It was all so promising. 35 minutes in, eight Celtic attempts on goal, zero for Valencia. Even when Jeremy Toljan left the field for a second yellow card, there were still positives. We both know that last night’s game was never really about qualification for the next round, so too did Valencia, but it was a useful yardstick for where we are now and where we can hope to be in the summer.
Scott Bain was already established as first choice ‘keeper, but, without seeing much of him before joining Celtic, I think we can say this was the best performance of his career to date. He can play at this level and has been an excellent acquisition to the team.
Brendan Rodgers felt sore about Jeremy Toljan’s second yellow. The full back was pushed before falling into Guedes. It was harsh and the referee probably failed to spot the push, but Toljan was caught in the wrong position and his fall was unnecessary. Jeremy is undoubtedly an upgrade on Mikael Lustig, but small lapses like this is why he’s not at Dortmund right now.
The three central defenders were stand-out successes. Kristoffer Ajer will replay in his head, the header from the free kick and volley from the corner. They were chances to open the scoring but his all round play came close to Man of the Match levels.
I had written off Jozo Simunovic’s usefulness, largely, but not exclusively, on the basis of his fitful availability. However, he showed again last night that he can contribute to the team and deserves a place in the squad. Like Scott Bain, Jonny Hayes had the game of his life. He looked intent to make his mark at the Mestalla and did so.
Callum McGregor was my pick of the midfield players. He was forever tidy under pressure, operating with calm in very tight spaces. Scott Brown was at his best, although a rash tackle brougth an early booking that looked ominous. We got little from the more creative mids, James Forrest and Ryan Christie.
The entire Oliver Burke story was there to see. Great pace and strength, clumsy touch. There is an inverse relationship between speed and control.
Odsonne Eduard made a quick impact when he came on but was eventually subdued. The occasion looked too high a step for Mikey Johnston.
In his post-match interview, Brendan addressed suggestions that he should change his style of play for these matches, citing Leipzig and this game as certification that it can work. Last night had the concession of a third central defender, at the cost of an attack-minded player. We should also caveat that Valencia were two goals up from the game in Glasgow, with little to prove.
The manager is not for changing his high press game, so devastatingly successful domestically, but so open to debate in Europe.
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Another choice
Kieran in
Drop Calum into Broonie slot, and Johnny Hayes into Calum position ??
Over to you Brendan ??
Johnny Hayes certainly deserves his place – been great agains Killie and again in Europe.
Off to St Dominic’s in Greengairs for early Mass – Wee BGFC insisting on having plenty free time for the build-up to the big game today – Hail, Hail !!!!!!!
HH
BGFC
11pm K.O here which is more betterer :)
My guess at today’s team…
Bain
Toljan
Jozo
Boyata
Hayes
McGregor
Christie
Forrest
Sinclair
Burke
Edouard
Attack, Attack, Attack!
Right,I’m away for a lie doon :))
HH
From John James
++++++++++++++
Is Orange the new Black & Tan at Ibrox?
Had Steve Clarke accepted a position as head coach at the facsimile club it would have been a game changer. He is the second best coach in Scottish football. Clarke is superior to McInnes. Levein is arguably the fourth best coach.
I don’t rate Gerrard. He is photogenic. His Scouse brogue is not as impenetrable as the pundits that will step up to cast their eye over tomorrow’s Liverpool game against Manchester United. Had Gerrard not accepted the position at Ibrox he would have been serving his apprenticeship in an English Championship club as is the case with Frank Lampard at Derby County.
One of the principal reasons Clarke turned down the new club at Ibrox is the rampant sectarianism in the *Rangers* support. The odious Orange Order, who are 34,000 strong, are drawn to Ibrox like moths to a flame. They bring their long inculcated venom to a football ground and drag Scottish football down to their level.
No self-respecting Catholic, with this hatred reverberating around him, would consider representing this vile demographic. Steven Gerrard did not care. He has managed to transform himself from a Catholic Celtic Supporter to a defender of the sectarianism and an agent of ‘whataboutery’. He is a soup taker.
A more intelligent man would not question Steve Clarke’s ‘class’ or accuse him of double standards. The so-called Celtic fans who vandalised seats at Rugby Park and referred to Kris Boyd as a ‘fat Orange bastard’ provided Gerrard and the SMSM with the exculpatory evidence that they craved. It was no longer a *Rangers* problem, it was a ‘West of Scotland’ problem.
I know from personal experience that this mindset is not confined to the coastline that is closest to Northern Ireland. One group of the would be assassins of your humble correspondent hail from Fife.
These individuals are radicalised.
Members of the Orange Order are prohibited from entering a Catholic Church. Marriage to a Catholic spouse is proscribed. For over a century Rangers had operated on the same basis. Catholics were not hired and those who dated or married Catholics such as Alex Ferguson had made a career limiting decision.
