I watched Hibs hustle Hearts off their game yesterday. 15 games unbeaten, they are third in the table and after beating Celtic and Hearts in consecutive weekends, have a confidence unknown in Leith in recent decades.
Their Scottish Cup visit to Celtic Park on Sunday matches the best team in the country against the form side; it will be a genuine test. Their unbeaten run started after their last visit to Celtic Park, which ended in a bizarre 3-0 for the champions. Hibs shredded the Celtic defence that day but, lacking in confidence in front of goal, they ‘Hibs it’ every time.
Beat Celtic, and they become favourites for the Cup. This is a substantial motivation Celtic would be wise to match.
Saturday’s three goal win at St Mirren also fell into the bizarre category. St Mirren passed up numerous good chances during the game, scored twice and were in the hunt until a very late collapse flattered Celtic.
Substitutions lifted Celtic, although not through Jota, as expected. The arrival of Luke McCowan and Yang lifted everyone, most notably Reo Hatate, who pivoted from disappointing to dominant. Yang continues to prove what you and I know. Scout well, provide a clear development path, and the system works.
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Happy Monday all!
Is there a little bit of spring in the air?
Hola Aipple
Good day to you PHILCOOL
This is shaping up to be a brilliant cup tie versus Hibernian this weekend I am thoroughly looking forward to it personally.
Celtic V Hibernian Scottish Cup
General Sale as of 10am on Wednesday.
adidas Originals x Celtic FC Irish Origins: new collection revealed
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/march/03/adidas-originals-x-celtic-fc-irish-origins–new-collection-revealed/
Brendan as always seen something in Yang, thus he wasn’t moved on. Progress has been made with Yang as he’s now contributing but he’ll need to keep that up for many weeks to prove he has what it takes to be a Celtic player.
Fair play to him though, he’s giving it a go and appears to have a great attitude which may be the reason BR has stuck with him and all but given up on others.
Let’s hope Yang continues his recent form and we can get two players from the summer 23 transfer window.
Good to see Yang coming on – credit to the coaching team.
Another three points in the bag, although the number of chances we have been giving up in recent weeks is starting to get a bit worrying. It’s already a concern ahead of next week and absolutely needs fixing before our CL qualifier.
Mind you, with Barry Ferguson in situ at Across The City FC it will probably all be fine. Maybe our opponents won’t even bother to turn up because of how unbeatable that will make us.
Agree with you Paul but it’s taken 20 months to get Yang to where he is now , so the blended element of scout and development along with ready to play players is still the way forward for me.
Scottish painter Jack Vettriano has been found dead at his apartment in Nice, in the south of France, his publicist said.
Vettriano, who was born Jack Hoggan on November 17, 1951, in Methil, Fife, was found on Saturday, the publicist said. It is understood there are no suspicious circumstances around the 73-year-old’s death.
BORGO67
Yes it’s been a long journey for Yang, thankfully, we weren’t in a position where we had to rely on him.
I recall one of his earlier performances, I think it was at McDiarmid, where he was subbed off at HT and caught off side on numerous occasions. I genuinely believed that day that Yang didn’t understand the off side rule so bad were his runs.
Most goals are scored late in games as teams tire so no surprise the fittest teams with a little extra depth on the bench will benefit form this.
St Mirren were impressive in work rate and tactics but i can’t help think we invite teams on top of us a little. Still to many backward passes in my view and the difference in last 30mins was very noticeable that vast majority of passes went forward.
Great to see Yang get gametime and show improvement. He has however a long way to go – in 18 or so months you can could count his goals on one hand and assists on two. Keep it up kid but still got lots to do to convince we cannot get better and more consistent outcomes from elsewhere within our budget.
keef in the record today. sputing, pleading irrelevant shite about the takeover and bary.
this bit …….. welcome to the real world. operating across time zones, big wowweee
——
The make-up and configuration of the major shareholders means he’s been dealing with a variety of bloated egos and negotiating with them over all manner of time zones, all of which must have made these discussions almost impossibly complex.
Jack Vettriano…The Billy Boys
https://www.myperfectart.co.uk/jack-vettriano/the-billy-boys
How many players did we sign in the summer 23 window ,11 or 12, ,and Paul thinks 2 making it is a vindication of Peter’s project strategy ? I certainly hope Yang continues his recent upward trajectory but he had a decent spell before being unjustly sent off against the Diets.Since Bayern at home he has been very good and I hope this continues but as BORGO67 says you require some ready to go additions as well as projects.
I realise Peter wasn’t in charge in the summer of 23 ? But it was a hallmark Peter window.
TUESDAY 3RD
I’m feeling exceptionally well today. (It’s only the third day, I know, but all the same I’m feeling great.) I had a visit this morning with two reporters, David Beresford of The Guardian and Brendan O Cathaoir of The Irish Times. Couldn’t quite get my flow of thoughts together. I could have said more in a better fashion.
63 kgs today, so what?
A priest was in. Feel he’s weighing me up psychologically for a later date. If I’m wrong I’m sorry — but I think he is. So I tried to defuse any notion of that tonight. I think he may have taken the point. But whether he accepts it, will be seen. He could not defend my onslaught on Bishop Daly — or at least he did not try.
I wrote some notes to my mother and to Mary Doyle in Armagh; and will write more tomorrow. The boys are now all washed. But I didn’t get washed today. They were still trying to get men their first wash.
I smoked some ‘bog-rolled blows’ today, the luxury of the Block!
They put a table in my cell and are now placing my food on it in front of my eyes. I honestly couldn’t give a damn if they placed it on my knee. They still keep asking me silly questions like, ‘Are you still not eating?’
I never got started on my poem today, but I’ll maybe do it tomorrow. The trouble is I now have more ideas.
