I remember getting annoyed at the grief Gordon Strachan took after David Fernandez inspired Dundee United to a draw at Celtic Park. It was disproportionate, despite the poor performance, and ignored the sporting reality that weaker teams can get it right and leave Celtic Park with a point. As well as a lot of credit for their efforts.
Positives first. Many things didn’t work for Celtic yesterday but James Forrest looked to be back to his best. There was only one occasion he didn’t get past the Killie fullback all day, and he recovered to dispossess two opponents and win the ball back.
For James, it’s all about fitness and confidence. Right now, he has both.
I looked at the clock: 3 minutes had gone, Jozo Simunovic was still on his feet. ‘We’re breaking new ground’, I thought. Kilmarnock defended their penalty area all day, so we were seldom troubled, but you and I have seen enough football to know that’s not the whole story. Jozo was immaculate, didn’t put a foot wrong, covered ground with pace and precision. Threw himself into tackles and won the ball.
The contrast with recent defensive performances could have scarcely been more marked.
Elsewhere it didn’t go so well. Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton were both inhibited. Stuart Armstrong prodded but seemed out of sync with his team-mates. Passes regularly found an opponent. From my seat, it looked like our movement and use of space was inefficient.
The last 30 minutes of the game saw Kilmarnock clear their lines and regroup under sustained pressure. During this period, I was confident the goal would come, it usually does. Maybe the extra dimension we hoped we’ve recruited in Carlton Cole, out ill yesterday, would have given our wing play more of a target.
Since writing on the subject on Friday night I’ve seen some of the sectarian abuse left on Facebook about our director, Ian Livingston, amid a diatribe against refugees and all sorts of people who are minorities in the UK.
Years ago I wrote that there are few values we can anchor the club to. Scotland is changing, as are peoples’ sense of identity, no more so than when it comes to religious identity. We can’t, nor should we, impose restrictions on who becomes a Celtic fan. Our demographic is largely left of centre, but a Lisbon Lion went on to become a Tory councillor, so there’s no political bar to supporting Celtic.
I also know an Ulster unionist, who for several years joined his family and friends as a Celtic season ticket holder. He was always made welcome, and didn’t find the celebration of Irish heritage at Celtic incompatible with his identity. As the generations pass, we’ll see more of this. People will care less about 20th century politics (not to mention 17th century) and your view on transubstantiation.
Our founding value is that we are open to all. You will find a welcome at Celtic irrespective of colour, race or religion, you don’t need to care about Scotland or Ireland, we have Poles, English, Norwegians, Americans, Aussies and many more. Few of them had an Irish grannie.
These values are under threat across Europe. We should take every opportunity to reinforce them.
I took some advice on whether to out those behind the racist abuse yesterday, but I’m glad Ian Livingston did so direct on the Affiliation site (and apologies for the direct quote appearing on a CQN article, I pulled it as soon as I saw it).
I was also challenged over the weekend for criticising the chairman’s right to use any available platform to call out racism. I don’t feel qualified to say that’s not allowed.
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BILLYBEAR on 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 4:07 PM
Scott Allan, there’s a name I haven`t heard in a long time. How the mighty have fallen. Do you think he maybe chose the wrong club?
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/saturday-agm-afterblow/comment-page-18/#comment-2724647
Well let’s put it this way Hun, he didn’t take as long as Eustace to make up his mind.
CelticResearch @CelticResearch 6m6 minutes ago
So Desmond is allowed to criticise a board for not being good enough and not earning the right to be trusted?Good for him
#Ironymeterbursts
“I hardly need to remind you of difficulties Rangers, and Scottish football have faced… this uncertainty must end.”
————
So, in other words, they are saying it would have been a different outcome for any other club?
Also, how does passing someone fit and proper who isn’t fit and proper help Scottish football or even that club?
THE GREEN MAN on 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 4:12 PM
He’s a Hun , and his oh how the mighty have fallen jibe? That’s ok? He’s a Hun simple as that.
TD67
Stop being so crabbit…can you not at least be civil.
Get a grip.
Just because the lhads on the blog called you a troll, don’t take it out on other people.
You cant expect to dish it out, and not get it back.
Man up.
HH
Both Russian pilots ejected successfully,only to be killed by the Turks before they hit the ground
#luckywhiteheather
No fool like an auld fool eh
:oD))))
Kinglubo-You made
me laugh,including Blinker in the group of quality players who played with Henrik,been grim on here last few days,fair cheered me up ;)) HH
in the courts and case cup final,
revised draw :-)
-Ashley v SFA with regard to his fine – 4/5 Feb 2016
-Ashley V SFA re DCK Fit and Proper – 28/29 April 2016
kings contempt case
-Dec 7-11 – Next Preliminary Hearing in the big High Court case
-Dec 9 – King’s contempt in London
winners to p’ay:-)
-TRFCG’s claim on the BDO creditors pot.
-Players’ claims over unpaid holiday pay
-The non payment of the £250K LNS fine
-The Big Tax Case appeal or otherwise
Ties to be arranged once a humble look in the mirror takes place and that sinkingf feeling that they brought it all on themselves kicks in.
lifted from SFM
HH
THE GREEN MAN on 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 4:16 PM
Are you real? The guys a Hun, I’m missing something right?….oh how the mighty have fallen? …you don’t get that?
Tony @1612
Vg:))
Billy,
He’s been out injured for some weeks now. He got a wee run out on Saturday and looked lively enough.
I think we’ve picked up a star.
His old mob don’t seem to be missing him ;)
Following media reports in the past 24 hours the Club have released the following statement.
