Early in Martin O’Neill’s first tenure as Celtic manager he had a few cherished phrases. “Rangers are the benchmark”, was his go-to in his first season, as Celtic transformed from perennial underdogs to permanent favourites. Another was, “I’m only here because the previous manager lost to Inverness”.
That reference to John Barnes’ side’s Scottish Cup defeat lasted until early 2003, when Martin rested several first team players for the trip to Inverness in the same competition. A win at Anfield a few days earlier was followed by an exit from the national cup.
Sunday’s Scottish Cup opponents, Auchinleck Talbot, play in the sixth tier of Scottish football. That’s the same division Darvel were in three years ago, when they not only defeated, but outplayed Aberdeen in the same coemption. Arrive with the wrong attitude and anything can happen.
The Scottish Cup ghost of that defeat in Inverness will haunt Martin, and Shaun Maloney, who played that night. Liam Scales is unlikely to play on Sunday, but will doubtlessly tell the squad about his experience in the Aberdeen side who lost at Darvel. If the focus is not right, anything can happen on a football field.
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Several references to trolleys today.
Would it be too inflammatory to introduce the very old trolley vs exec joke?
Ach, what the hell …
What are the 2 biggest differences between a shopping trolley and a company director?
#1 A shopping trolley has a mind of its own
#2 You can cram more food and booze into a company director
This morning I woke to a snowmageddon of epic proportions, not had one of these for years, it amounted to around 14”, only consolation was it was nice and fluffy and no wet and icy, so out there on and off all day clearing it as it continued to around tea time.
So while doing that I had a lot of time on my hands to think and right now the only thing that’s bothering me is wtf has happened to our club, we are awash with money but somehow the ball, no pun intended, has been dropped.
Now as you are all aware I am a great fan of DD, after all; when the Bunnet came calling asking for up to 4 million, after reading the prospectus he told him he needed 8m, he also underwrote a couple of share issues which I have said is a very risky business as that charlatan across the other side of the toon did the same which cost him a portion of his core business as their fans are anything but loyal.
He also sold his shares with manure so he could concentrate on us, now he had an interview which conveniently cannae be found where he stated EVERYTHING, goes through him and as long as he’s there 1994 will NEVER happen again, every manager, backroom staff and player must be vetted by him first, so wtf went wrong.
Well all I can think of was seemingly he was working on a big deal which he had to give his undivided attention to and having faith in those that he personally gave his blessing to, again it seems he dropped the proverbial ball, rumours are abound that after the sevco debacle an emergency board meeting was called where MN was persuaded to fly out to meet, notice I said fly and no jet, him and request that we give WN the sugar lump and also he offered to tender his own resignation for his part in the hiring of him which it seems was denied, more to follow there I feel as now is NOT the time to wield the axe, similar to the dismissal of Allan McDonald and Kenny Dalglish for the scheitd and ICT debacles.
DD then goes on the blower and appeals to MON to return with the offer of an extension to the seasons end and if it all pans out he might send MN down to the hunden showers and offer him another season lol, who knows, as I said above this is just my theory so please do NOT STM.
Anyway the ploughs were out clearing the snow on the sideroads through the night so away out to tackle the berlin wall they left me at the end of my driveway which after lying all day is anything but soft and fluffy
TONTINE TIM on 16TH JANUARY 2026 1:22 PM
I don’t know, but that sounds a bit far-fetched to me
GM 12.47
You may be miffed at the change of venue but not as miffed as Auchinleck. Celtic engineered the change of venue.
Celtic asked that Auchinleck could guarantee the safety of their directors from possible assault/ threats from their own fans .
The directors wouldn’t have had an entry or exit that didn’t involve mingling with supporters.
Auchinleck realise that their best chance of an upset has now gone. The tight pitch , unfamiliar surroundings would only have suited the home side .
I still hope we don’t think it’s just a matter of turning up . Auchinleck have knocked out, Ayr Arbroath and others in recent years. HH
General irreverance towards execs and leaders is healthy enough IMHO.
Keeps them on their toes.
But when they are occupying space rent free in your head 24/7 ?
And contaminating (or at the very least negatively impacting) your loving relationship with your team?
Not healthy (again IMHO)
CELTIC40ME re: Orange Samba
As long as you are not wearing orange Adidass Sambas you are forgiven!
HH!
ive not seen anything official from either of the 2 clubs or the cops to suggest it was celtic who engineered the change of venue.
it might have been, but without anything official then its just here-say, or wishful thinking.
Neither is overestimating your own intellect.
Dermot recently told us it was not our structure or model which had failed, rather it was one individuals desire for self preservation at the expense of others.
Those words sound especially hollow today.
Still, hopefully we’re able to beat Auchinleck.
Tontine @1.25pm
Nice story of comradeship.
