{"id":7072,"date":"2015-05-11T10:06:11","date_gmt":"2015-05-11T09:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=7072"},"modified":"2015-05-11T10:06:11","modified_gmt":"2015-05-11T09:06:11","slug":"celtic-diary-monday-may-11-plan-b","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=7072","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Monday May 11: Plan B ?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Any criticism of Ronny deila lately has surrounded his inflexibility to alter his formation and tactics.<\/p>\n

Whether by choice or necessity yesterday we saw a glimpse of a counter attacking style that may well serve a purpose in European away games next season. Soaking up pressure and bursting forward with pace in numbers…<\/p>\n

Celtic won the game 1-0, with a Scott Brown goal immediately after the break. He won the ball from Barry Robson on the edge of his own box, before a quick dart upfield, a couple of passes and being on hand to tap the ball past his impressive namesake in the Aberdeen goal.<\/p>\n

\"Scott<\/p>\n

Despite there being nothing to play for except pride, it was a full blooded encounter, and had many of us at the edge of our seats as the hoops clung on through five minutes of added time to secure the points, and when Celtic finish into a double figure points total \u00a0ahead of their nearest rivals it’s fair to say it’s not a true reflection of how close Aberdeen came to taking it to the wire.<\/p>\n

The two wins at Pittodrie were instrumental in getting that four in a row. Six points from our total, and six points on theirs would have made the final two weeks, er, interesting.<\/p>\n

Scott Brown managed to upset the Aberden fans when he scored, prompting a hail of missiles ad abuse in his direction, but the midfielder laughed it all off.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone threw a pie at me and I was going to eat it but it fell out of my hands, That\u2019s probably just as well, because the gaffer wouldn\u2019t have liked it \u2013 there\u2019s too many carbs in it. It might have given me a bit of extra energy but I couldn\u2019t grab it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf someone had thrown money I would have picked it up \u2013 I\u2019m from Fife after all. That would have bought me a pie back home.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThese things happen. I don\u2019t pay too much attention to it. It\u2019s banter and for 90 minutes they can give me as much as they want, it doesn\u2019t bother me.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cFor 90 minutes I can give it back but, when the game\u2019s finished, it\u2019s all over as far as I\u2019m concerned.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Banter with the fans is what makes people go to games, as it ads to the atmosphere. Of course, there’s a fine line between abuse and banter, but most players are big enough to take it, and so should be the fans.<\/p>\n

Although at least one yesterday took it too seriously;<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

and at least one who didn’t;<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

\u00a0At the end of the game, for instance, Leigh Griffiths, clearly delighted at his first champions medal, sung along with Brown and the support,<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

before throwing his shirt into the crowd. a generous fellow, he also spotted a minibus of fans who had ran out of beer. The selfless Leigh popped to an off licence, caught up with the fans, and offered them a drink;<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Teacakes and Buckfast. The Breakfast of champions.<\/p>\n

It’s worth noting at this point that the picture is clearly a fake, or at the very least thats someone elses arm holding a photoshopped bottle.<\/p>\n

Griffiths is fully aware of the consequences of the drink…<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0With that threat hanging over you, there’s only one course of action to be taken.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

That reminds me, the Lennon CSC are meeting tonight. 8pm. Catholic club, Newcastle under Lyme. Hope the committee will forgive me for using the AGM photo from last year.<\/p>\n

Griffiths wasn’t too drunk to offer a post match in depth analysis of the game;<\/p>\n

\n
leigh griffiths<\/span>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/div>\n

\u2714<\/b><\/span>@Leighgriff09<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

That’s why we’re champions, digging in and getting results<\/em>, #<\/span>HWGTIAR<\/span><\/a> \"\"\"\"\"\"\"\" \"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

Stuart Armstrong was a little more subdued;<\/p>\n

\n
Stuart Armstrong<\/span>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/div>\n

\u2714<\/b><\/span>@StuArmstrong16<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Nice win today<\/em> \"\"<\/p>\n

