Superior fitness and mental fortitude will deliver for Celtic

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Having pummelled Newco repeatedly this season there is a notion that we’re going to do it again on Sunday. I’d be tempted to hold that result. St Mirren, an inferior team, demonstrated for 57 minutes how far blanket defending and a bit of organisation can take you. If Celtic record an impressive result at the weekend, they will have to be at the peak of their powers.

We can expect Newco will have watched replays of the opening 20 minutes of our Hogmanay tie dozens of times recently. They will do their best to capture what worked for them during that period, and attempt to replicate it on Sunday.

We started slowly that day, which is not entirely out of character, but one or two also looked spooked by the occasion. Newco started on the front foot, again, something they repeatedly do, but just as they have done throughout the season, they soon ran out of steam.

There is not a great deal they will be able to do about Moussa Dembele, short of cutting off supply to him. As a consequence, they will stick tight to Scott Sinclair, who will have work to do to even get involved in the game, never mind hurt the opposition. This is no bad thing, as while Scott is our most productive player, the team will be full of players hungry and capable of hurting the Newco defence.

This is a game which could be in the balance with 15 minutes remaining, but which Celtic could score three times in the closing period. They have the superior fitness and mental fortitude.

Our greatest danger will be from officialdom. Conceding a penalty, a red card, or both, opens the only door possible for Newco to take anything from the game. Keep cool heads as we’ll do just fine.

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  1. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Tony, the 4 2 game at Ibrox was my favourite game there.

     

     

    The walk on as our players appeared for the second half , was phenomenal.

  2. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Delaney’s and Tontime Tim, big John was a top bloke and I’m glad he was appreciated so much by pupils and the Sons fans.

  3. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Winning Captains

     

     

    At some point have a wee moment to your self, you & P67 do a great job, I think I posted to Celtic hero one night, after my post I felt I shouldn’t have….. In my opinion your help for Tommy Gemmel is a total credit, Sky telly or BT, it was you who made it happen,…… Reading your posts since Tommy has passed is obviously hard going, but again you are a total credit

  4. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Dallas…

     

     

    Am a bit nervous about the morra canny sleep….

     

     

    What is your favourite game ?

     

     

    Being lazy I picked the 89 Cuo final earlier ….. Am sure you will have a far better choice :-)

  5. TONYROME on 11TH MARCH 2017 8:45 PM

     

     

    “Hi Bhoys

     

     

     

    Had a sevconian tell me on Friday they are the same club they only changed their name. When I asked about admin and liquidation I was told (YOUS) changed yer name tae so (YOUS) must be a new club tae.

     

     

     

     

     

    Just shook ma heid and walked away. My wee mother was right all along “ye canny put brains in potted heid” ”

     

     

    *****

     

     

    Doesn’t just apply to Sevconians, Tony, unfortunately. (See Macjay, 10:47pm).

  6. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Gerry at 10.42, we were lucky to see Paul spend all his career with us . The most majestic of players.

     

     

    Paul , particulary in the Centenary season , was a great player in a good team . He was a very good player in a poor team for the last years of his career. He needed to play with better players who would make space or make the runs off the ball for him to pass to , for example the run of Chris Morris in new year game in 1988.

     

     

    Imagine him paying with the calibre of player we had in Martin’s time and in our current team.

  7. Delaneys Dunky on

    GFTB

     

     

    My first hun game was Hampden 1980.

     

    Favourite is still 6-2 match.

     

    Favourite at doomdome was 4-2 the day DUFC won the league.

  8. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Dallas 11.49pm

     

     

    As you know I love Broony, Scott could not lace Pauls boots …. Fact

     

     

    Am delighted Paul stayed, wish we could find another Paul (Stuart Armtong ?) never as good as the maestro but a decent Celtic midfielder ….. I would love Stuart to grab the number 8 jersey

  9. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Gerry , there are loads and have no particular favourite . More joy than pain in the 45 years plus of watching our team .

  10. EBT McCann ‘doubtful’ Brother Pedro can cut it at Sevco. Seeds planted, knives at the ready. Good luck with that old chap.

  11. Gerryfaethebrig on

    DD

     

     

    1980 cup final was my first old firm game as a brazen 10yr old, think one of Lennybhoys relations was in the XR3 with me, 3 Huns & 2 Celtic fans (one a 10 year old) ….. I stood my ground well :-)

  12. Delaneys Dunky on

    Gary

     

     

    I was 13, my parents refused to let me go to see 10 men win the league on 21/5/79. Had been to most games home and away that season. Still gutted. :)))

  13. Good morning friends from a very dark, dark, late, dark East Kilbride. But may I be the first to wish each and every one of you a Big Happy Glasgow Derby Day.

  14. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Jobo….

     

     

    Well done with GFS 108th to touching distance, for all of you and CRCs efforts I personally would be delighted if any of you pick up the prize ……

     

     

    As for the Celtic announcer guy if you bump into JL don’t mention me, he is still trying to kick me from years ago :-)

  15. DELANEYS DUNKY

     

     

    The most dramatic game I’ve ever been to. A league decider when we’re losing and down to ten men, yet I always thought we’d win (the naivety of youth).

