{"id":8826,"date":"2016-03-19T10:06:47","date_gmt":"2016-03-19T10:06:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=8826"},"modified":"2016-03-19T10:06:47","modified_gmt":"2016-03-19T10:06:47","slug":"celtic-diary-saturday-march-19-its-all-happening-in-ayrshire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=8826","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Saturday March 19: It’s all Happening in Ayrshire…"},"content":{"rendered":"

Celtic are in Kilmarnock today for the lunchtime kick off against Kilmarnock. Hardly the most glamourous of fixtures, but one that will have timland a wee bit anxious, dare i even say excited, as the push for title number five enters the home straight.<\/p>\n

Celts cannot afford to slip up, and , happily, with the exception of the permanently injured Jozo Simunovic, will be at full strength. Kilmarnock are missing three defenders, Syme, Westlake and Connolly so may reduce the back line to just seven or eight players, and they’re missing a winger in chris Johnston, so may add another holding midfielder.<\/p>\n

Don’t expect a free flowing performance, this one is about grinding out a win.<\/p>\n

Mind you, the diary’s caution, given it’s past performance in predictions, should have most of you scurrying to the bookies to put a 4-1 or a 5-1 win on.<\/p>\n

Especially given the determination of Leaping Leigh Griffiths, who is on the verge of \u00a0a memorable season;<\/p>\n

Charlie Nicholas had a record of 48 in one season which someone mentioned to me and then there is Henrik Larsson\u2019s record of 53 which is way beyond my reach,\u2019\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018I still have nine league games to go as well at least one cup game and maybe even a cup final.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018So if I try to score in every game between now and the end of the season maybe I could equal that record [Nicholas], but I am not counting my chickens too much. If I get to 40 I will be happy.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u00a0Alright, Scrap the 5-1. He’s given up already.<\/div>\n
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Currently on 35 goals in all competitions, Griffiths has to average two goals a game to catch Larsons record, and that isn’t beyond him, no matter what he says publicly. After all, there’s at least one game against lower league opposition to come….<\/div>\n
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He’s playing it down, of course, and will be out to get as close to that record as he can. Though I still wouldn’t let him take penalties.<\/div>\n
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\u2018It seems that every time I score a goal they keep comparing me to these records,\u2019 said Griffiths.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018If I can break a record and make a name for myself here I will be buzzing.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018You see the pictures outside Celtic Park and around the stadium of Charlie Nicholas, Brian McClair, Henrik Larsson, John Hartson and Chris Sutton. They were all great strikers here and I want to be remembered just like them.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

See. Told you.<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
When asked, he seemed surprised that other players tallies were nowhere near his own, especially with over 100 goals registered this season;<\/div>\n
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\u2018It\u2019s weird to see that I have scored 35 and none of the others have got 10,\u2019\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018It is surprising given the talent that we have got and the goals that are throughout the squad.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018It is just one of those things that everything I am hitting seems to go in (<\/em>except penalties, obviously-Ed ) but if the other boys could start chipping in with a few goals it would take the weight off my shoulders a wee bit.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018Do I enjoy the responsibility? That\u2019s my job. I was brought to Celtic to score goals. Every time I go out on the pitch I am looking to score but if other boys can chip in, too, then we will be brushing teams away.\u2019\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The other boys have chipped in, and the spread of goals throughout the team is something to be pleased about.<\/p>\n

With his inclusion in the Scotland squad, things are looking up for the one time bad boy, and there cannot be a Celtic fan who isn’t pleased for him. Though he reckons he has a tough job to break into the Scotland team…<\/p>\n

\u2018If I get a chance I will hopefully go on and put a performance in and show the manager what I can do,\u2019 he added.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018He has been to a few of the games, I think. He knows what I can do. It is all about taking that opportunity when I get it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018I am just hoping to be involved. I am not going there thinking I am the first-choice striker. That is not the case.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018I am up against Fletch (Steven Fletcher) and Chris Martin who has recently been banging the goals in for Derby County again. Whoever plays the game will have a job on their hands. If I don\u2019t start I will sit on the bench and wait my turn.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

