We seldom remember games like yesterday, won with a porous midfield which was unable to push play into the Dundee half for much of the second period, but they regularly happen.
For me, the example that always springs to mind came three weeks after the 6-2 game, when a Larsson double helped us come from behind to seal a 1-2 win at Dunfermline with 5 minutes remaining. The younger generation will not know, but the 6-2 was such a huge moment in our history. It felt like the tide had turned, then just weeks later we sat through a tormenting game in Fife, worried we had fooled ourselves.
Title winning teams get the dirty jobs done, bank the points and move onto the truly memorable occasions. 6-2 was indeed the day the tide turned, our difficult time in Fife is scarcely remembered.
Brendan Rodgers has plenty to consider this week. After the Scottish Cup semi-final win on penalties, he made a significant revision and gave James Forrest his first league start since 1 November. That decision proved pivotal and may inspire him to mix things up again next time out.
Yesterday’s pivotal change came when Callum McGregor and Kyogo were replaced by Tomoki Iwata and Adam Idah. Callum was shadowed out of the game by Dundee’s Luke McCowan. The decision to return Callum and Reo Hatate to the starting line-up, when both are working on match fitness, looks worthy of revision.
Celtic’s strength in depth is bearing fruit. With first choice players absent or below form, the manager has match winners he can call on.
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B2B- I think Brendan said it’s a recurring injury which might need an operation, he would probably miss the Euros, which would be a shame for him,hopefully he copies Broonie, retires from international football, and he could prolong his Celtic career.
Fred Colon/Wee Bobby Collins
“I think I am correct in saying that Sandy Denny was the only vocalist to “guest” on a Zeppelin album”
—————————-
Alexandra Elene McLean Denny was born in London of Scottish heritage with a Granda from Dundee and a granny from the Western Isles who spoke and sang Gaelic songs. Sandy started singing Fir a Batha and Green Grow the Laurels in early folk club experiences and recorded first with Glaswegian Alex Campbell before briefly joining The Strawbs and recording her first version of Who Knows Where TheTme Goes with them.
She spent most of her short career with Fairport Convention and Fotheringay and as a Solo artist producing 4 Solo albums, 4 with Fairport and 2 with Fotheringay. She also recorded a lot of popular Rock and Roll classics with The Bunch.
As well as recording with Led Zeppelin, she appeared on the Who’s album Tommy, as The Nurse. She provided some songs to 2 film soundtracks including a Swedish porn film.
She died aged 31 and I had seen her perform twice at Green’s Playhouse
Burnley – that would be great thanks. I’ll take it👍
Moisey 17
This is what you said
“I buy STs for a football team not a profit making vehicle and I’m sick of it ”
After 5 trebles in 7 years against a backdrop of your constant negative posts about anything Celtic are doing then it hardly surprises me that some folk did suggest you look after your health and allow someone else to actually enjoy and SUPPORT Celtic.
The day Celtic pays out massive dividends to shareholders would be the day I would worry about the ‘profit making vehicle’ issue. Until then it is pragmatically run to ensure we have a club to support. Unlike basket case 2 across the city.
Blogger GM
That’s great. All good.
Speak later in the week to sort out meeting.
St Stivs if you are in a good mood may I say that I enjoyed your piece on Wallace and the Port. It is interesting that the version that I heard during my years in the Port was that the tree in the Holy Family grounds was the one in which Wallace hide when trying to avoid being captured by the forces of the Crown.
Not sure that Wallace would have anything to do with the Wallace bar if it had been around n his day.
Evening, all.
Moisey17
Well said. Absolutely nothing wrong with a supporter wanting the club they support to improve. At most clubs I would imagine it’s pretty normal!
Login again
Superbru Round 34 Update
We have a very compressed Leaderboard in this round as there was no high scoring leaders and most of the bottom scorers managed to bag a couple of points at least. It was a week when the Average Joes who predict 2:1 wins for most matches, rise to the top. So we have a lot of our Fair-Middling Group enjoying a rare podium placement.
