 Monday, May 09, 2005
Crucial team selections at Tynecastle and Fir Park will decide the league
At half-time today my usual confident façade slipped. Celtic had failed to convince during the first 45 minutes while Aberdeen had made good chances and could easily have been in the lead.
A goal-line clearance by McNamara was all that stood between Celtic and; well, let’s not trouble ourselves with what never was. While the 2003 season was technically closer, games that season never had the knife-edged drama we are currently living. In fact, you can travel Europe right now and you will find only the Greek league as competitive.
The introduction of Craig Beattie at the interval brought instant relief. What was missing in the first-half? Pace.
Beattie ran like a three-year-old and turned the Aberdeen defence. He also played the right midfield position, earlier in the day occupied by our best defender, Jackie McNamara. What a time to experiment with the midfield line-up!
These past few months we have seen the true value of pace at work. The Craig Bellamy show is little more than a demonstration of this talent. Beattie is no Bellamy, but he can push forward and make space in the box for the likes of Sutton and Hartson.
When Stephen Pearson signed sixteen months ago he seemed to make sense. Celtic had no cover for Alan Thompson, a player they had become increasing dependent on, and Pearson also had pace to burn. For all intents and purposes he was another player we lost last summer. His pace has been a big absence this season.
While I know there are many who would like to see Celtic play more touch players, I am not convinced. Give me three of four lightning fast athletes like Bellamy, Pearson and Beattie. SPL defences cannot handle pace (and I include Celtic’s here) and pace is the weapon of choice in Europe’s finest stadiums.
Will Celtic win the league? Only if they have players with pace turning defenders at Tynecastle and Fir Park. If they play the same starting eleven next week, it will turn into a long afternoon.
With three games of the season to go, Martin O’Neill has a major team design choice to make.
122 Comments:
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I agree Paul67, let's hope we can keep Bellamy, and that Pearson returns from The Forbidden Zone.
Also, it's nice to see a return to discussion of the beautiful game, instead of forays into the mucky world of politics, or silly diatribes on immigration policy. Let's cheer our team on to retain our title. Hail, hail!
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I was just a bit confused as to what the game plan was today with McNamara and Agathe!
Also, Much as I like the two of them, and appreciate what they have to offer, we cannot continue to play Hartsoin and Sutton as a front pair and expect to win (competitive) games!!
my $0.02 anyway
Seggy
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Agree that Beattie made the difference with his Route A style.
When Bellamy comes back, MON will drop Beattie and keep Hartson and Sutton. BBJ's strike rate was only 40% against Aberdeen, 2 goals and 3 sitters missed. Personally I would sacrifice BBJ for Beattie and Bellamy in the same team with Sutton in the hole. MON wont do this though.
Thanks to the 12th man...you made a difference.
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To be quite honest I couldn't give a toss just now about how we won today. We need to winn All our games and if that means we winn Ugly so be it!
John Hartson got the man of the match award-----Why?
The Celtic team at time played as if they were scared & nervous.... This at times was passed to the support!
All i want to say is that the next few months are going to be massive for CELTIC on and of the pitch.
We must shed the deadwood clinically,and replace them with better. We have to bring the age of the squad down and have guy's that can play skillfull football and have PACE that's what the modern game is all about.
Though we must cut our cloth accordingly signing Bellers maybe out of our league would the money not be better spent on the team?
We arn't in the same league as some small teams in England regarding finance,so sheding high earners wuld seem to be that natural progression.
Martin has got to cast the net long and wide to get players in. His insistence on seeing players in the flesh will hold CELTIC back we must delegate that job (Davy Hay??).
The other mob have been linked with another bosmon signing, I know not to take things at face value but we MUST use this option to sign players NOW!
If Martin can't sign players through buget constraints NOW the were in a hell of a position.
I keep banging on about the Eastern Market's we must use contact like Dr. Jo and Lubo to get players in. These player won't be on 10-20-30 grand a week and would be technically better that some of the palyer we have just now. Has anyonw seen Hartson's inability to controll the ball with his first six touches!!!
Shankley always said buy when your at the top!! Our lack of it over the last few seasons is coming home to roost.
Please CELTIC win the league for the club!!
Mick
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Good morning my fellow celts!Just got a couple of points to raise/debate.
1.I have been reading some of the hysterical posts on here for the last few months on MON,s tactics.For the last five seasons MON has more or less kept to the same formula throughout 3-5-2,4-4-2.The reason these tactics havent been operating as efficiently in this last season is a simple one,Henrik Larsson!
2.At the game today i was speaking to a relative of one of our directors who said;MON will definetly be leaving Celtic after the scottish cup final.To where?Philadelphia which has one of the worlds best cancer units.If this is true i would like to wish MON and all his family the very best.Puts things into perspective i think.Any news on this Paul67 as a man in the know! Hail!Hail!
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Change of subject but actual pics of new top can be seen here.
http://img111.imageshack.us/img_viewer.php?loc=img111&image=hoops8ns.jpg&gal=img111/6346/black4mx.jpg
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A/ Chris sutton got man of the match.
B/ I told you we would roll over the hun, falter against hibernian and roll over the dons. Why the blip in the middle well the huns and the dons were must win games. As will be hearts and the well, the hibees wasnt thats the diff.
c/ We will beat both hearts and motherwell and the title shall stay where it should be.
d/ We will go onto beat dundee utd in the cup final making it a nice wee double year.
e/I have read about these rumours about MON quitting in the summer due to his wife s illness. Malicious gossip nothing else, do you think these type of illnesess wait for the football season to finish so treatment can begin?.
