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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The Green Man on 23rd November 2015 5:40 pm
The days of deference are long gone for surely not tolerance?
If we let that go we become what we despise.
“‘In my father’s house there are many mansions.” Mansions aren’t just houses, they are ways of being.
Timaloy29,
Yep, a legitimate government asked for help to defend themselves against invaders slaughtering their citizen, a wee bit similar to Britain asking the US during world war 2.
Currently the USA, France and any other NATO involvement in Syria is what is by definition: invasion.
CANAMALAR on 23RD NOVEMBER 2015 5:34 PM
Hebcelt,
Just phoned Stokesy, told me he can’t speak because of is confidentiality clause. So you must be right.
Auldheid,
“I’m not interested in who is to blame. I’m only interested in does it work? ”
That’s the sort of attitude that suits war criminals.
=======
I could understand that comment if you didn’t know me.
When I say work I mean to the benefit of all.
I’m surprised I even have to explain that but given your record of antagonising your best allies I’m not surprised really.
You are your own worst enemy son.
Don’t bother aplogising. I’ve a collection already.
Timaloy29,
I did let it slip, because you are on a looser with your “war criminals” stuff and it’s like shooting fish in a barrel with drivel like that but where did you get your opening statement, was that from a few weeks ago ?
AULDHEID
Tolerance and inclusivity are rightly celebrated as the heart of Celtic.
That does not mean, that board members can then become intolerant towards other people less fortunate than themselves.
Tolerance I’m all for….subjecting poor people to the political prejudice of right-wing ideology….I think not.
HH
Canamalar
Hahahahaha Assad is a legitimate leader?
Syria has had the Ba’ath Party in power since the 60’s and the Assad’s have been in power since the 70’s?
Do you believe that Syria is a free democracy? Do you really believe that 88% of Syria voted for Assad?
The man is a dictator who drops bombs on women and children!
And I’d also like to add that the NATO allies are not bombing your legitimate regime. They are bombing a terrorist organisation that the regime are also fighting.
And you castigate the board for having a Tory? You have no credibility.
Ciftci couldn’t lace Stpkes’ boots
* Stokes
If we are an all inclusive club as we claim that means all political persuasions all colours and all creeds are welcome.However,reading CQN over the last few days many dont accept we are or should be all inclusive. I think we have many bloggers who have the point of view if you dont agree with them you should not be involved with Celtic a view I associate more with the peepil than Celtic. H.H.
Canamalar
I don’t boil anything these days. Following Ronny’s advice, everything is steamed, though I wouldn’t recommend it in your case.
I don’t know Strachan wanted to play Balde, and neither do you. All we know is that Stracahan picked Caldwell and McManus. A lot. He then took McManus to Middlesborough, and tried unsuccessfully to sign Caldwell.
That suggests he rated these players above Bobo.
Auldheid,
No intention of apologising, that was one of the most condescending replies I’ve seen from you, ever, and simply thought you should be made aware that being so condescending, lazy replies will be challenged. Aye I know you but that does not excuse such a lazy reply and you know better than most I don’t simply accept a lazy response because I should know better, you should know better, your upset because I’m right, so look are your response again and tell me what I interpreted could not very easily be interpreted. Then accept being self righteous with me has never worked.
It’s to do with respecting people as equals, maybe that no what your all about after all.
Canamalar
“was that from a few weeks ago ?”
It was from a conversation a couple months ago yes.
I misunderstood your position on Syria then I apologize.
However, the following statement suggests you believe Assad is a legitimate ruler
“Yep, a legitimate government asked for help to defend themselves against invaders slaughtering their citizen, a wee bit similar to Britain asking the US during world war 2.”
Timaloy29
You want to see Isis or one of the other extreme radical islamic groups running Syria . Or maybe you believe in the lesser spotted mythical “moderate” Syrian opposition.
Up_Over_goal,
Naw it didnae, it meant he could afford their wage demands.
The Trust or, The Ludge, as it should be known, can dish it out, but can’t take it.
How dare these people try to tell Celtic which political views its officers and employees should hold.
The Ludge wants Lawwell, Bankier, Livingstone, and before them John Reid and Brian Quinn, out.
They would probably put forward such business high-fliers such as Findlay and McGlone to run the club ‘into the ground’
bamboo
I don’t believe I have to endorse a cruel dictatorship simply because there are terrorists also involved.
ISIS will need to be defeated but there will be no lasting peace with Assad in power. Let’s not forget that ISIS were a mainly Iraqi group who hijacked the civil war that was started by a harsh clampdown on peaceful protest.
JFH
That’s exactly the point…Celtic are inclusive, and that’s why we are Celtic.
However, just because someone happens to be a Celtic fan or director….that does not exempt them from taking responsibility for the personal harm they are doing politically.
It is perfectly valid to question the motives of rich people who want to sanction the poor.
Was it poor people who were responsible for the banking crash…no.
But they are being made to suffer the consequences.
It is not right.
