at the mortuary last week. The attendant asked him if he was sure it was her, to which my pal replied;
” She’s cold and not talking to me. Of course its her. ”
The atmosphere at the ground yesterday was a little better than usual, as songs such as Come on you Boys in green were dusted down and given an airing. Some would say that was because the football was better, but others would say it was down to the return of the Green Brigade, who were in full voice.
Well, its half term tomorrow..
Thats unkind. They added a wee bit of noise and colour to the occasion, and Neil Lennon was glad to see tham back;
Though the lad who asked if anyone wanted a beer probably wasn’t.
“I can’t thank them enough because they made a hell of a difference to the atmosphere today. The players would’ve thrived on it,”
“Whoever they were – I don’t know if they were the official Green Brigade or not – I can’t thank them enough because they made a hell of a difference to the atmosphere today,” said Lennon.
“I got word this week that they might be in and I was delighted to hear that noise. You tell even just by the rhythm of the game that they added to it.
“So long as everyone works within the rules of the club then we welcome that colour, energy and noise.
“It’s been part of my time here for the last three-and-a-half years and we don’t want to miss that because they brought a lot of good to the ground.”
When asked about the group’s return, a Celtic spokeswoman said: “They were not banned and they bought individual match tickets.”
With the Irish Brigade charting at Number 33 with Roll of Honour, perhaps it’ll start a trend in music-you know how they all jump on the bandwagon every time something new comes along-perhaps the GB and the board could release their own version of “On the One Road ” ?
Well done to everyone who downloaded the ditty, and it even got a few seconds of airplay on Radio One.
Due to its controversial nature, according to those enlightened chaps who think the month of March was named for them, it has prompted a statement from the BBC, who said;
“If the track charts on Sunday a short clip will be played with context around it given by the presenter.”
“If the BBC was faced with any other song that commemorated murder, and on occasions multiple murders of innocent people, they would take an executive decision not to promote such a recording,” he told the BelfastTelegraph. ”
Like they did with Bob Geldofs “I Don’t Like Mondays “, presumably. Or the Specials version of “Free Nelson Mandela “, who was at the time a convicted “terrorist ” .
“We believe it would be wrong to ban the song outright as free speech is an important principle and a ban would only give it more publicity.” added the man from the BBC.
Unionists were up in arms over the water, and Gregory Campbell chipped in with his opinion;
He said there was a duty for the BBC as a public service broadcaster not to broadcast material promoting terror.
“If the BBC was faced with any other song that commemorated murder, and on occasions multiple murders of innocent people, they would take an executive decision not to promote such a recording,” he told the BelfastTelegraph.
“Exactly the same principles should apply to this as would if it were al-Qaida, Basque separatists or any of the other Middle-Eastern terrorist groups.”
Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott said: “I would ask that the BBC does not play this song because it glorifies terrorism and is highly offensive.”
Er, no it doesn’t.
Roll of Honour lyrics
Read the roll of honour for Ireland’s bravest men
We must be united in memory of the ten,
England you’re a monster, don’t think that you have won
We will never be defeated while Ireland has such sons.
In those dreary H-Block cages, ten brave young Irishmen lay
Hungering for justice as their young lives ebbed away,
For their rights as Irish soldiers and to free their native land
They stood beside their leader – the gallant Bobby Sands.
Now they mourn Hughes in Bellaghy,
Ray McCreesh in Armagh’s hills
In those narrow streets of Derry, they miss O’Hara still,
They so proudly gave their young lives to break Britannia’s hold
Their names will be remembered as history unfolds.
Through the war-torn streets of Ulster the black flags did sadly sway
To salute ten Irish martyrs the bravest of the brave,
Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Kieran Doherty
They gave their lives for freedom with Thomas McElwee.
Michael Devine from Derry you were the last to die
With your nine brave companions with the martyred dead you lie
Your souls cry out: “Remember, our deaths were not in vain.
Fight on and make our homeland a nation once again!”
Can you spot the similarities ?
Lyrics to Nelson Mandela :
Free free
Free free free Nelson Mandela
Free Nelson Mandela
21 years in captivity
Shoes too small to fit his feet
His body abused, but his mind is still free
You’re so blind that you cannot see
Free Nelson Mandela
Visited the causes at the AMC
Only one man in a large army
You’re so blind that you cannot see
You’re so deaf that you cannot hear him
Free Nelson Mandela
21 tears in captivity
You’re so blind that you cannot see
You’re so deaf that you cannot hear him
You’re so dumb that you cannot speak
Free Nelson Mandela
Hugh Keevins: Celtic and Rangers are conning fans by bigging up small achievements
HUGH believes under-achievement is being covered up at Parkhead while talk of Trebles involving the Ramsdens Cup embarrasses Ibrox club.
