Celtic 2-0 Hamilton Accies, 26 December 2009

Hello?

Nearly

I can't believe that a new article just appeared and I score dafter just 12 seconds! That's three firsts in a week for me!

Anyway, I see that Rangers just equalised with their first shot on target.

Celtic yesterday scored 2 goals from 13 shots on target and Rangers get 1 from 1.

Anywhere in the top 10 does me, especially if i'm ahead of vmhan..?

Jobo

"score dafter"?... I've never read anything dafter than that!

Jobo - did Boyd start for the skunks?

Mon Hibs get intae them.

Hx2

Jobo no ferr.....

modern CQN podium posters is rubbish!

:¬(

bandwagonesque.

Boyd's first touch of the game (I'm pretty sure) was on 19 minutes when he passed to Miller for their goal.

Rangers coming more into the game and tackles starting to fly in.

Entertaining!

Jobo

Sad to say but yet another marvellous finish from Kenny Miller. The player who "couldn't commit bovine assault with a banjo!" (copyright Paul 67)

Thanks Jobo

God, I detest that guy - hope he is trussed up and sold (a la Hutton) in January.

what is with some of you

are you pining for miller or what,get a grip for christs sake,the usual knee jerk reactions,in futeure try to think before you type,,eh

hail hail

2-1 to huns

hoops1990, :-)

I’ve always liked Kenny Miller, but not as a Celtic striker.

crap

2-1 to the horribles - comedy Hibs defending lets Boyd rap it home.

Hibs have obviously been watching the Sieve Defence DVD.
Jeezzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!

Vmhan...From last thread...Merry Christmas back

Game over at Easter Road - I wait to be proved wrong but Hibs have shot their bolt

Next goal is critical. Mon the Hibees!

Kitalba - I didnt go yesterday and such is my level of uhnappiness - even when we still had a chance of winning the league at end of last season I found it hard to get motivated.

We are a house utterly divided in levels of goals and ambitions.

Vmhan - I hope you are correct but there are absolutely NO signs of them changing tactics....

Swanseabhoy - if I were king....

The main thing I would do is spend reasonably big and bring in two strikers (say around £10M). This would energise the support and would mean we could be scoring lots more goals - that would help cover the deficiencies in other areas and would mean some excitement for the support. This has been the case for some time - the fact we never got a striker this time last year meant we lost the league - and we have gone backwards since then.

This wouldnt break the bank - it would mean the support get behind the team and it would demoralise Rangers (who cant believe their luck at how inactive we are).

Would it guarantee success? Nope. However its the purpose of Celtic to win - not to save money. Also if we dont do it I will guarantee it will lead to failure.

Does that answer your questions?

cheers CRC,

crap defence I thought our defence was bad, and it is.

Hx2

Elbow body checks Rankin - Walker blames the Hib's Players 'momentum'

NegativeAnon

Time will tell and I'm not 100% confident that the board will do the right thing by us, the hun game is not the important event for us in January.

Hx2

Aiden McGeady for 8mill you're having a laugh,

http://www.clubcall.com/everton/toffees-join-race-celtic-star-997575.html

Hx2

Riordan has done nothing.

I contemplated not remewing my season ticket for the present season due to feeling as if the board had ripped the proverbial out of me. In the end, i did renew my parent and child ticket at a cost of £542, plus i also purchased a £50 season ticket for my daughter. For 17 games, that works out at £2.94 per game. That is good value in any language. Incidentally, my daughter, aged 9, has fallen out of love with going to Celtic Park. Maybe she'll fall back in love with it !

On the other hand, because my son turned 13 years old, our ticket went up an extra £50. Can someone tell me why anyone should be charged more because you become a teenager ? A child should be classed as someone 16 years old and under but at Celtic Park it seems that if you are 12 years old or under you should pay less than someone a year older !

Just little things like this annoy me about Celtic. I was fortunate enough that i could shell out that extra £50 but other folk may have been less fortunate.

Come on Celtic, entice us along London Rd.

Hail Hail

Thats the difference!!

They are ruthless!! Us on the other hand are tippy tappy, lets get pretty goals and then the defence undo any good work thats done.

I really do worry for us next weekend!! Season could be over!!

Is it just me thats VERY WORRIED about next week?

NegativeAnon:

I can't remember if you have already stated this on here but are you a season ticket holder or do you pay as you go?

You didn't go yesterday but you didn't say why not?

vmhan

If the score stays the same today, then I think that the Hun game will be equally important as our transfer activity in Jan.

If we loose against Der Hun we would be 7 pts behind...perish the thought!! However the fallout from that may force the board to spend. I wont say big, as I do not think that will happen! I As an internal optimist, I still hope though!!

C'mon Hibees, u need to get their goalie off as he is injured and a liability at the best of times !!!

CRC

If it wasn't for the size of Boyds arse he would have been offside when he scored thei second.

We need a striker in for next weeks game, a 6ft 6in slovakian bruiser at the back to hit Boyd and Miller.

Say what you like about this mob, but they got a bit of confidence flowing just now.

A draw but could change all that. John Hughes big man get them going second half. Riordan and Nish are shocking.

my advict to the scared little kittens is if you are that worried then dont watch or go to the game,simple as,but please dont come on here with knee jerk reactions,it gets right on my tits,this is the same huns team that could not buy a goal in europe,the same huns team that everyone on here was laughing at remember,now because they have scored a few in their last two or three games the poor wee souls on here are all scared

we will win against killie and we will bury the huns next week ,,,fact

hail hail as always

They just commented on the radio that Boyd often gets into position to score his goals on "the back of a shove". So in other words he cheats by fouling the opposition before scoring. Obviously in Scotland we play to a different set of rules. It was ever thus!

ibleedgreenandwhite 12.56- a welcome bit of perspective from you.

According to the radio Ma'Kalamby is having a horror show, a bit like Ruddy last Saturday.

Hail hail

goldstar10 -

apart from 1 poor kick out I think Ma'Kalamby has done nothing wrong. He picked up a knock after 30 minutes and is leaving the kick outs to his defenders. Provided Hibs players don't five him too many pass backs he should be fine.

By the way, Stokes' opener is the quickest goal in SPL history. And he's only 1 more goal away from then being on a hat trick :-)

Jobo

Elbows still playing to his strengths.....without the Ref realising!

McCulloch gets away with yet another BLATANT assault.

ibleedgreenandwhite

Pointless laughing at the huns they are champions we are not.

Anyone who knows football knows they are a better collective bunch than we are at the moment.

Some might laugh because they are skint I don't because we act like we are skint.

I think our kness jerked many months ago it's time for action from this mob we call a board.

Kitalba what difference does it make if negative is a season holder book or not? The loudest voices in here are from bhoys who have not stepped inside parkhead for many years.

Rat boy 3-1

Hail Hail

CRC the hun game is important of course, but I want to keep the eye on the ball, the big picture for me is to improve the defence and sign a goal scoring striker, the defence has needed sorted for a few years now and I'm sick of the lack of investment which will be negligent if its not sorted in this transfer window, I shouldn't have to say this because we should not be in this position but c'mom he Hibees.....ef it 3-1

Hx2

Ratface 3-1!!

MaKalambay a liability!

Game now completely over.

Absolutely Clinical

What did I say about Ma'Kalambay?

Jobo

locky hun feckers

CB heads in onto a midfielder lets them break ....deflection and pants goalkeeping

why is it that the on form teams are having off days against them

i really thought they would have been tested in their last 3 games

they`ve scored 12 aginst the better teams in the SPL

WE CAN`T LOSE NEXT WEEK

I'm gonnae predict 3-3,thats all.

HH

Pfyar,

With our defence??? Those feckers will have agreat chance.

We need a striker and centre halve for next week.

ibleedgreenandwhite

Add me to your 'pussy' list!!

My reactions are not knee-jerk as I have been concerned for much longer than a few matches.

Our euro record this season in the diddy cup wasn't much better than their's in the big cup but europe should not be our concern this season anyway.

They have indeed scored a few in the last few games. It should be a concern. It's called being 'in form'.

Oh.. and adding '...fact' to the end of a sentence does not make it so. It's just your opinion.Now,people doing that really get on my t***!!!

Hail hail to you too!!!

THE CHANTS FROM THE HUNS OF THEM BEING CHAMPIONS REALLY DEPRESSES ME

their usual repetoire is upsetting enough ...

WGS

Given the heid may be away which one of mick and loovens would you inflict upon a new centre half.

Hail Hail

eustace

"anyone who knows football"

when you write things like that mate then what you are really saying is that if i dis-agree with you then i am wrong,if that is the case then there is no point in talking to you,it would be a waste of your time and mines

anyways,,,worriers and panicers carry on going over board,,also if you are so worried about the huns dont watch them turn over,,un real on here nowadays,,negative negative

hail hail

Shaunbhoy,

Henrik very often at corners used to bend over with his hands on his knees thus using his derriere to create a wee bit extra space for himself as the covering defender couldn't get right up close to him.
And if you think big Sutty or BBJ didn't use a wee shove to their advantage at times then you are just being naive my friend.

Unfortunately the torn-faced-monster-munch rat has watched and learned from the masters.

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

Eustace,

Loovens, then again Darre is back.

ibleedgreenandwhite

anyone who's watched Celtic's defence at any point this season (or last, for that matter - this must be the slowest-jerking knee in history) would be nervous at any game, more so against fired-up, in-form rivals. Are you telling me you were relaxed yesterday at 1-0 with 10 minutes to go? I knew their equaliser was coming, I said as much to my other half, and only the vagaries of refereeing stopped it happening. Hamilton are not Rangers. Of course I'm scared. I watch a team with Stephen McManus, Glenn Loovens and Danny Fox in it, and they're about to face a team who have been scoring for fun recently.

That isn't going to stop me going to watch them. If people just went to see a winning, in-form, Celtic, they'd be called gloryhunters. Yet provide an honest assessment of a poor defensive unit and we're scared little kittens? Come off it.

This score should ensure that the proposed "trading" period we are about to endure, will define the tenure of Peter Lawwell.

Another window like last January,s will consign him to the failed column.

Anyone else have a contrary view?

bleedgreenandwhite

Your interpretation and your entitled to it. Not what i meant though.

Do you disagree thyey are on form and playing well?

Hail Hail

as hard as it is to admit the manky mob will bully us next week, we dont have the players to stand up to them,gone are your days of us outfighting them, the board made a big big error last january ( and a few transfer windows before )lets see if they will try and right it this january , i somehow doubt it.

I feel sick watching this game!!

3rd goal was a total fluke. What is Andy Walker talking about?? Brilliant from Novo!! To**er!!

This league is far from over fholks. At worst, a home win next week and I believe we will be at most 1 point behind the Hunz. They are hitting form at the moment, but form is a fickle mistress. We have kept tabs on them whilst our defending/finishing has been the worst for months.
Our luck will turn, and with a half-decent run of form and some decent signings we will soon be back on top. They have also been lucky with injuries, but that luck won't last forever.
Keep the faith Fholks, come May we WILL be Champions again!

PF

Crowd yesterday?

For us that went generous estimate 25,000

ApathyCSC

Come on the Villa.

4-1 huns on a roll i thought hibernian would do better

Hail Hail

Impressive eh guys??

Having spent the past couple of years playing in a very defensive & restrictive manner, the Cardigan of Dignity seems to have thrown the shackles off. I can't remember the last time I saw them throwing so many men forward.

It will be interesting to see how Smith approaches next week's game - it might actually work to our advantage if he decides to attack as I have every confidence that we can get in behind them.

My main concern is that they seem very adept at picking up loose balls in midfield & although I like both Crosas & N'Guemo I think they can both be be careless with posession at times.

jonnybhoy on December 27, 2009 1:23 PM
He failed us last season and collected a hefty bonus to boot, go figure..... this transfer widow will make or break us.

ef it 4-1......I'll admit I thought it would be at least a draw.

HH

ibleed...

Do you know next week's lottery numbers as well?

kingoh

up until last week we won four games on the spin playing really well granted our defence is shocking,we had tons of people on here sying they thought big tony was the man and how they over reacted about him,,then last week happens,,up until caldwell gets sent off we are cruising and more than likely will win the game,,we did not,,then what happens,,,panic panic,,we have to spend 10 million or else we will explode,,it is so pathetic,but very predictble

the difference with our euro campaign and the huns ,is that we could quite easily have won all our games if we had cut out the silly mistakes and taken half of our chances,where as the huns were made to look silly especially at home

in short i worry about my own team not what the huns are doing,,when they lost to aberdeen a few weeks back it was party time on here,now they have hit a bit of form,,its panic on the streets

anyways good luck to you mate try not to worry too much,after all its only a game,not life or death

hail hail

Eustace:

I asked him (neganon) the question, not you. My question of him has relevance for him. Oh! and if you are inferring that I don't step inside Parkhead too often, then you are correct, it does not however stop me from buying my season ticket though, and then paying for C67 to watch them on top of that. All up the best part of 700 pounds per year; plus maybe another four hundred (+) on Celtic paraphernalia. Doing my wee bit to support Celtic and not getting an awful lot back for it.

Still maybe the bile and the pretentious ‘aloofness’ of some big note supporters might make me re-think where my money would best be spent.

I think I am entitled to an opinion and asking others, who may, or may not, subsidise the club, more, or less, than me or not at all, what they think and on what basis they would spend other peoples hard earned money.

RRC

Next weeks numbers are...

2,7,18,29,45,48...fact

I added fact at the end so it must be true! Or is it just my opinion?

WHY THE FECK DID CELTIC SELL KENNY NO GOIN TI MISS MILLER

kitalba

Must be expensive paraphernalia you got the new duvet set

Chill man

Hail Hail

kingoh

are you panicking incase they don't come up.

Hail Hail

Burleysfrontteeth , because he was keech for us.
hindsightcsc

I think we have a problem for the next Old Firm match.
We dont score from enough of our chances.
Watching this MOB today, they dont miss much.

jonybhoy

how anyone could give lawell pass marks and have him anywhere other than the failed column is beyond me

he is given credit for reducing debt......as if that is something magical, some piece of business wizardry.....it's not....stop spending, reduce your wage bill.....result debt reduced....doesn't need a sharp suit or even a sharp brain....just a single focus....

he is gulity of the worst piece of business management in my lifetime of supporting Celtic.....last seasons January window was a calculated, judged and planned piece of utter incompetency.....he failed us....why...because he is an incompetent...because his instincts are if in doubt do nothing...he has no vision, no dynamism, no leadership......he also now has no backbone, as he has cravenly allowed himself to be bullied by john reid.....the article in the times hinted at that, i know it to be true and it's disgraceful that we have a CEO who cowers from a Chairman with no business experience

kingoh on December 27, 2009 1:32 PM

RRC

Next weeks numbers are...

2,7,18,29,45,48...fact

I added fact at the end so it must be true! Or is it just my opinion?

So we will be 2-0 up inside 10 mins, 5-0 up at half-time, and 6-0 up before TM's half-time cuppie is cold?

I just hope you are the 7th son of a 7th son, my son.

Cyrul

Goodness me. To think some were confidently predicting that Celtic would finish 10 points ahead.

kingoh

why dont you grow up a wee bit pal,,eh

agree,dis-agree with me but less of the ganging up with your pal to have a go at me,its pathetic

you worry about the huns at the expenxe of your own team i dont,thats it,so no need to get personal

hail hail

ibleedgreenandwhite

Your post at 1.31 was better thought out than your previous! I agree with most of it apart from the bit about worrying. If we are 4-0 up next week against 9 men with 2 minutes to play I will still worry!!!

DB,

I honestly, sincerely, devoutly etc, etc, etc pray, wish, hope etc etc etc that the cardigan returns to type next week and goes with 1 up front and a supporting player from attacking midfield.

Seriously though, can you imagine what could happen if they decide to really have a go at our defence just now????

We can hurt them, no doubt and I expect to win (I ALWAYS do at Celtic Park) but they are on form and we must be strong and have belief. That's both players AND support!

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

the use of the word fact should be restricted to that which is fact ...not conjecture /supposition or prediction

we scored 2 goals at home against a poor SPL side ...FACT

we lost to a poor Hearts team , despite creating enough chances to win 2/3 games ...FACT

we seem incapable of scoring penalties ..FACT

our defence in pourous ...FACT

the huns have scored 4 away from home at the form side in the SPL ...FACT

the huns scored 6 against Motherwell last week ..FACT

the huns beat DU 3-0 ...a team we have rarely, if at all beaten of late ...FACT

those are the FACTS that are concerning Celtic supporters

thought .....go 7 points behind next week and the SPL is out of our hands ....half way thro` the season ............

derbyshirebhoy

We can win this league but not with this present collection.

A couple of centre halfs and a striker or two could see us win the games that matter and stop losing so many goals.

We have being saying this for months

Is shabby listening?

Hail Hail

A warm welcome to all the new posters who seem intent on highlighting how good Rangers are...

Rangers' current form is a huge factor in how Celtic will fare in the league this year. Now THAT is a FACT.

burleysfrontteeth - because we were made a very good pffer for him and also because he was unsettled at being told he was not a guaranteed starter (which no player should ever be told, even if they are).

We better be up for giving the huns a test next week because nobody else seems to be sble to. The only way we can be sure of winning this league is by winning ALL our remaining games especially the 3 against them. I just hope hibs are as awful when we play them.
If we can find a couple of decent defenders and a goalscorer in January there's no reason why we can't do it.
I think we can forget about them selling the likes of Boyd as well, I'm sure after their recent results "Walter" will be able to smell next seasons CL money. It's up to us to respond. KTF

notthebus

The huns are playing well does that make me a hun?

Some have laughed at the huns non stop, time to look inwards and start sorting our own team out.

Anyway the important game is not 3rd jan it's at kilmarnock we have to win that one first.

Hail Hail

Im sure Kenny Miller will be pish again soon, Im not worried about that or why we sold him, however I am worried that they look like they will score on every attack. And our defence cant even cope with the likes of Hearts or Motherwell.

notthebus

yes the newbies are very up to date on how powerful and all conquering this huns side is

i used the word fact earlier on,this seems to have started world war three,,i would like to apoligise for using the word fact,,and i will try not to use in the future,,that is a fact =0)

did you see what i just did there,,its called a sense of humour

hail hail

BOBBY RUSSELL

Is he any worse than we have now?
should of kept him, he just mite o won us the league last season

Eustace:

I am okay but I am as ambitious and as concerned as you, or any other, for our club and at times my emotions are as volatile as many and more.

I want what you want, but I want it with minimum risk and therefore I have to believe that within the confines of a PLC, nobody is ripping me off.

And no I don't have the new Duvet Set, but if you ever want to come to Australia, to my gaff, you’ll drink from Celtic glasses which will sit on Celtic coasters and you’ll light your smoke with a Celtic lighter and you'll bathe with Celtic Ducks, you'll dry yourself with Celtic towels, you'll see my mutts eat from Celtic dog bowls being fed by my kids in Celtic pyjamas... etc... etc.

But not yet got the Duvet... what do you reckon... any good? (not that we use duvets too often here)

The Huns humping Hibs and a hangover from hell. I'm beggining to have doubts about winning this league

:(

Crowd yesterday?

For us that went generous estimate 25,000 - pay at the gate next season
season ticket base decimated.

Rangers look very strong, next week is crucial for our club, get it right Celtic

HH

Eustace

I sincerely someone is both watching and listening. More to the point I hope that someone somewhere takes some action although having been here before I fear it may well be too little too late.

If we play the football we are capable of and the referee allows us to then we will win next week. They look to be getting a result against a Hibs team that fail when they have these type of games.

The day someone claims we miss Kenny Miller is the day they should chuck it.

We will win next week.

notthebus

I've been posting for the past year so do I count as a 'new poster'. Rangers have looked good today. I wish that wasn't the case but there you are.

Jobo

I find the amount of abuse slung back and forwards on this site utterly appalling. Can we as Celtic supporters not exchange opinions/views/criticism without resorting to what is often vitriolic abuse. In a year that has seen a remarkable and concerted effort to get Kano home, it is ridiculous that we can't communicate with a bit of civility. Pro/anti Celtic board/manager/players....everyone is entitled to an opinion, but please do it with a modicum of common sense.

Sh!t did I just write that. All the best for 2010 to all Celtic supporters.

Eustace P Merryweather

You certainly don't qualify as a new poster!

By Estadio NacionalAuthor Profile Page on December 27, 2009 1:47 PM

If we play the football we are capable of and the referee allows us to then we will win next week. They look to be getting a result against a Hibs team that fail when they have these type of games.

The day someone claims we miss Kenny Miller is the day they should chuck it.

