Inverness 1-2 Celtic, SPL, 18 October 2008

Podium Who's the daddy now?

3 clear

Stressful game to watch. Tuesday will be much easier...........

God help us on Tuesday

Nobody drofts better than aiden:-)

I hate Inverness , its Cold , just cold , all the time.

The grass looks hard and cold the opposition are big cluggers part time footballers/doormen and the wind bites like a polar bear. I felt some sympathy for the away fans next to the penguins in what looked like a fridge rather than a stand.

It made me cold watching it at home.

Thankfully we left this time with 3 points. Although it looks as if injuries are taking their toll. I'd rather have them now rather than in the business end of the season.

Pleased today , team showed grit.

Good 3pts considering our bhoys took a proper kicking on the field today.
How he is supposedly one of the top Refs in this country is Hunbelievable!

Mucker
Who can still hear the kick McGeady took!

Narrowbhoat, that’s just to make sure you are paying attention :-)

The Drofters - Up on the roof of the SPL table :-)

Any word on Crosas ? Real worry.

Missed the action. Set my Alarm for the wrong time then snoozed for ten minutes. Sounds like a MIB special on the park and we've taken a few injuries from this game. Good to see Loovens scoring again. Might not be a natural right back but if he can score like a natural center forward in this type of strong arm game he's worth the punt. Naylor have a good game ??. Good thing we have a decent quality sqaud now with the injuries mounting up. Arsenal Everton game on now might as well watch it. Three good points against the highland hammerthrowers.

Can anyone give info on Ben Hutchison, if fit looks a good bet to have in squad for OT.
As for todays performance, it was squeeky bum time near end, but any football that was played was done so by us, they just set out to try and kick us off park

Gaol Everton

Three points… plus goal difference… plus a better team… plus a better squad…plus money in the bank for post Christmas shopping.

Plus a support that does not require the attention of more than the combined Police forces of Scotland to enforce the law of the land.

The result was what mettered today.

A hardworking rather than stylish performance, marred by what looked like a bad hamstring injury for Marc Crossas near the end. With JVoH and Sami also out for a few weeks our squad will be stretched over this busy period. At least Naka got a rest today!

I really can't see us taking anything from Old Trafford. Even in my wilder dreams we scrape a draw! We need our defenders to be on their toes and our midfielders to keep possession when we do get it.

Anyone else hoping Wayne Rooney picks up a wee muscle pull later on today?

Been a bit busy at work for the last 8 weeks or so and haven't had much time to tune in - I'm sure I've missed a lot of great stuff but intend to catch up. A terrible spectacle today but a fantastic result. Our bhoys were kicked all over the place and we were a lot of good men down but we did it. Barry Robson distributed a fair bit of punishment to ICT. We could have done with one or two more showing the same attitude and another great game from Artur! I'm sure the manager will sort out a game plan for Tuesday night that will keep it close.

Hail! Hail!

SadiesBhoy

Bloke 109 from last post

ta much

vmhan

Scotland beating Ireland on TG4

Abmucker

i commented on that at the time ...it was a straight red imo

KK

wise words as ever ...you have converted me ...happy to be there

Kitalba

nice synopsis ..although i don`t think that Brines is a hun ...he is dreadful though....his decision making was flawed and his criteria for what constituted a foul was malable ...it depended largly on who the transgressor was

ICT could have had a couple sent off and certainly a couple more booked

I think Brines performance was disgraceful,im suprised Aiden didnt receive a broken leg after that shocking tackle. We all cringed but Brines only saw fit to give a finger wagging.
3 yellows each,it just doesnt make sense.
Good 3 points despite a performance McCurry would have been proud of.
Well done Gordon and the bhoys.
Lynott67

"Boruc kept the scores level on 36 minutes when he got Scott Brown out of jail by saving when Wood was released with only the goalkeeper to beat when Brown had been caught in possession."

I would hasten to add that he also got McManus out of jail after he dived in, commiting himself, at the edge of the box and failed to wn the ball. This type of play is now a trademark of McManus. His man was left to stroll into the centre of the celtic box unmarked with the goal at his mercy.

Something you might spot on the replay and is not obvious. Either that or we are si used to it we don't mention it any more.

The reason I bring this up is that I am worried of this play on Tuesday night.

New Approach 6/5 winner at 3:10 Newmarket for the poster that predict it earlier, keep the tips coming.

Good 3 points considering the performance.

Any news on Gary Caldwell? God help us if we go to Old Trafford with the back four that finished this afternoon. Thought the captain was back to his worst. £2.5M for Loovens? Was it really worth it just to get one over on the huns? And what can be said about Naylor's distribution. I guess it must be down to him being able to see runs that his team-mates can't.....

Top of the league so I musn't grumble too much.

After last season´s debacle today´s result will have the Champs believing in themselves. Great to see Brown getting a goal. Crucial interventions by Big Artur after his unfortunate midweek match for Poland. It is always hard in the games when we are against 12 men.

Fergie will have no idea of what starting 11 we will take the field with.

I'd be more worried about Old Trafford if we had played wonderfully well today. Last time round we were written off before we arrived in Manchester. Yes, we're underdogs. Hull City have been just that at the Emirates and White Hart Lane. With a little bit of luck....Operation CLAW will be complete !!!

I for one cannot wait to get down there!

Bhoy David

The Ghod-like Caldwell was taken off as a precaution as he has stitches in his ankle, he will be playing on Tuesday and he is going to wear shorts with two back pockets for Rooney and Ronaldo.

BhoyDavid

Lee Naylor saw Scott Brown's run though...

Caldwell stitches in a foot injury according to GS on Setanta - the boss didn't seem overly concerned. Reported on bbeb site as: Gary Caldwell required stitches to treat an ankle injury

There are certain teams, certain venues that we struggle at - before we even get there - nervous when we're there - clueless and juvenile in the last 10 mins - ICT's venue is one of them - I'm waiting for the day we go up there and give ICT a doing - but until that day comes I'll take a 1-2 win away from home...

ANYDAY

well done bhoys and safe home

PF Ayr,

Aye I remember you wote it in Caps. It suited the tackle!

Bhoy David,

I think it's a bit much to jump on the players for their performance today. Not good to watch but 3pts is really all that matters in these games. To come away with no injuries seems to much of a stretch considering some of the punishment getting handed out.
Oh, And did Naylor not set up Browns goal. If I'm wrong I still didn't think he was the worst today! All the lhads seemed to put in a shift, even if it was awful football at times.

Mucker
Actually looking forward to Manure at OT

brines was shocking the boy imrie kicked everything that moved and how black was not sent off after he had been booked well thats brines,and he even booked that hard man in the middle of the park crosas ????? well thats brines.

Bloke_109

Hmmm - I wonder? Did he really pick Scott out. Who knows?

There is no defence for the quality of the guy's distribution just as there's no defence for the club's inability to secure a better left-back during the summer.

I guess we're just going to have to get on with it until they finally get the finger out and do something about it.

malceye, i prefer operation CLAP, at least for a start.

Big Liam,

you're making me cold just reading your comments!
Even Caleys name reminds me of a cold drink...ICE-TEA!!

Great result and don't really care how we play at ICT just as long as we get the 3pts.

Brines was shocking..AGAIN. Do you have to be bad at refereeing to get SPL matches in Scotland. Black should have gone for second yellow or possibly a straight red. When Black kicked Aiden, Brines blew his whistle so hard it cracked the glass on my TV....then nothing..??? What's all that about?

How Maloney got penalised when Aiden was in full flow is beyond me, the ICT player tried to elbow him in the face. But then whats new about complaining about referees.

Typical bruiser of a game against a team of bruisers.

3pts gained, 3pts lead....sets me up for a good weekend.
Now where did I leave my shirt?

Tackle on mcgeady and 7 min stoppage time equals the worst ref performance since mccurry at rangers v dun u

Happy with 3 points

TRUE TIM

plenty of that in Manchester if your not careful :¬)

not a place to judge a celtic performance but;

lee naylor had a decent game by his standards, the precaution of taking caldwell off
nearly cost us, as mark wilson gave a half an hour performance to show why he wasn't selected in the first place, and stood watching the caley goal.

maloney was lively but his final pass was awful robson struggled but was strong in the end
brown scored for a change, crosas played well, loovens was hit and miss. mcgeady would have been better sitting beside naka in the stand away from the hammer throwing, skippy is no one man forward line, mcmanus and caldwell were fine. artur made two outstanding saves.

on to the theatre of dreams (help ma boab)

for any SPL team 3 points at ICT are very hard earned

we have had better teams then our current one as have the huns ....we have all struggled up there

when one adds to the mix that we had our two players best equipped for the visit( JVOH /sammy) and had to endure some atrocious refereeing

a GREAT result IMO

a big step towards 4inarow

HAIL HAIL

I agree with this consensus, well done to the team for getting the points! The Radio Scotland commentators were fine today. :-)

Have to say that seven extra minutes was one of the few things Brines got right all day.

The stoppage when McGuire went off lasted three minutes or so, and there were five substitutions. So five minutes initially was about right.

Crosas going off took a couple of additional minutes, so seven overall was fair.

Maybe Brines should be a timekeeper rather than a referee.

Lubo1977,

to be fair there was about 5mins of injury time, due to McGuires injury (3mins) and then 3 goals and 6 substitutions (2mins). After that Crosas was down for about 2mins in injury time, which equates to about 7mins.

Doesn't take away from the refs performance though...shocking!

See earlier post, plus:
Crosas booking was ridiculous, and possibly not even a foul. McGeady yet again another booking for slabbering at the ref...does he never learn?
Imrie must have photos of Brines, how he fouled and kicked his way through most of the game without a booking is beyond belief. I was sure when he finally did get booked that he'd got a second.

I thought ICT goalk came from a throw-in that should have gone to Celtic (not the first dubious one of the day). Typically Setanta didn't replay that one or even comment on it.

Seen Brines in other games in which neither we or the Huns are involved and have to say he is equally shocking in those. He too probably has photos of someone in the SFA, which he's probably in aswell!

Gordon_J

The play was stopped for Crosas at 94 minutes, it resumed at 95 (where does the extra minute come from?).

And I've seen plenty of refs give 2 minutes injury time before whenever there's been 6 subs (supposed to be 30 seconds each sub) as well as injuries, penalties etc.

Gordon J /Malone19

perhaps Brines was correct
two points arise however

1...to add such a lengthy period of IT is unusual

2 ...we were 2-1 up with ICT PRESSING

the second is the most telling point imo

had we been three up or ICT holding on to a result

i`m not sure that 5 + 2 + vat ..would have been added

anybody complimenting brines on his timeskeeping are kidding themselves if they think 7 mins would have been added had the score been 2-1 to home side.
how many mins were added when jvoh got stretchered off, and his took longer than today.
was celtics throw in on the lead up to their goal and he gave a made up free kick 6 mins into imjury time so they could pump it into box.
refs are cute now, with all the media interest they cant give blatant pens as easy without scutiny so know its the covertt decisions like the throw in, like the free kick, like the non sending off, like the 7 minutes.
just because we're paranoid doesnt mean they arent out to get us!

Brines had a shocker no doubt. Maybe he's trying to make amends for Mick's "handball" goal v Falkirk?

Mind you - he wasn't the only shocker on the field. Only Boruc, Crosas, Maloney and Brown emerged with any credit IMO. Thougt Sheriden did well when he came on. Aiden McGeady? I'm tired waiting for the Boy Wonder to be The Boy Wonder.

Out on taxi duty up the Clydeside listening to snaps of the game, suffering squeaky-bum stuff at times. Finally had to move away from Snyde 2 after another 'joke' from BFDJ when he went hysterical-voiced, a-la-goal-coming-up stuff, only for it to be a shy, then the whole pack of them burst out laughing at the joke. Anyway, three piints is three ponts, but worrying about the injuries!

Slightly off post but at the Eddi Reader concert last night in Glasgow and, in introducing a former hit song, she let slip that her father had gone to mass in thanks for her getting to No.1. Then, at the very end of the last chorus of the song, she slipped in a line that "... Celtic are the best!" Nice to see our famous friends unafraid to nail their colours to the mast for a change.

Perhaps seven minutes wouldn't have been added in other circumstances - but I'm talking about what Brines did today, not what might have happened on another day.

The fact that other refs wrongly give two minutes when there have been six subs isn't something to have a go at Brines for.

He gave us plenty ammunition from the rest of his performance today without having to invent reasons to criticise him.

hi paul. fellow celts.

3 points is about all we can say about today, its what we went for .and what we got , but i fear for this team in europe i really do .that defence is a shambles, god next match up is rooney ,ronaldo , tevez , berbatov, still ktf as we are always told. oh and brines. the knives are out for him .the best way to court favour is to hammer the tic.on that score he did himself proud.

scotlands shame

my sentiments exactly

Brines was at it and the last minute free kick is a redolent example of his efforts today

we shall overcome

Lurgan 53

Aiden got booted from start to finish with no protection

he could have had is leg broken by that bam Black

yet your wanting a match winning performance ...was never going to happen today

if we had had JVOH and Sammy fit i don`t think that WGS would have selected him

there are games when he should be expected to shine if he is to live up to his reputation ...not away to an ICT side who have been given carte blanc to maim him

im not inventing reasons to criticise brines.
was never 5 mins injury time today.
as someone on here earlier said they timed the crosas stoppage at a minute, brines doubled that and played 2, so 2 minutes after the 5 injury mins were up he contrived to give ict a at best debtatble free kick so they could lump ball in the box.
If it would appear we have to give him the benefit of doubt on injury time lets see how good his watch is when the stiuation is reversed. We can invent a reason to compliment him when that occassion happens.
did i invent that brines ran towards black with his hand in pocket about to produce a card until he saw saw who it was. Maybe i did invent that.

scotlands shame

your inventing nothing pal ...only saying it as it is ...certainly as i also saw it

A fine victory for Scotland over Ireland at Shinty/hurling there

SAOR ALBA

lurgan53

I hope we don't ever sell the boy wonder even with the estimated £10 million price and upwards
price tag round his neck.

Ronaldo wouldn't have fared any better against the ICT hatchet men lined up to kick today.

Scotlands Shame,

I timed Crosas injury at 1min 45 secs (or there abouts) thats as good as 2mins in my book.

No qualms on the amount of injury time given today...I do have qualms about the referees performance though.

how many games have celtic played with 6 subs in it and trainer on yet 2/3 mins have been played?
In terrible conditions with players who have represented their countries to great effect, with palyers out injured and some injured during game, my team bravely battled to a great win, one I am immensely proud of, but all of that blood sweat and tears could have been undone by the covert cheating of a shocking ref.
I saw it all with my own eyes today, i invented nothing.
Well done everyone, personally mcgeady will scarcely create less in a game but it is games like this when you see his heart and bravery that I think he shows he is a bhoy wonder. Only my opinion of course, everyone entitled to their own, but days like today win leagues, and these are also the days when the officials can rob you, celtic overcame. Well done bhoys!

PF ayr

Why would I be expecting a match winning performance today? Aiden's match winning performances are like his final ball - non existent. Would like a match winning performance some day though. Maybe if he hadn't joined up with ROI and played for Scotland we wouldn't be so forgiving.

Tackle by Black WAS a shocker though and Aiden does deserve credit fot not trying to get him sent off. Doesn't excuse another poor performance though.

MATCH REPORT: ICT 1 CELTIC 2

"This game last year was a disaster! Two nil up after 30 mins and completely dominating the game until a last minute penalty in the first half, a perfectly good goal chalked off and a defence that just fell apart. Shocked to hear that Samaras was missing and that Loovens was in at right back. Just hope that the skill of McGeady, Maloney and Crosas makes the difference"

http://celticfcmatchreports.blogspot.com/

good for you oisin71, I do have qualms.
Going by that every game would have 7 mins injury time yet funnily enough very few do, i remember one at tynecastle about 11 years ago mind you!

"Aiden's match winning performances are like his final ball - non existent."
who needs enemies when you have fans supporting our young talent like this.
ask scott mcdonald at pittodrie how non existant aids final ball is.
what about a few short weeks ago 2 crosses 2 goals to win game for us.

how long ago was the benfica game?

Haven't had the chance to read any of the comments, apart from Paul67's account. I have to say that I can't believe Brines is biased. His faults were too glaringly obvious. He has to be an utter incompetent. How Imrie and Tokely were not red carded, besides the awful Black, I'll never know. Black should not have been on the field when he whacked Aiden McGeady. That was the most disgraceful act I have witnessed on a football field in a ong time. He should be held to account for it as should Brines for not punishin it apprpriately.

It is very worrying now what kind of a team we can try and field at Old Trafford. I was saddened to see young Crosas go off but on reflection, if we are to lose Caldwell, that will probably be even more costly.