Our Round 34 leaders are:-
1. SFTB- 10.5 pts (obviously a fix of insider trading proportions)
2. hairlikespaghetti- 10 pts
3= Roy Croppie, A thing of beauty, James Cant, ACGR & McCaff- 9.5 pts
Despite the predictability of some results this week, our more astute bottom dwellers managed to steer clear of the obvious and engage in a battle for the Spúnóg Adhmaid. We have a clear winner though:-
1. Big Jimmy- 1.5 pts
2= Jobo Baldie, Pannysbhoy, Gutenberg, The Token Tim, Por Cierto and KolnCelt- 2.5 pts
This leaves the overall table looking like this:-
1. One Malloy- 225.5 pts (beginning to draw away from the chasers)
2. Billy Bhoy- 214 pts
3= Leggy & BC Milan- 207 pts
The only other poster to break 200 pts is Hopeful Hoops on 203 pts.
At the antipodean end of our table, the current Livi, Ross and St. Johnstone positions are held by
1. Friesdorfer- 118 pts
2. Chalmersbhoy- 126.5 pts
3. Aipple- 130 pts
Last year we also reported on the battle of the brothers where Hutchybhoy occupies 38th place on 164.5 pts leads his bro, sammybhoy67 in 46th place on 160 pts. That’s shaping up to be a close run race again.
Our next deadline in our 4th last prediction gameweek is Saturday 4th May with 5 3 pm kick offs before Sevco have to play on Killie’s plastic with a 1 pm kick off on Sunday 5th May.
Tx for your continued support.
Evening all.
SFTB
I demand a recount. :)
My big concern for the remaining games is the fitness of Calmac. He is critical, BUT, if he’s not match fit, and I do not think he is, we simply cannot risk him. No place for sentiment sadly
KINGLuBO
SS,
Sorry to hear you are unwell.A speedy recovery.
BelmontBrian
Nope, recount would prove yer still hopeless. 🤣🤣
FAVOURITE UNCLE, Sorry I can’t help you about the funeral in Ayr and no one has answered you, can you elaborate? FAVOURITE UNCLE on 29TH APRIL 2024 11:41 AM
Hi looking for some information re funeral this week in AYR. My elderly neighbour in YORK comes from AYR and would like to know the name of dead person.
BRRB
Who asked you anyway. :)
BURNLEY78 on 29TH APRIL 2024 6:09 PM
Moisey 17
This is what you said
“I buy STs for a football team not a profit making vehicle and I’m sick of it ”
After 5 trebles in 7 years against a backdrop of your constant negative posts about anything Celtic are doing then it hardly surprises me that some folk did suggest you look after your health and allow someone else to actually enjoy and SUPPORT Celtic.
The day Celtic pays out massive dividends to shareholders would be the day I would worry about the ‘profit making vehicle’ issue. Until then it is pragmatically run to ensure we have a club to support. Unlike basket case 2 across the city.
B78
Thanks for your concern about my health. I thought I was being told to feck off because I have a different view to yours but in fact there was kindness in your message – good to know………
I’m as delighted as the next man for the domestic success but believe we are capable of far more outside this tiny backwater and it frustrates that we don’t even appear to want to try.
You think that investing (poorly) 10-15% of available funds in growth and success is pragmatic I don’t agree – I think it is shortsighted and parsimonious.
Anyway if it’s ok with you I will retain my view and my long held STs
M17
SFTBs,
I thought Scales was poor on Sunday.Not in everything,but in a few important areas.Again,like last week,he was all at sea with a couple of crosses.The one just before the final whistle when the Dundee boy headed a good chance wide,he had no idea where he was.3 times he brought the ball out of defence,well,went around 20 yards,then passed to a blue shirt,giving them the chance to break on us.Not nit picking,its important things he is getting wrong,and I don’t think CCV and he are compatible.
He HAS done a good job for us this season,but his flaws are causing us problems when we can I’ll afford it.
Is there no end to this folly?🤔
Turkeybhoy
If you’re talking about Mickey Mellon’s header, Liam is not the main culprit. Liam is dealing with 2 players (nos. 9 & 12, I think) in the middle and keeps them both away from the cross. It goes over all their heads into the area where Matt O’Riley and Iwata are marking Mellon. Both of them fail to interfere with the Dundee player. Liam dealt with 2 players in his area. Matt and Tomoki were at fault there.
