Celtic deliver the desired four point target

How did that happen?

3 podiums in a couple of weeks - I will be getting a reputation like Noel80
VertWolf

Paul

A highlight for me today was the track back by Hartley that ended up with him cleanly winning the ball in the box when the defenc3e was all over the place - that is what you need from your defensive midfielder
Robson seems now to know that he is going to boss our offensive midfield and is growing into the role - he has to be captain next year

VertWolf

Whats on the telly? Where is everyone?

PanenkasChip :- From last thread If there is a Rangers equavalent of this site I've yet to find it. I normally go on the GersForum, it still has bigots on it but the sheer hatred of F.F isn't there. Fat Ecks can sometimes be humerous and gives an offbeat look at things.

Agree 100% on Robson. A Celtic captain in waiting.

He looks like he is loving every minute in the Hoops.

Celt33

Vertwolf,

I had Hartley down as my MOTM today. As I stated earlier at times it looked as if he was a mirror image of Lenny the way he was breaking up plays and positioning himself perfectly. He also seemed to make the right decisions at the right time. When to commit to a tackle, when to stand off and wait for a better opportunity. He was outstanding.

Barry Robson drove the team on, especially at times in that first half. Nothing against Big Mick. He got us on the way and is a fully committed defender. Always throws himself in front of everything but he's not the best captain to have. I watched Robson at times shirrik and then encourage Wilson, Hartley and even Big Mick himself. The central area of midfield is purring like a finely tuned Ferrari but it has the muscle and grunt of a top heavy TVR.

EdwardUrsus: Tell the truth - Mike McCurry GAVE you my thunder, didn't he?

Ed

did the demise of Brum today surprise you - I have never rated McCleish but he seemed to get out of Ibrox with his reputation more or less intact

VertWolf

I agree with you Paul that the midfield is doing well but it's worth remembering that Hibs gave us an extremely difficult and very physical contest the last time we played them at Easter Road, in that game we had Brown and Donati as the midfield partnership and both were excellent and right up for the battle (which it was)without question. That was the 1st march, which wasn't so long ago. I think the midfield were made scapegoats for the misfiring strikers for the games which lost points in. They were games which the midfielders completely dominated.

In saying all this I'm very happy with how Robson and Hartley are doing right now and long may it continue, it's good to have competition for places though.

Had a long debate tonight over whether the Rev. McCurry was a cheat. A very dangerous thing to allege in these libel-conscious days.
During this cha, a friend claimed that in his ain Baptist church recently, a mum had informed the congregation that that was exactly what he was.
I don't think she was talking about football.
Are there any Bearsden Baptists out there who can clarify?
I'm not usually one for tittle-tattle, but I'd hate to think that this "good Christian man" (copyright: Rob McLean) has had any off-field distractions of late.
Cheers.

Just thought I'd try out this link thingy. If it doesn't work don't crucify me please.

The song and the sentiment seem appropriate for this stage of the season.

I admit I am a saddo in my choice of music but what the hell I've five beers in me and got work in the morning so why not.

B****r it didn't work

Hail, hail

On the previous post was a cut'n'paste from another board alluding to something in the papers tomorrow regarding McCurry.

JohnBhoy, perhaps this allegation of an 'away fixture' for the reverend is the very thing.

STANDING UP...quivering with anticipation!

chris sutton is a legend

more of a push bike man myself but agree with your drift - Robson and Hartley are leaving the peloton in shatters

VertWolf

Today was an excellent result against a very good side. I don't know how Hibs do it but they fair churn out the talent. I thought Shiels was excellent today as was Fletcher up front. We had to play well to beat a team who were playing as well as hibs and we did so.

Robson and Hartley were outstanding but I thought the midfield 4 in general were excellent today. Overall a great team performance.

As for Gary Caldwell.....need I say more, Paul!

Off to see the reserves tomorrow. Hopefully as good a game.

OSMM :- Even M. Andrews never claimed to be able to control thunder so I doubt if Mr McCurry could :-)

VertWolf :- To be honest it did, I thought his experience with Motherwell and Hibs would stand him in good stead in managing one of the less well off teams in the E.P.L I thought he would keep them safe this year and move up the table a bit next year. Still I suppose that's why my managerial experience is limited to Champ Manager on the P.C

Try again
Don't Stop Believing
Test your link by clicking here : Don't Stop Believing

Link template:

<a href="Put your link's URL inside these quotes">Put your link's name in here</a>

Here is an example:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1zsRRt1FWE">There's always Hope</a>

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or never enough..?

Chris

IS IT JUST ME BUT WE R A FAR BETTER TEAM WITH SAMARAS NOT jvoh????

I honestly thought Eck would have done better with Brum. His managerial record has been marked by instant impact followed by more trying times and I believe his IS a good training ground coach.

Brum are in a bit of a mess, though, and I'm not sure if Eck or Goldstein & Co are more to blame for the lack of players in the transfer window.

My dear,dear friend ...Kingho.

Dean Shiels is an upandcomer of some quality...would love to have him at Celtic Park....
Fletcher,is another gem in the making...however...he will be well outwith the reach of our purse....pity!

But .....and I mean... But!

The BEST PLAYER IN THAT THE HIBS SIDE..... THAT I SAW TODAY.. WAS...

Ineluctably,

Mons. Beuzelin(Sic?)

This guy has it all...

I would pull out All of the stops to get him to Celtic Park...!

