The off-field histrionics that a visit to Tynecastle invariably brings is of little interest today. For now, don’t really care about the history of this fixture or the disposition of the natives. Such matters pale into insignificance beside the three points on offer to the team who have won 14 consecutive games in domestic football, a run that extends back to October.
Neil Lennon and his players will let others worry about life’s dramas, the likely influence of Hearts fifth winding-up order, served this week, the “political situation” that has a bearing on Hearts team selection, or even the 2-0 defeat at the same venue four months ago. They will instead focus on how to deliver a disciplined performance against a team who have recorded unlikely highs and lows this season.
10-man Hearts put five goals past St Mirren last month but were lucky to leave Tynecastle with a draw against 10-man St Johnstone at the weekend after Cillian Sheridan ran them ragged. They are neck-and-neck with St Johnstone in the league, both of whom have slipped six points behind Motherwell in the chase for what may yet become a Champions League spot.
The biggest decision for Neil Lennon may be in defence. Celtic have lost only two league goals in their last nine outings (they lost 12 in the previous nine), which has been crucial in their push to the top of the league. This has seen opportunities for now-fit Kelvin Wilson limited. Kelvin played a full 90 minutes in the Scottish Cup against Inverness on Saturday and will give the manager a decision to make.
Happy Birthday to Martin42, 70 years of refusing to take life too seriously. A win tonight would give us a better birthday reference point than the cold and miserable night at Celtic Park 12 years ago.
You can order a hard copy of issue 6 of CQN Magazine with credit/debit card or Paypal and buy direct from the UK for only £3.50 + £1.50 postage and packing. Shipping costs £2 to ROI, £3 to Europe and £4 to the rest of the known universe. Click on the link below to order.
Click here to view the new issue of CQN Magazine online for free. You can support the online edition by making a discretionary donation here.
443 Comments- Pages:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 12
- »
podium
Come on Celtic
I’d like to thank….
Have I missed anything this morning?
JJ
….apart from a podium?
3 points and away.
this is our hardest away game after the deathstar.
Come one Celts
TOM McLAUGHIN
Delighted to see you back posting over the last few days.
I hope your recovery goes well,and that you’re back to your usual obstreperous self in no time!
I just do not see Hearts living with Celtic tonight. They are a poor team, in poor form and a club in complete disarray.
Celtic will molocate them, no problem.
Hearts 0-4 Celtic
Hail Hail
Happy birthday Martin 42. You share the same birthday as my grandson who is 7 today.
There are many reasons to beat this mob tonight. It will be a great three points.
Curse of the new article strikes again!
Celtic haven’t been as fluid as they were earlier in the season. The natives will be hostile and their team will revert to Rangers tactics protected by the MIB. If we get out of there with 3 points I will be delighted.
Hopefully a 2-0 victory no injuries and no red cards.
Hope all fans attending get home safe too. This is the most dangerous ground in Scotland to visit especially with an evening kick off.
LB
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS –
Thanks mate.
Mon the Celts. 3 points is all that matters.
Top 20 it is then ….:-)
Take care fans. This could be very nasty tonight.
On the pitch, start well, score first and win. Just win.
Paul – Aren’t we going for 16 domestic wins in a row tonight? I noticed a couple of weeks ago too, you were saying we had won one less than was being reported everywhere else. Am I missing something?
14/1 Brown first goal with Coral. Great bet!
I have doubled him with 2-0. No odds for that here in Engerland but hopefully when I step off the plane in Edinburgh tonight we are half way there.
2-0 11/2
LB
Paddy Gallagher says:
8 February, 2012 at 11:12
My turn for the ‘jockey club bet this week’ thinking of going for Celtic minus 1 goal tonight 2/1 and more than 2.5 goals 11/10.
Anybody think it’s a bad idea?
——————————-
Paddy,
I hope you are aware that you would not be able to do this bet as a ‘double’. They would be regarded as having a related contingency. You could only do them as completely separate single bets.
Good Luck.
Tom McLaughlin.
