And to illustrate the love our main man has for his club, I’ve used the same picture for the second consecutive year…

But just to be on the safe side, in case he does turn up, here’s an alternative opening line.

Dermot Desmond, the biggest  shareholder at Celtic , overcame a number of issues to make sure he was at todays AGM.

” Nothing was going to stop me , ” he declared, as he stomed into the car park and raced up the Celtic Way.

though when he asked a fellow at the bus stop for directions, he could at least have shown him a more recent picture, rather than the one he took the last time he showed up for a meeting.

In actual fact, it matters not a jot whether Desmond shows or he doesn’t. as Lawwell will have had his instructions, as will other directors.

No matter what is put before the board, if they don’t want to do it , they won’t.

But it’s always good to let them know how we feel, because then, when it’s all gone tits, we can say that we warned them….

To say the directors are unaware of fans feelings may not be entirely accurate, but to say that they don’t care might be a little closer to the truth.

And if they do ignore us, then that will simply encourage the view that they are as dumb as a man who thinks Les Dennis is a French fire engine.

We’ll cover the meeting tomorrow, because it’s a lot easier, no matter how predictable an event is, to report on something after it’s happened.

The SPFL has decided to allow the French national anthem to be played before the games tomorrow, in honour of those killed in last weeks atrocities in Paris. However, we have no word yet as to whether any Palestinian flags can be waved to commemorate thousands killed there.

Now there’s a thought for Thursdays Ajax game…

Celtic face Kilmarnock, and don’t forget to pop into the shops and grab a few items for those whom christmas is looking to be a thoroughly miserable time.

If we can make a little bit of difference, then we should do it.

Scott Brown is ready to face Kilmarnock. He’s better now after a niggling injury kept him out for a while, and arguably affected his performances before that.

“It’s always frustrating when you’re not playing, That’s what we get paid to do, it’s what we enjoy doing and that’s why I came to Celtic because we play in front of great fans and against some great clubs.

“We’ve had some good results recently, and the lads have done well against Aberdeen and Ross County as well.

“I’ve been doing a lot of running, changing direction, just to make sure I’m back to 100%. I’ve managed to train the past couple of days so it’s all good.”  

He’s also been publicising his new book, which actually looks to be a cut above the usual football biography, largely because he was older than nineteen when he wrote it. 

Although it doesn’t seem so long, this is browns ninth year at the club, and he looks set to get a testimonial, another rarity these days.

“I’ve got no regrets. I always knew where I’d end up. Coming to Celtic was the best decision I’ve made in my life. To be here nine years later, playing in front of 
60,000 fans and walking into a facility like Lennoxtown every day, is brilliant.

“The deciding factor back then was speaking to Gordon Strachan and Tommy. I knew Tommy from Scotland. He was always texting and full of banter. He was great.

“You got a feeling of what the club was about and how they wanted to win trophies.

“They spoke a lot of about the club’s future but mostly about my future and how it would be so much better in a green and white shirt.

“They were right. Tommy was the man. He was a legend with everyone. He could tell you everything about Celtic from when the club was formed until the day he passed away.

“He was so enthusiastic about his football and playing for Celtic. He’d say how much he enjoyed his time as a player here and when he came back.

“You could see how much he loved it and how much it meant to people.” 

“I got invited by the club to the Manchester United game. I went long with my agent and saw Naka score that free-kick.

“I just thought, ‘Wow’. There were 60,000 folk chanting after beating Man Utd at home. It wasn’t just one or two of those results at that time though.

Celtic were winning seven or eight times out of 10 against big sides. But that experience was fantastic and it really stayed with me. It gave me so much enthusiasm to come to Celtic and play in front of 60,000. When I did it was amazing. 

 “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. There’s been highs and lows but it’s all about how you come out the other side.

“Getting to the last- 6 of 
the Champions League were definite highlights as well as winning my first trophy.

“The day Tony Mowbray handed me the captain’s armband for the first time was another. He knew how much it meant to me.

“When I first signed nobody would have believed I’d captain Celtic let alone Scotland. I was slightly immature. Slightly. I have matured a bit now.

“At the time people thought I was just a wee hothead but the love of playing and will to win pulled me through.

“It’s still in there. I want to win week in, week out. Now I just don’t go fighting as much with refs and opposing players. I’ve mellowed.