No question....

Kojo.
yer pal....who likes ye...

Guid Evening...Fair Folks.

bhoy sean

I don't think there was ever any doubt that Brown was battling when he was in the team - the problem was that it was not effective and he was rarely able to release a forward ball to Naka or McGeady - I think he will become a player but he needs to play more with his head up - on the other hand Donati is a great passer but hasn't the strength or willpower to hold off a couple of players before releasing the ball - he will generally go down looking for a fould and that then gives time for the opposition to reorganise
My memories of this games was of us trying to break down a brick wall because we were always giving the opposition the time to get into position

VertWolf

Kojo

Fletcher out of our price range? Behave!! Be suprised if he costs much more, if at all, than Brown.

I think it worked eventually because of the alcohol not in spite of it. Now for the last cigar of the evening and then bed. Whats the russian for "getinta thae hun barstewards".

lee wilkie fine words then blows it saying its worse at parkhead,seems were getting brought into this farce,well why oh why did wilkie say that

‘It was so bad I felt like just walking off’Graham Spiers
Lee Wilkie, the Dundee United defender, joined with his manager, Craig Levein, in slamming the performance of the referee, Mike McCurry, at Ibrox on Saturday.

Wilkie, like Levein, was adamant that United’s disallowed goal should have stood to make it 2-1, and that United should also have had a penalty when Noel Hunt was challenged by David Weir.

The defender also confirmed that he had been head-butted by Daniel Cousin.

“I’m really struggling for words to describe how I feel,” Wilkie said. “I thought it was a stonewall penalty and then you’re talking about a red card for the player. Then to get a goal disallowed for nothing in my eyes is unbelievable. You can moan about decisions but these decisions change the game – a penalty and red card would have done.

Irate Levein vents his frustration at referee
“As soon as we scored that goal, the referee must have taken about five seconds to decide whether he wanted to give it or not. I don’t know if he was trying to find something wrong with it and he couldn’t find anything.

“I don’t really think the referee knew what the linesman had given. The deflection has beaten the keeper – not the fact that David Robertson was in his line of vision 30 yards away.

“It was getting laughable. When it gets like that you just want to give up and walk off. You wouldn’t do that, but you reach that stage where you’re so despondent.”

Wilkie said that, having been butted by Cousin, his anger towards McCurry only increased. Television pictures later confirmed that Cousin had been lucky to remain on the park.

“We got into a bit of a tangle, then he [Cousin] stuck the head on me,” the defender said. “Luckily, I’m about five inches bigger than him or I would have got it on the face. I went across to him, had a word and got booked for it.

“I said to the referee, ‘If you had the head stuck on you, you wouldn’t stand still and accept it’, simple as that. So he got a booking and I got a booking. It just summed up the day really.”

Asked if the referee had shown “bias”, Wilkie was more circumspect in his response.

“Sometimes when you’re coming to Ibrox and Parkhead you expect it to be like that,” he said. “But when big decisions like that go against you it hurts even more. It does seem to happen more at Parkhead and Ibrox but it might just be paranoia from other teams.

“I don’t know if you’d say they were doing that on purpose but that’s the way it looks today. Some players get in front of 40,000 and they don’t perform, they fold under the pressure, and it’s got to be the same with referees.

“It was a big game for them but a big game for us too. It goes back to the penalty. Even a draw would have been a good result for us. A win would have been unbelievable

Paul67 - (rare fitba post coming up....)

I discussed the midfield situation with you some time back,I was delighted that Scott was suspended (his immaturity and self-centredness disgusted me at Almondvale) and that we would get the midfield that would work even if by default. You were of the opinion that Gordon would resort to Scott when he was free to play again. Mercifully Gordon seems to have had his eyes open to the obvious and has stuck by Paul and Barry.

It may be the key to the title or Gordon's previous stubbornness in the face of the obvious tactical shuffle may be the trapdoor.

Regardless Paul is not for the longterm. He will not last 90 minutes in most games never mind a full season's worth.

Glenda -

are you Spirit of Arthur Lee ?

In fact you qualify for the second biggest insulter of me this week. The other day I was accused of 'sounding like a hun' for suggesting that Mike McCurry might have a positive bearing on Rangers' result against Dundee United. That, my friend, puts you firmly into second place.

As for supporting Rangers on Wednesday. Oh aye, I'll be just the bhoy for that.

Computing standard grade the morra, set yir alarm.

WG

Out of the two of them at this minute in time I'd prefer to go for Shiels.

He can play in more positions than Fletcher and as Kojo stated, he'd be in a better price bracket.

Interestingly I'm sure Shiels contract is up in 2009, next season, whereas Fletcher just signed a new deal recently to take him through to 2013.

Kojo

Agreed. Beuzelin is a fantastic player also. Commented about him during the game. Just forgot to comment about him tonight!

Glad we are talking about transfers.

Given that I have resigned myself to the departure of Artur, I have already suggested a cash-plus-Edwin Van Der Saar, to general apathy.

How about this - less cash plus-Edwin Van Der Saar plus Ryan Giggs?

Giggsy is the greatest British footballer of he era, in my opinion and is poised to break Bobby Charlton's appearances record for Man Utd in the Champions League final. What better time to move on the the Celts?

Gordon Strachan: make it so (if Artur is going).

