There’s been a lot of talk about the Lisbon Lions recently; you may have noticed. Go ask you dad about them, he’ll tell you they could take care of themselves. For all the pretty football, they still had to win the battles.
Consider also the team during Seville season. Thompson, Lennon, Sutton, Hartson, Mjallby and Valgaeren never failed to meet an opponent square on. They were all hard men. Don’t even ask about Bobo, he terrified opponents by the scale of his shadow, no opponent dared take him on.
All of those duties now fall to Scott Brown, he’s our hard man. It’s an important role and he doesn’t have much in the way of support.
You get the feeling there’s a notion that the rest of the guys can concentrate on being wonderful, in the knowledge that Scott will sort out the troublemakers. He was, of course, wrong yesterday, not for the first time, although red cards are not a regular occurrence.
Sky TV could not have hand-picked a better analyst of this situation than Barry Robson. Barry arrived at Celtic in January 2008, picked up the mantle of Sorter Outer in Chief, and stamped his authority on the league title. We all knew that, unlike a then often-rash Scott Brown, Barry could work within the lines and still get the job done.
But even the such a master of subtle intimidation can get it spectacularly wrong. Last year he lamped former Celtic team-mate, Scott McDonald, a minute after coming on as a substitute. If you want a hard man in your team, don’t go yelling about him when he acts like a hard man moments after being assaulted from behind.
The only surprise about the late penalty for Ross County’s Schalk’s outrageous dive and subsequent penalty was that it happened this weekend, not next. Set your watch for it, people, if you think the treble will be decided purely on meritocratic terms, you’ve not watched as much football as me.
Brendan’s about to find out the limits of his apparent powers in Scottish football.
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Just as in the 1-1 game against Sevco, yesterday was a timely reminder of what can happen.
Brendan will undoubtedly have it drilled into the Bhoys this week.
There will be no complacency.
There will be no mistakes.
There will be no slacking.
100% concentration and commitment will give us Celtic 3 Sevco 0.
Nae bother
HH
Watching Sheffield U on SS1 at the moment.Sheffield playing the way we should be.Terrific to watch.From the back to the forwards in a few passes.2 0 up.
In a wider view its time the authorities did something about players like Schalk. I dont for a minute think we are the only ones to suffer the consequences of his ‘technique’. It probably wouldn’t take long to analyse a few you tube videos of his games or his pen stats to flag him up as a serial diver.
These players need to know there will be consequences beyond the 90 mins of the game and lengthy bans should ensue.
I posted a horrible post last night and would like to offer my unreserved apologies to Paul67 and all on the Blog.
Especially HAMILTONTIM.
I shouldn’t post when I’ve been drinking although I don’t offer that as an excuse.
I should know better at my age.
SORRY!
setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox on 17th April 2017 12:36 pm
Having watched Sportscene last night, I would say the Schalk “penalty” award was the 2nd worst reffing decision in the SPFL this weekend.
I think Richie Foran and ICT suffered a bigger injustice with much more major ramifications. And the ref concerned is going to be reffing our semi-final at Hampden.
Both Robertson and Collum should have been demoted this weekend coming.
It’s obvious they make these appointments for big games too early, failure rewarded.
PHILBOY
Been there,mate.
HH
Hopefully BR reverts back to his ‘usual’ 4-2-3-1 formation on Sunday and ditches the 3 at the back of recent weeks. We should have full squad to choose from so he can start with his strongest, and seemingly preferred eleven of Gordon; Lustig, Simunovic, Boyata, Tierney; Brown, Armstrong; Forrest, Rogic, Sinclair; Dembele. Roberts and Griffiths to come on as and when required.
We are better individually and collectively. They will sit deep and defend in numbers like all other Scottish teams now do against us.
From BBC business page talking about Japanese companies
Hmmmmmmm
“Zombie companies are loosely defined as loss-making or insolvent
entities that should be allowed to fail,
but continue to operate because of lenient creditors.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39585758
Afternoon fholks.
Obviously,yesterday’s penalty decision was farcical,up there with the worst decisions i’ve witnessed,however,the red for Broonie I can understand in today’s game,irrespective of others who’ve escaped being sent off for worse.I think Scott was naive to allow the mib the chance to get his card out,if you’re going to be a ‘hard man’ in our team you need to be wise to the fact the mib will jump at the chance to punish you at any opportunity,and in the game nowadays almost every tackle can be viewed as a foul.Scott acted impulsively and apart from getting a red he gave away a free kick in a dangerous position that gave RC a genuine chance at scoring.It wasn’t the smartest piece of play from Broonie but after a great season he can be forgiven.
