The 29 day resurrection, Same old Alloa

736

Yesterday’s win over Motherwell came 29 days after the defeat in Gibraltar but for all intents and purposes there was a lifetime between the performances. Celtic have been transformed in that time. It’s still early days but you can see the week-on-week improvement in Celtic.

We look like a proper team, one which will be difficult to play against and will carry a threat. Although we went home raving about the flowing, attacking, football, Celtic were patient early in the game; it took them 11 minutes to craft a chance. I think this is going to be a feature of our play this season. Getting our systems organised and feeling our way into games before stretching opponents.

Scott Sinclair probably did more last night than on his marquee performance at Tynecastle to show what he will bring to the team. He often played between the forward and midfield lines and always had an eye open for the defence-splitting pass.

It was another solid performance from Moussa Dembele, who looks increasingly comfortable in a Celtic shirt. Goals help, of course. Top performer was Tom Rogic. Twice he scored by perfectly timing a run into the box, the first of which was an exquisite piece of work between Rogic and Callum McGregor.

You will have again noticed Rogic’s fondness for ‘having a pop’. He’d developing that antenna for goal which we like so much in Kris Commons, a good number of Motherwell keeper Craig Samson’s saves came from the Aussie.

In the next round it’s ‘Same old Alloa……..’ This game comes in the midweek between the first and second European group stage games, so a home tie against lower league opponents will probably be a welcome change of pace for Brendan and the players. And us.

The Road to Lisbon

As many of your know, our own Mouldy67 will undertake an enormous effort in May to commemorate the 50th anniversary of something or other. He and others will cycle from Celtic Park to the Estadio Nacional in Lisbon to raise funds for the Celtic Foundation.

They will leave Celtic Park on 6 May 2017 (50 years to the day since we won the league across the city), arriving at Estadio Nacional on 25 May, the 50th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions becoming the first team to break the Spain-Italy-Portugal stranglehold on the European Cup.

This is a stunning project. At the moment, opportunities exist for you to join Mouldy and the others in the cycle, you can also become a project sponsor, or simply donate to the fundraising effort. For more information, visit theroadtolisbon.com

img_1866.jpg

Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

736 Comments
  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7
  9. ...
  10. 20

  1. Chavez –

     

     

    For the record, I strongly support the Palestinian cause. I have done so in words and action over many years. I have no issue with the Palestinian flag. I have owned a few.

     

     

    But I don’t make up the Champions League rules. UEFA does.

  2. I have worn a green and white Palestinian scarf to CP for the last three years. Will be doing so again on Wednesday night.

     

     

    I will not boo players because they play for a team from Israel.

     

     

    I will support my team loudly.

  3. Regardless of you view on the Middle East, or whether or not the UEFA rules are draconian, it is UEFA’s competition. If you want to be part of it play by the rules.

     

     

    And by god, how we have moaned and stamped our feet about not being in the Champions League for the last two years, so clearly we do want to be part of it.

     

     

    Again, it’s UEFA’s competitionn and they care not for your views, only the views of their sponsors and brand reputation.

  4. Captain Beefheart on

    Chavez,

     

     

    Can’t imagine too many folk from Palestine will watch our game. Isn’t it a wee bit condescending to call them ‘poor’?

  5. embramike says "the Huns are Deid" on

    CelticFC SLO ‏@CelticFCSLO 23m23 minutes ago

     

     

    Wednesday September 21, 2016

     

    Celtic v Alloa Athletic

     

    Live on BT Sport, kick-off 7.45pm

  6. Captain Beefheart on

    Apart from our player from Israel, what has the Middle East got to do with Celtic FC?

     

     

    The student politics should remain outside Celtic Park.

  7. ThomTheThim

     

     

    It was only when the cameras showed him shaking hands after the game that i realised he had been on.

     

     

    Chasing shadows.

  8. traditionalist88 on

    Auld Tam on 11th August 2016 3:57 pm

     

     

    I’ll say it again.

     

     

    Having been fined several times already, if there is a significant display of Palestinian flags in the stadium next Wednesday,

     

     

    ======

     

     

    Agree with your points but what constitutes a significant display? There was at least one Palestinian flag present last night. Would that be enough to get us into trouble? A particular arrangement of colours potentially costing us up to a 7 figure sum!? Madness, but yep, its Uefas rules.

     

     

    Agree with leaving any protest outside.

     

     

    HH

  9. Saint Stivs says SACK THE BOARD on

    SAINT STIVS SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 11TH AUGUST 2016 2:52 PM

     

    the celtic end half roof starting , when was this ? 1968 ?

     

     

     

    http://image.wikifoundry.com/image/3/db5ea504e521daaccb668b45c6d00997/GW1024H768

     

     

     

    —————

     

     

    so the floodlights went on 12th Oct 59. So the celtic end roof was in place before then.