I’m not sure why the “Charles Green ” hands are being used, and let’s hope the players don’t have to pay for their inclusion. It could be another of those onerous contracts.<\/p>\n

I noticed on twitter yesterday that coverage of the game on Sky sports -or at least the programme-was delayed due to the golf. Sky tweeted;<\/p>\n

\u201cCoverage of\u00a0<\/span>Aberdeen<\/a>\u00a0v Celtic on Sky Sports 4 will be delayed as the European Tour Golf has gone to a play-off.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

I watched the game on a stream , and at the end the cameras stayed on in the ground. No nonsensical whittering from panellists, no adverts. It was great.<\/p>\n

Speaking of which, Andy Walker has upset Aberdeen keeper Jamie Langfield, who was on the bench yesterday;<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"Jamie Langfield<\/b>\u00a0@<\/span>jamlang22<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00b7\u00a0<\/span>15h<\/span>15 hours ago<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

This is worth the fine I’m going to get……”Andy walker is a<\/em> \"\"“<\/p>\n

\u00a0Good for him. Though I can’t see why he should be fined. It’s hardly a secret.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

The Bleacher Report, a US based sports website , has published an article on Martin Odegaard, and tells us why he could end up in Glasgow…<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Don’t be silly. The other part of Glasgow.<\/p>\n

It looks like the youngster will go out on loan next season, but to where ?<\/p>\n

Scottish champions\u00a0Celtic<\/a>, coached by Ronny Deila, the man who gave Odegaard his competitive first-team debut at\u00a0Stromsgodset<\/a>\u00a0at 15, could represent the best option.<\/em><\/p>\n

There is an argument that a team in a more technically focused league would represent a better choice. But it would be hard to find a team of Champions League standing willing to give Odegaard sufficient first-team football. There would be little incentive for a side like\u00a0Ajax<\/a>\u00a0or Porto to give him the time and attention he requires.<\/em><\/p>\n

Why would they waste time giving opportunities to a Madrid-owned 16-year-old when they have their own young talents who would also benefit from senior football? \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The same argument would also apply to some of the top-flight Spanish clubs who would otherwise appear good fits. Villarreal were happy to take 24-year-old Denis Cheryshev on loan from Madrid this season as they believed, correctly, that he was capable of making an immediate impact in the La Liga. It is difficult to say with any certainty that the same would be true of Odegaard. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

There is, then, some logic in allowing Odegaard to join Celtic for a year. They will play either Champions League or Europa League football next season and are coached by someone with whom he already has a pre-existing understanding.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI have a good relationship with Martin and his father,\u201d Deila told Brian Marjoribanks of the\u00a0Scottish Daily Mail<\/a>\u00a0in January. His firsthand experience of working with Odegaard and his knowledge of the midfielder\u2019s strengths and weaknesses could make him the best man to help develop his talent. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Except that Ronny has said he won’t develop anyone for anyone else. A statement that was made despite Jason Denaayer coming on loan, but Denaayer might yet end up a full time Celt, however briefly. Manchester city are rumoured to be spending big again, so Denaayer has probably hit a brick wall down there.<\/p>\n

As Odegaard appears to have over there. Given that Real aren’t noted for developing their own players, and the possibility that another spanish side might have landed the Norwegian, they moved in. You don’t pay the wage they are reputed to have paid to have him languish in the b team, especially when it’s doing badly.<\/p>\n

Throughout history, clubs have bought players purely to stop others from geting them. These days, we are more aware of them, and players , through agents, can be more realistic about their first team chances.<\/p>\n

Once one signing fee is in the bank, theres little to gain from refusing another.<\/p>\n

Tom Rogic made an appearance on the bench yesterday, meaning Deila has seen something about him thats worth keeping.<\/p>\n

As Derek Johnstone would say, he’ll be like a new signing…<\/p>\n

The trophy visible in the picture yesterday was the Cornation cup, won in the fifties after Lizzie got promoted to the top job.<\/p>\n

Now, until Timbuffy checks his emails, here’s a caption competition;<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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