My friends in Celtic, this is not a happy read. Not since Tony Mowbray was in charge 11 years ago have we been under pressure like this at the end of the year; second favourites for the title by a significant margin.
A 12 game period saw us eliminated from the Europa League at the group stage with only one win and one draw to our credit, our first defeat in the League Cup in almost five years and a number of grim performances in the league that sees us 16 points adrift with three games in hand.
Unaccustomed as we are to defeat, the shock drew protests against the manager and board and worse for players leaving Celtic Park after the Ross County defeat. Neil Lennon looked beleaguered as the board came under pressure to sack him but that campaign was itself undermined by an unexpected win against Lille, helped in no small way by the arrival of David Turnbull and Ismaila Soro in the starting line-up.
Crisis on the park added to pressures off it as the club had to cope without fans at Celtic Park since March. Whatever sporting advantage was lost due to this is nothing to the commercial consequences, that will see the club plunge into debt. Chasing their own Holy Grail, Celtic declined to sell their most saleable assets and pressed ahead with purchases in the summer. It was a gambler’s play we have not often seen from Celtic.
Champions League income was a potential salvation that Ferencvaros extinguished in a pitiful manner. Early season league form gave an indication of what was to come, then the music stopped with the visit of Newco. Celtic did not record an attempt on target and were relieved of the points by a superior opponent.
2020 was the year Celtic won 9-in-a-row for the second time. They started the year smarting from a home defeat to Newco but form after the break was imperious, while Newco did not have the legs for the race, or as their manager put it, did not have the “bottle”. The Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen was held over until November, the final, 11 days ago against Hearts, will live long in the memory.
It was a classic Celtic performance this season. Two goals ahead at halftime, Hearts bossed the second period and took the game to extra time. Again we took the lead, again Hearts levelled, but as Tommy Burns once said, “there is something about this club”. The Scottish Cup was won for the fourth consecutive time, a new record, also securing the fourth consecutive treble and Celtic’s seventh overall. We celebrated history in our homes.
That defeat to Ross County means another club will lift a trophy in 2021, the first apart from Celtic since 2016. More importantly, the record we have tracked for nine years is in trouble. Celtic’s form has improved significantly since that win over Lille, we are now back to playing the way we were early this year, but the gap at the top of the table is significant and we are up against an opponent that has lost only one game in all competitions this season.
You and I have seen Celtic come back from more difficult positions than this against original Rangers in 2007-8 and form at the corresponding stage of season 1978-9 gave no indication of how that title would be decided. But having read the story of each of our 51 league title wins, I don’t think any would match a league win in 2021 – and I include 1998 and 1966.
We are only here because we know there is something special about this club, so ‘hope in our hearts’ is not easy to extinguish, but we will find out more about our chances on Saturday.
I hope you each have a safe New Year and a healthy 2021. Take care, Paul67.
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Barkas
Frimpong Ajer Duffy Taylor
Christie Brown Soro Cal Mac
Turnbull
Eddie
DAVID66
That’s funny made me laugh 😂😂
Not your team btw , the previous post 😂
PR67 – Hail Hail
D :)
I’m still hopin’ ma big pal “LawrenceOfArabia” plucks up the courage to post………..but he’s awfy shy.
Good morning, friends. Let’s kick off 2021 as we mean to go on.
PR67 – Tgats what team I think Lenny will go with.
I would not.
I would go with
Barkas
Ajer Welsh Duffy Taylor
Frimpong Brown Soro Cal Mac
Turnbull
Eddie
Eddie for first 45 then change either shape or personnel
D :)
We’re rubbish at shys , 😜
Mon the Hoops ,
G’day
David66..Bankiebhoy..Jobo..Park Road 67..( Big J jimmy missing in action.)
Just popped in for another bottle.
STEPHENOFDERBY
Ye urny ur ye.
Back out tae the Rebs.
H.H. Mick
Game day is here again. I’m not any more or less excited than for any other game. And my usual pre match vision is that we are due to hammer some team. Today would be good.
However, in reality all I really want is for supporters of the dead club to be posting after the game “Aye, but we’re still 13 points ahead they’re never gonna catch us”. That will make me smile.
Bognorbhoy – We comment on throw ins all the time.
We always look to throw backwards which kills the momentum we gained.
Anyway let’s be possitive.
COYBIG
D :)
Good Morning Bhoys and Ghirls
Hopefully, this is the day, this is the day. COYBIG
My team thoughts:
Barkas
Ajer Duffy Jullien/Bitton Taylor
Soro
Frimpong Turnbull McGregor
Griffiths Edouard
HH
That’s THAT LawrenceOfArabia just aff the phone – he’s no gonna post furra bit til he’s feeling a bit mair gallous………he did say summit aboot The Bored, the price o’ the tickets an’ certain parts o’ the grun…………
but the line was bad an; his fax is oota paper………….
have a good go
Morning guys.
Hope we go for it today, huns are not used to teams having a go at them hence the amount of the ball Tavpen and Barasick have, thus allowing them to create so many chances. See how these guys are on the back foot.
However we need to be mindful of keeping the back door closed, I’d have Duffy (a natural defender) in before Nir. Duffy also poses a threat at corners which may prove fruitful today.
As for the left back position, I really like Laxalt’s enthusiasm but would play Taylor who is a more capable defender when needed.
