The forward line justifiably attracts most of criticism in the team, but the most glaring concern for me is how Celtic are in possession in the middle of the park. Too often at Dens on Sunday, we were unable to string five passes together, players were uncomfortable on the ball and resorted to speculative forward plays which inevitably ended in lost possession.
The surface and environment can have an impact. Four of remaining six league games are at Celtic Park, while the Scottish Cup semifinal is on the equally good pitch at Hampden. Callum McGregor was fit enough to complete the Dundee game, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain played over an hour; Martin even had enough options to leave Reo Hatate on the bench.
A Celtic win aside, the key metric I will measure tomorrow is how we take the ball out of defence and progress it through the St Mirren press. Teams who do this control play and inoculate themselves from random results. Get this right and the forward line will make chances and score goals.
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Martin presser
https://youtu.be/Ht5jPgRFnV8?si=E7Yf6apMejB8-zmn
Vijamo presser
https://youtu.be/dC5MDt_rSGQ?si=GLP6AwDzE3XAEF2K
God bless Celtic
HH
ss – that paul hartley header – was it in Russia? F brilliant.
The key metric for me is scoring one goal more than the opposition.
Its not particularly good for the stress levels, but its good for winning trophies and right now results are all that matter.
Rory’s on 6.45pm UK time COYBIG
jackiemac on 10th April 2026 3:14 pm
ss – that paul hartley header – was it in Russia? F brilliant.
————————
I do subscribe to the theory that the hard working professional who has won nothing, but has many seasons of football already played do appreciate the chance to finally win something when it comes, and even more so if you grew up supporting the team.
I do believe big Jock epitomises this. His actual influence on the Celtic team, when he came here as back up to the centre halfs, and that story of an ultimate will to win, I feel it is really under appreciated, he did captain a double winning team, and played in the Coronation cup.
Same for Lubo , Pat had won somethings but never anyhting big.
Paul and Barry, they were just born winners finally getting that chance.
That is how I feel about Robertson, he wants to do it with Celtic.
I also get pissed off wit the KT doubters, and actually wonder, what do they think they are watching, the bhoy has been a positive for me this season, and if we eventually do win something, he desrves plaudits.
anyways, aff oot/
sorry, Jcok offcourse didnt support us, but like a few dozen others, that he didnt get to play for his preffered club, he didnt half stick it to them every chance he got, like Broony, Kenny, Danny, and so on.
Saint Stivs on 10th April 2026 2:45 pm
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Most teams have managers who are capable of learning from week to week and that is why a Celtic team playing possession football which means our 6 million quid wingers have no space to run into, making the wingers look like duds and our lone striker is made to look like a numpty if he misses his only chance in the game, like Rodgers did to Idah, driving the poor fella to hit the booze, lying sleeping on the floor of a train which is dodgy with all of these strange people going around these days.
Possession football in an all seated stadium will put Horlicks out of business.
Just think of all the Horlicks workers losing their jobs.
Will the Green Brigade sing they’re super Celtic songs, or will it be 1916 again?
Singing Irish reel songs when the team is majority of players who’ve probably never heard of Ireland, never mind the Galtee Mountains, is to completely miss the point, and FAIL to demonstrate to these players that there is a Celtic way of putting an arm around these players by singing the players NAMES, not 5 verses before you get to the name, which is the bit that a lot of these players will actually understand,, and be lifted by, 5 verses before the NAME is fuddy duddyism at best.
Get the 40,000 UNNEEDED seats removed and the convoluted boredom will leave with them CSC.
Shrugging our shooders is not the Celtic way!
Sad are the homes….
i need glasses on when i tipey
Saint Stivs on 10th April 2026 3:29 pm
i need glasses on when i tipey
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Can I get a loan of them?
Fanks Comrade.
Peace.
Flynn from earlier
Agree with 2 up front, but a you suggesting we play still with 2 wingers, sound good to wee me.
Stay well my friend
KINGLUBO
https://photos.app.goo.gl/XCTXsnyEB9SPn4Yx5
Brian M, BRRB, Leggy. Brazen Head.
three new signings ?
yeah ss – the pros who get it ! Christ one or two , a very small number we’re going for MON half way through the game agin DU at celtswell, santa ponsa.
We’ve been that successful that the only people the GB can rebel against is us and or themselves.
GB, we’ll come around!
Is it true the GB made a protest at a B game recently?
If we are to pay another £50k per week on a player , let’s pay it on a striker.
Stopping goals is if course essential, however scoring goals is what exicites fans and ultimately wins games.
In general, that’s why we sing songs to our goalscores.
HH.
Domestically 2 upfront is a no brainer.
We just need to find the two first.
HH.
Stevie 3.44
We’re doomed. 😂
Celtic are a modern 4-3-3 team, Ange, Brendan, and MON n Shaun play two wide. The problem is the quality of striker. That said Paul’s right, the midfield is weak.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cg40n6xk0y9o
Mark Blackbourne.
Formerly of Sunderland AFC and Burnley FC.
I wonder which of the two sets of fans he’ll instinctively identify with?
Celtic fans?
Or Union Jack sh*gging white trash knuckle draggers?
jackiemac on 10th April 2026 3:53 pm
Is it true the GB made a protest at a B game recently?
No.
The group turned up to support Albion Rovers who announced they were having difficulties.
It was an international break.
Eyes on victory tomorrow
HH
ok An T – I know a ghirl who says otherwise !
I’m getting tetchy – we can win this – no f tennis balls or assaulting stewards though (imho).
Back to Basic
He lacks that consultant type name like Lord Nimmo Smith!!
Is it just that last fixture?
I suppose so
No chance of the rubber dolls causing them offence eh:-))
3pts the morra s must
HH
Jackiemac.
There’s my evidence
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/16123635/celtic-ultras-green-brigade-pay-opposition-wages/
The girl you knows evidence,Where is that?
Its a tough gig
God bless all Celtic fans..
Victory the morra
HH
BSR – the whole team is weak, but the lack of quality at the top end understandably gets most attention.
I agree that over the years this team has established a 4-3-3 identity, which is probably what MON and Maloney have defaulted to for fear of more change disrupting the team.
The truth is, we have 34 players listed in our first team squad, 7 of whom (including Araujo) are long term injured (a couple may be returning), and we have an additional 5 loan players, of whom the best is Scratchy, and he can’t get a game ahead of an admittedly improved KT (recently more like himself). Then there are two free agents that we picked up after the transfer deadlines, both of whom are probably starters when fit and available.
Of the other 20 players, this is likely to be the last season for Jamesie, although even as he turns 35 he would likely be in the squad ahead of Balakwisha, Bernardo, and Murray (based on recent fixtures).
The remaining 16 includes our two Japanese boys who are likely to be sold for below their peak values, but assets will be managed! I would expect Engels to follow if EPL interest returns in the summer, and at £25M it would be good business, and Yang might also be on the way given last year’s failed exit.
From the 12 others, neither Ralston or McCowan are good enough to even be squad players, while most critical of all, as McGregor turns 33, it should now be obvious that his race is largely run as a regular starting #6.
So, as for the chat about Andy Robertson, I think that it is fanciful. A fine player, but can we afford a punt on a 32-year old for a position where we already have our highest paid player? We have so many other priorities, and whilst he would be a great add for the many reasons already shared, he cannot possibly be a priority signing.
All of this to say, I’m deeply concerned with the scale of the rebuild, let alone the trust being placed in our board to find a new management and recruitment team.
On the positive side, it makes the stress of the run-in seem relatively mundane by comparison!
St Martin looked very tired at the press conference today….
Ged
2nd last paragraph, likewise.
as well as targetting potential signings to improve the squad, i really hope the club is investigating why so many of our players are getting long term serious injuries.
they need to rule out, or otherwise, things like training methods, fitness levels, medical care etc.
its hardly a great selling point for us to try sign other players while effectively saying “come to celtic, get a serious injury”
This will be so, so sweet if/when we win a double with a whole team that is weak.
Anyone notice how they’re now starting to hedge their bets by introducing a “rebuild” narrative before a tight title race is even over?
I suppose you need some other negative in your back pocket just in case.
🎵we don’t care if we win, lose or draw….🎵
Back to the upcoming 2 games in 8 days against the baddies
Now before I do let’s be honest here, although we started the season off with a loss at rugby park we tied our 3rd over at the bigot dome losing only 3 more until the following February, that latter being an extremely controversial game as we lost to the future champions, but it was not the game that was the cause for concern but a young Celtic supporter died in police custody, when the news filtered through to the terracing all hell broke loose making front page headlines all over the country, the following Saturday we walloped the baddies 7-1.
We would gain revenge on this excellent dens park side by beating them 2-1 on the Buzz Bombs debut and he did have a goal chalked of that day wtf, goals by Frank Brogan and a Big Billy header in the last 10 minutes gave us the win against an excellent dundee side with 6 internationals in it including veterans bobby seith an English League winner with burnley and gordon smith 2 time winner with hibs and hearts who would make it a treble at the end of the season.
As it was defeats to Stirling, Airdrie and Raith, the latter at home cost us any chance of the title although we did revel in singing “they tell me the League flag has gone tae Dundee”, tae the tune of the “road and the miles” on the plus side 1872 failed to beat us that season as the only 2 games we played were drawn and we also finished in 3rd place gaining a Fairs City Cup place the following season as well as winning the Glasgow Cup beating the Hi Hi 3-1 after a replay.
Oh good lord!
Blogga, you gotta just spit it out.
I’m ok if you don’t like me or what I have to say. Don’t be shy, just say it.
Your tepid innuendo and clumsy attempts to mock an opinion different to your own are as tiresome as they are predictable – a poor reflection of your intellect.
Just have at it, tell me I’m wrong and offer something other than this weak and repetitive sniping.
Better yet, put something in the blog that is worth reading, stimulates some thought and reaction from the rest of us. Give us your views on the team, the tactics, the players or even step carefully into an explanation of your previously expressed admiration for the board.
But good lord, wouldya just stop pussying about and speak your mind mhan!
Aye Gedi, have you managed to come to a decision about how you want the season to go or are you still undecided?
Anyway back to the 2 games in 6 days at Love Street, the first one was on a Monday night, March 26, 1962, to be precise
Now I wisnae at this game, in fact I had NEVER EVER been to Paisley period then although I would often in future years, especially going to Love Street, so nae chance on a school night although some of my classmates went, well the Bankie ones especially those from Whitecrook as it was only a hop skip and jump tae the ferry and then the Gilmour Street bus intae town from there.
We were four goals up after 22 minutes that night through Johnny Divers, Bobby Carroll and Stevie with a further 2, Bobby Carroll was the star that night making 3 and scoring one in that dynamic first half, he also created Johnny Divers second for number 5, oh how those Bhoys raved about it in the Tuesday morning class.
And so on we went full of the utmost confidence toward the semi at the bigot dome on Saturday March 31, in fact that morning in the papers the 2 best footballing sides in the country, us and Motherwell, were tipped for the Final
I also was NOT at this game as I had a 2nd replay at the neutral ground of St Patrick’s on Cardross Road, it was a 4 seasons day as it started with the sun shining, then hailstones, sleet and rain before finishing in the sun, it also went to extra time where we lost but with a 2:00 ko and no showers, we were dressed and walking back down Cardross Road for the bus at around 4:30 when we spotted this well known Celtic supporter Mick from school walking up, wtf the game would still be playing, so what happened Mick, eh a break in at 0-3 so he bailed oot.
Now let’s be clear here unlike what the hun press promoted this wisnae a break in tae get the game stopped, naw we at the time were the raining champions of the country as in bottles raining from the back down ontae our young and older fans at the front, so in an effort to avoid them they climbed over the wee wall on to the running track and then the pitch itself for safety, eventually, when peace was restored, Sir Bob had already conceded the tie.
The Celtic lineup that afternoon had 2 changes from the Monday night side, Jim Kennedy had recovered from injury but strangely architect, playmaker and scorer of one of the goals Bobby Carroll, who would eventually move to Love Street the following year, was left out.
For you younger readers who haven’t much knowledge of Bobby, he was a prolific goal scorer at the Junior level with Irvine Meadow as well as a Junior Cup winner when we provisionally signed him in September 1957, and much sought after tae, however, he was left with Irvine Meadow for season 1958–59, during which he scored 75 goals resulting in him being voted Junior Player of the Year in 1959, he was one of the hail hailed “Kelly’s Kids”, Bobby’s problem though was for as much as he had the proven potential and a great junior record, the rest of the club, team and board management was a shambles.
Bobby also made history when he scored our first ever goal in a European competition against the holders Valencia away in the Fairs Cities Cup on September 26th, 1962, in fact he actually scored 2 that night in a 4-2 loss, but in typical Celtic fashion he wasn’t picked for the return leg, no matter what, he later stated, “it makes me feel good that I´ve got a wee bit of Celtic history
St Mirren also made changes from the side decimated on that Monday night, 6 in fact as well as including one specific positional change Willie Fernie who had joined the baddies for the paltry sum of 3 grand 4 months prior and who had been brought back to us from Middlesbrough where he had teamed up very successfully with a young Brian Clough, was moved from right half to inside left, the versatile Willie had actually played in both wing half, inside forward and left wing positions for the national side, B team and Scottish League teams.
As I said our support and all the pundits had us already through after the Monday night game, like chalk and cheese between this game and the previous one in the League, the baddies were the better team by far and we chose the semi to have our biggest off day of the season with no one playing well, it was similar to a final 9 years later against the maryhill magyars, the only difference was the baddies were 3 up after 33 minutes while the sizzle 4 after 37, likewise we pummeled both sides in the second half with late goals from alice byrne and kenny respectively, meanwhile over at hunden the much fancied motherwell also lost by the same score, let’s hope history disnae in our case repeat itself again.
Now this is when I get a bit peeved off about the “days in the wilderness” being from October 19, 1957, to April 24, 1965, not so, as during that period although we didnae win any major trophies, Glasgow and Charity Cups don’t count though we still celebrated them with gusto at the time, we did reach several semis, including the Cup Winners Cup before it was named the “lavvy cup” and finals, in fact had we won it in 1962 as was predicted it might have been a different Celtic then but after that one the huns then won it 3 times in a row including 2 back to back trebles, and that IMHO was when the wilderness years begun, aye all 2 of them as the Big Mhan was announced 3 months after they had beaten us, quite controversially again, in their 2nd in a row league cup final and we then went on to compete in the next 13, winning 6.
Why did we fail to win anything in those years 7 years, 6 months and 5 days, well nothing short of poor management, however as I said our young team was now progressing and we did start the 64/64 season well with an amazing win over 1872 at parkheid by 3 going on 5 -1, in fact we had the luxury of Charlie G hitting the post with a penalty which spun back intae the hun goalies arms and a BIG Yogi dribble right down the Jungle side where he took out the right hand side of the hun defence, a couple of ball boys, polis, ambulance and camera men before crashing an unstoppable shot home only for the mitb tae pull it back for a foul TO us wtf.
What made it all the more sensational was on the previous Saturday in a dead rubber, we had already topped our LC section after gubbin the calvinist 6-1 at home on the Wednesday night, down at Rugby Park where going into the game we had an 18 for and 3 against GD, now there are durty games and then there was this one, to say the least, both our captain and vice captain were stretchered off in the second half and the crowd so incensed at this started their raining champions routine again, both players were rushed to hospital, by car, aye car wtf.
The knights templar’s tactics were brutal and appeared to involve kicking anything that moved in green and white, similar to what we would witness 10 years later in the Big Cup Quarters, only difference was they would finish the game with 11 players on the park while we had 9 and yet it would take a second half penalty and last minute goal to beat us, only the intervention of the mitb in calling both captains aside prevented the game turning into a full blown riot.
So we headed intae the hun game, which was played in a monsoon, with John Clark also out injured and Big Billy being replaced by Brogie and Big Cush respectively, while Chopper was replaced with Johnny Divers, the huns were able to play the side that had beaten Red Star at the bigot dome on the Wednesday night.
We just didnae beat them but walloped them with hard men Brogie, Cush and stand in skipper the President taking care of their attacking trio of mclean forrest and brand, while our young full backs had henderson and the original dive bomber wilson in their pockets, but for me the main difference was Charlie G curtailing their talisman, the second best player to come out of the hill of beath, it was a noisy but jubilant train on the way back down the road
Our tails were now up as we headed for the LC Final against them 7 weeks later, Luggy and Chopper were back with Charlie G being mysteriously left out, both sides had numerous chances and a couple of penalties turned down but the turning point in the game was just after the Garngad hun striker had given them the lead, we fought back and Bobby M’s shot was so powerful that their goalie couldnae stop it and turned to save on his line, or did he, we claimed a goal but the mitb waived play on.
Now this was at the Mt Florida end and although we couldnae really see it, our players did and complained vigorously, as we are all aware the best coverage of a game was in the Saturday green and pink editions when it was written live, the Sundays wurnae that bad as they were usually written on a Saturday night and you could be sure for that particular one they would all be hauf oot the bag with joy or near to it, it was the Mondays when they had all day Sunday tae carve the truth up so on the Monday morning sitting on the train there were many many many happy faces proclaiming it was NEVER over the line, as the front pages highlighted the goalie holding the ball in his arms, but as we all know it was photoshopped to show him after he had pulled it back over the line.
After that it was all downhill for a dejected squad and support with 7 defeats including that other contentious one over at hades where their record signing paid his way with the wee mhan NOT just being sent off but almost lost to the club as well as Bobby Murdoch missing a late penalty that would have at least tied the game for us as this was a full strength Celtic team and a hun side missing baxter, henderson and brand
Ironically as poor as it was, on Saturday January 30, we managed tae humph the sheep 8-0 at Parkheid, was there something the water, well we would soon find out on the Monday morning, as that day walking across Balloch Bridge with my da for the train, he as usual opened his newly acquired daily express, and being a punter pulled the racing supplement out before handing the rest to me, but this time he glanced at the front page, it was there that we found out the Latter Day Christ, © Hamish Imlach, was coming back home.
The building sites, factories and shipyards, well those in West Dunbartonshire, were jumping for joy, wee ten thirty would soon join him, now it wisnae all plain sailing as we lost 7 and tied 2 League games plus drew our semi as well, but at the end of that season we had the Scottish and Glasgow Cups in the Parkheid Boardroom, all within 17 days.
I started this with the 7-1 game when I was still in the Primary and it would end 10 years after Jock had returned as I left once again for the colonies with a wife and 2 weans on tow, but what a wonderful experience it was, ok we didnae win all our games or trophies but it set us up, a crooked rag and bone man notwithstanding, as the finest club in the country if not at times in Europe
And yet here we have a support that’s throwing their toys out of the pram, even though we can still do the double and all because our de facto owner who invested twice as much as most of the other investors and has underwritten our share issues as well as financed the 2 Keane’s, MON 3 times, Bellamy and rogers twice, took his eye of the ball concentrating on his core business, how dare he.
Oh and as we welcome back the GB, a paltry couple of thousand who are still bitching, whatever happened to “and 60,000 Celtic fans who proudly claim the news, aye its Celtic Celtic that’s the team for me”, and it will be until my dying day as I have seen the good the very good and the excellent but never the bad or the ugly.
LETS ALL DO THE HUDDLE on 10TH APRIL 2026 7:31 PM
Totally agree about the injuries.
I remember reading an article in a US medical journal which explained how “soccer” players were significantly more susceptible to soft tissue injuries – such as hamstring, groin strains, and ankle sprains – than other professional athletes. This was largely due to the high-intensity nature of the sport, which requires repeated rapid acceleration, deceleration, abrupt changes of direction, and pivoting with stressful weight transfers.
Major contributing factors were cited as demands for endurance, resulting in muscle fatigue, while also highlighting inadequate warm-ups because it is hard to properly prepare on the sidelines. There were also questions as to whether injury history was being effectively mitigated, and if overuse of players was a factor.
Bottom line, this particular season has been dreadful. Unlucky, or poor use of sports science?
Again, Blogga, passive aggressive and just tame.
I say what I want to say, and I’ll stand behind whatever I’ve said.
You should give it a shot. You might find it cathartic!
Bottom line, this particular season has been dreadful. Unlucky, or poor use of sports science?
—
it would likely be very difficult to prove either way.
but still isnt a good look when trying to sign players.
Flat earthers look away now….
Artemis II will splash down @ around 1.00am BST landing off the coast of San Diego.
No man….no black man…..no woman and no Canadian has ever travelled so far into space as the Orion, Integrity if you like, crew have done.
Never made it to Paradise mind….
Celtic Mac on 10th April 2026 9:23 pm
Only learned today that there was concerns about
Artemis I and it’s protection shield. NASA suggests it was a trajectory problem and Artemis II should be OK.
That’s a roll of the dice, hope they are right, brave crew!