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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Barca are simply awesome tonight.
Already qualified Bayern doing the Gooners a big favour.
I want to know why the police have not been asked to investigate the comments made to Lord Livingston. I find it strange that has not happened. I’ve written tot the SLO asking if Celtic have asked for those responsible to be identified. If not, why not?
Due to it being a combination of Kilmarnock,El Classico on the telly and it being bloody freezing on Saturday I decided to leave my season ticket being nice and cosy in the kitchen drawer. Tonight was the first opportunity I had to take in some tv footage of the game…………was there really over 40,0000 at the game ?
Porto undefeated in 20 until I bet them tonight. Oops
Jobo, thank you for your early 07717 795838
mickbhoy1888
Wouldn’t have thought so!
NatKnow
I’m really starting to feel that Celtic has little to do with me any more.
————————————————————————
I too had this feeling over the weekend, however I resolved that it is the Celtic board and the Celtic enterprise (not a Trekkie reference) that has little to do with Celtic. I do, of course, exclude the marvelous work that the Celtic Foundation is doing. But right now, the Celtic Foundation is the shining light in all the murkiness of the PLC.
So says an unrepentant, yet self flagellating, former board supporter…
Wow, Barca 3 up, superb stuff, our players should watch their movement, they sure could learn a thing or two
Jobo, thank you for your earlier post about the connotations if we win on Thursday. It’s my son’s birthday on Thursday. Let’s hope our team give him and us a win
The exiled Tim
Barca were pretty awesome on Saturday also, in fact most weekends. The team Enrique is building is very clever, a bit more street smart. If they can get another Puyol they would be unstoppable.
exiled tim………. where can I see the Barca match they all seem to be covering the EPL shower
M1888
St sales are over 40k according to PL at AGM
I’m assuming they just use that figure as the seats have already been purchased
CELTIC MAC on 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 8:13 PM
!!bada bing!!
And made by the same man who made ‘Oil City Confidential’ the brilliant Dr Feelgood documentary movie, Julien Temple.
I noticed JT was involved,the documentary was brilliant
Hankray: Barca are on Setanta 1 if you have it or via BT Sport interactive. Cracking game.
TET
Watching the crap English game last night, I still noticed players would try and succeed in making medium and short passes with first or second touches, within 2 secs. Bitton needs 10 seconds and 3 touches , Brown about 5 seconds and 5 touches.
I said pre season they were an issue but i wasn’t sure why they worked last year.
Just realised it was the CHs who pushed up and created, allowing those guys to be tidy and useful
With old fashioned CHs this year, their limitations are plain to see
Armstrong middle on Thurs I hope
Hail hail
The horrible voice of sleekit sally on bt at the Lion Ghent game another reason for watching the barca game.
Almore……….mucho gratias, Got it,
BT…
Will you be going to the BV on Thursday?
Meeting Mick TT about 4.30 if you fancy a beer.
Certainly didn’t look like 42,770 on the telly and being in the town beforehand certainly didn’t seem that many heading to CP
Obviously prior season ticket sales are being recorded in the attendance figures
Sipsini
Hoping to, I know skyisalandfil will be in about 4
From reading the quotes posted on her during the agm I still cannot see when Ian Bankier accused all Celtic supporters of being racist.
He did say that Lord Livingston received a a “torrent” of abuse SOME of it bordering on racism. He then said that a small number of people were posting this stuff.
At no point, in quotes I saw, did he call all Celtic supporters racist. Some people would rather savage Celtic and the board than condemn anyone who uses racist language about a member of that board. All weekend we had people demanding that Ian Bankier prove his allegations or retract the statement. When the offensive comments were published the same people go into full deflect mode.
Now we have the spurious reasoning that since the police have not been called in, which they know for a fact?, then the comments were not made by a real Celtic supporter. Laughable.
I do not share Lord Livingston ‘s supposed politics but could never defend racist or sectarian abuse of the man.
I have said it before on here, and stand by my belief that we have an element amongst the users of this site who see the Celtic Board as the enemy. Celtic have made many mistakes over the years but there are some who can never accept that they do do a lot right.
Back to lurking again and to be honest my visits to the site are becoming less regular than before. The ads are the least annoying thing on here sometimes.
JMMC
Aye, often wondered why they haven’t invested in a couple of quality defenders, but going forward they are a joy to behold.
HH
Hankray
Watching it on Spanish coonsil tele.
HH
Coneybhoy
I don’t think Biton is as bad as you make out, granted he didn’t have a good game at the weekend, he tends to keep the ball moving most times, Skoosh is Skoosh, can’t say fairer than that, tho we do miss him when he is out, agree SA, he is wasted out left, shame cos I can see a very decent footballer in there.
I hope they throw in a couple of the weans, Scott Allan for starters for me, they will have no fear.
