After what was possibly the worst week in the clubs recent history, we can either keep moaning or we can try to put things right. Maybe one day we’ll look back on this and laugh.<\/p>\n
Then again, maybe we won’t.<\/p>\n
But that doesn’t alter the fact that there are a few games coming up that will define how we approach the rest of the season.<\/p>\n
And that has to be where the manager must focus.<\/p>\n
First up are Dunfermline in the League Cup tomorrow. On paper, a mere workout for the players, but in reality a game fraught with danger.<\/p>\n
Not that the Pars are any great shakes, one win in four in the League Cup, over East Kilbride, isn’t exactly anything to worry about, but if Celtic don’t get their act together quickly, and restore that early season confidence at the first opportunity, it might not go the way we want it to.<\/p>\n
The dilemma for Neil Lennon is whether or not to give fringe players a run out, and rest some of Tuesdays starters, although it would probably make more sense to try and achieve some sort of consistency of selection, given that half of the team on Tuesday played as though they’d only just met the other half.<\/p>\n
Scott Bain won’t play, he’s got a poorly hand, which clearly didn’t happen against Cluj as he never got near enough to the ball to touch it.<\/p>\n
If he was carrying that injury into the game, however, and that kicked clearance from a free kick suggests he may have been, then someone , somewhere should be clearing his locker or desk this morning.<\/p>\n
That could mean a return for Craig Gordon, who has suffered a crisis of his own during the week, as his girlfriend Summer Harl explained on instagram. The poor dear had to cancel a birthday party for one of the kids after the defeat, and we have to sympathise with her, as many of us have had to cancel our trip to the Hearts game which has now been moved to the Sunday…<\/p>\n
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There will probably be a run out for back up full backs Tony Ralston and Johnny Hayes, and possibly a start for Christophe Jullien, who for some reason was left on the bench on Tuesday. Jozo Simunovic could partner him, with maybe even a midfield trio of Henderson, Ntcham and Christie ahead of them.<\/p>\n
That could allow Lewis Morgan a start in his ongoing quest to find a Celtic player with a cross, perhaps with Maryan Shved and Leigh Griffiths up front. And there’s always Scott Sinclair..<\/p>\n
Or maybe not.<\/p>\n
Whatever the line up, a convincing win and a fluid performance are crucial. We could really do without any more problems.<\/p>\n
After that, it’s AIK Stockholm on the Europa League. They’re not a great side, but then again, neither are Celtic.<\/p>\n
Knocked out in the second qualfying round by Maribor on away goals, they can probably count themselves unlucky, and with a European football free season waiting for whichever side crashes out, there’s a lot at stake.<\/p>\n
The question is, can Lennon and Brown handle the pressure. Cluj suggests they cannot. Incidentally, there was no row in the dressing room pre match, and thats even more worrying than if there was.<\/p>\n
That means we were bloody awful for no reason whatsoever…<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
For now, cool heads are the key. The Cluj debacle is what it is, it cannot be changed, but the rest of the seasons story is still to be written.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, and it may have gone largely unnoticed that Ladbrokes have dropped their sponsorship of Scottish football…<\/p>\n
Neil Doncaster-yeah, he’s still in a job-confirmed;<\/p>\n
\u201cLadbrokes\u2019 parent company, GVC Holdings, recently announced a reduction in the visibility of their betting brands during football matches, including within SPFL matches in season 2019\/20.<\/em><\/p>\n “As a result, they have confirmed that their title sponsorship of the Scottish Premiership, Championship, League 1 and League 2 will not be renewed once the current agreement concludes at the end of this season.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re proud of the tremendous partnership we\u2019ve enjoyed with Ladbrokes since 2015 and, given the growth of Scottish football over the past four years, with seasonal crowds up almost 20% to 4.9m, we\u2019re in great shape to attract significant interest from new sponsors, both nationally and internationally.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWorking with our 42 clubs across Scotland has been hugely beneficial for Ladbrokes, with enormous brand exposure and media value.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll no doubt have strong interest from potential title sponsors in light of the unrivalled level of nationwide coverage, passion and drama that the SPFL consistently delivers, plus our live TV coverage confirmed up to 2025, and we expect a busy period of discussions over the coming months.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Asked what next, the bumbling fool admitted he hadn’t got a fucking clue, though it’s not clear of that referred to the sponsorship problem or his general suitability for the job.<\/p>\n When even the bookies don’t want to be associated with your product, you’ve got a problem, Granted, the parent company has been in a bit of trouble of late… (Guardian, July 31 )<\/p>\n Systemic failings resulted in consumers being harmed, says Gambling Commission\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nLadbrokes Coral hit by \u00a35.9m penalty over vulnerable gamblers<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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