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Well done GS.
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Let us hope he does sort out that defence.
So far, he has done the business as far as anyone could realistically expect.
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I see the meeja are trying to stain the reputation of the Celtic supporters, with their stunning headline revelation that 15 supporters were arrested at least night's NU v Celtic game.
I note however that they do not state anywhere in their short and uninformative article that those arrested were Celtic supporters, nor that they were arrested inside the ground itself. But it is clear from their headline, and from the text of the article (emphasising how many Celtic fans were present) that they are trying to pin any negative press on Celtic.
But hey, what's new? Life goes on... and we're still TGFITW whatever the media says!
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How about selling JVoH to some cash rich mid-table EPL club for £5-6M and reinvesting the funds in a couple of decent defenders (1 FB & 1 CB). And if we can also punt TG, JJ, KM, BB, PH & SP, then we should have enough to get another couple of decent midfielders and a decent, strong, target-man-type striker to give us alternative options up front.
But hey, what a midfield:
Nakamura, Donati, Brown & McGeady
P.S. Does anyone know what the score is with Al Capone?
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Thank You Gordon Strachan.
If we improve as much this season as we did last (in the European Arena) then you will take a step from being untouchable to immortal.
Just a step mind!
Win that league while you are at it and see of your 3rd dark lord while you are at it!
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Oh good.
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Itz
I do appreciate and share your concerns but how about we look at it from a different angle.
Let’s turn things upside down for a moment and accentuate the negatives.
For the greater part of last season, for whatever the reason, Celtic did not perform to the standards we would normally expect of them.
They conceded more goals than was the norm and scored less than what was the norm.
Their style of play left some suicidal and others bemused. None were enthused.
Their defence looked suspect.
Their midfield at times, staid.
Up front, shy of conviction.
But I’m sure like me you took great delight in what we achieved. The double, last 16.
And that was done when we were not exactly firing on all cylinders.
So we play crap but still win the double. I personally don’t entertain the notion that we played against a below par Rangers team. Are they the only team in the league we have to respect. We can only win against what is put in front of us and for most of them a game against us is their cup final.
Rangers have strengthened. Their collective abilities are yet to be tested. ICT away will be the first real indicator of where they are at, but that is only one game.
Our first indicator is against Killie at home. We haven’t clicked for a while and it is long overdue for us to do so. Will that be the game to burst our introverted bubble?
GS must take positives away from any encounter. To do otherwise???
Enough of this.
What happens if we actually click. If our players, of undoubted ability, actually perform, collectively, on any given Saturday. What do you think the eventual outcome would be? I’m sure you would agree with me Itz , when I would predict a humiliation.
I only hope that, that day, is saved for the day against them.
As previously posted I am apprehensive about the manner in which Rangers have strengthened and in our ability to match them from a physical perspective.
The MIB are also a major concern but have been since I started watching Celtic back in ’63.
I’ll give it to the first Rangers game and then I hope we can celebrate a return to form and a collective consensus of optimism throughout our support.
To do otherwise would be overtly unfair on our manager so far he has delivered through a period of transition.
I can think of no other manager in the history of our great club who has bettered his and our recent achievements when all things are considered.
Have we accorded him the impossible as his own personal target?
What more must he do before collectively we embrace the man and say Gordon, you're some man and a Celtic man to boot/
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A Right Back
An Experienced Centre back
A Prolific Goalscorer
If we can't get adequate quality in the full back areas why don't we consider going with 3 Centre backs - Kennedy/McManus/O'Dea
with Hartley/Bjarnnoson providing cover on the right hand side & Naylor doing likewise on the other
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VargasShampoo
Agree with all of those, I'm not bothered if the centre forward is prolific or not but I want one who will terrorise the opposition defenders Chris Sutton style!
Also think we need a left sided midfielder to complement Brown and Donati who look pretty good so far.
Can't help feeling there is something (not much) missing!
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To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm happy about this for the right reasons. The main reason it pleases me is that, as Paul says, getting a new manager in is a lottery. WGS has been undoubtedly successful – two SPL titles, 2 cups and a last 16 appearance. Every one of us would have been overjoyed if offered this level of success on his arrival. I don’t want rid of WGS, but I do want to see him take a step up to the next level this season.
I suppose my main concern is what I perceive as a lack of improvement over the two years. In WGS’s first year, what pleased me most of all was the way we improved over the course of the season. It may be true that if Hearts hadn’t imploded we’d have been too far behind to catch up, but the improvement was clearly evident over the course of the season and bar our poor defending, we played some ok football.
Onto team 2 and last year we really didn’t perform as well as we should have. Again, both Rangers and Hearts imploded leaving us cantering to the title playing poor football. A disorganised defence, no mobility in central midfield and a lack of balance caused by playing two lightweight wide men, plus no top class striker. For me, team 2 played no better football than team 1, with the one exception being the Champions League where we had a few decent games. WGS should certainly be applauded for the Champs League efforts – getting to the last 16 was like winning another cup.
