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.
[calameo code=0003901719d82038831a9 lang=en page=126 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
849 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- »
Roon ye’s ya cheatin Dutch bassas!
Poor game there tonight,not much to worry the Germans I don’t think
marrakesh express
23:46 on 9 July, 2014
Delighted for Mascherano
——
Good call
Masterclass from Mascherano tonight, his will to win took his team through tonight..
Night all Night wee Oscar my hero God bless x x
Siiiii!!
Need to play à wee bit better on Sunday ‘tho!
Hope di Maria is fit.
HH!!
Sunday, the World. Monday, the Malvinas.
Just had to jump on to say that Clive Tyldesley is a complete tit.
HH
BGFC
Starry like you – giryuy holland that was for the dam bhoys !!
Argentina are not Brazil, their tactical discipline tonight is something David Luis can only watch on the telly..
Interesting game on Sunday…
Sorry for the language by the way – but he really is.
HH
BGFC
I always go for Argentina and i love wee Leo Messi
I still think Germany will win it but it makes my World Cup party on Sunday even better
Goodnight bhoys
B-)
I don’t know, it’s not like Argentina produced some tactical masterclass tonight to nullify superior opponents. It was to evenly matched teams playing pretty defensively and not going for the win.
If Argentina open up against Germany then they’d get caught on the break, if they sit back then Germany have the firepower to take the advantage.
As usual it will come down to Messi turning up or not.
There’ll be no orange ribbons on the cup.
Stage set for the little genius to stake his claim to true greatness.
Hope the wee mans turns it on as only he can and wins.
Have gone with Argentina from the outset, mainly because they have Messi ….. they will beat Germany IF, and only IF, Messi ‘turns up’….!!!!
Is Di Maria likely to be back for the final?
Goodnight bhoys and girls. Enjoyed tonight, shame about the football.
There is something very unappealing about the way Messi walks about so much during such a tightly contested game as this was. Every other outfield player worked incredibly hard but I`m beginning to think Lionel is not the ` nice wee guy` we all like to think he is.
Anyway, I`m still glad Argentina won and hope they do so again on Sunday.
`night all.
JJ
There you have it England’s nightmare World Cup Final
Germany v Argentina.
The commentators will be choking on Sunday, lol.
I doubt Di Maria will start but he’ll be on the bench to throw on if needed.
Backed a Germany v Argentina final before tourney started at 12/1 so don’t really care who wins final. Love watching German football and Messi best player since Maradona. English won’t know who to hate most!!!
Think the Jerries will win – better all round team, and better to watch too.
HH
BGFC
Louis Van Gaal, tactical genius???
starry plough
23:56 on
9 July, 2014
Louis Van Gaal, tactical genius???
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Naw :-)
Jungle Jim
There is something very unappealing about the way Messi walks about so much during such a tightly contested game as this was. Every other outfield player worked incredibly hard but I`m beginning to think Lionel is not the ` nice wee guy` we all like to think he is.
Anyway, I`m still glad Argentina won and hope they do so again on Sunday.
`night all.
————–
Messi has never been the nice wee guy, just listen to all the stories that come out of the Barca dressing room about the bullying Messi dishes out on the youngsters coming through. Ol crazy Zlatan hasn’t a nice word to day about him.
Jungle Jim
Before i go
I think that is a tactic his coaches use
He is asked to conserve his energy as much as possible so wen the ball comes to him he has the energy to burst up the field and score goals
B-)
BGFC,
How is /was the trip?
Lee Dixon-” his favourite right foot….”
How many’s he got ffs….?
The Papal World Cup Final
The Benedicts v The Franciscans.
May the best current Pope win! :)
And from what iv seen/read all his team mates at barcelona love him
I wud believe them over ‘Zlatan’ the most pompus, overrated, arrogant footballer on the planet who, it seems, is jealous of Messi since Messi was the main man when they were at Barca together
jungle jim
23:55 on 9 July, 2014
There is something very unappealing about the way Messi walks about so much during such a tightly contested game as this was. Every other outfield player worked incredibly hard but I`m beginning to think Lionel is not the ` nice wee guy` we all like to think he is.
Anyway, I`m still glad Argentina won and hope they do so again on Sunday.
`night all.
JJ
——-/-
Jim
I too have an aversion to those who walk on this time of year!
Pieces made for tomorrow.
Peace to you all tonight.
HH Jamesgang
Wonder how many old South American ex-pats at Sunday’s Final?
On = at.
Apols teach!
The final will be between The Team and The Individual. In 86 The Individual won, in 90 The Team won. Decider on Sunday??
JJ 23.55, I hope you are right pal, I’ve a bit of cash on the Argie shoulders.
My daughter was watching the game in a pub in Leiden and texts were back and forward all through the game. I’m waiting on word that she got home safely. In the mean time………………………..it’s dram time:-)
Lagavulin 1991 distillers edition, a wee special dram raised to meesteer Messi.
clink clink
Fell asleep a few times during that “game”. Germany to win the final. Easily. Nae problem.
GerryBhoy, Horlicks overdose?