Having rested nine players from Sunday, last night’s result and performance was inconceivably good. There were several star performers but I thought Anthony Ralston and David Turnbull put in shifts that may go below radar, but were both outstanding.
Callum McGregor made the most of his freedom to move forward to catch the County defence sleeping at a corner kick. The unlikely amount of space he had inside the box was punished with remarkable simplicity.
Giorgos Giakoumakis did what Giorgos Giakoumakis does. He was a handful for the home defence throughout, taking some industrial treatment in the process, but got his goal and could have added more.
Sead Haksabanovicat hasn’t played in 12 weeks and only signed with Celtic a week ago. I did not expect to see him until near the end of September and, during the game, was adamant his was on the subs bench only to help him integrate with the squad.
I am happy to put a caveat before what I’m going to suggest, specifically, this Celtic team could make you or I look good, but what an impressive 15 minutes we saw of him last night. He is direct, can cross and shoot, and was always available. He is a player.
You and I have been doing this stuff on deadline day for a long time. Never have we been so chilled out. Never has the Celtic squad looked so complete. Never have the “just one more player would guarantee the league” brigade been so prosaic. In that time, we have seen a lot of great Celtic teams, several sides that progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League and completed four trebles.
For years, Callum McGregor played more football than any other player on the planet. He coped admirably, but this did his development and longevity in the game no favours.
Oliver Abildgaard is a defensive mid in the peak of his career who may become the third capture from our development club in the east. Whether he arrives or not, you have never seen as comprehensive a Celtic squad.
One more thing, as Columbo used to say. I am very familiar with the precarious finances across the city, which continue to underpin our second successive Generation of Domination. But even I’m surprised at their lack of transfer spend so far this window. Has financial realism finally reached Ibrox after 34 years of havoc?
Let’s not tempt provenance, there are hours left and all this strategic stuff will feel inappropriate if the result doesn’t go our way on Saturday (it will only feel that way), but despite A Europa final, Champions League group stage and all those player sales, this window indicates the depths of their problems.
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Ronaldo should retire now with some dignity. He’s a yard off the pace and has lost his mojo.
Scullybhoy
Nine in a row at Brockville- 1974
Looking forward to meeting some ‘ole haunts’ with my, non playing, return to CQN Golf, tomorrow.
HH
JRS
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e3/af/38/e3af38262d6b574f55fef0b533c6368d.jpg
You bhoys know your history. But this is impossible. Who is scoring their first goal for the Celts?
i dont see CR7 often, i thought the same, he doesnt want to be there
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6a/12/e0/6a12e0af9f8a13c4a8b4d706d4a0a7c7.jpg
Alfie Conn?
Willie Wallace
Scullybhoy…I appreciate that there’s an “if u know yer history” aspect re the photois…but some of us really are too young ;-))
auldbasturtsCSC
H.H.
May Jim Beattie rip,brave fight.
https://twitter.com/Celticcurio/status/1565442957775446018?t=INHfXg2a3IH8LquSBUlIeg&s=19
HH
Not Alfie nor Willie – sorry bhoys.
Kenny Dalglish
SCULLYBHOY on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2022 10:08 PM
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e3/af/38/e3af38262d6b574f55fef0b533c6368d.jpg
You bhoys know your history. But this is impossible. Who is scoring their first goal for the Celts?
Harry Hood
When he had more hair
Lou Macari?
TheLurkinTim on 1st September 2022 10:38 pm
Scullybhoy…I appreciate that there’s an “if u know yer history” aspect re the photois…but some of us really are too young ;-))
auldbasturtsCSC
H.H.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Today of all days, I know all about the passage of time for men.
My best years as a Celt were those innocent times of watching black and white TV. Of listening with my father to a radio the size of a large suitcase (which for some reason was place at the top of a ladder in the attic?).
Many games – 1970 semi V Leeds was waiting for the score to appear on the news bulletin. Strange yet exciting times. I suppose putting up those pics is me being selfish – reliving my childhood through this blog. Oh well, the Celts gave me some of my (and me and my Dad the best and worst times of our lives).
