When we stopped for the winter break, I hoped to have Kieran Tierney, Tom Rogic and Odsonne Edouard available for the resumption of league duty tomorrow evening. Tom remains at the Asian Cup with Australia, where he will face the UAE on Friday, but doubt remains over when we will see Kieran and Odsonne fully fit. The latter is thought to be over his injury and just needs sharpness, but we had a false dawn on his fitness a month ago.
There are only three weeks before Valencia arrive in Glasgow (game sold out this morning). The Spaniards have hit form since drawing Celtic in the Europa League and are now only six points off a European spot for next season.
Now in the top half of the table, having dispensed with relegation worries. Progress against Celtic will be their objective for February. A place in the last 16 is achievable, but we will need all resources available.
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Bonus payments will also be well shy of what they were, por cierto
PC @ 1.59
The wages number will be interesting.
Couple of players have had new contracts but others have left.
Plus there will be no CL bonus this season.
I wonder if the suits bonus is bigger than the players bonus?
Anyone else getting worried that if we dont win the league Peter Lawwell could be made the scape goat and his bonus might take a hit
Sincerely hope not,Peter has been great for Celtic,taking us to the type of higher bonus strategy a club of our size warrants.
The wage bill might be more than last year but that will happen when one highly remunerated employee gets a 2300000 bonus. Or approx 1/50th of turnover.
Pay him a third maximum of what he is on now. Spend the money on a player.
P.L will be made more than just the scape goat.
He’ll need to hide in them hills that Bin Laden used.
But then, look what happened to him.
Madmitch.
‘One’s as bad as the other’ took on new parameters round about the introduction of the OBA at football where sectarian and offensive ( to some ) were fused together to equalise and morph Rainjurz in with Celtic a la the Edinburgh summit.
If an inflatable doll hung from the top tier is offensive to who knows whom, ( how did that court case go ?) then the IRA in any form are fair game, in Scotland.
Offensive to some it seems, is the same as offensive, and offensive to Police Scotland definitely includes reference to forgotten past disbanded Irish Republican wings. They photograph it, go in search of it every time Celtic supporters are grouped, and even sometimes given the opportunity, kettle it before there’s been a peep.
They are alerted and briefed to find Celtic supporters songs offensive, in effect.
Most Celtic fans don’t sing rebel songs it was ever thus, much more worrying are the occasional ‘sectarian chants’ which are not just sung by the GB, and definitely do bring Celtic down to the guttural level of Scotland’s Newist Shame.
A lot of what is being said at the moment reminds me of a book review by someone who has only read 2/3rds of the book.
KTF
RUGGYGMAN on 22ND JANUARY 2019 2:09 PM
U.S. special forces and Navy Seals have already been briefed.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 22ND JANUARY 2019 2:11 PM
…much more worrying are the occasional ‘sectarian chants’ which are not just sung by the GB, and definitely do bring Celtic down to the guttural level of Scotland’s Newist Shame.
Absolutely spot on. I would suggest less than 50% join in with “the Rebs” whereas about 90% join in with “OB” chants of various description.
KTF
The Hands
‘our wages to income percentage has reduced.’
Really? – the wage bill has quadrupled and that was before Rogic, Ntcham, McGregor, Griffiths,and Forrest were given improved new deals.
Fag Packet CSC
The fight for Irish freedom is not only part of the Celtic FC story but is part of many Fans heritage. I have only been personally going for 58 years but in my time we have always sung Irish songs not just Rebel songs. Among others we sang “The Holy Ground” “A jug of Punch” and also “Faith of our Fathers” and “Hail Glorious St Patrick”
We have sung songs about support for the United Irish men of 1798 as well as the 1916 Easter Rebellion and the Black and Tan War. These rebellions seem to be better received since and we had sight of the British Queen laying a wreath in memory of the 16 Rebels. Any visit to Ireland will show you how normal it is to declare these men as Heroes.
Now the more recent Troubles and the Provos and others are likely to be where there is some controversy.
To me they were men fighting for a United Ireland but also for Civil Rights to their community against the RUC, B Specials and their Loyalist Henchmen and equal rights in Education and employment. However, this is where public opinion separates as the Bombing Campaign and the Tactics involved have alienated the British Public.
The Merry Ploughboy, the Foggy Dew, Fields of Athenry and Boys of the Old Brigade as well as many others refer to Historic rebellions and should not be offensive to anyone.
Bobby Sands, Roll of Honour, Aidan McEnespie are largely inoffensive but others are not and we should think about these.
Personally, I like these songs as they are good songs and I have heard them most of my life and I feel work well in a football context. I believe in a Celtic open to all and this is where I have an issue. I don’t mind offending away Fans indeed that is part of the game, but, I don’t like to think the songs are offending fellow Celtic Supporters
Why dont we have a song about Peters Bonus
It seems to be very popular on here to keep shouting about a right back. Would the sheep just pause for a bit and take on board that young mr Ralston fits the bill perfectly, IMHO obviously.
