Any criticism of Ronny deila lately has surrounded his inflexibility to alter his formation and tactics.
Whether by choice or necessity yesterday we saw a glimpse of a counter attacking style that may well serve a purpose in European away games next season. Soaking up pressure and bursting forward with pace in numbers…
Celtic won the game 1-0, with a Scott Brown goal immediately after the break. He won the ball from Barry Robson on the edge of his own box, before a quick dart upfield, a couple of passes and being on hand to tap the ball past his impressive namesake in the Aberdeen goal.
Despite there being nothing to play for except pride, it was a full blooded encounter, and had many of us at the edge of our seats as the hoops clung on through five minutes of added time to secure the points, and when Celtic finish into a double figure points total ahead of their nearest rivals it’s fair to say it’s not a true reflection of how close Aberdeen came to taking it to the wire.
The two wins at Pittodrie were instrumental in getting that four in a row. Six points from our total, and six points on theirs would have made the final two weeks, er, interesting.
Scott Brown managed to upset the Aberden fans when he scored, prompting a hail of missiles ad abuse in his direction, but the midfielder laughed it all off.
“Someone threw a pie at me and I was going to eat it but it fell out of my hands, That’s probably just as well, because the gaffer wouldn’t have liked it – there’s too many carbs in it. It might have given me a bit of extra energy but I couldn’t grab it.
“If someone had thrown money I would have picked it up – I’m from Fife after all. That would have bought me a pie back home.
“These things happen. I don’t pay too much attention to it. It’s banter and for 90 minutes they can give me as much as they want, it doesn’t bother me.
“For 90 minutes I can give it back but, when the game’s finished, it’s all over as far as I’m concerned.”
Banter with the fans is what makes people go to games, as it ads to the atmosphere. Of course, there’s a fine line between abuse and banter, but most players are big enough to take it, and so should be the fans.
Although at least one yesterday took it too seriously;
and at least one who didn’t;
At the end of the game, for instance, Leigh Griffiths, clearly delighted at his first champions medal, sung along with Brown and the support,
before throwing his shirt into the crowd. a generous fellow, he also spotted a minibus of fans who had ran out of beer. The selfless Leigh popped to an off licence, caught up with the fans, and offered them a drink;
Teacakes and Buckfast. The Breakfast of champions.
It’s worth noting at this point that the picture is clearly a fake, or at the very least thats someone elses arm holding a photoshopped bottle.
Griffiths is fully aware of the consequences of the drink…
With that threat hanging over you, there’s only one course of action to be taken.
That reminds me, the Lennon CSC are meeting tonight. 8pm. Catholic club, Newcastle under Lyme. Hope the committee will forgive me for using the AGM photo from last year.
Griffiths wasn’t too drunk to offer a post match in depth analysis of the game;
That’s why we’re champions, digging in and getting results, #HWGTIAR 
Stuart Armstrong was a little more subdued;
Nice win today 
I’m not sure why the “Charles Green ” hands are being used, and let’s hope the players don’t have to pay for their inclusion. It could be another of those onerous contracts.
I noticed on twitter yesterday that coverage of the game on Sky sports -or at least the programme-was delayed due to the golf. Sky tweeted;
“Coverage of Aberdeen v Celtic on Sky Sports 4 will be delayed as the European Tour Golf has gone to a play-off.”
I watched the game on a stream , and at the end the cameras stayed on in the ground. No nonsensical whittering from panellists, no adverts. It was great.
Speaking of which, Andy Walker has upset Aberdeen keeper Jamie Langfield, who was on the bench yesterday;
This is worth the fine I’m going to get……”Andy walker is a 
“
Good for him. Though I can’t see why he should be fined. It’s hardly a secret.
The Bleacher Report, a US based sports website , has published an article on Martin Odegaard, and tells us why he could end up in Glasgow…
Don’t be silly. The other part of Glasgow.
It looks like the youngster will go out on loan next season, but to where ?
Scottish champions Celtic, coached by Ronny Deila, the man who gave Odegaard his competitive first-team debut at Stromsgodset at 15, could represent the best option.
There is an argument that a team in a more technically focused league would represent a better choice. But it would be hard to find a team of Champions League standing willing to give Odegaard sufficient first-team football. There would be little incentive for a side like Ajax or Porto to give him the time and attention he requires.
Why would they waste time giving opportunities to a Madrid-owned 16-year-old when they have their own young talents who would also benefit from senior football?
The same argument would also apply to some of the top-flight Spanish clubs who would otherwise appear good fits. Villarreal were happy to take 24-year-old Denis Cheryshev on loan from Madrid this season as they believed, correctly, that he was capable of making an immediate impact in the La Liga. It is difficult to say with any certainty that the same would be true of Odegaard.
There is, then, some logic in allowing Odegaard to join Celtic for a year. They will play either Champions League or Europa League football next season and are coached by someone with whom he already has a pre-existing understanding.
“I have a good relationship with Martin and his father,” Deila told Brian Marjoribanks of the Scottish Daily Mail in January. His firsthand experience of working with Odegaard and his knowledge of the midfielder’s strengths and weaknesses could make him the best man to help develop his talent.
Except that Ronny has said he won’t develop anyone for anyone else. A statement that was made despite Jason Denaayer coming on loan, but Denaayer might yet end up a full time Celt, however briefly. Manchester city are rumoured to be spending big again, so Denaayer has probably hit a brick wall down there.
