I’ve done my best to avoid the ridiculous summer hype from across the city, which appears as regularly as rain during the Fair. Ex-Celt Kenny Miller and poor old Barry Ferguson are wheeled out for their hot takes on how Celtic are in trouble this time, with all the accuracy of a stopped clock.
Their Olympic sized egos took a humbling last night; maybe Mick isn’t quite the Svengali they’d hoped. I know we keep winning (and in style) but we should always learn from the complacency of others.
For me, the biggest win of the summer is the new deals for Kyogo, Maeda and McGregor. I am excited about the five new arrivals, but so far, they mean nothing. All we know is that we paid the asking price on each occasion to get them in early, as they were each high on the target list. None are here because they were on frees and we had squad gaps to fill.
There are still worries ahead of this season. Domestically, we will face a direct opponent that is recruiting height and muscle to match our skill and style, a modern take on the Jimmy Johnstone – John Greig battles that so defined the Celtic and Rangers era.
Europe is far more concerning. You can definitively say we are not ready to compete for the heights achieved under Gordon Strachan in the Champions League. Ponder that for a moment. We will certainly compete for third spot in the group; don’t bet on a positive outcome, though. Our own Greek tragedy could be a couple of months away.
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Goldenballs?
Long John ?
Bronze statuesque? Where’z everybody?
I wonder if there is a correlation between the Huns being at their July Orange staunchiest (games amidst the parades) + pre-season bravado with no real games played + puff pieces in MSM about their galacticos?
The problem with that heightened testosterone, irrational feeling, is that it’s a long way to drop when they have a setback. The difference on season predictions before and after their game last night on FF was bipolar.
They look a mess on the field way beyond newbies arriving. No identity in their game and a defence that remains a shambles.
HH
Reading the article 🤣
Damn you Quadrophenian!😂
From yer article Paul, you could almost deduce thems are recruiting player types that may be more European ready than us ? Quality notwithstanding ;))
Exciting wee Matildas game – evenly matched 1-1 as the 2nd half begins. Mon the Tillies!!
PS: Interstate on holiday, managed to get a wee game of walking football tonight: 2 of the local team were over 60s bhoys!! HH
Nothing new there P67 on the European challenge. Gap is massive. Not only are we finding it hard to compete but being utterly humiliated by the big 5 mob are all real possibilities as the seasons go by.
If we are back to small margins in some of our great nights then we really need a keeper who wins us points by being the proverbial wall, a better left back, a DM strategy/pragmtism and more quality in the attacking 3rd.
The huns without Matondo and Sakala are bereft of pace. The huns with Matondo and Sakala are bereft of goals.
Bring on the Wolves.
HH
We’re about 7 weeks from our first CL game – time will tell but more importantly so will the draw.
It’s threasy when you know how, BRRB ;))
It is very true that Europe will beca huge test this season, however, we can’t afford a Greek tragedy.
Unless we are going to forfeit the league this season and take part in the EUL or CUL for 2024/25. We MUST be competitive in Europe or start seeing ourselves as the next decades Aberdeen without Fergie.
Thots from elsewhere but maybe relevant after reading the article…
As far as Scottish football goes, it is a disgrace in this day and age that Kyogo gets the sort of treatment that another highly gifted, tuff, wee man got, however Jinky played the game when the likes of Norman Hunter roamed the plains of Eland Road.
There is no way Leeds United will get away with playing like that now, however John Lundstram can certainly get away with the methodology John Greig did, playing the beautiful game in bonny Scotland.
When Kyogo was taken out by Lumdstram in a game that is more famous for Jota’s sublime finish and clench fist salute.
Lundstam brought his elbow up into Kyogo’s shoulder, I instantly turned to a pal and said that’s a really painful one and he did it deliberately.
What Lundstram done was a move that you are more likely to see in martial arts rather than football, on your hunkers, you pull in you dantian, then use the power of your legs to drive all the energy through your body to the elbow when impacting.
Of course not everyone is going notice what type of assault had just taken place yet the DR description was as you’d expect woeful…
…”But they’ll have to do it without Kyogo after he was forced out of the action shortly after kick-off. In a tussle on the far side of the pitch in the Hoops half, Malik Tillman battle for possession and Kyogo added his presence to try and win the ball back for Celtic. So too though, did John Lundstram, who came in hard and fair to make a tackle and win the ball.
However, he appeared to catch Kyogo on the shoulder with his elbow unintentionally. The Celtic forward received treatment on the pitch before being further assessed on the touchline.”
Our Japanese contingent would be in no doubts what – catching Kyogo unintentionally with the elbow – actually was and would not be surprised by the long term injury the mercenary inflicted.
Indications from Ibox yesterday suggest more of the same this season, interesting big John Lundstram didn’t fancy mixing it with the Olympiacos No 5, too big for you John??
Hail Hail
😂
JimTim @ last article
The cheating continues even in pre season and doesn’t go unnoticed by Celtic, or the supporters. Scotland remains unique, where mascots can become referees.
