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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Did anyone read the etims rumour mill the other day.
New Main stand raising capacity to 67,000. Are etims ITK (In The Know) or is it MUP (Made UP Pish)?
MWD
Considering the lavish ,in house party going on a the Record office with the signing of Kent,you would have thought they would have wheeled out someone a bit better,to raise the morale of the Hun hordes after Sunday.Who do we get,Barisic,he who cannot get a game in front of,Jon Flanagan !!!!!!!.
We better watch out,he tells us,the Rainjurs are still cummin.He then tells us its a great pity Seethin is not playing,as he is one of the best players at training.
Oh Dear.You were doing sooooo well there too,Borna.
Phil01
Eeerrrrrmmmmmm… Because its’ a blog with contributor’s with varying mind sets\opinions.
What do you want, a blog were everyone supports the team (in the main they do) and finds no issues with how the team is impacted by club policy. If you want that you should join Follow Follow.
Having some raising questions of the club is healthy.
MWD
PHIL01 on 3RD SEPTEMBER 2019 10:56 AM
I am sure we are all entitled to ours whether you are the glass half-empty or glass half-full. Just seems that the glass half-empty folks seem to believe that by howling the loudest they have a point.
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Just watching Sky News coverage outside Parliament.
Your comment above struck a chord.
MWD – as supporters we’re gonna want / need a little more action. If the rumours are true – tryin to get Big Vic in meant moving on Sincy…….deals like that would reasonably only take place at the end of the winda?
Tim Malone – I’ve never been able to fathom the CFC / PLC fallacy and the vainglorious posturing of some great Tims with regards to it. If allowed to fester we have been divided and conquered. Accountability from the custodians, Yes, do some things need to change, probably. Does the Big Stuff need sweated, naw…in my opinion ( which is based on nothing, hearsay and pish btw).
The scandal rests with SFA and the fitba’ authorities.
Scotland – should get behind change for the good of the game. If Scotland doesn’t it’s not Celtics fault.
SLOLEYBHOY on 3RD SEPTEMBER 2019 10:42 AM
For the past 3 years we have had both Rodgers and Neil saying they want to work with a smaller squad yet it seems to only grow in size. Another sign of a recruitment department that is not fit for purpose.
Sinclair, Hendry, Kouassi all should have exited the building if the manager didn’t see them in his plans. Impossible to coach a 1st team squad of 30+ players.
____
I agree with you.
The decision to give Sinclair another year will always absolutely baffle me. Most people reckon that we hoped to get a transfer fee for him rather than lose him for nothing. That was a bonkers decision. Nobody else would be prepared to pay Scott what we pay him. Scott is well within his rights to do a Bobo this year.
As for Hendry, if it’s true that wee put Hull off by asking for more money towards his wages, that turned out to be an error.
As for Kouassi, it’s unfortunate but it doesn’t seem as if we have any takers for him. He will remain at Celtic until his contract runs out at the end of next season. I say give him a couple more chances.
If CalMac, Forrest, Christie, Edouard & the other internationals all play 2 games Friday & Monday then let’s rest them for Hamilton.
Bring in Shved, Griffiths, Ntcham & Kouassi
James Forrest with Celtic since he was a wee kid, 357 appearances 78 goals. 30 Scottish Caps 5 International Goals.
What do Celtic & Scottish Managers know, there is a ghuy out in Sydney, who could beat the whole lot. Only that I was told by a Tim whose opinion I respect that Sydney Tim is a genuine Tim & a very sound ghuy I would express my feelings rather differently.
I’ll just content myself by saying James Forrest show me your medals, SydneyTim show me yours.
MWD…MUP…mibbe…lol
H.H.
Sevco charging 99p for “exclusive” Ryan Kent interview online
Most people who have a problem with Desmond & Lawwell really have a problem with modern football.
If Desmond puts the club up for sale I will dread the day. Best case scenario is that you get another Desmond who quietly takes his wedge while the club runs on an even keel.
If you replace Lawwell it will be another suit who will look to get a big bonus at the end of the year.
Football is a huge commercial industry in a capitalist society. Celtic cannot exist in a vacuum.
Even if the club ends up with fan ownership there would be suits like Lawwell involved. Think about the corruption that surrounds the suits at Bayern Munich & Barcelona.
CORKCELT on 3RD SEPTEMBER 2019 11:18 AM
Checked the John Higgins suggestion.
There was a guy there who looked very similar to J.H.
Had a chat with him and complimented him on wearing a green kilt and sporran.
May well have been your man.
Corkie….
I was told by a Tim whose opinion I respect that Sydney Tim is a genuine Tim & a very sound ghuy…
÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷=====+++++++++××××
No offence…but as open minded as I am…that is hard to believe…
LochnessmonsterCSC
H.H.
I will be up in Parliament Square later today – shoulder to should with my 20 year old daughter who is wondering wtf is going on wrt her future.
Funnily enough, I don’t think that either of us will feel reassured by the ramblings of some right wing bigoted muppet who has f’ed off to Australia advocating that our glass should be half-full.
There’s only one thing worse than a West of Scotland twat – and that’s a West of Scotland twat who has emigrated to Australia.
