There’s some fresh enthusiasm in Lanarkshire this morning with the appointment of Englishman Ian Baraclough as Motherwell manager. Baraclough had a couple of successful years with Sligo Rovers from 2012-14, winning their first title in decades, before things fell apart this year, but his role as a scout for Huddersfield over the last six months is likely to interest Motherwell as much.
Motherwell directors have had a long-term tradition when looking for a manager of saying they want someone ‘plugged into’ the scouting and agent network. This game is all about the right contacts, you don’t get to acquire a promising Blackburn Rovers reserve (as Motherwell once did), but this particular activity is also very competitive.
The small matter of how to deploy players is, of course, equally important, but if you’re Motherwell, Celtic or Barcelona, that call is a shot in the dark.
I watched newco Rangers for the first time last night, although I ended up watching a lot more Queen of the South than I expected. The latter, each of them journeymen, were excellent, the former were symptomatic of everything that’s wrong with comfortably well-off footballers. Newco’s medium-term future, if they have one, will be to spend the next few years building a self-sustaining lower league club, capable of winning promotion and remaining a top-flight football team thereafter.
Get along to Celtic Park early tomorrow, Davie Hay will be signing copies of Caesar & the Assassin in the Superstore. If you ask him nicely he’s promised to sign your CQN Annual too. Don’t forget your camera!
Also remember to look out for the Foundation bucketeers as you approach the ground or enter the turnstiles. My boys and me will be at the North Stand, turnstiles 1-13, say hello if you’re around.
Thanks to everyone who donated to Mary’s Meals yesterday, the response was overwhelming. Emails went out this morning to winners of the Magners’ tickets.
You can order your CQN Annual here, or get a special Annual-DVD bundle here.
As a special offer, everyone who buys an Annual, or bundle, before Christmas will be entered into a prize draw for a VIP Meal of 4 at a Celtic Park restaurant on a match day. One entry for each Annual bought; pile in.
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Neil canalamar. Yes that does tend to happen I agree but if we play at our best we should be to good for them but scoring one goal and having a nervy last ten minutes is in my opinion happening to often. H.H.
Just for you JJ
http://youtu.be/qS4-JXB2yUU
Good interview with Nir hopefully confidence will help him develop a more assertive edge to his game. Certainly has most of the tools to become a top Bhoy!
NIR Bitton was embarrassed to be compared with Yaya Toure following a trial at Manchester City.
But the Israeli star admits he wants to be Celtic’s answer to his midfield idol Sergio Busquets.
Bitton revealed a heart-to-heart with Hoops boss Ronny Deila has helped him win his place back in the team.
The 23-year-old now understands fully what is expected of him under Celtic’s Norwegian gaffer.
And being a hit at Parkhead is certainly more realistic than being hyped up as the next Toure.
Bitton was stunned when he read he was being groomed as a long-term successor for the City superstar.
It came after a trial stint at the Premiership champs two years ago – but work permit issues scuppered hopes of permanent deal.
Unsung Barcelona midfield holding hero Busquets might not quite be on the same level as Toure but Bitton models his game on the Spanish international.
It’s a role he hopes to fulfil for the Scottish champions now that the former FC Ashdod man is back in favour with Deila.
An injury to Charlie Mulgrew last month opened the door for the frozen-out midfielder and he has taken his chance with some solid displays.
But Bitton said: “To compare me and Yaya Toure is like comparing the ground and the sky. For me Yaya Toure is the best midfielder in the world.
“When I was there it was a dream but I don’t think about it any more. I just want success with Celtic.
“It was a good experience. I went from the biggest team in Israel to Man City. It was a shock for everybody in Israel.
“Sometimes, you get a chance and you need to take it. I got a chance that a lot of people in Israel dream about. I tried my best.
“I really like Busquets. A lot of people just look at Lionel Messi, Neymar, Xavi and Andres Iniesta because they do the smartest things.
“But when Busquets is not playing you see the difference. I think we are quite similar.
“We are both tall and I just like him.”