“When Neil Lennon came in as manager he put a lot of responsibility on me. He used to say that he reminded me of himself. F*** knows how that was – I could run!

“I also scored a few more than him. Not many but a couple.”  

Brown has certainly matured, there’s no doubt about that, but you get the feeling that his real job as captain , both on and off the field, is only just starting.

He has to take on more responsibility, he has to step up even more as a leader, and show that he can influence results as well as performances.

 He’s ready.

Ahead of tomorrows game, one school of thought is to rest the key players, especially those who have been abroad in the last week.

But if consistency on the pitch is to be achieved, notably in europe where it has been lacking, then maybe Deila should just pick his best eleven and give them more time to gel.

 After much deliberation, i’d go with this.

Therefore, the line up should be;

Gordon, Ambrose , Simunovic, Boyata, Tierney, Brown,Johansen, Armstrong, Rogic , Commons , Griffiths.

Lustig and Biton are suspended for the Ajax game, so there’s ;ittle point in them featuring. The only other debate centres on using Commons or Forrest. I’d go for commons because of his guile, but Forrests pace could be  a major factor in disrupting the Ajax defence, whereas Commons tends to rely a little more on making space for himself and shooting wildly from wherever he is, and frankly a barrage of shots aimed askew is something I think we’ve all seen  enough of this week.

Too soon ?

Elsewhere, and the ramblings of Alex Mooney, the freelance journalist who presumably has pictures of the Daily Records sports editor at last years Christmas bash, faced a real debate from on line blogger John James, who tweeted proof that any meeting betweeen Peter Lawwell and Dave king, as requested by mooney the Looney, would probably have to take place with the particpants on either side of a big wall with railings on it;

The full script is here, but i’ve taken the liberty of posting a few clips;

IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA

(NORTH GAUTENG HIGH COURT)   

At the top, so we know what its about, and then this, the judgement, which you will find at the bottom. For full context, click the link and read the whole document. Then show it to any Ibrox fan you know, and ask him if he still wants to invest in a club run by real Rainjurs men;

4.1 The Sheriff of the above Honourable Court is directed to take all and any steps necessary to ensure the removal of the vehicles referred to in paragraphs 3.3 to 3.5 above;

4.2 The Sheriff is directed to take any steps necessary to obtain access to the Sandhurst Property to enable the applicant to inspect the wine collection and the assets attached and to have them valued;

4.3 The respondent is committed to prison for a period of 3 months imprisonment suspended for 3 years on condition that the respondent is not found in contempt of court during the period of suspension.

5. The respondent is ordered to pay the costs of this application on the scale as between attorney and own client, such costs to include the cost of two counsel.

6. The counter application is dismissed with costs, including the costs of two counsel.

Judge Preorius

Case number: 5984/2013

Heard on: 13 February 2013

For the Applicant / Plaintiff: Adv Luderitz SC

 Have a look at 4,3 above again.

King is up for contempt on December 9

If found guilty, he will be sent to prison.

Mike Ashley seems to think it’s worth it, spending a six figure sum to contest a thousand pound fine, which isn’t something you’d normally do if you weren’t sure of having what the Americans refer to as a big shit eating grin on your face when it’s all done.

That was the l heart stopping earth rocking pants dropping booty shaking history making legendary henrik larsson in yesterdyas picture, and so is this;

An outfit he once turned up at Celtic Park in when he heard Craig Moore, the Australian defender, was starting for Rangers that day.

We also hear that Efe Ambrose is in a spot of bother, having turned out for his son’s lads and dads team the other day, which is prohibited in his contract;

own goal

Oh, by the way, there’s a tenner off all home, away and European kits at the club shop tomorrow, as the club get rid of stock in time for the three new strips next year.

I keep saying this, but no-one seems to care.

Right, here’s something to get you thinking …

This tattoo can be found on a former Celtic player.

Who ?

Finally, the tweets are starting to come in from the AGM. Can i , for the sake of clarity, point out that the chairman of Celtic is named Iain Bankier, and that is not, in fact rhyming slang.

And  where he gets the anti Semitic comments aimed at Lord Livingston of Parkhead from is unclear.

Sounds like there will be plenty to discuss tomorrow…