It’s hard to say, was this the easiest game against Newco, easier than either of the 5-1 wins last season? Was it our easiest game against both the Rangers group of clubs? I think it might have been. There were some games back in the early 80s I recall, but none finished with a four goal advantage. What about 7-1? I hear you say. Sure, but I am assured the gap between the teams in 1957 was poorly illustrated by that game.
Make it a matter of record, at no point have Newco been further behind Celtic on or off the field, not even when we won the Premiership under Ronny and they finished third in the Championship, or in a lower league.
The closest we came to conceding was from serial-threat-to-Craig Gordon, Mikael Lustig, who spectacularly sliced a ball against the crossbar. Craig pulled off another three fine saves within a few moments of that incident, with the score at 3-0 and Celtic apparently napping. But honestly, this was our most dominant game of the season.
Tom Rogic, Callum McGregor and Moussa Dembele each like a goal against that lot and they filled their boots yesterday. McGregor and Rogic both finished coolly with their weaker foot. Ironically, McGregor benefited when Russell Martin clumsily tried to clear with his stronger, right foot, a ball which should have been played with his left.
Scott Brown deservedly won plaudits but Olivier Ntcham was irresistible. His expertly taken penalty was a fitting reward for the way he dominated the central area of the field.
Referee Bobby Madden went into Brian McGinley territory (careful now) and awarded Celtic two penalties against teams from Ibrox. They were both stonewallers but you and I know that doesn’t always mean they are awarded – so well played to the ref.
I don’t watch much of Newco, but based on what I have seen, this Morelos character is one of the worst strikers ever to pull on a blue jersey. How he manages to make a living in the game when he finds putting the ball in the net from inside six yards so difficult is a mystery.
You will have noticed fluctuations in Celtic’s form this season. They have looked short of inspiration against the likes of Hamilton, but you will also note that they peak at the right times, like the finely-tuned athletes they are. Brendan had this date marked in his card since observing, “Be careful for what you wish for”, in response to news this semi-final draw was celebrated at Ibrox.
They will not be looking forward to their trip to Celtic Park in two weeks.
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Having passed a late fitness test on Saturday night, following a week long virus, I took my seat on The Burgh CSC yesterday.
TBH , the prospect of a sober day and the fact I wasn’t 100% didn’t exactly fill me with glee.
A sober bus journey to the game is not the norm but Mrs. Burghbhoy warned me to lay of the sauce given the way I’d been feeling in the last week.
To the game……I have never laughed as much as I did yesterday…..from the goals , to the manky mob infighting, the Andy Halliday chant, the hordes disappearing early doors, Wee Griff and Paddy playing keepy uppy, Broonie’s interview to wee Fredo’s miss.
Sobriety is defo the way to go
HH
Not sure which countdown we’re now on so thought I’d do all 4. So –
5 more sleeps until our first chance to win the league for the 7th (SEVENTH) time in a row.
13 more sleeps till Rangers* applaud us on to the park as Champions (or alternatively try to stop us becoming Champions!)
27 more sleeps till we unfurl the flag against Aberdeen
33 more sleeps till we try to complete the Double Treble
Rather a lot to look forward to!
HEBCELT on 16TH APRIL 2018 4:11 PM:
Your some man, thanks to you I spent a fantastic Sunday afternoon. All I can say is thanks. I no I’m not back on planet earth yet…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
OLDTIM:
If your lurking, you have mail.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
BP hope you and the 2 bhoys are well, you post your pictures mate. I had the grandson earlier but now he is away home.
Hope everyone has had a Happy Hoopy Monday
D. :)
Lennybhoy 6.04pm
Looks like that post you got a ticket
Good stuff :-)
Jobo and everyone
Do you really think Sevco will applaud us onto the park if we win against Hibernian on Saturday??
I for one do not, it might even be a league rule that they have to but they will not, and I bet nothing happens to them. I hope I am wrong, because I would love to see it.
D. :)
DAVID66 luv ya to bits pal,forget you have all got grandkids, unfortunatey my two boys died as stillborn in 1983, still love them to bits one day i will be reunited with them.ktf.
Pretty sure Shortbread will waste half an hour of how good it has been for Murderwell getting to 2 cup finals…
David66 6.17pm
I wouldn’t want their applause, the looks on their torn faced coupons will suffice :-)
D66, Del if you are lurking, didn’t see your post from last night until this morning, as I was slightly drunk and fell asleep when I came in.
Hope you had a good day yesterday, and today at work rubbing Der Huns noses in it.
Hope you passed on my good wishes to all the bhoys from my past?
Cheers Del
D. :)
Big Packy, I am sorry to hear that.
D. :)
Gerryfaethebrigg I like your reasoning
D. :)))))))
Tontine Tim on 16th April 2018 5:07 pm
That is a great assessment of the players named.
A good few years ago now, myself and Paul67 had a meeting with Yogi the Bear about his idea of an autobiography. The book which was subsequently produced only contained a flavour of what was said that day and in subsequent Q&A’s and other public events it is clear that the Big Man, like others, didn’t always hold Jock in high regard.
For all of his size and power Big John was and is a bit of a softie, someone who takes things to heart and who perhaps needed more of an encouraging hand and a cuddle than he sometimes received from our iconic manager. In saying the above I mean no disrespect to Yogi at all as I will explain below.
The story about fellow players not passing to him if he failed to beat his man on the first occasion is a really interesting one because I believe that to be absolutely true.
If you consider the Celtic team of the time when choosing to whom you would play the ball going forward, Murdoch, Auld, Clark, Gemmell, Craig and McNeill had a fabulous array of talent in front of them and to the side.
