I like Scott Brown and Leigh Griffiths’ reactions to our recent adversity. It says a lot about them. They both personalise responsibility for what happens next, this is an important part of recovery – and success.
A week ago I wrote that the League Cup semi against Ross County was the biggest game in the rest of our season, and that it wasn’t a game I’d bet on. It provided the toxicity cup football can generate, creating a crisis mentality which rolled into Aberdeen on Wednesday.
This psychological phenomenon has to end now. Feel free to put a date in June in the diary to get back to it. We are in a genuine league title contest, something you and I talked about as a great thing for Scottish football not so long ago. We have no God given right to be miles ahead of anyone. We are here because we’ve made mistakes and an opponent stepped up. Welcome to Celtic.
If you want to open an inquest when the patient catches a cold, knock yourself out, but I’m not up for it. If we want this title, we circle the wagons and give the manager and players the encouragement they need to get the job done (and, erm, that includes you, ‘Phyllis’). You can be sure Aberdeen fans will do nothing less.
Tomorrow the focus switches to Perth, where Aberdeen take on St Johnstone. They won their first 8 league games this season, but the wheels came off the tractor immediately after their most important victory away from home – at Tynecastle. Next up was a League Cup game against Hibs, the loss of which plunged them into a five-week chasm.
They are a team who get notoriously nervous just when they begin to think they are in with a chance. We’ll see what Tommy Wright does with them tomorrow.
Enjoy your football. Enjoy this league race, the challenge and the disappointments. Enjoy that thrill when a goal goes against Aberdeen, or the downer when they score. It will make the finale all the more rewarding, I promise you.
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Hamiltontim on 6th February 2016 12:34 am
Aye. It’s not hard mate. You go to the game (or don’t) support those wearing the hoops and talk (and type) about what’s right or wrong with the team you love. Simple.
Sevco, playing in the Chanpionship where there are a few more fodder clubs than in the Premiership, have played one game less than us in the league. They have scored 65 league goals and we have scored 64. They have conceded 16 and we have conceded 21. The stats are fairly similar but they have a slight edge playing against much weaker teams.
Yet the narrative is, proposed by many of our own such as Macca, that they are successful, entertaining and keeping their fans happy with a promising young manager while we are a shambles and in need of drastic action including the sacking of our young manager.
Two similar scenarios- two vastly different evaluations.
Then again- the subs in the Aberdeen game. We brought on 3- only Kazim Richards made an impact though he could have had a red card to spoil that effort. The other two did nothing. James Forrest’s only noticeable contribution was to balloon a cross up into the night sky and well out of play. Scott Allan’s only contribution was to send a slip pass (to JF) well out of play – so hard hit that Usain would not have reached it.
Yet the verdict is – punt JF and Scott Allan must start the next game. Two similar performances- two vastly different interpretations.
I am well aware of the majority opinion on RD and JF but i have to say that a compelling case has not been made other than we’re fed up with the old bling and we want new bling. We’ve been singing that same song through the WGS and NFL eras too.
My prediction is that, as soon as there is an Ibrox club in the top division with us, our dissatisfied support will forget all about Board issues, lack of a £5m forward, being entertained on the pitch, and even European credibility, because the O** F*** thinking will re-assert itself and they will flock back because we’ve got to beat them.
It is so sad,but, I fear, will be proven true next year.
Macjay
Stuff your Kpi’s it’s nearly 1am in darkest North Lanarkshire so bedtime for me, hope you and your mob are well and hope you enjoy Ronny going for his 6th title next season……
(Poor Ronny I have now jinxed him)
Macjay don’t read back or you will find out that a few Cqners are on Warbos Winkers to beat their Ayrshire brothers
Cqn take care God bless and good night
TONTINE TIM on 6TH FEBRUARY 2016 12:41 AM
Hamiltontim on 6th February 2016 12:01 am
TONTINE TIM on 5TH FEBRUARY 2016 11:47 PM
Have you ever spoken to anyone employed at Celtic who has had direct dealings with Peter Lawell?
*naw but I got talking to a massive Tim over here, who has been in the boardroom on many occasions and in an official capacity, after the “Strachan Strachan GTF” game and asked him what was going wrong at Parkheid.
His response was that WGS wisnae a Celtic mhan. Wonder if like big Rod he heard that in the boardroom.
——-
So you haven’t?