Up against Fletcher and Martin ?<\/p>\n

I think he’s taking the piss here.<\/p>\n

But in a polite way.<\/p>\n

Ronny Deila and John Collins nipped over to Falkirk last night to have a look at semi final opponents Second Rangers… and at first they must have been a little worried, as the Warburton Wunderteam stormed into a two goal lead…<\/p>\n

Jonny McFarlane<\/strong>\u00a0\u200f@<\/s>Jonnyrmcfarlane<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/a>\u00a014h<\/span>14 hours ago<\/span><\/a><\/small><\/div>\n
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This is going to be an absolute spanking here. Rangers electric. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Jonny McFarlane<\/strong>\u00a0\u200f@<\/s>Jonnyrmcfarlane<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/a>\u00a014h<\/span>14 hours ago<\/span><\/a><\/small><\/div>\n
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Peter Houston has set up wrong here. Rangers wide-men running riot.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Rangers wide men ?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Anyhoo, supporters raced to the betting kiosks in the ground to put their few quid on a massive win for the Wunderteam…<\/p>\n

Outside the ground, it was party time..<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Then it all went wrong for the next England manager…though at least one newspaper remained in denial…<\/div>\n
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Falkirk actually won the game 3-2, but the Ibrox side were awarded the extra goal for entertainment value. Certainly made some people laugh…<\/div>\n
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\"\"<\/div>\n
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but not the guy in the bookies who had to clean up;<\/div>\n
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Is it disrespectful of me to laugh at the misfortunes of others ?<\/div>\n
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Poor Warburton, it was all going so well for him. No doubt now the press will be touting for a return to Ibrox for Ally Mccoist….<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
A wee note for those amongst you that were a little concerned that the Ibrox side might yet cause a shock at Hampden next month.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The following is a list of Celtic’s players on international duty next week.<\/div>\n
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SENIOR SQUADS<\/strong><\/em>
\nScotland v Czech Republic, March 24<\/em>
\nCharlie Mulgrew<\/em><\/p>\n

Scotland v Denmark, March 29<\/em>
\nScott Brown, James Forrest, Craig Gordon, Leigh Griffiths, Kieran Tierney, Charlie Mulgrew<\/em><\/p>\n

Israel v Croatia, March 23<\/em>
\nNir Bitton<\/em><\/p>\n

Honduras v El Salvador March 25 and 29 (WC Qualifier)<\/em>
\nEmilio Izaguirre<\/em><\/p>\n

Nigeria v Egypt, March 25 and 29 (AFCON Qualifier)<\/em>
\nEfe Ambrose<\/em><\/p>\n

Belgium v Portugal, March 29<\/em>
\nDedryck Boyata<\/em><\/p>\n

Norway v Estonia and Finland, March 24 and 29<\/em>
\nStefan Johansen<\/em><\/p>\n

Sweden v Turkey and Czech Republic, March 24 and 29<\/em>
\nMikael Lustig<\/em><\/p>\n

Australia v Tajikistan and Jordan, March 24 and 29 (WC qualifier)<\/em>
\nTom Rogic<\/em><\/p>\n

Denmark v Iceland and Scotland, March 24 and 29<\/em>
\nErik Sviatchenko<\/em><\/p>\n

U21<\/strong><\/em>
\nScotland v France and Northern Ireland, March 24 and 29 (Euro qualifier)<\/em>
\nRyan Christie, Stuart Findlay, Liam Henderson<\/em><\/p>\n

Croatia v Spain and Estonia, March 24 and 28 (Euro qualifier)<\/em>
\nJozo Simunovic<\/em><\/p>\n

Republic of Ireland v Italy and Slovenia, March 24 and 28 (Euro qualifier)<\/em>
\nEoghan O\u2019Connell<\/em><\/p>\n

