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!
409 Comments- Pages:
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vale bhoy on 14th December 2019 11:09 am
PHILBHOY
Has the Queen got any siblings?
###
Not officially but you’d never know with that lot.
FRANNYB67 on 14TH DECEMBER 2019 10:43 AM…
Not sure but when asked his standard reply is pretty consistent…’ I don’t want to talk about it’
HH
Ernie Lynch,
Yes,I agree,but Brexit was just a rallying point for the wave of English nationalism that has swept the country since Brexit was voted on.The Genie,I am afraid is out of the bottle.Land Of Hope And Glory,once more to the fore.I am pessimistic.
Canamalar,
I never mentioned you personally when I mentioned Catalonia,etc,I was making a general point.Dont ever,accuse me of lying.
Maybe still a few siblings locked away in Asylums,out of the public view.They do have history.
Scotland cricket fans can enjoy a few entertaining hours now, on ball-by-ball updates of the ICC Men’s World Cup from Dubai at this website; espncricinfodotcom.
Fearlessly taking on all fifty American States at the same time and chasing 246, we’ve passed 50 in the 16th over 2 wickets down.
Hello again all you young rebels.
Seems like we’re back to the aul poli-tics again on CQN.
Nothing so devisive imo on the blog, seems to make rational
people angry and pedantic about their point of view.
It has it’s place, but aul cars, aul stories, memories etc, that is
the lifeblood of this blog.
Hope we can get back to that.
Anyways, roasted or toasted cheese?
H.H M
GUYFAWKESAFOREVERHERO
Would rather watch the grass grow, or read about poli-tics 8-))
H.H . Mick
Turkeybhoy on 14th December 2019 11:28 am
Yes what is behind Brexit is an appeal to populist nationalism.
Not unlike independence in Scotland.
A simple solution to a whole host of complex problems.
It will soon become apparent that Brexit isn’t going to make things better for those former Labour voters. The task is to bring those people back to the fold. It won’t be easy because people don’t like to admit they’ve been wrong, or been conned.
ERNIE
I get it, a bit like the Sevco supporters lol.
H.H . Mick
Hi Bhoys
Regards the voting everytime I vote the result goes the other way, it’s the same when I here the huns are getting beat I turn on the tv or radio and they score. I think i’m a jinx.
A song for karaoke The Monkeys i’m a believer.
Couple of my favourite songs one by an artist mentioned a lot recently on the blog and one a cover version of one mentioned earlier. The best version ever even better than the original. IMHO.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syoPk2ZDr9I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auoxLySQ178
KEEP THE FAITH
” Populist nationalism ” .
Like in Ireland ?
Or a squillion other countries which have kicked out the Brits.
What`s wrong with a country running its own affairs ?
Ireland kicked out London.
UK kicks out Brussels.
Melbourne Mick throws a pie and Michael Jones tries to hit it for six instead of the ball. 3 wickets down.
TONYROME
Belters ! both great vids ended up with a Talking Heads song.
Great memories.
H.H . Mick
GHUYFAWKESAFOREVERHERO
Melbourne Mick ate all the pies lol.
Notice i improved your blog name? 8-))
H.H . Mick
macjay1 for Neil Lennon on 14th December 2019 12:02 pm
I’ll try to keep this simple, because, well I want you to have a chance to grasp it.
Ireland was an oppressed nation in the UK
British colonies were oppressed nations.
The UK is not an oppressed nation within the EU and Scotland is not an oppressed nation within the UK.
I can’t make it any simpler for you.
ERNIE LYNCH on 14TH DECEMBER 2019 12:14 PM
Simplistic people have no problems keeping things simple.
Dbhoy
😂😂😂😂
Advert came up on the blog page there, learn more, discover how
Meghan Markel gets her face ” more sculpted ”
WTF did she visit the Gallowgate?
I need to read more, maybe i’ve met her in the Sari heid.
Back soon.
H.H . Mick
Bhoys
Anyone any idea on the situation with Marian Shved ?
How far off is Eboue Kouassi from any comeback ?
Or even Daniel Arzani
Could any of above be moved out on loan in Jan ? With Arzani return yo Man City ???
I think we will see some change to the squad in January
Do the above 2 have a future ?
Will Craig Gordon and Scott Sinclair move on in Jan ?
Along with jack Hendry
We then have a few players out of contract end May
EC open borders have created oppression.
Bombing children leaving a concert is oppressive.
Knifing people in the streets is oppressive.
Doesn`t really matter what you think.
The British people have spoken
Loud and clear.
Your and my opinion as to why they have voted the way they have is academic.
Like most socialists , you demonstrate the arrogance of thinking that you know better than the people.
Even the Northern ” working class” have finally realised the utter stupidity of lurching back to Michael Foot. Even to the extent of supporting Tory buffoonish Boris.
And well done them .
That’s all we need, a Tory crowing about the election result.
Usual argumentative nonsense
1979
Where was your pile of local rat infested shite
3 day week
3 years of freidmanite policies which meant Thatcher could rightly claim denis healys imf inspired budget cut more than she did under Geoffrey howe
Result- labour say it was nationalists who brought them down,no insight offered,tragic result Tories in til 97 then
1997 “things can only get better”
Pfi’s ,marketization really privatization of the NHS under a socialist so called govt
No relaxation of capital laws to enable building a la post ww2 ,banking deregulation incentivizing derivative and casino banking encouraged resulting in Gestation and birth of austerity leaving a tory/lib alliance to tax the poor weak and needy and let them pay calling it austerity
But it was the nationalists fault for not voting labour .no insight offered into nook labour
2019
Jeremy and his(much needed) Marshall plan and non answer to the biggest issue facing the electorate and the party taken over by “momentum”- result pumped for being a confused mess who have no insight into why people avoid them like the plague but youv guessed it it was nationalists fault,…no insight offered into to the various cults within labour,,Judea people’s front or
Peoples front of judea
So cease with the people back in the fold pash
It didn’t happen after Thatcher and it’s widened under this Eton skanks election
But do look in the mirror and offer the Labour voter insight as to what happened?it might help build a party instead of a cult.
Back to Celtic now
HH
An Tearman
Three day week was under Ted Heath, just sayin like😀
Mmm –
Heard a thing on my wee Italian car radio .
The Labour Party came third in a former safe seat mining constituency in Nottinghamshire . The Tory won – his campaign included stuff on social media re ” nuisance council tenants ” being made to live in tents and if they were unemployed, forced to pick vegetables in exchange for benefits . Hey Ho !
Scotland in this Union is like Celtic shareholders at an AGM voting on Res12. No matter what Joe Blog wishes, the vastly outweighed majority stake holder will get his way.
As for the SNP haters oot there. Their job will be done if the Scots get Indy. After that, you can vote for the best socialist party you think will get shot of the nuckle draggers that hold us back Or better still, they’ll feck off down south with the bigots that wanted Brexit.
Saor Alba
Looking for a place to watch the celtic sevco game in Berlin on the 29th. Any advice greatly appreciated!
Frankterry
Hinter Der Couch
Ha!
Your German is excellent :-)
Tonyrome- thanks for the Karaoke songs, they might be a bit beyond my simplistic voice.
Regarding politics- we all have our views and vote who we want to vote for – no – is that not what a democracy is?? I just don’t get why you would fall out with someone who voted differently from you… That’s their right. Indeed would it not be better to find out about that person and get to know them and their reasons but still you may disagree.
But hey what do I know I am a Dumb ass (good looking wan) right enough from the Garngad.
I try and do my bit for my local community and the North of Glasgow in general and although I did not vote Conservative, my life and those around me goes on and I will try my hardest to help them and any other poor soul I come across. No government will stop me from doing that and probably no government will help me either.
Hail Hail
D. :)
Imo, Scotland is an oppressed nation within Britain. It is being forcibly withdrawn by the English from the EU, in which over 60% Scots voted to remain.
Corbyn’s equivocation (and his pro-Brexit voting history) won him few, if any, friends in Scotland. My worry is that those who put him in position will have someone of his ilk replace him.
Awful days ahead for everyone, I’m sure, and I can’t see the current Labour Party ever appealing to the electorate.
Norrie, Shved is so far the biggest disappointment for me. I had really big hopes for him but there is always room for redemption.
Cal Mac was initially branded a failure here along with Christie & Jonny Hayes and they were all on different Posters get rid lists. I can even remember one Poster slagging Edouard as the new Amido Baldie after a few games.
Having said that the all the players you mentioned have question marks over their Celtic future and I do feel there should be a clear out to make room for emerging home grown talent,
I’m still hopeful that young Bhoys like Ewan Henderson & Jack Aitchison can make their mark with us not to mention Robertson, Karamoko, Luca, Afolabi, Coffey, Oko-Flex, O’Connor, Savoury, McInroy Burt et al.
TAURANGABHOY on 14TH DECEMBER 2019 9:48 AM
If you ever want a meaningful labour vote then vote SNP get independence then when Scotland has its own parliament then you have a chance of a labour government that can work directly for Scotland. It’s not rocket science.
____________________________________________________________
If you want to explain the rise of nationalism in Scotland look no further than the decision to jettison ARITHMETIC as a school certificate subject. Nobody can do sums nowadays. The SNP’s own White Paper predicts 10 years of austerity after independence. I have seen this future and it does not work. How many decent Scots will suffer poor health, poor social care and sub-standard education to fulfil Salmond and such likes’ ambitions?
Corkcelt
Kouassi is another disappointment
I’ll be over for next Saturday’s match and I have a few spare Association of Irish CSC calendars. They are £7 each so if you fancy a treble treble stocking filler leave a message and we can meet up at the ground before the match.
https://www.aicsc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/AICSC-Calendar-2020_cover-sold-out.jpg
Fritzsong
I would expect a scexit bill to cover the proportion of the national debt.
However the Scots voter may consider it a price worth paying for independence.
Good luck to them.
In 2016 over 400 “constituencies” voted to leave the EU. None were in Scotland, none in Northern Ireland, and if I remember rightly only one In London. Nearly 34 million voted. Any Party that was prepared to pretend that it did not happen, or worse felt they could ignore it was never, as in ever, going to win a General Election which was all about Brexit, the subject of, yes, the 2016 Referendum. Democracy has prevailed, the people have spoken….
The Bastards!