After an ominous start, Celtic coped well with PSG’s superstars before they retired at halftime. The midfield, in particular, looked effective. Mohamed Elyounoussi, Callum McGregor and Olivier Ntcham were always comfortable. The latter must be wondering, what more for a regular starting place? I would not know how to answer that question.
The first half goals were irritating as inattentiveness contributed to them, taking the shine off what I thought was a really good demonstration of why we should play three at the back. I know the club are busy with recruitment targets, but the shape of the team Neil Lennon wants to play will feed into details, like how many central defenders we need. At least two, I suggest. Nir Bitton does well, especially in possession, but his instincts are not those of a central defender.
It was great to see Tom Rogic back and looking the part. We missed his presence in midfield for much of 2019, to the extent that my expectations of him have lowered. It will be interesting to see how his fitness builds from this point onwards.
Hamilton Accies a week on Sunday will be a different challenge, alas.
331 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- »
Ntcham is not trusted because he doesn’t work hard enough. Too pedestrian and more suited to Italian and Spanish leagues, where I think he would be great. Our midfield without broony lacks steel and energy. I was hoping villa would be relegated so we could try get Mcginn – he’s the only guy out there who can fill the brown gap – I suspect brown will pick up more injuries as he ages. Any other suggestions for that role ? we need more ball winners!
When did that strip in St Stivs pic stop being used? Fantastic top imo.
HH
Test.
Sky going the full Monty for the Liverpool presentation.If we do the 10,we will see the comparisons.
Hopefully,we have a crowd to celebrate .
Growing up I had the pleasure of watching the original rangers win their 9 and spending all sorts all the time, it was hard going, never in my wildest dreams did I think i would see us 9 in a row, an undefeated season and 3×3 in a row, beyond all my dreams. Bonus being the original rangers demise and death and sevco kiddy on sevco 🤣
Celtic’s success has been built on strong foundations and the ability to follow good business sense; spend no more than you earn and ignore the outside noise. The football landscape has changed and so to has the business plan, but the principles remain the same.
I dont know what the future holds but I am sure it’s not gonna be a deviation from that plan, so we are not likely to see massive spending from celtic until or unless the football landscape improves for the better.
I do hope the pandemic makes celtic look to the academy more and I hope that goes hand in hand with a change to the multitude of squad players we carry and to focus spending accordingly.
Fergus mccann gave celtic the biggest advantage over all scottish rivals when he built a 60k stadium and in effect gave us 5 million a season more via gate receipts than our closest rivals and extra 7k seats, improved corporate and disabled seating etc would help cement that advantage. That 5 million advantage could easily be 10 million plus advantage. Progressing with the plans for a hotel, museum, bar etc. would place us on an altogether different level again.
I was pissed off when Fergus spend millions on the stadium when i wanted us to stop the original ranger and all money spend on the team, he was proven correct then and nothing has changed since that time, get the foundations correct and nthe pitch will follow.
Hh
BHOYJOEBELFAST on 22ND JULY 2020 9:56 PM
Ian Lochead,according to one source left 1960 and another said 1961, and the photo is 1962.
*Ian Lochhead was another highly sought after player that we targeted, in fact reserve coach Jock stein personally went up to the Drum for him.
In one of his first games, our first SC win over deidco at Parkheid since 1901 he gave veteran centre half willie telfer a torrid time, my da was raving about him.
However 5 weeks later at the national stadium he failed to show up and we were well and truly gubbed by a Buddies side in which 2 players we should have signed Tommy Bryceland and Gerry Baker ran amok in a 0-4 loss. The latter in particular gave Bobby Evans the same kind of afternoon that Ian had given Telfer in the previous round.
He was rarely seen after that appearing in the Combined and Reserve sides although he did star for the latter which Jock coached who won the 2nd XI Championships, our first since the 1930’s, meanwhile telfer was still playing for deidco.
That was my first viewing of him and the next was 6 months later in the Floodlight switch on game against the outstanding Wolves, complete with their national captain having an easy night of it, who were champions for the 2nd year running, an estimated 45,000 were there that night.
He left 3 year later only playing 12 games scoring just 3 goals.
Stebhoy,
Does not even play the same role as Broony.Anyway,had his chance,chose Villa.Has played well in the EPL,so his price will be around 40 million,with those nutters down South.Forget him.
STEBHOY on 22ND JULY 2020 10:27 PM
Ntcham reminds me of those big centre forward that need time to get up to speed, but he always seems to go missing for 3 games or so and then he is thrown in to a game, its no use he needs to be playing every week and is far to good to sit on our bench if I were him I would either want to play or want to leave.
HH
Looking forward to seeing Soro at the weekend.Hoping he can do a job for us.Looks a clever player.
“?????”????????????????????????FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is anyone asking where the huns are getting the money to keep the lights on…………………?
