You and I have watched a lot of Celtic away from home in the Champions League; we know what to expect. Stick to your task, clear the ball long, tackle hard and exploit set-pieces as best we can. That’s been the plan for 27 away games. 25 of them ended in defeat.
Away game 28, in Barcelona, fell apart at the seams, but last night in Manchester built on the progress in Monchengladbach. From nowhere, Celtic have gone two unbeaten away from home in this tournament.
It wasn’t just the result (in either game) we had more attempts at goal, more attempts on target, we passed with speed and precision under pressure. City caught us on the break to score, and could have added another, on the break, but we had the better of the chances in both halves. Moussa Dembele, Gary Mackay-Steven and Leigh Griffiths will all feel they should have scored.
Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko again proved they can operate at Champions League level. The difference in central defence since last year, when one or other of them was unavailable, is beyond credible.
The night was another success for Stuart Armstrong, who built on a transformational visit to Motherwell on Saturday. James Forrest took on and beat three players to setup Dembele, but James fell to a familiar foe and retired injured.
Gary Mackay-Steven, playing his first senior game in over eight months, looked exhausted after his first sprint. There are no shortcuts to match fitness. That chance, when he was clean through with Caballero to beat, will no doubt haunt the player, but he delivered a performance reminiscent of the one he gave in the San Siro two years ago, before being sacrificed. As though alchemy is at work, Celtic have squad-fillers from earlier times looking the part at the highest level.
I had a notion that it wouldn’t be too bad if Patrick Roberts had an anonymous game. That lasted all of four minutes, when he waltzed into the Manchester City box to open the scoring. Did he do enough to convince Pep Guardiola that he’ll be needed in the City squad next season when his loan to Celtic ends? Probably not. That’s the way of it at Manchester City. They will spend >£100m between now and 1 September; Patrick will go the way of Jason Denayer.
Bring on Partick Thistle.
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Word of The Day
Approbation /ˌæprəˈbeɪʃən/
noun
1. official recognition or approval
2. commendation; praise
3. an obsolete word for proof
Derived Forms
approbative, approbatory, adjective
Word Origin and History for approbation
n.
late 14c., “proven effectiveness, excellence,” from Old French aprobacion or directly from Latin approbationem (nominative approbatio) “an approval,” noun of action from past participle stem of approbare (see approve ). Meaning “approval, endorsement” is from early 15c.
KTF
Good morning friends from a still dark, damp, drizzly and desolate looking East Kilbride.
ITALIABHOY 7.29,
So you accuse me of being paranoid and point scoring ?
Many Celtic fans over the years would tell you that we weren’t paranoid ENOUGH over the years !
you’ll also find that Saville conducted crimes not only in BBC property ,but whilst being paid by the BBC licence payers ! The BBC and other news outlets have a moral and professional duty to provide balanced reporting, what part of that do you not get ?
Are you seriously implying that the BBC should somehow be applauded for reporting savilles crimes ?????
FFS…get a grip man !
Desolate east Kilbride.
Has it had a makeover ?
Word of The Day (Just for KevJ)
Duplicity /djuːˈplɪsɪtɪ/
noun (pl) -ties
1. deceitfulness in speech or conduct, as by speaking or acting in two different ways to different people concerning the same matter; double-dealing.
2. an act or instance of such deceitfulness.
3. Law. the act or fact of including two or more offenses in one count, or charge, as part of an indictment, thus violating the requirement that each count contain only a single offense.
4. the state or quality of having two elements or parts; being twofold or double.
5. deception; double-dealing
Derived Forms
duplicitous, adjective
Word Origin
C15: from Old French duplicite, from Late Latin duplicitās a being double, from Latin duplex
Word Origin and History for duplicity
early 15c., from Old French duplicite (13c.), from Late Latin duplicitatem (nominative duplicitas) “doubleness,” in Medieval Latin “ambiguity,” noun of quality from duplex (genitive duplicis) “twofold.” The notion is of being “double” in one’s conduct (cf. Greek diploos “treacherous, double-minded,” literally “twofold, double”).
KTF
Oh and a big CQN shout out to today’s birthday bhoy, Celticrollercoaster. Many hoopy returns to you.
Happy birthday Celticrollercoaster
Still not happy birthday to MWD…
Not very bright here either in a very wet darkest Lancashire.
Happy birthday CRC
You deserve a good day mate ☘️☘️☘️
Also, happy birthday to Nicki Minaj.
Not sure if she still lurks….
Happy birthday Celtic rollercoaster.
A true Celt and an inspiration.
Hail hail
:-)
I mean for all your charity work
Obviously ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
Happy birthday CRC. Don’t look a day over 50!
KTF
CELTUCROLLERCOASTER,
Many happy Hoopy returns mate, have a great day !
HH
Goooooood Morning CQN
And
a Very Hooooopy Birthday to CRC
Deccy if lurking, you better get your Auld Da a good present :-)
Hail Hail
VFR
Not many of the CQNers I have met look A day over 50.
