The decision to play both League Cup semi-finals on the same day lies with Police Scotland. The SPFL’s contract to use Hampden stipulates these games must take place there, unless the police object. The broadcasting contract with BT Sport also stipulates the games must be scheduled to take place that specific weekend, so delaying one game is not an option, as it would clash with other fixtures.
The police initially declined to authorise to Celtic’s Champions League qualification game with Arsenal, as U2 were at Hampden on the same evening. The “What kind of outfit cannot police two events in the same city on the same day” line won the day on that occasion, as pressure was brought to bear. I suspect the police anticipated the same reaction if they objected to the semi-final times.
No one really wants this, but it was always on the cards.
Aberdeen were pretty shocking against Hibs on Tuesday night, not that this is any consolation. They withheld 120 minutes of pressure without conceding – perfect practice for tomorrow’s visit to Celtic Park. If we are off our game, we will struggle.
I wish I knew what took place in the dressing room at halftime on Wednesday. From second half kick-off Celtic were a transformed team, chances flowed and the goal eventually came. If it was a tactical change I didn’t detect it. Was it really as simple as a change of attitude?
Whatever it was, it needs to be replicated, not just when the tea cups are flying. Ahead of Newco’s visit to Celtic Park we were in considerable trauma on and off the field, but there was a correct belief that this game was ideal, as it would focus minds on what they were best at.
It has been left to Aberdeen to deliver a title challenge for the last four years. They are our most accomplished opponent, so we can hope for a performance matching the one against Newco.
At the Great Scottish Run on Sunday one group of us will do the 10k and another the Half Marathon. We will on the streets of Glasgow with the Celtic FC Foundation logo on our chest, to support the work of the Foundation as it prepares for the winter. It is a great thing to be a part of, but the hard work of the Foundation starts when the fundraising ends on Sunday.
If you can offer support, please do so here.
Thank you.
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PAUL67
“I wish I knew what took place in the dressing room at halftime on Wednesday. From second half kick-off Celtic were a transformed team, chances flowed and the goal eventually came. If it was a tactical change I didn’t detect it. Was it really as simple as a change of attitude?”
How about…
Get yer fingers out your arses,stop the sulking,get this game won or it’s no more Mr Nice Guy.
Genuinely,I think Brendan got them told pretty similar to the above. And not before time,either.
BMCUWP
I only saw him play a few times before he joined us, and I realize one swallow doesn’t make a spring… but he was one, if not the, players we faced who I thought really stood out. not flashy… but, as you suggest, mature and professional.
Mike,
He is younger than Claude Makelele when he signed for Chelsea. And how we laughed as they paid about £20m for a 32yo who contributed nothing. He plays a similar role and Makelele played about 300-odd games after the has-been,never-was,signed for Chelsea.
Of course,he isn’t Makelele-he can score goals,for starters-but his role is similar. Neil Lennon too played that role,and it does extend the career of players
Not been 2 semis on the same day at Hampden since the Beyonce concert
MIT
Great suggestion, I could then be reacquainted wit my childhood mate Tosh McKinley who is on the current Celtic scouting team. Morgan and Hendry he studied for a while. Would love them both to come good, but don’t see it in Jack yet. High Hopes for Lewis.
YNWA
BB
Haha
Beyonce would generate more than a coupla semis. ?
And Tosh McKinlay as our Scottish scout.
And Lee Congerton as Head of Recruitment.
What could possibly go wrong?
‘Get in ze ol!’ just heard at the Ryder Cup. Well it is in France. ;-)
VB
Tosh whacks the nut on our latest Swedish signing. ?
YNWA
Foursomes
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MACEW on 28TH SEPTEMBER 2018 11:53 AM
Tontine,
Disappointed to read your comments about Dumbarton Harp last night. Please let me know if you have any plans for being “home” in the near future and as a club member will be more than happy to buy you a pint.
*thanks, might be next year and although i no longer drink will accept ab Irn Bru, I was really disappointed as although I’m a jeelyeater my da was a rancher and Mrs TT originated in the Peoples Republic of Brucehill and grew up in Castlehill.
My big mate who was in with me’s grampa lived up Brucehill and he was the 1st mhan fae Connemara tae settle in Dumbarton so we weren’t really strangers St Pats not withstanding,
21-5-79 ? on 28TH SEPTEMBER 2018 3:07 PM
Might be easier to say we’re hammering them in the foursomes. ?
DILLIGAFBHOY
✅
Mike in Toronto
Agree about Mulumbu, although I thought Ntcham was good the other night.
McGregor always looks better in higher tempo games. I think our general slower, less assured play has affected a few players. Although I suppose there’s a bit of cause-and-effect in there!
Agree also about Armstrong and his off-the-ball runs. Made a post about this a couple of nights ago.
Forrest is the one who is frustrating me the most at the moment. Against packed defences you have to try to stretch them and pull defenders out of position. James seems to run for a bit then stop and drift aimlessly inside (to where all the congestion is) before passing back to someone else for them to do something. Might just be a confidence thing, but I’d give Morgan a shot for a few games. See if he can get some crosses in or get to the byline for a cut-back.
