You and I often discuss that teams learn lessons from failure; less so from victories. So it was after the League Cup Final in December. Celtic took home the trophy after a penalty kick decider, but whatever plans we had to control events were thoroughly subverted.
Two weeks later, Celtic went to Ibrox with no learning whatsoever from that final. Philippe Clement, who was deep in job-losing form at the time, bossed the battle. It was a chastening experience, one which remains in the memory ahead of Sunday’s game. We need to learn lessons, not only when they are obvious (Dortmund), but also when they are hidden by a result.
No less than Jose Mourinho got it wrong against Alloa’s 11th best manager of the 21st century. This Newco team remain dangerous, they have the muscle memory from their last two games against Celtic and have a sense of grievance over the loss in December. Celtic will need be far better prepared than the last twice we faced them. We will be allowed lots of the ball but will be subject to synchronised presses.
Newco will defend their box, play on the counter and largely live of misplaced passes as Celtic try to build. Whenever they get into the Celtic penalty area, they will crumble to the deck. A grab of a jersey will be magnified (looking at you, Auston) and there will be plenty left on each challenge. In possession, their most potent player is Cerny. Jeffrey Schlupp and Trusty will have the job of showing him down the line. His fondness for cutting inside is almost compulsive.
Your confidence will be fortified by Celtic’s attacking options. Daizen Maeda has thrived against Newco since before his recent run of free scoring form. Newco have no answer to his speed and power. When playing on the left, they doubled up on him, as does every other Scottish club.
Memories of Jota against Newco from his first spell in Glasgow, his goals and the way he controlled play, remain vivid. What’s your favourite, the Scottish Cup semifinal headed goal, the goal when he rounded Allan McGregor and rolled the ball into the empty net, or the deft control and lob over keeper Jon McLaughlin? Your other memory of Jota in these games was how Newco doubled up against the Portuguese winger.
What Newco could not cope with in this season’s League Cup Final was the dribbling of Nicolas Kuhn. The German was Celtic’s fulcrum on the right, scoring what should have been a late winner. Nicolas went into that game favourite for the Player of the Year award; Newco doubled up on him in an attempt to inhibit his craft.
There is a theme to how Newco defend against Maeda, Jota and Kuhn; they double up against each of them, but they have never faced all three in the same game. I am looking forward to seeing how this plays out. Celtic need to move the ball quickly to drag opponents across the field. This will result in misplaced passes; live with it. Passes reach their destination 100% of the time when you slow things down; that outcome would be a poor indicator of our play. This is particularly true of Reo Hatate, he needs our support to misplace the odd one when trying to expose a defensive stucture.
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SAINT STIVS @ 9:29 PM,
Great comment,
Didn’t realise the 800 games coming up, phenomenal experience.
Looking forward to the game tomorrow…
Hail Hail
saint stivs
De Brus…The Man Who Would Be King
Certainly of Norman ancestry, but Robert himself was born in Scotland, and also descended from Scottish Kings (David). Brought the Stewarts/Stuarts into the family, (who were hauding the jaikets) and the Royal Household at the expense of the Macdonalds and the Campbells who stood alongside him at Bannockburn..
SAINT STIVS on 15TH MARCH 2025 10:21 PM
Was the Bruce not really french descendent anyways ?
*Robert de Brus
The Auld Alliance was an alliance between the kingdoms of Scotland and France against England made in 1295, in June 1942, Charles de Gaulle described the alliance between Scotland and France as “the oldest alliance in the world”. He also declared that:
In every combat where for five centuries the destiny of France was at stake, there were always men of Scotland to fight side by side with men of France, and what Frenchmen feel is that no people has ever been more generous than yours with its friendship.
In 1995, celebrations were held in both countries marking the 700th anniversary of the beginning of the alliance.
In the Six Nations Championship, a rugby union tournament played between England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy, the Auld Alliance Trophy is played for when Scotland and France play their match.