As Odegaard appears to have over there. Given that Real aren’t noted for developing their own players, and the possibility that another spanish side might have landed the Norwegian, they moved in. You don’t pay the wage they are reputed to have paid to have him languish in the b team, especially when it’s doing badly.
Throughout history, clubs have bought players purely to stop others from geting them. These days, we are more aware of them, and players , through agents, can be more realistic about their first team chances.
Once one signing fee is in the bank, theres little to gain from refusing another.
Tom Rogic made an appearance on the bench yesterday, meaning Deila has seen something about him thats worth keeping.
As Derek Johnstone would say, he’ll be like a new signing…
The trophy visible in the picture yesterday was the Cornation cup, won in the fifties after Lizzie got promoted to the top job.
Now, until Timbuffy checks his emails, here’s a caption competition;
“Hope the committee will forgive me for using the AGM photo from last year”
Ha ha ha, I’ve actually managed to match those characters with some of ours.
Guess which one you are?
🙂
Chris “Has anyone seen that balloon McCoist, he has been reported as stalking me in a wee party outfit. Hope he stays in the garden where he belongs HH
Caption:
“I wish Leigh widnae stand behind me wi’ his bubble gum”….
From the article:
“Throughout history, clubs have bought players purely to stop others from geting them.”
Aye..That’s right..Ah remember a old club called Rangers…They used tae sign Catholics..even if they were rubbish…tae stoap us gettin’ them.
OOPS..need tae go…It’s medication time.
I’m still pissed off about the Scottish cup semi-final….cannae help it, this was a treble season.
I feel for Deila and the players….they deserved the treble.
John Hughes manager of the year? Joke.
Caption:
Derk Boerrigter just kicked the beach ball to Commons….resulting in Derk tearing his hamstring, breaking his foot and catching a fever.
Thoroughly enjoyed the game yesterday and thought we were superb. The temperament of the team was great too as they were getting lumps kicked out of them and none of our guys lost it but gave a few digs back. It’s great to see our team playing with such commitment and drive even when the title is won. It’s also great seeing the happiness and camaraderie between the players and hopefully that will help us retain a few of our big players. Bhoys, we have another great manager who looks like he could build us a team for Europe even though he will have to do it on the cheap. Ohhhhh Ronny, Ronny…
Caption.
Here’s that balloon you were trying to reach when you were up on the table yesterday, darling .
“C’mon, I didn’t have my best game but don’t call me a right tit”.
“C’mon, I didn’t have my best game but don’t compare me to a right tit”.
Was great to see Rogic fit after a terrible injury,the guy always looked good when he played,hope the long lay off has not reduced his ability.
Stop the f####g world, are you actually saying something complimentary about something Celtic???
Check his IP address, thats not the real dead head surely?
Ronnies getting us fitted with airbags, he knows what’s coming. Hh
that should read Phaco, some counts at it. Hh
What the f-Cks going on here. My post is gone. It read, Ronnie fitting us with airbags, he knows what’s coming. Hh
I thought that we were brilliant yesterday, plan b or whatever you want to call it. The sheep were never going to score and every Celtic player gave their all, despite the mame-a-tim tactics and the league being won a week ago
Heard that Collum is getting the Scottish Cup Final so if you make a right Arse off things you get a prestiges final.
Caption !! Thought Efi was getting The Balloon Dior.
Online Celtic Superstore special offer: “I can recommend the official Celtic FC breast implant” to all our female fans”
Although I never “agree with Nick” I do agree with Deadhhead! Rogic can play and when fit, should be given every chance. He’s fit, he can move off the ball, and he can control the ball. He might serve best by coming on for Brown or Bitton? I don’t see him as part of the attacking midfield three (the “3” part of 4-2-3-1) but of the “2” bit, currently patrolled by Brown and Bitton, who do need subbed and rested from time to time. If Deila coaches well, Rogic might be a worthwhile coaching project for him.
Deadhead is a fucking moron who should do everyone a favour and fuck off!
Caption: Having levelled the playing pitch for Sevco against Celtic in the league cup semi, and still not coming up with the “right” result, Scottish football introduce a new hi-tech ball for all Celtic’s games against the huns. Neil Doncaster said “this should make it even leveller”.
To the tune of ‘Camptown Races’ (remember Blazing Saddles?)
I’m off to eat some humble pie, Deila, Deila,
Off to eat some humble pie, Deila all the way.
Eat humble pie all night, eat humble pie all day
Once I wanted Deila sacked— thought he’d be Mowbray!
Level? In a ten team league, who would ever propose that 4 teams should get to have a playoff in order to get promoted? I think that began about the time Sevco Rangers were moving up the divisions. Finishing third in a ten team league doesn’t warrant promotion—under ‘normal’ circumstances.
Totally right. 40% of the league involved in a playoff situation. Wonder why?
Commons makes an a-cist!!
I heard some of the radio clyde phone in tonight on my way home (only for about 20 minutes, honest).
Anyway, seems John Hughes was the right choice for manager of the year due to the amount of money ICT haves to spend compared to Celtic.
Can I suggest that next year we introduce a handicap system, dependent on the amount of money each manager’s club has to spend? I reckon Gus McPherson of Queens Park will win seeing as QP are amateurs.
We could do the same for player of the year – the bigger the salary you’re on, the higher the handicap.
Or we could give Manager of the year to the best manager and player of the year to the best player regardless of finance.
Ronnie Deilla and Scott Brown are my choices.