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Does it only worry me that our team are so inept at passing a ball?
Schoolboys have more idea and why can't they (even passing across the pitch) put the ball IN FRONT of the player instead of behind?
As for our shooting and missed chances in front of goal they leave me tearing my hair out.
Do we have coaches that WORK with the players?
Grenfrog
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Brilliant
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Thought we played well yesterday in patches especially beginnig of second half we dominated and should have got a couple.
Hartson had a nightmare yesterday.
He has really got a weight problem and it is really unprofessional.
I would give Sutton a run up alongside Bellamy who was good yesterday.
The day was only spoiled yesterday by you know what how long did it last 30 seconds. It was shameful and we were under the impression by the media that it was a Celtic Rankers problem.
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I a Celtic supporter living in spitting (and i mean spitting) distance from Swinecastle and i was absoultely astonished and deeply saddend at the numbers disrespecting the minutes silence yesterday.
We all know bigotry is rife throughout Scotland but the fall out from yesterdays events have left me flabbergasted. I've heard it been discribed as a "minority" in the Scottish media, and Wille Miller even went so far as to excuse it as people exercising their "civil liberty" on Radio Scotland! Sportscene gave the topic as much time as O'Neil falling over!Nice bit of slap stick to distract the viewers.
Now i notice the debate seems to have been turned round to discussion on the necessity of minutes silences in general on other internet forums.
And our paranoia has no basis does it???? Oh and biggotry is the reserve of the West coast and Old Firm. My ar$e!
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The only thing that surprises me about yesterday's shamefest is that some people are surprised by the behaviour of the Hearts supporters and if that was a minority of them then it was a very vocal one.
Paul, if, as you predict, we meet Airdrie in the 2015 final does that mean you've finally accepted that the EPL is a non-starter for us? Please don't tell me you expect the Monklands Masonic to also be invited to join the Premiership (although if it was at the expense of the Forces of Darkness I could live with it.)
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Bellamy's pace and skill were often wasted yesterday. Too many times he beat players on the wing only to find nobody in the box to cross to.
I agree with Adrian1888, Hartson's weight is a problem and very unprofessional after the faith shown by the board and manager. He has a big pre-season this summer alright, must get in shape.
I wasn't as impressed with Joos yesterday, I felt he was skinned a few times and most of their threat came from their right wing, in the second half anyway.
Very disappointed by the Hearts fans lack of respect. I feel that there is more progress in the North of Ireland than in Scotland when it comes to sectarianism these days.
Al
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Sorry for the change but thought I'd let you know that Croatian Stipe Pletikosa the Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper has just been filmed by Hrvatska radiotelevizja (Croatian TV)heading to Celtic Park for a trial or talks? not sure as my Croat isn't exactly 100%
Dubrovnik Celt
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Whilst the antics of the cousins of William were disappointing, can anyone really say they were surprised? We have a wee bet that we make amongst ourselves when they come to Parkhead where we take bets on a. the first Union Jack to be shown b. the first Hearts fan to be evicted. Needless to say that neither gets beyond 5 minutes.
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If we really need a quick skilful striker alongside someone with some strength but also guile, then why don't we play Beattie and Maloney together with Bellamy supplying the ammunition.
With these two up front I'm sure at least one of them would be in position to get on the end of Bellamy's crosses once he's skinned the opposition full backs. Not only are they quick enough, but being so young they are probably fit enough to last the whole game too.
If MON never gives the youngsters a chance we will never move forward, and more to the point the average age of the team will only continue to increase. At some point we have to take that step and give these guys a sustained run.
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Here's a thought: If Dundee United get relegated will they be the first Scottish Division 1 team to play in Europe? They could be playing Stranraer on the Saturday, Valencia on the Wednesday, and Ross County the following Saturday!
But in reality I very much doubt that Dundee United will still be in the UEFA Cup by the time Valencia enter the fray. However, United have been in the UEFA Cup Final as many times as Valencia since it became the UEFA Cup in 1971, as opposed to the Inter City Fairs Cup.
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They are young enough Bigchipsuk but they aernt fit enough. Maloney has just come back from a career threatning injury and to expect him to play sustained first team football week in week out is too much.
Beattie although one for the future, we are chasing a title and we need or tried and tested players there time will come.
I think your unfair in saying MON doesnt breed enough youngsters look at all the youngsters that have blossomed under MON, LMiller McGeady Marshall, Kennedy would have been a sure starter this year if it wasnt for his injury. McManus Wallace.
