Trending
Celtic News Now
Celtic Quick News on News Now
Celtic Quick News
You are at:»»Deciding to win, talking a good game

Deciding to win, talking a good game

488
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.

Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

488 Comments
  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. ...
  5. 6
  6. 7
  7. 8
  8. 9
  9. 10
  10. 11
  11. 12
  12. 13

  1. The Honest Assesment on

    The Huddle

     

    I knew we would be having a disagreement.

     

    As I said, the sun really does affect your thinking, and I am afraid the sun has gotten to the Turkey, the ones he mentions are worthy posters here, the sun obviously hasn’t affected them and their thinking.

  2. Turkeybhoy on

    THE HONEST ASSESMENT on 24TH MARCH 2016 11:14 PM

     

    Turkeyboy

     

     

     

     

    Not moaning, just pointing out the facts, I will leave the moaning to you and your compadres.

     

     

     

     

    My mission here is to out the twats & the trolls and bring CQN back to what it was intended for.

     

     

     

     

    Remember and stay out of the sun.

     

     

    – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/deciding-to-win-talking-a-good-game/comment-page-8/#comments

     

     

    Well thats what we all like,a man with a mission.Tell me,did you receive voices telling you to begin this mission,or did you receive a vision of some sort?.

     

    I would like to help if I may.If you are looking for the “Trolls”and whatever else you are duty bound to root out,you could do a lot worse than start with the two I mentioned today.This is just between us,right.Dont tell them,I told you.Keep your mission a secret.Sh-t,too late for that,anyway carry on missioning.Dont try to contact me tomorrow,I will be sunbathing !!!!!!!!.

  5. Tontine Tim on

    jinkyredstar on 24th March 2016 5:48 pm

     

    Tontine

     

     

    Morton had a wee knack of damaging dear Hun – didn’t they draw 3-3 one midweek when we won the Glasgow cup by hunners – I was a bit young but I’m sure I recall that

     

     

    That’s the game I was referring to prior to our 2-1 win over them. Arthur Montford started Scotsport with the comment that there had been a 6 goal thriller at Cappielow.

     

     

    We were desperate for them tae drap a point(s) and when the home side took a 3-1 lead we knew we were right back in it. Almost blew it on the Saturday though.

     

     

    We beat Clyde 8-0 that night at Hampden in the Glasgow Cup Final, that’s the year the huns refused tae play us in the semis.

     

     

    We clinched the League the following Saturday without kicking a ball, the big Mhan was at Hampden watching his old club beat jambs tae win the SC and on leaving did a jig when he heard that a last minute Ian Taylor goal had ended the huns un beaten run tae give us the title with a game at East End Park still to play. We had a +22 goal difference so the flag was in the bag.

     

     

    On leaving the field their leading goalscorer sir furious who had scored for the home side that day was viciously booted on the shin by a “fan” who had invaded the park and was allowed to wander off.

     

     

    Incidentally at the urging of Jock that’s the last time league games were played on the same day as the Cup Final.

     

     

    The final game of the season 3 days after the final was between the cup winners and champions elect. A Bobby Lennox double, 20, goals in his last 12 games, saw us win 2-1 with 63 points from a possible 68 which is still is a Scottish record.

     

     

    Dunfermline’s record attendance of 27,000 was made that late spring evening although it was estimated that there was 30,000+s in the stadium, some up on the roofs of the enclosures. Police estimate that up to 25,000 Celtic fans were locked out and missed game.

     

     

    That’s when like the 1950s we had an oul fogie support and not a spoiled bunch of millennia’s.

  7. the_huddle on

    The Honest Assesment on 24th March 2016 11:48 pm

     

     

    I knew we would be having a disagreement.

     

    As I said, the sun really does affect your thinking, and I am afraid the sun has gotten to the Turkey, the ones he mentions are worthy posters here, the sun obviously hasn’t affected them and their thinking.

     

    ————-

     

    The sun doesn’t shine in Scotland so don’t know how it effects my thinking.

  8. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    Evening Celts

     

     

    Turkeybhoy.

     

    Good man…some of the bhoys were concerned about you.

