Remarkable distractions need to end

424

The worst way to end a bad week was for a loose-mouthed agent to pitch up at Lennoxtown on Friday before setting off on a rant because Brendan Rodgers was not available to him at a time he wanted.  We had a remarkable week of distractions in and around the dressing room.  These things often correlate with a poor result.

Brendan would be pleased to get his players out of the country yesterday, giving him two days to focus the squad on the matter in hand – tomorrow night’s Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens.  This is where the manager earns his money.

Only a unified squad will have a chance of getting the required result against AEK.  The better players in the first leg against AEK were these settled at Celtic for the long-term – McGregor, Brown, Tierney, Ntcham, Forrest.  Tactical conversations will be needed, but the first thing Brendan needs to infuse into the squad is a laser-like focus.

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  1. celticrollercoaster on

    Jamesgang

     

     

    Thoughts with your friends and their family

     

     

    Life indeed is so precious

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  2. If Eddy and Jozo out and Moussa only fit for bench

     

     

    Gordon

     

    Lustig Hendry Tierney

     

    Forrest McGregor Brown Ntcham Hayes

     

    Rogic

     

    Griffiths

  3. Delaneys Dunky on

    James

     

    Just like you and I.

     

    A smile for everyone, everyday. Costs nothing but is infectious.

     

    Irie.

     

    YNWA

  4. MADMITCH on13TH AUGUST 2018 9:43 PM

     

     

    AH @ 6.31

     

     

     

     

    Come on you are better than tthat.

     

     

    Anyone can provide a textbook response from google.

     

     

    ==%=====

     

    I used it because of the second definition which was about stabalising a platform to move on from. Not remain at, which appears to be your meaning. If we don’t stabalise by end August we will move back. Common sense.

     

     

    As regards your comments regarding the EL. Tell me this: if we were to reach the EL final would you enjoy that achievement or would you moan it wasn’t the CL final and the joy of fellow supporters indicated a lack of ambition?

     

     

    I don’t get you mate and you obviously don’t get me as I have to explain everything I say twice and frankly I cannot be arsed so no more responses from me.

  5. that is as may be …I will worry anyway ….

     

     

    smiley old brother Angus thing

     

     

    regards to the special one ..

     

     

    Braw

  6. Delaneys Dunky on

    TSOAL

     

    How you doin big yin?

     

    Catch up soon.

     

    Off to see Richard Ashcroft and some bloke called Liam Gallagher next Saturday in Madchester.

     

    Mad ferret

  7. AH @ 10.09

     

     

    Thanks for the clarity.

     

     

    You come across as a middle manager spouting anodyne techno babble and now you have removed any doubt in my mind.

     

     

    I was looking for some detailed analysis and insight — you couldn’t provide it.

     

    Fair enough.

  8. THE HANDS THAT…………..

     

     

    WE ARE PISSING AWAY OUR ADVANTAGE ?

     

     

    YOU’VE certainly BEEN PISSING AWAY SOMETHING, SINCE YOUR New MONIKER APPEARED on CQN in the middle of the window.

     

     

    Celtic are in Athens we are on the internet, your champion is concentrating on his job of being a football mentor, and the board you vilify on a daily basis are negotiating ‘transfers’ in order to maintain our ‘advantage’

     

     

    An adavantage that was gained over six or seven years of astute buying and selling including sell on fee’s that pay for shopping days at Paris ( Odsonne ) or Manchester ( Olivier )

     

     

    I repeat the plan was never ever, to ‘buy to qualify’ AEK are a better side than have been given credit for, and Greek champions v Scottish champions was never going to be decided by ‘punts’ in the transfer market.

     

     

    Do we need SFTB to post again levels of player and salary and how A B C is better than the fast tracking Hendry Ajer etc etc

     

     

    HH

  9. SOAL

     

     

    You know Kevin?

     

    He worked in Baltic Chambers.

     

     

    Bumped into him there about 4 years ago. First time I’d seen him since school.

     

     

    Good to ‘see you’ ya genius mentalist.

     

     

    HH jg

  10. Prediction time — if JF and TR turn up then they are toast.

     

    When we played with confidence and authority last week we waved them about like a flag.

     

     

    When our glass jaw came out and we shrank before their very eyes we were rank.

     

    The one class player on the park come tomorrow will be ScS.

     

    His hit rate regarding career good / great games must be around 15 to 20% but he is Class.

     

     

    Reasons to be cheerful — there must be others?

  11. Madmitch

     

     

    That’s hardly a prediction.

     

     

    More like the widest range of options humanly possible.

     

     

    A tad middle manager ish?

     

     

    DavidBrentRFC

  12. JG @ 10.35

     

     

    Next time I will write it slowly in crayon just for you?

     

    Any thoughts on tomorrow’s game you would like to share?

     

     

    For the record I think there will be a lot of surprises tomorrow.

