Home games against St Johnstone, Hearts and Aberdeen after facing Albion Rovers in Airdrie isn’t the most taxing period for a Celtic defender, but it would be churlish not to recognise Dedryck Boyata’s form.
The Belgian central defender has been assured and confident. His pace halted a sprightly Hearts attack and an ability to elevate his considerable bulk into the air produced the only goals against St Johnstone and Aberdeen. Without him our attempt on the world record for consecutive league wins may be over.
Is he the genuine article? Maybe. What we can say for sure is that he’s not the bomb-scare he was the previous two years.
It should be no surprise we missed so many chances last night, we were without four of this season’s top five goal-scorers – surely some kind of record?
Great for those who stepped forward when needed, Dedryck in particular, but I’ll be pleased to Leigh, or Moussa, or Tom, or Stuart back for St Johnstone on Sunday.
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Anybody catch BBC Radio 5 this afternoon ? There was a guy being interviewed called James Brown who had , once upon a time , been one of the founders of loaded magazine.
A big football fan ( Leeds supporter) he’s written a book about street football , unorganised matches , 5 a side games etc. The conversation provoked memories of games called Wembley , Kirby , 3 and in ,all of which were played on streets and parks in every part of the country. The only difference being different names for the same games in different regions.
Brought back memories of games involving dozens of boys going on for hours in my early years that were a daily occurrence .
Made me feel old though ;-((
Heres one for Warbs and indeed the SFA to ponder
Maths again
If Rangers were awarded 5 points per win and Celtic 3 ,…..they would only be 1 point behind…..thats what scottish football needs
Looking at last nights squad, when you factor the 5 players to come back into the fold, Dembele, Griff, Eboue, Rogic and Stu, how on earth do we fit every one in? The only real problem Bren faces is trying to keep those not involved happy. It will be tricky.
Angel Gabriel
Playing on the street and stopping to let cars go by.
Wasnt many cars around then
http://www.talkingbaws.com/2017/02/manchester-city-defender-john-stones-says-celtic-park-best-atmosphere-witnessed/
Paul67 et al
Interesting watching a history programme debunking the myth of ‘The Glorius Revolution’, a proverbial Coup D’Etat, reliant on a foreign invasion of England, a day after the same Westminster ceded that very same ‘Sovereignty of Parliament’ to, and lets be honest, the people of England. The politicians should realise that, they will never get that Sovereignty back, any time soon.
Celtic Mac,
Are you saying the UK became part of the Dutch Empire
Saint Stivs – you sure about your ‘winning the leage’ dates? Here’s my attempt (showing all my workings so that I do get some marks even if the final answer is incorrect)
1. There’s 38 games in the season and The Rangers* are currently on 42 with 15 games to go and Aberdeen are on 40 with 16 games to go. We are, appropriately on 67.
2. If Aberdeen and The Rangers* won all their remaining games they’d achieve 88 and 87 points respectively.
3. So, to win the league we need to get to 89 points – another 22.
4. So I don’t think we can win the league in the next 7, unless Aberdeen (and possibly The Rangers*) drop points.
5. Our next 8 league fixtures are St Johnstone (A), Motherwell (H), Hamilton (H), Inverness (A), The Rangers* (H), Dundee (A), Hearts (A). Then Partick Thistle at home on Wednesday 5 April.
6. So as things stand we have it in our own hands to win the league on 5 April, a lovely way to end the tax year.
7. To win it against The Rangers* would require them to drop 6 points before we meet and for Aberdeen to drop 7. Over the next 4 rounds of fixtures.
Paper handed in. Leaves the classroom. Plans to check back tomorrow morning ;-)
If we were given the old two points for a win but left the rest at three, we would still be three points ahead of the Hun!
THETIMREAPER on 2ND FEBRUARY 2017 10:14 PM
Looking at last nights squad, when you factor the 5 players to come back into the fold, Dembele, Griff, Eboue, Rogic and Stu, how on earth do we fit every one in? The only real problem Bren faces is trying to keep those not involved happy. It will be tricky.
Dont think so,in reality there are only around 20,who many would consider 1st team players.Its a team game,some come in,some drop out,some get injuries,you need the manpower.Also,the CL,will provide different games for different players,especially,away from home.
Keep your trust in Brendan.Look how he has managed it so far.
Jobo
What if Rangers get 5 points per win from now on.