We will win next week.

----------------------------------------------------------------

is that a fact =0)

hail hail

bournesouprecipe and others - yesterday's gate would have been affected by people being away from home for family reasons, people being skint after Christmas, some truly appalling weather in various parts of the country. I don't think a boxing day gate against a team at the wrong end of the league is particularly indicative of a wider malaise. I'm not pretending that gates aren't falling, of course they are, but the massive drop-off for this one game has more factors involved than just Celtic being gash to watch.

Stars,

had a punt on Tranquil Sea, which came 2nd, but also took a shot on Take a Shot.

Nice 1 my friend.

Good luck with the ones still to come!

Thanks again.

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

kitalba

Cheers and i apologise if i offended you it was not meant that way.

I used to buy the lot but as i said my own wee protest is not one piece of merchandise from celtic. Timland does enough for me!

We are all concerned and the oft said tipping point is coming. I fear if it does not go well we could have division and strife as shabby will not go without a fight.

Go he must if he let's us down.

Hail Hail

not usually a poster, but a long time lurker.

just want to say thanks very much to stars for "take a shot" its brightened the day up a wee bit. it needed brightening up after watching the huns.

hail hail
celtictilidie

Jobo Baldie

Hibs have looked terrible

Twisty

Yes take a shot won nicely but save my blushes was unlucky.Was left with the race at his mercy when rubys horse fell at the last but instead of slowing up and going around the horse he ran into the loose horse and lost his momentum and finished third.
I had a nice each way bet at 10/1.
Trainer not too pleased with jockey

Come on Fionnegas

bourne

25000 perhaps a touch low

my guess ...30000

the last Boxing day fixture was much better attended

no doubt it was the travel diffs ...after all we have 56000 ST holders or were they lying to us earlier in the season ...heaven forfend

Hibs were mince against that lot today - Ergo we will be mince against them next week, a few on here need a little faith in their own team, let them worry about us.

Glasshalffullcsc

notthebus

no worries just mnessing, anyway we do have to admit this mob may be skint but they seem to have this desire and ability to win which is very strong and with two stikers on form they will be hard to beat.

Hail Hail

Celtictilidie
Well done

glad you got it

jonnybhoy

Agree on the general sentiment behind your post.
Agree that he (PL) presided over a commercial failure in terms of strengthening the team last.

I'm of the mind tho' that unfortunately last year "defined" his tenure though, caution has always been the watchword and it bit us on the proverbial.

I don't think we will strengthen sufficiently in the New Year window. Not because we wont want to do it this time, but because the right talent won't be available and we dont have enough financial clout to persuade "big names" to come to the SPL. We are between a rock and a hard place. Our commercial tactics for this year should be about winning the league, one point or one goal ahead of the huns. That will do.

It will be a long time before we are operating like a European Celtic again....and we wont be able to buy our way there either.

This year we need to win the league by one point or one goal to deny the huns easy money.

I'm hoping we buy enough players in enough positions that are just that bit better than the huns.

(PS spoke to bro' number 2 yesterday from a snowless nyc.)

bourne

Sunday Herald ...gives att as 36827

NELSON.....HOP HOP

Game over and to be honest possibly ......season over....and the supposed GoD over !

A galvanised unit with a common purpose....just as they had last season at Rangers.....vs a collection of individuals with only self interest and personal agrandisment at the heart of their involvement with Celtic......

who would you back to win ?

For some time Murray's ego was Celtic's strongest weapon...that is gone now and we are left with a collection of our own ego's and personal agenda's at the helm and in the engine room of our ship.

We are up against the same formidable enemy as we have been for decades, but we are now facing an over inflated sense of our 'entitlement' as Celtic fans which exists amongst a large chunk of our support.

We have a leaderless team, and a lack of 'leadership' and direction within our club. We folk running the club and being paid the salaries of those who run large corporations, yet we have no strategic vision or sense of control (other than the cost line !).

As evidenced yesterday in all parts of the stadium, our consumer base is voting with it's feet. Our core of supporters are still frustrated with what they see, having been used to a better product in the recent past, and still paying increasing cash for the experience.

I have rarely been as frustrated as a Celtic supporter, and as one of the few who went to Moscow believing only 5 months ago I have to say I think only the tip of the iceberg is visible.

Peter L has talked in the past of January being a bad time to buy. I am not sure that I am waiting eagerly for much movement, I am also not sure that any movement of players will 'shift the dial' . We have a club which has missed it's opportunity to assert itself from it's position of strength, both domestically and in a much broader context.

Sure Samarass (getting ridiculous abuse yesterday again), Strachan and others might take the blame but all they do is deflect from the real issue.

Thank god for the Rugby and Cricket is all I can say.......

Thanks to "Take a Shot" for brightening up my day!!

Waiting on either Fionnegas or Macs Mandalus for a wee bit back.....Big smiles now!!

Looks like we will have to win the league by points because we are falling behind big time on goals!!

Ah lets just wait and see who Mogga brings in january!! Hop be a bit of cheer if we can beat the huns

Eustace P Merryweather

This current rangers team was assembled at a greater cost than our own.

The financial reality at Ibrox will kick in when this team starts to be dismanteled starting in a few weeks time.

MIH will post debts of close to £1billion.Rangers true debt is approx 10% of this.They may win the odd battle, but the war is lost.

Make no mistake,Rangers are holed below the water line, its a matter of time before the ship sinks

Eustace:

You did not offend me at all, and sincerely… no apology is necessary.

As I said, I share your concerns. I think the divisions set in more than eighteen months ago and that is what concerns me most of all. How others who wish us harm, play us, and play us well, and we are quick to the throat of other good Celtic supporters without giving all... due consideration. That’s not for me and not for a moment do I doubt your credentials, nor your sincerity, but whatever happens come January will happen.

What must not happen is further division. The price of that division could very well be the continued presence of them as Champions. Last season was hard to take, lose it this year and I fear more than division. I stand against division, not you or NegAnon either.

First of all, a happy christmas to you all. Yes, today's result has put a damper on things but i believe we will put them in their place next week. 3 good results for them but none of Dun Utd, M'Well or Hibs have turned up for these games. Lets turn up next week, lets show them we can, and will, win this league and lets do it in style.

Hail Hail

Burnley'78

Good to see you have raised the white flag

Go enjoy your rugby and cricket, i am sure there are some excellent blogs you could enjoy

It may well be the case that people are unduly concerned with Ranger's form at the moment but if Celtic's last 3 results read as follows:

D.Utd 0-3 Celtic
Celtic 6-1 Motherwell
Hibs 1-4 Celtic

then Mowbray would probably be considered the new Jock and euro glory was just around the corner but being concerned at Rangers getting these results is a knee jerk over reaction? If you can go through life without glancing at how your main rivals are doing then fair enough but it seems a bit unfair to be over critical of people who do.

Burnley'78

You are a well considered poster and an obvious committed celtic man so that is the most worrying post of the day.

If as many say shabby is close to this site that post alone should make him sit up and realise we must invest sensibly in january or we face many things amoung them a huns league victory.

Hail Hail

notthebus

I only post when i have something to say!
On here everyday, and have been for last 2 years.
I dont post much, but only say what ive seen.

BURNLEY

i consider that it would be very difficult for anyone to mount a reasoned arguement aginst your last post

it sums up how i feel

a radical change is required at our club or the bankrupt huns will be allowe breath ,,,again ....unless, of course , that`s the agenda

notthebus

what you said about the huns level of debt , where did you get this info ?

mtt

oneantonrogan / PF ayr

Everything was against the Accies game, let alone the fact it was Boxing Day awful weather etc etc.

But the real reason was what was on show, and all of these factors of weather timing etc, would be countered if we were playing good football, and had strengthened the team when we should have.

We now have Season Ticket holders choosing not to attend, on the eve of a crucial derby game, sure they will turn up next week, but to me it's another sign of the times, when Pay at The Gate
hardly made a dent in the crowd.

As for the team it was the usual rudderless ship, unable to put away an Accies side filled with nobodies and journeymen ( no disrespect intended).

Samaras is the main striker, and he actually got cheered off.

Hail Hail

notthebus

I hope and pray you are correct.

Hail Hail

notthebus

fair dos to the huns for banging in the goals,they have hit a wee bit of form,but all that concerns ne is what we do

what can celtic do if hibs play poorly and lose to the huns today,,,nothing,thats what annoys me ghuys coming on and having a go at the board or peter lawell on the back of the huns beating another spl team,what can peter lawell do about that,,nothing

seems to me too many have thrown the towel big time,yet if we win our next two game the same towel chuckers will be the first ones on crowing about how well we have played

FAITH lets try and show some ,,eh

hail hail

We have a midweek match to negotiate before the OF game. Lets get the three points in first. That is by no means a given.

Having said that. Yes it is a worrying time and The Bad Guys are showing considerable form. BUT there is nothing - absolutely NOTHING - wich will give a side some PERSPECTIVE - like an Old Firm defeat.

So any bitching - lets get it out of the way now - and then start to show pride in our team and in ourselves! Everything is within our own control.

PF

It's not rocket science, Celtic say there were more in attendance than there was.

Just add on the season ticket holders who didn't go, no financial figures involved

HH

Better football wouldn't have got my mate's car down the hill from the top of the Port, wouldn't have made me exacerbate my cold the week before I go on holiday, wouldn't have improved the shoddy Boxing Day public transport.

(by the way, the more uncharitable among us would say that the Celtic team was filled with journeymen and nobodies as well...)

Rangers winning at Hibernian today is of as much relevance to next weekend as Aston Villa drawing nil-nil at the Emirates. To a large extent, the ball is in our court, but we have to do three things.

1. Win at Kilmarnock
2. Win next Sunday
3. Spend money and improve the team (not the squad) in January

If we fail on one, two, or hell, worse, the scenario is not worth considering right now.

GetOurOwnHouseInOrderCSC

Christmas Special 2009. In this extended podcast, we all get together and have a look back at the season so far. We talk about the performance of the team and give our impressions of the Tony Mowbray era so far. Part two is a look back over the first 26 podcasts since June 26th 2009. So if you got your new iPod from Santa, either down-load the show from www.Lostbhoys.com or go to LostBhoys on iTunes and subscribe to download it every week. Hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas to all Celtic Fans around the world and hopefully 2010 will be better than 2009. Hail, hail.

www.LostBhoys.com

Also available on iTunes

kitalba

One man can ease any division peter lawell.

If he backs the manager we will be fine.

Hail Hail

Burnley'78

You're starting to sound like the "consumers" you so despise. We're all in this together.Big week coming up for everyone involved in this family

Chin up mate.

Beidh ar la an.

ibleedgreenandwhite on December 27, 2009 2:09 PM
notthebus

fair dos to the huns for banging in the goals,they have hit a wee bit of form,but all that concerns ne is what we do

what can celtic do if hibs play poorly and lose to the huns today,,,nothing,thats what annoys me ghuys coming on and having a go at the board or peter lawell on the back of the huns beating another spl team,what can peter lawell do about that,,nothing"

with all due respect to you, that is nonsense.....many of us have been having a go at the board for over a year....it has nothing to do with rangers form or their game today

jonybhoy asked a valid question and got some responses

the ceo is beyond defence in my view...he is hugely overpaid and has made major and costly mistakes, particularly in the last 18 months.....however if you want to defend him, then thats your right....i would be interested in your view of why he doesn't deserve criticism

Bloke_109:

Agreed on all three counts

Grim viewing today - thought Hibs looked like they were going to do it today, but a few moments of carelessness and TFOD started to smell blood.

As for next week, there's a few things that could help us to a win:

- a good performance from Artur (that's feasible, he hasn't had too many howlers against them)
- the full-backs concentrating on defending and helping-out the centre-backs (okay, better not rely on that)
- a solid, error-free performance from the centre-backs (hmmm...I believe they can do it if they focus, and they probably will in a home OF game: the big worry for me is whether they can keep their confidence if decisions start to go against them - they're so fragile they could collapse entirely)
- the central midfield players cut-out the stray passes and win the physical battle (highly unlikely. I'd be tempted to go with Robson centrally instead of Crosas, and may be even find midfield space for Heid even though I normally can't stand to see him there. It needs to be horses for courses and he might just protect the defence in a way that Landry and Crosas don't)
- Aiden could remember that he's part of a team (okay, so he'd have to do that annoying stuff like passing, tackling, tracking-back, switching position when the manager tells him, all that nonsense he didn't really fancy doing yesterday. I think he'll be up for it, and good give either Papac or Clubfoot a hellish time)
- the forwards could link up well and be clinical (Samaras is probably capable of having a field-day, but the odds are he won't. I think our best bet is Fortune and Skippy as an orthodox front pairing - ie, none of this 6-foot-plus forward spending the game out on the wing crap)
- the manager could be inspirational (....!)

THEIR current form, no matter how strong, will count for nothing next week if we do the right things.

I will never respect nor fear the Rangers BUT...

they are in enough of a vein of form to cause a soft Celtic defence damage.

Thankfully, football form is a fleeting and slippery concept. In 7 days time, we or they could have lost a couple of players to injury, suspension or pending transfer. The midweek fixtures might see a hefty win at Kilmarnock for us and a surprise Ibrox defeat for them. All outcomes are possible so I will keep the faith a little longer.

As for Burnley 78's post, I CAN find something with which to disagree....

I will not thank God for rugby and cricket.

I'm outta here. Catch y'all later.

Eustace P Merryweather

Then again, if he backs the manager, he will let the wrong players go and bring in wrong players, leaving our next manager with hardly any funds.

Eustace:

I'd agree he can make a difference, a big difference, but I also believe that the players we have, just have to believe in themselves a little bit more, and they too can make the difference.
This league is our league, and if at seasons end it is not, then some very, very hard questions need to be asked. By everybody with a mind that seeks the answer.

In the interim, I'm going to support our manager and our team and hope my heart and liver can last the course.

No white flags from me.

oneantonrogan

Our journeyman and nobodies earn more in a week that some of that Accies team in a season, I think that is the difference.

I did say all factors led to the lowest crowd to a Boxing Day game at Celtic park for many many years, poor fayre is the biggest reason.

Then we watch the Huns hammer Hibs, and think will our central defence be enough for next week?

HH

barcabhoy

is it peter lawells fault that loovens could not clear his lines last week is it peters fault that sammi and macdonald are missing sitters,the answer to that is no

on criticism,,,yes he has made mistakes and yes he deserves some flak,but there are ghuys on here wanting him to spend money that we dont have,so what is he supposed to do,where is the vast amounts of money supposed to come from,its easy to point fingers at peter and the board but would someone plaese tell us where all this money is coming from

hail hail

up_over_goal

Who do you think Anton mor would get rid of that you would keep?

Personally i would like the following out:

M Brown
Wilson
Naylor
Flood
koki
Killen
Mick
Heid
Sammy
McDonald
Killen

Now in would be
CH
CH
LB
ST
ST

Names for those in are not up to me but our much vaunted scouting staff.

We only have one manager until he has had a chance to build a team he does deserve our support.

Hail Hail

If Rangers got beat today, our board would be thinking a couple of mediocre signing should see us home. Hopefully, Rangers showing they are a very real threat will convince the board they need to splash out for a better class of player.

I hate to say this, but with our defence in it's current state I think a draw is the best we will get on the 3rd.

bourne

re attendances

The first league game the att was given as a round 58000

we were induced to believe that there was no problem with ST sales

further induced to believe that the 58000 was arrived at by counting all ST`s whether they attended or not

lying feckers

ignoring the huns is folly ....we are guff ...cannae score despite a multiple chances and leak goals like a seive

the huns are conceding very little and are scoring a barrelload ...but hey ...what`s to be worried about

aye right ...time for perspective methinks

ibleedgreenandwhite

is it peter lawells fault that loovens could not clear his lines last week is it peters fault that sammi and macdonald are missing sitters,the answer to that is no.

Considering shabby purchased loovens and did not give strachan any money in january to replace sammi and mcdonald then perhaps he should be blamed.

Hail Hail

barcabhoy

Whatever your views on the current board, one thing that cant be disputed is that we remain masters of our own destiny.

We have spent seriuos money on first team players . Loovens, Hinkel, Fox, Brown, Fortune.We have already spent another £2m on our latest recruit.

We are the only team in scotland that has the ability to spend.

The board have provided the platform. Our last manager is the culprit in our demise on the pitch.

We dropped 23 points after leaving Ibrox last January.23 points!!A hangover we are still recovering from.

T

will be in crosshaven,co cork for the game on wednesday,anyone know were i could see the game in that area?

Now we have WGS getting the blame ................by those who defended him last year ........

there`s nothing like convenience in an arguement ...

notthebus
Is a net spend in the summer of just over a million really serious money?

I do agree we have the capacity to spend but will we.

I hope so.

Hail Hail

coorslad

Johnny's Return, main drag.You'll get the game there alright.

Er are people seriously suggesting we plop a brand new centre half into the team for the game against Rangers?

I've always thought that a central defence needed a partnership. I know that if we do recruit new defenders they'll need to start somewhere but for me I think it would be safer to stick with Caldwell and Loovens. Bad as that partnership can be, it has been the best of the bunch so far.

If Boruc makes any more howlers in the next game, I'd consider putting Zaluskas in. Boruc is a better keeper, but Zaluskas seemed in better form.

Thoroughly depressed by the last few Rangers' games but have two hopes at the moment.

1) As a few have said, there shouldn't be any hint of complacency with the Celtic board's January dealings.

2) Celtic Rangers games; the 'non-form' team often come out top.

It's certainly shaping up for a game.

Burnley78 at 1:56pm,

As always, an excellent and insightful post. (apart from the last line. :-)). Yes, it could POSSIBLY all go wrong for Celtic this season. I think we will still win the league. There are three reasons for this.

1.) Rangers cannot reinforce in January. They can lose key players though.

2.) Celtic can add to the playing staff. There is no need to sell key players. I include Gary Caldwell in that.

3.) We continue to make a barrowload of chances every game.

I understand Negative Anon's perspective but I disagree when he says the club won't act in January. Surely it is in the Board's interest to do so. And the urgency to act is becoming more with every home game. It is not the league table which is the Board's primary concern. It is the empty seats. On the way to the game yesterday I told my grandson there would be a big crowd. Traditionally attendances are always up on Boxing Day.
Yesterday was a shocker. Some papers are going with 36,000. It is a lie. If there were 38,000 at the Hamburg game then we are talking about 10,000 short on that figure. Coming out yesterday I estimated between 25,000 and 28,000.

It is ironic that those who are voting with their feet are fast becoming our most potent weapon in our efforts to wrestle the Title back to Celtic Park.

Hail Hail.

Eustace P Merryweather

The players i mentioned cost approx £13m.

to quote "footballfinances.org"

It is important the Celtic do not get sucked into the spiral of thinking they can only progress by spending ever more money on bringing expensive new players in.

The expenditure in July 2009, after these financial results were produced, on Fortune and Fox show the club spending over £5m when they weren't guaranteed Champions League football. That looks like a big gamble, and a potential route to disaster if it is repeated too often.

bankiebhoy,cheers for that...

PF

On Football matters for a club that is on it knees, allegedly

they haven't signed a player in 18 months but at a glance to me, they are enjoying a romp

in the SPL with a 40 year old Centre Back? Kenny MIsser and Kyle Laffaghable and Ratboy.

Where does that leave us? four points behind and pretty stagnant on the evidence of my own

eyes yesterday.

HH

Watched one or two parts of the Hibs game today, and considering what I witnessed at CP yesterday, we are in for a right turning over on the 3rd.

Looking forward to going down to Kili on wednesday; might get a bit of atmosphere to make up for the Hamilton game.

Thats the Mowbray factor that is killing the club. A mince attendance.

Last time we played a boxing day match at CP the attendance under Strachan was 57,343. In fact we were unbeaten at CP in the SPL for the whole of that year.

That was the Strachan factor.

But then, the fans got what they wanted. Enjoy.

vhman,barca and bankie bhoys, thanks for the input to my previous post.

My further thoughts are that we have been here before, wishes,hopes,expectations and dreams have not been met. Not the "Messi would be nice" type of signings or the overpriced EPL types but surely we can aim higher than Willo Flood.

Can anyone explain to me why we have given up on the chance to put clear green water between us and the huns?

If the answer is we havent then show me the evidence (Peter)

Some people are capable of seeing the level that we have fallen to in the last year or so,some of us cant and some of us peddle the line that its not that bad.

A very poor huns team beat us for the league FFS!

A victory next week will reignite us the fans to hope for better days to come, I havent given up on our beloved Club, not by a long way, but another fruitless "window" and there will be no hiding place for the likes of Peter Lawwell and John Reid.

