This midweek has gone just about perfectly. Yesterday I asked that we pick a team to win the game, but play Griffiths, Armstrong, Roberts, McGregor, Izaguirre and Gamboa. All played, as did Christie and Henderson. And we recorded a remarkable 0-4 away win.
Meanwhile, in the land of the also-rans, our four nearest ‘challengers’ all dropped points. It’s still early days, but this league’s turning into a procession. Embarrassingly so, for some.
After opening the scoring within three minutes it wasn’t the most fluid of performances from Celtic, but an incredible eight outfield changes will result in a lack of familiarity. What the outfield players lacked, Craig Gordon more than made up for. He made three excellent saves, extending his run of fine performances since returning to the team against Kilmarnock last month.
Will the biggest impact Dorus de Vries has at Celtic be on the form of Craig Gordon? Don’t bet against it.
The Scottish Premiership table is in one of those bizarre states, where the (game-in-hand adjusted) gap between first and second is larger than that between second and second bottom. The transformation which has taken place in a team already five-in-a-row champions is remarkable, eclipsed in recent history only by the turnaround which took place in 2000.
Last night I read a lot of pennies dropping; specifically there was an acceptance that there was a significant financial gap between Celtic and the newly promoted Championship winners. There are a couple of worthwhile observations to make on this issue:
The financial gap which funded this season’s business is a fraction of what it will be next year, when Celtic will have banked circa £50m more than any other Scottish club. That will be around twice the gap they went into the last transfer window with.
Whatever you think about Mark Warburton’s claims that he’s closing the on-field gap, the structural deficit gap is becoming oceanic.
I again read people digging Dave King up about a perceived lack of his promised overinvestment. What’s going on at Ibrox right now IS overinvestment. The signings of Barton, Senderos, Kranjcar, Rossiter, Gilks, Hill, Hodson and Garner were designed to give them the advantage they needed over a team they eliminated from the Scottish Cup last season.
The accounts when published in 2018 will prove this. Or I should say if published. Not every team survives long enough to publish accounts, lest we forget.
For them, winning the league is evidently not going to happen, but if this week’s results teach us anything, it’s that the European qualification places (second and third) are wide open. For a team spending more than their direct rivals combined, that should be an achievable target.
The real problems come when the overinvestment has to stop and budget is cut.
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BABASONICOS71 on 28th October 2016 4:03 am
:))
Time efter Time
RIP
Bodyguard.CSC
Message?
BABASONICOS71 on 28TH OCTOBER 2016 3:37 AM
MACJAY…
;)))
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ufR6HHthnBw#
=================================================
Mate.
Thanks for that.
I`m a purist .
This is the original version.
Wasn`t easy to find.
Thanks again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcynCA1s4b4
These dudes urnae in the Divine Council.
Howevaaaah.
They are really Great to me. CQN
I’d love to get in to that CQN clicque of picking a team alongside Jobo. A Big ask I know. It is ridiculous for me to ask to do so, as I have never entered any of the LMS Fund Raisers – Sorry.
I need Help. I need others to Promote Christ whenever they can. I mean Him Taking away Everyones Sin.
Talk to Your Father whenever you want. I told Aidan I’m just his Dad very EARLY.
I’m Just his Dad, The Father is what Yeshuah pointed to.
God Stepped into his own Creation, and conquered DEATH.
I Love Celtic, I Love Kev Jungle more than Anyone on this site because of one throw away comment. That just sounds ridiculous.
God Bless the CELTS.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon on 28th October 2016 5:01 am
Seems like the play Adopted by the Upper echelons of the EPL.
Liverpool and Spurs made for very poor viewing.
Need a Clever player to Stop Time for a second whilst the Rushers keep rushing.
BMG had very intelligent play, on and off the ball.
We were Blessed to play such a Good Team.
A lot to Learn from.
Incl BR
BMG were oot there, the whole lot of them, as me and the wee guy got to our seats – The Celts came out a lot later than the BMG.
