Last night’s convincing win was exactly what was needed. Hearts were subjugated by three goals and an avalanche of chances, John Guidetti got off the mark and we kept a clean sheet after eight games without one.
We are a lot more potent up front than we were a month ago and the return of Scott Brown in central mid has tightened things up but that defensive record remains a concern. Hearts were utterly outplayed and failed to score, but that wasn’t for the lack of hospitality from their hosts.
It’s not clear what the difference is between last season’s record-breaking run of domestic clean sheets and our current porous look. Jason Denayer is partnering Virgil instead of Efe Ambrose, while Efe has been shunted right to cover for injured Adam Matthews and Mikael Lustig, but this wasn’t the case for some of our European nightmares last month.
Apart from last night’s pass between two statues, Emilio has overcome his early season jitters and Craig Gordon has been impeccable in goal.
It’s more likely that whatever changes have happened to the shape of the team, specifically, what is happening in front of the defence. Emilio’s back-pass last night occurred when he was under pressure and his midfield options were busy looking for a forward pass. Anthony Stokes’ error on Sunday led to Motherwell’s goal, but it happened on the halfway line. Against Motherwell! Who were able to exploit a lack of defensive cover.
Ronny’s Celtic press quickly and high up the field. I like this plan. As he navigates the squad into a position where this is their natural state there will be transitional damage, but the basis of every successful team is keeping the back door shut.
It will be some time before the manager gets a chance to finalise his defence as he awaits the return of Matthews and Lustig, and he decides on whether to partner van Dijk with Ambrose or Denayer (or Lustig), while Emilio could benefit from being pushed on the left by Charlie Mulgrew. In the meantime, Brown and Johansen, together with whoever plays wide, will need to practice their reverse gears.
St Mirren have failed to score in five of their last eight games, so as well as three points, and a clean sheet, we should be looking for whoever plays in goals to have a trouble-free afternoon.
Thanks to everyone who donated to the Great Scottish Run fund in aid of the Celtic Foundation, and to those who signed up for the race to do their bit. I know our gas has been at a peep recently but the flame of why we are Celtic fans burns as brightly as ever.
You can sign up for the race through the Foundation here, or if you’ve misplaced your trainers, you can help me hit my target here.
[calameo code=0003901718cdc4362fa2e? lang=en page=4 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]Many thanks.
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Justafan….
Really look forward to watching it on CatchUp tomorrow mate.
Pal I play golf with is a massive Stoke City fan (Clayhead) and loves Lou Macari to bits.
Really decent guy from what I’ve heard and think this proves it as it is a factual drama.
Bada Bing.Working fine.Cheers.In wee place outside Sorrento for next 3 days before travelling to Rome.Big Napoli fans.Some like Benitez some don’t.Most have heard of Celtic Glasgow.None have mentioned Deidco.HH.
The Singing Detective 20.31
My grandson has been in Qatar with the 18s for the last week playing a tournament much to my concern and worry. He should be back tomorrow thank God. I am also concerned that Celtic recognize this regime by playing in this tourny. I have sent your links to my son Josh’s dad as I let him know how worried was about our Bhoys going out there.
malorbhoy see if this works
Northern Irish Sky viewers can get RTE through channel 162 and 163, but not in GB. To get it in GB, do as follows:
Hit the Services button
Click Options
hit the right arrow button til you get to Add Channels
Frequency: change using the buttons to 10.744
Polarisation: change to H
Symbol rate: change to 22
FEC: change to 5/6
Then hit yellow (find channels) button
It will say Now scanning, then select the channels you want, hit the yellow “store channel” button. It’ll take you back to the previous screen.
Hit the UP arrow to take you to the middle menu, then hit the left arrow til you get to Other Channels (should be the one next to it), then select the channel you want.
I don’t think you can use the pause/rewind or record buttons while watching these unfortunately.
BT,
sorry wisnae suggesting you were a McPake,
it was the teacher thing I wasnt sure of
Turkeybhoy-a hun is a hun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsmIfDNeKLY
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
21:03 on
25 September, 2014
Dallas Dallas
yeh thought about st ettiene as it is my given name, well the french variety.
First martyr and all….
