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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G’night.
Ronny and the Bhoys.
Stay alert, when the opportunities arrive, take Every one of them.
Delaneys Dunky on 17th April 2016 3:14 am
Petec
Wow! Forgot how much Future Sound of London changed my life. Thank you.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
A Celestial Symphony.
Celtic are Magical, hopefully Majestical later today. Grafitti on the Great Wall
G’night.
Catfish and the Bottiemen are challenging Manic Street Preachers to be the greatest Welsh band ever.
Soundcheck
8 hours till we pump the Rangers tribute act rotten. Happy Days
Hail Hail
DELANEYS DUNKY on 17TH APRIL 2016 4:10 AM
Eddie and two of his Aussie mates are joining us tonight.
Two potential Tims in the making.
Any bloody win will do.
Sydney Tim…………You in it ?
To all my fellow Hoops fans seeking instant gratification today……..as Celtic will hammer ‘Thems’ !!
Your legitimisation of the SFA and Scum Deadclub ( as soon as you paid for your ticket) will not end well for us in the long run.
Take it down from the mast……….
Stay safe
Take it down from the mast, Irish traitors,
The flag we Republicans claim.
It can never belong to Free Staters.
You brought on it nothing but shame.
Then leave it to those who are willin’
To uphold it in war or in peace.
The men who intended to kill it,
Until England’s tyranny cease.
You’ve taken our brave Liam and Rory,
You’ve murdered young Richard and Joe.
Your hands with their blood are still gory,
From fillin’ the work of the foe.
For we stand with Enright and Larkin,
With Daley and Sullivan the bold.
We’ll break down the English connection,
And bring back the nation you sold.
Take it down from the mast, Irish traitors,
The flag we Republicans claim.
It can never belong to Free Staters,
You brought on in nothing but shame
https://youtu.be/CIjr6LRfIv4
RUDICANTFAIL on 17TH APRIL 2016 4:48 AM
______________________________________________
Too true fella, too true!
Celtic FC, sleepwalking into a tragedy(hope it dizny start today).
Only the Celtic support can, wake up this sleeping giant and, avert that tragedy.
Sad thing is….too many of ‘todays’ Celtic support are, too busy spinning they’re
own uber-Tim-agendas than, do what is required to save this club – our club – from,
inevitable free-fall then, a sad collapse.
The ghosts of the Jungle Rebels wept.
So, so sad.
Plastic-Rudderless-Celtic v’s Vampires-who-dodged-a-stake-cheats-R*ngers.
Where’s ma violin…..
Prediction – The animals will invade the pitch after the 4th Celtic goal, the game will be abandoned with ‘no’ action taken against the hun animals who were all wearing Ronny Deila masks.
You’ll Never Walk Alone…in the Jungle.
…..off-oot-zzzzz…….
Kevjungle….You are the hearbeat of the ethos of Celtic my man…..
Incredibly accurate post……
p.s….I hope I never ever pissed on your leg nor you did mine in the Jungle…..What an experience that enclosure was, but still wouldn’ t change it for all the malt whiskies in a Masonic bowling club…Hail Hail mate…you sound a proper rebel to me
From Chris Sutton expressing my thoughts also
Petrol Tank Cup has me in knots.
Chris Sutton : No one cares that Rangers won the Petrol Tank Cup … there’s a huge gulf and Celtic should smash them 06:00, 16 Apr 2016
CHRIS reckons despite the Light Blues recent trophy trophy haul there is no reason to stop Ronny Deila’s side from running riot on Sunday in the Scottish Cup
IF I was still a Celtic player I’d think this isn’t just about winning. It’s about smashing Rangers all over Hampden.
I’m not talking about kicking people. It’s about proving you are the top dogs, showing you are miles better and that there is a huge gulf between the teams.
As the game has got closer, talk has increased of a tight contest.
More than one individual has been calling it a 50-50 game. I just don’t see that.
It will only be a 50-50 game if Celtic don’t turn up. If they give one of their better performances they should wipe the floor with Rangers.
That should be burning motivation for the Celtic players, who have had a week of people telling them that a team from a league below are every bit as good as them and ready to beat them.
The big questions for the Celtic fans are who should do the job and how should they go about it?
Four of the back five pick themselves. Craig Gordon is the No.1, Kieran Tierney and Mikael Lustig are the full-backs and I’d have Charlie Mulgrew at centre-back.
He’s composed, calm and also gives left-sided balance.
Beside him, I’d go for Dedryck Boyata. He has a mistake in him but he’s also got pace which is an asset on a big pitch such as Hampden.
Erik Sviatchenko gets dragged around too much and Boyata’s a better bet so long as he doesn’t try to pass from the back.
