It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what was different from last night’s performance to our previous outing against Ross County, and so many this season. Kris Commons was on from the start, but our tone of play was different, even as Kris limped on the side-lines during the opening minutes.
How that tone was set is worth examining. Celtic were denied an opportunity to train on Kilmarnock’s new artificial pitch, in a move demonstrating the hosts legendary welcome and sportsmanship, but when Ronny Deila spoke pre-match he made his position clear, “The pitch is great”.
One of my pet hates is hearing a player or manager establish a reason for failure before kick-off. Record your complaints about the pitch, or even being denied the chance to become accustomed to it, and you’re subliminally setting yourself up for a fall. It didn’t matter if a pitch is great or not, the manager and players have minutes to convince themselves it’s good enough for them to put on a show. Nothing got in the way of Celtic’s can-do attitude yesterday.
Kris was phenomenal. He got a hat-trick at Rugby Park last season and deserved no less this time, only the crossbar, twice, and some fine goalkeeping denied him. In a team short of goals, his focus on the target is unceasing. There were important Champions League games when he didn’t make the team under Neil Lennon, and there will be occasions when the game doesn’t suit him, but he’s the required fulcrum against a packed SPFL defence.
We’ve touched on this theme a couple of times but it doesn’t seem to be getting traction. For two years shareholders now newco Rangers have been advised to step aside, or as now, sell control for £18m, in the best interests of the club. No deal will be done until the best interests of the controlling shareholders are considered, any approach which doesn’t recognise this is no more than a distraction.
Newco have four directors, two non-execs, who do not work in the business on a daily basis, and two executives, who do. The latter, chief executive Derek Llambias, and yesterday’s appointment of Barry Leach as financial director, both came from the Sports Direct stable. They are the men working on fixing the funding gap. It is inconceivable they will overlook the interests of investors.
On 27th of this month newco will face an SFA disciplinary hearing over an alleged breach of a written agreement not to allow Ashley influence at the club, in place before they appointed two former Sports Direct staff to the board. I would be very surprised if the Sports Direct owner didn’t have the club’s short-term funding and his long-term security secured prior to that date.
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Hamilton and Ross county tickets available at ticket office, hope you were lucky in the ballot……
notthebus
15:46 on
6 January, 2015
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire
The Scottish game is broken beyond repair. I suggest we make all efforts and pull all resources in effecting change in the game to allow us to leave the confines of current set up.
Sorry to interrupt your dialogue but I think he meant credible suggestions yours is a non starter, but I do admire your unrealistic optimism, keep dreaming. You are seriously deluded if you believe that the gerrymandering that has occurred to enable sevco back into top level football would allow the spfl cash cow to leave ……………….where would the sense in that be ………… not going to happen
HH
BMCUW.
Sadly I agree about Tony. Although I would love to be wrong.
I have to declare an interest, in that my son played with Tony at Airdrie and through that I met Tony on several occasions.
Even at Airdrie, Tony was always at the back at training. He really is a nice kid but easily influenced by others who might not have his best interests at heart.
I remember at Fir park, jumping for joy when he came on and scored, as for Barca, Rod wasn’t the only one in tears.
At Celtic he drove Lenny to distraction, he just never took it seriously enough. Tony would argue with that statement and that is where his problem lies. He thought he had it made, rather than thinking how can I keep progressing. Doing daft things like starting smoking when at Celtic didn’t endear himself to the coaching staff.
notthebus
Where would we leave to??
dena29
I am well aware of this.This is a complex issue with no easy solutions.My suggestion is based on a long term strategy as I can see no palatable future for the Scottish game.
As for Sevco, no idea what they have to do with this particular debate.
Winning Captains
Is there a possibility that Doncaster`s recent `same club` statement was because he is aware of the forthcoming ad?
JJ
Notthebus,
We are going nowhere for the foreseeable future I think we both know that, so for me, best bet is make the CL last 32 to keep the interest up, irrespective of who we play domestically we need to be ambitious.
Sorting Scottish football administration is a must if the game is to improve.
notthebus
15:56 on
6 January, 2015
dena29
I am well aware of this.This is a complex issue with no easy solutions.My suggestion is based on a long term strategy as I can see no palatable future for the Scottish game.
