The players would have had a light training session at Lennoxtown today as muscles continue to refill after Wednesday night’s exertions. Expectations of Celtic in the Champions League are not high, and were exceptionally low when this group was drawn, but even so, these games have a huge financial, physical and even emotional impact on every area of the club.
One argument suggests the last thing we need is a cup semi-final four days after a Champions League outing. An alternative thought is that this is the perfect game for Celtic right now. Memories linger of sitting stressfully at Fir Park days after Celtic beat the reigning European Champions, Milan, as (subsequently liquidated) Grenta held onto a lead until the 87th minute.
While playing (subsequently liquidated) Rangers away 64 hours after winning a Uefa Cup semi-final 1200 miles from home in 2003 proved to be the perfect game to instil steel into the legs.
With what passes as a fully fit squad, Brendan has choices to make for Sunday. Did Patrick Roberts do enough off the bench against Borussia to justify a start? Perhaps. He’s a player who owes us one at Hamden too.
Callum McGregor will also fancy his chances ahead of Nir Bitton, who didn’t have a great Scottish Cup semi-final against the same opponents in April.
It would be a huge surprise if Moussa Dembele didn’t start as the lone forward, despite Leigh Griffiths itching to get on alongside him. Brendan will not change formation for this game, while Moussa will fancy his chances against a defence he punished to ruthlessly last month.
For me, our two most important players on Sunday will be Scott Sinclair and Tom Rogic. They are the epitome of the modern footballer, strong, skilful, intelligent and difficult to defend against. If we can get them on the ball often enough we’ll score a lot of goals.
Pretty much every Celtic fan I know expects Mark Warburton to have learned a lesson from his Celtic Park whipping and for him to deploy a more defensively-minded team this time. My Newco pals don’t expect this to happen. Warburton hasn’t varied his game-plan since arriving at the club and is apparently reluctant to start experimenting now.
He took his team to Hampden to face Celtic against similarly long odds last season. Within minutes we knew we were in a game, and despite the clear chasm between the teams, it was Newco who faced Hibs in the Scottish Cup final.
A repeat of the 5-1 win at Celtic Park is possible, but you’ve seen enough football to know that nothing can be taken for granted on Sunday. Remember that Newco came close to levelling that 5-1 game at 2-2 early in the second half, and the latter part of their collapse came after going down to 10 men.
I’m off later to meet those from the Tyneside No. 1 and friends, who have walked (yes, WALKED), from Merthyr Tydfil and will reach Doherty’s Bar in Hamilton this afternoon. They’ve pretty much walked a marathon a day for 13 days and will make the final journey to Celtic Park tomorrow.
This herculean effort has been made to mark the memory of Jonathan Thomas, who aged 30 lost his biggest fight one year ago tomorrow.
We’re lucky as Celtic fans that we get to meet and read about people who do these things in our name. It’ll take you 2 minutes to let them know how inspiring they are here.
It’s also worth marking the events in Aberfan, the village a few miles from Merthyr Tydfil which was visited by unimaginable tragedy 50 years ago today.
John Humphrys: What we owe the people of Aberfan 50 years after tragedy struck the village, and why it shows authority must be challenged. pic.twitter.com/OdjyaAGTsQ
— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) October 21, 2016
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Hi Bhoys,
I’m on holiday with the Mrs wanting times to meet. Can anyone tell me in the extremely unlikely event of a draw, will there be extra time and penalties?
By the way, I’m going for six plus.
HH
Anyhoo aff tae ma scratcher. Mass then meet Almore in Coias. Then pump the Huns!
Sunday hat trick!
FAC the Act
KTF
Don’t tell BobM but his sample bottle was used the day I went to the sperm bank. Took me a while to fill it.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS / HT / DD / MATT
—-
Just finished last few pages – relieved to see that the two tickets have found nice homes.
Apologies again, HT, for the hassle I caused – much appreciate your help, and that of BT.
Bobby – say hello to big Ian for me – tell him Plains is still the same – wall-to-wall Celtic. He missed a great 50th wedding anniversary gig me and the band did for Pat Lynch a couple of weeks ago in St David’s chapel hall.
HH
BGFC
( *** does anybody have any spare for Aberdeen next week ???? :-) *** )
Crap – just saw the time – beddy-by-baws for me – need to meet BT tomorrow after 10:00 am mass in Blantyre!
HH
BGFC
Mars
Beagle2 failed. Sevco is going to fail.
Strip Murray and jail the Cheat.
ACGR. 127
I did indeed,bud. And very grateful too.
I thought I had made plain your generosity while I was telling the world about your own version of chanty wrasslin.