Northern Ireland v Scotland, March 29 (Euro qualifier)<\/em>
\nMichael Duffy<\/em><\/p>\n

U20<\/strong><\/em>
\nSwitzerland v Germany, March 23 and 26<\/em>
\nSaidy Janko<\/em><\/p>\n

U19<\/strong><\/em>
\nEngland v Georgia, Greece, Spain, March 24, 26, 29 (UEFA Elite round)<\/em>
\nPatrick Roberts<\/em><\/p>\n

Northern Ireland v Poland, Holland, Ukraine, March 24, 26, 29 (UEFA Elite round)<\/em>
\nConor Hazard<\/em><\/p>\n

Scotland v Belgium, Croatia, Bulgaria, March 23, 25, 28 (UEFA Elite round)<\/em>
\nSam Wardrop, Mark Hill, Joe Thomson, Ross Doohan, Jack Breslin, Aidan Nesbitt<\/em><\/p>\n

U17<\/strong><\/em>
\nScotland v Denmark, Czech Republic, Switzerland, March 28, 30, April 2 (UEFA Elite round)<\/em>
\nJack Aitchison, Aidan McAdams, Broque Watson<\/em><\/p>\n

Scotland v Denmark, March 28 (UEFA Elite round)<\/em>
\nWallace Duffy \u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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33 in total, 18 from the first team squad.<\/p>\n

The Wunderteam list is somewhat smaller.<\/p>\n

About 33 names smaller.<\/p>\n

\n

Away from all that, there’s been a little bit of a conspiracy theory doing the rounds….are Level 5 paying people to comment on Celtic forums, such as this one ?<\/p>\n

Fucking idiots.<\/p>\n

Cut to the chase, and pay me. I’ll say whatever they want. Look, I coined the phrase Warburton Wunderteam. Without a hint of sarcasm.<\/p>\n

For the right amount we could call it the E-Huns Diary.<\/p>\n

All I’d have to do is tell them everythings fine, its the same club \u00a0and the money’s in the bank and the daft bastards would think I was some sort of visionary scribe.<\/p>\n

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Back to todays game, and television exposure gives the support a chance to try to get the Resolution 12 issue into the national, and even international news.<\/p>\n

By the way, all the facts are here, put together by Auldheid on CQN;<\/p>\n

Resolution 12 Questions answered<\/a><\/p>\n

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\u00a0Banners, chants whistles on the 12th minute are all well and good, but I’ve been thinking.<\/p>\n

How about trying the marketing technique known as brand indetification ?<\/p>\n

Now, the campaign is aimed at the SFA and the media in Scotland. We need a symbol, a hook, to use a marketing word, that will identify the SFA and the media every time this hook is put out there.<\/p>\n

Think of hoover, a brand used to denote any type of vacuum cleaner, or Everest, the double glazing that said it was the best, and everyone now associates the two.<\/p>\n

So, what message can we send out that will instantly make people think of the SFA and the Scottish media.<\/p>\n

On the twelfth minute….<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Thats right.<\/p>\n

Arses.<\/p>\n

A mass of bare bums waving at the cameras. That should get their attention.<\/p>\n

Well, we’ve tried everything else, so why not ?<\/p>\n

And then whenever anyone sees a plump buttock, they will immediately associate the image with the SFA and the media.<\/p>\n

It could even be added to twitter and other social media.<\/p>\n

Everyone post a picture of an arse. Real or perceived, and tag it Arses to the SFA.<\/p>\n

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For the third game in a row, I’m a little tense beforehand.<\/p>\n

Its all getting a little exciting now…<\/p>\n

As the caption competition shows… by the way, the winners pic will return as soon as I have time to choose one, instead of picking through replies that do little to add to the quality of the debate. From now on, offensive replies aimed at others will be altered, and then you’ll look stupid.<\/p>\n

Might as well amuse myself.<\/p>\n

anyway, the picture for today…<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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

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