There are good ways and bad ways to win the League Cup; yesterday was perfect. The atmosphere reminded me of the 1997 final at Ibrox, where a similar result was achieved against Dundee United. That was our first League Cup in 15 years, but there was a more substantial reason to be optimistic then. At that moment, we began to believe that this could be the start of something significant.
Contrast that with the sentiment two seasons later, as we left Hampden having beaten Aberdeen in the same final. We’d won a trophy but celebrations were muted. We were miles behind in the league and that season had splurged significant resources on players who failed to deliver.
Celtic’s performance yesterday was imperious. It was controlled, oozed competence throughout the team and subjugated the second best team in the land with little fuss. Dare we start to believe we are at the start of something significant?
We dare.
The “start” of something significant is an unusual phrase to describe five-in-a-row champions, but having plateaued as merely champions in recent seasons, the Celtic Movement is on the march again.
These are exciting time – enjoy them.
What did you like most about the win yesterday? I’m really pleased at how effective and important our central defenders are becoming. They helped deliver a trophy without the loss of a goal in any round, but, more importantly, Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko regularly morph into deep-lying playmakers.
At the opening goal, Simunovic wasn’t so deep-lying. Having carried the ball into the opposition half, he won a tackle 30 yards from goal before feeding Tom Rogic. Can you imagine how disruptive it is for opponents to have to deal with a central defender that high up the field? Who picks him up and what are the subsequent consequences?
Those of you old enough to swoon at the great No. 14 will remember when the world first discovered Total Football. As I watched Scott Brown drop behind his own defensive line to create space for others to move into it all came flooding back. The concept which ‘did for us’ a couple of times in the 70s echoes in what you’re now watching. This is Total Celtic. It’s difficult to get right but if you achieve it, it’s very difficult to play against.
This is why we’ve won a cup without conceding. This is why we plucked a guy from Fulham who appears to have geometrically appreciated in value. This is why a guy who didn’t get a lot of football at Aston Villa last season was given special treatment by Barcelona and Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League. This is why Stuart Armstrong and James Forrest are looking like new, better, players. They’re not, they are just working in a vastly better system.
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Missing an f.
Didn’t want to be rude-
Dallas.
Google rubbish in head to head it lists 2 league cup ties at Celtic Park in 89 and 90( I think) 2.0 and 2.1.
It doesn’t list your game. It states we have played there 20 times losing 10 and only winning 7.
TURKEYBHOY….
Don’t be so nieve. It’s been going on for years. HH
St. Stivs..
your mother raised you well, my friend. :)
Jimmynotpaul, I meant to say, the maestro made his top team debut v Queen of the South in the Scottish cup plus Danny scored in that game
MIT.
My mum was a brilliant swearer. I thought my name was Stephen ya wee ba- until I was 18.
Here’s a celebration of yesterday’s’ Cup win!
“One Hundred Trophies And All The Bills Paid”
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/11/28/one-hundred-trophies-and-all-the-bills-paid/
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/aussies-abroad/roo-radar-majestic-tom-rogic-earns-more-plaudits-jackson-irvine-makes-his-mark-as-a-no10/news-story/362a12ced7076c98f07eabe5e2fc46cb
Thomthethim :
” Sclaff ”
New specs for you , pal.
Sips
TB thinks Madhun is a good referee :-)
HH
St. Stivs …
Ha!
My mum could never keep the name of everyone (including the Dogs ) straight … and she would just go through the list until she hit the right one …
so I thought my name was LiamJimPaulRoverMichael ….
Big Peat@9.49 re difference between education/knowledge and wisdom
Reminded me of something I saw once
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.
HH
Night all..
Enjoy.
Gearoid …. I like that! I might pinch that one if you dont mind. :)
Gearoid1998 10.08pm
Wise words…… :-)
Bedtime for me, we live in good times fellow Celtic fans, enjoy Brendan (the squirrel)
Hail Hail
The 1982 4-0 win over Q’s, was at Celtic Park.
Crystal clear in this Tim’s memory.
Guess who made his debut ?
28TH NOVEMBER 2016 9:49 PM
Liamjimpaulroverblackiemichealbrendan
Fairhillbhoy: Did you do the rollercoaster ride in NYNY? I’d recommend it highly, but don’t drink beforehand:-)
Charlie Nicholas
Dallas – apologies didn’t see your post
Big Peat of Islay.
Myt post was about you commenting on anorher posters mental health when you are not qualified to do so
.Scroll by was my advice and I done this by contrasting/highlighting your support for the poppy and those who gave their life fighting nazism whilst commenting about another posters mental health in a way the nazis would be proud of
Poor deflection with vocabulary
Even poorer the political point.
I know you get it,
You keep in mind like our club this blog is inclusive and open to all,
HH
Some guy called Paul McStay
Was Paul not a 17 year old scoring debut at pittodrie
Night Night all. It really is a privilege to be a Tim. HH.
Big Cup Winners, ditto.
A game memorable for Paul’s debut and Danny scoring. Two of our greatest ever players.
Good night all and sleep well
Jimmynotpaul
We played Albion Rovers in the 1976 both away and home in the league cup.
I was at both games. My friend Tom Sermanni was playing for Rovers.
His hero was Billy McNeil and he played directly against him but found Billy a bit tougher than he thought. I won’t elaborate but Tom’s amorous quotient was reduced that night!
He went on to manage both Australian and American women’s football teams.
Mickey Markey rest in peace
A gentleman, a family man.a good man
You lived a good and full life.a packed St Vincents was testmony to your life.
It was a pleasure knowing you.
Final journey and resf at Achill Island
Co.Mayo
R.I.P
FAIRHILL BHOY
I never saw your post on Sat/Sun , i was probably under the influence ! Pity you never got to see game !
Mackjay1,
“Sclaff”.
I was being slightly whimsical.
Miss Heatherington was the HM when I started.
Mr.Travers was the H Master, then an idiot called Mr.Jones, before I left the Columba,
1949-56.
SAINT STIVS SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 28TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:03 PM
MIT.
My mum was a brilliant swearer. I thought my name was Stephen ya wee ba- until I was 18.
Superb ;)))
HH
VFR,
Apologies for the very late reply.
Alcohol was on the agenda and a long,long sleep today.
Winning the Cup calls for big celebrations.
Wife no too happy though.
Living here in Doire for about 20 odd years but my heart will always be in Clydebank .
The cinema was the La Scala in Graham Avenue,just off Kilbowie Rd.
Someone post grace
THOMTHETHIM FOR OSCAR OK on 28TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:36 PM
The name Dan Travers springs to mind.
Miss Sutherland ( H.M. ) had a limp and a leg brace.
I have a photograph of the staff members…..somewhere.
I left probably `51 for St. Paul`s Whiteinch where my first teacher there was…………my mum.
Nepotism right enough.
Very happy memories of St. C.
Cheers , pal.
Where’s the oul Delaney’s Dunky this weather ?
Bless us o Lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive……
I reckon the ManC game will be a classic.
They need a result and we have nothing to lose, so no pressure on us.
There will be a show and we will be there.
Macjay1
Do you recall Dan Travers coming into the classrooms, having a wee chat, then drawing a fantastic picture on the blackboard with chalk?
Another wet day, after playtime, when we all lined up in the shed under the school, he dismissed the girls back to their classes and held the boys back.
He had a wee lad standing beside him and after the girls had gone, he said to the remaining boys,” Okay, who peed in this boy’s wellies?”
A lovely, kind man.
Rest in Peace Michael Markey, and may perpetual light shine upon you
A final journey home will ensure you are where you have always been
Thoughts and Prayers are with all the family