Celtic have lost in the game immediately after three of their previous four European games, shipping nine points which could be crucial in determining the destination of the championship, so it was not surprising they were below par for much of the game yesterday. Fortunately, the Aberdeen goal came early enough to allow Celtic time to raise their game and respond.
How Celtic respond after European games will become even more crucial in the weeks ahead as they have visits to Motherwell, Dundee United and St Johnstone due after our next three Europa League games. Any slim championship aspirations will be extinguished in these games if Celtic are unable to improve performance for the league challenge.
Ally McCoist is defying early predictions and grinding out impressive results for Rangers, who will seldom have started the league with such an impressive defensive record. Six away wins from six games without conceding a goal is the kind of form it takes to win leagues.
Our more immediate challengers, Motherwell, dropped two points on Saturday, meaning we can go two points clear of them if we win our game in hand, however, the teams meet at Fir Park a week on Sunday (three days after Celtic play Rennes), in what looks like being a key game in our season.
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Rasmussen, McGinn, Mulgrew, M Wilson, Caldwell off hand have all been booked while celebrating goals
Commons and JVoH have both been sent off
And who can forget the famous Bellamy incident at Ibrox, booked for going to his knees?! Stan Petrov in the same game also got booked for scoring AND getting hit by a Coke carton. This booking is overlooked by the Bellamy incident
SFFS
Vmhan who Supports Neil Lennon
NL on DD 2 weeks ago
: “I speak to him at least once a week. He is as passionate as I am.
“He gives me good advice but has also given me a talking down at times about my behaviour on the touchline or my demeanour.
“I spoke to him (on Thursday) and he was asking about the players coming back from international duty, what condition they were in.
“He is always looking for me to find a different angle, an edge.
“I guarantee he has the best interests of the team at heart.”
Kayal, SonsofErin, re Diawara. I stand corrected.
SFFS
Very good result to for U19s/development squad.
0-0 with a strong Rangers team.
CELTIC: Cervi; Miller, Fraser, Rogne (Chalmers), Trialist (P. Twardzik); Herron, Irvine, McGeouch, McGregor, George, Watt
RANGERS: Alexander (Adam 46); McMillan, Perry, Cole (Hegarty 72), Broadfoot; Ortiz (McCabe 63), Bedoya, Fleck, Kerkar (Mitchell 72); McKay; Healy (Bendiksen 63
SFFS
Lots of reasons, perhaps, why Rangers are well above us, but some can be glimpsed in the fact that Whittaker was not sent off, and Hearts did not get the absolutely certain penalty that should have been awarded when one of their players was steamrollered over in the box just after he squared the ball across the face of their goal.
Clearly to be seen in the highlights, but not worthy of mention.
fanadpatriot says:
24 October, 2011 at 19:13
Ooh are you a wee bit upset,maybe meet with you at the football and have a beer.Oops forgot about the big stance.Maybe see you when we are winning again.Out of curiosity where are you buying your Christmas presents this year.
Tiny Tim 19:15
Broonie when given a free role to press opposing defenders creates more chances for us than all the tip tap square ball nonsense that we are doing now.
Broonie has been wasted by Strachan and Mowbray.
KTF
And, Hamiltontim,
Let me add my condolences on the loss of your father.
A bitter burden to bear over the coming days, weeks and years.
notthebus says:
24 October, 2011 at 19:18
*********************
Where did those quotes come from ntb?
V
HH
Evening mon vies – what’s the mood? Are we together or divided?
How the times they change.
MON leaves a small-time English yo-yo club for the mighty Celtic.
Hmmmm….
Diawara/Bangura
Not one person can guarantee who would have been the best signing,every signing is a gamble.Always remember getting excited when we signed Gravesen and scratching my head in disbelieve at this LUBO deal.
TerryONeill Neil ah love yae says–24 October, 2011 at 19:09
In that picture you posted you can even see the ex hun that reminded the incompetent ref to book Charlie.