Has the bhoy Cillian lost weight? Here's hoping he is inspired on Tuesday night, although that might be the place to play him. Hiw is Hutchison? At least, he has some meat on his bones.

Brines was shocking-after 10 min I thought- we will get no decisions today.
It was an important win- 3 points is all that matters at this venue. This was a major step in securing 4IR. Our squad will be tested now. It could have been worse though Aiden could have been out for the rest of the season with that tackle.
Bob.

Scotlands Shame,

There are many obvious reasons to be critical of Brines today without the injury time issue, which I personally feel he can be justified about giving 7mins without feeling cheated had we lost a late goal.

The rest of his performance was not justifiable and had we lost a goal at the end it would have been these "other" issues that would have made me feel cheated rateher than the amount of injury time.

There are many Hearts "injury time" games that I remember fondly...which one you talking about?

quitongo 97, inexplicably played 6 mins

sorry if im annoying bhoys its a bug bear of mine, i watch teams waste 10 mins against us every week and we 2 mins injury time yet when it goes against us refs are incredibly accurate in giving the amount of time due. Thats what bugs me more than whether 7 mins were justified or not, my point being other way round it would have been a safe 3 mins and we certainly wouldnt have got a free punt into box 6 and a half mins in.
Its all about opinions though and fair play to those who disagrree.
enjoy rest of your weekends bhoys.

Caley definitely the dirtiest team we've come up against this season so far. I always seem to recall Brewster wasn't much better when he played regularly.

Brines! Beyond comment. Its depressing and today I truly feared for the safety of some of our players. Black's assault on Aiden would have got him 6 months if he'd done it in the street. Bunch of corner boys as my dear old Dad would have said.

Maybe Cadbury's should make the selection on Tuesday.It might be beyond the wee man this time. Personally,I would put out as big and physically strong a team as possible, inexperienced or not. Maybe McManus and O'Dea in the centre with Loovens and Naylor, a midfield of Robson,Caldwell,Hartley,Brown and Aiden. Hutchinson/Sheridan up front and Naka,Maloney,McDonald,Donati on the bench. What say anybody for a Bobo emergency recall.

Timoot.

Oh you were talking about the not so fondly remembered game!

I try not to think about the bad memories....

Top of the League and 3pts clear.....

scotland's shame

The Benfica game was a year ago and the game at pittordrie was January last - does that answer your question?

Two weeks ago JVOH's nimble dexterity enabled the goal to be scored and if Mick had allowed a cross to bounce in our area and Skippy to score from it he's have been crucified!

Just my opinion of course. Three points are the important thing.

Ard mor ort.

Always nice to see Clyde lose these days.

Lurgan53

how come he's valued at 10 million plus?

you are talking shoite

Scotlands Shame,

have a good one too...off to see Ennio Morricone in concert tonight in Belfast Waterfront...looking forward to The Ecstacy of Gold from The Good, The Bad & The Ugly... a wee bit like today you could say!!

Ex-Celtic Quick News

Paul Lambert's new club Colchester manage an away victory over Stockport as he guides them out of the relegation zone in his first game..

Mark Burchill slots a pen for Rotherham as they lose 4-3 at home to Barnet.

In other news, Man U hand an EPL debut to 18 year-old Brazilian Rafael. He may or may not be Scheidt.

Brines is just not very good and in typical Scottish referee style will ALWAYS give a last minute free kick to anyone with a chance to nick a point or three.

6 minutes added time which was actually correct but I wonder had we been in need of the time...

Lee Naylors distribution was actually very good (2 exceptions) regularly getting ball to feet, particularly Skippy. Sadly Skippy still looking for his game.

Was very frustrated by our failure to quickly & accurately pass, then move. That is until I realised how difficult it was to control the ball on the hard surface. Good players should cope better I know but it gave the boys an excuse & it helped me relax a bit too!

I would blame Loovens for the goal. First header came from his man. I think Wilson saw this & tried to cover. Not the right decision but not the initial culprit. (Glen's header was a cracker though).

I have few happy memories of the Caley Stadium - 3 points in the bag, nuff said.

Pity about our injuries, guess we'll just need to beat the Mancs on the deck.

3 points, great result, crap performance.

i'll take 3 points any day.
ref was crap, skippy,aiden? maloney not much better.
who cares 3 points with an injury hit team.

hail hail and ktf

bournesouprecipe

I'll not lower myself to duplicate your use of anglo saxon.

Valued at £10 million? By whom?

Ready when you are.

Good to see Man Utd are not resting too many, except Tevez and Anderson beejees.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Giggs, Park, Berbatov, Rooney.

Come on Mowbray get your team in about them.

Good news - to pour in Manchester Sunday & Monday. Ideal for the little guys, Skippy, Shaun, Aiden, Naka & Skoosh. Just you wait & see!

Lurgan53

Obviously not by you.

But other more sensible commentators, and
general hearsay value would be 10mill easily, and quite conservatively.

Go away look at the fixture list of this season so far count Aiden's assists and goals
then come back, don't ask me to do your work for you.

But then again you might not see them going by your earlier shoite.

Lurgan53

no idea what you are on pal

to signal him out suggests you are looking for him carry the team

news flash

for a large part of last season he did

when he played we played when he didn`t we didn`t

where were Maloney/McDonald today ..no mention of them

also

Aiden can`t stop others from hyping him up

in interview he doesn`t strike me as an arrogant big shot

lastly, in the Aberdeen game he won it for us

2 good balls in two goals
the last of which was won by him on the half way line

what some people want from players is beyond me

I'm not a regular poster,just reading some of the stuff about Brines he was in my class at school and although he was not a Celtic fan(St Mirren I'm sure) he had no affiliation or liking of the TFOD.
Unfortunately he is just an awful ref,he's also one of the Kenny Clark get yourself noticed types.

bournesouprecipe

Listen. Never ever ever make claims you cannot back up. Its no way to convince others of your arguement.

And don't go losing the rag either. Always keep calm, rational and aproachable.

Now. I'll help you out. A player can justifiably be valued at a certain sum if the club officially put that value on him - or a fee is received from another club and that fee is accepted - or rejected as being too low.

During the summer there wer rumours - RUMOURS - of a £7 million from Sunderland. Nothing else.

AS for "fixture lists, goals and assists". God forbid I should read that. I'll leave that to anaroks like you.

Due to injuries, Man U have Fletcher and Giggs in centre mid, although Carrick apparently may be back Tuesday, and are playing a youngster at right-back. In the opening minutes v West Brom they've given the ball away several times and have goal-threat Wayne Rooney taking two poor corners. West Brom passing confidently and well - diligent and disciplined without being incisive, as the commentator perceptively puts it. 4-5-1 is a given for us on Tuesday and we need our wide players to defend well within that.

lurgan53

i was right all along you are drunk.

you cannot see,what you cannot see.

get a kind soul to tell you how many assists, and goals aiden has scored this season alone

let alone carrying the team last year

i'm not going to.

When the day comes that aiden leaves as he surely will, he will walk away one of the most talented players ever to play for our great club.

He is a special talent and the opposition know it that's why they glog him and put three men on him.

That aside we were rank today and god help us against man unt.

Loovens is frankly inept £2.5 million my arse and mcdonald looks a shadow of the man he was.

Fair play to the away support was talking to my brother who was up at the game and he said they were in fine form.

Gweedorebhoy
perhaps judgement should be reserved on Loovens until he is given an oppurtunity to play at leftsided CB

he is certainly not a right back but can take a goal

i don`t think he was a fault for their goal , thought he looked reasonably comfortable on the ball ( playing well out of position ) and didn`t think he was our worse defender

our captain and replacement RB contributed to their goal imo ...other than that and SB giving the ball away with the THG saving us...i didn`t see ICT having a scoring chance

Paul67 and CQN Bloggers,

I'd be tempted to play Ben Hutchinson on Tuesday. He's already played against Man U and i think he scored if i have remembered correctly. Sheridan is a no no for me!! McDonald is very sluggish these days and i'm glad John Harston highlighted it at half time. He is a shadow of himself. Pity young Crosas could be missing though as i think Gordon would have started him.

Have to say though yet again i'm embarassed at the way we defend Any time that ball goes into that box or in fact anywhere near any of our 4 defenders that play, i get nervous. Schoolboy defending sometimes and it's comical it has been left to get to this stage.

If Caldwell is out then i would re invent the San Siro two in Mick and Darren. Nothing to lose!! Can't be any worse!! Caddis at right back for me as well. What has happened Doumbe? Always thought he was solid and never let anybody down.

pf ary

we have seen him play centre back and he did not impress

The goal apart he can't pass, he can't tackle and has poor positional sense. He is never a £2.5 million player. Darren o'dea and bobo are miles better. But then we all know they will never get a game.

Have to agree though ICT lack punch but the holy goalie did save us yet again.

God help us on tuesday time for the rosary beads.

Bloke_109

Im also watching that game, had a bit of fear looing at their line up but play as we did in Villarreal in a 4-5-1 then thats all we can do, give it our best go and see what happens.

Was thinking we could be vulnerable with our defence but all going well we should have all fit, which would give us the same back four we had two years ago when we played there. Though I would prefer a fully fit Hinkel in there instead of Wilson.

The main difference from the team we had then is that we had experience in the middle, lacking in that department this time.

Sammi and his running, ability and hold up play will be missed up front.

Line Ups From Previous Game

Evra just taken off with suspected injury 36mins.

I really could weep when I read some of the comments of people on here.
We have just won the kind of game that wins titles.
We had a weakened side which would have had excuses for not getting a result.
We were at a ground & in conditions which make it impossible to play flowing football, against a team who will match ANYBODY in a physical contest.
I am thrilled with the three points.
I could NOT be more proud of my team.
Thanks you, Celtic.

PF Ayr

Take it the term "pal" is tongue in cheek.

Anyway which is it? Are YOU looking hm to carry the team or not? I'm certainly not. Don't try to put words in my mouth I haven't said that or indicated that. Nor have I considered him a "an arrogant big shot" - these are your words. What I am expecting from Aiden is a decent performance - and in this you are correct - a performance to live up to the hype.

Just how many excuses are you going to make for him?

bournesouprecipe

Wish I was drunk! Your ramblings might make more sense!

Loovens is getting played out of his natural position. Way to early judge him. Give him a chance!! If McManus has been given 4 years and still not much cop, then surely Loovens can buy some time to settle in.

WGS

No offence but loovens has been played in his natural position he showed he was not as good as mcmanus or caldwell which is frankly the kiss of death for any defender. We all wanted a good centre half to replace Mcmanus we sadly didn't get one.

Who next for right back the holy goalie?

The thing I find strange when some people discuss Aidan is the unfair expectation.Given that he's still a young lad and has already contributed much to Celtic, he cant be dynamite in every game.
One below par game and its 'I told you so',everyone must merit their place in the team but given the support of the management team and ALL Celtic fans he will improve what is already an exceptional talent.

lurgan53

you still here, i was giving you the benefit of the doubt saying you were drunk ‹(•¿•)›

o.k. let me guess you haven't seen much of celtic this season or last - yes? ‹(•¿•)›

get a friend or a relative to explain to you the term goal assist, then get them to tell you how many aiden mcgeady has this season alone,

when you have the sobering facts come back and we'll discuss the numbers, the games he helped in, and player valuations.

DonegalDanny,

When has he played in his natrual position? Not against Aberdeen, he played right of centre instead of GC as he was suspended. Today he played at right back then right of centre agin when GC got taken off. He's left footed centre half.

why do/did we need to buy a better centre half to replace stephen mc manus when we have darren o'dea?

Kilbowie Kelt,

Hear hear, excellent sentiments. A tough match against a tough team at a tough ground in tough conditions when we didn't have our full strength squad available, and we got three points. Yes, mistakes were made, but not many and no howlers. Yes, we'll need to play better to get a result on Tuesday but we are capable of that and I'm sure the team will rise to the challenge. As for McGeady, I don't know how people can say he's anything less than brilliant. He has off games like every player and he wasn't at his best today but he wasn't bad either. The Aberdeen game is a perfect example: he won us the match, end of story. Loovens also didn't look great today but he was out of position and whenever I've seen him play other times hes looked a teriffic signing, well done WGS. It is, as many have said before me, days like this that leagues are won, 4 in a row on the way.

Hail Hail and that

He stepped in for Caldwell in the league and the CIS. Now don't get me started on the fact our captain was beside him so he played right side.

McManus is so erratic he floats left right, left right every two minutes.

However I will give you the fact he can score a good header but we all remember the last centre half we bought that could play up front don't we?

Right, time to move on.
Can anyone suggest at team for Old Trafford?

I'm a bit nervous about Tuesday now to say the least?

lurgan53

do you single him out because others talk him up ?

why do you single him out ?

do you think he is worth his place in the team ?

please read my posts again
i made one excuse in that he was battered up and down the pitch today with no protection and by and large was no worse than most

other than that i commented on his positive contributions and per formances

i ask again why comment on him when you could have hd a few other targets today

your pejorative comments on him suggest a personal dislike which is at variance to most supporters , football players , pundits and writers

then agaim we may all just be making excuses

as for pal

i like to think all on here are my pals ....even Teddy Edward...there are obvious exceptions ..but they don`t deserve the air of publicity

Gweedore

i don`t agree re Loovens and hope your wrong as i`m sure you do

btw ...i was very disappointed at his signing ...he is here now and we need to support him ....time please

i hassled SBrown last year ..didn`t give him time..i think over the last month or so he is proving me very wrong

the Cardiff boys were very sorry to see him go

Calltheguards,

Just my opinion here, but this is the team I'd play. Even though most of you will probably disagree, and there's no way Strachan would ever field this team, it's the one I think most likely to get a result against Manchester United.

Boruc - Naylor, Balde, Loovens, Caddis - Nakamura, Hartley, Donati, McGeady - Samaras (if fit, Maloney otherwise), Vennegoor of Hesselink

Blantyre

O'dea is a quality player who will leave us because of our managers love affair with the chuckle brothers.

Granted Caldwell seems to be getting better but mcmanus is shocking and I agree with Donegal its surreal that he is our captain.

Tuesday will be a great night but lack of investment in the summer will now show how stagnant we have become.

Yes JVOH and George are out but we should have purchased that wow striker to ensure we had sufficient firepower.

Pack the defence and midfield and try and keep it tight seems to be the only hope.

Callthe guards

BORUC

MCGEADY
MCGEADY
MCGEADY
MCGEADY

MCGEADY
MCGEADY
MCGEADY
MCGEADY

MCGEADY
MCGEADY

a fluid , fast, attacking team with many formations available

PF

too far

bhoy from county hell

i admire the vision but Bobo can't play he is not registered for the CL. Also Donati should never wear our jersey again.

Pf Ayr

Of course i hope loovens works out

But he looks like a typical strachan signing at the moment.

bourne

ok samaras can play if fit :¬)

Just in and heard a bit of Snides phone in

A Celtic season ticket holder" called in to complain about Celtic fans clearly singing Banned Songs on Setanta and his kids asked him why they were singing these songs

I didnt hear him reference the songs as I tuned in after his call started

This obviously opened the Old Firm Sectarian debate and calls that the police should have waded in and dragged the perps out.

I watched the match on Setanta but the sound was not up very high - did I miss something as I dont see any references to this on tonights posts after match

There is no team in Europe that can go to Old Traffod with 100% confidence, but given some decent breaks, and excellent pressing and defending, we can go with some pressure off. I'd also like a strong ref who will not give Ronaldo a cheap free-kick 15 yards out, or Giggs a cheap pen.

A team for there to kick-off debate?

Boruc
Wilson/Caldwell/McManus/Naylor
McGeady/HartleyNaka/Brown/Robson
McDonald

Naka probing just ahead of the mid 4. Harsh on Maloney, but either he or Aiden have to miss out. Shaun for Naka or Aiden later on, Donati for Hartley, Robson or Brown if necessary. Sheridan for McDonald to rest Skip after his hat-trick.

CLAP or CLAW.

Rooney puts Man U one up. He and Ronaldo pulls muscles celebrating.

that boy rooney could be a bother on tuesday night..

Some people on here posted that we have the strongest squad that they can ever remember.

I remember thinking .Whit?

Donati....a very compelling arguement would have to be put forward for his inclusion or an outbreak of MRSA in the treatment room ...where half the team are at the moment

jinkysboy

predictable soldiers song? and some other republican ditties with a bit more gusto than usual

don't think he was really a season ticket holder - do you?

if he is then he is a twat.

jinkysbhoy

Just before half-time I despaired at the line 'soon there'll be no phone-ins at all'. Only it wasn't phone-ins and you can guess the rest.

Paul Robinson had a great first half for WBA at Old Trafford.

