Since a couple of flat performances against Sion in the qualifying round, Celtic have reserved some of their most organised performances of the season for the Europa League, despite the lack of a victory. Honourable defeat in Madrid followed by more-than-credible draws against Udinese and Rennes suggest there is more to this Celtic team that we see in the SPL.
It’s hard to look forward to the second half of the season and the potential for knock out football in the Europa League but if Celtic get their act together, a win tonight could go a long way towards restoring the reputation of the club, and a few players.
How Neil Lennon responds to yet more injury absentees is difficult to imagine. I’m not expecting fluency from a makeshift defence and midfield, although Celtic Flourished in the Glasgow derby in similar circumstances on 2 January this year, but I’m hoping to see Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes look more like a partnership. We need both players on form and enjoying their work if any progress is to be made.
Busy day ahead but the Hearts situation is possibly worth a discussion this afternoon. The scenario changes by the day at Ibrox but that conversation will need to wait.
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Jackie Mac
It’s actually a booking for every 10 fouls for us. We have committed 130 fouls and only received 13 bookings (a straight red counts as 2 bookings for my stats).
The opposition have been allowed to foul us 148 times but have received 24 bookings so get booked every 6.2 fouls.
For the huns, they have committed 131 fouls and have had 18 bookings (one every 7.3 fouls). Their opponents have committed 142 fouls and been booked 27 times so a booking per 5.2 fouls.
This season I have noticed we are being treated more leniently than in previous seasons and the stats bear this up. Don’t have previous season figs to hand but it was something like we got a booking every 7 fouls and opposition every 6 fouls and Rangers were roughly the same, 7.5 fouls per booking compared with 6 or so for the opposition.
Up til this season there had been little or no difference in the way both us and Rangers were treated in comparison to our respective opponents, we both got off with a little more than them. The biggest discrepency in all the figures came when Celtic played Rangers and Craig Thompson was in charge.
Since the start of 2008/09 Craig Thompson has refereed 6 derby games.
Celtic fouls – 102
Yellow cards shown – 19
We get a booking every 5.3 fouls
Rangers fouls – 90
Yellow cards shown – 11
Rangers get a booking every 8.2 fouls.
Therefore Craig Thompson has allowed Rangers 3 more fouls than he has allowed us before showing one of our players the yellow card.
Mort
Estadio,
Just catching up with the blog today. Re the McNee “wildebeest” comment, is that genuine?
Not heard that before, and astounded of forehead if true.
Cheers for now,
Hail Hail
HB
another rash of changes for Celtic….
6 I think
The Legend Johnny Doyle says:
3 November, 2011 at 18:41
Agreed -although there are restrictions on what can be sold and when. That should be something our leaders are working on (Auldheid is all over this subject on our behalf)
I am 20 miles West of you and get very peed off on match days -clearly the system thinks we would deprive – Potrsmouth, Southampton or Reading of match day revenue if we could watch the Celts on the box…as if.
Thinking of making a wee trip up to the Marquis in the smoke for Mothers game -or the White Boar in Kennington
Hope you enjoy game on Espn tonite (3-1 Celts)
HH
M
Mort
Pretty damning.
Celtic team: Forster; Cha, Loovens, Majstorovic, Matthews; McCourt, Wanyama, Kayal, Forrest; Samaras, Stokes.
Interesting team as I head out the door.
Take care everyone and hope and pray for a memorable night.
Jobo
Mahe et al, re the move to Eire…… For me it’s better than being in the sectarian cesspit of Scotland, I’m saying that from where I was in the GB on Saturday, the row in front of where the SS polis were trying to attempt to lift one of the Celtic supporters, I digress.
What about putting a team into the Eire league say Celtic utd, and keep a team in the Scottish league (the wee team). Our Wee team would be very well supported in Scotland and they would improve leaps and bounds with they’re step up.
Celtic utd would be the best supported team in Ireland and European trips would be a regular occurrence, football life in Ireland would be great Craic and it we would be made welcome everywhere we travel (unlike in Bonny Scotland).
Just chewin the fat CSC
V
oops just saw the team…a few goals in that line-up
make that 5-4 Celts…
HH
M
blantyretim says:
3 November, 2011 at 18:57
Not much choice tonight BT
Let’s hope it works out, C’mon Paddy let’s see whit yer made of!!
