Hamilton Accies 1-2 Celtic, SPL, 16 November 2008

Hi

2

I'd agree with that, Paul, but improvement definitely needed before the next match.
Second?

Third. Ah well, not too bad.

Top ten finish.

Not too shabby.

in tye points

the vman is a happy man.............

1 .....2 and then kick....was the craziest game ever seen, between the Glasgow Celtic the champions of Europe and the Racing from Argentine.

Vmhan

After review I'm claiming a bronze as only two other posters are in front.

Any objections?

c s is a legend

from the last post....u abusin ma name?

als from the last post

2 any huns lurkers or tims wondering about todays game, my auld wise amigo said....."READ THE PAPERS RA MORRA"

marcellacsc

Paul, well put

this was a day we didn't perform but still managed to take all three points - the mean machine rolls on

Hail Hail

Leonel Messi has asked if he can travel to Glasgow.

Barcelona have made it clear that he cannot feature in the game between Argentina and Scotland, but wee Leo wants to go and watch, this being the first game under the new coach and all that.

Pep Guardiola is having none of it and wants Messi in for training sharp on Wednesday and on Thursday.

Messi didn't say anything about popping into BBs on the way, but you never know.

Regarding the match today am I alone in thinking that Maloney has gone off the boil recently?

He never plays well when moved up front but his last couple of performances before today lacked a certain sparkle.

Surely a rest is due.

Overall though it's so important to be able to retain all the points after such a lacklustre performance.

Vmhan

I take it your movie is done now

onwards to 4iar

Paul67

Character - thats the phrase my bhoy. We kept believing till the end and as you say one of Accies best performances of the year. Their manager said beforehand they cane to CP and tried to play their own game but they wouldnt make that mistake again.

And half time came at the wring time this week as it gave them time to draw a new game plan with 10 men

Jinkysboy....................

As I've said tae ye before......ye'll need to get up a wee bit earlier tae catch the vmhan..................

w..HOOP..eeee

ya dancer..............

basking in the glory.........

roll along Glasgow Cellic roll along..............

kikinthenakas,

Wouldn't dream of it. Then again, if Braga let their lead slip...

csial..im sure messers hill(g),mansell and hamilton might want u black flagged(or balled)if you get a podium..

stirling moss csc..

PABLO.
cheers for that.

Accies

Naka

Hartley

BTW, how come Hartley runs faster after he's scored a goal than he does during a game !!!???

pablophanque

Pablo

The mailmans been

Poor second half from the Vikings today. Interesting 3 way tie for top of the division with the GBFP, The Bears and the mighty Vikes. Another good game from Adrian Peterson and our defense. If we could just get a QB, another Randy Moss and a decent coach.

Was at the Vikings Packers game last week. Despite the local rivalry, the fans mix all over the stadium which makes for a very sterile atmosphere. They have no idea what a real rivalry is. Now $7 for a light beer in the stadium - no thanks.

chris sutton is a legend

cmon the braga!!

thought we never thought we were going to lose and we drove on.................a real sickner for the huns watchin tv

4inarowcsc

Recently we've won playing well and scoring easy victories. Today we came up against stern opposition, didn't play well but still won. That's the mark of champions.

Given that we have been without so many key players over the last few weeks our run of victories is remarkable. All credit to the management team for steering us through and the squad for providing the required cover.

We will only get stronger as players come back from injury and towards full fitness. It's looking good for four in a row.

Paul67, that Scott McDonald's some player, setting up Hartley with a one-two from his sickbed :-)

Hartley's goal is a very good one. Credit to Scott Brown too.

One two with Scott McDonald ? :) Half right I suppose

oneanton..just noticed that..lazy journalism indeed...-)

Pablo

I would like to say that since Paul Hartley took absolute pelters on here after the Manure game at OT he has been very good every time he has been called upon.

Think he may have been heading for the pie stand in the away teams Gazebo after his goal and thats why his speed was Usain Bolt like.

Jinkysboy...............aye the film is done.........and the vmhan is also..........heavy weekend..........but ready fur week 2 o the audit thingy.......and a wee journey up tae CP as well......bring it on.

Are we meeting on Wed. ? I've heard fae ma pals burd who's working at CP the day........restuarant is naw open.......BB's or forget lunch and meet at London Rd Social ????????

there's 6 of us going and only 4 tickets fur next Sat........any spare?........anybody????????

vmhan

Hi all, been a reader for a while and finally feel compelled to be a poster too. Was highly amused by the hilarity going on during Friday's discussions and had a good old chuckle at some of the potential news headlines!

Pity today's game was a bit flat and hopefully the players just feeling it a bit after a long run of games and injuries - think we must be due a league extension by now!! A great 3 points made even better by the FFers moaning - glad to hear they are ready to quit the league BTW!!

Surely you mean Scott Brown,Paul?

Quiz question from Red Issue-which 5 players have played for both United and Barca?

I can only think of 3 and unfortunately the answer is not available until the next edition!

Anyone know all 5?

Sutty,

Something is missing with Shaun just now. I hope he recaptures it soon.

Hartley's goal was a peach.

awatr,

Where are the racers anyway? Evening races are now officially go, don't they know that...?

MNCelt

Who are the GBFP - hope thats not the F word in there my bhoy

I was delighted the Pack crushed their big rivals tonight - but could not believe Crosby never missed from over 50 tonite yet missed the winning FG last week against the Purple Plague .....

3 way tie - but its Frozen Tundra time now so watch the pack go

BTW JUST a QB , a world class receiver and a head coach !!!! Not much to ask. Pity (for you) they didnt manage to steal Brett ( oh just the thought makes me sweat)

Celtic Soul Brother

I assume the 3 you can think of are:

Henke, Pique and Hughes.

Zimmerman

How you doing, bud?

Faithful thro n thro

Welcome to the madhouse

TFOD chucking the league - they have already chucked it mate

Keep the faith

WGS,

A rest may do the trick. Even without Aiden surely we can platoon between Robson, Caddis, Mizuno and McCourt(if fit) for a game or two.

Hoping our injury situ isn't any worse after midweek.

Paul,

Would there be a chance of an injury update page appearing on the official website whenever it gets made over? Surely something for the computer whizz kids who design the page to consider. I see quite a few clubs have one now.

Dobbo

I forgot Pique!Need just one more.

Paul 67..................................don't listen tae them......if you say it was Scott McD......then thats good enough fur me.........

I know whit they're daein.......Jinkysboy, one anton, et al......they're trying to embarass you into re-posting, don't dae it.......be strong.............

because i like the looks of the 1st and 2nd poster........

championees..............vmhan who is 1st n 2nd ra day

CSB..add jordi cruyff to that list..and laurent blanc..

csial..shocking isnt it..must be interferring with sleep patterns/tyre temperatures etc..

celtic soul brother...

How about Jordi Cruyff and Lauren Le Blanc.

jinkysboy -

re the Railway Club - that 'stage' is a Health & Safety claim-in-waiting, the carpeting was the exact same as the floor so the step-up was basically a blindspot. Then some clever chap decided to put his holdall on the floor providing another hazard ! I was glad of the pints but that hall had all the ambience of a funeral parlour.

Maybe the CQN New Moralists have ripped the rebel heart out of us after all ?

WishyGoutster

celtic soul brother,

Henrik Larsson, Laurant Blanc, Mark Hughes, Gerard Pique, ???

chris sutton is a legend on November 16, 2008 10:09 PM

I've always thought Maloney plays best as a link between midfield and attack. Always available for a pass and willing to move the ball on. A striker I'm afraid he is not.

Today was not one of his better days but there were plenty of others in our side who struggled against a team that looked liked amateurs when they came to parkhead a few weeks ago.

Also, does anyone else think Boruc would have saved their goal? It was a cracking header and Brown had a good game but I think it highlights the quality player we have as our first choice number 1.

Celt33

and Cruyff Jnr!

Awalk...

Thanks for that- didn't know Blanc played for Barca!

Jinky - Probably not the F word you are thinking of. The FP's is the local equivalent of the Huns - can't risk a red card from our host though :) I think GB will miss out this year. The Bears and the Vikes will move on from our division. The Vikes have yet to hit top gear but are right in there.