I have only seen him twice.Once at the Emirates and now at OT.He looks a very accomplished ,honest,and committed player.

gweedorebhoy,

Wasn't aware about Bobo, I'd put Caldwell in then.
I haven't been impressed overall with Donati myself but he always seems to come good for us in the European games. Having said that, so does Robson, maybe there's a place for him in that team instead.

Hail Hail and that

55 minutes gone and european giants west brom are losing 1-0 at Old Trafford

WBA aren't exactly a combination of Brazil 1970 and Barca 2006, but they are physical and combatative

it will be tough, but we have a chance

the injuries are a hurdle e will have to obercome

i would be tempted to go with

..............artur.............

..........caldwell................

hinkel odea mcmanus naylor.....

.............brown........hartley.............
....aiden ................................naka....

....................skippy........................

Harry's Bhoy

agree on robinson was outstanding against arsenal earlier in the season

unfortunately for us, he signed a new deal with WBA.

and ronaldo could be a pest too..

jinkysboy

I picked up a small volume of singing, nothing that the untrained ear would pick up.

I also heard that call and it did seem a bit of a tee up for BFDJ to call for 'the only answer is for the police to bail in and make mass arrests, it doesnt matter how many are singing these songs'

I should know better than to listen to those programmes.

I also saw a story about a rangers player getting scratched, the artical went on to list incidents as far back as Arteta and Flo. My old fholks still buy the Herald.

The rPR department are working this weekend.

My team for Tuesday would be if Crosas, Hinkel,JVOH, Caldwell and Sammy are out:

Boruc
Caddis
McManus(right centre half like the San Siro)
O'Dea(left centre half like the San Siro)
Naylor(no option)

Hartley(centre mid)
Brown (centre mid)
Robson(left mid to help Naylor)
Maloney(right mid)
Nakamura(centre mid playing off the lone forward)

Hutchinson (Upfront himself. holding the ball up)

PF ayr.

Yes. You're probably correct. I do expect more from him and I don't think that unreasonable. We 're constantly told on these boards and elsewhere just how brilliant he is. I'd like to see more from him but I feel he is underperforming by his own standards. Then again - as I've pointed out - this is my opinion.

Just as I expect more from Celtic as a team. We've better resources, better facilities, better players who earn bags more money than all the other SPL teams - barring Rangers (although I'm not sure about that)So I believe I've every right to expect more (both in results and performance) from my team - most of the time. Not to expect more would would be absurd. Indeed putting up with less only breeds complacency.

And I do realise I'm in a minority on Aiden McGeady - just as I'm in a minority in my unwavering support of Stephen McMnaus. Don't care. I'll speak my mind.

As for you selection @ 6:37.
Why is McGeady not playing in goals?

Take care mate. We're all in this together!

bournesouprecipe

What is this fixation with alcohol?

For me:

Boruc
Wilson Caldwell McManus Naylor
Hartley
Caddis Brown Robson Mgeady

McDonald

Ronaldo scores.

Anyone catch that 'Man U match-fixing claim: UEFA to investigate on Monday' headline?

Berbatov scores as he, Ronaldo and Rooney use up their 'one goal per week' ratio.

Anyone catch that 'Man U players in revolt over Fergie - we will strike claims Rio' headline?

Lurgan 53

he is not tall enough
i was a bit concerned with the height of the CB`s

take care yourself PAL

HAIL HAIL

lurgan53

must be your writing style that does it.

i see you return bereft of the assists again, despite your substanceless rant about aiden mcgeady.

sorry still not going to help you with the facts, go look em up.

then temper your argument with the evidence.

Was it just my imagination, or did Brines refrain from giving us any free kicks in the first half?
And why was Black still on the pitch after his assault on McGeady. You could actually hear the brutal contact over the telly.

Estadio

I thought it very unusual that a Celtic season ticket holder mentioned sectarian songs from the Celtic fans but didnt mention the Racist song

Also he must be one special guy to get on the radio and be allowed to talk about the songs debate ............. I dont recall anyone getting on to talk about TRS recently

Gordon J,
If you take the substitutions into account, why is it that managers send on players to use up time?
I'm here to be educated.

I'm not a frequenter of Rangers sites but I don't feel they would have the angst we show after a scrappy win. I get the impression they treat a win as a win and that's it.
People always go on about poor performances after Champions League weeks but I think we're poorer after internationals. This is logical - in CL matches the team may have to travel but they stay, train and play together. Contrast that with an international week - the guys go off literally everywhere, different managers, different systems, different team mates, even differnt doctors and physios. No wonder they come back disorientated.

Even the Snide boys called Blacks tackle a red card including BFDJ and in their interview with Brewster he said "The ref made the right decision not to take any action (in a tongue in cheek statement) but I decided to take Black off before he got sent off"

Funny but I heard the thud of Blacks tackle but didnt honestly hear any sectarian songs.

bournesouprecipe

You're a silly fellow. But you do make me laugh.

Pete

Good point about international disorientation - only thing is that Wilson, Naylor, Loovens and McManus were not away - time to work on a back 4, or at least on the full-backs :-)

4-0 - Nani.

Anyone read that headline about 'United stars in food poisoning scare - we'll be done in by Monday they claim'?

Henrik on the looking for a job. Anybody seen his goal against France and his recent performances against Sweden? He's still going strong.

Paul67,

If we end up in the UEFA cup. Could have a decent chance, especially idf the spanish media are correct and we are in for Sylvinho and my man Jeffren Suraez. You reckon Henke might think he needs exorcise those demons?

Scotland's Shame,
Against Benfica. Countless crosses converted by Samaras, Big Jan, MacDonald...
The , "out" factor that he provides. The excitement that he provides.
I suspect that in 1966 you would have criticised Jimmy Johnstone.
And don't triumphantly howl that I'm trying to compare the two.
Although...

Little bit of good news as well. Kennedy was back for Norwich today though they lost 1-0. In fact, despite the efforts of other ex Celts Marshall and Fotheringham, they look as if they'll really struggle this year. Little bit of a shame. I once knew someone who would watch Delia's programmes to de-stress even though he couldn't cook to save his life.

lurgan53

19.26 still not bothered to look at aidens overall form goals and assists - tut tut

you been trying unsuccessfully to get out of the hole you dug, with your
ill conceived blast of 4.16pm.

i assume you now just want to banter, and forget that you were wrong and realise your ire could more easily having been directed at other better qualified targets

Will take 3 points against Inverness anytime.

Regarding the football fare on offer, ICT were intent on kicking everything that moved. We werent going to see fast, flowing sexy football, thats for sure. That assault on Aidan was atrocious, clearly audible on my telly. Straight red for me. Bloody hell our Refs are crap.

I heard the usual moronic boos when Aidan was on the ball. Pathetic, absolutely pathetic. Thought the Invernessians were above that. Obviously Im wrong. If the boy Mcarthy starts to get the same treatment after what I have been reading regarding why he turns out for the ROI and "Boydy" doesnt, I'll be astounded. On second thoughts, No I want. I must have had too much to drink since Full time this avy. Imagine thinking theres No Blue Bias. 40 lashes I think.

Anyway sorry for the mini rant.

A handy legit site for goals from around the world.

http://www.101greatgoals.com/

Bloke_109 - youre'right about the defence. Having said that, when I saw the team for today, I expected the worst and would have screamed for a 2-1 win. I also thought WGS nd Sammy had had a hissy fit. Wish it was - mends sooner than a cartiledge.
BTW, anybody old enough to remember when a cartilege op meant that the player would be out for 6 months? Cartalege, cartiledge, cartilege, cartaledge - how the **** do you spell it!!!

Pete

lol - let's stick with 'knee injury' :-)

Yes. that's another thing.
Where did this Samaras cartilege thing come from?
The first thing we hear is that he's had an operation!

Pete the beat

I remember about 10 years ago Super Sally getting a cartilage op on the friday and starting for TFOD on the wednesday - think it was in Romania are one of the eastern European coutries.

Lets hope that Sammi has the same powers of recovery but I expect it all depends on the severity of the injury to his cart@!"$e

bournesouprecipe

Keep up now. Try to stay with me.

I'm the one who is questioning Aiden McGeadys effectiveness.
Agreed?

You're the one who is championing his effectiveness.
Agreed?

Surely you are the one who should bring the relevant evidence to demonstrate his contributions?
It really is quite simple.

Or are you suggesting I should bring "non evidence" to the table?

Ready when you are.

lurgan53

so glad that you've got your sense of humour back
and you are replying only with one liners.

this will give you more time to check your facts before you post shoite
- next time.

buy hey you are a celtic fan - right

o.k. lets work back starting with the last home game against accies.

think carefully now - what did aiden do?

I fear for us against Man U in my own optomistic expectant victorious Celtic way. Another 2-1 hoops on Tuesday.

We were mighty gash today and Paul67's article sums it up for me, but hey I have seen us play better and lose. 3pts bagged on the roll to 4-in-a-row. I for one will gladly give up fancy footy for another 29 results like today in the ESPEEL.

Hail Hail

I still expect to be present in the Vatican City on the morning of the 23rd of May 2009 (I think thats the date) with 100,000+ hoopees. C'mon the hoops.

lurgan/bournesoup

Season Club Competition Apps Goals Assists
2003–04 Celtic Scottish Premier League 4 1 1
2004–05 Celtic Scottish Premier League 27 4 7
2005–06 Celtic Scottish Premier League 20 4 5
2006–07 Celtic Scottish Premier League 34 5 7
2007–08 Celtic Scottish Premier League 34 7 19
2008–09 Celtic Scottish Premier League 7 1 4
Total 126 22 44

Goals, about 1 in 6, assists about 1 in every 3 games.

Love and kisses

Bloke109

moonbeams
how you doing man?
that date is a wee bit near to my daughters first communion, think i will need to tap her for that game ;)

Ruud Van Nis....just sent off for R.Madrid in the Derby(Straight Red) for a softer tackle than Black's on Aiden today

Hi Blantyretim.

doing not too bad. I'm sure if it came to it the Pope would have a mass first communion ceremony in St Pete's square that morning to allow all the khids, their dha's and their mha's to attend the CL cup final. So don't worry it'll be fine.

HAIL HAIL

mooneams wet dreams

sounds good to me...

Hail Hail

JEEZ I THOUGHT BLINKER WAS PANTS

What score is the Madrid Derby??

Bloke_109

shoosh - don't tell him

too late

what do we reckon aiden hasn't convinced him?

blantyretim,

Celtic v Chelsea final. It would be like beating the REARS to win the big cup.

I really ought to wake up now but this dream is just so good. I'll tell you the score later. Kick off is in 5 hours and the seven hills of Rome are a sea of green and white.

1-0 Real@HT, Sky's transmission seems behind by a few minutes, you can follow the 2nd half on www.livescore.com

since everybody is picking a team for tuesday, think I'll throw mine in.

4-5-1 defence springing to a 3-4-3 attack.

Boruc
Wilson, Loovens, Mick, Naylor.
Caldwell. (Sweeping behind the mid, reads game well & passes well)
Naka, Brown, Robson, Maloney.
Skippy,

Don't like Mondays, but this one can't pass quick enough!

Wishing my life away, but who cares for it's a grand old team & we're due something away & what a better place to get a little something even if it's just a point.

Back to lurking,....

wdh will supply the wine.
or the list at least

Bloke / bournesouprecipe
Goals, about 1 in 6, assists about 1 in every 3 games

Geez. Didn't realise it was as poor as that. Sort of bears out what I was saying.

Still his goals / assist record is better than Caldwells, Mick's Naylor's and Wilson's. Not to mention Boruc, Hartley, Brown, Donatti and Robson

TrueTim, McManus was caught missing a few times today.

Malceye, I thing operation CLAW might have to wait for a few weeks.

WGS, Ben Huchinson is fit but woefully short of match practice.

I don’t expect to see Larsson back at Celtic Park unless he is doing the half time draw.

Barcabhoy, no Maloney? Who is going to win the all important penalty (remember this prediction).

lurgan53

you weren't saying anything you were sounding off with no facts remember,

next game

celtic v aberdeen

two assists when he came on as a sub in a 3-2 win

not bad eh - even from where you are standing?

yines wines tines bines smines

not controversial incompetant (sp)

Why is there no judication (is that a word)
in this line of work.

Brines is a fool at his referee job.

The people that appoint these idiots I do not think care about football.
Yet they run it in our wee country.

What a PR performance from the bigots, with more than a little help from the rangers protection agency and our impartial media.
I could have sworn that rangers were in the dock for racist and sectarian behaviour. Turns out It's actually us.
A masterstroke in manipulation

From uefa.com

Samaras adds to Celtic concerns

Celtic FC have just one tried-and-tested striker fit for their UEFA Champions League double-header against Manchester United FC after confirming that leading scorer Georgios Samaras is to undergo a cartilage operation which could rule him out for seven matches.

'A few knocks'
Samaras, 23, was injured during Greece's 2-1 home FIFA World Cup qualifying defeat by Switzerland on Wednesday and will now go under the knife, denying Gordon Strachan the services of a player who has scored eight goals in as many Scottish Premier League games this season. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has already been sidelined for a month, leaving Scott McDonald as the manager's only fit forward. "There are definitely a few knocks about the place," said Strachan "We've got to try to find a team who can keep the ball and be a threat at Old Trafford."

Further concerns
Gary Caldwell (ankle) and Marc Crosas (hamstring) also picked up minor injuries during Saturday's 2-1 victory against Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC. Celtic, with one point from two Group E games, travel to Old Trafford on Tuesday before staging the return in Glasgow on 5 November

Lurgan53,

On Aiden McGeady...

Two assists against Aberdeen and only the park for 25 minutes.
Two assists against Hamilton plus one scored.

Prior to that he found himself warming the bench.

If our strikers had converted half the chances he sets up we would be doubling or trebling those stats every week.

Is there anyone else in our team who has more assists?

KNOWAPLAYERWHENISEEONE CSC

White Dog - Enjoy that Bottle...

You are right on Brines - Complete incompetence (I dont think its an agenda) and he bottled it basically in my opinion...

Thank the Lord the boot hit the shinpad....

AND I KNEW THAT DAY I WAS GONNA STAY
RIGHT WHERE I AM
ON
THE SUNNYSIDE OF THE STREET

Aiden McGeady is a superstar.
Enjoy and cheer every time you see him play.

More a Maloney man though.....

Monnbeams whatsits will back me up here, but ive been convinced for a good while that we wi win at Old Trafd.

good ground out result today, our team is cleary 'forming' around Scott Brown, not around our captain unfortunately..

Hello Bhoys / Ghirls,

Just in from the boozer and had a quick read through the posts on this blog. A few replies:

True Tim 3.20
Really? If McManus did not commit himself then the ICT player was straight through on goal. Maybe a shock to some people but not every defensive challenge stops goals.

Bhoy David 3.22
Loovens was the best player on the park IMO. Out of position and scored the winning goal. What more do you want?

Lurgan53 4.16
You thought Sheridan did well but McGeady was poor. Why one set of standards for one player but not the other?

3 points - still top of the league.

TGSC
Sailing on to 4IAR

thought aiden went back to his huffy days today,talked himself into a booking.
he never hid even though he had a underpar performance,not a bad game..

i'd have him and maloney in the team any day
cos we like to see football played the glasgow celtic way..

:0))))

ShanesTeeth

great evening .

so precious to see the wee one

apologies for poor typing skills, wireless keyboard and auntie stella at play here!!

yeah Mountain Bhoy you have said that since the draw. In future can you please call me by my Sunday name. :o)

Are you looking forward to May 23rd in Rome, see you there sir.

mcgeady has lots of ability, but his decision making is terrible.

but the fact he can move at pace with the ball away from our goal and keep posession is invaluable.

first pick for me too

let the people sing

ulster-celt

mountain_bhoy

Whatever you're smokin' up on them thar mountains, can I have some of it?

JVOH out, Samaras out, Crosas out, Caldwell v. likely.....OOT!

4-0, and WBA collect their dignity on the way out of Old Trafford. Rooney and Ronaldo in imperious form.

That'll be an away win for Celtic, then!

As I said, please bottle some of that mountain air and send it here forthwith!

up_over_goal

you don't want any of that air as it will be bottled in Broke Back Mountain. :o) :o)

whats yer sunday name mr ingeniousum? :-) i have a feeling in ma bile duct that Old Trafford will bare witness to a Celtica victory of pictish proportions, I AM UTTERLY CONVINCED, one of the reasons being is that scholes is a tim (one of the greatest players in the worl ever in my opinion) and ronaldo of portugese fame is also now a hoopy due to his ownership of a drumoyne bred beer stained hoops scarf.