Bitton hopes to stay in contention for today’s home league game with St Mirren and revealed a conversation with Deila has been the catalyst to improving his game.
He said: “Like every player I want to play as many games as possible.
“During the last 10 weeks I spoke to the gaffer about it and he tried to explain what he expects from me.
“I’ve tried to change it in training and show him that I deserve to play. I’m happy that in the last two weeks I have been given that chance.
“What we spoke about, I will keep it between us.
“But I’m happy he has given me a chance and the team have won the games in which I have played.
“Every minute the gaffer gives me to play I will give 100 per cent for the team.
“Every player wants to play. I want to play but there are 20 more players who want to play too. If the manager thinks I deserve my pace then good but if not I will wait for my chance.
“Football is all about confidence and getting game time is the best confidence boost. The manager just wants me to be a better player.
“He wants me to help the team and I’ve tied to change how I play. It’s still not 100 per cent but I have tried to change and hope in a few months it will be better.
“When players play well they get the confidence and you get the good words from your team-mates, the coaching staff and for me there is not a better judgment of myself.
“When I play good I know I have played good. When I don’t I feel that too. Sometimes, there are players who need to hear the good words from the gaffer.
“I do my best and if the gaffer thinks I deserve to play then I will. I need to show him I deserve to play. Right now I have been given a chance and I hope that I have taken it. But in one week or two you can be in another place, you never know what to expect. Still, to be part of Celtic is a big honour, especially in Israel as all the Celtic games are live on TV.
“When you play at Celtic a lot of people know you and when you go down the street you get recognised. For me it was a big move from Israel to Celtic. Now I just want success for Celtic and in every minute I will give 100 per cent. When I was injured last season it was a difficult period but it wasn’t so bad because the injury happened in the last two months of the campaign.
“It was just six or seven weeks of being out injured and being without friends or family. It was training without games.
“To train and not play is just so annoying. You need to play.
“Injuries are part of the game and when you are injured it makes you stronger. It makes you train harder to make sure it will not happen next time.”
From Twitter………enjoy
@CelticTV: FREEVIEW: Watch highlights of Nakamura’s time at Celtic to celebrate his return to Celtic Park today http://t.co/pKzWhK2Ksi (NM)
HH
Cloud cuckoo land from rm…
“If i was Mike Ashley I’d view a further £1million pound investment to get rid of the management as a risk worth taking, considering the financial implications of the current management not getting promotion – which is a very real possibility. I do think though now that Ally wants to stay to gain promotion and complete the job he says he has set out to do.
I think Billy Davies is probably the best manager we could get atm though so would be happy if he came in”
………. Hahahahahahahahahaha
Gordon
Fisher Lustig VVD izzy
Brown Biton Johansen
Forrest Guidetti Stokes
Subs Zaluska Ambrose Henderson Scepovic Griffiths Wakaso McGregor
4-0 Hoops, Guidetti hat trick
Oor hero does looks rather dashing I have to say. The Charlotte square loyal choose the wrong mug me hopes. There is definitely something Leonardo De Caprio about him. The safety quote regarding Edinburgh is a real interesting one.
HH
awe_naw_no_annoni_oan_anaw_noo
10:07 on 14 December, 2014
De Caprio?
A la ‘Catch Me if You Can’?
Or ‘Wolf of Wall St’
Titanic????
;-)
HH jamesgang
Jamesgang
Streets of New York
Kitalba
______
Yer stuff this morn was like all the stuff ye put on here – LEGENDARY.
But, yer praise of the ‘bored’ for giving away tickets to the homeless / poor Celtic fans was, an eye-opener for me. Surely, yer not falling for their benevolent act?
Ah mean, surely you know that the Celtic ‘bored’ are shower of twisted-smokescreen-yarn spinning-deceitful-establishment bitches?
On the surface – it looks all kindly and that.
But, if the ‘bored’ really did care…they’d have a bottom tier of one of the stands for the poor / homeless section of Celtic supporters.
How many tickets would the poor / homeless Celtic supporters have got off the ‘bored’ for a CL / EL game?