HOLAHOOPS
Hola yourself.Great to find another Oztim.
The information you requested:

On Tue, Apr 29, 2008 at 7:05 PM, Brian McAvoy
wrote:
>
> Folks we will be leaving on the 'Lady Rose' on Sunday June 8th at 4pm
from
> the 'Man Of War Steps' at the Sydney Opera House,returning at 8pm to
the
> same spot.We thought it best to do it at this time that it would let
Billy
> and Liz see the Sydney sights from the Harbour during both daylight
and
> night.
>
> Food will be a buffet of both hot and cold dishes including seafood.
>
> Drink will be unlimited Beer,Red/White wine,Champaigne,Soft Drinks and
> Orange Juice.There will be a licensed bar for those wanting spirits.
>
> We will also have a Cruise Director and uniformed crew to make
everything
> run smoothly.
>
> We have to pay a $1000 deposit by next Monday and we will be getting
tickets
> printed up in the next couple of days.The cruise is open to all
members
> their families and friends,in other words invite your friends,as long
as
> they are not Huns :-) Thing is we need to get everything done ASAP.
>
> I know we leave everything to the last minute :-) :-)
>
> BTW those of you that have yet to join the SCCSC Mailing list you can
sub up
> in two ways, send a mail to the following
> SydneyCityCelticSupporters-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> or log on here at the mailing list homepage and sub up here
> http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/SydneyCityCelticSupporters/
>
>
>
> Cheers Brian McAvoy Sydney City CSC Vice President
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "steve harvey"

One Star Means More,

I just can't see Giggs leaving Old Trafford. He's spent all his days there and I think he'll want to finish as a one club man.

And to be honest I'm not a big fan of Van Der Saar. That's not to say he isn't a good keeper. Heck I suppose I'm still hoping that Artur is going to be here next season.

Oldtim

Apologies if I have the wrong end of the stick. Re:

By oldtim67 on May 11, 2008 10:34 PM
serutaki.
Your the first to ask for it, so it's yours.

I think if you ask Paul for my e-mail address,or my Phone Nr,we can arrange a pick up point.
Or you can pick it up in Dundee at the Game,although I'll be going up by train,and it's a Sunday Service,I may struggle to get up, but I'll manage it.

If it's going to be tight I'll stay overnight on Saturday

As I say, apologies if wrong end of stick... game's on Thursday the 22nd?

I also rate Shiels, Fletcher and Buz and they all had cracking games today. Fletcher had a snap shot blocked form the 18-yard box that looked like it had would eventually have taken out Osama Bin Laden after levelling half the civilised world.

But, and I don't wish to be indelicate but I was thinking about what a cracking player Shiels would be for someone and wondering if he would pass the medical at a big club. I don't know what the criteria are but it would be a shame if he was never able to go to a bigger club than Hibs because his talent merits better opportunities.

chris sutton is a legend: Sometimes players reach these landmarks and they and their coaches start to think about time catching up on them and the unacceptable prospect of being a fringe player. It is also not uncommon to want to experience life and coaching at another club to broaden their experiences for possible future managerial careers.

As for Edwin, I really have always rated him but maybe Naka's free-kicks would suffer,practising in training against a guy he always beats. ;)

Aiden was unplayable in the second half
the speed he has gained is immense,that defenders now have no way of stopping him,but to try and take him out of the game by crazy wild lunges
Re transfers would take shields or fletcher and dont sign Samaras.also think hartley and robson was the choice for midfield Scott Browns turn will come

off topic celtic v ac milan was just mentioned on bbc2 programme heroes 5 mins ago
lets hope its prophetic

currium istus cheatus

One Star Means More,

Regarding Giggs, what you say is true.

However he has stated that he wants another title at Utd. Today's makes it 10 for him and he says he wants one more to equal his shirt number.

Michal Kadlec for LB anyone?

We were constantly linked with him before we signed Naylor and he's still only 23 and at Sparta Praha.

Don't know if the Czech's have named their squad for EURO2008 but at this stage in his career he's still behind Jankulovski for the LB role in their national team, I think. If not Janks then someone as he's only on 4 caps. 2 for EURO qualifiers and 2 for friendlies.

chris sutton is a legend: If that's what he said, we're bushed - but maybe a Champions League win would see Fergie retire?

Kadlec - yes.

macjay, many thanks for that, I shall put it to the committee!

re my username, a friend and i had a cerveza-fuelled idea a few years ago to set up a Celtic bar in Barcelona with the name Hola Hoops. it didn't happen, no...

worth saying, and i wouldn't say this often but have been thinking it quite frequently of late, Caldwell had a great game yesterday.

i had thought a few were being a bit harsh on Naylor this season, but on reflection, it's been fair criticism, no wonder Boruc goes off his nut when Lee is posted missing so often. hope to see him back to last season's (excellent) form soon.

One Star Means More,

Quoted: He may not be thinking quite that far ahead but enough is never enough for winners like Giggs. With his 10th Premier League title only one game away, he says: "Ten would be nice but 11 would be better. I don't want to be greedy but 11 is the number of my shirt so that is what I am aiming for."

Giggsy

Hmmm...

Just read a piece, no quotes though so unsure how much truth is in it, suggesting that Besiktas have watched Kadlec a few times this season and are preparing a bid of around 5M Euro's in the summer.

Apparently two Turkish dailies have ran the story. If that's the case then 5M Euros equates to just under £4mill which may be a little too steep for him.

