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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More notes from Horn re “project Charlotte”
“HMRC aware not going to get any money, want precedent”
Murray repeats he has never seen the note
Findlay notes “one of your closest advisors is contemplating administration
“Did nobody tell you
Lisbon ??
Did a lot of work there . . I never found it Scorchio in May ( I like heat ) . Usually @ mid 20s but remember one time when it was @ 30. . Rare enough for the locals to be complaining about it !!!
DF having a right good go at shredding the first charge on the indictment.
Murray: I wasn’t aware of the note..is an internal note he wrote for himself..you can ask him”
Findlay “I appreciate loyalty Sir David”
—–
You’ve been waiting for that one Donald :)
‘Findlay “I appreciate loyalty Sir David”
###
Can’t help feeling there’s a subtext to some of this.
CQN Saturday Naps Competition
Lads, for those in the CQN Naps competition, latest results are updated here :
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/the-opportunity-to-get-players-we-otherwise-couldnt-afford/comment-page-10/#comments
Cheers, fleagle1888
–NZ Auckland CSC–
It should be easy for the Huns to count to six. Whip off a boot and count each pointed toe.
There are certain easy steps we should take to combat the dark side of Greyskull. We should cleanse our dressing room and sprinkle it with salt. Same for the pitch before the game. We should surround ourselves with gems ( Emeralds of course ) and utilise the powers of Air , water,fire and earth.
There is more than one method of fighting fire with Fire.
It was interesting to hear Paul 67 a numbers of articles ago talk about Alchemy.
Sometimes it is better to be lucky rather than good and I think Brendan has both qualities. In fact being a football Alchemist could be the greatest advantage of all.
HH.
SOUTH OF TUNIS on 28TH APRIL 2017 12:12 PM
On my first visit there we scored 1, conceded 2 and Bertie Auld missed a penalty very late in the game New Years Day 1959 — an absolutely minging day .
*I remember listening to it on the wireless, as we called it then. It was a brutal day and there was a feeling the ref would abandon the game, when a young Bertie missed the penalty near the end, he had tae blooter it as the pitch was so muddy, my mother was so annoyed that they let that “boy” take it and Neilly Mochan should have known better being the older player who also had a cannonball shot.
Todays Horse tips
Wodland Opera 4.20 Punchestown is fancied
Anywaythewindblows last race Perth is expected to win.
Doncaster 1.40 Glorious Forever and Doncaster 3.20 Arts Desire are expected to go close
Sandown 4.05 Queen in Waiting is expected to win
Finally I like Medahim in the 1st at Sandown
Hopefully there is a winner or 2 in there ( The first 2 would be the strongest)
Bon Chance Mes Ami
ERNIE LYNCH @12 57
” a subtext ” .
It wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that the subtext is a set of feelings re being hung out to dry for publicly celebrating a culture that some other people pandered to in exchange for money .
SOUTH OF TUNIS on 28TH APRIL 2017 1:05 PM
That would indeed be a reasonable assumption.
“Revenge is a dish which people of taste prefer to eat cold.”
“Does that tell us whips Griffiths is not a regular starter if his passing completion is worst in team ?”
Cowiebhoy,
Strikers usually have rubbidge passing statts compared to other positions.
Regarding Chris Davies, and this is not meant as a dig at the manager but I think he is one clued up cookie and a large portion of the credit Brendan gets is down to the work of his assistant.
HH
South Of Tunis on 28th April 2017 1:05 pm
ERNIE LYNCH @12 57
” a subtext ” .
It wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that the subtext is a set of feelings re being hung out to dry for publicly celebrating a culture that some other people pandered to in exchange for money
Nail on head ….
Reading today’s tweets
There may be trouble ahead…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWCK0hCxGjI
Donald Finlay on his sacking from Ibrox for sectarian singing.
“Looking back I daresay one thing about 1999 that did annoy me was, so many of the people who were critical of me for what I did, did exactly the same thing. It was the level of hypocrisy about the whole thing that staggered me the most.” ~ Donald Findlay on his Rangers exit.
MT, I’ve had a few black drams over the years. They’re produced in used casks that have been reconditioned by charring the inside and are very smokey and very dark in colour. I had a single cask Old Pulteney cask strength a few years ago and it was terrific.
Hope you enjoy yours.
HH
Geordie Munro on 28th April 2017 1:12 pm
Strikers usually have rubbidge passing statts compared to other positions.
——–
Ruggish!!!!
TORONTONY on 28TH APRIL 2017 12:37 PM
Moravcik – I’m sure dress shorts will be fine. If it’s roasting I’m wearing shorts tae; as is ACGR but he’s wearing the really short shorts.LOL
Slainte
tony
Now Bhoys be very careful…shorts yes….Tight Whites…NO !….unless your a fan of WHAM ?
HH
Anyone else notice that most of RFCs “debts” consist of “ebts”?
TONTINE TIM .
” the wireless ” .
Yes indeed – !
