Brophy delivers the trophy

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I know, I know, football people hate this kind of chat, but as we walked out of Celtic Park with a spring in our step last night, we were all convinced, the proceeding minutes were critical to the destination of this season’s Premiership trophy.

Celtic were imperious.  Olivier Ntcham orchestrated events, he seems to glide, not run, over the pitch, head up, ready to pirouette (which he does regularly), or fire a pass into whatever space has been opened in front of him.

I know we cannot fit Oli, Ryan Christie and Tom Rogic into the team at the same time, but if I was Neil Lennon, I would be trying to figure out how to fit two of them into the side.  Can one of them learn the No. 6 role and take some pressure off the McGregor-Brown pairing?

After (literally) hundreds of consecutive corner kicks without success, our conversation rate from this set piece is almost as good as it is from the penalty spot.  Christopher Jullien and Jozo Simunovic converted last night, while Jozo struck another effort off the post.  Jullien is as accomplished as anyone in the air since Bobo.  He worries defenders, which in itself, creates opportunity for others.

Greg Taylor lost possession twice in the opening minutes.  This is often an indication a player will hide, instead, Greg threw himself into the challenge.  He was always available and thereafter seldom put a foot wrong.  We need to remember how careers are developed.

With the points secure and Hearts thoroughly looking like the team at the bottom of the table (they really need a keeper, btw), Kilmarnock staged a late, though not unexpected, revival against Newco.  When news arrived of Eamonn Brophy’s 89th minute winner, memories of Ricky Fulton’s Rangers manager’s difficulty pronouncing another Irish name.  “Brophy delivers the trophy” © Callum Brennan.  It was a night of poetry, on and off the field.

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  1. The second Yellow, I could understand Ref not giving it. He went down OK but did not appear to be claiming for a penalty. At the other end there was a handball in the lead up to Killie’s equaliser. The Ref also quite correctly ruled out cokeheids *goal* for a push in the back.

     

    It wasn’t a goal but a bent Ref could have given it.

     

    In other words I thought Beaton reffed it fairly.

  2. Has it crossed the minds of any of the pundits in Scotland that the reason Sevco haven’t ‘kicked on’ is because they have a squad of bang average journeymen who they pay way too much money to in wages?

     

     

    Or that said bang average squad led by an inexperienced manager are mentally weak because they know they are bang average deep down?

     

     

    And when will a couple of prominent bloggers admit that some of their info in the early season about unhappy players at Celtic and unjust criticism of new players supposedly from established players was in fact made up or a case of really bad sources?

     

     

    There are a few prominent tweeters who were also claiming Sevco would win the league because Celtic has regressed and who are now singing the praises of the Celtic players and management. No sign of humble pie being eaten

     

     

    Short memories.

  3. Adi

     

    I was hoping a poor example like that would give rise to a much more entertaining bunch of offerings !

     

     

    The bit of the programme i watched — our game and Sevco`s v Killie –had none of the balance provided by Michael Stewart and Thomson was allowed an unchecked, unchallenged pro-Sevco `analysis`.

  4. Roberttressell

     

     

    I would say that it is not so much ` short memories` as reactionary responses .

  5. Jeepers Fritsong, I had to scroll back to see what I said. It’s not that profound but thanks for the vote of confidence.

  6. AT – just watched the video. I didn’t know John as I am an interloper/adopted son of the Garngad of the last 30 years and have met and know loads of locals both through playing football and well living in the area but as I said never had the pleasure of meeting John.

     

     

    But I hope his soul rests in piece.

     

     

    I see my Aunties brother in that You tube clip (Charlie McGinley) right enough.

     

     

    HH

     

     

    D. :)

  7. CORKCELT on 13TH FEBRUARY 2020 8:38 PM

     

    Jeepers Fritsong, I had to scroll back to see what I said. It’s not that profound but thanks for the vote of confidence.

     

    ________________________________

     

    Are you daft or something? I’m telling you it was profound. You are the CQN Hemingway. Gottit?

  8. Guess how many top honour winners medals the sevco starting outfield players last night have between them ?

  9. AuroraBorealis79 on

    So The Ragers fans are making claims of more racist abuse directed at Alfredo Morelos during the game against Kilmarnock, even producing video, which is inconclusive (according to the DR – yes you read that right!). Oddly enough, I turned that game off before kick off due to the racist chanting which had began before then. Although it wasn’t coming from the Kilmarnock fans, neither was it directed El Buffalo.

  10. lets all do the huddle on

    just watching the snooker and thinking ive never seen stephen maguire and kevin bridges in the same room together

  11. *** CQN PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2019-20 ***

     

    RESULTS FROM GAME #35 – CELTIC 0 HEARTS 5 (NTCHAM, JULLIEN, McGREGOR, CHRISTIE, SIMUNOVIC)

     

     

    I rarely put a ‘correct score’ bet on and last night reminded me why. I’d posted a few times that it was destined to be a 4-0 victory based on our pattern of league results in 2020 (3-1, 3-0, 3-0……4-1, 4-0, ?-?). But when Ryan Christie scored our 4th on the 67th minute then, despite my bet, I certainly didn’t want the scoring to stop! As we all know, things got even better when Kilmarnock secured a victory and I really was ‘this close’ to actually joining in the “here we go, 10(ten) in a row” chant. Not long now until it’ll be safe to assume that 9 is in the bag.

     

    Our first half performance was a bit stuffy and a 1 goal half time lead was just about deserved. But not for the first time at Celtic Park this season we started the 2nd half at a tremendous pace and within 7 minutes of the restart the game was won when our 3rd went in.

