Don’t give me any semi-final chat for now, we have a league game ahead, the biggest threat to which is to take your eye of what’s in front of us. For the next six days, the season is one game long.
St Mirren did their homework before coming to Celtic Park yesterday. The Paisley club are five points adrift at the foot of the Championship but for almost an hour were as compact and competitive as any Premiership club against Celtic this season.
There was nothing particularly innovative about their strategy; two banks of four, which seldom had more than five yards between them, with a couple of runners trying to occupy Celtic’s back line, but it wasn’t until the introduction of Patrick Roberts, and, crucially, Leigh Griffiths, that Celtic’s shape was up to the task.
Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair were double-marked throughout as St Mirren sacrificed control down their left. We are at the stage of the season that there can be few surprises from any team, and certainly not from these two. The challenge for Celtic is to exploit other areas of the field.
While Brendan Rodgers was right to give credit to St Mirren for their performance, from what I gather there was a bit of an inquest behind closed doors. We lost a goal to a straightforward set-piece, could easily have been two down early in the second half, and created very little before the opening goal.
Much of the afternoon took on a familiar ‘Celtic treble upset’ look. You and I have been here before. Many times. We got away with it this time, partly because we were playing a team at home who have won only four of 25 Championship games this season, but mostly because we have so much in the tank this season we can raise our game.
St Mirren have marked a few cards; no game can be taken for granted.
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I’m torn over Garners boot on Imrie
GO TELL THE SPARTIM
Me too.
I wasn’t sure whether it was a straight red or if he should have been lifted by the polis for assault.
The tactic that Jack Ross and St. Mirren adopted yesterday that got Neil McCann so excited is not a new one. Teams did this early last season with Dedryk. They picked up all other Celtic players and left Dedryk alone with the ball because his distribution was so poor. His distribution has improved markedly since then but it can still improve further. I felt, yesterday, the problem was that he had a lack of options when he was bringing the ball out of defence because of a lack of movement from our players. When Britton started to move towards Dedryk and make himself available, Dedryk’s distribution started to improve. The introduction of Patrick and Leigh gave us much better movement and gave the St. Mirren players new problems to contend with beacause we started running at them and their discipline suffered.
I feel that it’s still ok for Dedryk to bring the ball out of defence just as long as the players in front of him drag their opponents around and different Celtic players take turns to make themselves available to the big man for a pass. It wasn’t happening yesterday.
*Britton = Bitton
* beacause = because
!!BADA BING!! on 6TH MARCH 2017 1:23 PM
Boyata has been outstanding since coming back in to the team, some need to stop micro managing every ball, to try and prove he is ‘a bomb scare’, so they can prove a point.Support the guys in the hoops.
—–
Misplaced a few early on and went to sleep for their goal. However he has been brilliant recently and was solid enough after said issues. I watched the rerun last night and I noticed EBT McCann was suggesting der Huns should leave the big man on the ball. Ignorance at best from that muppet. Anyway on a separate matter I think the big fella is odds on for a bullet headed goal this Sunday. That lot can’t defend anything that comes into their box. Roberts deliveries yesterday were very good, Boyata will fancy it and looks good for an anytime goal.
Looking ahead to next week I’ve got Boyata for a certain goal, Sinclair certain goal and Moussa certain hattrick, Armstrong will score too. Anyone else?
SANDMAN
“I’m not sure there is one”
Isthat the ST STIVS search for a handsome hun?
Just booked a week at Cascais, 20 to 27 May. Will toddle along to Estadio Nacional on 25th. Expect will be more Celtic fans there than when I visited two years ago.
Kenny Miller hattrick !!
The Tim Reaper.
The Griff of course.
VFR800 @ 12:!8
Thanks for your reply.
I can see merits in both models (of social housing).
My one concern with large-scale council housing provision is to do with scale, especially in large conurbations, like Glasgow: I’m inclined to favour local responsibility and accountability.
Nor, like you, am I impressed by the GHA model: I have a feeling GHA is simply too big and (based on conversations I have had over the years with an acquaintance who is a senior manager in the organisation), alarmingly unaccountable in several areas of activity (despite supposedly being monitored by the Scottish Housing Regulator, and being [in name at least] a registered Scottish charity and, therefore, monitored by OSCR).
The ominous phrase ‘too big to fail’ also springs to mind.
I note also that (in some parts of Scotland) genuine efforts are being made towards better co-ordination between housing associations and councils, to try improve options for those who want to move to a different area, without wholly jeopardising their existing housing rights.
I also understand that larger social housing providers should be better placed to address issues such as homelessness and anti-social behaviour.
No matter which way you look at it, though, the sector is pretty obviously in sore need of additional income.
Which I would suggest is an open goal for any genuinely progressive political party …
VIP
Guys,
I’m on my lunch so a flying visit:
Jim Devine’s (Eldiegobhoy) Requiem Mass will be on Friday, Our Lady’s and St. Mark’s, 10:00 in Alexandria. Paul I think was going to post the details. Anyway, Sananbhoy is going to arrange a tribute on the big screen on 05th April, Partick game. He and I are going to arrange for a “CQN” wreath. To help cover the cost, £90 (as it is letters – “CQN”).
If any of you want to contribute please e-mail me at lennybhoycfc@gmail.com
As I say I am on lunch but will reply this evening with Bank details.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Oops, Sanabhoy.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Oh snd Mckay for s double with lee wallace chipping in a single
So a 7-6 cliffhanger on the cards .
