Celtic crashed out of the League Cup last night as Greenock Morton, inspired by a formidable goalkeeper, held out for a 1-0 win in extra time. The goal came from a debatable penalty, as defender Efe Ambrose slipped, and when the ball hit his outstretched arm, purely accidentally, referee Bobby Madden gave a whoop of delight, and raced toward the penalty spot. When Zaluska could do nothing to stop the kick, there then ensued a siege of the Morton goal.<\/p>\n
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Frankly, they could have added another couple of hours on, and Celtic still wouldn’t have scored.<\/p>\n
Celtic 0, and they must be getting used to it by now, said a BBC newscaster once during the dark days of the nineties. Its not quite that bad, but there is now an alarming lack of quality in front of goal.<\/p>\n
Especially from set pieces. All those corners against Milan, St. Johnstone and now Morton , yet the team has failed to make any of them count, which might be a handy hint for the coaching staff when the players ask them what they are going to be working on this morning.<\/p>\n
Neil Lennon did seem a little bewildered after the game;<\/p>\n
‘I have got to be philosophical about it. It wasn’t for the attitude or want of trying in the game.<\/p>\n
‘It just wasn’t our night for whatever reason.<\/p>\n
‘The only disappointment for me is we had 26 corners and we didn’t convert one of them with the height we had in the team.<\/p>\n
‘We have to take our chances.<\/p>\n
‘We ended up putting Virgil van Dijk up to give us something different and certainly we created a lot more.’<\/p>\n
Theres an idea, a target man up front.<\/p>\n
If only we had a bit of money in the bank, and we could maybe have bought one back in the summer.<\/p>\n
Lennon continued;<\/p>\n
“Analysing it now, we had 26 corners, and umpteen chances. We didn’t get the rub of the green.<\/p>\n
“We hit the post, and had one cleared off the line. But you always have to take your chances.<\/p>\n
“I didn’t think we created nearly enough in the first half. We were a little bit pedestrian.<\/p>\n
“The new lads coming in maybe are not up to the tempo of the game yet.<\/p>\n
“But I had to change it. I need to freshen the side up now and again because I can’t keep relying on the same players.<\/p>\n
“However, looking at that last night, I am going to have to go strong for a while until the rest get up to speed.”<\/p>\n
“Some of them probably don’t realise yet, the new lads coming in, what it means.<\/p>\n
“Certainly the senior boys will be sore.<\/p>\n
“But it is no problem picking them up again. We will go to Kilmarnock strong-minded and determined to win the game.<\/p>\n
“We have a big, big week coming up again.<\/p>\n
“It’s gone for me. I have dealt with it in the dressing room and I’m looking forward to the game on Saturday now.<\/p>\n
“There is no conflict in the dressing room. I don’t need to say too much. They already know. It’s unacceptable, that result.”<\/p>\n
“It’s a sore one because I wanted to get to the final.<\/p>\n
“It’s the only trophy I’ve not won as a manager, but I will get over it pretty quickly. There is so much to play for this season.<\/p>\n
“Will it be a blessing in disguise? I don’t know because, if we go out of Europe by mid-December, there will only be two competitions to play for.<\/p>\n
“It’s very disappointing to lose at home, in particular.<\/p>\n
“And, with the amount of chances, possession and dominance we had, not to score a goal was very frustrating.<\/p>\n
“I can’t say I saw it coming, but, you know if there is no tempo to the game it can happen.<\/p>\n
“The number of times we put the ball across the face of the goal and we didn’t get enough people in the box. We were crying out to get more players attacking the ball.<\/p>\n
“To be fair to Morton, they defended heroically, and credit for that.<\/p>\n
“But I have got to look at my own team’s performance, And, apart from not putting the ball in the net, which is the most important thing in the game, it wasn’t that bad.<\/p>\n
“Were we unlucky not to score? Yes. Did we deserve to lose? No. That’s football.”<\/p>\n
Not too many of us would have disagreed with the starting line up last night. He was right to bring in Rogic and McGeouch, as well as letting Nir Bitton get a full run out.<\/p>\n
He does have a case, though, it may have been just “one of those nights ” when the ball just wouldn’t go in.<\/p>\n
The concern , though, is that not only have we had a couple of those “nights ” , we’ve had a couple of those \u00a0” days ” as well.<\/p>\n
He knows what he has to do, so the support will just have to trust him to do it.<\/p>\n
