Hearts v Celtic, Live updates
636
Share.
Trending
- Season will be a battle from now on
- Missing defenders when the squad is light
- Disrupting a leaky defence can make things worse
- DERBY DELIGHT: THE 4-GOAL CUP FINAL ROMP – 55 YEARS AGO
- RODGERS HINTS AT MAEDA QUICKFIRE RETURN
- TITLE FEVER: CELTIC BIG SHOT MAKES IT 4-IN-A-ROW
- ‘EVERYTHING’S IN OUR HANDS,’ RODGERS’ RALLYING CALL
- ‘SPRINT OVER THAT FINISHING LINE,’ CELT TARGETS GRANDSTAND FINALE
- THE DAY BIG JOCK BANNED A LISBON HERO
- FORGOTTEN CELT COULD HOLD TITLE KEY
- CELTIC ROCK’S RALLYING CALL
- HAMPDEN WIN ECLIPSED LISBON, INSISTS CELTIC GREAT
- BIG JOCK, CAESAR – AND THE DAY CELTIC PROVED THEY COULD BE WINNERS
- CONFIRMED: BEATON IN CHARGE
- ‘DEAD RIGHT,’ SCALES ADMITS CONCERN
- ‘I’LL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE,’ VOWS HART
- TITLE FEVER: HAIL THE CENTENARY CELTS
- Celtic Players Will Be Hoping To Make A Difference For Scotland At Euros
- Defending, drama, confidence and Polaris
- ‘SURVIVE AND ADVANCE,’ CELT REVEALS MANTRA
- TITLE FEVER: NAKAMURA AND THE FREEWAY TO SUCCESS
- TITLE FEVER: BURNS’ NIGHT AT TANNADICE
- ALEX’S ANGLE: HAND IN HAND WITH AN HONOURABLE MAN
- BILLY REMEMBERED: THE LAST HURRAH
- BILLY REMEMBERED: SIR ALEX FERGUSON
- BILLY REMEMBERED: DENIS LAW
636 Comments- Pages:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 17
- »
C.O.Y.B.I.G.
Cmon the Hoops
Hail Hail troops
Just to say, I thought John Kennedy spoke extremely well at the presser today. Impressed with the young man.
Now let’s get intae these people!
Mon Lenny let’s get off to a winning start !! HH !!
Tonight we’ll miss the nimbleness in tackle of McGregor and Christie. So what will the Brown and Bitton combination bring? I don’t know but can’t wait to see.
The bench is a bit longer get on midfielders should any of them get injured. But Ajer could move in there if required.
Eddie and Timo to come on and make telling contributions is all I’m going to predict.
A bit longer get = light
Mon the Hooooops.
Lenny fire them up.
HH
D. :)
What’s wrong with Simunovic?
Good evening, friends.
Not focused on tonight? Spent most of my day here in San Agustin (Gran Cansria) focusing on how best to catch the game when dinners booked for 7.30! So it’ll be phone off and no social media from then till 11 when I catch the game on catch up on a special site I subscribe too! Only downside is making sure I stay awake till 1am so just on my first beer now!
We are 2 wins away from a Treble Treble. HH
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan on 27th February 2019 6:29 pm
From the last article.
Excellent piece – Mo Chara I hope I never P you off.
On to tonight COYBIG.
Did Sky sport just say Leicester interested in KT?
Earsplayingtricks CSC
Good Evening.
So Brendan Rodgers has gone to a club that he is prepared to give his life for and in so doing he advised the fans of Leicester City FC that (a) he was in no rush to leave Celtic but (b) he had taken the club as far as he could in his opinion.
As paul has said in his earlier leader, the first part of his statement is empty rhetoric. However sub clause (a) is a straightforward lie while part (b) is absolutely correct.
What is interesting is if you analyse these three statements in reverse order.
There is no doubt that BR has taken Celtic as far as he can. A 100% record in domestic competition cannot be beaten. It may well be repeated but it will not be bettered and given that the League Cup is already in the Trophy Room all that lies ahead is a repetition of what has been achieved before. With an eight point lead in the league, you would have to say that Celtic are strong favourites for the league again, and we are nearing the business end of the Scottish Cup with every reason to be positive about returning to Hampden and emerging victorious.
