In different times, it would be difficult not to consider a run of 18 wins and a draw in our most recent 19 fixtures across all competitions as anything other than a performance highpoint. But we were made to fight to hold onto our advantage late in the game against Dundee yesterday, while Newco snatched a late equaliser a week earlier – a goal which had been on the cards for some minutes.
Tiredness looks to have crept in.
Like Aberdeen, Celtic had six European games to contend with over the summer, although the intensity of five of Celtic’s games was of a higher level than that of Aberdeen’s. Then there is the matter of the Champions League group stage; six nights of the most acute energy sapping football available, and that’s just for the fans.
There is also the matter of the new regime to factor in. Training changed when Brendan Rodgers arrived, new levels of fitness were required and reached.
Talk to any athlete and they’ll tell you their fitness varies in a planned manner across the year. There is a recovery period, a time when they lay down base fitness, a time for improvement, then peak fitness is reached. But peak fitness doesn’t last forever, you have a window before burn-out, then often a cliff-edge.
Body and mind become tired as the athlete approaches the recovery period. The January break will have helped, but that wasn’t long enough to go through the cycle of recovery-to-peak. Evidence for this is most readily available in our current star performer, Stuart Armstrong, who has played 36% fewer minutes than club captain, Scott Brown.
While many Scottish clubs will look ahead to the international break in anticipation their players will get some time off, Celtic will lose the vast majority of their squad to full and youth international sides. The playing surface at Celtic Park might get a rest during international weeks, but the players don’t.
Despite this, I expect we’ll cling on to top spot and take the title. If we get the win at Tynecastle next time out, I also expect Brendan to prioritise the Scottish Cup, and rest significant numbers for the games against Partick, Kilmarnock and Ross County.
We’ll pounce onto the Hampden surface with renewed purpose.
In different times (#2), news that Rangers’ QC, Andrew Thornill, who led their defence against HMRC for their use of EBTs, has been made bankrupt by HMRC would be too ridiculous to be true. But for that lot, it’s just a minor footnote in the final chapters of their ridiculous history.
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Kris Commons is on his way to Valerenga as Norway is the happiest place to be.
MOONBEAMS
Three terms which are mainly relevant in Irish politics. Which kinda backs up the point.
None of those terms apply in respect of Scottish independence. Instead of bandying terminology about,why not invest in an abacus?
and they wondered why James McClean wouldn’t wear a Poopy.
Republic of Ireland international James McClean has paid tribute to former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness after his death overnight.
The West Bromwich Albion winger described McGuinness as a hero of his and a good friend, saying he offered tremendous support in a challenging time in his career.
McClean, a fellow Derry man, said: “[I am] writing this with a heavy heart. A bad week just getting worse, I’ve woken up to the passing of Martin just now. I am not going to shy away in expressing either how I feel.
“Not only was he a hero of mine, someone I looked up to, a man that has done so much for Irish people and Irish people’s freedom right to the very the end, he was also a good friend and someone I had the pleasure of having a good relationship with.
“He was a man I met so many times, had the privilege to share many a great conversation with, a man that always texted me before games wishing me luck, a man that through the well documented tough times off the field always let me know how brave I was standing by my beliefs, that I never was alone because I had his support and backing always.
“You will be sorely missed Martin, a great leader, a great hero and above all a great man. I’m thinking of all your loved ones. Beannacht agus buíochas a ghabháil leat mo chara.”
McClean is also mourning former team-mate Ryan McBride who passed away at the weekend.
Condolences have also been offered by Dick Spring on behalf of Irish Rugby.
Spring, chair of the 2023 World Cup bid, said: “Martin was an unwavering and enthusiastic supporter of Ireland’s on-going bid to bring the Rugby World Cup to Ireland in 2023.
“His contribution was significant, particularly in assisting us to launch our bid, and is greatly appreciated.
“Martin’s work in relation to peace and reconciliation has ensured we live in a progressive, peaceful and universally admired society, where we respect our differences and work together for all.
“On behalf of those involved with the 2023 project I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Martin’s family.”
Poopy should have read Poppy, Freudian slip.
https://twitter.com/celticfc/status/844148014117765121
Very sad news about Martin McGuinness.
Being born in 1971,since I became aware of politics Martin has always been there,one of those names and faces who was ever present in my political landscape.Even at a young age I knew he must have been doing something right as he was so disliked by the Brits.Sad that he’s no longer with us.His part in Ireland’s history will never fade.
RIP Martin McGuinness,son of Ireland.
