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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Purple Rain…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8w2lNpixqOc
Maggie/Hunderbirds
Last week was their big chance to ruin our season and go on and win a trophy
Unfortunately for them we turned up and it was so easy
Tomorrow really means nothing ( did I just say that)
If they win,big deal they get to stop the unbeaten season but we still have a potential treble to look forward to,
Again,if we turn up in the right frame of mind we should win…
However they are a wounded beast,who knows !!!!
WITS
End of season match against inferior city rivals.
I feel like a Barca fan on the eve of the Espanyol v Barcelona derby.
Been staying away from here, however BBC4 just now and last 90 minutes has been great and some Bhoys on here will love it.
IKI.
Oops . Noted. HH
Two thoughts about the Ref – Beaton. He is not one of us and having watch him referee a game recently I also thought he was a useless ref. Makes him the big danger tomorrow.
WITS 10-22 PM
Definitely chilled mhate !
JMCCORMICK on 28TH APRIL 2017 10:36 PM
Been staying away from here, however BBC4 just now and last 90 minutes has been great and some Bhoys on here will love it.
——–
Just had a look, something about 7 inch vinyl’s, what are those..?
Good Evening.
Something new. All about how winning trophies is the ONLY thing which matters…
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2017/04/28/its-all-about-the-trophies/
with the chat of German wines, good piece on Riesling
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/27/dining/wine-school-assignment-riesling-spatlese.html?ref=dining&_r=0
that extra sweetness loves a fruity curry
too much wine too much song
night
Connaire
Mr Beaton thought Garner’s assault on Imrie of Hamilton was fair game. The ref is worth the watching tomorrow.
Mags @ 10.33…A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T5al0HmR4to
CONNAIRE12
You’re being kind to Beaton as he is a stinking hun.
Gave the non penalty to Hearts of Walkers dive against us.
And in huns game did not send off Foederingham nor award a foul for using hands outside the area to deny clear goalscoring chance and allowed Garner thigh high assault with yellow though he clearly went in to inflict injury.
WITS: Don’t want to lose our unbeaten record. Other than that, couldn’t care less. Will be in Kennedys in Drumcondra with last few tickets for Wee Shay.
Ohthesevcoareshoitecsc
I look around nervously but the coast is clear. I step up onto the diving board and make my way to the end. A leap or two to test the spring and I’m ready. I raise my arms, leap towards the heavens . . . and bellyflop into CQN. Thanks for the push Almore.
Above post should say in Hamilton game.
DELANEYS DUNKY
Like most Scottish refs he is worth watching due to his personal bias.
Hun’s love to cheat.
7.1
6.7
8.8
Thats the scoring for Joe Gallaghers bellyflop
Almore, i didn’t realise you were pals with Joe Garner…
HAIL HAIL Joe, welcome !
Fan a tic
Cheating and lying is in their DNA.
David Murray and David King are their two Grandmasters of deception.
Welcome Joe G :))
Joe Gallagher: Welcome aboard. Are you a (CorkCelt) handsome hun?
See you tomorrow.
Oíche mhaith, a chairde. Off to mo leaba.
Welcome Joe Gallagher.
Do you have family in Clydebank?
Half this fenian town are Gallagher/Gallacher fae Donegal. Ramelton mainly. :)
A few fae Sligo. :)
Joe Gallagher
Welcome to the Funhouse:))
UTLR
Joe Gallagher
What an entrance!!!
See young Aidan McIlduff is being released.
Hope the young guy goes on to have a great career.
Was outstanding in Development Cup final and only blemish against him was ruining his shorts by having to rip his shorts at final whistle to let another hun wonderkid out of his pocket.
He looked strong and skillful so i’m sure this is just a new beginning in his career.
All the best young man
Isley Bros…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uS6jAhQFqCU
Joe Gallagher
You have not answered Almore’s question.
Are you a handsome hun???
DELANEY’S 10-43PM
Theyr’e all worth the watching pal !
But anyways.
THETIMREAPER
Still loving the show, you will , perhaps, grow to love the music .
Whilst I am on here, we have no chance of winning tomorrow. It is written.
Enjoy!
I should have taken lessons off Shalk. Thanks all for the welcome. Will be in Bray tomorrow to see The King of Kings so no Kennedy’s for me. OÍche mhaith.
First time posting but long time lurker. CRC friend and such a support to my husband!
X
PR67
Oor fathers were not paranoid enough.
Buster Keaton since 1872.
Great to be living as the truth is revealed.
Curtis Mayfield…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVANQheoRUw
Henri
If you are a friend of Marc, you are my new friend.
Welcome aboard amigo.
HH
TET
I’ve seen those cave houses on A Place in the Sun tv show. Looks an interesting way of life. Not for me though I canny get a bearskin to fit me. Been on holidays in Spain a couple of times. I wasn’t overawed by the natives,prefere the Greeks maself. Anyway you take care not to take too much celebratory wine in aw that heat the morra.
KEEP THE FAITH
NIGHT ALL GOD BLESS