For the avoidance of doubt,a man whose generosity is beyond measure,a man who wouldnae know a measure smaller than a bliddy large glass,and which is only matched by his wit and wisdom.
That’s the price of a bottle of Ardmore you owe me,git(!)
Parkhead, Parkheid, Celtic Park – PARADISE.
Paradise City
Petec
Not sure if it was for me but I quite like “Gerryintothem”
No more you will hear the seagulls cry….
CELTIC7
Only a Hun would even suggest extra-time!
Seriously,try The Queen’s Park Cafe or Brazen Head.
Hope you and the missus have a great time,bud.
Too many looking for a repeat of a few weeks ago . Make no mistake ,Thompson has been hand picked to make sure it doesn,t happen again . One sleekit individual .
How much is the discount for the sevco debacle for ST holders?
Mags
Semi final… all 4 teams pay the same then split four ways ( I could be wrong)
GFTB
..and Celtic PLC are going to donate their quarter to which charity?
Forgot to get the poppadoms….substituted them wee cream crackers. . Dipped in home made madras….magic.
Hail hail
Matt
Agree wi Jimtim.
Danger tomorrow is Thomson. Cheatin, sleekit ref.
DELANEYSDUNKY
As suggested by PETEC,too.
Meet the New Firm
Same as the Old firm.
I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new resolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again
Don’t get fooled again
No, no!
Whats the latest on Asbestosbrox?
MARGARET MCGILL on 23RD OCTOBER 2016 2:15 AM
Whats the latest on Asbestosbrox?
==========================================
Mesothelioma.
Macjay
Is that the abestos you can come up with? :)
MARGARET MCGILL on 23RD OCTOBER 2016 2:50 AM
Macjay
Is that the abestos you can come up with? :)
===========================================
Make allowances , pal
I have`nt had my first grog of the day.
A state of affairs soon to be remedied.
:-)
..
Surprised this post Never got One comment last night..【ツ】
Best Football Contract Ever Signed..
..
9. In consideration of the services and of the observance by the Player of the terms of this agreement the Club shall pay to the Player the sum of…. Twelve Pounds….(£12: : ) per week from…. 30th May 1953. to the termination hereof.
Twelve Pounds (£12) per week in the playing season and Eleven Pounds (£11) per week in the closed season with an-additional Two Pounds (£2) per week when playing in the First Team subject to a bonus of One Pound (£1) per point when playing in the First Team and Ten Shillings per point when playing in the Second Team.
10. This Agreement shall expire (unless Same is sooner terminated under Articles 3rd, 7th, or 8th hereof) on the…. 31st…. day of July….Nineteen hundred and….Fifty-Four….(54)
Summa
SUMMA OF SAMMI…. on 23RD OCTOBER 2016 3:14 AM
..
Surprised this post Never got One comment last night..【ツ】
===============================================
Mate.
I celebrate when nobody comments on my posts.
30th May 1953 Aaaah . Think I got it .
Big Jock ?
Haw…………………………..BobM………………………………………..:_)
ha ha and HH bruv
..
Celtic Vs Rangers Hampden Park 19th October 1957..
Attendance 90,185
Total Cash drawn at Gate, £7,154-14s-3d
Entrance: Stands 2/- Enclosure 1/-
Summa
SUMMA OF SAMMI…. on 23RD OCTOBER 2016 3:27 AM
Without me , 90,184.
My first hun game.
SUMMA OF SAMMI…. on 23RD OCTOBER 2016 3:27 AM
Without me , 90,184.
Not sure about the prices you quote.
My first hun game.
Sixpence for a program .
Shilling for the enclosure ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rangers-v-Celtic-26th-September-1955-Glasgow-Cup-Final-Programme-/201690104895
..
FAO HamiltonTim..
Celtic FC Supporters Association
1955 Annual
Celtic~Rangers Dance Kirkintilloch
Pic of Dance Titled ‘The Old Firm – Get together
2nd Pic Titled Members of Celtic and Rangers Executive Councils present. Included in Pic are Messers Campbell, Delaney, and Mooney.
Summa
Ps.. The Aforementioned pic of Old Firm Dance must have been took at the Rangers end.. lol
..
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 23RD OCTOBER 2016 3:34 AM
Sixpence for a program .
Shilling for the enclosure?
..
Yes indeed.. I’ll email You the Programme since it was Your first match..
Was it Your last..? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Summa
..