  13. The hands cant hit what the eyes cant see on

    @BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 13TH AUGUST 2018 10:21 PM

     

     

    You certainly have more faith than I on the transfer front. True the window is still open, but at present things are not exactly encouraging, although I will give you the benefit of the doubt that we are holding back making signings until the last 24 hours of the window. However, a theoretical question then: if the window closed today would you be happy with our business? And, if not, would you view it as complacency?

     

     

    “An adavantage that was gained over six or seven years of astute buying and selling including sell on fee’s that pay for shopping days at Paris ( Odsonne ) or Manchester ( Olivier )”

     

     

    I’m sorry but our current position does not find it’s genesis from planning instigated six or seven years ago. And it’s entirely false to claim so. Look at the position we were in with Ronny Deilia- we were clearly in a downward spiral; his tenure was a failure when compared to both his predecessor and his successor.

     

     

    Our position today is attributable to Brendan’s ability. He has turned the club around. If you believe the board are the reason for our new found success, then please explain (aside from hiring Brendan), what policies the board have implemented in Brendan’s era that were not in place during Ronny’s era? And the causal link to our success?

     

     

    I would wager that you will not be able to provide any examples.

  14. i'vehadtochangemymind on

    big day tomorrow, we can have no fear. They will think they’ve won it but also they’ll they can control the ball, where it goes, how much they can attack. It’s all about our attitude and experience. The big question for me is whether to play TR. I suppose he’s too good to leave out and his holding the ball up might to good to leave out. The trouble is if they man mark he’ll be completely out of the game.

  15. goodnight pals …

     

     

    I am off to talk some treason with my friends….

     

     

    Saor Alba

     

     

     

    Braw

  16. Jamesgang

     

    I just heard about this incident today from my Brother in law who works with Kevin. We hadn’t seen each other as we’ve been on holiday.

     

    Absolutely dreadful incident .

  17. MADMITCH on 13TH AUGUST 2018 10:18 PM

     

     

    AH @ 10.09 Thanks for the clarity.

     

     

    You come across as a middle manager spouting anodyne techno babble and now you have removed any doubt in my mind. I was looking for some detailed analysis and insight — you couldn’t provide it. Fair enough.

     

     

    *Ok here’s my take on things having been at different stages in my career a blue collar and white collar employee, in fact I ended up in senior management at a billion dollar + organisation BTW.

     

     

    When I was a former I was convinced management knew sfa and all the certificates in the wall meant dick, us in the coal face were the ones that kept the company going.

     

     

    Then I hung up my tools and learnt how tae type. In my last position I was asked tae take a look at some contracts, the person who had been in charge before had not only moved on but crossed the country. They were a shambles and not because of corruption and/or incompetence but because she had a comfort level and nobody challenged her.

     

     

    I used tae phone her and even met up at conferences and some of the decisions she made were based on whether she liked the company or those that worked there, she was in fact a bully. BTW she was eventually let go at her new employment because of this.

     

     

    Anyway, along with a wee lassie that worked for me we eventually cleaned the section up and made the organisation more money and also made them safe from potential litigation.

     

     

    However, there were 2 contracts we weren’t allowed to touch and they were the ones bleeding the most, when I pushed this I was told to move on, now unfortunately I have a big mouth and didnae give up, again I was told to walk away as they were political hot potatoes and well above my pay grade.

     

     

    I had employees out in the field really annoyed at what was happening and all I could say was it’s out of my hands. I left there 7 years ago and it still urinates me off but that’s the way the corporate world works.

     

     

    So when I read about 5WA/SFA/SPL/UEFA all I can think is that the Kaiser disnae want tae rock the corporate boat and PL is only carrying out the boards wishes.

  18. Mr Mitch

     

     

    You’ll find it easier to write with the crayons if you stop chewing them.

     

     

    Your rudeness to someone I think to be a wise heid elicited mine. Auldheid always shows a patience and manners in answering that didn’t merit your supercilious barb. (I can draw that as a picture if you need me to?)

     

     

    As for tomorrow, I have real concerns. I think our defence has some good players in it. Some are yesterday’s Bhoys; some may be tomortow’s Bhoys. But for me, only KT is presently of the standard required.

     

     

    In midfield we don’t yet seem to have the nous and control of possession required away in Europe.

     

     

    And up front we have the mercurial SS who has lost his mercury; not quite enough fit French Bhoys to put together into one and Griffiths who for me falls far short from being the clinical marksman we need.

     

     

    Now take the the crayons out your mouth before you choke.

     

     

    HH jg

  19. MADMITCH on13TH AUGUST 2018 10:18 PM

     

     

    AH @ 10.09

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Thanks for the clarity.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    You come across as a middle manager spouting anodyne techno babble and now you have removed any doubt in my mind.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I was looking for some detailed analysis and insight — you couldn’t provide it.

     

     

     

     

     

    Fair enough.

     

    =========

     

    I was a bit higher than middle management and ICGAF of your judgement of me.