I know I am alone in this but it’s what I think.
KINGLuBO
KINGLUBO on 22ND JANUARY 2019 2:40 PM
You’re not alone. Remember when we pitched an 18 year old kid in at left back? I wonder how it went for him?
KTF
And while I’m at it, ISTR some of those clamouring for a new RB questioned the logic of bringing in loan players who would stifle opportunities for our own young players.
cake and eat it CSC
KTF
FAN-A-TIC on 22ND JANUARY 2019 2:00 AM
GG while Belichik and Brady may be the best coach quarterback combination of all time the cheating leaves a bad taste. Martin and Henrik were sporting examples.
*fully concur here, I used tae like Tom Brady and he is a superb athlete, won the SB single handily against Atlanta a couple of seasons back, but the cheating leaves a bad taste in everyone’s mouth, that and dumping Bridget Moynihan for a big nosed square heid samba dancer even though she has more money than him lol
Kinglubo,
We were saying similar on Saturday. However He needs a run in the team before we can make a meaningful decision.
I hope he gets a run in the team, and I hope he takes his chance.
HH.
Unfortunately some loan players come with provisos, especially short term deals.
I wonder if Oliver Burke must be played. ?
HH.
BSR
Great post
‘They are alerted and briefed to find Celtic supporters songs offensive, in effect.’
To that you might add, ‘rewarded’.
HH jg
JAMESGANG on 22ND JANUARY 2019 3:03 PM
BSR
Great post
‘They are alerted and briefed to find Celtic supporters songs offensive, in effect.’
To that you might add, ‘rewarded’.
HH jg
Conditioned from birth to view those who didn’t go home as being subversive and ungrateful B’s who deserve to be treated as second class citizens.
And the best wee country likes it that way.
TONTINE TIM @2-56pm
The Brazilian has a voice that could crack walnuts so his life is not altogether perfect.
BSR @ 2.11 + 2.23
I have to wonder at times why some in the support make it easy for the police and the media.
No mater what i think of various political campaigns on any number of subjects it is the childish, Commando Comic militarism and physical force fetishism that I don’t like and the rampant hypocrisy of some who — rightly — ridicule the wilder elements of the TFOD2.1 support yet who happily sing a song about the Yaxley Lennon prototype that is SnS.
What next — ninja commandos abseiling of the North Stand roof in Roger Casement masks?
There is an interesting debate to be had on this but for me the GB and its songbook need to be re-focused.
Regarding your comments about the wages having been quadrupled — I fear you are having trouble with your calculator unless you have a good memory and can remember 1997.
From memory:
Total club wages was £38mill approx in 2004.
Total football wages was then £33.5mill approx that season.
Total football wages then fell to £25mill plus in 2005/06 after Deadwood 1.
Consequently don’t understand your comment
From The Scotsman:
” Morelos escaped punishment from referee John Beaton when tangling with Scott Brown, Ryan Christie and Anthony Ralston.”
I studied English for five years and taught it for twenty five.I think I should ask for my money back. Quite obviously, I don`t know the meaning of the word `tangled`.
Any suggestions?
JJ
Morning all (well it is here in the US)
I suspect that Tony Ralston will be the new KT – a rehash of what VFR said
He has never been short of courage – I remember him not being intimidated by Neymar the Thespian.
His loan periods seem to have added a maturity & improved decision making.
Ankle sprain means he misses tomorrows game but hopefully see him back at the weekend.
Notice that Agerdeen’s Mark Reynolds has been told not to play on astroturf pitches – ever again.
Over to you SFA – why do you allow these pitches when all available evidence indicates that players who normally play on grass will sustain injuries when they have to play on them.
Then again, I’ve never heard of diseased astroturf pitch, just a mingin one.
Genuinely though, it’s not those that play on that surface all the time that get injured – it’s those that play on grass all week then step onto the carpets-on-concrete pitches on match days. We all know that the ball behaves differently and we have to run & play differently to make it work. You can’t turn the same way you would do on grass without a ankle, knee or hip joint popping.
Banralotathum in my opinion.
On transfers, who knows what’s happening – saw Brendan blank every question about specific targets yesterday. Just hope lessons have been learnt after last summer.
Read that John McGinn is a big favourite with Aston Villa fans. Some want him to be captain next season while others think he won’t stay with them if they don’t go up (looks likely) as he’s too good to stay in the Championship.
“Class” is the word most commonly used to describe him.
Ah well.
HH
Madmitch
Do you know how many are in the Green Brigade ?
Compare that with the 2,800 supporters in the Standing Area.
Maybe your criticism of the GB is not justified.
JJ
On a much sadder note, Argentinian player Emiliano Sala was on a small plane that’s gone missing in the English Channel. Not looking at all hopeful that he & the pilot could survive.
Still hoping but fearing the worst.
Tax evasion enforcement – Spanish style.
Ronaldo sentenced to 23 months in prison AND Euros18.8million fine for tax evasion.
In Spain prisoners sentenced to less than 2 years don’t normally serve time.
