Before we get into some proper reflections on yesterday’s game, can we pay a moment’s respect to the passing of the careers of Steven Davis and Jermain Defoe, who respectively spent 15 and 20 years in professional football. I know we will all wish them the very best on their lives after football – starting today.
Without a word of a lie, when I sat down to write this, I had to go back and confirm that Glen Kamara started the game. Scott Brown has seen them come and go in his 12 years at Celtic. When any of them win against the champions, he’s often the man opponents delight at getting the better off. Kamara did just that on social media in May after the Ibrox club’s win over Celtic. You could set your watch for Scott dominating the former Dundee player. Yesterday, Kamara looked like what he is, a £50k signing who cannot cast a shadow on the Celtic captain.
On Friday we talked about the bedwetters who were worried about the challenge from Newco this season. They added a load of duds, mostly free transfers, to a squad that won nothing and they had people, who should have known better, worried about the Treble Treble winners facing them. Newco signed 10 players this summer, 10 PLAYERS!! Nine of them were not good enough to get into that pathetic starting line up. Gerrard has not signed playing assets, he’s added financial liabilities!
I don’t remember the last time we saw such a makeshift Celtic defence start a big game. Jozo Simunovic and Kris Ajer both failed late fitness tests. Hatem Elhamed missed the previous three games through injury, and had only made five appearances for Celtic, but he was patched up and played at right back. His fellow Israeli, Nir Bitton (new contract please), was asked to fill in at central defence alongside Christopher Jullien. The latter is beginning to look like a £7m euro bargain.
Newco fans thought they would rip Boli Bolingoli apart (perhaps they had CQN comments pages). Boli absolutely bossed the left flank. On several occasions, he took an extra touch under pressure, showing the kind of composure you get from someone who turns up ‘ready’, as Oldco were fond of saying. He and Christopher Jullien are yet to experience defeat at Celtic.
Defending well will get you a point, but if you want to win a game, you need to put the ball in the net. With 32 minutes gone, Celtic were well on top, but the game needed a chance. Fortunately, Newco defender Connor Goldson (soon to be found playing golf at the weekend with Davis and Defoe) was in possession to play an immaculate pass onto the toe of Mikey Johnston. Mikey took the ball from the halfway line before releasing Odsonne Edouard. From that moment, the whole of Ibrox knew the outcome. The French striker closed in on goal before slipping the ball below the keeper. We have so many match winners just waiting for an opening.
You, me and just about everyone else criticised Neil Lennon for his tactics against Cluj, but what a masterclass from the Lurgan Lion yesterday. He sent players into a hostile environment with a coolness not seen in Glasgow, since Barry White last crooned into the microphone around these parts. We dominated the game, could easily have scored more, and did not concede a chance worthy of the name.
The front four: Odsonne Edouard, James Forrest, Ryan Christie and Mikey Johnston were scintillating. Olivier Ntcham was at his incisive best when he replaced James. He linked with Odsonne and Johnny Hayes to create the clinching second goal. I have been critical of Olivier, but when he turns up, he is unplayable.
All that was left was for Jordan Jones, Ryan Jack and Alfredo Morelos to demonstrate that Steven Gerrard’s talk about improving discipline is a mirage. It is disingenuous of Gerrard to criticise Jones, but overlook Morelos stamping on Jullien, and elbowing and kicking Scott Brown, and Jack’s studs-to-the-knee lunge at Bolingoli. Referee Bobby Madden did not see Morelos’ attacks, so you would assume the SFA Compliance Officer will be involved. Surely? The tifo display, showing a Celtic fan on the ground with a figure holding a bloodied sword over him is more sinister than I can remember at any football game. Is this acceptable to Newco, never mind the SFA?
They remain loyal thugs, but now they know the reality. This is the 9-in-a-row season and there’s nothing they can do about it.
