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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Just under 2 hours left to vote CQNPOTY@GMAIL.COM ;-)
F.B.
The question was, My God is this what you strived for?
PHILBHOY-we’re good.She said we need a new boiler and I said yip but you’ve lasted well and thanks for aw yir efforts 😉
Her answer was,you’ll always be an arse hole 😉
FAIRHILL BHOY
I shouldny have laughed at that!
Philbhoy
Sounds like a waste of water 💦
GENE
Just a wee splash!
F.B. 8.11
You’re some man :-) just as well your 50th has been and gone.
Philbhoy.
I agree, I shouldn’t have laughed either.
JIMMYNOTPAUL-I remember that one now.
Just back from Mass where a newly ordained priest was celebrating Mass in the church where his uncle was parish priest in the early 70’s. Unfortunately he died helping a young girl who was in trouble in the sea off North Wales.
God bless Father Gough and good luck Father Sean.
MARADOMINIC on 2ND OCTOBER 2020 7:47 PM
Will SNP be banned for two weeks?
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Interesting. It could be argued in these challenging times that If the said MP takes the party whip, then the party is responsible for her actions.
Removing the whip should not get her party off the hook.
Celtic for a much lesser breach got castigated, yellow carded and punished because of a rogue individual.
Why should this individual’s masters not suffer the same fate?
HH.
PHILBHOY/JIMMYNOTPAUL
sometimes i dice with death in here 😉
It’s aw banter 😉
GENE on 2ND OCTOBER 2020 8:22 PM
Just back from Mass where a newly ordained priest was celebrating Mass in the church where his uncle was parish priest in the early 70’s. Unfortunately he died helping a young girl who was in trouble in the sea off North Wales.
God bless Father Gough and good luck Father Sean
————————-
God bless them both
Greenpinata
Excellent point – she was on party business unlike Boli.
Philbhoy
Can’t stand whisky or brandy – even the smell makes me 🤢
Time for a Hobgoblin Gold
GENE
I didn’t like whisky initially…………….I had to work at it!
A good whisky is nectar to me.
GENE
Nice!
Philbhoy
I did try but …
GENE
You’re young enough to get the hang of it!
Rijeka goal against Copenhagen
https://twitter.com/seidodge/status/1311744683543007240?s=20
GENE/PHILBHOY-I only like Glayva.Cant drink vodka but Grey Goose is to die for.So can’t drink that either 🍺🥃🍷😉
Philbhoy
70 is the new 50
FAIRHILL BHOY
The wife drinks Grey Goose.
Wits wrang wi Glen’s at Tesco for a third of the price?
I could understand if you were drinking it straight……..but coke?
(I don’t mind really)
GENE
I remember you posted recently that you were 70.
You post much younger!
PHILBHOY-I don’t drink spirits now.Bud light in the house,cheap an cheerful.Birra moretti,peroni or Mennabrea when out wooing the boiler 😉🤷♀️
PHILBHOY on 2ND OCTOBER 2020 8:39 PM
FAIRHILL BHOY
The wife drinks Grey Goose.
Wits wrang wi Glen’s at Tesco for a third of the price?
I could understand if you were drinking it straight……..but coke?
(I don’t mind really)
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Get the Grey Goose bottle out of the re-cycling fill it with own brand… bobs your auntie
Philbhoy
Think you’ve had too much already although Mrs Gene says I behave like a big kid.👶
FAIRHILL BHOY
I’m streaky on my beer and get fed up with it quickly.
Can go for weeks without one (there are suitable substitutes!)
Enjoy the occasional Brewdog IPA or Hophouse 13.
I try not to drink during the week but failure and me are good mates these days!
YORKBHOY
Sounds like a EUREKA moment!
What a good idea!
Yorkbhoy-if only but there’s a big difference.I only drank it once and it’s that smooth you need told what it is.
Stick to 20bud lights £10:50 from Asda
That’s not as smooth though 🍺😉🤷♀️
GENE
I’ve had an elegant sufficiency!
Listen mate, I think most of us who post on here are big kids.
Meee included!
I’m generally only a Saturday and Sunday hoose drinker. When I stay away from the wine I find solace in either Innes & Gunn (not the strong ones!) and/or Heverlee. But I usually have a supply of cheaper rubbish to go onto after 3 or 4 as by then I could be drinking anything!
Back to the emails….it’s a close one tonight ;-)
I have just watched a few minutes of the Dundee United V Livi game. I recommend that all those who find watching Celtic such a chore watch a few minutes of this game. Celtic would then seem to be playing the beautiful football once described by Mr Stein.
PHILBHOY-thankfully my good lady would prefer a cup a tetly every time.Its her 50th on the 11th 🎉
JOBO BALDIE-we spent last weekend up in Edinburgh and I drank Innes & Gunn all the time I was there.Might explain why I got a warning from the mod.😉
Worth it though 🍺
Hi troops. Wee country set the night, if anybodys interested :) Irish stuff tomorrow :)) But hope this perks you all up at this time – Keep happy
Link to follow
HH
WEE BGFC
Like the look of Angers left back the No. 2 Ait-Nouri
Pedro get him signed
TET
No word from you today, not sure if that’s good or bad.
Please God everything is OK.
Please keep in touch.
Nite all!
Take care and God bless.