Now team 3, going only on what I’ve seen of preseason, seems to have a far improved midfield, although we still don’t know how we’ll integrate Naka in on his return. I’m not sure we can play both him and McGeady, though I’d love to be proved wrong. The defence is the same shambles it was when WGS arrived, and we’ve still got a powderpuff attack. Who would you put your money on for the SPL’s top scorer? I’m not sure I’d pick any of our team.
I agree with a previous post, our problem stems from having about 7 strikers of equal mediocre ability and 6 central defenders of equal mediocre ability. None of these players seem to have done enough to really make the spot their own as far as I’m concerned. Another way to look at it could be that the lack of a challenge has not really helped us either.
Where does that leave us? Well, despite the above, I’m still quite confident it can be turned round for a decent strong season. The movement of our midfield last night fills me with confidence. Unfortunately, to fix the other areas, I can’t help feeling we don’t currently have the personnel we need. A clearout is needed of the squad players, whilst we need a new right back, central defender and striker. Mind you, the same could have been said at the time of Team 1…
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Bigchips - I wouldn't worry too much about the media spin on supporters' behaviour last night as I think there will be a few banner headlines on Sunday after the Unionist love-in at Snake Mountain this Saturday - I would advise all right-minded people to avoid the city centre post match also, as the living dead (Govan/Kings Road division) will be out in force.
Only saw the last 20 minutes last night - Brown looks the part, Mcgeady could do with a Telfer backing him up, Hartley isn't a right back and Jarosik looks as if he is playing on mogadon.
An organiser in defence is needed and a top class finisher.
Did Scott McDonald get a run out last night? I reckon he could turn out to be this year's Joe McBride.
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Let's be honest this will be WGS Biggest managers job in football, he will only be here as long as he wins the SPL every year. First time he fails to win the league he will be gone. No fan will shed any tears.When he goes it will be to a Championship or a lower English Premier league team. Said it all along this WGS is out of his depth at Celtic Park.
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I have been of the opinion that the problem with our defence is that the midfield four do not give enough protection.This is still an issue but more alarming than that is our personnel, we have no dig are poor in the air defensively and in attack and are again trying to pass through 10 men behind the ball as our build up is too slow.
Hopefully these games have been about fitness but when will they reach match fitness with the kick off in ten days time?
A major clearout is urgently needed but it seems no one is interested in those who are mentioned regularly on these pages as being unable to step up to the mark.
I thought both Scott Brown and JK at least showed effort and purpose in the second half.It is not only the hammer throwers from Govan we need to overcome but every team will match up and try to physically dominate us.
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I've been watching Celtic for a long time, the type of football served up by our current manager in particular this year is comparable with some of the poorest football performances I've ever seen Celtic play. Yes there have been high points, but these have been overshadowed by some really poor stuff served up with monotonous regularity.
I think this is due mainly to having a squad full of fairly ordinary players, and the manager is unsure / will continue to be unsure of what his strongest line up is. He has created a squad where there is plenty of competition for places, but it’s a poor competition, the squad is dominated by average performers.
I'm not convinced that GS committing his future to us is a good thing. He waffles on and on and never sounds convincing, yes we all like a good laugh but that’s not what we are looking for him to provide. The more I hear him speak the more worried I get, however, if this season is as successful as last season - poor displays or not - then I promise to shut up, stop being negative and have a little faith.
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Kitalba - just seen your post - let me have a think about that over lunch - will come back to you.
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OttoKaiser,
Watching the last 20 mins wouldn't have told you the full story on the performance because by then Newcastle had there reserve Goalie up front. If McGeady thinks turning on the skill with 20 mins to go when we are 3 nil down then he's stupid as well as not very good. He continually gave away possesion then didnae bother his archie chasing back. Hartley,JVOH,The Back 4 were also terrible. Don't mind getting beat in friendlies but a bit of effort would be nice.
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kitalba @ 0547 (last thread)
Please don't take what I said to heart. Any issues I had last night was definitely not with you; my comments were meant as a friendly nudge, not criticism in any shape or form.
NegAnon @ 0118 (last thread)
How many posts of yours - or anyone else - has Paul ever deleted because he disagreed with the opinions expressed therein?
I think you'll find the answer is zero. So, what is your basis for saying that "According to Paul - you need to debate on his grounds only"?
Paul's take on many football issues is different from yours, but you seem to have much more of an issue with him expressing those opinions than he has with you expressing yours.
If you feel "dehumanised as stupid and less that the madding crowd" by what Paul or anyone else says on this blog, that doesn't imply the "demise of a site once rich in debate", when rich debate is still evident on every day of every year on CQN; rather it implies you are too sensitive to expose your thoughts to public comment, dissent, and sometimes criticism on this forum.
