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pah turn my back for a minute,lol
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FIRST
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1st?!
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MY first one i am truly honoured
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surely not ?
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Me?
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its a long time until sunday,maybe other results elsewhere will determine who plays where.
i can see that keano and lenny can play together and the choice of attacking midfield can be permed from nakamura maloney or petrov.
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No-not you Pablophanque-
ITS ALDO ! ! !
Cheers to Pablo and Curly for the links on the last thread-I was howling !
noel.
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I am sure whatever formation Strachan is planning on for Sunday has been the focus during this week training sessions. I wouldnt be surpirsed to see Maloney sit out for Nakamura.
Hail Hail
Bhoy O'Bhoy
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Couldn't agree more about Petrov for this week anyway, but it should be Lenny who drops to the bench for most of the remaining games this season.
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I agree, Petrov looks knackered of late and I think a rest would do him good. Shaun could probably do with one too.
Paul67 - the etims suggestion that the Hoardes of Hades investment is linked to mobile phone rights, and following on from your FIFA article the other day, how likely is it we'll be going down this route - bearing in mind the BBC are pushing for a separate TV licence for mobiles with TV access?
Is it a "go-er"?
Off topic - good chance for a few of us to get to see the youth players in action next week:
"CELTIC’S Under 19s will face a Friday night date with St Mirren next week as they push on in their defence of the Scottish Youth Cup.
Friday, 24 February, 2006
Celtic v St Mirren (Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie, 7 pm)"
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noel ,lol it was me until a minute ago..and now my posts have vanished....
i can see hibs taking points from greyskull and possibly familyclubmotherwell will hold the stuttering farts..
we can afford to rest a few morre players if results go our way.
mcglinchey/ferry et al must be chappin at the bit for a 1st team start
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im not gonna claim 1st post until its mathematecally impossible for others to catch up :-P
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If Petrov makes way for Naka it means he can keep'the Irish Curtain'in the centre of midfield
and leave the back 4 and strikers unchanged,with the option of bringing on fresh legs late in the game.
I think the team and Minimus turned a corner last Sunday,so we should be able to make up for the aberration which was our last game against the Pars.
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aldo-
what makes you think Hibs can take points from rangers .....?
I,m handing over the 1st post title to your self-look after it I,ll be back after another 19 articles have been published......
:p
noel.
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Paul
Must disagree, I think it would be a complete surprise if Petrov was rested. If you look at the amount of Petrov's goals that come away from home, particularly when a game is won by a single goal, I think it would be managerial folly to leave Stan out...
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Interesting telly tonight on BBC 1 Scotland at 11:05.
1985/6 league season when that unclean mob "Believed" then that they could do it.
I was on the field at Love Street that wonderful day.
Not playing I must add:-))
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I hope your right Paul,Stan needs a rest and we need alot more midfeild creativity than last week.
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I can see why there may be reason to rest Petrov but I still don't buy it.
Petrov & Keane should be the midfield pairing with Maloney and Nakamura working the flanks.
Back four and forward line the same as last week.
It's another big game on Sunday and we have to be wary of Dunfermline. The previous fixture at East End Park flattered us and then the dished-out a defeat at CP.
Three points is all that matters and we need our best players on the pitch to achieve that.
The quicker we sew-up the league the better, and there is a real chance to do so before the split. Petrov will have plenty of time to rest then.
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cheers noel, i will look after it well until your safe return.
im off to 'bedlam' now and im working doubleshifts all weekend.heres to a good afternoon by the radio on sunday.
slan
aldo
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Although there were parts of the game on Sunday where Stan looked a bit bit Jaded, the last ten minutes I reckon he covered more ground than any other Celtic player. And as dunfermline are at home and likely not to sit quite as deep as they do at Celtic Park (i.e the 6 yard line for 90 minutes), its important to have Stan's runs past the strikers, something Neither Lenny or Keane can offer you. I reckon a game like would suit a 4-2-3-1 formation, but cant see Strachan having the confidence in our adaptablilty enough to consider that seriously...
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Long-time reader, not posted for ages. Been hammering away at the work this past wee while. The lorry driving isnae as much ae a laugh as it used to be.
I think that Petrov is due a wee break, he looks knackered and there is a freshness in other areas of the midfield.
I have heard on the grape that Murray is selling off the rich dark panelling at Ibrox to a Central African dictator thus gleaning funds from the UN to buy some more overpaid bogstandard garlic-munchin types.
by the way, Ibrox is getting kitted oot in cheap 3mill laminate to cover up for the missing panelling.
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The fixture after a win against Rangers has proved to be a stumbling block this season and last. Last season it was Hibs. A 2-2 and a 1-3. This season the Pars, 0-1. This is not the game to rest any potential match winners. There is 2 weeks to the next league game against Aberdeen, they can catch some rest in that time.
