The day after the opening Champions League qualifier of the season can get a bit tasty on the blog but business has been pedestrian since last night’s professional performance by the men in hoops. If you wanted to be pushy, you could point to a couple of glimpses of goal which fell Cliftonville’s way as a result of Celtic defenders being dragged out of position, but that’s about the measure of an unfamiliar defence at any time.
Congratulations to Georgios Samaras, who scored in Celtic’s first five European away games last season and obliged again yesterday. A remarkable record for a player who is never employed as a penalty box striker.
It would also be tardy not to congratulate Celtic and Cliftonville supporters on their exemplary behaviour throughout the day. After recent disturbances in Belfast there were fears that a group of travelling Celtic supporters could find trouble in the city but the casual observer could be forgiven if he thought we were in Seville again.
Maybe Belfast council should invite us over every July to spread a bit of cheer. We do football very well, in all respects.
Neil Lennon can now kick back and relax with a formality of a second and the next round not for another…. 12 days!! Maybe not. 12 days is not a lot of time to do anything in football, so every day, including match day against Cliftonville, will need to be meticulously planned to ensure we are ready to face an opponent who could well be midseason. Relax, and you’re finished in this business.
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Trott Walks
Re Anto Stokes. Accused of being greedy – a trait all good strikers have; Attitude -sometimes open to question – could do better; Ability – undoubted -bags of skill and when he applies himself can be unplayable. Still (IMO) a better option than Tony Watt. I have nothing against the young bhoy but having him start in place of a proven, at SPL level anyway, goal scorer makes no sense at all.
It’s way too quiet today. Somebody start an argument quickly.
Do not see where people are getting Stokes not being a team player from. He’s far more of a team player than Hooper and continually looks to play players in and link up with one-twos.
He does shoot a lot from distance when he gets a sight from goal but what natural striker doesn’t? And once he gets a run and some goals in him he’ll stop snatching at chances.
Good result last night and a good performance
However we still need to replace the two most effective players we had who have left or about to leave
Kayal and Brown did well but long term they are not the answer
Up front we need a player ready and willing to play in the box where it really counts
Stokes isn’t that player -too often he lacks the courage to get in the six yard box
Balde is unproven and making a huge change to a new country etc
We need someone who will guarantee 25 goals in the league and hopefully a couple in the CL
HH
Afternoon Infidels
Not been on for a while, but the kids are back from Uni an the house is full of laughter again… Mainly at me, its too easy for em
Good professional performance last night, with a few rough edges to be hammered – no sanded – oot
Agree with Tony thru the middle, but only wen the opposin defence plays high, otherwise needs to be the wing where he can get space t operate
An oor big keepers kicks… Turn his foot 30 degrees to the north Neil
oglach
I agree. Most strikers are greedy. The best ones don’t let you notice though because they put the ball away. It’s all about decision making as a striker.
All our strikers are young with the exception of Samaras. I would like to see another seasoned pro come in to help the youngsters. I don’t think it did our players any harm in the past when WGS brought Dion Dublin in for a year or whatever it was. Maybe it would be an idea to get a similar striker in to help the strikers both in games and in training. Dublin is an example but there must be a good pedigree striker out there who could still do a job in the SPL and wants to begin some sort of coaching/mentoring.
An option? Who knows?
LB
I should have mentioned also that Tony Watts beard is the main reason he will not get a game. It needs to go. How can he hope to be playing in the same team as the Greek Ghod with a pretend stick on beard. “Young Tony trudges away despondently with head lowered as an hirsute but flawlessly groomed Sammi makes an appearance”
Hugh Bonkle fae Dallas
13:34 on 18 July, 2013
Kris Commons is our midfield linchpin and when he is firing on all cylinders Celtic do well. I thought he played really well last night and could have scored himself if not for the woodwork.
Anthony Stokes looked well up for it last night and he will break his duck very shortly and when he does the goals with arrive by the barrow load. He needs to be selfish in front of goal as do all good strikers. Once his confidence returns so will the goals
Tony Watt.. either by accident..or sheer.. well. Incompetency..
Is being Played… in the Wrong Position in the Attack.( way oot in the Left Flank.)
Pit.. Tony Watt,in the Middle…where He Should Be Played..
and He wull soon Convince his Skeptics ,as tae the Prolificacy ( Yes..It’s A woid, all right) of his goal Getting Prowess..
and
That… He Kin .. Bulge the Riggin’..n With… Pleasing Consistency!…n wit the Best o’ them!