PF AYR 2.07 your last line is food for thought.

No Hiding Place CSC

.

Eustance....

Still Slagging Sammi....?

Who would You Bring in And How Much Salary and Transfer Would you Give Him (Age Related)....?

GweedoreBhoyCSCNoO01....:O(

Burnley78

I suspect i know what "the real issue is",but please expand .

I know that you know the inner sanctum well,and your post worries me.

You seem to have come to the point that i have been concerned about since MON left.

MON had personal issues to deal with but he highlighted "get use to life in the slow lane".

Coorslad,

CORK - ANGLERS SPORTS BAR, BLARNEY ST (Leeside CSC)

CORK - THE OLDE TAVERN BAR, 326 BLARNEY ST

CORK - HORSESHOE INN, TURNERS CROSS, TUNNERS CROSS (Cork City CSC)

CORK - BILLY MORGAN'S, MARLBORO ST (Cork City CSC)

CORK - FRIARS WALK TAVERN, 9-10 FRIARS WAY (Tel 021 432 2390) (Corcaigh 1888 CSC)

CORK - THE MOUNTAIN BAR, EVERGREEN RD, (Cork No1 CSC HQ)

CORK - FARRELLS BAR, YOUGHAL (Youghal CSC)

CORK - THE ALLEY BAR, CLOYNE (Cloyne CSC)

CORK - GOUGH'S BAR

CORK - MULCAHY'S BAR, MAIN ST, CHARLEVILLE

CORK - BERNIE'S BAR, CLONAKILTY

CORK - GEARY'S BAR, MAIN ST, CHARLEVILLE (Charleville CSC)

CORK - FERRY ARMS PUB, PASSAGE (Passage West CSC)

CORK - WAGON TAVERN,, FERMOY (Thomas Ceannt CSC)

CORK - THE BUSH BAR, MILL ST

CORK - HENRY GRATTAN BAR, GRATTAN ST

CORK - TOUCHDOWN BAR, KINSALE RD

CORK - AN CRANNOG, OLIVER PLUNKETT ST

CORK - DON`S BAR, MAIN ST, MACROOM

CORK - TOM LYNCH`S, BARRACK ST, SOUTH SIDE

CORK - DALY'S BAR, BALLYDAHEEN, MALLOW (Mallow CSC)

CORK - HORGAN'S BAR, BUTTEVANT

CORK - THE PEDDLARS ROCK, CASTLELYONS

CORK - THE GLUEPOT BAR

CORK - BERNARD HARRINGTON'S BAR, GLENGARRIFF

I wish I was watching it with ye amigo :¬)
Hx2

Qnly saw the goals from the manky mobs game today,though i gather they were fairly impressive,but if Artur was to put up a performance similiar to that of the hibs keeper there would be bedlam on here,he was absolutely shocking today and should have done better with three of the goals.

Freebird

I wake up in the morning and get myself out of bed,
A quick fag and a shower then straight down to get fed,
Walk along to the stop and get on to the bus,
look at the no smoking sign but dinnae make a fuss.

Alight in town, quickly walkin up the street,
Your wonderin wit the hurry is? my PC I've tae meet,
Entering the building, my first decision of the day,
Should I take the lift or stairs, laziness gets its way.

Straight into the office, all the the early birds are there,
Wonder if they ever go home, look ahead, dinnae stare,
Reach my desk, second decision of the day,
CQN or Coffee, my hangover has its say.

Milk and two sugars, I've just got to have it black,
Priority for today is dinnae get the sack,
Copy and paste then put it into word,
Looks just like I'm working but that would be absurd.

To spend the whole day blogging, nothing better in my life,
There was something more important, that would have been the wife,
Now I am a prisoner but I rub my hand with glee,
Given a life sentence, Paul67, has set me free.

William Topaz Serenity

Inspired by CQN as ever.

notthebus

I dont disagree but what did they save on JVOh, Naka, Hartley etc.

Around 4.1 million

And what would have happened in january if we had purchased the striker we all knew we needed possible CL automatic qualification.

What did we do instead loan out the laddies and use the savings on willo flood never a celtic player.

Hail Hail

PF ayr:

Pour a whisky, light a smoke, close your eyes and take a big long pull on that smoke, we’ve been here before, and often we’ve come out smiling. The end of December is not the times to contemplate meekly looking for a spare white hankie, this is the time for all of us, every single one of us, regardless of come what may over the next few weeks, to behave as one, to believe as one, and to give our support and fight as one.

I don’t think we are guff, we just don’t have it together, and I hope Tony Mowbray has faith in the strength of his convictions and I hope that every Celtic supporter on this earth realises that his time is now and he or she gets behind our club, our manager, our team, our desires to see the team succeed.

To do anything less, is to not do what is best for Tony Mowbray and this season’s ambition. To do anything less, is to bite off your nose (not yours specifically) to spite the club.

Now is the time to bury the huns and we should “all be merry in our commitment to dig the biggest hole. The board, especially the board, included too.

I’m going for another whisky, a big one and a smoke too and I’ll still hope we can all pull together to collectively right last season’s wrong.

My faith is in the spirit and strength of all my fellow Celtic supporters for it is there where the future of our club will be found… Fact. (okay stretching it a bit but I’m trying to unite)

Optimus Solator in.... Orbis Terrarum est Non Satis.... 001

Hello man of many faces.

Sammy is a trier but a useless striker

Sorry

Hail Hail

gordybhoy, Ma-Kalamity was carrying an injury for most of the game, and Stack wasn't on the bench through injury. They only had a rookie kid on the bench so I think the decision was sort of taken for them that he had to stay on.

Herodotus
The closest you'll get to Rugby Park on Wednesday will be Paisley Road West. You are very poor impostor.

Oneantonrogan,fair enough regarding his injury,but surely it would have been in hibs interest to take him off rather than run the risk of causing more damage,a rookie goalie could'nt have done much worse.

Gordybhoy64 hindsight is wonderful but alas its not the same as foresight :¬)

Hx2

The December hun team attitude / work / desire has been astonishing to witness.

Where did it come from?

I watched them lose at Aberdeen on TV at the end of November and lapped up how pitiful they looked. I watched them get humiliated by the Romanian team at home in the Champions League. A great night!

And since these...

They're still the huns.
They're still penniless.
They're still rubbish.

BUT...now they look like a proper team. And it takes a proper team to win a title.

C'mon Celtic. Fight them for it. Then play some football.

jonnybhoy

I've never been able to predict the Hamilton games never mind the Huns games so I'm as unsure about the outcome next weekend as i am about the economies hope for revival in the New Year.

If we are to edge ahead in the league I'm thinking it will be in the latter part of the league in a cliche-strewn bitter dogfight.

My hope is the Huns do "sell" but I'm guessing that Boogie and maybe Ratboy will be the only one(s) that goes, they will get better than decent money for him (them) and the banks will be satisfied that some monies are in, with the prospect of CL monies perhaps to be realised.

I don't think Boydy will go anywhere till the summer (if then).

Arsenal 1 Aston Rangers 0

Fabregas cracker

.

Eustance....

More Many Tongues....

Re; Sammi....

I Used to Live 100 Meters from a Sh^te Striker....Who Nearly Retired Because he Was So Down About....Total Voetball....

001DeKuippStaddeRotterdanCSC

PS....Then He found....Support.... from Fans....Circa 97'....

Optimus Solator in.... Orbis Terrarum est Non Satis.... 001

sammy get support he is a serial failure he will do nicely in cyprus from what i hear

Hail Hail

Serenity on December 27, 2009 2:43 PM

Magic

Hx2

Oneantonrogan & gordybhoy64 - your discussion on Ma-Kalamity's injury reminds me of something I noticed yesterday, probably of more pressing concern for us. McManus, who appears to have been carrying an injury for the past couple of years (Grant said recently that there's still days he can't train) appeared to 'tweak' his knee again and, for the rest of the game, couldn't put his left leg through the ball or jump properly from his left leg. Of course, despite knowing that he was carrying this injury, Mowbray had no centre-half cover on the bench.

We must not be defeatests, the Forces of Darkness may well be battering in the goals but they can't keep going! Their squad is not big enough they had arguably their strongest side out today but they will wean and pick up injuries.

We have a bigger squad and more options all we need is to get the strikers firing and the whole defence and I include Danny Fox in that sorted out!

Yesterday apart we have been playing not bad football of late and I believe we are not too far away!

Let us get behind the Team during matches!

Peter Lawwell to back Mogga...a word of sensibility to you hoping to see the ilk of Robbie Keane we are not in that league!

I hope and pray for two strikers and two Centre Halves in January. In reality I believe we may get two Strikers and a Centre Half!

In my personal opinion I think we should go with MF and Skippy on Wednesday and Sunday. I've see enough of MF in the last couple of weeks to think that he would be a great foil for a Striker. Personally I don't think that it should be Skippy but he is for the present but hopefully not by 31st January the best Striker we have!

So please less of the pessimism and let us get behind the Team AND urge PL to back TM and we will win the league!!

Keep the Faith!

Hail Hail!

Westmuir Kev,
regarding Mick, for the OF Game we will have Heid back to partner Loovens. We will also have Darren O'Dea back I think, but on his Reading form that will give us 4 stooges to pick from instead of 3. :-(

Eustace P Merryweather

You still cannot account for 23 dropped points since leaving Ibrox last year.

We had more than enough players to pick from to get us over the line.we had, and still have,29 highly paid professionals.

We had to win two games of football 1-0 to make it 4 in a row.Was that really Peter Lawell's fault that we couldnt manage that?

We constantly moan about the "highly paid" imports who earn more in a week than our competitors do in a year and yet, we blame the board for not borrowing MORE money to spend on highly paid imports to replace the highly paid imports who are no good!

We need to manage our squad better. We need value for money.Whether thats a £4m Scot Brown or £150k Nial Quinn.Thats the managers job, not the boards.

The board havent failed us. We spend ever pound we bring in.

Jonnybhoy:

I hope Christmas was good to you and yours.

vmhan,wish you were coming over,will try to fit all them pubs in.

notthebus

The board havent failed us. We spend ever pound we bring in.

In business there is a notion of sustainable debt.

Due to the incompetence of this board we will go into debt because they have driven fans away. Not because it's part of a plan.

We will need to agree to disagree on this as in my view this board have failed us so far but they can change that in january.

Hail Hail

Likewse Kit.

I will drop you a line mate to catch up.

Festive Greetings to all CQN'ers out there.......

Lets hope DD & PL have some gifts in store for Tony Mowbray cos this Celtic side need some cohesion in the shape of a prolific striker and 2 new centre backs.

notthebus

we may well have had to only win two games 1-0 to win 4iar.
The argument however remains that had they invested better in january, the league would have been over long before those 2 games came round.
I personally feel that they were too hesitant and complacent last january window. Hopefully they will not make the same mistakes twice. Once is incompetence, twice is sabotage!

Hail hail!

Burnley78 at 1.56 - an excellent post.

ibleed - i admire your optimism and faith mate, I just wish I could share them.

as our c.e.o. it is peter lawwell's fault that we have players of the calibre of loovens, mcdonald and samaras in our 1st team, as opposed to players of the calibre of bobo, sutton and hartson. the fact he receives a bonus to bring about that downsizing is an absolute disgrace , as Barcabhoy has often highlighted. he is merely a puppet for our absentee landlord and the alleged war criminal he appointed as our chairman, no doubt to further his other business interests. oh to have weapons of mass destruction at parkhead.

our decline started when henrik decided he was leaving, the board, and I can quote brian quinn on that if you like, incorrectly gambled that they could change his mind, and made no plans for life without him. £1.25m would have seen james mcfadden on the bench learning from henrik, sutton and hartson for a season, but we wanted to loan him instead and off he went to Everton. we went out the season after and wasted money on henri camara, juninho and bellamy on short term loan deals when he could have had a young talented celtic daft player, who could only become an asset over time.

they gambled again last january, waiting on the huns having an "everything must go" sale. if the bank are now running the huns they will make better decisions than murray would, the bank will not make any decisions which will make the repayment of their debt more doubtful, a huns league win is good for the bank and will reduce the debt quicker than the sale of players no one else wants anyway.

we pulled together as a team, on and off the park, to win 3 in a row in 2008. our manager received no backing the following summer or in january, despite the absentee landlords proclamations on the pitch at tannadice. that team spirit is gone now at celtic. the splits on here are being mirrored with empty seats and season ticket offers, turnover is down, profits will be down, our ceo is a failure, his sharp suits frayed at the knees.

the huns beating hibs should be irrelevant to us, our lack of business acumen and obsession with debt mean it is very important.

Florin Costea's father said that he laughed at the news from the Scottish press that Celtic made an offer to his son.
"There was no offer, no contact with Celtic Glasgow at all."

Eustace P Merryweather

We have the same goal!

Hail hail

I watched yesterdays match in the Dubliner pub in Dubai.

I was there two years ago,at the same time of year.

There was barely a Celtic support in the pub,in stark contrast to 2007.

I watched the match wife my wife and daughter.

There were two matches on in the pub simaltaneously.
The other being Man City V Stoke.

My daughter decide to watch Man City,and listen to her ipod.

My wife and myself settled down to watch our match.
At half-time my wife commented that i had began to get a bit edgy towards the end of the half.

I expressed my feelings that ,if we didn't get an early second half goal ,we were walking a tightrope with our whole season.

When Hamilton scored ,with ten mins to go , i felt physically sick.(Arthur Boruc if you ever read this,go some some therapy)

We really got out of jail.

My honest view is that yesterday's win is just a finger in the hole.

I expect that the water is going to come rushing in and drown us pretty soon.

I observed at the Motherwell match how hard the oppositions forwards worked at closing us down ,and defending from the front.

It struck me yesterday just how much we allow our opposition to play.

If we win our next two fixtures i will be surprised.

I myself have been critical of Mr Mowbray and Mr Strachan before him.

I am now left looking beyond them to the boardroom.

There is no tangible or viable plan to get us out of the SPL( unless we get relegated),nor is there the desired vision to try and make it happen.

Peter Lawell and Eric Riley have followed DD's remit and patrol the bottom line doggedly.
They are performing that particular task well.

The problem is that our business is shrinking ,and entrepreneurial flair is missing.

In Dermot Desmond we should have a man that provides this missing quality.

The fans are leaving in there droves.We are facing gates of 25,000 whilst Rangers will get 45k to 50k.

The disillusionment within our support is frightening.

What concerns me is that is it possible that DD is disillusioned also?

That his hopes of getting into the EPL have been dashed and he has given up the ghost.

P8ddy and Madmitch,and to a lesser extent Barcabhoy,have been pointing out since MON left ,just how they saw things going.All their fears (and mine) are now being realised.

I don't have all the answers.

Here are are some that i would offer up for consideration.

Lets buy a smaller English club and make our way up through the leagues in England.

Lets approach the Championship and see if they would welcome us.

In the short term .

Have we got the right manager,for the funds that we have available?

If we think yes then lets give him the next two seasons budget to get a team that will win the SPL.
That being said .I would hold on that until we see league position after the Rangers match.

If they are 10 or so points ahead of us ,buying Messi will not win us this seasons SPL title.

If we think no,then lets get rid ,and find the RIGHT man.

My most important point is that i want to see DD take control,and have more of an active role in the day to day running of the club.

If he doesn't then we are facing a club with the same profile as the early 1990's.

A reborn,Celts for change will not benefit anyone.

Eustace P Merryweather:

I have to agree with you the Board who are guided by PL have indeed let us down! They should have strengthened the squad in January, had they done so things I firmly believe would be different now! However, WGS has to shoulder some of the blame as well. These two factors are the reasons why fans have left in their droves. That said it is history, we are where we are!

The present is now and the Board MUST back Mowbrary and strengthen the Striker and CH positions!

Keep the Faith!

Hail Hail!

notthebus

We have indeed and i am now off to watch man unt in the pub

Hail Hail

It would be at best foolish and at worst dangerous not to take notice of their current form.

Forgive me if I take the Kilmarnock game for granted - I know I shouldn't.

Next Sunday is at best a must win - at worst a musn't lose game.

It's like groundhog day welcoming the Huns to Celtic Park and them having the largesse of not having to chase the game.

I worry that Mowbray will go for cavalry charge football

I worry that because of the mental fragility of our defense the above is his only option

I worry that Rangers pack the midfield and bully the game from there

I worry that Rangers continue their attacking style and get right in amongst our defence

BUT...

Most of all I feel really sorry for Rangers - because we're gonnae do them.

It was only ever gonnae be us and them. It was only ever gonnae be Celtic who were going to win back our title. It's not about Hibs or Dundee United or Hearts. It's about us. Us doing them. It's us who will put the fear of God and the Devil of doubt into their old legs and their weary minds. It's us that will wipe the smug smiles off of their smug faces. Us. Ourselves alone!

Bells tolling, Gallows waiting, Baseball metaphors - insert your favourite metaphor wherever. Doesn't matter.

The moment is entabled. The fighback starts next Sunday. We are going to do them. Mowbray knows managerial defeat at the hands of the Govan Hordes. It's time for him to reverse that. Tony - your PR campaign is simple - give them a doing.

Don't care about the attendance on a miserably cold Boxing Day - I don't care about that. Come next week? The joint will be jumping.

It's the show. The big dance. Are you coming?

I'm not panicking too much about the huns game because, quite frankly, Dundee utd, Motherwell and now Hibs have been utter mince against them. If we play as badly as that against them then I Would hit the panic button. I think Jan 3rd will be a different proposition though, but I would be happier if our strikers could find a bit better form against the Ayrshire huns on Wednesday.

Eustace,

It is probably just me, but I am beginning to find your constant use of the word "shabby" in connection with a Celtic employee, eh, becoming rather shabby.

If the word hasn't been adopted by the blog as a general term for the CEO, perhaps you should consider dropping it's use.

Some people do not like anyone with the Celtic connection being the subject of abuse or ridicule. Criticism within the bounds of fair comment is totally acceptable, indeed necessary, at times, but to constantly flog a derogatory adjective when describing someone is bad form.

You are much better than that.

Blian úr mhaith.

Jonnybhoy,

Remember the bad days, remember the bus, remember the days when we never, never even thought about the board or giving up?

Remember the days when it was us against them and your only armour was your green and white scarf (no tricolours then) Remember the songs, the drinks, the laughs, the rockin bus. Remember the joys when against all odds we shafted them and it was us who smiled smugly and longest. Remember the days when being a Celtic Supporter was just being a Supporter. Remember the pristine joys… those were great days; great days and even in defeat we were never beaten because we were Celtic Supporters who could not spell defeat and denied its very existence. Remember the days after the games when you looked into the smiling eyes of another Celtic Supporter and your very soul smiled back. Those were great days. The days of our youth.

Remember the joys of a simple win…when we couldn’t give a toss how the Huns got on… they were great days. Remember the days when the PLC were merely ‘limited’ and very limited with their redistribution of income… they were the bad days but God were they the good days when I was one in Celtic with you and all those thousands of strangers who only waved a white hankie when somebody was hurt.

I remember those days. I remember them the most. I remember being arrested at Easter Road for wearing a black berry. I remember Aberdeen and the snow and I remember how good we were. I wish I didn’t have to remember those days, I wish I lived them now.

I wished I lived them now with the bhoys of the old brigade, but then even I know things change… and the old days have gone, but hell they were fun.

But Benitez is willing to offload Babel, along with other fringe players, such as Andriy Voronin, Andrea Dossena and Philipp Degen.

Surle,y we would be a better bet than Stoke to re launch your career.

Babbel and Degen would be decent options.

When the hell have Hibs ever stood up and been counted when it mattered.

They had a keeper today who was bordering on laughable.Riordan reminding us all why he could never hack it at the top level and Liam Miller confirming he has found his level.

And yet, some on here would have us believe we are witnessing a rampant unstopable rangers team.The same team who chased shadows in the CL in racking up the worst ever performance by a Scottish team a few short weeks ago,a team who were humiliated against superior opponenets. A team who were bullied and beaten by Aberdeen.

Play Fortune from the start and we will win and win well next week.

thomthethim

Just before i go and get drunk if he was sharp when it suited him he is shabby to me now.

Sorry if it offends you but until he mends his ways he is shabby to me. As for the alleged war criminal i think i have been very kind.

Hope you had a great christmas and the family is well.

Hail Hail

Herodotus

The season ticket renewals were well down because of the fitba we watched under Mr Strachan.

They would have been even worse if he had stayed.

The gates are down because we have ordinary players and an ordinary manager.

