Let’s get this one out of the way first: put notions of Newco out of your mind for tomorrow. Those of you who will be at Ibrox, and who are old enough to remember our last visit there, will have a familiar experience.
From what we gather, the stadium hasn’t changed, the home team play in the same colours, there will be some new fans, but many will have been there the last time we visited.
I’ve been going to Ibrox for over 30 years, we’ve faced some pretty awful teams in that time, but it’s never been easy. We were 2-0 down at halftime in the 2-4 game in ’83 (when Rangers were really awful). We were under the cosh for 60 minutes before things clicked in the 0-3 game in 2001. We’ve won plenty there, but we’ve had to battle for everything we’ve had. It will be no different tomorrow.
The 5-1 game in September happened because Newco were caught in the headlights. Perhaps believing their own preseason publicity, they matched up to Celtic. It was an embarrassing mistake, one they didn’t repeat in the League Cup semi-final, when they defended deeply, hoping for good fortune on the break.
Their big players were unprepared and looked unfit. Signs of the subsequent internecine squabbles were evident on the field.
Self-knowledge
Know your limits, who you are, what you can and cannot achieve, is a primary lesson in goal setting. As far as you and me are concerned, Newco will surely repeat their Hampden tactics, double-up in the fullback positions, protect central defence, and hope Auld Kenny can pounce on something on the break.
These are more-or-less the tactics we face every SPFL game, but I’m not sure what will happen tomorrow. This is a club who not only proclaim, but protest, with their every breath, that they are Rangers. Can ‘Rangers’ really line-up at Ibrox as scared of Celtic as everyone else in the league?
Maybe, but I’m not sure. There are signs that group-think has taken hold at Murray Park. They want to be the Rangers, with a century’s worth of ‘heritage’. If they want to live that out, they will need to take the game to us.
There’s a good chance that whatever they do, Celtic will win tomorrow. In the grand scheme of things, this matters little to the home team, who have beaten Aberdeen and Hearts this month, and look capable of snatching one of the Europa League qualifier spots. They were never really “going for 55”.
But if you bring the punters in on that promise, there will be pressure from the stands to live up to that sentiment. What to do, go for it and lose 0-4, or crawl into your shell, lose 0-1, and betray your season’s aspiration? I hope they go for it.
Brendan Rodgers has two problems; whether to play Moussa Dembele or Leigh Griffiths, and whether to give James Forrest or Patrick Roberts the nod? We have two highly-achieving strikers, only one of which will start, and two fit and ready wingers competing for the slot on the right side.
My hunch is that Moussa will get the nod. I know what you’re going to say: Leigh’s on fire, but Moussa has scored more goals in his two games against Newco than the striker they are all singing about this season has in his 17 appearances. Dembele terrifies then, with good reason. They have no answer to him, they cannot shove him off the ball, cannot keep pace with him and cannot seem to find him in the box.
I expect James to start with Patrick coming on late to pick at the bones.
Tom Rogic would have started if fit, but there’s an untold story of our recent form: Rogic, Stuart Armstrong and Callum McGregor have been our form players this month. Only two will start any game. McGregor and Armstrong will not be significantly weaker than any combination with Tom.
We also have Scott Sinclair back and approaching full fitness. He’s going to love Ibrox, he’s made for this game. I expect big things from him.
What are our biggest risks? Red cards. Newco’s best chance of getting something from the game is for Celtic to have a man sent off. I’m not going to mark your card on the referee, but we’ve seen too many Celtic players ordered off there over the years not to acknowledge the possibility.
The target for the team is clear: go into the winter break 19 clear with a game in hand. There’s a confidence in and about this Celtic team which makes anything seem possible, so don’t ask for my score prediction, as I might get carried away.
The target for our 7000 supporters is to have 7000 torches illuminating the 67th minute. If there’s one guy not participating I’ll want to know why. If you’re going, get this planned well in advance.
Juxtapose our targets with comments from Mark Warburton yesterday, who doesn’t want to be judged on results against Celtic.
I bet you don’t, buddy. I bet you don’t.
Ever feel you are being setup?
