You get to know those sitting near you at Celtic Park, even if only on nodding terms, but yesterday at Murrayfield, we were mostly sitting among new faces, but despite no previous camaraderie, we found a common bond when we considered Craig Levein’s likely response to his teams heavy defeat.
Hearts were poor, very poor. While Celtic were well below par for half the game, Hearts failed to lay a glove on the champions. Then when Celtic took the lead, the league leaders (for now) could neither muster an attack nor hold a defensive line. Any self-respecting manager would hold his hands up and admit as much, but not our Craig.
“A penalty that never was and we had a good goal chopped off”, was the consensus of how Levein would react, which, turned out to be only partially accurate. How that team are top of the league defies explanation. They were only good at getting in the way of Celtic players and occasionally assaulting them off the ball (pun intended).
Celtic’s indifferent start to the season, and potential for a third consecutive treble, were both on display at Murrayfield. The first half was notable only for its lack of penetrative play. Scott Sinclair, who replaced injured Eboue Kouassi on 26 minutes, produced the only serious attempt at goal during that period. Celtic had lots of the ball but were inhibited going forward.
When Callum McGregor (not best in a wide role) moved to the deep lying playmaker position he is most effective at, in the departure of Eboue Kouassi, Celtic improved. But the real improvement came when Ryan Christie replaced Olivier Ntcham at halftime.
Celtic then had a midfield anchored by McGregor, with Christie, Tom Rogic, James Forrest and Sinclair ahead. Lots of tidy ball-players but without an enforcer. It was a risk, but it worked superbly. We have looked ponderous so often this season. Not every game will be suitable for such an attacking formation, but Celtic were a joy to watch.
Despite playing only 45 minutes, Christie was clear Man of the Match. His dart inside the box 8 minutes after the break won the penalty, then his shot was fumbled by Hearts ‘keeper, Zlamal, to allow James Forrest to make sure, but the third goal, a side foot shot to the top left corner of the goal from 22 yards by Christie, was the highlight of the game.
Celtic could easily have had a penalty in the opening period, when Kieran Tierney was scythed down inside the box after crossing, then Hearts tactic of throwing everything in the way of the ball should have seen another spot kick, when one defender blocked with both arms, but these details were irrelevant as Celtic cut Hearts open at will late in the game. This, despite Craig Levein detecting heavy legs in his opponents.
Well, Craig, we can only wonder what a well-rested Celtic team would do to you.
And it’s Aberdeen in the final again. This is the fifth season they have been the last team to make a contest of leagues and cups against Celtic. They have lost their way this year and the league is weaker as a consequence, but we can take nothing for granted.
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Ivehadtochangemymind
Irish never translates literally into English
Irish is generally more expressive
So the literal translation might be…
“It was us ourselves who brought the summer along with us ”
Rather than just the actual meaning in English of ” we brought the summer with us ”
But Almore is the man to ask
I have been in the company of Irish speakers when they have been laughing at a joke.
They would translate for me and admit that it wasn’t very funny.
However, it was in the descriptive Irish words that created the humour.
They would say, ” it’s not the same in English.
I think yesterday again proved Rogic and McGregor can’t play to close together.
Rogic was ineffective in the first and McGregor was dreadful.
The second half when McGregor went deeper and more central he and the team flourished.
Rogic also benefitted with more space to work in and having Christie attacking last third to create openings.
Both showed their ability in the second half with adjustments made.
EUROCHAMPS67-3:41pm-much maligned,(on here) I thought you were talking about BMCUWPS ????
Meanwhile over on Zombie Zombie
Hi Bhoys
On the local Radio Ulster sports news this morning it was stated that Celtic had reached the final of the League Cup where they would play Aberdeen.
There was no mention of opponents so could someone tell me if Celtic and Aberdeen did in fact play other teams or did they just play themselves(and obviously both won) .
Help i,m very confused
HH
Phil
Real Madrid sack another manager, they might rescue Hunny G from his Ibrox nightmare…
hi bhoys just been watching a speech around 63/64 what an orator . https://youtu.be/3P_s3ChZlRY hh.
Thanks WITS – that’s explained it – couldn’t figure it out – I’d be much more used to the ‘ourselves’ version though that can be idiosyncratic/ derogatory in Uk ! No need for Almore the great.
Interesting QF – not the first time a hunnish thing has crept into the cellic support recently.