These players just need a bit of experience but when we start really dominating again next year MON will start to blood these youngsters.
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adrian1888,
Sadly, it is that argument that sees a very poor Hartson and Thompson walk onto the teamsheet (quite literally walking in Hartson's case as he can't run beyond a waddle) every week.
How do you think it makes the youngsters feel when despite working hard and performing in the U21s you never get a game ahead of players who barely try a leg?
I know for a fact McManus is very unhappy that MON convinced him to stay - he felt he was promised 1st team action which has not materialised and yet Varga who looks very slow gets in?
M
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So it’s back to Hampden on May 28th after the better team won a poor semi final. Bellamy was the only stand out in the hoops on a day when the balance of the team was disrupted to accommodate the miss firing Hartson.
Sutton in the midfield looks good on paper but in practise it’s not a pretty sight seeing a slightly immobile centre forward being asked to be a midfield playmaker. As I said on Saturday if Sutton is fit he should be up front no if’s no but’s.
Martin’s loyalty to Hartson is a strange one, the big fellow hasn’t kick a ball for weeks has offered nothing to the team in this period and it’s like playing with a man short. The big fellow has played the most games for the Hoops this season, along with Lennon and Petrov, yesterday was his 41st game but if you take away his goals, which I know he is paid for, have ever walked away from a game and said “Hartson was superb today” I know I haven’t.
The modern game has changed and centre forwards like Hartson are becoming less and less and pace and mobility is now the key. A decent offer in the summer could see him move on to pastures new and I would wish him well but if we are to improve then Hartson won’t do.
Overall the team are far to slow and well-organised teams that get back behind the ball quick enough we struggle against. Only Bellamy offers any sort of pace and for me this lack of pace is the reason why to McGeady has to be played. McGeady can’t get dropped again in the run in when victories are what is required. Even if he is having an off day McGeady always takes two players out of the game as all teams double-team him. When your central midfield lacks pace, pace on the wings is essential to stretch teams, very rarely do we stretch teams now.
In my post on Saturday I said Martin had a season defining choice to make for me he made the wrong choice and it may come back to haunt us.
Kilo O’Neal
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Adrian1888,
You said of my earlier post: "I think your unfair in saying MON doesnt breed enough youngsters".
If you read my post again I did not actually say this. What I said was: "If MON never gives the youngsters a chance we will never move forward, and more to the point the average age of the team will only continue to increase. At some point we have to take that step and give these guys a sustained run."
These guys have already come through the ranks as Celtic-bred youngsters, but my point is that they need to be given the opportunity to make the step up to the first team. For me Beattie has proved that he has talent - he scored against Chelsea, Liverpool and ManUre in the USA (granted they were only friendlies, but they were still trying to stop Celtic from scoring). He must be getting very upset seeing Hartson picked ahead of him every week, regardless.
You mention various youngsters and say "These players just need a bit of experience". This is exactly the point that I am trying to make... they won't get that experience unless thay are given a run in the first team!
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I don't agree that Hartson will have a big pre-season ahead of him.
As far as i'm concerned one of the biggest reasons for his poor form/attitude is that he knows he's guaranted a place in the starting lineup regardless of how poorly he performs for any length of time. After a dodgy opening to the season, Hartson came onto a game around October/November time, this was when the penny dropped after Mark Hughes dropped him from the Wales team around the same period - subsequently Hartson realised that he needed to work harder on his fitness and a return to form ensued.
Maybe if Martin O'Neill had the bottle to do the same as Hughes did earlier in the season and send the message to Hartson that he's not performing to standard then it might have the same positive effect, and BBJ would return to something like the form he's capable of.
That's not likely to happen though, it seems that Hartson is in with the MON clique of players who just won't be dropped no matter what, alongside Alan Thompson and others. Maybe that's where Juninho went wrong after all.
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Shammy said..
The problem with dropping Hartson is that it takes him weeks to get back to match fitness if he misses a few games ( is he ever match fit!). Even noticed Bellamy giving him a stinker of a look yesterdy after getting to the bye-line and looking up to see Hartson slowing jogging from midfield, no effort to try and get into the box.
Can't wait to see Agathe and Bellamy playing on opposite wings. If the defenders have to double up on both wingers then it should really open up the space for McGeady and Petrov to push from midfield. Agathe made a return today for the reserves so it shouldn't be long before he's ready.
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Things are in place for the run in.
