The precious commodity

391

I’m pretty sure Players’ Player of the Year rules oblige nominees to come from more than one club, allowing players the opportunity to vote for at least one opponent, instead of a team-mate. That being the case, we will probably see a token Aberdeen player on the list alongside the Celtic nominees.

This award, voted by the professionals, has been dominated by Celtic players for a lot longer than the league title itself. Di Canio, McNamara, Larsson (twice), Viduka, Sutton, Hartson, Maloney, Namakura, McGeady, Brown, Izaguirre, Mulgrew, Commons, Johansen and Griffiths make an incredible 16 Celtic winners in the last 20 years.

The current holder missed the chance of defending his title after an early season injury kept him out of the team, then the irrepressible form of Moussa Dembele made Leigh’s chances of a sustained run unlikely.

Moussa, alongside Kieran Tierney, are likely to be nominated for both Player and Young Player of the Year. Stuart Armstrong’s late season form may see him nominated, while Tom Rogic’s early season form deserves a shout, but all electorates have notoriously short memories, so Stuart stands a better chance than Tom.

Scott Sinclair has been the transformational element in Scottish football this season. His speed of thought and control are exceptional. He was the player who Celtic battered defences into submission early in the season as Celtic picked up from some nervy European qualification performances, and transformed into a well-oiled machine.

Scott’s performances in his debut season in Scottish football reminds me of a former PotY winner’s debut season. Both arrived as support forwards in their mid 20s. They share the same speed of thought. This instant the ball arrives(d) in their vicinity, the next phase is already underway.

I remember commenting during the season that stopped the 10 that Henrik Larsson was “precious” to Celtic. It was clear he was having a huge impact on the team, but Jackie McNamara and Craig Burley outshone him for many as they picked up the Players’ and Writers’ trophies respectively that season. Henrik’s true talent was still unfolding.

Scott Sinclair’s impact this season has been no less precious. For me he is the stand out Player of the Year.  Oh, and the nomination from Aberdeen, I suppose it has to be Ryan Christie, who steadied a stuttering Dons team and helped secure what will surely be second place.

Join prodigious Celtic writer, Paul John Dykes, at the launch of Tom Campbell’s new book, Bobby Evans, Celtic’s forgotten hero, at the Admiral Bar, this Thursday, 6 April, at 7pm. You get register and find all details here.

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391 Comments

  1. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    BT,

     

    VFRs story is the result of a political decision somewhere down the line.

     

    I’ve learned a lot on here, murdochauldandhay introduced the latest political assault on the poor yesterday, something that was not general knowledge a very political and important post imo.

  2. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    MWD,

     

    There’s plenty on here like that, your just peeved at him because he’s a unionist like me :)

  3. ** GOALS FOR SHAY 2 **

     

     

    Welcome to Round 2 of GFS2 and our first ever set of midweek fixtures. Still 5 picks still to come in but here’s a note of where the other 115 picks have gone for Round 2. Just like Round 1, the choices are well spread across 13 different teams. And if you haven’t yet sent in your pick for Round 3, don’t forget to do so before the weekend.

     

     

    Good luck everyone.

     

     

    Round 2

     

    Tuesday 4 April

     

    Aberdeen [16] v Inverness

     

    Ross County [2] v Dundee

     

    Burnley v Stoke

     

    Leicester[18] v Sunderland

     

    Watford [1] v West Brom

     

    Manchester Utd v Everton (20.00)

     

     

    Wednesday 5 April

     

    Celtic [35] v Partick

     

    Kilmarnock v The Rangers [No, not one….]

     

    Motherwell [1] v Hamilton

     

    St Johnstone v Hearts

     

    Arsenal [7] v West Ham

     

    Hull [1] v Middlesbrough

     

    Southampton [6] v Crystal Palace

     

    Swansea [2] v Tottenham [4]

     

    Chelsea [1] v Manchester City (20.00)

     

    Liverpool [21] v Bournemouth (20.00)

  4. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    Canman

     

    As you know I try to keep politics away from my posts as I post enough bull without getting involved in tit for tat point scoring

  5. Canamalar

     

     

    If you read my comments today you would know I am at this stashes undecided. So I could be a Unionist Loyalist Republican or and Independent Unionist Loyalist or and Independant Republican.

