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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“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.”
Hahaha yassss
TANGBHOY
Au contraire regarding bedwetters.
Think Paul67 deserves a bit of credit and merely a bit of ‘lording it’ is the best bedwetters deserve.
He could have closed the Blog given the abuse he’s taken for refusing to be bullied.
Where are they now CSC?
Im a bit sceptical about the apparent attempt to sign Kent, he might be an improvement on Jones and Ojo but not much beyond that. Have they adopted the classic PL, we tried and just ran out of time, scenario to try and appease the orc hordes? As usual theyre spending money they dont have, long may it continue.
BOB LOBLAW on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 12:46 PM
Is someone new writing the daily blogs? Having read this site since 2006 I think I’ve grown to know Paul67’s “voice,” and something seems different in the last couple of main articles.
——————-
Looking at the terminology used I would agree 100%.
HH.
….we are not as good, yet, as they made us look.
Eh ?
Dont understand that.
Adi 1.26pm
Think it might mean we have still room for improvement but still good enough to beat our nearest challengers in their own midden
Adi
Any team will look better against weaker opposition. We looked good against weaker opposition.
Anyway, it is a cheerio from me .
I am not a fan of Internationals but at least I have the glow of four successive victories to help me through the period.
Cheerio for now,
JJ
Agree with other comments, recent lead articles do not have Paul’s “voice”. More emotional, more triumphant and less conservative (with a small “c”).
How does signing Kent improve them from last season?
The only new signing in their starting 11 yesterday was Aribo, hardly the man (boy?) to bridge the gap on a Celtic team disappearing over the horizon while.
The Huns could sign Clark Kent and it wouldn’t make any difference to where the title is heading.
Ok Understand …
Where are they stealing money from now for C*nt ?.
Just as some got lost in emotional turmoil over a couple of blow up dolls being hanging effigies I don’t think we can get our nickers in a twist over a piece of dodgy artwork. If thousands have Ben singing about being up to their knees in Fenian blood for the last decades then a pictorial enactment is no more shocking. We should treat these things with the contempt they deserve from the earned moral
High ground rather than transgress into the jurisdiction of a kangaroo court.
A recent treble treble and One victory over Rangers does not demonstrate how the season will play out. I would beg to differ that Gerrard has added liabilities. Where our players will command £20 odd million pound fees I am sure that some of his charges could fetch reasonable single figure sums. Where Rangers differ is how they would reinvest. See the apparent bid for Kent as an example. If they go bust as a result then the proof will be in the pudding.
We sit 3 points ahead in the league. We are out of the Champions League. If we want to improve we need better players. I don’t care about any Rangers new or old. Our opportunity to be better as leaving this crap behind but we gave them the kiss of life and continue to do so.
Ryan Kent is apparently heading to Sevco for £7 million. Here’s his stats:
Barnsley 47 apps 3 goals 3 assists
Sevco 43 apps 6 goals 9 assists
Coventry 17 apps 1 goal 1 assist
Bristol City 11 apps 0 goals 2 assists
Freiburg 6 apps 0 goals 0 assists
Go tell..
I thought so too, surely even they aren’t that stupid.
Going bust to pay 7million for Kent who isnt going to improve them that much ffs. They believe him to be the saviour
🎼 Would the real Paul67 please stand up, please stand up? 🎼
slimshadycsc
Ryan Kent scored a good goal at Celtic Park (could have been defended better) and an assist at Ibrox where he sold Mikael a dummy, something any winger should be able to do when a full back is back tracking
“If” the Huns sign him it’s to appease their manager & fans … wouldn’t bother me in the slightest if they do or don’t get him
Kent is as inconsistent as most wingers, a couple of good games against us, and the DUP are ponying up £7m…….
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 1:22 PM
I have already posted my eating Humble Pie apology
Paul67 can lord it all day long – in fact all week
No argument from me
67ECW
67 ECW @ 1.56
Didn’t have you in mind at all, its the ones that slaughter the Blog for being pro Celtic and become downright abusive into the bargain see CQN when Celtic get beaten.
They may well have other reasons for not being here, but courtesy to the host costs nothing.
HH
Joe Aribo
See Ojo, Waghorn, Garner, Lafferty, Yada Yada Yada CSC
Greg Taylor’s move to Celtic from Kilmarnock is in doubt, report Sky sources.
The left back is currently with the Scotland squad in Edinburgh preparing for the double header against Russia and Belgium awaiting news.
Kilmarnock and Celtic remain in talks over the possible season loan of Jack Hendry and the permanent deal of Calvin Miller.
” Celtic SNUBBED in Wanyama bid ”
Daily Rancid
” Gers in sensational £7M Kent SWOOP
(2) Rainjurz FC do not ‘buy’ or ‘sign’ players. They ‘swoop’ for players. The extraordinary nature of these swoops must be emphasised at all times by preceding the word “swoop” with at least one of the following choices – ‘sensational’ ‘stunning’ ‘exciting’ ‘audacious’ or ‘ambitious’.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 2:10 PM
If you found £7m you didn’t have you’d probably be lashing out a few superlatives as well ;)
HH
Apologies if already posted but full match up and available on YouTube…
1st Half – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY_2JXpp_M4&feature=youtu.be
2nd Half – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8SajoTXk2Y
Fair warning though, it’s Sky Sports coverage so be ready to reach for the mute button…
Trad88
Is that sky, The Rainjurs loving self publicising, satellite channel, of course its in doubt, as we all know they do Jabba’s bidding as well, and they think we dont already know.
Trad88
Who would win in a fight between them spending money they don’t have, and us spending wisely money
we do have?
GO TELL THE SPARTIM on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 2:18 PM
Yep, they are the ones doubting it the most, unsurprisingly.
However Lenny did allude to the fact there has been a hold up involving a third party (believed to be Jack Hendry), so its probably not totally wide of the mark to say there’s a little doubt given the window closes in a few hours,
HH
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 2:18 PM
We got that answer 7 years ago :)
HH
Trad88 2.23pm
I listened to Neil and thought the “3rd party” comment was agent based.. I could be wrong but agents probably don’t like loans and would be looking for money from the at least one of the clubs (if not both :-)
Thought Neil in his after match stuff was outstanding even pointing out Sky advert was all about the rookie boss who has won the square root of heehaw
Afterthought CSC
Trad 88
That was yesterdays news or even the day before, i just laugh at them trying to make a headline out of it, every transfer is in doubt until its signed but you wont hear them report any other team like that.
Never tire of them hurting and glad NL gave Patterson it tight yesterday
What GFTB said
TRAD88
They didn’t just buy the history they bought the tactics as well, classic Monday morning deflection could be wrong but be surprised if Liverpool need the hassle of monthly payments, for years.
What happened to the Morelos money CSC
GFTB on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 2:27 PM
I didn’t hear it live but read the quotes, yeah he made excellent and irrefutable points!
On the Taylor deal you’re probably right, would be strange to refer to one of our own players as a ‘third party’.
HH
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 2:29 PM
Yep, something not right if they get him. Thought he was Leeds bound during the summer but clearly they are not as desperate as Sevco.
HH
Graham Dorrans ( remember him ) £2M of wastage, signing for Kilmarnock
GO TELL THE SPARTIM on 2ND SEPTEMBER 2019 2:27 PM
Agreed, hopefully we’ll get it done. Bolingoli was magic yesterday but as KT knows if he keeps playing like that he’ll become a target.
We’ll need backup given the number of matches alone,
HH