Check our results for 2006.
Compare them whilst Mr Strachan was in charge against Mr Mowbray results.

You'll find that he is doing no worse.

We require better players on the park.

P.S. I would not keep Mr Mowbray in Charge but Mr Strachan wasn't the answer either.Check his results with Middlesborough.

Kitalba.

you've got me teary eyed reading that post .........nostalgia aint what it used to be .

notthebus

The same team who are four points clear of us ,and have already gubbed us this season.

They don't have to beat Stuttgart to win the SPL.

They may be poor ,but we are worse.

Thats the bottom line.

As for your faith in Fortune .He was clean through twice yesterday,and didn't score.

Only Mo Johnston had a worse conversion.

Kit

Evocative as ever.

Glasgow Celtic

not just for Christmas.......

With reference to DU, M'well or Hibs not "turning up" against them, then I'm afraid they did!

Not only did they turn up, but they were steamrolled by the most powerful team in the country.

They are built for power and use that power to subdue the opposition. The fact that they are allowed to overstep the laws of the game to exercise their power is down to the leniency of officialdom. This has been a constant in Scottish football for generation.

They do not allow their opponents to play their own game.

That marks the difference between us.

The Celtic Way has always been to allow teams to play. It was accepted as a compliment when opposing managers made those remarks.

Twice, in our post war history, have we had managers who physically imposed our game on the opposition. Messrs. Stein and O'Neill,

That those managers had teams who could also play exquisite football is acknowledged, but they ensured that they had earned the right in each match to play the flowing stuff.

At present, we do not have such a team. We give the opposition too much scope to play their game.

The sight of Celtic passing the ball around aimlessly last week against Hearts, when only one goal up, was a forewarning of what was to come.

Yesterday could have been similar, but we got lucky.

TinyTim

If thats a "gubbin" then i dont know what one is.

A one sided affair with a stonewall penalty claim denied is my recollection

PS the did have to beat Stuggart or Anyone else for that matter as the money they would have earned from a win would have paid some long overdue bills

WGS:

sorry for going on and on about this but gee whizz, you are just like the rest of the "time warpers"

in the old days a player could come to celtic and if he had any class at all, he could regain superstar status. the wages paid to him were probably less than the huge leagues, but usually he wasnt as big a star as he would be when he played for us.

there are too many examples to name.

the liverpool rejects see their career as money orientated, therefore they are doing better than we believe. they wont look at stoke as less than celtic, not if they are the mercenaries that most footballers become. (or at least their agents do)

look at rivaldo, perfect case in point.

celtic paying 25k a week to how many players ?? would lead to us being like the dark side.

stoke, blackburn, birmingham, all paying 25k a week is nothing if they can stay in their utopia.

the days when we can resurrect a players career will come about again, when, nobody can tell, but it will i have no doubt.

but to expect a failed EPL player on 25k a week wages or more to come to us, is the stuff of dreamers.

yes, its ok to dream, but realistic dreams are my preference for the club i love.

not ur robbie keane or craig bellamy dreams,

they are warped big style.

Regards borrowing money to buy players.
Don't know if anyone has noticed, but we're in the worst recession since the Great Depression and things are likely to get worse over the next two years.
Do you really want to get the club into h*n like levels of debt when crowd numbers are dwindling and will continue to dwindle.
Saying that if we spend 10M+ on players will bring the punters back is kidding yourself. The main reason crowds are down this year is cos most fans don't have enough expendable income.
If you borrow 10M at a high interest rate and then you see unemployemt climb higher next year, which it will, and perhaps reamin high the following year gates may decline even further, how are you going to service the debt?
Oh yeah I know, sell the players on that you can no longer afford, leave yourself with a mountain of debt, a declining squad, no one worth having interested in signing for you.
Wake up fholks, the days of the big spend have gone for the next 2-3 years. Get off the players backs, stop looking at the past and start looking forward.
Football success is 50% confidence, ask Mick McCarthy.

TLV

thomthetim:

i can see 100% what you are seeing, and i believe you are correct, in the spl. you only need a team like them, they have a team with parts of it like our seville side, and bear in mind, PARTS OF IT. they have the SPL part right, and thats all they need, i am beginning to believe smith is better than i thought !!!!

until we go out and get a balde and mjallby type, then im afraid we wont have much power to fight them with.

if only BTM could read ur post.

he would see the light.... surely

bigjie:

a simple harp back to being a kid when ignorance was bliss and even I would have arrested a nutter for wearing a ‘black berry’ on his dome rather than a ‘black beret’.

Sometimes with age we just lose the ability to enjoy.

I spent decades enjoying with good people, good fans, who just loved the Celtic. And often, quite often, we got humped but the sleeping pills were not for us. Neither was the premature capitulations we see of late.

Shaunbhoy - thanks for that reminder!!! Actually, I'm amazed that no-one on this site has touted the cenre-halves who actually get a game for Reading as potential signings, they must be special to have kept O'Dea out.

There's a lot of good points being made today about whether and how we spend in January. To be honest, I don't think we should be signing anyone unless they'll improve the first XI, and I don't think its realistic or reasonable to expect more than one player like that without trimming the squad - which, of course, is now harder than ever given football's finances.

Our approach to recruitment over the past few years has been crazy - for example, we signed 6 wide midfielders (Robson, McCourt, Mizuno, Maloney, Flood, McGinn) in one 13-month period, we've got an incredible fascination with nobody trialists from countries worse than Scotland, we managed to accumulate 4 very decent right-backs in a period during which we showed no interest in getting competition for Lee Naylor, and plenty more. As for the way we get rid of players - letting the contracts of first-picks just run-out is dumb (Heid is just the latest), and words fail me at the way we tried to get Mick out of the door to Ipswich: like him or not, that was a disgusting, doomed, and counter-productive stunt to pull on the club captain.

Now we've got a squad that's too big - notthebus said 29, which sounds about right, though it could be more if anything. Lawwell and Mowbray need to get that number down while winning back the title and not piling on too much debt. That's a near-impossible job, but I've no sympathy for Lawwell given his role in the regime that Strachan operated within, nor have I much faith in Mowbray to buy the right players, truth be told. I fear we're in for a grim 2nd half of the season, though I'm sure there'll be moments when we think we've turned the corner.

Personally, I'd take money for anyone in the squad, including Boruc, Aiden, Brown - I don't think we have an individual who'll be critical to us winning the league. I wouldn't actively tout those 3 now. I would, however, try to flog Sammi abroad - he's young enough to merit a decent investment, and you could easily fill a promo dvd with his high-points (and a box-set for his gaffes), and there's probably some reason to hope that Ipswich would give us money for O'Dea and that Strachan would do like-wise for Loovens, who has more Championship experience than the rest of our centre-backs combined. Fox's stock will still be high there too. After that, I'd be looking to help Flood, Mizuno, Killen, Sheridan, M Brown, Hutchison, McGowne to permanent contracts elsewhere and pay-up the difference on their contracts.

In? A Skippy-type with a better first touch, and a centre-half who doesn't get flustered. Might be worth checking on David Murphy's status at Birmingham too - okay, so he's another ex-Hibbee, but from memory he was good defensively and offensively: I think injury has stuffed his career with Birmingham but, if he's fit, he'd be worth bringing in for a loan-spell in the first instance. Other positions could be addressed in the longer-term.

Right,I am holding this towel, do I want to throw it?

NAW

Some great posts this afternoon, lhads. Be of good cheer. Some of our number appear to have Celtic beat before the teams walks out onto Celtic Park. I hope Rangers make the same mistake.

Happy, happy Christmas to one and all, friend and foe alike.

jvoh67

Get your shower first. Dinner is nearly ready and the wine is in the fridge.

:)

TLV

Kitalba - I am no longer a season ticket and refuse to give this board any more money (wish I had told my wife before christmas mind).

I agree with you about division - but we are utterly divided. The board's ambition is NOT on the field but in the balance sheet. Since Seville they have destroyed our optimism and we have long since lost the momentum we had.

You and I both know this Board will not spend in January.

With the signing of Ki we see the real intent - that we become the harlem globetrotters of football. Ability is not a concern - how many shirts we sell is. We never learn (Du Wie) and thats because its got nothing to do with the football.

The Board have treated us with contempt and have spun stories in the press etc. Its utterly shameful and not acceptable.

I want my Celtic back - but DD isnt ready to give up and the support have astonished me with their patience. So the only way to fight back is to hurt the club financially - I am not alone in doing so.....i dont enjoy it - but it needs doing.

After January the gnashing off teeth will reach fever pitch and then the real bloodletting will begin.

Its a shame - it really is - watching the hostory DVD made me sad - a brilliant history - but forever peppered by penny pinching boards and silly decisions - destroying our chances of prevailing - same as it ever was.

notthebus - having paid back £30M of debt over a couple of years then by definition we have not been putting all our money into the team?

Kitalba - can I ask you - what do we do if not try and get better - just accept it and smile sweetly?

Unless something drastic happens, I cannot see Rangers dropping many points to the rest of the SPL. Unfortunately, that is not the case with us.
The calendar year of 2009 has an 11 points advantage to them.

mackybhoy from the village on December 27, 2009 3:55 PM

Thanks your acknowledgement.

The phrase "the Glasgow Celtic Way" is fine in the words of a song.

The reality is that we have only been successful when playing the Pragmatic Celtic Way.

Jock knew that you had to win the right to play football and that came about by nullifying the opponents strengths and attacking their weaknesses.

Martin also knew this and if you look at the players he brought in initially, there wasn't a tanner ba' player amongst them.

He inherited Henrik and Lubo and those players added the gloss to his team.

Bottom line is that it will not be flowing, attacking football that will fill the seats, it will be winning football, recession notwithstanding.

The club are not going to abandon their plan of attempting to recruit players, from wherever, who have not broken through to the top flight. The immediate future is being based on that plan.

Should some sections of the support not but into that, well, fair enough, the customer has rights too.

I wish Celtic had had a plan when I started going to Celtic Park in 1951.

NegativeAnon

I agree 100%.......its sickening!!

* but=buy

NegativeAnon

Thats a very poor example. We never signed Du Wei, he was brought on trial and deemed not good enough.

We did however, sign nakamura.Was this another marketing ploy?

NegAnon:

Mate, I am not - NOT - trying to dig at you, I don't think I ever have, although I've often asked you a few questions that at times may have appeared barbed.

I don't doubt your sincerity for our club; I just can't fathom your cynicism, thought it may well turn out your cynicism is valid, and that I do fear.

It is now 2.15am here and I must get to my bed, I have to drive in the morning, but if you would like to, my e-mail address is kitalba@gmail.com, if you are okay with sending a number I’ll give you a call over the next day or so.

Nothing deep, just a Celtic Supporter to a Celtic Supporter and I’m sure we will still be mates coming off the phone.

NegativeAnon

Do you no longer go to home games?

Theres a few ways to go that will not 'give this board any more money.'

Agree with most of your points, not the point on Ki/DuWei, Ki has not played for us yet so think its unfair to mention both in the same sentence.

EN

notthebus

You defend everything the club does!! You need to wake up and realise the board do not care about you!! All they care about is getting your money and balancing the books!!

Everybody knows the board wanted to enter the Asian market and Nakamura was Asian footballs greatest asset so Celtic signed him

Bougherra now looks likely to miss the game next week

http://footballsfootball.com/WeknowSFA/bougherra-expected-celtic-park-game/

Three Confiteor Deos...? Two Credos... At Least Wan Station of the Cross...Three Hundred Acts of Contrition.. Wan Thoosand Hai....etc.etc.

That Aught tae dae it!

And if that is no enuff, then there is ayeways.... Hiring a Hit Man!

Dae Ah mean Anither Striker?

Na, darn likely!

Ah mean the Ither Kind!

Fur, barring .. Hades and High Water.. we ur up that storied Crick without the Means o' Propulsion!

We dinna hae an earthly of beating oor Evil Nemesis , by Fair Means.. so that leaves us wi the Contrary!

The G.A., are at this time, Living in that Zone, which is described in the Psychobabble,which is used in Professional Psychiatric Circles as.. "Oan Thur Todd!"

Thur is nae way that we wull beat them,as we hiv a Strike Outfit, that has difficulty in controlling thur Nerves, in Sugaring thur Tea.. never mind .. Pittin the Fitba' in the Ingin' Bag!

Nevah mind..

Mebbe, Boyd wull pick up an Injury, or Weir or Novo, or the Egyptian, or....

Right!

Wrang!

These things wull no happen..

Ah tell ya..

Guys.. We ur Doomed! Doomed! Doomed!

But, Seriously, folks....

All kidding aside..

Ah am Soiten...

We wull Beat them,nae bother at awe...

Why?

Because..

We ur the Guid Guys.. they ur the Baddies..

And according tae the Script, that Ah hiv in Ma Haun..

There is a Happy Ending tae this Encounter of the Umpteenth Kind.

Kojo. quietly and confidently .. well.... Confident!

Like most other Celts,disappointed with todays result.I didn't really expect hibs to win, thought they might have sneaked a point.
Personally i'd make the huns big favourites for the title now if they take something from us on the 3rd. A much stronger defence and they don't need 10 shots on target to score a goal. How we laughed at them resigning Misser,not laughing now.
I see plenty are in agreement about yesterdays attendance,i thought 30,000 tops..not a good sign of things to come.

People on here are getting themselves upset watching the huns.

Do as I do. NEVER watch them (apart from European games). That way you avoid the pain of seeing them score as well as avoid the evil repertoire of their support.

The next week is all about what WE do. Win the next two games and we will be motoring.

is it peter lawells fault that loovens could not clear his lines last week is it peters fault that sammi and macdonald are missing sitters,the answer to that is no

on criticism,,,yes he has made mistakes and yes he deserves some flak,but there are ghuys on here wanting him to spend money that we dont have,so what is he supposed to do,where is the vast amounts of money supposed to come from,its easy to point fingers at peter and the board but would someone plaese tell us where all this money is coming from"

first of all....can you define spending money we don't have.....i'll help with some options...

1....borrowing money on long term loans against our income streams and assets, and calculated against the return that the assets we purchase with the borrowings will bring ....

thats money we don't have...but it's what BP does when it drills looking for new resources, it's what apple does and did when it invented and developed the ipod, it's what Disney did when it built it's theme parks.....it's what everyone who has a mortgage does day in and day out

2.....Run the business so that if we bring in £72 million we don't spend £73 million......

all very well, and a balanced budget is a good thing....but not when it is rigidly applied year in year out regardless of circumstances and opportunity.....

by way of an analogy thats what ebeneezer scrooge did, although he eventually saw the wisdom of not putting savings (balance sheet) ahead of a gretaer purpose

3....Throw caution to the wind....run up the short term overdraft facility to its maximum level, and gamble that all will work out, fate, injuries and loss of form won't play a part, and if they do then the referees will probably bail you out....and in any event you will get a decent chance at winning everything because your only competition are hopeless/broke/or act as if they are broke....(otherwise known as the moonbeams option)

now most people i know aren't advocating option 3 or even option 2......what they are advocating is the sensible use of available resources and a capable management team to get value from those resources.....

what I, and others , have been saying for some time now...is that the current CEO is a serial failure, is not the individual to make best use of those resources and for the good of the business and the club should be replaced by someone who can :

a) stand up to the bully that is John Reid

b) grow the business

c) and get value from our spending power

The current CEO is no doubt a nice guy, in my view he just isn't up to the task of growing a business which is in an industry treading water.....he has proven that conclusively over the last 5 years......and been rewarded by a ridiculous increase in remuneration ....

forget the rangers game for now - can we assume we will beat Kilmarnock at rugby park with that defence? Kille are always up for us and we MUST fight to win that match.

Rangers have had a settled team for years now and fighting for the survival of the club - they also have a solid spine (mcgregor, boughera, davis and boyd) - WE DON'T.

January will be tough for Rangers in losing Bougerra and possibly another spine player - we must keep in touch until we sort out that defence.

Left back and center back(s) a MUST purchase and a striker who attacks front and back post would be grand!

her'es hoping
hail hail!

As long as we beat Kilmarnock in midweek, the 3rd will be a "must-not-lose," rather than a "must-win," match.

The Huns seem to have hit a bit of form the last few weeks, but they have not suddenly become a team of world-beaters.

Taken out of context, their last three results are very impressive, but looking more closely at it - they took on a Dundee Utd side unsettled by the VERY public SFA approach for their manager the day before the game.

Then they played a Motherwell side we had softened up for them the week before, and who produced their worst defensive display of the season. And what was the Motherwell score yesterday? Beaten 3-1 at home by St Johnstone if I'm not mistaken.

I had high hopes for them dropping a couple of points today, but it was not to be, and again they were the beneficiaries of comical defending, and especially goalkeeping. The Hibs keeper is an accident waiting to happen at the best of times, and today he imploded big-style.

But let's not worry ourselves silly over them. This is the same team who couldn't beat Motherwell and Kilmarnock at the beginning of the season. Who haven't managed to beat Aberdeen in two attempts, and who have regularly benefited from some bizarre refereeing and chaotic defending from opposing teams.

They've dropped plenty of points this season, and they will drop plenty more before May.

We don't need to try to kick them off the park before they do it to us next week. We just need to show them we won't be intimidated, because intimidation is all they've got.

So as for next week, as long as we are still within four points when the transfer window opens, I won't be panicking. We are coming together as a team, with our only (and it is a biggie) major problem being in defence. Luckily though, it is a problem which can be solved by getting the right personnel in there.

Our defensive frailties are not the result of systemic failure in the team - it is 100% down to individual incompetence, often of slapstick proportions.

One centre-half who can defend competently and organise the rest of the unit (and prefereably be over 6'3''), will make a massive difference.

If we can find a Reiper or a Mjallby to Gary Caldwell's Alan Stubbs, it would solve at a stroke the vast majority of our defensive worries.

So, stay in touch with the Huns through January, sign a decent centre-half, and the league will be ours.

Yaaasss!! Rooney 1st Goal....NAP!!

skottybhoy1888

Im fully awake thanks, and if you are going to debate with me, please do me the honour of getting your facts straight.

"Asian's greatese asset" was signed from Italian relegation fodder Reggina and was struggling to hold down a first team place.

No one can argue he was an inspired signing and the fact he was marketable was just could asset management by our board.

Are you going to tell me that the Real madrid board never thought about how many strips David Beckham was going to sell before they bought him?

If ,as our friend ,neg Anon suggests we buy players on the basis of thier marketing ability rather then thier talent, then why did we NOT sign Du Wei, who was at the time the Chinese captain and would have offered an entry into vast uptapped market for us?

Its a weak arguement and ,dare i say, lazy journalism

NegativeAnon on December 27, 2009 4:07 PM

When has any board spent,is that what being a celtic man is about finances,never wakeing up every day and thanking god i am a tim not a dobber.So please do one and leave the rest of us to be supporters.

Soccer am soccerette from yesterday was a Celtic fan

Neg Anon:

You honestly answered my question vis-avis ‘season ticket’ and I appreciate that. I appreciate the simple honesty and I will respond in kind:

Kitalba - can I ask you - what do we do if not try and get better - just accept it and smile sweetly

We both agree we must get better, where we are at is not acceptable, not even to me, if that means anything - more or less - than anybody else making that statement. Nevertheless, as we strive to get better, we must put our trust in somebody to do what they believe is best for the club. Those people, for better, or worse (as the system works) are those who have put the most into the club. (I know that is not true of all office holders). (any Celtic supporter with the money can buy the sahares to change things)

If we don’t trust our board then who do we trust? Do we advocate selling out to some bored Russian Billionaire or to some Malaysian Mafia? If there is a more Celtic Minded person out there with the money to take our club forward, why don’t they step forward and buy out Dermott Desmond’s shares.

If I won the big lotto I’d buy the shares but I share Tony Mowbray’s genes… charge. Would that really best serve Celtic and you and me and all of us. I’m not a director of Celtic because I don’t have the money to be a director of Celtic. I’m not the manager of Celtic because I never played the game to that level and I don’t have the badges. But my heart is nonetheless green to the very core and then some, and no doubt such is yours as is all the directors of our club too. However, they have their philosophy and we have ours and they will only spend what they will take in and maybe a wee opportunist punt on the goodwill of the support.

But what happens if that wee opportunist punt does not bear fruit? Who is to blame, the supporters for demanding it, or the board for not punting enough, or the manager for picking the wrong player, or the player for not being able to hack the SPL, or the fans for not accepting the cake that they were given or the agent that just wanted too much…..

I am not smiling at all that I see, but I am not in ignorance going to lead a lynching mob either.

January 2010 could very well go down in our history as a ‘pivotal’ month, I hope come May I am sweetly smiling. If I am not I will be writing private letters to convey my personal disappointment.