Unlike the mib,whether incompetent or bent,the penalty decision is unforgivable.It was J.Arthur.It was so blatantly bad I had to laugh at it…to prevent apoplexy.I think the mib may have inadvertently helped us this week though,as there should be a glaring light shining on every decision made on Sunday.That theory relies on the presence of shame in our officials so maybe i’m just pissing in the wind.
What i’m really hoping for is the players using their anger from yesterday,their broncha (see El Diego),channelled properly to inspire a top performance and blow the hunnery away and render the mib impotent.If we’re on top form the cheating will only serve to keep the score down but ultimately prove futile.
At the end of the day,i’d rather lose than cheat and try to kid myself i’d achieved something.What an empty existence being motivated by hate must be.
HH
https://videocelts.com/2017/04/blogs/latest-news/celtic-speak-out
The press will be interesting this week..
Get your house on Broonie being MOTM next week.
Paul67
In Res12 Celtic had the ideal opportunity to bring about a more professional SFA, including refereeing, but for some reason have never taken it up.
The opportunity to do so will present itself again after the court cases prove that what appears evident is then beyond question,
Failure to act would be a dereliction of duty to Celtic supporters who pay to watch, shareholders whose share value can be affected by such unprofessionalism (I’m being euphemistic here folk) and to the game in Scotland in general.
How can cheating on the park be stopped if cheating off it is acceptable? How can we expect honesty on the park when dishonesty off it goes unchecked?
Dishonest governance is the biggest issue facing our game once again, 5 years on from the end of a dishonest era. We should not be going into a game v TRFC fearing the referee being a match leveller.
Has nothing been learned?
The Ross County game is now history. Scott Brown will play against the huns in the cup. On paper we should hump them, if you restrict that ‘on paper’ to individual, and collective abilities, and skills, and experience, and fitness levels, and histories, of the two competing teams…
The pig in the poke though is names on papers don’t win games, players on the field do. And general is the rule that you won’t win if you don’t keep all your players on the field.
The responsibility of sharing the physical aspect of the game is a team responsibility. It should not be left to one player only, ever.
Scott Brown will be targeted against the huns, by the huns, in the semi, but not all the huns will be wearing blue.
Diouf. Bartley. Lafferty. Flower pot numpties and a big string weed, all targeted Brown.
Do you remember the huns used to target Lambert’s ankle?
They were then scared of Paul Lambert. They are now scared of Scott Brown. For all their pontifications to the contrary they do not want him on the field against them. After all… he is one of our own.
It is a team game and if one of our own is targeted then the team must show, all the team, against all that we are playing against, regardless of the colour of their jersey on the day.
The next game, in the first 30 minutes Brendan, will not be for the squeamish. Guile with brawn mate, guile with brawn. Don’t allow Scott Brown to be isolated, intimidated, victimised, and if he is, and they, the opposition players and the MIB with prejudice, are allowed to flute march all over us, then our European ambitions next season determine we can no longer release our Scottish players (and contrary to the many ignorant opinions, those players are many) to be available for immediate international selection.
Sometimes it is not just a game of football.
Sometimes it is not about doped-competitive sport.
Sometimes it is not about money.
Sometimes it is not about politics.
Sometimes it is not about sectarianism.
Sometimes it is not about evil.
Sometimes it is not about entitlement.
Sometimes it is not about oppression.
Sometimes it is not about triumphalism.
Sometimes it is above all of the above and it is about a team trying for glory, within their means, within the rules, just trying to be all they can be, hopefully one day acclaimed on a single printed line on a page in the history of football books.
Sometimes it is just about an honest, fair, game of football.
I hope I get to see one in Scotland against the huns, just once, before I’m dust.
I hope that if the SFA wish to extend any ‘ban’ (if any) that they might impose on Scott Brown, then Scott Brown decides his rest is more important than the England game.
starry plough on 17th April 2017 1:00 pm
https://videocelts.com/2017/04/blogs/latest-news/celtic-speak-out
The press will be interesting this week..