JJ
Happy Birthday, Celticrollercoaster.
Davido
It’s also wee Raheem’s birthday today, he’s hoping to get a pair of wee Paddy Roberts’ football boots as a present.
Happy birthday CRC!
Paranoia & points scoring ?
I have been accused this morning of the above at 7.29 by ITALIABHOY.
Now if I may paint a ” possible scenario” which is mainly directed at any Celtic fan, who may agree with ITALIABHOY ?
At this moment we have this scumbag McCafferty who was employed by Celtic and two other Scottish clubs Hibernians and Falkirk.
These two other clubs were NOT mentioned in that bbc news report this morning, and because of that I’m accused of being paranoid and point scoring ?
Let me ask this ,
Possible Scenario ?
I sincerely hope that this is NOT the case but, if someone was a former employee of Celtic ( coach, player or whatever ?), and they were named in the msm as child abuser, and then soon after it became known that this same scumbag had been employed by oldco/Newco at some point, would ITALIABHOY or any other so called Celtic supporter be completely happy and comfortable if the MSM continued to ONLY name Celtic as he/she’s former employer , when transmitting news reports ?
IMO , it doesn’t matter who other clubs may be who also employed these people , but the main point is that Celtic and Celtic supporters should not be prepared to accept biased reporting !
I suspect that most Celtic supporters would be ” up in arms” if such a scenario occurred that meant that oldco and/or Sevco were not being named alongside Celtic’s ?
I strongly suspect that ITALIABHOY ( or anyone else), would most likely hesitate to accuse me of ” paranoia and point scoring”, if the above possible scenario ever became fact !
HH
Off to Glasgow to try out Mi Casa for Tapas with brothers and sisters.
Cheerio for now,
JJ
Zbyszek
Well done to Legia for qualifying for EL
Scott Brown was 14th in the number of passes attempted in the ECL Group Stages. After Thiago Silva (98%), he had the best pass completion rate (96%) of anyone else in the top 20. 393 passes completed from 411 attempted. An average of 3 misplaced passes per game.
Someone asked yesterday (sorry, can’t remember who) what player we would least like to see leaving. I think this answers the question! The Captain leading from the front!
KTF
Hot Smoked on 8th December 2016 8:51 am
VFR
Not many of the CQNers I have met look A day over 50.
JJ
______________________________
I concur; most look at least 10 years OVER 50!
KTF
Times are hard this Christmas ,so regrettably I’m selling my dog …..
Any idea what it might fetch.. ?
Celticrollercoaster, a very happy birthday to you. Hope you and your lovely family have a wonderful day together. Keep up the good work.
BOGNORBHOY
I reckon you’ll get a few houndred…
MICKBHOY1888 on 8TH DECEMBER 2016 12:47 AM
Irish Songbook Debate
There are probably more descendants of Irish origin who live in the cities of Manchester and Liverpool than have ever lived in the west of Scotland. Liverpool FC and Manchester United most definitely have larger fan bases in the Irish Republic than Celtic will ever have. Can some of our pseudo provos explain the lack of celebration in song at both Old Trafford and Anfield from those of Irish origin celebrating their identity and roots in the country of their oppressors.
###
It’s because the Irish immigrants were able to integrate into the host community in England more easily that they were in Scotland.
Different experiences resulted in different outcomes.
Changing the subject to cricket for a moment I see england are celebrating a new young batsman getting a century against India in his first test.
All very good -then it turns out he is actually another South African!!
Saint Stivs says SACK THE BOARD on 8th December 2016 7:47 am
Absolute belter, my EK mate will be getting it with both barrells at the Partick game…..:-)
DAVIDOPOULOS on 8TH DECEMBER 2016 9:24 AM
BOGNORBHOY
I reckon you’ll get a few houndred…
Bet you a pound I don’t… ;-)
I must say that what has been done to these children was appalling and I hope that those responsible are hunted down, caught and jailed if they are still alive.
I don’t care what clubs they worked for, nor would I be interested in point scoring.
However the BBC and STV reporting is disingenuous. As far as I am aware, mccafferty was operating for a long period with a boys club associated with a junior team and the descriptions of what he did in the bus happened during that period. However that does not make as good a headline as saying he once worked for Celtic.
Good Morning to all Celtic Supporters from a dry bright Central Scotland.Well with Scott Sinclair out for another two games at least and wee Jamsie out with a hamstring it gives GMS a chance of a few games.I have allways felt GMS had the makings of a footballer plenty of talent but a bit light weight so if Brendan can work his magic we may have another very good player on our books Good Luck Gary. H.H.
Why are the SFA in contact with their internet provider over the SPAM email attack asking for 170 quid from ever tartan army member and not Police Scotland ?
HH
AWE_NAW_NO_ANNONI_OAN_ANAW_NOO
Think sumbdy posted that up as a scam Awe Naw..