WHEN Albion Rovers go further than Celtic in the Scottish Cup it’s time to hold your hands up and come clean.
( He’s right. Its great for the game and keeps an interest in the competition. Er, that is what he means, isn’t it ? )
And when you’re photographed holding an advertising board aimed at selling tickets for Rangers’ ‘title run-in’ when your team is 23 points in front with 13 games left to play you might at least have the decency to look embarrassed.
( I think they have mastered the art of appearing in public and not looking embarrassed over at Ibrox )
But part of the deal now with Scottish football is you agree to have your intelligence insulted at regular intervals without ever complaining about it – or even admitting that it’s happened.
( Bit risky of him to have a go at his readers, isn’t it ? After all , thats what he gets paid to do. )
A properly-developed grown-up, however, should reserve the right to examine the nonsense they’re being fed and give the now traditional answer in return – are you having a laugh?
( Oh, its not aimed at his readers-its aimed at grown ups. )
Neil Lennon tells everybody Celtic have had a “brilliant” season. But how can a brilliant season possibly contain an extra-time defeat at home to a lowly championship side in the League Cup, and without managing to score a goal in two hours of play against Morton?
How can a brilliant season include a Champions League group stage in which, for the first time, Celtic looked as if they were out of their depth?
Finishing bottom of the group while taking a six-goal beating in Barcelona, and failing to make the consolation prize of the Europa League, is what it is.
( It wasn’t great, but as a pot 4 side, we finished fourth. Which means that anything else would have been a surprise. )
A worrying glimpse of a difficult future at that level for Celtic while their squad is voluntarily diminished in quality season after season.
Also, how can another season without a Treble being won during Rangers’ time in the lower orders be excused on the basis that only Jock Stein and Martin O’Neill have managed that distinction throughout Celtic’s history?
( er, because the other teams now feel that they have a realistic chance of silverware and have upped their game ? )
If those two men could manage it when Rangers were battling them for everything then they should be left out of the argument. The question is why can’t a Treble be won by Celtic when the championship is a given at the start of every season for the current team?
And on the subject of perspective, Rangers fans are now supposed to swallow industrial quantities of guff about their team’s current standing.
( Such as the fact its the same club ? Or that McCoist is doing well under difficult circumstances ? )
I’ve no doubt Lee McCulloch was only delivering the party line when he was used as the frontman to sell tickets for the remainder of this season.
( keevins , of course, is no stranger to delivering the party line. )
But he can’t possibly believe in his heart of hearts that reaching the Scottish Cup Final in May would be the equivalent of the run that took Walter Smith’s side to Manchester for the UEFA Cup Final against Zenit St Petersburg.
( No, but theres every chance the destruction will be similar. )
Lee was part of that run and must know the difference between beating Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina and getting past Airdrie, Falkirk, Dunfermline and Albion Rovers.
( The big difference is that this time, Second Rangers have actually won some of the games. And scored some goals. )
It’s an insult to the memory of those involved in Europe to compare their efforts to a romp through the lower leagues. Whatever Rangers have done in the Scottish Cup this season is no more, or less, than they should have done under the circumstances.
And spare me this ongoing fantasy about the Ramsdens Cup forming part of a hoped-for “Treble”. That word is being used by those who clearly don’t mind having their intelligence insulted.
( Like all the words in this article. )
The truth is Celtic and Rangers are not what they once were and have chosen to live in a world of their own invention for the time being.
( Invention is not quite the right word here. The blatant abuse of the rules of the game by the old Rangers club has led to this set of circumstances, combined with a corrupt and useless governing body . The remaining clubs are trying to deal with it. )
Lennon asks if it’s realistic to expect Aberdeen to challenge Celtic for the title next season when there’s an obvious gulf in points between them at present.
“Have you looked at the league table?” he asked during his press conference at Lennoxtown on Thursday.
So the manager uses realism when it suits him, and questions reality when there’s an inconvenient argument to be made for saying Celtic’s season has been inadequate.
( I’ve read that twice. It still doesn’t make sense. Nor is it in context. )
He should have a look about him this afternoon when Celtic get a skeletal crowd for the visit of St Johnstone and take a reality check.
( Of course, Keevins neglected to mention that for two years the media have been telling us the game is doomed, the football is shite and we should all watch the English league instead. So, if the game is suffering, he and his ilk are at least partly to blame. )
Celtic fans are disgusted by under-achievement and if Rangers are cavorting around Celtic Park with the Scottish Cup after the final is staged there then their disenchantment will rise to a new level.