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Radio Scotland was the only outlet for coverage of the game last night, and as ever , the radio made the game sound probably a little better than it actually was. If you could actually tell what was going on, that is.<\/p>\n
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The normal ninety minutes was covered by the bizarre and often chaotic “open mike ” style, more commonly associated with talentless singers in a pub showing people why they are not singers.<\/p>\n
On the radio it is a case of talentless commentators shouting above whoever is talking if anything interesting happens in the game they are watching. This, of course leads to confusion as the listener hasn’t the faintest idea whats going on, until its clarified, and even then he is unsure.<\/p>\n
When extra time came around at Celtic Park, enthusiastic amateurs would have been a better bet than Chick Young, incredibly still employed by the broadcast media despite being completely unable to describe the events in front of him. If you were up in court, this is one guy you would not want to have to rely on as a witness.<\/p>\n
When Morton got their penalty last night, Young declared it was a penalty to Celtic, and on several occasions he shouted “goal “, when in fact, it wasn’t.<\/p>\n
Thats a couple of basics that even Stevie Wonder would have called right, and Young should be given a position within the BBC more suited to his abilities, unless , of course, they already have someone to help with the parking.<\/p>\n
Celtic now travel down to Kilmarnock on Saturday, looking for a bit of encouragement before Barcelona \u00a0( who hammered Real Sociedad 4-1 last night. They must be terrified of coming to Glasgow ) roll into town next Tuesday , and already theres a bit of a rammy amongst the home support.<\/p>\n
It seems they are both upset that Killie chief Michael Johnston, who , as you remember , wanted the new Second Rangers team in the SPL when they were formed to replace their defunct predecessors, has offered tickets for the game to Celtic fans for just \u00a320, \u00a36 less than home fans have to pay. In fairness, that is outrageous, and they have a point.<\/p>\n
One of them said;<\/p>\n
\u201cThis defies belief. The fans are raging.<\/p>\n
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Still, he has protection, as long as the lass here doesn’t have to run after anyone;<\/p>\n
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I had a girlfriend like that years ago. saved a fortune on taxis, I just rolled her home afterwards.<\/p>\n
The Killie fan continued ;<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never known a situation where a chairman has shown so much contempt for his own fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf this isn\u2019t the actions of a desperate man then I don\u2019t know what is. I\u2019ve no idea what he\u2019s thinking. Every action he seems to take damages the club and this is the biggest own goal yet.”<\/p>\n
Own goals ? We’d take one of them on Saturday, seeing as how we can’t seem to do it ourselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re a Kilmarnock fan swithering about whether to go then why would you when you know the away fans are treated better?<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never heard anything like this in my life before – it\u2019s absolute madness.”<\/p>\n
Nor me. Swithering isn’t even a word.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only thing I can think of is he\u2019s under pressure to get money in.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, it\u2019s the last act of a desperate man. I heard the ticket sales from Celtic fans was poor so it\u2019s another case of trying to make a quick buck short term.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looks like he\u2019s just trying to get money in from anywhere. But if that was his thinking would he not have been better making it \u00a320 for everyone?<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat he doesn\u2019t realise is he\u2019ll get little take-up from the Celtic fans because it\u2019s a live TV game on a Saturday lunchtime so taking a few quid off isn\u2019t going to make the difference between fans going and not going.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the long run he\u2019ll lose far more from Kilmarnock fans walking away because of his actions. I think very few people will turn up on Saturday on the day. ”<\/p>\n
