So what went right? Tom Rogic was back to his imposing best, using his frame to hold-off opponents, while delicately pinging balls into the box to create clear goal-scoring chances. When he faded, Celtic faded. There will be games ahead when we need Scott Brown (Murrayfield, Ibrox), but he was not missed yesterday. Using the skipper more sparingly is something we should be prepared to contemplate. He is 33-years-old and has enjoyed good fitness for two years, but we cannot take this for granted.
James Forrest needs space to fully utilise his talents and he found acres of it at McDiarmid Park. On this form, in this space, he is unstoppable. Danny Swanson’s lunge at James’ ankles was payback for earlier punishment. There were no legal ways to stop the Celtic winger. It is early, but there are signs Odsonne Eduard has recovered confidence. I noticed an uplift after he struck the bar with a shot against Aberdeen a week ago, the opener in Salzburg and yesterday’s second indicates the player is back on form.
Those saying St Johnstone were poor are correct, but you can only beat the team in front of you and Celtic managed this in near historic quantities, despite kicking off only 67 hours after leaving the field in Austria. This could be the last time for some months we see a Scottish team be bold enough to create two attempts on target in the opening minutes of a game.
The six goal thrashing aside, the return to action of Filip Benkovic and Jozo Simunovic was a major boost. Jozo has had his moments, but both are comfortable on the ball and will be needed in the months ahead. We have been relatively solid defensively this season, but getting it right at the back contributes to more than just goals against.
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Lefty
Thanks for the update , on wee Daniel Bhoy
And the text, on holiday at minute
Will respond when back next week
In the words of our friend Lennybhoy
Keep the Faith
Strachan only started to get good results when he included the strong Celtic contingent. He almost saved his qualification campaign.
As soon as he came in the door, Mc.Leish set about dismantling the team, with the concomitant results.
Its awrite gloating about wee Jamsie, and the wizard of oz producing inch perfect passes, CALMAC bossing the midfield,
BUT,,,,,,
We’ve still not scored from a corner ???
H.H tae wee Daniel
Norrie
Was “hame” last month and found myself in a wee Alloa bar next to the polis station.
guy in there thought he knew you and the missus – name was Jim, originally from the Calton, and told me there was 3 ‘tic buses left from there. I left an honorary members card for the TO club behind the bar which is good for free entrance and a free pint if anyone comes over.
HH
Good morning from a damp Hamilton Ontario – Thanksgiving dinner tonight – out with my Canadian family for a day trip
Happy Bhoy after yesterday’s result
HandsacrosstheoceanCSC
Leftclicktic
Prayers for Daniel
Gene
Hands across the lake from Toronto.
Hope you are having a great time and remember to wear your elasticated waistband (eating) trousers on for those Canadian thanksgiving dinners.
HH
I think we should all be having a Thanksgiving dinner today for yesterday’s result ???????????????☕️
Well done Leigh.
I’ve criticised his conditioning and his approach in the past.
His actions and his supporting statement are indicative of a man with the right focus and priorities.
As per previous posts – check out his goalscoring record season on season.
A super fit LG is world class.
Hail hail
Well done LG.
Pog
As long as we don’t have to have one for every goal :-)
I’m having my third dinner in 3 days, ready to burst mate.
HH
TAL,
Just one per result ?
Right offski.Darts league starts back tonight.
For any Darts lovers ,I went to a tournament yesterday,and played this guy.Gubbed me 3-1.He finished on,T20,T20 D18.Third game,T20,D19,D16.
FFS,no idea what he was doing the game I won.
Bigger boys league.
Norrie- I hope you’re well, do you think Brendan will be at the AGM ? Ah hae me doots mate…HH
Real headlines that should be banned
“ Old Firm serve up NINE on Super Sunday “
Glasgow Evening Times
how’s that for the cringe factor CSC
TTT
Let us know when the latest wee Celt arrives.
“ Title race wide open “
Seethen Gerrard
Threesie?
Aff oot csc
Unless McLeish has consented, Does LG not risk a suspension if he drops out of Scotland squad?
I wish KT would also pull out of the Scotland squad. The boy would really benefit from a couple of weeks of light training after two years of a ridiculous playing schedule.
