When you and I write, whether you are aware of it or not, there’s always a narrative. Behind the words the subtext explains why we think a game was won or lost, why events on the park reinforce our world view, or, for some, just that they are angry people.
For most, our narrative is bound by the constraints of realistic parameters, although some are so afflicted by a heavily prejudiced world view that no amount of evidence to the contrary would convince them, for example, that they are being led by the nose by charlatans.
As the game drew to a conclusion last night, this troubled me. I was proud of the way Celtic played. They attacked a team from one of the top leagues in a way we’ve not seen since Juventus visited in 2001. It was glorious and gutsy, skilful and dramatic. But with 92 minutes on the clock, it was heading towards defeat. No matter the circumstances, defeat binds any narrative as a failure, glorious or otherwise. It didn’t feel like failure, but this was how we would remember this game.
John Guidetti’s 93rd minute equaliser changed the result and created some memories, but the underlying narrative would stand, with or without that goal: the improvement in Celtic since our August debacle is as profound as anything we have witnessed in 49 years.
Delighted to announce that our treble winning captain, Tom Boyd, will be attending CQN11 St Patrick’s Dinner at the Kerrydale Suite on Friday 13 March. We also have big Packy, wee Joe and conventionally-sized Tommy Coyne. And Archie Macpherson’s going to talk about the transformation which got underway 50 years ago that week!
Fill your boots at what will be a great celebration of our club and heritage, with a wee song or two from Patricia Ferns, and you’ll also help to build a school kitchen in Malawi for kids who often go without a proper meal. For tickets and details, email me, celticquicknews@gmail.com
Congratulations to the SPFL, Hamilton Accies, Georgios Samaras, Celtic and Scottish football fans for last month’s Goal of the Month award, which was won by Jay Beatty for his strike at New Douglas Park. Up with this sort of thing.
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Great picture from last night:
http://www.inter.it/en/news/47633
67 Heaven, smashing!!!………….:-)
As one eloquent poster on the hootsman said:
“One half of Glasgow stoking a fire whose heat can be felt all throughout Europe, the other half huddled around an extinguished fire seeking warmth from the dead embers”.
Now that wiz funny, well it was to me.
HH
I thoroughly concur.
I’d like to raise a thought or opinion on why last night ended up as it did, following the first 12 minutes.
How many times have we seen Celtic start a european game, clearly with a tactic and instruction to play to, only for 10 minutes into the game its gone to pot and the players had reverted to type??
I think part of the difference might light somewhere within the managers approach and outlook.
The reason is I can only imagine the confidence which must have been infused into the players by the fact he picked the same team, told them to play the same way and guaranteed them they would create chances.
I can however, imagine it would be significantly different to the occasions when you change your team line up, play an alien formation, pick players out of position, ask your players to play differently, making them constantly aware of the threats and the dangers posed, telling them to keep things tight and try to hit on the break.
So after a few passes have gone astray and / or we have conceded the customary early / school boy error goal, I can see why players might retreat into their shells a wee bit, which then causes even more stray passes.
Last night just seemed entirely different from the football we have been watching since the day and hour MO’N left.
We went 2-0 down and players were still looking for the ball, still closing down (in sync with one another – the biggest difference from the start of the year) and playing to instruction.
I am convinced that complete sea change in mentality must emanate from the manager, his belief and how he was able to physcologically infuse belief and confidence into the players.
We also know they have spent a lot of time watching and studying Inter Milan, so it wasnt as if its naive and gung ho tactics, but it seems as if Ronny has that rare and special trait whereby he is able to warn of the dangers but does so in a positive fashion.
Now I would expect him to change his tactics for the away game, but better still, so would the players.
So when he does make a change, it wont be misinterpreted as a lack of confidence or belief in the same way it might do in the manner it might be, when deployed at home.
Finally, for those of you who were at the game and who also still bother to torture yourselves by reading Chris Suttons weekly column – watch the recording of the commentary delivered by him and McManaman after the game.
It was nothing shy of scandalous and on par with Craig Burley.
Last night was incredible, I got quite emotional at times but held it together.