The perfect response to these anachronistic knuckle draggers is to laugh at them. Do not in any circumstance treat them seriously. They are as deluded as Scientologists. The worst possible response is to make any reference to the IRA. The hatred of Catholics is organised in the halls where this underclass congregate. Any reference to the IRA, and atrocities such as the Birmingham bombs, is catnip to these defenders of the ‘faith’.
These individuals are so opposed to Catholicism that they pen songs such as:
’No, no pope of Rome, no chapels to sadden my eye, no nuns and no priests and no rosary beads, every day is the 12th of July.’
This is probably the least offensive of the songs sung at Ibrox as it does not include industrial epithets such as ‘Fenian bastard.’ No-one is wading in Jacobite blood. It would not be a stretch to contend that it’s offensive to Catholics.
I have no skin in this game. I have no agenda. I don’t care which stripe of Christianity one favours. I am an atheist. I am not a creationist. If I had my way I would introduce the books of Richard Dawkins to the school syllabus. Given my position I would not be accepted as a Freemason. There is no sense of loss on my part.
It is important not to conflate the Orange Order with the de facto secret society of choice at Ibrox and Hampden. However there is a cross over. If it were not for the influence of Scottish Freemasons one would not have a song promoting the ethnic cleansing of Catholics being played on Scottish streets. One would not be paying one’s local taxes to fund their police escort. The individuals who seek to drive Catholics from Scotland are being protected by an escort which is in part paid by taxes from those that they most despise.
Individuals should write to their local councils and demand a lower tariff. No-one should be compelled to pay for Orange Order ‘walks’ or ‘demonstrations’. If one must have recidivists on Scottish streets, one should not have to pay to be insulted by their presence.
To exacerbate matters, the two bob crook from South Africa, the Lying King, has chosen to engage in the debate. Who does this guy think he is? Is one’s four decades as a white collar criminal washed away when one sups from The Loving Cup? King is not an elder statesman. He is a bent self-serving opportunist. A merchant of empty rhetoric.
King could prohibit members of the Orange Order from buying season tickets. He could close down the sections of Ibrox where ‘the people’ engage in these evil chants. Celtic banned The Green Brigade – did they choose this name to be provocative – for two games from Celtic Park. King could do same. He will do nothing as he knows full well that Ibrox is a Bigot’s Speakeasy.
King knows that the bare nippled invertebrates at the SFA won’t intervene and dock them points for infractions. If they were to do so the supporters of the new club from Govan would either be muted or support a team that would be relegated.
The Orange Order has been in existence since 1795. They don’t wish to just blight our streets. They want to blight our football. Those ‘Loyal’ to their cause will subvert games viz Dallas at New Douglas Park and Ibrox; Beaton at Tynecastle and Ibrox; Madden at Pittodrie and Ibrox; and Muir, Kirkland and McWilliam at Ibrox.
The evil chants and the cheating of Loyalist referees are here to stay. The Freemasons at the SFA serve a much higher purpose than Scottish football.
Motherwell on a winning run . Do they try to keep this going or do they simply try not to lose at Celtic Park?
a) Makes for an entertaining game but one we are likely to win;
b) They are not used to playing like that of late so we are likely to win;
c) Logic does not always apply in football so I haven“t got a clue how this game will unfold ! :-))
Norriem
What did BT say about our refs?
JJ
Leicester sack Puel…………we know what’s coming.
Hot off the Press:
Brendan Rodgers to join leicester.
I always look forward to watching the Champions Celtic play.
Not often,(ever), that one keenly anticipates watching Motherwell perform; but today perhaps.
If, when, Celtic turn up, there is no team in Scotland that can live with us.
Go maintain that 8 point gap Celtic.
E
Brendan Rodgers the history maker, the record breaker.
Nothing short of miraculous what our manager has achieved so far.
We are on the brink of an unprecedented Treble Treble.
Let that sink.
HH. ?
Sink in.
Right. Off to catch The Emerald Express from Arbroath bus Station.
Cheerio for now,
Hail ! Hail !
JJ
Interesting article on the inside world of scottish referees on etims…
Well worth the read
http://etims.net/?p=13943
Link for anyone interested…
https://twitter.com/_lippylipez/status/1099440654374051841?s=08
Captain Unbookable, a muppet
Motherwell line up for todays anybody but Celtic
……………………………..Richard Gordon………………………..,
Tom English……Neil McCann………..Billy Dodds……….Alex Rae
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Keith Jackson….Gordon Waddell………Gordon Dalziel……..Novo
………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………….Steven Thomson…………..Kris Boyd…………………………
……………………………………………
It’s a west of Scotland problem except when the jury is from Edinburgh?
Ya Beauty!
Neil McCann at CB, Edouard will rag doll him,
Boyata will have Boydy in his back pocket which will need to be extra large owing to Boydy’s high BMI ;))
Bognorbhoy- I was in the fire service with Winter,played 5 a sides with his Oldco kit on…
Hope you counted yer fingers in the after game hand shakes..