There's no shame in that, but you'd be better to accept it gracefully rather than criticising hundreds of your fellow Celtic supporters for what you perceive as their failure to maintain a 'rich debate' on CQN, or laying the blame for that perceived failure on Paul's feather-light interventions in CQN threads.
If having 'rich debate' on CQN is that important to you, the solution is obvious; help to create it by coming on and contributing constructively. You were missed by many people when you stopped posting regularly.
I never saw eye to eye with you regarding your theories about a board conspiracy to deliver Celtic shares into Dermot Desmond's hands on the cheap by engineering mediocre footballing and financial results (BTW I must have missed your eventual retraction when subsequent events proved you so comprehensively wrong), but I always accepted it was a valid subject for discussion, however outlandish I considered your views to be. Your sporadic ad hominem attacks on Paul are another matter, though, and unworthy of you.
This last comment is addressed to a much wider audience....
If you have nothing good to say, sometimes it is better to say nothing.
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Bri,
Can you name me a Celtic manager who hasn't gone on to do what you have described?
Itz, You are right Gordon Strachan isn't there to provide us with laughs etc, he's there to provide us with a winning team and trophies, so far he's done that.
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niknak's
If McGeady thinks turning on the skill with 20 mins to go when we are 3 nil down then he's stupid as well as not very good. He continually gave away possesion then didnae bother his archie chasing back ...a bit of effort would be nice.
Unfortunately that is all it takes for many people on these boards to give McGeady the player of the year award, therefore he's not stupid. Good luck to him for getting away with such a lack of effort but it doesn't help Celtic any.
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Thank you Mr Strachan!
Ottokaiser - agree regarding Skippy. Comparing him to Joe McBride might be setting the standard a bit high though.
Unfortunately he is banned for the first two games of the season. Silly bhoy got carded in his last game for Murderwell which took him above the threshold.
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the Daily Record actually praised the celtic support today
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Been watching Celtic for over 40 years. My worst ever experience as a supporter was at Fir Park. The manager was Gordon........ er, Martin O'Neill.
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bri
I agree, this will be Gordon's biggest job in football. It doesn't get any bigger than managing Celtic, does it?
PS - That's the only bit of your post I agree with.
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antsman @ 12:01
that's when you know we are in big trouble! :-D
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Paul im looking forward to TinyTim getting back from Newcastle with your blog today. How many 'we won the trophies despite Gordon' will we get.
Worst football ever saw at Cletic was under Luigi closely followed by the last 6 months of MoN
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may67
I have to disagree with you. The worst was a goal scored by Rangers during the middle of the 9iar era. I think it was Spackman who scored.
A free-kick or corner came into Celtic's box and I think there was a succession of about 7 headers each of which was won by a Rangers player, and the ball just kept getting closer and closer to Celtic's goal until Spackman scored from about 2 yards. A pathetic example of defending, a microcosm of the lack of effort and fight put up by Celtic during those days which is why I am so wary of such play returning to Celtic Park.
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McManus and Kennedy were guff
but fair play to kennedy as he played a huge part in setting up the goal
they defended deep all night, even when we attacked and when they tried to play offside they gave away a stupid goal
In my opinion, pass marks only to Brown, McGeady and Donati and maybe young Caddis
as for captain, the only choice for me is Boruc, although Brown is fairly stating his case
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pggtips
Maybe we should instigate a discussion on Your Worst Celtic Moments. It might be catharTIC and make us all feel better about losing a couple of friendlies.
Hail! Hail!
p.s I cried real tears at the Partisan Belgrade game too
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lennondinho
kennedy stepped out to far and got caught for the 4th where there was to much room behind
McManus for me is nowhere near as commanding in the air as he should be
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Having watched Celtic under every manager since Jimmy McGrory, I feel that our manager deserves a lot more respect than many supporters give him.
Just look at what we have achieved under him. Not even Martin O'Neill has his record. Sure, we played awful football last season but I was a lot happier at the end of it than at the end of MON's term. That Sunday is still my worst experience as a Celtic supporter (and there have beern many, I can assure you all).
If he can sort out our defence (and get shot of the deadwood: no easy task), Mr Strachan will have worked wonders in my book.
I fancy McGeady to be PLayer of the Year.
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NikNak'sstiffsheets 11:46
Harper came on with 10 mins to go.
Lazy Journalism :)
I agree about JVoH. Starting to worry about him. I also thought Naylor was poor. Maciej Zurawski is getting the ball with his back to goal far too often. And it's on the halfway line at that.
McGeady and Brown went towards the opposition goal in a positive manner, both did lose the ball at times but they both tracked back too.
We did see a bit of effort in the second half.
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antsman
McManus ia a strange one.
He is better in his opponents box than his own.
The last time I saw a Celtic defender win as many headers in the other teams box was Reiper or Elliot.
Both of these had the advantage of also winning most of the balls in ou box as well.