We can confirm that Dundee Football Club and Celtic Football Club have had initial discussions about the possibility of playing a fixture in the United States of America. The proposal is very much is in its early stages and of course the relevant approvals would be sought from the SPFL Board at the appropriate time.
As a Club we are always looking to bring new ideas to the table and should this progress we firmly believe it will be a fantastic opportunity for Dundee, Celtic and Scottish Football as a whole.
We will be making no further comment on thi
TD67
I don’t think Mr Bankier or Mr Livingston would agree with your attitude on the blog.
Tut Tut
I’m surprised at you.
HH
Herbo
I was delighted when Ronny through young Tierney into such a big game. It was a big call and the lad rewarded him with a very mature performance.
Like you, I think Armstrong is wasted in either of the wide positions. My preference, in Ronny’s 4-2-3-1, would be in the centre of the 3 but then who plays beside Broonie?!
CANAMALAR on 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 4:19 PM
No fool like an auld fool eh
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/saturday-agm-afterblow/comment-page-19/#comment-2724661
And this from a bottle merchant :)
*threw*
Goooooooh
Celtiiics!
GTF!
An Tearmann on 24th November 2015 4:20 pm
Thanks my friend, no end to a winter court schedule full of fun
THE GREEN MAN on 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 4:21 PM
The Huns get my message at least once a week..GIRFUYs
James Doleman @jamesdoleman
Full report on court hearing between Mike Ashley and the SFA this morning
https://lefthooked.wordpress.com/2015/11/24/mike-ashley-v-the-scottish-football-association/
TD67@4.24
Cant argue with you there:)
HH
I suspect that BillyBear is a Tim at the wind-up. There`s often a subtle dig at Sevco in his posts.
TGBS
I suspect you’re right.
Ashley head shot will MSM report ? lol
The petition, the court was told, objected to Dave King being allowed by the SFA to become chairman of Rangers on a number of grounds. It noted that the association’s rules prevented anyone from being a director of a member football club if they had ever been sentenced to more that two years in prison and suggested that King’s conviction in South Africa for tax evasion met that criteria. It also quoted at length a judgment by a South African Judge that stated King was a “mendacious witness,” and a “glib and shameless liar.”
The document also complained that King had been a director or Rangers PLC (“Oldco”) when it went into liquidation and stated that Ashley would not have invested £750,000 in shares of the new company if he had known King would be returning to the board. The petition also alleged that King had “caused RFC to borrow money from third parties,” and that his actions had created legal problems by breaching a legal injunction over the confidentiality of the Rangers’ merchandising agreement during an interview with the Sky Sports TV channel.
Tony
Yer an auld clown keep on banging away your doing a great job making a fool of yourself, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed laughing at your frustration and impotence, that nappy will be needing changing soon eh ha ha ha ha
HT
It’s a fair shout on Teirney. Midfield has got to be horses for courses int it? Armstrong or Bitton. Let’s see who’s got it to keep the jersey. Of course, if Broony isn’t doing it he should be just as susceptible to a drapping too. Ideally for me Stokes would be in there before Johansen or GMS at the moment but that looks up a gumtree.
Lionsroar67
hehe i was going to put a jelly and ice cream index beside it,but this is serious,i mean really,i think i may have to move on…..yep onto the magnum6packs,viennettas:-),those old litre tubs do the planet harm:-)
thinkO’thiweansCsc:-)
HT,
On Thursday?
Big Efrum :))
HH
!!BADA BING!! on 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 4:19 PM
Kinglubo-You made
me laugh,including Blinker in the group of quality players who played with Henrik,been grim on here last few days,fair cheered me up ;)) HH
—————————————–
I thought that anomalous too! Still got my Reggie Blinker wig – which I bought from a stall outside Celtic Park in less politically correct times… :-))
It’s been too much fun today, taking a wee break now.
Will catch up with the frenzy tomorrow :oD))))
HAMILTONTIM on 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 4:22 PM
Herbo
. My preference, in Ronny’s 4-2-3-1…………………………….Is to ditch the defensive disaster set up, giving good opposition time and space in the last third of the pitch is far to risky, hope to see a new tactical set up
Herbo
Yep the absence of Stokes remains a complete mystery. His link up play on the left last season with Izzy was a highlight for me.
GM
Aye, nae borra :-)
Lionroars
Evening sir. Yep you know my opinions on this but I just can’t see Ronny changing it. Unfortunately.
Lionsroar67 hehe i was going to put a jelly and ice cream index beside it,but this is serious,i mean really,i think i may have to move on…..yep onto the magnum6packs,viennettas:-),those old litre tubs do the planet harm:-) thinkO’thiweansCsc:-)
Have you suggested to BV that they could make a fortune this winter with a range of Sevco inspired deserts
Must ask if heston blumenthal can help out
TD67
Aye, I sure am a plonker.
The difference with the likes of me and you.
I know I am a plonker.
Touché Canamalar .
Only this time I’m online posting, not like the other times when I’m not, so your getting it as tight as you give it, different story when I’m here, ff S it’s even upsetting your pals, you serve i will volley your a big boy, you know the score, you stop I stop, I can see it gets boring for others, so keep it up ya clown, and for the s…. You talk you should have a nappy Roon yer gub ya nut sack.
The Exiled Tim
That’s good ti know.
HAMILTONTIM on 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 4:41 PM
Lionroars
Evening sir. Yep you know my opinions on this but I just can’t see Ronny changing it. Unfortunately.
Evening my friend, yes i suspect you will be correct will be there on Thursday with hope and heart………………….If i listen to my head