Around 3m 55s in
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Dundee+v+Celtic+highlights&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:b4110589,vid:H8e1On_Usvc,st:0
FAVOURITE UNCLE
https://funeral-notices.co.uk/scotland-ayrshire%20and%20arran-ayr/death-notices
https://www.ayradvertiser.com/memorials/death-notices/
Higgins gets away with one.
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 29TH APRIL 2024 11:41 AM
Hi looking for some information re funeral this week in AYR. My elderly neighbour in YORK comes from AYR and would like to know the name of dead person
—
I live in Ayr if I can be of any help let me know.
If memory serves me right my dad was friends with your brother (a bookie) so I’d be happy to help 👍
Moisey,
Keep praising or slating as you see fit, and ignore anyone telling you to give up on the team you love.
I only ever read your posts as someone who wants the best for our club.
All the best 👍
SFTBs,
Not the way I see it.He is in the wall,starts running to where he should be,ends up marking no one facing away from Mellon.Maybe he has been told to take up that position,I don’t know,but the amount of goals we have lost from that position at that post,ridiculous.Aberdeen game he is nowhere,nearly identical.As I say,maybe following duff instructions,but his finishing position is a joke.Unable put in any challenge from there.
You did not comment on his passing,and I forgot his mad swipe that went back over his head,and caused mayhem for about 2 minutes.Everyone makes mistakes.He is just making too many at the wrong time.IMO,of course.
Night all
Tremendous last two frames for John Higgins . Nerves of steel and skill to match .
John Higgins just WOW
Well done John Higgins! That clearance in the final frame is right up there.
And Stephen Maguire too for making it to the last eight.
Ronnie is the favourite, but if he falters, (and like Celtic and City I do not think he will) it is anybody’s title.
Bada bing earlier re Callum – cheers.
If he does indeed require an op, then two days after the cup final works for me.
Turkeybhoy
I’m going to appeal to the wisdom of crowds. Most people were able to see that Liam has been on poor form and have not been voting for him. They swung back behind him again on Sunday because he was better than he has been and much better than more than half the team.
I did not comment on his passing because it was improved and not as weak as it has been. And I do believe he was given that more central position defending the free kick because that’s where he was at the start and end of the move. O’Riley and Iwata started on the left side of our defensive line and remained there through the action. I don’t believe Brendan leaves such positioning to chance. So for me the failure to stop Mellon was down to Matt & Tomoki.
And as further evidence- here are Jobo’s scores for Sunday:-
*SENTINEL CELTS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2023-24*
*RESULTS FROM GAME #45 DUNDEE 1 CELTIC 2 (FORREST(2))*
Good evening, friends.
For the most part it was not an enjoyable watch yesterday although ultimately it was a result that I think all of us would have gladly accepted at the start of the day. With 3rd and 4th places in the league pretty much assured it is the battle for 5th spot and the resultant European place that gives a huge incentive to both Dundee and St Mirren. And both of those teams gave it a real go yesterday, with both just losing by the odd goal. Arguably that is our toughest fixture out of the way. Celtic only have one more away game to play in the league and it might even be that the title has been won before our trip to Rugby Park. But only if we play better than we did yesterday!
To be fair, I thought Celtic started well, creating several chances and getting a few shots on goal during the opening 15 minutes. But from then on Dundee came much more into the game and our early promise soon faded. But then, out of nothing, came a moment of real quality when Kyogo’s touch sat the ball up nicely for James Forrest to volley home our 100th goal of the season. James was to double our lead in the 2nd half to briefly calm the nerves until Adam Idah’s unfortunate own goal gave us a nervy final 15 minutes. Apart from a very good strike off the post from Reo Hatate, who had grown into the game and was producing our few moments of skill, we didn’t really look to threaten Dundee’s goal.
4 minutes into stoppage time and referee John Beaton decides to book Joe Hart for time wasting. I mean, what is the point in that? Showing a card for time wasting is surely designed to make the offending team get on with things for the rest of the game. Joe didn’t even have another touch of the ball after being carded. Oh and an additional minute was added on to the already generous 5 that had been shown. But all to no avail – Celtic came away with the 3 points and remain on top of the league.
