It wasn’t just the result, which was enormously satisfying, but the manner of Celtic’s performance yesterday was equally gratifying. We passed with speed and precision, creating space between what was often two blocks of five defenders. Hearts were in a sorry state but despite enduring the consequences of being unable to pay their dues, they remain considerably more resourceful than many of the lower league teams which have caused Celtic problems in cup competitions in recent seasons.
We finally got to see what the fuss over Nir Biton was all about. He brought control, time and space to the play. In particular I liked the way he tried to retain possession. Hope we see more of him in the weeks to come.
While most attention was drawn to the striker position following defeat to Milan last week, central midfield, bereft of recent departures, the injured and suspended, was just as under-resourced. The opportunity is there for Biton to grab a place for himself, just as Victor did a couple of years ago.
Christmas book offer:
To mark yesterday’s 7 goals, you can order a copy of last year’s CQN Annual (we’ve only a few boxes left), plus Willie Wallace’s Heart of a Lion, for only £7 (UK, Ireland only). Email David, david@cqnmagazine.com, who will organise. Once they’re gone, they’re gone…….
You can order this year’s CQN Annual below:
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Geordie Munro
At that Arabs game, he did look as if his mind was in turmoil.
I’m sure that the teacher story was sat upon for quite a while before publishing.
Wharton
My father used to call Wharton -Tweedlehun .
A memory that made the 3D Alice in Wonderland even more enjoyable.
David Slyme used to enjoy a relaxing pint in the 20 Orange Club in Rutherglen,free of charge probably.
afternoon Celts.
The down and ups of being a Celtic fan.not being on the blog for the last week,lurking away.I enjoyed the AC game and putting a few names to faces.hi to all.it was a pity bout the result,but thats what happens in our sport,we win some and loose some but never is our ambition to win diluted.I think we learned well with the team changes and tactical changes for the Hearts game.I hope Neil and his team learn and implement our game on a Euro footing.The building for that started yesterday.
Yesterday Celtic you were sensational.warmed my heart it did.
Paddy and Gerry get blogging,this site could do with your view.
An T
Guy on the No:18
Talking of which referee is most anti-Celtic is like wondering which Orange Lodge sends the nicest Christmas card to the Pope.
Even the pool table was blue in David Syme’s local.
You’d need eyes in the back of your head to count them.
Another new article?
An tearmann
“warmed my heart it did”
Careful there.
Some posters on here will read that as you are claiming we’re gonna win next season’s champions league ;)
I agree with paul 67`s praise of Biton . In the first half, I had him as MOTH. It led me to wonder: Is Neil wrong to wait so long to give the new boys game time or is Neil`s timing perfect and he introduces them only when they are ready?
I look forward to seeing Tom Rogic perform as Nit Biton did.
JJ
NIT!!!
Information is power.
Someone had the information on McCurry and it only came out after he had outlived his usefulness.
IHMO CSC
Edit function is power.
IMHO
Biton’s getting a lot of plaudits today, but I thought he struggled in the early part of the game dealing with the close pressing of the Hearts midfielders.
His touch wasn’t tight enough and his passing under pressure was poor, resulting in us losing possession too often.
Once Hearts lost heart, he got lots more space and used it to decent effect, but I wouldn’t rush to judge him on the basis of yesterday’s game.
SETTING FREE THE BEARS 1506
“Why are we so miserable in the midst of good times?”
Because we are not witnessing good times for Celtic. What we are witnessing is bad times for all of our rivals.
We are expected to cough for a substandard product on the pitch and be delighted on the odd occasion we turn up trumps.
Too many Celtic supporters are turning up through habit rather than expectation.
And too many are leaving after the latest disappointment unsurprised.
McNally Twitter.
Anyone in Scottish sports media able to explain the total silence over child abuse joke & laughter after Lawwell gag treated as huge story?
I am only surprised we got a home tie.
Everything else looks suitably Ogilvie fashion.
The fix is in.
U
JJ,
Are you saying biton likes the bright lights? ;)
I thought he played well yesterday. Been a bit raw up to now imo.
Electricity is power
U
Was unfortunate enough to catch the last few seconds of ‘highlights’ of the Falkirk-Sevco match on Saturday night. After the 2nd goal not 1, not 2 but 3 zombies shuffled in to the hordes of undead but no bookings. Is this no longer a bookable offence or is it only players in green and white hoops that suffer such a fate?
green badger
16:08 on
2 December, 2013
Templeton did actually get booked for that.
Henrik,
Great tweet. If you didn’t already need proof.
ACH!
I don’t know if Tiny Wharton was biased against us; certainly not in the same league as the Gordons Davidsons and Symes. He didn’t come from a bigotted background but was happy to play with his Tim pals (when he could get a game) in the street, as a young lad. My auld man, who grew up with him, reckons he was dire as a football player.