PS no sure if scholes is a tim or not, but he sure looks like a tim fae baillieston :-)

PPS ma bile duct never lies

PPS is it ok to drink voddie and tomato soup on the fitba bus?

I'm usually an optimist, but short of being allowed to play a flexible 5-5-5 formation on Tuesday night, I can't see much hope of anything other than a home win.

Ronaldo, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez, Giggs....

JVOH injured, Samaras injured, Crosas injured, Caldwell injured, Naylor fit, Boruc shaky and Larsson gone.

behindthecouch CSC

1-1 in Madrid

Great end to end entertainment

now 1-1 Madrid Derby (Simao)

...and 6 minutes injury time to play.

Senior Grimés?

I don't know if it's just me, but does anyone else think that the referee wasn't good today?

statingthebleedinobvious csc

On the McGeady debate, his decision making is poor, note how many times he loses us possesion during games and his shooting is woeful he is no superstar,he is no first pick for me.

Whitedoghunch another good band!

mountain_bhoy

add some black pepper
bloody mary

Mountain Bhoy

come Tuesday evening you will have a lot more than a feeling in you bile duct if you drink vody wae tomaty soup.

U2_1888

5-5-5 formation I don't think we have enough strikers left for that. If today or 2 weeks ago was Boruc shaky then I fear the ghuy will be a star one day somewhere. Your 5-5-5 formation was more believable than that.

I thought we should have had a dead cert penalty today when loovens was being manhandled to the ground at a free kick or am I just biased. I'd also have liked another view at the Maloney offside. It must have been close as Snotanta never showed a replay.

jeez Blinker was pants man!!

Im tellin yez, WE WILL WIN AT OLD TRAFFORD

brokeback_mountain_bhoys bile duct has spoken

afganpaul,

My rebuttal would be note how many times he wins us games.

TGSC
Sailing on to 4IAR

Penalty to Real Madrid in 95min 1-2.

U2_1888

we will there

Penalty 5 mins into injury time for Real against the run of play - 2-1

win !

blantyretim

Aiden had every reason to be displeased and even a tad huffy with the ref .....he was getting booted from pillar to post during the entire game ....and then that steward Brines awards himself another bonus for the day by starting the "bookMcGeadyevenwhenhehasn`tcommittedafoul" bandwagon rolling again
Brines was a disgrace and very dangerous at that

the haggis hammerthrowers could really have injured some of our players today ...they were hacking us with impugnity

U2 1888
drink

it will help you may pass out before the game starts :¬)

brokeback_mountain_bhoy ha ha ha ha. :o)

Surprised at some negativity on McGeady tonight. Wonder if it's because we have such high expectation of him.

Surprised because, while I agree he was far from his best today, he still contributed far more than Maloney did. Wee Shaun had his most ineffective game since his return IMO. Don't seem to read the same about him tonight though.

Even on form, McGeady will lose the ball more than most - that's because he's the one taking on people, sometimes two or three at a time. He could keep possession better by playing safe, but our chances of scoring reduce.

I don't know for sure, but I'd take a guess and say Jinky probably lost the ball more than any of the other Lions...

Moonbeams,

Praying for Artur to be at his best on Tuesday..

He wasn't at his best during the week for Poland - shocker of a goal he let in at 1-0.

He was brilliant against Czech Repunblic.

He was great against Villarreal and Hamilton.

Shocker against Rearrangers.

Shaky. We need him at his imperious best. Or 5-5-5 will be our only hope:)

On MeGeady, more often than not he has no out ball, has skinned three players and has no one in support. Then he has no choice but to turn back and often looses the ball. He is not like Dicanio who had amazing skill, but held the ball for ages - Greedy. McGeady does not have the greedy selfishness and always in my mind working 100% for the team, not himself.

The guy is special. No doubts about it.

If we had a team of that type of bad decision makers then I would be a very happy Hoop

The good ship celtica

McGeady does not do it often enough when we need it most for me considering the high regard he is held in, dont get me wrong I will be delighted if he proves me wrong in Manchester. I think a piont would be a good result just now

Afganpaul,

I like Aiden a lot but i agree with you about his decision making and passing this season. Last season he was brilliant, but this season we are seeing some of his old habits creeping back. Wilson made a cracking overlap in the box today in the second half and would have been through if Aiden had played the pass and listened to his shout. Instead he tried to beat three defenders and lost possession. He is losing in vital areas for me that's why i never had him in my team for Tuesday. Last season he would be my first pick but he aint been himself this season yet.

Celtic's passing and possession must be 100% on Tuesday. Lose possession in vital areas especially to Ronaldo then you will be destroyed.

Lisbon Lion Upper,

Totally agree 100%.

I love both Shuggie and Geads, for me tho Shaun has yet (since his return) shown me it on the big level, in CL he does not fill me with huge confidence that I seem to get from McGeady

Mcgeady ALWAYS has the potential to do some thing awesome!

Since that game against Milan (the 0-0) where he tore them to bits, he has been a star in MO

By the way I think Shaun is also a wonderful player and am delighted that he is back!

Not really getting my point across, too much red wine already! There is no choice when the family are watching that X-factor Trot!

bournesouprecipe

Not bad from where I was SITTING. North Stand Upper.

Now. Assists. Would you not expect Aiden to have most ASSISTS on the team Surely the only player to compare him to in that department would be Naka? Even then you would have to know the actual number of minutes spent on the pitch, number of passes received etcetc. These stats of yours don't tell the number of times he fails to beat his man, the number of crosses which DON'T beat the first defender and so on. Making assists (can't believe I'm actually using these terms - you have a lot to answer for!)would be why he is in the team! He doessn't win as many tackles as Mick or headers as Caldwell. To compare him to those two would be absurd.

The real question is - does he score enough goals - or get to the byline often enough - or make complete passes - or beat his man often enough (Broadfoot anyone). The answer IMO is no. Should he be in the team you asked. Well the answer is yes - most of the time because he is the best we have. That does not make him a superstar. I just think he is overhyped.

U2_1888

I agree he did not have the best start to the season up until the end of the REARS game. Since then he has been outstanding for us. I car not a jot how he plays for Poland (sorry Zybseck but that is the truth) as long as he turns it on for the hoops I am a happy hoop dogy dog.

On the subject of Aiden (i have tried to stay oot of this one tonight as it always gets my ghoat) the bhoy is the best thing since Charlie Nicholas to come through the ranks at our club and the best before him was Dalgleish. Need I say more.

Hail Hail McGeady, I for one bow to your superior football skills and athletacism.

PF ayr,

The wee man was clearly getting frustrated, just like the 5-1 game at Pittodrie last year, when he got booked for brushing past an opponent- and he nearly got sent off for glancing at the referee in a threatening and aggressive manner.

PS- The team you posted at 6.37 would beat McCurry's 9-in-a-row bookings by 2!

who is co commentating on the Espanyol game

sounds like Tommy Steele ...."little white bull"

Watched Man U this afternoon. That boy Rooney is a fair player, we will have to watch him :) We always lift our game against the better sides. Hopefully we can keep the score respectable.

Our problem on Tuesday is going to be up front. Skippy is unable to hold the ball up and give the rest of the lhads time/rest etc. The guy that played for Everton up front today was a real handful for the 3 Arsenal defenders for the first 45 mins. Shame he ran out of steam and Arsenal kicked it up a gear second half. Man Utd break so quick from back to front it's scary. We need to hope they are not on their best form and we find top gear.

Cheers jinkynewton.

IMO, Aiden must play on Tuesday. We are undoubtedly going to be on the back foot for much of the game. With Sam out, we need someone who can give us a breather, take a bit of the pressure off from time to time. There's no one else in the team with the ability to run forward at pace with the ball. Yes he'll lose it probably fairly regularly, but I can't see anyone else being able to do what he can.

And while I thought him poor today, I am also pleased Shaun is back.

Lurgan 53

Im with you McGeady is over hyped, we all like attacking players with skill but his end product is not always there, Bloke 109 stats are not those of a superstar player yet. IMO

afganpaul/lurgan53

" it is you who say i am "....Aiden McGeady has never referred to himself as a superstar

if you expect too much of him that is your problem not his

lurgan53

Now given his last league start prior to the Dons game was against Rangers and even you will admit he can't play well when is is not selected.

Guess who got an assist for the Samaras goal verse them

correct - McGeady.

On valuation of players enevitably he will leave, 'When he does pass through Parkhead's Gates' - it will break all previous transfer records.

Congratulations you win you are the newly crowned President of the Lame Duck

Society.

only you didn't know that Aiden is by far and away as good as it gets at
Celtic.

Lisbon Lions Upper,

You're almost certainly right about Jinky. I don't want to make comparisons between Him and McGeady (because we all know who'll win that one) but they have a very similar playing style, in that they're both rather jinky. Hence, they will lose the ball more than other players, but they'll also avoid challenges that the likes of Skippy, Sammy or even Henrik couldn't. Aiden has lost possession for us a number of times but also has kept it and provided countless great crosses and passes.

Hail Hail and that

Roger Daltry ??????

is it ???

It is what a lot of supporters think, its just I dont think he is of that quality. although he may not have been quoted as saying he is a superstar - if he was chocolate he would eat himself!

Look at Celtic and then look at Man.Utd.

We look to Aiden to excel supported by maybe Shaun and Naka.

Look at Man.Utd. and the greater number of players they can look to to excel. They have more quality attacking players than we do and equally importantly they have far better quality defenders for our small number of quality players to attack.

I thought that WBA held them as well for the first 45 minutes tonight as I think we could next week but the outcome was a formality.

afganpaul

often should an insolent child be merely ignored. That said, your suggestion that "McGeady is over hyped" defies that logic.

I can only assume that you've watched 1 game (perchance tonight's?) in isolation. Sir, your point reimans bizarrely p1sh!!!!!

f3 x

afganpaul

supporters /football writers/players /pundits /managers

opposing players ie Nesta/Maldini et al

they are all wrong are they

HHHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

it is impossible to argue with such baseless drivel

"i think therefor i am"...not this time

EDB

mano a mano we are not so much better than WBA ...particularly at the back

the second half was frightening and Tevez wasn`t even on the bench

Fintan 3

I know I may be "pissing against the wind" with my opinion, but is still valid, I have watched the Bhoys for many years and dont believe that McGeady is as good as some believe. not a Jinky or Henke, maybe a Chris Morris

PF Ayr

fear not, mountain bhoy says we will win. \just you wait and see. They will have the fear.

PF Ayr

I thought there were a few decent players in the WBA back four but to be fair don't know what they cost or what their salaries are.

afganpaul

you are entitled to your view but I hear a padded cell has your name over it at Leverndale Hospital.

PF Ayr

Football writers?

Wonder if this is the only football forum where fans of one club can't have a disagreement without childish name calling and insults?

Referring to one's opinion as "shoite" (I believe this term is used on FF when referring to Celtic supporters as plastic paddies) or "p1sh!!!!!" - well it says more about the posters than the readers.

bournesouprecipe

"On valuation of players enevitably he will leave, 'When he does pass through Parkhead's Gates' - it will break all previous transfer records"

Which is what?

Which proves exactly what?

Ready when you are.

gweedorebhoy @ 6.41

Just wanted to pick you up on something - you said you hope Loovens works out but "looks like a typical Strachan signing at the moment," suggesting you don't rate Strachan's signings. I grant you he has been rather hit-and-miss in the signing department, but I don't think there is any such thing as a "typical Strachan signing." On the one hand Donati, Gravesen, Pressley and others who havent worked out, and Naylor who isn't very popular. There are middle-of-the-road players who have done okay, such as Robson, Hartley, Brown, Hinkel, Caldwell, JVOH. Then you have his top-class signings, Boruc, Naka, Skippy, Samaras. I'd say he's made a few duff buys but generally has signed some great players for the club, but with no average it would be hard to define what a "typical Strachan signing" is. Not trying to cause a stir, just wondering exactly what you meant by that.

Hail Hail and that

EDB1

you got your knickers sorted yet ?

Hail Hail

afganpaul,

How many game winning performances will be enough?

TGSC
Sailing on to 4IAR

afganpaul

i see another mcgeady band wagon jumper with groundless substanceless cliched mince.

feck this they are comparing him to full backs now - i should be watching the x factor

I noticed Aalborg lost at home today to Nordsjaelland.

Surely they will heavily lose their next two games to Villarreal.

lurgan53

we've found something in common even if is only the north stand upper, its a start.

you have been presented with the evidence, you reject it you don't rate aiden

I say you don't deserve him.

unless you can tell me another player remotely as gifted at celtic, then keep on

moaning about him losing the ball, or his lack of goals.

if you can't come up with a name like you couldn't check the stats and see where

you went wrong then i'd rather watch the x factor like everybody else.

I'm with the Mountain Man - we will win, Operation CLAW will officially be complete.

Everyone is writing us off. Why, WE are writing us off. We have numerous injuries. We have a goalie suffering a bout of butter-fingers. Our back 4 are shaky. We have a lone podgy shortpants up front as striker.

Who would expect us to win? Nobody. But when did things ever turn out as you planned ?

Aw Naw

Defo. Sorry pal. Drinks are on me when we meet but still you're a :o) LOL.

Ghuys

X- Factor?

Surely things haven't come to that!

Mr L53, please don't take my *** with some exclamation marks as some form of invereted snobbery. Nothing could be further...! (apologies if so)

I am
I Remain
I exist for....

Celtic

PS, PF Ayr, EDB, Kojo, et cetera make some massively valid and interseting points.

f3 x

afganpaul

Football writers?

you know

people who write about football

it`s not really difficult

should you think that perhaps they are on your side re Aiden ...do you take them over the opinion of past band present players of international recognition

for the avoidance of doubt i think that Aiden Mcgeady gets more respect from certain hun sympathising journos than he does from so called supporters of Celtic

There are many supporters who feel AMcG is over rated. Can be quite petulant too. Got himself booked today for no reason and was the first ROI player to be booked in 3 international matches on Wednesday.Lurgan's right. If he played for Scotland he woulddn't receive half the hype.

OK Bournesouperecipe (nice moniker) no,Jinky,Provan or Di Canio IMO and does not always justify selection ahead of other wide players currently at Parkhead. Dont get me wrong on here Im not saying he isnt a good player on his game, but no finished article and not always as effective as some make him out.

EDB1,

you asked for it. I´m going top bore the pants off you to your face and with a drink in me ;-) Something to look forward to for me !!

Hail Hail

LLU,

Agreed, the wee man will give his all, and will give the team SOME breathing space.

On the critics, for me Naka has been far less influential in big games than Mcgeady, Naka is a luxuary player I think a team of our stature sometimes cant aford, we cant have him on in some games just for a free kick chance? but he seems to be completely uncritiseable (thats not a word, but I know its spelt wrong).

I wish people would give Geads a break.

And anyway He should be arrogant and cocky, all great players are (except Larsson)

EDB

Villarreal are away to Epanyol ...Epanyol can`t get ANY possesion..they are being passed about like a 16 year old in Barlinnie

Aalborg should get a dreadful hiding in both games

afganpaul, you have decided to quote "pissing against the wind" Would you care to quote the source poster. (your last entry would suggest moi??!!)

I hate keyboard bully bhoys.
cheers
f3 x

First McGeady now Nakamura? Does anyone want skillful players in our team?

TGSC
Sailing on to 4IAR

"pissing against the wind" is an expression that is all, I am quite new to this site, never a bully bhoy. suprised how personal some seem to take to a difference of opinion!?

Im with the following ways of thinkng

Better start booking trip to Rome 27 May.
We will beat Man Who on Tuesday.
McGeady will score the winner at the end of a run from his own box, thus ending all arguments that he is the best player on the park Tuesday night.

ChiantiCSC

Tonight on X-Factor it was Michael Jackson night. Apparently next week it's Celtic Songs week. I'm looking forward to Diana doing the Fields, Alexandra doing 4Leaf Clover and JLS on Walk On, but I fear GirlBand doing Hampden in the Sun.

Bloke 109

that`s only way you could get me to watch that gash

Aidens form for the past two seasons has been exceptional.

He certainly hasnt started this season well but his performances last have surely bought him the right not to be written off after a couple of mediocre performances.

Anyone who could look at todays game and selct Aiden out for special criticism needs to get a grip.

Middle to front we were ok today. Defence is still a comedy act and I thought Loovens looked out of place at right back until he moved to centre half . Then I was screaming for him to go back to right back.

Was Caddis fit today? If he was and Loovens was played at right back in front of him we have to assume that either WGS doesnt rate him at all or it can be filed under bewildering decisions by the wee man.

