So many great performances, where to start? The left wing. Yang had a lot to do when Reo Hatate’s pitched cross dropped two yards beyond the far post. The outer edge of his right foot poked the ball beyond keeper Wellenreuther and Celtic were level. Yang has speed, the ability to get past a defender and is perhaps the best crosser among the multitude of wingers at the club, but he also has that innate sense of when to make a run.
What elevates forward players is often not their ability to shoot from within 8 yards of the goal (where the bulk of goals are scored), but how they unthinkingly find space to connect with the ball. Martin O’Neill knows a thing or two about footballers, listen to him on Yang:
“He does things that we can’t do. He can turn players he can beat players. He’s strong, and he can manoeuvre it. He can do all of those things. It’s just a matter of giving him confidence the whole way through.”
He arrived in Scotland in July 2023 having just turned 21 into an environment which sapped every ounce of confidence from him. Before Martin arrived in 2000, Celtic destroyed promising talent for decades – just like happened to Yang. Martin stopped the rot, which had again taken hold in recent seasons. You and I have a job to do to support this player.
Daizen Maeda had a typical Daizen Maeda game. He ran constantly and lost the ball frequently, but on two occasions, he timed forward runs which resulted in the second and third goals. Every goalkeeper in Scotland watches for his runs, Wellenreuther did not get the memo. The keeper’s waited too long for a pass to reach him and Daizen blocked the clearance.
Reo Hatate had even more to do than Yang when presented with his chance. The midfielder returned a fast moving ball with a first-time shot into the empty net. Anyone who has played football will tell you, putting the ball into an empty net is one of the hardest things in the game. Our players from Japan and Korea were simply too good for Feyenoord.
Arne Engels (22) joined the club as part of that much-maligned £32m spend in the summer of 2024. We paid significantly over the odds for a young player who was relegated to the bench in the early part of this season. He bossed the middle of the park last night and was a true leader.
Missing three defenders, at least two of whom would be first choices, Celtic were organised and effective at the back. Two left footed central defenders showed how ridiculous the myth was that they were not up to the task of playing at Tynecastle. Who knows what state the club would be in had Martin O’Neill not brought some sanity back to our game. Congratulations to all involved in a fabulous win.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! ORDER NOW AND GET £5 OFF! Celtic Confidential is the stunning new book that brings the exclusive inside stories behind the headlines. Alex Gordon’s sixteenth Celtic book is available NOW. Order a copy and get £5 OFF the cover price of £25. All is revealed in a sensational new publication. Just click SHOP HERE and your book will be on its way. Happy Festive reading, everyone!
297 Comments- Pages:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- »
A good day to remember Eurochamps67
In the Bhoys!
Indeed it is!
I said yesterday afternoon we’d have a chance if we didn’t play Hatate and Engels together in midfield or play Maeda wide right.
At least I was half right😂
TBB…
“Ach WBC, you didn’t miss much.”
I got to know Danny (lovely guy) years later and told him how I only saw him on telly.
He said exactly the same thing as you…😄
MON’s last job – having turned around our league form, stabilised us in Europe, and taken us to the League Cup Final – is to beat Hibs at Easter Rd on Sunday – no gimme, that.
If he manages it, he sets up incoming Wilfried Nancy with a chance to go to the top of the league and win a trophy in his first fortnight in the job: AKA as getting off to an absolute flyer.
Some job, Martin. Bunnet doffed.
A good day to remember Eurochamps67
Yes,indeed, best performance of the season by a country mile ?
Excellent performance and a better result than I’d even hoped for
By their own admission, the board have made mistakes. Really important to get the next one right. Perm manager will shape things for years to come
Unclear whether the CEO will be involved or whether a large shareholder still makes the hiring and firing decisions
Big December coming up.
” Who knows what state the club would be in had Martin O’Neill not brought some sanity back to our game.”
Hard to disagree with this steatement though I do wonder how much of the credit for the improvent in tactics, morale and selection is due to Maloney? I hope Shaun will be rewarded with a suitable job next week when Monsieur Nancy arrives.
Impossible is an opinion.
We won.
It’s a great feeling.
We won by 2 goals but the margins are tiny.
A couple of percentage points swing of effort, belief, ownership … and we could easily lose that game.
The Martin effect.
He’s so smart, he knows he doesn’t need to complicate things.
He brings a perspective modern coaches don’t
We have a good squad.
Brendan didn’t burn the house down.
Martin hasn’t had to sift through embers.
Towards the end of Brendan’s otherwise successful tenure, the squad just didn’t perform as well as it might.
Plus we had injuries … and a dysfunctional recruitment process.
Martin’s simple but powerful M.O. has lifted the group back up a bit … and made us feel good about our team.
Happier days.
