Could someone remind me the last time we heard rumours that Ronny Deila had players rebelling against him? I heard it often, and put it to the club, but was told the players had bought-into the changes, then underway and largely unproductive. I think we got our answer after the full-time whistle yesterday. This is a group of players and manager with a common purpose.
Celtic are now top of the league, a point away from qualifying from the Europa League knock-out stages, and are beginning to look like a team, but the results are largely secondary to the transformation. Even if Virgil’s 90th minute winner hadn’t arrived at Pittodrie, progress is evident. The fragility and lack of cohesion which marked so many of our performances until early last month has gone.
Success has many fathers so it’s difficult to know exactly what’s behind the improvement. Scott Brown’s return from injury helped enormously, as did the return of Mikael Lustig and Adam Matthews (although I thought Adam had a torrid time with Niall McGinn yesterday).
The blossoming of Stefan Johansen has to be the most striking element. He has without doubt been the most improved player this season and an early contender for end of season awards. By any measure, he had no right to score his goal yesterday.
The return of James Forrest, who yesterday played his fourth game in eight months, will give the squad an extra boost before the final two Europa League group games. If he has fully recuperated from the problems which blighted him throughout this year, he’ll give fresh impetus to the pacey product Ronny is trying to hone.
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Which players do we ALL agree are good enough for Celtic?
Gordon;
Lustig;
Denayer;
van Djik;
Guidetti.
I suspect there would be no argument with the above. To them, I would add, with confidence,:
Brown ( I believe he is our most important player);
Johansen;
Forrest.
With less confidence: Izaguirre.
I rate many of the others but the above give me confidence.
JJ
Doc
Away?
Y’ar gorgeous. Big boned and svelte at one and the same time!
Laters Timdom
HH jamesgang
Macjay:
Then I suggest you take a few moments to read about John Redmond and the 16th Irish.
macjay1:
Semantics maybe to you but how many Irelands are there?
macjay1 for neil lennon
08:04 on 11 November, 2014
“When you say “the uk”,I take it you mean the UK including Ireland and Irishmen.”
First mention of Ireland in this mornings debate goes to the poppy fascist. Yet he’s accusing others of raising this. IMO typical.
jamesgang
08:57 on
11 November, 2014
macjay1
and Kit
None of our disagreements really matter.What matters is our beloved Celtic.
I know that our hearts all lie in the same place.
When Celtic`s reputation is damaged,as it was at Aberdeen by selfish individuals who don`t give a damn about the implications of their pathetic,selfish and perhaps drunken boorishness,then I`ll speak my mind.
This blog ,on occasions,encourages that behaviour imho.
The absolute antithesis of all inclusive Celtic.
Bawsman @0841
Well that post certainly wasn’t baws man.
See ye’s on the 12th.
JJ,
I rate Stokesy very highly
Good Morning,
Without wishing in anyway to preach I wake each November the 11th with the same words ringing in my head. The voice speaking those words belongs to my Grandfather from Ballymote, Co Sligo.
For a’ that, an’ a’ that, A man’s a man for awe that.
He would also quote the less oft recited Burns poem called
Man Was Made To Mourn: A Dirge
In this poem, the farmer ploughman coins another famous phrase:
Man’s inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn!
So, here we are again on November 11th and this morning my thoughts turn to the people of Holland.
We are bloody brilliant in this country in somehow leaving people with the impression that history ends at Dover.
Alas this is not true.
Despite declaring its neutrality Holland ( as it had in WW1 ) was invaded on 1st May 1940 and for the next 5 years would endure a fate that was arguably unequalled in Western Europe.
A higher percentage of Jews were murdered from Holland than any other country, Of all the Jews shipped to concentration camps only 5% survived and of a total population of 140,000 Jewish residents before the war only 30,000 would see 1946.
When there was resistance in Rotterdam to the German invasion, the city was attacked by the Luftwaffe with the targets being all the civilian houses rather than the docks or the military installations. 25,000 homes were destroyed in one night and the effect on the whole of Holland was such that the entire nation surrendered.
This was exactly what was attempted with Clydebank though the Clydebank bombing was on a far greater scale yet it was only a wee town.
Before the end of the war and freedom, there would be the “Hunger Winter” or the Dutch Famine of 1944 where 30,000 died of starvation.