RTC – New Article
MWD
Lennons passion
If you had read my post correctly you would had noticed that my comments were because of Celtics poppy donation.By giving to this cause is why I will not be giving,a penny more for the forseeable future.When I do come back I will meet you for a beer and tell you about my trips to Lisbon and Milan.Slan
Vmhan who Supports Neil Lennon
Direct Quotes from the AGM
Neil gave a rousing defense of DD
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_7240901,00.html
The other reason why Charlie’s booking is an issue is that Craig Brown and Rob McLean on Sportscene Uncensored last night lamented the booking of the Heart’s goalscorer for his celebration, while pleading for consistency in the refereeing as it DID not happen to Charlie Mulgrew when he scored. An utter lie by the two of them. It’s absurd to think that no one in that BBC studio (not just the presenters) knew that CM had been booked.
Yet more conditioning to convince the rest of its viewers that referees are bias towards the “Old Firm”, and to conceal the fact that it is very much in one team’s favour and certainly not ours. They also failed to mention the MIB’s leniency towards the constant fouling by Brown’s team.
notthebus says:
24 October, 2011 at 19:18
**********************
I smell a rat at CP, somethings not right and I can’t believe that its going to be the manager again that gets the blame, while the constant cause of failure remains, i.e. the strategy and those who designed it, and are steadfastly working the constantly failed strategy.
I was hoping for a long slow lingering demise of the hun, but what I fear may occur is CFC passing them on the way down.
Whatever happens I’m backing NL and the Celts to win the league, for me its the only option.
V
HH to ye!
Have to ask why Neil Lennon was in Portugal to sign Diawara if we couldn’t sign him?
Why are the huns able to sign captain America without a work permit?
Who is our fitness coach now? see this about Gregory Dupont
Scott McDonald believes Celtic fitness guru helped outmuscle Rangers in cup final
Celtic striker Scott McDonald paid tribute on Monday to Gregory Dupont, the unsung hero behind the club’s Co-operative Insurance Cup final victory over Rangers.
High praise: Celtic striker Scott McDonald has lauded the contribution of the club’s fitness coach Gregory Dupont
Gordon Strachan’s side ran their Old Firm rivals into the ground during extra-time in spite of having to contend with a spongy, strength-sapping pitch.
According to McDonald, credit for their superior stamina is due to the club’s French fitness coach and his pioneering work with plyometrics, the science of improving muscle power through strength and speed conditioning.
The club’s top scorer is in no doubt that Dupont’s methods played a part at Hampden when he and his team-mates continued to perform at optimum levels while Rangers faded badly.
“Our fitness was a big factor and that’s something the club works on, not just at the start of the season but by maintaining it all the way through,” he said, speaking at the launch of this year’s PFA Player of the Year award sponsored by Cheque Centre.
“We have good people on board. Gregory Dupont, who was drafted in from Lille, does a fantastic job. It’s been great to work with him.
“Everyone respects everything he’s got to say and that’s a great thing. He does a lot of power work with us week-in, week-out and that’s very good. He concentrates on plyometric exercises, which nobody had done before.
“It’s short, sharp stuff. We do 20 power runs but nothing long distance: everything is explosive. That’s something we’ve worked on because we have explosive players like Scott Brown and Aiden McGeady.
“A little bit more is all it takes. That extra burst, when Aiden broke away in the 120th minute to win the penalty, is something that’s been worked on. You might not realise it at the time but all the work is for those things.
“We had already proved our fitness levels in the semi-final against Dundee United, when we should’ve won that in extra time before it went to penalties so we had that belief and with five minutes of normal time remaining on Sunday Rangers looked a little bit tired.
“They were giving a few fouls away deep in their own half and you could just sense that our legs were a bit stronger than theirs.” Brown, in particular, was the personification of perpetual motion on Sunday, providing a textbook display for box-to-box midfielders.
“Without question, some of our players are phenomenally fit,” said McDonald. “Scott’s engine is something I’ve never seen before: the guy was still jumping up and down at 11 o’clock last night! He’s like one of those Duracell bunnies.
“Maurice Malpas, the assistant-manager during my time at Motherwell, worked with Scott when he took the Scotland Under-21 side and he told us that he wasn’t allowed Coca-colas or Mars bars because he was hyper-active and I can understand that now.