It`s got to be a Celtic win!
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The figures quoted on etims for the r*ngers / T-Mobile deal must be well off the mark.
In 2001 Hutchison 3g paid £35 million for three seasons of premiership coverage which included Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal etc. Why would T-Mob almost match this deal to secure the rights to show the 4th force in the spl?
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Let's see;
Rangers are dreaming of having Paul LeGuen as manager,
LeGuen is under contract with Canal+, the French TV station,
Rangers are dreaming of a massive cash injection of "free" money to allow them to buy their way back to their rightful place in Scottish football (ie, not fourth or fifth!),
T-Mobile are mentioned on a chatrrom.
Now, put them all together, multiply them by 10, and you have T-Mobile agreeing to give Ragers £100million if Canal+ agree to film Rangers matches.
Talk about fantasy football!
Just WHERE is the value in all of this for T-Mobile or Canal+?
And if any Glasgow club is going to land a mega-deal to have video clips broadcast around the world, it sure as hell ain't Rangers.
Get used to it, you sad, deluded denizens of Mordor:
You're fourth in the SPL,
You're fourth in the SPL,
You're fourth in the SPL,
You're fourth in the SPL...
Until you lose tomorrow and go fifth!
(:-0)
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Noel don't give up your title until it's mathematically impossible to catch up
pull your socks up man !!
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Paul
Nevermind a long season, thanks to World Cups, Euro Championships and Bulgaria's bizarre friendly schedule I reckon poor Stan has had a long 4 years!
However I'd still be happier with him on the pitch. After this game we have a 2 week break and I want this title wrapped up as soon as possible. After that there will be time to rest our best players.
It wouldn't surprise me if there were draws at Ibrox and Tynecastle this weekend so that would mean all the teams below us dropping points.
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Whitedoghunch-
you know the rules about 1st post.
If you don,t they are on the blog.
They may be broken upon fear of DEATH .
Any more good utterings from the gub of chairman dave yet ?
noel.
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Johnbhoy-
" FREE MONEY ?
Chairman dave will like the sound of that......
noel.
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Sutcliffe clocked in the derby - would you mind circulating a different picture of you to the tabloids as i'm getting fed up with the one of you in groomed beard, frilly shirt & dickie bow.
laminate at greyskull you say?
Maybe that is the investment?
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good afternoon all, hope yis are havin as relaxing a morning as I am. gotta agree with celticblog.....Canal+ would be out of their heads to invest any substantial money into those Ibrox duds. Fantasy Football is exactly what it is-but what else can the other lot hope for? Chairman Dave has filled them with sh!t of the highest order and they are falling for it hook,line and sinker. Paul67,love the website...it passes my time in work when Im not selling Tennents and Stella to pubs in the backarse of no-where....although I would be very surprised to see Stan dropped on Sunday,given that its a 2 week break before another Celtic game.
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Just back from colder climes, what a lot of catching up I have.
A wee point regarding Celticblog's 12.32 comment. The owner of the factory I was visiting in Ukraine took us out for lunch one day, conversation turned, as it always does, to football. He mentioned that Scotland was famous for one if its football teams. Myself and my two FOD colleagues looked at each other, ready to pounce for bragging rights, as the man scrabbled for the name of this team. The issue was settled when he made as if to draw hoops across his chest and found the word 'Celteec.' A big smile from me and a wail of 'but we've had two Ukrainian players' from the suporters of the unknown team.
Sorry to go on but I must thank Ian_In_Budapest for his friendly and knowledgable introduction to his city. A great time was had by all (well me anyway) Interestingly my colleagues, having originally found the small rangers corner in the pub decided to watch the game with the Celtic fans, who were all impleccably behaved in victory.
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'one of its football teams' that would be, d'oh
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I hope Gordon Strachan doesn't start to rotate players simply on the basis of taking turns. The team MUST be picked to suit the occasion. Such a situation was acceptable against Rangers (A) but to ask both Keane & Lennon to participate against Dunfermline in a game where we should be doing a lot more attacking Lennon offers no help whatsoever. His defensive duties such as they are, can capably be covered by (a) The defence & (b) Keane without any undue worry.
If he wishes to go down this road with the midfield, why not the goalkeepers, the defence, forwards etc...totally stupid. Stan might have looked like he needed a break, but he was still one of our better players at Piebox and can cope easily with 1 game a week surely.
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ruairi guckian - agree re the two week rest anyway - but I would still rest him to see how the midfield works. If its not working bring Stan on EARLY.
Sean and Naka will need to provide cover for the defence and i think its a big ask.
Weather forecast looks OK for Dunfs on Sunday - sunny 7c clouding later in afternoon....
TB aka dbia2
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Cromarty Forth Tyne Dogger
South or southeast 5
or 6
Becoming cyclonic 3
or 4
Showers.
Good.
Travelb-welcome to the Fitzroy Beaufort CSC!