CQN Bookclub
Strange thing,I was given a Kindle as a present at Christmas.The first thing I did was put the old classics on to it.I am at present reading The Old Curiosity Shop,There. Is something about the language in these books that is missing in the present day ones,or am I getting old.Good Health to you.Hail Hail
I don’t read a great deal, however a mate has given me a book which he say’s is amust read.
The Forgotten Highlander – Alistair Urquhart.
Any crits please?
Extraordinary, do Rangers still exist? I’ve wiped them from the list already.
Sorry if its posted before, according to Joe O Rourke from the CSA:
”There have been some information coming my way about a possible infiltration of the Celtic section tonight by people who are not celtic supporters. These people apparently are going to cause as much trouble as they can; with the hope that the bad press reaction will be about Celtic supporters. I really don’t know how true this story is; but i would warn all our fans to be very careful. I would suggest if you have concerns about anybody; then contact the nearest Steward; or Police Officer.
As we all know we will get a very hostile reception tonight from the brethren of the east; let’s show them what a real passionate support looks and sounds like.
There are as usual serious problems surrounding Tynecastle regarding traffic and access for supporters; below is some information which you may find helpful; it came from Ronnie Hawthorn; Celtic’s Head of Operation’s; i have made him aware of the other information about potential trouble makers”.
Hahaha. Good answer, Paul.
Afternoon bhoys, cold, but the sun is out on the hun free mountain.
Paul67
Never an easy game at swincastle.
IMO one of two things will happen tonight,
It will be a tight game that will be influenced by the officials.
Or we will blow them away.
In Lenny I trust.
Almost never post these days, am just a dedicated lurker now.
(Mostly because I never really have anything worthwhile to add to the discussions)
But simply HAD to pop in to say….. Happy Birthday to Martin42!!!
Hope you have a great day (and night) Martin.
StevieS
Paul67 says:
8 February, 2012 at 12:13
Extraordinary, do Rangers still exist? I’ve wiped them from the list already.
Please tell me it’s imminent!
LB
Many Happy Returns ,Martin.
GCT.
Interesting to see your choice of reading.( big books)
Once you start on War and Peace, then you can safely say that you are on the road to a full recovery!
****
Biggest danger tonight is Collum.
A prerequisite for a referee is, a) Know the Rules and, b) to officiate without Fear or Favour.
Whatever about the former, Willie has proved less than capable of applying the latter.
Concentrate Celtic – 3 points is all that matters!
Take care in Gorgie bhoys – they really are a horrible bunch. Dare I say it – worse than the full fats IMO.
Hail Hail
Tombola
Happy Birthday Martin42, and also a happy birthday to my oul fell, 81 today, and heading to the Wolfe Tone Bar in Letterkenny for tonight’s game
Paul67
If we keep the head and 11 players on the park we will win by a couple of goals. That said, I am sure Gollum has been advised how poor his decisions were on Sunday regarding dangerous tackles and persistent fouling, so will be out to prove a point.
HH
With Templeton injured I’d go with the same starting 11 as Saturday at ICT. Had he been playing I would have went for more pace at LB (Izzy or Adam) rather than Mulgrew. Stokes, Forrest and Brozek on the bench if needed (but i don’t think they will be)
3-0 to the good guys
Forster
Matthews Rogne Wilson Mulgrew
Brown Wanyama Ledley Commons
Hooper Samaras
Subs Zaluska Izzaguirre Forrest Stokes Brozek Majstorovic McGeoch
Martin42, I hope you have a wonderful birthday.
Ronnie
Happy Birthday Martin 42, three points would be a great gift for you!!
SP
Extraordinary says:
8 February, 2012 at 12:11
I also think we already have 15 domestic wins in a row and have gone 19 games undefeated.
If we take Europe into the mix then we have had 9 wins in a row and have gone 12 undefeated.
Extraordinary –
You are correct.
Celtic have won their last 15 domestic games, made up of 12 SPL games, 2 Scottish Cup and 1 League Cup.
We have gone 19 domestic games unbeaten – 15 SPL, 2 Scottish Cup, 2 League Cup.
“…what may yet become a Champions League spot”
Nice, one, Paul!
Many happy returns Martin 42.
draw will do win will do
pls dont lose hoops