I know you are as delighted as I am for Callum McGregor. He has matured into a very talented central midfield player. One of our most composed on the ball, his first touch creates space and opens up play.
His 11th minute goal pure gallus, to use the local vernacular. Moussa Dembele did well with his first touch and lay-off into the hole, or to be more precise, the midfield chasm. McGregor sold the Newco defence a ticket to the movies for the afternoon, rolling the ball with the inside of his football, like a carpet bowl, past the cinema contemplating Fotheringham in goal.
Long before this, Celtic imposed their will on the game. As we broke forward, television pictures showed possession stats for the match until that point; Celtic had 85% of the ball. It didn’t stop then, either. Celtic continued to pass and move, dragging hapless shadows in their wake.
I’m going to be flippant about a non-flippant subject, for a moment.
“Right, Leigh, you’re on. Get your trackie off, go to the toilet. We’re out of milk, and you know what Broonie’s like if he doesn’t get his halftime tea, so you better nip to the shop on Aitkenhead Road before you put your top on. And Leigh, bring your lanyard to get back in. Then you can replace Moussa, he’s pulled his hamstring.”
It took Leigh Griffiths 3:17 mins to appear in the technical area after Moussa gave the substitution sign to the bench. I don’t know what was going on, but is an unacceptable delay.
We had possession a few times after Leigh pitched up, but it was a further 3:38 before the ball went out of play, and we were able to compete with 11 men again. Running aimlessly infield with a man waiting to join play offers considerably less utility than knocking it long into touch.
By the time Dembele retired after 26 minutes Newco were punch drunk. Allowing them to play against 10 men for 7:05 mins gave them a breather. They were able to pass the ball for the first time in the match, recharge batteries and get forward. They were unable to do anything with that possession, but Celtic had spent 7 minutes chasing and were not quite as dominant thereafter.
Halliday’s scissor-kick on Patrick Roberts after 3 mins would have resulted in a red card on many other occasions. Scott Brown must consider his suspension appeal stands an excellent chance, if this is the bar.
That wasn’t the end of the treatment dished out to Patrick. Beerman was cautioned for another challenge would could have resulted in more severe action, but the Newco player followed this with a cynical trip on Roberts two minutes later. It should have been a second yellow. Roberts had their number and there was nothing within the rules they could do about it.
The penalty, early in the second half, was a battle between Celtic’s pacey striker, Leigh Griffiths, and Newco’s pacey defender, Tavernier. The latter was schooled by the former. Why Tavernier lunged in so carelessly inside the box will be one of the items on their new manager’s “What’s going on?” list. Griffiths is a huge resource to have on the bench waiting for his chance. He’ll be counting the minutes until Saturday comes.
We were so much on top the temptation to showboat looked irresistible. Lustig, Boyata and Simunovic all ran out of position with the ball when straightforward options were available. As a consequence of this, and similar endeavours, play was more balanced in the final 20 minutes.
When you are so far ahead, there is a temptation to take an extra touch, but that extra touch undermined the system. The Celtic team is not filled with supermen, instead they have a hugely effective system. Stick to the system and we’ll look like supermen, go off piste and it will all get a bit indulgent looking. When we were at our Fabulous Best, we did the simple things very accurately and very quickly until the final third, where we were quicker still, and even more accurate. While we practiced this plan, we were unplayable.
Both teams should improve for the rematch in five days’ time. Newco, surely, cannot be any worse, but Celtic can make more of their dominance.
Raffle for Ibrox Tickets
Do you have a ticket for Ibrox on Saturday? Me neither, but Celtic sponsor, Intelligent Car Leasing, have again given us two tickets to raffle for Mary’s Meals. To win, make a minimum donation of £5 here, then the email confirmation you receive to me, celticquicknews@gmail.com with the word “Pedro” in the subject line. Make sure you enclose sufficient contact details, we don’t have a lot of time to arrange ticket collection.
The competition closes tomorrow at 23:00, so entries will be few. I think we’re going to enjoy Saturday, so get in there.
LIMITED NUMBER OF CQN LISBON THEMED JOCK STEIN T-SHIRTS REMAINING FROM CQNBOOKSTORE.COM – HURRY WHILE STOCKS LAST!
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Marspapa
The Carnoustie Golfer said you were coming over sometime soon, looking forward to a game with you and the mad mhan :-)
HH
setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox on 23rd April 2017 @ 11:38 am
Off to watch this in good company.
