In different times, it would be difficult not to consider a run of 18 wins and a draw in our most recent 19 fixtures across all competitions as anything other than a performance highpoint. But we were made to fight to hold onto our advantage late in the game against Dundee yesterday, while Newco snatched a late equaliser a week earlier – a goal which had been on the cards for some minutes.
Tiredness looks to have crept in.
Like Aberdeen, Celtic had six European games to contend with over the summer, although the intensity of five of Celtic’s games was of a higher level than that of Aberdeen’s. Then there is the matter of the Champions League group stage; six nights of the most acute energy sapping football available, and that’s just for the fans.
There is also the matter of the new regime to factor in. Training changed when Brendan Rodgers arrived, new levels of fitness were required and reached.
Talk to any athlete and they’ll tell you their fitness varies in a planned manner across the year. There is a recovery period, a time when they lay down base fitness, a time for improvement, then peak fitness is reached. But peak fitness doesn’t last forever, you have a window before burn-out, then often a cliff-edge.
Body and mind become tired as the athlete approaches the recovery period. The January break will have helped, but that wasn’t long enough to go through the cycle of recovery-to-peak. Evidence for this is most readily available in our current star performer, Stuart Armstrong, who has played 36% fewer minutes than club captain, Scott Brown.
While many Scottish clubs will look ahead to the international break in anticipation their players will get some time off, Celtic will lose the vast majority of their squad to full and youth international sides. The playing surface at Celtic Park might get a rest during international weeks, but the players don’t.
Despite this, I expect we’ll cling on to top spot and take the title. If we get the win at Tynecastle next time out, I also expect Brendan to prioritise the Scottish Cup, and rest significant numbers for the games against Partick, Kilmarnock and Ross County.
We’ll pounce onto the Hampden surface with renewed purpose.
In different times (#2), news that Rangers’ QC, Andrew Thornill, who led their defence against HMRC for their use of EBTs, has been made bankrupt by HMRC would be too ridiculous to be true. But for that lot, it’s just a minor footnote in the final chapters of their ridiculous history.
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Hot smoked
I know you’ll be wondering why Tony Donnelly’s not been on for a few days. Tony’s mother sadly passed away yesterday. The woman was in her early nineties. RIP Annie.
Tony Donnelly 67
If you are lurking, condolences of the loss of your wee Mammy. God Bless and keep Annie R.I.P.
TONY D…
Codolences on the sad loss of your mother,thoughts with you and your loved ones.
May Annie RIP.
R.I.P. Annie
Tony thoughts with you and your family at this sad time.
CentenaryBhoy @16.01
That’s a bite Hail Hail
Tony Donnelly 67
Tony, it’s very sad to here of the passing of your mother, may she rest in peace and may you and your family find strength and comfort in this most difficult of times.
YNWA
SP
TD67
Condolences to your family and you with the loss of your mum.
MWD
TD67, prayers will be said tonight in St Mary’s and tomorrow at our Men’s Prayer Group.
RIP Mrs D.
KTF
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 20TH MARCH 2017 3:32 PM
£7.00 booking fee for Semi Final ticket seems a bit excessive?
————————
How come £7. Mines is £1.50.
KTF
Good news re Phil’s new-look website, no need to turn java script back on to read it if you’ve been on here!
Not that I’m lazy, or anything . .’Aw naw, I’ll need tae press a coupla buttons tae read that!”
Other good news on his site is the continuing bad news for Sevco, Pedro Piggybank aside, claro!
Stay strong, Tony Donnelly.
JJ
TD67. Sorry to hear of the loss of your dear mother. R I.P. I will pray for her , you and your loved who mourn her passing at Mass tomorrow. Tony, you always spoke loving of her on here. You have been blessed in having her for so long.
Meant tae call him ‘Peter’ there, as he’s assimilated to the ‘kulchur’ so rápido!
Vfr,
He probably means delivery. Dunno though as I haven’t checked.
Bsrfakenews csc ;P
HH
Condolences Tony.
Ktf
VFR
From the link “1:31:
” There is no ticket reprint facility, therefore all tickets booked online or via the booking line will be subject to a £7 special delivery fee. ”
JJ
PS I didn`t even notice I had typed `riff` ! I think ` sniff` led me along !
Tony sincerest condolences on the loss of your mum
Sad news about your Ma TD67, may she RIP.
HH
Sorry to read of your loss Tony.RIP Annie.
TONY DONNELLY
Condolences on the loss of your mother.
May she rest in peace. Prayers will be offered at Mass for the repose of her soul and for all her family and friends. RIP
TD 67
Thoughts and prayers for your Mum, yourself, family and friends at this sad time.
Tony Donnelly 67
Condolences to you and yours over the loss of your Mother.
RIP Annie
R.I.P, ANNIE ….. MAY GOD BLESS YOU
TD67
Very sorry to hear of your loss, may your mother rest in peace.
Tony, my condolences on the passing of your mother. May Annie rest in peace.
RIP Mrs Donnelly
TD67 condolences on the loss of your Mother. Ktf.
Embdy got any idea about this ?
RTC tweeting that SFA were issued with a section 36 in 2006 or 2009 ( can’t remember the year ) obliging
them to reveal what they knew of Rangers ( IL ) tax arrangements.
TET
It was the subject of a recent blog from John James, he stated that Regan is refusing to answer questions about this.
DB
Is he obliged to ?
Jeez no, stupid question
HH
TET
I’m not sure , but I think HMRC are entitled to ask a sporting governing body about a member club if it is perhaps being difficult with them.
TET
https://johnjamessite.com/2017/03/18/taking-the-sfa-to-task/
TD 67.
Sorry to hear about the passing of your Mum.
Hopefully all the happy memories you have, will help you and your loved ones through this sad time.
Hail Hail
VFR.
If you are lurking.
Huns play Aberdeen at Pittodrie before split, so after split should be at Ibrox.
Hail Hail.
R.I.P Mrs Donnelly.
G.G. 1.22 am.
No decent publication would have a headline has went bust.
So true.
We had a teacher who would give you the belt if you asked has the bell went Sir? Instead of, Has the bell gone Sir? Which was acceptable to him?
Incidentally no wonder I didn’t bother turning up. It was bad enough my Dad knocking lumps out of me,without the teachers joining in.
Always tough to lose a loved one. Maybe toughest when it is your mum. condolences to TD67.
HH