But Neg Anon as I asked you earlier, what happens if we beat the huns and we get the lead and it goes down to the wire… will you then pay to go back to support our team before this seasons end?

Sorry if that doesm't all make sense but it is now 3.00am.

I'm HOPING the amount of space and possession afforded to Hamilton yesterday was tactical, to get them to come out of defence .... and how rubbish were Hibs today....if they sell Buggera, they will have nothing left.....if they sell Boyd, I predict a riot.. yes, just like Manchester..!!

stepbhoy
Agree with you , the huns look hungrier for the fight than we do. Look like a team that will run and challenge for every ball until the final whistle. They don't leak goals the way we do and to score seven goals at two tricky away grounds is good form.
I just don't get some supporters confidence regarding our next two games.

And....Anither Thing..

You jelly legs.. and ye know who ye ur...

Dinna Play Poker, Dae Ye?

Fur...

The Mair Times the Big Guy in the Stetson, who ayeways his a Ceegar..in his Mooth..like he wiz Boarn Wi it..,

Wins the Big Pots..

The Mair Times The Odds Multiply that his Luck wull Desert him like a Two Dollar Floozie,if some ither guy.. drags a Ten Dollar Bill,oan a string... Past her greedy eyes!

So..

Knowing awe that..

It is easy fur me tae say..

The Time is Jist aboot right.. fur those big Pots, start tae arrive at the Celtic Side of the Table.

Believe me, Ah know these, these.

Luck...and that is awe this G.A. team is Riding oan..

Fur...

The Goals are awe coming, as easy as Pie, Mr. Miller and Boyd and the Rest are hiving the Darndest Trouble..

IN NO FINDING THE NET!

Kenny.. "Nae Misser".. is Noo the Name.. and Scoring Goals fur Fun.. is Noo, his Game.

A few weeks ago.. the above line,wid read like a line fae
"Alice in Wonderland"

Luck, pal.. it's awe doon tae the Fickle Female.

Kojo.

Who disnae believe in Luck..(So he says!..but.. Ah know differently.. ed)(Clype!)

Any chance of getting Naka back.....!!??

Interesting reading today, we will beat them, we won't beat them.

Let's concentrate on picking up three against Kilmarnock first before we worry about them!

onegameatatatimeCSC

gsu

notthebus

Calm yourself down!! Nakamura is Japans best player and the board brought him in because they wanted fianance from the asian market. So Naka was bought with ease from Italy and the Japanese people bought the Celtic merchandise!!

Barcabhoy,

Didn't agree with all you said but your argument was constructive.

One other gripe for Lawell/ the board is the the mess of our youth system.

It shows how neglected and badly run our youth system is, that against a team like Hamilton with a 1/20 th (?) of our budget, we only have two players in the team who came through the ranks.

I can understand that away to Hamburg or similar, our team may be full of buy ins, but at home to Hamilton ??

From the Strachan era we don't have one single debutant from the ranks who has gone to establish themselves as a first team player.The closest was O'Dea whilst supposed bright hopes are now languishing at Ross County . Swindon , Plymouth and other lower level teams.

It raise the question of whether we should scrap our ''youth development system'', save all the cash (wages / coaches / stadium hire etc) and instead sign players from other teams at 21 / 22 / 23 ??

Paul 67 any thoughts on a blog on our non existent youth system ??

Kitalba - I understand your point of view (I honestly do) - will e-mail you in the next day or so (have visitors and an early start tomorrow).

If it goes down to the wire at the end of this season then I may go back - but if we havent spent again in January I definately wont....

notthebus - Naka was an opportunistic marketing ploy yes - at least that one worked....I forgot about the point about Du Wie being on trial - but my point remains.

Estadio - have been to quite a few games this season (its not hard to get tickets) - the fare has been awful and the supporters honestly dont know what to do. Its awful.

Celtic Dispassion

Hail Hail

Go on big Jan

skottybhoy1888

"Japans best player" didn't make his countrys world cup squad at the time and couldnt hold down a game in italy.

You really have to look beyond the red top headlines and do a little bit of thinking for yourself

One of the many reasons I like beating Rangers is that it stops all that triumphalist media delivered tripe and texts that is the mark of a hun when they beat us.

My desire to beat Rangers is now running neck and neck with the certainty of the peacefulness it will bring as it spares me the noise of the doomsayers and wailey wailys that emerge every time a cloud appears on the Celtic horizon.

It is bad enough when we draw, worse when we lose, but now it even emerges after we win!!! Incredible.

It's the Board's fault, It's PL's fault we should have done this, we should have done that, we will not do this, obsession with debt, it's the manager's fault, it's all Strachan's fault, it's the players fault etc, etc etc.

Sometimes guys, like when it rains, it is no one's fault, it is just life teaching us something. Like respect for the rest of Scottish Football and for a club unlike us, fighting for its very life, not just a title.

What matters in life is not adversity but the attitude taken towards it, and if some of the tone in CQN is indicative of the mood of our support in general our own attitude, quite frankly, stinks.

Rangers are working very hard at their game, closing down opponents who do not have the quality to make an ordinairy pass never mind a World Cup ball, when under pressure. Ranger's perceived Protestant ethic of hard word is working for them and there is a danger that our Celtic ethic for falling out amongst ourselves will also work for them. (anyone who has seen the movie The Commitments - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDBlBT8BgNc&feature=related - will know what I mean)

Doomsayers, wailey waileys,you have a right to your opinion, I might even agree with some of what you say, but this is not the time or place for doom or wailey wailey. It is a time for putting the ego driven need to be shown to be right to bed, if not forever, certainly for this coming week.

The past is past, last January will soon be of another year. Mistakes were made, time to forgive what is not, time to move on and support what is.

And if what is lacks the comfort of certainty, of knowing the outcome, of not being able to read what will be with any degree of faith, just remember the unbrindled joy of 2007 when it all came together.

Looking forward in April 2007 who could have foreseen the outcome?
Looking back who would now swap the glory of that story for certainty?

The Celtic Family used to operate on the basis that we had to work hard and fight for everything we won, it came through human effort and was not a divine right.

In some ways that attitude separated us from them, it still does but somehow, in their adversity the roles appear to have become reversed.

If the Gods did irony....

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear, friend.. Nevative Anon.

So..it his cam doon tae this,pal..

Ultimatums...his it?

Ye say if .. such and such disnae tak place. then... Ye wull NO GO BACK..

"Back"..being.. well.. Back tae the discomforting seats of Paradise oan the Clyde.

Ye ur awfy hard tae please,pal!

That is yer Trouble..

And THAT Trouble is,of course..

No being able tae Bear any... well.. Trouble.

A Common enuff complaint.. although, when ever Ah get the Downs..

Ah find that efter a coupla wee snifters o' Johnny Barleycorn and wan or too sooks at the Brandy Balls..

Ah am wance mair Rarin tae Go!

And Ma Troubles are awe doon the drain.

But, your particular brand o' Trouble, is Much Mair Serious, than Mine evah wiz.

So...

My Recommendo tae you pal.. is this..

If.... as we hiv established.. ye canny simply Countenance..

Trouble..

Ye should tak ye support .. elsewhere.

There Must be some Soccer Team, somewhere, that wull gie ye Nae Trouble...

And then.. well..

Yer Troubles wull be over!

Maks sense tae me!

Kojo.
yer pal. who is calling ye Bluff.. whether ye realise that..or.. No!

notthebus

Nakamura was constantly injured when he played for Reggina and that was the reason Naka never made the Japan world cup squad.

skotty

So we signed an injury-prone player? Leave the cynicism about marketing ploys and just enjoy the fact that we had a genius in our midst. There are wider issues than who we bought in 2005.

Thought there might be a serious challenge from Hibs for the Championship but on this performance they were a huge disappointment and unfortunately did us no favours.

Gers did not impress me either but their finishing was clinical despite only creating a few chances. Was Gordon and Co. a little hasty in punting Kenny Miller out of Parkhead? the guy is starting to look like the SPL's version of Alan Shearer.

I cannot believe that Chris Boyd is within 3 goals of Henrick's all-time record. This Gers goal fest is in direct contrast to ours and TM and the Bhoys will need to look to their laurels with Jan 3 looming ahead.

By Kojo on December 27, 2009 5:00 PM

I hesitated to bring the luck factor into things but since you raised it.

Hibs did not have their first choice keeper today which was unlucky for Hibs.

Rangers first goal was well taken but maybe just maybe the first choice keeper would have got a hand on it?

The second goal was down to Riordan making the wrong decision to clear when he could have but the cross and finish were quality.

Rangers 3td came when the Hibs CB won the ball cleanly and powerfuly headed it forward and it hit a Hibs player and bounced in Rangers favour. Novo's shot from the subsequent pass went in because the keeper was not Hibs first choice and left his near post uncovered.

Rangers 4th came after Miller shot across the keeper (who I forgot to say was injured in the first half) and he could not get enough strength on the ball to push it wide.

Goals make all the difference in football in terms of performance and the goals in their manner and their timing had a major say in how Rangers played today. Hibs were poor but also unlucky their first choice keeper was not available. That is why only Celtic or Rangers can win the SPL, all other teams rely on one or two key players whose deputies are not of the same standard.

(Dundee Utd without Webster at the back v Rangers similarly suffered)

We can match Rangers all over the park and it will be down to endeavour and a bit of luck on the day, but Celtic are due some and Rangers are running on a luck overdraft.

Hail, hail

G72/G73 Christmas bevvy

Wednesday night, catch Killie game in TV, Burnside Hotel, 7 for 7.30 Dress optional

RSVP

Auldheid,

'...the roles appear to have become reversed.'

You allude to the fans. I agree, but even although it is unpalatable this role reversal also applies to the clubs. Celtic are the wealthy club now, beggers no more etc, etc. Rangers in comparison are poor. As a result they have become the new underdogs in the battle for supremecy. We look down on them, turn up our noses and wave a balance sheet in their faces. This attitude has had two crucial effects. It has galvanised them in their new role. And us ? As is evident on reading through the posts our new role does not sit comfortably. It confuses and divides us. It has robbed us of the defiance that Kitalba, earlier today, described so well in his reminiscences.

Hail Hail.

Auldheid

Like you I love beating rangers. I also love debating the points that concern me regarding the addiction we call Celtic.

If,within that framework, those that we think have underperformed in their duty are criticised then so be it.

I posted earlier that some people are happy with things as they are some arent and some continue to peddle the the company line.

As Frank said.....Thats Life.

Just in and just seen the goals from earlier on SSN.

Is it my imagination, or did the Hibs keeper have as poor a game as the Motherwell keeper did last week?

Bloke_109

I was just proving a point to "notthebus" who said Naka was not getting a game at Reggina and did'nt make the Japan world cup squad. I was just explaining the facts as to why Naka did not go to the world cup and why he didnt play for Reggina.

Naka was superb for us and i am delighted he wore the hoops!!

Rangers first 3 goals all came from a Hibs player giving the ball away needlessly ( Liam Miller twice and Riordan). Although the finishing was clinical, they were all avoidable. The other thing we should remember is that if our goals- to- chances ratio was as good as theirs we would be outscoring them just now. I might be kidding myself but if we can avoid the sloppy mistakes Hibs made AND improve our conversion of chances we will hammer them. Unfortunately these are a couple of very big "ifs"

Molly Malone

Kenny Miller and Alan Shearer? The only similarities I can think of is Kenny Miller must also wear daft shirts on a Saturday night.

The other fella you mention is no where near 'Henrik's all-time record.'

Im staggered at the 'praise' that mob have been getting on here today, even if some appear to be enjoying the festivities...

EN

Kitalba 3:36 You stirred some old memories there, agree with every word you said.We did all feel that it was us against the rest,opposing fans,the police in some places,officials(that still has'nt changed).In many ways we were much more together as a support than we are now,we could be very critical of our performances but we backed the team through thick and thin.

I am not naive enough to think that we should accept any old rubbish but we must support the team and each other. I really feel that this transfer window will make or break our season, the board will be making a big mistake if they take us for granted again.

By jonnybhoy on December 27, 2009 6:08 PM

There is a time and a place for differences of view and a time and a place for putting them aside and pulling together.

None of that view supports one camp or the other it simply says am I going to put aside my view of what should be and support what is, for all its faults?

Auldheid, I came on to post something very similar to your own take on todays game. Two words for them today - Jammy BarStewards

For me the game swung on Rangers equaliser. the hibs defence opened up like Tower Bridge for Millers first. It was like watching Celtic! It gave the huns some belief and seemed to sap Hibs of theirs. Completely changed the game.

The Hibs keeper was awful and injured - why was he not subbed? If TM had left an injured keeper on the field and said keeper ended up at fault for three of the four goals (in my opinion) he would be getting it big style!

Other than the goals how many shots on target did the huns muster?

Pauls article on recent stats had me watching for Rangers attempts on goal and shots conceded. I cannot recall any near misses. they took their chances with the aid of some dreadful goalkeeping.

What I do doubt Auldheid, is that the Managers at the Bank of Luck are about to call in Rangers debt any time soon. i suspect they will pay for it at the end of days with their souls. nothing else could explain the massive fortune that always seems to favour them. Faust wouldn't be in it......

As for next sunday I see us dominating the game the way any half decent side does against Rangers. I would be more worried if I had seen fired up competitive Hibs and Dundee United sides put to the sword by them. In both of those recent games the home sides have been little short of a disgrace. Hibs tecnique on the ball today was rank rotten. Riordan gave an excellent display of why Strachan wouldn't pick him, Nish made Skippy's first touch look like Messi's and I don't think I have ever seen a John Hughes side so ready to concede defeat in virtually every 50-50 challenge.

We have nothing to fear from the huns. My only worry is our current poor goals to shots ratio - on the other hand, if it comes good on Sunday and everything we hit goes in we could be in for a memorable day!!!

Channel 410 (Eurosport) Huns v Zenit.......so many good memories haha!!

glendalytonsils
We're due to hammer someone, i can't see it being the huns to be honest. Beat them maybe, hammer them ,no chance.

Glendalystonsils

Agree Celtic create plenty of scoring chances but fail to convert some through sheer bad luck and unfortunately many more through selfishness and glory hunting by not playing the ball to teamates in better scoring positions. It's called teamwork. Simple.

I posted a short video last night of the goals , highlights now available to overseas supporters now.

Celtic 2-0 Hamilton Accies

Right, time for some blood'n'snot from the Bhoys.

Dispatch the Killie mopes and then set up shop for what will be a hard physical battle.
Artur
Hinkel Caldwell/McManus Fox
McGinn Crosas/NGuemo McGeady Robson
MAF or Sammy

Make the backline defend only (forget the overlap for the day) let the wingers do their thing
Aiden in the hole behind the striker

Not perfect, but we have to stand up to elbows et al and take the game by the scruff.

Not confident that the board will back the manager, but perhaps with Ki coming in, Zhi & McGinn might get a run (NGuemo away in ANC)...maybe a kitten eatin monster defender and a calm brain at the back...might just set the ball rolling in our favour.

Maloney/Brown can go away with some others

Hail Hail

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. Auldheid.

Ye really,really, hiv an Auldheid,pal..

Fur..

You know, as well as I.. that..

The wey things wur going..oan this Blog,efter the G.A. victory..

The Mounting Panic,within the heavin bosoms of the ranks of the Panic Irregulars oan here ..wiz Threatening tae become... Pandemic.. and..

Again..as ye know and Ah know and even,Nutsy, Knows.

There is naething woise than ..

Pandemic Panic... or..if ye wish.. A Panic that is Pandemic!

Well.. mebbe there is..but, we wull no go intae that..or..we might start... well.. A Pandemonium! .. which could be even woise..than.. a Mere Panic!

Look.. again..you know and I know..

That...

Celtic, hiv bin hiving the woisest run of The Green..since Wrang wey Corrigan hid..when he set aff fur California..and landed in Baldonnel Airport..in IRELAND!

So..

Time tae Reverse the Luck Meter..and reverse the Horse Shoe Oan the Wa',in the Celtic Dressing Room.. so that the Luck disnae Keep Running OOT..insteed o'...o' Running In~

For, evidently, the Person who tacked that Horse Shoe up oan the Wa', pit up upside Doon!

We wull beat the Pajamas oot o' the Blighters, come January.

Ah stake my reputation oan that..

Fur..

Ah didnae hae much o' a reputation, tae lose.. anyway!

So there goes... Nuttin'!

Kojo.
yer pal..who likes ye a loater.

Strikes me, reading through todays blogs that we are now as concerned when 'they' do well as when we do badly. It colours some of our perceptions a little too much.

I watched them today. I usually do. In the hope that they lose or draw of course. It irks me when they win and more so when they look half decent. However may I suggest that when the game is over a reasonable course of action is not to let them bother you?

I for one switche dthe telly off and went to the kitchen to practice being Jamie Oliver. Most therapuetic. other times I go to the garden or do a wee odd job around the house that I have neglected. I have never profited from listening to post match analysis of how great they are from those who would willingly lick the muck from Nacho Novo's boots after one of his better games.

Cheer up. The Christmas season is about nothing if it isn't about HOPE. The midweek might bring you a pleasant post Christmas surprise and change the complexion of next Sunday's game. It's what footballs all about and it's what the famous cliche 'You're only as good as your next game' means.

January is traditionally a depressing month. I am predicting now that for us Tims it is going to be an amusing one! Watch this (very ill informed but always hopeful) space......

Lynott67:

O.K. maybe I was getting a bit carried away but the way things have been going recently any victory over those jammy sods will feel like a hammering. Saturday should have been a hammering, motherwell should have been a hammering. Hammer Kilmarnock, then beat the huns 2-1. That'll do for me.

Here's something to keep us occupied in the week ahead - we need to start on online campaign to highlight the thuggery of Lee McCulloch and to get some protection for Celtic's ball players. I hope Celtic staff are going to slip a few things in to the media about this also. Mr Mowbray has already asked for protection for McGeady.

We should be building pressure on the referee this week. All's fair in love and football....

Estadio Nacional

The commentator on Sky to-day informed us that Boyd was just 3 goals short of Henrik's all-time scoring record, in the SPL I presume. I hope you are right. Kenny Miller and Alan Shearer - surely you know I am taking the Mick.

The huns had FIVE attempts on target today. FIVE! Celtic had THIRTEEN yesterday.

Jammy......

Quickly reading through this afternoon's comments, I am struck by the number fo fine bloggers who are looking forward to a career in grasping at straws.

News, Ghentlemen, Lhadies; Our competitors may be looking longingly through the windows at Primark, BUT... the have an uncommonly resolute manager, and his team is nothing if not robust.

We have a fight on our hands, and a fight requires clear minds and ruthlessness.

TBB

glendaly
agree that huns have been jammy and generally always have been but great celtic teams have rarely hammered the huns in my lifetime. its fine saying we should have hammered the mothers but we didnt and thats a lot of goals to catch up even at this stage of the season. one game at a time now and at killie a good performance required, here's hoping.

skottybhoy1888

So "Asia's" top player was an injury prone member of some third rate Italian relegation outfit that escaped the clutches of the European giants

Your arguement is getting weaker by the post.

Perhaps we should leave it at that

henryclarkson

"Make the backline defend only (forget the overlap for the day) let the wingers do their thing
Aiden in the hole behind the striker"

Some good points made why not, forget the overlap and not just for a day.

The reason is we don't have the necessary coach on the evidence so far, we have a back four that behave like a normal back four, and remember the potentially exiting incumbents cannot be coached.

Instead we'll have the Cavalry Charge the missing season ticket holders, and a wing and a prayer.

Hail Hail

" don't behave"

HH

Some random thooughts-

Visting Keepers come to Celtic Park and make names for themselves.

I know we missed chances yesteday but had we the Hibs or Motherwell keeper in the huns last two games in nets yesterday we would have won easily. Maybe this is the reason for the stats conversation of a few days ago!!! There was no way that those attempts at goal today deserved to see 4 goals scored.

They do have a togetherness and a physically strong side with mental toughness though.

Back visiting relations in Lurgan yesterday, ended up in a bar meeting the bold Neil Lennon who was having a few scoops. I wish we had a few players with his character now.

Not chucking any towels because we do have the ability but we require any buys to have a bit of leadership as much as any other attribute.

Just watched Manure beat Hull who you could say had the better of the game. It is all about being clinical.

Árd Macha

I don't know how fit Darren O'Dea will be but I would be sorely tempted to put him in at left back next Sunday because-

1. He is a Hunskelper and will put the boot in and keep it there
2. He won't get caught up the park when we are leaking goals.
3. He has something to prove.

