You can imagine the anticipation Celtic players as they arrived for training this morning for Saturday’s visit to Firhill. They must be bursting a gut, just desperate to get onto the field and do their stuff. You and I have seen lots of this team, but right now, today, they will have an edge that’s been missing for so long. They have questions to answer, points to prove and a league title to win.
Firhill will be their stage. If anyone at Lennoxtown is in doubt about the job required, I still have my boots, just let me at them.
It’s indicative of where we are that those two draws (Hamilton and Dundee) plunged us into a form crisis. Since the turn of the year we’ve won 9 out of 13 games, failing to win twice with 10 men, once away to our nearest challengers, and that awful Dundee game at Celtic Park. Were it not for the two red cards, I expect the dip in form would be scarcely noticeable.
Over the same period Aberdeen have had a far easier programme, playing only 9 games (in 9 weeks). They’ve won six of these games, including the last two, which has put a more respectable look on their form. It’s still not any better than Celtic’s, though.
We’re still playing fixture catch-up, as we’ve six games in the next five weeks, to Aberdeen’s four, but that’s the price of reaching the latter stages of cup competitions.
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Hail hail
Who Me?
Where r ya?
How did TWISTS do that?
How you keeping,stranger?
TWISTS in ‘what day is it? I was looking for the naps competition’ mix-up…
Ha, timing Bobby , timing. I’m fine bud. Paul 67 still seems remarkably buoyant and good on him, but I’m slightly concerned re this league.
The games after the split are gonna be tough and I have the feeling that the opposition will be more up for their games v us than the Dons games.
We can’t defend set plays and won’t get any better at doing so with the current players so we’d better hope Leigh is firing on all cylinders.
How’s yersel Bobby?
Normally in a week were 2 teams play the same opposition, many are quick to point out similarities or differences in results.
Like we drew with Dundee but Sevco put 4 past them so Sevco are a better team or we put 4 past Morton and Sevco needed a late equaliser against them so we’re a better team. You know the type of nonsense that means absolutely nothing. Although we all know we’re the better team!
I think this week is different though.
Aberdeen went to Firhill and battled back from a goal down to win 1-2. Fair play to them, they didn’t crumble and now I’m sure the SMSM will be backing them to run us all the way for the title.
Well we go to Firhill on Saturday and I believe we need to make a real statement, show everyone we mean business and no-one is taking our title.
A full 90 minutes of pressure on Thistle, 3 or 4 nil win and dampen all this nonsense that we’re under pressure.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/thistles-aim-for-top-6-the-liquidators-duty/comment-page-13/#comments
Hey Bobby I’m slowly edging up the naps table with 3 from last 4 at good prices. 5s 8s and 8s I think.
If I could overhaul those bhoys at the top, who have been brilliant to date, it’d be a hat trick of wins for me so I’ll be demanding the competition is renamed as the TnT naps trophy:-)
Carljunglebhoys view of Dave kings sumz n numbers n’nat
:-)
https://twitter.com/CarlJungleBhoy/status/706871143987175424
https://carljunglebhoy.wordpress.com/2016/03/07/financial-statement-by-dave-king/
:-)
standup
HH
Time to stand up and be counted.
I feel a statement from the club about Resolution 12 (saying it will be addressed, and when) would galvanise everyone to the cause.
We need the club to show they wi us, and no agin us, just for a change.
I know……….gutting so it is.
So Pauls leader is saying Aberdeen moving up on our shoulders to within striking distance with 9/10 games left is good? Eh?
Cheltenham looms too. Few days holiday perhaps!
TWISTS
I’m fine and dandy,thanks for the asking. Wee trip home/Dublin coming up,plus Cheltenham.
And watching the Celtic!
On the field,up our consistency,up our game-or watch the MIBs up theirs and do us up like a kipper.
Aye,I’m concerned too,mate.
Glad to hear you’re at the top of your game. Geezawinner!!!
Good Afternoon.
If you are sick of hearing about the “Old Firm” then you might appreciate a p*ss take of the media….
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/03/08/a-busy-day-in-old-firmville/
Thomthetim,
Many happy returns
TWISTS
Did PF AYR not win it two years ago?
I recall winding him up that I was only £1.30 or so behind him on the last weekend so threatened to find a 1-2 shot.
(McCoy in the last race that day would have won it for me were it not for my sense of fair play. Plus he threatened to kill me)
Some important stuff from BRTH and Canamalar this morning. Time overdue for Celtic to expedite the original Resolution. I doubt there would be a great deal of support (!) for the Board were the matter permitted to be timed-out.
Unrelatedly, there was discussion yesterday about the timescales for the Supreme Court decision on the Big Tax Case.
The Deutche Bank case which was issued this morning in favour of HMRC took 10 months between leave to appeal to the SC being granted, and the judgement being issued.
That’s pretty quick, all things considered.