     

    And to think there was no tv coverage, not even highlights. Saw an old grainy black and white recording of the game by Celtic Cine Club many years later.

  16. Delaneys Dunky on

    GFTB

     

     

    When I got home fae my first game against the huns, the 1980 Danny McGrain/George McCluskey final, my ma told me as a 14 year old that it was the first and last game against them that I would attend whilst under her roof. She mellowed by the next season. :)

  17. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Sitting here on Cqn, timeline on the iPhone FourGreenFields

     

     

    FGF hope all is as good as it can be ….. You and that Bundoran Bhoy are still in my prayers

  18. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    The 78/79 season had so many midweek games in April and May due to the terrible weather in the previous December and January . We went about 8 weeks with out playing a league game that winter.

     

     

    We won a number of the rearranged games by the odd goal, and in some instances having to come from behind and getting the winner in the last 5 minutes.

     

     

    One of the games was against St Mirren at Ibrox on. friday night , there was work being done at Love Street, when two late goals got us a win to keep our title charge going.

  19. Delaneys Dunky on

    Gary

     

     

    I was listening to reports on Radio Clyde on the Tiger Tim show? I think. No radio commentary or tv pictures that Monday night.

     

    Heart sank when I heard Colin Jackson scored.

     

    Was delirious when I heard it was his own net, then Murdo!!! :)

  20. calleyroadbhoy57 on

    DD

     

    I didn’t realise you’re just a pup:-)

     

    That 4-2 game, me and my brother in law were in the govan rd stand. All that separated us and the hoardes was the no mans land. Haha, omg! They were going tonto. Brilliant memory. Another one was a 2-1 victory for the good Ghuys. Charlie Nick picked the ball up on the left of the midfield. He drove at them, jinking one way then the next, at the time he seemed to have the ball for an eternity and then he unleashed this shot and it screamed into the net. We were in the main stand. Bedlam ensued:-)

  21. Gerryfaethebrig on

    DD 12.07pm

     

     

    I might have bored you with this story, around 1977 my mother thought I was going to watch Albion Rovers, a neighbour who now resides in Derry was a bit older than me so we kidded on we were going up the street to watch the Rovers, dogged the train from Blairhill to Carntyne got lifted over, bought a pie and two badges ….. Davie Provan No.1 & “Peter Latchford is safer than the pill” we got a lift home on Phil Coles bus and my mother & father were waiting so I was shifting maself, they just hugged their we 8yr old son so I thought everything was cool, got home am my mother read the Latchford badge, both parents slapped me silly :-)

  22. Delaneys Dunky on

    Dallas

     

     

    Buzzbomb scored that night at Ibrox.

     

    Remember Whitecrook bhoys trying to set fire to the Centenary/Govan stand that Friday night then battling wi fire brigade and polis. Mental provo night.

  23. G64-HH- the 4-2 game is the best i have been at.

     

    Naka FK ‘he’ll never score from there….’ , the bhoys who sit beside me remind me of it, any time we get a FK in the same area..:))

  24. Fav OLD o/f game 4-0 hampden park ‘schoolboys enclosure’ in front of main stand anyone remember that .

     

    GC class act.

  25. Happy bedtime reading!

     

     

    The Myth of Continuity

     

     

    Alan Dewar QC, representing Charles Green at the Inner House of the Court of Session, has stated that ” The Rangers football club does not exist, it is an idea in people’s minds, a myth of continuity. No-one knows what the Rangers football club is, but it has no legal personality.”

     

     

    Mr Dewar adds that ” you can only be the chairman of an entity that has a legal personality. Sevco Scotland, and it alone, bought the assets and carried on the business. The concept of the Rangers Institution continuing exists only in the minds of die hard supporters.” *

     

     

    Mr Dewar was responding to a question by one of the three appeal court judges who inquired: “Why is it so important that Rangers football club is Sevco Scotland rather than an institution going back 100 years?”

     

     

    * if only!

  26. DALLAS DALLAS WHERE THE HECK IS DALLAS on 12TH MARCH 2017 12:17 AM

     

     

    McCluskey and Lennox scored in that St Mirren game, remember the tension as every game was must win. I think our last three games in 78-79 were on a that Friday then successive Mondays due to cup final and home internationals

  27. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Beatbhoy

     

     

    Charlie Green is as plausible as Sir dodgy Dave

     

     

    Brendan Rodgers CSC

  28. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Song for Marcella playing in this household…. That means I can’t do the link thing

  29. Melbourne Mick on

    Hello again all you young rebels.

     

     

    I,d like to say it’s just another game against a relatively new team

     

    to the SPL but even to an auld heid like me thats seen it all i know

     

    it’s not, the tension is building and i just want another victory of

     

    any kind but a comprehensive battering would delight me no end.

     

    My big Melbourne/Belfast mate and his partner will be in the vogue

     

    in Ruglen at some point so if any of you regulars see a big ghuy J J

     

    is his initials please give them a huge welcome it will probably be

     

    their last visit over ( i know you would anyway ).

     

    GFTB

     

    Love the fact you are always talking up the Maestro and i agree in

     

    everything you say about him, he carried our team for years and

     

    we can only imagine what he would have achieved with better

     

    players beside him.

     

    H.H Mick