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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Our dilemma of late has been that we are too good for Scotland and not good enough for the CL. If Brendan Rodgers continues to improve us at the rate as he has done so far, we can compete in the CL in spite of not having the ridiculous riches of the `Big Teams `in that competition,
JJ
I’ll be one happy clapping Tim if Paddy Roberts stays with us, cracking player with a sharp fitbaw brain..
A joy to watch.
Paddy if yer looking in, stay with us Matey !!
Tinytim
I totally agree, but if we could purchase the guy and at least get our money back in 2-3 years time maybe that would keep player, fans and Peter Lawwell happy.
DAVIDOPOULOS
Bobby Madhun come on down:))
HOT SMOKED on 6TH MARCH 2017 3:54 PM
‘Our dilemma of late has been that we are too good for Scotland and not good enough for the CL’
###
This is an issue.
Maybe once the league is wrapped up a couple of European friendlies could be arranged.
Davidopoulos
It would be interesting to see the result of any poll which asked fans of ALL Scottish Premier Clubs if they would rather have referees from outside Scotland . I suspect Celtic fans would support the idea !
JJ
DavidO- Ron B- I think the pitch will be our hardest opponent on Sunday.The poor first half yesterday has come at a good time IMO, and Brendan can use it to give a few bhoys a shake before Sunday.
The Roberts conundrum!!
He will not get in the City first team
So for PR there is no point going back there
Options are
City extend his contract then loan him back to us – No fee for Celtic and City protect their asset
Celtic look to buy ?? Expensive for Celtic
PR goes on loan to a English PL club – City get to see his potential (but they did that with Denayar!) and lost value in him
PR becomes part of a swap deal (not saying Celtic would do this ) Dembele for PR plus cash or another one or two players
Who knows !! But I hope he stays
And I hope he learns to use his right foot
67ECW
starry plough
I keep wondering when Sloth from The Goonies will get his first one. I think it will be Willie Collum this weekend so that when they get humped they can blame it on the fella who isn’t really “one of their own”.
Hot Smoked
As long as it isn’t the ref from the Man Utd – Bournemouth game at the weekend I would support that too!
!!Bada Bing!!
I think a few got a good shake at half time yesterday!
One more thing on PR – play him against Huns at Hamoden – and just before he goes in the park remind him he has a chance to get rid of that monkey on his back when he hit the post and should have scored in last years semi
67ECW
Starry Plough
Yeah – it was just the only way I could see GMS getting a game in the wide left position.
Maybe Brendan will do what NL did in 2013 – give some players a mini-break before the cup final?
FOURGREENFIELDS and BUNDORANBHOY
Thoughts and prayers from the ghirls and me at this difficult time.
Take care and God bless.
Hot Smoked on 6th March 2017 3:57 pm
Davidopoulos
It would be interesting to see the result of any poll which asked fans of ALL Scottish Premier Clubs if they would rather have referees from outside Scotland . I suspect Celtic fans would support the idea !
Hot Smoked / Davidopoulos
I have often thought that there is nothing technically stopping the SPFL from bringing in Referees of a higher standard from another country. In much the same way that Celtic can bring in e.g. Kouassi to improve the team (and get him a Work Permit), I would have thought that Home Office Legislation in Scotland would allow us to ‘poach’ higher-standard Referees from other countries who are (easily) demonstrably better than our current Referees.
(Just like players, it is probably harder for a foreign Referee to go straight to the EPL/Championship from another country, but it may be possible if they first serve their time in Scotland?)
If the SPFL body and its member Clubs are truly interested in promoting and providing the highest Refereeing Standards, and ensuring an unquestioned ‘level playing field’ and standards of integrity, then perhaps this is an idea they can implement? I won’t hold my breath though. The implementation of a scheme like this would require a level of Vision, Integrity and Bravery that I do not think the SPFL have.
Wouldn’t it be nice to go to a match where you don’t really notice the Referee and can just enjoy the game? (Unless of course you get off on berating Referees!)
Yours in Celtic,
TB&F.
Watching yesterday’s match from afar in the comfort of the armchair and also looking at Celtic in their own comfort zone of just having to turn up to dispatch a team from the bottom of league One before they got that rude awakening of almost going two goals behind. Once they got their act together the team played some sparkling football thanks to the injection of quality with Leigh Griffiths and Patrick Roberts – we need to get this lad on a permanent deal. Celtic also can forget about losing Dembelle that is if the club and Brendan Rodgers have any ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League.
Glad to see BT Sport has outbid SKY for all games in Europe for the coming seasons. They do a great job for the SPFL and for the coverage of Celtic games in particular.
Not even considering the possibility of Paddy Roberts anywhere near us after May – he’s an English boy with the burning desire to prove himself in the EPL. And he still remains labelled with the ‘promising youngster’ tag.
