Craig Gordon
I think we all have a desire to be generous to Craig for a couple of reasons: as Ronny said, without him, we would not have gotten through the group stage, and we are due him some support after he spoiled his copy in the first leg. He returned to form last night, made several fine saves, but we would expect him to make all of them.
He also contributed a truly exceptional save from an offside attempt.
Adam Matthews and Emilio Izaguirre
Neither full back was as productive in the final third as they were a week ago, but that would have been a consequence of a different game plan, and the numerical disadvantage. There is a tendency to criticise our full backs, especially Izzie, for bombing forward and leaving gaps at the back, but this is their role in the team. It’s up to someone else to provide cover. We’re as strong at full back as I’ve known us.
Virgil van Dijk, Jason Denayer and Efe Ambrose
For two want-away players, this tie was a big stage. Virgil didn’t give a good account of himself. The first booking last night was incorrect. He stopped the player but played the ball and his challenge was never dangerous. Scouts watching his second yellow will have recorded that he made a very bad decision which ultimately cost his team. The referee had a nightmare, but the second yellow was a correct decision.
Jason and Efe played well. There was one moment Efe failed to follow a player in the box but Craig Gordon saved. Jason was comfortable throughout. If he wants a morality tale on what could happen if he returns to Manchester City, he should look no further than his team-mate up front.
Nir Bitton
The scouts who were there to watch Virgil would have left with a notebook full of comments about Nir Bitton. At Murrayfield against Legia, Nir was part of a midfield which included Mulgrew, McGregor and Johansen. It was an abject team performance and the Israeli bore much of the brunt of criticism.
Here’s the thing: I’m beginning to think he’s our best player. He could have played in any of the Champions League games I’ve watched this week, Sign him up, Peter.
Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong, Stefan Johansen
A major reason last season’s European campaign was such a write-off was the absence of Scott Brown following his rush-of-blood red card and three game suspension. We need players with the ability and engine of Scott and Stefan, both must be a nightmare to play against.
Stuart Armstrong looks like he has been playing in this Celtic team for years. He’s fitted in very well and already looks like an automatic choice. Wait to see what he’s like after 6 months.
Gary Mackay-Stevens
I couldn’t believe the innate criticism of Ronny after the game on BT Sport for subbing Gary, who was our best player until that point, after the red card. When you are early in the game, away from home in the San Siro, it is a perfectly acceptable tactic to sacrifice a wide player (Gary was our only out-and-out wide player) for a defender or covering midfielder.
We didn’t win the game, but anyone who asserts that we would have won the game by leaving a wide player on in place of a covering midfielder or defender, is stretching credulity. The tactics chosen kept the game alive until the 88th minute, albeit the break required didn’t materialise.
When he was on the field, Gary won the ball in a central position, ripped 60 yards through Inter, before finding a team-mate. He looked to be revelling in the space and opportunity given to him.
John Guidetti, James Forrest, Chris Commons
This was a hard shift for all three. John could have had a penalty but thereafter found himself on his bum too often. He is a player who has not progressed as hoped under Ronny, yet, and has a lot of work to do between now and the end of the season.
James has not returned to his blistering performances from a couple of years ago, when he was clearly our M.V.P. As his limbs mature his speed and injury record could go either way. He’ll be with us for another few years, so Celtic have time to build resilience into those leg muscles and nerves.
Kris came on with 13 minutes left and used his unerring goal-sonar to squeeze an attempt out of the meagre provisions he had. He also appears to have updated the referee on what an incompetent clown he is at the end of the game.
This was the first of seven European away games we failed to score in this season, but the reasons we’re out of Europe all lie in what happened last week. You cannot make goalkeeping and defensive mistakes like that and remain in Europe, nor can you pass up so many clear-cut chances.
Don’t know where to start on the flare last night. I fear the next decision from Uefa will be more than a fine.
Thanks to everyone who donated to our Mary’s Meals school kitchen appeal yesterday while entering the ticket competition. The winner was informed by email a few moments ago, so check your inbox.
If you need tickets for the CQN St Patrick’s Dinner, with a Q&A with Packy Bonner, Joe Miller, Tommy Coyne and Tom Boyd, Archie Macpherson speaking about Jock Stein, and music from Patricia Ferns, let me know, celticquicknews@gmail.com
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gordon_j backing neil lennon
10:21 on 28 February, 2015
Papers this morning talking up Aberdeen to a ridiculous level. Seems like we have no chance tomorrow! They must have missed our winning run and our performances against Inter.
——-
At least the SMSM are talking up a Scottish club other than the dead one.
