{"id":12146,"date":"2017-11-03T08:45:28","date_gmt":"2017-11-03T08:45:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=12146"},"modified":"2017-11-03T08:45:28","modified_gmt":"2017-11-03T08:45:28","slug":"celtic-diary-friday-november-3-keeping-the-home-fires-burning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=12146","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Friday November 3: Keeping The Home Fires Burning"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bayern Munich seem to have gone all gooey about their trip to Celtic Park earlier this week. It may come as no surprise to you, but the mainstream media hasn’t picked up on this.<\/p>\n

We’re used to the atmosphere getting the plaudits, and Celtic supporters liaison officer John Paul Taylor received an email which confirms that at least one Bayern fan loved it..<\/p>\n

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And no, its not a fake, although some claimed it was<\/p>\n

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LB<\/strong>\u200f\u00a0<\/span><\/span>@lbrangers44<\/b><\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a014h<\/span>14 hours ago<\/span><\/a><\/small><\/p>\n

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More<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Replying to\u00a0@CelticFCSLO<\/b><\/span><\/a>\u00a0@FCBayern<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
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OMG you have actually sent yourself a letter. WOW. TRAGIC\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

They really have nothing left….<\/p>\n

There was praise for the players as well, as manager Brendan Rodgers pointed out while Scottish journalists looked the other way…<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the players earned against Bayern was respect,\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat was what Arjen Robben and young\u00a0Thiago<\/a>\u00a0were saying afterwards. They were outstanding, that\u2019s what they were saying.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSo for our players to play with that quality makes me proud. It\u2019s a nice pat on the back for them.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

That counts for a lot, and it will do the players confidence no harm at all to learn that seasoned campaigners at this level hold them in respect.<\/p>\n

Dedryck Boyata, who many blame for the opening goal-well, who Craig Gordon blames for the opening goal-has earned the respect of his manager, which is what counts.. despite the momentary lapse..<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you hesitate at this level, you get punished \u2013 simple as that\u201d,<\/p>\n

\u201cKingsley Coman \u2013 if there\u2019s a faster player out there I\u2019ve yet to see him \u2013 makes these runs across the line and if you are indecisive, you get punished. But Dedryck will learn.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHe has been brilliant for me since he came in, but it\u2019s a level where you have to go and be aggressive and from that he\u2019ll learn. Just go and head it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDedryck would go into his final year next summer. I would love him to stay.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHis representatives have spoken to Peter Lawwell and I\u2019ve also spoken to Dedryck.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHe understands what I think, but you always have to respect the player. We will chat again.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, he is a player I rate highly and, like all the boys, he is seeing a really exciting period at Celtic. They want to be in this cycle and lots of them have signed up to be part of it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is nothing yet on Dedryck\u2019s contract, but I would like him to extend it, very much so.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The priority is to get him a settled partner, one who wants to play for Celtic and who is unlikely to injure himself getting out of the bath.<\/p>\n

We hear that apart from the occasional rolling of eyes at the mention when Craig “It Wisnae Me ” Gordon is mentioned, the squad are a happy bunch , with a little more spring in their step this morning, and one who whistled on his way to work, dorus De Vries, is happier than most.<\/p>\n

When Anderlecht are out of the way, expect him to get a run of games…<\/p>\n

About three years worth.<\/p>\n

Apart from that, lets use that confidence to good effect against Anderlecht, and look forward to a wee run after christmas…<\/p>\n

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Celtic are up in Perth tomorrow, and avoiding defeat will set a new unbeaten record for a British club. Somewhat ironically, it was in Perth that Celtic last tasted defeat in a domestic match, which kind of worries me more than the actual match.<\/p>\n

Whilst the record is important, there is an added edge to this game. Although Celtic ruthlessly showed Aberden who was top dog the other week, defeat in Perth and an Aberdeen win this weekend will see the dons take over at the top of the table.<\/p>\n

This despite the mounting press campaign to get him to go into semi retirement at Ibrox..<\/p>\n

Derek McInnes helped Rangers win nine in a row now he can stop Celtic winning 10 – Barry Ferguson<\/h1>\n

Barry Ferguson believes Rangers have to go for Derek McInnes to stop Brendan Rodgers leading Celtic to 10 in a row.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Actually, theres far more chance of him stopping the ten if he stays where he is..<\/p>\n

Poor Bazzer. He hasnt had, and isn’t going to get that call asking him to take over from Pedro, and his instructions are to try to talk McInnes into it..<\/p>\n

After more or less telling Caixinha that if he had hired him things would have turned out okay, Ferguson goes on to tell us why McInnes should get the job..<\/p>\n

As a player,\u00a0Derek McInnes<\/a>\u00a0was part of the Rangers squad that won Nine in a row. As a manager, he is the guy who can end Celtic\u2019s chances of 10. If I was on that Rangers board I\u2019d drive up to Pittodrie myself this morning and bundle him into the boot of my car. I simply would not take no for an answer.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

You see, Pedro was wrong. Barry would have brought something extra to Ibrox. The police, presumably.<\/p>\n

As far as I\u2019m concerned the decision to appoint Caixinha was a massive gamble. One that backfired just as many of us were worried that it would.<\/em><\/p>\n

But this time it\u2019s all about minimising the risk. And that\u2019s why, whatever way I look at it, I just can\u2019t see past McInnes.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

There was a similar problem with McCoist, but for a more physical reason.<\/p>\n

And, no, it\u2019s not just because he\u2019s a Rangers man. Do you think I\u2019m that daft?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes.<\/p>\n

When I said last week that I wanted to see someone in charge who knows the club inside out it wasn\u2019t because I believe you need to know the words to \u2018Follow Follow\u2019 to be able to manage Rangers.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

You need at least a couple of verses of the Sash as well, and theres something else, which may cause a drop in business for this local eaterie.. who appear to be setting up a honey trap for insurgent Ibrox players..<\/p>\n

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Argyle House Ibrox<\/strong>\u200f\u00a0<\/span><\/span>@AHRIbrox<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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