Just days after The Beating of Barca in 2004 the youthful Celtic chief executive, Peter Lawwell presented teenage sensation, David Marshall, with a new contract, reward for his incredible goalkeeping performances against the Catalans. Having made only a single first team appearance, in a cup game against (then) lower league opponents, David played the second half of the first leg against Ronaldinho & Co, then all of the second leg, without conceding a goal.
It Camp Nou performance was the most remarkable I’ve seen from a keeper. After years looking for a solid performer to make the position his own, it looked like we had a new star.
A year later David had, if anything, regressed. He remained first choice until after the start of season 2005-06 but Artur Boruc, for a while the genuine article, soon replaced him. David was shipped out to Norwich before eventually settling at Cardiff City, where he has built a solid career, but his star never shone as brightly as we expected it to. His Scottish contemporaries, Allan McGregor and Craig Gordon, both overtook him.
It is incredibly hard for a youth player to break into a team like Celtic in a position like goalkeeper, or striker, the pressure to deliver – every time – is so high, we are a whole lot more likely to introduce wingers. The parallels between David Marshall and Tony Watt are remarkable, so far.
From the outside it’s hard to guess what went wrong for David at Celtic. He lost his place at Celtic when he was just 20 and the trajectory of his career was never the same but 20 is still remarkably young for a keeper working at Champions League level. Tony Watt is two years younger than David and he is in the considerably better position of being able to come on as substitute for sections of games, or to drop away for a few weeks, if necessary.
We should expect more fantastic splurges of form from the player but there will be frustrations and dips in form too. He has the skill, speed and strength to make it. With hard work and patience he stands an excellent chance.
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Very excited about this game today.
It is going to be played in front of a large crowd and there is something to play for for both teams. This is the first time in who knows how long that Celtic and Aberdeen have met in November on the same points in the league. Competition increasing crowd size in the SPL – who’d have thought it.
Tweet from the Trust:
Celtic Trust @TheCelticTrust
The vendetta by the police against Celtic fans continues – please contact FAC if you are detained or charged – details to follow.
Quite a few of the team have bee away on international duty, hope the long trips and early start don’t have too much of an impact on them. Lennon will surely get the team fired up for this one.
Come on Celtic.
Indio
A goal for young Watt today would be great, Efe and Charlie with the other ones in a 1 – 3 victory for the Hoops
Indio
Auldheid
09:19 on 17 November, 2012
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
The old cliche: Don`t get mad,get even.
As I read of the victimisation the G.B. feel they have been subjected to,I keep thinking about evidence.
Have they gathered any? Other than anecdotal evidence.
If not,they should start today.
Ideally they should record the incidents of harrassment on video about which they complain.
You Tube is a powerful tool.
A picture etc.etc.
Loved the reminder of Rowan Atkinson.
When that was shown,I had just arrived in Oz.
4-2 win fresh in my memory.
Hail Hail,Auldie.
theweegreenman
10:54 on 17 November, 2012
How many of the GB have been arrested?
Don’t know the figures but this was in their latest statement:
“To put this into perspective, this means that just under 50% of the Green Brigade have either faced, or are facing a police charge/ban from football.”
So no Izaguirre, Rogne, Brown, Forrest, Ledley, Hooper, Stokes or Miku.
The old bill have no mercy on Celtic supporters. Even on early Sunday kick-offs recently ,with no pubs open , a few fans having a quiet can of beer in a secluded spots are being caught by police hit squads that appear out of the “blue” and issue on-the spot fines.
off to watch the game-
MONTHEHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vmhan
Not on much these days , just caught up and saw your news, stay strong and remember the good times . HH
Big Nan
10:42 on 17 November, 2012
Good one.
The inconsistencies will soon catch up with them.
One way or another.
This, from the chairman, on the official site :
[And he was also keen to pay tribute to the contribution of the supporters to the club´s success at home and abroad over recent times.
“The supporters have just been magnificent this year,” said the Chairman. “The key thing is that you have been in sync with the support. If you lose their hearts and minds you are in trouble.
“Peter, in particular, puts in a lot of effort into staying in touch with fans, understanding where they are coming from, making sure they understand what we are striving to achieve.
“They have conducted themselves with dignity, with no little humour. They have been noisy, colourful. They have been great.”]
Well, they need to back this up with action.
Good team …..l’ve got a good feeling about today, and I’m usually right…..
Come on you Bhoys in Green!
Do you think ESPN will actually show the goals from the Barca game ….??…….LOL
Pittodrie nearly a sell-out and the Dons really fancying their chances; bringing back some great memories when the Celts had the Beach End.
new article posted.
bjmac
10:24 on 17 November,
In the Scotland on Sunday article, “private” views were attributed to the force that it was their intention to “‘smash’ the Irish Republican, Marxist Green Brigade
…………………………………
for 125 year celtic have grown despite the will of watp mob
can still remember the 80s when you had to dodge the casuals ,polis OO and huns just to see the celtic play.
and the wrath of my wee mammy if i had been wearing a celtic top in the process -;))))))))
but this was nothing compared to what the irish bhoys had to put up with when 20000 + army with guns and the RUC.
but the CELTIC go marching on……………..67….85….88….98….2001….2003….2008….2011.2012
jam67
miki67
11:26 on 17 November, 2012
==================
That statement is made and around the same time the CST/CSA go public.
Celtic is a body of a number of members and the head often has to act below the radar.
Join the dots.
NorthAntrimBhoy, have you tried going through a proxy? http://www.webproxyuk.com/uk-free-http-proxy
Some of the tackles in the SPL are pathetic……..
Are Celtic actually playing today..? ………LOL
Malc.
No I’ll try that when the match kicks off.
Thanks
Cheltenham 1.55 Galaxy Rock