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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Happy with that team. What a bench we have as well, all attacking.
No red cards at the back please!
Up against a lower league team with unknown players. That said, they seem to have the officials on their side. So calm heads and no risky tackles in the box. COYBIG!
Roberts to score 2 or more 14/1
That will do
Pretty much the team most guys have been suggesting all week.
Gms given the nod ahead of Tom, callum and ckr. Any one from 4 would do the job imo
HH
COYBIG
Come on Celtic! Score early, score often.
Good luck to all the Bhoys and Ghirls in attendance today and stay safe on the way to the game and on the way back home.
Hail! Hail!
What tosb said.
(thumbs-up)
HH
The Clumpany
I can feel your pain. I would personally like to thank you for your insightful, courageous and humorous work over the last year.
I feel the battle against the lies has still to be, but can still be won.
Your own input has been invaluable to the cause, and I am sure has helped many people crystalise, and galvanise their thoughts re. the great liquidation lie.
Who knows? Perhaps in the not too distant future, someone inspired by you, will finally plunge the stake into Sevco’s black heart, and bring the football “administrators” house of cards burning down around them to the ground.
Thankyou.
Mr Clumpaneer………….take a bow Sir,
Your stuff always hit the spot – well done, come back whenever you like matey.
They don’t like it up thum………………..
HH
I think GMS got the nod as he covers back better than the others,the only threat from themselves is their 2 FBs getting forward,Brown and Bitton need to dominate the midfield and the rest should follow….
Rest in Peace Bobby Geddes, you sure sounded like a great man and a great Tim,
Enjoyed reading The Clumpany didn’t always agree with every nuance but will miss it all the same.
Good strong team selected for today, should be good enough but they have improved since last year. On their day they can play with a good tempo so we need to be solid at the back.
I can understand why some Tims don’t want to be involved in all that surrounds today’s game but any time Celtic play it lights up my life. I’m 68 now, don’t know how many more times I’ll watch Celtic play, hope it’s measured in thousands but more likely in hundreds, hopefully not less then that but I will treasure every one of them including today.
God Bless all attending at Hampden, stay safe & please God, good will prevail today.
Clumps
Keep on keepin’ on
Just put them back under their rocks Celtic!! The more goals the merrier!
HH
COYBIG
RAY S-C
Lol. That’s my new mantra for the day – the more goals the merrier :)))
Ronny playing all the footballers.
The Clumpany
always enjoyed your stuff ,
keep up the good fight
Carch you all later
HH
The Clumpacy
Enjoyed all your work.
Its not easy to break the big lie.
However…we will prevail.
Hail Hail
Clumpabhoyo……..your a Braw lad…come back with some specials!!!! All the best to you and yours…..keep it lit
Braw.
The Clumpany
I love your blogs and look forward to them daily. They have been entertaining and quite brilliant at times. You will be greatly missed. Thanks for your efforts and I hope that you will return at some point.
NEUSTADT-BRAW
Hail hail stranger -)))
Alan’s oot here the noo btw, where are you?
To-days game seems to have attracted the interest of the whole sporting world which surprises me. Plenty of pace up front in that Celtic lineup.
2 stats I was unaware of:
1) This is Craig Gordon’s 100th gane fir Celtic
2) Ronny Deila has managed 52 games so far this season, and has picked 49 different line ups.
The second stat comes from a piece in SoS, and may not be entirely reliable. I haven’t been able to verify it.
The Clumpany
You’ll be sorely missed from the Tim Online World…
Thanks for the smiles, giggles and insights..
SP
Celtic will brush aside this collection of English, lower league, no marks. Keep the faith and put them in their place.
Scoddland. April 1st 1984.
Result from an early kick-off.
SFA 1 Sporting Integrity lost.
4 year old club in their 53rd Scottish Cup semi-final.
Aye,OK.
Farce o’clock approaching.
Be safe.
It’s ma Auld Da’s anniversary the day and I’m sure he is expecting nothing less than a victory:))
Hail Hail Da’ never a day goes by…
R.I.P Bobby Geddes another good Tim gone to Paradise..
Clumps.
You told it as it is with great humour. Who now will keep us sane?
Hail Hail!
I dont get Sky (TF) but i’d be interested to hear what kind of lie’s judas is spouting on the telly.
CTVforever !!!
Hopefully the Bhoys will do it for your Da Starry, God Bless him.
Packie talking absolute sherbet…………………………
CORKCELT
Mon the Hoops…
Where’s the post on Bobby geddes
Remember being in the csc and we did a fundraiser for Bobby. Sad to hear he has passed on. Never knew the man but he’s one of us.
R.I.P Bobby
Really nervous .. Hopefully we get the result on the pitch and I become a father today . Will be a memorable day.
Griffiths anytime and Celtic 3-0 18/1. Worth a punt .
Enjoy bhoys and ghirls
Up the Fenian movement
Proudbhoy, As long as your Babe is OK all will be well. Best thing in the world is a new born baby.
Much rather rogic or McGregor started before GMS .
Hopefully GMS proved me wrong and performs well.
Pyro in the Blue end. Fines?
Rangers* can only name 5 subs.
What’s that all about?
Corkcelt
Very true .
Thanks buddy. Enjoy the game
Pyro at both ends of the ground.