The news about Jay’s GOTM this morning is even better and has pushed me over the edge!!!
What a great day!
HH
Sami salutes Jay:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/celtic-superfan-jay-beattie-11-from-lurgan-wins-scottish-premiership-goal-of-the-month-31008023.html
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
12:32 on
20 February, 2015
ditto
Just a thought – I’m now hoping Dave K gets his men on the board….
Big Mike is gonna assemble a mid table SPL side in a year or two. Dave and,the gang could lead sevco to Petrofeck success and more lower division titles….
BMCUW,
The post was about yesterday regarding the betting slips:)
How are you mate on the sauce yet? If so enjoy, as I will be on it soon, still can’t get this Fenian smirk off my face ;))
Nights like that are why some many of us are absolutely hooked on Celtic Football Club. We can all name the big games and recount the tales around them concerning the vents played out under those towering floodlights. For many of our youngsters this morning their journey into our madness is beginning…and they’ll love it.
I watched the BT coverage this morning and prior to the game they were fulsome in their praise of the Lions and the GB display (excellent stuff Bhoys). They don’t get us though. Slagging off players and management for bonding with their fans-it will never catch on. I gave up on Sutton a long time ago.
We knew this was a big moment for our developing young team. It was a disastrous start but they showed incredible self belief and team spirit to continue fighting back after self inflicted wounds.
We may not progress in this tournament and we will make mistakes but we are good to watch again and it looks like a new spark has been ignited in the support.
Well done CELTIC F.C.
midfield maestro
12:41 on 20 February, 2015
a ceiler gonof rust
12:36 on 20 February, 2015
Yes, we’re with him. Just a shame that there are still plenty of numpties on here who will let rip after 13mins into a game. These soccer experts know hee haw aboot fitba’.
Hail hail bruv.
₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩
Still nae bite…!
Ayrshire is Green and White
sipsini
12:53 on 20 February, 2015
BMCUW,
The post was about yesterday regarding the betting slips:)
How are you mate on the sauce yet? If so enjoy, as I will be on it soon, still can’t get this Fenian smirk off my face ;))
₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩₩
14:30 I’ll be on it too with that big smirk on ma big boat race…A Fenian one too I hasten to add..
HH
What a game of footie that was! For sure I was totally gutted after the first 15 mins, but it was worth everything for that goal at the end, and the save in the final minute. wow!
Whatever happens in the return leg, we go there knowing we have a chance, and we will give them another game to remember.
I have some concerns for next season. We could do with keeping both CB’s, or we need to replace with the same quality if they go. Midfield is looking really good, but not convinced we have enough fire power from our strikers. But, they do have the rest of the season to prove they are good enough and or want to stay.
Can’t wait for the return game next week, another 3-3 with a last minute equaliser will do me just fine! :-D
I’ve not read back to last nights posts but I can imagine what they were. I was slumped in my seat at 20:22 hoping this wasn’t going to be another humping / humiliation. Emotion takes over and you say things in the heat of the moment. I hope that the Ronny doubters can see that there’s something there now, we are progressing, the team seem to be coming together and are playing some good stuff.
Biton & Brown were immense last night, Armstrong looks a class act as well.
I’ve watched the game back this morning and still don’t understand how Sutton managed to lay the blame on Izzy for everything that went wrong. Does anyone else think Izzy was as bad as Sutton made out ?
Nothing profound from me – just to let y’all know that I’m the poster formerly known as SuperSutton.
And when I can think of a clever / witty / pithy / appropriate name, the word Sutton will be erased from my title.
Great goal wee Jay,with a beautiful assist from Hamilton Accies.
andyr53
ACGR
I’d arranged all that traffic behind me from dunblane so I could steal extra hugs from Dena!
How was your chippy?
Andy – grand to meet you.
HH jamesgang
Sutton is one of the greatest players of our recent past,very much in danger of becoming persona non grata at CP,a shame.
Stuart Armstrong and GMS have really added to our first eleven. Energy, drive, courage and skill. Great signings.
What a Celtic Park debut for both.