What I would have done had I been as wealthy as DD for example……
1. I would have paid for the building of the stadium and – gave it to the Celtic supporters as a gift with one provisio…a stand to be allocated to the impoverished Celtic supporters.
2. Each season, I’d provide a ‘basic’ £10 mill transfer fund for the manager to look after the ‘most’ important part of the club – the product on the pitch.
3. Each SB-holder would receive a new strip ‘free’ as a loyalty gesture and, each seat would have a decent sized green & white hooped flag, to be used during the game and to remain attached to the seat when the fan leaves after the game.
4. I would install a top notch Leagle Eagle on the board and, hammer in the courts or, ban any SMSM p#ss takers. The LE would ensure that the message be sent out that – Celtic FC are NOBODIES punchbags.
That’s all I can think of the now but, yer LEGENDARY status remains intact in KevsJungle :) – Hail Hail
Gerryfaethebrig
22:37 on 13 December, 2014
_________________________
Hail Hail to ye fella – whit clique are ye in? :)
I was reading back a wee bit and went through some of yer stuff so, ah don’t need to ask the daft question :)
Best of lhuck on here – ye’ll need it after giving me a mention :)
Hail Hail – Off oot, bye
Patrick Collins in The Mail…
~~~~~~~~~~++~~~~~~~~~~
THE PERILS OF POVERTY AT RANGERS
The decline of Glasgow Rangers continues at saddening pace.
Beaten by Queen of the South on Friday and hopelessly adrift in their efforts to win promotion from Scotland’s second tier, they have just received the resignation of their manager Ally McCoist. Unfortunately, they cannot afford to pay up McCoist’s one-year rolling contract.
How recently it seems since apparently sane people were arguing that the future of Rangers lay in the English Premier League.
In these straitened times, poor Rangers might struggle to pay the fare down from Glasgow.
~~~~~~~~~~++~~~~~~~~~~
Touché
ticgaz-the pubs near CP on London Road, all have 11am licences for the 1pm Sunday games mate.
Off to the game……hoop hoop hoorah.
Amusing commenting Mail On Sunday ….. All this recent talk about them going to the EPL ….. Turns out now they couldn’t afford the fare down……hahahaha
murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers
10:22 on 14 December, 2014
Oops….beat me to it….hahahaha
Kitalba……….a wee tear there……….possibly cos my youngest is ill and her mother has just taken her to A and E to see a doc ……
Possibly cos I was sitting remembering my first game at Celtic park all those years ago…..41 or 42………
The person who took me …my eldest brother …..we will be celebrating his 60th birthday today………surprise do………….I can still feel the excitement…… of going up the steps at the Celtic end ……and this vast stadium opening up before my eyes…… my heart was racing thumping……..the noise utterly brilliant………. Celtic v hibs……..
Thank you big bro……….I owe you a lot………for an addiction that has brought every emotion under the sun……
The cesar and the assassin book will be in his hands today………it was the least I could do !!!!!
KevJungle:
Every journey starts with the first step.
I’ve been advocating for years – on here – for Celtic to do what they’ve now decided to do, they’ve done it, it would be crass of me to not to acknowledge it.
The big money men at Parkhead might have their plans for themselves, I don’t know, but I do know what it means to get to see the game if you’re a supporter. And if you’re a supporter without the means and you are given the opportunity to make a memory at the expense of suits who won’t miss the coin, then credit to the suits for making the gesture; maybe the experience will have a life changing effect, maybe not, but for the moment who cares, Celtic supporters of no means are being offered the chance to be an in-house supporter than that memory, for them, will be indelible and free from worry.
I hope Celtic find it in their hearts, and budget, and organisation, to hand out free Bovril and pies too… or would I be hoping for too much.
BMCUW
Spot on article with the exception of the word ‘saddening’. Must have been a typo – ‘gladdening’ shoooorley!
HH jamesgang
vinniethedog
Let’s hope he’s not lurking or it may be less of a surprise party!!!
