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. For all their possession and territorial advantage, I can’t remember the Sevco keeper needing to make a single save worthy of a mention.

     

     

    I hate watching Euro sides trying to manage a close game v this mob.

     

     

    And then the Spaniards score….lol

     

     

    💪💪

  2. Watching tav read instructions on a post it for 5 mins was the highlight. Amateur hour. Pity it didn’t say watch your back post.

  3. They’re an absolute atrocious football team. They’ve no idea how to play the game. Defend in numbers, feign injury, long throws and long balls is all they’ve got.

     

     

    I’d give up watching football if I had to watch the Huns every week. They’re dire.

  4. The Blogger Formerly Known As GM on

    Not saying they were shoite, but I didn’t think Bilboa were up to much.

  5. I have to say my highlight was the lads in the Celtic tops with tricolors – well done to our Catalan cousins!

  6. Deniabhoy @ 9:57

     

     

    More Celtic fans in the ground at FT than at CP.

     

    ——————————————————————

     

    😂😂😂👏

     

     

    FFS…don’t get him started! 🤣🤣🤣

     

     

    HH

  7. Marvellous.Who is the sickest between Rory and Ally?.Delicious pain.

     

    That’s another route to the CL cut off.Ochone ochone.

  8. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    Will be interesting to see how Spurs now manage their domestic obligations.

     

     

    Not even close to European qualification by League position.

     

     

    Champions League carrot is huge.

  9. So Sevco are out. The media and sevco fans assured us that thursday evenings are when Sevco come alive. I just checked the calender , it is definately Thursday so thats rubbish. They also said that because the final is at Athletico’s home ground that would put them under extra pressure even although they were playing at home. That was crap as well. There not called the gullible and deluded for nothing.

  10. CORKCELT on 17TH APRIL 2025 10:13 PM

     

    TexasTim, They are not Catalans they are Basques

     

     

    Ha ha – thanks CorkCelt, I nearly googled to remind myself but got lazy.

     

     

    Will do 100 lines as self-punishment…

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