Celtic’s under 17s lifted the Glasgow Cup with a 2-0 win over their new Glasgow rivals from Ibrox.
The official website said;
COACH Tommy McIntyre has praised Celtic Under-17s for the style in which they retained the Glasgow Cup.
The young Hoops dominated the final against Rangers at Hampden tonight (Tuesday) and cruised to a 2-0 victory thanks to second-half goals from Josh Kerr and Mark Hill.
The Ibrox side started the match brightly but the Bhoys soon took control, going close in the first half before the breakthrough came on 74 minutes, when Kerr smashed home a shot after Rangers keeper Robbie McCrorie flapped at a Celtic corner in the six yard box.
Hill then scored two minutes later to kill the contest after his powerful and swerving free-kick from the left flank caused confusion in the Rangers penalty area and squirmed past McCrorie to make it 2-0.
It was nothing short of what the Celts deserved, given their outright dominance over the Ibrox side, and the Professional Academy Manager praised them for the manner in which they won the cup.
The coach’s comments afterwards also gave an insight into what goes on at that level, and it could be that a few years down the line we’ll see a lot more of these youngsters carving out a career at the club;
“The importance of this was the performance,” he said. “It’s not just about winning, it’s about the manner in which we did it. It’s about the style, philosophy and everything we do throughout the Academy.
“The players look up to the first team and they see the way they play and the enthusiasm for the type of game they play, so they have good role models and on a big stage like this I thought they acquitted themselves really well.”
Ronny Deila has not shirked away from giving kids a chance, Kieran Tierney beame the latest youngster to be given a first team debut last week against Dundee, and there is talk of one or two others getting a shot as the season winds down.
If we can find players within our own set up that can make the grade, then at least it will stop the press from specualting on players like Nadir Ciftci being linked with the club.
The idea of signing players is to improve on what we already have, or at the very least potentially improve it.Ciftci offers neither, except probably an increase in yellow and red cards.
United assistan boss and former Celt, the evergreen simon donnelly, who still has to carry ID when he goes for a pint, a bit like me, told the Dundee Courier;
“I think there is speculation all the time and we can’t do anything about that,”
“To put a positive spin on it, I suppose it means Nadir is doing something right if he is getting mentioned.
“He is a good player and can be one of the best when he is on his game.
“It is up to us to try to get the best out of him for United as much as possible.”
Which all seems fairly relaxed..
Whereas the Record’s Michael Gannon used the same quotes to conjure up this headline…
Simon Donnelly:
I’m dreading another Celtic raid
on Dundee United … this time for Nadir Ciftci
It’s all about interpretation, I suppose.
Ciftci’s team mate at United , John Souttar seems a better bet, but as one for the future. If we are to land him, then it would be better to loan him back to United for a year to allow him to continue to develop, as he’d just sit on the bench at Celtic, and may even be taking a step back, development -wise, that is.
Though just because we have spent a lot of time playing dundee united this season, it’s not a reason to avoid looking at players from other clubs.
And anyway, if it was left to me, Paul Dixon would be the one to sign.
Izaguirre can’t go on forever, sooner or later he’ll hurt himself again, and when you look at the problems we’ve had at right back, the wisdom of having first class cover becomes apparent.
Still with the defence, there was a story that Manchester City will loan Denaayer out again next term, but not to Celtic, as they want him to gain experience in England. As with most articles that appear in the press, there seems to be little to back that story up.
Someone who probably won’t be joining is Ikeche anya. Watford will be in the Premier League next season, and he has indicated he will stay there.
“I want to be in the Premier League and regular European competitions and World Cup competitions.”
One out of three will have to do him. Which coincidentally will be the points target for the north London club as they battle to stay there.
England , by the way, is the place to be. They are beginning to encourage families back to the football, and that can only be a good thing.
Jose Mourinho, the manager of Chelsea has taken a wee dig at Scotttish football. He was reacting to claims that his chelsea side are dominating English football , and the chants of “boring boring chelsea.”
“It’s very difficult in the Premier League for a team to be dominant. This is not Germany with Bayern Munich. This is not Switzerland with Basel. This is not Scotland with Celtic.”
He didn’t give any reason as such, but the influx of foreign players on vast sums of money who don’t give a toss for the club they play for may have played a part in the declining standards down there.
And they are boring. Really boring. Like their manager, really.
You certainly can’t say that about Celtic boss Ronny Deila. Life with the Norwegian at the helm may be many things, but it’s not dull. His policy of talking to the press, which he does at length from time to time, is always worth a look.
Even if its an old training video they’ve dug up. Or found on the internet.
Back in January 2014, Ronny gave a forty minute speech on his philosphies of management, and how he learned how not to be a manager from Roy Hodgson;
“If I went up to a young player and said, ‘If you don’t play well today, the bench awaits you next week,’ the player would think, ‘All right, I won’t make any mistakes. I’ll enter the pitch and make no mistakes.’