How much were we talking when we were first interested in him? Was it around the £1.5-2mill mark?

holahoops

Is there a trrip to ozz in the making?
any one from scotland going

This article in the Times has had me in stitches for the last 20 minutes. I think it's Hilarious.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk
/tol/sport/football/scotland/article3913502.ece

Agree wholeheartedly with your earlier comment about wee McD.Afraid my computer screen took a bit of salivary abuse.
I`ve seen him hogging before.Gordon will sort it,I`m sure.
Can`t argue with 31 goals.
Also have great sympathy for Lee.However ,he did have a couple of real bloomers yesterday which could have proved extremely costly.
Thought the crowd were exceptional.Prolonged rounds of applause.Looked like a full house,while the huns got about 30k.
Incidentally,while I`m a member of Sydney C.S.C.,I only really attend occasionally.Hope there`s a chance we can get a mob together for a small libation.
Adios,mano.

I may be ignoring the obvious improvement in results we have seen recently, but I believe that Brown and Robson will be our two midfield maestros next season.
Hartley has peaked and I would only use him sparingly as a backup for injuries, or from the bench or to rest the mainstays before or after a CL game.
Brown's relapse in form I attribute to his youth and relative inexperience, the step up in class and the pressure of constant demands for results from Celtic fans and management.
He showed enough early season form to convince the fans and management team that he will be a force in future seasons and a possible long term prospect for club captain. It's up to our backroom staff to positively channel his aggression and harness his drive to our advantage.
Both Robson and Hartley are the wrong side of 30 and Nakamura may only have next season in the hoops, so it is important that we show some patience as we foster and nurture international class talent such as Brown's.

Rumour has it that McCurry is a cheat. Alledgedly

'GG

Macjay

I seem to have missed all this talk of meet ups in Sydney. Whats on the cards?

Set my alarm for 7.30 this morning thinking that KO was at 2.00pm UK time as is Satans wont usually.. well it is Sunday. You can imagine my surprise when I logged on to C67 to find that there was 25 mins left. No matter - I received a text from a loved one assuring me that we were 1-0 up and watched the most assured performance from the bhoys as I've seen for a while. At least we've made the most of what we've had in the last 6 or so weeks. Let's make sure we drive them over the finishing line and look back on the season after that.
I was always wary of McCurry's last stand ... so it proved. I hope that it may work against the "establishment" at the end of the day...they cann't chance getting away with it again - surely. Let's hope it's "McCurry's Lament" at the end of the season.

Oldtim fom the last thread - I take it that you had the pleasure of bumping into Curly and his wallet, he's a Turra loon after all :-)
Celt33 - Barry for Captain NOW please!
Kojo - I've been an admirer of Messr Beuzelin (sic) for a several seasons now. But where to fit him in?? Bye the way, anyone who has read this blog for any amount of time knew that it was an imposter besmirching your good name. For a start, I understood the post .. not that I approved of course.
LFT

Hi Michael C,
My post at 12.39 is an email from Sydney C.S.C.
Kitalba,the Melbourne boys,Holahoops and other Oztims are interested.
Lhondondave is coming in July to see the big yin [fae Rome,that is]
Accommodated in Lane Cove apparently[that`s Dave,not il Papa]
He`ll probably have something more salubrious.
Rumours that the hoops are coming to Sydney in July.
Cheers,M.C.

GG - I think that the Rothienorman bhoy is the right side of 30 and looks after himself, both in the professional and figurative sense. He could ne around for he nexy 3 - 4 yrs hopefully.
LFT

Hi Michael C,
My post at 12.39 is an email from Sydney C.S.C.
Kitalba,the Melbourne boys,Holahoops and other Oztims are interested.
Lhondondave is coming in July to see the big yin [fae Rome,that is]
Accommodated in Lane Cove apparently[that`s Dave,not il Papa]
He`ll probably have something more salubrious.
Rumours that the hoops are coming to Sydney in July.
Cheers,M.C.

Hi Michael C,
My post at 12.39 is an email from Sydney C.S.C.
Kitalba,the Melbourne boys,Holahoops and other Oztims are interested.
Lhondondave is coming in July to see the big yin [fae Rome,that is]
Accommodated in Lane Cove apparently[that`s Dave,not il Papa]
He`ll probably have something more salubrious.
Rumours that the hoops are coming to Sydney in July.
Cheers,M.C.

Errr..that should read "next 3-4 yrs"
LFT withapologiestothespellingpolice

macjay
what would you say the odds are on the July trip at this stage, as I'm probably going to have to take my pick of that or Cesar...
might have to go along to the Celtic Club for the last game if all is on course as the Setanta at home thing is great apart from there being no one else there to enjoy it with!
cheers

Macjay

I wont make the Ceasar cruise as I'm away for the holiday weekend but Iy anyone is coming at any other time give me a shout.

Holahoops

theres been nothing mentioned about Celtic coming here since the initial rumour a couple of months ago. I would reckon the chances of it actually happening are getting slimmer, especially if we need to play a CL qualifier.

M.C.No worries.
Would also agree that the chances are not great,since no formal announcement has ,to my knowledge,been made.May well indeed depend on that possible qualifier.
Hola,just spoke to a pal who is a regular attender at the club.
He reckons only 100 tickets.However,best to contact the club itself
through the email addresses to get definitive info.
Suerte,compadre.
Just remembered.C.S.C.convention in Perth shortly.

MC

But we won't have a CL qualifier as we're going to win the league, right? :)

Following the Motherwell defeat things couldn't have gone much better than this.