Big shout for the away support today. I was freezing just watching it on the telly but they sang their hearts out and encouraged the team for the full 90 mins. If some Celtic fan phoned Clyde to complain about sectarian songs being sungs then he is either stupid or a hun or a stupid hun.

afganpaul

o.k. then, he is as good as it gets, if he had everything we all want, he would be long gone
to the premiership or serie A. he is by far and away the most gifted player at celtic
and a small minority of fans still want him to beat ten men, round the keeper then score.

it isn't going to happen.

hail hail

Jinkynewton - I'd be really surprised if there's anybody in the team with a better pass completion rate than Nakamura.

Aside from his free kicks, and let's be honest who was the last Celtic player who could have scored that goal, at that time against Man U, he's one of our most important players in terms of keeping possession and allowing the play to build.

Then there's the fact that he's always available for the ball and that he's constantly making sure he's in space (unlike Brown, who I like btw, who has a tendency to follow the ball where he passed it).

Have I mentioned his deliveries.

I think I've said enough

Bloke 109

No, No, No next thing you know it will be US Sports beejeesus.

Michael Collins

Hinkel was fit as was Caddis

Loovens at RB was a mystery ...maybe he was wanting him to cut in on his natural foot on overlap :¬)

stupid , a hun or stupid hun ...an unnecessary distinction imo

afganpaul

I'm new - as well!!!!
I'm just surprised at how quick some are to decry the "Young Celtic Team"

When quite clearly, we shouldn't be too hard.....

Cheers, mate

f3 x

Aw Naw

I'd rather put up with your flack than not discuss things with you.

Enjoy your weekend.

Estadio Nacional

with thoughts like that are you sure it`s not Bucky your at

EDB1,

no flack from me ... its all about opinions and we all want the same goal. I´m just passionate about not being associated with them.

Are you going to Aalborg?

Hail Hail

weeminger,

Although Nakamura is good at keeping possession his passing has at times let him down (Aberdeen game, anyone?) I've seen him make a few shocking passes in his time and, despite being a big fan of Naka, I don't think he's got the highest pass completion rate in the squad. Having said that, I couldn't tell you who does, the only player who comes to mind is Hartley.
The last Celtic player who could have scored that goal was Lubo, before him you'd be going back a long way!

Hail Hail and that

Michael Collins, PF Ayr

Big fan of Caddis aswell but Strachan said he picked Loovens because he wanted extra height in the team. I guess he was right going by Loovens goal.
I think Loovens did well at right back and then struggled when he went into centre half.

I realy cant believe some people are having a go about Aiden. So stupid that i'm not going to comment further on it. The guy is top class.

Fairly worried about Tuesday regarding our strikers. McDonald doesnt look at the races at all, hopefully he will do the business if picked though.

So how many of the CQN'ers are going to Manchester? Were is the best spot to go before the game?

PF ayr

That sure is a baffling choice for right back today if we had Caddis (Fit, in stand), Hinkel (Fit, in stand), Wilson (Sub), Loovens playing after being asked if he can play right back.
Also the Bermuda triangle of a man that is J.P Duombe.

Caddis, not ready?
Hinkel, rested for Tuesday?
Wilson, not 100% fit?
Doumbe, did we imagine him?

Playing Loovens in a position that he is not a natural at only makes him uncomfortable and gives us the wrong impression as many are still trying to gauge our thoughts on him.

I say we play Paul Telfer, worked the last time.

Is the right back turning into the new Left back? Please say it is not true, I cant handle a double full back saga.

timbhoy

After Watilla and the huns destroyed Manchester try the new ground zero square

A Lee

Just logged in to have a quick look. Not a lot of good feelings around tonight.

Anyone not knowing the score would have thought that we lost today.

Get a grip lads. We are all Tims.

Bye.

Lubo.

timbhoy05

I understand the argument about height in the team but I still cant square that away with playing a left footed centre half at right back. I am seriously starting to wonder if Caddis is about to join Darren O'Dea and Bobo Balde in Gordons secret undergound dungeon never to be seen again.

Welcome Fintan3 and AfganPaul

Heres what is preventing my enthusiasm from being curbed.

What makes the difference on Tuesday

He can open a tin of beans with that left foot of his, Ive seen him take all kinds of free kicks so what one the 57 varieties are we going to see here... Oooooh Wooooof

A very very happy stadium

Fantastic Interviews (Last Second sums it up)

Nostalgia is not what it used to be.

Paul

I have not posted for a while but having come back from a 7 hour round trip to Inverness I thought I might understand why certain sections of our "Away support" continue to drag the club down by singing songs which have nothing to do with Celtic Football Club,The Broad Black Brimmer,BOTOB, Novo Song and why the Club continue to do nothing about it,but I can't.

Despite Dr John's statement at yesterdays AGM, today the singing particularly in the first half was probably worse than the last away game at Motherwell.

I know the Celtic history having supported them as bhoy and man for the last 45 years but do these so called fans not see or care about the damage they are doing to this great club and all it stands for?

Weeminger,

On Naka, dont mean to be so critical about him, and I agree 100% about him also being awesome.

However, in some games I just dont see what everyone else does with him and get frustrated at his contribution. Usually, to be fair, the games where the rest of the team are struggling.

It is all down to perspective and I shouldn't have used one of my (other) fav players to attempt to make my point, but Mcgeady is probably the best player and most exciting player in our league? Any one better? I would love to know who that is?

We all want the same thing here, and that is the hoops winning in style, if we dont analyse and be critical then we would become complacent and that is very dangerous.

Cheers

The Spirit of Arthur Lee

haha, the probably destroyed there aswell

I hope to god that doesnt happen with Caddis. I dont understand how he isnt even in our starting lineup. I presume he had some sort of an injury today as he is usually at least on the bench. I'm sure Gordon holds him in high regard or else he wouldnt have thrown him in against Barcelona last season.

I realy hope O'Dea gets another chance to show what a top player he is. His two performances in the San Siro were outstanding. If he doesnt get a regular place this season he will probably leave in search of first team football.

It's not very difficult.

Aiden could possibly become an important squad member one day in any of the top four EPL clubs. Not an immediate and every week starter but who is at that level?

He is the only player we have who I believe to be in that category, and long may we cherish the time he remains with us.

As a famous person says often, just wondering like!

Murdoch,Auld and Hay

There was nothing audible on TV from the away support that would contravene either UEFA/FIFA guidelines or break the law.

I thought the away support today were magnificent as always.

Turning to the game we were kicked off the park from the start with no support from the referee who had a shocker. Why Black was not sent off after his tackle on McGeady?

Certainly deserved to win on second half performance with Brown and Loovens MOTM.

Sir Paul

Well,palomine.. we made it!

When we scored the Second.. I flinched.. in fact.. I was secretly hoping for a very safe and complacent, 1-0 victory!

A 2-0 deficit, is the very score-line, that seems to awaken the fighting spirit of the Inverneesians

And when they predicably managed to ping pong, One..amid a tangle of legs,arms and assorted empty-air lunges by our very Flappable Central Defenders... wella, wella..

"Now, this is another fine mess you have got us into, Stanley!"

From then on it was Katy bar the door!

That extra 7 minutes was pure torturous agony...

Howevvvvvvvvvvvvvahh...

All's well, that ends well.

Of the game itself... I must say that... under those very blustery and harsh weather conditions, plus the rather bumpy appearance of the park, I thought that Celtic did squeeze in, some very nice football.

Of course, I am very easy to please,and if the Celtic score one more goal than their opponents.. at the end of the day...
That is enough to send me home happy, and remain in that contented condition until their next fixture arrives.

Anyone who has followed my post game submissions,will know that if Celtic have won the contest, then I nevah, evah, criticize any of the Celtic worthies..

So..true to my wont.. I would nevah, evah, dream of offering any criticism concerning any of our beloved Celtic stalwarts in today's encounter.

Celtic Won..

Hip Hip Hooray!

and that'll dae me fine.. until agin ah see 'em play!

Kojo.

Murdoch,Auld and Hay

What are the club not doing?

I had to look up 'The Broad Black Brimmer' first time I have ever heard of that title and after you tubing it it was the first time I have heard it.

I have unforunetly gained an ear for songs that may offend people and I heard the end of one song.
Did you hear them on a bus, pub or in the gound?

Without going into the whole songs debate, why are Celtic supporters songs getting highlighted here?

Michael Collins

I didn't watch or listen to the match on TV I was actually at the game and I can assure you that the songs being song in my opinion have nothing to do with Celtic Football Club.

Kojo

How was the weather over your way this week? Read about evacuations etc and you were off for a while, thought your CQN machine had been blown away.

Murdoch,Auld and Hay

Whether the songs being sang have nothing to do with Celtic Football Club is highly debatable and has been debated ad nauseum over the past few days. I suspect the away support sing these songs because they do see the connection between the politics contained in the songs and the ethos of the club. You can agree or disagree with that viewpoint all you like but until the club are specific about what songs are ok and what are not or UEFA tell the club to stop the fans singing these songs then the away support are perfectly entitled to sing them.

The Novo song is a different case and I would be fully supportive of anyone found singing this ridiculous dirge being banned from CP.As I said previously it was not audible on the TV.

Estadio Nacional

I have no problem with these songs being sung by Celtic supporters in bus train or car,myself included.

But with the current debate on TFS we are only giving the media in Scotland and the SFA/UEFA the opportunity to class us the same as Rangers FC and their scum suppport.

We are above that.

I have more arguments about the "ones as bad as the other "
than anything in life. I watched game earlier and never noticed it but in re run i just caught ""NORTH MEN SOUTH MEN COMRADES ALL SOON .........No XXXXXXXXXXX at all "

BANG OUT OF ORDER

How can we talk about Famine song when we are still singing
pi$h like that

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend...Estadio Nacional

There were no mass evacuations from where I am.

California?

Sure.. But,Nevada is safe from the Santa Anas.. so there is very seldom much fear of being burned out.

Na... I have just been busy, doing what I do so well.

Speaking of Celtic's Chance of pulling off an upset...

My Mind tells me... Nae Chance!

And my Heart says. Nae Chance!

That's the foist time that has happened in ages!

So...

Whit diz my Big Toe say,then?

It says...

"Go fur it, Celtic! Ah am with ye awe the Wey!"

So...

Ye must know which opinion that yours sincerely wull go by..

Dain't Ye?

Saewright?

Aweright!

Manchester 0 Celtic 1

Kojo.
yer pal.. who likes ye.

Paul,
lurked but have not posted for some time. Not overly concerned about the manner of victory today-when was the last free flowing, expansive perfomance by any team (including the hosts) in the highlands?
What IS a concern is our captain. McManus is not a bad player simply a mediocre one who seems to lack the confidence/arrogance that the best captains have. How long before WGS does the right thing and drops him? Why can't O'Dea get near the pitch?
PFOA

Murdoch Auld HAy and Michael Collins

Never realised you were in mid debate when i posted

I think someone could argue political songs are justified(dont agree myself) but i keep saying to folk what if the famine song said holocaust over or slavery over etc etc no comeback so what do i say when i hear " no protxxxx at all"

That as i say is bang out or order and maybe one is as bad as the other(i know that is not true but how can i defende us?)

jc2

If that was sung then I agree its out of order and the people singing it need to get a grip however I cant say I heard it on the TV.

Then songs I did hear I have no issue with.

Jc2

Celtic will know the section these songs were coming from lets see if they stop there tickets

dont stay up all night

Love

evening all,
for those hoops in Brazil (I know there's a few on here) the game on tuesday is on ESPN brazil at 4.45pm.

I think we'll win.

patnmick with the tv schedule

jc2

Thank you exactly the point I am trying to make

Kojo

Great to hear, Ive got my states mixed up, what a state, but its after 8, so its no so bad.

You have plagiarised my 'mind over matter' thought for the week that is 0-1 to the good fhellas.
But you can have it if it means that it will happen. Great minds and all that.

EN

Who likes your submissions.

What must be remembered is that we WON without a important base of our team.

Tis always the sign of champions if you can grind out results, for example see The Orcs at Love Street.

A very, very good win for us today. It keeps us top, we battled off some demons that lay up at Inverness and we can now watch tomorrow and hope that yound McCarthy n McCathur can throw a spanner when we need them.

F*** you Rangers were gonna win the league,
were gonna win the league.

Im off to watch the the history.

Double Diamond

The Hamilton Accies got beat today with St Mirren

A Lee

jc2,

never heard that one - in fact I haven't heard that at a game for a long time.

Murdoch, Auld and Hay, fully agree with you.

Michael Collins, dé ja vu.

Very limited options for Tuesday night. WGS chose Loovens due to a lack of height in our team and Inverness having a few big laddies. If he thinks Loovens can play right back as a left footed player, surely he can play left back as a left footed player?!

Whomever plays at right back will probably get roasted by Ronaldo.

Boruc
Caddis Hinkel Caldwell McManus Loovens
Hartley Robson Brown McGeady
McDonald

Caddis would give energy on the right and would be able to suuport Hinkel at right back and double up on Ronaldo. I can't find a place for Naka until late in the game. I don't see too many alternatives.

If we come out unscathed, no more injuries, no embarassment and get 3 points against Hibs on Saturday I'll take it right now.

optimisticfrombehindthecouch CSC

rPR?

...or alternatively, my fabled 5-5-5 formation:-

Boruc
Caddis Hinkel O'Dea McManus Loovens
McGeady Hartley Caldwell Brown Robson
McGowan McDonald Hutchinson Maloney Nakamura

With McCourt, Sheridan, Naylor, Donati and Wilson on the bench.

I still don't know if we'd get an away win:)

U2_1888

You rang a bell there, a tip top right back is needed to go against the fella with one name.
If he is one of the top three in the world and he plays on the wing then first choice full backs are the least that can be put up against him.

If it makes things any better, in my opinion Messi is No.1 and theres around five that are joint secon.

0-1

Great.

They do dho dont dey tho

We are playing against the Euro. Champions. Lets temper our ambitions.

1-1 for me.

EDB

I'll settle for that.

Estadio

your kind word(s)are beyond me
enjoyed the game today.......purely on the basis that the good ghyus won.
Let's focus on the footie :- we were, and remain, pretty good. Some glaringly obvious holes at the back. Not sure what the solution is, that said, young Mr O'Dea looks pretty good for a centre half. Otherwise, we're pretty average at the back. I could almost - almost - play.
Cheers

f3 x

Operation CLAW - Tuesday night - 7.45pm....mission accomplished...?

Positive thought can lead to great things.

Kojo love your work, and call me naive but i think we will one nil aswell.
with Mcdonald scoring the goal.

I had a dream last night that we beat them 4-2 with WGS scoring 2 and his last one was a belter dead low and well placed, och them damn corna's but hey every Bhoy can dream can't he.

FIAR.

Project CLAW.

Tuesday is coming too soon.

We may be able to get by against SPL sides with our injury hit squad but even a full strength Celtic would be up against it on Tuesday.

Strachan's team selection today won us the game. Facing a selection headache due three big forwards out injured. He played Loovens at right back to give the side a extra big man for set pieces and it paid off.

Murdoch,Auld and Hay, the ‘we’re right, not offensive’ mindset has damaged Rangers enormously in recent years and will harm Celtic as well.

To answer your question, clearly they don’t care what damage they do to our club.

Kojo, aye, those last seven minutes must have taken half an hour!

Michael Collins, the club previously requested The Boys of... was not sung again and it was given its most vociferous outing ever in the next away game.

Celtic have met with all supporters groups away from the media and detail explicitly what is and is not allowed, no one is in any doubt what is allowed.

More than this, I don’t believe the club receive any disagreement from supporters’ representatives on this subject.

This is not the first time we have read supporters returning from Inverness with concerns about their experiences at earlier in the day.

Yesterday I said why the ‘we’re not offensive, we’re right’ argument was futile and destined to cost the club, the ‘it didn’t happen’ defence is no more effective.

Payerforowenarchdeacon, Stephen McManus is not progressing as well as Gary Caldwell, though I’m not sure O’Dea is the answer.

Only Women Bleed

pablophanque

Paul67

As i said Yesterday the club know who gets the seats for away games

Let them deal with it

Soon

Hallelujah! A decent X-Factor contestant :-)

Fintan3

Ive thought the same with the defence, but after the solid San Siro performance of O'Dea then him not continuing then Im guessing theres fitness/training/attitude issues.

That is just my humble opinion but the fitness and concentration shown in the San Siro should have raised him up a few levels to make the claim the spot that a lot of us make claim he is due.

In saying that he may have performed with 110% concentration,
during that time due to sheer 'Im playing for Celtic' I tend to think Naylor made that very same feeling last a season in his first season.

Love Will Keep Us Together

pablophanque

PABLOPHANGUE.

MAIL ON YOUR DOORSTEP.

Hold Me Close

pablophanque

OT, already replied to !

See, all these weeks I've been driven to distraction with this crappy wireless internet and all I needed to do was run everything on Firefox !