After extensive research, British historian Siobhan Talbott concluded that the Auld Alliance had never been formally revoked and that it endured and thrived long after the Acts of Union in 1707 and the Entente Cordiale of 1904.
Nothing taken for granted here in the Brig
Brilliant day for Coatbrigs St Patrick’s festival which has been going for many a year … fair play to Father Sweeney of our own St Patrick’s …
Considering Brendan suffered his defeat at Ibrox (probably trying to keep Flip Flio Celement in situ) I think we will pump the Huns the morra …
Cheats then, cheats now, cheats in the future
Like it or not they are still our main rivals
🍀🍀🍀🍀
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19yU6NAtWF/?mibextid=wwXIfr
I have mentioned before that one of my favourite movies covering the times of Wallace and Bruce is
‘The Outlaw King’ if not only for the case that Chris Pine, has got to be the only actor to have played both Robert Bruce and Captain James Tiberius Kirk. Great little movie though…
Breaking news reaches
With some insider placeman feeding the press.
DEAL AGREED IN PRINCIPLE.
William Wallace now there was a King
Thrown out of the pub Darts team when he signed for Big Jock
Go on Braveheart CSC
The outlaw king is a brilliant film.
Ardal o hanlan was on tonight touring the Irish islands.
Was rathlin island were de bruis was ?
Quite funny though and maybe a not to father ted. Arranmore was describes as being offshore from Donegal.
Aye. It is an island.
AIPPLE- enjoy your trip HH
RANGERS are being sued by a finance firm for up to £2million over an axed deal to offer cash cards to fans.
Reputation Exchange is alleging the Ibrox club reneged on an agreement after it had “invested over 500k’
Who would win the fight
DEAL AGREED IN PRINCIPLE.
v
DUE DILLIGENCE (sic)
And we think we have things to disagree on
Mon the 49ers … Kev the Phrophet … in never a correct way 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
Kev … never liked am version of Celtic the price of the tickets was always his go tooooo
!!BADA BING!! on 15TH MARCH 2025 11:30 PM
That awkward moment when they say we’re litigation free.
Decent chat earlier about momentum going into next season.
I used to believe in it. No longer do.
I think Soapy Souttar scored against Ange’s Celtic to seal the “best record in second half of the season” trophy.
Didn’t translate into a successful next campaign.
These things often don’t.
I don’t know if Celtic will win tomorrow.
I don’t know if Celtic will win at Ibrox in a few weeks time.
I don’t know if Celtic will win the treble.
I do know Celtic WILL win the league.
I do know R2ngers will win the off season … and will be coming again in August.
Aipple- Enjoy tomorrow – I’m sure all NA Bhoys will be feeling just as envious as me. Say Hi to Trish and tell her to keep you out of trouble.
In Dublin Airport waiting on iron bird to Glasgow. 🍀🍀
Gooooood morning all Tim’s across the globe from a 0 degree but dry Garden of God 🙏
I, like all Tim’s, (well ones that support Celtic and our manager) hope that there is a good ole Hunskelping on the way in 6▪︎5 hours, but In all honesty any win will do.
Although I do feel if we win 1-0 or say 2-1 that huns and smsm will be all about huns closing the gap on the park and what an achievement after a sapping game on Thursday.
So now I want 4 or 5 goals against this shower of dross.
They will sit in and snuff out our attacks and launch the ball for counter attacks.
CHAOS BALL as their usual play is.
Ffs my boy is coming up at 9.15am with his Mrs dropping us off at paradise. Feckin lounge doesn’t open to 10am and we are a 5 minute drive away.
I think he is excited y Grandson Riley bhoy will be their as usual with his dad waving some sort of flag down the front shouting on big Sutty or Super Joe for a photo.
I still think we should never have allowed them in unless they done it first, I also hope our Hun Loving board got some sort of cash indemnity up front for any damage caused.
Right my 1st fry up in 1 year on its way.
