I am always alert to the noises coming out of Celtic in the week before we go to Rugby Park, the same was the case when we were at Livingston. They are horrible pitches. Players don’t like them, bookies don’t like them and managers avoid playing injury-prone players on the surfaces.
However, before a game, there are no excuses. We know the surface and we plan accordingly. There is a golden rule when facing an adverse environment: Give someone a reason to fail and they will take it.
I could not believe my ears at the weekend, when Newco manager, Philippe Clement spoke to Sky after their win at Ross County. When asked about the forthcoming games against Tottenham and Celtic he said, “Maybe we need to say financially out of our league, the two games”.
There’s your excuse. Out. Of. Our. League. Four words you do not want to hear from your manager when you are about to face a team you pretend is a peer. Celtic are out of Newco’s league, but not financially. Accounts for the year to June show Newco’s Operating Expenses at £109.785m, whereas Celtic’s only £105.4m.
Celtic operate in a different league when it comes to recruitment, coaching, commercial acumen, sports science, medical care and just about every metric you can think of. Apart from financial.
As the words left his mouth, Clement will have known he made the mistake of letting the world know he has prepared his excuses for failure. There is no financial disparity, the gap is all down to talent.
With two games remaining only Paris St Germain and Stuttgart, who sit outside the top 24, have a realistic chance of making the knockout stage. Both are on 7 points and they meet in Stuttgart on matchday 8.
Before then, PSG are home to Manchester City on 22 January, when there is a reasonable chance City will be out of their slumber, while Stuttgart can be expected to win at Slovan Bratislava.
Dinamo Zagreb (8 points, away to Arsenal, home to Milan) look certain to drop out. Had they beaten Celtic on Tuesday, getting to 10 points would flip that prediction. While our point on Tueday still left us work to do, it eliminated one of our key rivals.
PSV Eindhoven (8 points, away to Red Star, home to Liverpool) also have work to do. A draw in Belgrade may not be enough for them.
Of the clubs already on 10 points, Brugge are home to Juventus and away to Manchester City, and already have a -2 goal difference. While Feyenoord are home to Bayern, away to Lille and on -1 goal difference. Unlike others on the same points (or City on 8), these two will be looking over their shoulders.
A point should be enough at home to Young Boys, who did well for the majority of the game before caving in at Stuttgart last night. It’s set for a memorable Celtic Park winter’s night.
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1-0
Home team in front
Soz – yep, but he doubled, trebles, quadrupled his money.
1-0 huns. Woeful defending.
Half watching Hun game in the first half – they were easily the better team, against an underwhelming Spurs.
And Jay went 1-0
Huns score great goal v a poor Spurs team. Really poor passing in first half by both teams but mostly spurs. Wee Sally not heard Derry’s wall for ages
Spurs are absolute shit
The Blogger Formerly Known As GM on 12th December 2024 9:06 pm
Soz – yep, but he doubled, trebles, quadrupled his money.
Of course, and it was likely the only opportunity that he would get to manage a reasonably large club down south.
Both Spurs full backs have been woeful.Terrible performance.Watching this,you get the feeling the players have chucked it under Ange.Too poor to believe.
Good goal though.(Spew)
If Ange, gets beat with this mob, he deserves the ‘tin tack, the Ruud Gullit.
This could well believe they could win on Sunday.
NO CHANCE !!!!
So it seems that when the hun are winning in Europe the opposition is always shite.
Gone beyond coincidence
Kenny lays it on a plate for his mate 2-0 Rovers
Gene.
Are you watching the game? Spurs are playing shite. Pulling out of tackles misplacing passes. That is not good play by the huns.
Bheaver
No – but it’s a common thread
Gene
The Darnel are tearing Spurs apart .
TT
Gene, point taken. Rankers are playing very well, however Spurs, almost literally can’t string two passes together.
That team have given up on Ange,checked out
R2ngers in 2nd half are playing some good football, all over Spurs. Hard to believe they are so poor in SPFL. Dropping Dressers certainly helps.
Gene.
The players look disinterested. If spurs are beat tonight and their next game Ange will be sacked.
It’s all about the attitude.
TRFC’s troops are maniacally fired up and hungry.
Ye Spurs don’t seem to give a shiny.
RASKIN dirtiest player i have seen for long time. only wee guy .
Can’t be long for ange! An impact manager as paul67 said.
Kenny makes it 3-0 with a chip one on one
who the f told the huns to point in the air and at players like calmac – really annoying.
Never underestimate the passion in Scottish teams playing PL clubs.
Spurs are basically used to chess with a ball.
They don’t like it up ’em.
Nae hat-trick for Jonny subbed 65minutes scored 2 made the other 1
raskin and Barron = ant and dec
This would be a (gritted teeth) creditable win if the score stays the same.
Begs the question; are they really as shite as we insist they are ?
Scotland’s 3rd best team are doing fine against Premier League opposition. Yes, Spurs are pretty woeful, but the Rangers are doing what they need to do
Get in there.
Yesss!
Good goal from Spurs 1-1
TT
Come on Spurs.
Spurs are garbage. Really rubbish but hopefully will still win this in the 95th minute.
1 1
1-1
Home fans singing Silent Night
1- 1 totally undeserved Spurs are RED ROTTEN
Big Fraser saves the day..
Anyone remember Ange all? High energy, high press, quick passing . . . Poor tactics, disorganised and toothless.
Thank god Desserts done a Dessers there.