We know what to expect from Aberdeen tonight. They will flood (pardon the pun) central midfield, defend deeply and, let’s be clear, they will score any time we allow them the kind of space they exploited at Celtic Park this month.
Question is, what will Celtic do about it? If Stefan Johansen’s ankle knock keeps him out the central-mid triangle of Johansen, Brown and Biton will be disrupted, and surely Neil Lennon will not revert to a central two after the Scottish Cup lesson. The picture is further complicated by the injury to Emilio Izaguirre, which forced Charlie Mulgrew back at the weekend. Mulgrew would be a suitable direct replacement for Johansen.
In 10 years doing this stuff I’ve probably used no more than a few dozen words to praise emerging young talent; it’s been a rough decade in that respect. Without wanting to go overboard in any way, Darnell Fisher has looked more than comfortable at right back in the absence of Mikael Lustig and Adam Matthews. Darnell’s problem going forward will be that he has two excellent international players ahead of him in the pecking order, but for tonight, I would be tempted to bring Matthews to left back (if he can do it against Barcelona….) and restore Fisher to the right back slot. This would allow Charlie to sit alongside Scott Brown and Nir Biton in central-mid.
Well done to Frank McAvennie, who is jumping out of an aeroplane 15,000 feet in the air. You can play your part in this exercise by supporting the Quarriers run, Chavey Down residential home, in Newton Mearns, which helps young people up to the age of 16.
The need is for sensory equipment, toys and wheelchair-appropriate play areas. To contribute, go to Frank’s JustGiving page, or text FMSD 89 followed by £1, 2, 3, 5, 10 to 70070.
If you would like to read the new CQN Magazine, GO HERE to read properly, and for FREE, the graphic below is just a taster.
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Only got this to say afore I go back in again…
_____________________________________
Neil – Don’t spit the dummy at yer percieved mibbery when, ye can see fit to ‘allow’ Stokes to run aboot in a Celtic jersey for 90 mins and contribute what ? A shot at goals fae 25 yds straight into the GK’s hauns. Your ‘cheating’ the Celtic fans with yer consistent sympathy vote for this guy. imho
Then watch on as, Aberdeen mark KC oot the game(he wisny off the boil, he has been sussed) – again – or at least – blunt his effect(to be kind to him) and, then bring on Sammi ? To do what ?
Balde and Pukki(notice how a didny mention Derk ?) urny bad players – they play under a bad manager. imho
Broony is nuisance-value at best. If sumdy was daft enough to bid for him….he widny be here. So, the Celtic fans will continue to have him shoved doon their throats till, he runs doon his contract.
Big Efe has been sound this season and, how folk can interpret him as some sort of basket-case…then, their nickertwisters imho. Efe will still be here(hopefully)…long after VVD has gone and, don’t forget that KW was like a fish oot of water until Efe arrived imho.
Big FF and the teams incredible defensive record has gone but – well done and thanks.
Aberdeen play to their strengths and, will win the two cups – hopefully.
If folk think that, Pawllet is a diver ?
Then they should consider how other fans see – KC(8 times he rolled aboot on his erchie when he came on v’s Barca in the 1-6 defeat just for example), AS(especially in the LCF v’s Killie when it was easier to score imho) GS(a feckin jessie if ever there wis wan imho) and JF(no as much but, he has his moments imho) !!!
As usual…the Celtic MOTM – The Celtic Fans(I wish was amongst yeez) well done.
Hopefully this post disny cos any bother – thats not the intention.
Hail Hail Tims – Off oot.
Pharrell ‘Happy’ Williams – CSC
Kevj,
Whit ye dean up at this time, windin folk up!
AR
KEVJ
Genuine question.
Can you not despise the board without letting it destroy your love for Celtic?
Many of us can manage that. Please,bud. Give it a go.
I suggested on radio snyde (I admit calling them) almost 20 years ago that we should bring in impartial referees from Europe…….at least for CFC v orc games.
Pie boy Johnstone laughed the suggestion off……….the more things change the more they remain the same.
Just as a small country with a stagnant demographic doesn’t produce the level of footballer it used to…….so also does it produce even less competent match officials than it used to and thy were bad enough then,
Just like Jock Stein’s Celtic needed to be 2,3,4 times better than everyone else to guarantee the results………..”if theres a doubt then theres no doubt”…..we get hee haw from them,
Now that record chasing is done with its time to get 2 ahead by half time and start giving fringe players real game time.
I still believe the players are there but they are not being used properly……..take from that what you like.
