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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Do I get a podium for my atmosphere gag?
Yorkbhoy- don’t get them started on Michael Collins..
In space no one will hear you shout ‘podium?!’
stevietar – putting second rate teams in the second division
No
But you get a free Russ Abbott CD
Enjoy
We need to forget the newco Huns, there are nothing,don’t play in the same league are not on the same planet on and off the park by the time they get back to the top division we will be light years ahead that’s if they last that long. Celtic football club – THE ONLY TEAM THAT MATTERS
Che – pity you’re only away for a week….! :-)
Have a good time!
T4
stevietar – putting the turd back into the turd division
14:06 on
17 July, 2013
thomthetim…
We are all fas of Critic Football Clug.
******
Easy for you to say!
Not so easy for me to type !! : > )
Just thought I should add to the ever growing list of posted-from locations. So it’s a Big Sunny Hello from Kuramathi Island in The Maldives. No much chance of picking up BBC Scotland from here and as I also lost my mobile phone a few days ago it’ll be the iPod touch for Jobo from midnight tonight on CQN live updates.
The season begins tonight. The Quadruple is still on!
Istanbulcelt…..on hols mate just booked things ourselves to save lining the pockets of the tour companies….. First time here, great place. Not came across hotel you mention. Cheers bud.
Going to San Miguel in Ibiza on Monday as our holiday on the Moon ends.
Anyone know any pubs there showing our next CLQually games?
I know there was a pub called Casey’s which showed the games but that was a long time ago.
Many thanks for your replies re a pub on the Moon.
hun skelper
If we need to forget them why have you got them in yer name??
Jobo, hope you and the good lady are having a great trip. Remember that game of golf and a few beers post holiday mate. Pity we are both missing the KOSC on Friday, maybe next time.
So .. who’s missing tonight?
No Matthews so Lustig at RB. No Mulgrew or Virgil so who partners Kelvin Wilson at CB – Ambrose? No Ledley in midfield. No Hooper up front.
brogan rogan trevino and hogan supports kano 1000
13:33 on 17 July, 2013
——
Thanks for the reply.
I think Torrenueva is quite near so I should find something.
I used to go to the Harp Bar, but stopped because the owner refused to put the telly on for a Hoops game.
A two year grudge I just can’t shake off.
Thanks for info.
One week the Moon, next week Ibiza.
The ole fully inclusive from Barrhead travel is excellent value
DBBIA/Judith Chalmers CSC
LB – playa del ingles.
Good Afternoon all, here’s hoping for a good start to the competitive season. Just about recovered from Berlin at the weekend – the most encouraging part of the match for me was the performance of Rogic who I thought was excellent, and I was very impressed also with Atajic (sp?) who looked very sharp with good movement into dangerous positions. We really should be looking to attack the ball in space and not waiting for it to arrive, and to move with good pace and close the opposition down at every opportunity. These are the key areas I believe. Hope the Celtic TV stream is better tonight than against Fuerth. Be sensible and keep safe to all travelling to the game.
HH
Afternoon Bhoys, not posted for a very long time but always pop in to catch up on the craic. I am going to be in Troon tonight can any Ayrshire based tims recommend somewhere to watch the game (could be a bit of a long shot!) don’t really fancy sitting in front of the telly with a carry oot.
I think someone mentioned Bruce’s Well a couple of months back
Many thanks
HH
Have a good time then KelvinBhoy, I didn’t get to see much of the city. But I have to say the Nigerians that I met were great.
fanadpatriot:
I haven’t renewed yet, I don’t think I’m going to. Growing up I remember so many working class guys who have long since died but whose coin made the club it is today. Without their sacrifice and coin there would be no club alive with non-working class office holders to shame their graves.
Just realised yon zombie team are playing a game 1.2 miles from my house, normally we walk the dog up that way takes about 20 minutes. I’ll spare him tonight in case he gets bitten by one of them. I wonder if they brought the bus?
They are staying here:
Hotel-Residence Klosterpforte opens its doors to guests in the romantic setting of an ancient monastery. More than 800 years old, Marienfeld Monastery was founded by Cistercian monks in the Middle Ages and quickly became the foremost monastic order in Northern Germany. Nowadays, the church with its numerous art treasures and an atmosphere of calm and reflection attracts visitors from far and wide.
A large stone gateway at the entrance gave our hotel its name. The former monastery gate is now the main access to the estate.
A drawing made by one of the monks shows Marienfeld Monastery in 1412 (see pictures above). Layout, walls and buildings have hardly changed to the present day.
Bill Struth will be spinning in his grave, lol, staying in the grounds of an RC church! Upside is that this is a very expensive hotel so they’ll be spending even more of that money they don’t have. I think I’ll pop up to the hotel and tell the manager to get the money up front.
If Partick Thistle can beat Cliftonville, then surely we can?
http://ptearlyyears.net/1880s/1886-87 about half way down the page.
Cruly
philbhoy
Hope you are enjoying the holiday and keeping well .
Can anyone recommend a pub in Dennistoun to watch the game :-)
Kelvinbhoy
Are you in Nigeria or Portugal?
Ok which team did the sensational Alex Harvey support? Listening to him now. Do any of the slightly older than me guys know?
as-I-thought and istanbulcelt…..in Portugal not Nigeria. Think it is as warm as Nigeria though!!!!
An 80% fit McFadden would create more than a 100% fit (i know…) Forrest IMO.
hun skelper 13:07 on17 July, 2013
fanadpatriot 12:43 on 17 July, 2013
If anyone decides not to renew their season ticket that is fair enough – we all make our choices and they should be respected.
I don’t see the point in making a song and dance about it though.
Coming from Kinning Park I expect he supported his local team- unless he preferred the Vamboes.
God bless her majesty
DBBIA
Yorkbhoy- don’t get them started on Michael Collins..
Very good… Liked that…
Kelvinbhoy
I did think Nigeria was an interesting choice for a holiday. I lived in the north for a few years when I was younger.
Been to Lagos (Portugal) a couple times too, aunt and uncle had a villa about an hour away.
Emerald green linen shirt ironed.
White linen shorts ironed.
Quick shower.
Splash of Chanel Platinum Egoiste.
Sorted.
Off out for the start of the new season.
EC67
TwoonethegoodguysCSC
Big thanks to Stephen Knox, Oscar’s daddy for running about all over Belfast for us.
Belfast really is green and white by the way.
borgo67
Finish up today.
Got a wedding at Mar Hall tomorrow and staying over.
Head to Ibiza on Monday.
Hope you and your sister are well to. Olivia is still going on about how good your food was, she’ll be back soon!
If you want to see the game in a Dennistoun pub you could try the Louden…… but don’t wear your Celtic top…….or jump up and down when we score!
You know the drill!
Take care my friend and tell AM I was pining, no , asking for her!
Ha Ha KelvinBhoy Lagos for me is Nigeria, sorry for the mix up.
Aye you’re correct both roasting I’m sure, as is Istanbul. Maybe I should lay of the Efes or I won’t see the game tonight!
S revenue & customs
SIGN THE MCFADDEN ONE!!!!!!!!