Don’t give me your ‘slump’ mockery. Just think for a minute, what if this IS our slump? Five league games in 17 days, four of which were won by a single goal is as bad as it’s been since Brendan Rodgers took over as manager.
We have, of course, shuffled the pack. With a hefty nine games this month, Brendan is correct to rest the weary legs which concluded our Champions League group only two weeks ago. He also has a full programme over the festive period to prepare for.
With 20 wins in 21 domestic games this season we’ve won the first trophy, scoring 11 and without conceding. Win our remaining games this month and we’ll be at least 17 clear “and it’s not New Year”. With a game in hand.
Scottish football has never had such a dominant champion, even during the two nine-in-a-row eras. It’s been achieved with largely the same squad as last season, while we were the only team participating in European group competition – and with a sustainable financial model.
I know talk of “slump” is ridiculous, but I bet you’ve already picked up a shift in perception of what is normal for Celtic. Most of us have been around long enough to remember the dark days. Some of us have been around to remember the winter solstice, which lasted from 1954 to 1965, but we’re all susceptible to recent-experience bias.
The collapse of Aberdeen this season robbed us of what competition we had but in compensation, we’re watching a great Celtic team come together. Team development does not happen on a linear plane. It requires risks to be taken and mistakes to be made, but no one is in any doubt about Celtic’s direction of travel.
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Scottish football is stuck in the past and blighted by a ‘hard man’ culture warns hard-hitting report
The study led by the University of Stirling states: “This is Scottish football’s ‘global warning’ issue.”
Scottish football is in danger of being left behind by a “hard man culture” with coaches and players resistant to change, according to a hard-hitting new report.
Managers and players unwilling to embrace new techniques and relying on training and game preparation methods from the last century are putting the national game in grave danger, warns the report led by the University of Stirling.
It states that managers who took part in the study were dismissive of the latest strategies used on the Continent, claiming they wouldn’t work in Scotland, would cost too much and upset players who were used to their weekly routine.
The report, seen by The Times , states: “This study explored the receptiveness of SPFL coaches to new ideas and learning.
“The picture it painted was one in which loyal tradition and the maintenance of the status quo dominated over performance optimisation and innovation.
“Being trapped in a context where tradition, self-interest and resistance to innovation acts as a barrier to learning means the system will collapse unless people are open to change.”
It warned: “This is Scottish football’s ‘global warning’ issue.”
Hearts appointment of Ian Cathro earlier this month sparked much debate, mainly over the 30-year-old’s lack of experience.
Cathro has spent the past four years as coach and assistant boss at Newcastle United, Valencia and Rio Ave but some critics suggested his modern techniques may be wasted due to his lack of experience in managing top level footballers.
Dr Andrew Kirkland, a sports lecturer at the university which led the study, said: “I do think that the hard man culture is alive and kicking in Scottish football.
“Coaches who are receptive to change or who think a little bit differently may find it difficult or impossible to get players, particularly senior ones, on board.”
Kris Boyd one of Scotland’s greatest players and goal scorers begs to differ “I can remember playing against Uni teams when I was younger and they were sh**, Captain Kirkland should stick to steering the Enterprise”
Malky Mackay was last week appointed as the SFA’s new performance director and has announced plans to improve the mentoring of young coaches among his priorities.
Henderson showed really good positioning as a CM last night IMO, always available for a pass.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE
Only 9 appearances?
Must have been the shortest panto season ever!
Footnote. I’m getting wiser to these spellcheck moments now. Bliddy thing tried to change panto to pants.
What do you think,readers. Was I right,or was the spellcheck right?
Bobby and bada
Cheers lads
AWENAW
Apart from the minor AWENAWism,they’re right.
Up to a point.
Scotland was the last major association to outlaw the tackle from behind. The culture behind it is still there.
It won’t change until the rules are properly applied.
BMCUW
Y do you ask?
Henderson showed some moments of quality and overall his passing was above average. There are many aspects of his game he needs to improve significantly if he is to become a first team regular. I don’t really see him as a defensive lying midfield player or a box to box as he doesnt have that destroyer instinct and/or physical make up. If he is playing in a forward area he will need to show more quality and more consistency with his end product.
When are the English Association going to outlaw the two-footed, off the ground launch tackle from the front?
Football in the raw-ho!
Thoughts on LH display last night, i don’t think his future is with us maybe Hibs at best. he is always available for a pass but apart from the free kick pass for our goal his distribution is generally poor, his tacking leaves a lot to be desired and he picks up yellow cards to frequently for my liking.
EMBRAMIKE SUPPORTING RES 12 on 21ST DECEMBER 2016 10:06 AM
Latest from JJ has an interesting last para comment on Res12 …
https://johnjamessite.com/2016/12/21/going-for-55-a-crock-from-a-crook/
==========
He does stretch imagination past breaking point. Legal fund to pursue Res12 is one example. Not that a case to raise one does not exist but the cash doesn’t.
That the requistioners were being played as in ridden like horses by the clever Board.
Who is in the dock now? The horses or the jockeys?
In any case a race is never entered without some protection for the horse. This one is no different.
JJ does put some daft ideas out there but does reach the parts Celtic blogs don’t with stuff from those blogs.
Every cloud etc.