     

     

    1959-10-12: Celtic 0-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers, FriendlyThis is a featured page

     

     

    Match Pictures | Matches: 1959 – 1960 | 1959-60 Pictures | Celtic Friendlies – Home

     

    Trivia

     

    Match arranged for the switching on of the new floodlights at Celtic Park.

     

    The announcement that Celtic would install floodlights had been made the previous season. Work began as soon as season 1958/59 drew to a close and by June the pylons were starting to emerge.

     

    Supporters said to have stood in awe as Mrs Kelly, wife of chairman Robert Kelly, switches on the lights.

     

    New lights said to be the biggest and best in the UK and would last until 1994 when the ground was rennovated to make it all seater.Wolverhampton Wanderers are the English Champions for the second year in a row.

  10. Saint Stivs says SACK THE BOARD on

    CAPTAIN BEEFHEART on 11TH AUGUST 2016 4:15 PM

     

    Apart from our player from Israel, what has the Middle East got to do with Celtic FC?

     

     

     

    ————-

     

     

     

    do you mean aroon mid – calder an at ?

  11. It is disgraceful that the Palestinian flag is banned. What other national flag is treated in this way?

     

     

    We should remember that our club once defied the football authorities in Scotland in flying the Irish flag under threat of expulsion,prevailing by a single vote.

     

     

    I will applaud anyone who takes a Palestinian flag to the game next week. There may be consequences from the rancid UEFA kleptocracy, but much as I love Celtic, sometimes there are some things more important than football.

  12. Stivs

     

    There is no way the floodlights were switched on in October 1959. They had to be there from the 1940’s to guide all those German bombers…..

     

    HH

  13. 1959……now that was an awfy awfy braw year….

     

     

    Afternoon champions…..now you have recovered from the groin strain…..The beauty that is Celtic give us a grin strain……Germans love a grinning Schottie59….not ….hahahahaha

     

     

    Serious money to be mopped up this season…..

     

     

    Braw.

  14. CHAVEZ on 11TH AUGUST 2016 3:56 PM

     

     

    Guys, we fly flags of foreign nations on the roof of the North Stand at every game. Have UEFA ever fined a club for the flying of national flags? Or is there something you find abhorrent about the Palestinian flag?

     

    _________________________________________________________

     

    Chavez, as you well know, there is an ongoing conflict (an euphemism for the Israeli subjugation of the Palestinian people) at this point in time between the de jeure state of Palestine and the de facto state of Israel. Much of Palestine is occupied by Israel and there has been much bloodshed and loss of life (mainly Palestinian). UEFA recognises that this conflict is ongoing and would judge (as it has done in the past) the displaying the Palestinian flag as a political gesture by Celtic fans; subsequently the club (and indirectly the fans) WILL be punished for this should it happen inside the stadium; in my opinion, severe sanctions will be imposed possibly up to expulsion from the tournament, but certainly a full or partial closure of the ground for our next European game.

     

     

    Like many others here, I fully support the independence of the Palestinian people and have done by word and action for nigh on 40 years. However, inside Celtic Park on Wednesday 16th August is not the place for this. Those who truly want this support of Palestine to be noticed should be organising some form of demonstration at the Israeli Embassy on the day of both games; protesting at the hotel where Hapoel Be’er Shiva will be staying; rallying and protesting in the centre of Glasgow next Wednesday; and protesting outside the confines of Celtic Park next Wednesday evening before the game. All in a peaceful manner.

     

     

    To do otherwise and bring it into the stadium will be ill-advised, reckless and discounting the thoughts, feelings and opinions of the majority of Celtic fans who will attend the match. That’s not democracy and peaceful protest as I know it.

  15. Captain Beefheart on

    HarryM,

     

     

    Why don’t your express your concerns to relevant parties if you care so much about the issue?

  16. An Teach Solais on

    TRADITIONALIST 88 at 4.16pm

     

     

    There is a precedent for even ONE Palestinian flag being waved incurring a UEFA fine. Was it St. johnstone?

     

     

    It seems ludicrous that the flag of Syria, Myanmar and other regimes that may not meet with universal approval may be flown but not the Palestinian flag.

     

     

    However, as has been said : It is UEFA’s competition. EUFA MAKES THE RULES. EUFA’s competition, EUFA’s rules. Celtic have had a number of “convictions” and fines for supporter misbehaviour eg a few lads lighting smoke flares, a few holding up the FCUK EUFA banner. Hardly major crimes but EUFA will be totting up.

     

     

    Anyone bringing a Palestinian flag or banner into Wednesday’s match is no true friend of Celtic. Keep any protest, if you absolutely must,outside

  17. vfr800a8

     

     

    We have racked up the fines at an alarming rate over the years for various things. Are we the most fined club? Surely must be someone like Dinamo Zagreb?