HH
I have received a spam email from celticrollercoaster, it looks to me like his yahoo email account has been hacked
Good evening friends.
With less than 74 hours to go until kick off, any word on which of our idols aren’t available for selection. I know Bitton and Johansen are suspended but any news on Captain Brown? Or Charlie Muldini?
Canalamar
Frankly I have better things to do than respond to your interpretations of what I meant.
It’s not the first time but it’s the last.
Cheerio.
Timaloy29,
Where are you getting your information ?
Tell me how many religous sects have been coexisting in Syria since the 60s ?
Tell me how many Middle East countries allow women to vote ?
Tell me again where are you getting your information ? Saudi maybe ?
Guess who hate Syria the most ?
Why would side with the Saudis with their sterling human rights history against a secular state with a constitution . or did you not know Syria was one of the only Middle East countries that has a constitution a citizens rights charter.
The BBC, CNN don’t report such details so I dont expect people who spout your drivel to have half the brains you were born with to even think about doing your own research. Follow the worms.
THE GREEN MAN. You are correct in a democracy we have a right to discuss some ones political view by doing that we may learn something.However,that is not in the main is being said on CQN what is being said is I dont agree with them get them out a big difference there is no tolerance by some. H.H.
The ole Mos Eisley Cantina has filled up early the night!
Stv reporting that Dundee want to play a game v Celtic in the USA next year
Radical thinking in Scottish football, it’ll never catch on
Police Scotland would be pleased. Overseas junket for one and a chance to send young Celtic fans to Guantanomo Bay
Auldheid. Well said that man. H.H.
Looking back to Saturday for me there were still a handful of positives from what was nonetheless a disappointing result.
Gordon – clean sheet and a couple of decent saves
Lustig – lasted the full game without being substituted!
Simunovic – pretty faultless and several instances of good decision making
Boyata – pretty much every pass went to a teammate
Brown – several good driving runs in the 2nd half
Forrest – very good apart from the final ball (I know ;-) )
We are very capable of winning on Thursday and retaining interest until our Christmas Turkey trip,
Italiabhoy
values traditionally associated with conservatism: self-reliance, aspiration, frugality
Those are not values I would automatically associate with conservatism. Quite the opposite, in fact.
HH
Timaloy29,
There has been a lasting peace since the 60s, in Syria, in fact Assad was educated in the UK, the yanks and now the Qatari’s wanted to run a pipeline through Syria, u usually the Syrian gott asked the locals if they wanted the pipeline through their land, it was refused, since then Syria has be a pharia, and accused of all sorts that has been accepted, because the daily record told us it’s true.
There are other information sources try one.
Syria’s an absolute mess. Each side is in trouble because at least one or more allies also happens to be supporting one of their enemies (to be overly simplistic).
Its nearly as complicated as trying to work qualification permutations in the EL.
Frankly my dear I don’t give a damn
Canamalar
Criticism of the Assad regime is not an endorsement of Saudi Arabia or the US.
Putin and Assad have run oppressive and criminal regimes. There are plenty of independent sources regarding Assad’s war crimes. The UN, the Syrian Human Rights Observatory, independent journalists and Syrian citizens have all contributed to the mountain of evidence.
I find your suggestion that there has been peace since the 60’s staggering.
The reason I brought it up is because I wanted a good laugh at the hypocrisy of somebody who frequently lectures others on Celtic values. To be fair, you have delivered with whataboutery, conspiracy theories and outright bull****.
As funny as this is, I hope you are just stringing me along.
JOBO. I agree with your view of Saturdays game but Thursday is a huge ask we are bottom of the group and I dont think any of our players will have a great deal of confidence and we will have a much changed midfield I want you to be right but I cant see it myself. H.H.
Timaloy29,
Provide a single independent source, just one please and I will give it due consideration.
I started at your stand point, since then I decided to make my own enquiries, what I found did not meet with the daily records approval.
Maybe you can enlighten me,I’m alway open to correction, are you ?
CANAMALAR on 23RD NOVEMBER 2015 6:25 PM
Timaloy29,
“There has been a lasting peace since the 60s, in Syria”
… Apart from the times in 1967 and 1973 when they invaded their neighbour, at the costs of thousands of lives….
Timaloy29,
Illegal regimes ?
You’ll need to elaborate, the UN recognise both as legitimate regimes, obviously you know of a higher authority, the daily record ?
Italiabhoy,
Israel ?
The current American government is in contravention of their own constitution, now there’s an oppressive criminal regime, but you won’t read that in the daily record.
JFH –
I’m trying to focus on the fact that Ajax must be at least as disaapointed with their own Europa results as we are. They have managed 3 draws and defeat and are 1 point better off thatn us. But (and it’s a big but) – they don’t have qualification in their own hands but we do! 2 wins for us and we are definitely through. If Ajax win on Thursday they’d still need us to take something from Fenerbahce for them to qualify.
One game at a time.
Signing off for a bit and hoping for a higher percentage of celtic chat if I’m back on later on ;-) Might have a look at Joe Ledley’s Crystal Palace….