Celtic Diary Saturday November 8 : Couple of Corrections While No-ones Looking

The Diary is usually the first to criticise the MSM when it gets things wrong, so its only right that when the Diary is wrong, it apologises, and puts the wrongs right as quickly as possible.

Its just a coincidence that I’m doing this on a Saturday, when hardly anyone reads it anyway.

First of all, an apology to Stefan Sepovic, who was described as Croatian in the Diary. He’s actually Serbian, and the mistake is equal to the time when I was called an ” English Bastard ” by a German woman, which really hurt my feelings. “Bastard”  I ‘m kind of used to, but English?

When I corrected her, however, she demanded to know what a fenian actually was.

Secondly, I repeated the claim , made the  week before last sometime that all those who attended the Partick game would receive tickets for the upcoming historic semi final, in which Celtic will face The Rangers International for the first time.

Eagle eyed reader BlackpoolBhoy pointed out in one of yesterdays replies, which initially got lost in cyberland, that this was not, in fact the case. He gave us this email and reply to prove his point.

Good afternoon,

Has a decision been made as to whether the fans who attended the quarter final vs Partick Thistle will get a ticket for the semi-final.

Thanks,

Celtic response…

Thank you for your email. Nothing has been confirmed as yet. As soon as we get any information we will post it online at http://www.celticfc.net and also via twitter on @celticfctickets. 

We’ll keep an eye on developments.

Speaking of the upcoming semi final, the website CelticQuickNews has decided to take out an advert in the Herald shortly before the tie takes place.

This follows fears that Celtic will welcome the return of the notorious “Old Firm” clash, a game which encouraged sectarian behaviour and led to violence, mayhem and sometimes even murder.

Since the death of one half of the OF, incidentally,  the half largely responsible for encouraging sectarian behaviour, violence and sometimes even murder, Scottish top level football has been a remarkably peaceful affair, and henceforth has led to an increase in the support of the remaining SPL clubs, with the exception of Celtic, but if those who have given it up were the ones who enjoyed the four or five games a year, then maybe they’re better off doing something else.

The Old Firm cannot return, any more than Margaret Thatcher can rise from the grave and cause even more misery and terror than when she was alive. Come to think of it though, she’s had a couple of tribute acts as well. Blair, Cameron, Brown-which in fact sounds like the name of the grandmaster down at some lodge somewhere in Ayrshire.

Anyway, just to be on the safe side, and to offer the clarification on the new club that the MSM, the SFA and the Scottish League seem to be reluctant to do, the advert reads;

Which is all well and good, but is it absolutely neccessary ?

Celtic supporters know its a new club. Rangers supporters, if they are completely honest with themselves, know its a new club, as do the supporters of every other club.

So why bother ?

Well, for one thing, the multitude of protest groups that have sprung up since their clubs demise will demand, and obtain, the right of reply. Which should be a laugh, but its merely perpetuating the argument , and  giving oxygen to the lie.

Advertising campaigns should always have a snappy tag line, which can enter the nations vocabulary.

Such as;

They look the same, they smell the same and they leave the same bad taste in your mouth.

I can’t believe its not Rangers 

But of course, it isn’t. They just want to believe it is. Let them, I couldn’t care less who they think  they are. They never had much of an identity of their own anyway.

Celtic make the long trip to Aberdeen for tomorrows lunchtime game , and its already shaping up to be a bit of a grudge match.

The last time the two met, Aleksandr Tonev showered racist abuse on Shay Logan, the Aberdeen defender, and as a result got himself a seven game ban. He’s appealed the decision, taken behind closed doors by an SFa disciplinary panel, on the grounds that he did no such thing.

According to Ronny deila and Scott Brown, he did, indeed, do no such thing, which prompted a blaze of fury from Aberdeen manager Derek MacInnes;

“We felt Shay was vindicated with that and we support Shay wholeheartedly. Until the verdict, we have kept a dignified silence as requested. That hasn’t always been the case from Celtic. 

Theres that word again. Dignified. Dignity.

The last refuge of the defeated.

Well, he says he dignified. to me its more a sort of desperate scream to ward people off from finding out what actually happened.

Which is really what we all want to know

Deilas response was straightforward, and honest;

“I haven’t spoken to the players about it, but we are going to support Aleks,” he said. I’ve said many times that it is word against word.” 

Tonev is available for the game, but the return of Kris commons and James Forrest to the squad means that he is unlikely to feature, unless he’s on the bench , ready for when Forrest hurts himself again.

This lay off has been longer than the wingers usual break, and perhaps its because this time Celtic are not rushing him back before he’s ready.

Hopefully, Ronny will play him in the advanced role behind Guidetti, as his speed and trickery may be the missing link we require in the final third.

Although the diary actually got the line up for the Astra game right, theres no way a second prediction would be accurate. but I’ll give it a go,

Gordon should keep his place. Thats prety much certain. Celtic need someone to parry the ball back into the penalty box to keep the excitement levels high. apart from that, he’s been outstanding in goal.

Mikael Lustig and Emilio Izaguerre as full backs, with Denaayer and van Dijk in central defence. The back five is picking itself of late, and thats probably why the goals against column has stalled a bit.

Scott Brown will be one of the holding midfielders, and Charlie Mulgrew is likely to be the other.

Although I’d like to see Kris commons start, he always does well against Aberdeen, its more likely that he will be on the bench, along with Leigh Griffiths, who would be my preference up front with Guidetti.

Deila, though, is likely to stick with Johansen in the middle of the attacking midfield, with Wakaso Mubarak and James Forrest in the wide slots. I’d prefer to see Johansen back with brown, Forrest in the middle and Griffiths left, but i’m not the manager.

Guidetti, of course will be the man up front.

So, thats

Gordon

Lustig ,           van Dijk                    Denaayer   Izaguerre

Brown                         Mulgrew

Wakaso                 Johansen                   Forrest

Guidetti.

Whereas I’d rather see;

Gordon

Lustig                  van Dijk               Denaayer    Izaguerre

Forrest                     Brown       Johansen           Commons

Guidetti              Griffiths

And of course, Deila will pick something else entirely. Thats not a criticism. I enjoy finding out who is getting a game before kick off, its raises interest pre match.

and , of course, if those of us who watch the team every week can’t guess who is in the team, neither can the opposition manager.

Celtic should win comfortably. John guidetti is bound to score a couple, so I’ll predict a 4-2 win for the hoops. Largely based on the fragility of the defence at the end of Thursday game, and the tendency for everyone else to tire after about an hour. Not just because we tire anyway, but the long trip back from romania won’t help either.

Dundalk gave Celtic a scare back in 1980. a 3-2 win at Celtic Park preceded a very nervy 0-0 in Ireland.

Today, lets see who the marketing men are amongst you. My own, admittedly piss poor, tagline for the advert to clarify which club it is that Celtic face in the semi finals, is just a starter. How would you clarify the situation ?

Busy day today, my wifes unattractive and somewhat chubby lesbian pal is back from Africa this afternoon, where she shot a rhino and a couple of lions.

She’s a big gay munter.

Thought i’d do that joke as its less offensive than the baby walkers one.

I think they’ve taken this new crisp flavour thing a bit too far.