“Feeling more confident than any time in the last five years” was the sentiment expressed to me by a Newco fan this morning. And with some reason. They have gone two months without defeat, while Celtic’s blistering runs of successive wins stopped; we’ve won three and drawn three of our last six.
Reasons for any marked change in results are usually varied. With the league won, Celtic rested players, while others were injured. Opponents have also paid attention to their Scott Sinclair Problem. Stop Scott getting the ball and you inhibit Celtic’s most potent danger.
You also have to factor in the reality that Brendan Rodgers has given 52 competitive pre-match team talks. There are only so many times you can vocabularise your rallying call before its effects diminish.
The contrast in the other Hampden dressing room will be stark. Brother Pedro’s accent will still appear fresh to his players, never mind his message. His tactical talks and implorations of effort will seem innovative, whether they are or not. For these reasons, and more, Newco players will fear nothing on Sunday.
This game will be more straightforward that Ross County last week. We know Newco are there to win, to knock us out of the cup, stop our Invincibility Quest and reach their second major cup final. We’ll not face 10 men behind the ball.
Having said all of this, you and me will both be stunned if Celtic don’t prevail. We have the better players, the better manager, we’ve faced many and varied challenges this season and come through impressively.
Dembele, Griffiths and Rogic are back and available. The manager has choices on who to play, and options to change the game, or freshen things up later.
That same Newco fan this morning accused me of selective memory, with good reason, when I said I couldn’t remember Ugo Ehiogu playing for Rangers. It was no less alarming to hear a fit and active man of 44 died so suddenly. Condolences to his loved ones. There but……….
691 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- »
I’m Apologising for You not getting through
Can’t see anything but a fairly comfortable win tomorrow; take the ref out of it early by scoring a couple and watch them implode.
Keep the ball moving and don’t let them into the game should be the plan – chasing shadows and not getting c;ose enough to tackle will wear them out. Rookie goal keeper and 2 rookie defenders – unless they play an unfit Clint Hill.
Candy from a baby is my prediction!
KTF
VFR800 is now a Monster 821 on 22nd April 2017 9:06 pm
Can’t see anything but a fairly comfortable win tomorrow; take the ref out of it early by scoring a couple and watch them implode.
Keep the ball moving and don’t let them into the game should be the plan – chasing shadows and not getting c;ose enough to tackle will wear them out. Rookie goal keeper and 2 rookie defenders – unless they play an unfit Clint Hill.
Candy from a baby is my prediction!
KTF
………………………………………………
Ride thaT bIKE wITH gREAT aUTHORITY THE MORRA.
OOPS.
Celtic will win Well, we shall see how good Pedro is,
VFR800 is now a Monster 821 on 22nd April 2017 9:06 pm
———–
I’d guess you had the same prediction before the numerous other Hampden disasters we’ve been involved in.
Yep candy it is
Wonder how Roy Croppie is spending his Saturday night before a Celtic semi-final which “might” lead to a treble ?
Just wondering ?
If I could do that link thing a wee bit of Grace would sit nice, then even Mac the Knife for Tommy B
Any other Saturday night requests, if we had our resident DJ ?
Aidan has been Banned from Motorbikes.
That is the Brutal TRUTH.
I hope my Words resonate.
He is likely to go as fat32, I mean Fast as his Uncle.
Chech this Outie
If this lady’s music doesn’t restore your faith in … well, everything … I don’t know what will.. Ms Mavis Staples
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-dz-hXCIWhU
Good evening…a wee bit of wilson…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=apdCgfr05rU
GFTB
Here you go Gerry Bhoy
Grace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lotnXbJP9Gg
and Tommy singing Mack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4KkKwBR-30
Hammer it home tomorrow Bhoys
KEEP THE FAITH
Hi Bhoys
Big Rod – I’d Rather Go Blind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MgD9XVBwvQ
What a vocal here fae the big man.
KEEP THE FAITH
An apple a day…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ5WPXxNzPU
MIKE IN TORONTO on 22ND APRIL 2017 9:27
MIT – nice one!! Enjoyed that mate.
TC45
MiT @9.27
I had never heard of Mavis Staples but that is a great performance.
Thanks for posting the link
Tonyrome 9.35pm
Just picked the wee blade up from my sisters, you have set this semifinal Eve up very nicely, very much appreciated
Hrvatski Jim.
Mavis a tremendous talent, her Dad and sisters can sing too.
Mavis and Bob Dylan were allegedly an item in the 60s but kept it low key.
She played her part in the civil rights movement. Her Dad known as Pops Staples was ,friendly with Martin Luther King.
The family were in The last Waltz singing The Weight with The Band.
MIT.
Great choice. Sam Cooke next, please.
I loves a song with a Hammond organ
Only One More Day till we deliver our skelping.
A wee song of consolation for tomorrow’s defeated team of cheating connivin zombies
Just quit while you’re behind
Hi ghuys we lost a great Celtic man last night after a long batttle with illness , his name was Alex McDonnell , he was in Lisbon & countless places following the Bhoys ! Stlll followed the team to where he could get his dialysis , he’ s a legend here in Girvan !! RIP ALEX HH !
GFTB
No problem Gerry I hope you and the wee yin have a great day tomorrow.