Agathe will give an injection of pace wich has been severly lacking, Maloney will give us an option up front, Sutton looks to have the hunger back which makes him a great player, we can now use McGeady when it is right to do so. We have no complaints if we lose this one, i expect rangers to drop points outside the old firm clash and don;t think we will.
Paul i think you should watch the match again and keep a closer eye on Valgaren! The best defender on the park? Me and every other fan i have spoke to much have been watching a different game.
Agree with everyone about Hartson. I would be shocked if he didn't move in the summer. He knows himself that he is only an a downward slope at CP now - he will go where he is wanted.
I can just see it now - "Bellamy hattrick sinks gers" Anyone else already looking forward to it?
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If Hartson has a big pre-season ahead of him, then I hope it's with another team and not in an XXXL Celtic jersey. Now that he's under a new contract we should be able to get a transfer fee for him. Anything above £1m we should grab and invest in the team along with any other money we will have in the summer.
Sutton up front with Bellamy is the partnership to win the league and cup double. Hartson or maybe Beattie should be brought on when Sutton is not available.
Yesterday, Celtic were so pedestrian that it worries me for the remainder of the season. It would be so unbearable to lose the league to a poor Rangers team.
Need to inject a bit of pace creativity into the team with the inclusion of Agathe and mcgeady as regulars between now and the end of the season.
Was disappointed with MON (but predictable) that he chose the easy option to drop young McGeady to bring Sutton back into the team. There were other candidates who have contributed much less to Celtic's season so far than the youngster, but MON bottles it every time to tell one of his more 'experienced' players that they're name is not on the teamsheet.
When Agathe is fit I'd play 4-3-1-2 with the following team:
Marshall
Agathe
Balde
Varga
Jackie
Petrov
Lennon
Thompson (if we had a decent alternative he'd be on the bench)
McGeady
Sutton
Bellamy
McGeady would be given a free role just behing the front two as he was deployed for the youth teams. Agathe would play as right sided defender come winger to add pace to a fairly static midfield.
Vintimtim.
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Lots of comment on John Hartson. Before he signed his new contract I suggested to the one who make decisions that I hoped he would not be first team material next season. It went down like a lead balloon.
Unless there has been a change of heart, or more importantly, unless someone else comes in and offers BBJ a similar contract – which I suspect is unlikely – he will be here next season.
TrueTim, I’ll take your word for it on Valgaeren, not going to put myself through watching it again.
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As much as I agree that Hartson is open to criticism and looks cumbersome, he is the SPL's top scorer and has been nominated for the Player's Player of the year so he's got to be doing something right!
He had a poor game yesterday but I think some criticism is unfair.
I'd accept any reasonable offer for him if Bellamy was staying (and perhaps even if he wasn't) but to go back to the Lennon "cross", Hartson was vaguely close to offside for this and just couldn't reach it - nothing to do with adjusting his footing.
p.s. I thought Joos was pretty good too yesterday
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I have noticed several things about big john over the last few games, a/ he falls over a lot b/ he is misheading c/ he is miskicking. When big john is good he is good when he s bad he s bad and thats what we are seeing just now. I believe MON installs into all his players they all have a defencive role to play. Big john just cannot get up the park quick enough when the likes of bellamy break. When didier returns if he can get the turn of pace we all know he is capable off then big john may find it even harder. He can be great in penalty box tussles but fast flowing football no. The bottom line is celtic need to release a certain amount of money from the wage bill to afford bellamy and any other areas MON will demand need strengthening. Im begining to think Big john may be a casualty. Clearly he would have to agree to go or maybe he can return to scoring like we all know he can I hope its the latter.
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Watching the game I remarked to the people watching with me that celtic looked slow at times even tired and squirmed at the times the pace of hears turned our defence . Better opposition might just cane us. It is clear to everyone that we need fresh blood, lets hope its clear to the board.
Whether we should be looking at splashin 3-4 million as the papers say on a keeper, im not to sure. I say go with marshall and let him grow and mature on the way. Yes he will lose us some goals but we all know he will make some incredible saves along the way too being a top class goalie. For me we need a centre back who is mobile and a good passer, we need a natural left back, a midfield playmaker and bellamy.
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O'Neill has his idea of which team should play ever week and he'll stick to it, no matter what. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't play McGeady against Rangers.
Quick change of subject: my dad is now the proud owner of a glass with a picture of the Scottish Cup on the front and the words "Good old Celtic". It then says "Record Scottish Cup holders" and lists the dates. He'd be dead chuffed if people could let him know anything about it, how many were produced, etc. The last date for the cup win on it is 1924-25, so presumably it dates from then.
