Celtic face either Aberdeen or Newco in the Scottish Cup semi-final on 13 or 14 April. Both potential opponents must have developed a nervous disposition at facing Celtic at Hampden recently, such as been the imperious form of the champions. This draw is perfect for Celtic.
In the event they overcome Aberdeen in the quarter-final, Steven Gerrard’s men have a punishing schedule before the semi: Hibs (a), Aberdeen (h), Kilmarnock (h), Celtic (a), Hearts (h), Motherwell (a). That’s each of the other top six teams in succession, followed by a trip to Fir Park, where they dropped points earlier this season. If Gerrard has hopes of winning the Cup, he would have wanted Celtic at the end of the season, when he would be able to rest some legs.
On Sunday Derek McInnes all but accepted Aberdeen were out of the title race. They are now 16 points off the pace, although they have an easier run immediately before the semi-final date, facing Celtic (a), Newco (a), Livingston (h), Hearts (a), Motherwell (h) and Dundee (a). Their form has dropped off a cliff and were it not for their ability to repeatedly mug Newco in Glasgow this season, they would have little hope of reaching the semi.
Celtic have one game fewer than Aberdeen and Newco (who have a replay), and face Aberdeen (h), Dundee (a), Newco (h), St Mirren (a) and Livingston (h). By the semi-final we should have McGregor, Christie, Rogic, Ntcham and Benkovic back. We will be as ready as we can be.
I’m still working on my nervous disposition when facing Inverness in the Scottish Cup, but that’s for another day.
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I think I saw a note here suggesting wan grun ooota many hadn’t been subject to routine inspection.?
( unbelievable if true)…..
If The Dilapidated Edwardian Toilet Block has not in fact been checked then that is a huge story………
ChainThumGatesHigh CSC
morning bhoys from a cloudy but dry Cheshire , Considering that, in Larkhall, a Pharmacy had it’s illuminated sign wrecked by Rangers Fans, simply because it is GREEN, the answer is YES. Everybody simply detests the Currant Buns because of who and what they are, primordial knuckledraggers of the first order. My abiding memory of RFC “fans” was in the High Street, as a ned, with RFC scarves on either wrist, a bottle of Bucky in one hand and a bottle of Pink Lady in the other, relieving himself on a motorbike, problem was, it was a POLICE motorbike and the Polis was still on it! Sums the whole lot up!,,, if that had been celtic fans it would have been front page news.hh.
SFTB @ 1.28
What you are offering is not analysis it is excuse laden Scottish cringe and then some.
They have a smaller T/O than us.
They have a lower wage bill than us.
However they work the transfer market with an eye on the team on the park rather than CEO bonuses, EPL membership or money in the bank — that is the primary difference between them and us.
The game is ours to lose.
We are hurting ourselves with our insular attitude and boardroom games.
There was only one opportunity for the 2018/19 season and we gave it up to fight amongst ourselves.
New manager — we need to think big.
BR was not good enough.
I knew it wouldn’t be long,, Ajax win and its big Pete’s fault. ? n ?…
Bankiebhoy1
I watched that report on reporting Scotland and my first thought was `Ibrox`. The report did say, though, that Glasgow Council did yearly inspections. Would that not include Ibrox?
JJ
MADMITCH @ 9:24 AM,
Yes, I’ve got to agree…
Having been down this road before, my thoughts are if you are only looking from one side of an argument it is not an analysis and certainly once presented looks like a list of excuses…
The worst one being of course that Ajax have had better results in Europe than us so can’t be seen as rivals or peers.
Can you ever imagine a Liverpool supporter arguing Man Utd are superior to them and can’t be seen as rivals or peers because Man Us recent record is so much better… Crazy!!
The population of Scotland is smaller than the population of the Netherlands but the population of Glasgow is bigger than the population of Amsterdam, Celtic have a larger demographic and a bigger Capacity stadium.
No, Ajax are very much our peers in Europe and the similarities are startling…
The fact is Ajax utilise their academy, like us to develop players for their team and to sell. They produce better footballers and sell their top tier players for three times as much as we do.