CRC
Happy birthday mate!
Have a good one!
Starry,
yes a scam that originated from China. Hong Kong is in China. I wonder who in China would get access to such information. An inside job and I smell Sevco all over it
HH
skynews has been running with the strapline former Celtic kitman all morning along the bottom of the screen yip this serial abuser was only connected to Celtic it seems
Kenny Dalglish has told Rangers fans they must show patience before their favourites are ready for a tilt at the Premiership title.
Celtic are already eight points ahead of their old rivals with three games in hand and are odds-on favourites to make it six in a row.
Rangers talked up their title credentials at the start of the campaign with an advertising slogan that claimed they were “Going for 55”.
However, their championship challenge has already gone for a burton and Dalglish , speaking in his role as McDonald’s head of Scottish football, insists they were never ready to mount a serious assault on the silverware.
He said: “This season was never going to be one you’d think they would run Celtic close. This is a time for Rangers time to evolve because they made a bundle of new signings in the summer and they must be given time.
“Even the most successful clubs like Celtic make signings that don’t turn out as well as everyone would hope and that has happened to some extent with Rangers as well. A few boys haven’t played as often as they would have liked and obviously Joey Barton has left the club.
“The fans have got to be patient and I’m sure in fifteen years to come Rangers will be back stronger and more competitive against Celtic.
“Right now they’ve got to look to consolidate and then bid to improve still further in the decades ahead.”
Dalglish, a close pal of Rangers chairman Dave King, knows midfielder Jordan Rossiter better than most after the England Under-19 skipper developed as a kid at Anfield.
Injuries have hampered his Ibrox career but Dalglish insists he’ll be desperate to climb off the treatment table and make a contribution to the team.
Dalglish was speaking at Broughty Youth FC in Broughty Ferry after delivering a training session wearing a Ronald McDonald kit to the Under-14s on Tuesday night.
He added: “Jordan played for Liverpool’s first team a couple of times – in fact Brendan Rodgers gave him a game. The wee man is more than acceptable but if someone is on the treatment table then you and I are as good as him.
“Somehow the wee man’s got to get himself fit and back on that pitch. He won’t be too happy because he wants to play. Irene Drewery maybe his only solution”
Celtic are listed at only 5-2 by Ladbrokes to go through the season unbeaten and have won eight league games on the spin ahead of their visit to Partick Thistle tomorrow night.
The Hoops are in danger of damaging Scottish football by being out of the sight of the rest of Scottish football but Dalglish said: “Celtic can only do what they can do. It’s up to other teams to step up to the plate.
“The rest of the league is really tight so there’s an equality among them. Celtic are head and shoulders standouts at the moment.
“Rangers were very impressive last season in winning the Championship but the competition is stiffer this time around. If we just show a wee bit of patience with them and give them a lot of of time I’m sure it will be a bit tighter in years to come.
“Aberdeen have done well, they’re all trying to do whatever they can, but the success of Celtic in Champions League only strengthens them financially.
“But why not credit Celtic instead of criticising others? Celtic must look after themselves. They have set standards and if other people don’t match up to them there is nothing they can do about it.”
Another former Old Firm strike star Colin Stein is backing misfiring Rangers forward Joe Garner to have a big impact in the rest of the Premiership campaign.
Celtic are listed at only 5-2 by Ladbrokes to go through the season unbeaten and have won eight league games on the spin ahead of their visit to Partick Thistle tomorrow night.
The Hoops are in danger of disappearing out of the sight of the rest of Scottish football but Dalglish said: “Celtic can only do what they can do. It’s up to other teams to step up to the plate.
“The rest of the league is really tight so there’s an equality among them. Celtic are head and shoulders standouts at the moment.
“Rangers were very impressive last season in winning the Championship but the competition is stiffer this time around. If we just show a wee bit of patience with them and give them a bit of time I’m sure it will be a bit tighter in years to come.
“Aberdeen have done well, they’re all trying to do whatever they can, but the success of Celtic in Champions League only strengthens them financially.
“But why not credit Celtic instead of criticising them? Celtic must look after themselves. They have set standards and if other people don’t match up to them there is nothing they can do about it.”
Another former Old Firm strike star Colin Stein is backing misfiring Rangers forward Joe Garner to have a big impact in the rest of the Premiership campaign.
“Kenny Miller’s days of running are past him but he can still function well in that deeper role behind a main striker like Garner.
“Miller is now having to use his football brain. It was Garner who put the ball through for Miller to open the scoring last Saturday and it’s good to see them develop that psychopathic understanding .
“Miller will never lose the predatory instinct to score. Garner doesn’t necessarily need to score all the time but if he’s providing and giving the team everything in the Messi role then the Rangers supporters will always get right behind you. No matter how limited a player you are
“If you get the fans behind you that’s half the battle.”
The 69 year-old former Scotland international admits that last weekend saw Rangers resort to their traditions. Route one football approach in order to achieve their desired result.