Holland had some severe resistance movements, had a Government and Royal Family in exile in the UK and had some of the greatest levels of collaboration during the war due to what can only be described as sheer terror and fear.
In May 1942 every Catholic church had a letter read out which condemned the German enforced regime and the persecution of the Jews with the result that the treatment became even harsher, all political parties other than the Nationalist Socialist Party were banned and the catholic priests were rounded up and sent to the concentration camps.
Apparently, if you go to certain parts of Holland today you will find small plaques on the wall which simply say “Thanks”.
These are thankyous to the Allied troops who fought and died in an attempt to liberate Holland during the likes of Operation Market Garden – which ultimately failed – but which brought some hope.
Today the Dutch still live on the German border and they trade and live with their German neighbours peaceably, humanely, tolerantly and with an air of reconciliation.
In many ways, we ( The British ) know sweet fanny adams about the two world wars as our national experience is and was completely different to that of other nations. That does not mean that the experience is any less real or less shocking, but it does mean that we should put a lid on this seemingly never ending push to claim armistice day as some sort of great British day of national mourning and jingoism – where it is related to other conflicts involving British soldiers who wander overseas baring weapons to defend or secure oil rights, land grabs and and trading territories.
Armistice day has nothing to do with any of that.
On this day, those in Dutch towns and villages will think of a far harsher lesson than any that we were ever forced to learn and perhaps they will reflect on the words of the ploughman about man’s inhumanity to man.
I know of someone who went to fight in Holland in an attempt to liberate it. Fortunately he survived although he suffered injuries.
His medals – unique to the campaign he was involved in — guarantee him a warm welcome among Dutch families and a recognition that he was one of those who went to war in an attempt to restore the ideals and the message of Robert Burns and who tried to end man’s inhumanity to man.
He does not wear a poppy by choice.
For a’ that, an’ a’ that …………
jamesgang
08:57 on
11 November, 2014
macjay1
It’s really hard and largely pointless trying to create a league table of nationalities’ war guilt over a span of say 4 centuries. History’s way too messy to facilitate that…..
———————————————————————————————————————-
Spot on.
So,why is it that it`s only the Brits that get a smacking on here?
Hitler? Stalin? Hirohito? Not a mention
Well.We both know.The Irish question.That`s why.
Not a mention of atrocities committed by the I.R.A.
And,my god,there were stacks of those.
Airbrushed from C.Q.N.as if they were figments of the imagination.
Well they weren`t, to which anyone with the slightest inclination for the truth will attest.
Jungle Jim 08.58
I would agree with all those except maybe Izzy. He’s played better recently but I don’t have confidence in him defensively. The name I would add is Biton. When he had a run of games last season I thought he was just about our best midfielder. He lacks aggression and maybe a bit of pace but apart from that he has everything.
An Tearmann
06:15 on
11 November, 2014
Good morning CQN
Fine post echoing sentiments shared by many including my own, thank you
JJ…no kris Commons on your list ?
jungle jim hot smoked
08:58 on 11 November, 2014
Which players do we ALL agree are good enough for Celtic?
Gordon;
Lustig;
Denayer;
van Djik;
Guidetti.
I suspect there would be no argument with the above. To them, I would add, with confidence,:
Brown ( I believe he is our most important player);
Johansen;
Forrest.
With less confidence: Izaguirre.
I rate many of the others but the above give me confidence.
JJ
Really good post JJ. I would agree with your list and add Matthews. These are are the players that have the ability to play well in the Scottish league AND Europe!! I would add Scepovic, Wakaso, McGregor and Henderson as players who may get to this level.
We then have players who are not good enough for Europe but very good in Scotland – Mulgrew, Ambrose, Commons, Stokes and Griffiths.
And finally players who aren’t quite up to it – Kayal, Biton (too one paced), Berget, Boerrighter, Balde, Tonev and Pukki (although, and I’ll get slated for saying this, but I still think there’s a player there!!!).
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
09:22 on 11 November, 2014
jamesgang
08:57 on
11 November, 2014
macjay1
and Kit
None of our disagreements really matter.What matters is our beloved Celtic.
I know that our hearts all lie in the same place.
When Celtic`s reputation is damaged,as it was at Aberdeen by selfish individuals who don`t give a damn about the implications of their pathetic,selfish and perhaps drunken boorishness,then I`ll speak my mind.
