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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Watched the game last night and thoroughly enjoyed our performance.
The only wee thing that bugged me was Dembele after he missed the great chance early in the first half.
He was laughing!
From where I was sitting it wasn’t very ******* funny.
Let’s clear up the impression that this was a weakened Man City team. Caballero, Adarabioyo, Fernando and Maffeo don’t have any senior caps. However, the other 8 players (including sub) involved have 225 full caps between them.
Adarabioyo and Maffeo have a few appearances between them; the rest are experienced first team players.
This was a very capable and experienced team – far more experienced than Celtic!
KTF
AWE NAW
It’s a difficult area to judge re fair reporting.
Yes,they highlighted the Celtic connections to the latest piece of scum,but also his connections to other clubs. And earlier in the week,they reported on another one,and his Rangers connections,as well as his other clubs too.
For that reason,I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt,that they are reporting even-handedly,and highlighting their club connections to hopefully bring more proof of their misdeeds. In fact,I think they’re acting very responsibly for a change.
The victims are the ones we should be concerned about first and foremost. The clubs who employed these criminals should be highlighted,but only as background to bring others forward.
What happened to your school pal was horrific. Let’s hope it can be rooted out.
PHILBHOY
Enough to drive you to drink.
Oh,forgot. You WERE driving later,so nae drink!
MICKBHOY1888 on 7th December 2016 11:52 am
Yeah, I did forget that. there was a lot going on – as well as a great game to watch!
KTF
BMCUWP
4 headlines !!!
Really Disagree,
This is more of an exercise in blackening Celtic´s name than genuinely helping those sexually abused or the perpetrators.
The lack of journalism from them over decades is a dead giveaway . A wee clue there don´t you think. Maybe if they did do their job properly instead of striving to titillate I´d give your synopsis more credit
HH
Having noticed that the BBC ran with a story of how a “football fan” was convicted of throwing a seat at rival supporters at an Aberdeen V Sevco game, the local papers clearly identifying him as a Sevconian, I wondered why they are so keen to emphasise Celtic supporter in the less serious burger lobbing incident they are currently reporting. Why the difference in reporting- are they a) working under some legal requirement, or b) simply bigoted. You decide.
I suggested last week that the focus of negativity and mibbery would be mainly on Aberdeen and Hearts, because we are out of reach.
The comments levelled at Cathro, for instance, reek of fear.
Why?
Is it because they recognise that he could be a serious threat to Sevco?
Or is it because he wouldn’t touch him with the proverbial?
Or, a bit of both.
Incidentally, I think that Aberdeen are going to have to make a decision soon on the impostor in the dugout.
Thomthetim,
A threat to Sevco on and off the pitch. Newcastle Loan players provided by Ashley.Cathro less chance of being a mason than Neilson.
HH
BMCUWP
I am also on taxi duty tonight and tomorrow night.
This no drinkin’ isny that bad!
BMCUWP & AWE NAW
If you think the Record’s headline is bad, have a look at the Daily Mail.
But I agree with BMCUWP it is the victims that are important in the articles and clubs should be named as background to the story. Every club should be holding investigations into possible offences.
AWE NAW
We can agree to differ on this one,without rancour.
As I said,giving them the benefit of the doubt on it due to the gravity of the subject. I respect your opinions and the experience on which they are founded.
HH.
Awe Naw
I grew up with John, worked with him and drank with him. When he lost his way, ultimately taking his own life, we were at a loss. Why? Small village of course where everyone knew everyone and everything.
We thought.
Little did we really know.
Too sad . All too sad.
PHILBHOY
Wouldn’t know…
CONFIRMATION ?
Watching the game last night due to booing and ” movement” in the crowd , it looked to me that there was trouble in the crowd ? The tv camera panned away immediately, but I thought it appeared to be amongst the home fans, and not ours ? I thought they must be fighting with themselves , is that correct ?
ET ” newspaper” claims today the Manchester Polis say there was 14 arrests,but there is no details if it was inside the ground, and/or who was involved ? There is one photo which appears to show one older Citeh fan pushing his hand into the face of another younger Citeh fan ?
They reported about the alleged Celtic fan, burger and a horse . There MUST be a dirty joke in there somewhere ? Lol.
I had to laugh when I saw the photos that accompanied this ” burger” story , as they printed a photo of a burger and the rear end of a police horse with the Polis on top ! It obviously wasn’t the horse who may have been targeted , just a photo of a Polis horse !
Perhaps the Polis horse who was allegedly targeted wished to remain annoymous ?