I think I may be the only person who isn't worried about up front.
I think McDonald will be better than I expected. He would play more but is suspended and I suppose we are loking for a partnership till he can play.
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may67
I certainly feel a bit better for posting my worst, p.s. It couldn't have been Spackman, I can't think who it was then.
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Curious about opinion on whether we are seen as a highly disciplined side that is well drilled and keeps it's shape....we keep playing CL teams that look like they were welded together and just look solid as a unit. Last night we were good on the ball but very poor at winning it back.
I don't think under GS we've ever looked like the preverbial well drilled organised team\unit too often, GS said himself that he sees the team as three units, back, mid and front and perhaps works at resolving issues with each unit and maybe as a team we don't benefit.....I've never attended a training session so have no idea what goes on when these on field issues are addressed post match
In my opinion we are as baffling a team to watch as we possibly are to play against. ask our opposition last year where we went behind playing so poorly and opposing managers no doubt rubbing their hands at the thought of taking all 3 points yet a spark ignites from within the HOOPS and we rattle in goals and salvage point(s).
I won't agree with anyone who suggests GS should go, I really hope that once a settled 11 is played a few times that we can cement our title ambitions and nail a few teams early doors.....teams should be fearing coming to CP...that was not the case last year.
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Having watched in horror the events unfold at St James I felt the need to gather perspective from others a see how theyd relate to my match review.
Defence - Ful backs rank, although i do believe naylor will be back to form. MCMANUS IS A DISASTER Odea is a far better left sided centre back but where is he ? Mcmanus fails to win headers all too often. As for his partner, Kennedy was awful costing us 3 goals, but the alternitives dont look good, elvis is an equally scary prosepct, as is caldwell. return for balde?
MCGEADY - Rarely have i seen such a poor player. The boy is kidding himself on and letting his team mates and us the fans down. The occasional trick that everyone remembers is fine if paired with substance, but it isnt. Failure to track back at 1st goal was jaw jopping. Defence wise he is awful, bottles challenges ( milan and copenhagen notable), cant mark and seems unwilling to in addition. Even goin forward he is often inept, McCulloch will rip him apart physically.
NEED for defensive anchor man is chronic. Sno can easily fill lennons boots in this respect, future world star in my opinion.
Strikers, many personel, few quality, strikes me all over the side aswell.
WGS - His post match comments of he created more chances than that ever before at St James were a joke. Remember Gord its Celtic not Coventry now. In addition he said he is positive, I fail to see how. He has an awful self built defence and weak attack. Unlike Smith he dusnt no his best team and this will cost us. Smith left a comfortable Scotland role, why ? He finks he can deal with WGS easy and on evidence of two old firm games and the current level of performane hes right. I hope i am wrong and that we improve, but unless we do the consequences could be dire. Imagine Fenerbache in the qualifiers? Alot of work to do Gord, alot of work to do.
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Forgive me for posting this again, I posted it at the end of the previous article. However we seem to be discussing the events of last night and focussing on the weakness at the heart of our defence:
big liam @ 10.43 (previous article)
Cannot believe that you hold JK responsible for all three goals. You refer to him as the broken link in an offside trap for the second - it seems to me that the only player attempting to play the trap was McManus.
As for the first and third goals McGeady was to blame. The Hat @ 22.07 got it abolutely spot on when he said referring to AMcG
"Cons - culpable for both the first and third goals.
First goal - McManus covers Naylor who gets caught wrong side. The danger is cleared only for McGeady to stand still, watch Nolano stride past him onto the loose ball and pick his pass to Martins for a one touch finish (JFK is right side of his man - what more can he do!).
Third goal - with Naylor overlapping in Newcastle's half, McGeady tries a flick in the middle of the park and loses easy possession. Two passes later the ball is in the back of the net. With overlapping full backs, losing cheap possession will cost you every time against decent teams with quick movement."
JK is not beyond criticism (and certainly I don't regard him as bullet proof!) but he has made a remarkable comback in a relatively short space of time with relatively few competitive games against teams of real quality. JK will in my view be our No 1 pick for CB after further games under his belt.
Who will be No 2 is up for grabs but I'm not convinced that McManus will claim the spot - too may mistakes repeated over the last eighteen months, e.g. in Milan he backed off Kaka all the way into our penalty box rather than attack him further out - result was a goal that cost us passage in the CL.
O'Dea looks like he could lay claim to No 2 spot in the near future but he will require more games under his belt to build his experience. He would be my pick before Pressley and Caldwell. He lacks the height of McManus but in my view wins a better percentage of competitive high balls and is altogether a more intelligent player than the others competing for spot 2.
The joy of watching football is that we see different things, and hopefully see Celtic winning games against quality opposition. Roll on Sunday, it can only get better!
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Something that really annoys me about our defence is when they get cut open there is always one of them naylor,pressley and mcmanus the main culprits standing with an arm in the air hoping to get an offside decision
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Apologies for the repetition from last thread - Paul catches me everytime!
