Neil Lennon seemed hurt by the performance yesterday. “Some of [the players]look like their minds are elsewhere at other clubs.
“I don’t know if they have been tapped up, I don’t know where they are mentally, but you can tell by their body language they are not with us at the minute and I’ll have to sort that out.”
“I have pulled them out of places that no-one had heard of and put them in the shop window.
“And I want payback now. That is simply not good enough.”
Those of you of a certain age might have thought that sounded a bit like:
“You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar, when I met you. I picked you out, I shook you up and turned you around, turned you into someone new.”
Of course, that girl from the Human League retorted:
“I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar, that much is true. But even then I knew I’d find a much better place, either with or without you.”
As Human League declared in verse, talent will find its level, but only if it performs. It doesn’t matter where they came from, players who cannot excel in the SPL will drift into relative obscurity on leaving Celtic. There has been no exception to this rule.
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Morning all!
Thunderstorm here in NW Italy – been raining since last Tuesday!
Just not good enough.
HH!!
mighty tim
got you now (keogh?) i remember your da well;him and petesy were a right pair.
was on to chris this morn (by text as he should be working)to see if he could jog my memory (no answer typical chris) only drank in the kessie a few times with chris.
i think uncle vincent used to drink in there ?
Oh, there is absolutely no doubt what is coming my way, a painful and certain death withihin 2 years with no blame attached because this is the culture we all grew up in…….pollution and smoke.
So….finally I get the duty dr. @ the surgery to privide me withith enough painkillers to get me through and then a home visit later today before I go for brain scan to see if the malignancy has spread there.
I am thoroughly confused by the duplicitous mendacity of the NHS in 2013.
Scoffed at by pig-ignorant commentatators @. the olympix.
What a wunnerful world.
Mrs Tally just sent me a text to inform me that Troon is covered in snow!
Mental!
HH!!
08:48 on 11 March, 2013
bognorbhouyle, mighty tim
I am from The Butney (Whitelaw Street).
Used to get a hudgie on the Copper Lamp bus.
that was a great bus but they probably all were at that time and still are of course .
How long before this is decried as shameful by one of our less resilient supporters?
From the Evening Times:-
“CELTIC are just one defeat away from posting the lowest ever winning tally in the history of the SPL championship……
The last-minute defeat to Ross County at the weekend means the reigning champions have already shipped 28 points in the defence of their title, and the most they can now achieve is 86. The current lowest title-winning total is 84 points, set by the Parkhead club in 2006-07 when, like this season, they qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League.”
Record low points but a win in the SPL versus European progress…..
hmmm! give me a micro-second to think about that one
Greig Cameron, Deputy Business Editor……….mmmm.
Big Nan
09:31 on 11 March, 2013
‘Greig Cameron, Deputy Business Editor……….mmmm.’
I wonder what his Confirmation name is?
Calvin? Kirk? Kyle?
SFTB
Of course no mention of Celtic’s record points total of 103 in season 2001/02.
Shameful indeed!
HH!!
SFTBs
The only thing shameful is the article itself.
Whether by a point or a goal a title win is a title win. If we had a genuinely competitive league the winning margin could in theory be a lower points threshold.
sftb
I’m feeling fragile and you just tipped me over the edge.
Of course, this season, when we look back on it, has been great, but there’s always room for improvement. Lenny must wonder why there appears to be a certain lack of commitment in the SPL games, although his comments about ‘tapping up’ were uncalled for. Fwiw, I thought the likely targets of that comment – Hooper – had an excellent game, while Ambrose, Mcgeouch, Miku and Stokes, were no-shows. None of those – except Ambrose in his own head – have been linked with big moves away, so I was puzzled at that. It’s easy to lose perspective at such moments, and I think Neil did then.
Could he have meant Forster??? His worst game for some time….
I was more interested in what he had to say about having men in the team, echoing Strachan some years before at Middlesborough (I know, I know). Where are these ‘men’ – I’m taking it he means on-the-pitch motivators like Robson, Hartley, or just about the whole of the MON side. This, too, hankers after earlier times. Maybe with the model Celtic have adopted, Lenny will have to accept we are a way-station for immature talent.
