Scoring minutes after making your debut doesn’t guarantee a great career at a club, but Scott Sinclair gave himself an excellent start with his winning goal at Tynecastle. Leigh Griffiths lead-up work was magnificent. The Hearts defence had no answer.
Scott’s transfer took weeks (and a lot of money) to complete but it was the player’s tenacity to come to Celtic which decided the matter. I hear Celtic met Aston Villa’s initial target price early in the negotiations, but Villa decided to hold their cards for a few weeks in an attempt to induce other bidders. Scott was clear from the off that there was only one place he was going, but while Villa sat tight, there was a worry that another club would come in with a seriously large wage offer. The deal happened when the player continued with the mantra, “I’m going to Celtic or nowhere”. This is a guy who really wants to play for Celtic.
Apart from Tony Watt’s excellent chance yesterday, which should have brought Hearts level, the home side didn’t have a chance worthy of the name. A policy of throwing yourself to the ground inside the box doesn’t count, so we can be happy with how our defence is performing with Kolo Toure in the team. There’s still a long way to go, but the direction of travel is clear. Watt and Conon Sammon will cause a lot of damage in the Premiership this season, but on the evidence so far, Celtic should outperform their 15 point winning margin last term.
So disappointed to hear Dave King’s £30m – £50m overinvestment isn’t going to happen until January. This guy has been so transparent. Honestly, they get what they deserve, there’s no helping or telling them. They backed a hostile takeover with a fantasy manifesto, while putting the thumbscrews on their club, to the extent it had to go cap in hand to its only source of funding, and hawk their commercial rights in the process.
As we’ve said here for years, the only people who can really damage a football club are its own supporters, in this case, with their inability to consider the consequences of the next action.
Running a football club is hard (serious understatement alert). You’re going to enjoy how Dave King finds this out.
620 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- »
ANTIPODEAN RED on 9TH AUGUST 2016 10:31 AM
Saltires,
Very close to the mark on Craig Gordon, nothing more important than playing with a settled back four and definitely a solid and settled central pair, interesting that his best time was with Virgil and Jason in front of him. I think that he has played with 5 different partnerships in the four CL qualifiers and the Hearts game, get the central pairing sorted and Craig will get back to his best. As for his positioning at corners, starting point should be a couple of yards behind the line of the penalty spot, that’s pretty much how I played it in over 30 years between the sticks, hands up to make yourself seem bigger.
========================================================================
Similar positioning in anticipating a cross from a wide position ?
” JAMESGANG’S Niece in the sky with diamonds.”
Very good ,indeed, Kev. I am sure the Gentle Giant will like that one 0:-))
Good to see you back,
JJ
MacJay
With respect…..Oh Dear
Common knowledge is a dangerous thing mi amigo, very dangerous.
For starters, even the western media are NOT saying that the state sponsored the athletes to take drugs, but you are, they are saying that the lab that ” Lost ” the samples is state sponsored, even though that can be argued, a massive difference to what you are saying.
It’s the same the world over, WADA for example is state sponsored, they even get money from Russia.
I see you never had any thoughts on the western athletes who have been banned for doping and are taking part in the games, but they are not Russian so it’s fine Eh, Oh Dear again.
What about the Spanish judge who ordered hundreds of doped blood samples to be destroyed, footy players n all, state sponsored doping….no, state sponsored cover up, like is happening all over the world, yet you believe the pish you are fed, and you even embelish it to suit your agenda.
Politics and sport, you just can’t separate them.
HH
ROY CROPPIE
I trust Lucy got her Mum’s good looks as well as her brains(!)
A resounding WELL DONE and CONGRATULATIONS for her achievements.
And that goes for everyone who got their results today.
Including Miss Philbhoy and my niece.
Really proud of you all.
ROY CROPPIE on 9TH AUGUST 2016 10:06 AM
Lucy is a swot…..
Well done all our Bhoys and Ghirls who have done well in their exams.
Winning Captains Jnr has had a very good morning and has accepted his place at Stratchclyde University to study law. He joins his big brother there who is going into his final year studying Physics.
Must have got their brains from their mum!
Including Miss CRC and Jamesgang’s niece,natch.