Bryce Curdy
I feel your piece fairly reflects the concerns that even “happy clappers” have.
Despite being naturally positive myself there is still that wee nag that all may not turn out all right on the night. The preponderance of a number of players of the same skill level for the same position as has been expressed on here by others strikes a chord.
Yet there are some I feel and include myself here who would be reluctant to express too readily concerns and criticisms we might have for concern at giving more oxygen to those whose only contribution seems to be to pick all the negatives for infinitesimal dissection and ignore any positives.
Yours is a nightmare scenario but a possibility without doubt if and it’s a big IF we fail to find form particularly with the strikers AND Rangers avoid injuries to their main men to allow them to sustain a challenge.
If however either event goes our way then I can see no way in which your scenario will come to pass.
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Rossio67 @ 11:23. Your post highlights something very important that is underlooked in assessing Gordon Strachan. You refer to Hearts and Rangers “imploding” this is the difference between a good manager and a great manager.
Gordon and his team held on and succeeded even when the chips were down. That is something that money cannot buy. As Kitalba correctly pointed out, imagine what we will do when we hit form.
More than that is this Gordon Strachan isn’t Celtic minded nonsense. Or that he does not understand the club or its fans. He is defiant in the face of adversity, even when the established majority questions his upbringing, motives and beliefs. He has a quick wit and a way with words. He does not support a sectarian signing policy. He is more interested in attackers than defenders. He is condescending towards the press.
God forbid any of us end up like that.
The rags
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Wrote this prior to last night’s game but disappeared in the ether. Still good to get it off the chest.
Aiden Mc Geady?
One certainty about the player is that he gets everyone talking.
As everyone else seems to have an opinion I may as well offer mine.
His talent? Unquestioned. His effectiveness? Jury is still out imo but I live in hope. He certainly is not as yet on a par with Shaun Maloney in that respect.
I adore that little drag back and stepover when the full back has to pay to get back in. I wince at the moments when he seems to find everyone but one of his own team-mates. I groan when he is clearly trying to split a defence with a perceptive through ball which gets intercepted and puts us on the back foot but I don’t want him to stop trying because when he gets it right it will be the telling ball others dream about.
I very much hope it happens for him but as to certainty that it will happen I can’t offer any. He may just remain frustrating.
On the debate re his best position I abhor the modern terminology perhaps because I fail to understand the complexities of the modern systems but for me he is and always will be a natural inside forward. I would love him to have the dig of Bertie Auld but to me he seems much more of a Charlie Gallacher – a delight to watch but not the man managers choose to win the midfield battles. Perhaps explains why he’s being played wide
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The two recent instances of bad behaviour by Celtic supporters running onto the pitches at QPR and Newcastle I hope gives us all a cause for concern.
I’m old enough to remember when poor behaviour was a regular occurrence and where we certainly didn’t merit awards from any authority. I’m also extremely proud of our reputation post Seville. Let’s hope that complacency doesn’t allow this disease to creep back in.
For it not to do so will require an acceptance by all the support that sometimes criticism of the standards of some supporters is appropriate. Let’s hope we’re big enough to accept that.
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NeilR
I did take what you had to say to heart but I took no offence with it. Not for one moment, did I think you confrontational. The opposite in fact. One very reasoned, pragmatic and passionate supporter to another passionate supporter. I, been the later.
Neil I love debate, I love passion, dare I say I love argument. But only if it is constructive.
If it is confrontational, antagonistic, dogmatic and personal, well that is not for me.
I love opinion and the diversity of thought and perception. Being a long haul Celtic supporter it is bread and butter to me. I will indulge anybody, anytime on all things Celtic.
Sometimes though I find negativity has a life of it’s own and unchecked, it can grow to a monster. All consuming, and worst of all influencing youngsters and setting the precedent. Whining for whining’s sake.
That is what I hate. I think to myself, wait a minute, let us get things in perspective. Was there anything, other than our pride at stake?
Did we lose points?
Did we get knocked out of a cup competition?
Some times maybe I take Celtic and its future too seriously.
Naw, I don’t think so. I can’t take it seriously enough.
Besides winning six in a row to begin with, do you know what I would really like?
I wish Paul would post his intention to host a Global CQN Convention in 2010.
For us wanderers, and all the domestic hardcore. To be held in the spiritual home of all that we share; Glasgow.
The worlds Greatest City.
You have to leave it to truly appreciate it.
Invite all the posters and the lurkers too. I have several friends who are ardent readers but who won’t step foot on these pages.
Die hard Celtic supporters, but fearful of the written word.
It is a power they don’t understand.
A CQN convention would be brilliant.(for me) I could plan for that and be present and hopefully shake the hands of all, the mineshafters too, and say, ‘Hey, did I not tell you so’.
