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Taking the foot off the pedal talk

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

The count of how many times I’ve heard “I hope we don’t take the foot off the pedal like we did last year” has reached double figures. This is never a good sign. Football games, against any level of opponent, need to planned for and respected.

During last season’s League Cup semi-final, Celtic went two goals up early on, then made 100% sure the result would never be in danger by denying Newco even an attempt at goal (the match stats recorded one attempt, which was actually a wayward cross from a free kick). Compare and contrast with Borussia Dortmund’s two goal advantages last night. While I’d love to score a barrel-load, winning the game is all that really matters.

We have seen enough Celtic teams dominate possession in Europe against less-resourced teams only to lose to the sucker punch. This has been a harsh lesson, which I hope has been learned.

I doubt many of us know what to expect from Newco. They won the Championship but this season didn’t have to contend with vastly superior Hearts team. They are also in the semi-final because they thumped Premiership Dundee 4-0 at Ibrox, which is a huge result for any lower league team (we’ve failed to score twice against Dundee recently).

All my “Rangers” supporting pals tell me they are hopeless at defending, so there’s a decent possibility they will defend deeply and play on the break – just as several others have done effectively against us this season. We’re going to have a lot of possession in the final third, but Scott Brown and Nir Bitton will need to offer a lot of defensive cover.

Most of all, we’ll need discipline. There’s a red card winging its way to the first Celtic player to stare at an opponent in a rash manner. The First Minister will probably get involved too, so be prepared.

Did you read Walter “dare I say it, 10 in a row” Smith? What a man to have in your corner days before a big game. He’ll have them thinking it’s 1957 all over again!

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Charlie Gallagher! What a Player! is the new book by Celtic historian David Potter, published by CQN Books at the end of the month. Order your signed copy HERE or click on the image below.

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  1. THE EXILED TIM on

    HT

     

    He could, but the ref obviously realised that he wasn’t the instigator.

     

    Jeezo, Broonie could get sent off most weeks in that case.

     

    I honestly think too many are getting sucked in by the media shite, let him loose on their pish defence and see what havoc he can create, he will also be a crackin foil for the Griff and Paddy, he will take their crap all day long, when we are a handful up, I would let him loose and splatter a few :-)

     

    HH

  2. clunks on

    TET

     

     

    Not about NWO reducing populations although that might come.

     

     

    Mcdonalds and multi billion pound corporations like them would like to reduce costs and the human cost is the easiest to reduce……thru automoation (much like the car industry that has been decimated)

     

     

    10-15 years ago there was 10 or so people serving (7 tills with the 3 busiest tills which were generally the centre tills having “runners” to collect the orders and break the queue thru speed, keeping service times high) . Now there are 3 or 4 people moping about. 2 people taking orders after which you wait in a queue to collect your order via number on your receipt.

     

     

    Now they have figured that 4 or 5 TV’s with ipad like touch screen controls could possibly phase out more people and save them more expense which deliver a higher profit.

     

     

    Sometimes I prefer to rock up to a machine and get my order quick and easy without any chit chat.

     

     

    Most times, however, its the chit chat and human interaction that makes the experience of ordering more rewarding. ie going for a pint and noising up the barman about whatever, its just much more enjoyable to dal with a human……………..

  4. jc2 on

    Going Sunday

     

     

    Season tkt for ??? > 25 years

     

     

    HATE zOMBIES ……….Support Celtic

     

     

    DONT GIVE ME A HARD TIME FOR IT

  5. setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox on

    Houl Yer Wheesht

     

     

    It was factually wrong but it is a bit OTT to describe it as poppycock.

     

     

    The main intent of the point being made in that blog was that Dermot is not a UK resident or taxpayer- he did not defraud this country of his due taxes.

     

     

    The gullible bears are trying to assert that, if he made some of his money illegally, and he contributes money to Celtic, then Celtic are just as guilty of getting an advantage from illegal money.

     

     

    As James Forrest demonstrates, that assertion falls down on 2 counts-

     

     

    DD is not a sugar daddy and does not subsidise the club

     

    We operate a spend what we earn policy, in fact, some of our more forensic accountants (crc and Neg Anon) suggest we do not even spend all of what we earn. Some even assert that DD is using Celtic as a cash cow.

     

     

    Overall, it is a very fine article but is wrong on DD’s residence status, a minor point in the thrust of the article.

  7. clunks on

    DALLAS DALLAS WHERE THE HECK IS DALLAS on 15TH APRIL 2016 10:36 PM

     

    Clunks at 10.22, I totally agree with you re these self service machines .

     

     

    I refuse to use these machines for the very reasons you stated.

     

     

    Banks are starting all this mince also.

     

     

    Anytime I go into a bank of Scotland/ Halifax branch , I’m pounced upon by staff asking me what service I will use , trying to direct me to machines.

     

     

    The looks on their coupons when I say I’m going to the counter staff, amuses me.

     

    ============================

     

     

    Yes mate, it is easier and quicker to use the self serve machines, but it is much more enjoyable to go to a till and ask Janet, Robert or whoever is serving you, how they are doing coz every once in a while the answer or the conversation it leads to is just golden!

  9. Parkheadcumsalford on

    I wouldn’t start either Richards or Commons on Sunday. Both, imo, are too risky, for different reasons. If GMS is fit, play him. If not, Armstrong.

