Did we get a fright at Inverness last week? That’s probably overplaying it a bit, but we didn’t get our own way against a team who have already overachieved this season and are more than capable of raising their game for the big occasion.
This is a team who will have no fears of facing Celtic. They have a manager who will arrive at Hampden tomorrow with a plan to win the game.
John Hughes will not be the only one with such a plan. Ronny Deila knows this game is the most important on the roster between now and the end of the season. Only a potential Scottish Cup Final would be a bigger game. Without wanting to be disrespectful of Aberdeen’s title push, which is an arithmetical challenge only, we are two wins away from winning the treble, and Inverness are the only top flight team who are able to stop us.
It we do achieve a treble this season it will be our first in 14 years. Martin O’Neill’s triumph in 2001 was our only one in 46 years, so we have to wait a long time for these occasions. Unfortunately, it takes only 90 minutes to extinguish the opportunity. A few refereeing decisions the right way and Dundee United had us in a vulnerable place in the last round. Without absolute concentration the same could happen tomorrow and the remainder of our season would take on an exhibition-game feel.
Feeling a bit nervous now.
Keep your eye on Kris Commons, he loves Hampden.
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Long post – scroll on by if you don’t have a minute or two to spare.
There has been a lot of discussion lately of the reasons for the current level of supporter’s numbers dwindling since the days of the sainted Martin.
Suggestions range from a lack of real competition to ticket/season book prices, cheating/collusion and TV schedules. The first points have been done to death so I’ve decided to look at the TV scheduling. Does it add value to the game or is it slowly killing it?
This season has seen Celtic play a record number of games outside of a Saturday and away from the traditional 3pm kick-off time. Four home games at Celtic Park were played at the aforementioned time. Friday night football has arrived, Sunday away to Aberdeen, Inverness, and Ross County at 12.30pm etc. The consideration for the average supporter is practically non-existent. Contemptible even.
In season 2002-3, or the Seville Season, to give it it’s place, saw season book sales of circa 50, 000. This culminated in a European final although Celtic eventually ended the season trophy-less. We had some quality players who were brought to the club at great expense. The difference between that level of expenditure and support to present day is stark.
I contend that the main factor in the shrinking of Celtic is TV and the money it brings to the game …in England. For the pittance that the club receive in comparison to the English game, we have Scottish football going through the hoops to fulfil a schedule of fixtures to fit around the prime time TV spots that the English game occupies. In the long run this is unsustainable. The faithful will always try and get to the games but in time they too will see that their team cannot compete at the higher end of the game and will question the value of their commitment.
However, back to the Seville season. Celtic played some 60 competitive games. This does not include umpteen pre-season games and the winter shutdown between the games on the 2nd January and the 25th January 2003. The times and days on which the games were played at make for interesting reading. I haven’t included whether the games are home or away as Celtic have so many fans that travel a distance regardless.
League games – 10 on a Saturday and 15 on a Sunday at 3.00pm
League games – 5 on a Wednesday at 7.45pm
League games – 1 on a Saturday at 12.30 (Jags)
League games – 2 on a Thursday at 3.00pm (Christmas and NY)
The only anomaly is the league games with the dead team, as follows;
League games -Saturday at 12.30 twice and Sunday at 12.30 & 2.15pm. This is obviously to suit the TV schedules. I won’t bore you with the cup ties but one does stand out at 6.15pm on a Sunday evening – telly again!
The high number of games played on a Sunday at 3.00pm reflect the fact that we had 12 UEFA Cup ties on the preceding Thursday’s. That high figure actually surprises me as it does show a certain level of league co-operation.
So here is the rub, Celtic as a business needs to leave the desperate, poorly negotiated TV deal behind ASAP. Celtic TV needs to expand its product and offer a high quality, low cost, stream worldwide. Market it correctly and incentivise it to the end user. Buy the ‘dream’. Offer the SPFL – or whatever it will be called when the current TV deal runs out – the same titbits it currently accepts. Schedule ALL games for Saturdays at 3.00pm and Wednesdays at 7.30pm. Only play games on the Sunday when forced to by Euro participation but at a reasonable time given travel and other considerations.
The final piece of the jigsaw would be to set realistic pricing for season ticket holders. They are the lifeblood and need recognising as such. New pricing structures have to be looked at for students, unemployed and low wage earners (That list is not exhaustive). Long standing season book renewers should be rewarded every couple of years with some incentive. £20 voucher for the superstore, for instance, would be a start as it goes back into the club anyway. Just do something to reward their loy…sorry can’t say that word, their support over the years.
Sorry for the long rant. Had to get that out!
NegAnon2
Have a good day Pastor:))
starry plough
googled that
Rudolph Johnson — Spring Rain — Diswa – YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKjTLmUHS1k 6 Aug 2011 … Rudolph Johnson: tenor John Barnes: piano Reggie Johnson: bass Ray Pounds: drums track 3 Spring Rain (Black Jazz Records, 1971) … You need Adobe Flash Player to watch this video. Download it from Adobe.
I feel for the hibs support, still, as was posted earlier…they can concentrate on keeping them monkeys down.
You too starry mate.
I am still laughing.
No Pope here!!!! :)
Art of War
Cracking read that..
Today’s result is a perfect example of how hard it is to win games. Hibs dominated, had the best players but couldn’t put the ball in the net, a salutary lesson and a warning ahead of tomorrow. An early goal is so vital.