Eurochamps67 RIP
It would be remarkable if it wasnt so bleeding obvious – give young men confidence and belief in their ability as individuals and as a group and they will perform better. What is remarkable is just how much better we’ve become in such a short space of time, which is a huge indictment of what came before.
Martins influence is as clear as day – the real difference between the two teams was the mentality that ours showed compared to Feyenoord. Van Persie might get it in time but you suspect what MON has cant be learned with experience.
But Shaun also deserves a mention. We made some very brave changes in tactics and in the line up and they worked – dropping Tounekti, playing McCowan on the wing. The high line at the back. We looked more solid in midfield but still carried a threat. Hatate is like a different player. The players have reacted so well to the new voice, an extremely positive sign ahead of new boss.
I hope he finds a space for Shaun in his team.
BR’s Third season legacy now taking shape. We have all the tools, would we have won last night with BR at the helm ? indeed would we have won on Saturday.
Martin is a living legend, The greatest since Jock stein
Yang took his goal brilliantly..but I just knew he’d be Paul’s love child for the day
..funny that ..BR gave him numerous chances ..MON might have lifted him but we all know he could have an absolute stinker on Sunday.
Engels and Hatate were class …the work Engels does off the ball really is top drawer and he was enjoying himself in that second half.
If I had a wish for January it would be for a dead eye dick FK taker from outside the box ….who can also play of course !!
One thing is also clear – treat your people well and when you need to ask them for help they’ll do it out of love for the club.
First Lenny now Martin have come back and helped us out in our time of need.
Maybe their employers werent such a terrible bunch after all
I knew we had them when they brought on that clugger Nieuwkoop.
Thug!
Van Persie had a haunted look in his eyes almost the whole second half. We bossed them.
Back to Basics.
The 7.47 verse last night i reposted was curtesy of Drambowie Celt.:-)
HH
Quadrophenian @ 11:26
“CHAIRBHOY…
I’m one of the dwindling pro-Brendan camp but I have a few questions/questionables in your team/squad list…
Yang – Recruited by Mark Lawwell, “developed” by BR&Co – less developed than poked out of Dem Ole Birmingham Blues due to a lack of available and decent wingers. I think Yang regressed during BRs reign.
McCowan – Recruited by BR&Co – likeable but squad-filler level player who hasn’t yet imposed himself as a reliable pick. IMO he may have flourished better at Hibs where he’d have had more games, more responsibility and more chance to develop a leader’s style.
It was interesting watching the programme yesterday, we had big Johan in the studio and big Joe as co-commentator.
To be frank I have no appetite for the Celtic Park in-crowd, I’ve met a few players in my time some of the lions included and that was huge for me.
In the modern era not too many I’d bother in a Celtic Park soirée – however Johan and Joe would be great people to chat to, they are charismatic and smart indivduals who are great ambassadors for our Club.
Obviously they are both gutted by what our Club is going through and it was all so unnecessary.
The blame game spin culture at the Club is so damaging and there are obviously other people, decent people in football, associated with our club, yet that isn’t neccesary, who could represent our club properly.
Your comment is for me a prime example.
You seem to me a fair minded fhellah who has no axe to grind and loves our club.
But you are still swayed by the propaganda.
When Yang came to us he was a slip of a lad who seemed overwhelmed by being in a new country and a huge club.
I remember an early game when he called for the ball on the right wing, over three yards off-side, the player who passed it to him was obviously shocked when he looked around and seen how obviously off-side he was.
He was very light weight, overwhelmed, naive.
Look at the lad now, that development did not happen because the great Martin O’Neill pressed a button on his back.
Yes, Johan talked about Martin’s awesome motivational skills and that surely had a big affect on his great performance yesterday.
But two and a half years hard graft by the lad and staff at Lennoxtown made a huge difference to that player.
The Board selling the lad to Birmingham City, bringing him back, sending him off to Birmingham again – screwing up the paperwork and bringing him back.
Would not have contributed to the lads confidence or development.
So it’s important to know where responsibilities lie at Celtic and who are spinning the bull… it does have a source, that source is toxic, that source is still at the Club.
Hail Hail
Young Donovan showed he has something about him,after the game at Tynecastle, was excellent all night
vale bhoy on 28th November 2025 1:15 pm
I knew we had them when they brought on that clugger Nieuwkoop.
Thug!
During match I kept thinking of Paul67 and newco as that is what his name sounded like on commentary
By end of game I was shouting
Wrang its nooklub.
Well spelt btw :-))
HH
Chairbhoy,
Would MON have come back and stayed if things at the club were so toxic ?
HH.
Tremendous performance all round. There is one thing that is glaringly obvious, and I mean glaringly obvious, is we simply MUST appoint Martin as Director of Football Operations, has to happen. The man is a genius, end of.