Kickinthenakas
I’ll take 2 cup final tix off your hands buddy
MWD said AYE
Celtic’s appeal against the pyro charge is based on the grounds that ‘we are being treated differently’
johnreid CSC
BSR
Think I could get a job at Celtic park representing them at all these appeals. 8))
jimbo67
I hope you stay well clear of the black dog.
HH
yorkbhoy,
True I suppose. We do need a challenge and Aberdeen look the only ones likely to come close.
BT
Send your name in ;-)
eddieinkirkmichael
01:53 on 28 February, 2015
Someone, he knows who he is, came up to me prior to the Hamilton game and said he enjoyed my posts recently.
I was truely taken aback as I thought most people just scrolled past my posts.
He was on about my posts re my finding my faith again, to be honest I felt a bit uncomfortable about this and changed the subject to talk about a young girl I had met who was homeless.
Over the last few days I’ve been thinking about why I found it so hard to admit that I now believe there is a god.
For a long time I believed that there wasn’t a god, if there was then he wouldn’t have taken my eldest daughter from me. I hated this world. The greed and everyone for themselves struck a cord with me. F##k you all. I can live by those rules.
But I couldn’t, no matter how hard I tried to be a bast##d in life I just wasn’t that kind of guy.
I’m no angel, I have been involved in things I wish I hadn’d.
For about a year now I’ve had a feeling that something was missing in my life. I thought maybe it was my marraige and if we spilt up it would be good for both of us.
I made plans to move into a flat and was about to tell Isobel that she should start to make plans for the future without me.
Out of the blue a guy I hadn’t heard from for yrs called me and asked if I was interested in volunteering with a project for homelesss people in Glasgow city centre.
Those that know me know what happend next.
This blog has helped me come to terms with the past. Some of the posters have made me examine my conscience and make amends for the mistakes I made.
I can’t explaine why I now get comfort being in a church and praying. I can feel something that is hard to explaine in words.
Have I regained my faith? I don’t know what’s happeming but I feel more positive about the future and that can’t be a bad thing.
____________________________________________________
I can’t even imagine how it would be to lose a child. Eddie, we are all His children.
Unless the wee mans fitba gets called off, it looks like we will miss this game. :(
Eddie, God Bless and let Him strengthen you even more.
Dubaibhoy-Ur they still deid?
09:51 on
28 February, 2015
I think wee Jamesie suffers from the Tiger Woods syndrome. Since he got caught wi his boaby hingin oot, it’s been all downhill.
Hee hee hee hee hee.Very good.
JIMBO67
You know the score,mate. Gimme a call when you feel like it. Meantime,kick the dog that bit you!
Hail hail,a true Tim. You’ve been a friend to many on here through good and bad. We do payback,you know!
Loving the Aberdeen challenge.Much sweeter when we win.
If anyone is into historical fiction I would recommend Restoration by Rose Tremain (a fantastic English writer).
The book features Robert Merivel, a man with a heart of gold – packed with comedy and a beautifully crafted novel. I am convinced that Robert would be a Celtic fan.
Just thought I would share..
16thC CSC
Sad news from Drambowiecelt and Midfield Maestro on the loss of their Dads.
May they Rest in Peace.
Gerry
Really miffed wi you lot. Does no-one read my posts?
Or did none of you know that Jock Stein didn’t win a treble in his first season?
Anyway-point is,Alfie Noakes failed to pick that up.
What a surprise…
Just been in the TO bhoys and ghirls. Only single tickets left for tomorrow . Looking like a 50k tomorrow. Armageddon ma erchie
Hopefully a big crowd tomorrow will turn up the heat at CP both on and off field……chankin last Sunday!!
Jimbo67 enjoy the hiatus and stay chilled.
Regarding the media bugging up aberdeen? I have no issue with it in that it’s good that the game tomorrow is generating such interest. I would love to believe that the median campaign was to big up the scottish league etc.
Unfortunately it’s just down to their racist hatred of what they see as the enemy…..
Drambowiecelt,
Terence is home now.
That phrase “it’s nice to be nice”.
Superb.
BMCUW
Big jock won treble in his first full season yes but he also won the Scottish cup in the season prior to that as he was appointed mid season
Pedantic.com
That’s why I like appeals.
Midfield Maestro –
You are so right about the value of family. It began to hit me when I was lying in a Gold Coast hospital after cancer surgery.
Then when my brother back in Scotland was diagnosed with a terminal illness, I really started to consider my own future. I spent 3 weeks with him, basically saying goodbye. I returned to Australia with a breaking heart. I was back in Scotland within a month for his funeral, I was surrounded by family and on the flight back to Australia I knew my time there was coming to an end and within days I had resigned from my job and was busily planning my permanent return to Scotland.
