Own the field, Celtic

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Malmo manager Age Hareide’s press conference yesterday had a touch of the Kevin Keegan’s about it. As STV pointed out, Swedish journalists, writing for both Swedish and Scottish outlets, transcribed Malmo goalkeeper, Johan Wiland’s words, “They are pigs, all of them, that’s the way it is.”

Hareide didn’t like the coverage. I’m not surprised, he knows that it will be a significant motivator for Celtic, pinned to the proverbial dressing room wall, but his attempt to rebut reports as a failure in translation does not bear scrutiny. Not if it was Swedes who did the translating. Pigs are pigs.  Wiland gave Ronny Deila’s team talk.

While Ronny had an affirmative weekend, winning away at Tannadice, Hareide had to face up to his public defeated, increasingly unlikely to retain the league title. A run of three victories before visiting Celtic Park, has morphed into two consecutive defeats. A four point deficit became seven points, with nine games remaining. They are five points from a Europa League spot next season.  In short, Malmo are one bad result from the collapse of their season.

That’s not to say they are incapable of damaging Celtic, or Salzburg, we know that’s not the case, but there is an inherent fragility about them, which Celtic need to exploit.  They are a dangerous team who are punching above their weight, but there are no hidden reservoirs of strength.

This is what it’s all about Celtic.  This is the reason you’ve pulled your socks on each morning since your first joined a boys team.  The challenge is stiff but winnable, the prize, enormous.

Own the field.

Remember, there will be a collection of backpacks for Mary’s Meals on the Celtic Way ahead of the St Johnstone game on Saturday.  Bring anything you have along, it will be gratefully received and will be on the shoulders of a kid walking to school in Malawi, Kenya or Zambia in no time.  Thank you.

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357 Comments

  1. GlassTwoThirdsFull

     

     

    Completely spot on. They had to keep Juanfran on while he was hobbling around on one leg. It’s no surprise that Di Maria managed to set up the winner from that side.

  2. Glass2/3s

     

     

    Indeed.

     

     

    If it were a player who rarely misses a game and had a great fitness record I’d possibly take the risk.

     

     

    I love lustig. He appears a bit of a character and I really rate him as a player but I wouldn’t risk him tonight if he wasn’t 100%

     

     

    HH

  3. Coorslad

     

     

    Thanks for the news about TRC.

     

     

    Great to hear that he’s showing signs of improvement.

     

     

    Mon the TRC.

     

     

    KTF

  4. The Battered Bunnet on

    RWE

     

     

    When MON got the job at Celtic, he hadn’t heard of Lubo, hadn’t a Scooby who he was.

     

     

    In his first game in charge, a pre-season friendly, Lubo was played at left back.

     

     

    Dexter’s just following MON’s lead.

  5. Keep both FB’s in the back 4, no overlapping a la Quarabaq away, middle to front is where we are a better team, just go and do it Celtic.

  6. Forgotten XI?

     

     

    —————————–Cervi

     

    Doumbe——-Du Wei———–Virgo——El Kaddouri

     

     

    Mizuno———–N’Guemo————De Ornelas——–Guppy

     

     

    ———————-Fernandes—–Kapo

  7. Celtic playing in the more accustomed cooler climes of Sweden rather than having to travel to Telaviv or Nicosia where the barometer is still hitting the sweltering high nineties is nice after the Quarabag experience.

  8. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    I bow before the munificence and magnificence of MR PASTRY.

     

     

    ~~~~~~~~~~*++*~~~~~~~~~~

     

     

    MR PASTRY on 25TH AUGUST 2015 1:25 PM

     

     

    Look – no one will be more delighted if we win tonight – however instead of having a go at me and calling me a hun …etc

     

     

    Give me some evidence, based on our recent performances, that we can bear Malmo on their own patch.

     

     

    If we can manage it, I will be found dancing with the postman, who like me, is a ST holder of many years standing – btw I have always upgraded my ST over the years, I am now good hospitality, at a cost of £1400/year.

     

     

    I don’t trust the players, and that is why I can’t see us go through – like you. I hope I am wrong.

     

    ~~~~~~~~~~*++*~~~~~~~~~~

     

     

    His £1400 a year obviously entitles him to put us plebs in our place,treat us with contemp,and insult our intelligence. Well done,mate. I hope it’s on expenses.

  9. Thomthethim…………….read your nice little story about Johnny Lyons and giving your son a break into radio.

  10. !!Bada Bing!! on 25th August 2015 2:12 pm

     

     

    Correct.

     

     

    For all the stick he gets, Izzy was great playing that FB role away at Qarabag.

     

     

    Árd Macha

  11. Thomthethim

     

     

    Enjoyed your link to Tommy Martin’s excellent article on TV3 earlier.

     

    That bhoy is going places…..pass on my regards & congrats please.

     

     

    tully

  12. Coorslad,

     

    Great news to hear that Tricoloured Ribbon is sitting up and conscious after such a horrific attack.

     

    Get Well soon.

     

    HH.

  13. Rock Tree Bhoy on

    The better of the 2 teams will go thru, and imo we are much better than them. I think we will either win the game outright, or at worst a draw.

  14. Coorslad, Thank you for the update on TCR. Please tell him all on CQN are thinking of him and wishing him a speedy recovery and return to the blog.

  15. “It is a big game tomorrow night and I hope you win.

     

     

    “Play for the badge because I love this badge with all of my heart.”

     

     

    Message to team from Jay Beatty

  16. Glass2/3full

     

     

     

    The Battered Bunnet

     

     

     

    “At 2-2 I’d take it for a walk into the corner:-)”

     

     

    . . . .is the correct answer!

     

     

    Disagree? Just ask David Ginola!

     

     

    Sacre Bleu! Erk Alors! Vous etes un clown, Ginola!