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Petrov needs rested, its been plainly obvious for a few months, but he has had to play 90 minutes each game because of our inability to finish teams off.
If we get the chance, which we now do then rest him.
Leave Keane and Lennon in the middle, then Naka and Maloney can do what they are going to do anyway, without having such an impact on the defensive side of our play, each can patrol or look after one side of play, giving the full backs the protection that a wide midfielder would usually do.
This is essential, unfortunate, but essential, until we can get Maloney (who to his credit has done in the past 2 games) and Naka to not just track back in body, but track back with the intention of stopping something, marking somebody, assisting his full back.
Its nice that we can do this though..
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Personally I would play Stan against Dunfermline, he has the welcome knack of being our matchwinner away from home. At Parkhead where its usually about breaking teams down, he is restricted for space beyond our forwards, away from home when teams are a wee bit more adventurous, he is pretty shrewd at exploiting the space behind opposition defences.
Just heard Brian Quinn's comments on Radio 5 regarding MON and the England job. The gist was BQ thought MON very professional and more than able, if personal circumstances would allow his involvement. With the grace of god hopefully he will be back in football soon.
IF it was the England job and IF JJB are interested in investing in the govan mob, they can expect a sharp drop in the sale of England tops from TFOD. yours John-b.
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I think Radio 5 said that Geraldine's condition had improved? But I can't be sure, could have been dreaming...
As regards the England job, I think MOM wants to take it. Not as full-on as club-team management (more time with G), name your own fee, if (or in MOM's case when) successful he will be on the list of every major club, not just domestically, but worldwide.
But all depends on whether MrsMOM is well enough to handle the media pressure etc...
We'll see...
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This seasons away form:
Celtic Pld 13 Pts 32
Hearts Pld 13 Pts 20
Hibs Pld 13 Pts 20
Rang## Pld 13 Pts 16
K/nock Pld 13 Pts 17
ICT Pld 13 Pts 22
So we are winning the league away from home,which raises the possibility that although a full Celtic Park is an impressive sight ,the team may be performing better on their travels.
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MON is still on our payroll. Does anyone know if this is his working notice period or whether we have retained him without notice served (in which case he is still required to give a year's notice to quit)?
If he is retained then he could only take other employment with our permission or sanction.
It would be a bit of a laugh to retain him and then allow him to do the England job part-time!!
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I've not heard any official updates on Mrs MON's health. MON seems to be touted for every high profile vacancy again so it seems the media have deemed that she is recovered or they take the attitude that he's not working just now and that their vacant positions are so big, high profile and attractive that he would want to go whatever his family status.
The whole thing sickens me and will continue to do so until I hear MON say he's ready to return
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I have kept quite because for a while because been busy in the old country but guys we need to stop being so laid back about the huns investment. I work in Financial Services and am lucky to have access to a lot of information.I can tell you all now whilst the etims rumour mill and some of the chat rooms are full of fanciful figures, the Huns are going to get very very big money.
Ironside has staked his reputation on this one and the fawning Hun media will back him to the hilt on this adventure.
We will win the league this year but we have to have a long term plan to counter what will be a massive financial, emotional and propaganda boost for the forces of darkness.
Ironside not only wants to put one over on us tactically and financially but also from a marketing perspective. Lets take it one by one.
Tactically - Despite what we each feel LeGuen is perceived as a better coach than Strachan. We may disagree but in the media as well as marketing perception is reality and a powerful tool.
Marketing - the Celtic marketing department is shocking (I have worked with them) the Huns have a better infrastructure and more experienced marketers. The deal being brokered will give them avenues into technology Celtic have not yet exploited in any significant way despite a target market screaming out for this type of service. We need to respond.
Financially - We are downsizing while our main rivals are attempting a major reengineering exercise. Whilst I personally think it will take the Huns 12 months to get a good team together I can't help but think of MONS first season.
We have debated our squad and new additions to death but we are hardly a great team just the best of a very very bad bunch.
If the Huns blend the best of Scottish talent with good hard European (non Latvian) talent then the gauntlet is down to our board. Is 2nd and champions league ok for us or do we want a decade of dominance?
I have seen the evidence
T mobile is correct
Tom hunter is correct
Ian Skeely is correct
Also correct is a movement of banks for Ironside, which frees his hand and allows a greater degree of debt financing.
I expect the Huns to have 20 -30 million over two seasons to spend on players. Not a great amount by today’s standards but a marker set down for us to either rise to or shy away from.
It's great we are ahead and I am looking forward to the game in Dunfermline but remember once the leagues over we need to think about how we rise to this challenge.
p.s. good luck mon in what ever job you take
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I'd keep Stan in the midfield next to Royston. Lenny your on the bench. Naka back in.