     

     

    So stick that in your butchers apron. :-@)))

     

     

    MWD

  6. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    BT,

     

    I prefer politics to having to read about peoples gambling habits and their promotion of gambling on here.

  7. Jimmynotpaul on

    B.T.

     

    Ok get you away from the politics.

     

    Cracking picture of a smiling holy goalie on Sunday. One for keepsake, maybe. Not a play on words.

  8. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    MWD,

     

    Had to read that twice and just as well, started trying to stuff my butchers apron into my pipe then realised it’s not what you said :)

  9. W B G F C

     

    Don’t know if this helps

     

     

    Ross County v Celtic

     

    Ross County Badge Celtic Badge

     

    Ladbrokes Premiership

     

    Sun, April 16 2017

     

    Kick-off 12:30

     

    A limited number of tickets for this match are now on sale to those STH who meet the following criteria:-

     

    Attendance at 13 domestic away matches this season, and;

     

    Attendance at 21 domestic away matches in Season 2015/16.

     

    Tickets are priced as follows:

     

    Adults – £22

     

    Concessions (65 and Over / Students / Under 18) – £14

     

    Under 12 – £12

     

    The deadline for eligible STH’s to purchase their tickets is 3.00pm on Saturday 8th April 2017.

     

    Tickets can be purchased online, by calling 0871 226 1888* or at the Celtic Park Ticket Office

     

    Booking fees apply to all purchases made online or via the booking line.

     

    Matches vs Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle are not included as qualifying games due to the extremely low number of tickets we receive for these matches. Domestic semi finals and finals are also not included as qualifying matches for away criteria.

     

    *Calls cost 13p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

  10. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    Canman

     

    Politics are ingrained and very few will listen or reason with others opinions

     

     

    Betting is up to the individual and you can ignore if you feel that way inclines

  11. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    BT

     

    Dito for politics eh

     

    Got to say I’ve changed my mind on a few issues through this sites political discussions. And learned a lot as I said earlier.

  12. BEATBHOY on 4TH APRIL 2017 6:56 PM

     

     

    Why there is petty, entrenched politico bickering on a Celtic site mystifies me to begin with. To what ends? Do anyone think they are going to change the other’s belief system? Bonkers so it is.

     

     

    My observance of Ernie Lynch’s behavior goes back almost 10 years, at which he was badgering our host Paul with some contributions that bordered on insulting.

     

     

    Over the ensuing decade he has been ever present at the merely whiff of politics. During the referendum it was ridiculous just how much time he was spending on the blog. Who has the time?

     

     

    Always ready with an insult, or disparaging remark. Much like his retort to Corky above, one the blogs finest contributors IMHO.

  13. Canamalar.

     

     

    Apologies for my poor Queens English and grammar.

     

     

    I must do better if I land in the Unionist Loyalist Relublican camp OR the Independent Loyalist Republican camp.

     

     

    MWD

  14. Bhoys and Ghirls,

     

     

    Big Jimmy. A few great posts from the heart.

     

    I sincerely hope all turns out well for you.

     

     

    Just about everybody on here wants more done to protect the poorest and most vulnerable in our soceity. Most of us want more genuine equality . Its how we actually enable this that divides us.

     

     

    With respect, the answer of voting SNP will not achieve this. They already have powers to top up benefits, make discretionary payments and general assistance to the needy. And to our disgrace in these times of austerity we still have an underspend.

     

    I am aware of the so called reasoning for this, but I find it a disgrace. And It is a disgrace, when our poor are suffering.

     

     

    They are also refusing to take full control of more additional welfare powers. Unbelievable but true. If the Indy 1 ref had gone their way, we would be ” independant” by now. Yet they want more time to accept powers they have pleaded for.

     

     

    In summary :- They either do not know how to operate the powers or worse; they cannot be bothered to use them. Who knows, such day jobs may interfere with their over-riding obsession.

