Police decision, Arsenal and U2, they’re all linked

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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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414 Comments

  1. Nally81 that’s the one… Feckin loved it 30-40 mins after final whistle still singing the Rebs

     

     

    D. :)

  2. BAYERN drew 1…1.in mid-week tonight losing 2…0……..KRIS BOYD says dressing room………………………………………………………….

  3. Nally

     

    When we travelled to beach end Pittodrie in 80s our supporters bus was like a Glasgow boozer, Amsterdam Coffeeshop combo on wheels. Anyone in the beach end Pittodrie in those times was mainly oot there nut.

     

    Great atmosphere generated though ?

     

    YNWA

  4. here is a quiz question ..

     

     

    WHAT HAS DD DONE WITH MY 2 WHISKY FLASKS.?????????????????/////////

  5. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    BIG PACKY 1 on 28TH SEPTEMBER 2018 9:14 PM

     

    macjay1for neil lennon thanks for your reply,how did you rate john greig.hh.

     

     

    ================================================================

     

     

    Great and very effective player , in the uncompromising style of Sammy Baird and Harold Davis . Not as dirty as Shearer. A tad more subtle.

     

    All names I hated as a wee lad . :-)

     

    All part of the iron curtain , as the hun defence was described .

     

    Also ” power play “. A euphemism if ever I heard one .

     

     

    For eight years they skelped us .

     

    Their domination then reminds me of our domination now.

     

    Part of the reason I can`t abide the serial whingers among our support .

  6. Bayern Munchen lose 2:0 to H Berlin. Now lost 5 points in 2 games. Are they bed wetting…. are they feck. Hope Pog’s Oktoberfest isn’t spoiled or St Stiv’s Zepelin doesn’t gatecrash the party.

  7. DELANEYS DUNKY, hi garry when went up to Aberdeen in the late sixties/early seventies we always ended up in the beach ballroom, boy could I pull the burds,hey don’t tell joan.hh.

  8. FU

     

    So sorry. Think Richie still has them. Not seen him.

     

    Lovely gesture I will never forget.

     

    Great to see Leeds United get back on track.

     

    Eddie Gray was my favourite non Celtic player for years when I was wee.

     

    YNWA

  9. Every time I see DD mentioned I wonder is it Dermot Desmond or Delaneys Dunky they are referring to? I heard they are both very rich.

  10. macjay1 for neil lennon we must be about the same age thank feck for that with all these whippersnappers like dd and david66.lol.

  11. Hunderbirds are Gone on

    From one of the Scandinavian Sagas;

     

    … and the leader of the group, drew himself up to his full height. He was exuding a steely confidence in the intimidating halls of Valhalla, as he addressed Thor directly, “I am named Orjan Persson. I am the King of the Orange Peepil.”

     

    After what seemed an eternity Thor drew in a huge breath, filling his mighty lungs with the cold air and then the halls were replete with his deafening laughter. “Hahaha, stupid, stupid huns” he replied, shaking his head.

     

     

    ?⚽️

  12. Main reason there’s a problem with date of the semi finals is that 2 of the clubs are playing in Europa League group stage’s on the previous Thursday.

     

    As the SPFL would have known the dates for the Europa group stages in advance, with the obvious possibility that more than one team may qualify for both semi final and Europa groups, the question should surely be –

     

    why did they not schedule the semi finals for a weekend when there was no Europa League group stage games scheduled for the Thursday ?

  13. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    BIG PACKY 1 on 28TH SEPTEMBER 2018 9:39 PM

     

    macjay1 for neil lennon we must be about the same age thank feck for that with all these whippersnappers like dd and david66.lol.

     

     

    =====================================================================

     

     

    Yes , pal.

     

    I feel its our duty to educate them .

     

    :-)

  14. JTT53

     

    My richness is not money.

     

    My family, my faith, my friends and my Celtic make me rich.

     

    YNWA

  15. Best post of the night from a time site re SIR Rod singing ‘Grace’

     

     

    FFS at least do some research before speaking utter ‘shi*e’ SIR Rod. James Connelly referred to the disparate nationalist groups involved in the 1916 rising as the IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY (Irish Volunteers, Irish Citizens Army, the Hibernian Rifles and foreign volunteers) – IE the song ‘Grace’ nothing to do with the IRA – apart from fecking everyting. I once visited the colosseum in Rome. Am I now knowledgeable in all things pertaining to the Roman Empire I must be, Rod once visited kilmainham jail and is now an expert on modern Irish history?

     

    Grace is a Reb song Rod regardless of how you wish to deny it to boost your sales. Best stick to playing in Tel aviv Rod, now just what would Punkett, Pearse and Connelly have said about that ya fecking fraud?

  16. FB

     

    My uncle Danny emigrated to Leeds in 1970. Went to see Celtic play there and never came home. He was friends with Billy Bremner, Eddie Gray and Peter Lorimer. All three were Tims. How good would Celtic have been had they played for us and no Leeds

     

    YNWA

  17. Here’s a thought

     

    Celtic and Hearts take max 10k tickets each for 2nd game on that Sunday ?

     

    I believe gate receipts for both games are shared by 4 clubs

     

    Let that other game sellout – and hit that other mob as well as FtSFA ( who get rental of stadium)

     

    In the pocket

     

     

    Anyway let’s take our wee bit confidence from Wed into tomorrow game, and build a wee bit momentum

  18. celticrollercoaster on

    Good evening fholks

     

     

    I have been corresponding with Murdoch, Auld and Hay to find out how his battle with cancer is coming on. Sadly it is not good news

     

     

    “Hi Marc

     

     

    Was up at clinic today with brothers & sisters

     

    Nothing they can do except offer me the chance of a clinical trial only If I pass their assessment,

     

    As both chemo & immunotherapy failed & tumour has got larger, and not holding out for much hope

     

     

    They gave me 8 months life expectancy so have to try & make the most of it

     

    Might be off to Dublin in the Green this month lol

     

     

    If you can Marc put something on the blog I would be very grateful let the ghuys know

     

     

    Stephen HH”

     

     

    God Bless Stephen, I pray that you have the strength and power to continue to fight this and eventually beat this evil disease

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  19. Oglach

     

    Fraud Stewart does my head in.

     

    A poor man’s Kelly Jones.

     

    His version of Grace is shite.

     

    YNWA

  20. !!Bada Bing!! on 28th September 2018 9:57 pm

     

     

    Sir Rod Stewart is on Graham Norton tonight

     

    #grace

     

    ==

     

    SIR Rod the Brit is committing Cultural appropriation

  21. Thoughts and Prayers still with MAaH

     

    CRC- I dropped him a note about 2 weeks ago, he was still positive

     

    Let see hope he continues in this way

  22. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    Rod Stewart.

     

     

    A giant in the entertainment industry since 1970.

     

    A huge asset in introducing and promoting Glasgow Celtic to a global audience.

     

    Thank you , Rod .

     

    Very much.

  23. Murdoch Auld and Hay, May God bless you.

     

    Sorry to hear your sad news, keep on fighting.

     

    You will be in my prayers tonight.

     

     

    D.