Astheure.
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I suspect Paul is right when he says that the club resigned BBJ with an eye to keeping him around. Secondly it keeps some asset value as opposed to Bosman material.
It wont be lost on Mon though that John is struggling and something needs to be done about it. No good in Champions League with Bellers pace and nobody to play off of.
I thought young Marshall was great coming out for the highballs, Rab are you taking notes. Dont know why he was allowed to punt the ball up the park all the time right to the Hearts guys. Try that in Europe. Anyway most will agree that the young fella is a future pick and a more experienced keeper is coming in the summer.
Lots of coverage in the North American media about the minutes silence/booing.
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Paul - I hope you are wrong about the cup tenth anniversary thing. Did you know we haven't won the league in a year ending in 5 since 1915? Hope this omen can be broken this year, but not totally confident (belying my name here, I realise!). Normally the champions (of any league) are the ones who lose least games and concede least goals - that ain't gonna be us this year.
Hopefully Agathe coming back can make a difference. I'd leave McNamara at right back (unless Laursen is injured), play Agathe right midfield, allowing Petrov to move back into the middle and Sutton up front instead of Hartson. Then we have McGeady and Hartson to come off the bench to turn things if need be.
Come the summer we need big changes (out and in). Paul - do you think the board will gamble on Bellamy (and other potential buys) without knowing if we'll be in the CL group stages? There will be some decent sides in the qualifiers.
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Canajunbhoy
I'd rather,(like anyone else),have a Bosman on the park playing good football than having Hartson "balancing the books"as you suggest and playing lazy football,although he wouldn't be the first Celtic player to get lazy once the new contract was signed.
Wasn't Negative Anon just telling us that's exactly what the Bunnet did in his last year?balance the books before he left.The board are not here to "balance books" they are here to provide funds to be league winners(I know,CATCH22)
Didn't Celtic have the same problem with another very fast player in the not so distant past that the rest of the team couldn't keep up with during play? He didn't stick around for long either
With Bellamys' athletic running it's easy for any player to look slow or lazy,Hartson IS lazy but just looks lazier with Bellamy on the team,Bellamy won't hang around CP if he thinks that BBJ is the best we can offer him.
Looks like it will be "3 in a row" for Hartson,3 teams to tell him to get on a diet,this is not a new thing from him.
BELLAMY,AGATHE,MCGEADY. Just need a few more with athletic skills and we are on the right road.
Scarff from Linwood
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Lest we forget BBJ is our top scorer this season by a country mile.
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I've been rattling on about Hartson for a while. After he sorted out his back he said that he was looking forward to getting 100% fit at last. What it looks like is that the back injury was a good thing since it may have been stopping him from getting off of his fat arse and going to the fridge/chippie.
2 points on this. Firstly, the utter lack of professionalism on his part in letting himself get in that sort of nick. Secondly, how on earth are the backroom staff allowing it? He should be on double training sessions until he loses a stone.
To those who say he's our top scorer etc.,that really isn't the answer. The question is-would someone else have scored more given the chances? Time to bench him MON.
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I'm told Robbie Keane has been contacted by Celtic. Paul 67 - do you have any inkling as to whether we can afford both him & Bellamy or is this incase Bellars goes back south in the summer?
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Guys,
If i hear about Robbie keane one more time......
Hartson was too knackered to join bellamy in the goal celebration, instead he shuffled back to the half way line.It's beyond a joke now , top scorer or no.
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Xavier - you're 100% correct on Hartson, but you're a bit cheeky regarding Keane. It wasn't supposed to be a Scoop Guidi 'I can exclusively reveal'. My work's head office is on Tottenham Court Road, London & that's where i got the info from on Friday when i was down there.
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A lot of short memories regarding Big Bad John. Where were you all when he dumped the huns out of the cup a few weeks ago?
Granted, he's been through a bad run of form of late, but I would love to know who else would score the goals he's scored for us over a season. The fact is that since The King of Kings left BBJ is our only proven high goal scorer. And his record of scoring in the big games has been tremendous in his time with us. These times have also included the barren patches and poor form that we're seeing now.
I'm confident we will see a return to form from the big man pretty soon.
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cambuslangisareality( brilliant moniker btw) when robbie is a reality I will apologise. I have been down this road more times than holloway road it seems. No one would love it more than me , have been a fan a long time and would love him to find a club where he could settle and fulfill his potential. If this happens at CP then that would be ideal.
guys i am not saying hartson is crap , i'm saying he is unfit, Completely unfit.