TONTINE:
I have a photo of Ian Lochead v Stirling Albion at Annfield in a cup tie,in one of my scrapbooks.It is not a newspaper picture but a glossy offering.The photo may have come from the Topical Times a book you know doubt have heard of.One of my favourites is a coloured photo of Paddy Crerand in his Celtic shirt,which I got framed and is still in my keep.I do enjoy your contributions and hope they continue for a long time.
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 22ND JULY 2020 6:31 PM
Fess19…we had another CH around that time, John Jack, who, like John Kurilla and Billy McNeill, was of Lithuanian descent…
*Jonas Kaduskeviechi aka John Jack, in his 9 years at Parkheid pulled the hoops on only 68 times.
He was a back up for Jock but when he got injured filled in for him the following season winning an LC medal in our first victory in that tournament.
He played in the disastrous SC semi and replay against kilmasonic and was blamed for the draw in the 1st game and a blunder in the 2nd which gave the templars a penalty. Although my da always pointed the finger at Dick Beattie who we all now know received a nine-month prison sentence and was subsequently sine died from the game after being found guilty in a betting scandal.
The following season Bobby Evans moved into the centre half position with John’s fellow Lithuanian Big Billy being his successor a couple of years later. By this time John was plying his trade down at Cappielow but only after assisting Jock with the reserves.
John Kurila is a player I remember more, he had replaced John Jack as the backup tae Bobby and Billy.
He was actually signed as a goalie but was turned intae a centre half. The Jungle loved his no nonsense approach, especially against deidco and, christened him “Kurilla the Gorilla”.
Like big John McNamee and John Cushley, in another era he would have been a first choice player but as we all know Billy was that good plus the Big Mhan was his mentor.
Like John Jack he also enjoyed success in the reserves, winning three 2nd XI Championship medals and a reserve league cup medal.
However during a period at the start of 1960/61 season when he replaced the injured Billy he had a strong game against deidco in a 1-2 loss in the LC keeping the burly jimmy miller, a player who had given both Bobby and Billy a hard time, out of the game.
1 week later he had a nightmare in a 1-5 loss tae the same side in a league game. We had a young forward line ranging from a 23 year old with Stevie tae a 17 year old Bear and although the huns were 1 up at the half Stevie had hit both the post and crossbar.
It was in the 2nd half we collapsed with John dithering with the ball that allowed the quick paced millar to add to their lead. The roof the fell in with 12 minutes to go, however we did grab a consolation goal in the last minute through who else but Stevie, who never never never gave up.
That was John’s Celtic career virtually over, although I did see him in a revamped Celtic side against the harry wraggs at firhill for thrills on August 12th.
He replaced Pat Crerand who had been suspended for the first two games of the season by the SFA following his sending off in Czechoslovakia during a Scotland international, we extended his suspension to four weeks without pay following a 5-a-side tournament at Brockville in July when Pat and Mike Jackson were both ordered off.
Ironically his fellow culprit Mike Jackson played that day and scored 2 goals including our opener and winner, nae wonder Pat left for manure. BTW, Joe McGoals scored both the home sides goals in a 3-2 win for us.
The reason I remember this is standing in the enclosure I heard one of our supporters shouting “c’mon Celtic gives us one for the black walk”, had to wait until I got home to ask my da what he meant.
John eventually left us at the end of that season moving to Northampton where he starred, became a cult hero and won 2 medals in the old 2nd and 3rd Divisions.
But his greatest claim to fame however is playing for Colchester in their giant killing defeat of the then mighty Leeds United 3-2, Bremner, Giles and all in the FA Cup.
Celtic are on course for 10 in a Row. It Won’t be easy to get.
You can do it Lenny Bhoy. Europe too LENNY.👍🎸🎸🎸🎸👍
Wan of the best Ever Mixes is by Sasha – Fundacion NYC.
I remember when rangers were going for the 10 – they let laudrup go and didn’t really do much to replace. Probably ran out of money by that point and satisfied they had equalled our record.
The should have had titles stripped for their cheating! absolutely not doubt about that – so here we are with a chance to redeem that (somewhat) – I think the board will deliver 2-3 signings that will make us better – not more projects.
BHOYJOEBELFAST on 22ND JULY 2020 11:48 PM
TONTINE: I have a photo of Ian Lochead v Stirling Albion at Annfield in a cup tie,in one of my scrapbooks.It is not a newspaper picture but a glossy offering.The photo may have come from the Topical Times a book you know doubt have heard of.
*My mother bought me it for a few Christmas’s along with the Scottish Football Book. A few years back I was listening to a radio show that gave out the overseas “soccer” results. They had a quiz and I emailed my answer. I won and the prize was the Topical Times Annual, I still have it lol.