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No idea what your name is....the one and only DJ??? are you Derek Johnstone maybe...
I no longer claim to be a great celtic fan as for the first time in twenty years I wont be at Celtic Park. So happy if anyone says what they want about me - however (apart from having a manager who is not a celtic fan and continues to make the same mistakes, picking the same teams, and making poor judgment calls to prove who is boss etc.) one of the main reasons is having to listen to guys like you sir, talking absolute nonsense and having a go at young players like McGeady - he is a flamboyant winger with more skill than any scottish player in the last 30 years if not ever - he needs support in more ways than one and cannot be blamed for defensive misgivings - however have you not seen the footage of McGeady chasing Barry Ferguson down and taking him out with a beautifully perfectly timed tackle???
Grow up pal, and like me, do the decent thing...
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TheRagwe-He[GS]does not support a sectarian signing policy-of course he doesn't
He's the Celtic manager.
Unless signing is singing;~)
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Opinions! Opinions! Opinions!
I stated on the last thread that last year after a brief period od uncertainty when Caldwell and McManus were the first choice central pairing we were very solid. Despite his bad performance against Benfica, I believe Caldwell is our most composed defender. Unless we do sign a CB of outstanding pedigree (or just better than what we have) then he would be my first pick with A.N. Other, from either Balde, McManus, Kennedy, O'Dea. All of these for different reasons need to be talked through games which I believe Caldwell does.
I would suggest Boruc is the outstanding candidate for captain, but I'm agin goalie captains per se. Therefore my Captian would currently be Caldwell. Unless Ayala is about to be unveiled!
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” I’ll give it to the first Rangers game and then I hope we can celebrate a return to form and a collective consensus of optimism throughout our support
That just about sums it up for me also Kitalba, for what GS has done so far he deserves our support, no doubt about that. I get the impression that he couldn’t care less about the results of these friendly games and maybe I should start doing the same.
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Antsman
Spot on mate
The site of the back 4 (as a unit) trying to play offside was not even schoolboy, it was worse than that
u wud think they have never heard of holding a line
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The clapping is getting louder!
Only a matter of time before the clappies start speaking(posting) in tongues:)
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I am not Aiden's greatest fan and I do wish he could be more consistent and effective at times.
However how effective was he in the first home game against Ran666ers last year. His through ball for Miller was perfection.
On occassions his moments of individual brillaince will win us games. I think we have to accept that he will have his duff games with his great games.
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thedj_oneandonly,
I agree with your comments on Smith. I think far too many of us underestimate him. He is a decent manager who knows who to put a winning team on the park. He understands Scottish football inside out, the mentality, the style, the dynamic of the "old firm".
His emphasis is on strong physical players. Not worldbeaters, but players who are hard and determined. This wins you a lot of points in the SPL. He also knows what his best team is.
His weakness is that he is predictable, and that is why his European record is so poor. But Rangers aren't focusing on Europe. This year it's all about the SPL for them.
If we are not focused, up for it, organised and willing to stick the boot in, then we will not win it again.
This isn't a mineshaft view, it's a sober assessment of the position of us and them at this moment.
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Mr Angry
Dui lai banjoul jai
That is cantonese.
In French
tout et un pede
In Spanish
no Mamas Cabronne
Please excuse the spelling.
Accept the sentiment
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The sight of defenders vainly sticking a hand up to claim offside as the opposition waltz through to score is pretty general in the game,and not confined to the Celts.It's the same as a forward tumbling over in the box whenhe's made a pigs ear of a chance to try and win a penalty.
Most folk the problem with the team last year was the centre of midfield,and steps seem to have been made to fix it.The down side is that they are showing up the glaring deficiencies elsewhere.
For a squad that's got centrehalves and centreforwards like Imelda Marcos had shoes we're not managing to either score goals or keep them out.
We're no longer perming any 2 from Larson,Sutton and Hartson.
The basic problem has not yet been addressed-the players we have lost have not been replaced.
Anyways,it'll sort itself out soon enough,once the real stuff starts.
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Oh my God, I watched the game last night but now can't remember it having read all the opinions and views etc so I'm as well joining in the madness...after me -
'We're gonnae win the league (again)
'We're gonnae win the league (again)
You really must believe us, you really must believe us, you really must believe us -
We're gonnae win the league!
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ona lighter note, anyone got an idea when Etims returns?
Fridays aren't the same without the rumour mill...
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Excellent article on Celtic Underground on last nights game
We've heard enough rhetoric from our manager along the lines of we know whats wrong and we'll fix it.
Time for action.
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Has anyone got a link to the highlights/goals from last night?
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happy clapper or mineshafter friday
hail hail
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Is a happy clapper who is considering the mineshaft a happy shafter?
The rags...
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Malone
The goals from last night
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MichaelCollins,
Good article I agree. One little quibble: describing the support as being "patient" with WGS is a little odd, given that it's not as if we are patiently waiting around for trophies.