Next week against St Mirren is a biggie. If we get 3 points then pressure on Rangers big time over the coming weeks, especially going to Tynecastle and Tannadice.

In training this week I would stick Bobo in attack against GC and SmcM to give them some practice in dealing with Mehmet next week.

Terrible performance but 3 points.

I'm sure after the performances of the last couple of months and injury list we can let this ine pass.
Good practice for next week as I expect much the same.

Samaras could do with a reserve game and Sheridan looks tired.

Anothr decision to feed the paranoia, although I didn't see much about Motherwell's penalty clain on Wednesday.

Evening all,

Delighted with the result today if not necessarily the performance. But as others have noted, with the relentless injuries and illness we've suffered to key players over the past few weeks 10 wins on the spin is a tremendous return. Hats off to the squad AND the management team.

Our final ball could've been better today but they defended stoutly after getting their goal and we've no divine right to win these stuffy away games.

Lovely bit of composure from the (missing today) Beard for the winner but a tip of the hat to Broony for the perfectly weighted return ball.

Also impressed by the other Brown today - commanding on cross balls and looked to get quick possession to the full backs rather than just kick it long - more of the same until Boruc is fit again please.

I'd take the same again at Love St......

EHIY

Celt33,

I'm of the impression that Shaun has been struggling for form for a few matches now. He's said himself he prefers to be out wide and up front doesn't suit him.

I feel that his decision making is off at the minute and he even looks a little short on confidence. I thought his first touch for most of the game against Killie was un-Shaunlike. Hopefully he gets it back soon. I'm wondering if he's got a little niggle, hence why the rest may do him the power of good.

WGS..mehmet??surely its jim hamilton..as NTV once famously described him.."an a***hole with elbows"when he was playing with one of his many provincial clubs..

as for bobo is he even training with us??heard tell that he was told to stay away??

Good point EIY -

our final ball was generally overhit

accies had their pitch slick and sprayed it again throughout HT.

I was concerned about us shooting into a building site in the second half, must be off-putting for the players - bring bank the North Bank Mural

WG

Celt33

Boruc is a great keeper and maybe would've saved it but I wouldn't bet on it. Sometimes you've just got to hold your hands up and say it was a great finish - cracking header from the lad...

EHIY

Thanks jinkysboy

You seem to be forgetting though, they haven't chucked the league, we are having it handed to us by the increasing numbers of Celtic supporting officials that seem to be about! I have never seen the likes of it! Murphy's and all - why don't they just go home!

mncelt

I was in GB at the end of August and told my mates who live there to be ready for a season or 3 when we dont have a winning record. A new Qb is a big deal - but after a hundred years with Brett there it was always gonna be tough.

I am very happy to see them doing so well in the division and they are getting there - the narrow loss to the unbeaten Titans and the late loss to the FG against the Vikes shows me they are progressing and will continue. Dont write them off yet.

Drunken_Lullabies, aye, but these are the days.....

Faithfulthru&thru, that’s what it’s all about.

Jinkysboy, yes, this team has character in abundance.

Oneantonrogan, celtic soul brother, ha! I’m obviously having trouble giving Scott Brown credit after so much criticism.

Welcome Faithful thro n thro, nice change on a popular theme.

chris sutton is a legend, that was the plan a couple of years ago. At a press conference an enquiring journo was told to check the web site when he asked about an injured player, as all information would be available there in future.

Three weeks later the updates stopped.

Vmhan aw, quite right. Nice finish by Paul McStay too.

Allgreen, correct. Feed the psychosis, it destroys from the inside.

Awalkacrosstherooftops, Bobo attends training, in body, anyway.

Thanks all for the answers on United/Barca players.

Music question if anyone is up for it.

What connects the following 4 songs?

Virginia Plain

Up The Junction

The Rose

One More Try

RRC'
been decorating all weekend,
up to my wotsits in paint etc.
how you?

WGS

Good plan, but if bobo injures someone.......

How much injury time are they playing in Braga!?!? I smell a conspiracy...

I'm not worried about Maloney, I thought he did well against Killie in a game which he wasn't supposed to be fit enough to play in. He put in a lot of running that day. I haven't seen todays game though so I can't really comment on it.

I'm sure Maloney will be back to his dynamite self again in a few games once he's properlly over his injury.

paul67..re bobos attendance "in body" at training..is part of that body attached to a camera these days??

largs mafia csc..

Paul 67

Unaware if you have seen my (general) asessment of the state of the squad, do you have any comments and does the board share my concerns/opinion.

Goalkeeping, seems to be fine. Boruc we know is perhaps our only world class player, in Brown we seem to have a good deputy and Cervi is rated highly.

Defensivly, we know we are shy of a proper left back. Nothing new here. Centre back is a real concern for me. At times we look solid as and times shaky. The problem is that in Caldwell we have someon who is good on the deck for a centre back, but lacks the strength and athletesism that would see him push on. McMannus has leadership qualities and is brave, but is poor on the ball. If both were combined they would be a formidable player, but they cannot. I still think we need a new player here, but it is not a priority.

Midfield. We will need to replace Naka with a special player soon. I imagine WGS has planned for this. For me the most pressing concern is to find a settled partner for Scott Brown. We have seen how good he can be and it he were playing alongside a midfielder in the Senna mould he could push on even further. Finding said player should be a priority as Donati is too inconsistent, Hartley is not getting any younger and Crossas needs time to develop, in any event I believe we need some size in the middle of the park. I think i am in a minority of not rating Barry Robson's "technical" ability on the ball, but his attitude and work rate are first class.

Attack. Well covered i think, but we still lack someone of serious pace and quality to strike fear into european opponents.

Overall, we are well set, but i believe that in the next season or two we will need to add 4/5 players to really put a stranglehold on the SPL and challenge for CL progression to the 1/8 and beyond, and/or the UEFA cup. Whether the club can afford this is another thing.

CSIAL,

My bosses have ordered me to rest. They have provided me with gallons of champers and bucketloads of cavair to keep me trim. Dad has supplied the sweets and Nicole gives me 3 daily rubs. Podium's are not my priority at the moment. You will know when I return as I will stamp my authority all over the podium with graceful overtaking manouvers, daring and sheer talent.

WG

Im going in with yellow and black tape to line the skirtings - a few signs will help too. And they should probably stop selling Alky Hall too as that would reduce the risks too.

It was a bit quiet - when I came in 2 plods were behind me and think they expected a wee ruckus in there.

Jinky - Quite right. Never right anyone off who is able to play in 0deg F. How the fans sit there for 3 hours is beyond me. I hate the MN dome but the alternative just doesn't bare thinking about.

Z

Pretty good, mate.

Just settled down to a few Half Lap T's and take in the craic on here.

was just thinking today, my old man would've been 100 yrs old this year.

I come from a long line of old people

Thank you Braga.

csb..all featured in films??

Vmhan

Hate to burst your bubble but the same bhoy cant have 1st and 2nd too. If it had been the mysterious Vinnybhoy at #2 then I would have gave you gold and silver.

As such my sixth was actually a 4th - best I have had since I went back to work

Master L.Hamilton,

No more than two sips per day of the champers now. You'll need to work on your stamina for the new season as you seemed to be flagging towards the end.

Paul67,

Has the Sharpsuited man got his Santa suit on this Christmas. I wonder if there will be a few presents in his sack for Gordon, or will he get stuck in the chimney.

Will Gordon get a full selection box or 3/4 eaten one with only a left back remaining in the box, or will that be gone as well?

WBG

Hinkel was frustrating today - willing worker up and down the flank and defended well - but his final ball was far too often loopy and easy for the keeper to take. As another poster (apologies for not remembering who!) mentioned that Caddis varies his delivery a little more. I'm not necessarily advocating a change to full back - Hinkel has been improving (Kojo will be pleased) and will benefit from a run of games.

Good to see us stick the pen away today - I was half thinking we'd be better off with the free kick with Naka taking!

Although I do have a suggestion if we hit the skids on the pens again - stick Hinkel on them - everyone knows the Germans are great at pens!!

EHIY

jinksboy -

it was like a meeting of the Union of Catholic Mothers without the Catholics or the Mothers. I kept thinking someone was going to start either the bingo or the Rosary. There was as much chance of a ruck in there as there was of a giraffe waving a tortoise and singing We're All Going On A Summer Holiday......