I have no regrets. I spent 10 great years there and it was a fantastic experience, but cannot match going to the pub and Celtic Park with my sons.
I have an old friend from primary school travelling up from London today and a few of us are meeting up for the game tomorrow, followed by a Glasgow pub crawl and a Curry. I haven’t seen him for about 18 years.
My parents are both in their late 80s. My father is still alert if frail, but my mother has dementia and is a shadow of the proud and sharp-witted woman who raised 5 bhoys and worked her fingers to the bone. Having had to bury 3 of her 5 sons didn’t help her state of mind. It breaks me up every time I see her, but I prefer that to being 10,000 miles away and not being able to see her.
So yes, you are spot on about treasuring our families while we can.
God bless your old dad. I know you are very proud of him.
Drambuie Celt –
Condolences on your sad loss. May your dear father rest in peace.
Kickinthenakas Where are you going I,m off to Marbella on the 8th will also miss CQN11 and the Cup Final – bad planning! Cannot change Mrs Hebcelts plans of some months or my birthday!!Hail Hail Hebcelt
My friends in Celtic,
Reading back over the last few days we have been discussing the curse of sectarianism and general connotations about religion itself.
Events over the last week or so have forced me to have a re-think.
Basically; warped interpretation of various religions make headlines, but true everyday religion in practise do not.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of Mick TT and drambowiecelt.
If I may I will put a few thoughts in print :-
My wife’s mother was buried last week. The family were prepared for and accepted this. She had lived a fruitful and valued life since coming from South Uist as a young woman, raising a family and working as a nurse. She had witnessed the joy of her grand-children, and it was her time.
The funeral mass at St Andrews Bearsden was a lovely send off. The parish priest was simply amazing ( as was the Co-Op ), showing genuine warmth, love and compassion to all. He made everyone extremely welcome, and at ease and there was absolutely no judgements or distinctions made.
This is the unheard story of what true religion is about.
It also made me think and evaluate about how so many can derive comfort from their religion.
If I am home I go to midnight mass once a year, and I think I am doing well. Recent events have made me think that my religion should form part of my daily life and not be ,as the old saying goes Just for Christmas.
HH to all, regardless of those with faith and those who have none.
Condolences to Midfield Maestro& Drambowiecelt
HH
tom mclaughlin
10:47 on 28 February, 2015
Lovely post, enjoy your beers & curry the morra (& hopefully 3pts)
Hail Hail
Hebcelt
Between Torremolinos and Benalmadena. 10 day soirée…
Kikinthenakas
Rangers won the Scottish Cup after a replay in 1966, Jock Stein’s first full season.
@Greenpinata
Lovely post. Lovely sentiments. I hear ya. God Bless all mums and dads x
Morning all.
Still unhappy at what happened on Thursday, but life goes on.
Very proud of the players and the management team.
Bring on the sheep.
Btw, big Jock did not win the treble in his first full season but a League and League Cup double. Made up for it the following season.
HH!!
Kickinthenakas I,m just down the road from you, at Elviria got a timeshare at the Marriott,maybe bump into you!! Hail Hail Hebcelt
My mum was a Glaswegian lass of Irish immigrant parents. She was a clever girl graduating from the University with a Maths degree in the mid ’60’s. She married my father in her early 20’s and they formed a partnership that spanned the Glasgow divide. She was from an Irish Catholic background and he from a Scottish, Protestant background. They moved away from Glasgow to avoid the inevitable.
My dad died in 1981 aged 32. I don’t want to go into how he went. Anyway, by that stage she was 34 and diagnosed with breast cancer. We lived as a single parent family, 4 kids, with the threat of a return of the cancer, over us for 20 years.
She was a devout Catholic and derived huge strength from her faith. We were all brough up in the faith and my sister and brother especially are devout.
My 2 cents worth..
I sometimes like to delve into a bit of nostalgia, and look at a season from my youth.
Winning the first of nine in a row in 66 was a landmark in Celtic’s history but the season’s end brought me my first heartbreak, and a double one at that, in the space of one week.
We played Liverpool off the park, winning 1-0 at home in the Cup winners cup semi, but lost 2-0 at Anfield on April 16. Lennox had a legitimate goal ruled out in the last minute which would have put us through to meet Dortmund at Hampden. Hard to believe now but the ref actually sent a letter of apology to CP and it was printed in the Celtic View. We would have been favourites at Hampden too, so I remember the pain I felt.