Now if I can only get my IE spell-check to work I'll be laffing.

Any requests Big P ?

pablophanque

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. OpTIMisTic Tim and Estadio Nacional.

Thank you both for your kind remarks.

They gladden me heart.

Whatevah Team that Gordon Picks will be the Team for the Match.

Howevahhhhhh...

If I were King...

How aboot this wan?

Boruc, Loovens and Naylor,(Nae Wilson?...ye goat that right!)
McManus O'Dea

Naka,Hartley, Robson, Brown, McGeady,

McDonald.( Hobson's Choice!)

Ah really like ma Mid-field...Heck! .. Ah really like awe o' ma selections!

Kojo.

yer pal... who likes baith of ye a loat.

evening pablo..welcome back to the nightshift..been a bit over run with the baseball mob recently..

SOAL, I think we have reached a point where the overwhelming majority of the support would back your recommendation.

Pablo, what about some Johnny Cash?

Pablophanque.
theme for tonight?

I wish

awalk

What do you think of BZN's I Love This Life?

And one for a special friend of mine.

Oh Mein Papa

pablophanque

Pablo

The Jigsaw

Class

BZN was meant to be BN, ie Blue Nile :-(

Paul, now I know where you get your musical influences from :o)))

Walk The Line

awalk, good to be back mate.

RRC, guess the year (apart from the last two)

SOAL, you know how to float my boat my friend :o)))

pablophanque

Johnny Cash - Redemption

awalk

I found it on youtube! Blue Nile - I love this life Amazing! Not so much the video though :-)

bloke..love it..though preffered the second act..mate has it on the original RSO label vinyl..took me years to get it..

Paul67

Not as good as DM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jQcNiD0Z3MU

Love

Pablo
Only Women Bleed was on Alice Cooper's 1975
Welcome to my Nightmare album
so is 1975 the answer?

Gawd, it's like that scene in Ice Station Zebra !!!!

I've tried most weekends to get on here and as soon as I load CQN my CPU goes off scale. Never been a fan of Firefox but it seems to be doing the trick.

Only You Can

pablophanque

Pablo

When we meet up i will tell you great story's about Radiohead gigs

bloke it was also released on the cd single of I would never(2004) first single of High

Paul.

1. Celtic have met with all supporters groups away from the media and detail explicitly what is and is not allowed, no one is in any doubt what is allowed.

2. More than this, I don’t believe the club receive any disagreement from supporters’ representatives on this subject.

Not too sure about point 1 re detail of songs. I assume you're talking about content? But certainly on this side of "the pond" absolute 100% agreement on point 2.

Where do you dig them up from,
I remember this one

S S S Single Bed

RRC, aye goin' spoil it fur everyone :o(

Glass of Champagne

pablophanque

Ps, only kiddin' mate. I'd need to get up very early in the mornin' to beat you !

SOAL, been to a few mesel. Care to elaborate ?

My Eyes Adored You

pablophanque

Can't do the linky thing and am only a lurker on the nightshift but.....

Can anyone give a link to Rory Gallagher's Taste days ..... specifically "If I can't sing I'll Cry" from the "On the Boards" album?

awalk, my story of it is meeting Paul B in the merchant city about 96 and telling him it was my favourite but i didn't have it - the only copy I had was taped off Billy Sloan ages before. he asked me where i worked and popped in a tape of it a couple of days later. It's now the most played track on my i-pod.

Pablo, RRC, SOAL, thanks for that.

Lurgan53, aye.

Canny believe all I needed to do was run another browser !!!

I believe Big P has been an advocate of Firefox for years tae !

Sky High

pablophanque

Well It's a long way (and back) to Inversneckie.

Just caught up with the blog, after a nice meal out, and feel most comment was fair. The only missing bit, I'd add was that Barry Robson really turned his performance round second half and was my MOTM on the basis of that 45 minutes.

Brines was incompetent but one linesman (the one who ignored the penalty on Loovens) was a cheat.

Dougie Imrie was auditioning for the role of Lee McCullough. I expect he'll announce his withdrawal from the Scotland squad tomorrow.

And, though I am on the same side as Dublin Bhoy and Michael Collins on the songs debate, a small portion of our away support sang 2 songs which deserve our disapproval and do not have a political defence (RITG and Northmen/ Southmen). The choir singing those were no more than 20 to 30 strong but they were loud enough. The offensive Novo song was not sung today; We merely sang "Nacho Novo, we know where you live".

Anyway, too late for a songs debate. Three hard points won and my team for OT is

Boruc
Wilson Caldwell McManus Naylor
McGeady Brown Hartley Robson Maloney
McDonald

Naka to come on as impact sub and Celts to win with a 93rd minute header from Artur Boruc.

Lurgan, canny find that track, will this do ?

Gambling Blues

pablophanque

Lurgan53

Taste - On The Boards

Closest I could get

SFTB, objective as ever my friend. I though BR was MOTM on the telly and I agree, Brines is just incompetent.

Goodbye My Love

pablophanque

Joni Mitchell The River

Bloke_109

Excellent.

Always room for a little Joni on the nightshift

bloke..good stuff..next time you meet him tell him your favourite is his new album and you dont have a copy..he maybe get the finger out then..

Glass of Champagne

That hit the spot. Majic

The best band at T in the park this year

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz8wU9DdbqU

RATM

Good Night

RRC

Cheers for that. Close enough. "On The Boards" was actually the first LP I ever purchased. Next one was "Straberry Fair" Simon and Garfunlel!

Lurgan53

I had never heard that track before, some excellent guitar playing on it.

RRC

FFS!
"Scarborough Fair!"

Pablo

Thanks.

Coupla belters..........

Once Bitten Twice Shy

Wide Eyed And Legless

pablophanque

RRC

It was a wonderful album but little acclaimed. Except on this side of TIS.

M

So's this..............

Love Hurts

pablophanque

Lurgan

My cousin was a major Rory Gallagher fan.

Mostly I knew the 'Live In Europe' album

But, I liked that track
I will seek out a copy of the album
Cheers for that

RRC

awalk

Nice one :-) Went onto the website and you won't be surprised to hear that it is 'under construction'

pablo

Good stuff on the Frankie Valli track. Went to see Jersey Boys on Broadway last Sunday - amazing show and has really got me into 4Seasons stuff, having forgotten just how many good songs they had

C'mon admit it, you never realised how many good songs came from this year !!!???

Moonlighting

BTW, I really miss Leo from the blog. He made me laff !

pablophanque

bloke..nothing ventured nothing gained..etc..as for the website same old same old..

Leo

Bloke, always knew how good Frankie and the boys were. Glad you approve.

Now this is a belter. I'm right back in that school disco !

Girls

pablophanque

sftb

It is a long way to Inverness and sadly 3 hours of drinking doesn't bring out the best in the OLD FIRM support.

While songs sung today are in no way offensive to us (except the Novo song you mentioned) to others any song mentioning the IRA gives our enemies plenty of ammunition. Likewise it means decent supporters like the ones in Inverness will label Celtic and Rangers fans as one.

When the SFA/SPL finally take action on unacceptable singing the OLD FIRM will be tried and sanctioned together as the OLD FIRM thanks to outbreaks of rally singing like we had yesterday.

I must add the Celtic fans in Inverness were jovial and in no way out to cause anyone any bother but singing republican songs will only get us into bother.

And in any case the Irish people have moved on, so why can't we?

Rats !!!

Girls

pablophanque

January

pablophanque

1975

Bye Bye, Baby

You will never guess

You know what? Some of us may be disappointed by the away fans today. The home fans booed McGeady and their former player Robson. Apart from that, they're a cuddly, freindly bunch, right?

Er...

The Sunday Herald is reporting that 'Memories of December's meeting loomed large pre-game' as a`banner was removed from the Inverness fans during the game.

It read 'Big Jock Knew. We won 3-2'

mentioned here in game report

Dublinbhoy ..you ready to take over the blog with baseball updates?? the bhoys are all lurking or will waken in the morning to read your ditties.

I myself shall be in the pub watching,
the blog needs you Dublinbhoy don't let the troops down.

Later

Kevtic

I may have been picked up wrong. I don't think that particular Novo song was as bad as the normal Novo song. And yes, the young boys wanted to show that they would not be dictated to on the songs issue and I understand that reaction without necessarily agreeing with it. BUT I have no respect or understanding for "Roaming" & "Soon there'll be no.."; those were the 2 offensive chants today to which I was referring.

Paul67 is right in one respect; that a call to restraint in fan's singing and chanting by the plc will be taken as a challenge by some who see it as an ideological battle. I also feel that some of the so-called apolitical language used by the proponents of banning songs creates the same reactions. When people are challenged that their views or statements are offensive, no longer wanted or no longer needed, there is a higher likelihood that they will rebel against you and dig in and redouble their efforts to show they will not be easily defeated.

It's too late for me to propose a debate on a better way of reaching an agreement but, for what it's worth, I'd lay off specifying BOTOB as the primary target for banning and aim for getting rid, finally, of the 2 chants that offended me today.

Gerry, will reply to your e-mail tomorrow and thanks for that !

Oh Boy

pablophanque

This was 1975 for me!

25th of May, actually

Heartbreaker

Bloke_109

Cheers for that. There was no need to re-quote a banner.

I for one will avoid reading that rag.

Hail Hail

(Scotland's) Shame, Shame, Shame

pablophanque

pablophanque on October 19, 2008 1:41 AM

The acceptable face of The Shame. Brilliant.

And I'll bet no-one admits to liking or remembering this one !!!???

Let Me Be The One

pablophanque

At Seventeen

I don't know if anyone can link this or find it, but I saw an article on another board which posted James McCarthy's Uncle, Hugh Coyle, responding to the ignorant pee posted by Ally Ross in the Scottish Sun, about his nephew. He was given right of reply in the Sun, it seems.

It is well worth a read if anyone can locate it and, even better, scan it, so we don't have to link to the Sun.

Kevtic

When you say we should move on does that include taking down the tricolour and stopping playing the Fields of Athenrye and Let the People Sing. Why dont we change our badge while were at it and the colour of our strip.

Why are we drag this issue into the public domain ourselves when neither UEFA or the SPL have taken issue with anything sung by our away fans.

Im all for SFTB's suggestion about focusing all our efforts on removing any trace of the Novo song or soon ther'll be no... rather than specifically mentioning BOTOB.

By mentioning this song but allowing others to be sang freely the club leaves itself open to accusations of double standards.

It has in the main been agreed among most Celtic fans that there is nothing offensive and certainly nothing sectarian in this song and I feel that the reason it is belted out with so much passion is that the fans singing it feel it is symbolic of the club pandering to external influences who would do all in their power to remove any trace of Irishness from our club.

The Fields of Athenrye is a Rebel song as much as BOTOB but it is a board sanctioned rebel song so its allowable and I think that is what rankles with some of our fans. You cant sing rebel songs unless they are board sanctioned rebel songs.

If banning political songs is the genuine aim here, and I would be sad to see this happen , then we must ban songs with all political content in them. The Fields, Let the People Sing The Soldiers Song would all have to go.

If that is the wish of the majority of Celtic fans then I would go along with it.

I suspect however it is not.

Last Orders

Popcorn

Muppets

Walk On Muppets

And a Christmas hit............

All Around My Hat

pablophanque

Could'nt be 1975 without this

Bohemian Rhapsody - Live @ Hammie O

Why Did You Do It

pablophanque

Barbados

pablophanque

Gerrybhoy

Nah, I'll leave the musical night shift have their wicked way with the blog tonight.

If it goes to the final game, I'll be on tomorrow don't you worry.

Hail Hail

His Bobness

same year

RRC

And so endeth 1975 !

Subdivisions

pablophanque

I Love To Love

Why Did You Do It

pablophanque

Yes, great suggestion even though I was dead wee that year.

The Man

MNe Finito.

DublinBhoy, I've really enjoyed reading the baseball threads the morning after. I became hooked a good few years ago when it was first shown on Channel 5, although I became extremely frustrated not knowing what the hell was going on most of the time and I came home tonight expecting to watch the next game but it's not on here so I'd welcome some updates if you feel like it.

BTW, your updates of that last game was one of the finest moments I've ever read on CQN. Talk about a come-back !!!!

So feel free my friend to keep us up to date.

Mathew And Son

pablophanque

Present day

Pendulum

Hey Matthew

pablophanque

DublinBhoy

Im the same, wake up and find myself wanting to know the nightshift scores.

Red Sox lead 2-1 after 3 innings.

Tobi

Any chance of a brief summary of where we are at on this game? Just tuned in and its 2 to 1, it that tongiht or a series?

Tobi its ok.

I need to sleep, will try to get into it later.

Hail Hail.

I bid all my fellow CQNers a goodnight.

Got a little local derby here tomorrow.
Wedenesday V United
Should be worth a watch

Enjoy the baseball

RRC

Tampa Bay lead the series 3-2 with 2 games to play.

Red Sox lead 2-1 in tonights game.

Tampa Bay got a Home Run in the first innings.

Red Sox levelled with HR in the 2nd, then scored a run in the 3rd.

pablo

Aw shucks :) Thanks very much, high praise indeed...pity the rest of my posts aren't of the standard you thought those ones were.

And as if to prove my point....

Michael Collins

I was trying to argue those points myself yesterday but there are too many out there who are not interested in anything other than getting good CELTIC supporters banned for life because it will be perceived that we are better than the huns. Points scoring against them and nothing more than that. There are no reasoned arguments only "just stop". They are doing the job of our enemies and splitting the support.
All I can say is "shame on you all".
I support the board on everything they have done for our club but believe they have made a monumental mistake on this issue.

This is one subject that I will not be getting into any more arguments or discussions about. It is divisive and polarises the support.

Hail Hail

Not posted this in a while and I think some of yous over-seas chaps might appreciate it :o)))

Rawhide

pablophanque

RRC

Mon the Sheff. are you going?

pablo

Ha..haven't heard that version. Where the heck did that come from??

Hail Hail

Tobi Legend

Thanks very much, Im going to go for the Sox, makes it more interesting to support the team thats up against it.

Hail Hail.

DB, just found it on the channel from the boy with the small penis :o))

pablophanque

DB, bought it about 25 years ago on 7" vinyl. Pretty good huh ?

pablophanque

Rawhide

pablophanque

Brilliant stuff, if you are involved in it I could do a video for it if you wish, give me a shout.

Did I detect a wee blast of this in it? round about the middle?

Glasgow?

pablo

Ha..yeah it cracked me up listening to it. Still laughing :)))

Hail Hail

EN, I wish !!! I can send you the MP3 if you wish to make a video of it and yes you did hear a wee bit of IBTG

DB, hat's off to the East Kilbride boys.

pablophanque

Estadio Nacional

Thought you'd headed off. Sox are still up 2-1 coming into the bottom of the 4th. Rays batting. 1 out, no one on base.

I think its quiet tense there with pitchers afraid of making the first major blunder that would open things up.

Good for you picking the Sox...you know it makes sense.

Hail Hail

OK, well I'll post the game updates if no one objects. I'll try contain myself if the game picks up in intensity...but I will not be impartial.

Top of the 5th. Sox at bat. Big Papi takes the plate to start the inning.

Go Sox

Sheilds, the Rays pitcher ins beginning to settle into his stride after a dodgey start to the game.
Middle of the 5th with the Rays coming to bat. No change in the score.
Beckett the Sox pitcher has had a similar game to Sheilds and is getting the outs.

Hail Hail

Rays runner on the 1st base tried to steal but was picked off easily by Pedroia after a good throw by the Sox captain and catcher Varitek.

Rays just pick up the tying run by a good homer from Bartlett to the left field.

Damn.

2 out, no one on base bottom of 5th..2-2

Hail Hail

End of the inning. Still 2-2 coming in the 6th.

Beckett is playing with an injury that is obvious...his fast ball is only hitting about 92pmh when he would normally expect to reach 95 to 96pmh. At this level that can be the difference between a strike-out and a home run.

Hail Hail

Beckett has a much lower pitch count.

Varitek, who had been 0-14 in this series (ie he hadn't had a hit in the ALCS) has just got a home run.
Crisp gets a hit to get him to 1st base.

The home crowd has gone quiet again.

Pitcher change by the Rays as Sheilds is replaced.

2 out, 1 on base top of the 6th. 3-2 to the Sox.

Hail Hail

Tobi Legend

Yes, he definitely has..its in his interest to try keep it low with his oblique injury. Also the Sox bullpen is not as good as the Rays so he has to get as far through the game as possible.

Hail Hail

Pedroia gets to 1st base as the 3rd base man makes a mess of the throw to get him out. Crisp gets through to 3rd base as a result.

Papi at bat. 2 on base and 2 out. Can he get Crisp home by a good line drive?