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Gooooood Morning CQN
Now – I hate these international breaks
But
Welcome to the world famous Glasgow Celtic
Greg, Jeremie & Lee
I do wish we had signed Elhamed, Greg & Moritz prior to the Cluj game though
Hail Hail
BelfastCelt the accounts showed we were in profit last year , without any major sales, that included all wages and all costs.
Then we sold dembelle for 19M , then we got 9m for Rodgers team, then we got 25m for KT for the final time, our income is high enough to stop us going into debt ( eduard was bought using VVDE money)
for also the final time, we don’t need to sell any players to continue as going concern don’t please the PL spin
once again some silly people think bringing in 50m and spending about 15m and going out in CL qualifiers is success ,
but hey ho what do I know lol
woolovereyesCSC lol
So , you feel that a director of football should be the individual who discusses all the financial aspects associated with transfer deals ? Buy , sell , remuneration package.
Do you think that the individual should have some expertise in matters financial ?
Surely you do.
Sydney
Do you get a buzz out of same old same criticism…….? In fact your as predictable as Karl Kennedy on Neighbours.
Happy with the last minute deals. Just do not understand how the mob on the other side of the city get money. I have given up hope that they are going to go bust again.
My friends in Celtic,
Celtic have strengthened appropriately for playing in our current environment. It is a good transfer window. We have cover and competition for every position, with an eye to the future.
Have the ” bedwetters ” been vindicated.? It would seem so , as NFL and the board have agreed with their basic argument and strengthened the team substantially.
PS : Don’t give a monkey’s what nationality players are; the only applicable criteria should be : Are they good enough.
HH to all, the journey continues.
HeknowsWHOknows yup Peter lawwell made the mistake eg against Molde the fans were on his back he lost us substantial income due to his incompetence wilo window is a bit of a joke now, yup his fault cost our club about 50M in lost income( PL admitted it was a mistake)
once again 2019 qualifying no chief scout in place , not ready for CL qualifying again , same as last, income is massive. once again Pl fault and he gets away with it
so eye on the ball get him out
#lawwellout
Syd.
This was directed to you.
So , you feel that a director of football should be the individual who discusses all the financial aspects associated with transfer deals ? Buy , sell , remuneration package.
Do you think that the individual should have some expertise in matters financial ?
Surely you do.
Sydney,
I think a wee International break will do you do the world of good.
Away and watch the cricket.
We should look at money available and set a budget. Eg we bring in 50m and reduce staff by 12 players freeing up wages.
You set a transfer budget up. 30m is very reasonable with added on wages
This budget should be given to director of football to plan
I have set up my own budgets for years
Never have I had to ask my boss to approve any costs that have been budgeted for
We don’t as PL is acting director of football and negotiates every penny of every transfer. Hence it’s a last minute shambozle
No planning. No budget ends up us not being ready for CL qualifying
#Lawwellout
HEKNOWSWHOKNOWS I am from scotstoun. Hate cricket
I would never have thought :-)
SYDNEYTIM on 3RD SEPTEMBER 2019 7:35 AM
HEKNOWSWHOKNOWS I am from scotstoun. Hate cricket
======================================================
I`m from Scotstoun.
I love cricket.
Macjay,
Less said about wicketsand balls from you just now the better. We know where you are!!!
Scullybhoy
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/rangers-shares-held-criminal-firm-13670278
Southside on 3rd September 2019 7:50 am
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Welcome to Shelby Limited!?!
Ah, James Forrest getting it now for his lack of defending nous now.
Not marking a player? Do you think he just gets to make it up a he goes along? This will be the plan. James often occupies the space between three or more players. He’s quick enough to get to the player receiving the ball to shut it down without having to tackle. Does it very well.
How many goals did we concede from the right hand side? Ok, how many chances did we concede down the right.
If you think the positioning of Forrest is flawed then blame the tactics not the man. Then think how good those tactics worked.
Compare and contrast with the defending by the right hand side of the opposition…
A Klub in so much debt……………?
a- swoopn’ an’ a- splashin’ kash……………………
Where they gettin’ the money from?