As for Sevco, no idea what they have to do with this particular debate.
I agree getting out of Scotland , whilst along term aspiration is not just complex it is not going to be allowed by the SFA because they want sevco to grow (which is why I referred the manipulation of rules to keep them afloat and gain successive promotions ) that is where thay fit into this particular dwbate . I dont think you can debate about how we can be allowed to do anything outwith the Scottish game and not mention Asevco because the impact of one on the other will always be a factor when decisions are made by the rule makers imo
HH
“these arrangements now take precedence over a business that for years has been downsizing because they are not prepared to take any financial risks in order to progress and meet their paying customers expectations”
Whilst genuinely not critical of either the view above being expressed nor of the person expressing it, I believe Celtic Park would be a happier place if those of that outlook did not attend. Of course, if they are correct in their assumption, then Celtic Park would be populated by gullible fools like myself .
Incidentally, whilst Sevco remain an irrelevance in the Lower divisions, I am happy to keep supporting my team. If the manipulation,interpretation and breaking of the Rules continues, I will seriously consider packing it all in.
JJ
dwbate = debate sorry
HH
rumours sunderland are after virgil
I wonder how many times in our history we have made enquiries tried to change leagues, embdy no
tigertim @1534,
most of what you say I agree with..up to a point. And you are far from the only one saying that or something similar.
In fact ive said some of it myself.We have been poor at times and very inconsistent. However my initial point was that we will win the league, I believed it in August and I believe it now. The same way we won it the last 3 seasons and i have no doubts will do so again next year.
I say that with confidence because I still believe that we dont have any real competition. We only have any sort of challenge so far this season, due to our own misfires and failings. We will improve and Im sure that will continue into next season.
Despite what I have said, I am actually enjoying that we do have a challenge this season. It means that every game IS important and has a meaning to it. If I knew that would be the case next season, it would make me seriously consider once again buying a ST, regardless of the other reasons which also influenced my decision not to renew this year.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Ac milan beat by team iv never heard of. Milan looked awful.
Just noticed inter are below ac in the league.
We may have a chance after all.
The Token Tim 15:49 on 6 January, 2015
———————————————————–
Fancy a wee wager? :-)
I’ll say we will win by 9pts or more.
£25 to a charity of the winners choice?
———————————————————–
I’m up for that, with the proviso that RD is still the manager at the end of the season.
( I’ll pay up either way )
I don’t post on here often so remind me when I win on twitter @asmallteaser
HH
proudbhoy
We are playing Inter
Love
proudbhoy,
Stop it, this place is daft enough :)
A grey and cold Epiphany holiday afternoon .much brightened by the watching of this –
Palermo 5 – Cagliari.0
Another wowee performance by Palermo’ s much coveted Paolo Dybala.Palermo have said he can go in the summer for 40 million euros – Player !
NB – Cagliari beat Inter 4- 1 in Milan earlier this season.
Tigertim..(Great ,Imaginative Name..)
Hiya,,,
Well.. Tiger Bhoy..
Ye ur wrang.. n in so many Points, tae..
Which Ah wull No go intae..
HoweVah……….
May Ah remind ye..of Ah passin Thought,o’ Mine.
N..it is this..
“In Kojo’a Konsidered opinion..
Celtic, Are A “Fair Weather Team”..
We like the Fair Weather..ye see..it suits us
Mightilee.
As Grey Winter slips oot the Door.. Celtic wull Breenge in the Windae.
As the Poet Writes/Wrote..
“It Winter Comes.. kin Spring be Faur Behind?”
Well..
By the Tme.. Spring in it’s Greenin’… diz Mak it’s Appearance.. Celtic, wull hiv this League Championship.. Awe Wrapped up..Nice as Ninepence..Like a.. well
Bilsland’s Pan Loaf…
plus the Fact..n ..it is a Fact..
Celtic, are Wide French Boulevards, aheid of oor S.P.L.
Competitors.. in the Skill Factor…n it’s Cast o’ Talented Players
n
Don’t Argue.. we ur so.