If Liewell sells VVD and Forster at the end of the season (to boost his pay check bonuses) then there will be NO CL group games next season IMO.
I think out with CFC and oldco Aberdeen are the best supported team in the country? Why should they not be able to beat us occasionally anyway? Competition is good.
VVD off?…..50/50
Claim against Aberdeen…….no. He was pulling his arm/shoulder away all the time.
Just saying…….
Good morning friends from a dry, calm and still dark East Kilbride.
BMCUW –
My reading of it is that there is an EU proposal to give police the technology and the power to remotely stop vehicles that are involved in chases, which is surely better than continuing a high-speed pursuit through residential areas or busy motorways with the obvious danger to life and limb that goes with the territory.
Would you consider it to be an infringement of human rights when the police set-up a road block to stop a criminal in a stolen vehicle or fleeing from the scene of a crime?
I see no difference.
As long as the technology is used to stop crime then I don’t have an issue with it.
Good morning Timdom after a ‘better than usual but still very average’ fried breakfast at Gla airport. Off to NI for work till Friday and faced a 3.45 alarm this morning in dunblane. You’d have loved delivering your forecast from there Jobo – clear sky, dry, 4 degrees, hint of starry canopy….
Rest of the season? 2 wean rule. At least 2 youngsters (including fringe ghuys like Pukki and Amido) for every game.
I hate celtic losing any game. But CL qualifiers has to be no1 priority and should have been all year. Unbeaten season would’ve been nice to have but not essential. CL football – nice to have AND essential.
I will be asleep before we even take off…..
LuckyI’mNotThePilotCSC
HH jamesgang
Good Morning Timland.
Ah well that’s that,time to give the young uns a game or two,I asked
a question on here a couple of weeks ago I only got one response,
so I’ll try again,what would you all prefer.
A title and CL group stage, or a treble and no CL group stage?
Kevj get yerself alone to CP on Saturday……you know deep deep
down that’s where you belong on a match day…..as always hope
your doing well.
Away to my hun infested work, God help me.
Valentinesday
League and CL for me please.
CL monies ensure we’re no1 at home and allow us to just about cling on to europe’s top table.
HH jamesgang
‘Gers judge a Celt fan’
Headline in the sun.
Never seen the corresponding header ‘most judges breeks- raising FOD fans….’ Funny that..,,
And no, I didnae buy it. Or even touch its odious pages. Guy sitting opposite in Q reading it. In public!!! I’d be mortified ….
HH jamesgang
So when can we win the league now
joe_joe_john_bobby_teddy –
At the moment Celtic need 13 points to win the league, assuming Aberdeen win their next 4 games.
That means 4 wins would leave us needing a draw at home to Ross County on 29th March to seal it.
VVD send off.
My assessment always comes down to the same evaluation:
If it had been a Celtic player who was chopped down would the Celtic fans be happy with the red?
Yes.
BUT, and this is the most important point, the source of so much angst in Scotland,
would the ref have given a red?
joe_joe_john_bobby_teddy
I’ve got a feeling it will be at Firhill.
Gold Coast Tom
No reason to go to any more games? Is that what supporting your team really means to you?
With most fans, it’s a mixture of economic circumstances and non-competitive football that’s keeping them away – the Martin O’Neill attendances came during the economic boom years when Celtic and Rangers were waging their war of attrition (with Rangers getting a little ‘extra’ help from various sources).
Your comment about Celtic being in a different league within 7 years is nothing more than wishful thinking. Right now, there is nothing to suggest Celtic will be playing anywhere other than Scotland, and will probably win 10 in a row, as their budget dwarfs every other team in the country.
Statistically, attendances thrive on 1) competitive leagues and 2) winning matches more often than not. I can foresee a situation where attendances at Celtic Park dwindle due to the lack of the former (cue fans blaming Lawell for uninspired signings), while Aberdeen’s and Dundee Utd’s rise, and games become more competitive, albeit the quality on the park declines. For the neutral, that can only be good for the game.
One thing’s for sure, we’ll only know we have true competition when the slew of patronising comments about Aberdeen/Dundee Utd ‘deserving their win’ / being ‘right good sides etc.’ gives way to genuine rancour among Celtic fans.
jamesgang
06:31 on
26 February, 2014
‘Gers judge a Celt fan’
Headline in the sun.
