Taking the foot off the pedal talk

1410

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. Hunderbirds are Gone on

    Macjay

     

     

    I was meaning here’s hoping I was around for many more good times, but I take your point.

  2. The Greatest Show on Earth

     

    Roll up. Roll up. Roll up.

     

    For one day only

     

    Courtesy of PT “There’s a Hun Sucker born every minute” Barnum

     

    From the Mt Florida sheep meadow carefully tended by Sevco’s own gardener.

     

    The Zombie Carnival

     

    Before the main event when the zombie hordes will be slain by the Sons of the Lions,

     

    A CORNUCOPIA of sideshows featuring:

     

    Marching Bands

     

    All manner of exotic animals in the menagerie:

     

    Ostriches with their heads in the sand

     

    Bears in training to walk on their hind legs

     

    BFDJ and his untrained slobbering elephants

     

    Leopards changing their stripes

     

    See the Freak Show on the Midway

     

    Bearded ladies

     

    Accounting jugglers

     

    Verbal Contortionists with their heads in hitherto impossible anatomical postures.

     

    (We apologise that the “Guess Your Weight” stand holder declined to appear)

     

    And the unique attraction of the Clown Alley

     

    Where you will be guided through the Mythical Continuity Maze

     

    “Up to your knees in EBTs”

     

    Secure you entrance to this wondrous attraction with just a

     

    POUND.

  3. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    ‘GG

     

     

    Excellent,couldn’t have put it better myself!

     

     

    In fact,as I have one or two good friends from the dark side,I’m gonna prove that point by stealing it…

  4. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    HUNDERBIRDS ARE GONE on 16TH APRIL 2016 8:16 AM

     

    Macjay

     

     

     

    I was meaning here’s hoping I was around for many more good times, but I take your point.

     

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

     

     

    I`m hoping exactly the same.

     

    Hail Hail

  5. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    ‘GG on 16TH APRIL 2016 8:22 AM

     

     

    The Hendersons will all be there.

     

    Late of Pablophanques fair.

     

     

    Not to mention henry the horse ( Whisper )

  6. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    `GG

     

     

    “Up to your knees in EBTs”

     

     

    That`s a great line.

     

    :-)

  7. CQN Coupon picks this week:

     

    Lennybhoy – Walsall

     

    Pog – Millwall

     

    AWALK – Wigan

     

    PF – Scunthorpe

     

    GL2 – Southampton

     

    TTT – Hartlepool

     

    Jobo – West Brom

     

    BT – Preston North End

     

    Keep the Faith!

     

    Hail Hail!

  8. Reading back

     

     

    HT,a great read neebs ;))

     

     

    The huddle & clunks

     

     

    Quality songs

     

     

    HH

  9. Always thought we should have nicked their favourite ditty, changed the words and used it as a reminder to them about what actually happened……plus it would just annoy the b’s.

     

     

    Your upto yer knees in EBT’s

     

    Pay Hector(or her majesty)or you’ll die

     

    For we are the mental Timalloys…..

     

     

    GIRFUY

  10. No ,no British throne.

     

    No freemason signs on display

     

    With freedom and hope

     

    Where we all bless the Pope

     

    Sing republican songs everyday.

     

     

    Hail Hail and god bless the celtic! .

  11. Good on, Tam Cowan, having a dig at the Cardigan for talking nonsense and getting it all wrong, and also asking about the 270 creditors . Says they were lucky to be admitted at all to the lowest tier of the league.

  12. TBJ has no trust in the PLC on

    Bumped into Neil lennon last night in oran mor. Wandering about on his own half cut … seemed a wee bit risky on the weekend we play the zombies

     

     

    I asked him about Bolton and if he knew they were in financial trouble when he went there. Said he didn’t have a clue .

     

     

    Back living in glasgow again and taking all the media work on offer . Working on sKy on Sunday.

     

     

    Said he would love to get back into management but not sure where that might be

  13. Good morning all,thank you for your kind wishes for my family today at my daughters wedding,

     

    Yeez are roasters but Tims and good folk of the highest order and i am proud to call every single CQNr that i have met a friend, and those i have yet to meet.

     

     

    Right ofski getting kicked out my own house by a group of mad wummin half way through hair do and make up, till later all

  14. BMCUWP and GERRYFRAETHEBRIG

     

     

    Many thanks and so far so good!

     

     

    Some friends and family joining us tonight for a wee bevvy, so might not be up in time for the game.

     

     

    Have a great weekend!

  15. I would not have Neil Lennon back as manager of our club.

     

     

    Not in a million years.

     

    He walked away.

     

     

    Now, he spends his time whoring himself around the media telling anyone who will listen that we miss Rangers, need Rangers, Old Firm this, Old Firm that etc

     

     

     

    Neil Lennon ………..

     

     

    No thanks

  16. cathedral view on

    Some great reading last night, HT in particular.

     

     

    The ole CKR debate is a good one. How about a compromise and we bring him on at half time when we’re 3-0 up?

     

     

    cv

  17. HT

     

     

    Lovely post!

     

     

    Looking forward to the next chapter.

     

     

    I was there in 1965, if only I’d known!!

  18. Philbhoy

     

    HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPY BIRTHDAY ,hugs to yer wummin aswell have a great day my friend

  19. Looks a lovely day in West Lothian this morning.

     

     

    Will I need a jaiket when I go out?

  20. Big Roy/Dallas

     

    Bet neither of you up yet but (as you know Roy) Anton a tim through and through. Not our best player ,by some distance, would have run through a wall for the Jersey. Travelled on our bus to the games before he became pro and had to then play on Saturday. Travelled again when he was out injured. Remembered his reaction when he was being scouted by Celtic and broke his leg thereby thinking he had lost his chance. A bhoy who knew what it was to play for the fans much like TB…..a fan who really did get lucky.

     

    On playing the different shite tomorrow, like some on here, I would play CKR. I think he gets us. A bhoy who will not be messed with. Provides a foil for Leigh and I think (rarity) there is a footballer there and we started to get glimpses of that in the Murderwell match.

     

    Anyway enough of these musings. Tomorrow, irrespective of the 4-0 tic win, we will still wake up handsome with our debts/facepainters paid and our history intact.

     

    HH

  21. TBJ has no trust in the PLC on

    Moravcik

     

     

     

    I said to him ” dont you be talking about the old firm as they don’t exist ”

     

     

    He said ” doesn’t matter does it ”

     

     

    Obviously I told him that it is a fact and matters to most celtic supporters and 271 creditors.

     

     

    He walked away at that point

  22. Has wits posted any tips for today bhoys . Unfortunately haven’t time to scroll back .

     

    HH

  23. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    JIMTIM

     

     

    He has highlighted Clondaw Warrior 3pm,Ayr.

  24. Coolmore Mafia

     

     

    You obviously missed Neil Lennon’s embarrassing interview on Goals on Sunday last season.

  25. Leftie

     

    Have a good one. Keep your meat and two veg harnessed cos only our rivers run free.

     

    May the day stay fair for your daughter.

     

    Phil breithla shona

     

    HH

  26. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    Good Morning Bhoys a lovely morning here in Central Scotland.Neil Lennons time at Celtic for me has come and gone he moved on his choice I hope he gets a managerial job soon but not with the hoops. H.H.

  27. Leftclicktic

     

    Have an absolute fantastic day Big Mhan

     

    Your daughter is very lucky to have a dad like you walk her down the aisle

     

    And may your Daughter and her husband, have a very long, happy and special time together

     

    Hoping the full family now have a great day

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