=============
your called Saint Fallon
you learn something new everydaycsc.
keep it lit
ryecatcher
23:08 on
25 September, 2014
Can’t wait for this Ryder Cup…..
Heart says Europe…..Average World Ranking for players……18
Head says USA…….Average World Ranking for players…..16
even the head says Europe, rankings are still skewed to American golf and a few are out of form, wrong picks by the Capitano, clear European win, minimum of 3 points tomorrow morning
In Dusseldorf Wednesday afternoon until Friday morning next week, I know Germany reasonably well but don’t know this city very well at all.
Anyone know of any bars which will show Celtic v Zagreb?
Anyone know where the best parties are on Wednesday and Thursday nights lol?
In a pre match press conference ‘GG lay down the gauntlet to Murdoch Auld and Hay.
“I think MA&H got the rub of the green in the first leg.
Using three players was pushing the envelope in the first leg.
The two point lead will be defended stoutly in the return leg, despite the two man disadvantage.
We don’t do walking away and our picks will lay their bodies on the line to achieve a victory.
Only one man can win this and I’m confident on the day, that the Celtic Legends will have to say that the man from the moss was the worthy winner.”
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/
23:13 on
25 September, 2014
jude bud, josh will be in safe hands.
the singing ducks advice on anything, i am less sure.
saint stivs
22:56 on 25 September, 2014
Celticrollercoaster supporting Shay,our bhoy wonder along the way
22:52 on
25 September, 2014
CQN Predictor Cup
Qualifying Round 1st Leg
—————
I AM THE ALLY MCCOIST of fitba predictors
…………
You could change yir blog name to pie Mhan (thumbs V)
Hx2
v,
ta.
hows your heid
I like this interpretation of the Vow.
http://new.livestream.com/IndependenceLive/events/3423955/videos/63007055
MWD said AYE
CRC
Some performance from theCelt45 and St Patricks Bhoy
I hope they were subjected to a strict drug and bevy test afterwards.
Guys – saw some posts about Fat Ally hatrick against us. It was 25/03/1985 and my 21st birthday. I was in Kenya at the time.
Tully57 came out to visit me the day after and we were in together in Kenya on the following Wednesday when we played the Huns again at Celtic Park on the Wednesday.
We could only get the result on bbc radio world service broadcast in the wee small hours. They opened the programme by saying….”and in Scotland…..Celtic hammer rivals rangers….more later….” We were jumping up and down in remote Kenya and anticipating how many a “hammering” would be !
If mildly disappointed at “only” 3-0……..this was replaced by the euphoria of both McStay brothers scoring. Fantastic memories ! HH
Sorry….carried away on my age….it was 1984 !
Magnificent7…..
Hmmmm
Few of the European boys are out of recent form,too…..
Will decide on my ‘investment’ around twenty nanoseconds before the first peg pierces the first tee at Gleneagles.
FingeronthebuzzerCSC
golf is the shitiest pass time on earth.
saint stivs
23:21 on 25 September, 2014
jude2005 is Neil Lennon
23:13 on
25 September, 2014
Ho………Old Bean !
Huvnae You Got Shelves Tae Stack….
Doon Port Onion B&Q..?
Still….Laughin’
—–
Jim,
Fat Sally only scored two hat tricks against us.
Diddy League Cup 1984
Even Diddier Glasgow Cup 1986
Never in 1985 mate…….never ever
Moonbeams WD
Let it go pal, you got humped, it happens, ask any hun you know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsmIfDNeKLY
Vote Labour.
Saint Stivs
23:31 on
25 September, 2014
golf is the shitiest pass time on earth.
HaHa…….You’ve tried it and you’re shit.
Fat Sally’s scoring record at Sunderland must make the Mackems think Steven Fletcher is the Scottish Messi haha
Saint Stivs
I hope so. Bhoys are due back at Celtic Park at midnight. Dont know all the details about the tourny but seemingly Josh scored with a penalty. I bet its a staged selfie!! lol
Cant wait to give the big lug a HUDDLE. <:0)
The Marvellous life of Neil Baldwin – an incredible man who inspired a BBC movie
Sep 25, 2014 22:18 By Alun Palmer
Listening to the amazing tales spun by Neil Baldwin, you’d be forgiven for thinking that he must have a highly vivid imagination – yet they are all true
40 Shares
Marvellous: Neil is friends with everyone from the Archbishop of Canterbury to Gary Lineker
He’s sipped sherry with Prince Edward, had dinner at the House of Commons, played the clown in a circus and football for Stoke City.