We have won the two Rangers matches.
They have dropped four further points and now face three away games.
In the event of goal difference it is likely - very likely ours will be better.
They have played their joker with regard to the MIB. (I know all packs of cards have two jokers but another display like Saturday would lead to anarchy!)

I think we're still second favourites, but not by much, and I'd all but given up a few weeks ago. Credit to the players and manager for taking it to the last game.

Hello guys,
I know am preaching to the converted here but who anywhere did not know as soon as McCurry was named for the united game it was a Rangers win.
What we as a nation have the chance to do now is actually address the disease that has infected Scottish fitba for years.If WE as a whole do not take this oppertunity when someone as well respected as Levien has spoken the unspoken. This from a man who has enough distance from the paronia of old firm bias.
I hope it is seen and taken for what was said but then again Scottish fitba has taken the moral high ground for many years on euro cheats etc the latest installment being the SFA putting forward the diving scenario , if they are actually serious about removing corruption from the game they now have an avenue to seriously broach an issue in thier own game that has always been there but ussually brought up with what was used as an excuse by people with a motive other than rank curruption in the game in Scotland.
Hail Hail T(3 come 10)iar

Holahoops

Lets hope so.

test

McGeady was unplayable, for a headless chicken, for all his speed and fancy footwork he never lifted his head once, last week one ball to Heartly was better than his complete performance yesterday.
Robson was different class and totally agree he should be handed captains armband now.
Heartly does not get nearly enough praise for the job he does and I for one hope he plays for us for the rest of his career.
Naka's tracking back yesterday was the best I've seen from him, and he looked better coming into the central role, hope he gets more chances to do this.
THG my man of the match, concentration was spot on and the clearences made in the first half coming out to meet the ball, gave me confidence he was not about to let the defence make a mess of it.

Looks to me that McCurry qualified my radio snyde rant a while ago.
He did not apply the rules of the game through his own choice, a cheat in my book.

Aiden looked so much more dangerous yesterday when he switched to the right; I'd like to see him out there much more often.

Kudos also to Mixu for slating Murray's challenge on Aiden.

dont know if it has been posted yet, but remember the quote from hudleboard about McCurry being in trouble and coming from a journo.

Daily Record - Dundee Utd to sue McCurry.

And the best bit is the smallest bit, apparently they have him on tape saying "Nice goal Nacho"

canalmar,,,, Whats that saying about baby and bathwater.
McGeady is a Messi TYPE player. He cant do what Messi and ilk do at least not yet.
I think the management are telling him to go for goal whenever he gets the chance. This might not be the case but what is that ofte the players he might set up are not in the right place and he cant finish it himself yet.
Swings and roudabouts if he makes it god bless him if he dont still a great player. We have never actually had a Messi in Scotland and for that fact neither have many if any Euro countries.
Jinky would be about as close as we have got. As for euro players thats up to who cares, I am pleased with the good player we have not who he is not.

OSMM -

Van der Sar has been a weak link this season. Really doiesn't instill confidence in the central defence and his kicking is shocking. At one point today, Sir Awex was screaming not to pass it back to him. There should be much better and younger options.

Giggs - Has had a poor season. Taking a lot of stick from Utd fans but, as we saw yesterday, can just sometimes make that extra bit of space.

Giggs, Scholes and Neville are being lined up to replicate the old Liverpool Boot Room and are all taking coaching badges. I'd be surprised if Giggs left and to be honest, I think Aiden can be more dangerous nowadays. In Giggs's hayday, now that was a different matter.

madeirabhoy -

Cute move by the Record. Now everyone isn't talking about the ridiculous display McCurry put in but the stupid attempt by Utd to try to sue over comments like that. From what I can gather, that isn't the real story if the whole article is read but a headline is worth many paragraphs. Especially to a record 'reader'.

In all fairness to them, a very good first attempt to deflect away from the indefensible

take in Van Gaal's comments about Rangers being anti-football haven't made big headlines anyone?

scotcelt why are you talking about messi ??? who made such a comparison ??, what are you talking about the management might have??
When McGeady learns to lift his head and see who's around then we might see a player.
Did you see Rooneys ball to Giggs yesterday, thats where I want McGeady to be next year, where he should have been this year. There is no question he has talent, but if his talen is to continue to run up a cul-de-sac every time he gets the ball then its pointless. innit.

Macjay 5.02a.m. -- is he no coming fae Rome tae watch the Hoops?
:-)

Hola.
Ojala!
On a level playing field,it would have already happened.
Thank god I`m not one of their lot.If they win it by cheating,then they`re welcome to it.
D.Utd.were only the sacrificial lambs.We were the losers on Saturday.Final victory would be the the sweetest one of all.
We will fight till the day is done!

canamlar
I mentioned Messi because that is the type of player Aiden could be if he did lift his head as you put it.
As for the management ? I was reffering directly to your post if the bhoy is told to shoot he wont be looking at who is free elsewhere. This might piss you me and John Doe off but I am sure if he did not do as told he would have a hard time as any player would that did not do what the manager said.
The quote from Keene last week puts some perspective on such, it went along the lines of him quoting Strachen that if a player does not do as told by the 3rd time get shot of him.
All said mate I wasnt having a go at you just talking fitba.

rammybhoy - I wish we had the kind of weak link that was involved in conceding only 22 goals in a season.