Yes he does. Crisp gets home to make the score 4-2. Still 2 runners on bases 1 and 2!!

Hail Hail

Youkilis at bat now. Youk is well able to get home runs as the inning gets interesting.

Hail Hail

ok, slightly eight sheets to the wind, they were all doubles and no menu was available, However...Did anyone else notice how bobbly that pitch was? Ball was never rolling more than two feet without jumping up and bouncing randomly all over the place. Reserve judgement, but in haste, I say call the association of flatness and they say........'I concur, that was a helluva lumpy place to do any trade'...Successfully is a different matter, no?

Howell struck Youkilis out leaving runners stranded.

Are the Rays getting rattled in front of their home crowd??? The pressure is on them now to get themselves back into the game.
The Sox look unphased...they have experience of being behind in the ALCS.

4-2 the Sox coming into the 7th inning. The last game this was the inning that the Sox get back into the game and then just powered past the Rays.
Beckett has been replaced by the Sox Japanese boy, Nakajima.

Exciting stuff.

Hail Hail

Damn...its the bottom of the 6th not top of the 7th.
Things getting to me early tonight!!!

Hail Hail

Oki walks Longoria. 2 out, 1 runner on base.

Oki has a very odd style of pitch. He ends up looking down at the ground. The batters have a hard time judging what the ball is going to do. But, they should be looking at his pitching arm anyway.

Ground ball to 2nd. Inning over.

Hail Hail

huntersthompson

I didn't notice but then again I cant get what inning we're in right...and I've not been drinking. Maybe I should have a couple of beers!!

Hail Haul

darnit, i was talkin about the footie, no one is perfect mon frere.

Sox at bat at the top of the 7th. Jason Bay hit by the Rays pitcher so is walked to 1st base.
Bay gets to second after Kotsay grounds out.

1 out, runner on 2nd base. Sox up 4-2.

Rays change their pitcher again.

Hail Hail

2 out I meant.

Hail Hail

Rays pitcher walks the Lowerie, the sox batter. Varitek at bat with 2 runners on 1st and 2nd, 2 out.

Can he get another home run?

Hail Hail

Rays catcher couldn't hold the ball and Sox runners each move up a base.

Tek hits a fly ball to the right field caught easily to end the inning for the Sox.

Middle of the 7th still 4-2.

Hail Hail

huntersthompson

Ha, ha...sorry about that. I was caught up totally in this game!!

Yeah, is Caley and their pitch the new Motherwell???

Hail Hail

Bay has to tun hard to catch the popped up ball to the right field.

2 out and no one on base.

I suppose one of the reasons I do not like the Rays is because of their stupid mascot. He and the Sox green monster mascot, Wally, have past history...they do not get on at all.

Anyway, Crisp catches the fly ball to end the 7th inning.
Sox are still winning 4-2

C'mon Sox get another couple of insurance runs in.

Hail Hail

Crisp is walked by the Bays pitcher. 0 out top of the 8th.

Hail Hail

Little Dustin Pedroia gets caught out but Crisp gets to 2nd base.

1 out, runner on 2nd and the Rays are running scared of Big Papi Ortiz. They are walking him so it will be 2 runners on, 1st and 2nd.

Youkilis at bat....could that walk be a big mistake by the Rays????

Pitcher is using the submarine pitch....just hate that, a girlie pitch if I ever saw one.

Hail Hail

It may be a girlie pitch but its an effective one...a double play gets the Sox out to end their inning.

Middle of the 8th.

Hail Hail

Masterson pitching for the Sox.

Hits the batter thus walking him. Runner on 1st and no one out. Potentially the Rays can tie this game if the Rays get a home run.

Nervy times for the very young Sox pitcher.

Hail Hail

Pitcher gets him out. Upton is at bat now...this is a big moment for Masterson with runner on 1st.

Hail Hail

Upton fouls the ball to stay in...just as well he was waring a box.

Popped up to centre field which is caught by Pedroia.

2 out, 1 on 1st...shallow foul ball caught to end the 8th inning.

The pressure is on the Rays to salvage this game. The Sox will want a run or two for insurance before the Rays get to bat.

Top of the 9th coming up. Great work by Masterson. Good lad, you've done well.

Hail Hail

Another bloody submarine pitcher...but gets Drew out.
Jason Bay on but is grounded out.

2 out with Kontsay up to bat. Rays change their pitcher yet again.

none on base, top of the 9th and 2 out. Sox still up 4-2.

Hail Hail

Sox finished their innings for the night unless the Rays get 2 more runs to force it to the 10. Obviously, if the Rays score more than 2 in the bottom of the 9th then they will win the series.

Papelbon, the Sox pitcher who gave up 2 runs in the 7th in Thursdays game is back to his regular closing position.

No foul ups Paps...3 strikeouts please!!!

Hail Hail

This is it lads...can the Sox pull this off and complete the come back and forse the series to the deciding 7th game?

GO SOX.

Ground ball...1 out.

Hail Hail

DublinBhoy-

Unfair on Papelbon in last game. He didn't give up any runs. The 2 scorers were already on base when he came on.

The crowd is on its feet but the difference between this and Fenway is so stark. Fenway was on fire at this stage but the Rays fans are so quiet...they no the game is up.

2 out.

GO SOX...END THIS NOW!!!

Hail Hail

game 7 baby go sox

GAME OVER...SOX GET THE RAYS OUT AND COMPLETE THE COME BACK FROM 3-1 TO 3-3!!!!

This series is now down to just 1 game...everything that has gone before is of no importance.

ONE GAME SOX.

Hail Hail

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=eIeNPgLhPaA

Tobi Legend

Of course you are right, but the Sox fans are used to Papelbon getting his pitches in and getting the pitchers out without giving up runs.

Good solid game for the Sox...not as dramatic as Thursday but tomorrow will be a different game.

The Rays will not want to throw this series at home. The Sox have their tails up.

Good stuff.

Hail Hail

Papelbon made only 8 pitches tonight, fresh as a daisy for game 7.

DublinBhoy

I agree with you wholeheartedly in fact I would go further and say that there seems to be an attempt here to demonise the away support and somehow depict them as drink fuelled neds spouting spouting songs they no nothing about.

This is far from the picture I had of our away support when I travelled home and away. In my opinion the away fans are the heart and lungs of the Celtic support and provide much of the passion and encouragement the team requires and sadly lacks in home games.

If you dont mind me saying so I've been impressed by the way you've conducted the debate over the past couple of days but never stop arguing your point. Some people on here and elsewhere would have you believe that your point of view is damaging the club but I couldnt disagree more.

To me it is the people trying to remove Irish nationalist songs from our repetoire who are damaging our club by attempting to rip its soul out.

Some things are worth fighting for.

Keep the Faith

Tobi Legend

Ha, great clip there.
A very efficient closing performance by Papelbon and yes he should be ready to close tomorrow...if, of course, he is needed.

bostonbhoy...we just have to kill them off tomorrow. The Sox let them think they had a chance...they were just playing with them :))

Hail Hail

told you win game 5 it will go 7

Papelbon saving his strength for more of this

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oCMPJkOAFy4&NR=1

Michael Collins

Thanks for that. I feel that we are the few who are willing to argue that we have very few songs to be ashamed of and unlike Celtic FC we are more than willing to name those songs that shouldn't be sung.
The argument that the board will not name them for fear of the support will go out and sing them is a bogus one. Those songs, like the Boys of The Old Brigade is NOT sectarian, is NOT racist. Just because they do not LIKE them or agree with the politics is NOT a good enough reason to give life time bans to good Celtic fans who sing them and have handed over good money to Celtic.

Sure if UEFA and, less importantly, the SFA specifically say these songs should not be sung for XYZ reasons then fine...but thy have NOT.

As the song goes Let The People Sing.

Hail Hail

bostonbhoy

Yes, you did indeed, my friend.
How could I ever have doubted you and the Sox :))
Got the lottery numbers you could give me.

Hail Hail

only no we need is 4

in a row

you were lucky....still love me DB ?

I'm away to my bed now...have had a long day with the match this morning then work and finishing up with the baseball!

One more game, Sox...one inning at a time!

GO SOX

Hail Hail

Anybody wants a few highlights, go to

http://mlb.mlb.com

Click on 'final' which is in red next to the scoreboard in the top left of the page.

Gerrybhoy71

Lucky me ass, experience it was all about experience. The Rays have shot their em...bolt.

Love ya? Love ya? I'll leave that to yer missus. Personally, I cant stand ye :)))

Hail Hail

bostonbhoy

you're a man a of few words but you speak a lot of sense!!

Baseball and the Sox are great but nothing can compare to The Glasgow CELTIC.

Hail Hail

Hey Guys and Gals apologies as I'm a bit drunk so I ain't read through the whole replies.

Celtic done very well today, thats a shitty place to go get the points. The wind howls and no doubt is a crap place to go play football compared to others.

I thought it was a bit of a bruising encounter and expected nothing less really and bought at 36 on the spread markets with this in mind.

As for the singing of songs, I hate all this political correctness, its a recipe for a police state.

Racist and sectarian songs are sung by people of zero tolerance. Songs celebrating people who gave their lives for freedom and liberty and the freeing of mankind from constant oppression by many creeds should never be discouraged.

God Bless everyone who is fair, Celtic minded and Rangers minded.

History shows there were many Catholics and Protestants who rallied together, to fight tyranny.

;)

db , now now, i know who loves me baby, as Kojak would say

good day ahead ra morra glad theres no work monday

Pete C

Are we a minority or just the silent majority :)
You may have a few drinks on you but you speak a lot more sense that a lot of the sober ones.

Gerrybhoy

Ah sure I suppose you not a bad oul' skin :))
You skiving off on monday or is it another holiday that I don't get?
Thankfully I'm off from tuesday to the end of the week. A buddy is coming over to visit from home...and typically he arrives in Miami Airport at 1:30pm. He's a good Celtic man so you'd think he'd have checked the bleedin' CL schedule!!! I told him to pack light, no cases in the hold just carry on and get through customs and immigration pronto. Even then we'll have a mad 40 mile dash to the club for the start of the game.

Jeez!!!

Hail Hail

Been reading about the Glasgow Airport bombing trial about the heroes who saved many lives, also the boy who broke his leg tackling the bombers & the two other guys who restrained the bombers, its amazeing the HUN SLAYER SMEATON was no where to be seen, what the hell is this guy suppose to have done could someone inform me as SMEATON has had medals for his bravery, after reading the REAL STORY i think the big hun has been found out,i think these medals should be returned & given to the real heroes at GLASGOW AIRPORT. P.S.i think i read somewhere that hun slayer has been admitted to hospital due to breathing problems!!!!! his lies are coming back to haunt him.

All -

HAPPY SEVEN-ONE ANNIVERSARY

WeGubbedthum

Who are our away support? to my knowledge many away game tickets are distributed by ballot (has this changed) therefore we cannot simply say 'the away support'. Unless there is a way for people to be sure of getting away tickets??
Is there? If I, a non-season ticket holder, living in Ireland, wanted an away ticket for the Celtic end at, say, Falkirk or Hibs, how do I get one? Do I apply to Celtic? Do I turn up on the day as a friend of mine suggested? How?

THE GATE IN THE WOOD - SUNDAY UPDATE

The masonic beknighted triumvirate of Duffield, David and Alexanderson meet at a Glasgow restaurant to launder the sponsorship of the Scottish Cup and plot the downfall of WinninGemmell. Duffield fixes a ballot to ensure WG will be executed following his elevation to The First Degree.The murder will take place at Old Twafford on the occasion of Celtic's visit for the immininent Champions League encounter with the hated Banchester United.Alexanderson intends to lure WG and his friends to Banchester with the promise of free drink and a photo-opportunity with England internationalist, Wio Ferdinand. Duffield unwittingly continues to make more enemies than friends - Murray David is out to shaft him over the Scottish Cup sponsorship deal but Duffield strikes first by deceitfully approaching White Goods magnate, Willie Chaughey; Baker Brown Browning seeks revenge over the life threatening Lodge Novo hostage scenario; Ramsay Gordon is secretly working for the SPL as a Fair Play ambassador and knows of the plot to kill WG; even Duffield's secretary, the leggy but acid-tongued. Wilma Waddell, is sick of her coconut-fish scented working environment and has threatened to resign if her boss doesn't get his personal hygiene in order.

In the past week....... - Alexanderson ups the ante with his lure tactics and has offered WG the use of the official Banchester United limo to ferry our hero and five chums from Lanarkshire to Lancashire. Duffield double-crosses Sir Murray David and breaks ranks by agreeing a sponsorship deal with Celtic-supporting Willie Chaughey. However his personal life remains in turmoil with Duffield having to insert Worcestershire sauce crisps anally as an antidote to the Narrowboat Macaroon Foondant scalp soothing agent which has left the SFA's CEO smelling like a Malibu-marinated Arbroath smokie .

This simple tale of life in ML2 will continue shortly.....

Winston Bergkamp Gemmell (7-1)

Joe Parkhead- Perhaps the Prosecution team believe he is simply an irrelevent- or -a less than reliable witness, this is why he has not been called to give evidence- the illness excuse is just a wheeze (sort of).

robertressel- I also question the machinations of the away ticket scheme. I joined it last year, and went to many away games- but only games where no ballot was necessary (M'well, St Mirren etc.). I have never had a sniff of tickets where an actual ballot is required (Ibrox, Easter Rd, Pittodrie).

Additionally I don't even get a letter/ticket offer when no ballot is necessary.

Joe Parkhead

He apparently had a serious asthma attack.

Though when he subdued the bombers he was out for a fag break?

Asthma Smoking not very clever! His work mates have allegedly slated him for the way his story has grown arms and legs.
"John Smeaton, 31, achieved international celebrity status in the aftermath of the incident last June, which saw terrorists drive a burning jeep into the airport.

However, he has now been accused by one of the men who tackled the terror suspects of failing to tell the whole truth and turning the story of what happened into "the John Smeaton show".

But Mr Smeaton, who collected a Queen's Gallantry medal this month, denied the allegations and said he was shocked the other heroes who fended off the terrorists had turned against him.

He and his accusers agreed the truth would emerge in the trial of suspected attacker Bilal Abdullah, at which CCTV footage of the attack will be shown.

Mr Smeaton achieved international celebrity status in the aftermath of the incident last June, which saw terrorists drive a burning jeep into the airport.

He gave a series of television interviews, in which he claimed to have landed a karate kick on one of the bombers and warned would-be terrorists that "Glasgow doesn't accept this - we'll set aboot ye".

However, Alex McIlveen, who tore a tendon in his foot whilst kicking one of the suspects, accused Mr Smeaton of being "a fake".

He said: "John Smeaton is not telling the whole truth. When it came to tackling the bombers, he didn't land a blow.

"The only reason John Smeaton got so much attention is because of what he said afterwards about Glasgow not tolerating terrorists."

"He has turned the whole of the Glasgow bombing attempt into the John Smeaton show."

Stephen Clarkson, who also tackled one of the bombers, said he only saw Mr Smeaton help another airport worker move an injured member of the public.

Speaking from his hospital bed, he added: "He [Smeaton] is a hero for what he said.

"All this time I have just been thinking that the truth will come out in court."

Mr Smeaton, from Erskine, Renfrewshire, has been showered with honours, the most prestigious of which was the Queen's Gallantry Medal at Buckingham Palace on March 4. He has met Prime Minister Gordon Brown four times, and was publicly congratulated by him at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth last September.

But last week it emerged the Prime Minister's Office had written to the other people who helped thwart the attack refusing them Gallantry Awards as they did not meet the required criteria.

Mr Smeaton said he was disappointed others had changed their story and insisted his version of events would be borne out by the CCTV footage.

He said: "It's very sad that after all this time some individuals who have been on public record acknowledging what happened should now choose to see things differently.

"I'm confident and relaxed about the situation. I have never felt worthy of any praise that has been given to me.

"However, if others want to acknowledge your involvement there's very little you can do other than try and graciously accept their kindness.

Mr Smeaton denied he had sought out fame and said he had repeatedly campaigned for the other people who helped thwart the bombers to be recognised."

TGITW continues

This Morning 9am

WG's mobile sounds and he recognises 666, the last three digits of the mobile phone that belongs to Sir Fergus Alexanderson, former-Ranger and current masonic manager of Banchester United

WG: WinninGemmell, how may Ah help ye?

FA: Winston !! How are you this fine morning ? I twust you had an enjoyable twip to Inverness yesterday. Tewwific scenewy up in the highwands.

WG: Aye, wi goat the risult n that's the main hing. That showera thugs booted us aff the park. Ah trust that wiz nain ay your doin, Brother ?