     

    So many of our players are now performing to a consistently high standard and that’s again reflected in the wide range of opinion over who was our best 3. So, as always, thanks to the 56 who stuck their opinions down in an email. For the couple that nominated Eamonn Brophy, nice sentiments but something that won’t be reflected in the figures below.

     

    My own selections are asterisked as usual and it appears that I’ve had a bit of a Meat Loaf moment when it came to Big Jozo – although I was the only person who noticed his outstanding performance I won’t be sad, cos 2 out of 3 aint bad!

     

    Forster: 0

     

    Simunovic*: 1 (one!!!!!!)

     

    Jullien: 6

     

    Ajer: 7

     

    Forrest 4:

     

    Ntcham*: 47

     

    Brown: 9

     

    McGregor: 38

     

    Taylor*: 44

     

    Edouard: 7

     

    Griffiths: 4

     

    Christie: 0

     

    Elyounoussi: 0

     

    Rogic: 0

     

    Unused subs – Bain, Bauer, Hayes, Bayo

     

    So, the players receiving points for the Hearts game are –

     

    Ntcham – 5 points

     

    Taylor – 4 points

     

    McGregor – 3 points

     

    Brown – 2 points

     

    Ajer – 1 point

     

     

    So, whilst Scott Brown continues to lead the Overall points table, I’ve also shown in brackets each players position and points as we went into the winter break, just 8 short games ago. Scott Brown has led the table since game number 15 but, in start contrast to the Scottish Premiership Table, the gap here is closing with Eddie and Calmac each picking up 20 points.

     

     

    1st – Brown – 73 points [1st – 60]

     

    2nd – Edouard – 60 points [2nd – 40]

     

    3rd – McGregor – 53 points [6th – 33]

     

    4th – Christie – 38 points [3rd – 38]

     

    4th – Frimpong – 38 points [5th – 34]

     

    4th – Ntcham – 38 points [10th – 20]

     

    7th – Jullien – 36 points [4th – 36]

     

    8th – Forrest – 35 points [7th – 28]

     

    9th – Elyounoussi – 24 points [8th – 22]

     

    10th – Ajer – 23 points [8th – 22]

     

    11th – Forster – 21 points [10th – 20]

     

    12th – Taylor – 17 points [15th – 5]

     

    13th – Griffiths – 16 points [16th – 4]

     

    14th – Bauer – 14 points [12th – 11]

     

    15th – Bolingoli-Mbombo – 13 points [11th – 13]

     

    16th – Rogic – 9 points [22nd – 1]

     

    17th – Hayes – 8 points [13th – 8]

     

    17th – Elhamed – 8 points [13th – 8]

     

    19th – Welsh – 4 points

     

    19th – Bitton – 4 points [16th – 4]

     

    19th – Johnston – 4 points [18th – 3]

     

    22nd – Bayo – 3 points [18th – 3]

     

    23rd – Morgan – 2 points [20th – 2]

     

    23rd – Robertson – 2 points [20th – 2]

     

    25th – Bain, Simunovic, Gordon, Klimala, Sinclair, Ralston, Arzani, Hendry, Dembele, Shved – all on 0 points

     

     

    We now look forward to our Sunday High Noon visit to Pittodrie. Our closest challengers will have played the day before at home to Livingston, a team who has won 5 of their last 6 games and lie just 5 points behind 3rd placed Aberdeen. Livingston will be anxious to keep their hopes of a Europa League place alive by closing that gap to 2 points; as will all of us, I’m sure 😉

     

    Hail Hail!

  12. !!BADA BING!! on 13TH FEBRUARY 2020 10:15 PM

     

    ‘He’s doing such a good job up there….’

     

     

     

    Every English pundit

     

     

    ——-

     

     

    The Huns are projected to reach 91.2 points and have reached the last 32 of the Europa as well as the League Cup Final and also have achieved a number of wins against us including one at CP. Gerrard has spent good money but they have improved a lot since he arrived. There is however a limit to what he can do with them. Competing with Celtic is beyond him and them, the trouble is their expectations are disconnected from reality. He has imo done a good job to date and his CV will reflect that. The trouble now for him personally is that he is in damage limitation territory. He needs to navigate his way to May and get the hell out of dodge.

  13. Teuchter ar la……….

     

     

    Way earlier, thanks bud………………

     

     

    :)))))))))))))))))))))))))

     

     

    HH

  14. Two very quick points on a quiet night.

     

     

    The Celtic Wi Fi is very sluggish ( if you can connect ) and struggles to cope with demand. This is seemingly applicable to all areas of the ground.

     

    Is The bandwidth sufficient for the crowds we attract ?

     

     

    Where is the mega story certain CQN,ers were stating was about to break ?

  15. Forecast for today was for clouds, mist and heavy rain showers.

     

    Instead when I opened the blinds this morning my heart leapt at what a beautiful day it was.

     

    Despite the wind and rain.

     

    I’m waiting to listen to the Clyde phone podcast to hear the raging reactions of the previously delusional Huns who thought they could run with the Champions.

     

    Their tears will fill my cup with joy.

  16. HAPPY ADMINISTRATION DAY

     

    (When it comes)

     

    Diet in serious danger as I take my jelly n ice cream.

     

    Oh my days.

  17. GG

     

     

    Happy administration day lol,hope all’s good on the eastern seaboard😊lol hh

     

     

    David66

     

     

    I know Charlie well,pal of the holy goalie,good Donegal and Celtic man.sometimes see him at the pools office standing😊.hh

     

     

    Emerald Bee

     

     

    Thanks for the cheery thoughts bout Wednesday’s games.Glad you enjoy another night seeing Celtic 😊. HH

     

     

    Back to it:-(

     

     

    HH

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