Given a choice, you would rather a rival pitch up to play you with a lame duck manager who has clearly lost the dressing room, than sack him and allow players and coaches an opportunity to disavow some of his more glaring errors. Rene Weiler took Anderlecht to the Belgian title in May, his first season at the club. But, when he was sacked yesterday, they sat ninth in the Jupiler table with just two wins and eight goals in seven games.
They have a cup game away to lower league Westerlo tomorrow, the third consecutive away game in a series of four, before Celtic come to town in eight days. The Anderlecht board’s hope is that they can remain in the cup, then pick up a win against Waasland-Beverent (seventh, but on the same points as Anderlecht), in an attempt to stabilise the club before the crucial Champions League game with Celtic.
By any measure, Anderlecht have been rubbish this season, but they will employ the weapon all rubbish teams have, that of an embattled underdog who is capable of raising standards by exception. Their performance at the Allianz Arena last week, where 10-men gave Bayern Munich some nervous moments, is an indication of what we are likely to face next week.
The game in Brussels is not only our most important game of the next week, it’s the most important game between now and December, when Anderlecht visit Celtic Park. Despite their historical-comparative rubbish status, Anderlecht are better than any team we will face in Scotland. Notwithstanding that, our objective has to be a win in Brussels.
I was there at Hampden when Paul Wilson scored twice as we won the Scottish Cup against Old Airdrie in 1975. Paul was an exciting player during an era when our star was fading. We enjoyed the thrill of seeing a breakthrough, flamboyant, talent emerge. I still recall that header against Spain which seemed to affirm Paul as the genuine article.
The four years after nine-in-a-row finished was an era of decline. Kenny Dalglish carried the team to an extent we have never really acknowledged as a club, or a support. But Jock Stein’s period of pre-eminence was long gone before Paul Wilson and his contemporaries made their mark. Paul moved on in 1978 to little fanfare, as Celtic finished fifth and Stein was asked to leave the dugout.
On his death yesterday, he was noted as a trailblazing player of Asian descent in British football at a time when inclusivity was not a term society was familiar with. He was that, but for me, he was a young and powerful Celtic striker who put the ball in the net with ease.
Win tickets for Ibrox
Our raffle to win two tickets to the Celtic end at Ibrox for Saturday’s game ends at midnight TONIGHT!! If like me, you’re stuck without a ticket, this is your chance. Celtic sponsor and all-round good guys, Intelligent Car Leasing, provided the tickets to support our work with Mary’s Meals.
As you will know by now, over 3,000 children in Malawi and Liberia eat a school meal each day because of money raised by CQN’ers. This improves lives in a profound way.
To enter the raffle, answer this question:
Which Belgian team will Celtic face in this season’s Champions League?
Please donate a minimum of £5 to this MyDonate page. Then forward your confirmation email with your answer in the SUBJECT LINE to celticquicknews@gmail.com . Winner will be informed early tomorrow, so make sure you include adequate contact information.
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Good luck!
NEW CQN PODCAST OUT NOW, BEHIND THE SCENES AT HAMILTON v CELTIC WITH BT SPORT AND AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS SUTTON – LISTEN BELOW
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Thompson for Saturday is a damage limitation exercise.
They are better than last season overall, but their ability to compete with us will be limited to around a half-hour period in the game as a whole.
We’ll have an hour of total domination.
They know that. Thompson knows that. He’s there to keep us below five.
Long time lurker very infrequent poster looking for some advice….heading to Benalmadina next week for a week any recommendations for eating out, entertainment or bars to watch the football ? TIA
Jinkyredstar,
Copy in UEFA as well
Are these Cup games played to a finish tonight and tomorrow night or are replays possible?
JJ
KINGLUBO on 19TH SEPTEMBER 2017 4:01 PM
Big George scored a perfectly good second goal at the beginning of the second half at Elland Road as well, chalked off amidst general bewilderment.
Bearing in mind that they were managed by that paragon of sporting integrity Revie, who already engineered matters so that we had to play in orange socks, well…
Fan-A-Tic
I remember watching the Big Cup final with me Da, he was never into the football, but he never stopped me from following Celtic, tho he did warn me that it would be a journey fraught with problems due to the bias and the powers being against us all the way, thankfully I didn’t listen but he was spot on, anyways, I digress, during the game I was fretting a bit, he kept telling me not to worry as we would win cos we were as good a football team as he had ever seen, he also told me that the days of passing into space were a thing of the past and proper footballers, like we were wanted the ball to their feet, me thinks he knew a wee bit more than he let on right enough :-)
HH
JJ- ET and pens to get a winner
Bada,
Thanks.
