The script was written for Jota to come off the bench on his return after 18 months and score in a Celtic win. His last kick of the ball for Celtic before departing was to put us 3-1 ahead of Inverness Caley Thistle in the Scottish Cup Final.
Adam Idah seems to have flicked a switch, returning to form from last term, while Daizen Maeda sparkled throughout, including when he played through the middle.
None of that moves the dial, however. If Celtic do not sign a striker today they are undeniably taking a risk with the second half of the season. There remains a Kyogo shaped hole in the squad. Over to you, Brendan, Michael.
340 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- »
From jobo
*SENTINEL CELTS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2024-25*
*RESULTS FROM GAME #37 MOTHERWELL 1 CELTIC 3 (MAEDA, IDAH, JOTA)*
Good evening, friends.
A game where we played well enough in the first half but much better in the second and where one injury time moment elevated our happiness an extra notch.
Calum McGregor played his 500th game for Celtic whilst Daizen Maeda notched up his 100th and within 52 seconds opened the scoring with a Larssonesque header back across goal. Daizen is having his best season yet for us and now sits joint top of the goalscoring charts.
Celtic were comfortable without being dazzling. But some slack play in the 22nd minute saw Motherwell draw level. As the cross came into the box Carter-Vickers jumped to head and was clearly pushed by Armstrong. The ball then bounced off Trusty’s shin and Armstrong slotted it into the net. The push on CCV was soft but that’s all it needed to be to stop him getting the ball. A clear foul for me but not for the VAR.
But a few minutes later and Celtic regained the lead. Good link up play on the left saw Yang feed Hatate. Reo’s first touch played in Taylor who’s first touch crossed to Idah who’s first touch found the net. A great goal and we had our half time lead.
The second half was one way traffic towards the Motherwell goal. Twice we thought we had increased our lead but both were disallowed for very close offside calls. Adam Idah also managed a fine spin and shot but the effort came back off the post.
On the 74th minute there was an incident that I haven’t since seen anyone comment on. Engels was challenged and fell to the ground expecting a foul and so deliberately grabbed the ball. The referee disagreed and gave a foul to Motherwell for handball. It was clearly deliberate so why wasn’t Arne booked?
In the final 25 minutes Celtic made the usual substitutions including the one most of us were eagerly awaiting – Jota returned in the 65th minute, starting on the right but later moving to the left. He was equally capable on either side and, to me, didn’t look that rusty. Hopefully up to full fitness in the next 2-3 weeks.
With the game in it’s dying seconds we suddenly got our moment of the day. Engels played a fine path into Maeda and Daizen spotted Jota coming in on the far side. A great pass across the 6 yard box and Jota finished to the absolute delight of our travelling fans. And, of course he did THAT celebration. A moment that was written in the stars.
We have now played 37 games this season, winning 27, drawing 7 and losing 3. We have scored 99 and conceded 33 (domestically it’s 86-19 and in Europe it’s 13-14). Thank you so much to the 87 who voted this time around – the highest turnout since we defeated RB Leipzig back in early November. The total votes cast for each player are as follows, with my own nominations asterisked.
Schmeichel: 0
Ralston: 1
Carter-Vickers: 0
Trusty: 0
Taylor*: 21
McGregor: 1
McCowan: 7
Hatate*: 28
Kuhn: 2
Idah: 72
Maeda*: 84
Engels: 0
Jota: 38
Yang: 0
Scales: 0
Bernardo: 0
And so, the players receiving POINTS for the game against Motherwell are –
Maeda – 5 points
Idah – 4 points
Jota – 3 points
Hatate – 2 points
Taylor – 1 point
And the overall positions after 37 games played are –
58 points – Kuhn
49 points – Maeda
46 points – Hatate
45 points – Schmeichel
43 points – Engels, McGregor
41 points – Bernardo, Scales
31 points – Trusty
24 points – Kyogo
23 points – Carter-Vickers, Johnston A, McCowan
20 points – Taylor
19 points – Valle
14 points – Idah
7 points – O’Riley
4 points – Forrest, Yang
3 points – Jota, Welsh
0 points – Cummings, Holm, Johnston M., Kenny, Murray, Nawrocki, Palma, Ralston, Turley
*GOALSCORERS 2024-25*
I was asked to include a summary of our goalscorers for the season. I won’t do this after every game, but I’ll update it when we score another 10 (or so) goals.