They also rely on Bosmans but yet are prepared to pay 5 or 10 or 15 Million Euros for a player in a position that needs improving.
They have a formation and a style of football that’s practised to the standard of excellence throughout the Club.
The fact is Ajax is a football Club first and it’s excellence means that it is a great business.
Celtic are a business first and foremost.
Ajax have the horse before the cart…
Celtic do the opposite… that’s the difference.
Hail Hail
FAN-A-TIC
I got the impression that people were comparing us to Ajax based on recent seasons turnover.
That may be true: people very rarely say why they find us comparable. However, turnover is only part of the measurement needed.
They are in a country with 3 and a half times our population which gives them a much larger talent pool. They also have a colonial pool from Surinam etc; that has given them some great players.
They have 3 and a half times our TV deal to give them free money.
Because of their history and money they find it easier to attract young Scandinavian, S. American and African talent, even though they offer a “Moneyballs” approach of recruit them young and sell them on , even more agressively than we do. Ajax accept this approach and are under no delusions about their place in the pecking order.
They are a more trusted league; their layers are bought for higher sums than ours routinely are.
Most importantly, for me, they play in a more competitive environment. 3 big teams (Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord) provide stern competition for the league title. Their also rans Twente, Aalkmar, Vittesse, Utrecht & Heerenveen etc; manage small runs in Europe and do not go out at the first hurdle routinely. We, are routinely tested in the SPFL by teams that are recruiting half a team’s worth of rejects from League Two and the Vanarama in England. We find it ver hard to jump from this “hammerthrower” environment to play any technically attuned and battle-hardened team (e.g. Utrecht) far less a challenge like Ajax.
And yet, we have managed a 50/50 European record over Dutch clubs, played 15 won 7 and lost 6. Even against Ajax our win record is 10 ties (won 4 , lost 4 but they have scored 1 more goal than us).
I think it s our expectations of ourselves that need adjusting to take account of the evidence, but, if you do that on here, you et called out for “expectation management”. However it is just as much “expectation management” to expect us to compete equally with more advantaged clubs- and it proves dispiriting when we do not manage to over-achieve.
Last night’s Ajax result remains a higher achieveent than anything we have managed, including our Seville run. It is that good. I hope we can achieve something similar in our bouts in Europe but there are precious few signs of it. Despite Ajax’s great result, neither us or them will be lifting the CL trophy anytime soon. Half that Ajax team will be elsewhere in side 2 seasons.
Cubist Funk
I agree- but we are prisoners of history here.
You have seen the reaction to dropped points in the past few seasons since we embarked on the 10iar quest. That angst reached epic proportions when we eventually, and undestandably, lost to Sevco twice in recent seasons. Fans can feel an acute fear that 10iar will NOT be realised. They will give no wiggle room at all to any coach that prioritises player development over results. This will, sadly, remain true until we actually contrive to lose a league.
Re Celtic and Ajax.
For me , there are simply too many variables to make a fair comparrison or to claim that we could follow the Ajax model. Scotland would have to find another 15 million inhabitants for starters !!
JJ
Yep Jim, and the extra guys would need to be a bit bigger in stature as well,
MIT- Irvin Welsh was tweeting the Hunnish gag about Bobby Sands and chicken suppers last week so his views on sectarianism should be viewed as little more than publicity-seeking when you are an author whose star is fading.
Bhoys,
Might we be in danger here of arguing over how many Ajax angels could fit in the head of a pin?!?!
While the two scenarios are not identical, they’re not so dissimilar that we can’t learn from, and seek to emulate, their best practice and others like it.
HH jg
Corkcelt
That would certainly help !
Are you likely to get over for a game before the season`s end?
JJ
SFTB,
excellent detail, thanks for that, very interesting, mad mitch, can u not read? or are you a member of the flat earth society?
“While the two scenarios are not identical, they’re not so dissimilar that we can’t learn from, and seek to emulate, their best practice and others like it.:
Could you give an example ( of emulation), Big Chap?
JJ
Mad Mitch
What you are offering is not analysis it is excuse laden Scottish cringe and then some.