Never seen the corresponding header ‘most judges breeks- raising FOD fans….’ Funny that..,,
====
Sadly an all too common occurrence. Anti Celtic and pro establishment team bias in the media is and always will be endemic in Scotland. The biggest concern being the number of people who read and believe this garbage, basically what they are doing is informing the unwashed that if HMRC win the case it is because a Tim was the presiding judge not because Deadco FC were guilty of ripping off tax payers. Somewhat akin to naming an assistant ref, who surprisingly had a Timmy sounding surname, on national TV because he made a call that you didn’t like. “ It’s all Timmys fault so it is”
gold coast tom
02:52 on 26 February, 2014
Celtic have absolutely no chance whatsoever of winning 10-in-a-row . . .
gold coast tom
02:53 on 26 February, 2014
. . . because we will be playing in a different league long before then.
Sorry mate but got to disagree , the only reason we won’t win 10 in a row is that the Football Establishment (SFA/Referees) won’t let us .
End of story .
Good morning CQNers,
Over the two meetings Derek McInnes has demonstrated he has the measure of Neil Lennon.
Neutralise Kris Commons, concede the most of the park and concentrate on defending the 18 yard box because he’s happy in the knowledge his defence is better than anything NL and Celtic can produce. He knows NL produces defensive teams but struggles when required to produce attacking displays of imagination and guile.
Celtic are limited in ambition and ability, and I’m afraid that applies throughout all levels at Celtic.
setting free the bears supports Res. 12 & Oscar Knox:
You don’t need a university degree to be a bus driver… Yet!
Malceye:
If things take a wee turn up, and I can get motivated, I’d not be surprised if you had a wee bit of company in London in September, no promises though, not yet anyway.
BRTH:
Many thanks for taking the time to answer my very ‘lay’ layman’s questions.
If we had gone through the season without getting beat the world would have acclaimed the Scottish league a poxy league.
I don’t think the season is over, far from it, but if I were King I would play some of the youngsters in some of the still semi-competitive matches. I still think we have our very own Linsanity and his name might just me Philip Twardzick. Well never know unless Neil plays them. Give some of the senior guys a wee rest now, it’s going to be a very short close season again.
Congratulations to Aberdeen on their double, quite an amazing feat, all things considered.
To be honest what the ref said was, or may as well have said ” I know your upset, but there’s not a feckin thing you can do about it” dirty Hun bassa, and as for Aberdeen parking the bus for the whole second half shows how good a team we have, Effy through big van the man under the bus, but never a sending off, I did enjoy the game though, but obviously not the result, as good a ten man performance as you will see from any team, as some one said earlier, Celtic player handles the ball it’s a penalty, Consadine makes the same tackle as van the man, it’s a yellow, these are the differences in a game of football in Scotland that Celtic are involved in, it’s just the refs. Rehearsing for when thems come back, anyway I’ll be there at the weekend cheering my team on, it’s what I’ve done for 60 years, win lose or draw, there will be moaners who will not be back this season, and that’s there choice, but ffs don’t come in here moaning, if your tossing the towel in good, just feck off all together and let us get on with it, feckin glory hunters.
My thoughts on moving to another league – it is not going to happen in the foreseeable future. Where would we go? The most logical destination being England but the problem is they do not want us and if Scotland leaves the UK any miniscule chance of our being accepted into the English league system disappears overnight. The only escape route i can envisage is if the ‘big clubs’ in Europe decide to break away from UEFA and form their own pan -European league and Celtic are invited to join. Chances of this happening in the foreseeable future 0.00001%. Sadly i see no route out of the Scottish league structure for us for some considerable time if ever.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………FC not PLC:
I hope the geezer in the road-train behind the geezer that the police remotely stop, well, that geezer in the road train, I hope he’s paying attention. God help any police force that kills a person by remotely stopping his car; or persons, innocent bystanders or other.
murdochbhoy
He doesn’t “have the measure” of many other managers.
Before the sending-off Aberdeen hardly kicked the ball. McInnes got lucky.
79caps,
McInnes conceded ground and the ball in both games knowing Celtic would make limited use of it.
Okay, Vigil being sent off meant his carrying the ball out of defence was negated, but other than that it had little bearing.
McInnes and Aberdeen have made a fair fist of competing and by any comparison you’d have to say they’ve more than acquited themselves.
Sorry, but I have to go.
