Celtic Diary Sunday February 15: Fraser Who ?

Whilst all the talk has been of the arrival of the two lads from Dundee United, goalkeeper Craig Gordon gave us a timely reminder that he’s taking his opportunity to revive his career equally seriously.

Recently, with Artur Boruc and Fraser Forster , Celtic have been kind of spoiled between the sticks, and the former Hearts and Sunderland keeper made a couple of saves at point blank range yesterday in Perth to remind us that he’s not been a bad acquisition as well.

Celtic had taken the lead through Leigh Griffiths after just thirty five seconds, when the striker latched on to a Nir Bitton through ball that had the Israeli army on the line asking for their laser guiding equipment back. Stefan Johansen double the lead early in the second half with a goal that doesn’t seem to have got the credit it deserved. One of his customary bursts through the middle followed by three touches to control and fire a difficult ball low past the keeper, who hadn’t been having a bad game either.

St. Johnstone got one back as the Celts relaxed a little, and because the hoops couldn’t raise the tempo in their own game up again, the last twenty minutes were a little edgier than they should have been, hence Gordon -and the other defenders, being forced to earn their money this week.

Gordon modestly described the final quarter of the game;

….We had to dig deep and defend. Virgil then made a few good headers at the end and we managed to keep them out and get the three points,” 

His manager saw it differently;

“It just shows his class to do something like that when you almost haven’t had a save before,”

“It was an unbelievable save

It might  be that the tactical switch-bringing on Efe Ambrose late on, and removing the attacking trio of Mackay Steven, Armstrong and Griffiths for the more conservative Stokes and Henderson, may have allowed St. johnstone more room to attack, and hence the need to defend deeper, but Ronny oinsists that was done with Thursday Inter game in mind, but it could have backfired. But it didn’t, and its one of those catch 22 situations where the manager is damned is it goes wrong. Had the Saints scored and Deila had not strengthened the defence,in an attempt to hold on to the points,  that would have been his fault as well.

Well, its a results business, so that means he called it right. He seemed pleased enough with things , anyway.

“We created a lot of chances and at 2-0 it seems quite comfortable but we concede a goal and everything turns around,”

“They are very aggressive and direct and good from set-plays, so we needed to defend well in the end.” 

 The best summation of the match, and his own performance, came from in form hitman Leigh Griffiths, who has pleased first goalscorer punters again-now three times in four games-you can guess which one I backed-with his early goal.

 “We deserved the three points given the overall performance. The last 20 minutes were a bit scrappy but you have to win games like that.

“It was a great ball from Nir and I was just trying to keep myself onside and get in between the two centre halves, and I have just slotted it under the goalie.

“It’s great to get an early goal, but I was just happy to get back in the team and involved and scoring goals. The manager had a difficult decision to make with me coming back in or John (Guidetti), but he struck with me and I managed to repay him within 45 seconds, so I’m happy. 

“We knew it was going to be the exact same as against Partick – a battling team who would fight for second balls and everything else. It was just great to get the three points and move clear at the top.”

He’ll be hoping to keep his place for the Europa game, and he’s earned it. His style will upset the Italians, as he doesn’t give defenders a minutes peace. In fact, heres a prediction. During the early stages of the game, Roberto Mancini, Inter manager, will turn to his number two, and shout;

Griffiths ? Chi cazzo è questo Griffiths ? Dov’è Guidetti ? 

 Thats because the Inter boss has been doing his homework on the Hoops, and has earmarked the danger man;

“I love John Guidetti because he is a good guy. He was a young player when we were both at Manchester City, a fantastic talent.

“He had a lot of injuries when he was with me but I hope that he has now recovered from what happened.

“John can go to the very top if his physical condition stays OK. He is a quality striker, he is strong and he scores a lot of goals.

“I hope he does not come back to haunt me, although I would like to see him play in these two games.

“I want him to score goals and have a lot of success in his career – but not against Inter Milan in these games.” 

We hear he’s detailed a man to mark Boerrigter out of the game as well.

Of course, this is all small talk from the Italian, and its unlikely he really thinks that Guidetti will start the game, but its good that he can’t be sure. He’ll know how Celtic will play, but not who Celtic will play.

 Which, of course, makes it difficult to plan for.

 Then theres Nemanja Vidic, once of Manchester Utd, now of Inter Milan, who is being kept awake at night by memories of Celtic Park;

“Throughout my career, I have played in some really tough places in terms of the noise and the passion the fans create. Every game I have played in Turkey stands out for passion created by the fans – but the best has been at Celtic Park, 

“There is no question on a big European night they are going to create a lot of noise – but we must be professional and mentally block it.”

Hopefully, he will be countered by team mates who say that its not like it used to be, and they’ll look at videos from this season….

Then the noise will hit them on Thursday. It used to be that I wasn’t remotely worried about facing anyone at Celtic Park, recent games have shattered this confidence, so Thursday could be the time to bring back the thunder.

Ronny has hit on how to do it;

We always attack, so nothing is changing. Why should we do that?

“We are at home. We are attacking but we haven’t conceded a goal (until today) so I think that is a very good way to protect yourself.

“We will be ourselves but we will know their weaknesses and strengths.” 

 The butterflies haven’t hit the stomach yet, but they’re working out ways how to get there.

Yeserdays win means we now have a little bit of leeway in the league, and can focus on the Europa League without worrying too much about losing ground at home. It will be a test of the squad and the management over the next few weeks, but I think we are up for it.

 Who’d have thought it back in August ?

Aye, aye ….whats going on here ?

 We’ve seen this film before, could the ending be the same, as the sequel bombs just like the original ?

 Not if the loyal and staunch support can help it. Just three yeats after administration and subsequent liquidation, Rangers fans are beginning to sense something is wrong…

 Good luck. If theres anything I can do to help you get your club back, i’ll gladly help. I’ve a spare room you can use , if you like , and its fully kitted out for your use;

Then , perhaps, we can all nip out and see a movie;

 Poor Ally McCoist. Not only did he get the blame for the teams insipid performances while he was manager, he’s getting the blame for it now he’s not manager as well.

 Anyway, we hear he’s doing well now, away from the madding crowd;

The image of Scotlands impartial press took a bit of a knock when it was revealed yesterday that Scotlands Sportswriter of the year, the man who narrowly beat the likes of Bill Leckie, Matt Lindsay and Chris Graham to the title, Keith Jackson has a shameful past, apparently spending a lot of his time with the “wrong sorts “, and for some reason he had tried to keep that quiet.

 Thing is, we’ve all done silly things as kids, but ultimately the reason we did them was because we wanted to.

 Sort of explains some of his more fawning articles. And why sometimes he plays a little fast and loose with the truth.

Wiile Maley was his name, and despite the picture we published yesterday, money laundering, gun smuggling, bootlegging and selling fake Ralph Lauren shirts at the Barras wasn’t his game. But you can see where Tarantino got the idea for this from;

Lets have a caption competition.

Neil, how many letters are used to describe a tax scam ?

 Is that what he’s saying ?