This midweek has gone just about perfectly. Yesterday I asked that we pick a team to win the game, but play Griffiths, Armstrong, Roberts, McGregor, Izaguirre and Gamboa. All played, as did Christie and Henderson. And we recorded a remarkable 0-4 away win.
Meanwhile, in the land of the also-rans, our four nearest ‘challengers’ all dropped points. It’s still early days, but this league’s turning into a procession. Embarrassingly so, for some.
After opening the scoring within three minutes it wasn’t the most fluid of performances from Celtic, but an incredible eight outfield changes will result in a lack of familiarity. What the outfield players lacked, Craig Gordon more than made up for. He made three excellent saves, extending his run of fine performances since returning to the team against Kilmarnock last month.
Will the biggest impact Dorus de Vries has at Celtic be on the form of Craig Gordon? Don’t bet against it.
The Scottish Premiership table is in one of those bizarre states, where the (game-in-hand adjusted) gap between first and second is larger than that between second and second bottom. The transformation which has taken place in a team already five-in-a-row champions is remarkable, eclipsed in recent history only by the turnaround which took place in 2000.
Last night I read a lot of pennies dropping; specifically there was an acceptance that there was a significant financial gap between Celtic and the newly promoted Championship winners. There are a couple of worthwhile observations to make on this issue:
The financial gap which funded this season’s business is a fraction of what it will be next year, when Celtic will have banked circa £50m more than any other Scottish club. That will be around twice the gap they went into the last transfer window with.
Whatever you think about Mark Warburton’s claims that he’s closing the on-field gap, the structural deficit gap is becoming oceanic.
I again read people digging Dave King up about a perceived lack of his promised overinvestment. What’s going on at Ibrox right now IS overinvestment. The signings of Barton, Senderos, Kranjcar, Rossiter, Gilks, Hill, Hodson and Garner were designed to give them the advantage they needed over a team they eliminated from the Scottish Cup last season.
The accounts when published in 2018 will prove this. Or I should say if published. Not every team survives long enough to publish accounts, lest we forget.
For them, winning the league is evidently not going to happen, but if this week’s results teach us anything, it’s that the European qualification places (second and third) are wide open. For a team spending more than their direct rivals combined, that should be an achievable target.
The real problems come when the overinvestment has to stop and budget is cut.
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Jude
Muir could have red carded Gordon at 0-1 and all our subs used. Who would have went in goal if he got a deserved red card?
Re Forrest or Roberts imo Forrest gives you much more the length of the park while Roberts is more creative. As has been said horses for courses. In the semi final last year Roberts gave no cover to the full back and our right side was punished repeatedly.
Brendan knows, happy it’s his choice.
HH
Sevco must have tried to give Barton a week’s money for every year he’s been there…:))Sevco must have tried to give him a week’s money for every year he’s been there..Sevco must have tried to give him a week’s money for every year he’s been there..
Maybe 2 weeks’ money….:)
MacJay
Mark Scott RIP
I wouldn’t go to Aberdeen without a ticket. Very unlikely to get one outside.
HAMILTONTIM on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 9:19 PM
‘It was the unanimous view of the meeting that the current system is fair.’
———
The current system is fundamentally unfair. You have a situation where people attended 18 away matches last season and are offered virtually no tickets this season.
In addition to this there is simply no way for anyone else to climb the ladder as it stands at the moment. Trust me on this one, it is impossible to get tickets for certain matches.
How can it then be fair, that those who say the current system is ‘fair’, take their tickets and move them on to any Tom, Dick or Harry in order to preserve their own quota? Whilst others who just missed the cut off are denied. Any assertion that this is fair is risible.
Also have to say i was disappointed to see a CQN article supporting this agenda this morning. If people want to protect their own quota fair enough but i don’t like the way this is playing out.
On a personal level i have been discussing away tickets with the SLO over the past two years.
Speyside
I think you’re chances are almost nil. I did have a spare but I’m afraid it’s gone.
HT
Is the next meeting in Lagos?
Love xx
DD how did your lunch with your family go? The game took care of itself hope you had a great day out. Hail Hail Hebcelt
In Munchengladbach next week any info on where the troops will be gathering? Any pubs/ restaurants recommended?
Me and one of my boys going!
HH
TTR
The current system is as fair as it’s ever been. In days gone by the allocation of tickets was often a shambles. Ask JP he was working in the TO office at the time. In fairness to him he tried his best to ensure that genuine supporters who attended most often were given tickets.
Tickets given to Tom, Dick and Harry?
Who by and do you have any evidence to support this?
It’s certainly not my experience. When I attend away games I constantly see the same faces that I see at all or most away games. I don’t necessarily know these people but I certainly know their faces.
What is risible here is that tickets may be allocated to supporters who rarely if ever make the effort to attend away games.
You would have seen last night that there were a number of empty seats in the areas allocated to us.
Why weren’t these tickets taken up by those who wish for a ‘fairer’ system ?
Hebcelt
Sorry to say that the Victoria is overrated and overpriced. We had a better meal in the Mallard today for half the price.