Paddy Roberts might have a difficult choice ahead of him ( IF ) we beat Rangers in the cup
SC final clashes with the u20s world cup finals .
Hope he has to make that choice .
Great comment from yesterday on JJ
Terry Newman says:
March 5, 2017 at 11:43 am
Once again you produce a hard hitting and factual article which says it all.
But just to clarify…this isn’t new or confined to football.
I grew up in an era where putting the name of the school you attended, on an application form, was mandatory…and if said name had a Catholic connotation…well good luck with that. Although I am prepared to accept that things have changed in this regard, to a certain degree. (No pun intended.)
However, anti-Catholic and anti-Celtic sentiment is still rife in this bigoted wee country and it will be a long time before its gone…if ever.
Pay a visit to bowling clubs or certain golf clubs today and if your affiliations lie with the Pope and / or Celtic…again good luck with that.
My brother has a neighbour with whom he gets on very well. Said neighbour is a Mason and a Bluenose ( my brother is a Catholic and a Tim) and he’s a member of the local bowling Club.
My brother asked advice about becoming a member and said neighbour was extremely embarrassed when he tried to explain why that wouldn’t be a good idea…and this is 2017.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again…
My Grandpa’s favourite expression, when Celtic fan’s paranoia was brought up for discussion…
“We’re no paranoid ENOUGH !!)”
As for Craig Levein…I’m not his biggest fan…but what he did and said was praiseworthy
and he never got full credit for it.
Finally…to a certain extent, Scottish football deserves what it gets.
If Celtic and other Clubs aren’t prepared to do a Craig Levein….then hell mend them.
The Peepul will continue to piss on them from a great height.
<<<<<>>>>>
To be fair,there are a fair few on that line…
https://johnjamessite.com/2017/03/05/will-the-corrupt-inherit-the-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-34938
First log in/read for a few days. I had no idea eldiego bhoy had passed. How sad.
Thoughts with family and friends.
Ktf.
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
If Griff plays he scores. He’s so mobile the huns’ defence wont be able to cope.
I wonder what the odds are for 3 Hatricks ; Moussa, Sinky and The Tea Cake?
Terry Newman ,were did you come from,
TTR- Armstrong has put some good corners in too this season, Boyata is worth a few quid :)
okay …. I’ll be the first to admit it ….I’ve got Sevco in this week’s GFS competition …
okay … I dont really …. but dont tell GFTB ….I’m just trying to get a reaction from him! :) .
https://twitter.com/celticnewsnow/status/838763228834512897
Scare mongering already…
Everything must be done to try and keep Patrick Roberts at this club. I do not think £12m is too outrageous as he can only increase his value. In quite a number of games this season he has helped dig us out of a hole with his ability to unlock teams who have packed their defences. I seam to remember the damage he inflicted at Ibrox recently.
JHJ
I have mainly been of the view that if Patrick Roberts had not been loaned to us we would hardly have been aware of him and would certainly consider that £12 million would be better spent elsewhere than on a winger when we already had Forrest, Sinclair and GMS. I would dearly like to keep him but I am not convinced £12 million represents good value.
JJ
JHJ on 6TH MARCH 2017 2:56 PM
Everything must be done to try and keep Patrick Roberts at this club. I do not think £12m is too outrageous as he can only increase his value. In quite a number of games this season he has helped dig us out of a hole with his ability to unlock teams who have packed their defences. I seam to remember the damage he inflicted at Ibrox recently.
I agree. Shurrly he must sign, he’s getting better with more game time than he’d get at MCity and more in Europe next season.
I think the PR £12 mil fee is maybe £4-5 up fromt , with the rest appearance based and trophy add ons, if we could get him for about £5 mil i would take it.Gaurdiola might not want to sell him to a rival EPL team, in case he comes back to haunt them.
Bada
I can`t remember the expression you used to describe the microscopic examination some make in looking for a mistake from Boyata but I agreed with it !
£ 5 million for a known quantity? Should the possibility occur, I would go along with that.
JJ
Is Brother Thomson being wheeled out on Sunday, the grandmaster of hun damage limitation?
Don`t know about Brother Thomson but, and I realise the Moderator might delete me here , I thought McLean had a good game on Sunday.
JJ
Roberts won’t get near the City side, Sterling, De Bruyne, Sane, Silva, Jesus are all outstanding. I don’t think he has the physical stature to be a regular at any premier league team. He should stay here and continue his development. I would suggest either another 1 year loan or a transfer in the region of £5m with possible add ons and giving City a first buy back option.
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL
Can’t see Sinky being rested, he’s Brendan’s Bhoy and I doubt he’s the kinda player who wants to be out of them Team.
I for one wouldn’t rest him until the Treble is won..
Smashing player..
HH
Cheers Jim, hope you are well HH
BADA and HOCK, There will be many ‘brothers’ on and off field doing their best for Sevco.
I love Paddy Roberts.
He I far better than Forrest ,who is far better than GMS.
I want us to keep him.
I just get the feeling the Bhoy doesn’t see his long term future at Celtic.
TT
Bada
I grow worried when anyone hopes I am well 0:-))
JJ
PS I am 0:-) ( well, not worried !)
SP- agree mate, Brendan will play his strongest team until we lose a game.
Craig Thomson will be wrapped in cotton wool and kept fresh for the Semi Final.
This weekend the ref will be….
Doesn’t really matter does it?