We are often told that Celtic are under pressure to win every game. This is an accepted exaggeration when it comes to European football, but for few other occasions. When the teams were announced at 11.45 yesterday, the Scottish Cup quarterfinal about to take place was one of those exceptions.
A squad already depleted by injuries at an historic level, were without captain Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney. Last season, a brutal stamp on Reo Hatate at Pittodrie put the player out of the Cup Final 10 days later and arguably denied Celtic the trophy; history threatened to repeat itself with Kieran.
Martin O’Neill made two big calls with his selection. He disrupted central defence, to put Liam Scales at left back, instead of starting Marcelo Saracchi. Even when Kieran plays, Marcelo often makes a substitute appearance. Despite making six substitutions, Marcelo stayed on the bench, which is telling about Martin’s gameplan.
Playing Liam left gave Celtic three tall central defenders on the field. Newco threw high balls into the Celtic area all day, which the defence and keeper coped with throughout. It got to the point that when the home side won one of their many a corner kicks, Celtic fans relaxed in the knowledge we would be in possession 30 seconds later.
Luke McCowan was given the responsibility to fill-in for Callum McGregor in the No. 6 role. Luke is not a No. 6. He got caught in possession while trying to turn with the ball early on and was discouraged from trying again for the rest of the match.
I have been running a discrete campaign for Reo to play deeper. He has the control and physicality to hold off an opponent, turn and link play in that most dangerous of positions. If Callum is missing next week, play Reo at 6.
With central mid and the left side robbed of players in natural positions, Celtic failed to progress the ball with any consistency throughout the 120 minutes. Julian Araujo occasionally had possession on the right, but space soon closed up.
The emotional flow of the game was interesting. I wanted to get in level at halftime, hoping things would improve after a rejig. It got worse. Again, I hoped extra-time would bring about an impetus, but when that aspiration was clearly not being met, the mood shifted. The realisation dawned that Newco could play all day and would never score, Celtic were waiting for the Big Chance, and if that did not arrive, were happy to take it to penalties.
Dane Murray shook-off his injury to play the final 60 minutes and presented more evidence of his potential. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaced McCowan and provided a degree of control missing earlier in the game. Paulo Bernardo contributed most from our six substitutes. Why have we not seen more of him?
It took an injury to Kasper Schmeichel for Viljami Sinisalo to get his chance. Selecting old players until they disintegrate on the field is how clubs spoil young talent. We got lucky to see Viljami’s ability before we ruined him and saw him leave for a disappointing career. Develop him.
After the draw at Ibrox in the league, I wrote, “In less than a week we have a Scottish Cup game that will be decided on the day. Without significant revision of our penalty strategy, we had better hope to win within 120 minutes.” Our penalties were unrecognisably good. Butland, who had saved all five he faced this season and eight from his last nine in normal play, seemed to lose confidence after his antics at the first penalty, from Oxlade-Chamberlain, was answered with a Penenka.
The legend of this game will be told years from now. Carter-Vickers, Jota, Schmeichel, KT, McGregor, Johnston, Osmand and Engels all out injured. If the entire squad was fit, seven from that list would start. When discussed, someone will say, “Ben Arthur made his fourth start in senior football” and few will believe it. It all sounds too unlikely.
Tired and broken, our second team, and then some from the third team, fought with the familiar hallmarks of a Martin O’Neill side. Look at the body language in the above photo. The team on the right have common purpose, those on the left stand alone.
After the confidence-sapping influence of Honda Civic Man, the disastrous Nancy experiment and the energy-sapping atmosphere that surrounded the players when he came back in January, Martin inspired a togetherness and sense of purpose that is astonishing. We are watching an elite operator work his magic at an age many consider beyond normal economic life. Watch and learn. The later decades are for living.
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The narrative has been set, it has been written.
Feck ’em.
We shall not be moved.
EuroChamps67 R.I.P 🇮🇪
Sinisalo also looks like he will save penalties, very unfortunate not to save the two that were actually on target.