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Does anyone have any info on the film of the Celtic 4 Rangers 2 league decider back in 79. I have just seen it on the Best Ever DVD for the first time. I thought I had dreamed that there was footage a while ago and couldn't believe it when up it popped on the DVD. I didnt get to sleep until about 4 in the morning thinking about it. I'm still stunned!
I remember there was a tv strike and I dont think there was radio coverage either. Being a Teuchter Celtic supporter in the West Highlands at that time we only had BBC1 in B/w and could only pick up Radio 4 and a wavy Radio Luxembourg so getting info on the game was a nightmare so when the late news on BBC Scotland revealed the score at about 9.30/10ish it was time to celebrate. (yeah right I was only 14 then and it was a school night and waaaaay past my bedtime)
So if anyone could tell me who took the film and why has it been under wraps for so long Id be very grateful.
Murdos goal was superb but I was suprised that he hit it from just outside the box and not from halfway up the Gallowgateas folklore lead me to believe!
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corrib04...if my memory serves me properly, Celtic used to film games using The Celtic Cine Club.
It was somewhat pre-historic, but I'm certain this was who did the 4-2 game in 1979.
Murdo's screamer was indeed hit from about 20 yards, and if the net hadn't stopped it, it would've skelped me right in the coupon. I wouldn't have minded this though, as I was somewhat delirious by this stage.
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Corrib04, you mention "the Best Ever DVD". Is this the one listed as "The Greatest Celtic Games in the World... EVER" (Item code 4986 ) on the Celtic Superstore website? I wouldn't mind buying a copy if that's the one.
Cheers.
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i have that DVD and have given as present to lots of mates , it's brilliant.
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Peter1711,
Thanks for that. Why do think they waited so long to release it? I can only say that I am a shade Greener that you were there to see it. I get goosebumps recalling that evening sitting listening to the news that night, it must have benn something else to be there. (along with the other quarter of a million fans packing the stands that night!)
Bigchipsuk,
Thats the one. Its a fantastic dvd with some b/w footage of games from yesteryester year included.
Of course it missed out on a few classics but thats subjective I suppose. Celtic 5-0 v Sporting Lisbon and Ajax 1-2 v Celtic would have been nice but never the less
as I said I couldnt sleep till 4 as I was so wound up from watching last night. I wont spoil it by saying anymore.
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Some of you guys talking about throwing Beattie Maloney into the deepend at this stage of the season when we are playing catch up it's the kind of thing that can destroy players or it can be the making of them but you cant take the risk.
Look what happened to Marshall the bar was raised and it all got too much for him. I think he will come back stronger from it though.
But this isint the time to be putting these kids under pressure.
Guys go easy on Hartson and Thompson to suggest Thompson doesnt doesnt give his all is unfair on the man he is always commited.
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GlassTwoThirdsFull, I am sure the board have made the money available for Bellamy. Only issue will be whether he wants to stay.
CambuslangisaReality, no info on Keane, I would also be surprised if they went for both him and Bellamy. My guess is that the Keane comments are no more than paper talk.
Agree Adrian1888.
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Personal opinion of course but I do feel there's an awful lot of nonsense spouted about "young" players and their development. In my book if you're good enough you're old enough and the only way you get experience is by playing at first team level.
I'm old enough to remember Denis Law being capped at 18 and the entry of Bobby Lennox Billy Mc Neill Bobby Murdoch Jimmy Johnstone John Hughes Stevie Chalmers and John Clark as first team regulars all under the age of 20. When I look at the likes of Craig Beattie at 20 and Sean Maloney at 22 and their 15 minutes here and there I think there's something not quite right.
On BBJ I was moaning in the early part of the season that he wasn't quick enough either in mind or body to play with the likes of Juhnino. Now its patently obvious he's not quick enough to play with Bellamy nor will he ever be quick enough for the side MON should be developing. He should be at the forefront of our new trading strategy.
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corrib04, 12.54pm...I haven't a clue as to why they're just releasing the 4-2 game now.
However, I recall Bobby Lennox and Big Roy, who both come from this neck of the woods, were rumoured to have a copy years ago, but the quality was apparently dire.
In fact, Big Roy was a year below me at school, but got a game for MY year, before joinig Celtic.
We were actually ten minutes late that night, when this almighty roar went up as we were still trying to get in. We thought The Bhoys had scored, but in fact it was Alex McDonald who'd scored for RFC, so I haven't ever seen that goal.
