Celtic always had the look of winners last night, but until Odsonne Edouard pounced on the rebound from Ryan Christie’s shot, the outcome was in the balance. We are going to face a lot of packed defences like that this season, though fortunately or not, that could be the last we see of them in the Europa League.
Christie was back to his best. I know his stats are far from impressive and he is criticised (by others) for his decision making, but I spent almost three years during Brendan Rodgers time wanting someone to mix it up. Take shots that would force the keeper to work or a defender to block, or play the low percentage pass that we all know is going to miss most of the time, but will result in loose balls in dangerous areas.
Those poor stats are a consequence of randomness, which is something we loved in Frank McGarvey, but that was before the stats came along to both inform and confuse. Stats are all about interpretation, which is the real lesson of Michael Lewis’ Moneyball for those who never read the book, or those who did, but didn’t understand it.
I tried most of the second half to figure out what changes Neil Lennon made at halftime that freed up Jeremie Frimpong. During the first half, he was so well shackled, I considered the Sarajevo left back as a possible recruit. At the break, the suggestion was made to me, maybe he is better as an impact player?
Sarajevo certainly opened up at the break, which may have helped, but Jeremie was back at his impactful self during the second period. Credit also to Greg Taylor, who had his best game in a Celtic shirt.
I’m still pretty gutted about not being in the Champions League and at the manner of our exit, but Pot 1 seed in the Europa is an important place to land. Last week we spoke about how it was to our advantage that all domestic rivals also reach the group stage. We didn’t want them having a week to plan games against St Mirren etc., while we traverse the Continent. Not this season.
That kind of left hemisphere thinking was nowhere to be found once kick offs were underway last night. You can’t fake this stuff, it is just not possible to subvert the tribal instinct (which is why nationalism is so potent, and why Celtic is my only identity). But, in a crisp and sunny autumnal morning, logic is back on top. No one will get an easy pass to the title this season, including Celtic.
Uefa’s methods of seeding have never been perfect, this is not tennis, but those pots are full of variance. I’m hoping to avoid sides from the big nations. Farewell, Copenhagen, Basel, Sporting, Rosenborg, Legia (sorry, Zbyszek) and yes, even Galatasaray. Strong sides are out of Europe, the potential to join them was real.
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Hot Smoked
Got it, just trying now to remember the pub my mhate took me
into, down by the harbour, had different digs three nights on
the row, needless to say I had to rewoo the princess when I
eventually got home.
But she knows, there’s no place like home.
H.H. Mick
Half watched the Norwich v Derby game
Celtic connections
David Marshall a couple of great saves for Derby
Timo Pukki – slipped on his ass when taking a penalty for Norwich.
Norwich left back must be Greg Taylor’s brother – every time he got the ball he turned back and passed to midfield. 😉
GENE
And was it a good pass?
Really interested.
H.H. Mick
AN TEARMANN on 3RD OCTOBER 2020 12:42 PM
There’s always something a bit distasteful about the whole gang being against the on man – or woman in this case.
But among a number of ironies thrown up by the case is the high moral tone Margaret adopted – rightly – when Cummings flouted the rules.
It would appear that Margaret obtained a copy of the rules, studied them closely, then set about breaking as many as possible within as short a time as possible.
I hope it wasn’t for a bet.
sftb. arbroath railway
heard that on radio this morn.sad tale of the demise of scotlands seaside towns.chap was sain his granda built it.
hope your good T.no donegal this year for me.
:-)
hh
fritzsong
i agree.instead of getting more knowledge and guidance for all out there it becomes a “but youz did” vs but youz did same.
does not make guidance and rules easy to take if they are breakin their own rules whatever side they are on
hh
Genuine question …
When football players are routinely tested for Covid-19 what is the process by which the football authorities are informed of test results (positive or negative)?
AN Tearmann
No Donegal for me either- we have to do our bit to be as sensible as we can be.
I hope that next year I can make my first trip there as a retired man
Good of those to provide the update on Big Jimmy.
And the man himself back on.
I’m not a drinker, not tea total, just never been capable of drinking much. I hit my limit at 4 pints. No idea how the next day arrives after 17 / 18.
Best of health to everyone.
According to Phil Mac Giolla Bhain the Resolution 12 guys have a new angle of attack; they are submitting a motion to the next AGM on the notorious Five Way Agreement. If true, they are trying to prise open the ultimate can of worms.
https://thecelticblog.com/2020/10/blogs/are-celtic-fans-set-to-demand-answers-from-the-club-over-the-five-way-agreement/
MM
100% inside 10 yards
AN TEARMANN on 3RD OCTOBER 2020 2:47 PM
fritzsong
i agree.instead of getting more knowledge and guidance for all out there it becomes a “but youz did” vs but youz did same.
does not make guidance and rules easy to take if they are breakin their own rules whatever side they are on
__________________
Agreed. I don’t believe for a moment that Ms Ferrier is a sinister or an evil person. But she should have known a whole lot better. And she did potentially endanger the lives of others.
hh
hh
FFS – sky have now got the Hun gardener – come back Charlie Nic
Pity the cricket is rained off
@St Stiivs..Fae last night…
Aye mate Fri nights on here bring back memories of me and my boy.