Nit Bitton and Scott Brown are certs for holding midfield roles. And Leigh Griffiths must go in attack – where he will look to get at Danny Wilson and Rob Kiernan and can kill them for pace – so it’s about the three in behind.
Patrick Roberts will start, surely. He’s a talent but needs to be less predictable. Lee Wallace has been Rangers’ best player this season and is experienced, clever and strong.
Roberts is full of tricks and has talent but he always drives inside and needs to set Wallace up by going outside him a couple of times.
That’s a key battle and it’s the same on the other side. James Tavernier has done really well in the Championship but he’s never been properly tested defensively. Wide players haven’t got at him. With respect, he ended up in the
Championship for a reason.
Celtic have a problem on the left. I don’t see Gary Mackay-Steven as a real big-game player but you want someone who is quick and can go at the Rangers right-back to try to find him out. GMS might be best suited.
The No.10 is a key position. Kris Commons is the best at Celtic for that role but he hasn’t played enough and isn’t at his best.
You’d prefer to go with someone in better form and have to consider Tom Rogic. Many would pick Stefan Johansen and Deila might go for him as he has the legs to get back and join Brown and Bitton when Rangers have the ball but can also get up to help Griffiths when Celtic attack.
I’d gamble and go for Commons. If you want someone to win a game, to find the key pass or magical finish from 20 yards, he’s your man.
Now for tactics and Deila can’t be sure how Rangers will play. If I were Mark Warburton I’d model my team on the likes of Molde.
It’s not rocket science how Celtic play and Deila never changes, even though he should at times. Rangers’ best chance might be to go positive and exploit Celtic’s vulnerable
backline but that carries risk.
There has been a lot of talk after Rangers demolished Peterhead. Yes, Peterhead! The question is whether Warburton’s team follow a more defensive gameplan or play with the freedom they have in the league.
No doubt, they’ve been effective in the second tier. Wes Foderingham has looked competent, Tavernier and Wallace have been great going forward but not tested defensively.
The centre-halves can’t run. A high line spells trouble and even in the Championship they have been exploited. They have a neat and tidy midfield trio but surely if Brown and Co bring their A game they’ll trample them. Kenny Miller’s experience should not be underestimated and Celtic need to be watchful of Barrie McKay’s trickery.
But in reality it is a mismatch player-wise if Celtic turn up.
A year ago it wasn’t a contest. This time Celtic’s regression has led to Rangers having a fighting chance.
But Celtic shouldn’t allow this game to be close. If I was in that Celtic dressing room I’d have lapped up this week listening to the talk, keeping my counsel and preparing to slam Rangers back in their place.
Celtic need to win and do it in style. Yes, Rangers won a Second Division and Petrol Tank Cup but it is time for Celtic to show their rivals they can’t compete now and won’t next season either.
Six and a half hours and counting .
COME
ON
YOU
BOYS
IN GREEN
‘GG on 17TH APRIL 2016 5:29 AM
From Chris Sutton expressing my thoughts also
Petrol Tank Cup has me in knots.
Chris Sutton : No one cares that Rangers won the Petrol Tank Cup … there’s a huge gulf and Celtic should smash them 06:00, 16 Apr 2016
===========================================================
Stoater , mate.
And some run down Hunskelper extraordinaire Chris ……………….
because he speaks his mind.
Loved him.
Still do.
I like Chris Sutton’s comments about the Dead Club because they are truthful and from the heart .
Cant understand numpties on here giving him a hard time about his opinions on Deila.
Definitely in the top 10 strikers ever to have worn the Hoops…..Great player!!community
Some people on this blog know more about communion than football …..in fact they know more about communion than community.
Celtic 4 Deadclub 0 today ……I wont be watching
Good Morning CQN
The daughter and I are just back from St Andrews after two weeks
No WWFI at the caravan site for the two weeks so lots to catch up on
Kevjungle Hope you are well my friend stay strong
Delaney’s Dunky you have a great day with your family
Hope all you CQNers are all fit and well
For every Tim today going to the game or not
Stay safe and mind yourselves
God Bless you all
Hail Hail
Mt
KevJ……. Keep it
Hail Hail
Mountblow Tim
That daughter of yours will always keep you right, always in my wee daft prayers and your good lady will never be far away from you both…. Not read back yet and fell asleep early doors, remember don’t let the bams win The Bhoy Jinky & JMccormick (2 of my Celtic cyber muckers) Celtic have done heehaw wrong….let the people sing
Kev J
That was keep it lit
Hail Hail my fellow Celt (even though your a moaning bam) I know loads of KevJ’s so understand your grumps
Will not get to see the game today as I will be working a 12 hour shift .