I think it will take a season of frustration back at Citeh before he’s mentally atuned to the long-term prospect of returning and being a Celt, and having European competition every year as compensation for the EPL glamour.
I also would be disappointed if we spent more than £4 million trying to eventually tie him up full-time; Sinclair was a snip at £4.5 mill and his impact has been more dynamic than PR, who mainly plays as a bit-player with useful cameos under Brendan.
I think he’s a terrific player -very much in Celtic tradition – but I don’t think we should bust the bank for him. £12 million = lunacy for a club in our current environment.
hankray on 6th March 2017 4:48 pm
Glad to see BT Sport has outbid SKY for all games in Europe for the coming seasons. They do a great job for the SPFL and for the coverage of Celtic games in particular.
==================================
That’s good, soon see SKY go the same way as their favourite Scotish club…
BOGNORBHOY on 6TH MARCH 2017 11:34 AM
G.M.S……..Efe…..I can remember Tommy Callaghan getting the same groans and moans…I’m sure some can remember further back…
*Aye one in particular fae my schoolboy’s days who suffered badly at the tongues of our fans.
One Guy Fawkes night in particular they were pretty venomous and on the way home on the train they were laughing about him and calling him De Stefani even though he was one of our goal scorers in a 2-2 tie to Raith Rovers.
As I have said before they were laughing on the other side of their faces 6 ½ years later.
Less than 2 months earlier they had cheered him on when he came on as a sub against 5 times European Champions Real Madrid, for the Blue and white Challenge Trophy, scored and had another chalked off.
That night big José Santamaría, Uruguayan and Spanish international centre half, nicknamed “The Wall”, didnae know what to do with him.
The following day Sir Bob announced to the press that he had found his secret weapon against the “continentals” as they were known then.
Stevie was a late developer having at the age of 20 while playing with Rob Roy been struck down with tubercular meningitis. He against all medical odds battled back and made is Celtic debut at the ripe old age of 23.
He was along with oul Ronnie the only Lisbon Lion to have completed National Service which along with his illness saw him come late into the game.
We like to point out that the “faither” was 36 in Lisbon; Stevie was only 5 years younger.
A couple of years after Stevie’s debut Motherwell’s Scottish international Andy was also struck down with the same illness and it was Stevie who would visit him in hospital encouraging him in his fight back. Andy would go on to play for the “steelmen” for another 7 years. You won’t find that in many papers.
Stevie Chalmers is not just a Celtic legend; he’s a genuinely nice guy.
Whoever the ref is for the semi final will be really hacked off that they have got the away dressing room…..
On the subject of referees, I have mentioned before that Scotland has 2 referees (Collum and Thomson) on UEFA’s Elite category referee list of just 27 referees.
Wonder why such a small league can boast the same number of ‘elite’ refs as England and Germany ? Brotherly affiliation perhaps ? Might also explain why Dallas junior was ‘fast tracked’ to UEFA without refereeing any games of note in Scotland.
And the reward for being a ‘good referee’ ? Here is the list of fees and expenses payable for UEFA refs …
http://footballrefereeing.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/salary-rise-for-uefa-referees.html#.WL2Obhh0c3g
DC Sports on Kodi has a Celtic channel, some great stuff on it ,the Sport in Question prog on moving to Cambuslang….Archie, Provan,Keevins, Kevin Kelly and Michael Kelly….on the panel, fascinating stuff looking back
JUNGLE VIP on 6TH MARCH 2017 2:11 PM
The element of local accountability comes via tenants associations and elected members; it worked well previously with the City Council and works well in other areas of the UK.
As far as the holistic approach to housing is concerned, GDC worked well with SSHA, Patrick Housing Association, West of Scotland etc. when they were smaller bodies working with a larger corporate and it meant a joined up policy; not perfect but better than it is now!
KTF
Sandman………….Giad you agree, Sky thought they had they would be the only winners in that contest. Looks like agreat future for BT Sport.
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL
I very cruelly last season proposed that Zig And Zag open a wee tearoom in the North somewhere:)) SA has stepped up and Gary had surgery so if BR rates him it’s good enough for me.
BR doesn’t strike me as the type who will rest his core crew, I might be wrong but let’s see after the league is won.
We’ve still got a big squad and much work to do. I like GMS as a player and after his beaming smile when he signed for us I really hope he makes it!
There’s nobody in the squad at the moment that I would be glad to see the back of.
Good bunch of Bhoys.
Can’t wait to see the Hoops take the (ploughed) field again:))
HH
Hot Smoked
What makes you think Celtic would be dealt any different from foreign refs . I as well as other Celtic supporters have witnessed poor refereeing decisions in European games .
I dont know if there is a meeting of club officials, the Spfl and Refs at the start of the season, this would be the time to highlight (video evidence) of the varying punishment handed out for similar offences from the previous season.
