We arrived at Celtic Park yesterday with an anticipatory bounce in the step. A full house for flag day with the usual summer noise from elsewhere hushed by the harsh realities of the Scottish Premiership. St Mirren were not there to make up the numbers, though, and withstood 76% possession and wave after wave of attack without looking overwhelmed.
Genuine chances were few with the visitor’s two banks of players (defenders and auxiliary defenders) parked in front of the box. Celtic mix it up by playing the long ball to Adam Idah, but he was well marshalled throughout.
Kieran Tierney was back and immediately dispelled any concerns we had about how effective he would be. His touch, timing in the challenge and industry were first class, but for me, it was his forward passing that was most impressive. Fortunately his retirement shortly after the hour was a planned change.
You and I have discussed deflected goals often. When you are up against a packed defence, a deflected shot from the edge of the area should be something you work on. Against the likes of St Mirren you will seldom get enough space for a free shot, but a shot is still worthwhile. Fire in enough of them and you will leave the stadium with a smile as wide as Luke McCowan’s yesterday.
Post-match, Brendan Rodgers said, “I’m fed up talking about transfers. We’ve got until the end of the window. We concentrate on what’s here, a lot of work going on behind the scenes to improve the squad.”
I let his comments to Sky Sports on Friday go; we had a game to prepare for, which some of us take seriously, but we will pick them after we discuss the European draw. Nothing has changed since Friday, though. “A lot of work going on behind the scenes” is not something which somehow appeared over the weekend.
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Agree that there’s a hysteria around incoming transfers that is premature given there’s almost a month to go in the window. But I also recognise this as a symptom of the low trust environment the plc has created for itself, I.e. this mob have got previous and plenty of it.
On that basis I have some sympathy for those fans whose past trauma is being triggered by the current malaise and manager’s increasingly pointed public comments.
Even some of my more sanguine pals are becoming vexed.
Hardly credible to say they don’t have a point… up to a point. Final judgement to be reserved for 1 Sept.
Very nice service for Old Tim today and massive respect to the CQN’rs who made it through there in the conditions. Thanks to An T for facilitating this.
Probably the most ‘Celtic’ funeral I have ever attended. The words of the ‘Faithful in Arms’ were so apt.
So nice to hear the family comments about how much this forum meant to Davie. It must be very humbling for Paul 67 and his dad there to hear this about such a really good person as Old Tim.
Apparently Old Tim had said that CQN probably added about 15 years to his life. Having that outlet and community which it had created.
Sometimes we don’t always appreciate that value.
talk about stating the bleedin’ obvious.
If ever, Brendan’s team was a message to the board of why we need at least 3 forwards, including 2 quality wingers.
I do feel sorry for Adam Idah, he tries like a bear, but doesn’t have it, does he. Even at my age , I would try as hard but I’m not very good !!
I understand, Udinese are sniffing after him , take the money and run I say.
Never been a huge fan of Engels, but to be fair, he did ok yesterday, and seemed to toughen up a tad, so, I’ll give him a break
KINGLuBO
Antman goes to the wasps
https://images.webapi.gc.celticfc.com/fit-in/1400×1400/438e11a0-7128-11f0-aa0d-6188f6600fc6.jpg
https://images.webapi.gc.celticfc.com/fit-in/7700×7700/43bb3c20-7128-11f0-b12e-4b3ecaa3d3b0.jpg
https://images.webapi.gc.celticfc.com/fit-in/1400×1400/4387a900-7128-11f0-a92d-5feb00825c16.jpg
https://images.webapi.gc.celticfc.com/fit-in/1400×1400/43bdad20-7128-11f0-bc1e-f530b0fd1ec7.jpg
https://images.webapi.gc.celticfc.com/fit-in/1400×1400/437a89a0-7128-11f0-8b68-eb13d964f318.jpg
https://images.webapi.gc.celticfc.com/fit-in/1400×1400/43114080-7128-11f0-a8a8-1b95358c8489.jpg
https://images.webapi.gc.celticfc.com/fit-in/1400×1400/431cd940-7128-11f0-b611-c3860d641a1a.jpg
We know Slovan and should be confident of beating them but could we ever have expected that chance to play a club with a ranking such as this in a play off round.
