{"id":3334,"date":"2013-08-08T09:18:44","date_gmt":"2013-08-08T08:18:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=3334"},"modified":"2013-08-08T09:18:44","modified_gmt":"2013-08-08T08:18:44","slug":"celtic-diary-thursday-august-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=3334","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Thursday August 8"},"content":{"rendered":"

” Is it over yet, ? ” he asked, still visibly shaking<\/p>\n

” Yes , its over. ” she replied, stroking his perspiring brow ” You can open your eyes now ”<\/p>\n

“Fuxake Sellick ” he sighed.<\/p>\n

Celtic stormed into the final qualifying round of this seasons Champuions League with a spirited battling display against Swedish champs Elfsborg, and in fact were dreadfully unlucky not to add \u00a0to the slender 1-0 lead gained with a performance that will be spoken of for many years to come, possibly even mentioned in the same breath as the Brazilian 4-1 win over Italy in 1970.<\/p>\n

As in;<\/p>\n

” See that that Elfsborg game, we were shite, but I watched a video of Brazil and Italy at the weekend and it was quite good. ”<\/p>\n

From that summary, you’ve probably guessed that I didn’t see the game. I was in front of the telly, and the game was on, but for some reason my fingers were jammed into my eyes and I couldn’t hear the commentary because of the loud , racking sobs that were coming from deep down where my lungs used to be.<\/p>\n

Celtic were truly awful, but fortunately Elfsborg were just as bad. It may not have made pleasant viewing, but the hoops will be in the draw at 11am tomorrow, and that is what matters.<\/p>\n

The special arrangement by UEFA means that one of five sides will be packing their bags for Glasgow later this month.<\/p>\n

They are Austria Wien, the which is how they spell Vienna , Maribor of Slovenia, Shaktor Karagandy from Khazakstan, Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad or Artur Borucs old team Legia Warsaw.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, you could just put your hand into a bag full of scrabble letters and pull out twenty or so letters. You won’t be far off with your own selection.<\/p>\n

After the game last night, manager Neil Lennon was a relieved man;<\/p>\n

“It was a huge result,\u00a0It was a tough night. We showed great character. It was a tough game and you have to give credit to Elfsborg – they gave it everything.”<\/p>\n

“We will wait to see what the draw brings. It is a step in the right direction. I am really pleased. It was a tough, tough night.”<\/p>\n

“I felt we should have had the tie wrapped up after 20 minutes,” Lennon continued.<\/p>\n

“You would expect him (Samaras) to score or get it on target anyway and then their goalkeeper has made a fantastic save from Joe Ledley.<\/p>\n

“We only needed the one goal to burst the enthusiasm of Elfsborg. We became a bit scrappy but with a bit more quality we might have picked them off near the end. ”<\/p>\n

The other big talking point surrounded defender Kelvin Wilson, who will join Nottingham Forest this week, to be near his family and a further away from successful career.<\/p>\n

Lennon spoke well of Wilson, shortly before the Englishman lost his capital letters;<\/p>\n

\n

“I would say it was Kelvin’s last game for us,”<\/p>\n

“I would say he would be away over the next couple of days. If it is then he could go away with his head held high. I thought he was fantastic tonight for us and he will be a huge miss.”<\/p>\n

The pull of ones family is quite strong, and I suppose he does have to be congratulated for putting them first-a rarity today-, but there is a feeling that he -or his partner-could have looked harder for a compromise. Still, its none of our business, and he did not let the side down last night-or indeed any other night, so we wish him well.<\/p>\n

You get the feeling he isn’t happy about going, and to be fair, spending time in the company of Billy Davies wouldn’t appeal to me either.<\/p>\n

Dare I stick my neck out and suggest he might be back one day…..?<\/p>\n

Probably a week on Wednesday when he realises what he has done.<\/p>\n

Celtic now have ten days or so off, if you don’t count the jolly boys outing to Dublin at the weekend. It will be needed as there seemed to be a lot of players hurt last night-not just their professional pride, but all the bits below the knee.<\/p>\n

Charlie Mulgrew was carried off, Mikael Lustig was hurt, Georgios Samaras didn’t finish the game, and towards the end there was a real fear that someone would get badly hurt.<\/p>\n

But for now there doesn’t seem to be a need for anyone to apply for planning permission to extend the sickbay at Lennoxtown, but the high incidence of injuries means that perhaps the similar artificial pitches at Celtics training complex may need to be looked at.<\/p>\n

Maybe we have found why there are so many knocks and niggles at the club, and perhaps it would be safer to train on red ash.<\/p>\n

After last nights efforts, something else the manager could do during this next week or so is hand each of the players the new Celtic top, and tell them to keep staring at it. That way, they will learn to recognise it on the field, and perhaps even aim the ball toward one of them.<\/p>\n

The Elfsborg game will not feature on any season highlights dvd, and it will all be forgotten once the draw is made tomorrow, but improvements have to be made.<\/p>\n

Wilson leaving means Celtic have pretty much lost the spine of last years side, and it needs to be replaced. If not for any other reason than morale, both on and off the pitch.<\/p>\n

Alfred Finnbogasson may be sitting by his phone even as we speak, more steel is needed in midfield, and a centre half is a must.<\/p>\n

Considering Celtic have already signed three players, its alarming that no-one feels the team has been improved. The opposite applies, as no-one would have sat down last night thinking that the team that lined up was as good as the one that finished last season.<\/p>\n

Still, we’ve trusted the management thus far with the signing policy, and we have great faith in the scouts. They have a busy few weeks ahead of them.<\/p>\n

Sheamus the wrestler featured in yesterdays picture, another famous Celtic fan.<\/p>\n

Now, has anyone ever watched Catchphrase, where some pictures are on a screen and you have to guess the well known phrase or saying ?<\/p>\n

From these pictures, can you guess the former Celt ?<\/p>\n

\"bill\"\"e\"<\/a>\"mick\"<\/a>\"kneel\"<\/a>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Read from left to right, and then below.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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