Let’s get rid of the Football Rowdies
Article in Celtic Supporters Association Annual 1955
By Jimmy Moran
(Sports Editor Scottish Daily Mail) 1955
‘ In spite of a Herculean efforts by thee various Supporters Associations, Who have, and there can be no disputing of this, the best interests of football at heart, the isolated cases of Rowdyism still keeps cropping up to bring the game into further disrepute. It seems such a pity that such a grand old game that gives pleasure to millions throughout the season should be pilloried for the misdemeanours of a few Hot-Heads who refuse to show any consideration to either old or young.
Football clubs themselves deplore these out-bursts. They know the
“Brass Hats”
always throw the blame onto them, by their orders to “Post Warning Bills.”
and should there be a recurrence, clamp down the
“Iron Hand”
and order the ground to be closed.
WHAT AN INDIGNITY
Even Celtic with their wonderful traditions have had to “Pay the Piper”
within recent years. With the result. The Club suffered, the team themselves suffered, the supporters suffered– for what? The Unruly conduct of a handful of Fanatics without whose
“Patron-age”
the game would be much better off, and, most important, the threat to human life that these idiots engender.
There can be no alibi for throwing of bottles, stones or any kind of missile, as the only people to suffer are innocent spectators not versed in the
“art”
of mob rioting. and suffer very often from crushing in the Mad Stampedes that follow such practices.. Well, all the Appeals and Talking’s that have gone on down the years have not had the desired affect, so one has to explore other avenues to find a cure– if there is one.
To be continued..( need a Beer )
Summa
Epilogue: Reading that Article I just imaging the likes of Ole OldTim.. MacJay and a few others of the ‘Olde Brigade’ of CQN sitting up the back on the Supporters Buses with their Greasy DA haircuts.. ..
Let’s get rid of the Football Rowdies
Article in Celtic Supporters Association Annual 1955
By Jimmy Moran
(Sports Editor Scottish Daily Mail) 1955
‘ In spite of a Herculean efforts by thee various Supporters Associations, Who have, and there can be no disputing of this, the best interests of football at heart, the isolated cases of Rowdyism still keeps cropping up to bring the game into further disrepute. It seems such a pity that such a grand old game that gives pleasure to millions throughout the season should be pilloried for the misdemeanours of a few Hot-Heads who refuse to show any consideration to either old or young.
Football clubs themselves deplore these out-bursts. They know the
“Brass Hats”
always throw the blame onto them, by their orders to “Post Warning Bills.”
and should there be a recurrence, clamp down the
“Iron Hand”
and order the ground to be closed.
WHAT AN INDIGNITY
Even Celtic with their wonderful traditions have had to “Pay the Piper”
within recent years. With the result. The Club suffered, the team themselves suffered, the supporters suffered– for what? The Unruly conduct of a handful of Fanatics without whose
“Patron-age”
the game would be much better off, and, most important, the threat to human life that these idiots engender.
There can be no alibi for throwing of bottles, stones or any kind of missile, as the only people to suffer are innocent spectators not versed in the
“art”
of mob rioting. and suffer very often from crushing in the Mad Stampedes that follow such practices.. Well, all the Appeals and Talking’s that have gone on down the years have not had the desired affect, so one has to explore other avenues to find a cure– if there is one.
To be continued..( need a Beer )
Summa
Epilogue: Reading that Article I can just imagine the likes of OldTim.. MacJay.. and other ‘Bhoys of the Olde Brigade’ of CQN sitting up the back of their respective Supporters Buses with their Greasy DA Haircuts.. Winkle-Pickers.. Crombie Coats.. Slugging on a Bottle of Pale Ale with a Eldorado chaser reading this Article and saying stupid Old Farts we are just having Fun.. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
©001
..
Jeezo No wonder it took age to Type..【ツ】
Beer O’Clock..
001
SUMMA OF SAMMI…. on 23RD OCTOBER 2016 3:40 AM
Shilling for the enclosure?
================================================
Sixpence for the terracing ?
Maybe ninepence ?
Last October , Motherwell and Hamilton were my last matches.
Late start tonight , but can`t miss it live.
Just can`t.
The strange thing about the 7-1 game was something I learned only recently.
Wee Bertie might well have played.
Anyone been up since 6 excited like a 6 year old on Christmas morning or is it just me??
I don’t Care what anyone says I fu**ing love these days more than any other game
It’s not anything that can be changed cause there a new club, there still a shower of rotten bastar** and there is no better feeling than beating them,
Hail hail and be safe
Morning Tims.
Busy day ahead for the shades.
Up to sunny Strathaven for young shades football this morning, then back to EK for a quick change and head off for the supporters bus to go and see the team my wee da brought me up to see.
Nice win for both would be a good pick me up after Wednesday.
Dont see to many changes to the starting 11, but perhaps start with CMCG rather than NIR, and also maybe throw Christian in against the lyers.
H.H
Be safe everyone .