     

     

    I have delberately stayed away from the political debate as I am still on cloud 9 after Sunday, but our poor and most vulnerable deserve better. Better from a heartless Tory government and certainly better from the Scottish government.

     

     

    Hail, Hail.

  15. Feck the politics……what about the fan’s café beside the Superstore?

     

     

    Aff oot:-)

  16. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    MWD

     

    Tory, Orc. Tax dodger and even hated Partick until I met the Canman…:-)

  17. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    Sin city bhoy,

     

    There were quite a few who only posted in the run up to the referendum far more abusive, who are now nowhere to be seen but we can expect them back soon to justify why democracy should be ignored.

     

    Ernie as you say has been here consistently for a long time and we know what to expect. The power to scroll on is always available. Those who choose not to use it are either interested or looking to be offended.

  18. Colour Blind Bhoy on

    Just wondering how many of the 35 are playing their joker on Wednesday, I know at least one who is :-)

  19. Jimmynotpaul on

    Canamalar/BT.

     

    I have to say, both float my boat.

     

    It’s always great to read about people winning and getting a bit of joy. Like you on Sunday B.T.

     

    Canamalar.

     

    I thought I was reasonably up to speed on Politics but this site has educated me, from your Russia Today posts, to our American friends to our Oz friends etc. None of them, however will persuade me to vote for any UK party. I now just write, none of the above, I was going to stop voting but felt guilty as I had drummed into my girls how important it was, how woman died for the right to vote.

     

    Hail Hail

  20. … oh and in case anyone is curious there are 22 jokers being played this midweek. 20 of them in the Glasgow Derby. More than that I cannot say.

     

     

    Aff oot…………..

  21. Neustadt-Braw on

    Wee Nicola addressing Stanford University…

     

     

    Awfy braw

     

     

     

    Live now

     

     

    Braw

  22. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    MWD

     

    Failed the fitness test when I couldn’t walk up Gardner St

  23. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    Na, John brown said enough Blanitr folk on gardner leave

  24. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    Jimmynopaul,

     

    I think some of them are catching on to that emancipation malarkey:)

     

    Described to me by the summing as

     

    The right to vote

     

    Go out to work

     

    And look after the house and kids, talk about a sucker punch :)

  25. Sin City Bhoy

     

     

    Well, I don’t go back as far as that on the blog, but the Referendum was the perfect example of the observation I was making.

     

     

    Posters, some of whom I haven’t seen posting since, some who now post rarely, were on nearly every day with their assertions and arguments. Ernie challenged them in response, single-handedly most of the time, and on would come the “he’s ruining the blog ” complaints.

     

     

    Why shouldn’t people challenge assertions which they regard as false or misleading, no matter the topic?

  26. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    MWB,

     

    Agreed, democracy originally meant leaving the most gifted and talented to govern

  27. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    Anyroadup,

     

    Back to Dubai for me tonight, just stayed home long enough to win the title :)

  28. I notice JR is doing well.

     

     

    Obviously it is a lot easier to set up a team to Defend well…. than Attack well.

     

     

    Worth keeping an eye on for sure. 6 goals when in a relegation fight. Thats alright that is.

     

     

    Got actual St Mirren fans working alongside me @ the mo. I said that JR was a good coach in organising his team to defend.

  29. Jimmynotpaul on

    Canamalar 8.12.

     

    Also the right for those born in the late 50s/ early 60s to wait another 7 years for their Retirement Pension. A true scandal.

     

    I keep banging the drum about this,but how can UK claim to be a democracy when we have approximately 900 unelected peers.

     

    It’s alright if the electorate vote you out, we will put you in the house of lords or if you are kicked out, for breaking the rules we will put you in the house of lords too.

     

    P.S. Glad you enjoyed la lanterna, I will be visiting next Wed for lunch.

     

    Hail Hail

  30. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    Oh and jimmynopaul,

     

    I’m a big Corbyn fan, got to say it was fun the Tory all hoping he would win the leadership vote, then the outrage when he did.

     

    There is still a massive power struggle going on there and I hope he wins it, it will display the intention of the party to go “back to basics” :)