When you are full of confidence, every game is anticipated with a sense of purpose. A ‘Bring ‘em on’ attitude lifts poor sides to great heights. When a team are on a losing streak, no game looks easy. Dundee United have won one game in all competitions since September, a 3-1 win over St Mirren seven weeks ago. Jim Goodwin is not in the position he endured in the late stages at Aberdeen, however, he needs any win almost as much as Wilfried Nancy.
United are the only Premiership side Celtic have yet to face this season, but there are reasons for more caution. They have played clubs from the top half of the table eight times, drawing twice with Newco and once each with Hibs and Hearts, once with Motherwell. Hearts and Motherwell managed wins against them, while United beat Aberdeen.
This trend was further evidenced by their home and away draws with Rapid Vienna, who enjoyed over 60% possession in each game, before eventually prevailing on penalties.
United’s problem lies when playing weaker sides who defend and give them the ball, their strength is playing on the counter. Goodwin’s gameplan for tomorrow is well-rehearsed and ready. On this issue, he will have the advantage tomorrow.
An interesting aspect of these games is the amount of goals scored. There were four 2-2 draws, a 3-3 and a 2-3. United are conceding like a team near the bottom of the table but score on the break more effectively than most. Saturday’s 0-0 with Motherwell was only their second clean sheet in 19 games since playing Luxembourgers in July.
Wilfried Nancy will know to expect Celtic will have chances and to defend against counter-attacks at Tannadice. That, at least, is one consolation for our new manager.
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Bhoys Town on 16th December 2025 12:44 pm
Does anyone really expect us to win tomorrow? I am in total depression about WN.
_____
I had optimism for the final, however it was pretty horrendous, especially after losing Iheanacho. The previous week against Hearts, we were actually blowing them away (if we could score that is) for most of the first half. One week later v St Mirren, it was a lot worse. I can’t see us winning any time soon. I really don’t think the players are onboard, irrespective of whether it’s a sinking ship or not.
Does anyone actually know what a Paul Tisdale is for?
He wears a dapper bunnet on matchdays, so he’s clearly got something about him, but as titular Head of Football Operations, said operations aren’t going terribly well. In fact, they’ve been misfiring since he was appointed in October last year.
Its curious that according to fholklore, all good player signings were Brendan Rodgers signings while all poor signings are ‘club’ signings, yet none are Paul Tisdale signings.
Who signed Jota and Schlupp in January?
Who signed Tierney, Nygren, Osmand and Inamura?
What of Tounekti, Balikwisha, Yamada and Saracchi?
Iheanacho? Simpson-Pusey? Doohan?
Was Wilfried Nancy appointed in part because he ‘could work with’ Tisdale? Was that part of the candidate profile? Was Tisdale’s view ought or influential in the appointment?
I know he’s a golfing buddy of one of Dermot’s pals, but does he do anything at Celtic?
Is there any verifiable evidence that Paul Tisdale does anything at all?
Just a thought but would the type of CEO Celtic need not be found in the USA?
Not necessarily from football but from a culture where winning is a high priority.
Just trying to make sense of why WN was hired as I thought on seeing his first interview that he will have communication problems getting his philosophy across.
Is there more Yanks to come?
Are there more Yanks to come?
Paul get an edit facility on CQN. It cannot be difficult to bolt one on.
quadrophenian you may be a dreamer but your not the only one – however I did not suggest we appoint an SPFL duffer (People now saying we should hire any run-of-the-mill Scots Irish journeyman duffer as our gaffer!)
I said an SPFL appointment like McInnes or Robinson would match the clear downsizing strategy we are undergoing. Any of them should be capable of delivering an SPFL title with the resources we have without expecting much in return in the way of backing.
I don’t see any reason why McInnes wouldn’t deliver the title for us. You hardly need to be an elite level manager like Ange or BR to do that. Just need to be better than the Govan mob and the rest of the teams that cannot afford to spend a million between them.
you are (not your, sorry for the pedantics amongst us).
also restrict LS and AT from running like headless chickens into offensive positions in the opposition half , only to lose all control and end up looking like lost we buoys far from home.
