{"id":19184,"date":"2026-01-19T10:46:03","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T10:46:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=19184"},"modified":"2026-01-19T10:46:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T10:46:03","slug":"celtic-diary-monday-january-19-2026-job-done","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=19184","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Monday January 19 2026 : Job Done !"},"content":{"rendered":"

It wasn’t pretty, and it was far from entertaining, but Celtic kept to the task in hand yesterday with a 2-0 win over Auchinleck Talbot, who probably outdid their own expectations with a gutsy and well organised effort.<\/p>\n

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But, christ, it was dull.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Which may take the shine off the three splendid goals Celtic did score, even if only two of them counted. Johnny Kenny saw one good finish count and an even better one chalked off for offside, which showed us that there is a striker in there somewhere, and moaning at him isn’t going to help find it. Sebastian Tounetki finally got the ball from under his feet to finish one of those runs he’s been threatening to finish for a while, and though some might argue that Talbot are a sixth tier part time side, they set themselves up to deny Celtic time and space, and for a long time it worked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Celtic will face Dundee at Celtic Park in the next round. Which will probably be less hard work.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Martin O’Neill made ten changes for the game, allowing some fringe players…yeah, we do have some…a bit of playing time, and afterwards he acknowledged that they would be nervous , and deep down I think he was relieved that it didn’t backfire like it did when he tried the same thing against Inverness many years ago.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Calum McGregor was the only first team regular, because someone has to do the pointing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

O’Neill even seemed relaxed enough to joke that Celtic might well get some players in before the end of the season, which provoked a bit of social media\u00a0 panic, although his body language suggested it was all under control. There was more reassurance when Neil Lennon pointed out that O’Neill was loving every minute of his Indian summer. After all, these two are old pals, and Lennon will have a fair idea of the man’s mood.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Speaking of signings, we haven’t announced any yet, but since the Tisdale Book Of Dross has been done away with, the manager is relying on his own contacts for help, and hopefully that will get us what we want from the season, which is at least two trophies and a Nobel Peace Prize.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Well, everyone seems to want one these days, some are even ready to fight for it.<\/p>\n

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O’Neill said:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt would have been nice to put on a great performance. I was very concerned about the game \u2013 but that\u2019s how I\u2019ve spent the last 30 years.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

These games can never be taken for granted. I’m old enough to remember Clyde and Inverness, while some readers might remember the Arthurlie game…<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should have played much better. I\u2019m not so sure I learned much more than I knew before.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He’s having a look not at what the players can do, but what their attitude is at the moment, as he may well have to call on them to do a job later on.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He’ll need all his experience and charisma to make this season a success, and part of that will be seeing who he can count on and who he can’t, regardless of anyone who comes in to supplement the squad. As it stands, we haven;t lost any key players, and that means no one is in a rush to leave, which suggests the players are at least up to give it a go.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That’s half the battle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The other half does involve the decisions that have got Celtic to where they are today. Put simply, massive mistakes have been made from the top down, and someone has to be accountable.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To start with wholesale changes in the boardroom at this moment in time would further add to our woes, but that must only be a postponement of the inevitable changes to come. While there is still a chance of a memorable season, we’ll just have to go with the flow, but when this battle is over, the real war must begin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

O’Neill doesn’t need any distractions from the job he has taken on, and we’d be foolish to offer some.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Instead, we must bide our time and then flex the arm that swings the axe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Metaphorically, obviously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There’s a couple of important games this week, and a draw in Italy on Thursday before a proper spanking of Hearts at Tynecastle would put a few smiles on our faces. Neither is beyond us, so let’s concentrate on that.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Last time we had a picture to ponder was a while ago, and it was this one…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"May<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Corrupt Official\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust a wee tweak\u201d, said Martin.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Today…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Manchester<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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