John Doyle got first use of the Lux soap after a confrontation with their scorer. So we were right up against it with about 40 minutes still to go.
The rest is history in an amazing night of pure joy. We hurried back home after the game to watch the highlights, only to find out the TV crew had packed up their gear over some industrial dispute.
Great news to hear there's now a DVD out. I look forward to seeing it once more 26 years later.
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The Robbie Keane story is an interesting one. He was linked to us last year as well, but at that time a new manager had taken over at Spurs and wanted to check out his squad.
However recent events seem to indicate that Keane's days are numbered at WHL. He will leave Tottenham in the summer, but I would be inclined to think that he will stay in the Premiership, with the likely venue for his skills being Goodison.
I think that if Celtic receive a realistic offer for Hartson in the summer then they would certainly accept it. By that I mean somewhere in the region of £2 million.
Has anyone heard anything about us taking the Shakhtar goalkeeper on trial? It was on Croatian television, as he is in the national team. I haven't heard anything more about this over at this side.
Ted Moult
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That Robbie Keane cant get any stability in his career he has a number of flaws in his game but he would definetly bring something without a doubt.
The lad just needs some consistent coaching over a number of seasons to iron out the bad habits.
That story is getting old and boring though.
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Henri Camara has a bust up with the manager then moves on loan to Celtic.
Craig Bellamy falls out with "The Beast" at Newcastle then moves to Celtic
Robbie Keane has been fined £10,000 after a difference of opinion with his manager then..........
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We get contstantly linked with Robbie Keane simply because he's Irish and a great player.
However unless Bellemy leaves, we simply have no room for him.
Both are great players, but both are 'second strikers', neither is a goal scoring machine and this is what we need. This is part of the role that Hartson has, unfortunatetely the last few weeks it hasnt been happening for him. For whatever reason, I think he is still not 100% injury free and is playing through it.
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Derbyshirebhoy - spot on regarding young players & lazy Hartson. I remember sitting next to a boy at parkhead who used to bang on about the young players being a revelation. At the time it was Lynch, Burchill, Healy. Basically Liam Miller is the only one who could cut it since McStay - the rest have shown glimpses but nothing more. In saying that i think John Kennedy has a chance. Hartson makes me livid - he is slower than George McCluskey & i don't swallow this argument about his scoring record either. I mean we've always had strikers who can score. Gerry Creaney & Andy Payton are prime examples. We need strikers who have more to their game than knocking over defenders with their big arse.
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While I agree with most of the comments on BBJ, I feel there was something more seriously lacking on Sunday. Not sure what exactly............when Agathe is back....what about having Jackie Mac in for Lennon?
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half time at castle greyskull. United are leading 1-0.
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Final score Rangers 0 - 1 Dundee Utd. We can go top again tomorrow. Listened to the second half. The keeper appeared to have the game of his life.
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HA HA HAHAHA
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I think someone might be watching down on us.......
Hail Hail ain't no fun!!!!
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Ya f-ing dancer. That's just what was needed. Still not getting too excited though, as despite my conviction earlier in the season that we will win the league, I still see some twists and turns ahead. I still think we will prevail, but I think it will only be decided on the last day of the season. And when the nerves are jangling then, anything can happen. Results like this help immensely though.
I see from the BBC match stats that rangers had 24 shots to DUFC's 4. Tells the tale I suppose and is to be expected after an early goal. We will be faced with the same defensive tactics in a lot of our games now, starting tomorrow at Livvy. Let's hope we have the pace and guile to beat it. Come on BBJ, make us all eat (no pun intended) our words.
On another note, have just been watching the shocking scenes from Milan. Can't belive the firework throwing and for Dida to be hit square in the head is unreal. Thinking selfishly for a second, if Inter get banned, would that then free up another European place for some other nation, and maybe even eliminate another Pot 2 candidate?
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Come on The Hoops. We can do it...
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Absolutely brilliant result for us tonight lhads and lhasses!!! We now need to make the most of it tomorrow night.Yet another opportunity to put daylight between us and the h**s,especially as we play Aberdeen on Saturday and they play on Sunday.
I'm cautiously optimistic!!!!!!!
BankieBhoy
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Apologies for telling you what you already know, but I am telling everyone this:
Rangers have taken 1 point from 6 at home to United this season. They have taken 1 from 3 at Tannadice, and that was with a last minute goal. They have no dropped eleven points against United and Inverness, both teams from the bottom half of the league.
If Celtic do win the league this season Rangers can point to those eleven points as being the reason why.