Well done LG for opting out of the “Scotland EBT Select” to concentrate on CFC matters.
I wish CG, KT, JF and CmcG would do the same.
JH could do with a bit more game time and experience, so why not (although it surprising that he is in a full international squad at this point in his development…) ?
Mike in Toronto – I don’t think LG would give a sheet if AM / the SFA wants to suspend him. AM humiliated him with his recent statements and LG has quite rightly told him where to shove it.
MIT-LG said he phoned McLeish to tell him why he was withdrawing
Quite unequivocal :
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45779373
Gin representative has just come into Sharkeys…..free samples of Pilgrim’s Handcrafted Botanical Gin, with complimentary Tonics.
Never drank gin, but must say the first four almost but not quite rivalled a James Forrest first half.
Hail Hic
Matt
Denia
I could be mistaken, but I think if a player withdraws from the national squad, they can’t play in at least the following game for their club. Leigh has fought to get back in the Celtic starting team… can’t see that he would want to risk that with a suspension. Same for the rest of the players.
BB … so, I’m assuming McLeish allowed him to withdraw? Probably a good thing … saves face for both at the moment….
McLeish will be binned when his prediliction for replacing Celtic players with non-timmy types results in failure to qualify for the Euros.
Then the likes of Griff can return to the Scotland set up under a new boss who picks players based on ability rather than any Rangers/Sevco connection.
Picking plonkers like Ryan Jack will be his undoing.
MIT- He can make himself ‘unavailable ‘ anytime he wants I suppose, you won’t get a ban…
DD we on for Stanley bar Wednesday? My old brain is addled with too much alcohol. ?
MiT – my apologies, I thought you meant suspending him from future Scotland games. Even so, players have always withdrawn from meaningless internationals by saying they have a niggling injury without there being any consequence. LG only has to say he is carrying a knock, as he finishes most games these days limping then it is probably a truthful call.
Talking of which, anyone remember the 80s when Liverpool’s Scottish players always pulled out of Scotland squads? Souness and Hansen were masters of it and Souness did the same when managing rangers, pulled players out to get them to focus on domestic games.
TaL
That will be Pepe’s in Alloa, know the Tommy Craig Bus leaves from there, not sure which others do, also know it’s a good Celtic bar
Never been in it though
Hail Hail
DB- right on cue,Katic and Barasic pull out of squads.
Talking of McLeish, does he now slur his words and appear a bit “slow” for any particular reason? I have seen people suggesting he may have a drink problem but don’t know if there is any substance to that and appreciate that it is not something to joke about. I suspect that is not the case or he would not have his current job. Maybe he has always spoken like he does now? Hope it is nothing serious, though centre halfs are probably the worst sufferers of the brain damage that is now being reported due to heading balls so much.
I never thought of him as a hun even when he managed them.
DB- His rabblings of late, have been incoherent….
BADA BING – I think it is a fair bet that Souness has given advice to Gerard on a number of things including how to manage club vs country issues. Souness is desperate to see us being stopped.
Unlike McLeish, Souness really is a hun in everything he does and says.
Being a fan of the Scotland TEAM I am disappointed with Leigh’s decision to withdraw from the squad. Whilst next Sunday’s friendly against Portugal is ‘meaningless’ our game away to Israel this Thursday is vital for our chances of progress in the Nations League.
Being a supporter and fan of the Celtic team I am delighted to hear about Leigh’s intention to use the next 2 weeks to improve his overall fitness levels as he fights to become the number one striker at Celtic Park.
Incidentally, if anyone remains confused over the format for the Nations League and is at all interested I’m happy to post a brief explanation.
DENIABHOY on 8TH OCTOBER 2018 4:28 PM
“Talking of McLeish I never thought of him as a hun even when he managed them.”
DB I came across EBT McLeish many years ago, in a football environment, and thought he was a decent enough big guy. However, over the years, and especially recent years, he has become increasingly ‘hunnish’ in his utterances and defends their cheating right to the end. Agree with you, of course, in hoping there’s nothing seriously wrong, health-wise, with the Debtor.