As an aside, I re-watched our recent game against Hearts and noticed how Tony Bloom engaged with the fans at the full time whistly. To me, that speaks volumes and highlights just how totally out of touch our board is with the fans. I mean, can you imagine Peter or Michael doing that without having a hand sanitiser present!!
kingLUBO
This is what it means to be Celtic💚
Paradise Pit Stop is expanding into the community 💚
Following the Foundation’s recent £100,000 investment to expand Paradise Pit Stop and enhance food provision across local communities, partnerships have now been agreed with organisations that will deliver hot meals and essential food support directly to people in need across other parts of Glasgow and beyond.
Paradise Pit Stop – which operates from Celtic Park four times each week – has already become a vital hub for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Thanks to our delivery partners, the Foundation will now reach additional communities who may not have previously been able to access the service.
Paradise Pit Stop at Celtic Park will continue to welcome guests each week, offering free, hot, nutritious meals in a warm and friendly environment every Monday and Thursday evening 5.00pm – 7.00pm and every Wednesday and Friday lunchtime 12.00 noon – 2.00pm
The Foundation remains committed to ensuring that Celtic Park continues to serve as a central gathering point for those in need of support, nourishment and community connection.
To extend the reach of Paradise Pit Stop, Celtic FC Foundation has established partnerships with the following organisations. Each will provide free, hot meals to local residents in their area The selection of these ten partners reflects a one-off commitment by the Foundation to build capacity across community organisations capable of delivering this model of support within their own areas:
Gateway Community Cafe
Gateway Church, 231 Dalmarnock Road, Glasgow G40 4NB
Every Wednesday, 11.30am – 1pm
The Halliday Foundation
Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre,13 Whitevale Street, Glasgow, G31 1QW
Every Wednesday, 5pm – 7pm
From November 26, 2025
Branchton Community Centre
78 Branchton Rd, Greenock, PA16 0XX
Monday – Friday, 11.30am – 1.30pm
Sacred Heart Kitchen
Sacred Heart Church Hall, 23c Kyle Road, Kildrum, Cumbernauld, G67 2DY
Every Monday, 5pm – 7pm
Universal Glasgow Food Project
1104 Shettleston Road, Glasgow, G32
Every Saturday, 11am – 1pm
Immaculate Conception
St Gregorys Church Hall, 130 Kelvindale Road, Maryhill, Glasgow G20 8DP
Every Monday, 10am – 12.30pm
North West Youth Services in partnership with Claude’s Café
4 Shipquay St, Derry BT48 6DN
Every Monday, 4pm – 6pm
Starting December 8, 2025
Food Solidarity Soup’er Heroes
The Braes Shopping Centre, Love and Solidarity Community Hub, Unit 5 , 17A Castlemilk Arcade
Every Monday and Friday, 11am – 4pm
Creeslough Community Day Centre
St. Michael’s Terrace, Creeslough, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, F92R 7DC
Various dates throughout January and February 2026. Also open on December 16.
St Augustine’s Church
12 Dundyvan Road, Coatbridge, ML5 1DQ
Monday – Friday, 10am – 2pm
This latest expansion follows Celtic FC Foundation’s recent announcement of two £100,000 funding allocations – one to extend Paradise Pit Stop and another donated to the UN World Food Programme, to support emergency food assistance in Gaza, where many families are facing famine and severe malnutrition. Together, these initiatives reflect the Foundation’s enduring commitment to tackling hunger and poverty, both in local communities and among those most in need around the world.
For more information about Paradise Pit Stop and the Foundation’s wider work please contact us on 0141 551 4321, email cfcfoundation@celticfc.co.uk or visit our website.
An Tearmann
Cheers.
It took a few attempts.
A wee song for MON & Shuan.
https://youtu.be/ytDMtn8pylI?si=6tyr9XP1ajz_tWNm
Greenpinata @ 1:56 pm,
Having read or listened to almost everything Martin O’Neill has said since he came back.
It’s clear he thinks the club is way below standard.
He says he came back because Dermot Desmond gave him the huge opportunity to manage Celtic the first time round.
So because it was Celtic and it was his Billionaire friend Dermot Desmond that asked him, that’s why he came back.
It’s been obvious from after the first week he was glad it was temporary and he sounded like he couldn’t wait to get back to his “coffee in London.”
Hopefully that brilliant performance and result last night will make his journey back very worthwhile as it has been for us.
He is a very pragmatic man – so don’t expect him to get carried away by yesterday’s game.
Hail Hail
TBB.
A good day indeed to remember Eurochamps 67 💚.
AnTearmann 2.01
Spot on big fella .
MO’N showed a pragmatism that’s been missing away , in Europe. Beef up the midfield .
Every starter played his part . No passengers last night.
Thanks Martin and the players for an epic night.
Onwards & upwards to Easter Rd on Sunday.
An Tearmann on 28th November 2025 1:56 pm
vale bhoy on 28th November 2025 1:15 pm
“I knew we had them when they brought on that clugger Nieuwkoop.
