Trending
Celtic News Now
Celtic Quick News on News Now
Celtic Quick News
You are at:»»Expectations but remember Gretna (liquidated)

Expectations but remember Gretna (liquidated)

1137
By on CQN BLOG & Comments

The players would have had a light training session at Lennoxtown today as muscles continue to refill after Wednesday night’s exertions. Expectations of Celtic in the Champions League are not high, and were exceptionally low when this group was drawn, but even so, these games have a huge financial, physical and even emotional impact on every area of the club.

One argument suggests the last thing we need is a cup semi-final four days after a Champions League outing. An alternative thought is that this is the perfect game for Celtic right now. Memories linger of sitting stressfully at Fir Park days after Celtic beat the reigning European Champions, Milan, as (subsequently liquidated) Grenta held onto a lead until the 87th minute.

While playing (subsequently liquidated) Rangers away 64 hours after winning a Uefa Cup semi-final 1200 miles from home in 2003 proved to be the perfect game to instil steel into the legs.

With what passes as a fully fit squad, Brendan has choices to make for Sunday. Did Patrick Roberts do enough off the bench against Borussia to justify a start? Perhaps. He’s a player who owes us one at Hamden too.

Callum McGregor will also fancy his chances ahead of Nir Bitton, who didn’t have a great Scottish Cup semi-final against the same opponents in April.

It would be a huge surprise if Moussa Dembele didn’t start as the lone forward, despite Leigh Griffiths itching to get on alongside him. Brendan will not change formation for this game, while Moussa will fancy his chances against a defence he punished to ruthlessly last month.

For me, our two most important players on Sunday will be Scott Sinclair and Tom Rogic. They are the epitome of the modern footballer, strong, skilful, intelligent and difficult to defend against. If we can get them on the ball often enough we’ll score a lot of goals.

Pretty much every Celtic fan I know expects Mark Warburton to have learned a lesson from his Celtic Park whipping and for him to deploy a more defensively-minded team this time. My Newco pals don’t expect this to happen. Warburton hasn’t varied his game-plan since arriving at the club and is apparently reluctant to start experimenting now.

He took his team to Hampden to face Celtic against similarly long odds last season. Within minutes we knew we were in a game, and despite the clear chasm between the teams, it was Newco who faced Hibs in the Scottish Cup final.

A repeat of the 5-1 win at Celtic Park is possible, but you’ve seen enough football to know that nothing can be taken for granted on Sunday. Remember that Newco came close to levelling that 5-1 game at 2-2 early in the second half, and the latter part of their collapse came after going down to 10 men.walk-for-jonathan

I’m off later to meet those from the Tyneside No. 1 and friends, who have walked (yes, WALKED), from Merthyr Tydfil and will reach Doherty’s Bar in Hamilton this afternoon. They’ve pretty much walked a marathon a day for 13 days and will make the final journey to Celtic Park tomorrow.

This herculean effort has been made to mark the memory of Jonathan Thomas, who aged 30 lost his biggest fight one year ago tomorrow.

We’re lucky as Celtic fans that we get to meet and read about people who do these things in our name. It’ll take you 2 minutes to let them know how inspiring they are here.

It’s also worth marking the events in Aberfan, the village a few miles from Merthyr Tydfil which was visited by unimaginable tragedy 50 years ago today.

Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

1,137 Comments
  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. ...
  5. 8
  6. 9
  7. 10
  8. 11
  9. 12
  10. 13
  11. 14
  12. ...
  13. 30

  3. Zbyszek on

    BRTH

     

    I see that you like Angelique Kidjo voice. I have her few albums in my library and watched her live in Warsaw few years back.

     

     

    My latest favourite female voice is Beth Hart.

     

    Beth Hart together with Jeff Beck https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTWxXG2NoKQ

     

    I could post her I’d rather go blind that is probably better than oryginal Etta James, but that song brought to my mind the memories of Rod Stewart cover. I hope Rod and children are in beds, Rod, clothes and that song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VuQlG_c6MY

  4. THE EXILED TIM on

    Mags

     

    You learn something every day, when I was delving into why I couldn’t get online I came across a fair bit of info, not that it meant that much to me, but now you have made things a bit clearer it means more now, a site called pornhub was mentioned cos they apparently never go offline cos they use many different DNS services, I had no idea what they difference between a server and a go to site was, many thanks.