Kairat Almaty ranked 311th in this table. What you would expect in Conference League early qualifier rounds.
https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/uefarankings/club/?year=2026
We need a proven quality striker so how about Luka Jovic still only 27 just left AC Milan…would surely find the SPL a picnic once he gets up to speed. He has experience, ability and won’t be put off by robust “Challenges” currently a free agent I believe so nothing to lose
I am sure Brendan could revive his career……….NO excuses, Idah & Kenny won’t do….saying that I read that Calvin Ramsay is also available from Liverpool…better cover for AJ than Ralston and Scottish !!
Tom @ 2.57pm
Someone mentioned it on the previous blog.
Very pleased if it was garbage.
timmy7_noted on 3rd August 2025 9:45 pm
Anyone think that team that started today will qualify for the champions league?
i do.
£25 for Falkirk LC tie
Bada
You hearing anything on player incomings?
Tickets for the Premier Sports Cup tie against Falkirk are on sale now to Season Ticket holders ahead of the clash at Celtic Park on Friday, August 15 (KO: 7:45pm).
The Bhoys are setting out to retain the trophy and keep up the positive start to the 2025/26 season.
ON SALE INFORMATION
Tickets for the match are on sale now to Season Ticket holders only, who have until 9am on Monday, August 11 to secure their seasonal seats for the cup tie. Tickets are available to buy online only, priced:
Adults – £25
Concession – £17
Under 13 – £12
Season Ticket holders who are located in the same seat will have their Season Ticket card activated for this match. If an alternate seat is purchased, a match ticket will be provided.
To accommodate away support, a number of seats in 117 are unavailable. Those on the HCTS will be relocated to an alternative seats. Those not on the HCTS can purchase from 10am until 1pm on Monday, August 11.
There is a £1.50 per ticket booking fee for this fixture.
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rampat greed, a friday night fixture on tv, price it to allow fans who do not normally get to attend.
£12 a kid again, that will meant £30 for champions league gmaes, greddy greedy plc
PLB @ 3:53pm
Good points made about transfer window vexation and hysteria.
“Even some of my more sanguine pals are becoming vexed.
“Hardly credible to say they don’t have a point… up to a point. Final judgement to be reserved for 1 Sept”
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FWIW – my final judgement on the success of this transfer window will be reserved for end of May 2026.
The transfer window is a means to an end.
Nothing more.
You allude to previous from the board. Fine, I won’t argue
(partly because I dont think we’ll ever agree)
IMHO, there is another (and greater) contributory factor to the hysteria you mention.
“The Transfer Window Industry”.
On paper it is totally flawed.
Take big piles of almost nothing and sell it as a regular flow of something.
Surely it couldn’t work in reality? Oh wait ..
All to make money.
Just so morons can stay in a wage while zero competitive football is played.
As always, the people who ultimately pay are the fans.
In this case, not just hard dough but, clearly, their mental health too.
There is a £1.50 per ticket booking fee for this fixture.
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an online portal for selecting your tickets, what is the actual cost to celtic for processing the transaction, I bet it is pennies.
SAINT STIVS
The £1.50 booking fee doesn’t go to Celtic. It’s their fee to Ticket Master for the use of their online booking system.
Tom McLaughlin on 4th August 2025 5:40 pm
what a racket, still, plc should absorb the costs.
Back to Basics
Yes, the tedious transfer speculation industry. Completely dire but never seems to get old. I often think the people in the club actually conducting the business must shake their heads at the moonbeams being sold to a credulous public. Best ignored until someone actually signs.
BURNLEY78
Thanks for that, it sounds like a great send off. Moments like this are important for the comments section in the blog, a bit of reflection about our own personal affect on this community is always a good thing. Which isnt a pop at you, more me thinking our loud about myself.
You missed a really exciting hour or so of cricket, it was a brilliant spectacle, full of huge amounts of skill, bravery, character and effort, Woakes coming out to bat at the end with his dislocated shoulder in a sling summed the whole series up. The amount of effort the Indians put in at the end of such a long Summer was really outstanding. I think the best thing for me was there was the spirit of the game, a full Oval half and half Indian and England supporters, supporting their team passionately but never aggressively. Hopefully Norman Tebbit is spinning in his grave
4 Million for Antman, tidy bit of business for Go Ahead Eagles as they paid 1.5 million for him last summer.
He finished his first full season in the Eredivisie with 32 appearances, scoring six goals and providing 15 assists, which was the most in the league.