5 of us living in a privately rented one bedroom flat while my parents saved the money to buy a place to live . They were determined to avoid living @ ” deserts wi windaes “. We didn’t have a lot but my music loving /spoken word loving parents had a mighty fine wireless . A Philips BG 413 . An early 50s Bakelite stained to look like wood number. . I still have it – it still works.. Lovely sound !
Mea Culpa – If the loyal had repaid the loans, they could have saved their club from all that befell them.
Since Pedro went in to the orcs…they try and play Zonal Marking at every set piece that they try to defend imo that so called system is feckin is fatal, as your opponent gets a run at crosses.
Strachan had us trying to play like that for a while….I wasn’t happy.
TORONTONY on 28TH APRIL 2017 12:37 PM
Moravcik – I’m sure dress shorts will be fine. If it’s roasting I’m wearing shorts tae; as is ACGR but he’s wearing the really short shorts.LOL
Slainte
tony
There’s a picture on KDS of the Scotland side that tied 1-1 with the outlanders, big Frank saved a Bobby Charlton penalty that day, and along with Dunky MacKay and Bobby Evans was one of 3 Celts in the side, as this was during the Ancel Babes period there were 3 Motherwell players as well and 1 token hun.
What is more notable is that there are only 2 anglos, Leggat and Law, although both Alex Young and St John would eventually moved south as would Bobby Evans albeit in a bit of a cameo role.
What makes this a bit disconcerting is that Scotland did for many years produce some wonderful players and most of the great English club sides boasted Scots in their ranks.
Sadly that’s not the case anymore and has not been for a number of years and IMHO that’s down tae the charlatan in the witness box today who as a result of his egotism and avarice ruined the Scottish game.
There is a wee light at the end of the tunnel now as Scotland is once again producing some good youngsters, especially us, and after watching last night’s Manc derby their game is pure Raphael. I blame the current owner of Fox Media.
Incidentally there were 3 future WC winners in the England team.
TORONTONY on 28TH APRIL 2017 12:37 PM
Moravcik – I’m sure dress shorts will be fine. If it’s roasting I’m wearing shorts tae; as is ACGR but he’s wearing the really short shorts.LOL
Slainte
tony
Be very very careful Bhoys….shorts yes …..Tight Whites…..NO !
Unless your still a big fan of WHAM ?
HH
Re Chris Davies, when analysing the opposition, we will have at least two, possibly more, systems in mind that they might use. At half time last week I thought thought they would switch to 4-3-3 after an hour or when they introduced McKay, whichever came first.
As it happens they did it at half time with the double change. If our coaching staff didn’t see those types of changes coming I would be worried. That said, Chris is extremely studios and impressive. If you ask him, I’m sure he would tell you Brendan has taught him an enormous amount.
and the cry was NO REMEMBER!! (seen that on twitter, hilarious…)
Tontine Tim @ 1.03… I too remember listening to that game on the wireless…also recall the photos in next day’s papers..a frozen looking, muddied Dick Beattie..
Are the huns pulling the minutes silence trick tomorrow?
BB
Wouldn,t surprise me
Just a wee bit of info for those using He-man analogies. We play at castle Greyskull; the huns/orcs/thems etc play at Snake Mountain.
KTF
This is how it feels to be Celtic…
http://www.talkingbaws.com/2017/04/video-celtic-fan-spots-rangers-players-in-cafe-sings-this-is-how-it-feels-to-be-celtic-to-them/
Anyone else get the impression Donald Findlay is holding back a helluva lot?
I mean, if I was in his position, Murray wouldn’t be getting off that stand for another 6 months at least.
Is he just keeping his powder dry for later?
I know it may be late but have a spare for tomorrow. Anyone interested get my email from Paul. Will be in Glasgow tomorrow morning.
HH
Will check back now and then for any replies
Jock Stein t-shirt update!
We have now SOLD OUT in sizes small, medium and Large.
We have 3 XL and 6 XXL left – if you want one of these please order at cqnbookstore.com
On the subject of Bobby Evans, our new book on Celtic’s Forgotten Hero is one of the finest ever books on Celtic FC according to the brilliant review on The Celtic Wiki. We are privileged to have Tom Campbell writing for us.,
THE GREEN JEDI on 28TH APRIL 2017 2:03 PM
and the cry was NO REMEMBER!! (seen that on twitter, hilarious…)
Lots of “Ranger” eating “Ranger” in the court,
however:
WE DON’T CARE WHAT THE CANNIBALS SAY
The half crown, not the crown…
James Doleman @jamesdoleman 11m11 minutes ago
Murray says he had supported managers
What price loyality over money Findlay asks?
lads,
I’m meeting Torontony for dinner tonight (seeing as it is his bday on Sunday)…..
I’ll see if I can get him liquored up, and get him to sign a Wham song… if so, I’ll be sure to post the video on CQN later
But dont tell him that is the plan!
That will teach him to each my roll and sausage!
mwahaha (evil laugh)
:)