Cast your mind back to earlier this month. February ended with a 100% domestic record, qualification for the League Cup Final and two merit awards for performances against Inter Milan. We then walloped nearest challengers Aberdeen 4-0. A small matter of a game against St Johnstone lay ahead before the Scottish and League Cup double-header against Dundee United. Which we lost. At home.
If a team drops even a few percentage points below its optimum the actual drop in results achieved can be enormous. Celtic have answered all the big questions over the last seven weeks, despite the reversal in Milan; there will inevitably be a drop in adrenaline when normality returns, which is tomorrow, again against United.
We have a month to prepare for the Scottish Cup semi-final but another St Johnstone-type episode would cut the gap at the top to zero points, with Celtic having one game in hand.
I’m a great believer than a manager cannot and should not ask his players to climb the mountain every time. If he does, he loses that special intensity he’ll need for the truly big occasions. The players, from captain to novice, must carry the burden.
Niggles between players happen in every game. On most occasions it will be a couple of months before you face the same opponent again, so whatever happened last time will have been replaced in the mind’s gallery of items the player feels sore about.
Since Scottish football became the Celtic-Dundee United show that’s changed. A player who elbowed you last game will be running at you next time out. This is the stuff red cards are made of.
There is a chance that we’ve beaten United into submission and that they’ll turn up in body, not mind, tomorrow, but if Jackie McNamara manages to convince them they are victims of wanton Celtic player’s face-on-United player’s elbow action, you can expect more reds.
Keep your cool, Celtic. Nothing more than wanton hair ruffling.
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Oldtim at Cqn corner waiting bhoys, I can’t make game today so there could be a spare
10 minutes left. Still one all dundee/sheepies.
South Of Tunis
13:39 on
21 March, 2015
Bobby Carroll.
My addled ole bonce thinks he scored Celtic’ s first goal in Europe. Valencia in 62.
*correct, I believe he scored both our goals and then was dropped for the 2nd Leg……that was when Bob Kelly was the Manager
Fox Sports 2 channel here in Italia showing World Cup cricket.
Dont think there is much demand, or understanding, of this sport here.
HH!!
BT
on bus there in 5. Still going tonight?
2 minutes injury time for Dons
Richie
Yes, taxi booked for 6.30 so tell tohg no messing about after match
Aberdeen drop 2 points.
Game over dons not so dandy
if emdy meets BGX at the game or in COIAS can you kick him in the HAW MAWS for me.2 tips for football .arsenal and brebtford.27 mins gone BR.nil miwall wan.
last tenner on.should have paid attention to the advert re gambling.
The SMSM’s Champions Elect drop two points as predicted, a sub-nation mourns as the Celts go marching on:))
Bring on Utd..
Was in the Dubliner in Copenhagen hoping to see the game but not on so it’s off to the Boy’s GF’s house to watch it on CTV.
We met some Norwegians in the Dub, they love Ronny and Stefan, saying how honest Ronny is.
Gordon; Ambrose, Denayer, van Dijk, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Mackay-Steven, Johansen, Armstrong; Guidetti (MH)
hahahahaha
peh 1 meh 1
braw
Pogmathonyahun aka Laird of the Smiles
I was there last Staurday:))
corkcelt
Cracking team..
corkcelt
14:04 on
21 March, 2015
Aberdeen drop 2 points.
*Dundee now 6 points behind their neighbours. Now that JMcN has been outed as not a Celt what about Zico to take over from Da Doo Ron Ron when he moves upstairs.
Subs: Zaluska, Scepovic, Griffiths, Commons, Fisher, Forrest, Henderson
Interesting team selection from RonnyD. I expect we’ll be looking to be buzzing from the kick off.
Unexpected pleasant surprise.
Chance to make up for the St. Johnstone hiccup.
Take it, Bhoys!!
Watching Man City V WBA and noticed a player red carded, (mistaken identify but still a sending off) after only 2 minutes…thought that wisnae allowed as it would ruin the game as a contest.
Ok – bring it home !
Would have chosen the Griff, but maybe JG’s in there just to scare McGowan.
beatbhoy
14:11 on
21 March, 2015
Would have chosen the Griff, but maybe JG’s in there just to scare McGowan.
*my thoughts tae
3-0 Celtic
Guidetti, Armstrong and Biton ;-)
HH
A completely changed front 4 from wednesday. Fresh legs. Could be interesting.
Strong line-up.
Another 4-0.
HH!!
Griff scoring and the loan gets the nod.
Strange !!!!!
J.G hat trick ?
The Sheep have given us a good opportunity to take a decent lead and make up for St Johnstone.
Once more unto the Utd breach, dear bhoys, once more
The bt panel are all a tad upset the dons never got a penalty ha ha
3-0 7/1
Gary M-S 1st goalscorer 28/1
Mon the HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPS !!
Celtic v Dundee United, Live updates ….UP
HH
tallybhoy.
Cricket Lovely Cricket.
I love cricket.I watch cricket.
Bars in Montalbano land make money from Bangladeshis / Pakistanis / Indians / Afghans and Sri Lankans watching cricket.Same bars make money from Maghrebis watching Spanish and English football.Dont think anybody makes any money from punters watching Serie A.It doesn’t happen !
JF open season now