Moonbeams I heard the Stand renovations rumour from what I would consider a very reliable source.
THELURKINTIM on 3RD SEPTEMBER 2019 11:25 AM
Be assured.
I`ve met Syd.
His heart is in the right place .
His opinions ? Not so much.
Bankiebhoy
Fair comment. However, IMO, I think Sinky is a class player and every effort should be made to keep him. His goals last year were priceless and helped us secure the league. Why he is so far off the radar is beyond me. If something has happened in the background to affect his standing at the club then I would support him moving on. I like Wanyama and he would have improved the midfield but with the signing of Elyounnoussi we have strengthened that area. For me Wanyama was not a priority. If as part of Wanyama deal we had to move Sinky on then fair do’s but I would sill like both. :)
MWD
TIM MALONE WILL TELL on 3RD SEPTEMBER 2019 11:26 AM
Rather unreasonable to refer to Syd. Tim in that way.
Macjay, The Pic I saw was a selfie a guy on Facebook posted, It only showed the two of them from the chest up.
The Facebook man was wearing The Hoops but Higgins had a Black Top, caption mentioned something like Look who I met at the Bangkok CSC last night.
new article posted.
Corkcelt, Good to hear. That would be a fantastic move by PL and the board and would finally alleviate my concerns around cash hoarding of this last few years.
67,000 is good but surely we could go to 75,000 and make it a prospective CL Final destination in the next few years.
North Stand 27,000
Lisbon Lions & Jock Stein 13,000 each
New main Stand 22,000 with all the trimmings to accommodate UEFA standards for CL Final.
Don’t see the point in increasing by just 5k from 8k to 13k.
MWD
SYDNEYTIM on 3RD SEPTEMBER 2019 10:46 AM
Has our team quality been increased or have we just filled in what we have lost with cheaper options ?
I’m more interested in the team and how they play than how much they cost. We could all compile a list of our best players who cost little or nothing in transfer fees, and we could all compile a team of expensive misfits.
We’ve been told time and again that we have an inferior manager to BR this season, but we seem to be playing better than last, and finished the game on Sunday with an entirely new back 5 who walked through the last 30 minutes.
To answer your question, its very early days for this team and the new recruits but right now I’d say theres a good argument that the evidence suggests our team quality has been improved.
Sydney Tim
Given the shift and performance Forrest put in v AIK it’s not a surprise he didnt equal it on Sunday, nor that he was subbed.
Had NL not played him at all and it went pear shaped then you would have something else to gripe about.
We all have the same choice in life , enjoy what is or moan about what isnt.
Cheer up.
CORKCELT on 3RD SEPTEMBER 2019 11:35 AM
I`ll check my multiple vids. and see if I can throw any further light .
Auldheid. Just checked. Nope we did not play Aik before all the other JF mr invisible performances at ibrox. Bit seriously team actually created more chances when JF went off as it was a more solid unit
What size of squad are we allowed for Europa League? Can we change the squad from game to game or is it set for the entire group stages?
SYDNEYTIM on 3RD SEPTEMBER 2019 9:23 AM
Bognor. Similar with be. Ma mates given it a bit of banter. Only thing Is now is they are saying “ mm another quiet game “. Seems to be every week now
He does not do enough over 90 mins to get a 1st pick. 1st I have seen him hooked. So good that Neil saw the bigger picture
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another quiet game ? doesnt do enough over 90 minutes to get 1st pick ?
the same guy that NFL said is a true celtic great ?
in the last 10 days ………..
aug 22nd – home to AIK, James scores the first goal, sublime skills, superb finish, space , place, ACCURACY, POWER, accuracy.taken off on 82 minutes to a celtic park standing ovation. I was there. He was praised. He had a really good game. Closed down all over the park, a couple of devensive tackles, closes spaces all the time. Celtic win 2-0
SO THATS A GOAL.
aug 25th – home to hearts, james with an assist, plays the full 90 minutes, had a really good game, celtic win 3-1. his work rate was obvious to those in attendance. A few times in the right back position to take the ball off a player and turn, an out ball for our right back. He even jumped for headers twice in the middle of the park. SO THATS AN ASSIST.
aug 29th – away to AIK. a sublime goal, maybe one of his best ever. Just superb. Followed by an assist. Played 90 Minutes. he SO THATS A GOAL AND AN ASSIST.
and then onto sunday.
where he had a quiet game that involved, running and chasing and closing down , harrying, carrying, being there to take an out ball from the defense.
Aye ………….he is getting rubbisher.
SAINT STIVS on 3RD SEPTEMBER 2019 12:02 PM
….Aye ………….he is getting rubbisher.
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See Wee Jimmy live every week, and agree with you that he does a power of work in tracking back to help the defense.
Glad you mentioned the Hearts game – I said the same to Wee BGFC during the game – Wee Jimmy at right back, won tackle and played ball forward – excellent effort throughout the game.
Also agree re: AIK goal away. I know big Odsonne got praise – rightly – for the return ball into Jimmy’s path, but the first touch to take the ball away from the defender was sublime, and the thundering finish was emphatic.
Maybe people don’t notice him so much on the TV because he is very wee, and they are far away… :-)))
HH
BGFC
FatherTedCSC