Awalk..

Possible but not the answer i'm looking for

MN Celt

6 years ago this month I was in lambeau - Sunday night football against the Vikes - we won it in the last minute.

It was sub at KO. I had two pairs of breeks on and 3 shirts and my new ski jacket - a pair of thermal boots with 2 pair of sox, a scarf a bb cap and a wooly hat on top, Still froze by blocks off.

Someone got me a beer in a plastic cup. Could not drink it - went for a hot chocolate. The beer was frozen in the cup when I got back to my seat - turned the cuo upside down and the beer stayed put. Was told the way around that is to drink faster.

next thing a couple of big boys have their shirts off and a few wee lassies in yellow and green bikini tops made me feel like a wooooss.

Domes with heating - come to lambeau and feel the force in our house

Celtic Soul Brother,

Are they all songs where the title words are only said once - at the very end of the song?

CSIAL,

Merely a marketing ploy by Ron. He thought it would be best if I only gave 25 percent so that the tv ratings would be good. Even on the last lap at Brazil I knew I would be triumphant when I used my mind powers to stall that chaps car. Dad disagreed at first but seen the brilliance of Ron when mega deals started to pour in for me. Also I enjoyed winding the Spanish guy up by letting him have his moment in the sun a few times. Oh I did enjoy telling him to hand over the trophy.

RRC,
my old man would have been 86,
i come from an old line of long people.

EHiY -

Wag behind me shouted ' can he take it fae ootside the boax' ?

i was mightily relieved to get out of there with 3 points, hats off to the Accies players and fans, a more human lot than the ML1 mob

I liked Gordon Strachan's reply to the idiot Setenta question: "Did you think the penalty was a turning point?"

"Well, it had something to do with it. We scored."

Thanks to the olives for the tickets. We had a great time.

WG

Giraffes - waving tortoises - singing we are all going on a summer holiday !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With a vivid imagination like that you should be writing a serialised thriller from ML.

PS I think there may have been a good few Catholics and possibly a couple of Mothers in there today

CSB,
still looking for the connection,
paul carrack in there somewhere?

TimMalone..

Well done -exactly right. The title is not mentioned until the very last words of the song!

TIM MALONE.
nice one.

Faithful thro n thro

Perhaps we could sing the referee and assistants names - or even just give them a cheer when they are announced before the matches.

Isnt it fun - Somone posted earlier that he felt like Ronald McDonald "Im loving it"

Me too

Evening Paul/fellow CQN'rs

Professional if uninspiring performance by the bhoys today. Performance of champions again I thought. No real standouts really. Good to see Sammi coming back, matter of time before he is on the scoresheet again, very unlucky with his header towards the end. Thought Scott Brown was awesome again, really happy that he has found his potential after the tragedy he suffered last season. Is Aiden still injured? and anyone remember that Vennegoor ghuy?

Paul/anyone,

since we are 10 for 10, do you remember the record for straight wins the club has it's went clean out my head. Anyone think this could be one of those runs? I think only the hun games will be a risk for us to go on a record breaking win streak.

PS when the hell is Crosas back?

TimMalone..
Good spot, man.

WBG

Nice one! I love those sort of comedic asides at the game...

Relief is the right word for it - but there will be others like this before the season's out - mark of champions indeed. Proudfoot on Setanta compared it to the Gretna game at Fir Park last year - apart from not leaving it quite as late, it was a sound comparison.

The FOD are pig sick and feeling hard done by again - it just makes it so much better! Would love to turn them over on 27/12 to put another dagger through the heart. But I'll make do with keeping the winning run going til then and see how far back they are by then...

EHIY

capt.c..know we had a good run in 2003/04 after game 1..not sure how many wins but well into double figures..pretty sure this is the best run under gs tho..

CSB

Another connected quadruplet

As Tears Go By
Tobacco Road
I Can't Explain
Baby, Please Don't Go

jinkysboy -

you get my drift :-)

must have missed you by secs, plod were at the door to the hall when WG jnr and I arrived, only had 2 pints and was in pre-huddle which is unusual for me

RRC

Don't know but a couple of guesses.

first hits for the artists who recorded them or

Originally b sides but flipped to be a sides ?

WG

The old fella falling over made me think of the Only fools and orses moment when Dellbhoy fell through the bar hatch.

I left around 13.20 as I was meeting eventheolives for my ticket.

And hey thats Estadios moment over for now so your respite ends at the witching hour. Looking fowrard to the next episode and I never did suss out that thing you said we all missed - any chance the story can be posted somewhere from the start. Maybe paul can put it is as an article.

Dunno if it was audible on Setanta, but there was, from the right hand-side of the away end today, a rousing 'One Gordon Strachan'. Granted it needed a catalyst but it was nice to hear.

Pull our Scots out the friendly CSC

RRC

The connection could be that I dont know any of them.

(Jinkysboy ducks and runs for cover as he shows his lack of musical knowledge.)

CSB,

Actually, your first guess may be correct.
it's not the connection I was looking for, but you might have a true alternative there, man.

Nice One.

jinkysboy -

aha, there was another big clue as to the denouement last week, tomorrow we have an episcopal convention in an unlikely venue but not the Railway Club, ML3 !!!

Bloke,

Good to hear.

I wouldn't rule out GB yet for their div. I think they'll win it.

Bloke - I didn't hear it on the telly but a pleasing tale all the same. About time the support showed some vocal appreciation for the man who's put us on our best run since Jock Stein...

EHIY

W (AGATHA CHRISTIE)G

Drat and dubble drat - thats me even more confused now

Mrs Jinks has loads of candles in our house BTW and now Im heading fir the dole we might be able to give you the results of my studies on burn time (I can hold my hand over the flame for 13.5 seconds0

mb1964

Im a realist with the Packers - fantasist with the Celtic

Kenny Misser out the Scotland squad. Quite unpatriotic those Rangers fellows.

o1bhoy

Have you pulled out of the Scotland squad too as Im sensing your carrying an injury there mate.

Time for my palatial divan.

God bless and help our good friend Kano

keep the faith

bloke..why??is he getting the bentley resprayed??

Nite all, God Bless Kano and all Tims Now, Then And Yet To Arrive

WinninGames

RRC

Done a little research Baby please don't go and can't explain both got to no. 93 in the billboard chart!

Sure it can't be that -so maybe something to do with either The Decca record label or Jimmy Page played guitar on them all?

csb

Jimmy Page hasn't played on any Roxy numbers.

RRC

Brian Eno?

Hi Paul 67

Yes I got several texts to inform me that I was featured talking to my brother for a good few seconds pre-match in the crowd today. My sister, in her text, reckoned there was a cheeky accompanying comment about several generations of the Celtic support as they turned to some younger bhoys nearby.

Stranger still than facial recognition by the family and CQN was, when we headed to a pub in Cambuslang after the game. As we left, one of the smokers outside asked me if I had been at the match today. He, a complete stranger, told me he had seen me on TV; he took great delight in telling me he was a hun too.

Now I am asking myself. What was I doing that made my TV feature so memorable? Please confirm that it did not involve any bogey removal manouvres.

Robin Williams is brilliant on BBC2 just now.

Bloke_109

Heard an interview with Walter after the Rangers game and Chick (I think) asked him if all the Scotland players were OK and he replied that it was too early to say but they all seemed all right(or words to that effect).No surprise that Misser has pulled out then!

Kerry Collins better on SS2 now!! Each to their own!!

CSB

Jimmy Page it is.

ElDiegoBhoy1
i didn't list any roxy Music songs

sftb

I know how you feel with this fame thing :-) I was on the telly at the league-winning Dundee United game (footage used in every SPL match this season). The day after, I go to buy my train ticket at Central - the guy behind the window says 'did you enjoy the game', then 'saw you on the telly last night mate'. I had been on for a second! Is this a new clique :-)

RRC

Apologies. I was distracted.

How about a song?

NOT - Wet Wet Wet

Sweet Lttle Mystery

Bloke 109

Is this a new stalker pastime? Picking faces from a football crowd?

Should we be worried?

How about a song?

