If you were sitting in the Cliftonville dressing room tonight, you would fancy your chances against Celtic. They are a team reportedly playing the best football in their club’s history and are packed with professionals who are focussed on the task in hand. Celtic have vastly greater resources, but the fact that we have a list of excuses ready for a below-par performance is concerning.
The plastic pitch, the departed Wanyama and possibly departing Hooper, the tactically non-existent preseason and the fact that the deciding game will take place in Glasgow next week, are all available excuses, and teams with ready-made excuses often take them.
None of the above hold water, though. I would be surprised if Celtic players didn’t spend more time working on a plastic pitch at Lennoxtown than they spend on Celtic Park. Wanyama and Hooper were each absent from substantial Champions League victories last season and whatever gave Celtic the blues in Germany is a consequence of poor form, not a reason for it. Celtic can draw or even lose tonight and will still be favourites to proceed in the tournament but this is a game of football, and deserves to be respected as such.
The momentum for last season’s triumphs started to build after a solid win in Helsinki. A win tonight in Belfast would take the pressure of next week, allowing Neil Lennon more freedom to prepare for future challenges.
No excuses, Celtic.
To kick off the new season we’re having an Internet Bampots session on Friday at the (always excellent) Columba Club in Blantyre. Paul McConville, Phil Mac Giolla Bhain and myself will be on stage for a Question and Answer session from 19:30.
Tickets are available at the door. See you there.
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#Celtic subs: Zaluska, Amido, Rogic, Irvine, McGeouch, Waters, Watt (LB)
Glad to see the Scottish TV and Radio are behind their Champions in word and deed!!
Favourite Uncle
at 17.28
Thanks fur the Nob,palomin.. Much Appreciated.
Oh.. That Tale.. aboot the Missing Alpha Hunting Dug?
and . How that led tae. Murder maist Foul..
Yep… This Wiz/IZ a Murder Story.
and.. whiit[s Mair….. It IS TREW!
Ah hiv decided tae get it Published.. As Ah could see frum the result o’ My Trial Balloon, oan here..
Ah wrote oanly ,whit is known in the trade as a .. Taster.
And.. as it turned oot .. a success.. which wiz verified.
Fur it created quite a Loatta Interest among oor Fella Subscribers..
Watch oot fur the Coming Publication …
Nice Chatting,pal..
The Irish Upstarts 0 US..344
Ah am Uroarously Confident, aboot Tonight’s Result.. as ye see!
Kojo
Still Laughin’
Kayal starting tonight?
Hmmmmm…….
Was hoping Rogic would start.
Not surprised ‘tho.
Imo of course.
2-0 the Hoops.
HH!!
Should be.. UpRoarously Confident.
But.. Ah suppose Ah could be.. jist as….
Uroarously Confident ,as well..
Who wid Know the Difference?
Right?
Kojo
Still.. Laughin’
Tallybhoy
With Rogic, Commons and Forrest, the Skipper would have to do the work of four men, hence the inclusion of Kayal, good choice for me, I guess if it goes well we’ll see young Tom at some point..
Evening all
Looks a strong team, one to get the job done I think. Getting a bit excited.
Is it time at 52 that I grew up?
Jimbo
Looks like a 4-4-2 to me. Central midfield will be important.
TCC @ 16.47
Hamiltontim must be drunk,that’s not The Irish Brigade.HH
I know I will upset some regulars on here, however, golf isn’t even a sport.
should be more than enough in the tank for cville…
My Dear,dear , Dear, Friend.. The Singing Detective
Noo.. Ah am gangin oot tae the Liquor Barn..
Goatta A Few Things tae Pick up..
Me and Ma Pals, are gonna Hiv a Rare time.. If the Celtic Win.
And .. If Celtic Dinna..
Ah wull lace the Remaining drink wi Cyanide..
And we wull Awe Solemnly..
Commit Mass Suicide!
Seems Like the ONLY thing tae Dae?
Right?
Damn Right.
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
mickybhoy 18:43 on 17 July, 2013
Paul is giving his view just as we are.
We were here last season as well – poor results in the build-up and when it came to the proper games we were totally focused. I think we even went a goal down in the first game.
Lennon has said a lot of stuff in the build-up – the DR chose to highlight his most negative quotes because it suits their agenda and keeps most of their readers happy.