Ole Pablo had some repertoire ..
Aff Oot H.H.
SUPERSUTTON
God mhan ” just never been capable of drinking much ”
Think I should have followed that dogma during the proving
your a mhan years.
H.H. Mick
I see Calvin Miller has ended up at Harrogate
SPFL & Scottish FA: Having no fans is ‘political, rather than clinical’
Last updated on22 minutes ago22 minutes ago.
From the sectionScottish
Breaking news
The delay in allowing fans to return to stadiums in Scotland is “political, rather than clinical”, say two of the country’s top football administrators.
Scottish FA vice-president Mike Mulraney made the claim on BBC Radio Scotland – and was supported by SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster.
Mulraney said it is “fair to ask the Scottish government to reconsider” its stance on playing in empty stadiums.
“This is clearly a political choice and not a medical one,” he said.
“I think it is driven by science, but the bottom line is do you think that sitting one metre away from somebody eating has got less risk than sitting two metres away from someone in a stadium with a mask on? I am a layman, but I listen to the science and it does seem counter-intuitive.”
Doncaster will discuss the matter with sports minister Joe Fitzpatrick on Monday and Mulraney stressed that they were keen to stress that “right now, the pain to football is significant” from behind forced to play behind closed doors.
Mulraney stressed that “the government have got a very difficult path” but pointed out that national clinical director Jason Leitch said recently that “allowing 600 fans into a stadium that takes 60,000 outside, all facing the same way, is probably far less risk than people into a restaurant or an aeroplane, but that’s the current government position”.
More to follow.
MM – from earlier about the barbie, I be over in 10 minutes.
D :)
Oops sorry aboot the two ii’s mate yer ole heidy would give me the belt for that
Shaz fire up the jet.
D :)
now this is a tattoo.
James McCall
TrophyTrophyTrophyTrophyTrophyTrophyTrophyTrophyTrophy
@j4mcc4ll
·
23h
Finally got it.
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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjVO3HcXgAE21G_?format=jpg&name=medium
Celtic Football Club
@CelticFC
·
4h
Spiral calendar pad #OnThisDay in 1944…
121 goals l
10 trophies
#CelticFC legend, Harry Hood was born Four leaf clover
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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjZXbiVWAAAyf84?format=png&name=small
Melbourne Mick and SFTB
s/1498558/heartbreaking-decision-signals-end-of-the-line-for-arbroath-miniature-railway-after-three-generations-of-kerr-family-operation/
Mick,
Near harbour Pubs: The Commercial, The Smugglers,The Ship (now gone). The Commercial is my local (but hardly at all in Covid-times).
Hmmm….link does not seem to have worked.
St.Anthony
@Stephen4_2
·
5h
Tam Gemmell runs out at Ibrox in 1968. Tommy loved those high profile games. The bigger the game then better he played. Gerry McNee once claimed Celtic had 4 genuine world class players at that time and Tommy was easily one of them. Murdoch, Johnstone and Auld were the other 3.
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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjZEgN1WsAAcqQB?format=jpg&name=900×900
CELTIC IN THE BLACK AND WHITE ERA – BOOK REVIEW
http://celticunderground.net/celtic-in-the-black-and-white-era-book-review/
https://twitter.com/KennyofCeltic/status/1312043431892525056/photo/1
.
RAY WINSTONE’S…………..
Post of the day!
Ray
Spot on 🤔
The wee Frimpong clone,Lamptey playing for Brighton again today.Frightening,how alike they play,and look.
Battered Bunnett
Ok thanks for the explanation. I understand the logic of what you’re saying but that is in a scenario where there isn’t multiple testing? Football players are in a different world (bubble) from the rest of us and I thought this was in order to guard against wholescale shut downs of clubs. Again not arguing with you as what you explained seems in line with the general public scenarios.
Anyway hail, hail!
Ah well,tried to talk about football,but we have every medical expert in the country on now,oh,and the mad,Mad Mitch,telling the world where its going wrong in the fight against Covid.
Fek this place.
TURKEYBHOY
Tch tch!
Turkeybhoy, keep going, love your enthusiastic posts
HOT SMOKED ( and others )…
Talking of Arbroath….
Around 1995 ( I think) I had a burd who had been a Stripper from Arbroath.
I chatted her up after a Partick Thistle v Celtic game at Firhill ( which we won…1-0..I think ?) when our supporters bus had got back to the Pub in Partick.
She actually only lived around 500 yards from my home at the time…which was very handy !
LOL
HH.
RAY WINSTONE
What’s your point ?
Pickford of Everton is a bombscare – nearly gifted a second