They have a smaller T/O than us.
They have a lower wage bill than us.
Nice framing. My reasons are excuses but your rational is logical and sound, I am guessing.
It’s a very simple rhetorical trick.
If your solutions are so obvious and risk proof, why are they not being implemented. Did David Murray meet your blye print as a “growth” specialist and not a bean-counter?
Are you applying this sure-fire formula in your profession? Are you the master of Europe in your trade? If you are, why aren’t Celtic hiring you?
Chairbhoy
“Can you ever imagine a Liverpool supporter arguing Man Utd are superior to them and can’t be seen as rivals or peers because Man Us recent record is so much better… Crazy!!’
I acknowledge the reality that Ajax have a far superior track record in Europe than we do. I acknowledge the fact that when drawn together, bookies nad neutrals will routinely make them favourite. I can abandon thinking with my head for thinking with my heart for the duration of a match, but i cannot escape that reality for ever.
“No, Ajax are very much our peers in Europe and the similarities are startling…”
Well, apart from the very important ones I outlined.
Aff ooot noo- will catch replies later
Mursheen
Whilst in agreement with your sentiment, I cannot see the point in asking Madmitch, in print, if he can read :-))
JJ
KDS have a good thread on this.
One issue that was highlighted was the fact that Ajax and Dutch football can ask for and get much bigger transfer fees for their stars than the SPL and we can.
Fair point — but not the whole story.
They can get bigger fees because most certainly they have a better league and a bigger football reputation.
However we have the opportunity to overcome this issue within our own grasp — take the SPL out of the equation.
If our players do well in Europe then they have a bigger reputation and we then can benefit.
That is why our shambles this year in Europe is so hard to take.
It costs us as well as the reputational damage.
New manager — we need better than BR.
We can afford to pay £5mill pa on a coaching team.
In fact given our recent results we cannot afford not to.
Pay lower wages — no fat and happy bench warmers at CP.
Invest in the squad — £10 mill net spend should be the target.
Work the U20 / reserve team squad — if we are coaching players for a career in the ScCh then we are doing it badly wrong.
Finally how much cash does Ajax have in the bank / in their tick book?
How much do they pay their CEO?
Not having a Wednesday game does have its downside !
Cheerio for now.
JJ
Hot Smoked @ 10.09
Made me chuckle ?
Hope Arbroath is treating you well ?
HOT SMOKED @ 9:53 AM,
…there are simply too many variables to make a fair comparrison or to claim that we could follow the Ajax model. Scotland would have to find another 15 million inhabitants for starters !!
Well that is simply not the case and it’s a pity if we can’t follow the Ajax model because from the time we built Lennoxtown that’s exactly what we’ve been trying to do.
We just don’t run our academy or football team very well, of course there have been great exceptions to that but we never build on a position of strength as Ajax do.
We are one of the UKs largest Clubs, the UK & Ireland has a population circa 75M.
There is no reason why we can’t be as good as the Ajaxs or Salzburgs of Europe outside excuses.
Hail Hail
JJ
For me……
1) well established style of play that Ajax have had for years and adhere to, across the ages and over time. We seem to be attempting that. I hope we’re brave enough to persist.
2) Their willingness to spend comparatively big (€5-8M) on ‘medium’ prospects to fill key positions and blend with youth products. We’re trying to do the latter, I think we could have done more and better in the former.
HH jg
Easiest way to work out if you are doing well …
Are other clubs copying your tactics, coaching, business model?
The short answer to this is no then we have to do better.
SFtBs @ 10:07 AM,
What do you think of my assertion that Celtic have been trying to emulate Ajax since they built Lennoxtown?
If you agree then maybe the fact we can’t match their track record, nor moneyball record, nor Academy graduate record, nor business record is down to the fact they are better at it than we are…
Hail Hail
JAMESGANG @ 10:23 AM,
Totally agree with that. The fact is, are we prepared to keep on paying for players in that category? For me last Summer and this January said we weren’t.