     

     

    I’m sure you will be able to work out what the abbreviation stands for.

     

     

    I was hoping to get an answer to my EL question so let’s call it quits.

  20. Its days like these I love being a Celtic fan- not everything is going for us but we all retain a passion, albeit through different viewpoints. If we don’t go through we live to fight another day in EL. Many folk have taken their eye off the ball, us fans included but we share a love for Celtic, instilled in us by our parents and grandparents that we should never let go. Hail Hail.

  21. Billy Bhoy

     

     

    I know his brother better. Though not seen him for 25+years.

     

    I introduced myself to Kevin in the coffee shop…I know your wee brother.

     

     

    The one was as lovely as the other. You never want this to happen to anyone. But there are a few really special folk you’d always want protected by fate.

     

     

    These boys fit that bill.

     

     

    HH jg

  22. TONTINE TIM on13TH AUGUST 2018 10:52 PM

     

     

    MADMITCH on 13TH AUGUST 2018 10:18 PM

     

     

     AH @ 10.09

     

     

    So when I read about 5WA/SFA/SPL/UEFA all I can think is that the Kaiser disnae want tae rock the corporate boat and PL is only carrying out the boards wishes.

     

    ===%===

     

    That is a conclusion that is difficult to avoid and in the next few months it should be proved or disproved.

  23. THE HANDS THAT…………..

     

     

    Still not knowing if you’re pulling my lariat all this time

     

     

    You certainly have more faith than I on the transfer front. True the window is still open, but at present things are not exactly encouraging, although I will give you the benefit of the doubt that we are holding back making signings until the last 24 hours of the window. However, a theoretical question then: if the window closed today would you be happy with our business? And, if not, would you view it as complacency?

     

     

    If the window closed today I’d be gutted and as it closes on 31st Aug your next question should have been how would you feel if hadn’t signed anyone by then?

     

     

    Same again I’d be gutted.

     

     

    However, I wouldn’t put it down to complacency because we’re not and never have been a complacent club, and certainly not since 1994.

     

     

    Quite the opposite, we’ve never stopped ‘buying players’ since Fergus McCann arrived and saw off the charlatans that held the club back for years.

     

     

    Not only that we must remind ourselves at this juncture that since 1994 we’ve did it solo, and legitimately without tax evasion, EBT’s or any other chicanery, nothing nada zilch

     

     

    Players signed from every corner of the globe without side contracts? with money from ‘CELTIC SUPPORTERS’ and excellent business management, from our present custodians.

     

     

    Brendan is an excellent manager, no two ways about it, so were Gordon Strachan and Neil Lennon.

     

     

    Brendan Rodgers didn’t “turn the club round ‘ we were already sailing with a diddy Norwegian who had ( sleep ) walked to two titles in a row following Gordon Strachan who’d won successive titles and beaten ‘AC Milan’ etc etc and Neil Lennon who’d won successive titles and beaten ‘Barcelona’.

     

     

    Wee Brendan would presently dearly like an Athenian scalp to add to his only Anderlecht

     

     

     

    HH

  24. BSR posts a post do confuse the BeJaysus out of anyone with even the mildest hard of thinking!!!

     

     

    Is it a board lackey? Is it an iconoclastic Reb? Is it a plane?

     

     

    Or…..is it the well thought through musings of a v astute uber tim with the ability to think for himself??

     

     

    ThingsThatMakeYouGo??????CSC

  25. TT @ 10.52

     

     

    If it doesn’t make sense then it doesn’t make sense.

     

    There will always be a reason why sense is left at the door.

     

     

    Not sure if DD thought that “OF” were an easier sell to the EPL.

     

    Not sure if he did not want to lose the bigot pound — ours as well as theirs.

     

    Not sure if he was warned off that he could expect a media monstering if he got overly moral.

     

     

    So much for the organ grinder — what about the monkey?

     

    DD has had a hidden agenda of no more surprises as in cash calls to support the club.

     

     

    PL has delivered on that front and then a little bit more till 2009 when the wheels came off. You have to ask why and that is why in that and other situations where we seem to be following a totally illogical path I am always reminded of the 1992 film WMCJ where a situation that shouldn’t happen does happen and why.

     

     

    2008/09 — obvious that TFOD1 need to win the league / CL football.

     

    2018/19 — obvious that TFOD2.1 need to win the league

     

     

    Why were we so bad then?

     

    Why are we in such a state now?

     

     

    At the moment petty rivalries in CFC are in pole position today.

     

    However our failures in the past 2 months have been breathtaking.

  26. Oh how I long for the good old days when we went along to Celtic park paid at the turnstile to get into the jungle. We just went along to support our team and left our trust in the men running our club. It was oh so simple, we knew we were up against the unseen establishment but who gave a feck we were Celtic and proud. Now a days we moan and groan, feel sorry for ourself and forget this is how it and it will not change. So let’s just get on with being the best we can be and feck the rest of them. We are Celtic.

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