===================
For his good and the good of the game Robertson should be no where near Hampden next Saturday unless as a paying supporter.
So Celtic are offering the views of one of our youngest players to comment on the officials?
Or am I missing something?
Terrific game on Sky.A wee look at the Bradford dug out and you can see where the song”Have you ever seen a handsome Hun”came from.Dear God,X certificate stuff.Very entertaining game though.Fleckinho playing well.You can see why Sheffield have won this league.
Auldheid- the Club should not hide behind KT’s comments.They should be asking publicly for an explanation of the penalty, nothing will happen but they should bring it into the open . Blatant cheating should be highlighted, we are taking this on the chin on a regular basis.HH
BARNEY67;
They are giving them the ‘official’ Celtic soapbox to do so. In doing so they must endorse their opinions; just disappointing they are leaving it to the kids to tell a history that they haven’t yet begun to live as opposed the barricaded lives that they have.
Auldheid@1:02pm
“How can cheating on the park be stopped if cheating off it is acceptable? How can we expect honesty on the park when dishonesty off it goes unchecked?”
*****
Unlike Don Robertson, spot-on.
Auldheid I am presuming that is a rhetorical question?
A STOR MHA CHROI 104
Wow,stunning post,mate. Had me just about to pick up my claymore!
Interesting to hear the trips down memory lane and how things used to be done.
One question still to ask is the SPL doping policy.
Some performances against us over the years have seemed to be a bit turbo-charged.
Not sure if it was adrenaline or something stronger?
How many drugs tests this year?
We will gub them if we play the game in their half.Forget about this faffing across the back and midfield.They are weak at the back.Capitalise on it.No use having Dembele on the park if ,like yesterday he never receives a pass.Hopefully the Huns will be stupid enough to play a lot more open than most of our opponents.They really think they have a team there to match us.This should be their downfall.
After thinking over my ‘rant’ following SB’s sending off yesterday I have had come to the conclusion that he was well within his rights to put in that strong challenge, apologies if i upset anyone with my comments.
AULDHEID
No he should not but the SFA are not now nor it would it seem they are heading to ever being that switched on.
The gravy train rumbles on and on..
BADA BING!! on 17TH APRIL 2017 1:17 PM
Auldheid- the Club should not hide behind KT’s comments.They should be asking publicly for an explanation of the penalty, nothing will happen but they should bring it into the open . Blatant cheating should be highlighted, we are taking this on the chin on a regular basis.HH
……………………………………….
100% on the button.
Celtic have a duty to their fans to come out and call it as it is.
Especially when the League is already won.
Using Kieran’s comments to hide behind the issue is cowardly and pathetic.
C’mon Celtic.Get talking and stop hiding.
RON67
Ron I would like to apologise for being a bit nippy with you yesterday.
Anger got the better of me and our anger should be directed at the authorities and not ourselves!
HH
Get right into them.
Pure Beautiful and inventive fitba Wins.
Celtic for the Treble.
I hope Hibs pummel Rangers in the final
Now all we need is Don Robertson to come on and apologise an everything will be hunky dory. ;-)
A STOR MHA CHROI
Fantastic post.
MARSPAPA
Awe mate did ye get nae Easters Eggs:)))
Whit a thought:(((
If the Huns have any sense they will sit back, when teams do that it gives us a problem in that our players need to come out of the play to get the ball. Armstrong needs to drop deeper to receive the ball and immediately he becomes less effective. They key will be getting Rogic and Armstrong on the ball in and around the no10 position to link up with the wingers and Moussa. The Huns don’t have the ability or the brains to match Stuart’s runs down the channels.
Auldheid
If they removed Robertson from the game next week …that would look like an admission of guilt on his part .
Could you put up the question and answer from me to you yesterday if you have the page , family came in and i got sidetracked .
Teemu Pukki – The 27-year-old forward has struck 25 goals in just 37 league and cup encounters, as well as laying on another 10 goals as his side sit second in the Danish Superliga behind Copenhagen.
sa’s connection with tr was good yesterday – tr a bit rusty understandably
!!Bada Bing!! on 17th April 2017 1:01 pm
Get your house on Broonie being MOTM next week.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Big man, I disagree,
Its gonnae be,
Dembeleeeeee.
STARRY PLOUGH
no problem,
you are correct , all our anger should directed at the relevant authorities, not each other.
HH