Perhaps the burger was previously a relative of the unnamed polis horse ?
On a more serious note do these clowns that do the ” reporting” actually believe that it is paramount ( mount/horse ?), and necessary that the readers need to see photos of what a burger looks like and a nag ?
If they wanted a photo of a nag, I could have gave them photos of my exes ?
It reminded of crime reporting that I have read several times over many years which always makes me laugh at these rags….
For example a break in a warehouse for example…
” An electrical goods warehouse was broken into last night, and numerous items stolen including 23 large screen TVs, 11 fridge freezers, 10 washing machines and various other household items .
Police believe a VAN was used in the robbery ?”
HH.
On that subject, child abuse, there was a boys club in the 70’s, Uphall Saints, which I shall not be surprised to see hit the headlines when further victims come forward.
BIGJIMMY
Thankfully there was no CCTV in The Jungle in the 80s to record me launching the dreaded Parkhead Pie from the back,at a copper halfway down on the walkway.
Only possible use for one.
Must have taken his mammy a fortnight to get the grease out of his uniform. And his hair.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 7TH DECEMBER 2016 11:57 AM
I think Brendan could be a key player in Paddy Roberts future. It may be an extension to the loan arrangement, then who knows?
We got Fraser Forster after an extended loan spell, when it looked at one time as if we had no chance of signing him.
The crucial thing is that Brendan will , I think, have more of a say than the previous manager.
twists n turns on 7th December 2016 1:02 pm
He was a great guy … he lost his way and now we know why
I hope that all that were abused can come forward and get some kind of relief.
The best footballer I ever played with, I was amazed that he never reached the top like Brian Rice ..who couldn´t lace his boots btw
Very very sad indeed…utterly heartbreaking
HH
BIG JIMMY on 7TH DECEMBER 2016 1:03 PM
Jimmy, I was at the game last night and there was a bit of trouble in the tier below me. Looked to me like a couple of Celtic fans amongst the City fans (i was in the City end as well) got a right kicking
I didn’t see how it started but I am sure how you can imagine how it ended up. When it’s 100 to 1 everybody is a hardman.
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821 on 7TH DECEMBER 2016 10:17 AM
KEVJUNGLE on 7th December 2016 4:05 am
I was in the lower tier right beside the barrier (and 3 foot gap) the split the Celtic and City fans. The Provo songbook came out more in response to a few English flags and them sing about Glasgow being blue city.
————–
My God. England flags, at an English ground, from fans of an English team. Well, break out the balaclavas indeed!
The singing last night was awful – cringeworthy and embarrassing. If the stock response to getting wound up by opposing fans is to launch into an hour of IRA crap, then don’t go to the game. We will have lost a few Celtic followers last night due to the songbook, that should concern all of us. The reputation of the club is damaged by events like last night.
On a positive. The performance was really good. We were 2 composed finishes (mcgregor in Germany and GMS/ Griffiths last night ) away from 7 points, which gives great hope for next season.
Onwards and upwards!
One “benefit” if it could be called a benefit coming from the current outing of perverts, is the current cessation of sevconians using it as a wind up to Celtic supporters. I hope that the current focus on it drives it into more public discussion and makes people aware that it can, and does, happen in any setting.
Big Jimmy
The trouble stemmed from a few Celtic fans amongst the home support celebrating the goal,the younger element of their support didn’t take too kindly to that and punches were flying. There were further instances where stewards identified further away fans amongst the home support and when removing them they had to run a gauntlet of kicks and punches rained down by the same home support.
You may also want to have a look at the Manchester Evening news and read about the crassly stupid and down right dangerous actions of individuals letting off fireworks on a packed rush hour tram service
By the way, I had a look at the Daily Record website and to be honest I cannot see any issue with how this is being reported.
There is a confession from a former employee of Celtic where he admits to do horrific things while at the club. How would I feel if it was a different club and they refused to mention it?
Of course tabloid newspapers inappropriately use sensational and crass language but that’s commonplace.
STAIRHEEDRAMMY on 7TH DECEMBER 2016 1:20 PM
One “benefit” if it could be called a benefit coming from the current outing of perverts, is the current cessation of sevconians using it as a wind up to Celtic supporters. I hope that the current focus on it drives it into more public discussion and makes people aware that it can, and does, happen in any setting.
____
Take one look at a Rangers forum and you can see how they are revelling in this.
It’s genuinely upsetting.
old one are the best
Fan approaches a young woman Constable sitting astride a horse in the centre of Manchester yesterday. Excuse me officer but your steed seems to be perspiring profusely. You are indeed correct sir however I doubt very much that you could be between my legs for six hours and not suffer the same consequences.