     

    I was trying to tell them, that you would be back to tell me to F off:)

     

    I moan, you moan, we all moan.

     

    But your the worst:)

     

     

    HH

  10. What is the Stars on

    Hamilton

     

     

    I am …..by some peoples definition

     

     

    To others I am a rabid republican

     

     

    As always the truth is somewhere in between,

     

    Town was buzzin today,lots of tourists,the events planned,parades concerts etc seem very good.

     

    Myself wife and daughters are heading in on Sunday to Celebrate

     

    Its a momentous occasion

     

    There were beggars in the streets today which is a shame on all if us,that in an affluent society like the Irish Republic these circumstances exist.

     

    But… Its still a grand old country and unfortunately there are beggars and homeless in every european state.

     

    Maybe someday humanity will evolve to such an extent that this type of injustice will no longer be tolerated.

     

     

    For now however I have never been more proud to be Irish

     

     

    West Brits CSC

  11. BGX on

    Thougot Mulgrew Had a Great Game for Scotland tonight, My thougths Are He And Griffiths will win CELTIC the Double, Aw….and…..Charlie must be a YES supporter, He’s Way Way Way Too Habdsome to Have Voted no, I mean …………….Have You Seen a Handsome…..

     

    no voter…..NAW…on and on to 5 in a row….And INDEPENDENCE…FOR SCOTLAND…

  12. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    WITS

     

     

    You lucky man.

     

    Meanwhile, back in the Scottish Reformation, where everything Catholic and Republican is offensive.

     

    John Knox lives and breathes.

     

    Police Scoddland dont like commemorations….unless they are Orange ones.

     

    Legislation shortly no doubt…Nae Kaffliks.

     

    Scoddland you can keep it….I think i will take the huns up on their invitation, and go home where i will feel human.

     

    Anyway….have a good one, and give the bhoys my regards.

     

     

    HH

  13. Hamiltontim on

    Wits

     

     

    Good reply.

     

     

    I’m really looking forward to the weekend but I expect it to draining emotionally.

     

     

    Hopefully, we’ll get a pint together at some point.

  14. jc2 on

    Thanks for your inputs on how Charlie performed

     

    but i think we should wait for the Breadman’s comments before

     

    we know how Charlie/Scotland/WGS/Celtic/world economy performed

     

     

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

     

     

    BGX on 24TH MARCH 2016 11:59 PM

     

    Thougot Mulgrew Had a Great Game for Scotland tonight, My thougths Are He And Griffiths will win CELTIC the Double, Aw….and…..Charlie must be a YES supporter, He’s Way Way Way Too Habdsome to Have Voted no, I mean …………….Have You Seen a Handsome…..

     

     

     

     

    no voter…..NAW…on and on to 5 in a row….And INDEPENDENCE…FOR SCOTLAND…

     

     

    – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/deciding-to-win-talking-a-good-game/comment-page-9/#comments

  15. The Honest Assesment on

    Turkeyboy

     

    The voices the voices, they are dinging about in my head, I saw an angel today, she spoke to me, she told me so, so many things, she told me you are a moaning person, I would say twat but that may not be allowed.

     

    The Huddle

     

    The sun shines every day in Scotland, at least it does where I live, you need to get out of the city of discovery to where the sun shines.

  16. roy croppie on

    Bhoys

     

     

    Lucy has asked me to pass on her thanks for the birthday wishes expressed today, for me and her. I’m so chuffed we share a birthday and so proud CQN make a fuss of one of my beautiful ghirls. Thank you HH

     

     

    Dublin I can’t wait…Good friends, new friends and a camaraderie you can’t buy…YNWA

     

     

    UTLR

  18. What is the Stars on

    Hamilton

     

     

    I hope so

     

     

    I hope you enjoy the weekend

     

    Big concert planned for Collins Barracks,singers from all around the country.

     

     

    Was out for a drink recently with an old friend,she is actually a grandaughter of someone who was in the GPO in 1916,a fact I never knew,but the these were people who risked everything and gained ..well nothing material,they lived in council houses and worked in low paying jobs and didnt even boast about the sacrifices they made.