Monday 9th March
I have left this rather late tonight and it is cold. The priest Fr Murphy was in. I had a discussion with him on the situation. He said he enjoyed our talk and was somewhat enlightened, when he was leaving.
On the subject of priests, I received a small note from a Fr S. C. from Tralee, Kerry, and some holy pictures of Our Lady. The thought touched me. If it is the same man, I recall him giving a lecture to us in Cage 11 some years ago on the right to lift arms in defence of the freedom of one’s occupied and oppressed nation. Preaching to the converted he was, but it all helps.
It is my birthday and the boys are having a sing-song for me, bless their hearts. I braved it to the door, at their request, to make a bit of a speech, for what it was worth. I wrote to several friends today including Bernie and my mother. I feel all right and my weight is 60 kgs.
I always keep thinking of James Connolly, and the great calm and dignity that he showed right to his very end, his courage and resolve. Perhaps I am biased, because there have been thousands like him but Connolly has always been the man that I looked up to.
I always have tremendous feeling for Liam Mellowes as well; and for the present leadership of the Republican Movement, and a confidence in them that they will always remain undaunted and unchanged. And again, dare I forget the Irish people of today, and the risen people of the past, they too hold a special place in my heart.
Well, I have gotten by twenty-seven years, so that is something. I may die, but the Republic of 1916 will never die. Onward to the Republic and liberation of our people.
Rope a Dope!
Let’s get the statement out and condemn our players and staff getting assaulted once again at Ibrox.
Let’s lift the bans and get Celtic Park up to full capacity and noise for a very important match on Saturday.
Celtic first. Park the egos.
Haha, a very good point about “the later decades.” and spending them enjoying a fulfilling life.
I wasn’t much bothered about yesterday until a Celt very much in his later decades set me straight about the importance any sort of victory could be for the rest of the season. The scenes at full time said it all.
Years ago I contacted Strathclyde Police regarding the huns sectarian chants at a Celtic game and their response mentioned “the practical difficulties when literally thousands of people (Rangers fans) join in a particular song or chant”. I contacted the SFA informing them that Strathclyde Police admitted that large numbers of Rangers fans were singing banned songs and there were public order concerns about policing this problem and that appropriate action should be taken against the offending fans club by the SFA. They never replied, and there lies the problem.
Largely good piece.
Not many have praised Seb Tounekti for his goal-line intervention; let me be among the few.
Bravo Sebastian !
I was enjoying your balanced article Paul until your puzzlingly petty resentment shone thru again.
A gratuitous attack; the usual subject.
Mr so-called Confidence-Sapper has led his new charges to a 14-match unbeaten streak and elevating them into the top four.
Who’d win out between a confidence sapper and a happy clapper ?
TimPetty CSC
Today’s worming muzak theme
:-))
https://youtu.be/5Z8N9TTvKeQ?feature=shared
Any word on kt or Cal?
HH
MoN said Calmac was rested as a precaution as he was feeling something at Pittodrie that may be related to an injury last season.
KT should be back at the weekend.
Interestingly, although the media are trying to pin part of the blame on us, one sliver of news that has emerged (but largely been buried) is that the American owners are appalled by the hun fans’ behaviour. They will have seen some of our guys spill on to celebrate, and then being attacked by far-right thugs in ski masks and gangs of New York insignia running the full length of the pitch (or trying to) and assaulting our staff. They must be regretting the decision to invest in a toxic brand I suspect…
Elated today after that. Few victories over the huns have given me comparable satisfaction. Decimated by injuries to our best players and in the teeth of that vitriol, the players stood up to everything, backed by a magnificent support. Celtic at their finest. Even when we had the square root of zero up front.
The huns recognise the significance of their failure too.
Word of wee neds running the turnstiles without tickets pissed me off. As Darren on Celtic Fans TV rightly observed, they’re just selfish immature little shits. Also, stay off the park. Ban a few of these self-entitled idiots for life pour encourager les autres.
I did laugh at the onion bears’ reaction though. What a riddy that crowd if no-marks are.