However, a slip up in the league, or a failure to retain the twice won cup, would undoubtedly see a slipping of the Rodgers Halo in and around the East end of Glasgow.
The fact that a treble treble has never been even thought of before, let alone achieved, should have been enough incentive for a real Celtic man to pull out all the stops to achieve this – as such an achievement would have placed him among the Celtic Gods.
If he had won the league but not the cup he would still have been a Celtic legend but his reputation elsehwere may not have been quite so intact.
If there was a slip in both league and cup, then again he would still be regarded as having achieved something special at Celtic Park but the reputation would have been tarnished both in the east end and elsewhere — especially given his history of “slip ups” at Liverpool.
League failure may only have been a small risk — but it was a risk all the same.
So, having come this far what is the ambitious stock phrase manager to do?
The answer is to take no risks with your personal standing at all, and so you run. Run as fast as you can while your stock away from Celtic Park is as high as it is going to be. Run and stop for no one. Not for the players you have coached and certainly improved, not for the fans who have chanted your name and applauded almost every move, not for the board who backed you to start with but rightly had concerns about certain aspects of your transfer vision, and certainly not for the owners and shareholders who backed you with cash and for whom you have undoubtedly been very good in financial terms. So good, that had you announced you were leaving after a three year stint they would not have stood in your way especially if you continued to deliver success and allowed them to plan for the future,
But no, having reached the conclusion that he had taken the club as far as he himself was prepared to envision and risk, Brendan Rodgers ran.
Whatsmore, unlike others, I believe Brendan Rodgers not only ran but he actually fought his way out of the Celtic Park door to a club that is an absolutely perfect fit for him.
With no disrespect to Leicester it is a club which presents little risk for Rodgers, delivers a cracking pay day and puts him in the market for a bigger and richer job eventually as long as he doesn’t get found out tactically. The decision to go there in particular is as cold and calculated as can be and if I were advising BR, and had his apparent singular mindest in mind, I would have encouraged him to go.
Why? Because of the following:
1. It is a club with an owner and a fanbase who do not realistically expect to win a league despite the miracle performed by the tinker man a couple of years ago. Therefore success is being better than other also rans. That is not the standard at Celtic albeit in a lesser league.
2. Success in a cup means a good cup run which might mean a semi final or final, or even an outside chance of winning at Wembley on the day on a knock out, one off, basis. Such ambition does not spell success at Celtic.
3. Most inportantly, European Football for Leicester is a goal in intself, no matter what the level, and in reality there is little chance that he will be exposed year in year out in Europe as he was at Celtic Park. And yes, it is in Europe where Brendan Rodgers was exposed as a manager who either could not, or would not, change his tactics to achieve success, or even leave his team in with a puncher’s chance of success, against richer and better equipped opponents.
Another year of deploying the same tactics in Europe and falling short would result in the Rodgers European level reputation being further tarnished.
In Salzburg I was told that, under Brendan, Celtic were viewed abroad as an automatic 3 points at home and a good chance of at least one point at Celtic Park. That has never been the case under previous managers who made Celtic Park a fortress.
Further, any examination of tactics will show that in European games we allowed opponents to face the ball and our goal for almost 90 minutes in every game. Whether they pressed or not, whether they counter attacked or not, we allowed better Europeans to face forward and never turned them.
Jock Stein used to talk about making an opposing team turn by either running at them and past them a la Jimmy Johnstone and Bobby Lennox, or by passing through them (if you could) or by passing over them and behind them (so taking out their midfieldand forcing them to turn) with your fast forward men running forward and on to the ball. If the opposing team has been turned and have their back to your goal then they cannot score against you from that position. If you are running forward and heading towards their goal you are looking to score while they are not and cannot.
Even Jack Charlton, as manager of The Republic of Ireland, and with many players who were less skillful than those of the opposing team, turned the opposition constantly by at times playing the ball into “The channels” and allowing his players to battle in the opposition half.