No hecklers for p67 for not mentioning res 12 today?
https://youtu.be/ZSfgCIGd7k4
It’s not a bad listen actually.
BMCUW
In fairness to Wayne Biggins he was probably past his best when he played in the year before Fergus,
Phrase usually used to describe a sub-standard football player whose shooting ability leaves a lot to be desired. A variation on the classic phrase:”Couldn’t hit a barn door from 10 paces”.
Frequently heard from the Jungle
“That Biggins fellow appears to be a waste of money. He couldn’t hit a cow’s a**e with a banjo.”
Anybody remember when we tried to make Craig Beattie a fullback
Hilarious
BARRYBHOY
I remember PAUL Wurhurst mainly as we were close to signing him
when he was center half.
Last minute he pulled out and following season as
a “temporary” center forward scored about 30 goals.
From the Stoke Sentinel
“THERE are Stoke fans of a certain age who rate Wayne Biggins’s departure in October 1992 as more painful than breaking up with their first girlfriend.
She could take the Jimmy Nail CD, the Commitments poster, the cat, and it still didn’t hurt as much as ‘Bertie’ kissing his badge after scoring at Mansfield … and then running off to shack up with Barnsley.”
http://etims.net/?p=10622
Ron67
I don’t want to start a bandwagon rolling on LH but I’ve never seen anything in the lad that I saw in say James Forest and Stuart Armstrong and I still haven’t given up on GMS., Just a bit more upper body strength could make all the difference there as I think it has with SA.
Does dontbrattbakinanger no longer post on the blog? I hope he is well.
BEATBHOY
Ask what? Lost me,mate.
BMCUW
Very shortly, I mean today, I WILL get a mail out to you .
Sincere apologies for my ignorance. Been a bit manic here, but busy transferring facilities in Sheffield. Surrender date was tomorrow for old buildings, so been crazy trying to get out one place and into another with dilapidation, dealing with contractors etc. Complete though… so …. breathe.
Auldheid on 21st December 2016 2:20 pm
I will donate 3k to any fund that wants to take Resolution 12 to CAS
Any UK court forget it . Waste of time and Money
HH
TONYDONNELLY
That is amazing!
8yo and singing in a foreign language anaw.
I can think of a few “standards” by the likes of Nina Simone-and I would never sully her name with comparisons-that would be right up her street.
8yo,Radio 2 inflicted the St Winifred School Choir on me last night. Some difference.
AWE_NAW_NO_ANNONI_OAN_ANAW_NOO on 21ST DECEMBER 2016 2:34 PM
Auldheid on 21st December 2016 2:20 pm
I will donate 3k to any fund that wants to take Resolution 12 to CAS
Any UK court forget it . Waste of time and Money
HH
I think the only way we will get justice,is as you have suggested,Crowdfunding it.HH
TWISTSNTURNS
No rush,mate.
You know how to celebrate Christmas,eh?
No socks or aftershave for you,no indeed. Nothing less than a new factory will do!
Good luck with it.
!!Bada Bing!! on 21st December 2016 2:36 pm
Ersatz Season Ticket money and publicise it. That will help also
HH
AWENAW,BADA
Who we gonna sue?
Rangers,UEFA,SFA,the board,all of them?
If the board aren’t gonna play ball,we either get rid of them or Res 12 is FUBAR’d.
And we aren’t gonna get rid of them. We can despise them all we want,but they despise us too. We turn up for them,they don’t turn up for us.
I think they’re outdespising us.
https://www.balls.ie/football/jerome-rothen-rangers-celtic-park/354976
You better believe Celtic Park has got some sort of power
BMCUWP,
Can only be Celtic
UEFA and the SFA have invited Celtic PLC to play their part.
The PLC have refused not to.
HH
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 21ST DECEMBER 2016 2:42 PM
AWENAW,BADA
Who we gonna sue?
Could the Celtic Board be sued,for a lack of governance? Smarter bhoys on here might know? If we could have CAS force the issue with the SFA,Reagan etc,it would be well worth it.HH
Meanwhile On the weather front!!! CSC
Awe Naw beat me to it……;]
Asked Mrs BT to phone for tickets for a cup replay and told her anywhere but the Wayne Biggins stand(temp) so she does as she ways told and the girl on the phone at Celtic park started laughing when she realised K was none the wiser when saying anywhere but Wayne Biggins stand…
We best Hibs that replay
BMCUWP
“I think they’re outdespising us.”
LOL!
Classic!!!
:)
Pope John Paul the 2nd was a goalkeeper.
as was the great Pavarotti
PJ2 was great at crosses.
BSR
I am a fan
Two Parisienne policemen taking a call on their radio,saying that there is a guy running from Notre Dame Cathedral shouting “Celtic are rubbish”One pf the policemen says to his mate”Is there a description”.His mate says,”The reception is bad,but I think he has a slump”
ESMERELDACSC.
BADA,AWENAW
Sueing the club fuxitup big time in the eyes of every other Celtic supporter out there.
It will be the biggest own-goal since Bomber Jackson on 21-5-79.
There is only one way to get at them,and that is by uncovering what they have to hide. They’re not pursuing it for a reason. And that’s what the reason is.
Find that,they’ll fold.