Lenny is probably attempting to avoid coming across as arrogant going into the match as well. I’m sure there was a fitting picture of our manager looking worried or snarling in the article … and words like ‘furious’, ‘angry’ and ‘blasted’ in the copy.
We have two ties against Cliftonville – and I am confident Celtic will be in the next round.
The idea that the manager and the players are quaking in their boots is silly.
Jimbo67
No
8-)
we’re the club – without us it’s not Celtic
If that team cant beat cliftonville in belfast….
As good a team as you were going to get tonight.
Willie W ” I’ve been to several clubs but Celtic is the only club where I felt – I belong”
If things go pear shaped tonight, I’m going to apply for the position of Celtic Manager.
Incidentally, I got a phone call today asking my availability to run a team in Sheffield, I told them I can’t manage Wednesday.
Looks like we are fielding our strongest possible team, although I would like to see Watt and McGeouch given a run out, even for the last 30 mins. I’m going to put my neck on the line and say the tie will be wrapped up after an hour – I’ll take 3-0 on the night.
I read a good statement earlier today – You know you’re a celtic fan when you fancy your chances against Barca, but are nervous about facing Cliftonville.
fanadpatriot
18:54 on
17 July, 2013
TCC @ 16.47
Hamiltontim must be drunk,that’s not The Irish Brigade.HH
===================================
fanadpatriot,
You’ve got to excuse HT, he’s still not recovered from the whack in the coupon he received wae the ba last season LIVE on the Telly:-)
Twists n turns – There are just shy of 72 million RFC shares issued, so today’s trades represent about 0.6 % of the total.
Hmmmm hope Forrest makes me eat my words, but I wouldn’t have started with him tonight. Anyway, lets hope the boys are well up for this and the pre-season stuff will be consigned to the bin where it belongs.
2-1 to the visitors.
T4
Dharma bam / stands up for Neil Lennon
We are. When I don’t feel like this before our first real game I know I’m finished.
Mon the Hoops! 10 more months of this? Bring it on!
Jimbo
….for they would beat the Rangers
Of that here was no danger
They gave the might of Davie White the biggest runaround
Hampden 1969, immortalised in song, RIP.
Chris1888
My nag def running Tuesday. Phone ya over weekend. I’m at haydock Friday.
Bet 2 1 tonight, and a charity bet of 3 1. Lustig to score twice at 66/1 is the mad bet tonight.
Chris
…and 1 0 ht 2 1 ft…and 1 0 ht 3 1 ft.
I’m away to hang out the washing to take up time before the game starts.
and it’s going to be dry in the morning
in scotland
Good luck to the bhoys tonight in a tricky looking tie but I’m confident we will have to much in our locker, looking to see us get our first away win in europe this season under our belt and hopefully put the tie to bed
tomanycliches csc
Bertie & Wispy bloody hilarious
whiskeyintheshower csc
Che
Just saw your comment…indeed. :-)
Let’s start the game at a pace the reds
cant live with……….shock and awe.
Tallybhoy
Yes, I was pretty sure it was you. Look forward to seeing you in September.
Watching game at home.
There are some characters on here, eh? PMSL every day at some of the comments. The “get togethers” must be a riot.
Just listened to Wispy & Bertie on shortbread. Brilliant!!
I think 3-1 tonight. Commons 1st goal. HH
MAH
Was listening. Funny stuff. So much passion still emanating from the lions. ” Belong” indeed.
weeminger
If it was such an insignificant amount traded why such a big shift in the share price.
Where’s the match update blog – 19 12 – getting close
Mon the Hoops
Pollenca CSC
Bertie & Willie – what a starter before tonight’s main course.
Wonderful recollection by both of them about the Lisbon Lions (a must listen).
Lenny should get that downloaded to our current players’ ipads and make them listen to it on a regular basis – it’s what makes the Tic – tick!
A professional performance will see us through tonight. H!H!
twists n turns
18:29 on 17 July, 2013
Dip in the zombie share value is very interesting…….Tick Tock
Getting excited about the game now ……mon the hoops ….!!!!
gherrybhoy57
Don’t know where your based mate but if possible you should definitely try to make it to a CQN day out .
HH
Twisty,
Good stuff – you won’t get me Saturday afternoon, Mrs Chris1888 off to Edinburgh and I’m on babysitting duties (unless Mrs. Twisty is available).
Hooper 8/15 to score anytime with PP – you can’t lose with that bet!
Celtic to win 7-0, 125/1 my daft, and only, bet.