Big clue regards the goalscorer.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/78/79/09/7879095b7230447e127e180ad9affe4c.jpg
ziggydoc1 on 1st September 2022 10:47 pm
Lou Macari?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Well done my friend!
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/e6/10/da/e610daa86ab296151ab6a72e9ecae4d9.jpg
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
When and why?
Have the huns bought… or rather, brought in anyone since qualifying for the group stages? If not, I find that extremely strange.
We’d probably need to go back to the late 60s before we had so many attacking options. Quite incredible.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/8f/98/4b/8f984b617b17ffe91aabe1fe6d2071b9.jpg
Now I am finally deffo off. But, as Elvis said, If I can dream.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-pP_dCenJA
Maestro thought it was his last game throwing his shirt into the Jungle. Move to Italy later fell through
Time for bed
bournesouprecipe on 1st September 2022 10:56 pm
Maestro thought it was his last game throwing his shirt into the Jungle. Move to Italy later fell through
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This blog is addictive. Just won the title in Centenary season.
HH
Liam Shaw on loan to Morecambe
Any info on the training center up at Barrowfield,seen on you tube the indoor pitch transformed into a fitness area ,impressed with it .
The atmosphere on FF is pretty subdued to be polite. Confused as well.
I am trying to think what their strategy could be and why so ruthless in releasing nothing for Gio post cl qualification.
I am sensing they are thinking we may have 2 outright qualifiers next season for cl and so winning the league is not essential financially but it would be a great bonus.
Their fans are paying like crazy for the CL and they will obv be paying down the debt / equity outstanding.
There are few more cash calls they need to make from their fans for another 9 months.
A wee bit of rabble rousing and the dafties will pay up again then. Even if we have won a treble. If they actually do derail us in any comps this year then it is a bonus.
Scullybhoy….memories that evoke response can never be selfish…mibbe am just jealous ;-))
H.H.
BURNLEY78 on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2022 11:00 PM
Ive been watching all day – I think they’re all still in denial. They can’t compute that qualifying for the champions league doesnt mean the end of the journey and a return to the glory days of lording it over Timmy
Beat them on Saturday it’ll turn nasty
I think Ange has done for them. Our start to the season and our Summer signings have shown we’re too good for the gamble to make sense anymore.
ZIGGYDOC1
Sevco aren’t Rainjurz , they are in the real world now where they don’t have an untapped line to the bank for money that doesn’t need to be paid back.
CELTIC40ME on 1ST SEPTEMBER 2022 11:11 PM
I think Ange has done for them. Our start to the season and our Summer signings have shown we’re too good for the gamble to make sense anymore.
>>>>>
I agree completely with your view but I wouldn’t credit thems with that amount of self awareness. I wonder if it is FFP restrictions looming, or some other self interest motivation that is driving them.
They have never shown self restraint before, with respect to gambling.
To make it worse,reports Lawrence could be out for 6 weeks.
Pyoor rage over on Hun blog
Celtic 40 me
You might be right.
It really will be a winter of discontent for them if the next 2 or 3 weeks go the wrong way.
They have bought their blue and orange tops. They have paid in full for the season books. They have paid through the nose for CL and the reward is a weaker squad than the previous season.
Where has all the Seville money gone indeed.
Ollie signed.
It’s official.
Turkey
He was the one I thought might give them something different. He will miss 4 Co games and Herts Celtic and Dons away ties.
Tillman is much vaunted but will flatter to deceive. Colak ? Not sure yet if he is the real deal.
Not much else imo. Davies and Arfueld Tavenier Goodson holding them together.
Maybe not.
Any news if we have signed the Dane yet or is it just a loan or even that yet ?
Looks like we’re leaving Oliver Abildgaard till the drama peaks round about midnight.
I think as others have posted today a loan deal in name only, the farewells seem to suggest he’s leaving permanently.
Huns thinking they are off the hook re losing Kamara may need to think again because the French league has a wildcard rule allowing one player to be signed the day after the deadline.
That could be hilarious.