Based on that, we can expect the final ruling on the matter to come down sometime in the New Year, which, given the likelihood that the criminal cases wil have been concluded by that point, makes 2017 quite a year for bringing matters to a head in the civil courts and regulatory commissions.
What it also means is that any overlap with Res 12 will be moot unless there is prompt action now to ensure that the issue is not time-bared under UEFA’s new rules.
If I was a cynic, I’d suggest that the SFA have been stonewalling deliberately to filibuster the matter.
BOBBY
aye PF did.
I won it the first year it ran and last year. Oldtim I think was champ one year too.
I think we’ll comfortably navigate Saturday, as long as you don’t choose to ‘cough’ at inopportune moments, Paul…
THEBATTEREDBUNNET
For filibuster read Bryson.
For sure,someone will have spotted the get-out clause.
Thanks, Canamalar.
It is very encouraging to read on the blog today, a focus on what is the real problem in the game, the SFA/TRFC alliance.
I believe that this issue is the underlying cause of the anger that has seeped through CQN increasingly over the past few years.
We have to assert all possible pressure wherever we can.
10 games in and we don’t know our best 11 is disconcerting but 10 games to go and still not knowing is terrifying especially when there is a genuine challenge from a team who pre write the ta sheet in ink months in advance.
I fancy Ronny would be a better manager with a tight squad. Players like him and he has clear philosophy.
What he can’t do is manage a big squad. He probably likes to be liked and no manager can keep so many players content.
Priority right now is to hack 20 + players off by excluding them from the remainder of the season and focus on a core 15 or so.
That’s our ticket to success – 15 players who can be depended upon. 15 players who are of bigger character and higher skill than anyone Aberdeen can muster.
Come th the time come th the mhan…
THOMTHETHIM
Totally agree with you on that,Birthday Bhoy.
Our anger is a manifestation of our frustration.
Trust in due process,boot in the hawmaws,no wonder we are raging Tims.
CULTSBHOY
Fifteen players is nowhere near enough for a team like us.
You know,one which picks up injuries and suspensions that other teams seem largely to avoid.
Apart from that,aye,pretty much.
“We’re still playing fixture catch-up, as we’ve six games in the next five weeks, to Aberdeen’s four, but that’s the price of reaching the latter stages of cup competitions. ”
———
Spot on once again, Paul. McGenius gets all the plaudits going for good league form, but his poor record in cups gets completely ignored.
When they beat us last month they hadn’t played for 12 days. We had played three days earlier on a ploughed park with ten men for most of the game.
We seem to do better when we are behind or slightly ahead compared with when we are comfortably ahead, so am confident we can do the job.
CultsBhoy can not relate to Celtic Board ambitions on or off the park on 9th March 2016 1:05 pm
I’ve thought a lot about his recent answer to that ‘best 11’ question as I was listening to it at the time. I think he does know his best 11. I don’t think that best 11 is or has been available at any given time. I think he therefore has an issue where he’s unsure how Player A will play alongside Player B.
However , I don’t think that’s really the issue. We’ve a whole bunch of players that just aren’t hungry enough. Pick the hungry players. To use my wee man’s Match Attax / Fifa ratings I’ll take a hungry 83 player over a jaded 93 every time.
On a more recent issue that was raised at an AGM which affects us that attend Celtic Park more regularly ….
Has the temperature of the Bovril issue been resolved yet ? Seen nothing definitive from the PLC yet so Ahm sticking to the lukewarm Guiness. Maybe a wee letter to the H&S exec would move them along
The Battered Bunnet 12:47
Nothing wrong with being a cynic. I usually find that when I’m cynical I’m normally correct!
i think, although johansson is a shadow of the player of last season, celtic still need him
for the run in, as the nadir of this campaign has been last weeks dundee game (without him).
As per Ronny situation, advocated a pressing game with full backs complementing the forwards and two mobile centre backs pushing forward ,lustig may as well have his head on backwards as he looks for the back pass first every time, boyata sometimes still looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights when he receives the ball from behind him and i only see 2 pressers , griffiths and johansson, which kind of defeats the purpose. So now is the time Ronny ,show us you are the real deal and lets sweep all before us.
My cap is constantly doffed towards the guys involved in Res 12. Once again reading back this morning absolute sterling work highlighting a potential filibuster. I wholly accept that the SFA are acting towards this and I have serious doubts my clubs current PLC are acting to instigate full UEFA investigation into this cheating.
I hope the Res 12 guys can and do determine what action our club have taken on the rules that they will know inside out with regards FIFA regulations. There is no question in mind that by now that Celtic FC PLC should have raised this in order that any time bar is not now an issue moving this forward. If they have not, well for one I will not be surprised and two they are not fit for purpose.
But hey ho. My opinion is moot.
Good luck guys.
MWD
Happy to hear my brief for Firhill has arrived by post today.