He is friends with everyone from the Archbishop of Canterbury to Gary Lineker.
He has waved to crowds from the official launch at the Boat Race and from the Lord Mayor’s limousine on a parade through Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Listening to the amazing tales spun by Neil Baldwin, 68, you’d be forgiven for thinking that he must have a highly vivid imagination.
Yet they are all true – and there are lots more stories too.
Now his remarkable life has been turned into a film, Marvellous, starring Golden Globe-winning actor Toby Jones.
Neil, who was diagnosed with learning difficulties as a child, says: “I have had a great life, really.
“I thought at first why would they want to make a film about me.
“It was a shock but also good that they wanted to. I am very proud of it – I think it’s a great success.
“Toby Jones was the best actor I could have ever had. When I met him I thought what a lovely chap he was.
“Toby has done a great job.”
Neil says he was a very happy child despite his learning problems.
“I have always tried to be happy,” he adds.
“I had a problem with my speech and had to have therapy but I was fine at school and left at 16.”
Neil’s first adventure was when he decided he wanted to be a circus clown.
He recalls: “I wrote to some circuses and one wrote back – Sir Robert Fossett’s, the oldest circus in England.
“I travelled the country with them as Nello the Clown. I did three seasons and it was a great time.
“It’s funny that when I was a kid I didn’t like clowns – but when I got to be one it was different altogether.”
The name Nello stuck as Neil’s nickname and those clowning skills came in handy at his next job as “kit man” for his beloved Stoke City FC.
The club’s then manager, Lou Macari, had spotted Neil outside the club nearly every day.
They got talking and he decided to give him a job
Neil became a dressing room favourite with antics included dressing as a chicken to get a laugh.
In fact Lou, who was often seen around Stoke walking his dog with Neil, says a lot of his success at Stoke was down to the loveable kit man.
“He was the best signing I ever made, worth his weight in gold,” he says.
“All the players bounced off him and a lot of our success was down to the atmosphere Neil created in the dressing room.”
In 1993 he even got to play for the team in a friendly against Aston Villa.
With five minutes left to play, Lou sent portly 51-year-old Neil out on to the pitch.
Players passed to him and he got a chance on goal.
Neil recalls another happy moment from his time with the club: “Lou once said, ‘You have got to put all the players’ underpants on.’
“So I had 13 underpants on and it made everyone laugh. We won that game and that made me happy.
“I would go to every game, home and away, and was at training putting kit out and bringing it in.
“Some of the players said I was the best kit man Stoke ever had.”
The incredible stories don’t stop there.
The young Prince Edward got an impromptu visit from Neil while he was studying history at Cambridge University.
“I was down at Cambridge and I knew he was at Jesus College so I thought I would knock on his door,” says Neil.
“I thought a policeman would have been there, but there was no one. I knocked and he opened the door himself.”
Neil had written to the Queen previously and received a Christmas card in return.
He adds: “I showed him some letters I have had off his mum. He invited me in and gave me a sherry.
“He said he was very happy to be there.”
As we chat in a cafe at Keele University, several academics and the president of the student union stop to say hello.
None seem to notice, or care, that Neil is decked out in full evening dress.
He has been visiting the Staffordshire college every day since he was 14 and is a much-loved fixture who has welcomed generations of students.
He is also manager, coach, kit man and captain of the Neil Baldwin Football Club – past presidents include Kevin Keegan and Gary Lineker – and he has won Player of the Year every season.
To mark his 50th year at the university there was a two-day celebration with speeches from distinguished former students, a service of thanksgiving conducted by the Bishop of Lichfield, a dinner and a football match.
And all for a man who has never had any formal connection to the place.
Neil says: “My mother was a nanny for one of the members of staff at the university. I came here in 1960 and I haven’t left.
“I run two football teams and do a lot of work in the chapel helping students, when I can, and have a great time.
“It is part of my thing to get to know people and help anybody out that I can.”
Neil’s beloved mother Mary died in 2003.