BIG PACKY 1, Heard that speech many times and it still moves me to tears. What an orator.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE @ 5:49 PM,
Excellent stuff as usual…
Now, I’ve not posted much recently but a while back I made some points re Titanium Metals © Auldheid et-al and the Law of Instruments.
Now, if anyone didn’t think I had a point vis~a~vis the Law Of Instruments, I would refer them to Neil Doncaster’s handling of the League Cup Draw and resultant debacle.
A couple of points though…
When Brendan Rodgers joined Celtic he was promised a warchest – Fact!!
His joining coincided with the 2016 Euros… Many of the players he wanted, especially the Welsh had a great tourenament their transfer value rocketed and became out of our range.
So Brendan didn’t spend his war chest, yes he got Scott Sinclair for a bargain price and a few others but we didn’t spend his promised war chest… we got smart, Dembele out of Contract from Fulham, Roberts on loan from Man City. We made do and how so – An Invincible Treble…
Now, even though he didn’t use his original war chest… he won every Trophy and qualified for the UCL each Season… quite a feat with Ronny’s team…
This Summer we had to move up a gear, we were loosing several major players, whether it was ex-loanees Roberts, Ex Ronny Successes, Armstrong or Moneyball Greats, Dembele.
Now consider the fact that the likes of Lustig and Brown weren’t getting younger and the core of the invincibles needed rebuilding – Fact.
Brendan wanted 3 or 4 quality players to continue his revolution and his legs were cut right off him… instead of strengthening and working with BR to go forward the executive were on a mission to sell any “value” from Celtic’s £100M Squad…
Including…
Armstrong
Tierney
Boyata
Dembele
All were for sale…
The executive were in negotiations with those players’ agents and suitor Clubs to sell all our players… be that…
Southampton
Everton
Fulham
Lyon
Or Benfica, Sunderland or whomever… While Brendan was trying to build a small quality squad the Celtic Executive were conducting a fire sale…
As it stands, in the last six years, we have had three managers… for every fiver they have spent the executive brought in a tenner…
Brendan wanted quality in the summer (and stated: early in the transfer window) to compete for anorher treble and make us competitive in Europe….
If anyone didn’t know what he meant in June 2018, they should by now, October 2018… January 2019 is make or break…
Hail Hail
Bet City to win and Stones to get a touchdown at any time. ???
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD, even in black and white it just moves you.hh.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE
:))))
HH
Chairbhoy @ 8.18
Quality blogging as ever
Starry
Cost me 8 Euros for as roll n chicken in Basel nice place mind
p.s Hoopy Birthday
Yesterday got off to a great start with an extra hour’s sleep and a free swift pass through Dublin Airport security.
Lennybhoy sorted my ticket for the match and picked me up in the city Centre to meet up with the Coatbridge Bhoys’ bus to Murrayfield.
Watching young and old trying to sneak their carry outs onto the bus was hilarious and reminded me of my younger days traveling to various events with bucketloads of Amber nectar (and whatever you’re having yourself).
There was one Tim on the bus who reckoned he knew the whole Celtic song book but most of his efforts fizzled out when he couldn’t remember the words after the first line of each song!
As we approached Murrayfield the traffic certainly wasn’t fluid but Pat’s bespoke portaloo brought relief to those of us who couldn’t hold on.
Most enjoyable moment of the forgettable first half was seeing Naeclass going off injured.
A great performance in the second half and Christie’s belter made the trip over worthwhile and the day continued to get better.
The journey back on the bus was as enjoyable as the journey up to the match and was made better by Barca beating the Royals and Suarez bagging a hat trick which won two bets for me.
Back in the pub the Huns were making no progrès against the Sheep but a quick pint and a chaser in great company was bringing a fine day to a close.
On the way to the airport (courtesy of LB’s wife) Lennybhoy rang with the good news that Aberdeen had gone 1-0 up and called again to confirm that it was a full time score.
In the meantime, I was getting a barrage of texts saying our work-based accumulator looked like coming good. And it did – to the tune of almost €1k.
Finally, when I got home, there was the missus to welcome me with a couple of night caps.
What a beautiful day.
It’s great being a Tim.