ArdMacha

Did the mighty Neil Lennon play for the Armagh minors against Meath in an All-Ireland final in the 80's. Hope you bought him a pint.

Goldstar10

No chance mate. He is too slow to play full back as seen on previous games. Admit that Fox isn't exactly setting the heather afire either.

I like O'Dea but I fear he may become another what if......

in my opinion the boards lack of foresight is and will be our undoing going over old ground again but for anyone to defend our boards short sightedness is unexcusable

people on here who constantly back the company line are deludding themselves can i ask - how can someone pay back 30m and at same time spend every penny on the team????

our spending /buying policy over the last 3 years has been shambolic flood,mizuno,etc were these signings really made with view to improving our team? we bought pool players which took valuable monies from the club made no great impression/bearing on our on field performances and of course stifled any youth/reserve players who might have broken through

i have utmost faith in tony mowb and as i posted yesterday he has given aiden assurances that better quality players will be brought in during january so i DO have high hopes that we will get better and anyone who says we are not watching a better level of play than we did over the last 3 years is not watching

unfortunately due to our boards total mismanagement we are now buying from a position of weakness as opposed to the opportunity we had 12 months ago

Big Swee- You are probably right but I think next week we need players who have a bit of the assasin in them, the likes of Miller, Boyd and Novo will be flying with confidence, what we need is to get them up in the air as early as possible.

DO'D played well in the CIS final- did he not play left back then?

bournesouprecipe

Cant agree with the presumtion that TM is not the man - yet. He is still workin with the "best" part of the previous managers team.

As for the current defen_sieve crew not being coachable...you may have a point there.

Molly Maolone,

I'm not sure if he played in that final but I'm pretty sure he played for the minors. I remember a photo Ger Reid had of himself, Neil and a few others after a victory.

No I didn't buy him a pint, I didn't want him to get drunk and let himself down. I'm very considerate like that.

Árd Macha

NegativeAnon earlier today "I want my Celtic back"

Spot on - one of the most relevant statements I've seen on CQN this year.

Thanks to those who responded to the statistics I posted last night - I was out of the loop earlier this week and missed Paul's article of 22nd December and BigchipsUK analysis the previous day.

To reiterate though - it is a major worry that in the last two months in the SPL, every team who has had more than 1 shot on target against us has scored.

Hail Hail

kojo

like reading your mono slabic rants but i have to pull you up on your constant comments re aidens lifestyle

can i ask if you know aiden and what he does in his life?
if you do not what makes you competent in commenting?
are you privvy to what he does in his spare time?

i know what aidens lifesyle is and he is the consumate professional off the field and is always conscious of his responsibility to his family club and himself so please do me and everyone else a favour and have your opinions of people on the field but leave the non factual personal attacks to the sleezy red tops

shimmies33

Ah dinnae know whit ye mean by my "mono slabic Rants".

In fact,it sound rather icky,tae me.

But,the fact that ye even read them.. bothers me.

Dae me a favor and no bother, fur I dinna like yer patter.

And..
I hiv my ain means o' findin oot whit Aiden diz or disnae.

And...

I ,also, hiv nae interest is bandying any woids with thew likes o' you.

I shall continue to write...

Whatevah Ah want.. and if whit Ah write is no tae yer taste..

Then ye are invited tae ..

Eat Ma Grits!

While I always fear the worst facing them (no matter how well we play, there is always the 12th man, or a goalkeeper playing out of his skin), I truly do fear next week's game. Our defence is so low on confidence and our forwards seem to want to score only Goals of the Month. Added to that, the support dn't know how to support anymore.

Come on, Celtic, prove me wrong.

Molly Malone 6:39pm

Phew, I was getting concerned there ;¬]

The commentator was being lazy as the fat striker is around 18 goals behind our man in Scottish Premier/SPL goals.

EN

shimmies33

You seem to be reheating someone else's arguement.

Can you point out who has stated "how can someone pay back 30m and at same time spend every penny on the team????".I dont think i have ever seen anyone make such a ridiculous post on here, but please prove me wrong.

Where do you get the figure £30m from or are you lifting it from Neg Anon's earlier post?

You highlight Flood and Mizuno as an example of our "buying policy" over the last 3 years.Would you incude JVOH,Tommy Gravasen and Scot Booth in that arguement?

of course that should be Scot Brown..freudian slip!

EStadio Nacional

Bad enough the Gers winning the match to-day but that commentator sure gave me a fright. Thanks for the good news. Jees Boyd's starting to get close.

ArdMacha

Thanks for the info.

henryclarkson

Good for you, that you don't agree on TM.

Doesn't stop me going to the games, and there are very few managers that don't inherit the previous manager's, good and bad.

Thirty Seven games into the season is hardly presumptious on my part, I see no change, no system, no improvement, no team spirit. A new Centre half won't change Celtic, it'll be start
but it's too late for the most important game in years.

I see individuals playing for themselves, I see Hamilton Accies fancy their chances against a back four that couldn't keep out the cold, and i fear a 'rotten' but free scoring Rangers, that could pick us off on the break, as the usual suspects huff and puff, with no leadership let alone natural goal scorer.

But, I'll get better as the week goes on.

Hail Hail

Blantyretim

Are you still alive not seen any postings from you did you make it back home last night or are you locked in the gang hut

Womble

Welcome to the CQN Family

gallowgate on December 27, 2009 6:06 PM

An excellent point and one with which I totally agree.And one too I think - that this blog must take some responsibility.

CQN - along with other websites has been an excellent vehicle in bringing Celtic supporters wordwide together. For too long we depended on the redtops and read and digested their material -accurate or not. This website took control of that and allowed Celtic supporters to become more informed about our club.

But somewhere along the line we lost the sense of it all. Too much talk of a "generation of domination" when clearly there was none. True we won moe titles in the noughties but hardly what would be termed domination. And too much attention given to the perilous financial state of Glasgow Ramgers. The continual gloating at their imminent collapse replaced our hunger for points on the field of play. This laissez faire attitude became endemic among the supporters - who is to say it could not affect the attitudes of the players. If the board members do read the comments on this - or any other site - is it not possible that their "sitting on their hands" is a direct result of what they understand to be complacency among the support?

I believe we all - board, players, management and fans have been negligent. We were enjoying ourselves - or more accurately were enjoying Rangers discomfort. Rangers? Pragmatic, sensible dour Rangers. They let us snigger - and got on with the job of winning titles they should not have been able to sniff at. We are all guilty.

But all is not lost. I do not want to leave with that feeling. I thank the Good Lord we are ONLY four points behind. In truth it could have been more. To win this title now will take a gigantic effort from the Celtic family. We should all start now.

Lurgan 53

Well said

Burnley 78

Very well said

I like Crosas as a ball-player but I feel for the Rankers game we need Barry Robson in the middle for his dig. I would play McGinn up against Clubfoot and McGeady other side with them switching during the game.

I would also leave Scott McDonald out and go for pace and movement with Giorgios and Fortune up front.

We can do this - Believe.

Keep the faith.

kojo

good to see that we can have adult conversation on here but maybe Paul will look at your slandering one of our players with no proof or evidence to back up your ridiculous rants

ps im allergic to your grits!!

notthe

sorry wasnt aware of earlier post my apology if i repeated someone elses post but facts are facts

on one hand the board tell us they deserve credit for reducing debt from 39m to 9m over last few years

on other hand they tell us that every penny they get in is re-invested in team

so if that mine is most ridiculous argument then how do you describe the boards both the above statements CANNOT be correct so i ask you which one do you believe?

shimmies33

Who said it? when? where is the figure of £39m coming from?

I dont believe either because they are both fabricated by you

Mcginn for me v the jam buns

I've never sat in the LL Lower before and thank goodness that ball hit the back of the net, a foot higher and It was my head in line for it!

also I was impressed with MAF's strength, something I think is vital against the manky mob

My team against Rangers

Boruc
Hinkel
Caldwell
Loovens
Fox

Crosas
N'Guemo
Robson

McGinn
McGeady

Fortune

After being at there yesterday and watching today....

Huns are mentally and physically stronger, organised and focussed at back and more clinical up front. Wednesday aside, I genuinely fear for us next week.

Now considering the financial position they are in, it is disgraceful that the board have allowed this to happen.While we seem to be constantly toiling they have put the 2 supposed challengers to bed in a clinical fashion and both away from home. We are in major need of cash injection but if rumours are to believed the best we can hope for is loan deals whilst also losing n'guemo for the month.

The reality bites when so many call for a hun reject and former ICT & Dundee Utd sub standard midfileder to be included in our line up.

It's a sorry. sorry position we find ourselves in.

Molly Malone.

Neil didn't play in that final. But he was an Armagh minor. I believe he also played in a Mc Crory Cup Final for St Michael's Lurgan.

notthe

ok you have never heard peter lawell saying that every penny brought in is re invested in the team

you have never heard that when mon left we were 39m ish in debt

fair enough i must have imagined our ceo tell us that so yea i did indeed just make that up

sweet dreams

WGS

Good man, no 442 :-) Would go for McGeady behind Samaras and Fortune, but wouldn't argue with your starting XI.

Not much option in defence, so make it a back four which doesn't get forward (defending! it'll never catch on), keep a narrow three in the middle and let the other three express themselves.

My team against les horribles.

Beattie
Donnelly
Fallon
Fernie
Evans
Peacock
Tully
Collins
McPhail
Wilson
Mochan.

Wonder what the score would be.

Tell me..is this true?

Last year aboot this same time.. we wur hob nobbin' and livin' in the High Rent district..

Sitting prettily oan the Apex, with a cosily comfortable points lead.last SEASON

or

Am I havering and fallaciously re-writing History, and hiving Hallucicanashuns.. which ur much woise than
the proverbial?

In the totally oft chance that I am, indeed, correct..

Then..

Because of our subsequent horrendous fall from grace,in ending last Season,in ignominious defeat,in losing out to oor bitter rivals...
Does that Final and Totally Unexpected, Conclusion, to the League Race..
No .. tell us something, about.. Counting Chickens and making aany sort of predictons..?

Well, it sure tells me..and Loud and Clear.

No one Knows the Future.

Therefore..

The Future can be a Bright Wan for us..or.. a Beastly Dark wan..

Naebody knows..

Even if we should lose the game,in oor next Confronto with the G.A.

As ..Sherlock.. was wont to say.. but didnae!

"The Game is Still Afoot!"

And it wull remain so..until the Ides of May..

So..

Let's jist enjoy or despair at.. whatevah the Fates hiv is Store fur Celtic.

Ye nevah know..

We jist mIght carry aff the Prize, efter awe.

Fur everyboady Luvs a Mystery..

And the mair Suspenseful.. the Bettah Ah Like it!

Kojo.

shimmies33

Celtic have NEVER been £39m in debt in thier history.The record debt of 2001 that bankrolled Martin's first season was halfed in 2002.When Martin left debts were approx half of what you claim.

The last 3 years has seen the debt being reduced very modestly from £9m to approx £1m.

Yes indeed you imagined it or more likely you are ill informed and thought some half baked sweeping statements and snippits from earlier posts would reinforce your weak points.

A week early but this is it

Team One

Boruc

Hinkel Caldwell Loovens Fox

Crosas N'Geumo Samaras

McGeady

McDonald Fortune

The obvious change is taking McGeady off the wing where he played
yesterday when McGinn came on, although you could be forgiven for thinking
even he didn't know where to go. When Samaras went to the touchline was he
asking TM where he was to go?

Keep McGinn and Ki is reserve for later.

Team 2

Same but Zheng Zi for Samaras who could start in his normal place and Fortune to drop
to the bench.

HH

While other primary schoolboys were learning their Catachisms I was being taught by my uncle to learn by heart the names in trophy winning Celtic teams.

Kennaway
Hogg
Morrison
Geatons
Lyons
Patterson
Deleaney
McDonald
Crum
Divers
Murphy.

The Exhibition Cup team of 1938.

Colmcille celt

Maghery or Donegal?

Here's one I learned by myself and hold close to my heart. The Dundee team who pipped les horribles to the title in 1962.

Linney
Hamilton
Cox
Seith
Ure
Wishart
Smith
Penman
Gilzean
Cousin
Robertson.

They won 5-1 at Ibrox but then Celtic beat them 2-1 at Parkhead, giving Rangers a lifeline.

Just watched the highlights and it appeared the team created a hell of a lot of chances, though none of the misses were in the sitter bracket. Two good goals but it is all we seem to do is score good goals, a few poachers tap ins or even scoring a penalty would be nice.

What was Boruc doing at the handball, de javu N.I v Poland.

FLC

WGS @ 08:37

I'd agree with that.

By Lurgan53 on December 27, 2009 8:19 PM
gallowgate on December 27, 2009 6:06 PM

Although I was directing my comments at the support that inhabits cyberspace, Gallowgate is correct in that the Celtic Family I referred to includes the club.

I think that part of the problem is that the leaders of the club do not find it easy to occupy the position of supremacy because it is not one we have yet grown used to.

In that respect I think the club could do more to give the sort of lead that sits more comfortably with what the Celtic of today are about. This would both honour our past whilst setting a vision for a future role within both the business and environmental constraints that apply to the club in Scotland.

Personally if I were DD/PL/JR I would start with opening a dialogue up with the support to help redefine ourselves and our role in modern day Scotland and Scottish Football from our new position of relative wealth and the power that goes with such wealth.

The problem, which persistently manifests itself as division between the club and support, is that no mechanism exists through which such a dialogue could be conveyed.

Lurgan you rightly refer to the downside of the mindset that Celtic cyberspace has created. But just as splitting the atom creates energy that can be used for good or ill, so too can Celtic Cyberspace create positive energy if it is properly channelled. This requires a sense of direction to channel it in, which requires LEADERSHIP.

I read and enjoy the thoughts of many talented Celtic Cyberspace contributors, all wanting the one thing, to make Celtic better, but without the power and real information to do so, nor the leadership to bring it all together.

The world that Celtic are going to grow in in the next 25 years is going to be vastly different from that of my lifetime. We are going to have to create better channels of communication between the club and its supporters, where reason is given and listened to on both sides as trust in our changing role develops.

In my experience the first step in creating anything worthwhile starts by somebody respected in Celtic Cyberspace calling for a meeting and waiting to see who turns up.

malorbhoy

very tired today,,,, ;0)

thanks for a great day...

BT

I would like to rattle off the Coronation Cup team. My father took me to the Hibs final but I was an infant and slept in his arms throughout. What about this instead ?

Simpson
Craig
Gemmell
Murdoch
McNeill
Clark
Johnstone
Wallace
Chalmers
Lennox
Auld.

By gallowgate on December 27, 2009 9:10 PM

I think I might have been at that game. I remember one where Big Yogi gave Ure the runaround.

Lurgan53

I don't like to criticise Paul67 because this is a wonderful blog but I wish he had never come out with that 'Generation of Domination' and 'Tanks on the halls of Ibrox' stuff. Do your glosting after victory, not before. In fact, as far as professional sport is concerned, never gloat. It just provides motivaton for the oppostion some time down the line.
What really frustrates me is that every keeper we have been up against recemtly has played a blinder. The huns as Auldheid said, are overdrawn on the Bank of Luck. Every keeper makes howlers against them. I would guess we've hit the woodwork 3 times as much as them this year.
Every side seems supermotivated against us whereas they lie down and die against them. This is even when clubs like Hamilton are half full of foreigners so it's not that they are native Scots who are pro Rangers and anti Celtic.

Gloating not glosting.

By Kojo on December 27, 2009 8:49 PM

At the end of November last year after playing 16 games each we had a 7 point lead.

It meant nuthin come May.

And then on to Martin and that sunny day in Paradise.

Gould
McNamara
Stubbs
Vallharen
Boyd
Petrov
Lambert
Lubo
Petta
Sutton
Larsson.

Not quite seven but six was enough.

Now tell me we aren't going to win next week ! !

ps. Wish I could spell Big Joos' second name.

Bourne
The Brigadoon Brigade are out in force as the ethereal Celtic siip in and out of the mists of romanticism, the nostalgia of yesteryear and perhaps the league.

Forget Jan 3 and start with Kilmarnock

Hail Hai

Wondering if anyone can help.
Wife has talked me into going away for 2 days to Crieff next week and unfortunatly going to prob miss game against Huns.
Staying at Crieff Hydro and dont fancy watching game with mixed company so does anyone know of a good Celtic pub to watch game??

Lurgan 53

Free Derry

Kojo @ 8:49,

After the game at Ipox we were then 7 pts clear of them at the top.
However, I was told of a conversation in which our club captain along with a couple of other 1st teamers, stated that even though we were 7pts ahead, "we knew we were not 7pts better than them as a team".

Tells you a lot does it not?

Somehow I cannot imagine their captain saying that in the aftermath of the worst case scenario for us next Sunday, can you????

I sincerely hope the mental strength of the team, both players and management has increased in the 1 year interim period. Don't you?

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

PS - I believe implicitly in the veracity of the conversation, but for the usual reasons cannot reveal who told me, suffice to say it was spoken first-hand to them!

PetetheBeat

A players allegiance means nothing once they take the field, two of yesterdays opponents one on the pitch , the other in the dug-out illustrate perfectly what I mean. Stuart (Stan) Taylor and Alex Neil are diehard Celtic fans but you'd never have guessed yesterday by their efforts.

harry fathersham

ha ha

Still recovering from Tynecastle, still recovering from July, still recovering from WGS the final year, still recovering from Seville the aftermath.

Now we have Samaras as automatic choice, time for bed methinks

Hail Hail

I agree with roberttressell 6.36,

mcCulloch's shenanigans should be highlight when and if at all possible before the derby match. The club should play it cute and try to get the subject indirectly on the table, maybe at players press conferances, interviews. Maybe supporter mention it on a phone ins, i don't know.

I don't mind him elbowing a player but when he does it and does not get punished it frustrates me.

Anyway give Elbows the elbow referees.

FLC

TTT

Don't know if I'm taking that differently but to be honest I'd have been delighted to know that conversation took place.

To me it illustrates that the players were aware of the reality of their situation. They were not 7 points better than Rangers then and that realisation would make all the players realise that they still had a battle on their hands.

No?

53

FourLeafClover

Good shout but I cant see anyone at the club having the guts to come out with a comment on refereees and do a 'Gannon.'

The time to do it was the other week after Motherwell, when we won and it wouldnt have looked like sour grapes. When I logged on to here earlier I knew there would be a 'Elbows McCulloch goes and does it a gain post.' and there was.

It cant be paranoia..

EN

Chaplin

Thanks for the reply - "A players allegiance means nothing once they take the field, two of yesterdays opponents one on the pitch , the other in the dug-out illustrate perfectly what I mean. Stuart (Stan) Taylor and Alex Neil are diehard Celtic fans but you'd never have guessed yesterday by their efforts."

Unfortunately Celtic fans try their hardest against us. However Bob Malcolm's performances for Motherwell against the huns are quite typical.

Rangers are a better team than us.
Rangers have more points than us.
Rangers are the current champions.
Rangers have a better manager than us.
Rangers beat us the last time we played them.

Something aint right.

We have NO generation of domination (someone was having a laugh with that nonsense) and our management have failed in their leadership at a crucial time.

Change is needed from within but I dont think we have the wherewithal at the club to sort it out.

I remember during the Souness years thinking that anyone couldve managed them to league titles during that period..... well this is supposed to be our equivalent of the 'souness era' .. and we are struggling

Auldheid at 9:21pm.

Yes, I think the Bear took big Ure to the cleaners that day. Dundee were winning 1-0 at half time, I think. We scored both our goals at the Rangers end in the second half. My abiding memory from that day is the undiluted joy felt by the Celtic support at winning the game despite the possibility of handing Rangers a lifeline. Dundee were such a good team. It was a feather in our cap to be able to beat them. Some of the fans ran on to the park at the winning goal. I think big Billy scored the first from a corner and possibly Frank Brogan either scored or assisted the winner.

The love for Celtic in those days was tangible, something that could be felt at the games. We were the underdogs and we knew from information passed down through the generations that others hated us and wanted us destroyed. That knowledge led to an unflinching defiance and served only to fortify our support for the club.

How times have changed !

Incidently, it was good to see Stevie Chalmers on the park at half time yesterday. Not so long ago he passed me on his way up to the Kerrydale Suite. 'Hello Speedy Gonzalez,' I said.

He looked at me as if taken by surprise. Then a knowing look creased his face and he smiled and gave a small nod of acknowledement.