The following Saturday it was the Cup final v Rfc 1872. Again, by far the better side but 0-0. Wednesday 23rd April was the second heartbreaker. Oldco soaked up Celtic pressure and won 1-0. Even as an 11 year old I felt every bit as sick that night than I ever would. This was a Celtic team with even greater fire power than the Lisbon Lions. Joe McBride is second only to Larsson in my book, an old fashioned goal machine, deadly finisher from anywhere. He would have been fourth or fifth name on the team sheet in Lisbon.
Anyway years later a mate said to me that he reckoned the Liverpool defeat was a blessing. If we’d have won the CWC in 66 we might not have won the big cup in 67.
It has to be remembered that Celtic went into the EC 66-67 as long shots. (If anyone has the odds at the start I’d be interested in seeing them). So by not getting to Hampden in 66 we went into the next season under the European radar.
Of course it could well have been the case that Celtic won even more European trophies on the back of it, we were that good anyway, but we’ll never know.
As for losing to Rfc 1872, well they wouldn’t win another league for nine years and that was with a very decent side for five or six of those.
I think the events of April 66 only served to harden Stein’s resolve. The big man knew his youngish team where reaching another level and he’d make sure they made up for those bitter disappointments, and then some.
Stein would put his main rivals to the sword, while planting the seed with would eventually destroy them 46 years later. As for Europe, well he’d beat Liverpool and every other English club to the big prize.
Hindsight is wonderful, but if I could change events of April 1966 I wouldn’t.
It’s too dangerous to tamper with the course of history. Pain then but unparalleled glory thirteen months later.
HH
Big Ramon Vega on the soccer am sofa
Eddieinkirkmichael (1.53), justafan (7.05) and jamesgang (7.48 )
Thanks for Your moving and honest stories this morning led me to remember a book I read in the early ‘70s by a Jesuit called Fr John Powell. The name of the book was – Why am I afraid to tell you that I love you. In it he recounts a moment in his teaching career at an American University when he had short encounter with the student in his class whom he refers to as the class atheist.
On the final day of their last year at the Uni. The class were doing and exam. As the class atheist presented his final exam papers, he enquired of the priest, “Will I ever find God?” In what appeared to be a curt manner, Powell reply, “No” as the student walked away. Powell then said, “But He will find you”. By this time the student was exiting the room for the final time. Later that day Father Powell began to regret the manner in which he had replied and it lingered in his mind for many years.
One morning, a few years after the incident, there was a knock on the door of Father Powell’s office and on opening it he saw a gaunt, sickly looking young man standing before him.”You don’t remember me, Father, do you? I am that class atheist of a number of years back.”
Powell was absolutely delighted to be reunited with the young man if only to have the opportunity to set the record straight. But before the priest could say anything, the young man recalled that moment and said that he had actually heard all that the priest had said to him. He then went on to state that a few months previously he had been informed that he had only months to live.
After a period of denial and anger at his situation, he began to take stock of his life and realised that to end his days in anger and bitterness was not what he wanted. So he went back home to be reconciled with his family. As he spoke to each of them and placed his situation before them, he also told each of them, beginning with his parents and then his brothers and sisters that he loved them. Despite their sadness this gesture held the family together in the days ahead.
Now he had come to Father Powell to make his last farewell, to apologise for the hard times he had given him in lectures. But above all, he had returned to tell the priest that God had found him.
Marrakesh Express,
I remember those times well, especially the Liverpool game at Celtic Park. We were a great team then; Joe McBride to me made the Lisbon Lions. His goal scoring (he is the best I have seen in a Celtic jersey, bar none) gave the whole team confidence, a confidence I see reflected in our current team. We are on our way to great things.
Drambowiecelt, lovely sentiments about your dad. He sounds like he was a real character and lead a life full of experiences. Hold on to the good memories and given time the pain will hopefully ease.
Midfield Maestro, condolences on your loss also.
On a cheerier note, we are seeing progress and let’s look forward to a good game and hopefully a great performance/ victory against the Dons.
Marrakesh
I had the joy of playing golf with Joe McBride when we where in Drogheda for a Celtic night
When asked about his goalscoring he said it was natural and that he didn’t need to think about it, just hit it when it came to you, the more you thought about it the harder it became.
Our eastercraigs manager old Bill Livingstone said the same, football is a simple game so don’t over complicate it
Both men now sadly departed
Celtic won the quadruple in 1967……..we beat Thistle in the Glasgow Cup Final !
Heard that more Feyenoord fans were intending heading to Celtic Park tomorrow,but it seems some of them have been held up in Rome for a few months