NOT - Wet Wet Wet

Sweet Lttle Mystery

SFTB

It was your rather distinctive glasses, which made you look even more intelligent than I know you are.

ElDiegoBhoy1

JP might not have played on any Roxy Music tracks,
But,
I am sure that
Dave Gilmour,
Of Pink Floyd
did.

I think he also appeared on stage with them at Live Aid in 1985.

sftb

Ha - hope not. When my daughter approves, it's all good. When a Rangers-supporting colleague mentions it, it's ok. When the ticket guy does, less so - and if he's the same guy who saw you, we should be very afraid :-)

RRC

Seriously. Didn't know that. Been a long time Roxy fan. Can say that as most CQNers are in their kip now.

thomthethim

Ah, the old reactive lenses! That's a relief!

They are very handy on the 2 sunny days we get in Scotland yearly. On other days, especially when it can take over a minute for the dark lenses to become clear when you go indoors, you can look like a complete tit.

Well, at least there was no nasal exploration or scratching going on.

ElDiegoBhoy1

Pretty sure he plays lead guitar on 'Boys and Girls'
and a few other tracks on that album.

I am sure it was Live aid he appeared on stage playing the song I mentioned.

I once sang vocals on a cover of Led Zeppelin's 'Rock n Roll' with
Mr. Paul Thompson of Roxy Music sitting in on drums.

RRC

You're losing me now. Seems I know much less than I thought.

Paul Thompson as you know was a major figure in Roxy through the years.

ElDiegoBhoy1

Yeah, Paul Thompson was the drummer in RM
I met him thru a mutual friend,
in fact, the guitar player of the band I was in.
long story short.
We had a jam, and the song we jammed was 'Rock n roll' by Led Zeppelin.

Closest I ever got to a genuine Rock n Roll star.

this was way back late 70s

This Sporting Life: Brave keeper takes rightful place among the Scottish football greats

November 2008
IT IS testament to the brilliance of John Thomson, the Celtic goalkeeper who tragically died after an Old Firm match in 1931, that so many people cared so passionately about his induction last night to the Scottish Football Hall of Fame.

Among their number was Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who lent his support to the campaign that finally realised its ambition when Thomson was one of eight inductees at a gala dinner in Glasgow.

Brown, a Fife MP, was enlisted by the John Thomson group which has been campaigning for his enshrinement since the Hall of Fame's first intake in 2004. It certainly helped to raise the movement's profile, and Thomson joins greats such as Denis Law, Kenny Dalglish and Sir Alex Ferguson in the Hall, situated in the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden.

Thomson was just 22 when he bravely dived at the feet of Rangers forward Sam English. That in itself was not a rare sight; Thomson had already suffered a broken jaw, fractured ribs, a damaged collar bone and lost two teeth in his short career. But the ensuing collision with English's knee ruptured an artery in Thomson's right temple and caused a depression of the skull two inches in diameter. Later on September 5, 1931, Thomson died in Glasgow's Victoria Infirmary.

His funeral, in his home town of Cardenden, Fife, brought a crowd of 30,000, many of whom were Celtic – and Rangers – supporters who had walked the 55 miles from Glasgow. The memorial erected in his honour in the cemetery stands to this day. Immaculate, it is still visited by Celtic fans when their club is playing in Fife.

But it is not the tragic nature of Thomson's death that merits his induction to the Hall of Fame. His outstanding goalkeeping skills were unanimously lauded by his contemporaries.

His manager, Willie Maley, who spent 43 years in charge of Celtic, said: "Never was there a keeper who caught and held the fastest shots with such grace and ease. In all he did there was the balance and beauty of movement wonderful to watch." Celtic chairman Desmond White concurred: "He had the spring of a jaguar and the effortless grace of a skimming swallow." It was not just those of a green-and-white persuasion who were in thrall of his talent; Arsenal were willing to pay £8,000 in the summer of 1931 for Thomson, an extraordinary sum at that time.

Thomson's cat-like reflexes more than made up for his lack of height as, at 5ft 9in, he was short for a goalkeeper even for his day. He broke into the Celtic first team as an 18-year-old and picked up two Scottish Cup winners medals. He represented the Scottish League on four occasions and made another four appearances for Scotland. Only one player, Tom Bamford of Wales, scored past Thomson in his country's colours. Even the great Dixie Dean, the most prolific goalscorer in English football history, was kept scoreless by Thomson in a 2-0 victory for Scotland in March 1931. It was to be Thomson's last international appearance.

Next January marks the centenary of Thomson's birth. His legend lives on.

Highlights on BBC website .

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7728910.stm

ElDiegoBhoy1

The very track.

Dave Gilmour on lead guitar.

Enjoy!

Boys & Girls - Live Aid 1985

RRC

From memory Paul left the band for a while but returned on and off periodically.

Always felt he was part of the core Roxy i.e. Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera, Bryan Ferry, Paul Thompson and Andy MacKay.

MATCH REPORT:

"An awful game mostly due to Celtic's inability to go beyond the Hamilton defence and to pass the ball well."

http://celticfcmatchreports.blogspot.com/

ElDiegoBhoy1
That is the definitive line - up of Roxy Music to me.

RRC

Missed that concert. I was in the Falklands in the summer of '85 as I was in the summer of '82.

catchingupwitholdtimcsc

ElDiegoBhoy1

I thought Roxy Music played a great set that day.
One of the highlights for me and I was never particularly a fan.

Are you resident full time now in the UK? or does the 'diego' bit of your user name refer to USA,

feel free to ignore if you feel I am out of line for asking?

Just noticed this in tomorrows Scotsman.

This Sporting Life: Brave keeper takes rightful place among the Scottish football greats

Published Date: 17 November 2008
IT IS testament to the brilliance of John Thomson, the Celtic goalkeeper who tragically died after an Old Firm match in 1931, that so many people cared so passionately about his induction last night to the Scottish Football Hall of Fame.

Among their number was Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who lent his support to the campaign that finally realised its ambition when Thomson was one of eight inductees at a gala dinner in Glasgow.

Brown, a Fife MP, was enlisted by the
John Thomson Action Group, which has been campaigning for his enshrinement since the Hall of Fame's first intake in 2004. It certainly helped to raise the movement's profile, and Thomson joins greats such as Denis Law, Kenny Dalglish and Sir Alex Ferguson in the Hall, situated in the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden.

Thomson was just 22 when he bravely dived at the feet of Rangers forward Sam English. That in itself was not a rare sight; Thomson had already suffered a broken jaw, fractured ribs, a damaged collar bone and lost two teeth in his short career. But the ensuing collision with English's knee ruptured an artery in Thomson's right temple and caused a depression of the skull two inches in diameter. Later on September 5, 1931, Thomson died in Glasgow's Victoria Infirmary

His funeral, in his home town of Cardenden, Fife, brought a crowd of 30,000, many of whom were Celtic – and Rangers – supporters who had walked the 55 miles from Glasgow. The memorial erected in his honour in the cemetery stands to this day. Immaculate, it is still visited by Celtic fans when their club is playing in Fife.

But it is not the tragic nature of Thomson's death that merits his induction to the Hall of Fame. His outstanding goalkeeping skills were unanimously lauded by his contemporaries.

His manager, Willie Maley, who spent 43 years in charge of Celtic, said: "Never was there a keeper who caught and held the fastest shots with such grace and ease. In all he did there was the balance and beauty of movement wonderful to watch." Celtic chairman Desmond White concurred: "He had the spring of a jaguar and the effortless grace of a skimming swallow." It was not just those of a green-and-white persuasion who were in thrall of his talent; Arsenal were willing to pay £8,000 in the summer of 1931 for Thomson, an extraordinary sum at that time.

Thomson's cat-like reflexes more than made up for his lack of height as, at 5ft 9in, he was short for a goalkeeper even for his day. He broke into the Celtic first team as an 18-year-old and picked up two Scottish Cup winners medals. He represented the Scottish League on four occasions and made another four appearances for Scotland. Only one player, Tom Bamford of Wales, scored past Thomson in his country's colours. Even the great Dixie Dean, the most prolific goalscorer in English football history, was kept scoreless by Thomson in a 2-0 victory for Scotland in March 1931. It was to be Thomson's last international appearance.