Running offield after scoring yellow card ..some get away with it
Petulance knocking the ball away after the whistle …yellow card some get away with it
Similar tackles ….one ref produces a yellow other ref produces red .
Then if you add in paranoia Celtic seem to attract the more severe punishmeant and Rangers seem to be treated leniently .
The refs are poor in most games i’ve watched but unfortunately i’ve learned to put up with it
Clubs can be the catalyst for change, until they take the fight to the Governing body fans like me and you will just keep moaning about how we wiz robbed .
Anyhoo am oaf , duties need attending to .
!!BADA BING!! on 6TH MARCH 2017 3:23 PM
You are correct; the up front cost was just under £5M and the balance in add-ons. Still a great deal for Fulham. I’m sure there is a sell-on clause as well.
SANDMAN on 6TH MARCH 2017 4:57 PM
His mother is from Scottish stock and a great fan of the Bhoys; she would love him to come to Celtic permanently. He also loves it here. I could easily see him here for £5M or so with a buy-back option for City.
You also described him as a bit-part/cameo player. He has scored 9 goals in 30 appearances and has more assists than either Sinclair or Forrest this season. Not a bad return for a “bit-part” player I reckon.
KTF
Have checked the weather forecast for the Glasgow area for the rest of the week – “light rain” for each day with some heavier bursts in the wee hours and not at lot of sunshine to dry the pitch out.
So, groundstaff get busy forking. HH
MARSPAPA on 6TH MARCH 2017 5:29 PM
No one is complaining about ‘poor’ decisions, it’s the ingrained bias that’s the issue.
Thanks to those of you that have been in touch re-wreath for Jim Devine (Eldiegobhoy). If anyone else would like to donate over the cost of the wreath and big screen tribute you can mail me at lennybhoycfc@gmail.com
Sannabhoy is arranging both for us, I am collecting any donations.
Jim will be received into Our Lady’s and St. Mark’s, Alexandria at 18:00 on Thursday. Requiem Mass 10:00 on Friday.
May God Bless his Soul.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Wonder what Sinclair’s true value is? One thing is for sure, £2.8m with add ons was one hell of a bargain.
GMS seems to be the topic of the day. It is much easier to give him the benefit of the doubt given that we won comfortably in the end yesterday. There are a few angles with which you can look at his situation. Yesterday he tried extremely hard and did press the game well. However he is obviously bereft of any confidence and that showed as soon as he missed that big chance early on. Things got progressively worse as the half went on and after Broonie gave him both barrels for going to sleep at their goal it was obvious he would make way at half time. Abuse and booing should not happen but I’m afraid growls and moaning come with the territory.
He is a firm 3rd choice after PR and JF. My own view is that he only playing because the other two have been injured. He is a good footballer at SPFL level but, i wouldn’t have much confidence in him in any big game particularly CL. Based on his career at Celtic so far i don’t think he will make the grade. The key factor is where this team is heading, mainly with a view to success in Europe. To achieve this we need players of a very high quality and with a big mentality.
If we do not sign Roberts for next season i except Brendan to bring in another winger. I may be proved wrong but i think GMS is on borrowed time at Celtic Park. It’s not a case of making him a scape goat, my view today is the same as before the game yesterday. He is what i would describe as a good Aberdeen player.
JAMESGANG-8:22am,the kid is shy, the kid is a Celtic fan??????
an teach solais
I’m glad, (and I’m sure Paul is too) that you did not split the infinitive there!
CELTIC MAC
Had thought of doing it but no in Lent!! HH
Bloggers Killed Rangers Football Club https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2017/03/06/bloggers-killed-rangers-football-club/
I wonder if Paddy would have played more games this season if he was not a loan player?
happy birthday to charlie mulgrew
I was asked the question today… Which if any of the current team would get into Man’s Seville side.
I reckoned Gordon, KT, Sinclair and maybe Brown (I see him about equal to Lennon, Lambert and Petrov, on this season’s form).
Superb performances from Paddy and Griff yesterday, their introductions had a big bearing on keeping our Treble hopes alive and kicking. I’d love to see both starting on Sunday against Sevco but I’d imaging Leigh will be kept in reserve. I see Waghorn mouthing off in the press, hopefully we shut his trap on Sunday and show him once again how much we’re ahead of them.
On a side-note Bhoys, two of us have flights booked over to Glasgow from Ireland for the weekend of the semi-final in Hampden Park. As we’re not Season Ticket holders, getting tickets will be next to impossible for us. I also understand it will be a game which tickets will be in big demand for. If anyone hears of a couple going spare, I’d be very grateful if ye could keep us in mind. Thanks.
HH from the Emerald Isle
Still reading back,why do people insist on turning this place into a party political broadcast?arseholes