Following vandalism in the away section of Celtic Park earlier in the season a reciprocal agreement has been made with the offending club. In the very unlikely event Celtic supporters vandalise property tomorrow, the club will pick up the repair tab.
Without getting into detail, there is concern that some facilities will be ‘headline ready’ before Celtic fans enter the stadium. If you are at Ibrox when the gates open, go straight to the toilets, be the first there, photograph any damage (and how empty the stadium is at the time) and publish immediately on social media, to time-stamp what you observe.
There will be a minute’s silence before kick-off. For reasons which are difficult to fathom, Newco have not publicly announced this silence, it will be sprung on many fans. This will lead to some arriving at the ground unaware of the commemoration, making its observation less effective. Alert as many as you can that this is taking place.
Tomorrow will be a celebration of Celtic. 7000 light will shine at the 67th minute, the players will shine brighter-still on the park, but be ready, the same old faces are plotting the same old distractions. Be aware of their tactics.
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SFTB
Pizzagate…or Hillary toppling Gaddaffi for the 265 Billion in his Swiss Account?
Which one is fake?
HH
Doc
Apologies meant to make it along tonight, but last day with current employer so was late in leaving
Will be an interesting Eulogy tomorrow as the Auld Yin gave us some laughs and great memories
Hail Hail big Malcolm
I have never heard any song about the Ibrox disaster sung on any Celtic Supporters bus I have been on, in any pub where the support congregate, at Celtic Park or its surrounds or by people I associate with, why is this an issue and what are or support going to be subjected to tomorrow ?
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 30TH DECEMBER 2016 8:18 PM
MacJay
Hail Hail Comrade.
Whats your prediction for tomorrow?
HH
================================================================
Tovarich.
I predict that we`ll keep the green flag flying high.
:-)
I`ll be happy with a draw.
However , I would expect the bookies to make us favourites.
I would expect a win.
I seriously don`t think that a massacre will be permitted.
Hope I`m wrong.
Hearts – Dons pretty desperate stuff.
MacJay
I think if we get on the front foot early….it could be a torrid day for the zombies.
Wee Sinky will love it:)
We play as we can, power and pace, keeping the ball…..they will fold.
And the beauty of watching it on TV in your own house, is that you can call them what you like:)
Cmon the Celts:)
HH
BLANTYRETIM IS PRAYING FOR THE KNOX FAMILY on 30TH DECEMBER 2016 12:26 PM
I no longer have the ‘fear’ when we play sevco I used to wake up on the morning of the match unable to eat and a nervous wreck Tomorrow I will be up for it like any other game but no longer worry about those
*As far as I’m concerned the biggest game in Scotland this weekend is occurring right now at Gorgie Road as 3rd take on 4th in an effort to usurp the pretenders in 2nd place who are falsely there as a result of honest mistakes and inordinately long games.
After that the next most important one is tomorrow up at Dens Park with the home side vying for a top 6 position while the side named after the patron saint of the templars/goatshaggers are looking at a top 4 position as well.
Our game against the new cub is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things and a draw is on the cards which will suit the sevcoites, police, authorities and A&E employees.
Wee Sinky and Jamesie against their creaking defence….Fireworks.
Skin them for fun:)
3-0 to the mighty Celtic.
HH
HT.
Initially , I thought I was alone in not hearing this song. Seems there are a few of us, I would estimate/ guess between us we have seen and attended a few hundred Celtic games.
What is the concern? It will not be heard. Good luck to all who are attending tomorrow. Look after each other. HH
TGM
I see no mention of Hilary’s involvement with Gaddafi being cited in the article I linked so I am unsure why you raise it.
The pizzagate story was an obvious fake with near tragic outcome.
The point isn’t that there is no such thing as a conspiracy.
The point is that all of them have to be evidenced and not just asserted.
And that applies to stories on CQN too.
Ok my own personal view on what is about to take place at the Hole tomorrow
Celtic statement whereby welcome, should have finished by informing our fans to enjoy the occasion of their first visit to that ground against the new team we will be playing.