PLB
We don’t agree on lots but I totally agree with all of your post there.
QUADROPHENIAN on 9TH MARCH 2026 12:15 PM
For whatever reason, everywhere he’s been, but particularly at Celtic his teams are highly motivated for 18 months or so but then seem to drop off.
From January to when he left last year there was a clear problem with confidence and motivation that worsened to the point where the majority of our fans wanted him to go.
Happy St. Frances of Rome Day!
Petition:
One Celtic. Back our Board, Manager, Players and Charity.
https://c.org/kC24nkswRn
Ave Ave
Martin is an elite motivator. Of that there is no doubt.
The ‘Honda civic’ man was an elite coach proven by the number of trophies won, players developed, dembele o’riley Kuhn etc. even scales.
Yesterday we couldn’t keep the ball. Couldn’t string three passes together. Couldn’t create anything. Never in 60 years of watching Celtic have we gone 120 minutes without a single shot at goal of any description. And that’s a very poor rangers team.
Our drop off in under a year has been absolutely astonishing. That is why we are in a competitive league. We are barely better than the sheep Livvy and Kilmarnock.
Yet still with our hosts cheap digs at Rodgers he clearly still thinks he is to blame for the drop off when all he did was complain about the lack of ambition.
Well that lack of ambition came home to roost yesterday. Yes we won the spot kick lottery. But let’s not kid ourselves. That was an atrocious watch from an extremely poorly coached side if indeed we are coached at all.
Fans trying to gain entry without tickets should surprise no one. There was clearly a significant failure in police checks enroute to the stadium to ensure only fans with tickets got anywhere near the stadium – Basic policing for any significant match in the UK or Europe.
Several significant police failures yesterday. We’re fortunate that none of our staff were harmed.
Barrach Obampot @ 11:54 am
Brilliant result yesterday by Martin and the Bhoys.
It’s not so much the hope that kills them but not paying their taxes.
——-
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Only a matter of time before we got back to real full-fat old firmery I suppose. And with extra sugar. Makes you wonder if 2012 actually happened, or maybe it was just the holding company after all….
Well, who wouldn’t gladly take an annual Kairat Almaty-style European humiliation to ensure this turgid low-ambition nonsense!
I’m sure the world-class managers will be firing in their CVs right now……..
I wouldn’t be too paranoid about the media coverage but the BBC’s treatment of the trouble at the end is disgusting.
If you didn’t realy follow fooball, you would think it was all the Celtic fans’ fault.
No photos or commentary on the balaclava clad thugs running more than half the pitch.
A bit like the Lennon/McCoist business in 2009 – totaly distorted.
Hoop hoop Hooray on 9th March 2026 12:44 pm
Yesterday was all about the win and MoN can justifiably claim the result vindicated the tactics.
We clearly can’t repeat that again this season. It was very much a one off.
We now need to create chances and score goals or Hearts will win this league.
I think we have found a top class GK,Hatate work rate yesterday was unbelievable, Mvuka is the worst player i have seen in the hoops
Seems there’s a meeting this week to see if GB will be allowed back in,not sure if yesterday will have an effect on the outcome.
The SFA should have closed Ibrox years ago.
The repeated attacks on players and staff has passed without any punishment. SFA also turned a blind eye to the glass in Joe Harts 6 yard box.
The SFA have aided and abetted yesterday , emboldening the thugs who attacked a coach and an attempted kick on Aroujo. This has been happening with zero Celtic fans in Ibrox stadium—- it’s in their DNA with multiple incidents in Scotland and a litany across Europe from Manchester to Barcelona.
Celtic now need to show leadership and conviction and set the narrative.
We cannot allow their fans into Celtic Park starting with the post split fixture. Furthermore we need to ask the SFA for the games at Ibrox to be played behind closed doors for the Ibrox supporters….cataloging the various incidents.
The Police also need to explain how they got the security horribly wrong especially with their track record of taking defeat badly. The stewards are not trained to deal with the rioters —- starting with equipment, capability, training etc
Why were the Police not close by and nip this in the bud quickly.