I remain confident but not complacent about today. I think the risk of mibbery is much higher in the league game at Ibrox or, if today goes well, in one of our two remaining encounters with Aberdeen.
So I am setting my paranoia to low today and expecting a show.
Catch yiz later
I posted this 20 odd minutes before yesterday’s game. I immediately jumped into my car and headed to my brother’s house to watch the game with him as he had become largely bed-bound these past few weeks.
Little did I know as I grabbed my mobile phone from its overnight charge, there were already two missed calls and three text messages that I had not seen. Arriving at my brother’s house I was welcomed only by his two dogs as I let myself in. On finding the house empty, I feared the worst, checked my phone and phoned my nephew, his son.
He told me the story of how my brother had complained of pain earlier that morning and, as it worsened, his wife arranged for an ambulance to take him to hospital while my nephew was charged with informing the rest of the family. The news, on arrival at hospital was good. They confirmed that a stroke seemed the likely explanation but he was now sitting up and talking and doing fine, it seemed. I was re-assured and we agreed that no-one else needed to attend the hospital at present. I returned to my car to drive home and watch the match and as I turned the ignition, I was greeted with news of Callum’s goal and the mood matched the hopeful news I just heard.
Arriving home I caught the end of the first half and was watching the first few minutes of the second half with my son when my mobile was called again. I took the call in the hall and immediately received the terrible news that my brother had relapsed and died, despite all efforts to save him. As the news sank in, I could hear the faint strains of the living room TV announcing the scoring of a penalty by Scott Sinclair. This time, the moods didn’t match.
I remember little else of the day bar the support of family and the sensitivity and care of all the hospital staff. In the midst of visiting the hospital to see my brother at peace, I had to break off and visit my elderly mother who was in the same hospital, completely unaware that her eldest child had passed that same afternoon only a hundred or so yards away in another part of the same building. As she suffers from dementia and even though she can carry out a lucid conversation without any later retention of what’s been said, we did not tell her anything that could only upset her and every member of our extended family who visited and put on their brave face in her company, were small quiet heroes to me.
As were the people who left the messages I came home to on CQN.
Don’t let anyone believe that these were maudling or ritual practices; they were helpful and appreciated and, I hope, have given me the strength to face these next few days when I must bury another one of my heroes, my older brother, Danny, who taught me so much about this world and how to live in it. I will need his strength and wisdom to get through this next period.
And I have no doubt that he would have cheered Scott Sinclair’s goal to the rafters.
Thank you CQN for your thoughts and prayers.
St Stivs,
See some childish wag has tagged someone in the Sevco area of the Directors Box ‘Craig Whyte’.
Canamalar
Naw he wisnae ;-)))
See my post above about his contribution to McG’s goal.
Tavarnier was going across to cover but remembered what happened when he left Sinky at Hogmany game.
As the ball goes forward to Moussa Tavs looks over his shoulder and see’s Sinky behind him wide open so checks and leaves a huge central area for McG to pass ball into the net.
Game intelligence at it’s finest
Hi all
http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/celtic-2-the-rangers-0-by-numbers/
Looking at the numbers, there were actually few stand out individual performances, and even the team stats were nothing amazing. But cup semi’s are always treacherous and to get through with such comfort is probably all that matters.
Enjoy.
HH
SFTB
Stay strong mi amigo, it’s never easy but you have to, Danny would expect it from you.
HH
YNWA
Corky: but much as I hate to admit it this guy was a fair good looking dude.
Ye big softie:-)
SFTB
Hopefully you and your family can help each other through this difficult time.
May Danny Rest in Peace
Setting free
Lovely poignant post
HH
GORDYBHOY64-yes please mhate be my pleasure -:))
Almore
I think Corky might be going through a mid (late ?) life crisis
Coming on here with his homo erotic rantings.
You know the expression…I love humping the huns….will someone explain to him that its not meant to be taken literally
SFTB
Condolences T. Did’nt realse your brother had passed away .
Thoughts and prayers for you and yours .
Marspapa,
Well, well, well… I have been ‘at the coalface’ in Wales this past nine months, other than the fleeting visits to the Quack in Halfway (and other obligations) and you grudge me a wee break in my adopted homeland, and BTW it is +90 Deg C… and their isnae any cider to be had.