Two clubs are trying to take two lots of fans for mugs, and only the gullible are falling for it.
The rest have used the evidence of their own eyes, exercised adult judgment and decided to stay away until these two clubs are more recognisable.
( Er, not quite. Keevins has been told he will have to pay to get into Celtic Park after his shameful inaccuracies concerning the Fallon family. Thats why he’s staying away. And he mentions “the evidence of their own eyes. Could he mean that people are no longer gullible enough over at Ibrox to believe the Same Club shite ? )
That’s why season tickets are still on sale in February.
( That, and the fact they are desperate for cash over there. )
Season tickets are on sale at Ibrox-or quarterly books, to be more accurate, because the Spivs have run out of money, and are needing cash quickly.
This is from todays Record, and the pen of Keith Jackson, so perhaps not to much attention should be paid to it. Although its something that has been in the air for a while, as the new club gets ready to go the way of the old one.
They are doomed, and confirmation came in Fridays Evening Times, as Derek Johnstone, who has both a radio show and a newspaper column to air his views in, told us what he thinks;
” And I do think Rangers have, at long last, got the right person in place to sort out the situation.”
( He means Graham Wallace, this weeks CEO, who has been frantically trying to get out of doge all week, after he realised his old pals at the bank won’t help with short term pay day loans. )
For the first time in a long time I can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
(Its a train. )
Graham is a football man. He has experience of working at a major club, Manchester City, in the past.
(Aye, he did. and he doesn’t work there now. Or anywhere else, for that matter. Because no-one else wanted him. He brought in yer man Nash, who helped Liverpool blow a lot of money as well. Between these two, they have blown hundreds of millions of pounds. )
It is the first time in many years that somebody like that has been in a position of authority at Ibrox.
( Not really. They seem to specialise in pissing money up the wall over there. )
Graham has done and said all the right things since being appointed back in November.
He has asked for 120 days to identify and then address the issues affecting the club. He is currently working 24/7 to do that.
If anybody can turn things around he can.
( No he can’t. And he won’t be around much longer. )
So , when big DJ is spouting his Jack Irvine scripted nonsense, then you know the end is near.
Jim White was the man who sat with the stoney face as Wim Jansens Celtic stopped the ten in a row promised to Rangers fans by Richard Gough earlier in the season.
Ach, poor Jum. He gets to tell us every time his club collapses, so we can see his face .
Another blast from the past here. Who is this fellow ?
fecking hell for a few seconds i thought it was rolfie harris
There’s a certain PR thing at celtic park that nobody else seems to be able to master…….Roll of honour…..return of the GB…….hugh keevins having to pay in…..KTF Hail Hail.
One of the Corries!
It’s wee mammy’s cousin, Billy McPhail
Rolf Harris’s da
A recent convert to the E-Tims Celtic diary Ralph, and I must say it brightens up my winter mornings.
Really funny.
Keep up the good work.
‘Heart of a Lion’….William Wallace
Good day all round yesterday. Decent performance and for once, Stokes’ greed worked out well for him! He took his goals brilliantly and reminded us what he is capable of, which has been missing for a while.
The return of the GB was welcomed too and did make a difference to the atmosphere of course. Whether it did make a difference to the players or not is mere conjecture but there’s no doubt we do need something like that at CP in one form or another. As Lenny says “So long as everyone works within the rules of the club then we welcome that colour, energy and noise.” No-one is a bigger or better fan than another. We are there to support Celtic and all have a responsibility with it. Let’s stick to that and beware, the meeja are out to highlight any slight discrepancy in the GB’s behaviour, hence the publicity given to their perceived ‘return’. so if you have to join the GB or some other group to show your love for Celtic then your behaviour will be scrutinised like never before.
Newspapers giving quotes from DUP MP’s re ‘Roll Of Honour’ is really impartial and balanced isn’t it? It’s a wonder they could make out a word of what they said through all the foam and spit. What next? A dissection of Hip-Hop culture by Enoch Powell, David Duke or Nick Griffin?
No-one is a bigger or better fan than another. We are there to support Celtic and all have a responsibility with it.
It wisnae that when you were cawing them “Mongoloid imbeciles” last July.
You remember my posts from last July?!? What a memory you have, albeit a very selective one. Now, show me where I called the GB what you have stated. I may have called the troublemakers, seat wreckers and pyromaniacs some strong things that I certainly feel they deserve to be called. People who haven’t shown any responsibility whatsoever. And I would label them with harsh adjectives again if need be. That’ll really teach them.
Why u trying to mix things? Are u really that bored with nothing else to do with your life? Find someone else to have a sad internet dingdong with and stop replying to my posts unless you want to start dealing with things that actually have been said and done.
Read it and weep.
Celtic Diary Friday July 26
Try and keep up
July 26th 2013? Almost a full 7 months ago. Really?!? Do u have a photographic memory (rhetorical question, you obviously don’t given your selective reading) or do you stash quotes from e-tims in your hard drive for future reference? Are you, in all seriousness, really that sad and pathetic?
I think your sadness has spread as I was compelled to go back and see what I did post, and I am a bit peeved off with myself for being dragged down to your pathetic level. Did I slag off the entire GB? No. Did I utterly condemn (maybe quite strongly but I was fizzing) the eejits who attach themselves to the GB and disgrace the good name of a Celtic with acts of vandalism, hooliganism and pyromania? Check. Are you disagreeing with me that this moronic minority are something we should be tolerating this kind of behaviour whilst our club is hit with fines by UEFA? Do you find this acceptable?
In fact, just what is the point you are making you sad, sad individual?
So, yesterday was an improved performance because the GB brought rythmn and energy from the crowd which inspired the players?
So going out of the cup last week was – Peter Lawell’s fault? for refusing to admit the GB, he denied the players that energy and so brought about our defeat?
Confusing times, are the GB an out of control rabble of trouble – makers or literally our 12th man, with out whom victory is impossible!?
On the pitch, Biton looked very impressive, read the game very well, kept things quite simple and kept us going forward, Griffiths was ok, not so involved but one very good effort, but Johansson was superb, busy, good on the ball, a great work ethic, he drove forward with the ball at his feet well and seemed to make the right choices of where and when to pass. He s only wee but didnt seem bothered about the physical stuff.
so from the past two transfer windows we may have ended up with some improvement after all- VVD, Johannsen, Biton and Griffiths.
Dirk is dutch and looks a bit like van persie. Plays nothing like him (when he plays, which is rare) and seems to be a total waste of money. I believe some where inside Pukki is a good player but he seems semi – comotose – is some one selling him skunk on London Road or something? Balde, ah big Balde, second touvh a tackle, but he scores goals, and needs a run in the team. For next years CL qualifiers this team would be good though:
A keeper
Tache
Efe
VVD
Izzy
Forrest
Biton
Johannson
Brown
Commons
Griffiths
Ralph
I am speechless. That is as good a diary as i have read since I gave up nursery rhymes last year, comprehensive, balanced, uncompromising, definitive, concise and, if you take Keevins’ brackets into consideration pretty well spot on. Really enjoyed it.
The photo is very much my generation. He could fill a gap today given he was a proven goal scorer and an entertainer even before coming to Celtic to join his older Brother John. It is Billy McPhail, Mr. Moustache who scored a hat trick in the never to be forgotten Hampden in the Sun 7-1 game. Sadly he had to give up after only a short couple of seasons at Celtic because of injury. He looked more like a Hollywood heartthrob than a Scottish footballer (my mammy’s comment not mine) being not unlike Clark Gable in looks and snazzy gear.
H H
Excellent diary Ralph. However, I’m thoroughly disgusted there’s not a single Michael Schumacher-in-a-coma-joke. Also, how you can you possibly write about woman’s curling without mentioning that at least 75% of them are eminently shaggable? . Then again, I’d shag the brush, and they can play with my stones anytime they like. Curling is becoming the winter Olympic’s equivalent to beach volley ball for the dirty raincoat brigade (the oap version of the GB?).
So, to summarize. The fitba stuff’s all very well and good if a bit schizophrenic, but today’s diary was so well balanced I have serious concerns for your health.
Also, I note that PB says he’s “speechless” and then goes on to prove otherwise (only jokin’ PB – honest)!, but you know what they say Ralph. Try, try & try again. And some of us can be very trying.
KUDOS!
CJB
Speak less = intelligence from the mouth.
Speechless = scorching air from the rear end.
Curling = Raincoat off and wife in arms.
Ice Hockey = wife up in arms.
Skiing – skid marks left by wife’s rasping tongue.
Fitba = wife’s left me YIPEE!!!!!!
H H
We’d have beat aberdeen if the GB had been there
Jst pulling your chain Frank.
Away and pull your own plonker and give us all peace.
Good post. Cheers. I’m sure you have a full time job, can only imagine the work it must take to get the posts out there. Gen-up: cheers.
MON THE HOOPS !!!!!!
Was at Shawfield corner kick for Clyde as soon as ball is hit Billy Mc Phail is up and waiting to connect and scores.he had a way of staying up never seen the likes again.Celtic waited to long in signing him,it was against the Bhoys.