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Disagree dropping Stan is not the way to go. There are other options, which will not effect the potency of the team attacking wise that dropping Stan would bring.
www.thelordofthewing.blogspot.com - Dunfermline preview now available.
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I agree that Stan probably needs a rest.
I also agree that at East End Park we're likely to have the initiative more often than at the Death Star, so I wouldn't play Lenny and Keane together.
I'd play Keane and Pearson in the middle, which would give us dig and dynamism, with Shaun and Shunsuke in the wide positions.
But I'm not the boss, so if Petrov's oot it'll probably be as Paul has predicted.
Whoever starts, we should have enough to win and we must win. I think it's important that any faint glimmers (or moonbeams) of hope from our challengers are extinguished as quickly and mercilessly as possible.
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I think it's worth posting This again.
How about some comic relief this fine and sunny Friday afternoon?
pablophanque
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new article posted
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Travelbhoy-fair point about resting Stan and bringing him on early if things arent working....but instead of who? i cant see Royston or Lenny being best pleased about being hauled off after 30-odd minutes in a games being broadcast live....
On a seperate note,the feelings of hatred towards Roy Keane after the Saipan incident are still rife in Ireland. I was talking to a publican in Lisdoonvarna yesterday,who runs a huge Celtic Bar and is a huge Celtic fan himself and one of the first things he says to me was "what about Roy Keane"...I replied that to be honest,i have little time for him over what he did to Ireland,but after watching the Flakirk and Celtic games, I think he has, and will have, a huge part to play in Celtic's next couple of season's....He replied " well we all hate him in Lisdoonvarna,so imputting up on the chart here that Ruairi from Stella doesnt like him either....now give me one keg of Tennents"....
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Travelbhoy-fair point about resting Stan and bringing him on early if things arent working....but instead of who? i cant see Royston or Lenny being best pleased about being hauled off after 30-odd minutes in a games being broadcast live....
On a seperate note,the feelings of hatred towards Roy Keane after the Saipan incident are still rife in Ireland. I was talking to a publican in Lisdoonvarna yesterday,who runs a huge Celtic Bar and is a huge Celtic fan himself and one of the first things he says to me was "what about Roy Keane"...I replied that to be honest,i have little time for him over what he did to Ireland,but after watching the Flakirk and Celtic games, I think he has, and will have, a huge part to play in Celtic's next couple of season's....He replied " well we all hate him in Lisdoonvarna,so imputting up on the chart here that Ruairi from Stella doesnt like him either....now give me a keg of Tennents"....
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Gweedore - I work in financial media and I can tell bs when I smell it...
£20-30m over two seasons? Teams in the English league would be happy with that. Let's be honest, they wouldn't even need to spend that much to catch up with us in the current "simply depressed" market.
A greater degree of debt financing? Well their current fluke into the last 16 has given them an extra boost no doubt, but they're on target to get nada from Europe next season, so I guess that offsets. As to sale & leaseback and all that - if Murray is thinking of selling up that would have implications on the sale price and equally if he isn't, the ground is listed as one of their (overinflated) assets on the balance sheet so losing that would have implications also.
"I have seen the evidence" - want to share it with us?
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gweedorebhoy
I'm less worried if his "deal" gives him £10-15m for two years. That won't give much long-term.
If the bulk is re-financing then that's more smoke and mirrors. What would be scary is CASH in excess of £20m.
Do you have any suggestions re the balance between CASH, new loans (Hunter et al?) and re-financing?
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Paul,
Have to agree about Stan. He needs a rest (that's not dropping him); he has done for a couple of months. If we can't do it against the likes of Dunfermline with Nakamura to bring in, then when can we?
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Timmy7, good to hear that you survived your Ukraine trip and thanks for the kind words regarding my hospitality.
Your colleagues seemed way to pleasant to be chasing moonbeams on the dark side. Please remind them that when they see the light - the sunshine that is - they'll be more than welcome to join us in Paradise :)
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My dear friend, Plato,
Excellent word..........
Yes! That is exactly what I am saying.
There is EXTREME PRESSURE being brought to bear on this very unsympathic figure.
All of the PROPONENTS for the RETENTION of the STATUS QUO, in this country, are seriously worried.
THE IBROX CITADEL in DISARRAY?????
Perish the thought!
Something has to be done, to prevent further slippage, as the slope becomes more and more muddied, by Mr. MURRAY'S BUNGLING!
Ergo......... Mr. MURRAY is an ETRAVAGANCE, that can no longer be enjoyed!
A New Bevy of TRUE BLUE DEVOTEES are ready to file in, and repair the widening breech.
The STATUS QUO must be re-invigorated!
A Celtic DOMINANCE is UNTHINKABLELY UNTHINKABLE!
Dunfermline0 Celtic 189.
You are so right, My friend BLANTYREKEV....
I was clearly being too generous to SUNDAY'S, oppo.
Hail! Hail!
Kojo.