Maybe just needs a tweak somewhere and everything else will fall into place.
On tomorrows game, i too watched the Aberdeen match on Tuesday and they were very poor. They left 3 up front at all times which wont happen tomorrow, thus losing control in the midfield and failing to protect their full backs. They were very fortunate to progress. I suspect they will revert to type tomorrow and defend deep and in numbers, allowing us to have the ball in defence but pressing hard in the midfield area. The left back Lowe and centre back Devlin were weak links on Tuesday. Btw how Shinnie left Easter road without at least a yellow to his hame i’ll never know, an absolute hatchet man he is. Dare i say it Aberdeen are not as good as last season or the season before and therefore we should win with a bit to spare.
Paul67 et al
I see elsewhere that Craig Levein is suggesting that the Celtic-Hearts game the following weekend, Sat. Nov 03, 1500pm, could be postponed, and our League Cup semi-final played then. Wouldn’t suit everyone I know but it would avoid the double whammy decided by PoliceScotland. (You didn’t expect Celtic to come up with an alternative did you?)
Noticed also re the same league game against Hearts, there will be no concessions for “kids” in sections 117-119 (ie the public sale areas) so if you were a youngster hoping to go, it’ll cost you, or your parents, £18 a ticket. So much for encouraging the supporters of tomorrow.
Shaun Maloney has left Celtic youth set up to join Roberto Martinez as his no3 at Belgium international side HH
Morgan did more than enough in the brief time he was on to deserve a start. I’d rest Cal Mc or Forrest or even both as they seem to have lost their way. I’d try MJ up front with Griff too and rest Edouard.
Ha Ha
I spoke to Tosh about the incident with Henrik. It was a training ground spat and Henrik made a move that looked like he has going to lamp Tosh. But, Tosh was from Partick and was at St Thomas Acquinas so he stepped in a gave him a Glasgow kiss. Result, Tosh suspended and Henrik away to the doctors in Sweden. They later made up and had a laugh about it. They both lived in Bothwell and shared cars. No hard feelings
Another thing about Tosh and Henrik was that they scored the same goal on umpteen occasions.
Tosh would be out wide on the left and just after he crossed the half way line he would hit an early cross with his left foot which curled round straight into Henriks path in the Inside right channel. When Henriks saw Tosh looking up he knew where the ball going and he run through without even looking backwards and the ball arrived where expected. Just the keeper to beat.
FRANNYB
I knew he was eligible to play for various countries,but Shaun is never a left back,mate.
BIGBHOY
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AdCWR-XpGxI
Glasstwo
Tom Rogic for Calum ( Invisible ) MacGregor
CELTIC are delighted to announced that James Forrest has signed a new four-year deal which will see him remain at the club until at least the summer of 2022…
http://www.celticfc.net/news/15030
4 year deal for Forrest
FRANNYB67 on 28TH SEPTEMBER 2018 3:22 PM
Shaun Maloney has left Celtic youth set up to join Roberto Martinez as his no3 at Belgium international side HH
Maybe see Paul Hartley possibly getting that job…
Delighted James has committed another 4 years to Celtic. One of very few players in our team who can trouble even the best defenders.
Underrated by the general support, We often heap adulation on players who are only passing through and overlook a vital member of our team. One of my first picks every week and fortunately Brendan agrees.
Bobby Murdoch
Happy days !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMt_vCidSsA
all 242 Larsson goals
Good luck to Jack Hendry tomorrow big home test, with all other worthies injured he’ll partner Dedryk.
Hearts moaning like mad about the semi final scheduling then saying they want 50% of the tickets but might not sell them. That’s peak Scottish football right there.
Europe about to clean sweep in the 4somes.
Will they let us in after brexit though? IF it happens.
Bigbhoy
I spoke to Tosh dad Thomas about the Henrik incident. Regi and Henrik were ripping the pish out of Tosh in training. Tosh reacted in Partick style. To this day, Tosh and Henke are great pals.
YNWA
DAVID17 on 28TH SEPTEMBER 2018 4:27 PM
Hearts moaning like mad about the semi final scheduling then saying they want 50% of the tickets but might not sell them. That’s peak Scottish football right there.
*think snivelin is trying tae expose the geriatrics at hampden with empty seats live on the tele, they won’t notice too busy celebrating their favourites winning over the lie doon mob.
Doncaster ‘ we’re delighted to have come up with a solution that suits all the clubs….’
Always been a total imbecile
Brendan’s Presser
All teams are doubling up on Forrest, therefore he hasn’t got the same space out wide.
He needs our full back, of midfielder to play one-two’s with him, so that he can run free into space for the return.
Mc.Gregor and Rogic seem to have stopped doing this.
From the SPFL website:
Q. Why couldn’t the Aberdeen game have been chosen for the 7:45pm kick-off?
A. This was agreed following input from Police Scotland who advised they wished the Aberdeen vs Rangers game to be played first.
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That is not an answer.
Will there be enough time to repair the toilets between kick off times? Have they got a squad of plumbers on standby?