Well, that’ll make a change for them. An empty stadium.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeason ticket holders will be there but even some of them say they won\u2019t go on the back of this.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be a meeting with fans in the next few weeks and some are looking for boycotts to be organised but the message is clear \u2013 we need rid of Johnston now.\u201d<\/p>\n
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And Ann McElhinney, secretary of the Affiliation of registered Celtic Supporters\u2019 Clubs, was also fuming.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cThe Affiliation have already taken over 800 tickets at \u00a326.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s ridiculous and unfair on the fans who have already bought their tickets.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy phone hasn\u2019t stopped with people saying they want the \u00a36 refunded and if it isn\u2019t going to be refunded then they\u2019re asking if they can give the ticket back.<\/p>\n
\u201cHistorically, there isn\u2019t a big uptake of tickets for Rugby Park and Killie have just made the situation worse with this.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe next time Celtic are there I\u2019d be surprised if we even half-fill one stand due to this. They\u2019ve shot themselves in the foot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Killie, who are \u00a39million in debt, were unavailable to make any comment on the move but Armour added: \u201cI hope the bank can see what\u2019s happening and take action before Johnston does any more damage to the club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnston seems like he really doesn’t have a clue. Bet Kilmarnock wish they had a CEO like ours, who can triumphantly flourish excellent financial returns , which are far better to have than a flag that says “Celtic, Treble winners 2013-14 ”<\/p>\n
Kolbeinn Sighortsson. Theres a name to remember. He’s at Ajax just now…<\/p>\n
Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia will work together with Scottish giants Celtic, according to Laurence Davis, the English chairman of the club’s Supervisory Board.<\/p>\n
The British businessman was on a three-day visit to Bulgaria, his first since he was named as the head of the club in July this year.<\/p>\n
Davis said he has held talks with his counterparts from Celtic and soon expected both clubs to start cooperating.<\/p>\n
Which is all very good, but maybe we should concentrate on developing the ones we already have at Celtic. Its no good deciding they aren’t up too much, and allowing them to move on, before bringing in dross from overseas.<\/p>\n
Theres an old saying in the sales industry, ” Love the one you are with “, and its time for the coaches and development staff at Celtic Park to start earning their money.<\/p>\n
Its disgraceful that the second string side last night -well, sort of second string-only had Dylan McGeouch in the line up from the academy set up..<\/p>\n
If Celtic are going to treat the League Cup lightly, then perhaps it might be an idea to let the U-21s compete all the way through. Can’t do them any harm. And given Lennons lack of success in the tournament, its not like we’d do any worse.<\/p>\n
EIGHT intrepid members of the Ballingry Celtic Supporters Club, braved the elements, completed the \u201cParadise to Cardenden\u201d Charity Cycle on Sunday 15th September from Celtic Park to the graveside of John Thomson, in Bowhill.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/cdn1.clydeandforthpress.co.uk\/img\/2013\/09\/24\/cf20130925p01_cycl_v0213800400601559286692.jpg\")
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There were 39 cyclists involved with former ex-Celts and Scotland internationalists, Tom Boyd and Tosh McKinlay, present along with John Paul Taylor, the Celtic Supporter\u2019s liaison officer, completing the cycle.<\/p>\n
The event raised thousands of pounds for numerous charities including \u201cThe Celtic Foundation,\u201d \u201cRachel House Kinross\u201d, \u201cThe Lourdes Fund\u201d and the biggest beneficiary, \u201cThe Schiehallion ward\u201d at the Yorkhill sick kids hospital.<\/p>\n
See, its not all bad news.<\/p>\n
James McGrory would have been your answer had you spotted that we had the James Bond logo, a MIG fighter jet, the roar of the MGM lion and an E-type Jaguar in yesterday pictures . Today, this, from the world of fashion, entertainment and music…<\/p>\n
\u00a0
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By the way, surely this cannot be right ? Look at the design of this top, from the old First Rangers club…<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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