Thug!
During match I kept thinking of Paul67 and newco as that is what his name sounded like on commentary
By end of game I was shouting
Wrang its nooklub.”
……..
Maybe Paul67 is more honest than you?
Maybe Paul67 knows that you all soulled out for £49?
Maybe Paul67 is the Gentleman that you will never be as long as you keep lying about Celtic PLC and Celtic season ticket holders covering up the new club pish for £49 in 2016 as Rodgers-1 was recruited to take 60,000 dumb Timmy eyes off the ball?
And guess what? It worked. lol
That`ll be Paul67 a troll now as well now?! lol
Tell the truth and shame the cringingly rediculous fools.
How about, the PLC watched the boaking Witches Coven Snp/Greens shafting Timdom senseless for 17 years and thought:
[[“LET`S WRAP IT AROUND THESE UNLEARNING DAFTIES.
KEEP THE AULD RANGERS £49 TICKET PRICES AND THESE DUMB ERSES WILL SING ABOUT RANGERS DYING!
THANK GOD THERE IS NAE JUNGLE ANYMARE OR WE WOULD ALL HAVE BEEN EMPTIED YEARS AGO.
SHHHH DON`T TELL THUM!
AHA AAAHAHAHA HAHHA! THIS`LL BE GOOD! OH MA SIDES”]]
___
Stop lying and be a good Catholic. Its so simple.
Stay safe oot there.
HH
oot.
Chairbhoy,
MON is 73 years old and a wealthy man.
I have also listened to his conversations.
No matter his love for the club and personal friendships Ido not think he would work in a toxic environment at his stage in life.
HH.
https://x.com/TheBaldKyogo/status/1994128939468341439?t=-HURhb069rbBRPRtqVE8Jg&s=08
Been my ” ear worm” since last night.
Up until very recently I think the presiding image most of us have of Yang is that of a high challenge at Tynecastle which led to a red card, and not one from the Celtic support. Now under new management he at least merits his time in the team, especially wide left. Watching his goal again you see technique of high order. Main point being that we need to get something out of the players that are here, ideally their best, but if not, some key contributions, at Paisley on not just another Saturday, or last night in the Potterdam. Ergo the more you get out of more players the better you compensate for those not likely to be available for some time. Speaking of which was great to see Kellachi join in the celebrations last night after Yang scored and after the match. Be great to have him back in the squad with so many games to play and (this is for you BRRB) so many rivers to cross…..
I’d imagine Martin wouldnt care much about what’s gone on before he came back. He’ll be getting on with doing his job and not letting it be a distraction.
In terms of his relationship with the Board, how the club were with him during a very difficult period personally will be far more important to him than a professional dispute involving our last manager
He did say years after he left that he would still be Celtic manager if his wife hadnt become ill, so he clearly didnt leave on bad terms.
He did say that he hadnt spoke to DD much at all since 2005, perhaps friendship is stretching it but who knows what’s friendship to billionaires.
A fantastic win and one which should now see a new boss deliver us into the knockout stage.
MoN has a knack for winning, of that there is no doubt. Our match against St Mirren was statistically the worst performance since we had to field a B team against Livi in January 2021, post an ill advised trip to Dubai.
However, as MoN has said several times, it’s all about results and those he has delivered. One more massive game and MoN can complete his fairytale comeback with another win.
I’m not quite sure where the Yang revisionism is coming from – the lad is closing in on 100 appearances, he’s had ample opportunities at Celtic to push on.
Those of us Like MON who have been brought up to have affection for Celtic understand perfectly that when MON took the call and was to return to guide the club in its hour of need, his lifelong affection for the club made the decision a no brainer
Martin O’Neill’s upbringing as a Celtic fan was deeply influenced by his Catholic background in Northern Ireland, where supporting the club was common. His father encouraged him to play for Celtic if the chance ever arose, highlighting the deep meaning the club held for him and his family. While he never played professionally for the club, his management career at Celtic was a great privilege, fulfilling a long-held aspiration.
Family influence: His father’s encouragement to play for Celtic if the opportunity came “ever arose” shows the family’s strong ties to the club and how important it was to them.
Lifelong passion: Despite the long gap between his upbringing and his managerial role, O’Neill acknowledged that Celtic had a profound meaning for him and that his wife also grew to love their time in Scotland.
Privilege of management: He has described managing the club as a great privilege, indicating that it was a culmination of a lifelong passion and connection to Celtic.
Reading about the woes of Slot: “Slot had ranked highest of all candidates Liverpool considered when using a checklist of about 20 metrics, which included a points above expectation model……. He also scored highly on his ability to keep players fit. Another model related to player improvement to assess player performance before, during and after a head coach’s reign. Here it was noted Slot stood out like a sore rhumb”.
20 metrics!
I suppose there’s a lesson in there somewhere.