Did you see my earlier post to you and Fan-a-tic re Passing for a player to run on to the ball?
Seems that only TET`s Da and myself are aware !!
JJ
a week ago today…………………………
Kevin Clancy has missed out on both old and new Rangers v Celtic. Could it be because he’s
Kevin Clancy?
They’ve had McLean, Madden, Collum and Beaton ( next up Dallas? ) with varying degrees of failure or success depending on how you look at. Bobby Madden was crucial for them at Celtic Park, but the time was right to return to a whistler with original Rangers experience, (they’re keeping their history, so why not their referees)
*Rangers* need any helping hand they can get and Thomson will be happy to provide it if he gets a chance he’ll take it.
Thomson’s will influence the game in his usual fashion but his biggest problem is the same as it is for any referee, the gap in player level of ability.
You’re no Rangers anymore CSC
mmhome on 19th September 2017 5:38 pm
I’d be interested in this too as I’ll be there for Munich and ‘Well aways.
Gorbalstam
i did notice there was a bar called Shamrock bar, not far from the marina, that has 2 or 3 screens so maybe this will show the games….there is a picture in their profile with a lad in a celtic top so looks friendly enough. If i dont hear anything on here i will post an update when i get back. HH
John Lemon Bar, Avenida Bonanza 44, Planta Baja, Benalmadena (Tel: +34 692 87 61 31)
@celticbars.com
JJ- i did mate, ta , i wish we could pass the ball forward from the CBs to the FBs when we can HH
YORKBHOY on 19TH SEPTEMBER 2017 2:50 PM
Saltires
I watched the Celtic PSG youth game and something that caught my eye with PSG was their passing. It was very crisp direct and with power and the players, mostly controlled it quickly. Sometimes our passing at the back is slow and telegraphed so teams can react. I thought the passing from the back from the Celtic youths was better at times than the first team.
—-///–///—
Watched the last hour on Celtic tv and really enjoyed game. We could have scored a few more.
However agree totally that the PSG passing was very crisp and direct. Also, thought their lads looked far more athletic and movement was almost effortless as they covered the ground.
As you say some of our young bhoys really look comfortable on the ball and feeling positive overall that we will continue to see more stepping up soon.
HH
SOUTH OF TUNIS on 19TH SEPTEMBER 2017 5:20 PM
Wee item on Moroccan tele-
Pundit claiming that Neymar has told PSG that Cavani has to go.A him or me thing .
Horrible brat has -PSG by the short and curlies -they are commited to paying Monaco all that Money no matter What.
@@@@
Unless I’m missing something here ( not the first time I hear you say)but the Monaco money is for Mbappe, other than that your right about Neyclass.
H.H
I started secondary school in August 67. The school team coach introduced us to shape, pass and move, use of space etc. I wondered why his mantra didn’t involve Celtic or even Brazil, both successful and famed for attack and flair. No, he believed in 442 and gave the West Germany 66 side all the credit for defining it. ‘This is the future’ he said. I was confused then but the coach was spot on.
What is it? Ten finals for the Gerries since? England zero.
MMHOME
When Auldheid comes on he will enlighten you, he spends half the year there.
As for watching the Celtic, there is a bar called John Lemon’s, just ask anyone where it is, they show all the Celtic games.
HH
Celticmac
At 4.15
I don’t get you mate
Are you saying silence is part of catholic liturgy?
The only point I was making was that if someone uses applause as a mark of respect
That is a lot more difficult to wreck than say a minutes silence.
I might’ve had a wee go at the powers that be over which type of “mark of respect” they say we should have.
Me and you are on the same side. You might be a better catholic than me though
Hail hail
BSR+TET thanks for the info. I knew there was one of the posters who mentioned Benalmadina but couldn’t remember who it was….i will keep an eye out for Auldheid HH
MMHOME on19TH SEPTEMBER 2017 5:38 PM
BSR is correct re John Lemon. I’ll be there for the Dundee home and Bayern away matches. Let me know where you are staying and Ill give yiu a few places to eat. Going into gym just now but will check back later.
50 SHADES OF GREEN @6.19.
Oopla !