Have a great day.
HH jamesgang
neil canamalar lennon hunskelper extrordinaire
09:45 on 14 December, 2014
shamrock hoops
09:41 on 14 December, 2014
RANGERS players last night rallied round boss Ally McCoist and insisted they don’t want him to quit.
HEAR HEAR!!!
OR
Rangers players last night rallied round boss Ally McCoist and were knackered.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hahahahahahaha …..brilliant…
Defo off oot to the game….picking up KevJ to give him his free ticket….!!
“Ah’m no gaun back til thurs foot spas in ‘at Jungoh fur evry rebel
an’ a guid boatle a irin bru oan the season buik tae!”
UTLCY.
Not long to kick off today….despite the wind can’t wait. 3 points today will give us a good cushion as the other teams will take points off each other.
Green article was interesting in as far as he stated they were bankrupt when he bought Rangers and Ally McCoist’s failure as a manager finished them off with the two European ties…plenty more water to flow under that bridge…
Looking forward to Mondays draw European football after Christmas always good.
As the sleekit one prepares to walk away I hope it’s for good…don’t want him appearing on a screen near me….One thing is certain most clubs will find themselves much safer…
Hail hail
Posting this from my phone.
My BT internet connection has been down since last night.
Anybody hear of any issues they’re having ?
Many hoooopy returns to all CQNers with birthdays today.
Kitalba@08.27
“Beir abhaile ar marbh”. Thanks for sharing that powerful,powerful stuff.
Estadio@09.34
Priceless. “Your aim was off stoning rabbits”.
For all others
Scroll back. A CQN star is born. Step up to the mic, Gerryfaethebrig
In just a couple of posts a whole range of emotions. This site is unbelievable.
HH and thanks. Off out to Clonard.
vinniethedog:
make today a memory you’ll never forget, for you and your brother too, and put it in amongst your heart’s treasures.
Gerryfaethebrig…..just having a wee bit of mischief my friend. BUT here’s a wee true story about Gartsherrie, Baird’s and Scottish Steel (where the container base is now) and a wee nearly 4 year old bhoy confronted by THEM!!!…….
The wee boy looked up from his game of egg boxes that he was carefully playing on top of the inset bed in the living room. This was his world for a while now, well at least until his sisters returned from St Bartholomew’s school. They would want their time to talk in hushed tones about whatever girls talked about. He always lost control of the weans’ communal bed when they came back. Mind you he’d get a pair of their shoes and go to the outside lavvy instead of using the chanty po. He picked a little at the hard skin on his heel.
“What use is that to anyone?” he thought.
The front door leading directly out on the row opened and his Father came in gently closing the door behind him, gave the wee man a sweet wae sticky bits of boiler suit on it and with a sideways movement of his eyes beckoned his wife into their own bedroom, or kitchen as it would be called nowadays.
They came out and simply started packing. Everything had to be packed. They were being thrown out. Thrown out of their half a bedroom tied house. The father had gone on strike. No one else had, just him, and no work meant no house.
“Back to my Cornhill drive or Albion Street wae wan o’ yer grannies son” the father smiled at the boy. The boy smiled too.
“Great” the wee man thought wondering which one would it be. Granny McMahon or Granny Murphy? It didn’t matter really because they were both adventure playgrounds full of secret places. His Granny Murphy even had an inside coal-bunker and an uncle who only ever came out of his room at dark.
Suddenly the door rattled to the beat of the sash as someone without an ear for decent music chapped urgently. The mother opened it, the wee fella hangin on to her skirt.
Four big bowler hatted, be-suited Dandy row residents stood there. Even at his age the lad knew that The Dandy Row was where the bosses who were allowed in the bowing club wae their bowler hats and bowly wives and rickety kids lived. No Catholic, Irish or anyone who had a lilt in their voice were allowed in there. The boy stared at them whispering a Hail Mary and a de profundis under his breath.
They didn’t look happy at the best of times but it was obvious that they were in great pain. Something was seriously wrong with their wallets and they couldn’t disguise it.