This blog ,on occasions,encourages that behaviour imho.
The absolute antithesis of all inclusive Celtic.
—————————
You see the irony in your last line, surely?
You want an all inclusive Celtic yet have no tolerance of those who chose to express their objections to the minute’s silence at Pittodrie.
For what it’s worth, I’d have preferred that they could have found some other way of displaying their feelings but this is a country where freedom of expression is not yet outlawed.
I’ve tried to stay out of the annual poppy debate but today was too much. In my office this morning two of the “people ” are wandering about with sparkly poppy broochs.
The huns demand solemn remembrance and cut about Ibrox with cannons and last night of the proms displays. An incredible lack of respect and self awareness.
I have never been one for public displays of grief and feel the time is right to stop this sham at sporting events. Remembrance should be private not an invitation to show the world how much you care.
kevjungle – mark mcghee’s mind-games…a trick missed by celtic? oh, aye.
08:38 on 11 November, 2014
Oh, afore I go….why have the SMSM-puppets got the green leaf thingy removed from their poppies?
Bring back the Jungle – see how many poppies ye find in there?
Poppy Scotland decided against using the green leaf addition to their poppy. Instead the money saved on the manufacturing of the extra piece was retained for use in the causes they support. I believe but can’t confirm the amount saved wax around £15k. Makes sense to me.
Woody Lee
09:32 on
11 November, 2014
Jungle Jim 08.58
I would agree with all those except maybe Izzy. He’s played better recently but I don’t have confidence in him defensively. The name I would add is Biton. When he had a run of games last season I thought he was just about our best midfielder. He lacks aggression and maybe a bit of pace but apart from that he has everything.
Biton
Can he deliver a quality dead ball ? how is his long passing game ? does he possess a goal scoring threat ? For a big lad you would expect him to be a threat in the opposition box at set pieces and a defensive rock defending set pieces…………….for me far to many questions and no surprise to me it equates to few starts
Lennon, WGS and now Ronny Delia have all selected Mulgrew and Brown, they both have faults without doubt but right now they are the best central midfield pairing we have with the added bonus of pushing Johanson into his best position behind the lone striker
We are seriously lacking quality in wide attacking positions who also are struggling to chip with much needed goals
jamesgang
08:57 on
11 November, 2014
The big question is : have we learned the lessons of history or do we prefer to maintain and perpetuate our hatreds.
Well some prefer the latter.
Perhaps it`s all they`ve got.
Very sad.
For me Biton is a reasonable tidy footballer. However, he’s very one paced, not physical and at 23 should be well capable of keeping Mulgrew out of the team. Mulgrew is very limited but he seems to offer more than Biton.
Defensive midfield is one of the main areas we need to strengthen (hence the recent link to Diarra).
lionroars
I think Mulgrew came back to Celtic under NFL. Therfore WGS, who punted him did not select him with Broonie in misfield.
I could however be wrong
HH
Poppy Day has morphed into something that it neve was when I was a boy (born 1945) and these, again, are my musings on the change.
http://www.tomminogue.com/2014/11/poppycock/
P.S. Thanks for comments on first posting of this
Hamiltontim
09:35 on
11 November, 2014
You have a point.
Perhaps i could say that it pains me for Celtic supporters to damage the reputation of Celtic.
Hitler? Stalin? Hirohito? Not a mention – so we should include these heroes of macjay in the British armistice remembrance now, so macjay can right, still harping on and forcing the issue around Ireland.
concentration camps started by Britain in South Africa
100 years opium war with china
starvation used for ethnic cleansing in India not for the first time
Millions of civilians slaughtered by trained soldiers all over the world
All in the name of macjays imperial heroes every imperial storm trooper should be remembered as a fallen hero, every war crime should be glossed over and the perpetrators venerated.
It’s all the fault of the Irish that people question the hypocrisy of him and his ilk.
misfield = midfield allthough perhaps I was right first time in terms of Mulgrews passing of late.
HH
My friends in Celtic,
Absolutely delighted with our progress, and yes it is progress. We have just came through a rigorous period with many games in a short period which some on here said would make or break RD.
I ask you has it broken him? I feel more confident for our future now than I have felt for a long time. Some will still call him lucky. Good
Luck is inherent, you can not buy or train it. With practise we can become better, but no matter how good we can become we will still require luck.