But that was not the Brendan way and it was never going to be his way despite his tactics resulting in regular defeats, some of which were heavy, and which came to be expected within European Football.
By leaving now, Brendan allows the myth to continue that such defeats are just a symptom of where Celtic is in the European pecking order as opposed to allowing room for the notion that such results are more to do with Rodgers and his coaching abilities as opposed to the potential that lies within the club to win in European Ties provided the right tactics are applied.
At the end of the day Brendan Rodgers is a quitter. He is someone who looks to build his own legend and his reputation which he will not risk for whichever club employs him and whatever players play under him.
There is no doubt that he is a very good coach and that he has the ability to make young players play better and to establish themselves in top class football.
I have no doubt that in the summer he will look north in an attempt to bolster his new club, although he may find that some at Leicester simply view players within the SPFL as inferior beings who they need not bother with given the money they have available to them in the transfer market.
When it comes to inferior beings, whether of the football variety or otherwise, Brendan Rodgers may just be in a league of his own.
Meanwhile, Celtic will always be Celtic – prepared to play our best, try our best and give of our best both off and on the park no matter who the opposition might be.
I have every confidence that now that Brendan has chosen to move on as fast as Usain Bolt, we can move on, enhance our squad and be successful both at home and in the European theatre.
It is in CELTIC we trust!
HH
BRTH
Looking at that team and having missed the game on Saturday, how are we lining up in midfield?
Heard good things about young Henderson.
If he can shine tonight in a game like this then he is ready.
TONTINE TIM on 27TH FEBRUARY 2019 6:38 PM
The Big Mhan NOT an alleged born and bred Celtic supporter once said “Cups are not won by individuals, but by men in a team who put their club before personal prestige.” This from a mhan that on leaving the park when playing for Albion Rovers used tae ask how the boys got on the day, not the bhoys I hasten to add.
When the word broke on Monday night he was leaving there was a lot of disbelief on here and then yesterday when it became official the PL haters were in their glory, actually reveling in a Celtic trauma.
However, not other Celtic sites felt the same, the word roger hunt was in competition with rat tae describe him, in fact there was a poll that indicated 9% partial legend and 91% cee u next Thursday, now these are not PL lovers, in fact some had a go at him as well but the now defrocked blessed brendan has upset the support like I’ve not seen since a wee striker who made the sign of the cross against deidco on being ejected fae the field double crossed (nae pun intended) us and actually signed for a team that despises and prohibits that act of faith.
Yesterday having been out most of the day I came home tae watch an EPL game, I had previously chose Huddersfield/Wolves as I particularly like both working class clubs, but chose tae view Leicester, a club I also actually like, instead.
The site of the European failure manager walking round the park at the beginning with his blue, possibly new club, tie was gut wrenching and then when they scored and was seen in the stands with that big phony grin clapping was enough for the channel tae be changed.
In the cold light of the day, actually it was 4:00 am on a snowy morning, I had some quiet time tae analyse what had actually happened, a lot of different stories out there BTW.
Before MON came here from ironically middle of the road Leicester he already had accumulated a Football League First Division play-offs victory and 2 Football League Cups as well as 8 Premier League Manager of the Year awards, he was a winner.
BR had 1 Football League Championship play-off victory that was it until he came to us and then reversed MON’s route by going backwards.
Now we all know the alleged Celtic fan won a slew of honours with us but let’s be honest that was in a one horse race. His European record is diabolical and a huge embarrassment to a once proud club.
Now I was in management for years and I’m well aware of KPI’s and all the perks that can come with achieving them, I also know the detriment of not.
naesurname was one of the most successful hun managers of all time, 7 titles, 3 SC and LCs but he failed miserably at the trophy bader coveted most, the Big Cup, in his 6 years in charge he spent over £50m, of OPM, on transfer fees, more than any other club in the uk over the same period.
On their way tae a crooked tiat they spent another £13m on eight new players. However they were ousted out of both European tournaments in the opening rounds, by lowly Gothenburg and Strasbourg respectively so in October of that year it was announced he would leave deidco at the end of the season. As a result they lost the league tae us on the final day and then a week later the icing on the cake the SC tae the calvinists at Parkheid.