I’m no much of a hoose drinker and there’s plenty of it lying aboot here, but I feel a few tunes then a few goals the morra and I just might be a convert.
KEEP THE FAITH
Word of the day
Screwball
HH
Prince enjoying himself…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y
Tonyrome 9.57
The wee yin is ditched the morra I have done my penance today and I have the school run all day Monday, out with a few bhoys the morra over in Blantyre and looking forward to watching Brendans Bhoys and without being over confident I think will scud this new mob…… still got a bit of work to do to get a treble but will be delighted if we have a chance in the last weekend of May
Again cheers for the links, two great songs for very different reasons but Tommy Burns is for me, my Celtic
All time classic
JUDY CLAY & WILLIAM BELL – PRIVATE NUMBER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeuVS6vnN7w
KEEP THE FAITH
For tomorrow, a last minute deflection will do, just get into the final.
Anything else is just baubles and bunting.
Not that I’ll complain if a skelping ensues of course:-)
Just got a text, got a ticket for the game.
Changed my mind, only a skelping is acceptable.
Get in there.
Jimmynotpaul
My ignorance is inexcusable as I have the very album of The Last Waltz on vinyl in my collection. A gift from a young Mrs HJ.
I need to get it spinning at 33rpm.
Here is my one and only contribution to tonight’s music.
Jonny Cash meets The Who.
Sung by the brilliant Puddles Pity Party
https://youtu.be/6bfPwtUTP4k
Paolo’s message to Celtic for tomorrow…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cF52fvlTln4
GFTB
Yeah Tommy was my hero too. I was lucky enough to meet him once at a player of the year dance when he was voted young player of the year.
I work with two guys who grew up with him and both say he was one of the most decent and kindest person they have ever met.
I’ve been invited round to my sons for the game or to the pub with my mates but I’m just gonna sit tight at home.
KEEP THE FAITH
WBC
Very good cover right enough have you heard this one?
THE STEREOPHONICS – DON’T LET ME DOWN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7jWvFMCmA4
KEEP THE FAITH
PETEC on 22ND APRIL 2017 6:18 PM
“Actually that was a hun goal that was decent, Big Ugo’s overheid kick, I can’t think of many others.”
*****
Pity the game wasn’t. Prso and Novo both playing, players whom the now in liquidation club admitted to having payed illegally. That means other clubs couldn’t have done the same, destroying LNS’ argument on “no sporting advantage”.
So that’s 3-0 to Celtic, and I’m not talking about tomorrow’s farce.
Park Road
RiP to Alex.
Hey lads
Sorry, I had stepped out to do an errand there, Glad Mavis was a hit.
Hrvatski, how are you, pal?
JNP, I heard her once say that Bobby D asked her to marry him, but she said no because he was white. She said it was the biggest regret in her life.
Here’s my favourite from Sam. A Change is Gonna Come
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-dz-hXCIWhU
R Dean Taylor – There’s a Ghost In My House.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg9KTv5ynZI
TonyRome…yes, good version…its a great song, think it was the b side of Ballad of John and Yoko…
THE Weight sung by The Band on my Easy Rider Album didnt feature Bob Dylan…..one of my no 1 favourites…….some bassa nicked the album way back.
Tonyrome 10.18pm
Without boring the blog my mother never had a good word to say about Celtic, “did we win” “they always let us down” were a few of her much used phrases and her favourite “Celtic don’t put food on the table” BUT if there was one player she loved (she liked Neil Lennon also) it was Tommy Burns, when Maurice Johnston got sent off at Hampden agiainst the old mob seemingly TB said “would fit him better to bless himself at chapel” that brought the biggest smile to my mothers face… She loved Tommy Burns, my mother was in her late 80s when she passed March’08, Tommy must be looking after her as he followed about 8wks later
MIT…this is the psychedelic version of Sam’s classic…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IF6RaCLO7n0
So So So many reasons tomorrow is huge for us to win.
Given most of the pressure is on our team I will take any win, any way, any how.
I would settle for putting them right in their place at Ibrox the week later.
The thought of them having anything big to aim for the week of our Lisbon celebrations is just too much to consider.
The synergy of the fact we beat Aberdeen in the Final of our First Treble in 67 is a great omen.
Given the positivity they seem to have their choir will be in full voice tomorrow, I hope our guys are up for backing our team to the hilt and more and not just the expectant fair weather variety.
120% backing for a team who will be giving the same I am sure.
My personal Hampden record attending vs teams from Govan is Won 8 Lost 8.
Classics including the 3-1 demolition of their first team by our Quality Street Gang in the Glasgow Cup in 1969 or so, the Hampden Riot game, the Wee Joe and the dodgy throw in decision classic, Murdo and Charlie, Griffiths demolition.
Horrible like last season are down there with BFDJ debut league cup game, Bobo’s 2-3 Final, Robertson sending off but we still couldn’t beat them, Wallace v Dr Jo and of course Laudrop in our Hampden season.
I hate these games at that stadium. I sincerely believe if we win their will be trouble around the stadium and the town tomorrow.
I think we will win and win well in the end. All the trouble will be forgotten when we celebrate for an incredible 12 days from the 21st to the 30th of May.
The best of times CSC.