CELTICROLLERCOASTER
_________________________
Wow, just wow!
Caity in the sky with diamonds – CSC
Hail Hail Amigo
YNWA
Must have missed the bit were it said Vorm was to replace Craig.
Can you imagine what it would be like on here if one of the 2 keepers left in the first team squad got an injury also.
We need another keeper simples, if Brendan wants a new first choice one then fine, Big Craigie will have to fight it out with him for first choice, win win if you ask me.
H.H
CRC
Clever kids around.
I blame the schools. And especially the teachers!
HH jamesgang
TET
Quite agree with your general point that doping involving some countries ( those `we` don`t like) will be highlighted much more than others. I don`t recall the Paula Radcliffes of the sporting world denouncing Linford Christie for failing a drugs test.
JJ
THE EXILED TIM on 9TH AUGUST 2016 10:36 AM
“For starters, even the western media are NOT saying that the state sponsored the athletes to take drugs ”
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/18/sport/russia-doping-sochi-2014-olympic-games-rio-2016/
=========================================================================
As I said , the distinction is state sponsorship.
Proved against the Russian state.
I made no other comment about any other nation or individual.
WC
Congrats to WC jnr on the uni placement and hug from SS :-). Which one did he prefer? How is TG?
KevJ-thank you, how r u keeping?
BMCUWP-got your mail and will respond soon.
HH
CRC
HOT SMOKED
______________
The blog is brimming with undiluted pride.
Magical.
Going off oot before I put my foot in it ;-)
Take care fellow Tim.
YNWA
…..bye…..
DAVIDOPOULOS
Cheers for the video I’ll check it out.
“I think if signed he would be good competition for Gordon, however I’m not convinced he is better.”
You might well be right on Vorm but if he does sign then you’ve got to go with Brendan’s judgment as obviously he’s now worked closely with both keepers.
BTW, I’m no Gordon basher. I think he’s been an excellent signing on a free transfer though it’s a vital position one I’m all for strengthening. HH.
Macjay,
Depending on the circumstance, sometimes you have to cover the front post if the opposition players are in that vicinity or drop a bit deeper if there are more of them coming in at the back post, it doesn’t help when your defenders are posted missing as par the Astana away goal and Tony Watt’s chance on Sunday. It can be quite difficult to cover the ground if you get caught to far out of position, I think he gets it right more often than not, you know that keepers usually get slaughtered for losing goals at the near post.
CELTICROLLERCOASTER
_________________________
I’m fine, apart from inside my cranium ;-)
Hope you and yours are well too.
Well done again.
HH
….laters…..
Any updates on Res 12 boys or are we still waiting on Celtic/UEFA to get their fingers out?
Ellboy
Yeah, absolutely. He knows these players, so he is the best judge. Vorm is good with his feet, that would add a different dimension to our play perhaps?
50 shades of green
Certainly A.N. Other keeper is required after the injury to Bailly.
CELTICROLLERCOASTER
Thanks,bud. Driving me demented,it is!
Roy Croppie
Well done to Lucy – my own Fin did same very pleased for him.
5 As at Higher – No mean feat!
Looks like congratulations for some clever young people on here! Well, done to all who have achieved their goals. For those who didn’t quite reach their desired mark, my wife left school (unofficially) at 14 without a qualification to her name. She now has her Degree, a Post Graduate Qualification and every Professional Qualification she can have, so it’s never too late!
I don’t think we should be confusing Celtic’s need for a new No; 2 at No: 1 with Craig Gordon’s alleged form.
The keepers mentioned are strictly secondary to Craig Gordon and won’t get near his jersey.
KEVJ
Take yer frustrations out on here,mate. Stay strong.
JJ
If it wasn’t Russia it would be someone else, the double standards are a disgrace, what is worse is the people who actually believe it.
HH
……………………………………………..
MacJay
Proved against the Russian State, HaHaHaHaHaHa. That was instead of an Oh Dear.
The fact you get your state sponsored news from the likes of CNN says it all.
HH
bournesouprecipe
The keepers mentioned are strictly secondary to Craig Gordon and won’t get near his jersey.