Kojo
Still Laughin’
Kojo,
Nothin tests a hypothesis like a trial… An its certainly worth a go
However, i huv ma doots that his attributes will be shine in that position against deep packed spl defences
Be shine? How no?
Kojo
14:49 on 18 July, 2013
Have tae agree wi ye Pal regarding Tony playing on the left but disagree with him playing up the middle.
Young Tony should be played on the right side as he is naturally right footed and a player who likes tae run onto the ball wi a diagonal type run not the overhead punt as it is much harder to play and control
HH
Re: Sevco’s share price slide
“The thirstiest dog won’t drink from a dirty lavvy”
The Book of Shun-kee
Think people are missing the point.
Strikers by nature need to be selfish to a degree. They are responsible for either having or creating an attempt on goal.
Stokes is no different. The point is that he frequently has the attempt at goal when a colleague is better placed to score a goal
To me it is not defensible in those circumstances to say that a striker is entitled to be selfish.
If you do not accept that Stokes is selfish then you are actually and backhandedly accusing him of a lack of football intelligence by not having the brains to see a colleague better places than he is
Better placed
My Dear Friend And Esteemed Guru…Kojo..
Ah Wull Completely Concur Wi’ Your Observos….
Concernin’ Oor CaNNonBall Kid…..
Be Thankful Fur Small Mercies….
At Least Oor Ginger Tinker-Man Hiz Taken Notice Of Oor Line In The Sand….
Regarding Hiz Perfidious Designs Tae ‘Ship Oot’ Oor Young Tyro..
On Loan…..!!
MegaWattie Should Be The FOIST Named Attacker Oan The Teamsheet…
He Should Be The Focal Point Of Oor Attack….
And Not Consigned Tae Whitever Wing Suits…
An’ Ither Players Should Be Selected On The Basis….
Of How Well They Complement Him In Oor Attack….
We Must Play Tae Hiz Burgeoning Strengths…..
Interesting That He Hiz Taken Tae Growin’ A Beard….
As If To Reinforce The Message That He Is Physically Mature For A 19•5 Year Old…
An’ Ready For First-Team Action……
Ah Reckon Oor Ginger Helmsman….
Is Too Caught Up In Comparing His Ain Experience As A Nineteen Year Old….
Nowhere Near Ready For The First Team…
An’ Unable To Manage Mair Than A Coupla Straggly Hairs Oan The Chin…
There May Even Be An Element Of ‘Green Envy’…?
So What If MegaWattie Brags Tae All The Wee Ghirls Doon The ‘Brig Co-Op….
That He Scored The Goal That Nailed The “Illustrious Dons Of Barcelona” !
His Near Teutonic Coolness An’ Composure…
An’ No Small Measure Of Skill…
Are To Be Celebrated And APPLAUDED..!
When Ah Saw Him Bearin’ Doon Oan Goal…..
A Wiz Soiten That He Wid Score Wi’ Aplomb….
Jings ! A Wid Hiv Wagered Philvis’ Moated Mansion Oan It…..
But Ah Wid Hiv Had No Such Confidence..
If It Hid Been Hooper,McGeady,Mark Burchill,Maloney,Wayne Biggins…..
Or Even Paul McStay….Takin’ His Place..
If Oor Sophomorish Manager Disnae Concede Tae Oor Latest Demands PDQ…
An’ A Hid Ma Druthers…..
A Wid Send A Search Pairty Doon Tae The Maldives…..
Tae Haul The Admirable Mr Poyet Aff The Beach….
So’s Oor Intrepid Weather Reporter…..
Wid Hiv Tae Find Anither WAG……
Tae Serve As The Object Of Hiz Romantic Daydreams…. ;-)
Right..?
All’s well with the world.
That was an excellent professional performance in the first competitive match of the season. Even more importantly, the supporters have again enhanced the club’s reputation, despite the potential hazards of travelling into a highly sensitive political situation.
Many congratulations to the travelling fans, the players, the management and everyone who works at the club. Banana skin successfully avoided. Everyone deserves credit for that.
Anyone know where BT & Oldtim are meeting (melting) in the town? Gonna take a trip in.
TIA
Squire
100%
Stokes strikes me as a wee bit desperate at the moment to get his name on the scoresheet – understandably. He could do much more in terms of assists – ahll have a word ;)
AOW
Sir John Moore
The Singing Detective Demands The Resignation Of Campbell Ogilvie
As Sammi was heard to say in between fits of laughter yesterday ” FFS sake Tony thats not a beard, did you stick that on for a bet”
TSOAL – I’ll have to google that:-) Been a while since I’ve been in town socially.