In MON we trust; KTF !!!
Bada Bing today was planned.
Hopefully, it can bring a truce and help MON & Players — they need bit of help they can get to have any chance of winning the league.
If the cup final in May or Augusts trip to Ibrox is anything to go by Honda Civic man wouldnt have got a result yesterday or last Sunday.
Much worse opposition, much worse managers but we still never looked like getting much from either game
HOOP HOOP HOORAY
Bang on the money; don’t know why he does it — it’s hatred and it’s is eating him up inside.
He should chill and let it go , in 2 , 5 , 20 years time who gives a monkeys.
My mind naturally went back to our most recent penalty shootouts yesterday. In the final and in August we looked underprepared, nervy and poorly motivated
Yesterday it was the opposite. Much credit needs to go to the management team, if it was a plan it was well-prepared for but Shaun’s motivational speech before it must have had a profound impact. All the players were pumped up but calm, whereas theres seemed to be swamped by the seriousness of the moment.
the Bada Bing on 9th March 2026 12:49 pm
I think we have found a top class GK,Hatate work rate yesterday was unbelievable, Mvuka is the worst player i have seen in the hoops
____
Another positive this year, has been Donovan and recently, Murray. Also thought Bernardo did well yesterday. We might still need him.
An Dun
I passed through 3 checks prior to the turnstile. Are you saying you passed none ?
Sadly if entitled Neds are hell bent on creating chaos and abusing significant inexperienced law enforcement officers with aggressive threatening behaviour then folk will get through.
Back in the day there were experienced regional police forces used to dealing with these games and our own fans had a level of self policing.
Today we have coked up scum who have only their own selfish interests at heart.
It got to the point that when the home side won one of their many a corner kicks, Celtic fans relaxed in the knowledge we would be in possession 30 seconds later.
Cannae say that i was one of them!
Paul 67,
Your comment about our goalkeeper is absolutely spot on.
Imo, Sinisalo was easily Man of the match.
HH.
Yesterday’s Scottish Cup Quarter Final victory was the last of four consecutive away games in three different competitions. Three wins and one draw tells you all you need to know about the ability of Martin & Co, and about the spirit and resilience of our Celtic players to compete in every one of those games. The result of which is that Celtic are not only still in with the chance of the Double, but of being SPL Champions for the Fifth time in a row. So well done all who took part yesterday, including every player who came on as a substitutes.
Veni Vidi Vici
An Dun
I hasten to add that group were not representative of most in the Broomloan. Far from it in my view.
Most backed the team to the hilt.
B78 & PLB earlier.
Ordinarily I’d reply 100% alignment with your views.
Think I’ll largely pause this time around …
… while the inevitable condemnation of Celtic fans for various high crimes they didn’t commit plays out.
Not aware of any turnstile hopping.
Expected or not, it shouldn’t happen. Poor.
(Taking personal responsibility for your actions and all that. Education with some carrot and stick will take longer and is one for later)
The guys who ran onto the pitch?
Naughty, daft, bit selfish … but doesn’t merit 30 years hard labour.
The precedent for acceptability was set at Rugby Park in 2019.
That precedent was, bizarrely, twisted further less than a year ago when a R2ngers player deliberately sprayed Celtic fans with water … and got away with it.
The SFA can spout all it wants, but you reap what you sow.
And the SFA sowed acceptance of these kinds of misdemeanours because of who committed them first.
Interestingly, unlike the 2016 Scottish Cup Final
… when the Traynor led
“get the narrative out in the first 10 minutes”
playbook was first deployed so blatantly …
(DEFLECT, DEFLECT, DEFLECT, DEFLECT !!!!)
… the Blue Broadcasting Corporation couldn’t run with the “all our players and coaches were attacked on the pitch” line this time around.
The reason?
The video evidence will out … and it will show the complete opposite.
An Dun
I also don’t disagree there were many police failings.
Inexperience of such a fixture now after 6 years without it and the whole Police Scotland thing is one issue.