Why Brendan Rodgers Wants To Leave Celtic…
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/12/07/why-brendan-rodgers-wants-to-leave-celtic/
TIMALOY29
I would expect a few of their lower-common-denominator types to be having a field day,but I’m genuinely disappointed that they haven’t been moderated or put right by other posters.
Canny educate pork.
MICKYBHOY1888
You must have been the star turn at the Division Christmas Caberet(!)
Hope you had a good time last night,I couldnae even watch it on the telly and no-one has posted highlights yet.
Bliddy nightshifts,speaking of which,better watch my time…
STRINGER BELL on 7th December 2016 1:18 pm
Did you also get hit with a hamburger while on yer high horse?
It was providing context; if football was an event where emotions didn’t feature it would be sterile and uninteresting – much like the Etihad appears to be on most matchdays.
Man City fans waved flags and sang tongs to provoke the Celtic support; some of the Celtic support responded to that.
Incidentally, without condoning the choice of song, it was no different to the songbook aired at most away matches and a good few at home matches. So if we care to criticise elements of the support for airing them, we should do so for all games, not just last night. I would be interested to see what elements of the songbook people find inappropriate; a serious question, possibly for another day.
Would it have lost us some Celtic followers, I don’t think so.
So after a great performance on the night a few handwringers worry about the songsheet. Today should be about the team and the performance IMHO.
KTF
THE CLUMPANY
Fancy a tenner bet wi English that Brendan is still at Celtic Park at the end of the 2020 season?
He’ll still only be a youngster at 47,roughly the same age as Fergie joining Man U,or MON joining us.
Of course,with his tunnel vision,2020 won’t interest him.
THECLUMPANY on 7TH DECEMBER 2016 1:36 PM
Why Brendan Rodgers Wants To Leave Celtic…
———-
Nice one Clumps. Pathetic from English all the same.
BIG JImmy
It seemed to go with very little incident last night until about 70 minutes, shortly after the 67th minute light show.
I had been discussing with my mate as to how many Celtic fans were in the away sections. This was answered very boldly in the 67th minute. The Citeh fans in other areas of the stadium became more lively and involved after that.
As I said, I was right against the barrier about 3 feet from the most vocal City singing section. There were about 6 or so Celtic fans just on the other side. They had sang along with no problem and the Police who were there were fine about it and told a few City fans to reel their necks in as there was no harm done. The Police rotated with about 15 minutes to go and within 5 minutes 2 of the young lads were dragged out by another (new on the scene) Policeman just for signing.
This in effect changed the dynamic considerably and there was far more tension in there after what had been (in the main) the usual (relatively good natured) football banter.
The same seemed to happen over to the right of where we were and it was a new rotation of stewards who kicked it off, with one or two seeming to be handy enough with their fists as the puled 3 or 4 Celtic fans out. The City fans seemed to follow their lead.
All in all, not too much to worry about. The fans were. it seems, just ejected from the stadium rather than arrested. If they only ejected 30, they must’ve missed the other 1700 or so around the ground!
KTF
VFR800A8
We can’t ignore the fact that “The Songbook” is providing bullets for anyone who fancies using them. You weren’t allowed on The Garryowen bus back in the day unless you knew the lot,and rightly so.
But that was from about 69-73,say. Then the songbook became less in celebration,lament,honour,and more about confrontation.
Yes,appropriate-largely-at the time.
Now,I think they are anachronistic,even the people the songs are in support of have largely moved on. Though still with the memories of those they have lost.
It’s not helped by the way the authorities approach it,of course. BOTOB and ROH being criminalised,for instance.
But for me,no. Not at the game,much as it hurts to say it.
Pubs and buses,aye. Parties,defo. Elsewhere,sadly not.
HH.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 7TH DECEMBER 2016 1:37 PM
TIMALOY29
I would expect a few of their lower-common-denominator types to be having a field day,but I’m genuinely disappointed that they haven’t been moderated or put right by other posters.
Canny educate pork.
____
Genuinely thought you’d see one or two posts suggesting this isn’t something they should be singing and making banners about.
On way home, total pride in the team and staff, amazing transformation on a net spend of £4 mil.You could see top coaching and teamplay at work, from the top tier of Celtic end.When the torches were on for 67th minute, stewards were telling guys in non Celtic areas to stop, totally aggrivating a situation of their own making.
Timaloy- on you tube they have reeled their necks in since the story about their coach broke and JohnJames ran the Richard Gough piece.