*Goalscorers table*
16 – Kuhn, Maeda
12 – Kyogo
11– Idah
7 – Engels, Hatate, McGregor
5 – McCowan
4 – Johnston A
3 – Bernardo, Scales
1 – Carter-Vickers, Jota, Ralston, Taylor, Trusty, Yang
2 Own Goals
Total Goals – 99
Next up is a run of 4 home games in a row and I can’t remember when that last happened? We start with our rearranged league game against Dundee, postponed from last weekend. Kick off is 7.45pm on Wednesday evening. Hopefully someone scores our 100th goal before 8.30pm!
Hail Hail!
So,Keiran Tierney,Jota,and Schlupp are” Blanks”.
B,bbbbut I wanted some good players in.
Anyone who fell for the Dannny Ings to Celtic story,is,in the words of the immortal. Inspector Clousseau” A fil”
Take the snib off the windae .
If Brendan is happy, then I am happy.
Surprised we haven’t brought in a jobbing EPL squad forward. What’s Carlton Cole up,to this weather?
Hopefully gives Johnny Kenny a chance to show what he can do.
When do the free agent rumours begin?
Celtic Football Club – A club like no other.
There are 60,000 lights on – but there’s nobody in.
Please arrive early for the disco lights display.
Test
So with Kyogo, Valle and Welsh gone from the CL squad, does that mean Jota, Kenny and Schluup in?
Danny Ings just took a shot from the halfway line, having seen the keeper off his line.
It went out for a throw.
Two ways of looking at signing Schlupp…
It’s a last-gasp deadline day grab for an ageing EPL utility player.
Or, it’s Brendan bringing in a weapon he has managed, trusts and has been linked with/pursuing in several previous transfer windaes, with Tisdale and Pleat’s agreement.
I think he looks a decent, experienced addition.
Carlton Cole gives you length.
We have a signing/selling policy the envy of many and for good reason.
God bless our Caretakers. Let’s keep the boot on the throat of der Hun, ad infinitum.
Ave Ave
Who signed James Mccarthy on a 4 year deal.
Gene
That was on Dom Mackay’s watch.
Maybe one reason why it was a short one.
B78
I thought managers signed players
GENE
💥
White smoke ……
..
..
Kenny going back to Shamrock Rovers is latest rumour
Lawwell only on the trip for some Duty Free obviously….
Schlupp medical completed
Still think one more name.
That said, I live in ‘merica now so a um an eejit.
OK.
Any free agents out there we can still swoop in for in next few days? Like Willian to Fulham?
“Makes you think we ripped apart a recruitment system wrongly assuming we could employ equivalents. This is how it goes now.” Paul on X tonight.
Guess we know tomorrow’s blog pitch.
Some will agree, some won’t.
It will be a brilliant season regardless
that looks like it. we hope and pray that our 2nd choice striker Adam doesn’t get injured then.
(Paul was responding to craig@craigcelt about the lack of a plan to replace Kyogo).
It would be great for Johnny Kenny and Shamrock Rovers if he came back to Dublin
I’m repeating this question from yesterday.
Has Kieran Tierney officially signed a pre contract agreement?
TT
Oh well, seems like an anti-climax…..
Based on Rodgers interview yesterday. The board have not backed his ambition. I’m disgusted with them! They are basically dismissing the Bayern games as defeat with a “what’s the point” attitude.
Disgusting! 2 rumoured strikers of quality went to Middlesbrough and West Brom.
We will have enough for the season but qualifying for next round of champs league is where our ambition ends. With 100 mil in the bank it reeks of board bonus grab
AIPPLE on 3RD FEBRUARY 2025 10:37 PM
Still think one more name.
That said, I live in ‘merica now so a um an eejit.
‐————————
Howdy Aipple, how u holdin up amongst the majority fascists?
Ave Ave
Here we go…….
Good night all.
Login
Celtic Only Bring Wan In, As Transfer Windae Slams Schlupp !
DailyRager RSC
Schlupp John B it is then…
Underwhelmed
As a matter of interest, does anyone know when was the last window which resulted in a deficit in trading?
We were told that a lot of work was going on in the background regarding recruitment….We have been lied to