2-1 Celts..
The defence picks itself due to lack of available players, but the rest is a surprise – not sure about it tbh. Charge of the light brigade down the wings, while Stokes/Sammi hasn’t worked well up to now.
Now that I’ve said that it’ll be ooohhhh yeaaahhhh the Celts are here.
The bench highlights the injuries even more;
Zaluska, Hooper, Commons, P George, J Chalmers, M Fraser & C McGregor
Mort,
Celtic’s two reds this season. I take it from your post that one was a straight red and one the result of a second yellow?
BTW – where do you access the fouls committed stats?
53
BSR
Yep, and yet he still gets to handle these games on a very regular basis. It’s these anamolies that should be looked at. It could be that in every case he got things absolutely correct but the question should still be asked.
Imagine if there were similar stats produced to show Man U receiving the same type of treatment from one particular referee in games against Chelsea for example that impacted on the destination of the title, I think Ferguson would be up in arms.
Mort
Bournesoup…
Posted earlier:-
thomthethim says:
3 November, 2011 at 14:15
Bournesouprecipe,,,,,
The …train…has…left…the…station.
Repeat.
The…train…has…left…the…station.
‘Allo ‘Allo CSC.
Team that starts
———— Forster ——-
Cha — Dan — Loovens — Matthews
—— Kayal — Victor —-
Forrest — Paddy —- Sammy
——— Stokes ——-
Team that doesnt start for various reasons, injuries mostly
——– Zaluska ——-
Wilson — Wilson — Mulgrew — Izzy
— Brown — Ki — Ledley — Commons
—— Hooper — Bangura
SFFS
Vmhan,
the only objection I would have to that is it would split the support. You would not get much travelling scots if that happened. One team to bind them all. There seems to be a general notion that this version of Celtic must survive,,I say dump it and move. BRTH pointed out the other day Brother Walfrid himself moved Celtic rather than be bullied in 1889 I think it was. We would all do well to keep that spirit alive and ask ourselves what version of this club we would be proud to hand our future generations.
Stay where we are and in 30 years we could be a shell playing in front of 5k talking about the once great club. Irish fans will go to GAA or rugby. Its more sporting.
We really are at a crossroads here. Time for people less worried about money and what ifs and more voice to what do Celtic stand for.
Hail Hail
Lurgan 53 at 19:04
Aye, Charlie Mulgrew 2nd yellow v Huns classed as just a yellow and Kris Commons’ red v Hearts was classed as 2 (for my purposes).
I get these stats through the match stats page from ESPN soccerbase website as it details the fouls and bookings etc.
Mort
Got 18/1 on Celtic 3-1
In the Hoops we trust..” the green and white upon my chest… It s such a joy, to see”
Celtic – the only choice..
Missing game tonight on account of a nasty fall two weeks ago.. Apologies to anyone I held up while lying in the road(SOBER) at the Quay Glasgow , with Mrs AB and 3 of my mini ABs by my side .
I m back quicker than Izzy, but tonight’s game just to soon..
I love Celtic.. My life is better with them in it.. We should always remember that..
Hail Hail…
Bhoys, forget about moving Celtic to Ireland.
The teams here are fanatically supported by local supporters (small crowds but dedicated).
When a club qualifies for Europe and draws a “big” club, it has never meant
a huge increase in the crowd for that game.
Celtic would be seen as an outside club and would not muster more then a
few thousand at a League of Ireland game.
Does anyone seriously think that fans would desert the likes of Shamrock Rovers,
Sligo Rovers or Dundalk, to support a team that has absolutely no “local” roots in
in Ireland.
They may well get all the Celtic bhoys and ghirls who travel to Scotland(including my good self)
however, the GAA is so strong in this country it would never work.
I believe our future lies in either the British league, EPL or a European league.
I’m ok with the Hun Erm Scottish refs, they have a part to play in Scottish football, just not with us in it!
I hope DD and our board are ready to set the exit plans in motion, we don’t need to give notice if they change the rules to accommodate der hun.
V
Roger Hannah…..ha ha ha.
What paper does he write for?
I presume its the mail or express.
Because his hun drivel talk smacks of Janet and John writing ability.
And that’s just dead funny.
It took hunman Dalziel to take him to task over Ratfink’s thuggery.
Now that’s saying something.