Big big game tomorrow night. Livingston made it tough for us at Celtic Park in January when we had no invention about us. Team selection will be key, I would play McGeady in midfield, put Sutton up and rest Hartson. Same four at the back with Douglas in goal.
Brian74, exactly what I was thinking about Inter being kicked out of Europe next season.
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Just a quick post for all of you guys(sad buggers)who like me enjoy the financial speculation as much as the transfer speculation.
It has been reported that Malcolm Glazer will finally unveil his bid to buy Manchester United this week.As Paul felt that the board were waiting for this to make an announcement on a possible share issue,if this is the case does anyone know when we would be likely to have any info regarding this? Paul?
BankieBhoy
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I’ll be pleased when I see it Bankiebhoy. No fresh info at the moment, I’ll keep my ear to the ground.
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Delighted with the result from Ibrox tonight. Unexpectedly puts Celtic back in the driving seat before the final Old Firm game (assuming no more slip ups between now and then).
MON will no doubt put out the team that started against Hearts tomorrow against Livi, which means Sutton in midfield rather than up front. The next two league games should be a chance to develop the Sutton/Bellamy partnership in preparation for the huns clash a week on Sunday. However, I don't think we'll see this as MON is will be planning to play Sutton in midfield against the huns.
Hopefully Agathe will be back in the team on Saturday as we'll need his pace for the Rangers game.
Pity we can't get the Dundee United keeper on loan for that game! Can't really remember any Celtic keeper playing a blinder against Rangers!
Vintimtim
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Mon can be too loyal to his trusted core complement and while he should give BBJ a rest, his past record would say that he won't. Thompson is a good example of hanging in too long with an out of form player. Mon has hinted that John is one goal away from getting back on track. I will be pleasantly surprised if he sits out against Livvy.
It seems that we are picking on BBJ a lot just now, but it is justified because of his performance. Thompson, Agathe, Laursen to name a few have had their share of criticism. They and the rest have had their share of accolades too, so there has been some balance.
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Brian74 - agree - so many twists and turns. It's beginning to feel like the last few weeks of 97-98 all over again. Not sure if my nerves can take that, but would be happy with the same outcome!
Paul - spot on. If we do it, a crate of champagne should be sent to Tannadice....
Brian/Paul - that thought about Inter also crossed my mind, but I would be AMAZED if they got banned. Big, rich club (Yes, I know I'm a cynic!). More likely a big fine and either play a couple of games behind closed doors or at another venue.
Now please NO MORE SCREW-UPS bhoys! Win tonight, and DON'T lose the lead again!!!
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Sorry to change the subject for a moment here lads but this idea about selling/renting the name of the Stadium. Now most everyone doesn't seem to mind naming the stadium aslong as its sensible and sensitive (i.e. 0range stay away)(and we will still call it CP or PH anyway) however if it was put out to tender and the largest bidder wanted the rights to the 4 areas of the ground not currently named (north/south,2 corners) would we be ok about that or should that be ear marked for say Mon, Jackie, Henke or the Spirit of Seville etc). Any thoughts??
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Very much doubt Inter will be banned next season and I am sure MON will go with the usual suspects tonight. I just hope he has a plan B for the rest of the season if things are not going right in any of the games left.We are still well behind on goal difference though it would take a few more surprise results for that to matter.
Patsean
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Paul
You got a shout out on Etims Hunline there quotes and stuff here it is
"Left, Right, Black, White, Top Bottom, money, skint. Tomatoe, Tomato. Oh I dunno!
Paul, CQN"
Oh yeah and well done to Dundee Utd thanks!!
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ETims know me better than I know myself Adrian. Now is it tomato or... Oh I dunno!
BelfastBhoy, I would sell the naming rights for the stadium as a whole, not individual parts of it. This would mean that the sponsor gets an 'advertising' mention on TV and radio everytime the stadium name is mentioned.
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I probably wouldnt have a problem renaming the stadium in the end of the day(best dam cliche ever in football) it's still going to be called CP.
As long as the money keeps rolling in lets face it we need all the money we can get as long as were in that backwater of a league.
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While I am still a bit sceptical about renaming Celtic Park to the name of a Sponsor for it, I believe that we could go down the line to naming the biggest single standing footballing structure in UK football. (Possibly outwith the new Wembley).
The North Stand would be the perfect place to get a sponsor for and with the stand being visible from throughout Glasgow then it would be the ideal vantage point for a sponsors logo.
