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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Bonjour from a dull and dank Paris.
With thanks to the night shift (not much moon-howling last night, which is always nice to discover) …
VIP
Proudbhoy
Congratulations to you and your wife on the joy that is a daughter
KTF
PROUDBHOY
Congratulations to you and your wife,well done.
Didn’t take you long to reclaim yer moniker from LEFTCLICKTIC after his daughter’s wedding day.
Btw,might be an idea to start saving for that now!
JUNGLE VIP
Aye,I was a bit busy…
Morning Timdom
Lovely clear winter’s morning here in the Stirling area.
8 months till Boxing Day – feels like it should be 8 days!
HH jamesgang
McJay @ 4:36
You’re welcome.
Think Swallex was thinking: ” Forget about me losing Big Billy for the first goal! Look, I’m kicking Celtic players!”
Players perfectly capable of kicking back, though.
Shut-out for TOHG, and a magnificent finish by Stevie C for the fourth goal, near post, outside of the right boot.
Oh, and it’s great to share my birthday with such a great day in our unbroken history!
Gotta go, stomach to be lined for later libations!
Hail! Hail!
For the older hoops fans. Question. Someone mentioned TOHG there. Immediately, one of those thoughts buried somewhere in the back of my mind leapt to the front.
It was:
Fallon Young and Gemmell , Clark McNeill and Kennedy.
Did John Clark used to play as right half in his earlier days then?
Ah, actually it’s the song eh! It’s now rattling round my head. Fallon young and Gemmell, proud to wear the green….Clark McNeill and Kennedy the best you’ve ever seen……..,
Proudbhoy
Well done.
Hard work this mew father lark whilst others just lie about.
☺
new.
I know you didnt have kittens
Wow! At last, I’m “someone” on CQN!
Can this birthday get any better?
Sorry, darling, would I like a what. . . . . . ????
Kenny Miller talking baws I see. Only need 2 players to challenge us. Glad our inept effort v them has lulled them into a sense that they’re better than they are. A Moyes led Celtic ( or indeed any manager with ability, will destroy that mob. They’re back and nowt we can do about it, except, absolutely slaughter them next opportunity.
Proudbhoy
Congratulations on your new addition to the family.
Beatbhoy
Hoopy Birthday
A buck’s fizz ( watch those spoonerisms!) with my fry -up??
Dontmindifahdoo!
Beat bhoy
Tell me yer fav band and I’ll tell you what age you are:-)
Happy Birthday btw.
TNT
” They’re back and nowt we can do about it,”
…… except realise that `they` are not back. This `they` , in spite of how it feels, really are another `they` and are new to the top Division.
JJ
Proud bhoy
Congratulations!
TNT
My favourites are Enrico Caruso and Justin Bieber. How old am I?
JJ
Kenny Miller is . They’re fans are too brandishing the same vile behaviour as the original.
Call them what you like JJ. It’s them ok. If it walks like a duck, and they do, ………
JJ
63, with body of a 20 year old, but 63.
From one BB to another thanks Bognorbhoy!
Happy Happy Birthday Beatbhoy!
Bucks Fizz with breakfast? Sounds like a great start!
Proudbhoy,
Congratulations and best wishes to you all. A daughter is a wonderful gift.
Happy Hoopy Birthday!
That was meant to be.
Twists n Turns
A big hun at my work actually made me laugh on Wednesday and feel so much better than i had felt for the previous 2 days when he said they ‘gubbed’ us.
Told him they might hand out quite a lot of gubbings next season then if he considers a 2-2 score a gubbing and left him with the thought of if we managed 30 odd shots at their goal with a team that’s been playing crap and with a manager who is gonna be replaced, just think what awaits you when we get back playing like we can?
Like i said……felt a whole lot better for the wee exchange :)
TNT
Close. I will give you another clue. I had to Google Justin Bieber.
JJ
PS A 20 year old what?
PPS I know what you mean about `them` being `them` ! Legally they are not, emotionally they are is my take on it.
Happy birthday Beatbhoy
Hail Hail
Twists N Turns
Thank you kindly.
The Smiths, but it’s close with a few others.
BT/ Dharma Bam
Cheers, bhoys!
Hail! Hail!
BB
Happy 42nd….??
HAPPY HOOOOOPY BIRTHDAY to
BEATBHOY!!!!!!
Happy Hawaii Day,I’m guessing…
JJHS
Gracias!
Ojalá!
I’ll let Twists have a guess before I tell you!
Congratulations to the Proudbhoy family on the safe arrival of Proudghirl.
ANd many happy retirns to ole Beatbhoy?
THe Smiths- Walter? Gordon?
Beatbhoy
Happy Birthday sir.
Whatever happens we need a director of football. I have been saying on here since Ronny, who Bertie Auld described as a ‘fitness coach’ yesterday, came in that there was no-one above him at the club with the necessary pedigree in the game.
Ronny is a rookie, a young coach learning the game.
Had we had a Davie Hay or the like as a DOF then things could have been quite different.
Cole, Richards, Boyata and some really strange loan deals indicate that the necessary football knowledge is not at play within our club. Crazy when you think about it.
Davie Hay always did have an eye for a player and also would have spotted the duds a mile off.
The strategy the club is trying to develop is I believe sound enough, where it has gone wrong is the reluctance to give football responsibility to football men.
Unless that changes we will make the same mistakes again.
My choice would be a director of football, like Davie Hay backing a box office young manager like AVB – who is available and despite saying he plans to take a year off when he leaves Zenit at the end of the season, is likely to be interested in a return to the UK.
He fits the strategy perfectly and remember he won a quadruple at Porto. That is Stein like.
47?
BMCUW
Ta much!
Only the once your age matches your birth year! ( minus the 19, of course!)
48?
HH jamesgang
DBBIA
Walter’s got a surname??
Cheers for that!
A joke from you on my birthday, I’ ll count as a gift!