We have now played 45 competitive games. We have managed 30 wins, 7 draws and 8 defeats, scoring 101 goals and conceding 47. We have 4 league games left, 3 of them at home. We are 3 points and 5 goals ahead of our nearest rivals. Match our closest rivals results and that will be enough to secure our 54th league title.
My thanks to the 75 who voted this time around. One voter cast just 1 vote and one other donated one of his votes to the St Mirren ball boy! And, for the first time in a very long time every single one of our 14 players received recognition! The total votes cast for each player are as follows, with my own nominations asterisked.
Hart: 11
Johnston: 2
Carter-Vickers: 40
Scales*: 48
Taylor: 3
McGregor: 1
Hatate*: 15
O’Riley: 5
Kuhn: 6
Kyogo: 2
Forrest*: 72
Iwata: 14
Idah: 2
Palma: 1
And so, the players receiving POINTS for the game against Dundee are –
Forrest – 5 points
Scales – 4 points
Carter-Vickers – 3 points
Hatate – 2 points
Iwata – 1 point
The overall positions after 45 games played are as follows –
88 points – O’Riley
86 points – Scales
62 points – Carter-Vickers
57 points – McGregor
42 points – Johnston, A.
40 points – Hart
34 points – Kyogo
28 points – Maeda and Palma
25 points – Yang
22 points – Bernardo
20 points – Oh
19 points – Kuhn
18 points – Taylor
16 points – Idah and Iwata
15 points – Forrest and Hatate
10 points – Ralston
9 points – Johnston M, Nawrocki and Turnbull
6 points – Lagerbielke
4 points – Bain, Bernabei and Holm
3 points – Welsh
2 points – Abada
0 points – Frame, Haksabanovic, Kelly, Phillips, Starfelt, Tilio and Vata
*APRIL PLAYER OF THE MONTH*
The Player Of The Month award is based simply on the total votes received across all games played. There were only 4 games during February – away trips to Sevco and Dundee, the cup semi final at Hampden against Aberdeen and our home win against St Mirren.
In 3rd place with 95 votes is Reo Hatate and the runner up on 119 votes is James Forrest. The player of the month for April, with 139 votes is Cameron Carter-Vickers.
So far the monthly winners have been –
August: Kyogo (4 games, 164 votes, average 41)
September: O’Riley (5 games, 259 votes, average 52)
October: Scales (5 games, 243 votes, average 49)
November: Scales (6 games, 191 votes, average 32)
December: McGregor (8 games, 281 votes, average 35)
January: O’Riley (3 games, 132 votes, average 44)
February: Hart (6 games, 206 votes, average 34)
March: Kuhn (3 games, 142 votes, average 47)
April: Carter-Vickers (4 games, 139 votes, average 35)
Given our current form,if we manage to get ahead in upcoming games, I wouldn’t be against putting 2 midfielders on ,and play with 4 across the middle, and have 2 up front, it would give more possession and hopefully, protect the back 4,too many second halves this season we have completely fell out of games, not every sub needs to be like for like.
Good morning to all from a rain soaked 7 degree Garngad
This bloody weather would depress you.
4 more sleeps to we see the bhoys in green and again it would be nice to pump The Edinburgh huns by 4 or 5 goals but a win is of most importance at this stage of the season.
But come on Celtic a bit of style and put on a show.
D. :)
Good morning all from Govanhill.
David 66,
Totally agree. While 3 points are vital, I feel that we need to play ” The Glasgow Celtic way. Make a statement, create a feel good factor. Put on a show.
Give 100% for the full 100 minutes or so.
Play smart. Address any obvious failings in a timely manner.
If its not working change it, regardless of the clock.
Play fully fit players. We have a large squad for a reason.
Support the team. Young players eg Liam Scales should be thanked and encouraged. Enthusiasm and commitment on the park will be replicated from the stands.
HH, ensure the journey continues.
MAJESTIC HARTSON on 29TH APRIL 2024 9:26 PM
Thanks for the offer. I scrolled back and found the info and i passed it on. My neighbour did not remember the name but he said his son GRAHAM would know him. HAIL HAIL.
Morning all from a cold and wet west coast.