Next January marks the centenary of Thomson's birth. His legend lives on

And then I just noticed that it had already been posted.
How do I feel
DOH!!

Too many spliffs.

Time for bed

goodnight CQN

.

Paul Hartley rides to Celtic’s rescue....

Hamilton Academical 1 Celtic 2

Paul Hartley showed an acute lack of appreciation yesterday to the club that nurtured him, as he conjured up the late winner that deprived Hamilton Academical of a merited draw and extended Celtic’s sequence of victories in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League to ten.

The champions looked set to drop points at New Douglas Park to the Lanarkshire side, who played for over 50 minutes with ten men after the dismissal of Martin Canning over a penalty incident that was coated in controversy, until Hartley struck with four minutes left of a taut encounter.

The Scotland midfield player still lives in the town that gave him his first steps in the professional game but he will not be too popular with some locals after this act of larceny.

Hamilton were on the brink of being the first side since August to prevent Celtic from winning but they cruelly ran out of luck – and time. Gordon Strachan’s side maintain their four-point lead over Rangers in the title race but the Celtic manager acknowledged that no one has put them under fiercer scrutiny in the domestic game this season than the Premier League’s bottom team.

However, his counterpart, Billy Reid, felt a deep sense of anger at the pivotal 38th-minute penalty award. The red card administered to Canning was not in doubt, given that he was last man when he hauled Cillian Sheridan back, but the offence occurred just outside the box as the Celtic striker was bearing down on goal. Steve Conroy, the referee, initially gave a free kick but changed his decision on the advice of his assistant, Chris Young, and gave the penalty that allowed Shunsuke Nakamura to cancel out the early lead provided by Richard Offiong.

“I could not see it properly but the players felt the foul was outside of the box and television showed it did,” Reid said. “The referee awarded a free kick but the assistant was the one who got involved. I am all for that but you have to make the right decision and he got it wrong.

“If someone had done that at the other end of the pitch, would they have been sent off? I feel that was the turning point. The players are gutted and we are still bottom of the league. To get undone by a decision like that is unjust.”

Offiong was more philosophical, and reasoned. “The penalty was a big blow,” the striker said. “If we had gone in at halftime 1-0 up, who knows what might have happened? I thought the foul was outside the box but Martin was last man and by the letter of the law, he has to go. However, we thought we’d got a draw until Hartley scored and that is why Celtic are champions – they keep going until the last minute.”

Hartley praised his old team for their remarkable performance, which made a mockery of the statistic of just one point from the previous seven games. “All credit to Hamilton, they played really well,” he said. “When they went down to ten men, I thought that might tell but they got men behind the ball and were hard to break down. But the spirit in this Celtic team is immense. We keep going until the end and know that if we can get one good chance, we will take it.”

Poor Hamilton. Just as they did against Rangers here a few weeks ago, they were smacked in the face for having the audacity to take the lead against the Old Firm. Offiong had endured a difficult campaign but the former Newcastle United striker found the net in spectacular fashion in the fifteenth minute.

A flowing move down the Hamilton right saw James McCarthy pick out Trent McLenahan, whose low cross was buried by Offiong, whose diving header flew past Mark Brown from 14 yards.Offiong might have doubled the margin just after the half hour when his firm header from Brian Easton’s corner was touched over the bar by the Celtic goalkeeper.

However, seven minutes before the interval Hamilton’s ambitions evaporated. Andreas Hinkel’s pass led to a mix-up between Mark McLaughlin and Canning that allowed Sheridan to get in behind the home defence. Canning’s impulse was to grab at the striker and the teenager was brought down as he advanced on the box.

Canning was sent off and Celtic were given a penalty, an award that has been a poisoned chalice of late, with Barry Robson, Shaun Maloney and Hartley all missing from the spot this term. Nakamura took responsibility and though Tomas Cerny, the goalkeeper, guessed correctly, the Japan player’s kick had too much pace.

The second half was a grim war of attrition, with Celtic monopolising the ball but creating precious few opportunities as they struggled to penetrate Hamilton’s impressively organised barrier.

Georgios Samaras thought he had claimed the prize in the 84th minute when a patient Celtic move saw him meet Hinkel’s cross but Cerny kept out the diving header with superb agility. However, Celtic refused to accept their fate and two minutes later Hartley unlocked the hosts. When Paul Caddis’s cross was headed out to Hartley, he showed great composure to exchange passes with Scott Brown on the edge of the box and rifle a low foot shot past Cerny.

(The Times)

o1bhoy

A Champion Denoument Today.
Mama said there would be days like this...
But The Bhoys Champion Mettle got them through. Fortunately.

Unfortunately...
My concerns of last year have come back to haunt me via ...An Article that left me disappointed.
Disappointed, but not at all Suprised. An article in The Telegraph.
Word of the Day? PURDAH. Very Powerful, emotive and interesting choice of word Purdah.

I know we should leave our politics at the door...But you know me. I believe politics is as ubiquitous and omnipresent as Family and Business. Its the essence of both.
I believe that to be irrefutable. And for me Celtic is Family & Business.

Those who think that position is misguided or irrelevant to this site....Move along, nothing to see here, move along to the right, to the right. Thats Right, to the Right....

In the Words Robert Duvall's Lt Colonel Bill Kilgore in Heart Of Darkness

I Love The Smell Of Daon In The Morning... Smells .... Like Victory

The Tims They Certainly Are A Changing. Everywhere and in Different Ways. And A Hard Rain Is Going To Fall. Economically it will be different this time, Kojo... I would love you to be right, "but not this time pal"..... I have a hunch you might be changing your opinion now... quietly of course. You are an intelligent man.

Immigrants? They are politicians fodder in times of economic decline ....and Fear of Imigrants is their excuse for Control....And the emotions stoked up linger for many years.
I am descended from immigrants. I have experienced The Haters. Divide & Rule is unfortunately the Soup D'Jour in the Politics of Paradise (family & Business). Long May the team be United.

I remember reading an article a year ago that The Good Doctor performed ably and calmly under fire at the AGM that confirmed his annointment. One journalist said he only flinched once: When asked about Daon. It was not mentioned here, but I would have been suprised if it had been. Politicians Loss of Coolness under fire Fascinate me.....they are subtle clues to the Heart of The Matter..

PJ .... Who Has Left The Building

Just been reading the online version of the Scottish Sun and noticed Andy Goram has been displaying his open minded outlook while opening his new pub - I wonder how much the papers will make of this, not much I expect:

Crude Goram also drew huge cheers from revellers in his new pub when he claimed he called ex-Celtic striker Pierre Van Hooijdonk a “non-white, unclean, non-Protestant with no father” after saving a penalty in a crunch Old Firm match in 1996.

mcgraininspain………………………

Had a few beers yesterday…………………..

There was 1 or 2 in so there was a BIG roar when Heartly scored.

Curly……………………………………

I just about quit, but…………………………..

then came to my senses………………

Was going to go to Japan………………….but

Changed my mind at the last min……………….

bigJoewhoISstaying

.

G'Day CQN....

Great Result Yesterday....Move on....

Hope Everyone comes back from International Duty Fit and Ready to Go....( l will Keep the Blog Updated Re; Skippy)....

2 Massive Games coming Up against The Buddies & Aalborg....Probably similar in the Way They both Play (Hard to break down)....We Need Skippy & Sami....also Molly Plays better with Sami in the Team IMO....

What should help Us against Aalborg it's like a Home & Away Tie (We Know Exactly what we need to Do)....CLAW Will be Over (at last) and a bit of Luck Manure will Hump Villareal to Set Up a Finale....in December @ Paradise....

Times are Good....HAIL HAIL....

o1bhoy

Big Joe -

Japan? Michty me! But would you have enjoyed being a Scotsman abroad, what with the homesickness and all? Erm, where do you live again?? 8-))

There was a big cheer in my hoose as well when that ball went into the net - only me there, but the sounds fair magnifies when there is no carpets in the room!

Later.

Rucly

RRC

Apologies for not replying earlier. Sleep intervened.

Living in Bonnie Scotland. Just received an e.mail from a pal holidaying in Perth W.A. He's rubbing it in about the weather!

morning all......................