The comfortable collective
A long time ago then, thanks for that, think your right it must have been the Hearts game, which I believe was followed by the notorious Caley game, oh well at least that cant happen this time.
up_over_goal
09:41 on 11 March, 2013
‘Could he have meant Forster??? His worst game for some time….’
FF hasn’t been the same player since he returned from injury. I don’t think it’s deliberate or an attitude problem. It’s a cause for concern.
ernie lynch
Agreed. He may have had some bad games (haven’t they all?) but Fraser seems pretty sensible. He certainly has a head on his shoulders.
MSM in negative Celtic Stories shuuuurley no..
Plus ca change…
There is a vast ocean of hurtin’ huns out there and some of them even have jobs and titles..
To those peepul I say Annan beat ye in yer midden in front of a world record freebie crowd..
Want to compare accounts yet Challs??
The Celtic Star is Rising..
Big Up Miki you’re in our thoughts and prayers..
The form of FF since returning from injury is a major concern.
He had an excellent CL campaign – in the group matches – esp against Barca and was being lauded all over Europe as one of the players of the tournament.
What has happened?
He appears to have lost confidence and looks a pale shadow of ‘The Great Wall’ of the recent past.
Stevie Woods has a fair bit of work on his hands.
HH!!
I honestly don’t know who Neil meant by “tapped up” players and I agree that the video highlights suggest a fairly lethargic performance (though we were 2 close calls away from scoring an unjustified 4 goals) but I am not too exercised by some vague unspecific criticism. It may have been just a careless throwaway comment and I will devote less energy to scanning its bones for significance than will some.
I think Snake’s response is the one I take.
A win is a win and is to be celebrated. We have lost many more league campaigns than we have ever won. I will not see this title achievement diminished by our enemies or our own, dancing to the media tune of “bring back our Teddy Bears to their rightful place”
SFTB
Theres a good reason for that, its because rangers would normally be pushing us for the title, but the clubs dead now and so the SPL is much more competitive, should someone tell him?
:¬)
V
I won’t make excuses for a blow par performance from Forster. Like Artur, he has raised the bar in terms of what we can expect from a Celtic goalie. I would still take an 80% fit Forster ahead of Zaluska but, if Fraser is less fit than that, he needs rested. Only the player and coaching staff will know which is which.
Though not making excuses for either Kelvin or Fraser, I felt the winning goal was a bit of a fluke. The long ball forward to their German striker manages to spin straight up and almost backwards on landing, rather than bounce forward in the direction it was kicked. Nevertheless, Fraser stayed on his line leaving Kelvin to deal with it and Kelvin hung back too.
Like the demise of Izzy in January, I suspect Fraser’s drop in standards will be temporary too. These guys have a Scottish cup final medal to fight for unless all this talk of an early rest for CL qualifications means we will play a shadow squad from the semis onwards..
BIG NAN
Just read that article. Not one question asked in the “interview”
Unbelievable. And,bearing in mind his position in a publicly-listed company,barely legal.
Their chances of a £100m turnover are similar to Hitler’s of a 1000-year Reich.
The more garbage that is allowed into print about them,the more I hope they go quickly. Or better,slowly…..
No time to read back but I think I know the topic – just saw the aticle in the Sun today.
Quite apart from the ludicrous comparison of Lennon and McCoist, I found it utterly insulting to Ross County.
A team coming back to earth after a last 16 European match was always going to be vulnerable; – that was the talk all week here before the game. Adams knew it was his best chance – and he took it.
Tallybhoy
09:54 on 11 March, 2013
‘The form of FF since returning from injury is a major concern.’
Idle, and not particularly constructive, speculation on my part but I wonder if it’s to do with the apparently random and mundane cause of his injury causing him to think that he’s susceptible and vulnerable to ordinary everyday behaviour.
The Comfortable Collective
Petrov made an attempted back heel from the middle of the pitch when we were cruising 2-0 and Hearts ran up the park and scored from it.
We never recovered and lost the game. It happens. It will always happen to Celtic. We have an attacking ethos and leave ourselves open. Every fan in the league should love playing us. No matter how well we are playing they always have a chance to get a result.
I remember reading an interview with Terry Venables when he took over the England job. Wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea El Tel but he is an intelligent football man.
