Optimism among the Celtic support is tangible right now. For much of last year the league title remained in the balance, but today, despite being promised a more taxing season, we’re miles ahead. You can get odds of over 40-1 on second favourites to win the title; the definition of No Contest.
As I noted yesterday, the transformation goes deeper than the heroics of Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembele, neither of whom were material in the level of performance shown against Barcelona.
Achievements are often subject to reassessment at a later date and Celtic’s progress or otherwise over the last two years fall into this category.
A year ago, with a faltering Craig, Emilio, Efe, Dedryk, Stuart, Gary, James and others, we looked miles away from being a Champions League team. It turns out, we have a squad full of Champions League players.
Youth development hit the jackpot with Kieran Tierney, while John Park’s swansong signings, Erik Sviatchenko and Moussa Dembele, saw a return to form for our recently departed chief scout.
Money isn’t everything. Since 2004 it’s been clear on CQN that many Celtic fans have no interest in the game’s finances, all they are interested in is seeing an improving team on the park, but for the rest of us, the financial consequence of simply getting to the group stage this season is enormous. It makes accession to the same level next season so much more achievable.
None of that matters right now as we have the first cup final of the season coming up on Sunday. The litany of underachievement in this tournament stretches back to Jock Stein, who qualified for ever League Cup final during his 13 years in charge of Celtic, but after winning the first five, contrived to lose seven of the next eight.
I’ve seen a lot worse teams than Aberdeen knock us out of the League Cup, I hope nothing is taken for granted in the dressing room.
I’ve no idea what happened at the Newco AGM this morning but you’ll remember we discussed here the wisdom of launching a hostile takeover bid while a company is being driven into the sea by boycotts? More precisely, Newco was driven into the arms of the lender of last resort – Sports Direct. Sports Direct provided the cash that kept the lights on and picked up various rights and properties in compensation.
Offering a lender a shop at a rental of £1 per year for a decade seems harsh, but if the alternative is administration, there isn’t really an alternative. We didn’t know what the quid-pro-quo was for Ashley at the time, but we knew there had to be one.
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Here I am sitting in the Battlefield Rest having my pre-match lunch, the place is hoaching with Aberdeen fans, and in comes Stewart Milne to say ” you look like an Aberdeen fan” and about to wish me a great day, when I reply “nae luck there on both counts as I am a Celtic supporter!
Hail Hail
Broo …ooo …nie
Braw
Five Boerrigters!!!!
Brilliant Burgas.
Thanks mo chara.
How did we not think of that when Sammi was still here fs?
It still possible to sing it in tribute to the legend anyway sure.
Magic.
:)
HH.
One for each minute he played
NB, Overseas lol.
HH.
Bhoys
My pal is in Budapest and is looking for a bar for the game.
Any ideas?
Kikinthenakas
How confident are you about today?
If you are going to the game and recording it to watch later have you recorded the programme after “Just Incase “? Or did you say f it we will do them in 90 nae bother?.
Me I believe the latter but done the former “Just Incase ” lol.
H.H.
P.s Stuart Armstrong for the first goal.
KIKINTHENAKAS
Read back a page or two :-)
Think we will shine today and put the sheep to bed (not literally, steady on) and hopefully shut them all up once and for all.
Let them have their mini battle with the other 2 teams, one without the bus fare and the other needing to borrow for the bus fare.
On a different note I watched Jason Denayer playing yesterday for Sunderland at some position in midfield?
I say that as he looked lost and out of position constantly chasing the ball.
As we know there is a player there but I feel he has lost his confidence and needs a wee helping hand.
Maybe Brendan can take a look.
Afternoon J…
Hope your doing braw….
Easy peasy the day methinks….when Griff comes on naturally…
Smiley thing
Braw.
We have better players and a better manager, a classier, funnier, better dressed and better looking support, get the green and white ribbons on the cup:)))
FTSFA
GERRYFAETHEBRIG
Don’t do this kind of thing but just wan’t to say i’m glad your flounce didn’t last.
I don’t do much reading back on here so i don’t know what got up your humph.
I don’t know you from Adam but i do enjoy your posts.
KEEP THE FAITH
“One of the orphans that will be killed would have grown up to become…”
How’s it gawn A you aff that jungle juice yet :-)
Braw !!!!
Burgas Hoops
Think someone was looking for Bucharest..I’m looking for Budapest x
Kikinthenakas
KIKINTHENAKAS
My mistake mate, sorry canny help yi there.
KIKINTHENAKAS
Tell him to try the Halftime Bar.
14, Gabroveni Street, Bucharest Tel: +40 21 312 2916
MO -RAV-CHICKS
poetic licence claimed
KEEP THE FAITH
Hahahahaha…..no quite….just had ma late fry up…
Krombacher just before kick off….
Smiley thing
Braw.
Scott Sinclair in tracksuit with the squad walking onto the field there.
Like the way the squad stay together even when no chance of a game.
About 10 past 2
Oops
That was meant as a text to keepthehighbawslow ☘️
Sorry Paul these stupid shop now adverts are too much…… cheerio!!!!
Celtic starting line up v Aberdeen ko 3 pm BT Sport1
Gordon; Lustig, Sviatchenko, Simunovic, Izaguirre; Brown, Armstrong; Roberts, Rogic, Forrest; Dembele;
Subs: De Vries, Gamboa, Griffiths, Mackay-Stevens, Toure, Bitton, McGregor
Kickinthenakas
Caledonia bar restuarant big Celtic supporters Club show all the games watched semi v dead team packed..
Heading to Bad Ass which will be packed hope Almore and Clogher there. We have 1p going in. Al tables cleared standing room only I’m afraid. KTF
KIKINRHENAKAS
Calenia. Akot pub
Budapest, Mozsár u. 9, 1066 Hungary
HH
Caledonia bar as cathach
HH
LIVE UPDATES UP
Thats the Celtic tv just starting now, the buffet is tanned , the
princess and i tried a wee palaise glide there and fell on oor
erses ( who remembers the glide ) a bet wee jinky wis the
master of that dance, c’mon Celts just waltz round these sheep
lovers.
H.H Mick
bhoyfromsky
an alternative to throwing the toys out the pram would be to listen to the advice about it from on here
TURN OFF JAVASCRIPT
hope that helps