What news of Kano?.......... anybody

vmhan aw

Paul67...........I see you made a sneeky wee change to the post.

Changing McD to Brown...............Yir the high heed yin on here so I suppose......thats allowed...........did anybody else notice?

vmhan aw..........

.

Paul67....

Don't Know if this has been Covered....

Good to see us Sign Up Lee Naylor for a Extra Year....To Make sure if someone comes for him we Get Market Value for him and don't Lose him on a Bosman in the Summer....or January....

Now they Way l See it NAKA Is the Same....What is Stopping Us doing the Same....Does Naka not Want to Out price his Old Club or Does Celtic Own His Image Rights etc....Do You Think he will Move in January as this Would Solve some of the Above....????

o1bhoy

Yesterday Celtic_First mentioned Lionel Messi wanting to come to Glasgow this week, and alluded to the possibility that Messi may have wanted to visit BB's. I however have a far more likely scenario...

Mr Messi is desperate to get over for the Argentina game so he can check out the facilities at his potential new "office", as he secretly craves a move to Paradise having regularly discussed Playing for Celtic with his pal Marc Crosas.

.

Skippy Has Already Pulled Out of Aussie WC Squad.... ;o))))

o1bhoy

Paul67;
I am writing to ask you to start a petition calling on Celtic FC to immediately outlaw "Zonal Marking" when we are defending corners.
This ridiculous system has been responsible for us being put under unnecessary pressure from every team we have played against this season.
IT IS NOT EFFECTIVE.
Never has been, never will be.
Man Utd could have scored a skinful against us, with a bit of luck.
For jayzus sake, it allowed John O'Shea to look good!
It should be in every managers contract;
You are not allowed to use Zone Marking.
Aaaarrgghhh.

On another note;

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered." - Thomas Jefferson 1802

Madra rua

I have to agree that whatever system Celtic adopt at the moment for defending set pieces needs to change.

Zonal marking is fine when you have 4-5 very strong guys in the air.
Martin O'Neill's team could have did it well but that team had Balde, Sutton, Mjallby, Varga and Hartson so defending high balls was never a problem.
I would say in our current team only Gary Caldwell is good at attacking a high ball and he seems a little inept at reading the flight of the ball from corners which doesnt help.

Even from an attacking point of view we are terrible from set pieces (unless its a direct effort on goal)
Scott McDonald has probably been our most effective player from that area this season surprisingly enough

two observations from yesterday's game that most likely contributed to the lack of cohesion in the play. one, that brown playing wider right in midfield, until naka was substituted and the midfield was re-shuffled, was unable to have the same influence in the game as when he reverted to the central midfield role in the final 20 mins. second, and more obvious, was the loss of mcdonald, though not only for his goal threat but his ability to control and retain posession from longer balls. i hadn't really apprecaite how significant this role is unitl he was out yesterday, that is emphasised when JVoh is out and samaras is still trying to recover his form.

hopefully mcdonald is back for saturday.

Does anyone else feel guilty about ALL these decisions we are getting?

No ? me neither.

Helicopter Thursday, when fit Glen Loovens has been a very potent threat from set pieces scored in the SPL and CIS cup from headers at corner kicks and also scored with a header from open play at Inverness

Unew Mike

Yip, forgot about big Glen who seems more than useful at set pieces.
Only thing is he is not a guaranteed starter......yet

Helicopter Thursday,
What I dislike about the zonal marking is the lack of command in the air.
The attacker has gained momentum by sprinting 5/10 yards to meet the ball. Thereby gaining strength when he jumps.
The defender however, is jumping from a standing position, trying to out jump a player moving towards the ball at speed.
Also, if the ball is precisely passed, the attacker can move into a space not occupied by a defender, alá John O'Shea.
It just does not work !

Voguepunter

Like me, you've probably had years of people saying 'These things even out over the season', GIRU Them.

Nice to see Rears being the paranoid ones.

STANDING UP

Madra Rua

I take your point and agree thats its not the best form of defending set pieces but it is workable with the right players.

A defender does not need to have a standing start when zonal marking as it's all about reading the flight of the ball and attacking it.
The Celtic defence are not particularly great at attacking the ball in the air and thats where our problems start.

A forward will always have the upper hand in these situations as they have more scope to gamble and take a risk on where the ball might arrive - the defender doesnt have this luxury and needs to defend his area and not make rash judgements about where the ball might end up.

Having said all that I still prefer good old fashioned man to amn :-))

Billy Reid in every paper today saying "they wuz robbed", yet when they went behind to an offside goal against the huns, not a word was said..........strange that!

Madra rua, we lose very few goals from corner kicks or from headers at set-pieces, which is the measure of zonal marking.

The standing defender-running attacker argument is not how zonal should work. With the zonal system defenders should not be standing waiting when the cross comes in, they should be moving for the ball at the same time as an attacker.

I could add that when man-marking, a defender has to wait on the attacker moving before he reacts.

Man Utd were a taller team than Celtic but didn’t score from a corner, in fact, Stephen McManus came closest to doing so for Celtic.

Paul67,

Although I agree with exactly what you have said regarding the zonal marking debate I think to judge our ability to execute it effectively mainly on how many goals we concede does not tell the full story.

We allow teams numerous chances directly from set pieces on a regular basis and as time goes by more and more teams are targeting it as one of our main weaknesses.

Walter Smith has certainly benfited from our lack of aerial prowess hence the introduction of Cousin for the last derby match after weeks in the wilderness.

I dont put our weakness down solely to zonal marking as I think it is more the ability of our players in the air that is the major problem.

Poor performance yesterday, but we won that was the main thing I suppose. Brilliant finish from hartley and I just wish he'd push forward more often because thats what he can do.

Scott Brown is proving me wrong and I'm delighted he's running the games from midfield and showing glimpses of that 4.5m we paid for him.

Still can't fathom why we persist with Donati though he can't pass water and its been said everywhere from print press to radio to message boards but when he played last season it didn't work and only when he was dropped did we kick into gear for the run in.

Plus Mark Brown needs replaced asap, I'm not sure what the big american lad is like but he must have more presence than brown, as we watched from the glorified gazeebo stand yesterday at half time even hamilton sussed he was very vulnerable as they watered the end they were shooting into with gusto! Also its time for Caddis to be given the right back slot for a run, andy hinkel breaks down every attempt at a breakaway by taking a fortnight to figure out what to do with the ball, any chance we had to break yesterday was brought to a mind numbing halt as hinkel held it up, looked around, moved a couple of yards forward, held it up, looked around, etc etc.

In saying that 10 out of 10 has even the most stubborn of mineshafters can't argue, but the big test will still be december 27th.

Robsons a legend csc

DD

Poor performance yesterday, but we won that was the main thing I suppose. Brilliant finish from hartley and I just wish he'd push forward more often because thats what he can do.

Scott Brown is proving me wrong and I'm delighted he's running the games from midfield and showing glimpses of that 4.5m we paid for him.

Still can't fathom why we persist with Donati though he can't pass water and its been said everywhere from print press to radio to message boards but when he played last season it didn't work and only when he was dropped did we kick into gear for the run in.

Plus Mark Brown needs replaced asap, I'm not sure what the big american lad is like but he must have more presence than brown, as we watched from the glorified gazeebo stand yesterday at half time even hamilton sussed he was very vulnerable as they watered the end they were shooting into with gusto! Also its time for Caddis to be given the right back slot for a run, andy hinkel breaks down every attempt at a breakaway by taking a fortnight to figure out what to do with the ball, any chance we had to break yesterday was brought to a mind numbing halt as hinkel held it up, looked around, moved a couple of yards forward, held it up, looked around, etc etc.

In saying that 10 out of 10 means even the most stubborn of mineshafters can't argue with our results just now, but the big test will still be december 27th.

Robsons a legend csc

DD

DD
agreed with your post so much that i read it twice;))))

BIG JOE.........................

you don't know what you're missin!

tbdJ

Helicopter Thursday, agree there is plenty room for improvement in defence and that the excellent record when defending corner kicks does not tell the whole story about the defence, but if anything, the excellent corner kick record with the acknowledged defensive weaknesses suggests that zonal marking is even more effective.