??
Had to do a wee bit of last minute pre-holiday shopping there in Hamilton of all places. Wearing my crucifix (as I always do) but adorned in a light blue t-shirt certainly led to a few confused looks.
Oh and the reason for the blue t-shirt being that all of my green ones are already in my suitcase ;-)
Hello again all you young rebels.
Good evening DBHOY how are things over at the west side of this big Celtic
supporting island called Australia, do you think the establishment knew what they
were doing when they sent all these unrepentant fenian bassas over here?
H.H Mick
Bognorbhoy- he’s enjoyed a lifetime of nepotism, promoted well beyond his capabilities in the fire service .Some may remember a game at CP a few years ago, he blew for HT,the ball was bouncing toward McGeady, he caught the ball,then bounced it on the park in frustration, Winter booked him.
All you guys picking a team for today, please get to Celtic Park early. With Brendan away someone’s got to help John Kennedy sort it oot.
PS according to the Hun Brendan was seen at the airport today
Jobo
Who’s Accrington stanleyyyyyyyyyy .
Nae luck?
BADA BING!
Was just about to ask about his promotions .
Hi Mick
All fine here. Had hip replacement Tuesday which went well,looking better than the last one I had,less bruising, swelling etc. So I’m happy with that.
Looking forward to the game. 11pm KO over here.
Don’t think they thought it through, too late we’re here now and here to stay ;))
Hope all is well in the rebel peninsula . I trust you’ll have a few guiness on standby to get you to match time :)
HH
DBHOY
It’s going to be a struggle, do i stay up and risk the wrath of the
princess or go to bed and set the alarm?
I know it’s no contest, the princess has had a lifetime of pointing
the big finger at me, but will i ever learn?
H.H Mick
Melbourne Mick on 23rd February 2019 10:38 pm
Hello again all you young rebels.
TONY ROME
Good morning from a lovely sunny Melbourne thought i’d try
and cheer you up a wee bit and not feel too bored.
Had visitors over from U.K yesterday for a bite to eat and a
swally, i’d played soccer with one back in the day on the
black ash parks in K.P. and elsewhere he wanted to see our
new football facilities and he was awestruck that our local
council would provide such amenities for local kids.
After gushing praise for a while he quickly clammed up when
he seen some of our bhoys having a Sat. afternoon kickabout.
Two in the hoops and a big African bhoy in the away top.
My big grin made him comment ” see yiv goat this place sown
up anaw ”
That’s right, he’s a hun but imo a decent one.
H.H Mick
—————————————————————————-
Hi Mick cheers I’m good here but thanks for your story it made me chuckle. Keep up all the good work you and the bhoys are doing.
KEEP THE FAITH
I know Motherwell are on a bit of a run in the League but in reality they just got a handy run of fixtures and their last win which on paper was arguably their toughest game was only secured courtesy of last minute free and clownish goalkeeping.
We are coming off a very tough midweek fixture and that always increases the worry levels but if we turn up today we should win handily enough.
I like Burke but he is not a striker and I would prefer to see French Eddy leading the line,
Talking about strikers I hope the Griff is doing OK & we see him back in the Hoops before the season ends.
Jobo, shopping in Hamilton??
Anyone know of any Celtic fans who want Brendan to leave?
Eurochamps67
TONY ROME
you’ve always got somebody on this blog who will talk to you
and i know some people will decry it and say it’s dying on it’s
feet , well i beg to differ, but maybe posts are not prolific as
before but decent people take notice of somebody just needing
to communicate with another person and thats where the
Celtic family is at their best.
H.H Mick
Eurochamps – ha, ha, item was out of stock at Currys EK… ;-)
Bognorbhoy – aye, so close with yesterday’s CQN Coupon – 6 out of 7 with Accrington drawing. One of these weeks….
Mick
A common quandary for the oz based hoops supporters, chose carefully mate ;))
HH
Choose
Corkcelt
I echo your sentiments regarding the Griff, sooner he’s back the better. Hope he is well.
HH
Gerrard on BT sport.
Ermmmmm…
Ermmmmm…
Ermmmmm…
Ermmmmm…
Ermmmmm…
Motorcycle ?
DBHOY
Decision made, princess has headed off to bed, so it’s
just me and the rid biddy until game time.
Oh my sore heid in the morn, but it will be worth it, i’m
sure.
H.H Mick
Mick
I’ve been meaning to ask you if you’ve came accross a commercial brickie company called Melbourne bricklayers on yer travels.Owner ( I was told is from Glasgow ) fits the workers out with the latest hoops top when it’s released. He gets the badge removed and replaced with the centenary cross embroidered in its place. Really smartly done.
Managed to get myself one off an Aussie labourer who on seeing my hoops on a site approached me and we got talking about this and that. He told me he had one at home barely worn which he duly brought in the next day .
HH