Compare & contrast with events in the best wee country…
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46957605
And to round off my efforts – a piece on Timothy Weah’s faither.
George Weah went to a US university to gain his business degree after he retired from football.
He was accused of lacking an education….
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46947032
@BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 22ND JANUARY 2019 2:23 PM
Quadrupled since when? In Ronny’s last year our wages were £36,888,000 with full time equivalents employed in the year of 465. Last year under Brendan our wages were £59,335,000 with full time equivalents employed in the year of 522. So less than doubled since BR arrived.
Also to be remembered is that:
– we have quite a few more full time staff now than then;
– we did not qualify for CL under Ronny in last year;
– we failed to win both cups under Ronny in last year.
I’m sure a decent percentage of the increase in wage bill is attributable to more people having to be paid and our team being more successful (bonuses).
The accounts also show that our wages have reduced relative to income between BR’s and Ronny’s time and from BR’s first year to his second.
There are (I think) less than 200 members of the Green Brigade. However, they generally choose the songs and start the singing so control the songbook. Very few of them I find offensive: mainly “Cheer up [INSERT NAME HERE]…”, “Build a bonfire …”, various OB chants and the wishing of Nacho Novo & Jimmy Bell dying.
The bulk of the rest will be down to a political viewpoint/stance: me, I don’t mind them. Though I don’t understand the offence in “Roll of Honour” and “Aidan McAnespie”. Maybe someone can enlighten me.
KTF
Hot Smoked.
Your post this morning about levels of ability was spot on, in my opinion.
The criticism some footballers receive is unjustified.
Some may not be able to make the step up from, maybe Hamilton to Celtic but doesn’t mean they are hopeless or any other description that is thrown their way.
I remember reading a stat,a few years back, that said only 1% of people who play football, go on to get paid for playing football and only a very small percentage of that number reach elite level. I was unable to confirm how accurate the statement was but, in my head, it seemed fairly accurate.
I honestly believe that a lot of people who go to watch football have no idea, how difficult it is to play and be a success at that level.
Hail Hail
A place in the last 16 is achievable, but we will need all resources available
Aye. We’ll field all 38 of them…
HS @ 3.33
They are the people with the drums and the loud hailers.
They set the tone of the singing at CP and never shut up about this situation.
Are you telling me that when the non GB members of the standing section start up with SnS they respectfully lower their loud hailers and stop the drumming until it is finished?
Aye right …
There use to be a view that Google’s business model only expected 1 in every 15 projects to succeed. The reason being that the return on the one project that succeeded far outstripped the cost of all 15. That way money was made.
Maybe Celtic have a similar process as part of their business model. Bring in x+1 players, with x ‘failures’ and 1 outstanding success. Money is made.
Now one difference between Google projects and Celtic players, aside from football, is Google can stop the failing project anytime and move their staff onto the next task. Celtic end up with less-able players on their books, until they can be moved on.
This could explain the move towards bring in more loan deals, as their contracts are easier to get out of if there isn’t a pot of gold at the end of the tunnel.
So this way we keep a constant flow of players coming through the team, with the periodic success and the failures quickly moved on with little impact to Celtic’s finances.
As the saying goes, a rolling stone is like water off a ducks back.
If any of the above looks familiar then lets hope the next project is Google Maps and not Google+
Hail Hail
JIMMYNOTPAUL
Football is a sport of skill, strength,timing and will.
Finding the right environment to succeed is the key.
Compare the Mo Salah at Chelsea to the one at Liverpool.
Anyone who has played football at any level will know that somedays touch and timing are just not there.
In a consistent team those days are less frequent.
Jack Hendry is a good example of a decent player who has suffered from inconsistency due in part to changing positions and a team who are inconsistent themselves.
Also being asked to play a type of football (playing out from the back)when the system is poor and makes it more difficult.
This flawed approach puts defensive pressure on the team and the crowd becomes nervous(rightly so)and gets on the players with some unfairly taking the brunt of the criticism.
Once a players confidence is shot it becomes hard to overcome self doubt.
So many components need to fit before a player becomes truly successful.
MADMITCH on 22ND JANUARY 2019 4:19 PM
If someone else starts a tune that catches the guys with the loudhailers and drums will join that. I can tell you this because I am in the North Curve. It’s not all that frequent but it does happen.
KTF
It’s all spin, regarding ,a Right Back ,a Centre Half,the supporters know that them 2 positions are the club’s priority’s,but if you think about ,our history on transfer Windows ,it isn’t pretty, loanees, cheap buys , hoping to make a big profit, which has happened,for what no quality players,and if I may add The Shareholders at our club,give the board a easy ride,at the A G M,,has none of them got the guts to stand up to Lawell and Co,and tell them to get the finger out ,or else,also the P R is a joke ,ie what is the update on the Hotel Superstore,Ticket Office,as usual silence.
To the guy with the blog name shared with a war criminal, as pointed out before why dont you and your pals lead off some singing. If the crowd keeps joining in with the GB then its you who is out of step, not them.