Estadio Nacional,

Rememeber the Huns at the start of the season, for 2 or 3 press conferences in a row they were asked by the media if they thought they were getting a fair deal by refs. They had been on the wrong end of a decision. Now this was obviously staged by their evil regime.

There must be one reporter surely that Celtic could get to ask "what do you think of your managers comments about McGeady not getting proper protection."

The player could reply that there certain players that seem to get away consistantly with the same type of fouls blah blah. Sort of get the ball rolling.

Am i writing nonsense? I think i mght be.

FLC

53,

I can see where you are coming from, but for me it was not the correct attitude.
For me it should have been along the lines of "Right we're 7pts clear of this mob, let's kick on from here and bury this mob as soon as we can"
Not be saying "ok we're lucky but we're not that much better than them".

For me it was defeatist.

Can you imagine another bhoy from Lurgan saying that or having that same attitude when it comes to US and them???

I think we both know the answer to that!

BTW, hope you had a good Christmas mucker and have a fantastic weekend over here next weekend!

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

Have we, Celtic, received a reply yet to the question,asked in early october i believe, of what criteria is applied as to whether any given incident is brought up at the video review panel?

Anyone know what the criteria is in the EPL, if indeed they have a video review panel?

TTT

I actually think we're saying the same thing!

Cheers. As you know I'll have 'er indoors with me for her first OF game.

Anything could happen.

TTT,

I thought the conversation was a statement made by a player in the aftermath of losing the league and was therefore said with hindsight.

Either way I agree with you on the defeatist nature of such a statement/coversation.

Árd Macha

FourLeafClover

Not nonsense at all, although I dont like the idea of using their media tactics it wouldnt do any harm to mention a few incidents this week.

That link I posted remeinded me it was our derby day ref Conroy who refereed the 1-1 Dundee United home game earlier this season and denied that blatent penalty late in the game.

We need a fair referee next week.

EN

Gallowgate @ 8.46.

Did Willie Fernie score in that game?

53,

Hope Mrs 53 is your/our lucky charm :-)

Here's to 3pts on Wed and then just as valuable but more significantly and emotionally, another 3 a week from now!

Cheers mate.

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

sixoclockatthechapel,

He converted a last minute penalty, I believe.

Auldheid / Gallowgate

As always a good exchange from you guys re our current situation. The call for unification (of the stakeholders as distinct from shareholders, although some are both ....) and redefinition of what the club is about is a key priority.

My sense is that Celtic currently has a sound 'management team' (in a financial sense) running it's business however it has no leadership and for me it is completely bereft of any vision or direction.

Cost control, and 'managing' the legacy of Fergus (a good healthly, consistent, and over performing matchday income generating machine) has been to the forefront. This has been delivered effectively by the 'executive team' whose leadership seems to have been very well rewarded for this job.

Times are harder now however we see nothing of the humility needed in leadership through such challenges. Although I have mocked the other side in recent times their leadership (and of course their predicament) has galvanised the club to winning vs adversity last year and outperforming this current season.

Our club is torn by self interest, and an over expectant consumer base. It is held back by a lack of leadership from a seriously bloated plc board (with some supposedly capable individuals) which could not spell humility.....

I completely endorse the advocacy for the type of 'leadership' you guys talk about. The shareholders should get it for the money it is paying for it's leadership and the 'apparent' board strength ?

Sadly the last 8 years have shown that the custodians seem more content to be 'milking' the support and 'milking' Fergus's legacy rather than building upon it.

.

Doug Lazy....Let it Roll....

001

Edward salve Salve;- you must be lurking and enjoying. Congrats, your team are doing really well and showing dare I say it/ championship form. You just know there is a but, and that is all down to Jan 3rd will Watty be tempted to be aggressive against waht is a very poor defense and leave his back four to match what is a hit and miss forward line or will he play the percentage game which really has not let him dowm against us, anyway after the Killie game it might all be academic.

For all those who are troubled, may I recommend a good dose of Paulo Nutini's Sunny Side up.
For all of you noe here is what is going through my mind. Looking at the history of our club ie the years of dismal failure. Are we willing to accept failure in the short term in order to achieve lasting and meaningful success? ie Are you willing to accept a rangers title ( for they will happen) in exchange for an ecellent Celtic team playing great football?.
This team will not do that; look beyond perceptions and look to facts. I will not go on but I will leave you with this :- Stop being feart , if every one of our team turns up on the 3rd then we will win plain and simple. I leave you with this . We are are tipod Fans Board and team;- remove any leg and we cannot stand.
Greenwells Ps I will tell you of the Christmas whisky later.
Luctor et emergo

Ed I'm slihtly drunk did you guess
Greenwells

.

Dave Dorrell....ft....M.A.R.S....

001

Ard,

If I remember correctly it was made with about 1/4 of the season to go.

It matters not now of course, but for me it gave an insight into the mindset of our players.

Anyway, here's hoping we can have an insight into the (hopefully strong) mindset of this season's team between Wed and next Sun.

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

So- Willie Fernie scored as well?? -

Cheers Gallowgate.

Six

EN

A complicit media is required for such manipulation to work properly.

We may get the odd line spun over the transfer window when papers are especially keen to sell their wares but we wont get the rub of the green in the run up to the Glasgow derby. Remember the survival of their team and the institutions it supports rests on Celtic failing to convert an off field advantage.

Not all of the media are pro ranjurs of course but most are not pro Celtic, and anyway an anti Celtic story sells papers. Especially so in the run-up to the Glasgow derby.

On another point-

I'd be keen to know the nature of the rulings by these video review panels ie teams involved and judgements handed down.

Also, has anything been done about that Dick, Campbell?

mcgrory-for-arsenal on December 27, 2009 9:55 PM

Well said, we are second best and those holding the purse strings need to know

.

Adamski & Daddy Chester....ft....Seal....

001

Channel4

'The greatest TV show of the decade - Topgear'

Kris Boyd must have cast votes for that one over the weekend.

What a complete waste of tyres and money that was...

Hail Hail

Death to Defeatism!
As Kojo say's, if you can't take the rough with the smooth don't go.
Stop rewinding, fast forward!!!!!! Forza Celtic!!!!
That clean sheet yesterday was worth of 3 points on it's own. I'd rather win 1-0 against Kilmarnock, than 7-1. A clean sheet is FAR more important than goals scored at the moment. It's a result in itself.
So if you don't have the bottle for the battle, stay away and let those that do go and stand up for Celtic.

Hail Hail

TLV

Bankiebhoy1

Video review panel? Now theres an old one, yet not as old as the match observers report on racist singing at the Derby game in August 08. Seems like the tactic is just to let these things go on until people forget.

Time for the club to ask questions in public...

EN

TTT,

Agree that it matters not now. Happy to see our team go for the jugular next week. We are not exactly equipped to grind out a one nil. Fortuné must start with Sammi.

Árd Macha

Settle down lads. There are a few panickers out there who are seeing Rangers in a halo light. And me? I had a good look at the possession stats and the shots stats of the Huns latest fayre - Hibs away - and we have nothin' to fear at all. 57% possession to Hibs and 5 shots at goal each. They scored four!

They are having the luck of the devil and we have the curse of the gypsy. This will not go on for much longer especially since MAF is back. I sincerely believe the Huns are in for a good skelpin' on the 3rd if we play our strongest side and they concentrate for 90 minutes and defend as if their life depended on it.

The best side?

Boruc, Her Hinkel,Mick and Heid, the Foxy lady

McGinn, N'Guemo Crosas and Robson

MAF and McGeady

EN

I like TopGear......much more than Shameless anyway which I hate.

:-)

BTW.....you have just wasted that programme for me. Mrs Token and I are watching it on C4 +1 as I type this ...now at Life On Mars (coincidentally a programme that Me and the Missus are halfway through watching the box set of Series 1 just now).

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

EN

Agreed.

In this I'd hoped our Chairman would have been Hunskelper extraordinaire, along with the team, I'm hoping his performance improves dramatically in the second half of the season.

My dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,dear,friend...The Token Tim @ 9.34.

I could believe,every woid,of what was said.

it was a sudden but... LASTING.. disbelief, in themselves by the WHOLE Celtic Team that led to our downfall, last season.

Suddenly, we couldnae score a Goal,when it counted.. the last Three Games, told the whole pitiful story of how we had completely loast it.

And.. we hivnae exactly found it, again,eethur!..

That is, according, tae our fumbling and tentative recent performances, against even many of the S.P.L.s... No Hopers!

When awe is said and no said..but,should hiv bin said!

It is awe aboot .. Self Confidence.

In Winning Games, that is.

And with Consistency..

Self Confidence, by a Poor Untalented Team..is no woith a Continental..That goes withoot saying..

But, I am saying it, anwey!

Howevahhh... this Celtic Team, although, it has its faults.. does have the talent and the experience tae tak care of Nine Nine point Nine of the Teams that we hiv faced, this year..

and that includes..

Hamburg, Wien and the Hebrews.

Fur we shoulda , coulda... but didnae.. tak care of that Lot.. in awe the games that we played, we had the upper Haun.. but, naebuddy could translate oor superiority intae..

GOALS!

So, no maitter how ye slice it , spice it,or Dice it..

Our Trouble, is that we need tae TAK OOR CHANCES!.. although... we create them like
Schmoos!

Until, we tak care of that leetle problem,we wull ayeways be in
danger of throwing the game.

Kojo.
yer pal..who likes ye a loater.

Shameless...too much like work for me

Top Gear everytime

The Token Tim

I forgot to say 'If you dont want to know the result look away now....'

Topgear is a show I just cannot watch, its like Superscore board with cars. Life On Mars Ive yet to see but have a dvd of the first series.

I can see why they didnt pick shows imported from the US...

EN

gallowgate I never got to the Coronation Cup Final either and I was six years old,my dad said I was to wee,anyway team that beat Hibs 2-0,Neilly Mochan & Jimmy Walsh scored
Bonnar, Haughney, Meechan, Evans, Stein, McPhail (J.), Collins, Walsh, Mochan, Peacock, Fernie.I can still sing the song word perfect "Said Lizzie to Philip as they sat down to dine".

Hail Hail

bankiebhoy

all the more reason why we should grind the feckers into the ground

omit all trace of them

fed up with crap Celtic board

fed up with crap celtic defence

fed up with .....the huns winning

most of all fed up with weak willed /meek and mild Celtic custodians being happy to watch us being shafted by the establishment/SFA/refs/media

those who are running our club are a feckin` disgrace and should GTF and let someone who cares have a go

couldnae be any worse

Bankiebhoy,

I no longer buy papers (with the exception of the Sunday Times) or listen to any of the radio shows.

I am sick to the back teeth of reading and listening to meedja huns and worse still the uncle tims.
They do my heid in!

They are all complicit in aiding and abetting the huns agenda.

That's what makes it the sweeter when a journalist such as Gibbons/English or even Speirs tears them a new one.

Unfortunately it occurs all too infrequently and that's why the Club must now start to some out loudly and clearly in asking for clarification on all the issues that effect us!

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

Bankiebhoy1

Im hoping our Chairman doesnt have grounds for complaint at any time this season, I think we will have but doubt any action will be taken.

EN

PF,

Surely you know from the Bible that "The Meek (and mild Celtic custodians) shall inherit the Earth"???

Personally I'll be happy with inheriting Our Title, but the Earth will be good too :-)

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

PF

Agreed.

Basics need to be done first. Start by beating Killie, then take 3 points off the huns, etc etc - win the league, by one point or one goal, just win it and deprive THEM of a significant revenue stream.

The ( apparent) off-field advantage must be converted into on -field success if not our investment in Celtic has been mis-managed. The transfer window offers us a limited opportunity to gain advantage through player acquisition and trading. By the time the window shuts there will be no grey areas, the fans will know finally and incontrovertably what game the Board are playing.

I remain sceptical as to how much we will strengthen in january and I am clueless as to what we should do as a support if nothing significant transpires during january tho'.

My name is Bankiebhoy1 and I'm A Celtic addict.

Barcabhoy,
NegativeAnon,
Tiny Tim

Whether you like it or not you are all influential posters, whose words are well measured, and for me, respected at best and always of interest at least.

Your downbeat assessment of the current state of affairs at Celtic is therefore depressing to me.

My message is this. We all love Celtic, and like our own children, mistakes are made and choices sometimes poor. Those we love are sometimes the easiest to criticise. The hope invested in our own easily becomes disappointment and dissolution. In short – those we love the most, are those in whom we judge most harshly.

A truism of football, that most frustrating, annoying of pursuits is that confidence, where margins are small, is absolute. And given the evidence before our eyes, confidence could be the delimiter between us and our rivals.

What can we do as a support to ensure the maximum confidence on our beloved Celtic? Is it to withdraw support? To prove a point, to bring upon their heads the sound of desperate failure so that we can turn round and say “Ha Ha – told you so!!!” Are we not better than that?

This team needs our confidence desperately –it is our side of the bargain.

This title is crucial. This season, I care not for the “Celtic Way”, for tear stained memories of battles passed, for “balance sheet” or memories of Mjallby, Balde, O’Neill nor Clark – of Larsson, Sutton, Hartson and my beloved Dalglish. At this time I care that we win THIS league by whatever means we can, anyhow, anywhere, by luck, judgement or the failings of our rivals. Then we can debate the future……………….but in the meantime, our imperfect children of Celtic need us – will you abandon them?

celtic board
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIyXJxPFVz4

TTT

I don't buy or click on the obvious serial offenders to deprive them of revenue but I am very interested in what they about our Club and Our community and how they say it. I think we have to watch what Huns say and do, everywhere. It is a conundrum but blogs like this make it possible to shine lights on their deeds quickly.

Like you I enjoy when the huns get a doing from a journo, but thats not really what i want in the long term either. My forlorn hope is that we have an impartial, insightful media who without fear or favour tell it how it is.
I think most tims are like this, I'd hate to read the "Uncle walter" pash about my team every week, I'd hate to be so patronised.

I live in hope, Chick, fat traynor and Co cant go on forever.

Bankiebhoy,

I was reading back earlier and noted Ole Hollow Legs' question. I was going to post a reply but it seemed as if we had moved on a tad.
However from your last post there at 11:12pm I think PL along with the Board's OK and Tony's input, MUST spend on new players and not a couple of Willo's (no offence to the wee fhella intended).

We slipped up badly last January and handed the momentum and ultimately the Title to them.
We, well some of us anyway, accepted, albeit reluctantly, the excuses for no signings last Jan.

NOT THIS YEAR!!

Peter, John and/or Dermot, please take careful note of this.

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

PF ayr

I noticed that also, and a story about Bammy Ferguson just to top it off. Its the one news paper I read now and its trying it best to end that due to the sports section. Gave up the ST when Speirs appeared not so long ago.

EN

EN

i couldn`t believe it

a very unpleasant surprise

Would be interesting to see how the league table would look at this point in an alternative reality, where refs were impartial and the Celtic defence hadn't made nurseryschoolboy errors.

This other world with competent refs alone would see us about 10pts clear.

PF,

gave up on the Herald years ago.....basically when Tam Shields packed it in.

But to hear that rodent is now "writing" for them? A new low indeed.

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

TTT

;)

Ole Hollow Legs!? We call him ole Hollow Heid! ( only kiddin' noo big yin)

(I can hear him hoisting his HUGE frame aff the Lazee Bhoy chair.)

To your point directly though,I think we got carried away with ourselves last year, criminally underestimated the huns predicament which resulted in the board foolishly gambling that there would be a clear out at Mordor. As I said earlier i'm not sure many will move out this year. Boogie may bugger off as may Ratboy but Boydy will stay and be offered a new deal, he's a standard bearer for the knuckledraggers ( and effective too).

However, I'd agree with you that we now need to do something about the team's strength but still feel that jan is the wrong time and that we dont have enough money to effect significant change in our ranks.

HH

Feedthebear at 8:42

spot on. The negligence committed in the last 2 years particularly has lead us to the world of the mundane where the Kirk Clubfoots of this world reign supreme. Yeah, its 2010, Rankers are broke, are playing Kirk alongside the likes of Elbows McCulloch supplemented by Kenny Misser upfront. And? Well, they're top and clear by 4!!

Is this due to the genius that is Walter and Sally? I don't think so. Is it because the club has been driven by the balance sheet to the detriment of the playing side? Without a doubt.

I don't point an accusing finger at Paul for his 'G.o.D.' call - it was there for the taking but the leaders at the helm ignored the opportunity. They may pat themselves on the back but regrettably, they have failed the club and its fans.

Now we must start again and the risks inherent in starting from scratch are there for all to see.

stpatricksboy,

Thanks for the Coronation Cup Final team. The hero was of course Johnny Bonnar. In the 60's and 70's he owned a pub at the top of Orr Street, fifty yards or so up from St Mary's Halls.

Bet365 for Jan 3rd.

Celtic win 6/5
Draw 9/4

landry:

what really gets me is that there is not a lot we can do about the refs (except to keep highlighting it) but there is plenty we could have done about the shortcomings in our team going back to last January.We don't live in an alternative reality but we can, and should, be doing more to influence the reality we're stuck with.

The doo's dream team for the Hunskelpin.

Marco Sam

Aiden

Niall Landry ZZ

O'Dea

Fox Caldwell Loovens Hinkle

Boruc

Subs: Crosas, Skip, McManus and Ki

Estadio National,

Do you know the odds to win the league title ? In recent weeks I have been saying what a great bet Celtic were, even although they were quoted as odds on. 4/5 for instance. I popped into Paddy Power on Friday to find the following prices -

4/6 Rangers
11/10 Celtic
33/1 Hibs
66/1 Dundee Utd.

After today I would expect Hibs to be on a par with Dundee Utd. But have the odds of the others changed ?

EN,

Boylesports apparently offering us at 6/4 according to oddschecker.
Might have a wee look at that tomorrow....probably need to reactivate my account with them though!

Anything better than even money and Im on us!

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

Gallowgate/EN,

I will be using some of my winnings from Take a Shot today to bet us for the League.

11/10 being offered by a few of the bookies. Got to take a piece of that...esp as we will be slashed after next Sunday :-)

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

gallowgate 11;47

Am I right in thinking that John Bonnar was involved in the Celtic pools? My father was an agent and used to speak about him when I was young.

We need to stop this panicing.

After numerous defensive errors and referee "mistakes" we're still only 4 points behind The Hun.

And that's after us going to Mordor, their 4 point lead is almost the equivalent of a game in hand advantage.

They're in the form of their lives, sweeping aside all infront of them and we're lurching from one crisis to another, and we're still within touching distance. Our mistakes and bad luck can't last forever and their 4 goals from 5 attempts won't go on indefinately either.

Let's save the hysteria until after the OF game. If we're still 4 points behind (or god forbid, 7) THEN we can start to worry. Until then we're getting all worked up about very little.

Here's what I firmly believe is going to happen:

We're going to beat The Hun at Celtic Park because they're gash and we need to get a result. Our defense is dodgy, but so is theirs, they've got bloody Davie Weir and Krik Broadfoot at the back! They get away with it in the SPL because all they've got to deal with is the long-ball game. Look at the hounding they took in the Champions league, from EVERY team in their group. Get it on the deck and they'll crack.

They're about to lose Bougherra, their best player. He is extremely important to them, once he's gone they'll have a 17 year old partnering is gandpa at the back. We'll see how solid they are then...

And that's without even considering them losing players in January, which is a probability.

Let's not work ourselves into a frenzy here, the biggest danger to our title chances is us losing our bottle and doing self-destructive things like cheering when Samaras is subbed.

bankiebhoy,

you're a braver man than me! In saying that, naebody abuses more or better than brothers do :-)

Anyway that's it for me tonight.

All the best mate.

Night All!

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

Team for next week

Boruc
Hinkel Caldwell Loovens Naylor
Crosas
McGinn NGuemo ZZ
McGeady
FORTUNE

I think it was last weekend, where there was title talk from Sunday papers about winning the next 3 games and it is SECURED.

It is very obvious the whole gamut of the FOD are working hard to BREAK our resolve in this new managerial change.

Thank the almighty God for this new transfer window and the opportunities this will bring to change around the players who are very lucky to even have worn a Celtic shirt.

My Dad always said Old Firm games are a lottery, so I'm not going to say we will win but I have a right good feeling we will and as most people know the NY game is usually the most decisive.

Rangers got rode in Europe, Celtic were hamstrung by bickering players who need to be removed. Vienna should be a watershed for most people. Good to see my tip for the Premiership winning again today 3-0. They play football the way Tony is going to try to implement.

Get over the fact Eduardo dived, all those big teams have players who will cheat blatantly. It comes down to the person... Eduardo is not as high profile as Terry Henry but neither player has got back to their best. That says to me they are not genuinely sorry for what they done.

