A week ago you and I discussed how Newco fans were more confident ahead of a Celtic game than they had ever been, while we, chastened by a lacklustre Celtic performance against them last month, thought we had a game on our hands at Hampden.
Five days after a very one-sided Scottish Cup semi-final and sentiment in both camps has shifted. Newco were awful on a level that it is hard to do justice on the page. Celtic were imperious in possession and attacked with a swagger.
Don’t let what happened a week ago cloud your judgement. I’ve been going to Ibrox for over 30 years, and many on here have been going twice as long, but no matter how poor old Rangers were in that time, we seldom had it easy. On my first visit there we scored four second half goals against a truly awful outfit, but 45 minutes into the game we were two down and struggling.
If you win at Ibrox, you have played well. Celtic will need to be unscrupulously faithful to their tactical system. Brendan will know how to prepare the players for this. They will need the concentration and energy to deliver the performance.
I have some worries for Pedro (apologies, but I’m not sure if he’s going to be around long enough to make it worthwhile learning how to spell his surname). His 10-second principle is a case in point.
In the interview Chris Davies gave to a few Celtic bloggers, including myself, he explained that when Celtic lose possession, the players are told to spend up to six seconds pressing directly for the ball. If they fail to win possession back in this period, they are to drop back into defensive positions.
They have been trained to do this since preseason. It’s risky, and you will note that they do it every week in domestic football, but the technique was used sparingly in the Champions League group stage. The risk of a Barcelona-type team passing through the press is dangerous, as when players are pressing, they are out of position.
This is how modern football is played, but Pedro should be cautious. You cannot reeducate players overnight. If you attempt to and fail, it’s the manager’s responsibility. In fact, this quote from Pedro is exactly what you should expect when you try to force a new system onto a team midseason:
“When we analysed the game in some moments of the game some players were acting in one direction, which was the right direction and other players were not doing the same thing at the same time.”
This was clearly not the outcome Pedro expected, but his explanation suggests he has a lot to learn about how to tactically change football teams.
What’s worse, instead of shielding his players by taking ownership of the blame, he put the players in the dock. It is no surprise that you can detect grumblings of discontent emanating from loyal Ibrox sources.
Taking about “in the dock”, Sir David Murray is currently in the witness box at Craig Whyte’s trial. Proceedings are enthralling, but we’ll catch up with that later. A point worth reiterating:
It is acceptable to report on what was said at court, but unacceptable to prejudice a witness or defendant with your view on that individual, or on evidence presented. So stick to what was said – that’s fascinating enough.
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2009 Glastonbury Aidan mentionened Last Night
Love the LA’s but more so the Verve.
Radiohead my band to see soon on Glesga Green. Magical mushy gig. ;))
RALSTON is gonnae get ya.
I wish I’d seen the game.
Mikael you need to up it Big STYLE. ;))
I’ve not had a drink watching a Celtic Rangers (or new) for so long now.
I’m going to do it later.
I’m looking forward to Celtic showing their Class. And winning Well.
Their Manager already has been undermined. The Hater tackles will come in… The players that are crap and Hun like will, if they can, do Damage.
CELTIC
Will be Sensational.
pass and move – like the EasyGroove
EasyGrooves gonnae make you MOVE
It’s so Simple to do
Pass & Move.
Eg.CSC
Happy Birthday to young CQN stalwart GG.
A wee song for you GG, from a great year.
Enjoy the Family Celebrations.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u81CTfbc99c
Good morning CQN from another dry, cloudy but much milder East Devon.
Another pumping today please Celtic.
Many happy returns GG, your updates have been excellent throughout the season.
YNWA
Up and buzzing.
The ultimate for me at Ibrox was seeing Lubo, The King and Wee Shaun tear them apart only a year after we were beaten 4-0 and it seemed like we were never going to compete with them ( Q Ken Gallagher etc ).
The ten men 2-2 match in 79 felt like more than a victory as did the 4-4 ten man game.
Brian O’Neill was so good for so many reasons. Not least Fergus was there too. It was just a bit of respite though.
Charlie Nicholas 2-1 game was another special one of course.
Beach ball Sunday was epic but tinged with actually winning nothing that season. As was the Bellamy booking win sadly.
The Andy Walker and Paul McStay game was my wife’s first one and what a special one that was in a special season.
John Hartson 1-0 was a classic MON win and in the midst of a dominant spell. As was the majestic Alan Thompson 2-0 game.
So many great memories of heroic performances. I have watched Celtic win from all 4 stands and the old enclosure of course, at that place and had some incredible experiences.
Today it will be against the new govan incarnation and of course watching from the Broomloan Stand.
We don’t care if we win lose or draw might ring true for some but not for me. Tomorrow nights POTY will be so much sweeter if we really do put thrm to the sword today.
I honestly think we will win very well today. Maybe even the win to top all the other great games mentioned. What is the odds on 4 nil Celtic ? And 75% possession ?
There’s an old Frank Sinatra song.. ” The Best is Yet to Come”…………” and Baby You Know it” !
This could be a song for Celtic…..” the Best is yet to come….and don’t the huns know it”.
OR ” The Best is yet to Come…and Brendan you know it” ?
Sorry due to old age and some serious drinking the beer for over 45 years, I have forgotten how to provide the link to this great old song…maybe someone on here would be so kind ?
HH
USA report that N. Korea missile blew up just after take off ?
What happens to the people on the ground when/if that happens, we never hear of that ?
HH
Celtic v The Cheating Hun feckin sevco today……………..
“When we score a Barrowload….down the Copland Road…we’ll be there”
COYBIG…This Hun mob will play zonal marking at set pieces…get the feckin heids oan the Celtic Crosses
HH
BURNLEY78,
Celtic 4 – 0 20/1 with Ladcrooks
Good morning Celts. Anybody know a pub in Monaghan Town definitely showing the Thistle game on May 18th? Thanks.