“I experienced Roy Hodgson. In 2005, he trained Viking and I was a player.
“He was hard. I was so glad I was 30.
“Every time I entered the pitch, I thought, ‘Today, I must not be seen. Today I will not make a mistake.
“I was anxious before every game. I never looked forward to it. But of course you have to be mentally strong as a fooballer.
“But I believe the best coaches and best leaders manage to make things harmless. They show faith and keep calm.”
The video is worth a look, and offers a fascinating insight to the man. It also makes you wonder of there was someone from Celtic in the audience which prompted the move from Lawwell to get Deila on board.
Especially when he said this;
“I have watched a match at Celtic Park – I am shivering again. Celtic-Barcelona.
“That was an awesome experience, 60,000 people shouting.
“Stefan Johansen will be playing there for the next 3-4 years.
“We got him for free from Bodo/Glimt. They did not want him. He apparently lacked attitude.
“Today we earned between 14-20 million Kroner on Stefan Johansen.
“But it is not Stefan Johansen who created Stromgodset. It is Stromgodset who created him.”
You can watch it here, via the Record, or you can find it on the web
Zero hour at Ibrox is fast approaching as the new club wait to see if there Dave King is going to be allowed to be a director under the fit and proper persons rule. The word on the street is that the SFA will bottle it and let him in.
And the press will do their bit as well…
Poor Keith Jackson at the Record. He’s getting it in the neck again, and it’s not hard to see why. He seems to be back in the habit of toeing the party line, as illustrated by night of the living rednecks on KDS
Jackson is in a position where he can influence people. Why does he keep allowing others to influence him ?
They haven’t learned a thing over the last few years. Any of them.
Though I do agree about the SFA having to make a ” clear headed decision ”
Though I doubt my idea of a clear headed decision is the same as Grant’s.
Allowing King to take over at Ibrox would be no big deal for most celtic fans, it would simply prolong the pantomime over there. But on a serious note, if he is given the go ahead, then its more proof that the SFA don’t care about the game in this country, and have only one item on their agenda, and that is to place what they claim is the same Ibrox club as the one that was liquidated in to the top division.
Supporters of all clubs must veto this.
The events of the last few years must not be ignored, and lesons must be learned so that the game can move on.
Bringing in another set of dodgy characters at Ibrox isn’t the way forward.
After all, if we do today what we did yesterday, we’ll get the same result tomorrow.
No doubt they will announce next seasons new sponsor-there is a story doing the rounds that they are “closing in on a deal ” at the same time King is given the go ahead…
Although Mike Ashley hasn’t gone away, you know….
One more thing…
The club want you to join their push for a safe standing area. You know what to do.
Safe standing. Like in the old days.
Whats happening here ?
just won the league at Love Street in 1986, which now sadly no longer exists……
is it when 10 men won the league in 79?, sadly I was at sea in those days, ironically it was in Baltimore much in the news today that I learned the news!! My late younger brother as there and when I see anything on that match it brings him back into my heart.
Hail Hail
Maybe leech jackass should get his dictionary out(if he knows what that is ) and check the different meanings of flaunt and flout.see day late ranger.
3rd May 1986 aka Albert Kidd day. One of the truly great days to be a Celt. I made my way out of Love St and striding alongside me with as big a shit eating grin as the rest of us, Billy Connolly. As Jock Brown so sagely commentated at the time “the news has come through and it’s lift off at Love Street”. Brilliant, brilliant day.
Seen it all now. Picture of the U17s celebrating with the cup at Hampden and one of them has a kid – presumably his – in his arms!
Celtic fans leaving their donations for the food Banks.Champions.
Craig Whyte has just taken to the field and asked everyone ” who wants a bowl “?
God bless wee Craig!
Well done the young hoops, good to see a Celtic team play at Hamdump without freezing.
I m fairly hopeful we will see more players make it to the first team. I know when they appointed Jim Mc Guinness part of his remit was to get players mentally ready for the step up. I believe his role has changed some what but if any one is familiar with him from his exploits with Donegal GAA they’ll know he is very good man manager and very strong on sport psychology so I m confident that in time we will see the fruits of his labours with players able to come in and perform for the first team rather than sh*te it.
I m also certina King & Murray will be judged fit and proper – Murrray shouldn’t be allowed any where near Ibrox given his role in the deceased board, but as he’s been acting as chairman for weeks with not a word said against him I cant see why the SFA would block them now. Give them enough rope etc I think
Top podcast Ralph, thoroughly enjoyed the discussion and was glad to hear you mention our difficulties when teams play our style against us and we struggle. Hopefully Ronnie already has new defenders picked out and someone who scores for fun. Hail, Hail!