Glenowen
You can only run interference for so long before the truth will out.
You can fool some of the people some of the time etc.
P67 knows that, hence the subtle pivot in tone and focus since Rodgers departed.
Ach well, Dudu Duhan will find another couple of Galacticos for us to buy…
Tontine @1.25pm
Don’t overdo the snow shoveling. Lots of injuries come from shifting snow.
Take it easy,
Weeron
” If the focus is not right, anything can happen on a football field ”
Complete lack of boardroom focus , nothing happens in boardroom …
Section111 on 16th January 2026 12:29 pm
More word salad waffle from Comical Ali.
Celtic Quick Propanganda
Logs Out:
Ah pity that you are logging out
Last time you appeared you were attempting to hint at share instability to St.Stivs,
you were asked at the time but you bolted,I interpreted your post as more in hope the shares would wobble and a wee attempt at your own disinformation. I will try track back
You be good now
HH
Tontine
Reading back your good lady will have a wee prayer said
HH
Say it yourself.
a pure random,
Long forgotten.
Back in 83, I went to college with fellas from Auinlech, Cumnock and Kilbirnie, they all hated each other.
The Talbot supporter told me, their exotic name was from Baron Malahide.
IT WAS TRUE.
“To me, it is essential, absolutely essential (to get players in as soon as possible). I think we know that. Obviously, we can’t change the squad around for the Italy game (vs Bologna), but all next week we would like to have some people in for Hearts if at all possible. ”
Martin O’Neill
From Frabizio Romano:
EXCLUSIVE: Sunderland agree deal to sign Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi, here we go!
Deal done for £3.5m fee, five year contract to the player as it’s all agreed.
——
Ta Ti Bi
Would like, if at all possible, that is certainly putting expectations at a low peep, all that’s missing is the begging bowl of Oliver Twist.
The returnof weeron on 16th January 2026 1:56 pm
Tontine @1.25pm
Don’t overdo the snow shoveling. Lots of injuries come from shifting snow. Take it easy,
Weeron
*thanks Ronnie, I have great neighbours and we all pitch in
KEV J
Many thanks for your good wishes a day or so ago, you are a star.
MY good lady is no better, after almost 4 months of this shit, but we have another appointment with the doc in 2 weeks, good stuff,eh.
Hope you are well, keep up the good work.
KINGLUBO
An Tearmann on 16th January 2026 2:35 pm
Tontine
Reading back your good lady will have a wee prayer said
*thanks, she’s already costing me a fortune in candles lol
AULDHEID
Not sure if you are aware of my chat with KEV J, re side effects my wife has had since her flu jab , end of September!!. Kev was saying you and Mrs Auldheid had a similar situation from which I hope you are way on the mend. any info would be very much appreciated, thank you in advance
Stay well , ok
KINGLUBO
Michael Nicholson straight on the phone to Oliver Glasner 🥴🤣🤣😂😂🤪😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣😴😴😴😴
“I understand, I absolutely totally get it.
“It’s essential, it’s absolutely essential [to recruit]. I think we know that anyway. We can’t change the squad around for the Bologna game [on Thursday].
“I’d like to have some people in for Hearts if it were at all possible. I can’t think that there [would be signings this weekend] but I’d be hoping by some stage next week that we’d have people.”
Full presser for context👍
https://youtu.be/risC_8hUvyU?si=0FL1pa5n2e-uHn1E
If Tontine Tims hammy doesn’t go with all the snow shovelling he should be signed immediately.
There may be a few snow/lowball offers to begin with that will be well below his market value but we may get there before the window shuts/snow melts/or hell freezes over.
Celtic linked with……
Celtic speaking to…..
Celtic target identified…..
Celtic in discussion…..
Celtic target agrees to join different club
Celtic not linked with player
Celtic ??? Millions transfer target
Celtic suffer transfer hijack
Celtic send out transfer message
Fillyurboots!!!
Celtic zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz😴😴😴😴😴😴🥴🥴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴🥴🥴😴🥴🥴🥴
Joel Piroe (striker, 26) from Leeds on loan is suddenly all over NewsNow, got a very decent record at English Championship level.
The hun’s parent company lending us a decent striker?
You would think they would have first dibs
Oops forgot
Celtic loan deal ….
Silly me !!!🤪🥱😴😂
Unknown player signs for Sunderland FC!
CQN snowflakes in meltdown*…
*unlike Tontine Tims!
TONTINETIM to start on Sunday!
Make it so.
lets all do the huddle on 16th January 2026 12:04 pm
That made me laugh. Seriously, nail on head. Real issues need to be discussed here!
GM @ 3:03pm – thank you for link to presser
5 minutes of Martin being Martin.
Always good for a smallish chuckle.
Has there been a Carlsberg puff of white smoke yet?
Have we signed a striker? Have we signed anyone?