Got papers and a book today. The book was Kipling’s Short Stories with an introduction of some length by W. Somerset Maugham. I took an instant dislike to the latter on reading his comment on the Irish people during Kipling’s prime as a writer: ‘It is true that the Irish were making a nuisance of themselves.’ Damned too bad, I thought, and bigger the pity it wasn’t a bigger nuisance! Kipling I know of, and his Ulster connection. I’ll read his stories tomorrow.
Ag rá an phaidrín faoi dhó achan lá atá na buachaillí anois. Níl aon rud eile agam anocht. Sin sin. (Translated this reads as follows: The boys are now saying the rosary twice every day. I have nothing else tonight. That’s all.)
WHAT IS THE STARZ on 3RD MARCH 2025 12:34 PM
The idea for the painting was stolen from Quentin Tarantino and openly admitted by Vettriano.
The title of the painting chosen however, is another story.
AN DUN
Agreed. Fortunately Kuhn has been excellent this season and Jamsie did well when he was fit
Still not convinced if Yang was to start but he’s been a good impact sub, even in the big European games which was a real bonus.
Really hope he continues to improve as the squad looked a bit thin against Bayern
I don’t care how much of a run Hibs are on; they’re a pretty average side save for LB Cadden’s crosses and Martin Boyle’s darting runs. Their keeper’s suspect and centre defence very porous.
We will gub them I feel.
We have too many project punts to provide all them with a clear development path. We find them, bring them in, see if they can attain the intensity and consistent application and give ’em a crack when someone gets crocked; some can, some can’t. I think that calls for 50/50 deal on our and the players’ part.
RIP Hoggan-Vettriano; we have a few on the walls albeit with some misgivings about that particular title.
But thats yer artist/provocateurs for you, innit !
Development rarely being linear, the unpredictability of signing players like Yang will always be a given but the upside of doing your work and being smart about signings will continue to show up on the pitch as long as we carry on committing to it.
There no magic formula, each player has different individual needs and when you’re shopping in a relatively untapped market for young men who have no experience of a very foreign country it’s even more difficult to judge. I thought Brendan’s comment about Yangs girlfriend was insenstitive and patronizing but it does show the hiw important hus state of mind is.
It’s not like we’ve only been signing Yangs and hoping they come good. Our most effective player now is, without doubt, Maeda. He’s ahead of two very expensive players, and he cost £1.5m. Pound for pound one of our best signings ever, signed for the first team, not for development, not with a future transfer fee in mind. A brilliant bit of scouting, and now development.
Without Kyogos sale I don’t think we’d have the same player on our hands. A bit of luck perhaps, but as tge cliche goes the harder yiu work tge luckier yiu get
Another example of how difficult it is to predict development, but also a great example of how the mixed strategy can produce our best players.
Meanwhile James Tavernier celebrates 500 appearances for tge Huns, almost exact same as serial winner Calmac
We have too many project punts to provide all them with a clear development path. We find them, bring them in, see if they can attain the intensity and consistent application and give ’em a crack when someone gets crocked; some can, some can’t. I think that calls for 50/50 deal on our and the players’ part.
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the celtic exchange gave a good explanation recently on why yang progressed, and why jude is now getting picked.
every player at every level. has a development plan.
but lots of it is about their own self improvement, and thir own personal development. tailored to the individual needs. its on them to high the markers/milestones to get to the next stages.
its not luck, chance or a throw them in.
Jude hits the mars, does extra work, is seen after hours at lennoxtown, and has accelerated.
that others better rated to begin withHolm for example, didnt meet the markers
its on them, to follow the plan, that includes all the sport science , nutrition, eating/sleeping/resting/ recovery, speed etv etv etc.
those that have moved on, who has made it elsewhere ?
Good afternoon all from the Orchard Park, leafy Giffnock. I hope ye are all hale and hearty.
A meeting of the Shipbank Shipwrecks will take place at the Old Ship Bank on Saltmarket, Friday March 7th, 12 onwards. Names being taken for those interested in a trip to the Rebel County to see the Celtic on 8th July. Marching optional 4 days later. 😂
Chris Sutton ate my hamster
Brendan Rodgers developing players since 2008
Brendan Rodgers eats hun “managers”.
Bushiri at Hibs is the exact definition of a bombscare
Kuhn been off it for a couple of weeks, I would start Jota on Sunday
Hamster has been eaten.
teehee
Hopefully, Adam will catch the development bug.
Burnley78 on 2nd March 2025 10:20 pm
A lot, but not our (CLUB)manager, have been critical of away crowds being allowed back for Glasgow derbies.
Come on B78,must do better,
the reintroduction of the hun to Celtic Park,as a decision is way beyond Brendan.Do keep this pointless ire at bay,
HH
With a ̶F̶o̶u̶r̶ three leaf clover on my chest
The Hand of God
Who were the 12 players you say we signed in summer 23 ?
Croftcelt on 3rd March 2025 2:52 pm
Hopefully, Adam will catch the development bug.
Adam’s limitations are not physical . Something within him is blocking his potential . As a striker he has shown flashes of genuine talent and that’s not a thing you can fluke . The rest of his game needs serious work though , hold up play , awareness , link up play . I think maybe that £9m price weighs heavy on him .
Kuhn. Maeda. Jota for Saturday.No fannying about hoping Idah hits any form.This is important.Idah can start in the league anytime now.
On the subject of signings,watching the Hun midfield get schooled by Lennon Miller at the weekend,hopefully Brendan watched this later,was a sight to behold.Very good player.Would be the time to get him this summer.
Charlie Nicholas SKY Davy Provan SKY Andy Walker SKY Chris Sutton SKY ………..
Common Denominators? CSC