Not a bad game on Sunday. Celtic IMO could have and should have won by a barrel load. Greediness however and poor final ball attributed to the scoreline remaining at 2. Artur had some saves to make but that is what he is there for. I thought Celtic were far the better team despite the mistakes . At no point did I think we would lose the game. The talk of signing more Hibs players does cause me concern. Decent players but IMO we can do better else where. I say look to the east of europe. Bundy news understands there is an old tape in circulation showing McCurry cheating at mousetrap and Kerplunk when he was a wean.

Paul67:

Would you per chance have any information vis-à-vis where, and when, Celtic will be playing this close season?

I’ve heard that they are considering Japan and one game in Australia but have never had that confirmed from any reliable or official source.

Like most of the Timmy’s based in this corner of the globe I would love to see the Celtic play no matter the opposition.

Maybe bring a wee banner or two. Well it does say in the Bible ‘go ye forth and teach all nations’ and since we’ll be in the vicinity… it’d only be right to oblige.

Any info would be much appreciated.

Scotcelt, fair point and apologies if I come across aggressively.
I'm begining to loose sympathy for McGeady as he's been young long enough, hes been playing first team football regularly for 2 seasons and can now be considered a senior first team player. There are children half his age soldiers fighting in war's, at 22 he is all the man he'll ever be and if he wants to stay a kid who bumps his gums and stops playing every time he gets a knock, then he's no good to us, this has cost us goals this season and I hope Strachan can knock this out of him.

The St Mirren-Huns match being brought forward 24 hours (meaning 2 games in 3 days for fixture congestionless St Mirren) seems to have largely slipped under the radar. How did this happen and what are St Mirren saying about it?

No prob on the aggresion side we all are passionate about our fitba.
Mcgeady is still a boy. Fair due when it is said about 25/26 year old players. Hell look at Barry Robson playing the fitba he should have 5 years ago. I honestly think we will have McGeady for at most two more years and he will go on to be a great player Spain most likely with Italy or England as seconds in that order.
Right now honestly he dont suit Celtic , but thats another story *laughs*

macjay...

Re the 1969 Scottish Cup Final.

Thanks for your post the other day.

I still can't see how Billy ended up on the ground holding his face however Sir Alex standing over him looks guilty as sin.

Regards,

Gordon.

Bryce -read about the St Mirren game last week and Gus MacPherson went on record as being non plussed. Wont matter a jot though.

Pretty amazing that the tightest league run ins in recent memory (2005 and this one) have both led to clubs effected by poor refereeing decisions to seek advice on a legal challenge. If i recall, George Foulkes called for an investigation into davisgate. Don't recall any similar hand outs that we should have expected as part of the O** F**M. If something waddles and quacks, you normally find that its a duck.

I have every sympathy for UTD and would be the first to dip into my own pocket for any legal costs fund. However, I know that UEFA have a zero tolerance approach on clubs challenging their football asociations in the courts. Was it this season that Portuguese clubs faced being expelled from UEFA competitions due to one of the lesser known teams legally challenging a relegation issue?

If UTD proceed would there be similar consequences for Scottish clubs at large?

hoof hearted,
on the EUFA zero tolerance, does this not include corruption, I would gladly go without european football for a season if it ment this little backwater was exposed and dealt with this year.

Have a good night /day bhoys
Hail Hail tiar

Canamalar,

Aiden didn't look up when he placed the ball on Skippy's head at Pittodrie yet it was not a fluke cross. The answer to that conundrum is that he had already seen him while making his move and had no need to look again.

Aiden was great yesterday. Yes, he lost the ball taking on men as did Naka in more troubling areas, but he provided penetration and breaks. He was just behind Robson & Hartley yesterday, along with half a dozen players in contention for MOTM. Nobody had a mare, not even Naylor. Sometimes, we have to acknowledge that this team can produce good performances.

We played a team going for a UEFA place and we were not discomfited. Artur made one good (not great) save and one showbiz save (from Donaldson late on) but that is as superior as we have been to any top six team since beating Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Need to fly now. Catch you later.

Why are Celtic always dragged into things that happen with Rangers?
Lee Wilkie failed to mention the exceptionally lenient refereeing when United played Celtic last September. Most of the United fouls were played on by the referee with United only showing about five fouls in a match where they came to throw it about. As for the 0-0 match, the referee, a Mr McCurry turned down a number of penalty claims for the home side that evening.
Perhaps it made him more quotable, after all his chairman was more concerned with Aberdeen and Motherwell and decisions against Celtic than he was with Saturday`s match, just before he popped into the Blue Room for a post match cosy. :-)

The Place That We Call Paradise.

I picked up my tickets before the game Yesterday,and they
state that the Games on Sunday, 18/05/08 kick off 1.30pm.
I've looked up the Celtic web site and they have the game down for the 22/05/08.Thats an No No for me,and if seritaki requires another ticket then he has first choice,but if he only requires the one, then I have another spare ticket available.

Thanks for the information TPTWCP,I would have ended up at the game on the Sunday,wondering why theres no crowd.

Canamalar - risky strategy.

In other countries were corruption has been exposed, there generally has been tangible evidence of the act taking place, phone calls, money passing hands, gambling syndicates etc.

Our dishonesty is more honest than that (if that makes sense??). The likes of McCurry and Davis do it because at core they are Rangers supporters. Ditto Gordon Smith at the SFA, he exercises poor judgement in getting involved in an SPL matter (the extension) and makes an offer to move finals which he has no mandate to do - all driven by his support for Rangers.

