\u201cI\u2019m happy at Celtic and always will be. This is the club that gave me a chance.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never had problems with anyone here.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a compliment for me that the club wanted to me stay.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBut I didn\u2019t say literally that I want to leave. Never.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIf there was a chance to go and play Champions League football somewhere else at that moment and it was a step forward, then I might have considered it. But I never said, \u2018I want to leave now\u2019.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt was out of hand but I am focused on Celtic.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI am happy here. I play with a good bunch of boys.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never had any problem with the gaffer.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a good guy and now we want to get results with the team.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n He could have said that in August, but I suppose it’s better late than never, and there may even be some truth in it. after all, it wouldn’t be the first time the media have cranked up the pressure on the club to sell players or to hint that they may be unsettled.<\/p>\n Welcome to Glasgow, Virgil.<\/p>\n \u201cYou never know what can happen in football. “<\/em> he continued<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2019m happy here. I\u2019m happy to play for the club that gave me a chance. I always will be.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Van Dijk couldn’t help but throw in a wee disclaimer there, but hopefully we’ll get the full season out of him before he inevitably heads down south.<\/p>\n Leigh Griffiths, who hasn’t really been given a chance by \u00a0manager Ronny Deila has been told by the boss to become a “24 hour athlete ” in order to succeed, which is a bit harsh considering it will mean curtailing his burdgeoning musical career, but if thats what the boss says, then thats what he has to do.<\/p>\n \u201cLeigh knows how he is standing and what the situation is.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve always said people have to improve all the time to get the chances and that\u2019s the same for Leigh as well as the others.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe talk all the time. He\u2019s a nice boy and we have good communication.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI know it\u2019s a possibility to loan players to the Championship but Leigh is here now and I want him to get his \u2028fitness up so we know what\u2019s within him.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHe really wants to succeed at Celtic. He\u2019s at a very big club, he knows it and this is his big chance.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWanting is one thing but knowledge is another.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou have to see all of the time if you have the attitude or the knowledge.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe work with both things now and Leigh looks like he wants to do it.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cEveryone knows what they must do to develop and that\u2019s for Leigh also.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cPlaying matches is important but being a 24-hour athlete is important as well and that goes for everyone.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhat you do in matches is important but also to be very aware of what you do every day in training and off the pitch \u2013 we have a big focus on that.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0Actually, it would be interesting to see what a fully fit and focused Griffiths would be capable of. Not that he looks unfit, but perhaps a change in habits off the field is what Ronny is referring to. Its certainly worth a shot.<\/p>\n \u00a0Griffiths can play a bit, he knows where the goal is, and if he reacts properly to this advice, and works hard, he could go from being a good striker to a truly great one.<\/p>\n \u00a0He’s still young, theres time for him yet. Time for him to change his off field habits, which Deila is obviously not impressed with, because he goes to great legths to play down any concerns he has ;<\/p>\n \u201cThere has been no problems with Leigh off the pitch, that\u2019s not why I say this.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBut he needs to get fitter. \u2028Of course that is about playing games but it also comes from hard work in the gym and also off the pitch.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a culture and it takes time to change culture but we have to work every day to get the knowledge into the players.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhen you are playing at this level with the pressure at this club it is very easy to be into whether you are playing or \u2028not, or whether you are \u2028winning or not.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIf you are doing that and \u2028are not playing, you get a \u2028big problem.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou have to think, \u2018Why am I not playing?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIf the team loses or draws a game I have to think, \u2018Why are we not winning?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI have to find reasons and work with things. It\u2019s the same for players.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhen you win you ask \u2028why you won and try to do more of the same.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIf the processes are good I get the results. I make mistakes but you have to do something with the things you can.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe players who reach the highest levels look into themselves and think, \u2018How can I do better?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0Deila does seem to know his stuff about fitness and attitude. Maybe when he has that the way he wants it, he could take a crash course in tactical awareness and flexibilty.