But she prepared him for life without her by moving him into a flat and showing him how to shop and cook.
He says: “My mother was a great part of my life, as any mum is. Mums are always the first.”
Neil’s friends have always been on hand to support him, especially since his mum died.
Research scientist Laurence Wood, 46, who has known him for 15 years, tries to explain the secret of Neil’s charm.
“What people love about him is that there is no pretence at all,” he says.
“What you see is completely what you get. He is the absolute eternal optimist.
“His vulnerability makes him attractive to people. They want to look after him and make sure he is OK.
“The secret to his success in meeting all these people and doing all these strange things, really, is a combination of him being a jovial outgoing person and the fact that he is lacking in the sort of normal inhibitions that would hold you or I back.
“And people find that endearing.
“He just asks. He knocks on doors and phones people up.
“He has a copy of Crockford’s clerical directory and he just rings up the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, and has a chat with him.”
Neil adds: “I just meet these people. I know the Archbishop of Canterbury. I know most of them going back to Michael Ramsey.
“I always go to big services like consecrations of bishops and that’s how I meet them.”
He says: “We had two premieres – not many films get that.
“The Emmerdale actor Freddie Jones, who is Toby’s dad, came along with Gary Lineker and Lou Macari.
“We even had a Doctor Who here – Christopher Eccleston.”
Neil’s philosophy of life is simple and generous – that trying to help other people is its own reward.
He says: “I have had a few names in my time – Bishop of Keele, Master of Keele, Lord Baldwin of Keele they have called me.
“And ‘marvellous’ is one of my favourite words. I looked up in the Bible to see if marvellous was in there and it is, eight times in different psalms.
“So I thought it was a good word to use.
“Another favourite phrase of mine is ‘everybody’s nice’ – and that’s what I have found in life anyway.”
Independence………….ma erse………sleekit Tartan Tory’s
http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/alex-salmond-meets-with-queen-after-referendum-1-3552693
Bawsman
23:34 on
25 September, 2014
Saint Stivs
23:31 on
25 September, 2014
golf is the shitiest pass time on earth.
HaHa…….You’ve tried it and you’re shit.
————-
nope .
i went for a shit, and held up play.
Ryecatcher
In Dusseldorf, best bet is the Ausdadt (old town). There are two Irish pubs there. The main one is close to the train stop.
Enjoy
It’s no rained here since the middle of May, dearie me, it’s making up for it tonight >}
Anyways, golf, tis the hardest game I have ever taken part in, looks easy, and every round you will hit a shot as good as the boys on the tele does, tis what makes you want to go back, this is your downfall >}}}
HH
Saint Stivs
23:31 on 25 September, 2014
golf is the shitiest pass time on earth.
Whit? Get real!
No clue = not a scoobie
Does anyone remember the atmosphere in the Broomloan that Friday night when fat Sally scored his hat trick in the Glesga Cup Final?
Chokky scored twice and the rest of the team didn’t really join in haha…..
They were still all pished from winning the League at Love Street the week before……half as pished as we were in the Broomloan Stand.
One of the most surreal games I have ever attended really…..
Either Alex Totten or Tommy McLean took charge of the Orcs that night before handing it over to Souness.
We didn’t care that night…….Ally celebrated as if he’d netted a Champions League hat trick…..
Like I said……surreal
The Singing Detective Demands The Resignation Of Campbell Ogilvie
————-
dafty, if you think its a slagging to be a shelf stacker in the noble port B&Q, well more shame you
i would be proud to do that.
Rye catcher
Ausdadt is also the big party area.
Been there at least 10 times.
Enjoy
westies
23:39 on 25 September, 2014
Ryecatcher
In Dusseldorf, best bet is the Ausdadt (old town). There are two Irish pubs there. The main one is close to the train stop.
Enjoy
Altstadt
I’m soon going to have to purchase a permit for this fishing or the law will be chap ping my door! :-)))
Touching awe these wee raw nerves.
Guilt is a terrible thing to sleep on.
MWD said AYE
Gerrybhoy.
cmon, its shit.
hitting a ball across fields and forest with a big stick
boring.
who cares other than people with too much money.
USA V EUROPE
a made up shite competition , what else does those sides take part in
?
twattish sport/