F/ If MON can retain the spine of this team and add to it in the summer then we wont be in bad shape.
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Hartson got sponsor`s man of the match, you`d know that if you were at the game. Not unless your 1 of the "leave early" brigade.
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Hartson got sponsor`s man of the match, you`d know that if you were at the game. Not unless your 1 of the "leave early" brigade.
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Hard to be at the game living on the other side of the world. I was talking about hateleys choice lol.
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I need to disagree with you on one point here Paul, and that is McNamara.
While he has been receiving many plaudits this season, I paid particular attention to him yesterday.
He put in an awful performance. The guy cannot control, pass or head a ball. Every pass was hit into the air, when a ball across the ground was the answer.
To give him credit, he is an excellent tackler, but very often these tackles were as a result of his poor ball control.
I found Martin O'Neill's tactics bizarre in the first half. We played with 2 right backs and it seemed to be a case of fitting everyone in. There was no shape to the team, and it was only when Beattie was introduced that we went to a 4-4-2 and looked comfortable.
Andy Moxon
Bellshill
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Paul,
Very harsh on Bellamy as a player with "little more than" pace. He has shown outstanding technical ability eg hat trick v d.utd
Dermot
Galway
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Spot on Paul.
The big difference was Beattie and the repositioning of McNamara.
I watched it in a pub in Manchester but the atmosphere sounded better than it has for a long time.
To everyone who gave Beattie a hard time after the Orc's game, shame on you. He seems to have a little something extra that has been missing from some of the others who are coming through.
He will have to accept that he probably won't get a start if Bellamy is fit over the next couple of weeks, but a good - injury free - pre season behind him and we might just have another option for next season.
Changing the subject slightly, I notice that we have been pencilled in to play Man Utd and Inter Milan during the summer.
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I am sure all regular Celtic Quick News contributors will have subscribed to ‘Not The View’ and will know that the thoughts of Tony, Tully57, Newarthill John, Brian74, Kano TrueTim, Monman, Frankiebhoy, CanajunBhoy and Phob are all detailed in the most recent issue.
Congrats to all for making it into the original Celtic fans medium www.ntvcelticfanzine.com
Anon 2.25
There is plenty of gossip in Glasgow these days. If Martin has any of these problems, I would prefer to give him a respectful silence. Let’s hope his family are well.
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Andy from Bellshill, I will watch McNamara carefully over the next couple of games myself. He has a great positional understanding of the game. Always knows where to be.
Dermot, I am taken slightly out of context. To clarify, Bellamy has lots more in his locker.
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Agree about the pace Paul, and also about Beattie's part in turning the game.
However, let's be clear on one thing, if we didn't have a proven goalscorer like BBJ, we would have struggled to win yesterday. Just like numerous other games this season. The "BBJ 40% Strike Rate" comment I find incredible. The point is being missed. In arguably the most important home league match since St Johnstone in '98, we won 2-0 thanks to 2 John Hartson goals.
It's fine wanting to replace the big man becasue of his lack of mobility (by the way, I thought he worked his socks off yesterday) - but if/when we do, then it better be with a player with the same or better scoring record. No matter how many chances he misses - he has always scored barrowloads!
Chris Sutton was my choice for MOM yesterday. He was immense, holding the ball up, bringing others into play, winning fouls when there weren't any options to pass to a team-mate, and setting up BBJ's 2nd. Like Bellamy though, big Chris won't score the same amount of goals over a season as BBJ. For the past few years we've had 2 poachers at the club - The King and BBJ. This year we've only had one, and I think he's done pretty well.
Great support yesterday.
We Shall Not Be Moved.
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Personnally I would have started with Agathe in midfield with McNamara behind him, taking advantage of the pace. I don't think MacNamara had a good game in either position he played yesterday. I thought Petrov put in an excellent shift, and got in front of the strikers a couple of times.
I like Beattie, after his displays a substitute in the last couple of games, he's direct, offers pace throws himself at balls e.g. his goal v's Hibs. Yet O'Neill chose to start with Maloney in that game, a player who hadn't kicked a ball since the match against Clyde. Back to Beattie, I agree with the earlier post, I would like to see him play alongside Bellamy, if we can have Agathe on the right side of midfield we would have enough pace to frighten any SPL side and who know's in Europe?
While we had Camara, I never understood why it was we couldn't make more of his pace, I don't think we used Agathe enough earlier in the season (I know he had injuries), he's the only other player with a similar pace.
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Everyone please read Anon 7.46 point e. Absolutely spot on mate.
As has been said before with O'Neill we wont know what we've lost until he's gone, lets not help spread rumours about him, there's plenty of others with different interests can do that.
There is a parallel between the criticism of Tony Blair and what he's done for Labour (could those who grew up under MT ever think it could happen)and the criticism of O'Neill and what he's done for Celtic ( at the time of rangers 9-in a row who would have bet on this success)I wish him all the best whatever, I just hope its with us for a long long time.
Great yesterday to hear the chanting for the real motm Stan Petrov. Disappointed however that many so called supporters still left early. Oh well I suppose there are undesirable types everywhere, thankfully only a very few post here.