He commented that they looked Superb with their one touch stuff…. I was too busy looking Elsewhere, When I looked they invariably fecked up.
If he is saying it, and he is a cracking wee analyst of fitba, then I just knew it was gonnae be a really tough night.
Respect to the BMG Supporters beside us. They didnae Celebrate. I should have talked to them a bit before the game kicked off. TBH I didn’t expect so many BMG fans in beside us. I didn’t expect 1. LOL
Next Season we will do well in the CL – I’m hoping for Something Good to HAPPEN in Germany.
;)
BMG won’t underestimate Celtic. Of that there is No Doubt.
The BMG Supporters were oot with their Cameras, they were Absolutely Loving Celtic Park.
Keep the Faith.
Celtic Can Win in Germany.
1 game.
1 Belief.
We have a poor record away in Europe.
The selection on Saturday is gonnae be scrutinised intensely.
A convincing Win is there because of the INTENSITY of the Celtic players selected to wear the Greatest Fitba Top ever, Real Madrid does come a close 2nd.
Brendan is ADAMANT that Celtic are one of the GREATEST Clubs in the World.
I like Roy Keane… He said that Celtic should start……………………
Get as many Scots and Irish in that Team whilst we bring in the Millions from the CL.
That is covered. Incoming. :))
TommyB.CSC
Maybe so
Brendan Rodgers
;))
No Wonder the Celts in the media, on BT Sport, are tearing them apart with Intelligence. Those guys were Cheated out of so many Medals.
Brendan is not Rubbing it in…. He is massaging it Right into them.
5 Celtic goals @ Ibrokes would be a sort of exorcism for when I went there for the only ever game. I stayed to the end with the scum above us.
I got a Passport for the first Time in a long Time.
I Hope the Lord lets me and the Bhoy go to a European game away next year.
He is mad about Celtic.
I blame his Grandads.
I’m not fussy, CL or EL. :))
nuff said
His other Granda regularly drunk in Big Billy’s pub of Victoria Road.
My DAD is just so into Celtic its never been fully appreciated by me.
Arthur, as I was dropping him off @ the Pub last Monday, he laughed after I replied to him that Aidan doesn’t tell me anything.
He was asking how Aidan was doing in 5th year.
I told the Olde Fella to ask him directly, I will then get the info, He Loves his Gran and Granda so much.
Dad laughed that I was a nightmare about answering questions, I know I was a horrible Son, the Greatest Man Ever and I was being ME.
It is Great getting Home and Aidan telling Dad all the Gen about the Celts play, I even chip in with comments now. It is much better coming from his Superb Grandson.
Be like little Children in yer Understanding
Word of The Day (inspired by Joseph Anthony and his effect on Warbiola)
Expand
Oppidan /ˈɒpɪdən/
adjective
1. of a town; urban
noun
2. a person living in a town
Word Origin
C16: from Latin oppidānus, from oppidum town
KTF
Oops, ignore the inspiration for WOTD!
Teardrops
BELFAST
Good morning friends and a Big Happy Friday from a broken clouded, dry and calm East Kilbride.
1. TURKEYBHOY on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 10:39 PM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 10:16 PM
NATKNOW on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 9:33 PM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 9:19 PM
If the identity of the individual who threw the bottle is unknown , then his club allegiance ,assuming he has one , is also unknown and should not be assumed.
I said this at the time.The last kid bottled on their supporters bus was,an open and shut case for days.turns out it was one of their own thrown off the bus who threw it.They lied to the police to try and cover up.
_______________________________________________________
I wrote earlier in the week that it seemed pretty likely that the bottle had come from the pub. Having seen pictures now and the reports of what was going on, I will retract that and wait to see if an arrest is in fact made!
KTF
Rascar Capac on 28th October 2016 12:53 am
So who would have gone in goals, had Gordon been sent off?
I think you need the most mental guy.
_________________________________________________
That would be Lustig then!
KTF
Unseen Zones
The Prince of the Air is obviously Satan.
Whats going on?
Good Moaning.
I will leave you all alone now.
HH.