Respectfully, before sticking up for Peter it might be worth speaking to one of the employees at Celtic who deal with him regularly and then make such posts TT.
Roaming and I’m foaming with a lame duck to be canned
Roamin in the gloamin with a geriatric band
and when the music stops, F***ing come and buy some stocks
oh its good to be a Roman candle.
Nae quiz
Nae music.
Nae infighting.
Nae name calling.
Nae square sausage or slice tribalism.
The most boring cqn ever.
Narrated by father Austin purcell
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 6TH FEBRUARY 2016 12:42 AM
HT
Narrow minded ? If you have a different opinion OK with that
If the “away” fans have turned fair play, you will know more about that than me, am just speaking about Celtic in general and for me there has been worse times than this, apologies for not having the same view but lumping everybody that doesn’t have the same view as narrow minded is a bit cheap unless everybody should have the same view
——
I was referring to those who criticise genuine Celtic supporters who vent on a blog.
I think you’ve missed my point.
Tontime Tim,
Small world indeed. Faughart is a lovely spot, a lovely grotto/shrine. They hold an annual Camino from there too.
You should look it up. Connected to Scotland too, Edward the Bruce was defeated there a couple of years after Bannockburn.
Night
Saint Stivs says SACK THE BOARD on 6th February 2016 12:57 am
Down with that sort of thing!
Man utd in talks with Jose. Dear oh dear.
Michael O’Neil or Ronny. ?
The more the MSM , former players Et al attack Ronny and Celtic the more I hope to God that Ronny succeeds. I will certainly give him my support .
I have always wondered how you. ( Hamilton Tim) find time for all that you do. The effort you put in on behalf of our club is amazing. You will be pleased to hear that we will never agree on many aspects, but nevertheless I salute you.
Hail, Hail to all, especially to those who physically make the effort.
My dearest genuine Celtic supporters! How are you? I was just thinking on how much Glasgow Celtic means to me philosophically, morally, politically,historically and culturally. Actually. Apologies. I wizny. Go ahead and continue blethering.
As much as I’ve disagreed with RDs tactics and anti Celtic style of football we are now in a dog fight for the title. Not winning the league is unthinkable therefore let’s put aside all differences until the season is over. Get the job done Celtic.
HT 12.59am
Not the first and won’t be the last time I get things wrong
All kidding aside, my nephews and some family and friends want that mob back, not me, but am afraid Cqn is a tiny element of the wider Celtic support……my young nephews grew up in the Ebt time and they feel cheated they haven’t witnessed us hammering them, they will be back next season and Celtic Park will be busier….. It’s the nature of the beast, I just want Ronny to keep winning trophies and hopefully as a young team we grow and winning breeds winning
Defo bedtime…… Enjoy the good times as the bad times aren’t as good
HamiltonTim
Dont let the bastards grind you down. You’re one of the good guys.
Logging off noo before the southern hemisphere soor plooms come on but before I go I’ll be up early tae watch Man City/Leicester, won’t even bother about the early SC game as it’ll be like when they played FCM, only difference is that I do believe the Steelmen board actually cared but their wee torn faced manager didnae which is mibbees why he’s oot of a job. The knights templar board won’t.
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 6TH FEBRUARY 2016 12:53 AM
Macjay
All good here,mate.
Thanks for asking.
K.P.I.`s ?
Just using the parlance of Ronnies ragers.
Warbo ? I will be reading back,mate.
Keeps me amused.
Maggie
I don’t. Hence me choosing to ignore more often than not.
But genuinely thank you. I’m not of the lily livered variety and I don’t post in the desire for affirmation. But occasionally it is nice for someone to recognise that I’m trying to reintroduce Pluto as a planet! :-)
I am disgusted at the way DD and PL run the club.. Not surprised at mess RD has made but after all that I LOVE Celtic.. and always will. it is what connects me with thousands of people. Never to be down trodden.. with the hope odf some entertainment and glory. Favourite Celtic moment . TB being interviewed at Hampden in Centenary cup final. when asked what it means to him… he looked at the fans ………….that said it all… ps I still have sun burn marks from that day!
ps and what we need is a dom sullivan to hold midfield in shape! or a Pat Stanton for a season
As your resident Ross County supporter I find myself a guy with mixed feelings.