So what’s not tae say that part of the worst performing European manager we have ever had KPI was progress in Europe, after more dismal showings could he have been told that his jaiket was on a shoogly peg and he jumped before he was pushed.
Finally for all you iscarriot lovers out there he tried tae gut our backroom staff including coaches, sports scientists and data analysis as he left, thankfully good Celtic mhen like Stevie Woods and big JFK told him tae GTF. Celtic mhan my Irish language.
Mon The Hoops
Neil Francis Lennon CSC
Well so some of us say that we are focused on Tynecastle and others are still dissecting the last manager.
Either-way- it does not matter. We are internet bams and keyboard warriors.
The only ones that count now are the manager, coaches and 14 players who need to win this for us. I am sure a few of them have been distracted this past 24 hours but, once they hit Tynecastle and get their game face on, all those thoughts will leave them.
Tynecastle is a hard enough place to win 3 points but nothing else is or can be expected tonight. Anything less offers hope to the chasing pack.
I trust Leny, Broony, KT and the other leaders in that team to set the example. I trust our flair players to be given room to and ball enough times to do damage.
I trust we will all have something to celebrate in 2 hours time
Worried about the lack of physicality and dig in that team.
Lets hope Sinclair and Forrest are at it, otherwise they become passengers.
Play at the top of our game we’ll win regardless.
C’mon Celtic, please get the job done.
I hope the feckin grass isn’t too long.
BRTAH
V.G.
Credit where credits due .
HH
3 Pts tnite
Well written BRTH,
Articulated my feelings excellently.
Any win tonight. Broonie to be magnificent.
Eurochamps67
Sky stichin mode…
Incase anybody wanting to know the line up Bain; Toljan, Boyata, Ajer, Tierney; Brown, Bitton, Forrest, Henderson, Sinclair; Burke.
Subs: Gordon, Lustig, Hendry, Hayes, Weah, Johnston, Edouard
Sky turning into a Brendan love fest. They have yet to talk about the game!!
I hope Lenny puts big Samaras on to run at them in the second half.
Ah, memories!
Good luck tonight Celtic.
COYBIG.
Some say the devil is dead, the devil is dead, the devil is dead.
And moved away to Leicester.
D. :)
Is lenny in dugout ?
why we not starting Eduard? he’s the only guy to hold the ball up – nae happy with that line up
Just tuned in to Celtic tv and had a look at Killie v Celtic reserve game.
And Karamoko Dembele was sensational.
Looked strong and skillful and only a brilliant save and crossbar stopped him scoring.
There was atypical ref incident where he beat 3 guys in box but the foul went against him even though he had possession.
BRTH – excellent piece.
Just found out…cheers
Hello again all you young rebels.
Thats me up and ready to rock and roll, thoughts of the
moonlighter deserting us are gone, it’s now time for the next phase
of this fantastic club and wonderful supporters to pull together and
complete the eight.
COYBIG.
H.H Mick
Can’t see us changing game plan at all. Still enough to pump the diets if we are on our game. If not we will see if JK has a plan B.
What a blog to get on
I got into the Valencia game easier!
COYBIG
The Rodgers episode gets put to bed now. Everyone has to man their post now. Get three points and a win in Saturday and we’re flying. Big rebuild in the summer is in the horizon but a game at a time now has to be the attitude. I’m expecting a statement from the players tonight on the field.
My friends in Celtic,
The shock and anger has worn off. Even the cringe factor of Brendan Rodgers interview has subsided The logical choice of interim manager has to be NFL.
I hope the fire and thunder will still be there , but is channelled correctly and as Neil himself states, maturely. If he succeeds in the bigger picture the job should be his, however the fans need to be patient and not demand instant success
HH COYBIG.
We are all Neil Francis Lennon…come on the Celtic…
BRTH …awfy braw …I wis fairly scunnered yesterday ….
feeling the burn noo…
smiley let us show the world what the green and white is all about thing
Braw
Please win it Celtic.