Such was Newco’s run of form going into the winter break, they had not dropped points since the last time they met Aberdeen, in October. Celtic drew two league games in the intervening period, stretching the gap at the top of the table from two to six points. We needed a break and on Tuesday the evergreen Scott Brown delivered again.
After crucial wins at Easter Road and Tynecastle last month, Newco’s façade cracked. They remain in the driving seat, Celtic have little margin for error, but we are in the familiar position of asking who will recover best after the winter break. Newco’s form in this respect is not good. They cracked two years ago, when Celtic put pressure on them (and won last year under no pressure). Aberdeen’s equaliser turned the screw sufficiently to draw their first domestic red card in what amounts to 21.8% of their history. They must be a very clean team. Or a very fortunate one. European referees awarded four red cards in that period in a fraction of the games played.
Dropping points to Aberdeen, who remain sixth in the table, is more a sign of mental fragility than sporting deficit. Between the two Aberdeen games, Newco won away at higher-placed Motherwell, Hibs and Hearts, scoring nine and conceding only once in the process. That is championship winning form. Even a poor Aberdeen, though, bring Newco out in a sweat rash. The prospect of Celtic Park under the lights with an exclusive home crowd looms.
You know the script, when you are winning, every game in winnable, when you are not winning, every game is a minefield. The next two weeks are as much about confidence as talent. In that respect, the steady influx of new signings at Lennoxtown is invaluable. All a consequence of the value achieved from a squad that won nothing last season, but we will explore that issue later.
A word on Scott Brown. His legs had gone, that’s not in dispute, but a generation of Celtic managers loved him for how he got the team over the line. His drive and devilment is still there.
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O’ Social? naw O’ Fishal
O’Really? naw O’Riley
Welcome to Celtic matt, may your days with us be blessed and trophy laden.
Poor Ange
A patsy being stymied by Desmond at every turn
It’s been a good week😀
An incredible turnaround in such a short time.
Although before anyone says it, we’ve not won anything yet.
Or have we?
Handsome Bhoy
TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 20TH JANUARY 2022 9:00 PM
Handsome Bhoy
Double swoon
Ange is assembling a talented
” Celtic have signed another player ” ……. me
” Another Japanese wan ? ”
GottaLuvWives CSC
Squad with a long term view.
In ange I trust.
leftclicktic on 20th January 2022 8:54 pm
Welcome to Celtic matt, may your days with us be blessed and trophy laden.
………………………………………………………
Pat – Truth and All I’d ever want 2 say.
Ange knows exactly whit he is doing, it is Amazing what is happening Celtic Wise. Unbelievable.
Me being an Electrician…….
Its unbelievable whats been happenin’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfCLt0kTd5E
Ange knows Exactly whit he has Ever wanted.
RinsingouttheStyle.CSC
Garry – Ye are missed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6YO9skxjtU
Pleased its done …..was getting worried…..welcome Matt O’Riley…..
Henrik Larsson probably had the most famous release clause in Celtic history
Matt O’Riley CSC
Have Paul Hartley and Shaun Maloney played together in the same Celtic team?
Someone in the Middlesbrough area tonight might just be thinking ‘what the feck have I just done !!’
Maybe
Nite all
Brian
Goodnight all
The signing of Matt puts a nice gloss on the week 😜
“BIG WAVY on 20TH JANUARY 2022 8:29 PM
Paging Hot Smoked.
Matt has landed.”
:-)))))
IMO, this has been an excellent window but if CCV and Jota become permanent Celtic players,, I will be even more happy.
BOGNORBHOY on 20TH JANUARY 2022 9:32 PM
A wee bit corny but made me smile :-)
I thought Hibs would thrash Cove tonight . Now they are really going to work hard to go through.
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD on 20TH JANUARY 2022 9:22 PM
Have Paul Hartley and Shaun Maloney played together in the same Celtic team?
Hi PCS
Done a bit of goooglin and came up with this article
It appears not in article
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2404322/hartley-hails-celtic-move.
:-)
HH
A dream of a left foot ,and if he does not knock it off with Celtic,could be the new James Bond.
Think he will be in the starting 11 against the Huns.
👍👍😂😂👍👍
Hot Smoked,
A lot of politics going on at Benfica over Jota.Looking like it is definitely down to the player.If he says yes,it’s a done deal.
Bognorbhoy
Some good posting today
:-) 🤣
Well tae that last coat you put on
Thanks:-)
HH
Hibs having one of those nights we all have had.
TB
Thanks for that information. I hope he does say `Yes`.
Cheerio for now.
AN TEARMANN,
Thanks for that article. I had a feeling they were around about the same time but I cannot recall seeing them in the same team. Now I know why.
Easter Rd pitch looking very poor.
hibees
TURKEYBHOY
A lot of white noise about Jota
Mea Culpa = I had Hibs game on my bet for over 3.5 Goals for any Value!!!!!
That guy WITZ is fooling no one, definately a hun interloper.
UP the Dubs
Matt at Fulham, prior to MK Dons, for me, reminds of Glen Hoddle.
Nisbett, just scores for Hibs
https://youtu.be/955QNLMg6qU
Brian
I thought Hibs played a cracking game against a Red Hot Celtic.
Seeing so many players committed Forward in Scottish fitba was Unique whilst playing Celtic.