HH
micktt
;-)
Pre-match last night was brilliant too,great class from the Club bringing over the Inter 67 players,well done to all concerned.
westies
Arise my son you are forgiven!!! + <<< Thats a blessing no a kiss btw. 0)
Sutton is an embarrassment to himself now. His anti-Ronny agenda has back fired and as he still argues the world is flat we’re landing men on the moon.
sayanythingformoneyCSC
Raman Bardwaj claiming on twitter Anthony Stokes was disiplined for returning late at the weekend.
The two Dundee Utd now Celtic bhoys I thought were terrific last night, SA played a blinder and GMS came into a great game, giving Inter Milan something to think about when we really needed it.
Craig Gordon was forgiven immediately, without doubt the best Celtic goalkeeper since John Fallon…
Hail Hail
jamesgang, chippy was crap mate. Given the traffic I decided not to stop near your gaff and managed to get a bag of chips from a Chinese en route to the ground. I got a pie at half time as wee to technically I had a pie supper, albeit strung oot over about an hour or so.
Very very glad I didn’t stop or I would never had made kick off.
Off to Spain later today and hoping to tie in with my pal TET for some sclaffbaw on Monday. Missin ght game on Sunday:-( So give the wee wan a hug from me, and I donty mean weefra ya bammer.
HH
Had a laugh last night when some wag said that Focus are looking into charging the GB for not having a TV licence for their wonderful display…
fitbahumoursotrueCSC
leftclicktic
13:05 on 20 February, 2015
Was mentioned on huddleboard, apparently missed training due to late return
So did anyone have the last minute East Enders double on? Guidetti for the final goal and Bobby Beale??
Watched the waarrmm up and I thot Bertie was class!! Was in the Thorniewood club for the “blessing” of the Jinky statue a few yaers ago and Bertie was there. He spent hours goin round the tables chatting and signing autographs. True Celtic legend!!!
leftclicktic
13:05 on 20 February, 2015Raman Bardwaj claiming on twitter Anthony Stokes was disiplined for returning late at the weekend.
Late back from a trip to Dublin seemingly…….was he at the Hootananny?
Usual sh–t from the poster,we were awful last night defensively naive midfield especially Johansen would find it difficult passing water never mind a football,All effort and little skill Guidetti,s finish excepted,tactics all wrong gung ho leaving gaps the size of the north sea for a far superior team to exploit,expected a tanking after 15 mins but inter took their eye off the ball would play a weakend side next week and rest important players for the game against the sheep much more important,no matter who we play in milan we will be thrashed, DEILA OUT OUT OUT
That time again folks, I have my begging bowl out (AGAIN) for NCCA UK (Neuroblastoma charity)
I’m doing a 10 mile run in Edinburgh on April 19th in memory of my wee pal Oscar & to raise money for other kids and their families,
Plz donate if you can and thanks to all who have donated so far
https://www.justgiving.com/TommyMelly-Edinburgh-Run
Thanks HH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TV03fV8FiSQ
Italian TV
Beats our coverage…
we equalise at 3.32, I think they may cry :)
HH
!!Bada Bing!!
BMCUWP dropped him off late at Lennoxtown…
HH
micktt,
Enjoy mate, as Acgr knows, I’ve a penny whistle player next door, by feck, I’m sure he didn’t get much sleep, the Rebs were awfy loud last night ;))
Posted this earlier – saw it on a Hearts site –
“Just seen the list of officials last night for the Celtic game, they were never going to win with this lot in charge.
Celtic FC – Inter Milano
Referee: István Vad (HUN)
Assistant Referee 1: István Albert (HUN)
Assistant Referee 2: Peter Berretyán (HUN)
Additional AR1: Tamás Bognar (HUN)
Additional AR2: Sandor Andó-Szabó (HUN)
Fourth Official: László Viszokai (HUN) “
Timreaper
Ronny is the man and will turn us into one of the most dynamic teams in Europe.
No he isn’t
Last night was great entertainment and a much improved European display
But will we get to the next round.Unlikely
We have a long way to go
roy croppie
I think that was a Celtic wag in their studio by the way she enjoyed their pain at us scoring .
Off out