Like many, I think its ridiculous to suggest a managerial change after 3 games. Equally, I’m taken aback by how ridiculous these 3 games have been
There’s a niggling question I can’t quite shake
Namely, why did we appoint Nancy as manager?
The obvious answer, and I’ll save unnecessary replies by suggesting here, is that he was the best candidate for the job.
Follow up – based on what? What separated him from the others? What impressed so much that we signed him and an entire entourage?
Track record?
Knowledge of the Scottish game?
Ability to keep the show on the road while making incremental changes towards a better operating model?
Player development?
Contacts within the game?
A data driven approach? (Zero from three does not make for good reading)
I honestly can’t think what it was.
The appointment was a conscious decision. A deliberate act. There must be some logic to it. Wonder who was involved and whether they are surprised with week 1, or whether these broken eggs were expected ahead of the omelette tomorrow.
🎶We’ve got Liam Liam Liam Scales on the wing, on the wing
Liam oh Liam Scales Liam Scales on the wiiiiinnnnngggg🎶
ToTheTuneOfJimmyJohnstone CSC
The Battered Bunnet @ 1:16 pm,
Well if he does, blink and you’ll miss it;)
See BR&Co got that job they were rushing out the door for, paperwork, visa hold up;)
Hail Hail
Auldheid on 16th December 2025 1:21 pm
Are there more Yanks to come?
Paul get an edit facility on CQN. It cannot be difficult to bolt one on.____
👍
It would also be good to be able to read what password you are entering, as it takes me ages to log in😊
Also, can you make it easier to load a new article, rather than wait until all the recent articles appear on top of screen😊
Thanks in advance, Mr CQN techie.
bhoys
I don’t know what enjoyment Mr Desmond gets from Celtic. He detests the support so why bother.
The cash at the bank maintains a minimum sale price though so maybe there is some pleasure in that?
Dundee United are probably better than 80% to take something from the game.
I can’t see the next half dozen games after that changing fortunes.
I can’t see this board making the required half dozen signings in January
League likely lost then
So what’s the plan?
the more you watch Nancy on the touchline during the last week the more you get the impression he hasn’t got a clue of our players abilities or lack of or even their names.
Chairbhoy 16th 1.27pm
Assisted and advised as early, as the three amigos Trusty Idah and Engels Then given permanent HFO title and status.
He’s first in line for the blame game?
just read
“In order to play three at the back you need three Virgil Van Dijks where as we have three Dick van Dykes.”
Auldheild 1.09pm
Totally agree
I think it is hard to have any kind of meaningful discussion amongst the absolute chaos right now.
Sadly many blogs which exist for negative stories are having a field day and the MSM feed from that.
This one is obviously different but you can see the levels of negativity on here reflect the build up of polarised positions over the past 2 years. I have to say I am as guilty as anyone.
Unity feels a long way away despite many of us wanting the same thing.
Last season,at this time,a trip to Dundee would have been treated as a bit of a dodgy game,aka,Hibs,Dons,Saints,Well,but confident we could win.Not now.
Blame Nancy,blame the players,listen to the media loving every minute of this,digging up shit,printing it,they know their audience have shredded nerves,and want someone to blame.
The only culprits responsible for this shambles are our Board.Don’t be diverted,reserve your anger for the guilty.Their list of crimes
Sell our best players,replace them with cheap journeymen.
Fall out with,and start a war of attrition,with BR for complaining about this.
Sign players the manager does not want,and waste millions.Said players,proving BR correct.
Summer window,a disaster.BR more angry,total war with the Board.
Fans decide not to accept this.Fans get banned causing civil war in the fanbase.
BR,rightly walks,followed by Desmond’s maniacal rant,the AGM,his sons rant,more fans banned.Everything broken down.Nicholson still silent.
Board,no one else OKd this,sign Nancy.
The Board,no one else to blame.
So three Dicks in the back three
Unfortunately they don’t seem to be able to stiffen up the defence any at the moment. :)
Turkeybhoy on 16th December 2025 1:52 pm
100% on the ball.
But why does the guy who runs this page never point any finger at the sheysters who run the club?
Abject Loyalty is the term i believe.
Tangbhoy/Anyone
Would like to see a copy of that text/speech from the agm from Ross.emdi?
