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.
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.
John Humphrys: What we owe the people of Aberfan 50 years after tragedy struck the village, and why it shows authority must be challenged. pic.twitter.com/OdjyaAGTsQ
— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) October 21, 2016
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ERNIE LYNCH on 21ST OCTOBER 2016 5:28 PM
I suspect that there will be a correlation.
Celtic Park with Church
Parkhead with Chapel
Me personally I probably say Parkhead whilst amongst my own but incline to use Celtic Park when in the company of others. Why, proud of where my team play, fills me with pride and I want them to be in doubt where I am going.
I use Chapel mostly, I know it is the wrong terminology, just out of laziness I suppose. Like above I tend use Church when talking to anybody that is out with my own, probably to show I am respectful in that regardless if you are Roman Catholic or C of S you go to Church to pray to the same God.
I use all of the above but I think it should be Celtic Park and Church. I will watch to see if you get enough responses to see if there is a correlation.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
My mate’s aunt was injured in the Clarkston Disaster and was left paraplegic.
My wife nursed her in Philipshill Hospital thereafter.
TontineTim,
The Park was how players and workers at Parkhead [ : > ) ] referred to the place.
Nothing arty pharty, just an abbreviation, like the bros referring to “the ‘hood”.
PhilBhoy
Thank God for people like your family’s nurse who do such a great job (often unsung heros).
On a lighter note, when I was a youngster it was always “Parkheid” or “the game”.
Examples:
“Ur ye goin’ tae the game on Saturday?”
“A
…be in doubt where I am going…
…be in no doubt…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
HT
God had other plans for you.
The nurse I mentioned is my wife’s aunt. Her own health suffered because of the sight she witnessed.
She spoke to me once about it. I wept for days.
Examples:
“Ur ye goin’ tae the game on Saturday?”
“Ah wis at Parkheid last night… referee wis terrible, bloody terrible….”
Maybe “Celtic Park” was mentioned in programmes and stuff, but it wouldn’t have been out of place to hear that. We just rarely mentioned that when talking with mates or whatever… too official sounding maybe …
like folk saying “Hampden Park” instead of “Hampden”.
ernie lynch on 21st October 2016 5:28 pm
Awe naw no another list.
Especially a Lynch list. Sounds ominous.
SIXTAESEVEN…..
That last post was for you too!
Philbhoy
So Ronnie Glavin, Sammie Henderson, maybe in your year, my mates were Kim Madden, Eddie McMillan, Vinnie Coyle
Was Parkhead and Church. Is now Celtic Park and Church.
FAC the Act
KTF
PMARSH22
Ronnie Glavin was younger, Sammy Henderson older I chummed Ronnies older brother Frank, a nice guy..
I knew all the family’s you mentioned.
Did you know Frank Coyle?
I was at the St Gregory’s School reunion in 2006. It was a fantastic night.
Noone recognised me because I had put on about 8 stone after I left school!
I was Parkhead and Chapel.
Now Celtic Park and chapel.
Some seriously tragic events remembered today on the Blog.
I’ve said a wee prayer for those dear departed souls and those who remain to handle their grief.
Some lovely reminiscing too!
Enjoyed the Blog today!
Thanks!
Going out for our tea tonight!
Back later!
Huv a mist a New Artikle?
When I was a kid it was Parkheid and Chapel.
Now it’s Celtic Park and where?
That isn’t meant to offend, just how it is.
Usually Parkhead for me, don’t think I’ve ever said I’m going to church/chapel
Using the word Chapel to describe a Church was foisted on us by the Protesters, to differentiate our respective places of worship.
However, a chapel is the exclusive term for a small church attached to a house, institution, like a hospital or private school and is a misnomer when used to describe a Catholic parish church.
I always use Church, as I don’t cede any ground to usurpers!
Paul 67 / Chairbhoy @ 5.11
Not a lot to disagree with in there.
I hope Brendan plays his best players, which I reckon he did on
Wednesday as the team was very predictable.
Not surprised by the SMSM coverage which remains obsessed with equating Sevco with Celtic, as if they were some form of old EBT Tax evading Rangers that were ready to bounce back from a mauling.
Celtic had a tough job on their hands in the old days when they played Rangers.
Nir Bitton has taken ‘blog stick’ as has Kolo Toure but I don’t doubt both are the best in their respective positions at the club, and I’m certain both will play.
BR has rotated what he has as back up, especially in midfield which led to the surpise re-inclusion of Calum MacGregor at the expense of Armstrong or Henderson. Calum didn’t take his opportunity in the time he had and instead opted to play across the park for safety.
Leigh Griffiths was absent for the first Sevco league game and may displace Dembele but only from the bench, probably an identical situ for Patrick Roberts and James Forrest.
Just heard on the radio BR has never been to Hampden, I’m sure his plan is better than Ronnys.
HH
ALMORE on 21ST OCTOBER 2016 5:39 PM
VFR: Noon at Coia’s is braw.
Fine by me!
ChairBhoy, “when he was the boss at Celtic Park”
Only one that I can think of.