I didn't get to see the game but in fairness to Donati (if he was in fact rubbish yesterday) he was excellent against Killie, so it would have been slightly unfair to drop him (not that that's stopped WGS before, mind).

Celt33

No.

Nobody else thinks Boruc could have prevented the goal, only you in the whole wide universe and beyond.

Your on your own!

donegaldanny

Have to say that you're being a little harsh on Mark Brown. For a guy that barely plays he's done ok. He had one magnificent save against Spartak last season which effectively kept us in the tie and therefore the CL. As for yesterday he was faultless. Can have no blame for the goal and as some mentioned on the blog yesterday, he actually looked a lot more commanding than Boruc under cross balls. Lastly, his distribution was quick and accurate and usually to the full backs rather than a punt upfield.

Not sure what more you expect from a guy who knows he'll have to spend the bulk of the season sat on his backside...

EHIY

weeminger

Donati wasn't as bad as it's been made out by some. He's a target for those that need someone to have a pop at. He was by no means brilliant yesterday but a lot were under par. He suffered from having a front 2 that didn't gel and a packed opposing defence - even the best in the world need something to aim at when passing forward. Not that I'm claiming Donati is a world beater!

Just think some should get off his back - you're right, he did play well against Killie and is looking a whole lot fitter and more hungry than last season.

EHIY

Brown isn't Boruc, but I thought he did well yesterday, it was a cracking finish from O'Ffiong (I'm assuming he's Irish), I thought his handling was good, caught a number of crosses under pressure, an stopped everything else that was sent towards goal. 9.5 out of 10.

EHIY

He has no presence and looks shaky from back passes, heres one for you does anyone think if we sold Boruc in January Mark Brown would be Celtics number 1 (please nobody say yes cos hes the only one we've got). Maybe i'm being slightly harsh but I do believe Boruc would've got a hand to that header if only because he's a good few inches taller and has a bigger reach.

While we're on the subject of the goal the boy Awfy-long looked to have our back two on toast for periods of the game simply due to pace, a thing we still lack at the back even if Loovens was playing.

Blantyre Tim - Yes small mishap with the submit button there! :-)

Unlucky St Eunans V Crossmaglen @ the weekend CSC

DD

Exiled Hoop

got to agree with you shun

Donati has been excellent last few games

Yesterday's game, most of our players were below par

wee minger

the only problem i can see with donati is,that he and hartley cannot play in the same midfield,because they both want to occupy the same space,i lost count of the amount of times they both dropped deep to go for the same ball,which in turn meant we left our strikers(big sheridan in particular)isolated far too often!

hail hail

also meant to say im a fan of donati's

The performance yesterday wasn't great, but it was 3 points away from home, and let's face it it was a game that you can only lose.

Exiled Hoop - I've always liked him. I think he makes some of the most intelligent passes of anybody in the team. Unfortunately for him he's not always had people around him with the same football brain. I suppose you could argue that if his intelligent passes aren't being successful he should just make passes that are going to find his own players but I'm happy for him to keep on doing what he does because when it works he creates chances.

Don't think anybody would claim yesterday was a vintage display, but there is merit in being able to dig out a winner when it looks like we're heading for a draw.

Two games last season, the last 5 minutes against Gretna at Fir Park and away at Inverness, were bad away matches.

Yesterday was like the Gretna game (top against bottom?). Hamilton had a game plan that they stuck to for as lomng as they possibly could, but I don't think we threatened as much as we are capable of, possibly because Skippy wasn't playing.

The thing is, there is a big squad of players being used. Listen to the manager, he often says 'We thought this was the right game for Hartley/Donati/AN Other'. He's going for a horse for courses approach to picking the team, and for the past ten SPL matches, it has worked, as has making changes when required ie Barry Robson yesterday

But the mark of champs is digging out a winner when it's not expected. Three points away from home is not to be sniffed at, because we do have a few away games in the coming weeks, both domestic and Euro, that are going to be very important.

STANDING UP..still top of the league, how do you like them apples?

Before the weekend I was having a wee look at the SPL table after 13 games last season and noted that Celtic were 3 points ahead of Rangers, exactly the same as they were at the end of the season. So over the final 25 SPL games both Celtic and Rangers won exactly the same number of points, or put another way we could surmise that the title was already won over the first 13 games.

With Celtic a point further ahead after the first 13 games this season, it could already be a case of enjoying it while the fat lady loosens up her voice for the traditional end of season sing-song (don't mention the IRA) at Celtic Park.

And another thing...

Celtic need only take 2 of the remaining 9 points available from games against Rangers, and as long as we match them against the rest of the SPL teams they will be unable to catch us.

Donegaldanny.

I find it rather bizarre that you should pick out two of the best performers,(not admittedly too much to chose from for praise), from yesterdays game for criticism. Massimo Donati was neat and tidy in everything he did, and contrary to your comment, his passing was very good.

AS for Mark Brown. How many saves did he have to make? Very few. Did he make any mistakes or did he spill the ball on any occassion? No! He did everything that was asked of him competently and he was particularly positive when coming for crosses, which held onto on every occasion.In addition his ditribution was very good

These players have on occassion not played all that great, but give them credit when they do play well.

DD

I have to say if you think he looked at all shaky yesterday we must have been watching different games. To answer your question, no I don't think he'll be our No1 WHEN Boruc goes. However, surely you realise you can't expect your back up keeper to be the same standard as your 1st pick?!? That's why he's the back up!! I'd love to have Casillas or Cech on the bench but it's never going to happpen. If the big American is as good as he's cracked up to be he'll be the back up before too long - or the long term replacement for Boruc.

I also think you are in a tiny minority (maybe now of 2 with Celt33) that Boruc would've done much better on the goal.

You are right about the pace at the back though - but lightening quick CBs with the same or more experience as our current incumbents are expensive!

EHIY

weeminger

He looks like he might be coming onto a game. I agree he's one of the best passers we have - probably with Crosas - but also that he can't play next to another deep lying midfielder. So for me it has to be Donati OR Hartley OR Crosas, with Brown in front when everyone is available. Now Brown has his mojo back I think he can play with any of the other 3 behind him.

Unlike some others I no longer care about 'favourites' in the team - I only care about winning and with a little style where possible!

EHIY

I've just watched Paul Hartley's goal again. Surely if this had been scored by Mendes, the Scottish press would already be handing him the Player of the Year award. Furthermore, does this mean we could get £10 millon for him in the transfer window?

thebhoydave JAPAN………………..

I will have to take you’re word for it M8

BigJoeWhiIsntGoing2Japan

ragnerhairybreeks

Well even Strachan admitted when Robson came on it changed the game so he can't have been having too good a game. For me he still misplaces far too many tackles and when he attempts a solo run more often than not falls over the ball, its all about opinions though, just glad he was hooked for robson.

EHIY

All i'm saying is he doesn't inspire me with confidence as he's too small for a keeper or certainly looks it. Yesterday apart he hasn't looked good with pass backs either. I just think we can do far better even as back up and would anyone truthfully be comfortable if we had to go to Denmark or Ibrox with him in goals?
It would certainly be a nervy time if he was.

But we won so thast the main thing

DD

DD

WILSON was hooked for Robson and Barry played at LB! You definitely were watching a different game...

EHIY

george galloway is well worth a read
in the daily ranger this morning
topics include TFS, Murphy (the mp one and his reluctance
to discuss it)
and our chairman John Reid
He even hints that the chairman may be leaving us
for pastures new (university college london)
even advocating his replacement
none other than mr Brian Dempsey
If you are passing a mcdonald's or a library
or w h smith
nip in for a free read
hhmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EHIY

Well Caddis came on for him (Donati) but Robson was driving on far more effectively and lifted the team is my point. We were going nowhere fast with Donati, and we didn't last season either until we changed the midfield. By all means if you think hes the man to play in midfield fair play to you, I disagree.

And from a gazeebo at the side of the pitch it has hard to spot everything :-)

DD

Mickybhoy

A piece from the George Galloway article you mentioned:

"Our common left foot, however, didn't make Murphy view any more kindly my parliamentary question last week about the "Famine Song".

Speaking through his amanuensis Ann McKechin, Murphy contemptuously booted my request that he discuss this matter with Alex Salmond into Row Z. And I know he's not alone in regarding this as a storm in a tea-cup, so let me explain.