HH
Bournesouprecipe @ 1:39 pm,
Yes, looking a bit like the teflon mk don at the moment…
Must be quite the golfer…
Hail Hail
An Tearmann @ 2:18 pm,
Yes, it makes interesting reading…
https://www.celticway.co.uk/news/25640130.every-word-ross-desmonds-incendiary-address-ended-celtic-agm/
What I’d really like to know is what the part he didn’t get a chance to read out say?
It could have been a quite concilitory summary at the end…
Hail Hail
tbb.
in my experiences i worked with dozens of country leaders from all over the globe.
our owners were chinese and brilliant at strategy
a proper multi national a decision was taken to rotate executives across geographic regions. very hit and miss on outcomes americans coming to europe often failed because of a one size american business school type solutions to complex emea operations environments.
indian and chinese leaders however were really succesful in america.
best imho were europeans particular germans and italians
just a wee observation.
in football terms i have always thought copy a german football org. like munich . former footballers learn business and become executives.
a wee errand today finds me parked up in edinburgh park in what was the redhaugh area.
if you ever wonder whatever happened to that poor david murray metal merchant after his company went bust owing billions well the answer is all around here
having been allowed to divi up the property and land ownership he was able to form murray estates
and most of western edinburgh became his in 2015 and a master plan emerge for huge development here.
quite incredible sleight of hand
Chairhhoy 2.28
Something to lighten :-))
https://youtu.be/XAERxf4yYaw?si=XtmltdMTMUgvWKA2
SmilesolutionsaboundCsc:-))
a wee aside.
i was sure i read across the timternet that deemots visceral shredding of brendan rodgers would mean he is unemplyable and will never work again.
bow i am waiting on someone saying ah brendan he was always going to saudi and was just working his ticket
i wonder how much he is getting
Stivs
Yeh and more,west along that m8 corridor nigh on til Torrance here below campsites.
Cherry picking
HH
Saint Stivs – interesting read. I am of the opinion that the best countries to recruit football managers/coaches from are Spain, Italy and Germany. Nothing scientific as to why I think that, just based on observing what has been going on across Europe these past few years.
Saying that, there is little point in trying to identify and recruit a good one if you expect him to work under an accountant and a lawyer who think they know better than you.
demerged.
that is a new word for me
https://www.insider.co.uk/news/exclusive-sir-david-murray-director-9892061
aye.
is klopp doing anything
St Stivs
in football terms i have always thought copy a german football org. like munich . former footballers learn business and become executives
—————————————————————————————————————————————————–
That would imply a brain transplant from the feet to the heid.
teabhoy on 16th December 2025 1:11 pm
Could this be all part of the bigger plan- Get the fans that pissed off with a nobody of a manager that they’ll accept Maloney (On his own) as the saviour
I’ve become that cynical with this board of directors and their penny pinching that it would not surprise me
——————————————–
I’m with you mhate , pissed off ? passed that ..hope you’re well big fella .
We are a plc which operates a football team, in fact rather than Public its more like a Private limited company as I shareholder can say and do what he wants, until that changes nothing will change in the operation of the football team.
bournesouprecipe on 16th December 2025 12:59 pm
Turning £30m into £100m does not happen by chance.
A major factor in the increase in share value has to the football success Celtic and supporters have enjoyed over 20yrs. DD cannot be separated from the enjoyment supporters have had.
That success has enhanced the Celtic brand which has been dented by current events.
That might explain DD’s statement as much as the division BR exacerbated by going public on the financial restrictions BR must have agreed to before signing up.
The good news is DD will want the brand image restored and that is a reason that will see changes at Board and executive level as well as squad improvement, probably from the US to get more interest in Celtic than there is outside the Irish diaspora. That might explain the signing of WN.
This DD pantomime is not over yet
Oh yes it is.
Oh no it isnt.
All speculation on my part trying to make sense of events.
DDs desire to raise the value of Celtic shares is not necessarily a bad thing for supporters if seen from that perspective.
Auldheid
Hugely optimistic in my opinion
An Tearmann @ 2:38 pm,
Fuxache:)))))))
Hail Hail