“Aye we’ll be out soon enough sure. I suppose one of your brethren need a house. ” his mother liltingly refrained, causing the brithers to swallow hard.
“We’ve come to ask him to come back to work. There may have been a misunderstanding!”. It was fired like a Gatling gun and carried all the sincerity of Uriah Heep on a bad day.
“Misunderstanding my ???? You won’t be doin that out of the goodness of yer heart……..they want you to come back” she shouted through to the kitchen
The father came to the door “Now why would you want me to do that?” There was a knock at the back window. The Mother went to investigate.
“Come in later and we can talk.” They said to the father
The Mother called on him. He wandered to the back of the house “Hmmmmm, I wonder what that’s all about…..”
She answered with a smile.
“Just got a message at the window. The rest of the work has gone on strike in support. Everyone…Catholic, Protestant, Jews ….everyone. The furnaces are dying. They will lose at least three weeks work if it’s not sorted out in the next day. They need you more than you need them. We can survive without them. They can’t survive without you. They need their bigotry”
The father returned to the front door.
“What about the grievance?” he asked
“We can talk about that later” came the reply.
“We can talk about it now or I won’t be coming anywhere near your foundry” he said with an obvious finality and started to shut the door.
“Haud yer horses. Haud yer horses. Gies a minute” they fired with not a little panic
They took off their bowler hats and put their bull heads together.
Grunts and sniffs echoed around the street and one was delegated to reluctantly come back.
“OK. Full reinstatement for you and all the others.”
“What about their back pay?”
“No way”
“OK. We’ll be out yer way shortly”. Again he went to close the door.
“All right, all right. Full back pay.”
“I’ll be down in five minutes”
The father shut the door and washed his hands.
“St Patrick’s Alumni 1 , Gartsherrie Lodge 0. – Fair brightens up yer day.”
Hail hail
Estadio
Morning all.
Dreich says it all this morning.
Still, the Celtic are playing this afternoon. So, that thought brightens the mood, I trust.
PeteTheBeat,
My BT internet connection has been playing up for days.
gearoid1998 cheers for the mention, love this site and most of the views on it, have been threatening to post for years but only plucked up the courage last night, anyway enjoy the game today Bhoys and hopefully a few goals will keep all our fans a bit warmer, enjoy the game Jamesgang & Kev hope you will be cheering the Bhoys on as much as the rest of us happy clappers
Hail Hail
A nice and sunny 18 degrees -way down south .
Christmas Choon Countdown -Day 14 -Strictly vinyl 45s
Ruddy and Sketto–Christmas Blues -( Dice )
I Roy -Festive Season ( Pantomine )
Top Grant -A Christmas Drink ( Island )
The Gladiators -Jingle Bells ( Rocksteady Revolution )
Iron Phoenix -Natty Dread Christmas ( The Thing )
Buona Domenica tutti !
Estadio:
Respect.
Estadio
Loved it!
South Of Tunis
A mighty fine selection…
I hope JG finds the net from open play today,in truth
I’m still to be convinced, don’t get me wrong I want to
be,hope he puts my doubts to bed starting today.
Away to put on some waterproof layers,and head up
to CP,catch you on the other side.
Kitalba
Just read your post about the tragic death of the boys from Achill island, more power to your pen.
Highlandbhoy
Estadio
Brilliant !
Gerryfaethebrig.
Scrolling back from last night.
Welcome and enjoy.
The 2.2 game, midweek at Pittodrie you were alluding to.
I’m sure it was a league cup game that we won on penalties.
I was there that night too, I’m doing it through memory, so I’m happy to be corrected if wrong.
HighlandBhoy:
Mate I did not write that, I borrowed it from –
Don’t Let It Be Forgot.
The guy who writes that blog has some good stories and it is well worth a visit. I am not the guy who writes that blog, I just read it when I can.
Estadio, Totally enthralled by your story, please tell me you were the 4 yr old boy. Tears in my eyes but joy in my heart. As a guy who spent a year of my working life on strike, I salute that family.