Celtic punching with an empty glove

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I’ve watched a large number of insipid end of season efforts over the years. The one that stands out most is home to Falkirk in 1987. It was probably the first time it was clear to me the white flag had been raised on a campaign (had results gone our way, we could still have won the league that day). Only a year earlier the same squad delivered the most unlikely title in the final game.

There was no white flag yesterday, quite the opposite, the league is all-but won. Instead we looked like a team with a lot of players wondering if they had a future at the club. The next two games, away to Hearts and home to Aberdeen, should provide enough focus to allow the level of performance to rise, but I thought that about the semi-final too.

It’s the end of the road for a few players, and for a system clearly few still believe in.

On the way into the ground a few of us wondered how often Kris Commons would be used going forward. He will be 33 in the summer, ahead of the last year of his contract. Whatever the reason he didn’t make the starting line up yesterday (or last week), his 9 minute cameo demonstrated the directness, not to mention game intelligence and skill, that Celtic are badly lacking.

Despite the plethora of No. 10s and creative wide players we’ve recruited over the last two years, Commons remains by far our most effective creative player. Without him we look to be punching with an empty glove; I hope whoever takes over takes note.

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720 Comments

  1. Delighted for you Proudbhoy, a new born infant is the most wonderful thing in the world.

     

    Yes Weefra, Dena has been conspicuous by her absence, but to be honest the blog has been so fractious & depressing I wouldn’t blame anybody for giving it a miss.

  2. glendalystonsils on

    TBJ HAS NO TRUST IN THE PLC on 25TH APRIL 2016 11:08 PM

     

     

    It’s not a defensive coach they would need….it’s a dictionary -:))

  3. CORKCELT/TBJ

     

     

    Thanks ghuys. Really concerned for Dena. A welcome visitor to the corner for yonks. Please keep us posted anyone who can. HH

     

     

    PROUDBHOY

     

     

    Congratulations. Make the best of your children, they are the future of the planet. nd then some. :-)) HH

  4. The Donald

     

    ——————————-

     

    Prick

     

    ——————————-

     

    That is all from me for now.

     

     

    I think it enough.

  5. Weefra,

     

     

    I think Dena’s mother is unwell. Dena had planned to come up to Dublin at Easter but we got a message saying that Dena couldn’t attend due to her mother’s illness.

     

     

    HH

  6. Allan,who has looked the part in any game he has played,albeit,very sparingly.Christie,who has played the part in the SPL with Inverness,these are the guys I wanted to see in the team.We have Roberts for another season,at least,we saw when they all were on the park together for around 25 mins,that they have the natural ability to entertain and be effective.They are on the same wavelength.RD,is trying to see the season out with players who fail him week in,week out.Add Ajer to these kids,and we could have Celtic Park off its seats.

  7. Well done those who didn’t waste any time putting the revisionist ingrates right a bit earlier.

     

     

    Oh, and il padrino, don’t know where you’ve been the last few years, but, actually, Martin O’Neill’s teams didn’t lose 2 leagues to McLeish, they were cheated out of them, Rangers (1872-2012) having fielded improperly registered players throughout 2003 and 2005, the years to which you refer.

     

     

    Don’t mention it, away and enjoy the good news!

  8. CLOGHER CELT

     

     

    Thanks for that. If you have a contact number for Dena, can you please ask her to txt me. She has my moby number, but I don’t have hers. Cheers for that. HH

  9. Weefra,

     

     

    Sorry I don’t have a mobile number, but I will try e mail for you?

     

     

    HH

  10. On this day 47 years ago Big Jock managed, motivated and masterminded Celtic to one of our greatest Scottish Cup final victories, 4-0 v Rangers (1872-2012).

     

     

    Supporters also left anticipating great things to come from young George Connelly, scorer of the third goal, an “old head on young shoulders” according to his boss.

  11. Weefra I am on Facebook with dena. I will leave her a message to get in touch with you mate.

     

     

    HH

     

     

    KTF

     

     

    UTLR

  12. CLOGHER CELT/MIGHTY TIM.

     

     

    STARS the both of you. Typical TIMS. Thank the both of you so much. :-)) HH

  13. Currently No1 in the Australian Country Charts!!

     

     

    Wheeler Walker Jr did this album as a F*@k you to nashville and expected to get thrown out.

     

     

    Instead it turned him into a worldwide superstar!! Great stuff

     

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7foqCcOsI54

     

     

    Wheeler Walker Jr.

     

    “Redneck Shit”

  14. antipodean red on

    Proudbhoy, Congratulations to you and your family on the birth of your new daughter, Magic.

  15. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    BEATBHOY on 26TH APRIL 2016 12:23 AM

     

    ’69 highlights. (extended)

     

     

     

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jCu46R_m1SE

     

     

    ==========================================================================

     

    Lots more clugging than I remember.

     

    Sir Swallex heavily involved..

     

    Magic memories

     

    Thanks.

  16. THE BATTERED BUNNET on 25TH APRIL 2016 11:18 PM

     

    Why do you ask if I have been talking to a high profile blogger?

     

    Keep the Faith!

     

    Hail Hail!

  17. My friends in Celtic,

     

     

    After 27 years lets hope some closure for the Hillsborough families at 11 o’clock today.

     

    As an ordinary Celtic Supporter I remember the day vividly and our subsequent games against them.

     

     

    HH.

  18. Greenpinata

     

     

    Indeed, I think the thoughts of all football supporters will be in Liverpool today.

     

     

    JFT96

  19. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    Imagine turning up for jury service and discovering that the case lasts two years!

  20. TBJ has no trust in the PLC on

    Any news on Charlie mulgrews injury … if he isn’t fit for Saturday we will be starting with Efe and erik with no back up on the bench .

  21. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    TBJ

     

     

    Aw,ffs…

     

     

    When does the pub open,that’s enough to drive you to drink!

  22. Good morning friends.

     

     

    There’s certainly no lack of effort with the ole weather over EK these days and recent performaces are maintained this morning where it’s a dry, clear skied sunny start to the day. If only the players…..etc

  23. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    Weefra

     

    Dena will be over for Aberdeen match on 8th