It’s really refreshing to hear the positivity towards the manager from senior players at the club. He has the squad pulling in his direction like no one has since Martin O’Neill. This hasn’t come about by chance. When a player asked Brendan if he could arrive late one day this week to see his child start school, training was changed for the entire first team squad.
With term starting across several days at the start of this week, training at Lennoxtown started at 11:30 Monday and Tuesday (we’d a game on Wednesday, in case you forgot). The fathers all got to see their kids start, or return to, school, while the others fell into line.
This kind of family support is credit in the bank for Brendan (a lot more than some entire clubs have). Players want to him.
I watched highlights of the Hapoel game and caught things I’d missed on the night. Leigh Griffiths’ delayed run for his first goal being the most striking. As Scott Sinclair pushed the ball right to James Forrest, Leigh stopped his forward run, waiting at the left edge of the box.
This created space. With that space, he built-up sufficient momentum to out-jump a defender and power a header into the net. It was a stunningly intelligent thing to do.
I had a word with a Celtic coach a while back on how intelligent you need to be to be a modern footballer. It turns out footballers need to be smarter than you probably think. There are outstanding talents in football, and we’ve had more than a few at Celtic, who are just not clever enough to understand how and when to use an abstract entity like space.
Today’s great teams deploy very complicated tactical systems in defence and in possession. It doesn’t matter how good you are with the ball at your feet, if you can’t keep up with the tactical demands of the game, you’ll bounce around clubs never quite fulfilling your early promise.
Some big decisions for Brendan about the line-up tomorrow. McDiarmid has often been a tricky place to go, so resting players could result in points being dropped. We’re three days away from the >£20m game in Israel, which I’d be reluctant to take risks with, despite the three goal advantage.
It’s probably a good opportunity for us to have a look at Dorus de Vries but I’d be reluctant to tamper too much. Only the two big Glasgow clubs haven’t dropped points yet, and I’d like us to be the last man standing in that race. A win for us in Perth and a draw at Pittodrie tomorrow would do nicely.
Sorry to see Scott Brown retire from international duty but it’s unquestionably the right decision. It’s also an acknowledgement that he needs to manage his fitness and recovery cycles carefully.
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BMCUWP,
yeah Morrisey got thrown out of a Mozza concert last night for wearing a Celtic tap. Jewish bouncer I presume.
Me and Mags will post in and about Euro games.
HH
AWE_NAW_NO_ANNONI_OAN_ANAW_NOO on 19TH AUGUST 2016 3:15 PM
Scotsman saying rumours abound that the huns have cancelled their shirt deal with Puma
HH
It was all over the Hun websites yesterday I’m told, but nothing official, how can you cancel a deal, it would take both party’s to agree on that no?
Joleon Patrick Lescott to give you his full name.
It seems the ole SMSM can’t even stick to their original story regarding Joleon Lescott
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 19th August 2016 3:24 pm
Yeah, they’d explain it away somehow.
Anyway, hopefully we’ll be disecting the real draw next week having done the necessary on Tuesday,
HH
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 19th August 2016 3:13 pm
VFR800A8
MIght be interesting if the new Villa owner threatens legal action against those outlets who printed the lie about the medical.
Could be a long line of-it wisnae me,he telt me tae say it!
All the way down to a GSL who will deny it!!
_______________________________________________
Aye, maybe even Lescott himself will be asking the question!
https://twitter.com/dr_tonyxia/status/766622768389615616
Oh dear that’s a sore one for the Beeb.
Got to laugh at the uber sensitive Awe naw asking us not to make fun of Lescott…this is the same guy who, about 10 years ago, mocked me after I related a story about almost losing an eye in an attack by huns in Baltic St in Bridgeton. He compared me to Gordon Brown. I almost chucked the blog there and then…I suppose people can change in the course of a decade, I hope so…
TD
compensation deal that’s for sure. Scotsman rumour mill attributes nobody. So it’s a flying squirrels shaped like a kite.
HH
Geordie Munro on 19th August 2016 3:17 pm
OK, post the link please!
KTF
Gearoid.
Right back at ya ye handsome Tim
My privilege
HH
BMCUW
Boo
AWENAW
That’s ridiculous. H has been to more MORRISEY gigs than MORRISEY can remember.
Crazy you can get thrown out of a gig for wearing something that’s accepted in The Orange Club in Kilwinning during and after a certain hotly disputed derby match of yesteryear.
Prefer the mint ones myself,btw,but you cannae get a drink in a mint club.
Well said Davie Hay – expect more ex Celtic players and managers will now speak out against the stupidity of Wednesday night:
“We have to wait and see what UEFA decide with regards to the Palestinian flags that were on display at Celtic Park on Wednesday night; but let’s be straight – there are bampots who are hellbent on getting the club into serious bother.
And before anyone starts on political causes and freedom of speech, I understand. Everyone is entitled to their own political opinions but what I don’t understand is not picking the right place to express them.
I have spoken in support of the Green Brigade at times because I think they have re-energised the atmosphere in the ground and they firmly get behind the team. But too often I think that a football match isn’t the place to air a certain political agenda.
I have always said that the guys who sit with the Green Brigade are not bigger or more ardent supporters of Celtic than any other punter who pays their money and goes to back the team. They need to be there to support the club and not damage the reputation of it.
At one stage a fine and a slap on the wrist is going to be deemed insufficient and a weightier sanction will be handed out. The closure of a stand would be a nightmare for Celtic but that is the way that this seems to be headed.
If the club are appealing for supporters to keep the protest outside the ground and other supporters are requesting that the club’s name is not back in the dock, then is it not time to listen?
The Israeli/Palestinian conflict is one that has raged for 2000 years. I am not saying that supporters do not have the right to stand up for injustice, merely that there is a time and a place to do so.
With the club amassing fines from 11 different European matches since 2007, there is a time when the punishment is going to move up a gear – and that is when it will really damage the club.
If they draw a Real Madrid or a Barcelona, if they are successful in making the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, the spotlight will well and truly be on Celtic and there will be no escaping the gaze of the governing body.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE
One thing that never leaves ye is yon Catholic guilt. If my barbs have pricked that sensitive veneer of yours,I’ll gladly apologise.
I know they haven’t,of course. I’m cool with that. I lapsed a long time ago(!)
But first beer’s on me on 1/10 regardless,be great if you can make it along.
And I am the sensitive one ? LOL
was it ALMOST losing the eye that upset you so much or are you an Uber Conservative ?
Call Lescott an ugly gun bassa if you want too Bobby that’s ALMOST hun bassa
Ten years later and you ALMOST Chucked the blog
ALMOST But not quite.
If I apologise will you let it go ? Completely mind not almostly
HH
I reckon those of you who identified yon Mats Nilloc Pillock as Chris (Union) Jack have hit the nail right on the head.
Look,ya pillock. We are intelligent human beings on here.
We don’t go with selective news-management spin.
Davie Hay is a greatly-respected player,manager and coach. Loved him for what he did in each of those roles.
His opinion is as valid as mine. I don’t see you repeating my opinion very often.
Wee tip about spin-doctoring which you seem to have forgotten is that it should be aired through friendly sites and aimed at receptive audiences.
But keep trying,it’s something funny to waken up to before nightshift.
Why is everything always blamed on bampots? Bampotism must be destroyed.Free the bampots!
Glad I got that off my chest…lol
Mats Is not jack. Mats prose is superior to Jacks
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS
I was unaware of that,bud. A few from here have been viciously attacked,some have also lost close family.
Sympathy and offers of assistance are usually the order of the day.
HH.
CQN’ers having a right chuckle at the shambles that is Sevco and someone comes on and attempts to restart the flag debate. Best ignored.
Weebobby
I am the nicest guy on the planet. Ask any of my 5 wives. Do not ask any of my blood relatives. They are liars and bastards.
I have an odd humour.
I genuinely apologise to you unreservedly
HH
Mats is just a dick!
MWD
At least the guys honest.
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/beer-sheva-star-admits-celtic-park-intensity-got-to-visitors-1-4207352
Naw Awe Naw
Jack is cleverer than you think. He can get away with his gibberish for Huns and 6 year olds in the Evening Times but realises he has to up his game when coming onto CQN.
Hope I haven’t screwed up my chances of an invite to the Hootenanny…I want to buy Awe Naw a pint (or two)…
He’s trying to sook in with us again.
Bless.
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS
BMCUWP ALWAYS gets the first round.
Sorted.
Can’t believe some on here think the huns wouldn’t blacken a players name to save their own face, it’s what they do.
Obviously Sunderland will be back in ‘the race for Lescott…’
#bullshit
Saying nothin’ but…
It’s well know that Paul Murray yearns for a quiff like BSR’s
Vfr,
Hope this works.
https://mobile.twitter.com/TheVillaView_/status/766606409664528384
Franzipan & orange and blue are the tweeters. It just didn’t end like you’d expect ;)
HH
Oh I jist love a kiss and makkie up story ….
Awfy braw….
Braw .
Bobby
I will not be at the hootenanny.
But my wee Brar will be andI I will give him some cash to put in the kitty to make sure you Don’t have to put your hand in your pocket all night
Ten years I have been a bad man.
HH
p.a or do you want the bridge ton John Bomber sorted ?
And here we go again……
http://stv.tv/sport/football/1364524-uefa-charge-celtic-over-supporters-palestinian-flag-display/
BABASONICOS71 on 19th August 2016 3:44 pm
Why is everything always blamed on bampots? Bampotism must be destroyed.Free the bampots!
*********
“The Bampots disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of the SFA Let the SMS and the zombies .. and the PLC … cant forget the PLC ….tremble at a Bampotic revolution. The Bampots have nothing to lose but their … keys … and tickets… and wallets … They have a league and Champions League to win. BAMPOTS OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!”
Let us all join in in singing the Bampot anthem …. INTERNATIONAL LOVE … by Pitbull
First meeting of the Bobblies (International Bampots of the World) will be held at the
Bampot Bohemain House of Tea and Board Games … serving fine teas, board games and hookah from around the work…(this is actually a real place in Toronto … look it up).
From the fishul Yoo-Ay-Fah site:
Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the UEFA Champions League play-offs, first leg, between Celtic FC and H. Beer-Sheva FC (5-2) played on 17 August in Glasgow (Scotland).
Charges against Celtic FC:
Illicit Banner – Art. 16 (2) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations
This case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on 22 September.