     

    HH

  5. WeefratheTim on

    HT

     

     

    Our friendship outgrows a blog. Take care my friend, and more strength to your family. Love you all to bits. HH

  8. Delaneys Dunky on

    Weefra

     

     

    That Cosy Corner Bhoy and his lovely lassies led me and my son astray in the Crown Creighton along wi that ACGR rascal. Hahaha

     

    See ye soon F.

     

    HH

  9. Jimmynotpaul on

    Chairbhoy. 11.33.

     

    Struggling to sleep tonight, so I started lurking again.

     

    I noticed your post. You have educated me my friend.

     

    After your David Cameron mention I googled it. The first 3 verses were, to the best of my memory, the original song, with the exception of Jimmy instead of Paul, the rest are the add on, I guess by Charlie and the boys. Sadly I have no recording of the original, I would love to hear it myself now. Seriously I was blissfully unaware that I was in such a minority with Jimmynotpaul. All the lyrics online say Paul. No wonder my bhoy rolls his eyes when I sing Jimmy.

     

    H.T. Is that a teachers union thing. You and Almore. :-)). Almore if you are lurking, enjoy.

  11. Delaneys Dunky on

    Zbyszek

     

     

    A winter trip to Warsaw may be on for Paula and I.

     

    Hope you and family are well.

  12. Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Oscar Knox, MacKenzie Furniss and anyone else who fights Neuroblastoma on

    Zbyszek on 21st October 2016 11:52 pm

     

     

    How are you?

     

     

    I saw Angelique in Glasgow about 19 months ago when she appeared at Celtic Connections. She is very good in concert and knows how to work the audience.

     

     

    I have always liked her voice and she used to sing a stunning version of Ravel’s Bolero among many other things including a brilliant cover of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song.

     

     

    I have always liked her for her politics too. Very strong on educating women in Africa or anywhere else.

     

     

    Always arguing that men cannot resist smart women!

     

     

    HH

  13. Margaret McGill on

    THE EXILED TIM on 21st October 2016 11:54 pm

     

    No worries mate. I normally charge corporations an arm and a leg for this info but youre covered. My service Level agreement with any corporation states if Im talking to any Tims its all free. :) otherwise pay up :)

  16. Gordon64 on

    I know this is a tired old record but I cannot muster any enthusiasm at the prospect of playing sevco on Sunday. It’s a game that should be consigned to history. I’m astonished at the number of Celtic supporters chasing tickets for this utter nonsense of a game. We danced at their demise and yet many seem desperate for their revival.

  19. Jimmynotpaul on

    Right,night all this time.

     

    Daughters swimming lessons at 8.00 am.

     

    Weefrathetim.

     

    Good to see you posting. I hope that pet tup of yours is still in good health and bringing you joy.

     

    Hail Hail.

  22. Margaret McGill on

    THE EXILED TIM on 22nd October 2016 12:04 am

     

    ask paul67 for my addy and I’ll help you anytime.

  23. Jimmynotpaul on

    Babasonicos 71.

     

    I’m never getting to sleep. :-)).

     

    Just noticed you posting.

     

    Thanks for comments the other day, I caught up with them later.

     

    I’m fine buddy. Thank you.

     

    I hope everything is good in your world.

     

    Hail Hail.

     

    Right, night all this time. :-)

  24. Margaret McGill on

    Babasonico

     

    Ive pasted your links and I’ll watch them later. Keep going. To me youre my CQN His Masters Voice. :)

  25. Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Oscar Knox, MacKenzie Furniss and anyone else who fights Neuroblastoma on

    Gordon64

     

     

    Your thoughts are not too far from my own.

     

     

    I will go further. I absolutely detest the media build up to this fixture now and would happily never experience it again.

     

     

    I will not be there on Sunday.

  26. WeefratheTim on

    JIMMYNOTPAUL

     

     

    Thanks for the heads up. YODA is no longer a tup, he is a full grown ram, and is more obedient than the dugs. Lol. A great pal to have around the farm. Offski now. HH

  27. Saint Stivs says SACK THE BOARD on

    1967-10-11: Celtic 7-1 Morton, League Cup SFThis is a featured page

     

    Match Pictures | Matches: 1967 – 1968 | 1967-68 Pictures

     

    Trivia1967-10-11: Celtic 7-1 Morton, League Cup SF – The Celtic Wiki

     

    Both teams were trained by ex-Celts – Celtic by Neil Mochan and Morton coached and trained by Eric Smith, and Morton had ex-Celt Jim Kennedy at right back and captain. Tony Taylor the substitute was also ex-Celtic, as was outside left Gerry Sweeney

     

    Jock Stein played the same team that had beaten Hibernian 4-0 at the weekend. Morton left their team to the last minute as Laughlin, Gray and Allan had all been fighting injuries.