When would be the earliest date we could win it
JOBO BALDIE on 2ND FEBRUARY 2017 10:30 PM,
A perfect summation of our standing,in respects of winning the league.
Canamalar
Might have been in the short term I do not know, but once both Mary and William were gone, and no succession in site, (and try saying that in a Sean Connery style) Anne too, Westminster had to look further afield to find a King who would fit the bill. Hanover this time.
Saint Stivs on 2nd February 2017 10:04 pm
Further workings.
If 2nd rangers drop four points and Aberdeen five in the next 4 fixtures and we win all ours we can win the league the day we beat 2nd rangers march 11.
The huns game is the 12th as I know only too well as I am “jetting out” to Lanzarote that day, it was the 11th when I booked, looks like whatever happens I am having a party in the sky, returning the 19th, we will win the league on one of those dates
If I was a top gun fighter pilot I’d apply to be an astonaught to pilot a space rocket to the moon.
But I umny. So I willny. Cause if I said that I’d just come across as being daft. Not forgetting nobody sends emdy Tae the moon any more. Furthest they get is the International space hingimy.
Why is that Warbs? I’m sure you have the answer.
MWD
JOBOBALDIE
Four games before we play Sevco.
If they drop four points prior to that,their max achievable is 83. If we win all four games till then,we have 79 going into it.
If we win,their max total drops to 80 while our points in the bag rises to 82.
Celtic Mac
Canamalar
The Protestant and Hanoverian Succession was the crux of the regime change.
Still upheld by hook or by crook.
Mostly by crook though.
HH
In my view the problem isn’t the parking near the stadium but the complete lack of coherent traffic control when leaving the area.
Police used to man the traffic lights and switch them off on the way out London Road until the traffic was on to the motorway. This stopped some years ago under what pretence I’m unsure. When I phone London Road station to complain after one horrendous journey home I was told that traffic is deliberately slowed to prevent accidents yet the officer in question could not tell me how many accidents there had been on match days that required this policy to be adopted.
There never seems to be a standard way of policing traffic at our matches; traffic lights left switched on preventing the rapid flow of traffic away from the area. I’ve even experienced a police man/woman standing on exits to London Road preventing traffic leaving the scheme for what reason I do not understand.
Since the extension to the M74 the situation has actually got worse despite the fact that there is now another exit that leads to Dalmarnock past the Tesco.
If the police simply turn off the traffic lights and man the junctions traffic could leave the stadium area within 25 minutes but they seem determined to make the match day experience as difficult as possible.
Now imagine for one minute that this proceedure is given the go ahead. I shudder to think of the carnage at the first Sevco match when people will be unable to quickly get to their vehicles but forced to wander about the area with eight thousand opposition fans. It will be shocking for both sets of fans.
The guy who sits beside me travels from Aberdeen with his four year old son. He is now going to have to walk almost a mile with the kid to and from the park. Elderly supporters will have simmilar problems.
This isn’t even going to help people who live in the area as people will be unable to visit them as they will not have a permit to park outside the house they are visiting.
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 2ND FEBRUARY 2017 9:19 PM
NATKNOW
Corporate and legal free for all to begin with, and then the same to discover the malfeasance.
Certain people cant lose.
Strings pulled, people silenced etc.
The usual bs
HH
————————-
Will we ever know mate?
You’re not far wrong IMHO…
WITS
The magic hat was a city trader and being arithmetically challenged is a prerequisite for the job. In fact Im sure when the lying King told him sevco were gonna get a bailout it clinched it for him. Its all there: Entitlement, numerical dyslexia, cheating, spin and lies.
Great eh?
NatKnow
Anybody with half a brain would swiftly conclude that major criminal activity was rife.
But the powers that be are well aware of that.
It wouldnt be too difficult to uncover, id be willing to bet that certain people have been rather lax with their communications.
Then again, im too busy to be doing their job for them:)
HH
canamalar
Should qualify that, William’s accession the result of the treason committed by a small group of rich, determined and influential people, only seven in all who signed the letter inviting William to invade their own country. Did I say sign it, no, the treasonous conspirators were identified only by a secret code, ie numbers. So maybe not so much a Dutch Empire, nor a Glorious Revolution, more as I said earlier a Coup D’Etat.
Off to watch QT, will look in later.
Where’s Wally
Maggie
dont be such a cynic
MACJAY
13 out of 14 players last night from Ronny’s time.
