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Deciding to win, talking a good game

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

I spent a lot of time last season defending Stefan Johansen. His goals, goals created and interceptions stats were incredible. He needed defending because apart from when he was scoring or creating goals, lots of his work was done off the ball. Those who take note of off the ball work, his direct opponents, voted him Player of the Year (those who follow the ball, or action on TV, miss lots).

This season’s been different, none of the markers he put down a year earlier have been met. I don’t have enough information to explain why this is, so I’m not going to absolve the player from responsibility, but what we got from him on his return to Norway on international duty was the talking part of a good game:

“I am dissatisfied with the way I was playing”

“But in recent months I have felt my rhythm is better and that my body is good”

Perhaps more importantly:

“We are going to get those two trophies [league and Scottish Cup]. We have decided to do that.”

You very occasionally hear players talk in those terms – “deciding” to win. I remember writing up that Fraser Forster “decided” to make the England World Cup squad. He made his mind up, put the vagaries of form and fortune out of his head.

The commitment from Fraser in the year-or-so before the 2014 World Cup was enormous. He worked harder than any Celtic player. Enormously harder than some. That’s how you decide something which isn’t actually your decision.

Stefan has a lot of work to do to get back to where he was a year ago. Only he can decide if the time for talking off the park is over.

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  2. roy croppie on

    The Green Man says SACK THE Board

     

     

    I Find it absolute ridiculous that a party whose main policy is independence is so active against people who support Irish unity,

     

     

    Why vote SNP?

  4. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    BGX

     

     

    Cheers bud…that makes me smile.

     

    Ive fought with the feckers since i was a kid, no doubt like most bhoys on the blog.

     

    They are totally vile.

     

    Still get trouble with them to this day….kid you not.

     

    But….im still standing tall, and will remain a warrior.

     

    Feck them.

     

     

    HH

  5. Hamiltontim on

    Wits

     

     

    If you’re there on Saturday then I’m sure we’ll sort something mate.

     

     

     

    TGM

     

     

    I like Devine, he beats the right drums, but not often enough for my liking.

  9. Gordon64 on

    100 hundred years ago the bravest of the brave laid down their life’s for Ireland. And that is why ill be going to Dublin tihis weekend. HH

  10. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    ROY CROPPIE

     

     

    I wouldnt vote for any of the mongrels…they are all alike in their prejudice.

     

    Now they even tell me, that we imagined religious bigotry….it was a myth.

     

    This country is fecked…and just as warped as ever.

     

    It would be easier providing an analysis of Scottish History to a pile of sawdust, than explaining what Scotland is to the likes of McAskill.

     

    He thinks he is Rob Roy McGregor:)

     

     

    HH

  13. Delaneys Dunky on

    TGM

     

     

    I would prefer you to get a haud of the hypocrite McAskill before Prof Devine does. ;)

  14. BGX on

    ROY CROPPIE…Why Vote SNP…Easy…its The Only Way To Independence For SCOTLAND..it is That Simple..After That..

     

    Vote What you like….Do You Get it NOW?

  16. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    HT

     

     

    Id imagine that if Prof Devine went full throttle…..they would go stark staring bananas.

     

    He will be well aware of their stupidity.

     

    Although…i have seen him destroy them with a withering glance, followed by an analysis which produced deep silence….Their discomfort made me laugh though:)

     

    Scottish Parliament Committes etc.

     

    He knows what they are all about.

     

     

    HH

  19. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    DD

     

     

    I might get lucky yet bud:)

     

    He will need new ears…because obviously the ones he has….dont work.

     

    Fool of a man.

     

     

    HH

  21. Hamiltontim on

    TGM

     

     

    Bed for me, but quickly.

     

     

    For the very reasons you highlight, he should be doing and saying more.

     

     

    He’s widely regarded and respected. They’re powerful allies when going to battle with the ill informed and insecure.

  22. Delaneys Dunky on

    Up late on a Thursday with no work to worry about. Just a flight to Dublin in the morning to catch. Happy Easter.

  24. BGX on

    Hamiltontim…So if by You And You alone, one Vote..Could get Scotland Independence, You wouldnt vote SNP..Knowing , Knowing, That you Could Vote Them Out of Gov At the Next Election Because of The Ob..Aye Right…Nae Bother…

  25. Margaret McGill on

    DD

     

    Have a knightswood beer in Dublin

     

    Buy WITS a beer or 2

     

    I get you back next month.

  27. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    HT

     

     

    Id agree with you there.

     

    I have tried in my own small way to make a dent.

     

    But…its cost me.

     

    Suffice to say…that prejudice can be manufactured in the strangest of places.

     

     

    HH

  29. jamesgang on

    Later today I have the pleasure and honour of going to a country that’s not my own but is home to my brothers and sisters.

     

     

    I can’t wait……

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  30. eddieinkirkmichael on

    Tom Devine is now part of the establishment and his musings should be viewed with this in mind

  31. BGX on

    Roy Croppie….Bollocks..

     

    You Vote them in For Independence…Then Vote them Out At The Next Election

     

     

     

    Simple

  34. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    EDDIE IN K

     

     

    Im not going to bite:)

     

    Hope you enjoy Dublin.

     

     

    HH

  37. BGX on

    Roy Croppie…Sorry bout that…But its simple..Vote SNP till Independence, Then Vote Them Out….INDEPENDENCE Ovrides Everything For Me…Again.

     

    Sorry..

     

    Bless

  38. Delaneys Dunky on

    M McGill

     

     

    Done deal! Look forward to meeting you soon. Think you may have nutmegged me in the Kirkton 20 a side. 10- 21 games. ;)

  41. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    BGX, I’m with you on that, I’ll vote snp until the day we gain independence and then I’ll help vote them out.

     

     

    HT I get what you’re saying but using the OBAF act as a reason for non independence is a poor train of thought. The OBAF is a monstrosity and the quickest way to have it repealed is to get the fuckers who brought it in voted out. That aint happening any time soon unless Scotland is voting within itself.

     

     

    To all those going to Dublin, have a brilliant weekend. I really do wish I could have been there with you but I’ve given up drink, drugs and fat tory bitches. Have a great time and remember us who also serve.

     

     

     

    Roy C, happy birthday to you and your girl.

     

     

    TET, I hope to see you soon.

     

     

    Mrs Pastry, bake me a cake and take out yer teeth.

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