Today, however, reading the commentary in the sports section of “The Highland News”, Dingwall edition is called the “North Star”, I was provoked to rage. The opinion was written by an obvious Caley fan with latent Hun tendencies. Patronising Ross County along with their made-up “history”….the gudgie went on about “old firm” etc….. and was going on about, ” Dermot from Drumchapel”….was upset. I’m typing this from a phone…meant earlier to check if this P+sh was on their website….but better things to do so far this evening -. And now in my own house! Having to resort to a phone….but anything for a quiet life.
What I’m trying to say, is, when you read this stuff……makes me understand what you boys have to put up with.
LENNON’S PASSION on 5TH FEBRUARY 2016 8:12 PM
Michael Oneil will be next manager after Euro finals. You heard it here first.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Did you read that in the Belfast telegraph?
Celtic News or Lazy Journalism?
HH
Alasdair MacLean on 6th February 2016 1:54 am
Congratulations on your win, Al.
I have no probs. whatsoever with the result and I have lots of time for the heilans and heilanders.
Nice to see some success come your and their way.
As for the ref.
Ay.There`s the rub.
Sneaky and crafty. Hun agenda.
Gudgie? Teuchter word?
that was on e of my mums uncle’s name. just need his brothers Patrick and Jame s there to help… Day before big Orange Walk their neighbour was high wizard , or whatever they are called, and had a white horse stabled in back yard. in middle of the night they snuck in and painted green hoops on it… cue mayhem in morning and the bastard had ti ride a brown one!
Alasdair,
Respect. Also congrats on yer win. You have a determined young Manager and he knows where he will get good young players, like he says, players that have been given an excellent grounding.
Sorry, @ 1.03 am earlier should have stated ” you will no doubt be unsurprised” rather than pleased.
HH.
MacJay,
Gudgie is a Cant (tink) word for a “guy”. They’ve said in Dingwall since day dot, but also heard in Glasgow an Newcastle.
Because Dingwall was the market town of Ross-shire, lots of travelling folks settled here in the 50s ish – and the accent and words assimilated – which is why the snobby, history-less Caley fans sing, “the wheels on yopur house go round and round”.
Alasdair MacLean on 6th February 2016 2:17 am
Thanks,pal.
Sorry,but I find myself amused by their song.
Insults used to be the stuff of humour.
Celtic clap clap clap ( cha cha cha ) in the early `60s priced the hun response………………
Celtic ha ha ha .
I`m afraid they had a point.
And then Jock the messiah arrived.
Maradominic. One of my favourite and probably stupid moments was painting the roads around drum chapel before an orange walk. Still can’t believe I got away with that.
Maradominic on 6th February 2016 2:07 am
Love it.
Although not off the travelling folk, apart from one gg granny, I’m proud of their heritage. Despised people by the….almost everyone…..their heritage musically and by verse….goes back way beyond….today’s pish.! I’m on a phone but there was a book written about the Highland Tinkers. It is called the Summer Walkers. The boy from RunRig was so impressed by the book he wrote a song about it. Just do youtube and search it. Runrig Summer Walkers. I’m right beside the Conon writing this – the river in the last verse….
NegAnon2,
Good to see you on at this Time.
I don’t think I’ve seen you drop a Tune before.
Any chance of a drop. ;))
Inspirational Carpets
Your Word is powerful.
And byrraway….
I DO laugh at the Caley fans’ efforts!
Just…gies a NEW one…
Petec
Sorry, just noticed your acknowledgement. Hope you’re fine son.
Alasdair,
Thanks, I’m alright.
You need to keep a hold of Jim for as long as possible. :)
I’d love it if yer team gets in to Europe soon, that Aberdeen mob are getting stronger from what I can see and will be an obstacle.
Mair Respect
Alasdair
Well.
I used tae ken a wee song ca`ed the Highland Tinker.
Oh the mistress of the manor was preparing for a ball
When she saw the highland tinker………………………
Bit of decorum ,old chap.
Conon river.
Bet you it`s lovely.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/River+Conon,+Highland,+UK/@57.8971392,-6.0168905,8z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x488fa7fbc9e55395:0xa50c258413bbb151
MacJay,
For the first time…I have to take exception to your tone…
Decorum?
I detest these patronising insulting 60s boring “lHighland tinker” songs sung in an era where they were irrelevant to Any kind of real musical genre.
Scotland has got rid of that pish.
I think you should get back and see what real music is all about.
Julie Fowlis forever.