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821 on 21ST MARCH 2017 11:15 AM
MACJAY1 for Neil Lennon on 21st March 2017 10:04 am
For you , mate , one strike and he was out .
No ?
Circular conversation
I will remember Kris with great affection.
You won`t.
Such is life.
The Tim Reaper.
That link reflects well on the work the Foundation do and on the Celtic support.
So sorry to read about your Mum Tony.
Thoughts are with you.
Re Kris Commons, a great Celtic player, a credit to the Club both on and off the field.
Yes he reacted angrily against Ronny, I believe Jinky once did something similar with Jock.
For a Celtic Supporter to single out that one incident & allow it to overshadow his 147 appearances & his 64 goals for the Club is unbelievable to my mind.
Love Kris for what he did on the field, Love both him & Lisa for what they did off the field, for the tremendous support they gave to Wee Oscar & the Knox family.
They will never be forgotten by this Celt anyway.
Was going to cogratulate JJ on being the top dog in GFS and apologise for teasing him about his final selection but it appears he has now well and truly outed himself as a spy fae the darkside with his questioning of our refs impartiality!
HH JJ! :)
THOMTHETHIM FOR OSCAR OK on 21ST MARCH 2017 11:23 AM
Apropos of nothing at all, but in my youth, the Tories were known as the Conservative and Unionist Party.
##
That’s still their Sunday name.
The Unionist part came about from their opposition to Irish Home Rule.
Too much happening to folk on here now.
Its a worry when names dont appear for a while.
Not seen Dena or Clougher on lately either so hope they are fine.
Lots more missing….hope yous are all fine as well.
Stop by and say hi to us all.
HH
CORKCELT on 21ST MARCH 2017 11:26 AM
There’s a nice obituary in today’s Guardian.
###
Tough-minded, abrupt, likable, human: Martin McGuinness
Alastair Campbell
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/21/martin-mcguinness-alastair-campbell
The article from Alastair Campbell was first-class.
There is another one in the same site. Seems his conversion to peace began with the Loughgall funerals. He’d had it with tit-for-tat,and even spectaculars.
No winners,and he may have been the first to realise that.
R I P. You’ll be remembered for your courage,your smarts,but maybe most of all for your pragmatism.
Tony Donnelly, sorry for your loss. Keep those happy memories, they come in handy buddy.
YNWA
Jock Stein and Jimmy Johnstone had a relationship that could only be described as Father and Son, despite admittedly being terrified of Stein, Jimmy took liberties with the big man that others dared not to. Perhaps most famous of all was the time Jimmy was substituted in a league game in October 1968 against Dundee Utd at Celtic Park. Jimmy was replaced by George Connelly and upon leaving the field Jimmy threw his shirt at Stein in disgust. It hit the big man in the face and Jimmy had to escape up the tunnel with Stein in hot pursuit of him. Despite that, Stein loved him dearly despite any of his faults and Jock’s motivation of Jimmy drove him to a higher level than he could ever dream of.
@CelticWiki
BMCUWP
“Three terms which are mainly relevant in Irish politics. Which kinda backs up the point.”
What you forget is the underlying loyalist unionist politics of Scotland. Check out how the parties now the the Orange loyalist unionist demographic.
As for republicans with relevance to Scottish politics they are few and far between. But it is the Irish republican sympathiser who is happy to be ruled by Westmonster and be a plaeb of queen and country that the irony of the phraseology is targeted at. Yip guys like you.
Kinda doesn’t back your point.
Anyways my original rewritten was a wee humorous dig at the loyalist unionist reoublicans and I had promised myself to refrain from the Indy debate on this blog this time round after all the crap that helped bring the blog down last time round. So I retract what was meant as a humorous dig and will carry on now without reference to the loyalist unionist republicans and the loyalist independence campaign.
MWD
Conservative and Unionist Party: The Unionist part came about due to their opposition to Irish Home Rule.
Labour and Unionist Party: The Unionist part came about due to their opposition to Scottish Independence.
new article posted.
Corkcelt-Kris has scored 91 goals for us,great return for 300k,and not a striker HH
Wtf is going on on the new article?
I’ve got to go through security checks which took five minutes before I gave up.
Captcha or summat?
Oh dear…
Following the death of Martin McGuinness I see there’s a number of photographs in today’s papers of him alongside the current leader of the Labour Party.
Photographs taken when McGuinness was still something of a political pariah.
BMCUWP
New Poduim handicapping system ;)