Chairbhoy
He didn’t fancy mixing it with our Canadian Bruiser. 😆
If you look back at our line ups against the likes of AC Milan , (Barca particularly) , and Man Utd , there was a few weak links in all these sides.
They were characterised by being well drilled.
I’d use the same description for the likes for RB Leipzig , Shaktar , and yon Norwegian mob ….. unfortunately, we have been wide open at the back for the last few years in Europe under Ange, Neil and Brendan.
There is nothing wrong with being cagey , particularly if we have speed merchants up front.
So for me in European terms , we need to be more secure last line of defence and an experienced midfield holder who has played at that level, to provide some more stability to the team.
Football can change quickly and it is possible for us to perform well above what current expectations are set at.
Look at the other way , if Ange had stayed then for me there would be zero change of us doing well in Europe by running about mad and we would have collectively been on his case ….
Onwardsupwardscfc
Paul 67,
If I may say it, quite a downbeat article.
I am much more optimistic than that.
HH.
A Goalkeeper and a quality left back and we are good to go
BIGRAILROADBLUES @ 12:19 PM,
Yes exactly, maybe he’s not as dumb as he looks:))
Hail Hail
I fancy a trip through to Embra next week. Tam and Prestonpans? I’ll text ye.
GREENPINATA on 27TH JULY 2023 12:22 PM
Paul 67,
If I may say it, quite a downbeat article.
—————
Agree completely.
Why all the pessimism? 😳🤷🏼♂️
The Huns are still sh!*e and we have a treble winning squad that’s been strengthened (still up for debate, I know) and they’ve had to replace a load of first team players with new players for free or for very little money, with no prior experience of Scottish football.
How many promising players come to Scotland and can’t hack it? Loads! Don’t believe the media hype.
They’re a busted flush and one or two decent players (Danilo looks a player) won’t change that. Brendan’s hoops will batter them into the ground.
Watch this space. 😃🍀🏆🏆🏆🇮🇪
I don’t think Brendan would be back,without guarantee of investment, to make decent inroads in Europe we have still to sign one of his own targets,I think another 3 will be incoming, for big money as well, £6 million plus….
Melvin Udall
Greenpinata
Aye indeed. We shall thrash the hun. Europe? Gerrintaethum!!!!
!!BADA BING!! @ 12:38 PM,
Maik Nawrocki played in defence for Legia when they kept a clean sheet in Europe against Leicester City.
Brendan notices quality youngsters and could well have had Rocki down for a future prospect.
However I’d agree, he’d be looking to bring in at least three of his own targets for the UCL this season.
Hail Hail
“I’ve done my best to avoid the ridiculous summer hype from across the city”
————–
I have avoided it too and I haven’t even needed to try!
——————————
“we are not ready to compete for the heights achieved under Gordon Strachan in the Champions League. Ponder that for a moment. We will certainly compete for third spot in the group”
————
Well that would be an improvement on two of Strachan’s four seasons.
BRRB
Remember I’m aff to Liverpool on Friday, stag weekend 🤷♂️🤦♀️
Ie 4th August
If you saw the Cantwell penalty dive last night you’d understand why he was surplus at Norwich.
P67, you could have saved some digital ink and just said:
No matter our highly experienced experienced manager
No matter aw the analytics
Unearthing gem new signings…
We’re Europa standard at best.
I wonder how many paying fhans are content with trebles, the odd Europa run, over a Champs league last 16 ?
I see the newclub are on council telly for their CL prelim round – beeb shelling out – don’t remember them televising any of ours
Australia 2 – Nigeria 3
FIFA ranked 40 lassies beat FIFA ranked 10 lassies
Chairbhoy- interesting re Big Mick v Leicester……
Can I ask if a few of my fellow posters would scan over the post I made on the last thread , and point out to me where I demanded Celtic hierarchy go squealing to the Sfa regards last nights
Sevco game and the decisions made by the ref in that game .
The said post JIMTIM on 27TH JULY 2023 9:05 AM
Last night we again witnessed referee cheating of the highest order Our club are forking out millions on quality players to compete in various competitions , yet the game changers are in the men in black . Our board surely see what is coming from these mibs in a season that is of great importance to the club they are game changers . I hope michael or peter have voiced there concerns over the favouritism shown towards the club across the city . And they should make a start with making an example of sevco fan McLean .
I didn’t attach too much importance to us losing 6 goals a couple of weeks ago so I’m not really going to comment on the huns last night. We’ll be able to assess them very soon as they take on the dreaded qualifiers. I wouldnt be too confident going into those games if I was a hun. That defence is a year older and they’ve resigned duds to strengthen it…
What NotTheBus said at 12:29
CHAIRBHOY on 27TH JULY 2023 12:44 PM
!!BADA BING!! @ 12:38 PM
Re the 3 extra players for CL , for me goalkeeper upgrade ( which will be difficult) , central midfield and the last spot would be up for grabs , left back or a big strapping lhad mid 20s CF (pace and power merchant) would be my preference….
HH
Sing me a song of a lass that is gone……
RIP Sinead
https://youtu.be/XehuNQXdGCU
Sinead- Don’t Cry For Me Argentina