Was named in the Eredivisie team of the season. At 6ft 1, tall for a winger.
Is the guy we are after from the same club supposed to be better than him? Or just cheaper?
St Stivs
Ref Falkirk game.
It is on Premier. Not everyone has Premier.
On pricing ….. take a look at theatre or concert or even cinema. It is not as crazy as you might think.
I think this will be a tough game for us. Prior to our Euro play off tie. It should be a really good cup tie.
I would be surprised if it is not close to a sell out. Lots of non regulars may get the chance to go along. Likewise maybe 3000 or so away fans.
Great initiative to play Friday night to give us longer to prep for the play off v Slovan or Almaty.
St Stivs
My point is that it is not all bad really. I guess
Celtic40me
Caught up with the final hour of the test there. I agree with all you said. Great sport and Great spirit. Norman Tebbit lol.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day at Manchester in amongst both sets of fans.
Also agree ref CQN. Fair point.
BURNLEY78
I usually go to at least a day of the tests every Summer, but for four of us to go to the Lords test was £600 for a day, and I think the Oval wasnt much cheaper.
its always a great day out and if you think about it by the hour its good value for top flight sport but it was too much for me this time.
We’re going to the Hundred at the end of August, one of mine is a big fan of it. It’s a bit too loud for me but the tickets are always well-priced and the kids love it
I convinced my Celtic-mad mate, who can never understand why I watch cricket, to sample today’s Test match climax. He was encouraged when I told him it would almost certainly be over, either way, within an hour or thereabouts.
He and his son watched it and his note to me at the end was – As you know I’m not a cricket fan but that was brilliant.
TOM MCLAUGHLIN
its a far more exciting game than it was, Bazball has really changed it for the better.
Looks obvious that we are waiting to see if we qualify for the CL,before we spend significantly, same as a few years ago,a a meek cowardly approach, with no ambition
TV technology in cricket has been brilliant, when you get pundits like Hussein,Atherton, Ponting,they educate as well as commentate
It’s been a great summer of sport with a fabulous GAA championship,
Wimbledon and eggball but it’s great to see the green and white
back again. I tend to ignore mostly fake news about various players
on their way to Celtic so just wait until the big kick off and the flag ceremony
and get ready for another 38 games to head for the title once more.
Good to see the sun shining yesterday for Paul McStay raising the flag
and what followed was a typical first of season game with Hoops getting
the job done and and the three points against Saints who made it a contest
with their expected tactics.. The Hoops will improve with games and will be
ready for Europe when the time comes and hopefully with a couple
of new signings on the way.
Hitting the woodwork on three occasions it was inevitable there was
going to be one result. It was super sub Jamsey who lit the spark
and good strike by luke. Liam Scales also impressed with a solid game.
Dessybhoy- my bhoy sent me a link from a French newspaper, saying a club over there has met asking price,as have we,but we will only follow up if we qualify for CL,which given the lack of activity could be plausible
!!BADA BING!! on 4TH AUGUST 2025 6:40 PM
Looks obvious that we are waiting to see if we qualify for the CL,before we spend significantly, same as a few years ago,a a meek cowardly approach, with no ambition
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Signed a player on Friday but haven’t announced it, maybe not the best time to officially acknowledge a loan signing with no option to buy.
Bada
Was there a name of the player?
On what planet is tonight’s game between Hearts and Aberdeen most certainly the game of the weekend, as asserted by BBC Scotland’s sports department? Surely, the Champions playing a top 6 team was THE game. They can’t help themselves. If you were to pay them any credit, St Mirren deserved at least a point yesterday. Why? Because they had kept Celtic out for most of the game. 10 man defence and time wasting isn’t football.
Parkheadcumsalford on 4th August 2025 7:00 pm
You are correct.
But anger is so draining – I just laugh.
St Mirren deserved to get beat, that it happened the way it did will annoy them but they did not deserve anything cause they offered nothing other than playing 8 11, a new set up but it wont be the last time we play against it. Mclaughlin is a Hearts supporter , bigging their game up as they have nothing else to look forward to, and with Hibs in Europe that will eat at them.
Dessybhoy- Balikiwisha (sp) the winger who we we have been linked with since January