Thomas Gravesen didn’t have a bad a career as a footballer.
The international midfielder got to play for massive clubs like Everton, Real Madrid, Hamburg and Celtic and represented Denmark at the World Cup and European Championships.
Coming off that cloud and into retirement would be tough for most players, especially as Gravesen called it quits at the age of just 32 in 2009.
At the time he was blasted by the Danish press for throwing his life away. He was in a relationship with a porn star called Kira Eggers and comment pieces in the country suggest he was washed up and on a slippery slope to ruin.
However, Gravesen has proved all his doubters wrong and then some.
According to Danish newspaper BT, Gravesen invested his career earnings in a number of financial businesses and struck the jackpot.
He is now worth over €100m (£82.61m –about enough to bid for Gareth Bale) and has just announced his second ‘retirement’ at the age of 37.
How is going to spend this retirement? Well he has just moved to Las Vegas with his latest squeeze – stunning Czech-born American model Kamila Persse – where he plans to spend the rest of his days living the life of luxury and indulging in his passion for gambling.
According to the paper: poker, roulette and blackjack are amongst his favourite games.
It might be tough to recreate the buzz of the SPL/EPL or the Bernabeu but as silver medals go – it doesn’t sound too bad!
I heard this story via a friend. A mutual friend of ours brother worked with the TV detector mob. Was working the Rutherglen area and a certain Mr Syme came to the door. No licence. He immediately hit him with a 400 quid fine. Hahahahaha
I’m sure all his mate’s at the Linn o Dee chipped in to pay for it.
I think its a mile out to deny the vidmar penalty Dallas gave the huns at Celtic park was anything other than a stone-waller. The coin hit him right on the fore-head
BMCUW
“Because we are not witnessing good times for Celtic. What we are witnessing is bad times for all of our rivals.”
Rangers went out of business last year. I am talking about the 2005 to 13 miserifest. Since MON left we have had 3 last 16 places in the CL. A level we said was beyond the level of the losing UEFA finalists pinnacle we achieved in 2003 (at least we said that right up until it was achieved by someone we disliked managing Celtic).
People, well people outwith our own fan base, talk about Celtic and its managers now with more respect than they did of Celtic in the 80s and 90s when first and second round knockouts were the norm, whether we were in the EC, ECWC or UEFA cup competitions..
So, in terms of our achievements on the big stage, we are doing far better and our ratio of cup and league doubles are great.
Delighted with the cup draw. An exciting game on paper, to look forward to in the new year. Compensates slightly for no last 16 CL game. Hope the tickets are 20 quid or less and we get a near capacity. Thankful to avoid sevco, as I would have been out on the golf course, rather than at a game v thems.
Jungle Jim
It led me to wonder: Is Neil wrong to wait so long to give the new boys game time or is Neil`s timing perfect and he introduces them only when they are ready?
I look forward to seeing Tom Rogic perform as Nit Biton did.
Rearding timing, I think we have to bring in players long before we normally do so that they settle in and are ready for our CL games.
What a difference when we score early. when we play at pace and when everyone wants on the ball.
Was down in sunny Preston at the weekend,and just watched the game.BBC Scotland Sports Dept must go on a Negativity Course before doing a Celtic game.The bias is not even hidden .The angles they find not to praise Celtic and find excuses for the opposition,is remarkable.I used to think commentators would get excited if a goal was scored..Maybe David Begg is training up the apprentice boys.
macanbeatha Oscar Abu,
Just said a wee prayer for your son. I’m sure everything will go well.
weeminger / green badger
Someone needs to explain the ruling there. I noticed in the Sunderland-Newcastle game a few weeks ago, when Fletcher scored he went into the crowd with about five or six other Sunderland players. Only Fletcher got booked.
GlassTwoThirdsFull
16:26 on
2 December, 2013
I think the scorer is seen as the leader so they take the punishment. Same way as when there’s a bit of a brawl it’s usually just the two instigators that get carded.
Macanbheatha
I know what it is like when your child has an operation. Good luck. Wee prayer said for your Bhoy.
ayrshirtim
12:44 on
2 December, 2013
Nihao
——————-
Just dont be coming on + saying Nihao, Nihao…
TBB,
In my post match comment, I said that I thought that Biton grew into the game.
He was slack early on and perhaps the domination of Hesrts allowed him the time and space to shine.
Perhaps also that once he got over any nervousness he may have felt and got to the pace of the game, he settled.
I actually believe that it was the shape of the midfield, I.e. four genuine midfield players, Charlie included, who knew the territory and how to play the position that created a stranglehold on the game.
Much better than pretending that KC and Sammi have a defensive side to their game.
None of the four got isolated and always had a mate in support.
It made it much easier to pass and move, which pulled Hearts all over the place.