He was asked how he would cope with the strikers they had at the time and how he would fit them all in the team and keep them happy. They had Andy Cole, Fowler, Les Ferdinand, Sutton, Phillips and of course Shearer and Sheringham. El Tel said I know my best partnership and no matter who plays well in the league I will stick with them. I don’t have to worry about my strikers they will score goals against anyone.
All he said was that I need to sort out the spine of the side and the defence. The fans will drive us forward at Wembley so I never worry about our attacking options.
He set about spending all his time fixing the defence and making sure they were tight at the back with players who worked well together. He didn’t pick what people thought were the best players but they had a cracking team and almost won Euro 96.
My point here is that Celtic are in a very similar situation. I think Neil has to look at the spine and the defence. We are badly suffering from a lack of consistency in selction through injuries and fatique but forget about the strikers. They will score goals of that there is no doubt. Fix the defence and the spine and the team will not lose matches. The crowd will always drive the team forward because the fans strive attacking football and won’t settle for playing it defensive against anyone. We have a CL hangover. Teams are using Celtic as their insparation for their team talks. If we can beat Barcelona with a team that cost 5 percent of what Barca’s cost why can’t teams beat us? It’s an easy team talk. I have always said the same thing in any game. It’s 11 v 11 men. Reputations and price tags are left in the dressing room. You go and give it your all and win your personal battle. We are losing them just now. Players are not dominating their direct opponent.
We have achieved much this season and a league and cup double looks on the cards but the players must realise that it’s 11 v 11 and the other side are playing every match against us like a cup final. We are their Barca to our Celtic. They have been inspired by what we have achieved.
The players of the other SPL clubs want to be able to sit in years to come and see highlights of the Barca v Celtic match and say to their friends and family. We beat that team in that season! Celtic need to regroup and get back to winning ways.
There is no shame or need for knee jerk reactions because we have lost a few league matches. We have had the cushion to do so this season but the fans deserve and expect more and the players have the ability to provide it. They must do better and I believe they will.
Apologies for the long post.
LB
Players playing better against Juventus than against Ross County is no more of a mystery than why The Great Desmondo was dispensing €50 notes to fans in in Turin but not in Dingwall.
SFTB
Good morning. Hope you are well.
My concern on the points tally would be that it may well show our progress as a side is not likely to extend into next season. In respect of the CL, this year was a magnificent effort but can we build on it for next season? I think we will accept Hoops and Vic are possible leavers. That would concern me but for different reasons to what others are perhaps thinking. We will replace Gary’s goals, of that I am convinced. I actually think over a season, Tony Watt will grab 25 plus when getting a run. Or, we may sign a goalscorer. Charlie Austin perhaps. Maybe Johnny Russell. I think Vic is also replaceable. Again, a new signing or Kayal getting a full season. Rogic I also think is the real deal. Anyhow, the main concern is this. (for me)
It seems all the transfer action will be middle to front again. The defence? Do we go with what we have? That would worry me. I know I get accused of the Martin O’Neill tinted spec syndrome, but despite what shortcomings his defence had, domestically they were very solid. I think they lost only 4 games in total in the SPL between 2000 and 2005 whereby they conceded 3 goals or more. Once v Hibs, once v Aberdeen and twice to the now defunct Rangers FC. . That’s over 5 seasons. This current defence look very vulnerable, even domestically which makes me think we would need a very kind draw and some luck to see even the group stages next season without some serious strengthening at the back.
I do not think it is simply down to complacency due to our massive lead. The semi final v St Mirren plus previous big game losses domestically suggest we are very vulnerable and need a couple of additions. I do also think that a stronger defence would see us score even more goals at the other end as our midfield would play further forward and create more.
Hopefully Neil sees the same concerns I do and is actively working on 2 new defenders.
ernie lynch
09:33 on 11 March, 2013
Big Nan
09:31 on 11 March, 2013
‘Greig Cameron, Deputy Business Editor……….mmmm.’
I wonder what his Confirmation name is?
Calvin? Kirk? Kyle?
…………………………………..
I would reckon on something like Finlay, Findlay.
mighty tim
got you now (keogh?) i remember your da well;him and petesy were a right pair.
was on to chris this morn (by text as he should be working)to see if he could jog my memory (no answer typical chris) only drank in the kessie a few times with chris.
i think uncle vincent used to drink in there ?