Zombie monkey gun on Clyde going on about an Andrew smith article of scary stuff for Celtic.
Anyone know what Keach is being spoken ?
Ernie Lynch,
Parkhead
Church.
Or, “no more we’ll stand and cheer you on the slopes of Celtic Park”
There are a couple at least.
Philbhoy
Yep knew Francis Coyle, think he went on to be a teacher, lost touch with Vinnie.
Frankie Glavin, I think is a football coach in the US, he is mates with my mate Kim (Kenny) Madden.
I was in years below Ronnie, so you’ll be a few years older than me.
Teachers I remember are McConville and McGettrick. Not sure if any others.
Tbh I couldn’t wait to get out of there, went to Cowglen ??
THOMTHETHIM FOR OSCAR OK on 21ST OCTOBER 2016 6:38 PM
My thoughts exactly.
pmarsh22 on 21st October 2016 7:00 pm
Philbhoy
Yep knew Francis Coyle, think he went on to be a teacher, lost touch with Vinnie.
Frankie Glavin, I think is a football coach in the US, he is mates with my mate Kim (Kenny) Madden.
I was in years below Ronnie, so you’ll be a few years older than me.
Teachers I remember are McConville and McGettrick. Not sure if any others.
……………………………………………………………………..
Old memories being stirred – was McGettrick ‘Maths’? Was McConville ‘French’?
‘The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with more than 1.27 billion members worldwide.’
……………..embdy seen Sour Lhad?
Worried.
Some interesting selection decisions for Sunday.
Rogic was found wanting on Wednesday. But I would retain him. He has otherwise had a great start to season
Toure on Wednesday, his mistakes aside, I think spent a lot of energy in covering for Svietchenko. For Sunday I’d be tempted to go with Toure and Jozo as the pairing.
Bitton however, for me doesn’t justify a start. Far from it. McGregor, nah not for me. Too powder puff. I’d play Henderson beside Brown
Forrest has had a great start to season. But something tells me Roberts would be better bet on Sunday. Roberts just generally has more in his locker. Better all round quality.
Team :
————————Gordon———————–
Lustig. Toure. Simunovic. Tierney.
—————-Brown. Henderson————–
—Roberts. Rogic. S.Sinclair—–
——————Doumbele———————
Forrest and Armstrong coming on as impact players.
Is this The Aberfan Disaster that peeps are remembering today?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberfan_disaster
Hi Bhoys and Ghirls
As many of you will know it was the 35th anniversary of my Dads passing on Wednesday 19th October.
The reason I am posting this is because play Sevco on Sunday and I would love nothing more than to hear Johnny Doyle On The Wing resonating around the stadium. Their club died but the wee mans name and spirit never will and I would be so grateful for any help you can offer to allow me to keep his memory alive. A minutes applause is planned for the 35th minute. Can people please spread the word?
I have also arranged a night in his memory and this is being held on Sat 29th October in Glencairn Venue in Rutherglen. Charlie & The Bhoys are playing for it and there will be ex-players there. All funds raised will be donated to the Tommy Burns Skin Cancer Trust. Tickets are available from CATB website (£10) and at the venue. Spread the word
HAIL HAIL
Joanna
on 35 minutes
DOC on 21ST OCTOBER 2016 6:34 PM
When I was a kid it was Parkheid and Chapel.
Now it’s Celtic Park and where?
That isn’t meant to offend, just how it is.
——————————————————–
I can’t see how anybody would take offence, it’s just the way it is now for many.
I have often thought that my own church needs to become more relevant to the lifestyle of 2016. Possibly even go down the evangelical route.
On a side issue . A trip to Inveraray jail is a worthwhile and sobering day out. It detailed the suffering and inhumanity we imposed on each other, often in the name of Christianity. People were scared of the Church , but called out to them in periods of despair. People are no longer scared of the church.
A very fine day on the blog today with respectful comments on shocking disasters. Many such events put football into perspective.
Many if not most of us call out to God when all seems lost and there is no tangible hope. It’s what we do and although we may not go to church on a regular basis I cannot see that changing. I would even wager that aithests do the same.
Sorry about the sidetrack.
HH.
Re train stations near/at Celtic Park. There was one on the north side of Duke Street, opposite the forge, behind the Bru (Employment Exchange) just on the eastern side of the overbridge, called Parkhead North. There was also the station behind the demolished London Road School called Parhead Stadium – a spur line from Bridgeton Cross to Carmyle via Shettleston. The line from Dalmarnock and Beardmore’s actually crossed Duke Street slightly to the west of the existing Queen Street to Carntyne, Airdrie and,now, Edinburgh.
PM22- there was a teacher, Frank Coyle at St Gregorys Cranhill, mid 70s, cracking guy
Saint stivs@6:46,
It was an obvious prepared piece awaiting a suitable event to unleash an attack against the GB , pile of irrelevant pish to be honest….
Greenpinata,
I’ve heard it said that there is no such thing as a drowning Atheist! : > ).
Said in jest.