Thx mate.
Art of War
Argyle Street accross from the Radisson just off hope street outside central station
Thud!
RhymeADimeCSC
TSOAL – Haha, I think I was in there for a stag last Oct.
Many thanks.
The Singing Detective, comment deleted. The colour of the skin of who develops medicines is of no concern to CQN readers. Comments of this nature are wholly inappropriate for this forum, please ensure they are not left here in future.
Art of War
I will get BT to post on the blog if they are moving on elsewhere
Speaking of Vexing… Inefficiency..
and… it’s Cousin..
Incompetency…
It is fairly obvious tae This.. Chiel..
That
Tony Stokes’ very best Position, from where he Makes A great deal of Stunning Contributions..tae the Celtic Cause..
Is
Way oot.. West…Oan the LEFT FLANK..as an Auxilliary Left Winger.
This Fact, was Highlighted, and Most Pleasingly,if Ah may say so. In Stokesy’s , recent. but apparently… fading in Memory.( Tae Mr. Lennon, it appears) Scottish Cup
Performance, in which He treated us tae a Well. Treat….. agin the Hibs.
Stokesy , that day.. Convinced Me.. that he Should Always be played as an Auxiliary Left Wingman..
In there… He had Found his Niche…which is A Grand thing tae Find..
Jist Ask.. Mulgrew.
Noo… Fast Forward tae Last Night’s Encounter.. In Which Stokesy Wiz
Used…as THROUGH THE MIDDLE STRIKER.. wi Sammi.. Usually fulfillin the role of the Auxiliary Left winger.. For Long Periods in the Game.
That is How oor Attacking Duo.. Played ,most of the Match…as far as Ah could Discern..that is..
Why Neil.. did not Use Stokesy as an Out and Out… Auxiliary Left Winger thruoot the Match?
Ah jist don Know.
Yep.. Stokesy, In Ma Opinion
Can dae a Fine Joab fur us..
His Contributions as a Purveyor of the Telling Pass.. Is Legion..
He sets a Bountiful Table. from which a Fellow Striker kin greedily.. well. Feast!
He is A Great man tae hiv oan yer Side..
But..
Only..If he is Played in His Proper Position
All the Above is..
In Ma Ain Opinion. tae which Ah am Entitled tae voice.
Kojo
Still Laughin’
Where from the Left Wing Position.. Stokesy Gave a World
emeraldbee\o/ proud to be an internet bampot
14:24 on 18 July, 2013Bejasus, I know you shouldn’t laugh at the afflicted, but I challenge you to take a look at the graphs on this share-page for Sevco and not have a wee chuckle.http://www.lse.co.uk/SharePrice.asp?shareprice=RFC
Yep that worked, its like a Fruit Pastel you’ve gotta chew
In this case chuckle…!
Ayrshire is Green and White
lol
HH
Macjay:
Re Rojic.
When I first came to Australia I was looking for a game. Often of night I’d pass along the Zillmere Road and see the lights on in O’Callaghan Park. There were always bodies kicking a ball about in there. Eventually I decided to get my boots out of the bag and go and get involved.
Within minutes of turning up there I knew I’d screwed up. As soon as I introduce myself Mr. No. 1 coach with the peak on his cap that could’ve bridged the Pacific wanted to know the history of my registration. I told him I was registered with nobody. They persisted with the Zillmere inquisition for about half an hour before telling me to go and train with the third team, which I did for about two hours before a couch with a cap and a peak that might have briged the Tasmanian Sea told me to go and train with the first team. I was pretty fecked about that time, the last game I’d played was against the Johor Bahro communists some six months previously in Singapore.
So I trained with the North Star first team for about half an hour when another coach with a peak on his cap which would only have bridfged the English Channel asked me what was up with my face, the green ants had eaten me alive whilst we were doing sit-ups. He more or less called me a dildo for not saying something but since nobody else was whingeing I’m sure as feck not going to be the first to whine.
Anyway we finished training and then played a 25 minute each way game at the end of which I was asked to join Mr. Pacific bridging caps group. Very big cap then told us, as a group, which apparently I was now part of , that we had a game on the upcoming Sunday. The game was against the Brisbane Stikers at Lang Park. (That’s where Celtic played against the Brisbane Lions who bought the Strikers licence to play). Long story short I told very long peaked cap that I was not interested, all I wanted to do was kick a ball and avoid a whell-chair. Big long peak cap got the ump but as I walked away he asked me what I thought about his players.