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Massive relief.
I thought we did exceptionally well yesterday. I agree Paul, it wasnt looking good at halftime and we were certainly up against opponants who believed that they could beat us. Overall I was impressed with Aberdeen, but more so with Celtic.
In hindsight, I think we did a containing job on them in the first half. Sounds a bit sad I know but there are now 2 or 3 teams in the spl outwith the top 2 who can play a bit when they have a bit of self belief.
So halftime comes, job done, now to finish them off, bring on the pace and see how the legs of the Dons defence cope.
I think Credit should go to MON and the players. I thought this was a totally professional performance with everyone playing a disiplined part.
I was glad to see Douglas back. It was good to see him bawling at his defence.
David, your time will come Im sure.
Canajunbhoy, Watched the game on Setanta but it seemed that the fans in the main stayed on, would that be correct? There was plenty of noise coming through thats for sure.
Hail Hail
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Paul67, are you Jackie Mcnamara in disguis? I agree that his positioning is pretty good and is a decent tackler, but his use of the ball is terrible. How many time`s hav we seen him in a great position to get a decent cross in and very rarley delivers? Also he can`t cross the ball first time he needs 2 or 3 touche`s before setting himself up,by which time the defender`s back to cover. I think he`s had a poor season.
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Spot on Paul - it's all about pace. Chelsea have Robben & Duff, MON's first Year we had Agathe & Petta on the wings - not the greatest ever wingers, but it meant we were forcing teams further back - a big factor in our early success. Look at PSV Eindhoven's success in Europe this year - 3 quick players up front.
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I am so glad Beatts came on yesterday and played so well. Those people two weeks ago stating he should never wear the Hoops again, take a look at yourselves!
Very impressed with his display yesterday but why though was Marshall dropped? I missed Kick off yesterday so didn't hear what the dreadful Brown Hateley combination had to say.
The defence still looks ponderous, Mackie looked to have the run on Varga a number of times yesterday and Clarke a few times made long in roads into our half and thank fully Thommo was back to help out Laurson in the first 45.
2 to go!!!
Hail Hail
Rugbybhoy
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I really need to get my blogger sorted!!
My point was that we struggle to fit Hartson and Sutton as our top 2 strikers...at the same time!
One off and on would be better if we have pace round about!
I also don't think that Agathe is fit enoug to hare up & down the wing..hence right-back position!
I thought Petrov's running and general play was excellent yesterday, and was unlucky with a few things not coming off.
I personally would have either him or Lennon as my MotM, as I thought he did excellent too!
I thought we played quite well yesterday, and it was only a matter of time before we scored...but I didn't find the crowd too nervous at all. I was quite surprised when I heard on the radio about how nervous we were..lot of p!sh. Obviously a lot riding on it, butwe weren' that bad!
The main point is we need pace in midfield and attack - no doubt about it, and if Bayer offer £3m for Balde I would take it and lok for a replacement elsewhere!
Regards,
Seggy
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Heard on the wirelss this morining that newly promoted Wigan will have £25m to spend on players this summer.
I think that if Celtic don't get out of the SPL soon, we will go down the toilet with the rest of Scottish football. Aberdeen £9m debt, Kilmarnock £11m debt, all these clubs who wanted a bigger piece of the pie. Now they have their larger chunk of bugger all - Setanta.
Dong - Dong. ~sound of chains rattling~
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Even if we do win the league/the double this season this has been very poor fair from the 'tic.We've been stagnant for far too long.Please,Martin,take a look at what Mowbray is doing at Hibs,or what Calderwood has done at Aberdeen,this is the way forward.Forget signing players from abroad,the EPL,look no closer than home.We are going to need more homegrown players to meet UEFA requirements anyway,so let's start now.We already have a strong nucleus,but right now we're too predictable.Bringing in younger talent will not hamper our chances in Europe,e.g look at the difference Miller made when he came on the scene.
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Morning Bhoys and Ghirls.
Good result yesterday. Good to see a majority of fans staying till the end! its the busiest its been at 4.45pm all season!
Amazing to see the west stand (cant mind which one its called) holding up the green and white cards as the teams came out! Why can't we organise this for every important home game? How would it look the whole place full of us covered in colour! you could tell the players themselves were impressed seeing it!
Not much to say about the game except it was Jackie Mac's worst this season but thats not saying he has had a bad season as i think he has done alright! not as good as previous year but still a consistant performer which is what we need from our older guys! take note thommo! saying that thommo also did alright yesterday in his wide roll! covered well and passed well!
BBJ had another poor game and still scored two! he might not be boilin at the moment but can still score the goals! if it wasnt for him this season could of looked a lot worse by now!
Those with tickets for the remaining away games have to give it their all! we need that 12th man more than ever these last two games!
still confident we can do it! the next one is the toughest but hearts are not to be feared! the officials maybe but not hearts!
bring it on!
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I thought that the game changed when Beattie was introduced for Laursen. The side looked more stable, plus there was more of an attacking option there.
Petrov was head and shoulders better than anyone else on the pitch on the day, but I think that Chris Sutton gives us an added dimension when he plays.
It has been a long hard season and many players are showing signs of fatigue, but we are left with 3 cup finals, so hopefully they will rise to the challenge.
Newarthill John
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Evening Paul, fellow tims.