Soal
Kelly’s in Luz mate!
Hope yer well rubber heid x
DELANEYS DUNKY on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 9:42 PM
MacJay
Mark Scott RIP
===============================
Had to google that , mate.
I remember hearing about it much later.
DD sorry to hear that, at least the result should have softened the disappointment. Maybe meet up for a libation next time I’m down. H H Hebcelt
NATKNOW on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 9:33 PM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 9:19 PM
If the identity of the individual who threw the bottle is unknown , then his club allegiance ,assuming he has one , is also unknown and should not be assumed.
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That’ll be a first for the Scottish press. More kangaroos holding court here than at your bit…
==========================================================
:-)
Bottles don`t have inflight homing devices.
Perfectly possible it was launched by one of Warbie`s rancid army .
CCTV could perhaps provide the answer.
HAMILTONTIM on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 10:03 PM
I didn’t get a ticket for last night from the original allocation. I called TO time and time again when the deadline passed but as usual nothing.
Last night outside the ground there were a few people selling tickets. As you say there were plenty of empty seats but the problem is those seats are not accessible. The tickets have been sold to people who don’t go (investors?). But they will go to other games like Aberdeen and if we are going to win the League.
I cannot agree that the current system is fair for reasons mentioned. What happened at the meeting the other night is 100+ guys turned out to do everything possible to protect their access to tickets. Thats fair enough and why i didn’t go. But saying it’s a fair system is wrong imo.
HT
Can i just say i read the Celtic Trust website today and associated CQN article this morning. Whilst i thought about posting about it, i decided not to as there was a feel good factor on the blog.
But seen as you mentioned it….
Evening All,
Been in for a knee op today and am now walking with the aid of two sticks and/or a zimmer!
I kid you not! A bleeding Zimmer!
Now sitting with my feet up (just) and watching the Gene Genie in Ashes to Ashes!
Great set of results last night.
Still raising funds for the charity sleepout and the Celtic Charity Foundation,
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/jamesmcginley2
Just came back in from the darts an hour ago and went onto Hun Media to see the reaction to Joeys ban.Utter chaos on there,but this little nugget caught my eyeon the January transfer window,
To Be A Ranger
First Team
To Be A Ranger
First Team
400
714 posts
Gender:Male
Location:Copland corner
Posted 52 minutes ago
Considering Warburton has said January is a more difficult time to bring in players than the summer I expect his signings to be of less ‘quality’ than we’ve seen him sign so far
:(Less quality,FFS,you really could not make up their inherent stupidity.
THETIMREAPER on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 9:45 PM
The CQN article was, I thought, no more than a report back stating what the current situation was.
No agenda really.
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 10:16 PM
NATKNOW on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 9:33 PM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 9:19 PM
If the identity of the individual who threw the bottle is unknown , then his club allegiance ,assuming he has one , is also unknown and should not be assumed.
I said this at the time.The last kid bottled on their supporters bus was,an open and shut case for days.turns out it was one of their own thrown off the bus who threw it.They lied to the police to try and cover up.
TTR
Didn’t you see me offering tickets on here? Had you said you’d have been top of the list, likewise for Pittodrie. When I didn’t hear from you I assumed you were sorted!
The investor issue is extremely significant and I raised this at the meeting.
I was fortunate enough to be in a corporate box for the Motherwell game and me being me I went around having a chat with the others there. We got round to the topic of away games and I asked folk did they go.
Ibrox, Tynecastle and a couple said Pittodrie. When I asked about anywhere else they just aren’t interested.
That is fundamentally unfair and is the very antithesis of our ethos. Just because you have the money doesn’t mean that you should be more entitled to those who go all the time.
TTR
Ps those in attendance represented a significant number of those who attend away games. Many were there representing supporters clubs with large numbers.
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 10:16 PM
NATKNOW on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 9:33 PM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 9:19 PM
If the identity of the individual who threw the bottle is unknown , then his club allegiance ,assuming he has one , is also unknown and should not be assumed.
————————————————————————-
That’ll be a first for the Scottish press. More kangaroos holding court here than at your bit…
==========================================================
:-)
Bottles don`t have inflight homing devices.
Perfectly possible it was launched by one of Warbie`s rancid army .
CCTV could perhaps provide the answer.
——————————————————————
Well if our previous recent experiences are anything to go by then it’s likely.
There’s something like 5 million CCTV cameras in the UK. You’d think there might be one or two near Hampden? No doubt the polis are all over it – men woking double shifts etc. Or perhaps they’re out looking for cars with a brake light out. They have targets to meet after all…
TURKEYBHOY on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 10:39 PM
I had a vague recollection of that incident.
Partly why I made the point I did.
However , won`t stop the anti-Tim media agenda .
But we`re used to that.
TTR
I could often post about matters which would upset the feel good factor, I don’t because often there’s work going on to resolve things.
VFR800A8 on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 10:36 PM
THETIMREAPER on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 9:45 PM
The CQN article was, I thought, no more than a report back stating what the current situation was.