That is typical Chris. Petesy am my old man were a right pair indeed. Vince did drink in the Kessie. As I said I think you were more closer in age to either Pat or Owen.
If you are ever back up P give me a shout and maybe me you and Chris ( if you get him) can catch up for a beer. It would be good to chat about the old fellas. My email is my name @ talktalk.net
HH
BigYinMilan
08:48 on
11 March, 2013
bognorbhouyle, mighty tim
I am from The Butney (Whitelaw Street).
Used to get a hudgie on the Copper Lamp bus.
Quite a few old Maryhill Bhoys on this site mate.
i am sure that when the old copper lamp bus stopped, we started getting picked up by the Drumchapel Emerald probably some time around the start of the 80’s.
HH
Snake
Totally agree M8
A title win is a – title win.
In recent memory – the scum took 2 titles from oor grasp
by a point on one occasion and – a goal on another.
Even if we stagger over the finishing line like a drunken
boxer – the party will go ahead just the same. imo
But, I have to say…now that the CL smoke-screen has been
removed…it’s gonnae be mmmuuuurrrrdddeeeerrrr. imo
Sack the bored / board :o)
twists n’turns
“My concern on the points tally would be that it may well show our progress as a side is not likely to extend into next season. ”
That’s just speculation and cannot be disproved in advance. I would point out that the article shows our previous low winning tally was in 2006/7. That did not presage a reduction in our quality at all, even though contemporary critics on CQN were sure that it did. In fact we improved our points total in the SPL in 07/08, AND we managed another last 16 qualification.
Why would we be sure that this year’s low winning total predicts future deterioration or leveling of progress. it could just as easily foretell a massive improvement. Only future work and planning, AND events, dear boy, will let us know which way we are headed.
“It seems all the transfer action will be middle to front again.”
I have no idea about this and respectfully suggest you are likely to be only a little better informed. One of the main pleasing bits about our recent transfer activity at Celtic is how difficult it has been to predict, based solely on press speculation.
We can always improve but team building, year on year, is hard and never guaranteed to work. Your great new defender can suffer a cruciate injury in his first week at the club and your investment be wiped out at a stroke. That is maybe why we favour lots of mid-level punts rather than the big signing which places all our eggs (funds) in the one basket (or basket case – like Gravesen)
The talk of – jiggery / poackery – names…
…there is a wee fella…runs aboot where
I live…he’s aboot 10 / 12 years old…wears
the hoops when he’ s going aboot kicking
his football… his name is on the back of his
jersey. The name – “Mason”
A canny say his 1st name obviously as his
faither is a bit of – grousebeater – if ye get my
drift. This is gen-up btw.
Whose the mason in the hoops – CSC
sorry if posted already
sevco v annan ………crowd 34441
thought they had 38000 season ticket holders ?
seems like some do walking away
just cannot wait till chuckles gets the audited accounts
————————————————————————–
as for the msm and the spl league points total
better to win the league by 1 point in an honest set up than win it by 30 points with the help of cheats with whistles
as for the spl board and the LNS silence ………zzzzzzz…….they need a pay rise
as for the sfa board and the league reconstruction……..RCO ,regan,longmuir and doncaster all still in posistion with the approval of all the clubs
not 1 challenge has been made
roll up roll up the show must go on
THE STENCH FROM HAMPDUMP WILL LINGER FOR MANY MORE YEARS TO COME
jam67
KevJungle
Kev…c’mon …that’s your bhoy your talkin aboot,innit?
I don’t think the Cellic will spend -big – on a player
after getting their fingers burned when they signed
Broony for – £4.5 mill. imo
Graveason was a panic buy by the bored along with
JVOH in response to the Paul le Guen revolution.imo
That’s why….I think if the SB sales go doon this summer
I think that the bored will panic again.
Only saying like.
Have to take important phone-call – Off oot
voguepunter
10:42 on 11 March, 2013
:o))))
Laters
HH
The football punditry a nation deserves
John Greig was really vicious
setting free the bears
Sign the Marten…
Co-incidentally,the announcement of PLG’S appointment came on Tommy Gravesen’s birthday.
11th March,2006.
Happy Birthday,Tommy. Nae offence,but moving to Celtic didnae do you or us any favours.