Something extraordinary

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Since Brendan Rodgers’ arrival in 2016, Celtic have played 27 games at Hampden, suffering only one defeat.  Three of those games went to penalties (against Hearts, Aberdeen and Newco), with Celtic managing to win each of them.  The only blot on the record was the extra-time loss in the 2022 Scottish Cup semi-final against Newco.

The ‘neutral’ venue has become anything but; we have also lost one of our last 27 domestic games at Celtic Park (two, if you count European ties).  Lots of ingredients go into a successful run like this.  Hampden cup ties bring their own intensity, and the more you experience this, the better adjusted you will be.

There is also a reinforcement effect of winning.  “We win here” must be front of every Celtic player’s mind when they walk out the tunnel.  I also suspect that Celtic can raise their game above their normal performance level.  The player’s attitude was questioned by the manager after the defeat to St Johnstone earlier this month; there is no chance of an attitude deficit on Sunday.

The years between 2010 Brendan arriving in 2016 were not so kind.  Ross County beat us at Hampden in the Scottish Cup and League Cup.  Rangers and Kilmarnock beat us in finals, while there were semi-final losses to Hearts, St Mirren and (controversially) Inverness.

That’s seven defeats in a period which saw us win eight times at Hampden.  It is almost impossible to gain perspective when you are in the middle of something extraordinary, but leaving Hampden as winners 26 times from 27 visits is astonishing.

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  1. PARKHEADCUMSALFORD on 17TH APRIL 2025 8:20 PM

     

    TONTINE TIM,

     

     

    Did they really do that to the Sagrada Familia? I didn’t think even they would be as low as that.

     

     

    *it was in the Glasgow Herald at the time

     

     

    By the way, thinking of Hugh McIlvanney and John Rafferty brought to mind an article in The Times (of London) by Geoffery Greene (I think) about 1970. It was the occasion of Bobby Moore’s testimonial. He urged his readers to get down to Upton Park to watch the Lions to see how football should be played. No higher praise possible in England at the time.

     

     

    *I recall that game, the goals were shown on the BBC late night news, 3-3

  2. Right on HT.

     

    Huns will need to go forward now. Defended well so far to be fair to them but ATL have missed 2-3 great chances.

  3. i do not think bilbao are shite at all.

     

     

    several good passages of play, 3 great chances, what is lacking is composure in front of goal.

     

     

    job half done.

  4. Bhoyjoebelfast on

    Well that goal has silenced Hamilton and McCoist….wait for the ‘so called’ challenge on Missers and torn shirt incident that will be the main topic of conversation.

  5. The Blogger Formerly Known As GM on

    Phew. For all their possession, the Spaniards were looking pretty toothless until the penalty.

     

     

    Huns playing 2 banks of 5 out of possession. Will be interesting to see if they come out and play thereby giving the Spaniards more space to exploit.

     

     

    They are anti-football. Scoring first is essential.

  6. Constant pressure,had to pay off.Atleti playing well.Huns defending with lots of luck.

     

    Just have to be careful,for their breakaways second half.

     

    Terrible advert for Castore.The slightest tug had Dessers strip in tatters.😃😃😃

  7. bigrailroadblues on

    Good evening all from the Victoria Bar. A jolly gathering of Tims and not so happy hun. Bilbao really are not very good. The hun not out of this.

  8. Williams a different player this week.Must have read my comments last week,when he wis telt !!!!!..😉

  9. Terrible advert for Castore.The slightest tug had Dessers strip in tatters.😃😃😃

     

    i thought the same, but also he was no where near the ball, what are they wowling about.

  10. The Blogger Formerly Known As GM on

    In their desire to win penalties, it looks like the huns have resorted to wearing strips made of paper!!

  11. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    Spurs doing well.

     

     

    Really poor refereeing at the penalty.

     

     

    He is literally 10 yards away and gives nothing.

     

     

    VAR intervened.

     

     

    The force of the contact on Maddison was truly appalling.

     

     

    Should have been a red.

     

     

    Football is miles behind rugby union when it comes to punishing head contact.

  12. glendalystonsils on

    Those shitey Castore shirts tear like paper ……..nae penalty !

     

     

    Bilbao should not lose this tie now .

  13. fourstonecoppi on

    Heard a load of Bilbao fans in the pub at the weekend putting Iberico ham they’d brought with them on Mortons rolls

     

     

    Quality!

  14. fourstonecoppi on

    can’t believe they’re a La Liga Team they haven’t a clue going into final 3rd, Huns equalise here they’ll fold

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