However before the board go down the road of any stadium sponsorship then I would like the season ticket holders to be questioned to see what their views are on the matter.
In the past McDonalds sponsored the family stand, so I would see no problem with the North Stand becoming the Coca Cola stand or the Budweiser stand, but the Coca Cola or Budweiser Stadium might be a bit much to stomach.
On a separate note with regards to the criticism that certain experienced players have received over the past couple of months.
I think that many of the players are showing the effects of a long season, so it is fatigue rather than laziness or age that is the main problem.
I believe that it shows that we still don't have the depth of pool required for a long season on all fronts. Guys like Thompson, Petrov and Hartson have been asked to play almost every game, and this is maybe something that Martin O'Neill may want to look at, especially early in the season to avoid burn out next year.
Chris Sutton looked a lot more sprightly on Sutton after a short rest that he did in the previous games before his injury.
I love reading the comments on here lads, keep up the good work.
Wullie Gordon
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Paul,
Keep an eye out for a couple of players leaving Man Utd in the summer and could be heading to the East End of Glasgow. One of them is an English international full back, of that I am certain, but I am not sure of the other.
Barcelona have asked on first dabs on Petrov should either he decide to leave or Celtic decide to cash in on him. We'll need to see what transpires with this one.
Ted Moult is correct in what he has said about a Croatian keeper coming on trial from Shakhtar. We'll just need to see how he goes when he arrives. We have also signed the young Forfar keeper on a pre contractual.
It looks like an exciting summer in the making.
The Mole
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Yeah it's a tough one. Would Brother Wailraid like us naming the stadium after a drink???
Your right Wullie Gordon No way are the players lazy it is just fatigue, MON doesnt buy or play lazy players.
The players know ther responsibility wen they step on that pitch.
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Patsean 10.32am:
I dunno about "a few more surprise results for that [goal diff] to matter". One draw for Celtic in the remaining non-OF games, and a draw in the OF game and they end all square on points.
Rankers GD is currently 5 better, so if they win by the odd goal when (if) Celtic draw with someone else, then a six goal win tonight would effectively tie the GD, all else being equal. But Celtic would be ahead on goals scored.
I know that would be too tight to be able to bear, but it would be a great way to get revenge for 2002-3!
Perhaps we can get the 6-0 tonight then match the FoD's results in all the following games so we go into the final game 2 points ahead. If we get a goal ahead then do lots of rolling around feigning injury in the 2nd half of our final match we can ensure lots of injury time so we will finish a few minutes after them. And then when (if) Rankers squeeze a win by a single goal we could score an OG equaliser with the last kick of the game so we win it on goals scored, the narrowest margin ever!
Or is that getting a bit too psychopathically cruel?
Question:
Here's one for all you experts...
It looks like Rankers, Hibs, Hearts, Aberdeen and Motherwell will make up the rest of the top six at the split, but as far as I can make out Celtic have already played Rankers, Hearts, Aberdeen and Motherwell at home twice. Presumably this means that we have to play those four teams away from home after the split, and only Hibs at home. We will therefore have played 18 home games and 20 away games.
Conversely Rankers have only played Hibs at home twice, and the others all once each, so they presumably will have four home games after the split. They will therefore have played 20 home games and 18 away games.
While this (if it is actually correct) is purely down to the luck of the draw, as it were, as the top six are not predetermined, it seems somewhat farcical that one team can have the advantage of playing more home games than their main competitor.
Any comments on this would be welcome - surely it can't be right?
It could only happen in Scotland!
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It has to be 19 home & away games each. We'll end up playing one team at home 3 times and Rangers will end up playing 1 team away 3 times. Swings and roundabouts really. As previously said Dundee Unt & ICT have caused Rangers the most problems so far. Plus our away record is better than our home one this season.
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Is that how it works Anon (12.49pm)? I think they should switch the last OF game to CP and that'll even it up without making it too unfair for one of the other four teams in the top half!
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Dont think it really matters if the game is in Cp or Ipox i can just see us beating them, rangers could bottle it even b4 that game.
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Bigchipsuk, if we are going to change any rules lets change the important ones:
Instead of goal difference or goals scored, if both teams are level on points the winner should be decided in alphabetical order.
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I don't think that's very fair Paul. As women are somewhat more level headed about these things I think we should let them decide the rule. And my missus says that the team with the ugliest no. 8 should lose the Championship if they are equal on points.
Thommo vs Alex Rae... it's VERY close but I think that means Celtic will be champions if they finish level on points!
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