Chill your jets, excuse to fail

849

Chill your jets.  Far better to win and score five goals in a preseason friendly than to lose, but these games are all about improving fitness, the score is the least important aspect. Notwithstanding that, I’m pleased Teemu Pukki showed some form in front of goal. I don’t think Celtic would stand in his way if he found a potential new employer, but if he remains with us this season, his pace is likely to sit comfortably with the Ronny Deila model.

After missing the bulk of the last two Champions League campaigns through injury and Brazilian diving, news that Scott Brown will miss an extended period as a consequence of his hamstring injury is a blow to club and player.

It could have been worse. Celtic lost Scott for the bulk of last season’s Champions League on 1 October, when they were unable to compensate by tweeking the squad. Expectations are we will be without the player until October and we are only nine days into the transfer window. Lots of time to ensure we are at full strength when the meaty part of the season starts.

Brazil players and Phil Scolari turned up for yesterday’s semifinal wearing Naymar caps in the absence of their star striker. Their Excuse To Fail – emblazoned across their foreheads. Literally!

Add to the mix what can only be described as inappropriately enthusiastic anthem singing, while holding up the no. 10 shirt of, let’s remember, another player, not a fallen war hero, and you have all the ingredients for cloudy and unstructured thinking, instead of focus and awareness.

I don’t doubt this was all well-meaning but it was amateurish naivety. Players should turn up to a stadium with their game plan dominating their minds, not lamenting the loss of their best hope, having been consumed by national pride, one of mankind’s enduring fallacies. The Brazilian FA should immediately sack Roy Hodgson Big Phil.

Has all this Tour de Yorkshire business put you in the mood to get the bike out? If you why don’t you sign up for the Cardenden Cycle, which this year takes place on 6 September. You cycle from Celtic Park to the grave of John Thomson in Cardenden, Fife, a 64 mile journey. Full details are here.

If your cycling days are over, they are looking for drivers and stewards… if you’re available.

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849 Comments

  1. jamesgang

     

     

    23:17 on 9 July, 2014

     

    Where’s Praecepta tonight!?

     

     

    Spending his £33 winnings after his 33/1 shot last night?

     

     

    Short respite from Townsend. But then Adrian childes starts talking…

     

     

    Please nick a goal Messi and let me go to bed and holland to gtf.

     

     

    HH jamesgang

     

     

    ——-

     

     

    Ears burning?

     

     

    ;-)

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  2. Some 0 -0 draws are exciting off your seat affairs.

     

     

    Sadly not tonight.

     

     

    I wonder if penalties will oooops

  3. BMCUW

     

     

    Is there anything you don’t know or have an answer for!!!???!’n

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  4. Syd Negakev

     

    20:56 on

     

    9 July, 2014

     

    0 0 full time. Argentina to go through on pens.

     

     

    ——————-

     

     

    Oh yes…..what an expert I am!

  5. Argentina have been pretty average this WC, which will probably mean they’ll win it. Though the Germans look much the better team.

  6. Anti football 0 – 2 football

     

     

    You’ve got great players with great skills. Use them. Or lose it.

     

     

    Hope you get itv in hades. Enjoy the game King Billy!

     

     

    Night Timdom.

     

     

    KTF. HH jamesgang