Ronnie Hawthorn ( Celtic head of security) should be representing our club at any wreath laying ceremony, to remember the 66 poor souls who perished due to the negligence of the Rangers Club which also passed away in 2012
Hawthorn should then head to the Celtic fans stand and distribute a flyer instructing our fans on what they are being set up for, this after he has been given access to the hole, and inspected its condition, before allowing our fans in.
I have no idea what this new club is up to in a minutes silence, the club those who died and followed, no longer exists, what has it to do with them now ?
And should the SPFL not be approving any minutes silence at a SPFL game ? Or is it now up to clubs to dictate when one should be held ?
Celtic should also be releasing a statement for the media prior to this game about what is taking place and how it’s been handled (set up) by the new club, its fans and police Scotland.
A prominent Shareholder of Celtic also has a significant shareholding in some media outlets, ( not in Scotland, but with more worldwide appeal) sure they wouldn’t mind supporting this action
It really is time this Board stood shoulder to shoulder with their own fans,
silence no more
Hail Hail
SFTB
Referred to current news stories.
There is plenty of evidence for Hillary robbing Gaddaffi….credible as well.
Eric Braverman seems to be the key.
And….who is it that decides what is fake news?
Just shooting the breeze.
HH
Am impeccable observed minutes silence
A damn good humping during the match
Safe home then bhoys ….stay away from the animals
Disgraceful gutter tactics from Sevco …they’re desperate and fearing the worst …sometimes nightmares materialise
Brown and Co are just the bhoys to make it happen
Cowiebhoy
Our board stand bank account to cash with the customers. What more do you want?
MWD
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 30TH DECEMBER 2016 8:29 PM
I`ll be with the Sydney C.S.C in Cheers bar.
This one is a ” huftae ”
You huftae be with fellow Tims.
En masse.
Aff tae watch Hertz.
If they stood shoulder to shoulder with us fans I’d be checking my pockets.
MWD
Cowiebhoy on 30th December 2016 8:37 pm
In an ideal world…. aint gonna happen though.
….PFayr ..SACK THE BOARD on 30th December 2016 8:41 pm
best we can hope for….
Just found the wife’s stash of Lindt choc (she’s night shift A &E) goes well with a good bordeaux… :)
notfeelingguiltyyet.csc
HAMILTONTIM on 30TH DECEMBER 2016 8:13 PM
LIKE NO OTHER on 30TH DECEMBER 2016 7:33 PM
Evening Timdom,
I’m looking for a bit of advice. Managed to get tickets for tomorrow- any tips about where to park? I’m bringing my bhoy and his Gran will kill me if I don’t bring him home safe and sound!!
——
On, or close to Shieldhall Rd mate.
—————————————————————–
Thanks for this – I’m a Celtic mhum taking her bhoy to his first Ibox game and grateful for the advice!
HH
MWD
When will the penny (arcade) drop ? Or in the words of Fergus, will they wake up and smell the coffee
This new entity are causing more damage to the SPFL and society in general than that club which died
Time for a new strategy in standing up for Celtic and all our fans, Truth and Justice to prevail
Hail Hail
Like no Other
You’re welcome and I hope you and son get to watch a Celtic victory.
TGM
“SFTB
Referred to current news stories.
There is plenty of evidence for….. ”
It did not reference that story any more than it referenced a cat stuck up a tree. It cited real instances of fake news- it happens and it should be deplored and opposed.
As for….
“who is it that decides what is fake news? ”
We do.
The question should be- “how do we decide what is fake. The article gave broad parameters for how you go about that task. That is what you should focus on. Do you have any disagreement with what they actually said as opposed to some story you wished they had included.
Take, the CQN story tonight about the existence of a song about the Ibrox disaster!
How much credence do you give it?
Many posters say they have never heard of it? That does not mean it doesn’t exist.
Another poster says he has definitely heard it sung. That is stronger proof that the song exists but it does not rule out the prospect that the poster concerned is lying or inventing (Don’t worry James, I know you are not!)
So, how do you make up your mind? Your own limited experience may not be enough- mine’s isn’t as I have never heard it sung ever. But people I trust, with no incentive to lie or invent, assure me it does exist though it is rarely heard.