“It is massive having him [Brown]. You can always rely on him. He is always there every week giving an honest performance. Even when it’s not working for him he will still give his all.
“He has bundles of energy and just annoys the life out of people. He is everywhere, on your heels, tackling and harassing people, then when he gets the ball his quality stands out.
“It’s great to watch Scott when he just drives by people and leaves them for dead. He’s quite special.” McDonald refused, however, to accept that Sunday’s victory gives the defending champions an advantage in the title race for the remainder of this campaign.
“Rangers will come out full of hunger when they play Hearts on Saturday and they’ll be looking to prove a point,” he said. “Look at us last year. It’s silly to write off anyone when there are only three points in it.
Gregory Dupont, who was drafted in from Lille, went back to Lille after being released by Celtic.
Don`t know if any of you saw Alan (thug)Huttons tackle on Shane long over the weekend , think poor referees and absolutley diabolicle commentators are the sole preserve of the SPL ……Then have a wee look on youtube , shocking referee and the the commentator is clueless …Hutton should have been given a red and banned for six months …………Shane Long for his troubles misses Irelands playoff games for the Euro Finals . HH
Paul67,
I said after we got back into the Europa League it would be to the detriment of our League aspirations, and typically I am being proved right. This gives me no pleasure at all.
We didn’t qualify for Europe, and as such shouldn’t be there. Not only has it been embarrassing and downright painful to watch, but its also handed them a massive advantage in the League, one which I fear we don’t have to tools to overhaul. Its almost looking like we’re not good enough for Scotland either!
Sad days indeed, and a far far cry for our hopes of a Generation of Domination.
Cheers notthebus, 24 October, 2011 at 19:3?
Still smelling the rat though, it would be carear limiting for Lenny to say anything else at an AGM, some stretching of the truth going on there, everyones becoming a politician in football :¬)
V
HH to ye.
quonno says:
24 October, 2011 at 18:49
I believe that it was the Irishman George Bernard Shaw who proclaimed Patriotism to be the last refuge of the scoundrel’.
__________________________-
Don’t think it was Shaw. Try Dr. Johnson.
quonno says:
24 October, 2011 at 18:49
I believe that it was the Irishman George Bernard Shaw who proclaimed Patriotism to be the last refuge of the scoundrel’.
———————————–
Fair enough – you believe what you like. I believe it was Dr Johnson of dictionary fame.
Dr Johnsons motorcar
Was told many moons ago that it was Desmond`s money that built Lennoxtown and was his money that was invested in our scouting system.Anyone else hear this ?
Vmhan
Thank you. Reqlly sorry to hear sad news about your good friend.
Seven Fishes Four Steaks
When Genk bought Grzegorz Sandomierski I read the interview with them.
They said: we need Sandomierski to play for us in one year. This year he will be here to see things around, watch the games etc.
That’s different policy in the club, mate.
blantyretim says:
24 October, 2011 at 19:44
The Gallaghers from Bundoran – claim to fame! :-))
Vmhan who Supports Neil Lennon says:
24 October, 2011 at 19:37
Vmhan you have mail….heading out for a while
Paddy Gallagher says:
24 October, 2011 at 19:47
blantyretim says:
24 October, 2011 at 19:44
The Gallaghers from Bundoran – claim to fame! :-))
*****************************
I mean the singing of the song of course :-)
PaddyG
one of the old time favourites…. o))
Seven Fishes Four Steaks
I still think 1 650 000 euros for that keeper was good business.
Few days ago I posted name Wojciech Pawłowski from Lechia Gdańsk. 18 years old goalkeeper, but hey…who will hear me?
Well done David on Snyde there for totally extracting the yellow stuff out of mealy mooth Dalziel.
Mick
24 October, 2011 at 19:34
Didnt know that Gregory Du P
Was at yesterday’s game and got the impression that many fans are going out of duty rather than for the enjoyment.