Celtic play twice now before Aberdeen’s next game, Saturday then Rugby Park one week later. It’s in the gift of our players to drop the Dons seven points behind with only nine games of the season remaining for them to catch us. Really hope the Bhoys show us they want these wins as much as we do.
Firhill for fickle frills
You know I often wonder at what the board are really thinking. The players will have an edge? Will they? I haven’t seem ronnys teams ever have an edge?
What’s going to change now? Pressure? They have been under pressure before and have consistently underperformed.
So our current strategy now appears to be close your eyes, hope for the next and essentially talk nonsense.
I dunno about you but it’s hardly convincing.
The ineptitude and arrogance of those running Celtic have put us in this position but as can be seen nothing has been learned.
You know I disagree with all the keep the powder dry nonsense that board apologists use to ensure we remain complicit with corroption. But tell me what’s the excuse for allowing both referees and the msm to attack us with impunity and saying nothing? Can anyone explain that one to me?
Thomthethim
Many happy returns…
canman and BRHT keep up the good work and TBB thanks for simplifying the process for dunderheads like myself..l
John James having a moment of reflection ?
http://johnjamessite.com/2016/03/09/constructive-criticism/
Constructive Criticism
Those who follow the site will note that I have removed a few articles that were not well received. I have attempted to construct a narrative where everything is challenged and debated. I have approached topics with a healthy cynicism and on occasion my articles are polemical in nature.
At this juncture I have had cause for pause and reflection. Rangers old, new, borrowed and always blue is dear to my heart. My position on events since 2012 is that Rangers are a new legal entity that is the spiritual successor of an old club. It is a view held by many including the club’s chairman who at one time advocated the sisting of Rangers 2012. From a personal perspective this would be the ideal scenario.
There have been a slew of civil and criminal proceedings which I have covered as honestly as possible. James Doleman’s tweets have been an invaluable resource as he has no agenda. Mr Doleman covered the appeal by the joint liquidators BDO at the Inner House yesterday. Had this leave to appeal not been granted, it would have ended the debate on whether Employment Benefit Trusts are a legitimate means of avoiding tax. It is my position, which is supported by prima facie evidence, that the issue of side contracts fatally compromised this tax avoidance scheme. It is an interesting academic debate. Too many on this site, and I also hold my own arm aloft, have focused on title-stripping. I have unequivocally stated that the predecessor to EBT, the Discounted Options Scheme, has been deemed an illegitimate means of avoiding tax.
In a previous post, I outlined a scheme where Charles Green was offered an elevated place in the top two tiers of Scottish football. The price proposed by the SFA, SFL and SPL was the withdrawal of 15 titles. It follows that all 114 titles had been transferred to Charles Green’s corporate vehicle.
However this transfer has been shrouded in mystery. I attempted to pierce the veil of obfuscation. In doing so I left myself open to some scathing ad hominem criticism that suggested that I had an agenda that was not consistent with that of a Rangers supporter.
Allow me to restate my position. There is no appetite for title-stripping in Scottish football. It is an exercise in pursuing an ideal of sporting integrity into a cul de sac. This cul de sac goes by the name of the LNS commission. I have debated the findings of this commission. It is flawed in so many respects. However it puts a lid on this debate and provides a platform from which to move on. Despite my reservations, those who want the reconstituted Rangers to be a vital force in Scottish football should accept these findings.
Which leads me to my position on what has become known as The Fraudco Hearings. I have an opinion. I see these proceedings as a complete waste of time but as I drive past the incident I find it difficult not to rubberneck. There are those who invested their trust in Charles Green who would prefer if he walked away from this trial. As things currently stand he has walked away, but this might change. As for Craig Whyte he had a simple plan, which was executed by Charles Green, to insulate the club from historical creditors, notably HMRC.
Which leads me to my last point. I note that many contributors to this site are not supporters of Rangers. I have tried to maintain a balanced debate, but I stand accused of pandering to an anti-Rangers gallery. There are some merits in these accusations. I will continue to comment on CFC, but I do not condone the actions of those who are choosing to walk away from their club as they have chosen not to challenge the tax impropriety that occurred at Ibrox. The SFA and SPFL are the architects of the current state of affairs. It may be a compromise too far for many who have contributed to the 8,000 comments on this site, but my decision to put Peter Lawwell in the dock for complicity in what many perceive as a conspiracy, was probably ill-considered.
I’m planning to make changes to this site. I’m going to review every article I have ever posted and if they cross the line from baiting the current regime to baiting Rangers, they will almost certainly not make the final cut.
Completely off topic,
I’ve been invited to an evening meal in hutchesons bar and brasserie in Ingram St – does anyone know if they have a dress code. My suit seems to have shrunk since the last time I wore it.
Thanks
And many happy returns to ThomTheTim.
GLASGOWDAVE
Looks like he is reacting to legal pressure.