<\/p>\n \u00a0One thing he does need is, based on the last quote, a wee bit of an assessment of his man management.<\/p>\n This line;<\/p>\n \u201cThe players who reach the highest levels look into themselves and think, \u2018How can I do better?\u2019\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n could also be looked at as giving the impression that he’s never bloody satisfied, to use a cliche, and that can have a negative effect on players and staff.<\/p>\n \u00a0For instance, whenever you dig the garden, or decorate a room, when you are finished and feel you have done a decent job, there is always a moment when you pause to admire your work. It’s almost endemic in human nature.<\/p>\n \u00a0No one would stand back and say<\/p>\n \u00a0” Now, how can I make that better. ” The jobs done, if you did it well, use that as the basis for the next job.<\/p>\n \u00a0It’s only when you make an arse of it that you have to either ask yourself where you can improve. In my case, I usually make an arse of it anyway so my wife doesn’t ask me to do anything again, a policy which has worked well since 1989.<\/p>\n \u00a0It makes me wonder though, whether or not Ronny \u00a0has decided to sort \u00a0out what may have been a low overall level of fitness and commitment before moving on to tactics, Perhaps the stubborn refusal to alter his system is because he thinks its simple enough for the players to catch on to while he works on the sports science side of things.<\/p>\n \u00a0Then, when he feels they are up to it, he will move on to a more sophisticated style.<\/p>\n \u00a0Or perhaps, as we first thought, he’s just a diddy.<\/p>\n \u00a0Time will tell, and if theres one thing we have got, its the time.<\/p>\n \u00a010.30am, to be precise. I got up late this morning.<\/p>\n \u00a0After the drama of the Europa League, its back to Premier League action tomorrow, Sunday matches being something we are all going to have used to, and Motherwell, the club who portray the family image-the Manson family, that is, roll into town for their first visit of the season to Celtic Park.<\/p>\n \u00a0Motherwell , in recent seasons have started slowly before building up a head of steam and usually finishing quite strongly. In fact, they are quite confident about the visit to the east end tomorrow, and Keith Lasley, their silky midfield playmaker, isn’t afraid of Celtic at all.<\/p>\n Well, he needn’t be. He’s usually got the referee as back up.<\/p>\n \u201cTimes have changed since Martin O\u2019Neill was at Celtic.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThey and Rangers at the time spent millions and millions on transfers and there was no doubt it was a tough old afternoon.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThey had real size and strength of squads but now they are not spending as much money.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHowever, when you look at Scottish football as a whole there is still a gap there and they have that strength and depth.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt is still a tough afternoon and we need to be 100 per cent prepared mentally and physically.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThere has been downsizing in terms of money being spent by them but that is all across the board in Scotland.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cCeltic will be a strong side again and I\u2019m sure the new manager will come in and implement his own ideas and philosophies.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou hope Celtic are not at their best and we will certainly come up with a game plan.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n We had a man at one of their training sessions to see if we could spot anything useful;<\/p>\n Looks like they will stick with what they know. Wakaso Mubarak won’t need to feign pain this time round.<\/p>\n Aleksandr Tonev \u00a0has been issued with a notice of complaint \u00a0 in relation to an alleged breach of Disciplinary Rule 202 – \u2018excessive misconduct by the use of offensive, insulting and abusive language of a racist nature.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n Silly Bulgar. ( See what I did there ? ) ( No-Ed )<\/p>\n Celtic have issued a statement;<\/p>\n \u201cAs we have said before, we have spoken to the player and he has stated the accusation is not true, and, he will, therefore, be defending the charge.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In front of those kilt wearing, haggis munching, claymore swinging ,shortbread eating deep fried mars bar lickers, the player did not add.<\/p>\n As you wouldn’t have seen on Sky, the BBC or ITV last night, there was a wee bit of bother in George Square, Glasgow last night. Well, when I say a wee bit of bother, it was almost a full blown riot. Although channel 4 quoted a police officer as calling it “handbags ”<\/p>\n That woman from the tv ad for Bitter Together was spot on;<\/p>\n Without a team to support, a certain section of society have found another outlet for their inherent bigotry and \u00a0intolerant ” culture ”<\/p>\n Theres a few Orange Walks today as well. If there was a ever a day to just stay home and watch a bit of telly, its today.<\/p>\n No doubt the BBC will cover any problems impartially and with respect for the truth. Especially they have now upgraded on the technical side….<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Like all the other puppet shows used to be.<\/p>\n Speaking of putting undue influence on an issue to determine an outcome that suits you, have a look at this. Its the final of the who is the most popular club in the world competition, and voting finishes on Monday.<\/p>\n Its Benfica v Celtic. Follow the link, although there is no suggestion I am asking you to vote for one side or the other. That is entirely the choice of the individual voter. And \u00a0you can vote numerous times… purely, of course, as an indication of the strength of your admiration for your chosen candidate.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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