The original poster tried to develop an equation with The Famine Song, suggesting we had no right to complain about that obscenity because we have an obscenity of a song ourselves. The fact that one is widespread and well known and the other is suppressed and given no encouragement, blows that comparison apart.
That, among many other approaches, is how we go about trying to determine truth and facts. Expose them to the light, weigh up the evidence, listen to opposing views, be per reviewed etc; etc;
Truth is a battleground. But there are standards and something is not truth because it is a majority or a minority view. It becomes the best version of the truth if it fits most of the known evidence.
Otherwise, we revert to the nonsense that one man’s opinion is as good as the next.
Can’t think of a better way to end a special year
HH
I vaguely remember going to a game at Celtic Park and our bus were warned that there would be a minute silence for the death of the Queen mum? We were told to respect it or stay under the stand until it was over. I remember it being perfectly observed (no credit in MSM) or am I just getting old and inventing these memories?
Anyway, please observe the minute silence, please!!!!!
One other thing
If the damage to our stadium when that new club visited, has not been paid
Then Celtic let us know please before the game we are involved in tomorrow starts
Same with ticket money for such, let us know it’s been paid please
As a shareholder I’d like to know
Hail Hail
SFTB
There you go again being logical and constructive. What do you think this is? A Celtic blog or something? FFS!
As long as we keep eleven players on the pitch tomorrow I think we will be ok.
Soft Loans Co will do their utmost to limit our chances, as will the referee, but Brendan has been spot on with his team selections and tactics this month.
In Brendan we trust.
Cowiebhoy
Never going to happen while cash is King Billy to our PLC!
MWD
Hayes and Rooney are off the boil this year, hence Aberdeen aren’t very good.
ITALIABHOY on 30TH DECEMBER 2016 7:47 PM
‘That disaster could have happened at Celtic Park, or any other ground in the UK.’
###
I don’t agree.
The disaster wasn’t an Act of God.It was foreseeable and preventable. It happened due to the fault and negligence of the Club.
Cowiebhoy, 8.37pm
“I have no idea what this new club is up to in a minutes silence, the club those who died and followed, no longer exists, what has it to do with them now ?”
Cowiebhoy,
You’ve hit the nail on the head. It’s about cementing the ‘same club’ mantra and ‘setting up’ Celtic as accepting that, plain and simple.
Sevco are bullies and the PLC’s silence (and greed) is perceived as weakness. They’ll exploit that all day long. It’ll wind up their sense of grievance and potentially have our fans in the dock.
Cue the panic on here (the article) at the ‘setup’.
Club 1872-1 Celtic PLC-0
Bye the way ‘Setup’ is an anagram of ‘Upset’
Till Later
SFTB
I must say…never, ever heard that song.
Strange one.
I get totally what you are saying.
However, there is no doubt that mainstream media is peddling fake news, and has been for a long time.
For example….The CNN coverage of the Gulf War….staged location reports etc.
Reichstag Fire…Gulf of Tonkin incident and so on.
There is the appearance of politics and the reality….they are not the same thing.
HH
Johnny Hayes scores :))
Supported Celtic for over 45 years and have never heard this song either.
Sftb
There certainly is a song, I know the words, I’m just pointing out that I’ve never heard it sung inside a stadium and I won’t tomorrow.
Ernie,
Yes, am aware there was undoubtedly fault from RFC management regarding the disaster.
But I think that kind of negligence – and contempt for supporters – was widespread amongst football boards at that time.
Scully
It wasn’t impeccably observed.
A fair few posters on tonight who seemingly don’t care about the team we face tomorrow ….
IronyCSC
I will bid my fellow Celtic fans good night, even the disgruntled ones…….
Remember enjoy the good times :-)
OK. Social survey time. Again.
1. Have you ever heard the Ibrox disaster song being sung?
2. Have you ever heard of the Ibrox disaster song?
3. Do you call it Parkhead or Celtic Park?
4. Do you call it Church or Chapel?
5. Do you ever add salt to cheese (not cottage cheese, real cheese)?