Is this to the detrimant of fair competition - yes. Is it the type of blatant corruption which could be proven in court - not sure....no other evidence other than their known love of the club they are trying to assist.

Would be well worth a try if it had no impact on Celtic. I would even take up MON favourite pass time of sitting in the galleries observing the case.

I know none of you are ever going to believe this, but I actually saw, with my very own eyes too, the late and greatest, Jimmy Johnstone having the ball taken of him by one or two defenders in my time.

Want to burst Aiden's bubble; keep on telling him he's a diddy. And if we don't burst his, he'll sure as the grub will enter hell, burst ours, by departing to pastors new.

Probably get a three hundred percent pay rise in doing so too; then we can all slag him off for being a mercenary traitor.

And there was me thinking the bhoy was just voted the best in Scottish Football.

There was me thinking he is the best in Scottish Football.

Oldtim

I'll take it

I would just like to publicly refute LFT's rumour-mongering with regard to the relationship between myself and my wallet, and the meeting that Oldtim had yesterday on London Road, and again outside the Lisbon Lions stand.

1 Oldtim indeed had the pleasure of meeting "she who shall soon have to be obeyed" just prior to her first ever Celtic match. She isn't very good in crowds and doesn't really follow (x1) football, so dont think she will be back too quickly!! Pity that, since she has never seen Celtic lose a goal, never mind a game!!

2 My wallet and I are in a long term relationship, however being from "Eberdeen", she will not open herself up to me. Ho hum. And with regard to LFT himself, I am still waiting for him to come into the Crown and purchase me a small alcoholic beverage as he promised some weeks ago! I can almost hear the excuses about having to go to pastures warm in Texas to try to earn an honest crust. This however washes over me and I know him for what he truly is - a refugee from Hamilton, who came north to seek fame and fortune!

LFT, geeza shout when you get back so I can treat you to a round of golf in downtown Turra.

Lycru

PS Fit like WG?

Kitalba - you should know by now that a football message board is no place for sensible opinions.

Weeminger:

I blame it on the boozie.

kitalba,
so constructive criticism is a no no then eh.
all I ask is he lifts his head.
STBF,
I previously posted in this article, his pass to Heartly last week was a bigger impact than anything he did yesterday, lifted his head once and it lead to a great goal.

LambosFrontTeeth.

I did have the pleasure of meeting Curly,a gent of the highest calibre,but it's not the first time i've met him,and I'll be meeting him again at the Golf Day on the 4th of July.

Kitalba.

Are you back in town at that time,I really don't know if your Kidding regarding the ticket.

But if your here at that time,you can have it.

I'd love to have gone to the last game,but I have something on that I can't get out off.

You'll have noticed that I got my blog fixed,Paul waved his magic wand and acracadabra,back on line.

just had a quick scan through....

but did i see that oldtim67 has a ticket for the utd game?

i would gladly take that off your hands big man!

canamalar:

Don't get all narky.

Constructive criticism’s - I have no problem with at all.

I even do it myself.

But since I'm not a badged up coach or ever a player with the ability of Aiden, I personally wouldn't criticise him in public. Unless of course he had an absolute stinker.

Aiden is Aiden, for all his faults, to my mind he is the best player in Scotland. He is also the player most likely to raise the bums out of the seat.

I think that given time he could become one of the best in Britain and I include all the continental imports plying their trade in the EPL in that assessment.

I’d love him to prove me right playing in the hoops.

Scott McDonald looking up and then not playing the pass – that… I would criticise.

Thought it was only right to post the final placings for the CQN Fantasy Premier league - I am sure the winners would be too shy - by the way VertCub and I finished 39th!

1 Rab's Rovers Robert McKee 46 2212
2 sixty7 david gallagher 44 2127
3 STW Receivers Rory OKane 43 2098
4 Minger Thistle Adrian Burns 54 2097
5 Xinjiang Warriors David Tobin 66 2088
6 Soul Rebel FC Colin Brown 49 2073
7 Man in the mirror The Murderillo 57 2062
8 FC Bayern Bru 6 7 55 2053
9 MARINELLO'S BHOYS STEVIE MCCOMISKIE 52 2052
10 Carfin Arsenal Rohail Rashid 62 2046

im flumoxed in what GS said in the aftermath of the burglary at his house
"I'm sleeping too well. It will be self-explanatory in a wee while, I'm sure, but I'm sleeping too well. Trust me. You might find out what I'm talking about a wee bit later on."

p67???????
whos the new guy then? moyes?

oldtim67
have you been in a bunker?
extension, extension, extension...ring any bells?

i thought yesterday we should have belted out
CHAMPIONEES at the end to our hooped heroes

McCurry is a cheat, hell take that to hell with him

Oldtim67:

unfortunately I won't be back. (I have family comming out)
and I'm a wee bit miffed, 'cause I've got a sneaky I'm going to miss out on a parteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Re: your spare: if serutika can't use it and nobody else wants it, I can find a good home for it.

But on reflection maybe it was selfish to ask in the first place.

stumbled across this:

does anyone know if the exclusive rights comment is accurate

if it is the case that the DR has this, it really should be the end of the paper as a credible source of sports reporting (if it ever has been!)

as i posted earlier, Scottish Football corruption is not the same as elsewhere, its more subtle and based on individual favouritism of one club over another. If one of our national papers has this relationship with Rangers, again it will be subtle, but it will be biased and unfair reporting in its editorial outlook and also via its journalists.