Gallowgate and TTT

Theres only three bookies offering odds on Bookiesindex and 5/4 was best I saw.

League is generally 11/10 for us with 8/11 the alternative

Couldnt make the game but just watched the highlights and we created plently of chances by the looks of it. Granted the 5minutes bbc highlights do not tell the full story but Im concerned how a Rangers win today has turned us into a bad team in some peoples eyes.

Guess the downer on our team re-emphisised its self last week in a game we lost after a 50/50 penalty decision. The week before that we scored three stunning goals and won.

Im looking forward to this derby game, its been a long time since we played them in a home game (Feb 15th)

EN

glendalystonsils

You'll get no argument from me there, but even if you went to the highest footballing governing body in the land with replays from every angle of EVERY dodgy decision, they'd still refute it and they'd still call us paranoid.

Still, it would satisfy me greatly to have such an inventory kept at hand, because it's always forgotten too soon.

My reason for posting was to point out that we SHOULD be in a better league position this year, and it was posted, in some way, to offer some perspective in the trepidation mounting before next week. But your right, we HAVE thrown away games and contributed to our unsavoury position and aye, we should have capitalised in the previous windows from a position of strength.

someone mentioned on here a few weeks ago something that i was thinking about...

Rangers were showing a desire driven by rangers fans within thier squad.we are missing the lennons of yester year and filling our team with average joes... with no knowledge of what our club is all about.

come sunday i sincerley hope that this is not the difference between the sides.I will be looking to the Mcgeadys,robsons,Boruc's and squad/management team to get the starting 11 fired up for this,because i guarantee thier mob certainly will be.

They go into sundays game with a 4 point cushion,and walters best option will be to tell his players to simply 'go for it'.
The pressure is on us and we will see what our players made of....

the stage is set Mr Fortune to stick two fingers up at everyone of the media and your doubters.

do me proud big man!

EN

Like you I am also looking forward to next week, for more reasons than just the norm.

This will be the 1st huns game that me and my 3 brothers have all sat together since the unforgetable (and my own personal Fav huns game at Ipox) Henrik's 50th goal game at Ipox.

Here's hoping thats an omen in itself :-)

HAIL! HAIL!
Token

Just noticed.

My dream teams got a 12men in the line-up.

Well if it's good enough for them....

If we can't get away with it, a suppose Sam is consigned to the binch.

PF Ayr (and others),

I think King "writing" for the Herald has more to do with their recent decision to pool resources between their three papers. For a while, stories by King and Cully have been popping up on the Herald website but I hadn't noticed them in the actual paper (can't remember the last time I bought one right enough). I'm sure that King featuring is more borne out of necessity rather than talent promotion. Still, the fact he's there isn't about to make me buy the thing more often

cheers, P's C.

Totally agree with all the posters leaving out Sammi and skippy and putting in McGinn and Fortune for the huns game. They are going to be hungrier and ,on recent form , more likely to get us the win. Sammi and Skippy seem to be playing as individuals and are too keen to grab the glory rather than play each other in.

ciarante

You make some good points but unfortunately your post seems to suggest you are waiting on them faltering rather than seeing us improving and leaving them in our slipstream. I think that's where we went wrong a year ago. We were ahead then and thought that we could stand still as they would never catch us. How about we improve,catch them and leave them behind. I would prefer that than the winning by default position you appear to suggest. Apologies if I have misinterpreted your post.

Here is my team for sunday....

---------------- BORUC------------------

HINKEL----LOOVENS----CALDWELL----NAYLOR

---------CROSAS------N'GUEMO----------

MCGINN--------MCGEADY---------SAMARAS

------------FORTUNE------------------

"Do not give these people and inch." Martin O'Neill pre an old firm match.

Tony Mowbray - " " Have seen no such fight from the players thus for, nor emotion from him on the sideline to suggest he has something like that in him, so for now the quotation marks will retain their empty space that separates them, and I will worry about the potential humiliation that awaits us in the fledgling hours of 2010.

GreenwellsGlory :- Salve amicus mea. I do tend to lurk more than post this weather due to the fact that I seem to be constatly playing catch up on the blog rather than keeping up with it.
While I'm obviously hoping for three points on the third and feel that if we get them it would give us edge in the title race I honestly don't think it will decide things whatever way it goes. Unless one of the two teams suffers a catastrophic collapse I expect the race to be close almost to the end if not to the last day.
What I would say is that the mood at Ibrox among the fans (and the players if anecdotes are to be believed) has changed from the despondency shown earlier in the season and a sense of belief is growing at the club that they can retain the title.Whether they can or not remains to be seen but a sense of confidence never hurts.

victoria ut is quisnam est primoris procul perago non is quisnam quisnam est

The cardigan is the boss that's a fact whether we like it or not, Mowbray has to change this on Sunday, he has to show he is a big time manager, show when the pressure is on he can deliver, grab the psychological advantage by winning on Sunday, ignoring all other insignificant factors such as! its not his squad, referees, the media, SFA, PL and the board, he has six days to prepare and motivate the squad to deliver a win, no excuses!

Our first game of this decade.

We were in second place and 4 points behind going into that game. Theres other similarities...

glendalystonsils,

Johnny Bonnar and the Celtic Pools rings a bell. I had forgotten about that. I think Stevie Chalmers took over from him although it is a subject I have only a vague knowledge of. I'm sure other posters will be able to provide you with more precise details.

By pauloantony on December 28, 2009 12:23 AM

Would swap Loovens with Caldwell ;)

ZZ or Samaras, I see what your thinking is.

Big Sami is awesome at times, I'm guessing ZZ is STRONG and can be relied on to be perfect in the simplest football skills. ZZ was very impressive to me considering it was Ibrox.

For sunday i would return to a MON formation 3-5-2, my starting 11

Zaluska

Loovens Caldwell O'Dea

McGinn ZZ N'guemo Robson McGeady

Samaras Fortune

I think there will be at least one new signing thrown into the mix on Sunday.

Estadio Nacional,

Thanks for providing that link to our first game of the decade. Very interesting to read back on the personnel involved at the time. Although the team was not great one there was such a hungar for success among the support after the wilderness years of the nineties that 60,000 packed into the new Celtic Park for every game. There's a lesson there I think.

Tresor Mputu Mabi

Paul,
interesting game summary.

On hand ball....

There are 2 ways of looking at this. The laws of the game...or how referees NORMALLY deal with this.

Truth is, VERY few hand balls are intentional, yet refs still call fouls. The convention seems to be this...

If the hand or arm is away from the body, they call a foul. If the hand ball (even unintentional) benefits the perpetrator's team, then they call a foul.

These conventions are adjusted in Scotland, depending on how they affect the fortunes of Celtic.

It is interesting how refs alter the bar for penalty area calls.

Fir Park;
Tynecastle;
Celtic Park.

Personally, I'd get rid of the question of intention. You don't get excused a corner if you say 'it's not my fault...the ball hit me on the way out'.

So, why not have the same rule for hand ball? If it hits your hand or arm it's a foul. Period.

I would want to minimize the number of opportunities for a bent ref to make it up as he goes along.

Oh, yes...and Merry Christmas to all of CQN.

Especially to you, Kano.

G'night from Ottawa.

Erm the current and previous managers at Celtic Park didn't think he is good enough, his current team (Reading for pete's sake) dont think he is good enough - but the guys on here reckon DOD should be in against der hun - and at left back no less.

Heaven help us. Being Irish does not make anyone a player.

Gallowgate

It does seem a bit symmetrical with a peak in the middle section of the decade. Although as you said it was 60,000 every week and Im sure the recession is not the major factor to blame for the empty seats we are seeing just now.

Just hope we dont get the same result on Wednesday.

EN

BBC3 'Most annoying people of the year':

Number 92: Barry Ferguson

Estadio Nacional
"Im concerned how a Rangers win today has turned us into a bad team in some peoples eyes."

I think the reality is we have only won games we should have on this season. We have not won any of the big ones (except in Moscow) for me this season has delivered all it was going to with the appointment of a former player from the lowest point in our history who boosted a less than average CV.

WE are making a second rate rangers look like world beaters.

Later on the programme, a comedian comments... his name? Kojo.

bbcThree Most annoying people of 2009 - Barry Ferguson at number 92.

The usual D list media talking heads discuss how embarrasing the drinking and fingers fiasco was for Ferguson, McGregor, Scotland and the sfa.

Yet within the same year the Scottish media, Levein, G.Smith et al are campaigning to recall these halfwits.

You're spot-on weeron.

The question of intention is a nonsense that refs ignore anyway. Perhaps it should come into play when deciding if a player should be booked or sent off, but the ball hitting your arm to your advantage should go down as a foul.

I have only now seen the highlights of Saturday's game and I am amazed that people are even questioning whether a foul should have been given. If the ref doesn't give that he's being a pedant in the extreme.

The ball blatanly hits the Hamilton player's arm and allows him to control it early. It's clear as day.

Bloke_109

This is freaking me out, Im sure you control my tv ;¬]

EN

EN

Scooped you :-) Do we need to watch the whole programme just to see if Duffield is on it?

Kevtic

I know our teams problems but it seemed that that game on Sunday effected how some were commenting on our team. Ive been of the opinion that we are touring about making poor teams look decent this season, just hope this week is not the next installment of that tour.

EN

Bloke_109

Im not sure part one of two and still got 1.45hr to go and we know Duffield will be number one just ahead of Balloon Boy, Britany Speirs, Jordan, Kris Boyd, etc..

EN

Estadio Nacional

Yep hopefully the start of a new era.

We need to start winning these games it's seems a long while since we did.

By Burnley'78 on December 27, 2009 10:20 PM
Gallowgate, EN, James Forrest and other cyberspace scribes my auld heid forgets the names of.

But what can be one about it? I'm not talking to the car park nonsense or even using shareholder pressure.

I am talking about the creation an informed third force stakeholder group that the club and the support would trust was acting in Celtic's overall strategic interest. (The guards on the guards.)

Of course that would mean knowing what the whole Celtic strategy was, not just the financial one that those at the club are good at managing, I am talking about expectation and reality management that however unpalatable the song, at least has us singing from the same hymn sheet.

I'm talking about harnessing the power of the support, all of it young and old, in order to work with it, not alienate it.

I'm talking about integration, not disintegration.

A few weeks ago, CQNers were looking for a hat-trick of victories in one week, to get us back on the road.

Celtic 3-1 St Mirren

Celtic 2-0 Hapoel Tel Aviv

Celtic 3-0 Aberdeen

This was followed up by an impressive fighting performance at Fir Park:

Motherwell 2-3 Celtic

The second string then avoided disaster with a brilliant fightback in Vienna:

Rapid Vienna 3-3 Celtic

We then dominated Hearts at Tynecastle and were unlucky to lose:

Hearts 2-1 Celtic

After the Aberdeen game, CQN was full of measured optimism as we saw the team beginning to play attractive football and score goals.

The first thing to turn this round was not the defeat at Tynecastle, but Rangers taking 6 off Motherwell on the previous day. Amazingly, on the strength of this result, a game in which Celtic were not involved, a lot of posters turned on the club and the board.

Now, looking through tonight's comments, you can see a sense of quiet optimism gradually turn to one of despair as each Rangers goal went in. I was actually waiting for someone to blame Loovens, McManus, Caldwell or Peter Lawwell for each Huns goal.

I cannot believe how fickle we Celtic fans have become. We allow our sense of optimism and faith to dip at every turn, even when Celtic aren't playing.

In fact, the growing praise of Walter Smith and some of his players on here I find quite sickening.

I will be back in Australia for the Huns game on Sunday and will watch on TV. On Saturday I attended my first game at Celtic Park for 3 years, and it was not a pleasant experience. Not because of the performance of the team. I was happy with 3 points and a clean sheet. No, my visit was ruined by the level of negativity all around me. I moved location twice but nothing changed. I do not have a problem with criticising players, but I do have a problem with the level of personal abuse aimed at individual players. It was verging on pure hatred at times. The personal abuse directed towards Tony Mowbray in particular left me feeling physically sick.

At one point, McGeady sent a hospital pass to Hinkel. The German did not shrink and made a genuine attempt to keep possession, but lost out, not surprisingly after such a poor pass. The fans around me and throughout the stadium groaned their disapproval at Hinkel, one man behind me telling him to "Go back to Naziland".

Obviously some players can do no wrong, and when they do, someone else gets the blame.

As for the cheering of Samaras' substitution - I have never felt so sorry for a Celtic player in all my many years of following this great club of ours. Well, if they can boo Neil Lennon during a European game, I guess nobody is exempt.

A complete and utter disgrace. No other words for it.

Finally, for months now there has been an on-going debate on CQN as to the various reasons for the decline in attendances at Celtic Park - from the economic situation to the poor standard of football on offer.

Let me add a third. I wonder how many genuine supporters have been driven away from games due to the level of vitriol and personal abuse being heaped on the players and management. As I said, I did not enjoy Saturday's rare visit to the park. If I was living in Scotland, I would genuinely be considering whether I would want to go back and sit among such hate and personal abuse. When I challenged the guy behind me for his comments against Hinkel, I was told to GTF and that we would be discussing it outside after the game. It was only the presence of my wife which stopped me from taking it further.

I remember when Celtic supporters supported the team. When a player was struggling, the fans would give him every encouragement.

I have deliberately held off from posting my comments after attending the Accies game, as I wanted to give myself at least a couple of days of cold reflection, rather than posting while I was still on a downer.

Saturday was, for me personally, a low point in my life of supporting the greatest football club on the planet, and it had nothing to do with the team on the park. When my Aussie wife first visited Celtic Park about 5 or 6 years ago, she loved it and couldn't wait to go back. She enjoyed a handful of visits before we returned to Australia. On Saturday she wanted to leave at half-time. Later, she told me she had hated the whole thing. She couldn't understand why everyone was so angry and swearing at their own players all the time.

Sadly, upon reading the comments on CQN tonight, I feel the general tone reflects what I found at Celtic Park on Saturday - negativity, personal abuse of players and all round disrespect towards the club. I appreciate that, due to some unwritten rule, I am not supposed to criticise or question anyone on CQN. Apparently if I do, I am being patronising in the extreme.

I don't care. I will not be censored by anyone.

Hail Hail

Auldheid

I read earlier tonight someone mention on KSt about the invitation from the main players from websites get 'every 4/5 months from the club' to meet and discuss where we are.

I dontn think Ive read any direct feed back from these meetings nor do I know who attends but it sould help all if we knew a wee bit about what was happening.

EN

GoldCoastTom

Post deleted.

(joke...)

GCT, good mail, bad experience, Things have indeed changed since the 6 years ago that you were there. We had top players 6 years ago signed during the MON era but guided under Gordon, and hence full houses

Now you were watching Gordons team, not big players, big change and hence lower crowds.

a Poster posted last week how fans shouting at players is nothing new and he remembered Tommy callaghan getting abuse.

problem is now most of the players now get abuse because of the level they are at.

6 years ago you could enjoy the atmosphere in a 60,000 crowd against a team like hamilton, but when the crowd is half empty as it was on Saturday the atmosphere is not to be enjoyed.

I am afraid now you were back home you saw the results of the "spend what you earn policy" from PL and the board and you must sympthise with the fans who have to put up with this quality of player week in week out and understand how frustated they are with players whose quality has been substantially reduced in 6 years.

Maybe you should have moved closer to the board and let them know how unhappy you were.

ST

What annoys me is the fact Celtic were projected to be out training on Sky Sports News....

prior to the Hamilton game, compliant to media stuff.

I am getting thinner in my support of this visionary board.

I do blame John Reid for not letting us know the outcome of the request for clarity regarding the video review process.

Bluster Bhoy must do the bare minimum, as we don't give a damn about the Unholy monkeys over there on the southside, New Labour stench follows you John Reid. Socialism has always led to disaster anyway and You know this, the fact we now have European Socialism will lead into a cashless society.

Thanks for nothing.

I think Mowbray should set up a fairly defensive shape to begin with next week.

I'd like to see an anchorman between midfield and the defence, to ease pressure on the back four and allowing the midfield men to venture further upfield. But, it may be too DEFENSIVE a philosophy for Mowbray though.

Its possible we might see an unusual attack-minded setup by der Hun given their recent form in front of goal, this despite a draw suiting them.

Is it possible we might see young Ki in such a role?

If the threat is being subdued and we have got the edge, the advantage of having a player like Ki or even ZZ in such a role is that they are capable of slotting into midfield if we are dominating the game, without the need for a substitution, which can then be used to bring another striker later.

In this period, we could also commit to overlapping fullbacks. This together with the distributive abilities of Landry, Mcgeady and Mcginn could see big Marco or Sammi scoring the all-important first goal.

Well, sounds good in theory!

GCT i should have addded you should have gone straight to a steward and reported the guy who made a racist statement

Auldheid on December 28, 2009 1:42 AM

Forgive my naivety,

To me, the problem with that may be that, whatever information the support are given is inadvertently given to the media and to your rivals.

Surely, this goes against good business practise? No?

Gold Coast Tom

I know the pass you're on about - the less I say about it the better, as everyone on here sees me as a 'Mcgeady hater' as opposed to someone who can't buy into the hype.

Hinkel, I thought, had an excellent second half. For me he was the best player on the park. He's a likeable guy as well - for me, that makes a difference.

Depressing to hear about your experience. You'd have thought the few that did turn up would have been their to lend their whole-hearted support, but it sounds like the guy behind you was a fully paid-up member of the purple vein brigade (copywright uog, lyrics by estadio).

I've been thinking a lot these past few minutes about the current malaise amongst our erstwhile good-natured support. Just why is it that people, who should be united under the collective Celtic banner, are retreating into their own corners of opinion, feeling alienated from their own club?

My own particular response to this quagmire we find ourselves in, is that it is the manager who needs to get some fire in his belly and communicate that to the support, by which I don't mean advertise heartburn tablets (although I could do with one of those right now after the three days of relentless heavy meals I've been putting myself through), I mean something as simple and straightforward as showing a soupcon, at least, of passion in his interviews and press conferences. Martin O'Neill could come on and talk about the most effective way to increase your parsnip yield, and I'd be clutching my Celtic scarf, ready to do battle with the enemy!

So come on Tony, take a leaf out of Martin's book!

Easier said than done, I know, but this constant mumping monotone is not getting us fired up, never mind wearing out the 50Hz range of my wimpy computer speakers!

Anyway, there's my take on it.

Discrace.

Black Eyed Peas only at number 72 in the bbcThree most annoying list.

The 'Boom boom boom' song that tormented Wembley and 'Tonights the night' the plague of weekend tv/pubs/shops for over thirty years deserves a harsher punishment.

Boo.

Up over goal

I've tried to be patient with BTM and have had faith since hearing of his arrival. But, you are spot on mate. It would definitely give him some more creedence if he exhibited even a fraction of MON's passion.

Sydney Tim -

I did intend to report him to a steward, but because of the obvious threat of afters, my wife wanted us to move to another location, which we eventually did.

up_over_goal -

What also struck me on Saturday was that the favourite word among the naysayers in the stadium would appear to be "imposter". Most of the players are "imposters" and the manager is an "imposter".

Ironically, as I left the stadium after the game, I felt that a large portion of the Celtic fans around me were "imposters".

.

Hurdy Gurdy Gurdy....

001

By Estadio Nacional on December 28, 2009 1:56 AM

I am aware that those meetings take place. I was told so after Celtic saw my The Time to Talk, Time to Trust article I posted on CU.

I understand not all web sites attend but I am unaware of any feedback mechanism, nor do I know if the exchange is one way or two way, who sets the agenda and the objective behind the meetings.

I fully accept that some matters are too business sensitive to be made public, but in terms of clearly laying out the club's strategy so that it can be referred to in order to inform debate and kill off the kind of misinfornmation that can divide the support, I submit it's effectiveness is questionable.

It is certainly a start and better than nothing but not up to the job of uniting club and support or challenging issues that separate us from the club and from each other.

I saw an example of how a communication from Celtic on an issue can change minds that had picked up an opinion as a fact.

At Brockville PL shook his head during the silence and a CQN contributor interpreted that as directed at the Celtic support and stated it as fact, which he then quickly withdrew when I suggested it was not a fact but an opinion.

By that time the statement had already become a fact and some posters then used it to have a go at PL.

Two days later it emerged on CQN that PL had in fact shaken his head at a Falkirk supporter for shouting why dont you go home, As a result of which those who had accepted the negative view as fact held up their hands and apologised. Disharmony destroyed, harmony restored.

I do not know how CQN got the correct story but it must have come from Celtic. So if good information c