Any ‘Celt’ who still thinks these tossers are not colluding to undermine Lenny
and protect the Huns is as thick as shoite.
It’s a conspiracy alright and them green huns are all seditious traitors.
HH
ArranmoreBhoyLXV11 says:
3 November, 2011 at 19:13
hope you are on the mend, true about Celtic making our lives better…
Mahe the Madman (formerly Blog Police) says:
3 November, 2011 at 19:10
Interesting scenario.
I would consider it as a possibility if justice and fair play doesn’t emerge victorious from the imminent denouement.
For me, continuing in the current environment is not an option and Celtic PLC have a huge decision to make.
If we have to relocate, then why not Ireland.
The team more or less picks itself given injuries. We all wanted Hooper rested so I guess we got our wish there. Personally I’m not a great fan of McCourt from the start but he’s the type of player who can make a fool of players and pundits alike with one dazzling performance, might be my turn tonight.
The Commons selection mystery continues. I suspect like Juarez and Hoiveld before him we won’t see him ever get a regular start again.
MadraRua at 19:14
Agreed. As much as I would love to see Celtic playing in Ireland, it just isn’t feasible. Celtic’s roots, while originating in Ireland, are predominately Scottish and to move the club from Glasgow to Ireland would be wrong in my opinion.
I actually get a buzz heading over to the games (as infrequent as they are now).
Mort
Interesting team. Probably very little option but to make the changes due to injury and suspension.
Plenty of creativity but will it have the required graft and dig?
Possibly one eye on Sunday and another on keeping players happy – Sammi and Paddy for instance.
Pass and move Celtic, pass and move………
Awa fur a shower, shave, shampoo and sh…… supper……
Then big mug of tea and a comfy seat by the fireside to watch the Celtic…… I am indeed an armchair supporter!
Enjoy the game Fholks.
Mort
You’ve actually demonstrated – why he gets those games
thomthethim
Fell asleep last night will email you tonight when I get home, – you’ve lost me with the Allo Allo thing
Absolutely lashing with rain in Paradise
is it true that Rangers and Hearts have applied to join the Greek league
Seven Fishes Four Steaks
Like your formation. Hope that’s how Celtic line up with McCourt in the hole.
Mahe, thanks for the reply sir. There will be a massive no vote from the traditionalists, the support will be split IMO, hence my thoughts on move 1st team to Ireland and the wee team in Scotland. The support would stay utd with both teams and would be revitilised IMO.
I agree that we’re dying a slow death in Scottish football.
V
BlantyreKev says:
3 November, 2011 at 18:46
Spot On!
gsu
I’ve nothing against any of the guys in the back 4 but as a defensive unit do I think they will get us a clean sheet tonight? Definitely not. The attacking side of our play will have to do the business – someday earlier said 5-4 – that’s a possibility – being optimistic I will go for 3-2, suspect this could be a behind the couch night for those of us unlucky enough not to be there.
C’mon the Taxman!
Before I go – Celtic’s story is indeed part of Ireland’s story but it is of the Diaspora. The history of those who left Ireland and who never forgot her from Queensland to Quebec, Boston to Bolton and indeed Glasgow is as much a valid part of ‘Ireland’s’ Story as those who stayed behind. Celtic stand as a physical and emotional monument to one part of that Diaspora – the part that was called the most faithful and true for it’s efforts during the 1916-24 period – and in the East End of Glasgow it should remain, another link between the great Celtic Nations of Ireland and Scotland and a monument to welcome outsiders from wherever they hail.
Braveheart Speech at an end. Please stand down.
Madra Rua,
I really must disagree. The Belfast support alone would provide 5k upwards for sure(there was around that much going to watch MON’s teams in Scotland) and would increase as time goes on.
Much of what you say is true but Celtic have their own fans and dont need anyone elses. The neutrals and gloryhunters would attach as we would be top dog. A new generation of Irish CSCs would arise and the fall away to rugby and epl could be halted.
The island could and would support a big club.
Also, Celtic has a lot of local roots and would never be seen as an outside club,IMO.
Hail Hail
Saltires
Great to hear Auldheid is on the case. Our Board are not doing enough and pressure needs applying.
We are One, We are Celtic.
Mon the Hoops
JD
Cmon the hoops
dont you just love it
Neil lennon no1