Winning the league at love st paid in at turnstiles got soaked with radioactive rain from chernoble still one of the best days of my life ,well pissed that night mostly in the old style bon accord when it was a great pub
they hate us cause our tim ethos makes them look in the mirror and they see horrible @unts looking back they deserve our pity
Don’t you think Lustig for sure and Mulgrew, to a lesser extent would have made a difference in the semi ? Forget any other Dundee Utd player or Rooney (Adam not Wayne)
Ralph
Like you, I wish to say well done to the U17s. Having said that and admitting they outclassed a far less skilled team, like their senior counterparts, they failed to score the amount of goals their domination warranted. It seems to be a problem that is endemic in our teams at every level. I have seen it happen regularly at development squad matches too and we are all constantly bemoaning the lack of goals our play deserves in the SPFL. All our teams play football that is stylish and more entertaining than almost any other team I have watched in British football. But, when you reach senior level, results become a must and all the style and entertainment value in the world will not compensate for not winning trophies (the Tommy Burns years) – I simply do not believe fans who claim it does. A brutal winning mentality has to be incorporated in the preparation of our young players. Last night the young Celtic keeper, Doohan, made two, what we would call, Craig Gordon saves, one to stop the opposition going ahead and the other to preserve the lead in spite of the team’s total dominance. In other words, for all their domination the U17s could have ended up losing or battling to survive against a team way below them in class and ability. How many times have we witnessed the same scenario at SPFL games? I think our coaching staff need to start tempering their football “style” ideology with some “make sure you win the game ” tactics when needs must.
Thank you for supporting my long held opinion that the first port of call for new players should be in the ranks of our own youth. Spending time surveying the potential of players of other teams should for me be second choice. Time has proved we waste at least 3 times as much money, time and energy on failures than we do on successes. At home it is obvious the Ciftis of this world have reached their full potential in weaker teams and are simply not good enough to step up. What makes us think they are worth a go at Celtic when we have as good if not better potential right within our own ranks? I have harped on about this for years now and, even though I get some people’s backs up, I will continue to do so unabated.
Thank you for putting paid to the “rumour mill” at this early stage. Presumably you will only print those rumours that are actually true from here on in. That would make for a really enjoyable run-in. Add to that the silencing of the numpties in the media and the end of season, even if now something of an anticlimax without the treble to look forward to, would be at least peaceful and relaxing.
The rumours surrounding the next embarrassing episode from the Hampden corridors are far from untrue. I have to agree with you that the fit and proper crooks will be deemed all right even though to allow them to take their posts on the board would be illegal. But then, we have come to learn that legal and ethical are not terms to be observed in either Hampden or Ibrox. Conspiring is the buzz word in these two institutions and it will determine the outcome for both Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid as well as the auto-promotion to a place with the “big boys” of a three year old. In 2012 I was saying there should be more focus on the intrigue and underhandedness of the SPL and SFA than the Murray gang. Events since then have proved me correct and for the sake of Scottish football I hope all clubs have people with big enough balls to stand up and say once and for all enough is enough and halt the whole destructive junket that currently rides roughshod over Scottish football. Peter Lawwell needs to support his own first and foremost and by that I mean not just Celtic but the whole of Scottish football. As for criticism, he is already condemned before any judgement is made and he will continue to be berated no matter the outcome. So, is it not better to hang for the “crime” he commits than for doing nothing at all?
Finally, I feel quite Ronny Deila at the moment. Someone has commented I bore them with my long comments. Well, like Ronny, I confess I do definitely go on more than a bit. But just like the great man, if you can keep awake and are prepared to sift the wheat from the chaff, there are some real nuggets that could keep you going for a full season – and you are welcome to them for free.
The photo is definitely Love St. 1986. The “stadium” confirms it. A truly miraculous occasion, one of the many that have blessed Celtic throughout history. Sorry, paul reynolds, but the 10 man miracle was an evening kick off and it was dark by the end. Also, fans would never have been able to celebrate in such and well behaved fashion when that mob was out of its cage at the same time at the other end.
H H
Ralph
There will be a good many happy people tonight as my comment has not been posted.
H H
1986 and Bank Holiday weekend in Engerland before mobiles, where patrons of a Brighton pub saw a mad Glaswegian run around the bar halloring in sheer delight as the final scores came through! Always gutted I missed that game! Later that year Southampton’s first ever CSC would be formed. It wasn’t all good news though – because of this formation, yours truly would meet Ralph Malph for the first time!!!!!
Well Done the Lhads!!
Much more silverware to come.
Love Street will always be a special place in our hearts.
I had the good fortune to meet Albert Kidd on the ferry from marco Polo airport into Venice.it was his brother brian that i first spoke to.He mentioned that his brother had played football.I asked his brother his name and he said “Albert Kidd”I jumped out my seat to shake his hand.Spent the next half hour or so chatting about football.he said that one of the best players that he played against was Robert prytz which surprised me.He was a lovely guy as was his brother.He now lives in Australia,where he earns a crust from tv and radio.I would have met him that night but he was on his way to a cruise ship.He said that his most emotional moment was the reception he got at celtic park when he did that half- draw.legend
Love street ,86. First real memory of a league title for me, 14 years young, unforgettable day got punched in the head by a fellow Tim for going on the pitch.