Can someone please post the match after (if at all possible).
So we can see it.
Many thanks in advance.
Macjay
You also have a fabulous day, my mate is picking me up back of 10am, he is ages with me but has always drank with his dad’s pals, for some daft reason his dad’s pals said to him aka wee Gerry over for the Hun game, a squad of guys 60+ meeting up at 11am on Sunday morning to watch a game of football…by the way the bhoys I runabout with are a bit jealous the old crew have invited me over, I will savour every minute, not sure these bhoys would be on the sauce if we were playing Aberdeen but each to their own…….. Have a Guinness on me my Australian fellow Celtic fan
Glorious sunrise earlier in darkest Lanarkshire, very cold and crisp.
Hope everyone enjoys the day, going to be a long one.
Hail!Hail!
Just heading off to work.
Look after yourselves and those around you today bhoys, whether you are going to the game or down to the pub.
Jmccormick
Early start, early finish………get those walks stripped
A smattering of blue (our lady’s blue) skies appearing in ML5
GERRYFAETHEBRIG
You have a great day out with your mates
It should be a very happy day for us all
Come on you Bhoys in Green and White
Thank you for the prayers
Hail Hail
Mt
MOUNTBLOW TIM
Good to see you back on here!
Take care and God bless.
Thanks for all your good wishes yesterday and last night!
We had a great night here, at least I’m guessing we did by the mess the hoose is in!
Thanks again!
Good Morning Timland.
Just want it by with.
Away tae Mass…..is it ok tae say that?
Morning Bhoys from a dry Central Scotland.Well a big game today my prediction it could come down to which team wants it the most.H.H.
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 17TH APRIL 2016 6:32 AM
You tell them my first hun game was at Hampden 59yrs. ago .
A wee nipper I was. Be nice to get a similar score today.
Actually enjoying a nippy wee J.W. black label with my boy and girding my loins.
As you do.
:-)
Here`s tae us.
We`re winners no matter the score .
Hail Hail ,my fellow Tim.
Hun(s) talkin to thumsel(s)…….
………thur must be a big seance comin’ up.
Shameful Sleekitry.
GFTB
Cheers! Will be at the walls straight after mass, enjoy your day.
Good morning from Glasgow. Haven’t looked out the curtains yet, so I don’t know the weather.
II have an admission to make; I will be avoiding the game today. I want Celtic to win every time regardless of who they play however today I’m just not interested as I think the game is as true as the Saturday wrestling. I’ve never watched WWF so I can’t make that comparison. For me, this is not, nor can ever be, a Celtic vs Rangers game. I want Celtic to have a big rival but that could be Aberdeen or Hearts or Dundee Utd. And I wouldn’t deny Rangers fans the ability to follow a new club that they can positively identify with. But this Emperor’s New Clothes version of a club isn’t it, for me.
I also have a bad feeling that we won’t be allowed to win this game today. I see it as being that the new club need the money from European games and that Craig Thomson et al are a safe pair of hands to ensure this.
This is Scottish football’s USP and is worth too much money to the SFA and spfl (“who are the clubs”) for things like abiding by the rules of the game to get in the way. Cue Craig Thomson.
I feel that my watching or listening to the game is condoning that.
In saying all that, felt this way the last time and at the last minute I switched the game on and watched it. Afterwards, i felt as guilty as if I had scarfed a whole packet of Pringles by myself! So who knows!
This is my feelings and I’m not attacking anybody who is going to support Celtic today. Atm, I feel I can’t do it for this game.
DarnTheHairWeCare
Morning all.
Well the day is finally here.
I will be happy with any of the following scorelines:
7-1, 6-2, 5-1 or 4-0.
Hope the players are up for it.
I’m sure they are.
HH!!
Hope every Celtic supporter has a great day and that we have a record victory for a cup game!
What character(s)…..fabulous costumes….what a performance!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vK65dPpbVs
Good morning CQN, been awake since 6am, nervous excitement, looking forward to heading to the game in a while with my partner S. I have had many thoughts of scores ranging from 4 to 7 or 8 nil, as Chris Sutton said enough to put “them” back in their place.
KevJ- good thoughts with you!!
I hope all Celtic fans have a good, safe day.
HH
Good morning friends from a dry, calm and sunny-throug-broken-clouds East Kilbride.
This is the day that The Lord has made, WE WILL REJOICE and be glad in it.
Just seen a couple of pictures showing that the monkeys have been busy during the night. They’ve painted the kerbstones outside Bar 67 and The Pheonix red, white and blue.
Earthquakes in Japan and Ecuador.
Reports coming in of another in Tonga.
God help all those affected.