TT,
Our fitba Club is alright.🇮🇪🇮🇪👍🎸👍🇮🇪🇮🇪
Win, Lose or Draw.
Incredible.
TONTINE/ Bhoy Joe
That is definately George McBride, he was brought up in Elder Street in Govan and lived next door to my granny.
You mentioned Ian Lochead, well he’s another one who went to St Gerrards in Govan,must have been around same time as Jim Craig but did not stay long with Celtic.
Right I’m off to the golf, catch up later
HH
Good morning friends from a very wet and grey East KIlbride. July has been particularly disappointing, weather wise, this year and it looks as if April and May will turn out to have been our summer. Hey ho.
Anyway, we kick off our quest for 10 in a row in just 10 sleeps time ;-)
Derry city match cancelled
Looks like we play Motherwell on Sunday for last Pre season game
Good morning cqn from a wet and very dark Garngad.
What a good read back that was👍
HH
D :)
STEBHOY on 22ND JULY 2020 10:27 PM
Ntcham is not trusted because he doesn’t work hard enough. Too pedestrian and more suited to Italian and Spanish leagues, where I think he would be great. Our midfield without broony lacks steel and energy. I was hoping villa would be relegated so we could try get Mcginn – he’s the only guy out there who can fill the brown gap – I suspect brown will pick up more injuries as he ages. Any other suggestions for that role ? we need more ball winners!
—
This nonsense still perpetuates on these pages. Ill-informed opinion passed off as fact. Fist-pumping Broonie over laissez-faire Ollie. We see what we want to see. Blood and snotters over grace and poise and a desire to throw in another in the assembly line of headless chickens like McGinn to crash into players. with added Celtic heritage as well.
Can’t do links but here’s your tea – http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/ntcham-bias/
A fact-based summary of our mercurial frenchman’s performance ranking higher than Scott and on a par with Ryan in midfield when it comes to duels.
FFS, find a place for him, paired up with Ryan, Rogic, Callum & Eddie, all great footballers. We’ll purr like wolverines..
Big Wavy
`Ill-informed opinion passed off as fact.`
You are being kind….. `informed` doesn`t come into it at all :-))
Morning all,
I’m a very occasional poster and daily lurker. I have a non football question – my son did Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi last year and has a pile of sports clothes that he’ll never wear again ( and for sake of clarity , all branded Team GB ).
Does anyone know any charities that take sports clothes for poorer countries as seems an incredible waste to just put it all in recycling. It’s pretty good quality and I don’t think would sell in Charity shops here due the the Special Olympics logo. ( Special Olympics is for people with severe learning disabilities ).
Thanks,
Bashi
Is anyone asking the huns where they are getting the money to keep the lights on?
Bashi,
I don’t know where you can give them, but I can imagine – if you are anything like me – there would have been a few proud tears watching your son compete. Great stuff.
I hope you find a good home for the kit.
Bankiebhoy1- No.
The succulent lamb…is well to succulent.
HH
D :)
Bashi- a big well done to your son, you must be so proud.
Hail Hail
D :)
BANKIEBHOY1 on 23RD JULY 2020 9:21 AM
Is anyone asking the huns where they are getting the money to keep the lights on?
—————————–
The question does come up on a regular basis but I assume no-one knows how they are managing to survive…
I suppose we could look at their published accounts… ahh maybe not
It was very good – and he got a Bronze.
He has changed sport now and hopefully will make it to next games in Berlin too.
Thanks,
Bashi
Bashi- a Bhoy on here a few years ago, used to collect old kit and send it overseas, not sure if he’s still around? HH
Hot Smoked,
Finding a place, as Paul67 suggested, for ON, is the problem we need to solve.
Not replacing him because he’s not animated enough.
I do love Broonie but balancing his age and deterioration with alternatives is equally of pressing concern.
HH
YORKBHOY on 23RD JULY 2020 9:29 AM
BANKIEBHOY1 on 23RD JULY 2020 9:21 AM
Is anyone asking the huns where they are getting the money to keep the lights on?
—————————–
The question does come up on a regular basis but I assume no-one knows how they are managing to survive…
I suppose we could look at their published accounts… ahh maybe not
____
They just got their season book money so they should be fine for the next few months. We’ll see what happens in 2021
Happy 60th Birthday to TONYROME one of CQN’s finest and a true Celtic man !! ☘💚🍀
TIMALOY29
I think we have heard over the whole life of Sevco that they would run out of money when the season ticket cash was used up and it doesn’t happen.
I assume they have the second biggest outgoings is Scottish football and they get very little money from transfer fees, retail sales etc I really don’t understand why they have not gone into admin.
BASHI-BAZOUKS
Would his school or local council not be proud to make some sort of display of his achievements ? Great offer to donate them
Happy birthday TonyRome , bus pass in the post