One more point that has been annoying me since our magnificent result in the land of the sheep.:-
The Aberdeen supporters have been vile for many a year, especially the travelling support. We have commentated on it for years.
But it is increasingly depressing to read posts about how they are ” No voting scum”
What has that got to do with anything?
I will lay my cards on the table. I voted No. I would vote No again tomorrow. No regrets.
I voted with the best interests of my country and because this is a Celtic blog I voted with the best interest of Celtic Football Club. All in my opinion.
I am no less of a Celtic supporter than those of us who voted Yes, despite what some on here would infer. My Celtic credentials are a match for most.
I will non aggressively argue my point with anyone, and I look forward to the day when I will do that in person.
Again IMO, when we have a future labour government ( Possibly with the help of the nationalists ) if necessary we may call another referendum, but with no wee eck calling the shots the question will be.
” Should Scotland stay as part of the UK ”
Simples, and my answer would be :-
Greenpinata says Aye.
HH.
For those slow on the uptake……….
Britain and Irish Empire.
Credit where it`s due.
skyisalandfill
09:47 on
11 November, 2014
lionroars
I think Mulgrew came back to Celtic under NFL. Therfore WGS, who punted him did not select him with Broonie in misfield.
I could however be wrong
WGS started his rebuilding of the national side with a partnership of Mulgrew and Brown
Our recent run of good results IMO is due to Lustig and Mulgrew back in the team
Awe_Naw poppycock and straight into an International Break.
Macjay, our differences often arise because you default to dragging in the Irish anytime the UK is accused of any wrong doing on here. I suppose if you wanted to twist it Bloody Sunday, The Guildford Four, the burning of Cork, and Croke Park (as just a few examples only) were the fault of the victim Irish.
Our differences arise often because you default to wiki as a source of infallible fact, when it is so patently obviously not. We’ve crossed swords over the subject of the conduct of the UK on several occasions, I’ve even sent you books on the subject, books that I selected deliberately because they did not re-enforce my viewpoint to the degree that others, which I’ve offered to lend you, do. I don’t think – to date – you have ever read those books but yet you persist in obfuscating the issues by perpetually dragging in the Irish as though their guilt somehow diminishes, if not quite validates, the Guilt of the UK government and on occasion her forces.
The reason we cross swords is because when you drag in the Irish it reads to me as nothing more than vindictive.
I have seen no person on here – ever – encourage any Celtic supporter to disrupt a minutes silence for any reason. From what I can garner, and I include myself, the vast, vast majority would rather a minutes silence was accorded a respectful silence, whether you agree with the reason behind it or not.
Regards the IRA, just like some of the actions taken by the French Resistance, and other freedom fighters of other nationalities, their actions would never have been made manifest if their respective countries had not been invaded, conquered, and their very culture threatened to extinction, by a foreign aggressor nation. In the case of Ireland even you know which was the aggressor nation.
You’ve already stated you reserve the right to respond in kind yet somehow you find it hard to extend the courtesy of right to the Irish….
I see the DR is trying hard to breath life into it’s astonishing rate of circulation drop.
How many players do we have away on international duty ?
Are we still struggling to keep enough of the team at home to have meaningful training sessions ?
Interesting replies to my ` Celtic Quality` players. I am in broad agreement with most of the comments. Stokes is definitely improving under Ronny`s tutelage; Biton is something of a dilemma and I even agree that Pulli just MIGHT do the business !
Commons, brilliant at times, just does not fit into the new set up for me.
JJ
Owen Coyle’s relatives are considering the Motherwell transfer budget.
tutelage
*early word of the day contender*
New Article?
Nothing from Phil Mac re: press freedom in the aftermath of the dictator Gerry’s veiled gun threat to newspaper editors. Very strange!
kitalba
10:00 on
11 November, 2014
I don`t drag the Irish in.
I respond to insults directed to me and mine by bloggers who are Irish by birth or preference.
I feel simply that it is reasonable to answer their criticisms with facts.
I choose wikipedia because it is easily available and convenient.
I don`t have to be informed about perfidious Albion .
As you well know.
But,what`s that got to do with Celtic?
That`s what we`re all here for.
Well,apart from those who wish to use Celtic for their own selfish and divisive reasons.
Atrocoties are fine as long as you are a freedom fighter.