HH
blantyretim.
I would imagine there were 40.000 in the ground, what I saw of the game my opinion to myself was ‘not a bad crowd’ today,
Anyway, did you have a look at that bargain on naked wines,bet you didn’t.
BT…
Good stuff, I’ve not been in for a while, I was going to get a ticket tomorrow after work but TBJ has something come up, soI’ll be in his seat, so if your on Cowiebhoy say hello.
Owen
I share your sentiments entirely. There’s an element on here who don’t want Celtic to succeed. Doesn’t fit their agenda.
Don’t go back to lurking.
Oldtim
Correct.
“was there really over 40,0000 at the game ?”
Mickbhoy,
I wouldn’t have thought so.
Not even a combined effort of the Seville and Manchester calculators could come up with that amount.
Dilemma: Do I stay watching Barca (5) V Roma (0) or watch an epl team in Europe? Think I’ll stick with the Catalan Celts:-)
Owen,
What eldiego bhoy said.
(thumbsupsmiley)
HH
TonyDonnelly67
I’v said before the CT are the enemy within, of that I have no doubt, a political movement swinging on the coat tails of a football club to get oxygen on there left wing agenda, ohhhhh we know they go to away games, we know they are season ticket holders, we also know they are the most unhappy football supporters on this planet, who not matter what Celtic do, could NEVER please them. NEVER. – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/saturday-agm-afterblow/comment-page-15/#comment-2724501
>>>>>>>>>
Nail, hit, head
Canamalar
How simply is it to understand that the CT demanded evidence , got it, then silence…no apology , nothing …… and how difficult is it to understand that it was the use of the term ‘baby-eating trolls’ itself that I find disgusting , not whether anyone deserved to be called it or not
Finally, you, Hamiltontim, CT and some others want to promote your political agendas on here….fine….but you need to appreciate that some CQNers might object ….HHobject
What about this Barca / Messi …..incredible …. A joy to watch
Owen: Far too reasonable for this site. Get lost you roaster:-)
OWEN on 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 8:53 PM
From reading the quotes posted on her during the agm I still cannot see when Ian Bankier accused all Celtic supporters of being racist.
He did say that Lord Livingston received a a “torrent” of abuse SOME of it bordering on racism. He then said that a small number of people were posting this stuff.
At no point, in quotes I saw, did he call all Celtic supporters racist. Some people would rather savage Celtic and the board than condemn anyone who uses racist language about a member of that board. All weekend we had people demanding that Ian Bankier prove his allegations or retract the statement. When the offensive comments were published the same people go into full deflect mode.
Now we have the spurious reasoning that since the police have not been called in, which they know for a fact?, then the comments were not made by a real Celtic supporter. Laughable.
I do not share Lord Livingston ‘s supposed politics but could never defend racist or sectarian abuse of the man.
I have said it before on here, and stand by my belief that we have an element amongst the users of this site who see the Celtic Board as the enemy. Celtic have made many mistakes over the years but there are some who can never accept that they do do a lot right.
Back to lurking again and to be honest my visits to the site are becoming less regular than before. The ads are the least annoying thing on here sometimes.
————————————————————————-
Owen – I agree that Ian Bankier did not call all the Celtic fans racist. That’s not what I’ve said. If you look at any news source, however, that is what is being stated. Unintended consequences perhaps.
Celtic fans are now been tarred as antisemites and racists. No doubt that wasn’t Ian Bankier’s intention – but that’s what has happened. Since then, neither he, nor Lord Livingston, nor anyone at Celtic are making any kind of attempt to either correct that perception. I think the fans are at least owed a comment stating that the perpetrators are being identified. The only people that can do this are the police.
If Celtic fans made those remarks then that needs to be addressed – football banning orders issued as a minimum. If Celtic fans were not responsible then the accusations should be retracted. But we don’t know – and won’t know until the police identify those responsible.
In the meantime there should be some kind of communication from the club stating what they are doing to deal with it. I’m not one for Celtic making comment on everything that happens – but this story is Celtic the chairman’s own creation and therefore he should deal with it correctly.
The ole BT goals show (Virgin channel 534) is very watchable.
BT – Porto putting my midweek line down as well.
Penalty for Barca to go 6 up?
I think many are missing the point on Bankier. Regardless of attacks on Livingston, which should be condemned in the correct forum, the AGM was not the place for Bankier to grandstand. He dragged the club and fans down. This is unforgivable for someone in his position.
So, in 165 minutes of football it’s Barcelona 10 Madrid/Roma 0
“And when the meeting was over. God Save Ireland was sung.”
St Mary’s Calton 1887
High upon the gallows tree swung the noble hearted three
By the vengeful tyrant stricken in their bloom.
They met them face to face with the courage of their race
And they went with souls undaunted to there doom.