     

    Yep I’ll be taking my hat off to them this weekend

  20. BGX on

    The Green Man….

     

    I Am a Catholic and A Republican..

     

     

    i live in Glasgow, East End…..Glasgow is My City…Scotland is My Country….I Aint Moving..

  21. Hamiltontim on

    It’s true there are still, to this day, elements of Scottish society which are vehemently anti Catholic and historically anti Irish.

     

     

    Every week though, thousands gather in opposition to their ignorance and bigotry.

  24. Hamiltontim on

    Wits

     

     

    The missus and I have deliberately left the weekend open apart from Saturday night. Hopefully it’ll allow us to find some hidden gems.

  25. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    BGX

     

     

    Im slightly annoyed, that we cannot commemorate 1916 in Glasgow.

     

    Polis Scoddland up to their usual tricks.

     

    That halfwit McAskill has the fecking cheek to talk about commemorating James Connolly, while at the same time the uniformed ludge are behaving like fecking ulster unionists.

     

    Everything that moves is sectarian according to the polis…except the Orange bs.

     

    Just sickens me….that things have never changed in this city.

     

     

    HH

  26. roy croppie on

    I’ m currently in week 2 of a 6 week course about “Irish Lives in War and Revolution” run on line by Trinity College Dublin.

     

     

    Absolutely fascinating and the primary sources they make available may take me years to research properly.

     

     

    Was it worth it?

     

     

    My question for the weekend.

     

     

    UTLR

  29. ToffeeTim on

    Absolutely Gutted found out tonight my Flight to Dublin on Saturday night has been put back 15 mins ! A mean a flight scheduled for 20.20 makes it Mad Dog time oooffftttt !

     

    15 mins lost in the Fair City is a significant amount of lost drinking time .Could any legal eagles out there advise me on what course of action can be taken against Ryaniar for the loss of swally time ;)

     

    Looking forward to kicking up a Celtic Storm @ the Cqn Hootenanny !! Hail Hail & NSNO

  31. Gordon64 on

    Dublin 16 Not sure if the Dublonians are aware of the Glaswegian concept of a good Saturdaynight. Get a massive carry oot and find a party ?

  32. Hamiltontim on

    TGM

     

     

    Wee bit of trivia.

     

     

    McAskill represented members of the Connolly society when he was a lawyer.

     

     

    Hypocritical buffoon.

  33. What is the Stars on

    HT

     

    Will defintely meet up

     

    Maybe go to Glasnevin Cemetry and have a pint in The Gravediggers,great pub

  35. What is the Stars on

    Toffeetim

     

     

    I would recommend you sue ryanair,they will probably make you an offer of a free trip to see Everton ……or if you are really unlucky 2 free trips to see Everton

     

    Boom Boom

  37. Margaret McGill on

    Until Rangers are dead. Really dead. Not the kid on half baked New firm come alive drivel. Scotland will never throw off this ant Irish sectarian sentiment from its repugnant violent large minority. I find it beyond reproach that our own board are encouraging the survival of this emblem, this vanguard of all that decent humans find repugnant for the bigot buck. Worse!. That a few green huns are still excited and encouraged by this roman coliseum gladiator spectacle under the auspices of sport and some ancient superlatives that have all run their course.

  38. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    HT

     

     

    What an fool he is…putting it mildly.

     

    I dont think i could restrain myself from …er, giving him a 14 hour history lesson.

     

    He is an insult to the intelligence.

     

    He is not fit to even discuss James Connolly.

     

    What a brassneck he has got….shameless in the extreme.

     

    I hope wee Prof Devine gets hold of him….before i do:)

     

     

    HH

  41. BGX on

    The Green Man….Jack Nicholson says in The Departed..” I Dont want to be a product of my Enviroment, I Want Me Enviroment to be A Product of ME”…so we stay, and we Fight, Untill They Change…Coz We Aint Moving….This Is Our City And These are Our Colours, Glasgow Is Green And White…And YES….

  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. ...
  5. 6
  6. 7
  7. 8
  8. 9
  9. 10
  10. 11
  11. 12
  12. 13