No agenda really.
——–
Ok, having read it again it’s quite balanced.
NATKNOW on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 10:44 PM
Same in Oz.
But it operates ,apparently ( ! ) , without fear or favour.
We won`t be holding our breath , then.
:-(
TURKEYBHOY on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 10:39 PM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 10:16 PM
NATKNOW on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 9:33 PM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 9:19 PM
If the identity of the individual who threw the bottle is unknown , then his club allegiance ,assuming he has one , is also unknown and should not be assumed.
I said this at the time.The last kid bottled on their supporters bus was,an open and shut case for days.turns out it was one of their own thrown off the bus who threw it.They lied to the police to try and cover up.
—————————————————
Exactly mate. Seem to remember there was another incident before that when a guy got jumped on the day the football took place. Was all over the papers that he was a hun who’d been attacked by Celtic fans. Turns out neither he nor his wife said this and the paper had made it up.
HAMILTONTIM on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 10:46 PM
TTR
I could often post about matters which would upset the feel good factor, I don’t because often there’s work going on to resolve things.
——
I was just saying. Didn’t want you thinking i was jumping on you.
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 10:48 PM
NATKNOW on 27TH OCTOBER 2016 10:44 PM
Same in Oz.
But it operates ,apparently ( ! ) , without fear or favour.
We won`t be holding our breath , then.
:-(
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The stats are all manipulated anyway – the polis get to decide how each gets categorised and make it up to suit themselves. Load of nonsense.
TTR
Not at all. It’s a blog :-)
Are you going on Saturday? I met a friend last night who hadn’t been successful but was contacted yesterday by Celtic offering him a ticket.
HAMILTONTIM –
Posted the other night about the review of allocation of away tickets but can’t remember when so apologies if you’ve already responded to this but…. is the reason for the unease that the CT believe Away tickets will only be issued to Association or Affiliated supporters?
Back in Glasgow….more tales to be told once the taste, touch, talent and tooralooraladdy of Dingwall has worn off.
A little known fact till I came up with it this morning as I noticed the broken shower curtain rings…..Alfred Hitchcock got his idea for Psycho after a dirty weekend in the Royal Guest house in Dingwall wae Janet Leigh.
No one noticed that Norman Bates couldn’t have done it….until me….the blood stains on the carpet proved it…and last night in Farty Towels the most stunning denouement since the monkey tried to get the cork back in its sphincter….All I’ll say is that the bus stop was under CCCTV surveillance. .. (the additional C …well you can guess) …and of course the bag lady was a plant…no moustache…and even more of a giveaway…no bag…and definitely no lady…but the bloke wae the halitosis…or as he is better known in Gaelic -Stinky gob- stopped chatting to the poorly disguised ewe …no way was he going to pull the wool over his thighs.
Hail hail
Matt
Hi All on CQN.. Only post rarely as typin takes me an eternity, but canny do without CQN and have read every comment since ah got I-pad 18 months ago & thank God for CQN, Phil Mac etc ! Anyway, as I am a SMSM non reader, well hater actually (and that’s their own fault ) I NEVER buy any paper and don’t in any miss their lies and disdain of Celtic. Anyway was visiting Ma dear old mother this week & goin out the door she gave me The Sunday Post to read on the long bus journey home. On opening the football section ah knew not to bother reading as the headlines were enough. On the Glasgow derby preview The Hoops headings read… “Gers (well Sevco) loss led BROWN to scotland retinal”…. “TOURE error brought memories flooding back”… “Hat-trick hero DEMBELE hoping for repeat”… These headings address our stars as you would adderss sports stars; i.e. By their surnames !! Compare the sevco headings now…. “LEE’s decade of change inspired by skipper Elvis”… “JOE’s now a very different goal getter”…”Age is of no concern for Warbs over CLINT”…. Aye all cosy first name terms. Why the need for this ? Is it be nice & lovvie to the sevco players ? Is it to sound to their sevconian brothers, we’re nice to your players, now there there, please buy our paper, whatever ah can’t understand why ANY Hoops fan would buy a scottish rag in this digital forum era. It’s such a stress free life without the daily blight they undoubtedly still probably infest upon anyone daft enough to think about paying for any one of them. It’s never nice to see anyone lose their jobs but if these tabloids of the SMSM go to the wall through ever diminishing sales, then the end will have justified the means & it will be champaign time for me to see these Celtic haters the same as their beloved Rangers— as deid as the do-do !!!!!! Lurkin Huns & SMSM.. There is always someone there to remind you, in just over an hour yous will be the ripe old age of 4 years & 91 days old !!! Hail Hail…
Exactly mate. Seem to remember there was another incident before that when a guy got jumped on the day the football took place. Was all over the papers that he was a hun who’d been attacked by Celtic fans. Turns out neither he nor his wife said this and the paper had made it up.
I am positive this was in the Newarthill area.Turns out they both lied to the police and were charged.Until the person is identified,and charged I think some on here should keep it zipped.Far to quick to dance to the SMSM tune.