We can accuse the Celtic players, perhaps rightly, of not trying.

Maybe they should sit in on one of the meetings where they plan the match day experience. Those guys certainly can’t be accused of not trying.

Here’s your matchday schedule for Celtic v Dundee United:

10.00am:
Celtic Superstore opens for the day. Pop in for all your pre-match essentials and take advantage of our festive special offer. Simply spend £60 or more in a single transaction and receive a free £5 gift voucher. This offer is also available online atwww.celticsuperstore.co.uk

10.30am:
The Ticket Office at Celtic Park opens for supporters looking to buy or collect tickets for the match. Tickets are also on sale now for Celtic v Aberdeen (October 31), Molde FK (November 5) and Ajax (November 26). More information on ticketing arrangements can be found online – CLICK HERE  

Either completely cut off from reality, and how most of the fans are feeling right now, or nobly trying to get the support interested again.

You decide. I’ve made my mind up.

1.30pm:
Stadium opens. Take the kids to the Family Stand where the Celtic Soccer Academy coaches will be on hand, teaching some famous Celtic turns including the Larsson and the Jinky. Better still, five lucky bhoys and ghirls who impress the coaches will be chosen to go out and show off their skills on the pitch at half-time! We’ll have our new ‘Honesty Flags’ available too, simply take a flag and use it during the match as you cheer on the Bhoys then return it to the Family Stand as you leave the stadium. Don’t forget to write your name, client code and date of the match on the flag to be in with the chance to win spot prizes throughout the season. A little reward for your honesty!  

Honesty flags ?

“Could I have the one that says Fuck Off Ronny please, it’s over there in between the Collins Is A Tosser and the Lawwell, Lawwell , Get Tae Fuck ones  ” 

Well, if theres no money to be made  out of Europe this year, I think they might have just hit on an important new revenue stream.

Today, of course, Celtic face dundee united. A game forced to be played on Sunday because of the clubs involvement in the Europa League. This has also led to the non appearance of Wednesdays League cup game at Hearts on tv screens. The BBC can only cover Tuesday games, and because Celtic are playing today, they cannot play on Tuesday. Apparently, thems the rules.

Ronny Deila, despite social media campaigns and no doubt a few protests today remains the manager.

And so he should.

But given recent events, he needs to stamp his authority on the club , starting when he picks todays team.

With John Collins still more in fear of losing his job than getting Ronny’s, the Norwegian has to get it right. Otherwise Collins will feel he has a chance of slipping into deila’s shoes, which may not appeal to everyone.

Actually, it probably doesn’t appeal to anyone, except maybe Collins.

The biggest dilemma facing the boss is in defence. He knows in his mind who he wants to play, he knows what they are capable of, but for whatever reasons he hasn’t been able to do that, and therefore we are still at the right lads who has got their boots with them stage.

There is an argument that some players should be, er, rested, and that makes a lot of sense.

But the defence needs to gel quickly, and therefore, if Gordon, Lustig, Boyata, Simunovic and Izaguirre are fit, then they should all play.

Ronny has stuck rigidly to his system, but it’s always good to try something different, it means that opponents, such as Molde in the week, are forced to second guess what you are going to do.

So let’s try a 4-4-2.

For a laugh.

From the right to the left,   Armstrong, Allen, Biton  Rogic . If Allen isn’t fit, then move Armstrong inside and play Mackay Steven or Forrest.

The full backs can do the overlapping.

Ciftci and Griffiths up front.

Brown and Johansen are either carrying injuries or grudges, so leave them out for a bit.

And Commons ?

KRIS COMMONS is ready to put the mayhem of Molde behind him and ask for an extended deal at Celtic – as MailSport 
understands he expects to 
outlast boss Ronny Deila.

The playmaker was forced into a public apology for blowing his top at being subbed in last week’s Europa League defeat.

However, MailSport understands the 32-year-old is determined not to let 
frustrations at his up-and-down 
relationship with boss Ronny Deila drive a wedge between him and the club.

Commons has a year left on his deal beyond this season after agreeing a 
two-year extension in February.

And it’s believed he’s determined to add at least another 12 months 
to that to see out his playing days at the club. Despite that seeming unlikely as long as Deila remains in charge and he struggles to hold down a place, privately he expects to outlast the under-fire boss. 

More mischief making from the Mail, or is it ?

Common’s agent Martin Reilly said;

 “No way is Kris going anywhere, he’s staying put – 100 per cent.

“He wants to end his playing career with Celtic. 

After his tantrum on Thursday he may have got his wish.

“When he retired as a 
Scotland player, he did it to extend his club career and if he stays fit he can play at Celtic until he’s 35.

“What happened on 
Thursday is all brushed under the carpet. He’s happy at Celtic and will get on with doing his job professionally.”  

We’re not at the game today, a number of call offs meant only a couple of us could still make it, so its Aberdeen next week for me.

Those of you who are, could I ask a favour ?

Get behind the players, the manager and the club.

I’m never sure whether its the fans job to motivate the players, or the players job to lift the fans.

Today, i think the fans need to take the lead. The players seem a little unloved and miserable about it.

If only to stop a gleeful press from trumoeting divisions amongst us, and happily pushing headlines like this one, from the Scotsman;

Deila’s standing among Celtic support is plummeting

The story, by Andrew Smith, gos on to point out Deila’s failings in Europe, in the same way they didn’t when Walter Smith won something like one out of twenty two, and whilst they will always find an excuse to have a go at progressive management, especially if it’s at Celtic, we could do without giving them further fuel for their pyre.

If ever we needed that fabled 7-0 , it’s today.

With all the goals coming in the last twenty minutes, to redress this little anomaly I cam across the other day;

Only three goals thus far have been scored in the last twenty minutes, compared with quite a few conceded, I would guess.

Although this one, about set pieces surely cannot be right. I thought we conceded more or less from every set piece;

Anyway, a big win and a big performance today, from whoever starts.

Finally, whats unusual about this picture ?