Not sure how I feel about the Scott Brown return for Scotland.
Selfishly want him to stay on top form for Celtic, his bread and butter (and mine). But…..I want Scotland to do well, and he is without doubt better than any of his midfield competition (except maybe Andy Halliday…… ;-) ).
Think it likely we will lose to Engerland, and with Broony and Grif in the team guess where the SMSM will apportion blame….?
Ah mean,….ach,….never mind.
Morning bhoys from a dry but overcast Central Scotland. Well if it is correct that Broonie is going to return to playing for Scotland I believe he is making a big mistake his form this season has been great and we must take into account he is getting older and rest between games is very important.In my opinion he gets enough games in a season playing for Celtic without trying to shore up a poor Scotland team. H.H.
YES!! Saturday tomorrow which means two things:
1) Celtic are playing; and
2) I am allowed carbs.
I’m not sure which I am more excited about. Only joking…
Tattie scones here I come…
Morning all …
How did Andy Lynch do in the 6’s last night…..?
Broonie for a Scotland return .. not for me, keep resting up captain …
JOE FILIPPIS HAIRCUT on 28TH OCTOBER 2016 8:52 AM
without trying to shore up a poor Scotland team. H.H.
================================================
That might just be his principle motivating factor.
Loyalty to Jockland and to wee Gordon.
I couldn`t fault him for either of those reasons. Or both.
On third thoughts.
Maybe Broony just fancies sticking it to the Poms.
Don’t do it Broonie, your form and energy are better now than ever, not a coincidence it’s when you chucked the SFA 11…….
Mibbe Gordon lets Broonie oot for the odd kebab…
Just caught up on the away ticket debate last night.
Spent roughly 20 years on and off as a regular away game supporter but now tend to just pick up tickets for the games that never sell out (Killie,Motherwell)
Unfortunately the allocation of away tickets will never be resolved as there will always be supporters who think it unfair regardless of what’s in place.
I never travelled as part of a club so always thought it unfair that clubs ‘appeared’ to be first in line for tickets. I still think it’s the case that clubs take full allocations for games where they won’t have a full bus in order to keep their numbers up when it comes to being allocated tickets for the likes of Tynecastle and Pittodrie. Hence the reason you can get tickets outside many grounds despite the away allocation being sold out.
Strangely I don’t recall any complaints about the allocation of tickets for last weeks semi-final. The ballot saw supporters on the home cup ticket scheme who attended the Alloa game in ballot 1. Supporters who attended both Alloa and Motherwell were 2nd choice. Fair? If you attend 1 LC game you’re ahead of those who attended 2?
Hamiltontim
I will bow to your superior knowledge of away ticket allocation but if I can quote you from last night:
‘Hamiltontim on 27th October 2016 10:03 pm
TTR
The current system is as fair as it’s ever been. In days gone by the allocation of tickets was often a shambles. Ask JP he was working in the TO office at the time. In fairness to him he tried his best to ensure that genuine supporters who attended most often were given tickets.’
I’m sorry, I just don’t get the JPT love in. He was MANAGER of the ticket office WHEN it was a shambles.
No news outlet has stated how they have come by the info that Brown will play for Scotland again. No mention of “SFA insiders” or “sources close to Brown”. Yet they all carry the quotes which explain why Brown retired.
If Brown doesn’t do a u-turn afterall, will he be vilified?
Sorry, just noticed that DR carry quotes from the “sources”.
DAVIDOPOULOS on 28TH OCTOBER 2016 9:52 AM
No news outlet has stated how they have come by the info that Brown will play for Scotland again. No mention of “SFA insiders” or “sources close to Brown”. Yet they all carry the quotes which explain why Brown retired.
If Brown doesn’t do a u-turn afterall, will he be vilified?
=================
So the day before another huge game the press are at it??
No quotes direct from Scott just nonsense to get his head elsewhere??
Until Scott comes out and says yes or no to Scotland its all bollocks and we are again being manipulated by the media, in scotland,
At the moment Scott has said no to Scotland but that can change.