Hail Hail !
bit of selective viewing going on regarding decisions; I would enjoy joining in the criticism of Mr Thompson, but not as anti Celtic.Like most of his kind in our small country he is awful,incompetent and a tad unhappy looking……..another profession would tell you he is not happy with himself,but that’s another story. (Fairly widespread on this blog actually)
Not anti-Celtic? Biton stayed on the park…..Thompson struggles badly at refereeing,he has previous throughout the league.I would not dismiss the notion that is why he is allocated to us when there are ‘records’ to upset…..as he is sure to do so.
BBB
unbeaten monkey off our back move on to opportunities new.
murdochbhoy
08:12 on 26 February, 2014
79caps,
McInnes conceded ground and the ball in both games knowing Celtic would make limited use of it.
Okay, Vigil being sent off meant his carrying the ball out of defence was negated, but other than that it had little bearing.
McInnes and Aberdeen have made a fair fist of competing and by any comparison you’d have to say they’ve more than acquited themselves.
__________________________________
Maybe we should sign the thistle coach then?
He does no different than any other coach when playing Celtic, floods the middle of the park, and camps in at the back, takes his chances on the break and dead ball situations, I don’t think it takes a coaching school week at large to come to that as a manager, he/they got lucky, that’s the way it goes, the penalty call last night, and the hand ball for there second goal in the cup game Doesent come into it, I suppose that’s honest mistakes?
Stopping a vehicle remotely does not mean the vehicle will suddenly stop dead right there and then. The vehicle will simply lose power and gradually slow to a halt naturally, just like when you run out of petrol.
Not even the cops are exempt from the laws of physics.
Apologies if already posted, from TSFM;
‘According to the chap who tweets under the moniker “Moo”, the biggest laugh in court today was when the Sevco lawyer stated, “Rangers are one of biggest brands in world”. Lord Tyre retorted, “It didn’t stop them being liquidated”.
I wonder if our beloved media will dare to report the judge’s remarks in tomorrow’s rags?’
Tony,
I think murdochbhoy makes a couple of good points and I agree with you about them getting a bit of luck with VVD’s red card. In two games recently, McInnes has had a plan to keep KC out of the game as much as possible, if he can do that we become less effective, all of our CL opponents done it this year, probably after watching the Karagandy videos. The problem as I see it is that if Kris Commons is negated we don’t have another outlet who can regularly play the killer ball or shoot from distance. Aberdeen were happy in my opinion, to allow us as much of the ball as we wanted in the second half, apart from our very good goal we hardly made Langfield make a save during those 45 minutes.
AR
Re McInnes cunning plan to negate the threat of KC. No plan required KC was rank rotten yesterday when given time and space his passing was woeful (conditions may account for some of the passes) he looked disinterested at best.
I can remember reading an article about KC when he signed for us. Basically in the main complimentary saying that he had the skills and footballing brains to be one of the top players in the UK however his main weakness being his inconsistency.
Gold Coast Tom:
Are you an expert on remotely stopping cars?
Antipodean red
Listen it’s a game, shit happens, Aberdeen got lucky, Celtic are leagues ahead of Aberdeen, but let’s not be getting to carried away with the manager thingie, he got lucky and had a ref. On his side, and they where hanging on by there fingernails at the end of the game, you say Aberdeen where happy to concede the ball to Celtic ? Ok, I say Celtic where all over them and they couldn’t win the ball back or stop Celtic attacking in droves, bodies in mass are there to stop the keeper having to make a save, and that’s what they done, flooded the 18 yard box and defended for there life’s, no two people see the same game, so I’m only saying it the way I saw it mate.
Was McInnes’s cunning plan to negate KC the same as Gary Locke’s or Tommy Wright’s?
KC looks jaded, has done for last few game, and in need of a rest. He has played, and been our only creative threat in the majority of games this season.
The league is won, its a question of whether its Firhill, CP, Tannadice etc. for the actual clinching of it. Give him a rest for a couple of games, play one of the players we spent millions on and have used sparingly or, heaven forbid, give a youngster a chance to shine.
Philip Twardzick – Czech Republic – Goal!!!!
A wee bit limp for England’s first though.
It’s never a positive to lose.
However it can be if our ego driven chase for an undefeated season has ended.
The future is always more important than the present and we had forsaken this for a pointless record.
if Neil does not prepare the squad now for the next season he should be taken to task as there is no justification for playing Sammi who’s leaving .
Balde has to get more than 2 mins a game.
And youngsters have to be introduced knowing our policy of selling our better players with value for profit will happen despite Lawell and Lennons sound bites to the support.
It’s imperative we prepare now.
Twardzik – Celtic FC – Screamer!!!!!
CELTIC F.C. – Powerful Beyond Measure