Agree with you Paul about the pace,it is one thing we have lacked which sticks out like a sore thumb.I don't think Beattie is the fastest player I have ever seen,but he sure made a difference when he came on.It is the one thing which would trouble any defence in Europe,and we lack it a great deal.
Another point we have been discussing here is Didier Agathe.
He may not stick out as the best player in the team,but when he plays,it seems to be the only time MON plays our midfield in their proper positions,and we look like something resembling a good team.
We did look a bit dodgy in the first half,and I think this was down to 2 things.Jackie playing in right midfield(which is usually where I would like to see him)had a howler.
And Ulrik Laursen, a man who I have been only too happy to sing praises about,probably had his worst game in a Celtic shirt.Either due to being unfit,in which case he should not have been on the park to begin with,or he was just pish,in which case MON was absolutely correct to give him the hook at half time.
But either way it was a blessing in disguise. And I for one was extremely pleased for Beattie.And long may he continue to ram the mocking words down the throats of a few people who were too quick to castigate the younster after the Rangers game.
Also, I have proabably been one of the loudest complainants about the leave early brigade.I will hold up my hand and say well done to the crowd on Saturday. What a difference it makes when the crowd is behind the team.
And well done to the team,Sutton,Lennon and Petrov in particular,but also BBJ. He may have his knockers,but we just witnessed goal numbers 29 and 30 on Saturday.Figures tend to speak for themselves when all the dust is settled on the season.
The second half was just what we needed to bring the confidence back.The blip is over and onwards we go,two more games, at the most, and we shall be Champions once again.
C'mon the Celts
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It's been a while since I posted, so here is the latest from my world.
This summer there will be plenty comings and goings, with O'Neill being told to get the wage bill back to around 50% of the turnover.
Lambert will obviously be off the bill, but so will Lennon, Douglas, Sutton, Sylla and Balde. The press have correctly reported about Leicester's interest in a couple of them and you may have seen Lennon throwing his strip into the crowd at the match yesterday. He is moving to a Premiership club. Sutton's deal depends on whether Norwich remain in the Premiership.
Petrov will also be off if any club can match Celtic's valuation of the player.
Incoming will be a couple of SPL players, Hartley and Wilson plus at least one Manchester United player. The three names that I have heard are Phil Neville, John O'Shea and more surprisingly Ryan Giggs.
Giggs has decided to move on from ManU, but doesn't want to play against them. Celtic fit the bill.
The Mole
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Northcountrybhoy,
as for the cards at hte game it would be easily organised for the whole ground.
Everybody in the upper tier bring white cards to the game,and everybody in the lower tier,bring a piece of green card.
You are quite correct in saying it was a great speactacle.Would be good if it continued
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Totally agree that pace is the key. Almost all successful teams in the modern era have pacey players in key positions in their teams. We should be no different.
For the first time too, I was relieved to see Rab in goals. I am actually a David Marshall fan and hope he can live up to his early potential, but I was strangely reassured to see Rab in the nets. We need people to shout and take responsibility at key times just now and Rab is more likely to do that than Marshall.
Delighted with the result yesterday. The performance didn't matter, but it sounds like the bhoys played well and looked keen to atone for last week, whilst still keeping the heid and not losing any silly goals. A very professional performance and one that was very welcome.
Am now becoming slightly wary of the Tynecastle game, as it looks likely that (their) John Robertson will be sacked before we play. I am never comfortable playing a team who have lost their manager and even more so in these circumstances. Would it be paranoid of me to wonder why they didn't do anything before the rangers game but have instead waited until before our game? Then again, maybe I am talking mince and Robertson won't be sacked.
Whatever happens, Tynecastle is a place where the sleeves need to be rolled up and we will need to get stuck in. I think that the team selection will reflect this. Mind you, Aiden has some goal scoring form there, so I would be tempted to play him from the start.
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I am gald you like the TIFo diplay Kano and Northcountrybhoy.
The cards were paid for by Celtic, c£800.00. 80 Volunteer fans put them out on Saturday taking about 2 hours to complete.
The idea is for it to be continued for important games and Sunday was a trial run.
Kano, as for it being "easily organised for the whole ground" yes it would but I don't think we could leave it up to individual fans to bring the cards along. Some would either not know or would not want to or just forget.
Paul67
On the issue of the importance of speed, Ajax have used the TIPS system when assessing players Technique - Insight - Personality -Speed (not only in pace but of thought).
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The Mole, you may be right on the comings and goings, however sitting in the posh seats of the main stand for a wee change yesterday I saw Lennon throw his shirt into the crowd. Because a guy asked him to!!!! Lennons going nowhere. I honestly can't see Mon letting Sutton go either. But we shall see.
Jhon
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The Mole - ref your latest batch of predictions, can you tell us the last time one of your predictions came true? As far as I can recall, none have so far, so why should anyone pay any attention to what your predicting now? Joe 90.
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Taggsybhoy
While we're all in a good frame of mind after yesterday, this is the last call for anyone wishing to participate in the CQN Open, to be held at Aberdour Golf Club, Fife, on Friday 15 July.
It is a great chance to meet your fellow CQN correspondents "un-anoraked", as it were, and it promises to be a great Celtic occasion.
Why? Well, if you are into golf, Aberdour is both a scenic and high handicapper friendly course. If you don't like golf, we have a nice meal and a few beers after to enjoy. Speaking will be Frank McAveety MSP and our very own Paul67.
I can now exclusively reveal, that we have an ex-player coming along for the day and the night. Not just any old ex player, but the legend that is Daniel Fergus McGrain! Danny, as you could imagine, is a very keen golfer and we are absolutely thrilled to have his company for the day. Thank you Johnnybhoy (the original one!)
This, for anyone who is reading about this event for the first time, will be a FUN and INCLUSIVE day out, in a lovely wee seaside town. You do not have to golf. You do not have to be male. But, and I really mean this, we do NOT have many places left, about 10 at the most.
So, if you've a space in your summer plans and you need a fix of Celtic minded banter, you need to send me a deposit of £5 as soon as you can. Strictly first come, first served. The entire cost will be around £40 for the full monty of bacon roll on arrival, golf and 3 course meal. Around £15 if you're just coming for the meal. There will be the prestigious CQN Cup to compete for and many other prizes too.
Contact me at taggsybhoy@yahoo.co.uk if you're interested.
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I suppose it is controversial, some may say madness, to suggest that our top scorer and Player of the Year, be dropped in favour of Beattie. Thats why I'm not a professional manager.
Point I have made before is that Bellers pace is not a good match with John's mobility. How many times have we seen him way behind the play when the speedster is approaching the box? Point I was making is that a better match up with Bellers is Beattie.
Maybe now is not the time to try it but I would like to see a prolonged twinning if Bellers stays.
I do appreciate Hartson's goals and thank God he took 40% of his chances or we would be in trouble.
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Celtic Park was a good place to be yesterday, well done players & fans. I don't think our football will carry us over the line but our work rate will. It's interesting to see the knock on effect when Petrov (the real MOM), Sutton & Beattie give us performances like these. Nothing flash but an increase in determination & movement will always trouble stubborn defences. Same again for Tynehassle please.
We returned last night to see an excellent performance by Isosceles of 'on our way to Lisbon,' if only the football these days were as entertaining as these two guys!
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Alan, Your tea is ready.
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Why exactly is Pearson is the forbidden zone? Why did an almost ever present from last season and Scotland's young player of the year find himself out of the team all season? Was it really just because he had words with Robertson?
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Annon 2:58. I've been wondering the same, looks like we've heard the same roumours. Can anyone enlighten us?
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Anonymous 2:58 You might find that he is still out after his double hernia opperation!
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Kano, you said of BBJ
'....He may have his knockers,but we just witnessed goal numbers 29 and 30 on Saturday...'
Can you imagine how many goals he could score if he didn't have knockers?.....just a thought!
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Going Soon:
Magnus Hedman - Stockholm
Momo Sylla - Leicester
David Fernandez - Falkirk
Joos Valgaeren - Roda
Bobo Balde - Bayern Munich
Paul Lambert - St Mirren Manager
Didier Agathe - Lyon
Coming soon:
Artur Boruc - Legia Warsaw
Phil Neville - Man Utd
Liam Miller - Man Utd (loan)
Paul Hartley - Hearts
Craig Bellamy - Newcastle
Leon McKenzie - Norwich
Kim Kallstrom - Rennes
The cousin of the great Fargo
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Strange day all in yesterday, Everton qualify for the CL after being favourites to be relegated at the start of the season, a team from a massive rugby town get promoted to the EPL probably the smallest team since Wimbledon graced ”the best league in the world” the hoops support sung and back the team throughout (apart from the numptie in front of me who slagged Marshall off until I told him that it was Douglas), wee Jackie Mac had his worst game in about 2 seasons and I agreed with my Dad (took him to his 1st game in ages yesterday, how times change he used to take me every week know I take him twice a year if he is lucky) regarding his opinion of the current hoops squad. We lack pace big time and the introduction of Beattie change things for the better. Also the introduction of Beattie allowed Sutton to use all his ability and intelligence to create space openings and bring people into the game. Sutton must be a mare to play against as he is smarter than your average bear or sheep. In the modern game you need power pace and intelligence as sometimes the 1st two will get you nowhere while intelligence and a knowing of what you should be doing will go far.
Sutton lacks mobility now but one player that has three attributes that a modern footballer needs is Stan Petrov. Another performance that highlighted all that is good about the modern day class midfielder, even my Dad was impressed and said why is this guy not being sat down and being told that he is the future of the club and getting put on a long term contract. If the mole is to be believed and Celtic are welcoming bids then for me that shows a lack of ambition on the part of the club but I understand that 8 million worth midfielders don’t grow on trees and that 8 million could be spent wisely.
As for Sunday got my crash helmet ready for the trip where it won’t be for the faint hearted, but got a feeling that some of the pressure is now of don’t know why but I do.
If Bellars returns and is fit, added to that the performances of Beattie (coming from the bench if Bellars is struggling) in the last 2 weeks then going to Tynie no longer should hold the fear it did after the Hibs game.
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And so it begins…..
‘The Mole’ and ‘The Cousin’ have thrown a few thoughts forth. Welcome to ‘The Cousin’, good to hear from you.
Celtic were under the impression that a deal was done with Lennon two weeks ago. I have wondered why it has not been signed yet. If we have seen the last of Neil I will be sorry to see him go, however, life moves on.
You have got me on “Wilson” The Mole. Assume Paul Wilson is making a comeback?
I would be sorry to see Didier go, but I can see the logic. He has pace which makes him invaluable to Celtic at the moment. His crossing has been a major source of frustration over the last few years, though.
I have been predicting the return of Liam Miller since December. I know he has been offered to Celtic.
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Paul - regarding 'The mole' & 'The Cousin' predictions, the ones i've heard to expect coming are Paul Hartley (Hearts), Mark Wilson (Dundee Utd), McKenzie (Norwich. Don't know about the rest.
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I think critics of Jackie Mac are a tad harsh, given that he along with others sometimes have to play out of position. Well done Craig Beattie, as has been said pace is all important.does he remind anyone of former Orc Ted Mcminn?
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Taggsybhoy - what a coup - the great man himself! I'd dearly love to be there. For those younger readers who perhaps do not know what a true legend, TRUE LEGEND, Danny is, here's a fantastic tribute...
http://www.etims.net/tims_past/mcgrain.html
In my all time 11, he is one of the few (3 actually) who take the shirt ahead of their Lions counterparts. He remains, one of only a handful of truly world class players to have pulled on the Hoops in my life time.
Just wondering whether there is any way to have an online link up on your big gowf day?
McGrain
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Celticbhoy,
So the plan is to do it for important games etc. That’s got to be a winner in my eyes! The whole stadium looking like that would be immense! Almost worth staying at home to see how it looks in grandstand on the tally! Almost but no cigar! I’d be there holding up my card in the north stand with my video recording at home!
Could it even be done that the card on each seat matched the colour of the seat it’s on so we get a bit of diversity in the masses of each tier? You know more on how they got there than me so maybe you can suggest this to whoever organised it?
Also the cost of $800 seems a bit steep for one stand! I’d like to think that there is a favorable paper supplier who might like to be associated with this and could do us a deal on a few tones of green and white card for a mention of their company somewhere?
Paul,
You talk of Liam Miller being offered to us? I myself am unsure of this being a good thing? Remember the reception he got from the fans when we knew he was leaving? If he came back it would be worse. At that point he was still a Celtic player but got booed. As a Man U player it would be worse. He is seen as Judas by many fans and that can’t have changed in the short time he has been playing reserve football in england! He would no doubt be injured half the time anyway so why cause the disruption!
Hope all this talk of Petrov going is not true! What a loss that would be! By far the most consistent player we’ve had this season. If he is going then we must replace him early. Centre of the midfield is a big position at every club and we must have a very decent replacement or next season aint worth thinking about! Think I’ll forget all this till June! Bigger things to concern myself with now! Like our 3 cup finals!
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Pace is only the key if teams use it the right way.
Compared to away games, Bellamy at parkhead hasn't had the same success.
not much room for space when a team sit back 25 yards out!
Fast players for Celtic / Rangers do not work, when the other team aren't intrested in scoring goals. Just ask our friend the book keeper, Harold great in europe crap in scotland.
If we use pace down the wings, Great but then theres no one to cross the ball too when we get up there.
So it looks like a punt up the park, for a flick on for bellamy to run on to.
Or we could play with agathe on the right mid, jackie behind him, with craig in the middle, with John or Chris alongside him. So we have a mix, not just a high ball.
But as everyone is saying, who cares as long as we get 6 points.
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I for one would not welcome Judas back, he left for the glory and money at Man U let him stew in the Man U reserves juices
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paul,
feel yo were being a bit negative. a tight game like that was never gonna be about performance. put it this way it's the most comfortable result v aberdeen at celtic park since early last season. regarding agathe lyon's coach is leaving at the end of the season so i don't think he'll be going there. reckon people are just making these rumours up for the hell of it. hail hail and keep the faith, it's in our grasp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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On the matter of the return of Liam Miller. If we are supposed to be ambitious about progressing in Europe then surely a Man U reserve, and a rarely fit one at that, is not the answer. Only quality will bring this level of success.
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just got back after yesterdays game. I didnt think it was that nervy support were great (except for the usual few who had much more important things to do at 4:35). Its a simple game when everyone is played in proper position, Thomson left Petrov (imense) in the middle. Play like that next week and we wil eat the Jam Tarts.
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I for one would be extremely excited at the prospect of Miller coming back. It is not the player he is now, it is the player he will be that excites me.
Celtic should be looking at the success of Lyon and saying: why are we not competing at thier level? Hanging on the the outstanding Petrov this season should be the clubs number one priority this coming pre-season.
Thier policy regarding signings makes us look like cavemen. Vast scouting networks in african countries and brazil is a good place to start. Buying players in thier early 20's - not too young but will develop and are aeger to prove a point. Miller definately fits in to this category.
I would like to see us move towards a more structured signing policy - i have mentioned before how the great Liverpool team of the 70's 80's done it. It makes me sick to be honest. THe furthest our policy goes is: if someone is playing well in the SPL - sign them. If a player becomes available down south - sign him. Where is the direction and planning, for a club of Celtic's stature our ambition is nothing short of a discrace.
Surely if we marketed the club properly we could attract young talents from around the world. What about a feeder club? Nothing. We attract the most promising stars at a young age to Celtic only for a familiar cycle. The boy gets a game we realise his potential hasn't realised and bye-bye. We have the best talent so we should be loaning it out. At the weekend I watched JP McGovern play fantastically well for Sheffield down south. Kim Kallstom is a good shout but yet again, where was our Scandinavian scouting network?
The aim: 22-25 year old. Athletic. Will develop in a winnig side. Technically able and an excellent work ethic.
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Hello The House?
Magister, I am deeply impressed by your incisive and analytical observations.
These being, regarding the ideal( in your humble opinion, of course),make-up of the Celtic eleven,in the ensuing 3 critical and heart throbbing, constitutive altercations.
My opinion(not so humble, of course)does harmonize quite nicely, with yours as stated.
Notwithstanding, I would like to make an additional obiter dictum on the topic under discussion.
Magister O'Neill, is undoubtedly the unrivaled number one, footballing tactician in the United Kingdom.
From the submissions of many commentators to this excellent blog, I do feel the the above statement, will produce howls of anguish and vituperative abuse.
Be that as it may, I stand by my guns.
Martin, as you did mention, my dear Paul,was responsible for changing the complexion of Sundays foray.
He did this by,weighing up the situation and adding and subtracting the corrective measures as was requisite.
Martin will do the necessary at Tynecastle, Never Fear.
Doctora Detroit.
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A solid professional performance and the required result. Beattie did givce us another dimension but I wouldn't get carried away with his performance - no better than average. The player that makes all the difference is Sutton - we really missed him against Hibs. He's always available for the ball and has the nonse to hold it up and release it at the right time. Along with Petrov he is what makes us 'tic :)
Hail Hail
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I for one wouldn't mind young Miller coming back to the Hoops.
He's got an exciting future ahead of him (if he keeps injury free) and if he plays some of his best football with us then fine by me - its all for the cause.
I was gutted he decided to leave for Manure but who wouldn't ? Even MON would jump at the chance to manage them if he could. I think he's already alluded to that in a biography.
Miller had spent many years with us before being loaned out to Marc Reiper's Aarhus to get some 1st team football. If he had left us for Manure then no one would have cared. Its the fact he was coming onto a good game that got us all in a fankle (what does that word mean?).
Interesting to see so many folk still in Celtic Park at 4.45 on Sunday. As I was leaving there was a few folk singing 'championees' - not too many joined in though. I take it we're not all that confident yet?
Sorry to hear about wee Robbo walking away from Hearts this evening. I wonder what impact that will have on them for Sunday. I've already heard talk about demonstrations against the board and even talk of a b(h)oycott of the game itself. Hopefully plenty of distraction for the Hearts team.....
Any news on Bellamy being back for this game??
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I have to say that the majority of Celtic games this season have been awful to watch. The exceptions are those which Bellamy has shone in and it looks like he's off at the end of the season.
Having mellowed out over the last few years I'm probably less of a win-at-all-costs supporter now and would prefer to be entertained with exciting football rather than witness the procession to yet another dull victory - any others feel the same way? not many admittedly. And before anyone says I'm one of those fair weather fans, I was one of the 5,500 season ticket holders back in the early 90s when we were utter garbage.
Maybe if O'Neill does leave Celtic, which I've never believed he's ever wanted to, it won't be so bad if we get a more adventurous kind of replacement, a la Gus Hiddink, whose PSV side was a marvel to watch against Milan the last few weeks - now that was entertaining football of the highest order.
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Cambuslang’, thanks for the nod on Wilson.
Jonnybhoy, Jackie McNamara is the best defender at the club, no doubt about it. I see what you mean about Beattie/McMinn.
I have also thought there was a touch of the McGarvey in him. The hair, the pin-ball running. McGarvey had a better touch, but Craig will improve with games.
The Liam Miller question.
I know, I know, he walked out on us, albeit for the team he supported, who were paying him an obscene amount of money. Is he a less morally sound individual than anyone else at Celtic?
I will swallow my pride if it means a better Celtic team. Promise never to turn up to a testimonial for him :-)
TrueTim, agree, we need a rank and file overhaul of scouting.
DD, I totally agree that Martin O’Neill is peerless.
See that Jose Mourinho, he needed to squeeze every trick in the book to beat him, and that was with a team who were streets ahead on Celtic only a year earlier.
I would not swap him for anyone right now. As I have said before, he know more about this stuff than any of us.
Irishcol
Martin played his cards four years ago and has been waiting for a chance to play another hand. He will get it this summer, and he deserves every penny of backing we can muster for him.
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Further to the Pearson debate, I heard it was because he was doing a bit of sniffing and got caught. Double hernia op is by no means the full story - he has been left out for other reasons.
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Would like to see mcgarvebhoy's comments on your comparison there Paul!!! Not sure he would totally agree. From what i remember when McGarvey was eighteen he scored a hattrick against Celtic for St Mirren. This brings me back to my point earlier, the young talents are not in the correct environment to develop fully. McGarvey played junior before joining St. Mirren; only at this point was he ready. I remebember speaking to Tommy Burns a few years ago on the topic of the low success rate of youth players. He told me he was at Celtic he was loaned out to a junior team and if it wasn't for that he would have never made it. The toughness and survival skills needed in a MON team does not come from U19 and reserve games - lets face it, our youth development system is a shambles. I would be in favour of loaning out McGeady until December knowing we would get him back a more complete player.
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Aah, the Liam Miller issue rears its ugly head again. For those whos memories are fading a bit let me add a wee reminder. LM was NOT reviled for going to the club he supported as a boy. He was reviled for the cynical way he used Celtic and its support to improve his bargaining position with MU. Quoted in the view as saying "I love this club" (Celtic) he then started contract negotiations with us when he had already decide to sign for MU. Celtic stood by him while he was a long-term injury victim and he then proceeded to give us the proverbial 'two fingers'.
Normally I'm a bit of a pragmatist and would welcome most who could help the cause of the hoops. However, doesn't there come a point where self respect and dignity are worth more? I know some people would argue that he is a good player and we should welcome him back with open arms but, where do you draw the line? If Hitler, Harold Shipman or Fred West were decent players would we want them in the hoops? (I know, a bit extreme!!).
Let LM wither in the MU reserves. A victim of his own duplicity.
Liam H
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I seriously hope that some of the names being suggested as possible signing targets are a joke.
I can't see what Wilson or McKenzie would add to this Celtic side at all.As for Petrov and Lennon leaving,one possibly,both no chance.Constructing a new midfield for Champions League qualifiers would be a tall order.
If Lennon leaves,what about Landzaat at Alkmaar? Watched him on Thursday and he was simply outstanding in the holding position,despite his attacking instincts, he done a job for the team.Or is he out of our price range?
As much as I think that Man U players would bring Champions League experience,it hardly ties in with a wage bill being reduced to fifty percent of turnover.
I would take Liam Miller back for what it's worth,I hated him at the time but on reflection why should I.He didn't handle the situation well but we all often have regrets about the way we dealt with certain situations,don't we?
Finally,as one of Big Rabs biggest critics after "that" game,I was checking out the Jinkys Oars website where I stumbled across some startling statistics.
Marshall has conceded thirty three goals in 24 games,Big Rab 6 in 15 games.Not so much of a surprise to see him back on Sunday when you read stats like that is it!!!
BankieBhoy
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Hi chaps, I've watched on from the sidelines for many months..and this is my first post. I'll keep it short and sweet.
How strong is the Ryan Giggs rumour? He's the perfect candidate to push Thommo for a place :-P but whether we could secure him on reasonable wages is another thing.
I've also heard another rumour that Bellamy could come in a straight swap deal for big Bobo. This would be a cracking deal, and we could use that other 5 or 5 mil to maybe buy a few decent, young players i.e. European lads in the mould of Petrov...perhaps from the financially struggling teams of Germany, Bulgaria, even Lithuania where the Eastside Huns have found some success.
Phil Neville sounds a decent buy, but again, would he have the hunger to play SPL football every week and wages another important factor.
Anyway...skool in the morning. Hope to post again soon!
3 games left lads...it can be done!
~Y~ ~N~ ~W~ ~A~ ~C~ ~F~ ~C~
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What do you guys make of the new home kit?
Looks great to me,lets hope it brings in serious cash!!!
BankieBhoy
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Havent posted in a while, but with the season reaching a crescendo thought i would share my thoughts.
The Mole and Cousin Fargo have alluded to a number of signings in their post. Im in agreement with bankiebhoy that i expect a better calibre player than some of the names suggested.
At a time of trying to lower the wage bill, why would we go for english based players who already have over-inflated wage demands?
New kit seems OK, although the star is missing on the White top. Still feel uneasy about paying high prices for a top that is being made in a sweatshop. Nike deal can only be good for the club at the end of the day.
Looking forward to Tynecastle, although i feel the goal difference at this stage of the season may prove crucial.
I feel a win at Tynecastle would give the bhoys a huge lift for the final game of the season. I would leave Rab in for the remaining games to instill some confidence to the back line.
2 wins - 6points.
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New Hoops look good. Obviously a rush job from the press office as the designs were leaked earlier today.
Anyone notice a launch date?
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Just checked out the new strip again on the official website.
Is it just me , or does the green stripes seem to get more and more luminous. What happened to a normal green?
And doesnt Lennon look happy in the photo. I almost dont recognise him on it!
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Paul67.
Sorry to be negative ALL.I have been sitting back reading all the new bloggers to this site(probably entered the scene after the NTV piece)No harm to any of the new bloggers,in fact A VERY BIG WELCOME to the CQN Celtic family.
However you only have to read Paul67 this latest article from you which is great but the "rumour mill" has arrived on CQN with much fever in it's veins.
This site has been very interesting of which,it has it's flaws also but not many.Many of the recent posts have been just that,RUMOURS.
The next doors best friends budgie told me.
I read it on the Daily Retard website,it must be true.
I was sitting listening during a game to the best friend of a Directors wifes' sisters' babysitter.
Come on guys,we can do better than that.It only takes the likes of "The Mole" to spout out some more nonsense and the new Bhoys start to believe it or decide to join in.Is that what we all want for this site?I know we all have opinions,that's what makes CQN wonderful,but RUMOURS!
Paul67,now that you have new readers,(a big influx by the look of it)It maybe time to let us ALL know again what the site is all about and what it stands for,just trying to nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand.
This website truely is a breath of fresh air,don't let it become like all the others,it's easily done.If not,all your hard work Paul will become an uphill struggle.
HAIL HAIL
Cabbage McFlabbergaster.
ps go to google and type in the likes of: the mole CQN,Celticquicknews
and you will see the nonsense this blogger has come out with over the last six months or so.None of which has been truthful,just complete RUMOUR (started by him I'm sure)
Or even better why don't you pick a few topics on the righthand of the page and have a read through.you will be pleasantly suprised of Paul & others hard work.
As I said,Sorry to be negative at a great time of |