You are absolutely right..A serious senior moment from me.!
Good evening, friends.
Updates welcomed on tonight’s Glasgow Derby (I’ll be watching!) – yes or no? Happy to go with the majority decision by kick off.
In other news, isn’t it about time we had a wee competition organised for Wee Shay? Coming to a Blog near you very soon ;-)
MMHOME on 19TH SEPTEMBER 2017 5:38 PM
Long time lurker very infrequent poster looking for some advice….heading to Benalmadina next week for a week any recommendations for eating out, entertainment or bars to watch the football ? TIA
John Lemon is THE Celtic bar in Benalmadena. Hosts Paul and Angie keep have all Celtic games on live for regulars and visitors alike – Kevin Bridges and Roughy have popped in recently.
I’ll likely be catching up with Auldheid early October and popping in for one or three – it’s my Costa local. (BSR posted address earlier)
Kelvibhoy,
We are staying at Résidence Pierre et Vacances Benalmádena Principe. Seems to be fairly central so anywhere around the main resort / town should be fine.
Looks like it will be the John Lemon bar for the football then. Will be looking to watch the Anderlecht game on Wednesday and the Hibs game on the Saturday.
HH
EMBRAMIKE SAYS ” YER TEAM’S DEID…BEAT IT!
Thank you sir. i am there until 3rd October so if you are around we could have a beer
HH
EXILED TIM HOT SMOKED
Neymar’s goal against us was a result of Rabiots passing into space.
There is a difference from passing into space than passing to player running on to.
The passing to run on to is predictable for the defender as there is only one angle to cut out.
The passing into space gives the attacker choice of angle to attack ball and making it harder for defender as he has different scenarios to ponder.
PSG frequently used triangular passing were a runner took defender out of position and pass went into space vacated.
I did not advocate a punt and run strategy.
Neither Celtic supporters or the Huns are happy with the appointment of Thomson. The reality is he is a bad referee, end of. He will want to take the sting out of the game by giving fouls and talking to players at every opportunity, That will obviously favour them. Regardless, we need to go about our business and we will be too good.
There are a few in that Hun team that have a short fuse, Dorrans, Alves and Morelos are dirty, to name a few. If Celtic go in front as expected i can see all hell breaking loose. The Huns don’t have the discipline to chase the ball in their own midden.
Huns 0 Celtic 4
MMHOME on 19TH SEPTEMBER 2017 6:32 PM
EMBRAMIKE SAYS ” YER TEAM’S DEID…BEAT IT!
Thank you sir. i am there until 3rd October so if you are around we could have a beer
Pity about the beer as I arrive from Embra at 9pm that day. Next time – I’m over 3 or 4 times a year.
I like sitting in the Marina, at the Metro Ristorante Italiano – also it’s surrounded by dozens of other restaurants to cater for all tastes. Enjoy
mmhome
Looks like I’m a bit of a distance from that bar. Let me know if it’s worth the trip, I’m sure I’ll be able to get the train into the centre if I get to cheer on the bhoys with fellow Tims.
Fan-A-Tic
I suppose it depends on the situation, Dembele’s second goal against the huns in the 5-1 game the pass from Bitton was into the space for him to run on to, had the ball been to his feet I doubt it would have resulted in a goal, horses for courses.
The PSG players the other night were passing in triangles, to feet for fun, as I said horses for courses, it’s what good players do.
HH
Rest in peace Paul Wilson.
Enjoyed many a pint in the Black Bull and played indoor with him at the Allander. Even worked together for a while. He once advised me to run round a player as opposed to through him. Unfortunately my wee legs would take half an hour to do so, as I advised him! Wonderful human being, one of life’s absolute gentlemen. Thank you Paul for innumerable fabulous memories.
Bada @ 6.23
I agree with all of that, its the simple game flowing where he is consistently bent.
One that sticks in my mind was when he over ruled his assistant to give *Rangers* a throw in at Hampden, they immediately scored.
Very unusual for a referee to over rule for a throw in.
Gregory Porter must get awful hot?
New Article?
TET, which 5-1 game?
So many games, so many goals:-)
Onlykiddin’CSC
Fan-a-tic
” There is a difference from passing into space than passing to player running on to.”
I agree and I stand corrected . I thought you meant the latter.
JJ
Dallas
20 pass move – thing of beauty!
Will have been noted by coaches everywhere.
Hope all well cuz.