Bolingoli, Elyounoussi and Alan Thompson

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BT Sport had Alan Thompson on at the weekend previewing the Cup Final and I was reminiscing about him.  When he played, I wrote he was the most influential Celtic midfielder since the Lisbon Lions.  Not the most talented, McStay and Collins among others could claim to be more gifted, by Thompson pushed Celtic into places none of the others managed.

His goals in Europe and against Rangers are legend, and his assists record is outstanding, but despite my complete adoration of the player, he had a clear drawback.  Whenever he was absent through injury, it took weeks in the first team before he looked moderately competent.  So much of his game was about sheer physical effort that anything below 100% fitness made him ineffective.

This week Boli Bolingoli, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Leigh Griffiths, Jonny Hayes and Mikey Johnston started games for the first time after injury.  Bolingoli (that corner kick!) and Elyounoussi both reminded me of Alan Thompson returning from injury.  We should cut them some slack as they build fitness.

The same cannot be said for Leigh Griffiths, who looks as sharp as a tack.  He will benefit from 90 minutes last night but he is ready to lead the line, if required.

Scott Robertson looked the part, especially early on, when Celtic had more shape than they did at the end of the game.  Delighted too that Karamoko Dembele got his first outing of the season.  He was not able to contribute much but he is a lad we should have plans to develop into a first team player.

Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the raffle for Tom Rogic’s signed shirt for the Celtic FC Foundation’s Christmas appeal. It is humbling to see Celtic fans in action like this.  The winner has been informed by email – so check your inbox!

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409 Comments

  1. Cosy Corner Bhoy on

    First game July/Aug 1943 Probs v Possibles.

     

    First car Volkswagen 1200? First non beetle VW Germany 1962

     

    All welcome at CP,the majority of people with money vote Tory it’s the no money folk that amaze me!

  2. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    GARYGILLESPIESHAMSTRING on 14TH DECEMBER 2019 11:46 PM

     

     

    Aye.

     

    Seems almost ridiculous that the point has to be emphasised.

  3. GaryG 11.46pm

     

     

    I knew from day dot who they voted for but they never said it, for some reason, they probably thought everything was fair …

     

     

    Anyhow apologies, posting about the politics stuff… I know little as it is about fitba & Celtic never mind that stuff

     

     

    By the way from Macjay to Canalmar with SFTB & An Tearman and many others the “discussions” have been informative … right / wrong … left / right …. at least we all have Celtic :-)

  4. Matt@1107am

     

     

    Great post and exactly what I was trying to say!

     

     

    If we win tomorrow we are on track for 9 inarow

     

     

    If we win well then I believe it means we have an unstoppable momentum to take us to at least 8 points clear at new year

     

     

    Canamalar i acted like a wee ned the other night after 3 terrible results… No excuses but i genuinely feel rubbish and apologise.

     

    I hate confrontation in real life or on my phone.

     

    HH

  5. ERNIE LYNCH on 14TH DECEMBER 2019 10:16 PM

     

    SuperSutton on 14th December 2019 10:07 pm

     

     

    You want to argue with a redheaded woman called Murphy?

     

     

    Good luck with that one.

     

     

    I think the point though is that mathematics means the study of geometry, algebra, calculus etc, and as study is singular so the word mathematics is singular.

     

     

    ————-

     

     

    On your first point, well made. Red headed woman called Murphy. No chance.

     

     

    On your second point, “math” is an abbreviation of “mathematics” which as you say, is singular and means the study of mathematics.

     

     

    So the phrase “you do the math” expands to “you do the study of algebra, calculus, geometry, etc.”

     

     

    Which actually makes no sense. So I venture one last time, the correct saying is either “you do the arithmetic” or “you do the maths” where maths IS plural because it requires two or more parts of mathematics to solve the puzzle.

  6. Petec 11.54am

     

     

    “Oh my days”

     

     

    I was worried with the wee mhan starting, he totally outplayed Ryan Cant but Moreloss played on the wee mhan, all of his chances was him drifting from Ajer & Julienne onto “oh my days” .. I am so glad we won and the wee mhan will learn from last Sunday … he is my Celtic = infectious :-) … but Julienne & Ajer have to help the kid out, especially in games like last Sunday … but as you say “oh my days” :-)

  7. A Democracy means anyone can vote for whoever they like.

     

     

    I’d never dream of trying to tell anyone how to vote.

     

     

    I think there are Big Money People at the Top of Every Party.

     

     

    Or Behind the Party.

     

     

    Politics – The Royalties started it to Stop them being destroyed methinks.

     

     

    Wee Jeremie is gonnae be a Superstar.

  8. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    COSY CORNER BHOY on 14TH DECEMBER 2019 11:55 PM

     

     

    The ” no money folk “.

     

    Trusting in ” their party ” .

     

    Has their trust been justified ?

     

    Rhetorical question , but relevant I feel .

     

     

    Seems like the penny is dropping for parts of the red wall .

  9. Melbourne Mick,

     

    My first recollections of going to games at Parkhead was getting ‘lifted over’ into the enclosure. My father always stood behind the tunnel. That would be the middle 1950s. For the ‘Conaghan’ Cup Final in 1960 we got the CSC bus from the Stirling Castle as it was a Celtic pub in those days.

     

    My first car was a Triumph Herald bought from the Car Auctions in the Gallowgate. No license but drove it home.

     

    I also hitchhiked to Milan in 1970. Set out from outside the zoo and photo in the Daily Retard. Loads of planning disrupted when I missed the ferry from Dover to Calais. Was with my mate from Pollok, who worked in London, Phil Quinn. We had paper maps and ended up in Zebrugge and detoured through Brussels. We had to change currencies in every country. Got to Lake Como early and spent a night on the camel hair mat (school gym mats) outside the front door of the youth hostel.

     

    Otherwise a great time and back to Margate for a week at a Union Conference.

     

    I used to hitchhike to London at least once every two months to visit Phil and buy clothes in the markets.

     

    Hitchhiking was safe then.

  10. Football and politics should be kept apart …

     

     

    If Rods a Tory.. so what?

     

     

    He’s a good guy and Tim!

  11. Petec 12.13am

     

     

    Only the love will … “Set you free”

     

     

    Ntrance CSC

     

     

    Something inside so Strong

     

     

    Neil Lennon

     

     

    Early Christmas holidays nae work till Wednesday … I hope every game in December is difficult for the champions as that’s when they are at their best

     

     

    Hail Hail (& good night)

  12. GFTB,

     

     

    Neil Stayed Strong.

     

     

    Is it Any Wonder, that the Celtic Board is Praised by himself when He was a Definite Target for Elimination.

     

     

    The Tory Board protected Neil. They Brought him Back for hopefully the 9th, possibly 10th…….

     

     

    Neil Credits them for the security.

     

     

    Who knows Anything?

  13. Tynecastle midweek will be the toughie where we might drop points.

     

     

    Olivier Ntcham please Stand Up – I reckon Oli will start Today.

  14. Criticizing Rod Stewart is like criticizing Jock Stein for accepting his CBE.

     

    Or his acceptance into the masons.

     

    Or Billy McNeill for acceptance his gong, MBE.

     

    Or Martin O’Neill for accepting his OBE.

     

    Or Bob Kelly for accepting his knighthood.

     

    Or Bertie Peacock MBE and club captain for being a mason, allegedly.

     

    Open to all.

     

    No matter colour, creed or nationality.

     

    Is political affiliation an exception?

  15. ‘GG,

     

     

    Aff to bed CQN Great, got the game to go to Today.

     

     

    If Only Boris had a mandate to curtail Abortions. Not even an issue in the UK. :((

  16. I’m Praying something like this hits him like a CELTIC Sledgehammer.

     

     

    He has a Full Scale free scope to to do so much.

     

     

    Somehow I dinnae think it will happen.

     

     

    You Never know. He knows about Apophos, I’m sure.

  17. Jinkyredstar

     

     

    You are of course correct the 3 day week was during Ted heaths 70 – Feb 74.

     

    Easy mistake to make,during the winter of discontent I was working in a shop having just left school,one of the few to work a full week,my friends worked in big unionized plants-rolls Royce,weird,shipyards they were out in support of their fellow workers.that winter was awful and sadly whipped up a void that Thatcher could fill.from memory a lot of friends did not like.docked wages with gear to buy for a Saturday night,the young men were not content.

     

    Hope your well my friend

     

     

    HH

  18. Good morning CQN from a rather chilly Forres in Tory Moray (Douglas red red red Ross). Formerly an SNP stronghold until 35 Engineer Regt were posted into Kinloss giving the MIB enough votes to swing it for him.

     

    I digress.

     

    The most important issue today is not Rod Stewart and the halfwits who tweeted for him to stay away from Paradise but getting 3 points from a revitalised Hibees. I take it wee Jeremie will be available despite his red card in the LC final as no violent play was involved?

     

     

    Will the Muthas be allowed to kick sevco off the park with impunity a la Celtic or will the MIB brandish his cards at the first sniff of a hard tackle?

  19. Pog 8.23am

     

     

    Jeremie available for selection as red card wasn’t violent conduct so ban only for league cup game next season

  20. Good morning CQN from a very, very hungover Garngad

     

     

    Oh my days

     

     

    Ma heid I’m sure Mrs David66 must have been standing on it during the night.😒😢😢

     

     

    Come on the hoops. Oooof I’m away back tae ma scratcher.

     

     

    I’ll try and make the game later.

     

     

    D. :)

  21. Pog

     

     

    Thought the Griff looked sharp on Thursday, as you say hopefully some game time today maybe a goal against his team today and one or two on Wednesday against the other Edinburgh mob would be good …

     

     

    3pts today first, is the priority

  22. SFTB,

     

    Great way to wake up. Ronnie Lane & Debris. Gallagher & Lyle.

     

    Transported back to teacher training days in the 70’s.

     

    Thanks T.

     

    Hopefully see you at the Gazebo later to reminisce.

     

    Eurochamps67

  23. GG @ 12.58 am.

     

     

    A sobering reality check indeed . Compare and contrast.

     

     

    If this purge for political correctness goes unabated we will have to rewrite our proud history and airbrush our honours list accordingly.

     

     

    The Empire Exhibition cup will have to go.

     

    The Coronation cup will have to go

     

    The Army / Navy war shield will have to go.

     

    The VE cup will have to go.

     

    The British league cup will have to go.

     

     

    What a load of absolute nonsense.

     

     

    HH to all, and I mean all, regardless of who they voted for.

  24. Van mc coy and pans people

     

     

    https://youtu.be/V3kE0rvAJhM

     

     

    Do the hustle

     

     

    Foster

     

     

    Dingdong frimpong

     

    Kris ajer

     

    Chris Julien (inc onside arm)

     

    Boli mbomba bolingoli

     

     

    Broony

     

    Calum

     

    Ryan

     

    Jamesie

     

    Elyounoussi

     

     

    Ed.

     

     

    Bench griff,Mikey,Gordon,Robertson bitton

     

     

    Hopefully a good shift and all fit

     

    What you think ?

     

     

    HH

  25. Don’t think a red in League Cup affects the League at all. Jeremie will be avilable today, much as I love the wee mhan, I’d prefer Elhamed at right back And hope he is close to a return.

     

    The Biggie for me is French Eddie, hopefully he will be good to go.

     

    I’d prefer Taylor To Bolli.

     

    My Team, The Wall, Elhamed/Frimpong, Julien,Ajer, Taylor. Brooney, Cal Mac, Christie, Elyounoussi, Forrest & French Eddie.

  26. I am always disappointed when I discover that people I like vote Tory but I don`t stop liking them.

     

    Time to join Sticky and The Emeralds departing Arbroath at 11 am.

     

    Hails ! Hail !

  27. Corkcelt

     

    I tend towards jeremie at Home and Elhamed Away.

     

    Hope all is well.

     

    Cheerio for now..

  28. In a bit of a quandry.

     

     

    My mother in law voted conservative.

     

     

    Last week I invited her to come for dinner today…………………..what to do, what to do……………….?

     

     

    And while I’m on the subject I demand to know how Billy Connolly voted!

  29. Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,

     

    Celtic, Celtic on to victory,

     

    They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,

     

    We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league

     

     

    They come from bonnie Scotland, they come from county Cork,

     

    They come from dear old Donegal and even from New York,

     

    From every street in Glasgow they proudly make their way,

     

    To a place called dear old paradise and this is what they say.

     

     

    Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,

     

    Celtic, Celtic on to victory,

     

    They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,

     

    We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league.

     

     

    There’s Fallon, Young and Gemmell who proudly wear the green,

     

    There’s Clark, McNeill and Kennedy the best there;s ever been,

     

    Jim Johnstone, Murdoch, Chalmers, John Divers and John Hughes,

     

    And sixty thousand Celtic fans who proudly shout the news.

     

     

    Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,

     

    Celtic, Celtic on to victory,

     

    They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,

     

    We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league.

     

     

    RIP Ian Young

  30. A sample of one-

     

     

    I did Mathematical Physics.The stereotypical mad boffin who led the first year Seminar in Quantum Field Theory (chain smoking licorice paper roll ups) would take great umbrage at the Yanks in the class who referred to something called Math.-“At this University,Wednesday afternoon is Sports Afternoon ,do you call it Sport afternoon?”

     

    22 degrees /Big sun.Way down south.