———————————————————————–
Spot on. Vorm is too elfin to reach BFG Craig’s jersey :D
NB: all these jibes about Vorm’s height are just a joke…
Fantastic to read of the kids doing so well. Such an important time in their lives. My only daughter ( 30 now) went to Stirling to study Politics and Languages. She must have been 18 months into her study and informed me , rather nervously, she was bored and felt she wanted to switch courses. “To what”? I asked
“Nursing”
Her anxiety centred around her feeling that I’d wasted money leaving her somewhat guilty.
I must admit I was a little uncertain that she was making the right choice but I told her it was her life and she must do what she felt was correct.
Anyway, she graduated some years later and has since expanded into treating and caring for those affected by dementia. Indeed she is now a UK ambassador for dementia sufferers.
Added to that she trained to deal with children affected by brain injury and is about to start another degree in another branch of similar type illnesses. She was awarded at a ceremony last year for her training worked in the field of dementia.
The point I’d make to all parents out there is to support the kids in their decision making and never assume you know best.
I’m extremely proud of my daughter and all she is doing. I’m so glad I didn’t persuade her to stick with the politics and languages, which in all honesty, I felt was probably a better option for her.
Parents eh! What do they know:-)
Lucy, Caitlyn and JamesGang’s niece.
Well done, see, the hard work pays off!!!
Craig Gordon is a very good goalkeeper who is injury prone.
His form has dipped a little, or has he just made a couple of mistakes?
When a keeper makes a mistake there is a consequence, when a striker makes one there is a lesser consequence, similar errors such as a loss of concentration result in hugely different consequences, but hey ho.
Regarding injuries, how many games has he missed for Celtic since joining due to injury?
Perhaps those issues are behind him?
Michael Vorm is 1.84m tall.
6feet in old money.
Doc
Michael Vorm is 1.84m tall.
6feet in old money.
—————————————————————————-
Exactly. A pint-sized onion bag protector.
So the bold Kris Commons has been left oot of the CL squad, had our last coach had the baws he wouldn’t still be at the club, shame, decent player who burned his bridges imo.
A massive well done to all those who have passed exams etc.
HH
DAVIDOPOULOS on 9TH AUGUST 2016 10:02 AM
Vorm is 32 as well!!!!
Pure ancient as well as fun-sized.
—————————————————————–
Fun-sized a reference to Mars Bars? You probaly had a wee truckle to yourself thinking this food-punning had run it’s course. I take no grate Angel Delight in letting you know it’s still…game on! :-))
ANTIPODEAN RED on 9TH AUGUST 2016 10:46 AM
Macjay,
Depending on the circumstance, sometimes you have to cover the front post if the opposition players are in that vicinity or drop a bit deeper if there are more of them coming in at the back post, it doesn’t help when your defenders are posted missing as par the Astana away goal and Tony Watt’s chance on Sunday. It can be quite difficult to cover the ground if you get caught to far out of position, I think he gets it right more often than not, you know that keepers usually get slaughtered for losing goals at the near post.
==============================================================================
Absolutely agree.
And I know it`s easy to be wise after the event with the benefit of video replay.
From memory ,there were four Celtic defenders between the crosser of the ball and the near post .
I felt he could have retreated safely and should have.
Any way it`s fun chewing the fat , particularly with someone who has been there and done that.
NatKnow
Sir, not one to be overdone, are you? Talk about raisin the steaks! You’ve bean thinking about that pun all night, haven’t chou?
Davidopoulos, a giant in my eyes, but then I’m only little.
Up and down the way that is, around ways is a different story.
WC, good news too!!!!
Looks from the maternal side as well, luckily enough:-)
Davidopoulos on 9th August 2016 10:56 am
NB: all these jibes about Vorm’s height are just a joke…
________________________________________
Agreed; we should be bigger than that!
Doc – a competition for the goalie jersey is good. But you make some good points.
Goalies, like defences are often made to look better than they are when they get plenty of protection in front of them. It’s easier to defend two or three crosses, corners and long throws in a game than to defend 10 of them. We have improved but we still need to do more to stifle our opponents getting the ball in to our box. And we give away a lot of corners in relation to the number of times other teams attack.
Gordon will look better as the team progresses and the defence settles. But I think a competitor for his position will improve him too and give us some reassurance if he gets injured.