So Haud Yer wheest..
Relax,Sit back..n.. drink yer Beer..
Celtic,are gonna Win this League..n.. Wi.. Ease n Elan…
I’ts Gonna Happen.
Noo , ye Know.
Kojo
Laughin..like Helensburgh.
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers
That was my thoughts on hearing he as going to Charlton. London and Tony Watt????
the spirit of arthur lee
16:14 on 6 January, 2015
—
I know. I said inter are below an awful AC team in the league so we could have chance to progress.
Our home game as usual is massive
Celta Vigo v Ath Bilbao live SS2 Copa del Rey
The Token Tim 15:49 on 6 January, 2015
Fancy a wee wager? :-)
I’ll say we will win by 9pts or more.
£25 to a charity of the winners choice?
———————————————————————-
Just noticed your bet wasn’t aimed at me but some other TT ( two many TTT, TT and TiTs) on this site, lol
jimmynotpaul
15:55 on 6 January, 2015
–
Always hoped tony would wise up and knuckle down.. he could have been another homegrown hero if he did.
Cant believe a bhoy from coatbridge was more interested in his twitter account than training hard and playing matches for celtic.
Wonder what his family made of it all.
London is last place he needs to be living.
Winning Captains
Well done to yourself and the others on that.
Good idea to get in beyond Scotland too. Keep hearing/reading about them being relegated three divisions.
SOT
Re Juve game
Bookies giving 11/10 both teams to score
Any info on team & do you think worth a small punt ?
mickbhoy1888
The ad is scheduled to appear in The Sunday Herald on 25th January as proposed and funded by contributors on CQN. We never proposed running the ad anywhere else.
proudbhoy
16:18 on 6 January, 2015
I got what you meant, but had to read it twice ….. Hahahaha ….back to the CQN school of Clarity for you, Bhoy…… (I’m the dunce in the corner, by the way ….!!!!)
Tigertim,
have replied on ur twitter feed.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Tigertim,
haha no worries.
Im happy to give it a go if you are. :-)
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Til later bhoys away to make the tea
HH
proudbhoy.@ 16 11.
That team you have never heard of would hump the likes of Aberdeen and Dundee United. The current Italian No 9 plays for them . Their wide right player is wanted by the likes of Bayern and Barca..
south of tunis
16:33 on 6 January, 2015
Are you coming over for the Inter game at Celtic Park ….?
I was at the game last night – 1st away fixture i’ve been at for quite a few years.
a few things different from sitting at CP
1) Everyone stands – which is great
2) As the players warm up with shots against the keeper, you are in real danger of being hit by a “shot” no matter how far you are away from the goal!
2) You hear everything
3) The artificial pitch was fast, but it looked like it was the Kilie players who had never played on it
4) RD got a wee shout out from the crowd at the end, and so he gave his fist pumping salute – which was good to see.
I totally get why people prefer the away games – much more atmosphere.
Kris was tops last night, but I’m afraid he’s offski.
When there’s a major difference of opinion over a contract, there is really no going back – it is like when someone has a fall-out with bar staff and is barred from a pub.
Even if things get ‘patchrd-up’ and the door is open again, the relationship and experience can NEVER be the same.
And so with Kris – I’m sure no one is surprised that he is missing from the trip designed to ‘bond’ the squad.
He holds out for a two year contract and has been offered a one year deal with a further one year option – obvious to me that he has been offered two years elsewhere and so it’s ‘ goodnight from me, and goodnight from him.
Alfie Noakes
16:39 on
6 January, 2015
So you’re not buying the family bereavement, or at best consider it a convenient excuse.
south of tunis
16:33 on 6 January, 2015
—
Sorry but still have never heard of them but I havent seen much serie A since moving to oz over 3yrs ago.
Have they only been promoted the past year or 2 ?
Is the striker your talking about the shaven head fella.. he scored a bullet for their 2nd.
Cant believe how bad A.C were.
chippybhoy
16:37 on 6 January, 2015
I beg to differ …….. It’s mental in my wee bit of Club Celtic at CP ….. :)