HH
all the best for the newyear
COYBIG
love the leather belts lol
now and forever
no matter what its a grand old team
hun-skelping day
do it again lenny bhoy, HH
Rogic for Christie for my $0.02
In Niel we trust.
may you be happy
may you be well
may you live in peace
metta
See the coward from the banks own ! Shitebag
BANKIEBHOY1 on 2ND JANUARY 2021 9:24 AM
I enjoyed that post ~ very humourous!
The Real ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ Thomas Edward Lawrence was the dashing, romanticized British officer credited with leading the Arab revolt against the Turks during World War I — a feat depicted in the epic film Lawrence of Arabia. But his true story and legacy is still a subject of debate among historians
HH
StephenofDerby
`posting here isn’t easy because most people seem to be highly educated and awful clever. I just love the hoops.`
If you love the hoops, you are educated and clever enough.
DAVID66 and Bognorbhoy
I think most teams struggle with throw ins now.We notice it more with our team because they are our team.
I remember a mate of mine ,from many years back, who was not particularly interested in football ( this was in Eastbourne) and he asked: Seeing as the team taking the shy are temporarily outnumbered,is there really any advantage?
Maybe the opposition should be made to remove a player from the field whilst the throw in is being taken !!
Hoopy Near Year…to one and all .
Hopefully the quality in our forward play (not profligate in front of goal) takes the pressure off our fragile
(nervous as kittens) defence
Our fitness and game management in the last 20 minutes will need to be better too. IF… we don’t gift them easy/sloppy goals i think we can win
Team selection
Not impressed by Barkas or Hazzard , would’ve stuck with Bain , looks like it will be Barkas .
so……..
Barkas
FRIMPONG…JULIENNE…AJER…LAXALT.
( DUFFY)
TURNBULL…BROWN…SORO…MCGREGOR.
EDDY N GRIFF
Nothing less than a win for me , to make a statement of our intent and to ramp up the pressure.
God Bless to all posters and lurkers who lost loved ones in what has been a turbulent year for most.
COYBIG……Any win please.
Would this be considered an unbiased article:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55507410
My friends in Celtic,
Really looking forward to the game today, but remembering the tragic events at Ibrox 50 years ago.
The timely and poingnant banner at Parkhead speaks volumes.
Am I the only one to question Celtic jetting off to Dubai in the midsts of a global pandemic?
I realise the benefit we achieved last year, but times have changed and unnecessary travel is to be avoided.
I also acknowledge that that will have government / sporting permission and Dubai is not on the restriction list ( For now ). However I do think that this is irresponsible in a fastly changing situation.
Anyway. COYBIG.
Good luck Celtic today, everybody try your best and keep trying.
GREEPINATA
You are not alone!
Crass stupidity, in my opinion.
Does this jaunt include any of the board. or is it just players and coaches?
Is Julien fit?
The team I got has Bitton for Jullien as the only change from Dundee United….can’t see Brown not starting to be honest….
GP- agree,it’s far too risky as well, if we get a lot of cases ,would the league cancel games to be rescheduled? I think we know the answer to that…
Thanks for the welcome bhoys! Hope the pages are full of joy after three o’clock!!
An hour and a half before a very important game and Greenpinata and Philboy feel it worthwhile commenting on a trip to Dubai. That`s what I expect from the MSSM.
The point itself might be worthy of discussion but the timing is poor.
…and consider your wrist slapped as well, Bada :-))
Team selection dependent on Big Chris , Neil will have seen that we have been outnumbered in midfield with the Hun playing a narrow 3 making it difficult to thread balls through to Eddy , he has ignored this and looked for joy down the flanks with wingers … as we have no wingers primed and ready to start (Mikey or Mo) , he needs to work out whether Frimpong will get the better of Barisic and Laxalt the better of Tavernier … this will leave us open to the counter attack so we should play solid back 4 and go through the middle with a conventional 442
Barkas
Frimpers Big Chris / Duffers Kris Diego
Scotty Soro Dave calmac
Griff Eddy
I’d be tempted to push Eddy on to the left sided centre back as this will mean Barisic will be less inclined to push up
Dave to push right on to Davis and disrupt their midfield forcing the punt and fall down for a free kick strategy from the opposition
Timewilltellcfc
MARSPAPA-happy new year mate🍻
Not sure about Frimpong at rb .
Just turn up today Celtic and take care of business 🍀
ps-I liked your photo of the gang on Christmas Day 👍
Hot Smokie,
Yes timing is everything, that’s why we think it’s irresponsible. This is CQN, not Pravada.
If you were planning to jet over to Dubai, I would think it irresponsible at this time, why should footballers ( even Celtic footballers ) be any different?
Our criticism of an irresponsible act does in no way diminish our wanting a win today.
Cheers and HH.
We used to say` Leave well alone`( ironically, we didn`t and adopted the American `If it ain`t broken etc`!) Anyway I, whilst being aware of different horses etc, would try to do just that. Duffy for an injured Jullien would be my only change ( even though I would prefer Tayor over Laxalt at RB).
@CelticFC Glasgow Derby line up …
Barkas, Frimpong, Ajer, Bitton, Laxalt, Christie, Soro, McGregor, Turnbull , Griffiths, Edouard
Subs: Hazard, Taylor, Ntcham , Duffy, Brown, Rogic, Ajeti, ElHamed, Elyounoussi
Greenpinata
`Our criticism of an irresponsible act does in no way diminish our wanting a win today.`
I didn`t say it did.
This game today is there for us to win . IF we TURN up ,a thing we haven’t done much of the last couple of seasons . and IF we handle the multitude of cross balls into our box from the certain free kicks they will be awarded for nothing . Our defence is our weakest link . And the reason I am only 99% sure we will win . HH