Falkirk’s win is a timely warning that a team that is second best over 90 minutes can still win a game.
Although I like hibs I’m delighted with that
Match over in 90 mins without any great damage to the playing surface so it should hold up on Sunday for us
Hibs played some good football but no cutting edge .. Falkirk don’t look much of a challenge so if we overcome ict tomorrow the final match of the season is there to be won at hampden and probably a treble
Meanwhile it means hibs have it all to concentrate in the league with the last league match v Falkirk now a different game
leftclicktic
Thanks Lefty, one of my favourite players but his piano player is cracking too..
pragmatists rule ok ….well done the bairns ….
braw
Hibs can concentrate on the league now …
braw
AoW
Great read bud. Totally agree with all your points.
Starry Plough- thanks. The message is simple…3.00pm oan a Saturday..people will come :-)
starry plough .
Off the top of my head -Gene Russell/ Doug Carne/ Reggie Johnson ?
Will check when back in the house.
Doc, we were in
Hibs prove the old adage – you need to take your chances.
starry plough
14:14 on
18 April, 2015
leftclicktic
Thanks Lefty, one of my favourite players but his piano player is cracking too..
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Also, : Kirk Lightsey apparently :
http://www.discogs.com/Rudolph-Johnson-The-Second-Coming/release/1397940
Art of War
I’ve been watching Celtic TV for a long time and thought it’s got better they even have HD now it could get a whole lot more professional for sure.
Fitbaw, Saturday,3pm sounds good to me, that being said Sunday games are pretty good for my work schedule:))
AOW. Read your wee novel. Agree totally.
Seen on twitter
“After the full time whistle and Falkirk victory,Neil Doncaster has been doing the Ronny Roar around each corner of the ground”
DD- Thanks bud. In work so i had do do something productive ;-)
The boy Scott Allan looks a bit of a player but apparently has consistency issues. Felt my age when they showed Peter the Pointer in the stand who was there watching his son play.
South Of Tunis
NatKnow
Kirk Lightsey was the one I was looking for, ta Bhoys..
CQN the Bhoys in The Know!
Doc, sorry about mt faux pax there.
We were in Falkirk two weeks ago to see the Kelpies. First thing we saw was in the car park was a guy in his forties in a full hun kit from about four seasons ago.
After leaving the Kelpies we went in to Falkirk for something to eat. I lost count of the number of peepul wearing sevco gear including one guy in a mobility scooter with a sevco hat and coat on with an orange scarf with the British flag prominent on it.
I worked with a Falkirk fan years ago who told me there was a BNP element in the Falkirk support who he was embarrassed about and wanted shot of them.
There was a discussion on here a week or so ago talking about Falkirk being a real sticky bun place.
Celtic FC Tickets @CelticFCTickets · 1 hr1 hour ago
Ticket Office is now closed. Tickets for the Semi will be available from portacabin located at Aitkehead Road entrance from 10am tomorrow.
starry- lot of people saying that it has improved but there is room for improvement in marketing and deals as well. As you will have just read, there were many games played at 3.00pm on a Sunday and they were well attended.
puffnstuff-wee novel, aye it was a bit long..should have called it Art of War (and Peace)
Art of War
those kind of long rants I can live with.:-))
although for the amount of games it covers I don’t think ST prices are unreasonable
it really is just the scheduling which makes getting to all the games prohibitive
good post
HH
Asked before the Hibees v Bairns who would win I would have said the Hibees, who would I rather win I would have said the Bairns. Now after I have watched the game my feeling are still the same. The Hibees where by far the better team so IF we beat ICT tomorrow this result will make our job in the final that bit easier. I THINK, but I have been wrong before, many times. I more confinent that it is a treble for the Tic this season. Hail Hail
With GMA, SA & AS all missing, I think RD may play two up front tomorrow (Guidetti & Griffiths) with a return to the midfield diamond (with Commons just behind the strikers) that was a success last season. Gives space for Matthews & Izaguirre to bomb up and down the wings.
The alternative is the usual formation with Forrest and Commons either side of Johansen behind Griffiths, and given Forrest’s poor form would be a huge risk, although the wide spaces of Hampden may help him to find a bit of form.
btw still haven’t received my renewal!!!!!!
HH
Scott Allan needs Ronny Deila
Mon the Ronny!
Dallas, went to the Kelpies 2 weeks ago as well, Easter Sunday, very impressed with them. As regards Falkirk always been known as huns without the bus fare. I was at the game many years ago when the Bould Daniel Fergus McGrain fractured his skull and played on.
Dena29- i’m in awe (not awe naw) of your commitment and spend on Celtic. Therefore your comment on season ticket prices is a valid one. I still believe there is room for more creative thinking on how to fill those seats but the scheduling is at the top of the list.
Hope you are good lass! /
dena29
14:29 on 18 April, 2015
I wouldn’t worry, not received mine yet either, they’ll be sending them out in batches.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Plenty tickets for the final if/when we get there
Hibs full concentration on winning their remaining league games and play-off now.
tbj says wee oscar knox is in heaven with the angels
14:30 on 18 April, 2015
Scott Allan needs Ronny Deila
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TBJ, yeah Ronny could be the man to develop his potential, the boy has an eye for a defence splitting pass, as well as being rather skilful on the ball.