     

    One of the most powerful Celtic performances by Celtic during Jock Stein’s reign.

     

    Celtic play in green shirts, white shorts and white socks.

     

    Morton played in unfamiliar white jerseys, black shorts and white socks.

     

    A roof was in the process of being built on the traditional Rangers end of the stadium.

     

    Celtic now face Dundee in the final. In the other League Cup semi final Dundee beat St Johnstone 3-1 at Tannadice.

     

     

    Review

     

    Celtic destroyed Morton with a devastating performance at Hampden despite the Morton team putting up a fight full of heart.

     

    The quality of the goals was outstanding with Hughes’ two goals the pick of the bunch. The first came from a Lennox cross after two Celtic players had consecutively dummied the ball and the other a trademark charge upfield and a ferocious shot to finish.

     

     

    Preben Arentoft of Morton had the privilege of the game’s best goal with a blockbuster shot on the run.

     

     

    Teams

     

    Celtic:

     

    Simpson, Craig, Gemmell, Murdoch, McNeill, Clark, Johnstone, Lennox, Wallace, Auld, Hughes. Substitute: Chalmers

     

    Scorers: Hughes 2 (4, 66), Wallace 7, Johnstone 18, Lennox 20, Craig 2 (21, 53)

     

     

    Morton:

     

    Crawford, Laughlin, Kennedy, Arentoft, Strachan, Gray, Jensen, Allan, Mason, Stevenson, Sweeney Sub: Taylor

     

    Scorer – Artentoft 12

     

     

    Referee: W. Anderson (East Kilbride)

     

    Attendance: 45,662

  30. WeefratheTim on

    JIMMYNOTPAUL

     

     

    Sorry, should have mentioned, he is a superb speciman of a ram. Local farmers are well impressed at his progress. Night night buddy. HH

  31. bognorbhoy on

    Evening all long drive to Plymouth just catching up

     

    surprised nobody answered this ?

     

     

    BOB STORRAR SNR on 21ST OCTOBER 2016 8:34 PM

     

    This is more of a query than a comment. Will any of you tell me the location of CQN corner please.

     

     

    Dear bob if you go to the superstore / pools office at parkhead …sorry ….Celtic park just at the side of said pools office you will usually find a nefarious crowd chatting about all things tic . If you look a little to the right (as you look at the pools office ) you may spot a certain Mr Fallon and Mr Gallagher who also like to chat …… ;-))

     

     

    Are you a hun ? ;-)

  32. THE EXILED TIM on

    Mags

     

    I don’t like bothering Paul, I think we should all set up an Email that is seperate from our private one if that is what people want, Paul has better thing s to do that send email addys to posters, he is not a secretarial service.

     

    Mail me here

     

    nohunshere@hotmail.com

     

    I will get back to you the morra, need to sleep now, beena hectic day.

     

    HH

  33. Zbyszek on

    DELANEYS DUNKY

     

    Good. Anything you and Paula can ask for. Winter weather in Warsaw is very chancheable. From December untill early March the temperatures may oscillate between -15C to +15C with possible snow or rain. A trip after April 10th guarantees you much better weather.

     

     

    BRTH

     

    Yes, she wonderful voice and very wise woman. I heard about her work for other people.

     

     

    SFTB

     

    I did not know there was anniversary :-)

  34. Saint Stivs says SACK THE BOARD on

    DELANEYS DUNKY on 21ST OCTOBER 2016 10:52 PM

     

    Dallas

     

     

     

    Was shown a photo at my Father in Laws funeral on Wednesday, from my Mother in Law, of her, her mother, her daughter, my daughter and my granddaughter. 5 generations of strong females from 3 to 95 years. Wonderful.

     

    ————–

     

     

    dd

     

     

    same for me.

     

     

    i love that 5 generations thing that my grandfathers father, really did see see Jimmy Quinn play.

     

    and he told us so,

  36. BABASONICOS71 on

    JNP…

     

    Always good to see you posting.Keep on keeping on fhella.

     

     

    HH

     

     

    MAGS…

     

    Thank ya. ;)

  40. Delaneys Dunky on

    Zbyszek

     

     

    My daughter Paula has established some exciting information about her Polish grandparents and is keen to visit Polska as soon as possible.

  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. ...
  5. 8
  6. 9
  7. 10
  8. 11
  9. 12
  10. 13
  11. 14
  12. ...
  13. 30