If we put that down to the fallout of the egos then this summer will certainly give an indication towards the way we are proceeding.
Hail Hail
SFTB @ 10.07
I have been around enough business failures to recognise the issues from up close and afar.
I have offered my thoughts on a number of news leading issues and been politely ignored.
UK — The poster child of the last 10 years has hit bad times.
Issue was they didn’t understand their success so they had no ability to replicate it.
Specifically on the programme / platform that I worked on they were still living the BL dream.
The product might be premium but with current industry volumes you have to get your hands dirty and move the metal — they didn’t know how to so they sold half their planned volumes and people are losing their jobs.
US — the $35K figure for a premium C/D segment offering with a BEV powertrain was a cheap headline that will kill the company. That and the fact that they can’t manage the build or manage the changes mean that a simple project has become a three act opera. Mental figures from the start — $45K was the real figure for a fully developed product not something with an airfix kit interior and half the tech missing.
They have the first adopters onside and they have their fan club who thinks the guy at the top is a single being deity figure but they haven’t got a future.
Consequently I can spot a tripe business plan at 400 paces.
PL is a well paid lightweight who is out of his depth.
Bhoys and Ghirls,
Interesting comparison with ourselves and Ajax. Stats can be manipulated to suit any argument. Imo the main reason Ajax won convincingly last night was desire and belief aided by a suitable formation.
We have bigger average attendances than Ajax.
We own our own Stadium.
Scotland’s brand value is not to dissimilar to the Netherlands. $196 to $137m respectively. ( incidentally Spain’s is $3.392m )
Celtic’s football brand value is identical to Ajax at 24th and 25th. ( Although giants of European football Burnley are financially streets ahead )
If we concentrate on what we can control :
We are not getting value from our investment in our Academy. We are doing better , but need to do much better. This will form our team and create finance when we have to sell. Look at Ajax’s outgoing transfer values in comparison to incoming.
BR has set the standard for sports science, we must continue this professional approach.
We must install belief and desire in European competition.
We take most of our income from ticket sales. Subsequently we must enhance the match day experience and modernise our infrastructure.
If any benefit or edge occurs from Brexit in regards footballing law we must be ready to capitalise on it.
In summary; stop putting ourselves down using manipulative stats and start believing.
HH.
GP @ 10.38
Your last line — I can feel a song coming on …
GREENPINATA @ 10:38 AM,
Great post, Totally agree…
Hail Hail
MM,
Your welcome to sing your heart out. I’ll kick off : T’was on a dreary New Years eve.
Ops sorry, I assume your referring to and would prefer the catchy Journey song ?
HH.
The Piñata Bhoy nails it!
HH jg
GP @ 10.48
Not a fan of the NRA songbook.
Not a fan of songs about career change or hats.
Not a fan of songs about proto-fascists “working” in the Fermanagh area.
Although in saying that — US 70’s MOR is not that great either.
Now where did I put my PG’s FM greatest hits / 3 album box set.
PG / JS / DK / MF / JMcV = The good stuff.
Cheers guys, must go or aff oot.
Music and Football: Looking forward to shearing the Sheep followed by the Stranglers @ the 02 on Saturday.
If only Carlsberg did Saturday’s then this would be right up there.
HH to all.
” Humza Yousaf said “nothing was off the table” when it came to dealing with sectarianism and violent behaviour.
His remarks followed a series of incidents, including Saturday night’s Scottish Cup match between Celtic and Hibernian where a glass bottle was thrown at Celtic forward Scott Sinclair.
Last week, footage showed an object almost hitting Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal during Wednesday’s 2-1 win for Celtic.
And last month Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd criticised Celtic fans after being hit by a coin and subjected to sectarian abuse while warming up as a substitute during the sides’ meeting at Rugby Park.”
Common denominator?
Once again, anything but impartial reporting by the BBC in Scotland.
JJ
new article posted.
Mad Mitch
Despite your continuous use of obscure abbreviations, I actually understood and agreed with one of your posts yesterday – this is unusual.
Gonnae no dae that, please. It detracts from whatever point(s) you are making, and thus loses impact.
HH