If the back four did not give the ball to Bertie or Bobby, why would you not give it to wee Jimmy or the fast paced Lennox? In Europe, Bertie Auld has said that Willie Wallace was the secret weapon, often dropping back into space to act as an additional midfielder who could set up play as well as score goals. The frequency with which Stein played Wallace was unbelieveable in terms of percentages.
Up front, who could resist McBride’s ability to score or Chalmers’ pace and experience in front of goal.
Add in Charlie Gallagher, George Connelly, Lou Macari, The young Dalglish and there is a fantastic team of talent to choose from at all times.
And then there was Yogi. Yogi that was supposedly either on his game or off. Yogi who received the ball if he was on but who didn’t if he was off – because his teammates either chose to, or were told, to play to someone else unless the big man shone early. The others were great players and possibly viewed as more consistent. Why would you not pass to them?
Yet Stein played Yogi time and time again for a number of years. Why if he was so up and down and given the undoubted ability and availability of so many other players of quality?
Why bother with such a hit and a miss player?
The answer is that because when he was “on” Big Yogi was, as you say, unplayable. A real handful for anyone at home or in Europe. And he “got” Celtic, only wanted to play for Celtic, and no one other than Celtic really floated his boat.
In my opinion, Big Jock, and in some respects his team, handled Yogi all wrong. Hughes was perhaps Stein’s greatest managerial failure.
Why would you virtually condemn such a talent early in a game when something didn’t come off immediately? Why not play him into the game? Why not constantly boost his confidence, encourage him to go again, and so unleash that obvious talent?
And what of the opposition? Given his size, pace and skill, do you think the opposition thought “Oh Big Yogi is on an off day so we cam just ignore him?” — Not a chance!
Don’t get me wrong, he sometimes got the required encouragement and Yogi himself will tell you that Stein made all of them, but he sometimes did so in the cruellest of fashions and the big guy did not best respond to that. In my opinion he could have been handled better and differently and boy what a player we might have seen then?
If he were 22 or 23 today would you offer him a contract?
I know my answer, especially under our current manager!!
None of the EBT all stars on Sportsound tonight. Wonder why?
I’m sure Stuart will be aware of the success of his two former team-mates at Liverpool. Two games away from a Champions League final. Might fancy a bite of that.
Hope he stays though.
Hebcelt
I will e-mail you about 25th May!
BRTH
BP@6:23 … really sad to read that. From your posts, it is clear that you would have been a great dad (one of the highest compliments I can pay a guy!).
HH
https://twitter.com/CelticF1rst/status/985829635471691776?s=08
Sir Rod doing The Huddle
Does BFSDJ actually listen to what he says?
David66 –
I’m pretty certain that applauding the Champions on to the park is not in any rulebook. Indeed, I think it’s only a fairly recent thing and so is a ‘growing tradition’. So, should we beat Hibs on Saturday it will be for Rangers* to decide whether to stick with the established tradition and give us a guard of honour. Surely the police, if asked, might want to encourage them to do this as being a further small contribution towards lessening the tension before the game? Equally, I don’t think it’s something we should make any noise about – if they choose not to do it they will leave themselves open to ridicule.
MIT @ 6.33pm eloquently put Mike.
D. :)
Big Packy 6.23pm
I am the youngest of 5 born in 1970 my mum suffered the same thing twice before I was appeared the name Gerard is from St Gerard of Magella she should have named me Jude after the Saint if hopeless cases ????
Hope you enjoyed the rout yesterday :-)
Jobo @ 6.40pm I wasn’t sure about it being a rule, Hail Hail
D. :)
Tontine
Like yourself, I have always found Old Kilpatrick to be a strange wee place. The pub you are thinking about is maybe The Ettrick, owned by Walter Smith. Think there are more Tims in OK now than ever before. Compared to where I live in Dalmuir, though, it is still considered a hun hovel.
https://twitter.com/dannyuniaharlem/status/985930345152425984?s=12
Brilliant….:)
BB
Naw. I think the helium he inhales has affected him. BFSDJ indeed.
can any one else hear the pain on the airwaves of shortbread
Bada Bing feckin superb
Loving this Hun skelping.
D. :))))))))))))
DD I hope you had a good day yesterday watching the Famous.
D. :))))
Michael Stewart laying it out for the huns perfectly on Shortbread
Reporting Scotland all about how poor the deid team are. Nothing about us, except wee snippets of the first 2 goals going in. They are obviously gunning to get rid of Murty.
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD on 16TH APRIL 2018 4:48 PM
TONTINE TIM,
Didn’t Forrest play after Millar? Maybe, I just answered my own question, as you say he troubled Big Billy, while Millar played against Bobby Evans
*yes he did but they both played in the 1966 SC Final miller at left half, forest was dropped for the replay which they won 0-1. My mother always maintained he was re reason they won, he was also the MOTM.
David66
My son had a BBQ at his house in Archerhill.
Knightswood was Green and White
Great day thanks.
BRTH yeah that would be good still going to the 25th do looking for 2 tickets and to sort out a wee prize for the raffle, need to look out your number and have a chat. H H Hebcelt
DAVID66, thanks all my brothers and sisters have got children and grandchildren, makes me think im a,friek joan, was told if you try again because she has a heart murmur she could die so we had charlie sammy bobby danny and thomas danny died in my arms thats why i cant listen to dannyboy im a basketcase so after they went we have got frankie and benny they will probably outlive me so any non dug lovers please scroll on by.hh.
‘ i fully understand the frustration of Rankers fans…,
Darryl Broadfoot on Shortbread
I am sure you do Dawwell…
Lennybhoy glad you enjoyed the day, happy to help out. We look after each other – it’s the Celtic way!!! Hail Hail Hebcelt