     

     

    Stand/stadium closure for a match is probably the next level of punishment and it probably won’t take many more misdemeanors for that to be imposed.

     

     

    I do think UEFA are draconian in their application of rules, but we want to be in their money spinning club, so should follow their rules. can’t have it both ways.

  18. HARRYM on 11TH AUGUST 2016 4:25 PM

     

    _______________________________________

     

    Be careful what you wish for; how loud will be the applause if it sees us hammered by UEFA? Those who don’t like the rules of the UEFA CL competition are within their rights not to sanction it by not attending any games under its jurisdiction.

     

     

    The irony is that those who impose their “democratic” voice and opinions upon there rest of the Celtic fans next Wednesday are displaying the type of behaviour that they are, in fact, protesting against.

  19. Jerry Cornelius – I doubt there will be any PLO flags next week. The national flag of Palestine – aye, there might be a few.

     

     

    Captain Beefheart – by “poor” I meant they’re in a desperate situation. I wasn’t talking about their poverty. But you probably knew that.

  20. Jerry Cornelius on

    The irony is that those who impose their “democratic” voice and opinions upon there rest of the Celtic fans next Wednesday are displaying the type of behaviour that they are, in fact, protesting against.

     

     

    What? Mass murder and slavery

  21. traditionalist88 on

    An Teach Solais on 11th August 2016 4:34 pm

     

     

    Yes, not aware of the full details re. the St Johnstone case but pretty sure it wasn’t a full scale protest.

     

     

    Leave it outside is the best advice and this should be the advice doing the rounds on social media, forums and in the pubs.

     

     

    HH

  22. SFA impose two match ban on Jamie Walker.

     

     

    Hang on, I thought the whole point of “offering” a two match ban was that if it was accepted by the player it was a more lenient punishment. If you appeal the punishment is harsher.

     

     

    Yet, Walker and Hearts appeal, CO kicks out appeal but the punishment stays the same? What is the point?

     

     

    Anyway, back to flags and stuff….

  23. embramike says "the Huns are Deid" on

    Sky Sports ScotlandVerified account ‏@ScotlandSky

     

     

    BREAKING

     

    #Hearts Jamie Walker given two match ban by @ScottishFA for “an act of simulation” at Tynecastle on Sunday.

  24. Brendan has obviously told the players to be confident in their ability and to express themselves.

     

     

    It showed last night – everyone wanted a pop at goal – Sinclair, Dembele, Forrest, Rogic, Brown, Henderson and even Izzy.

     

     

    Difficult to see Bitton or GMS fitting in – Johansen could, but I think he is for the off.

     

     

    Writing also on the wall for Cifti – he couldn’t get on even when the game was won.

     

     

    Brendan forthright in his need for two more players – with Baily out, we need experienced cover – so that’s one…the other?, probably another mobile striker – Borini would be good, wages could be the stumbling block.

     

     

    Maybe McGeady will return next year for free, when Roberts goes back – I hope so.

     

     

    The Palestine thing is a piece of arrant nonsense in a football stadium. However we have some ‘hangers on’ and ‘fellow travellers’ within the support: e.g. the flare-lighters and the “F*** UEFA” banner makers, who have their own stupid self-centred agenda.

     

     

    The UEFA rules are there to stop football matches becoming hot-beds of political agitation and disturbance – with its global TV coverage, football could easily be the chosen propaganda route for the likes of DAESH and others – why in God’s name can’t these selfish exhibitionists think things through.

  25. An Teach Solais on

    Hopefully any warrior intent on bringing Palestinian flags into Celtic Park on Wednesday and causing the club and its supporters major problems will also have the courage of their conviiction to take their flags with them to the return match – that is if Celtic are not barred from the competition.

     

     

    If people are serious about champioing the Palestinian cause there is a time and place to undertake that work effectively. HH

  26. HarryM , when you’ve finished applauding will you then get your hand in your pocket to pay the fine? It might be quite hefty mind.

  27. traditionalist88 on

    Davidopoulos on 11th August 2016 4:41 pm

     

     

    Yes, memory is sketchy but I think thats right,

     

     

    HH

  28. I would like to think I’m one of the less inclined amongst the posters here to vote either Tory or the kind of Labour that would have the backing of the majority of sitting MPs. That said, it seems to me counterproductive to wave Palestinian flags in order to provoke a support in Beer’Sheeva who are most agreeable amongst Israeli organisations to that position. From what it appears, this team are Israel’s St.Pauli, antagonising them, rather giving them a welcome reserved for Liverpool or Borussia Dortmund might be a better way to show solidarity.

  29. Anyone know the last time a player offered a two match ban did not have it increased as a result of losing their appeal?Or is this the norm? H H Hebcelt

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7
  9. ...
  10. 20