And to think that chancer Brendan Rodgers is trying to take some of the credit.
Hmmmph!
Pogmathon
Thats hilarious.
HH
Proudbhoy, I spent most of Saturday in the St V. Mad fenian pub right enough.
Thats twice we,ve missed each other. Once in Oz (Perth csc) and once in fun city.
Mibby one day you,ll stop avoiding me………:_)
HH bruv
POGMATHONYAHUN
I suspect some Photoshop activity there-Murray is standing up,with his hands in the air.
Hold onto your rib cage
Where are they now?
Celtic Mac,
Thanks for the clarification
Aye some ‘interesting’ characters in the Wally photo. Did anybody spot the ‘big hoose’ hun?
Pogmathon
Wooft…they are mental.
Straight-jacket case:)
X-Factor look out.
HH
A CEILER GONOF RUST on 2ND FEBRUARY 2017 11:00 PM
–
Sorry about that .. Didn’t get to St vincents til the Sunday. Hopefully won’t be too long until I’m back over. Working on the Browny points already
WITS
Apologies. maybe he does have a magic hat.! :)
Mark Warburton admits it will be years before Rangers can realistically challenge Celtic
Neil Cameron The Herald
MARK WARBURTON last night launched a passionate defence of his record as Rangers manager which came with a warning to the club’s supporters that it will be years before Celtic could be realistically challenged.
He insisted second place was always the goal for this season, not the message put forth by everyone inside Ibrox last summer, and admitted the club is still working out a way to bridge what is the biggest gap ever between the old rivals and conceded Celtic are going to become even more financially powerful.
The Englishman’s standing among a previously loyal fan-base has slipped in recent weeks – even when the team won matches – but the manner of their 4-1 defeat to Hearts made even those who have continued to back him question whether a change was needed.
Warburton, however. pointed out that Rangers have never been in this position before and therefore it was expecting too much for them to push Celtic in their first season back in the Premiership since the club was placed into liquidation in 2012.
He said: “When was the previous time Rangers had been down to the bottom division? It’s unprecedented. The club is coming back. Let’s be clear. Senior supporters have come up to me and said, ‘the club’s never been like this before’. They’ve always been at the top. They are right.
“The club’s pedigree is outstanding. The history of the club is magnificent. But we’ve never been to the lowest level before and had to fight our way back.
“The club is coming back from a very, very low ebb, a very, very tough time. To come back and get promotion was last year’s target and we achieved it.
“What I’d like you guys to say is, ‘there is a big gap alright, but finishing second and getting in to Europe is not a bad achievement’”
Warburton said it would be “unacceptable” if Rangers did not finish second, a position he appeared to believe would be the club’s best case scenario for some time to come. He said: “Do we want to be 25 points behind Celtic? No, but our focus right now is Rangers and getting second in the table. That’s what we have to do. Get back into Europe and it’s another box ticked. Qualify for the Europa League if we can. Another box ticked.
“We are not going to close that gap quickly. We’re not. But if we are more transparent with our fans, telling them what we are thinking and what the club are trying to do.
“We can’t buy a £20million striker. I would love to, but the club can’t be reckless in our spending. We have to be on solid financial ground. As boring as that may sound it’s what the club has to do.”
Rangers supporters deep down will know this. Unless Dave King, the owner changes his tact and makes a heavy investment, or someone outside of Ibrox invests, then it is almost impossible to see when Celtic won’t have it all their own way in Scottish football.
Warburton said: “We have to build. Where should we be? Challenging Celtic and challenging for the league – that’s where we need to be. And right now we have a situation where the financial income they have from the Champions League makes it a vicious circle. There’s £30-odd million coming in.
“How do we close that gap? We have to find a way. But is it easy? Absolutely not.
“We are not in the Champions League next year – they are. So the gap could widen again. But we have to find a way. Time and giving young players a chance to develop is one way. But we are just being realistic. I understand history – I get all that – but this is literally an unprecedented situation.”
BMCUW, are you sure? Anyhoos back up to Glasgow tomorrow for weekend and to settle my debts with BRTH providing it’s not too windy in Brizzle. Sis-in-law (Exminster) biting my ear for a visit so maybe we can sort out a date sooner than later.
Pogmathonyahun aka Laird of the Smiles on 2nd February 2017 11:02 pm
The NHS has fairly went doonhill has it no?
Aye Maggie, care in the community obviously not working.