Have a good day all.
COYBIG
D. :)
Good morning all from Govanhill. Glasgow Airport to pick up Almore soon.
Gerrintaethum Celtic!!!!
Almore
Hope you have a smashing day …
Although getting “picked up” with BRRB … is a journey on its own …. the small doll was the last person he “picked up” so be careful :-)
Am always confident of beating any version of the Huns … not a chance “our” Brendan will lose two on the trot …
Brendan v Bankruot Bazza
If I was a betting man I know who my cash would be on
By the way … as I have said many many times before when Brendan bolted (and he did bolt) I was devastated … but … time … and winning football games for Celtic are far more important than my wee precious feelings …
Brendan heard us calling in the night … (again)
We can all have our moans & groans but anything that improves Celtic is good enough for me …
And
Brendan improves Celtic 🍀🍀
Enjoy today fellow Celts
!!BADA BING!!
Cheers good sir. Like a kid at Christmas I was up at 6:25am. HH!
MNCELT
Here’s hoping to another NA tour this summer. You, me, TEX and others can sing some songs again. HH!
David66
Hope you and all the family have a magic day …
I think Sky pushed for the away fans back at the derby .. nothing to do with Celtic …I sort of agree as I know some fans who follow Celtic everywhere and were gutted when can’t go to the games at Ibrox …
Also think Brendan & the players approve as well …
KT gets it 🍀🍀
Buzzin for him coming back
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/14U25yskPS/?mibextid=wwXIfr
In valley green, or towering crag
Our fathers fought before us
And conquered ‘neath the same old flag
That’s proudly floating o’er us
We’re children of a fighting race
That never yet has known disgrace
And as we march, the foe to face
We’ll chant a soldier’s song
good morning skelpers
Top of the morning bhoys,
It is a fine day for it.
🍀
When I was a bhoy standing at number 10 at the good old jungle.
https://youtu.be/tm6enCt4JuM?si=bxyC5d2ERj-caGWH
Presser
Calmac
https://youtu.be/qZqpGwCwbTg?si=2sekTWiqIbCS2tcW
I feel our full backs will key be well drilled and told to get close and help both Jota and Khun in particular by Brendan today and a key to how we start the match and play fast and use the width of the pitch to stretch Sevco today.
Today’s the day we hopefully take care of newco , this won’t be the easy game a lot of celtic blogs think it will be . There new boss will employ the same alloa tactics as before kick everything that moves . I hope our midfield copes as no protection will be given from McLean . But it’s our defence that I hope puts in a performance , to say we are shaky at the back at times is true . So come on celts get into this mob , today we finish them off hopefully . HH
Just crush them into the grass Celtic
Hard shift today Celts
A lot of work to be getting on with.
Whoever wears the hoops today
Has my full backing and support
Work for each other and us
Go to it Celtic
Go to work
God bless Celtic and all who sail that ship
Hail Hail
Of all the days to have the site keep logging me out.
Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league.
They come from bonnie Scotland, they come from county Cork,
They come from dear old Donegal and even from New York,
From every street in Glasgow they proudly make their way,
To a place called dear old paradise and this is what they say.
Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the scottish football league.
There’s Fallon, Young and Gemmell who proudly wear the green,
There’s Clark, McNeill and Kennedy the best there;s ever been,
Jim Johnstone, Murdoch, Chalmers, John Divers and John Hughes,
And sixty thousand Celtic fans who proudly shout the news.
Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the scottish football league.
Repeat till you see the stadium CSC
Off all the days to have given the White Lightening
*up
Can see Celtic banning the hun hordes after today for good………they will not behave.
Private jet coming into Glasgow just now.
Celtic stirs the blood everywhere.
If you’re born into Celtic – no matter if you become a pauper or a billionaire in later life …
… you can’t shake it.
The players owe it to themselves to show everyone that the new year game was an aberration . I’m confident we won’t see that version of Celtic again .