Rt Rev Davie Hay

My take on those comments is that they were in response to a question about the tension getting to him, with a journalist asking him if it was costing him him sleepless nights.

The wee man's house had just been broken into, with the Strachans upstairs at the time sleeping peacefully all the way through. The burglary was not yet public knowledge, but he knew it soon would be.

oldtim - 100% gen. I will take the ticket!

Like many have said already, I thought yesterday's game was a great game to watch and had some good football from both sides. The relief when we got the second was palpable but what was great was how it very quickly gave way to a wonderful and joyous celebration and the singing was inspiring. I was so glad to be there.I am even more glad that Barry Robson was there also. It was good to meet up with others for a few drinks also.

It looks like Mr McLeish made the wrong decision to take the Brum job (and how those fans behaved!). He should have stayed in the Scotland job. I mean, it's not as if Scotland fans would rip up goalposts, the pitch etc!

Looking through the posts last night, it seems there has been a case of identity theft. No doubt there is somebody in a wee room in Airdrie getting off on pretending to be from Las Vegas. Had me fooled though. Aye right!

rt rev david hay(preaching pure football)

I'm probably not as enlightened as some on here.
I don't buy any Newspapers whatsoever,Rags,Broadsheets, or the War Cry,and I certainly don't listen to Clyde sports,the Keevins clique,BBC sports news,The Chick Young Crew,and any Radio Talk Programmes,that have a bias against Celtic.
So,as you say,I have a bit of a bunker mentality.

Aiden McGeady has the highest number of assists in the SPL (16). Two ahead of the vastly more experienced Barry Ferguson. Difficult to achieve with your head down and no awareness of your teamates?
He is still learning but his courage, speed, skill and passion for the club have been an inspiration this season. Someone posted that the manager should have a word with him for giving away goals by going down when fouled. The manager has commented on the number of times McGeady (and Naka) are fouled during the course of certain games. he said that people talk about big defenders being brave when they go in for 50-50s but the real courage is shown by players like McGeady and Nakamura who are singled out for punishment but keep showing for the ball and taking on players, even when they know they are going to be targeted for the entire game. “That takes real courage” he said.

Great atmosphere at the game yesterday. Great three points. The dream is still alive.

oldtim67 - im begging you now for the ticket. Im on nights the night before but finish at 8 and will be more than able to get there. You really vould make my season. Im convinced that we are gonna win this... I have had 3 in a row, on the back of my shirt all season. At times i got abuse, but to be there and win it, with said top on, will just be something else!

PPPLLLEEEEEAAAASSSEEEE

Pad

Kitalba.
Cheers for that.
If you,yourself had wanted the ticket, it goes without saying that it would be yours.

SKIPPYisAgoalMACHINE.

As you may have noticed I had offered it to Serutaki first,if he only requires one, then you can have the other.

oldtim
i was just teasing.
we are all gonna need that bunker mentality over the next 11 days.
theyve played their joker in mccurry. (will he get the cup final?)
lets see what else they have up their sleeve.

i have a blinkered mentality in that all (scottish) teams hate celtic. i dont think this season has done them any favours in the favoured club stakes so hopefully zenit, motherwell and st. mirren all do them and tannadice is only a party. im right in thinking all you statos out there, that 1 draw and 1 defeat would mean they would need a cricket score ie. 8-0 against aberdeen at pittodrie to win the league?

celtic first.
thanks.
i thought that statement was mad after he was asked about the break in.

ah, very sorry. I had missread and thought it was kitalba.
Keep me in mind if it doesnt go.
Many thanks mate.

Skippy

kitalba,
what are you drivelling about "narky" its my opinion that McGeady will become the player we hope for when he lifts his head. Wether you like it or not. This has been my only criticism of him for the last 3 years.

made...made...made
although mad might be right

Fletcher/Pavlyuchenko?
Taiwo/Kadelec?
Metzelder/van Buyten?
vukonjevic?

SKIPPYisAgoalMACHINE.

I don't know what arrangements that seretaki has made,but as I had made the offer to him first,I couldn't go back on my word.

Seritaki has first shout,but ask him,and he may only require the one.

Rt Rev DH

If they draw one game and lose the other by a single goal, the goal difference will be eight in our favour, so it would only come into play if we lost to Dundee United. The combined swing would, therefore, have to be eight goals in total on the last night.

Eight would be enough for them in that scenario provided they score at least three goals in the remaining three matches.

I mean, they could, in theory draw 0-0, lose 1-0 and beat Aberdeen 0-1 and we could still take the title with a 7-0 defeat to United thanks to goals scored. That would be funny.

Fletcher/Pavlyuchenko?
Taiwo/Kadelec?
Metzelder/van Buyten?
vukonjevic?

rt rev david hay(preaching pure football)

I knew you were kidding,I just wanted to have a wee dig at the
Keevins's of this world.

oldtim
u got me.
i dont listen to keevinbawbag or buy papers either.
i tend to listen on the way home from the game in whoevers car im
in to whatever they have on and this is the onnly time i hear radio clydes (non sport) scoreboard. that station has fell a long way since the days of sanderson and richard park.
aye DBBINA has got it right, modern life is rubbish.
well no quite as i was born in '70 and the last 7/8 years
have been by far the best celtic supporting days for me.