FA: I've got to be honest. I phoned Cwaig Bwewster and offered some expert tactical guidance. I was hoping Cawey would win and give us a psychwogical advantage before Tuesday night.

WG: Well they defnitely tried tae saften us up. Ah saw a bit ay your gemme when Ah goat back tae the Market Bar, spawny is ivir Ah must say.

FA: West Bwom ? Wewegation candidates. I expect a tougher cwash on Tuesday. I weally need to know if you and your mates intend to twavel. Cafe wequires full numbers for the Howy Twinity Wounge. Today weally is the deadwine Winston.

TBC

Apologies for spelling and other unreadable nonsense yesterday.

The Solution

Paul67.

I set out to listen to the game on Channel67 yesterday and all you could hear was a howling wind blowing through the microphone and after five minutes decided that I couldn't listen to the noise any longer,and then tried BBC Sportsound,the sound was perfect but I couldn't listen to a nauseating bunch of biased commentators,after listening for fifteen minutes of verbal diarrhoea I couldn't take any more more from BBC Sportsound.My main gripe was in the comparison of sound Between Channel67's sound,which to say the least was amateurish,and BBCs which was excellent to listen to but for the verbal diarrhoea that was also attached.
Channel67 have to come prepared for all occasions,and protecting the microphones from a strong wind is surely one of their remits.

As for the game itself,Pleased that we came away from Inverness with three valuable points.
After watching the game at midnight,and I may say,with the sound turned down,the conditions were not for playing good football,I wouldn't criticize any Cetic player yesterday,they were under assault from the off and with no protection from a very inept referee,we did very well coming away from Inverness with a very valuable three points.Wouldn't it be great if we could get an insight into what Brines see's that others don't regarding bookings,Black should have walked long before the tackle on Aiden,Imrie was another that should have been booked long before he was,and he should have been walking also.

A very hard outing before the Man U game and I'm hoping we come out of it with minor injury problems,I hope Crosas had a bad bought of cramp rather than anything worse,we can't blame the hatchet men from the North,for his injury.
Scott McDonald shouldn't have played yesterday,there was absolutely no chance of him being up for a game of Football after travelling half way round the World a couple of days earlier,I know we were unlcky with Georgios calling of at the last minute,but Scott still shouldn't have played.

All in all a very good victory,to come away with three valuable points is a great result in anyones book,Well done bhoys.

oldtim67, let me assure you that yesterday`s radio commentators were about as fair as I`ve heard this season. :-) Agree with your comments on the game.

ianinascoli.

I may have been a bit hasty in turning BBC Sportsound off,but they have previous for me.

The conditions weren't great for good football,and as I said,great three points.

.....

WG: Aye, we're up fur it. Six winnit ?

FA: Yes and the services of a wimo and dwiver, just name the time and the pwace.

WG: Tuesday 9am, the Teser pub in ML2

FA: I need the full names of the other five wepwesentatives, Winston, so Cafe can awwange full accweditation.

WG: Well thirs masel; Spirit of Arthur Lee and his singing friend Hugh Richards; Notafanofstan; The Badger and Mr Ulysses McGhee sometimes known as Ulysses Magoo.

FA: Easy enough names to wemember, Winston.

WG: Ah think so too.

FA: This Uwysses chawacter .....

WG: Whit aboot him ?

FA: I don't wecognise him as being an ML2er

WG: He's an ML3er and a bit of a musician, he plays in coffee shops and jeweller's arcades throughout the West of Scotland. He's famous.

FA: Ah don't wecognise the minstwel of Cadzow Stweet.

WG: Well eftir wi beat yis oan Tuesday, Ah'll git Uly tae play the guitar and he and Hugh Richards can gie you n Cafe a few numbers - is a wee thank-you fur services rendered.

FA: We'll wook forward to it Winston. I'll have Sammy pick you guys up at the Teser at 9am sharp. You will wecognise the wimo by the United cwub cwest on each door.

WG: Sammy ?

FA: Sammy McIlwoy, Winston. Fawwin on hard times, we help our former pwayers at United. See you Tuesday

WG

Hiwawiuos- keep it coming

Im hoping that Wio is so focussed on pwicking you after the match and loses concentration during the match to leave Skippy with some chances

jinkysboy -

ta, have had little feedback lately but Tully57 exhorted me to keep going with the whole sorry saga

cheers, mate

WBG

winningemmell - What about a couple of cameos form current and past Celts? Keep up the good work!

How about the following scenawio (said Curly, while apologising to Swalex, and tugging his forelock (?????) in the general direction of ML2) on the songs front -

1 Celtic announce that they don't want the fans to sing / chant certain ditties at home or away matches.

2 Some at Inverness come out with those ditties described as causing offence to some.

3 The Board of Celtic take action against the minority, utilising police video, and ticket / seating information, and ban some fans from away ticket scheme for this season, with the threat to withdraw their Timcard and prevent them entering Celtic Park if the "offence" is repeated.

4 The Board can then say to the world that they are "acting against the singing / chanting of offensive ditties" and that they now invite "any other clubs in Scotland, who have problems with rascism / sectarianism / bigotry, to act in a similar manner in order to remove these from Scottish football".

Oh, aye, WG - watch yersel wi wee Sammy driving - wiz he no done for dangerous driving coz he couldnae see over the steering wheel?

Take gweat cawe on the woad - there aw evil fowces out there!

Cuwwy

winningemmell.

Are you going to the fives before the Hibs game,Could have a wee dram at the fives.
Stevie is coming up and it will be handy to put some drinks in the boot of his car (weather permitting)wee could have a wee sup during the fives,mind you I haven't asked Stevie yet.

Curly

While I can see logic in the 4 point plan I have a problem with the recent songs debate and it touches on the issues dublin Bhoy and michael Collins raised.

We need to be clear what is a banned song and who outlaws the songs in question.

The press are now saying celtic away fans are singing banned songs and should be removed by plod - yet it would seem that the songs in question are not UEFA banned - merely CFC house rules.

No crime has been committed and its a sticky wicket we no bat upon.

CFC need to clarify this position - Im with Dublin Bhoy - if the songs are UEFA banned then fine. If not - whats the problem.

Confusedcsc

WinninGemmell

Theres a piece in one of the Sunday papers previewing Tuesdays game, interview with Sir Awlex.

Headline.

'Brief Encounter'

'Sir Walex appears more worried about finding extra tickets than any problems Celtic might cause'

Hope you all survive but its good to see his mind is elsewhere.

Keep up the good work.

I don't understand these calls for Celtic to take action. Did they not say they had ALREADY banned 60 fans this year ?

Curly.

Are you bringing down a team from the North to play in the fives,or are you just venturing down yourself.
Pablo and I will be there around eleven.

Pete The Beat -

I suspect the Holy Trinity Lounge might contain the Holy Trinity !!!

Curly -

:-)

oldtim67 -

got my usual trouble with the CSC, will let you know nearer the time but unlikely

Estadio Nacional -

in real life there are five of us heading down on Tuesday, no tickets so far

WG

Jonny Doyle R.I.P.

pablophanque

Jonny Doyle

pablophanque

jinkysboy -

I was trying to be clever about the wording in the post, wherby the worst our fans can be accused of is an occasional chant found "offensive to some", whereas the others have an issue with their fans singing "rascist, sectarian and bigoted" songs.

It also gives us the high moral ground, although we are already on top of Ben Nevis in comparison to the other being at the bottom of the Marianas Trench (wishful thinking!!)

oldtim67 -

Will be in Glasgow next weekend with Curly Junior Junior since it is his 17th birthday weekend. I bid for and won the Executive tickets for the Hibs game when at the golf, and this is his birthday treat!. Will try to come down to the 5's to meet up with some of you good folks, but won't be competing, mainly due to old age. CJJ won't be playing either, since we have to head off early to get our moneys worth at Celtic park! (That's the Aberdonian in me coming to the surface!!)

WG -

Keep up the good work, you really are the Spike Milligan of the CQN universe!

Ulryc

Curly

Agreed we are everest on the moral high ground but wouldnt want to see decent tims arrested or banned for singing songs that are offensive to some. Im offended at lots of things but accept that I dont make the rules...

It is becoming a very divisive issue and taking the focus off TFOD

Not sure whether WG will see the Spike comparison as an insult or compliment as I thought he was genius verging on insanity.

Don't post often but have read through the songs debate with interest and can understand Micheal Collins' and Dublin Bhoy's objections, but I think it is obvious what is not allowed.

1) Any song which has IRA in it
2) Any song which has anti prodestant add ons
3) Anything which is downright vile and offensive (Novo song)

This does not mean the Irishness (Irish/republican songs that dont break rules 1,2, and 3 are actively encouraged)is to be taken out of the club. Just being a bit more sensitive to those that might have had family killed by the IRA.

Cant believe that I had to state what to me, is so bleeding obvious

jinkysboy -

Sm was to me at least, a genius. Loved his writings all those years ago, may have to see if I can get my hands on some of his books again.

Give the baw to Sebo -

I think you have captured everything there, and it is so "bleeding obvious" that everyone should be able to see it. Well said.

Cyrul

Curly / GTBTS

It is obvious to everyone what CFC want - IMHO the problem is why?

If the answer is to appease others then a lot of our supporters have a major issue with that.

I can honestly see both sides and am now pretty much on both sides - on the fence you might say.

I just feel we have been dragged into the "Old Firm problem" here and that makes me very angry.

Curly

Sm was a genius - agree 100%.

Sellers not as much but also amazingly funny.

Even the old greats need euro football to survive, otherwise it's sell players to stay in the black. I see they employ 197 people, anybody know the Celtic figure?

4 in a row a must.

Ajax wages account for 75% of income

Friday 17 October 2008

The wages bill at Amsterdam football club Ajax soared by 27% last season, the Telegraaf reports on Friday. In total, the combined salary of Ajax staff reached €45m, or almost 75% of its income.

Most of the €9m increase went on players' salaries. Ajax, which is the only Dutch football club to be listed on the stock exchange, had 197 people on its books at the end of last season.

Ajax booked net profit of €7.8m over the season as a whole, largely due to the sale of players such as Wesley Sneijder and Ryan Babel. In its 2006/07 book year, the club posted a loss of €10m.

Ajax said it expects to book an operating loss this season because the club (again) failed to qualify for the Champions League tournament. Ajax has qualified for the group phase of this year's UEFA Cup, which it also failed to do last year.

© DutchNews.nl

is this Johnny Doyle's anniversary?

Mickus

19/10/81

AC Milan: an Italian team or an English team?

Barcelona: a Spanish team, a Swiss team, or an English team?

Boca Juniors: an Argentinean team or an Italian team?

Celtic: an Irish team or a Scottish team?

Millwall: a Scottish team or an English team?

Real Madrid: a Spanish team or an English team?

I could go on, and on, and on, but my point would remain the same.

Celtic Football Club are a Scottish football team with a grand, and celebrated, and welcome affiliation, to Ireland, and all things Irish: and all points and peoples, west and east and north and south; regardless of their skin colour, ethnic background or religious affiliation.

Or don’t you subscribe to the ‘SOCIAL MISSION STATEMENT’, The Celtic Charter, the often romanticised ethos that encapsulates the very essence of the Club you declare undying love for and actually does… - does - make us almost unique amongst our more envious and often fatuous ‘betters’(?).

Republican songs are not part of our ‘Identity’. Republican songs were first sung audibly at Celtic matches post, and in solidarity with, the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Marches.

Their sentiment, to my mind, was laudable and I too indulged. However, that was then and now is now.

Celtic Football Club is not, and should not be used as, a vehicle to advance or promote political prejudices no matter how right the cause the may appear.

The consequences are most concerning.

Then again, you can throw caution to the wind, indulge your desire, and test the ultimate strength of your prejudices.

Sing you club into obscurity. An obscurity worse that that where we presently reside.

I wonder how many of those who profess undying love for the cause of Ireland’s freedoms and sing their songs of ‘Republicanism’, at Celtic FC games, have actually held an armalite.

I wonder how many of those who professes an undying love for the cause of Ireland’s freedoms and sing their songs of ‘Republicanism’, at Celtic FC games, have actually fired an armalite and in doing so have instantly recognised the power and the responsibility that is theirs and theirs in conscionable isolation.

I wonder how many of those who profess an undying love of the cause of Ireland’s freedoms and sing their songs of ‘Republicanism’ at Celtic FC games, have seen the physical damage to tissue, limb, and bone, that a 7.62mm round will inflict on the human body; and I wonder how many could stomach the graphical consequences.

I wonder how many of those who sing the songs have an F in clue as to what they sing about.

I could go on and on and on, but I am weary of it. All I will do, is refer you back to the Celtic Charter, and the ethos of the club that you profess to support. If you still advocate that singing political songs - at Celtic games - that do commemorate violent times and deeds, is appropriate and enhancing, and not morally diametrical to the fundamental ideals of our club … then I fear the future for my club and yours.

The songs debate always smokes out the New Labour voters imo. Discounting the Novo song (which is quite simply distasteful but perhaps no more so than songs sung in each and every ground in the country), the majority of the 'disapproved of' songs are political in nature. They are not racist in terms of colour of skin or ethnicity. They are not sectarian - anyone who is aware of the politics of Ireland, knows that Marxism/Socialism has no recognition of religion. They are political. Are they appropriate for football grounds? Strictly speaking no but it is those very politics which lead to the creation of the club. To those who hope for a tasty Werner's mint while shuffling under a travel rug, may I suggest Murrayfield ?

As for the Famine song, yes it is vile ans distasteful and disrespectful etc. However, I am content that they continue to sing it. I prefer to know who my enemies are, I am content that they continue to expose who they are and what they stand for. By banning it, you simply allow the authorities to argue that they have cured sectarianism. We all know that particular ill which affects so many blue followers will not be eradicated by preventing them from singing a song.

Let them sing it, let the nation be reminded that there is a significant portion of the population who despise the Irish and hate the Catholics.

Too many here want to go cry to teacher than stand up for their rights.

Kitalba

I wasn't aware that the volunteers of 1916 or indeed those who subsequently took up arms prior to 1922 had access to the Armalite.

Malceye:

I have gone to jail for my rights, the rights of a human being.

My rights had nothing to do with Celtic Football Club.

Malceye:

do you really think that songs sung are midful of dates or of type of weapon or calibre of ammunition.

My Grandfaher just happened to be one of those volunteers. And that is quantifiable.

Jinkybhoy

I missed the AGM but sure I read off the blog that John Reid/ Peter Lawell stated that the reason was what I mentioned (being a bit more sensitive to people that had family killed). That there has been no pressure from SFA/UEFA/FIFA, just something the club believes is morally right. And I agree with them as long as my rules are in place

I wonder how many of those singers of songs have taken decisions to engage in war? That's the contradiction of this whole issue. The club tells the singers to desist. The message is delivered in part by a man who voted to wage war on another country which has cost countless lives. Personally, I have no problem with the man but if you want to start moral cleansing at our club then you have to demonstrate high moral standards, not contradictory ones.

Just what do those complainers find offensive about political songs? Do they find the songs offensive or is it the fear of the authorities that engendered this quest to banish them? If it is the latter, and I question what can be offensive about many of them, then all the more reason to sing them surely.

kitalba

you are the one who specified a weapon and hence a specific date in time.

malceye:

What exactly do songs commemorating 'Irish Republicanism' have to do with supporting Celtic Football Club?

Re John Reid?

Did Michael Collins, and others, that you advocate Celtic Supporters, at Celtic football games, commemorate in song not do similar and some might argue worse?

Give the baw to Sebo

"And I agree with them as long as my rules are in place"

The trouble is every Celtic supporter could recite that sentence.
The problem is agreeing rules that a strong majority would agree.

Kitalba

Couldnt poosibly disagree more with everything you have just said.

I dont see anything in Celtic's mission statement about not singing Republican songs. I do see a lot about promoting equality and social integration through sport which funny enough are some of the core values of Republicanism.

What on earth is the relevance of whether anyone has held or fired an armalite. Does this bar you from supporting the Republican cause? Can you not support or oppose any conflict unless you have fired a gun.

Celtic were formed principally out of a political situation caused by British oppression of the Irish. Irish nationalism permeated the club at its genesis and has done ever since.

I'll put a question to you. If you are so strongly oppossed to political singing then are you in favour of arresting fans for singing The Fields of Athenrye or the Soldiers Song or even Lat the People Sing. The flying of the tricolour in itself a political act so should we finally hand George Graham a posthumous victory and declare that Sir Robert Kelly was wasting his time.

Where I do agree is that I also fear for our club. When some fans and our board are determined to drag us into the huns cesspit when we are guilty of nothing. In doing this the heart and soul is being ripped out the club and we will turn into a weegie version of Hibs.

Is that really what you want .

Malceye: