Celtic put on a show yesterday, crushing John Hughes’ Inverness by six clear goals when it could have been more. Many more.
Don’t take my word for it. Look at the official twitter line of the Highland club;
Well, at least they could laugh about it.
The reborn Anthony Stokes bagged a hat trick, with Leigh Griffiths, Efe Ambrose and Teemu Pukki completing the rout, and its no wonder Neil Lennon was happy, especially with Anthony Stokes, who isn’t the bad boy now we’ve got Leigh Griffiths. Perhaps if we sign another nutcase, then Griffiths can kick in properly. Has Eric Cantona definitely retired ?
Lennon said;
“For a long time now he has been playing well. Now he’s getting the goals that his all-round play is deserving.
“That’s his 19th of the season. More or less every season he’s been here he’s reached 20 goals so he’s been a very important player since I came in the door. And he’s improving all the time.
“He has a good relationship now with Kris Commons and Griffiths and that augers well for the future.
“He’s had a very good season. His form dropped a bit round about October, November but since January he’s played very well again. It’s probably the best I have seen from him in my time here and he is far more consistent.
“I have no idea why it’s all starting to click. It might just be maturity. It might be the arrival of Griffiths has kicked him on again after Gary Hooper left. I’m just delighted with the way he’s playing.”
Stokes himself added;
“My form has been solid the last few weeks. The boys are creating opportunities and I just want to keep it up until the end of the season.
“I’m confident I’ll hit 20 now after today.
“I’ve no idea what’s changed. I was playing well in games but the ball just wasn’t breaking to me at times. I went on a bad run of maybe 12 games, possibly more, where I didn’t score but I felt the performances were there.
“It’s just confidence as well. As a striker that plays a big part. If the ball breaks to you if you’re in good form it tends to hit the back of the net.”
And he’s thoroughly enjoying working with Griffiths, not least because it means he can carry on beating up Elvis impersonators in peace. ( Admit it, they deserve it, the great man has been dead for nearly forty years, can we let him rest in peace now ? )
“Leigh is a very clever player. He makes great runs and that’s another goal for him today. He’s been outstanding since he came in.
“I don’t want to be putting any pressure on Griffs but I’m sure given a full season here and settling down he’ll be absolutely fine.”
John Hughes , between gritted teeth, said;
“I’m bitterly disappointed. We worked hard on how we would set up but then lost the first goal from a set-piece.
“But you also have to give credit where it’s due. Celtic are miles ahead of anyone else in Scottish football and have an abundance of attacking talent. Neil has done a tremendous job.”
But not good enough to win the Manager of the Year award, that went to Derek McInnes of Aberdeen, presumably because his team beat Celtic twice.
Kris Commons got the player of the year award, which was no real surprise, he’s in the form of his life. Or to give it the full title, the “Cheque Centre Player of the Year ”
Anyone else find it a little distasteful that high interest loan companies are allowed to be associated with the game ? Or is it just me ? Companies such as this one, who prey on those unable to obtain a bank account, leave a bad taste in the mouth, and frankly, should not be encouraged to advertise at all, let alone have such a degree of prominence.
Once again, we see Sevco Rangers given all the help they need by the authorities, as it will save them two quid ringing directory enquiries to get the number.
Anyway, back to Commons, who has had a brilliant season, and thoroughly merits the award;
‘I’m delighted to have won it and it reflects well not just on me but on the entire club,’ he said.
He was even more delighted to find out that McInnes, and Dundee Utds Andrew Robertson, the Young Player of the Year, were also shortarses, so he didn’t look stupid in the photgraphs;
Craig Gordon, speaking on Sportscene last night, admitted he was surprised that Neil Lennon didn’t win it, but with new rules meaning the trophy goes to the team with the best record against Celtic, he can hardly have any complaints. But was Gordons statement more of a “I’m still without a club and you need a goalie ” than a genuine feeling.
Pat Nevin, his co-summariser, offered his opinions, which, as usual aren’t worth repeating, but when asked if Lennon could move to Norwich, Nevin, possibly the least talented pundit in the Scottish media-which is some achievement-said that he didn’t think Lennon would move if Norwich were relegated.
Because obviously Norwich in the English Premiership is a far better bet than Celtic in the Champions League….
If the BBC are serious about covering Scottish football, at least get someone in who likes it.
On a possible move to Norwich, Lennon said;
“It is just speculation, and I don’t know anything about that.
“It will rumble on. We have had it before, and I am sure we will have it again.”
However, I’m a little concerned that despite repeatedly saying he’s not interested Lennon is leaving the door open. Thats because just a few weeks ago, the press collared Johan Mjallby and asked him about leaving, which he flatly denied.
Whats that about smoke and fire ?
But Norwich ? He’d have to be crackers.
Yesterday, the Green Brigade offered up a banner reminding Leigh Griffiths of his duties as a Celtic player. Griffiths has been charged with singing a racist song while out on the beer with his pals prior to a Hibs -Hearts game. Since then, Griffiths has said that he was unaware of the much higher profile of being a Celtic player, and now realises what is involved.
He hasn’t said sorry publicly, or said he won’t do it again, because such a move would be an admission of guilt, something that his lawyer would have advised him against with an investigation taking place. So , we are none the wiser as to whether or not he was guilty.
The word on the streets is that he shouted “Rudi Skacel ” and then sat down, allowing his pals to complete the song.
So, we would guess that if he’s guilty, then nearly everyone in the bar that day will be in court with him.
Anyway, the banner
Sorry, my bad. Wrong one.
A quote from Willie Maley, and its a good and valid point. However, so is the other banner, in which a pot is depicted calling a kettle black.
The Green Brigade are not perfect, but they do add a little bit to the atmosphere when they’re not off in a huff about something or other. As a stand alone banner, its great, in fact, its the sort of quote that should be hung up over the pitch side exit in the tunnel, or in the dressing room.
Supporters, howeverm should not aim banners at players who are taking the field at the start of a game. Theres a clue in the word “supporter ”
At the ground, we support the players. If you want to criticise them, or offer them advice on how to conduct themselves in public, then there are plenty of forums and pubs to do that in.
Then again, there are accusations that the Green Brigade were involved in the theft of a drum from a fifteen year old boy. again , though, there is little proof other than this twitter line;
-
@Bazlightyear88 they nicked the drum and drum sticks
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@Dylan9T7 we were coming out of the ground and they ran past me and took it off me
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Green brigade r a bunch of basterds some of them nicking my drum after the game #notgood #whatsthepoint
So, we only have the lads word for it. So, therefore we must reserve judgement. The Green Brigade claim they were still in the ground ten minutes after the end, so it wasn’t them, and there is no more evidence to substantiate the lads claim.But you can see how these stories gather credence. Ask Leigh Griffiths…Manager Neil Lennon played the emergence of the banner down;“I can’t comment on the banner because I wasn’t sure who it was aimed at for a start. If it was aimed at Leigh then we are going through a process at the minute and we’ll be able to speak more when the process finishes.
“We’ve all made mistakes. But the kid will come good. He’ll learn from it and have a good career here.
“I think that’s seven goals in 11 games so he’s doing exactly what we brought him in to do.”
And at the very least, until he is found guilty, we should allow him to do that in peace.
Look at the fuss the last time someone was falsely accused of racism;
Then we had someone in our ranks for whom racism was a real problem, and he didn’t get anything like the grief handed out to Griffiths. Even when he couldn’t wait to get out of the club;
More serious stuff now, and Celtic will have to pay for a new road into the Lennoxtown training compound after they knackered the old one by driving on it. Resident Brian Pickett told the Daily Record;“We are relieved that the application ( to continue using the old road ) has been refused but we now need a
permanent fix for this situation.“How the club got the go-ahead for the ground without their own road in place is beyond me.
“On training nights, there can be up to 50 vehicles coming down this narrow road at 9pm, including 55-seater buses. It’s an accident waiting to happen and we’ve had near misses.”
But no actual accidents…. and quite what constitutes a “near miss ” is unclear. But you have to feel for the guy-vehicles using a road outside his house. Bastards.
We should build an airport instead, or a helipad. But no doubt he’d moan about that as well.
I know, all the players should walk to training, or cycle, though they would have to dismount as they pass his house. wouldn’t want any more near misses.
Apparently, Celtic said they would build a new road and haven’t, blaming the builders, and the builders say its Celtics fault.
When , of course, we all know its Leigh Griffiths who is the main culprit.
Theres speculation that Ibrox CEO Graham Wallace is about to leave the stricken club, which would come as no surprise to any regular Diary reader, after we mentioned that he hasn’t renewed the lease on his flat-or house-or wherever he is staying. Or used to stay.
Wallace is getting the blame for making an arse of the finances at Ibrox, where frankly a money tree flourishing in the car park would have still struggled to fill the hole created by the frivolous spending that has gone on over there.
Oh, and they’ve put the car park into hock as well.
Armed with a Celtic top and a flag, the lads girlfriend went back to Estonia last week, and sends us this picture, which she unexplainedly took next to what is known in Tallin as the “millionpisser” . Its part of local culture for the simple reason it cost 2.3m kroons, which is probably a lot. The instructional sign “Avatud” also appears to be missing a letter.And it closes at eleven pm.As we know, the hoops are famous throughout the world, and if anyone else has any pictures of hoops, scarves or flags in less familiar, but nonetheless interesting, worldwide settings, we’d like to see them. Send them to us at the usual address.Though if you decide to climb a mountain to do it, or jump off a cliff, its your own stupid fault if you get hurt.( Thats a disclaimer, by the way. )Morten Weighorst was the great Dane in yesterdays picture, and today we are still with Scandinavia…who is this bright young thing ?
Craig Fraser @CraigFraser98
Didier Agathe
I was going to say that.
Vidar Riseth
Holier than thou hypocrites and attention seekers.
The GB appear to go out of their way to undermine Celtic at every opportunity.
Stick to CQN lads.
It’s Vidar Riseth, best remembered for a fantastic challenge on claudia reyna, in which he clearly took the ball.
wich one – left or right?
H H
Chris Sutton?…
Carntyne,
Is that the Chris Sutton from Lapland?
H H
we had someone in our ranks for whom racism was a real problem, and he didn’t get anything like the grief handed out to Griffiths. Even when he couldn’t wait to get out of the club…
________________________________________
Maybe the media didn’t give De Canio stick because they thought he was performing the Red Hand of Ulster salute…
I’m sure there’s a field somewhere that the Green Brigade could march up and down in to their hearts content.
They can have all the displays they like and continue to sing their songs that have nothing to do with Celtic in particular or football in general.
Chris Sutton?
I think you have it, Brian. It’s the Chris Sutton from Greenland.
H H
Vider Riseth? Hard working, gave what he could but ultimately a fairly limited player IMO
Didn’t get to see game or highlights, but it sounds like Celtic were right at it. Which given league is wrapped up and really they could be on the beach now, is creditable. Seems the crowd didn’t turn up however, which is a shame. Given the league is won etc its uderstandable, but the demise of Rangers may ultimately negatively impact on Celtic if the Club doesnt get inventive in enticing people to come to the game or a realistic challenger emerges. Thats not saying I miss them btw!
How could you miss them when its so hilarious the second go round.
Wallace’s report reminds me of a story about Kruschev, which probably isnt true, but so what.
When he assumed power post Stalin he was met by his civil servant private secretary, who told him:
“In your desk drawer are two letters from Comrade Stalin. When you face your first crisis, open the first letter. It will help you emerge from the crisis. When you face your second crisis, open the second letter”
Sure enough, Krushchev managed to get caught up in one crisis or other. I know, he thought, the letters. So he opened up the first letter. “Blame everythiong on the previous regime” it said simply. So, Krushev went on the offensive, blamimg the mess on the Stalin period and prominsing that he would be the man to sort it out now he was in power.
Sure enough, things settled down for a time and everyone accepted it wasnt Kruschevs fault, but problems he had inherited. Some time passed and a second major crisis blew up. The second letter, Kruschev thought, that will tell me what to do. Excited, he ripped open the second letter left for him.
This time the advice was stark: “Sit down, and write two letters!”
Sorry if its off topic, it amused me. Wallace I think has played the first letter advice- it wisnae us, it was the previous baord (helpfully ignoring the overlap in memebers of both boards), wonder how long before he sits down and writes his two letters!
Missed the game again, this is what happens when your manager is as bitter as fuck, so had to turn back the clock and listen to the radio. Had a good laugh when chick young asked Lenny about Efe’s celbration “one of these days he’ll break his neck and i’ll have to scrape him off the pitch”.
The BG/Griffiths: i’ve not even watched the clip but it will look like nothing compared to all the racist and sectarian abuse that fraser aird will get all over the country after he chose Canada over Scotland. Soon we’ll have a number of ex-players appearing in the record calling him a disgrace at best and accusing him of treason at worst or is it just players that are Irish/Catholic that this is reserved for?
The assistants managers job has everyone guessing, Peter Grant hasn’t been involved with a successful team since playing (might be wrong on this one), Lubo knows the game has travelled very well but I think he’s too much of a nice guy and I can’t picture him screaming abuse at underachievers (might be wrong on this one), Rene Muelensteen has the CV but his Celtic knowledge is limited to being in the away dugout (might be wrong on this one), one of the Lisbon Lions wouldn’t do as they’re about 70 now and I couldn’t imagine them sloggin it out on the training ground with guys 50 years younger (might be wrong on this one). So in conclusion, the ideal man for the job is me. That way I can go to every game.
Mcinnes manager of the year wtf is going on,oh i forgot we live in bigotville
Fair play to Caley Thistle. They are at least showing there is still such a thing as a sense of humour in football. Can you imagine the ‘feeshel Celtic twitter feed being so humorous as we were being humped at the Nou Camp earlier this season?
As for Di Canio, his fascistic leanings didn’t become public knowledge (on these shores at least) until after he and his mercenary ass had left the Hoops. Griffiths ‘viewpoint’ was known before he joined with his neddy ignaorant tweets. But it’s ok, he scores goals after all….
Ralph, why u printing pictures of Andrew Ridgeley on the site?
I saw the incident with the young Inverness fan’s drum being nicked as I left the ground. It wasn’t the Green Brigade,it was 4 or 5 wee neds – Hoops neds – no older than 14/15, one of whom blagged it and done a runner.So the GB are in the clear…..
Ralph, ” At the ground we support the players ” Here Here.
It’s obvious Leigh has a mental problem.So too do the crowd he runs about with.Celtic,as his employer,have to help him.
Not throw him to the dogs.
Over at bigotdome,I seen a clip of Peralta ( Izzy’s mate ) HALF
blessing himself,when he scored.He realised where he was
and stopped doing it.Just a pity it wasn’t Daly and he went
the full way,he would have been out the door,as quick as
Sandaza ( remember him ? )
Nachosson Novosson failed trialist from the village of Cuntlo near Malmo
Big Fraser saving that peno….priceless the ref was so gutted he relinquished his Ludge Membership shortly after the game.
Ralph
In case the Troll is awake, well done to the under 17s. Should have won by more as the football was about three divisions difference between them and their opponents who seemed to have some connection with a liquidated team given the looney tunes sung by their supporters. No matter 1-0 is a win whether through green tinted specs or Specsavers blue tinted ones. Well done guys!
H H
Ralph
Just two remarks.
1. “Its part of local culture for the simple reason it cost 2.3m kroons, which is probably a lot.”
They don’t. I used to sell them.
2. McInnes! On the cards from the moment they put the blue chalk mark on the secret ballot. “Times they are (never) a changing.
3. The Green Brigade are controversial but are we not all being a bit hypocritical. Foolhardiness is a hallmark of immaturity – just ask the bungee jumpers with sore heids. So give them a bit of slack – not the bungee bangers of course – then give them a size ten up the brains.
4. Riseth. Scandinavian cousin to that Sutton fella from the North Pole.
I bloody well know but I am a financial advisor for hopeless cases. As well as being a second hand off-the-radar billionpisser merchant.
H H
This internet is amazing…I was checking when the Ibrokes were cheating their titles year after year…and surprise, surprise….Watty the cardigan was lifting Manager of year…year after year..until a certain Mr Jansen stepped in to stop this nonsense…Even when Aberdeen once lost out by only 3 points 1 season…hmmm…they just don’t like Neil for some reason!
Great result on Saturday.
Me personally ( i dont hear you ask ) have no problem with the GB banner. In this day & age it’s refreshing to see guys voice the ethos of what Celtic FC should still be all about.
HAIL HAIL N aw that !!
Ralph it seems your are doing your best to justify or even excuse Leigh’s behaviour on the point that others have behaved similarly at other times!? How does this justify or make his behaviour any moire excusable ? it doesn’t. Accept it and encourage that he is dealt with in a sensible fashion such as attending a anti racism campaign /group and allow his better actions to define himself and role as a ‘celt’. End of …. AND then you chastize the green bridgade for certain types of expression in the form of banners, yet excuse ill mannered ‘fuckin refugee’ songs on the other hand !?
your no real.
I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt until he’s found either innocent or guilty. And I drew a clear line between supporting the team on the pitch and criticising it during a game.
And I am real. I had a look.
Has anyone of those clowns involved with that banner ever called anyone an “orange bastard”. Buy yourselves a mirror. Hh