No harm in being honest I thought so I was honest with him, I told him they were fit and fast and ever so skilful, some of the most skilful players I’d ever played with for sure, but they didn’t understand street football; they played with their feet and with heads down and thought they were Barcalona and no thought for guts and courage; obviously married to their blatant ability.
Bottom line, they thought the game revolved around the ball, they lost interest when the ball was thirty yards away; they didn’t like taking a hit and when they did… their reaction would invariably be awarded a big Red Card. They had no guile. There is skill of the feet and there is skill of the head and the later is geo-parochial specific too.
Of all the good players I ever saw in Australia, and I include the like of Tim Cahill in that thought, the best player I ever saw in Australia was a seven year old kid. Stoke took him to England when he was eight. Within weeks Manchester City signed him. That kid is now eleven and due to family circumstances, as opposed greed, he now plays for Chelsea. Funny when I think back about that kid, Rangers tried to tie him up when he was eight. I gave him, and his elder brother, a Celtic strip each. When next Rangers road show came to Brisbane the kid insisted on playing in his Celtic strip.
Rambling, maybe, but I had a wee knock about with that kid in my garden a few months before he joined Stoke and at seven years of age that kid had more street in him than Rogic does at twenty and Beram Kayal does at whatever age he is now, and I know Beram is not Australian.
I hope Tom Rogic goes on to be a great for Celtic but if he is going to do so he has got to remember that nobody, for all their skill, often gets hurt playing futsal, however… on the big boys pitch, eleven aside like, there is so much more to the game than skill, and petulant lashing out, alone.
Scottish football has edges to it that you won’t find anywhere else in the footballing world. The IMPORT players who will thrive for Celtic in Scotland will be the ones who learn quickly how prejudiced those edges are.
I personally don’t see anything special about Tom Rogic (although when I watch him I see a young Billy Stark) but I could well be wrong and I hope I am.
How many Celtic ‘newbies’ have been waxed lyrical about on here only to vanish without a wake.
If the kid is going to make it a Celtic he most certainly does not need the Landry N’Guemo ‘you are god’ hype.
Watchin the OPEN. Are these guys pros?? They skelp a wee baw all over the place wae a big stick and keep hittin in the long grass. Do they no see the short stuff a nice mans cut for them straight down the middle? Had to laff at Mickelson when he aimed the wee baw at the big flag and landed 60 yds away. Ill ask again. Are these guys pros??
ps Ill never slag Efe for his passing again!! HaiL HaiL
TheRebelCelt@skel188817h
I dont suppose Sevco will be offering Murraypark to Cliftonville FC next week.
Did you have to mention Landry N’ Guemo? Ill no sleep now!!!
TSOAL-Appreciated.
Cyber pint for the best description of BT/Oldtim, since I’ve never met them before.
My wife described my sartorial elegance thus;
“You look like a gay Brazilian lumberjack.”
Confidence duly shattered. :-(
Well done Paul67.
JimmyQuinn Bits
Thanks fur the Nod,pal
Ah Know.. A really,, really Know..and Don’t ask Me. How Ah know. fur Ah
wullnae tell ye..
That Tony Watt’s Forte is
Playing the Role of the “Lonely Linwood Striker”…
that is..
As A Solitary Stand alone.. Striker..
Fur…Tony Has the Ability .. Tae Tak His Man Oan..And..
Then
When he Diz evade that Opponent’s Desperate Tackle,which he is mair than
capable of Achievin’
It’s
“Katie BAR THE DOOR”.. Time..in the Ranks of oor thoroughly.. Panicked.. Opponents Defensive Line.
Fur ,one he breaks thur…Tony wull Head fur the goal..and..
Well.. Ye jist saw that Scenario Ah jist Painted..
When Tony.. Tore a Huge Gaping Hole… the Barca Defensive Shield. (Such as It wiz..)
Asunder.
Yep..
Tony,is the Answer tae oor Prayers.. as A Tried and Trew..
One Man Raider…
Yet..
Neil.and his Crack team of Helpers..
Canny see whit Ah see.. in Tony..
Fur if they did..
They wid Play Tony..
Strictly in the Role of
“The Lonely Linwood Striker.”
Kojo
Still Laughin’
Art of War
They are sitting outside
just look for a pair of Addidas Samba
but get a move on