WGS deserves our support, and he has earned it in silverware.
Some, like me, are just a little worried that he is underestimating Rangers and has not addressed glaring weaknesses from last season.
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In response to ItaliaBhoy he summed up smith and the dangers of his reign perfectly.
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Oh The Rangers are skint !
(repeat endlessly)
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Greenlion - i was wondering if you've made any progress on getting your hands on that infamous 'Tony Fitzpatrick Tennents Sixes Nosebleed' video. I would love to see that again. Infact i'd pay good money to see it or even better if it could be stuck up on You tube.
On our pre season performances, i must admit that im slightly concerned. I've been a Strachan fan from day one & i know that it's hardly a time for kneejerk reactions as the real stuff hasn't even begun, however i find it puzzling that 3 years on from Artmedia we still resemble the look of a Scitzophrenic team (could be good, could be bad). We seem to have an abundance of competition for most positions however apart from Boruc, Brown & Nakamura the team still looks fragile & lacks personality
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Newcastle version of a Mineshafter
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Italiabhoy
I think the "patience" aspect came from the lack of improvement between team 1 and team 2
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Team 1 regained the league championship so brutally thrown away, Team 2 went from nowhere in Europe to the last 16 and an extra time defeat to the ultimate champions. Oh and they regained the league title, thanks to a superb spell from September through January.
They might not have been great to watch but they were winners.
If that's not improvement I don't know what is.
History will not remember Sergio Garcia's magnificent performance last Saturday, they'll remember Padraig Harrington standing with the Claret Jug (his own hack up the 72nd will be forgotten).
We'd do well to remember that when talking about how 'bad' last season was.
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thismancraig
i see your point and agree but its not as black and white as the record books will say
the quality of the product affects the income we generate. that can then affect the future of the club
by determining the type of players we bring in
there has been major improvement and gordons strachans record is excellent but i remember going to CP to regularly last season thinking "this week will be the week we will thump someone and play a blinder" and i seriously considered not renewing my season ticket as i know many others did and indeed many of them never
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Michael Collins,
I'd say there was improvement from "team 1" to "team 2". We qualified to the knock out stages of the CL and we had the league won by November. I think it's hard to underestimate the difference it makes having a competitive edge to a game for professionals, especially this team. As Gordon said last season we have an aversion to getting beat, i just don't think that includes friendlies.
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Vargas
Only 2 years since Artmedia !
Time flies when you're having fun !
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i wonder what the reaction would be if we were knocked out the CL qualifiers by a middle of the road team - it would set us back financially in a big way esp if rangers qualify
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antsman
The very thought is terrifying. It would be an unmitigated disaster. I might even have to look out my pick and shovel!
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I’m tired and I’m off to bed.
Got a big game tomorrow.
Pine trees v Albany Creek U’6s’s.
My boy Conner gets a run out. His problem is which way to run.
His favourite number is 7.
7
Before I do so though, Bambi, your post caught my eye.
I think I’m right in saying that in the history of football last years Scottish Premier League payout on the Champions was a record.
Earliest payout in the history of the sport; By all bookies, world wide. Ever.
If I’m right in that statement, and I think I am, doesn’t that, alone, scream volumes?
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Vargas I did not mean I could track it down on video what I was saying is thta I will probably be in his company this weekend and I will ask him about it. I dont imagine he will have kept that piece of history!!!
Apologies for the confusion.
Iyts always good to talk and get problems out in the open. Seemingly facist facist is in meltdown due to these quotes in the herald today from the cheat who is Sandy Jardine
Jardine, who played with distinction throughout the 1960s and 70s, offered a stark chronicle of the changing attitudes of Rangers and its supporters.
"When I came here in 1964, we had no Catholics," he said. "Not just the playing staff, anywhere. There was no bit of paper, it was an unwritten rule. David Murray changed that and it moved on significantly in 1989 when Maurice Johnston signed. You cannot clear up 80 years of sectarianism in eight months, but we are a huge way down the road."
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Any news on Boruc? Did he injure his hand/arm last night?
Rebus
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i wonder what the reaction would be if we were knocked out the CL qualifiers by a middle of the road team
There is precedent, this is the time of Martin O'Neill's 1st failure as Celtic Manager - Basle. Which led to one of his greatest achievements - Seville, which led to his 2nd failure - losing the league.
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derbyshirebhoy @13.18,
I think you might just have put your finger on it with rgards to McGeady being the new Charlie Gallagher. Maybe that's why I enjoy him. He can do things nobody else even imagines. Charlie did lay on some of the most important goals of his era (and, when wee Bertie was injured,you may remember, he was always the first substituted by Mr Stein, because he was SO vital to the team and could not be risked when we were ahead).
By the way, someone reckons McDonald might be the new Joe McBride. I think he might well be the second Willie Wallace.
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Mineshafters only
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Kitalba
Best of luck to the wee man tomorrow.