Dusky maiden; to whom do you refer… V, is it? She would rather be in the Amen Corner chippie on a Friday night belting out Celtic songs whilst waiting on our special supper(s)… Rocket!
See that wee comment on the blog the other day referring to ‘Hun infested Halfway’… Not since I have decanted from various parts of the world it’s no, and nobody there ever questions my visa status, well other than yon wee neb in the library, you know, her that looks like Laura Broken Pie-face fae the bbc…
Saint Cadoc’s is a great wee family friendly parish… Miss it…
Now a CSC bus leaves from the Tudor home and away every week… Even their grandchildren etc.,
So, in finishing this wee missive, given that I only got up because of the noise of the A.C. and decided to pour a wee half and catch up with whatever Celtic news is out there, thanks to the wonders of modern technology, checked in on this CQN blog thing.
Appreciate the thought and a mention my friend.
+90 Deg C or no, looking forward to a visit to the Quack in Halfway end of May… PV visit on script, all being well pal.
Best to you and yours.
Right, Good Night.
Regards & Hail Hail.
TBM
SFTB
The next few days will be difficult but you have a lifetime of memories that will soon replace the sadness with much joy
Take care
SFTB,
my condolences on the loss of your big brother, remember the good times.
CORKCELT 7.45
You have been in the sun toooooooooo long
KEEP THE FAITH
SFTB
So sorry to hear about your brothers passing may
Danny rest in pest
SFTB
Shed a wee tear reading your post.
Memories are a great thing. Hold on to them.
And give your wee Ma a hug from me.
Prayers said for Danny and those he leaves behind.
God bless.
SFTB
Mainly lurk these days – noted your sad news about Danny during the S-F build up and thought I best leave it till after the game.
Thoughts and prayers with you and the family – a difficult time for all.
thoughts with you sftb, thanks for sharing
Tony
It may take time as you well know but the memories will eventually bring smiles even if tinted by sadness.
Take care buddy.
RIP Danny
MWD
THEBARCAMOLE
90 deg C??
Were you making tea?
:-)
TET
would be a pleasure mate .
I’ve spoke to lurkers from here and i-ve tried to tell how erudite , intellegent and all round good guy he is.
They have this impression of him cutting around in a gimp outfit smeared in butter ……naw a said your getting him mixed up wae …
SIPSINI …..
JC2
O’Neills will be your best bet, should be a good crowd in and as an added bonus I’ll be away..
TET
Good to see you posting!
I can confirm MARSPAPA is a lovely ghuy……………………………but a GREAT golfer!!
BE CAREFUL!
TIMALOY29/5:30pm-BRAZIL IS A FUD,he thinks if he says hail hail enough that means he knows his stuff,a clown
Fairhill Bhoy,
good man i will arrange a catch up with you yhrough the blog
SFTB’s, eloquent as always, may your brother rest in peace.
And may each of those he has left behind mourn and miss him, but be comforted in each other, and in the love you had for each other.
Stay strong.
And, if I may, a very brave decision to protect your Mother, small quiet hero’s indeed.
Setting Free The Bears
My most sincere condolences on the loss of your brother Danny. I hope you and your family will find strength to go through difficult times.
SFTB-thoughts with you and family mate
SFTB
So sad for you and your family to have to endure this.
It gets easier with time.
God bless you and yours especially your mother.
KEEP THE FAITH
PHILBHOY, on the ball…39 Deg C…
Just checking to see who (if anyone) reads my inane but thankfully infrequent ramblings…
Ask MARSPAPA about his ‘hole in one’ at LARKHALL…
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
THEBARCAMOLE
Another hole in one?
He is that good!
SFTB,
prayer said for you and your family.
RIP Danny
sftb
Still thinking about you and your family, and hope to see you soon.
It’s very sore when you lose your big brother, mine took me to see Celtic and I think of him fondly, every time we play.
Hail Hail
It gladdens my heart to see a post from TBM .
May game of golf then into the PV for one or two sounds mighty fine to me .
V, belting out the soldiers song in a chippie in halfway would be something to behold :))
See ye soon pal .
Take care .
SFTB: Very sad time for you and your family so will keep you in my thoughts.
Yorkbhoy thanks
Actually in Richmond but nephew and my Bhoys wanted to go through to York for some reason ( they go to racing when we are down)
Would have thought Newcastle Irish Centre might have been a better bet
But thanks anyway