Macjay Scotstoun you are. I remember you were a wee bit older than me
Do you know earl st in scotstoun ? Did you like the barrowlands ballroom and did you like reading the bible. Just curios :)))
Well we won the match on Sunday against Sevco.
But we lost the back pages and the agenda defining this morning to the debt junkies.
I can happily live with both.
Great time to be a Celt.
Hail hail
Fred Gumby outside Westminster…
James Forrest ,James Forrest he’s Sydneytims bug bear
When James is on the teamsheet you can hear our Sydney swear
I wonder how he reacts when Jamesy scores some beauties
Does he shake his head , have a wee smile and look down at his booties..
The above is just a light hearted attempt at humour and in no way a slur on any celtic supporters opinion .
James plays which ever way the manager tells him , that’s why managers pick him …
Well that’s what I think anyway 😀😀
Up the hoops
The Scotstoun I remember had no truck with “cricket”……………now, rounders was a different story…….
Just outside the Swing Park, at the intersection of Harland St and Earl St underneath The Puggie ( Railway Bridge) on the cobbles a fierce gladiatorial battle of ruffians with bat an’ baw would take place most summers. We had no idea about Cricket although some posh wans from over Dumbarton Rd ( ” The Avenues”) or the Avvies would play it somewhere in the posh part of Partick….
HarlandStGlobetrotter CSC
In ither news………….
Thems gettin’ that wee Kent.
Hmmmmmmmmmm.
To improve all they need to do is ensure this season they don’t drop as many points againt the other decent -ish clubs……That wee Kent is just that bit better than most of the competition he comes up against. He’ll become another Galaktiko now and be allowed to snap, snarl and even punch players with relative impunity.
So, he does improve thems and he gives the mouth-breathers something to fokus on.
Where’s the kash comin’ from?
BOGNORBHOY Lol. Of course it’s all about opinions. I loved paddy McCourt. But sadly his work rate apart from when had the ball was non existent
Strange with JF he plays week in week out when his lack of input when we don’t have the ball is similar to paddy’s He does run around but usually no where near ball. lol
It was good he was hooked. He is a one trick pony and no Good when you need 11 players fighting to get ball
TIMALOY29 on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 4:21 PM
TRADITIONALIST88 on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 3:54 PM
In the scheme of things it does sound a lot, but thats what many thought about McGinn last year.
___
Greg Taylor is no John McGinn.
========================================================================================================
Did someone say he was?
Lets not forget, John McGinn was a Hibs player just last year. He played 100 games for Hibs before he was signed by anyone.
Taylor is 3 years younger and played more first team games for Killie than McGinn did for Hibs.
Sometimes you need to look at the bigger picture.
HH
ST
For a heads down player, wee Jamesie flukes some amount of assists. I also saw him win a tackle in the RB area on Sunday- did you miss that one?
I am not from Scotstoun (them’s the posh parts of Glasgow- are they not?) but I don’t care for cricket either.
I feell A SCOTSTOUN lovein coming doon the lins here.
BANKIEBHOY1 on 3RD SEPTEMBER 2019 8:36 AM
Agreed, he definitely improves them and we’ll need to make provisions for that when we play them, especially for our next trip to Ibrox, because he can make things happen.
How they are financing it is highly dubious, I know many believe Financial Fair Play just pays lip service but AC Milan aren’t in Europe this year because they spent more than they should have under FFP provisions. The huns are posting losses for years and go out and spend £7m on transfer deadline day, with no big sale to compensate?
I am obviously missing something but shouldn’t UEFA be showing interest given they are participating in the group stages of a major tournament? Doubt the cash generated will even cover Kents deal never mind the other losses they are making.
HH
Is there anyway of finding out where Sevco are getting the cash from? Something is rotten in the State of Scotland.
Cheerio for now.