Celtic’s performance reminded me of NL’s playing style, keep ball but dead slow pace. That is killing any creative ideas we may have because we allow teams to get 10 men behind the ball while we try to move forward. We are so pedestrian.
Another point, why when we have gone to so much trouble to get a replacement left back we then have him on the bench and move Joe Ledley from midfield to full bank. Tactics are baffling!
My dear,dear,dear,dear,friend..The Singing Detective.. @ 19.04
Yep .. The KrisCo Kid.. is missed.
As Patrick McNee , wid say.. If he wiz Here..
“KrisCo, You are Needed”
We need his Firepower,noo that Gary has Run oota Ammo.
Gary, needs .. something… He is no the same Siver Sixpence, that he wiz.
He is noo..
“No Worth a Copper Curdy”..as Ma admirable Auntie Flo used tae Aver.
The Next Game.. Agin the Hibs..is a Cruciial Wan.
Noo,thata Think aboot it..
EVERY Game , fae noo oan..
Is A Crucial Wan.
Fur..
The Wey oor Rivals are sweeping awe afore them,these days..
Celtic Must WIN EVERY SINGLE GAME,fae No oan…
If .
We Dinna want tae end Up as a Brideswmaid .. wance Mair.
Takling aboot Bridesmaids..
The Following his Nothing Tae Dae wi’ them….
Master O’Dea, may be jist whit the Doctor Ordered.
Why No?
He.. that’s Darren..no the Doc…
Darren, has served his Two Year Banishment.. and Is Noo
Ready , Willing and Able tae step in tae oor Beleaguered
Central Defense..
And Join
Ma Darling Charlie..
The Baith o’ them are Celtic tae the Core..
Strong , Tough, Menacing Tims.
Jist whit the Doctor Ordered.
Oh? Did Ah say that Afore?
Well..
Ah am saying it Agin!!
Kojo
yer pal, who thinks ye are Swell.
Seven Fishes Four Steaks says:
24 October, 2011 at 19:11
Keiron Westwood has yet to play for Sunderland
Grzegorz Sandomierski has yet to play for Genk
Shane Long is a very good player but would have cost a lot of money in wages and transfer
Baba Diawara i believe would not have got a work permit”
Shane Long fee was slightly less than Jelavic. West Brom are not renowned for paying crazy wages, in all probability he would have been in the Jelavic wage bracket. In my view the Diawara work permit is smoke and mirrors. He would have been no harder to get a permit for than Bangura, he was however cheaper. This points to yet another decision on recruitment which was taken by someone other than the manager
Neil has made mistakes, no denying that. he has however had to work in near impossible conditions last year. The Courts demonstrated recently they don’t really care about what happened , as they ludicrously let off a man who admitted his guilt. The club supported Neil excellently as far as the off field problems are concerned. However they are letting him down on the field
He in my view, and I can hear the Lawell defenders crying “evidence” , is being undermined by the CEO. There is NO EVIDENCE that can be produced in public.Equally the defenders can produce no evidence he is not interfering. Nobody who knows will go public, that would be suicidal from a point of view of employment or networking. However the people who know talk to other people, including me on occasion. They , and there are quite a number , make it clear Lawell has the final say on every matter of significance, including who we sign. These people aren’t some kind of self important outsider. They are connected, including a number on here who have been explicit in private conversations with me.
Anyone doing any high profile job has the right to succeed or fail based on their own decisions. They are also entitled to expect the maximum support their employers are able to provide.
To save the Lawell brigade getting too uptight , I have publicly been supportive of him for many years , up until Willo Flood window to be precise. I also happily recognise he played the SFA debacle last year very well and i gave him credit for getting Kayal to sign a new contract last week. However he and the board are not doing nearly enough to sign quality. We consistently end up with the cheap option. It’s just not good enough.
Neil has earned the right to much better support than he has been given in the recent transfer window
lennon’s passion says:
24 October, 2011 at 19:45
Was told many moons ago that it was Desmond`s money that built Lennoxtown and was his money that was invested in our scouting system.Anyone else hear this ?”
Not an ounce of truth in this. We had a share issue to fund Lennoxtown. It was in the prospectus