LennybhoyCSC
We destroyed the mighty levein like this guy destroys fashion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNYcviXK4rg&index=193&list=PLEXox2R2RxZKyTTlt3kxvtJbI_Cw1K1IX
BOURNESOUPRECIPE
Double dear Basel, drives me mad that aspect of it but no a bad wee toon:))
If you’re coming through again give me shout my Basel HQ is five minutes from the main station:))
Rolls are on me:)
HH
I know it is a long shot, especially after yesterday’s great result, but looking for 3 tickets for Dens Park on Wednesday. Cheers
YNWA
BP1 what a speech that is. Every time I hear it…. Wow.
Not to trivialise it…. I too had a dream, that as Catholics we would be able to preach and go to mass in peace without fear of getting attacked in Scotland.
Where there would be no marches of hatred.
Where we would be treated as equals when going for jobs.
That if we participated in sport, we could do so knowing it was a level and fair playing field and rules be applied across all sportsmen/teams.
Sadly I have still to see many of these things happen and this is not 1964…
This is Scotland 2018… Shame realy
Keep the faith
D. :)
Is Spurs v Man Titty NFL???
D. :)
DAVID66 , nice to catch up with you, yes a real diabolical shame ktf.hh.
SP
Many Happy Returns
Still basking in the afterglow from yesterday
YNWA
DELANEYS DUNKY
Thanks G, ay still wildly surfin’ The Murryfield Wave:))
HH
ALMORE on 29TH OCTOBER 2018 8:33 PM
A beautiful Sunday, you were fantastic company my Celtic Bros. It was just a pity I had to relay the news of the sheep by phone.
Glad you made it home safely. Look forward to seeing you again in County Coatbridge.
On behalf of all the Bhoys from Tommy Burns Coatbridge CSC thank you for the Badges and for the special one to me.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
SP
Hahaha Magic. Keep on surfin’ on!
YNWA
Dave King strengthens resolve in Rangers’ dispute with Sports Direct
Read more at: https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/rangers/dave-king-strengthens-resolve-in-rangers-dispute-with-sports-direct-1-4821454
The Scotsman; you go girl!
Starry
BOURNESOUPRECIPE
I was in Basel two weeks ago. My son had on the white and green away top and someone tapped him on the shoulder and said, “Nice top.” then walked on smiling.
Was it one of you?
VALE BHOY
It wasn’t me but funny enough I was walking through the station taking a few forties and I saw a guy in his twenties wearing a Celtic top and I thought unusual for here and then he was gone in the crowd:))
Hoops always go down well here, lots of Italians and Craotians and the FC Basel Bhoys still tae about when we came to town:))
HH
#foties
That’s a shame.
Staggering awareness of football tactics shown by rangers’ stevie g
‘We’re Rangers, we are a big team and we should play with a centre forward,” said Gerrard in explaining his decision to selected Sadiq.’
BGFC 4.46 pm
Further to our discussion …..
Interesting.
DENIABHOY on 29TH OCTOBER 2018 1:56 PM
Heard a few rumours (and PHil MacG’s blog piece) of a swap deal with Leicester – Boyata plus a fee for Benkovic. That would be a terrific piece of business. Leicester get a rising Belgian star with more experience than Benkovic and we get a youngster needing to gain 3 years experience. Leicester could be given first refusal on a future move away from us.
I’VEHADTOCHANGEMYMIND on 29TH OCTOBER 2018 9:21 PM
Staggering awareness of football tactics shown by rangers’ stevie g
‘We’re Rangers, we are a big team and we should play with a centre forward,” said Gerrard in explaining his decision to selected Sadiq.’
Sadiq makes Amido Balde look like Marco van Basten
MACJAY,
That would do me. I wonder if Benkovic would be interested….
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD on 29TH OCTOBER 2018 9:39 PM
Very young lad. Certainly looks the part .
Probably down to his agent.
You would expect ( hope ? ) P.L. however , to be putting out some feelers in that direction.
At a more appropriate time .
PHILCOOL on 29TH OCTOBER 2018 8:07 PM
Hi Bhoys
On the local Radio Ulster sports news this morning it was stated that Celtic had reached the final of the League Cup where they would play Aberdeen.
There was no mention of opponents so could someone tell me if Celtic and Aberdeen did in fact play other teams or did they just play themselves(and obviously both won) .
Help i,m very confused
HH
Phil
==============================
Good Evening Phil
Both teams got byes as the opposition teams failed to turn up :-)
HH
CRC