     

     

    The rest of the team picks itself.

     

     

    Hate the whole situation. Just win, Celtic. I couldn’t care less hat the score is, so long as we beat them. Hammering them would, of course, be preferable. Whether we will be allowed to do that is altogether another matter. Too much of Scotland’s Establishment don’t want that.

  10. THE EXILED TIM on

    CLUNKS

     

    As I said I was just taken aback, going from a cave to a touch screen for your brekie is a tad too far for this trog.

     

    But it’s the same everywhere, anything to get rid of a wage, thankfully I don’t have to worry about that any more, but I really feel for my weans who do.

     

    HH

  11. Hamiltontim on

    TET

     

     

    I’ve not seen it on TV so I don’t know what was shown. Instigator or not Thompson would send him off for that reaction on Sunday.

     

     

    He had his best game for us at Fir Park but for me it’s still miles short of being good enough.

  13. An Tearmann on

    Houl your wheest 10.36

     

     

    Jeez rules for them bhoys.if only eh.same wi the ever saintly bono.

     

     

    HH

  18. Burnley78 on

    HT

     

     

    I have been increasingly impressed by CKR if we accept he is a non scoring striker.

     

     

    I felt he really intimidated a very physical outfit. I think he would do similar vs our opponents this weekend.

     

     

    Often the strongest team prevails in the matches vs whatever team represents whatever club from govan.

     

     

    I would be keen to ensure we are winning in strength as well as skill on the day.

     

     

    CKR has played his share of big Derby games around the world. He will cope I reckon.

  19. bamboo on

    Roy Croppie

     

    Saw the Yardbirds in Lamlash Hall on Arran complete with Jeff Beck on guitar. They were at the height of their fame but somehow ended up on the island playing in front of about 100 assorted teuchters.

  22. the_huddle on

    CKR and Roberts will start, the rest of the team takes care of itself with Mulgrew keeping his place (if he’s managed to stay fit 2 weeks on the bounce).

  23. THE EXILED TIM on

    HT

     

    Aye maybes he would have, but if as has been said he has never been sent off, and he has played in hostile games, he obviously knows how far he can take things.

     

    Play him and feck the consequences.

     

    We don’t have anyone who will take it to them, he will, we know they will do what they can to rile us, to change our team to suit their pish is not on my agenda, feck them, if Ronny thinks he merits a start, fine by me.

     

    HH

  24. clunks on

    TET

     

     

    Is the website going good?

     

     

    Be interested to know how you set it up (wordpress/joomla etc) and how you get traffic to it and what process you use to take sales (merchant account/paypal etc)

     

     

    That is the future for our kids, not Mcdonalds or starbucks or any of a number of soulless corporates.

  27. weebobbycollins on

    Broonie is my worry. He may well be an easy target for the mib and someone we really don’t want to lose. If we keep 11 on the potato field we will win convincingly.

  31. Hamiltontim on

    Burnley78

     

     

    A ‘non scoring striker’.

     

     

    You’re correct but dearie me when have we ever had one of them until possibly MAF?

     

     

    He was better against Motherwell but my opinion is that he’s nowhere near good enough.

     

     

    Has his intimidating presence resulted in any goals? I honestly can’t think of any.

  33. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    THE EXILED TIM on 15TH APRIL 2016 10:24 PM

     

    Ruggy

     

     

    I never knew that CKR had never been sent off, so he is obviously cute enough to know how far he can push things, always a first time tho :-)

     

     

    Said last week after the Well game, that I would love to see him ragdoll the hun defence and I stand by that, cos he will given the chance.

     

     

    ====================================================================

     

     

    Exactly the way I see it. I like him.

     

    He has a powerful physical presence . Something I feel we have lacked.

     

    Perhaps a bit short on ” silky skills ” but we have others who can provide lots of that.

     

    And he doesn`t take any caca.

     

    I sure want him on at some stage.

     

    Referees will do what they choose to do irrespective of whom we field.

     

    Gerrintaethesepeepel .

  38. Delaneys Dunky on

    HT

     

     

    It is a team game. CKR would be a first on the team sheet for me on Sunday. I think he is class.

  40. THE EXILED TIM on

    CLUNKS

     

    I gave up on it, it’s virtually impossible to get traffic to any site unless you weigh in with serious bucks, and I don’t have them or am not willing to pay for the privilage.

     

    I have my shop on Etsy, they generate the traffic for me, as long as I get my tags right I get the views, I average about 300-400 views a day, the sales are creeping up as well, my sales are 1200 in 15 months, way more than I could expect with a website on my own.

     

    The costs are not too bad either, 20c per item for four months to display it, they take 3.1/2% of sales as a fee, so as long as you factor it in it’s fine.

     

    It pays a bill or two and a few wee extras.

     

    HH

  41. clunks on

    HT

     

     

    Maybe his intimidating presence didnt result in goals but he brings balls and attitude to our team.

     

     

    Something that has been sorely lacking in the last few years. He probably wont start but if its a choice between him or armstrong (if GMS cant make the team) then he wins the outside left position every time.

     

     

    The game on Sunday will be won by our players winning their battles and Kazim never leaves any doubt about winning his battle to play his game, ask paddy roberts how he felt when Kaxin rocked up to swat away the players who wanted to stomp over him last weekend.

     

     

    Win our battles and we win our game.

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