Systematically abusing people, in this case thousands of people singing at away grounds all over Scotland that approximately one in four of their countrymen are not wanted, aliens who should "go home" is racism pure and simple.

If it was being sung against Jews (the Holocaust is over)or blacks (slavery is over)it would be headline news on CNN.

But in Scotland "The Greatest Small Country In The World", it's apparently not a matter of even local concern. Indeed its targets are being regarded as whingers for even minding.

When my ancestors, on my mother's side, arrived in cattle boats at Anderston Quay (where sits the Daily Record and where I grew up to be the MP) they were greeted, literally, with boarding house signs which said: "No Dogs. No Irish."

And there are some in Scotland who have never accepted people like me, and Murphy, and Mckechin as Scottish at all.

We are children, it seems, of a lesser God.

In my young days I was used to being told "Go back to Russia" which later became "Baghdad".

But the only time I was ever told to get "back on the boat to my own country, you Fenian b*****" was 15 years ago while campaigning in Helen Liddell's by-election in the Airdrie and Coatbridge constituency.

Up with this, as Mr Churchill said, we will not put.

So, my message to the bigots is this. Get over it. We are going nowhere. We are Scots, of Irish background, and we're proud of it.

It's the days when you could put up barriers against us that are over. We are not the equivalent of dogs, we are not here at your sufferance.

And if you continue to behave like knuckle-dragging red-necked hicks in Mississippi, we'll continue to name you and shame you, whatever Murphy's law says.

'If it was being sung against Jews or blacks it would be headline news. But in Scotland, "The Greatest Small Country in the World", it's not a matter of even local concern' "

On another subject I'm looking for pubs in Ballina Co.Mayo that'll show home games?

Anyone with even a smidgeon of a clue?

DD

I think Robson got the nod at half-time because Hamilton were down to 10 men and Robson is left footed. Strachan was probably thinking there will be less to defend down either flank and thought Robson would be able to provide a more consistant delivery.

DD

I'll let you off on the subs since your view may have beeen restricted!

However, I think the lack of an out ball - both up front and wide were bigger factors than Donati's ineffectiveness. As I said earlier, Donati is a good passer of the ball, but you're only as good as the options available to you...

Anyway, that's the beauty of CQN - we've all got our opinions!

Hail hail

EHIY

I wouldnt have Donati in my starting line up as he does not force the game or change the pace of our play when we really need it.

The sign of a good player is someone that can spot the team need a lift and inject some pace into the game....Scott Brown is learning to do this more and more (from the middle not out wide) but the one man that does it more than anyone else is Barry Robson.

I'll concede that Robson does not have as much ability as Donati but he has the spirit and drive every team needs hence why I still think he should be an automatic starter, especially away from home.
Even from left back he was driving us on in the second half yesterday.

I do admire a lot of what Galloway says and does, and the extract from his article on TFS is excellent and hits the nail on the head perfectly....but...if he is really advocating giving the charlatan, Brian Dempsey, a place on the Board then he is way off the mark IMHO. Wee Fergis saw right through Dempsey and chased him....and he should remain chased.

that should read "Wee Fergus"

Raveheart

You could be right. Certainly Wilson wasn't adding much going forward (and he has been good of late). Robson has more composure on the ball and a much, much better delivery from wide areas. He's not the best defender in the world (although he made some good tackles as usual) but the boss would have known we weren't going to be doing too much defending 2nd half.

I feel Robson should play LB more often against anyone who's only going to play 1 up. The full backs can then get forward and let the opposition worry more about us than vice versa.

EHIY

A good 3 points for the Bhoys yesterday but am I alone in saying that, for the last few seasons, I have groaned inwardly whenever the opposition have had a player sent off?

We never seem to be able to take advantage of our superiority in numbers and, as a result, these games usually become a war of attrition.

Surely we have players who can make the ball 'do the running' so that teams like 10 man Hamilton can be brought to their knees long before the final whistle?

On the other hand, perhaps such a plan is too complicated for Gary Pendrey to draw in his wee red jotter?

Hail! Hail!

Donegaldanny.

I think your being a bit mean spirited. Your also missing the point.

Robson came on for Mark Wilson who was having a very poor game.If you read Gordon Strachan's comments about Robson's appearance as a turning point. He was not criticising Donati. His comment was along the lines of "we were not getting enough from the wide area". This was Wilson's area of responsibility, not Massimo Donati's, and it was him that was failing in that responsibility no one else, as the manager's comment indicates.

It seems to me, to be disingenuous to suggest otherwise, or is it that you do not understand Massimo Donati's role in the team.

Oh holy, could this be a first a Ragnar post without a spelling or grammatical errror!

Helicopter

We all know how important Barry was in the run last year - absolutely crucial. And a very good player in SPL terms. He's very much the 'horses for courses' type player GS seems to refer to when he says things like 'we thought it was the right type of game for X'.

However, if we want the quality of fare dished up (and given some of the moaning on here when we do play poorly - think back to large chunks of last season) we are going to have to persevere with better ball players.

I'm not saying this need necessarily be Donati, it might be Crosas,or A N Other, but I definitely think we need to head in that direction longer term.

That said, some games are just wars of attrition and for those, battlers like Hartley and Robson are invaluable.

I suppose what I'm getting at is we need both and that is the importance of a good squad, which is what we clearly now have.

Still room for a couple of additions come the window though!!

EHIY

.

Lubo 1977....

Why The Dislike Towards Mr Dempsey....????

o1bhoy

ragnarhairybreeks,

your = belonging to you
you're = you are

Sorry if that wasn't an open invitation at the end of you post.
;)

Another 3 points, another dodgy decision :-)

from todays sun

"Crude Goram also drew huge cheers from revellers in his new pub when he claimed he called ex-Celtic striker Pierre Van Hooijdonk a "non-white, unclean, non-Protestant with no father" after saving a penalty in a crunch Old Firm match in 1996.

Alasdair MacLean

I thought about picking ragna up on that but he seemed so pleased I didn't want to relieve myself on his bonfire!

Fair play to you for not being so kind - I don't know what came over me... ;-)

EHIY

ragnarhairybreeks

maybe I don't understand his role in the team if its to offer very little, but I wonder why so often when he is substituted or dropped the team does better, last season is THE perfect example. In my opinion I'd have crosas, robson, hartley all before him in the pecking order. Just my opinion though.

EHIY

Agree we DEFINITELY needs additions, as we may be lulled into thinking we're better than we actually are and be severely dealt with in european competition (whatever one it may be, heres hoping we're still in one!) full back is still a must!

DD

EHIY

You're spot on in that we need someone with the composure and technical ability of Donati but I would just hope they have more drive and influence thats all.
Young Crosas might be the answer, he certainly looked very good before his injury.

I wasnt necessary saying that to incorporate Robson into the team we need to sacrifice the midfiled ball player.......I meant we had to find a place for Robson when we were playing in matches which were far more physically demanding than say Kilmarnock at home.

new article posted.

There's been a refreshing outbreak of football on here.

Exiled Hoop In Yorkshire,

Yes, like most pompous eejits, I couldn't even spell it myself at the end of my own e-mail!

What was that about glass houses?

I have not read George Galloway's column in the red top rag but I remember a phrase from my late great father in law. There was a sign, I am not sure whether it was in the boarding houses of Govan or the Gorbals.

No Catholics and No Irish.

Underneath was a message.

Read this notice and remember it well.

The same is written on the gates of hell.

Spread the word.

Hi Gents,
Just want to know your thoughts on this bit of news i heard recently.

From a close source it has been brought to my attention that Aiden is destined to leave in January for a top premiership team. Newcastle have no chance and i dare not say who the team in question is but lets just say this team have been keeping a low profile in the media, but not on the scouting front to secure his services. There has in fact been an approach for his services to WGS and PL by 2 other premiership clubs keen to get the ball moving in the Jan Sales. Word from paradise is that business is most likely to happen due to his off the park events. The 2 clubs that have expressed a desire to buy him are only going to ensure we receive top dollar from the club who are most likely to secure his services. The only snag in the sale hinges on aiden's off the field behaviour over the next 6 weeks.

What's your thoughts?

Thx