Regarding the direction in which he will run, I would have thought it would be obvious.
He, like every other child on the park, will run after the ball, wherever it goes.
The only point, of course, is that they should have fun and learn to love the game.
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itz
thanks matey
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i didn't see the game last night but my question still stands.
when are we going to shut up shop at the back and not concede a goal in a game?
It is a worry.
Signing defenders after the CL qualifiers?
Let's throw this one in.
If we don't qualify I think we won't sign any new defenders or other outfield players after the tie as the budget will be cut.
If we do it will not be of the quality we need.
No more "back-up" players. Please.
We are getting closer to our 2 leg cup final and the team performances are not getting better.
I think that was and is what we're still hoping for.
As the season draws near we gradually see us getting fitter, stronger and playing like a team.
It's not happening.
Our defence has not been improved in the close season.
If we get through the qualifier it will be one of the biggest gambles Celtic have taken.
Emjay
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14.33,15.32-this is turning into GroundBlog day!
TMC-I think MoN had much more rope when we lost to Basel than the current incumbent.
I think the ideal Euro scenario this season would be:
1/get through qualie
2/finish 3rd in group[lots of euros]
3/go into Eurodiddy Cup,not many Euros but lots of points.
And as Bert Kassie says-what do points mean?
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thismancraig
excellent point re seville
i mean more the pandemoniam from mineshafters
however the CL is where we want the club to be thats what attracts players and keeps our profile up
plus the cash difference is huge u onlt need to see how much more we made than seville
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Afternoon all.
I'm hoarse and far beyond the land of 'tiredness'.
I'm also scarf-less, banner-less, and towel-less again.
What is it about the genetic strain of the nomadic Celtic tribe which impels us to give our scarves to wee lads who support the other team, our banners to big girls who support our team, and our Celtic towels to the hotel barmaids who we've just become best pals with and who has the power to serve you that one last desperately needed drink?
I probably won't bother commenting on the game until I have watched the recording but being a sort of opTIMisTIC type of eejit, I am glad that the GS announcement was made.
I presume it was mainly a bit of PR since I don't think a rolling one year contract needs re-signing.
It did at least signify that he is probably getting a raise to reflect the clubs success.
Anyway I feel pretty drained so its off to bed for a few hours to recharge in time for Albion Rovers tomorrow, (aw naw, I'm going to be in Coatbridge while the visiting colourful fans from Chelsea honour our city with a bit of good-natured pillage), Parma Sunday, and The Rock on Monday.
BTW if you think that the investigation concerning 'them' will yield anything, I suggest you get a hold of today's Guardian.
There is an article specifying ten problems with the takeover of Leeds.
These issues should have disqualified the bid but have been overlooked by the authorities.
If he can successfully shimmy through the 'Financial Rules' which are there to ensure probity, then so can anyone else....even the lambeg loonies!
Anyway time for ZZZZZZZZs and to dream of future travels and adventures.....Coming soon......
'In Search Of The Lost Regalia'
Hail hail
Estadio
p.s Great time in Newcastle. Fans were superb, geordies were great, even O'Neils was ready for us. Although they did make a bit of an erse of themselves with their 'Matchday special'(now don't get too excited about wthis)!
Matchday Special
St Patrick's day Guinness hats only £10, Big Thumbs only £5
Now I know it wasn't St Patrick's day, and the prices seem a bit over the top, but hey you know us, money no object when it comes to looking daft.
BUT THE HATS WERE BLUE!
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Just had a look at the goals,thanks to the bunny with the fluff.
Don't know why all the pelters are directed at the defenders,yes they could perhaps have done better but 2 of the first 3 goals were the keepers ball.
Crosses should not land anywhere but the keepers hand if they fall in his six yard box,not necessarily be caught,but if you don't think you are going to catch it you jump for a touch and take the forward out whilst you are doing it.Even if you miss it,chances are the forward will cr*p himself,and not get the ball anyway.The crosses were not put in with particularly venomous speed or anything.Bread and butter stuff for a good keeper.
And he made a hash of trying to save the shot from Martens.
Don't get me wrong,I am big fan of Artur,but he was not very good for the three goals,slow to come off his line,and slow to get a hand to the shot.
But then again,I suppose Artur is a "fans favourite".
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Parkheadcumsalford
Willie Wallace and MacDonald. The more I think about it you could well have a point.
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mineshaftersoftheworldunite,
no problem mate, I know we can take it but didn't want to frighten off anyone else,
coincidentally - in a previous bloglife my name was "ohappydaze"
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dbb
He shouldn't have - it's that perspective issue again, after 2 years its honours absolutely even - including handing Rangers the iniative of sorts at the end of season 2 (the two Rangers cup wins traded for the two Rangers league match wins under Smith).
I know it would be better to drop into the UEFA Cup but I'm a Champions League mug so will be focusing on that.