JJ
Well that was a quick read-back, when you can scroll past multiple postings. I wonder what they were saying for a change?
Good end to the window, onwards, forwards and upwards. Let’s see what the new bhoys have got and what Lenny can get them doing. Great time to be a Tim (well, for most people). Will just finish my brekkie then head off down to my ‘hair stylist’ who just happens to be a (nice) wee stickie and we can have some fun discussing current developments in Scottish football, if anything has happened in the last 48 hours or so, that is.
Come on SFA……………
You’re in charge, eh!?
Can ye please ask yer freens – ” fishally” …..where they are gettin’ the big bucks from when they are supposedly rookit!
Fix Fitba’ Empty Hampden.
SFTB…………….
Scotstoun “posh”……………………………..
:)))))))))))))))))))
You are havin’ a “giraffe” mate.
( although when we did move back up to the Elysian Fields of Clydebank it felt like we’d gone on holiday!)
;)
TinBath CSC
Chairbhoy- only have time for a couple of comments
“Now even CQN is acknowledging the myth has gone and we have continuity. I’m not King Canute. It is what it is.”
Are we now? Me and you both? I thought I was just acknowledging that they still play at Ibrox and are funded by 50k ST holders (and some money Laundering)
“Well in sharp contrast to our excellence in the world of football commerce, we are the most underachieving major club in Europe.”
When were we given that award? Do we underachieve more than Man U (biggest income outwith Real and they have won what recently?). More underachieving than PSG and Man City- all that Arab money and no big Cup yet.? More underachieving than Anderlecht? PSV? Austria Vienna? Locomotiv or CSKA Moscow? Only some of our own would be deluded enough to give us this status- we don’t even impact on most football fans worldwide except when we make an occasional experience as CL cannon fodder.
“We are identified historically as one of the world’s biggest Clubs”
And the word is “historically. From 66 to 74 we were kings. From 75 to 2000, we were habitual 1st and 2nd round exits from whatever competition we played in. From 2000 onwards we have become a 3rd or 4th tier club.
“For instance: It’s my contention that they instructed Lenny to play N’tcham against Cluj, to put the player in the “shop window”.
What has this meant.”
Init has meant that you are prepared to draw some deductions from an unproven supposition. Ntcham , despite his newspaper comments, has not yet been sold. I have little doubt he will go for money someday though. I hope that, unlike Dembele and BR, it will come at a mutually suitable time
Now…can i say this dear chaps and ladies..Can we stop with the August meltdowns please…Remember Lennon has lost the dressing room, the new signings are duds,Lawwell only cares about his bonus,Rogic Ntcham and McGregor will leave, we have no forward cover,no centre backs, right backs,left backs, Brown is finished, rangers have strengthened, we wont get 9,when will this slump end…Tune in next August for some more anxiety driven Sitcoms from Heated Driveway Productions
SYDNEYTIM
I’m a Jamesy fan ,I argued his corner for ages with my brother ( who lived in earl st ,and now lives in scostoun st ) and 20 hats ( Bognor ) , they would bombard me with texts wee James this wee James that ,my answer ,the manager s pick him and they know more than you and me , and then boom James scores a cracker , big smiley from me .
We have now moved on to whatsapp s and they now see the error of their ways ,and James now is not to bad a player to them 😱 he even got 💜 James,wee💎,but they may be just humouring me😂😂😂
https://www.67hailhail.com/news/rennes-break-transfer-record-with-big-signing/
Forster
Gordon
Bain
Abd Elhamed
Bauer
Frimpong
Bitton
Ajer
Simunovic
Jullien
Hendry
Taylor
Boli
O’Connell
Miller
Forrest
Brown
Rogic
Sinclair
McGregor
N’tcham
Christie
Elyanoussi (sp)
Bayo
Griffiths
Edouard
That’s a strong squad. We still have Perez and Gutman to factor in. I would say that we could strengthen further by adding a combative holding midfielder to eventually take over from Broony and another quality striker.