I SINCERELY hope and pray that I am wrong but………………………..I can see Huns being allowed to get away with everything today, assaults, offsides goals for THEM Celtic legit goals being chalked aff….the feckin lot….you name it ?
Has the Safety Netting been placed above the Broomloan Stand ? even in Court yesterday the were talking about an email to Whyte ” £1.8 million health and Safety work to be carried out” in 2011 ?
HH
Sevco are punching above their weight after getting out of division 1 on only the second attempt. Celtic dominate them in every position on the park. The hordes are gonna be a ragin today. Celtic 3 – sevco 0
Big Jimm:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmf1AYgYj6I
JJ
Icing on the cake today ?……………….Celtic 7 v THEM – 0…Leigh scores 4 goals…..Scott Brown scores number 7….and runs to the Copland Road..and Bless’s himself ( aka Peter Grant)….Halliday sent aff…Sine Die….POTY Clint scores an own goal at 0-0…Hun mob now suddenly hate him, and take POTY aff him after 10 minutes.
Celtic’s other goal scored by Young Teirney….who does a ” Patsy Gallacher”, by getting the ball between his feet….and doing a SOMERSAULT into the Huns net…..YES !
Now is the above too much to ask ?
COYBIG
HOT SMOKED 7.16,
thank you kindly young Sir…Yer some man !
HH
Big Jimmy
….and one you didn`t ask for but might like anyway:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrGHJIblXCs
JJ
Morning Tims.
Last hunskelping of the season today.
Tickets —– check.
New Jock Stein XL T-shirt—- check.
Hard hat———check.
7,500 mates———- no need to check thats a defo.
Carry oot————–UN check.
Car keys————-check ( boo boo boo).bloody bus disnae go to away games ffs.
Broonie to score at anytime, bet of the day.
Have fun today Bhoys and ghirls, stay safe and remember they hate us more than we pity (aye right) them.
Hail Hail.
Only a fool would try to predict the score in this Glasgow encounter ,so I’m going for 3 V 1 to the Champions.
Big Jimmy
I MIGHT be some man but YOUNG sir will take a bit of believing 0:-)
JJ
Pedro telling the smsm that he has demanded “MORE PASSION” from his Pedro Paupers today…….for “More Passion”…read…” Kick feck out of they Fenian Bassa’s”….am I wrong ?
HH
HOT SMOKED 7.22,
Okay auld yin !
great stuff from ole blue eyes.
HH
When The Champions run out for our last home game v Hertz…I would LOVE for the Celtic PA music Bhoy to play….” SIMPLY THE BEST”….now, wouldn’t that be something ?
HH
Broony is 22/1 to score the 1st goal. Dunno about odds for “anytime” cos ladcrooks don’t have him on the coupon.
50 SHADES,
You forgot ” YER CHIB”……never mind just use yer mitts oan the bassa’s.
HH
We will have to defend better when pressured , also , we will need to take our chances because as in previous games we seem to run out of steam in the last 15 mins .
Celtic 2 possum fc i
(See what i did there) ;))
To all the guys /ghals going to or watching in pubs stay safe .
ENJOY .
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 28TH APRIL 2017 9:29 PM
HOT SMOKED on 28TH APRIL 2017 9:21 PM
well well HIRONDELLE..hope CAROL is not looking in.
first night i took my wife out we had chateau d;yguem.
repost jist for you.
Burnley 78, good list of games you were at there .
My son is going to the game today, his first trip there. It open his eyes to the nastiness of their fanbase.
My first game there was the unofficial opening of the Govan Stand in 1981 when we beat the now defunct club 2 nil.
The 4 2 game in 1983 was my most enjoyable there particulary the walk on as our players came on for the start of the second half. It was so emotional and all our team stood on the halfway line looking at our magnificent support.
Marspapa
Don`t possums just PRETEND to be dead?
Off to the golf.
No predictions of the result but I would be amazed if we lost.
Cheerio for now.
JJ
Morning all , for the first time in my life no nerves before the game. Going into Glasgow wife the wife maybe Barca spot of lunch few beers need to watch out for the venomous ones as they will be looking for scalps, don’t no to go for sinky or griffiths 3-0
Big Jimmy.
Lol.
Nae chibs mate got Wee Shades with me, although we only call him wee cause he’s the youngest, bigger than me now and an even shorter temper with the huns than I have.
H.H
A spooky day in the dear green place city today.
First up the Zombies at the citadel of darkness, commonly known as Castle Grayskull.
They the Vamps play at the Hydro, which Mrs GP will take in.
For myself, I will be at the watering hole that has the big Mad skull and crossbones flying outside.
HH.
DALLAS DALLAS WHERE THE HECK IS DALLAS on 29TH APRIL 2017 7:38 AM
Burnley 78, good list of games you were at there .
My first game there was the unofficial opening of the Govan Stand in 1981 when we beat the now defunct club 2 nil.
The 4 2 game in 1983 was my most enjoyable there particulary the walk on as our players came on for the start of the second half. It was so emotional and all our team stood on the halfway line looking at our magnificent support.
—————————————-
Dallas, my first game there too..most enjoyable especially the hail of half bricks
from manky mob outside :O(
4-2 game…. magnifico! Tommy Burns (bless him) pointing out halftime ‘walk on’.
1- 0 will do and we have the same number of limbs as we started with
DD @7:38
Had loads of enjoyable victories at the bigotdome however a 2-2 game in 1977 still brings a smile to my face. Just about to leave the ground,fed up, turns round one last time , we have a free kick , their scarfs are up and on the note of “f$#k the pope and the IRA” the ball comes across the box and big Roy blasts one in. Rolled down the terraces with my dad, God bless him :0)