I’ve never treated the Ballon d’Or seriously, but would you be alarmed if your manager overlooked two of the most outstanding footballers of all time, to vote for one of the poor relations in an outstanding, if waning, Barcelona team.
England manager, Roy Hodgson, is entitled to his opinion but in nominating Javier Mascherano, he’s started a debate which will not reflect kindly on him.
I remember when Martin O’Neill was in charge of Celtic, he could do or say anything and no matter how incongruous it seemed, we all looked for hidden wisdom. Martin knew much more about the game than all of us but this authority was uniquely evident. I don’t remember any other Celtic manager being regarded with such awe, and I go back to the latter Stein days.
Whether Mascherano is fit to pass the ball to Leonel Messi is beside the point, Roy’s opinion is a prisoner of fortune. He’s dead meat to his critics.
For all of Martin’s brilliance he wasn’t one for cutting edge tactics. He knew what worked for him and stuck to it. So when Gordon Strachan came along with some new, ‘ideas’, the reaction was not appreciative.
Gordon’s early days (years) were remarkably hostile but it’s what I’ve regarded as The Ross Wallace Deployment which remains in the mind as an unfinished debate.
Ross was a left winger. But, five goals down after a first leg capitulation in Bratislava, Gordon deployed him on the right. The outcry was palpable. We’d never heard of playing a left footed player ‘out of position’ like this. What is now commonplace – to mix a left and fight footed full back and winger on the same side – was both new and proof positive that Gordon Strachan was a deluded simpleton.
There’s value in the opinions of the outliers, so my vote for the Ballon d’Or would have gone to Efe Ambrose. Gordon Strachan was a better manager than any of us knew at the time.
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SFTB
Most clubs are entering the debt free position for the first time in maybe 30 years. Now is the time to build fan bases. Full grounds will secure a better TV deal. Something has to give because youngsters are now following English and foreign teams. It will only get worse. If nothing is attempted then attendances will slowly keep going down. £28 for a football game is way too much.
Look at the competition. I can take the Bhoy to the rugby with me for £20. I can go to the basketball for about £15. I can also have a beer at both if I want to. These sports are growing. So is darts. Football is our national game and people would rather watch Jeff Stelling on a Saturday talk mince with some auld pros in a studio with a vidiprinter. Sad times.
LB
eurochamps67
17:53 on 13 January, 2015
Very interesting take. NL football was slow and predictable. RD football puzzles me most of the time. In all fairness though some games lately I have enjoyed.As many have said on here. February will make or break RD.
mike in Toronto. I still think Rony will turn out to be the mhan he needs time to move on players he doesnt fancy and to bring in players he wants to fit his system.H.H.
Delaneys dunky
Yes it is :-)
HH
CRC
We want to reduce the squad size.
You ship out Derk, Tonev and Wakaso and replace them with GMS on a Bosman. I’d be happy with that.
Frantic07
good luck with your treatment.
HH
John Mackay wae the blue tie SAYIN Celtic in for GMS,must be true then,:):)
delaneys dunky
17:51 on 13 January, 2015
Saltires en Seville
Have been thinking of dumping Sky Sports and switching to Virgin with BT Sports. My surname is begins with D. 2nd February I will switch now. :)
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Go for it mate
My surname is Yasgur and I’ve got to hang on until September
Just In nice time for CL Groups — or sooner —if the terrible twins get their Pansy Potters :-)
HH
TGEF=The Googly Eyed F#d!
JFH
I agree… and I have been one of RD’s biggest backers. But, right now, at Celtic, he has the best (fittest, fastest, most skilful) players in Scotland at his disposal. If he cant get them to play that way, how can we expect him to get ‘lesser’ players to play that way. Unless we say that the problem is too many of the ‘top’ pros. in Scotland feel they have ‘made it’ and aren’t prepared to work as hard as some young hungry up and comers (although, as suggested by others, our young players, while dynamic to start, end up playing the same way as the rest).
I agree that we have to give RD at least a season. However, if he cant turn this around, then, I am not sure really what the answer is.
bournesouprecipe
18:01 on
13 January, 2015
excath
Tried to get in first ;-) nearly had a canary when we scored in the first minute.
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With those encouraging headlines I’m sure Traynor would welcome a man of your invention in his new Level5 PR Office opened today in Blythswood Sq.
CRC
Wonderful old traditional Polish name. :)
How has GMS played against us? Not very well from what I can remember but am willing to be corrected.
I’m wary of players in other teams who look good against lesser opposition but fail to impress when playing at a higher level.
Maybe he’d be okay. I’ll leave it to the experts.
JFH – exactly! we need to be realistic and reserve judgment when RD has had time to assess then make the changes he needs. I hope PL supports him but fear we penny pinch and seek loans for positions which for me are far too important.
I think our youngsters look skinny and not as athletic as their european counterparts – first and foremost a professional footballer should be athletic and fit – this is not the 70s. Don’t get me started on …”it fell on his weaker foot !!!
Very strange article today…is there something else going or is there just nothing worth talking about…mmmmm.
Old Waltosh seems to think there’s an “Old Firm” game coming up…..
Someone put him in the picture please.
mike in toronto
18:10
I think 4 of the last 5 domestic performances have been very good. I expect another good one at Hamilton on Saturday. I’m seeing real evidence of the style of football not seen consistently since Tommy Burns. Still someway to go, but I’m excited for how the season will pan out.
By the way, The Real Sports Bar in Toronto is the best bar to watch sport on the planet!
glasstwothirdsfull
Is that the same Waltosh who wished the NEW club all the best when they were formed in 2012 :-)
Celtic like the pre contractural agreements for incoming staff.
The Kelvin Wilson deal springs to mind, interesting to see if we get GMS beforehand in January for a small fee.
Personally don’t rate him, too one paced, too one footed, too soft, would give wee Jamesie a nudge off the treatment table.
*This opinion would change instantly if GMS opts for the Hoops*
SeS
Got offered a great deal from Virgin. Scunnered wi Sky. No brainer.
johnny rambo
I too have seen some signs of an awakening in the last few games. Still not as much as I would have liked, but it is definitely there…. I hope you are right and it will take off in the second half of the season.
Thanks for the note about the Sports Bar … I have passed it many times, but dont think I have actually been in it. I will most definitely have to try it now.
The things you learn (even about your own town) on CQN!
Awe Murdo what ye up to, another ex Celt giving their opinion on the “Old Firm” game stating that John Gudetti should not be making statements about scoring a hatric.
Now see he was sir ring next to Watty…
Ayrshire is Green and White
Collum ‘rested’ for 2 weeks….
Surprisingly, Fat Jum’s new mob is behind the Auld Indulged Ned’s piece on Shortie…….
Hatrick
Sitting
HH
Mike
My cousins will be in Bramalea club 7am Saturday for match
He takes pish to a whole new level………………
bournesouprecipe 18:19 on13 January, 2015
Personally don’t rate him, too one paced, too one footed, too soft, would give wee Jamesie a nudge off the treatment table
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Hope not, he might pick up another injury. Actually, I think this sort of spells the end for JF at CP. Even if GMS doesn’t sign, it seems obvious that the club is not prepared to take any more chances with JF’s longer term health.
FourGreenFields
The very same!
Stepbhoy. I agree a lot of our players dont have the same upper body strength as other teams I also think we get brushed off the ball to easily but that takes a long term commitment to improve the situation.H.H.
DD
I’ll try that
HH
Ooft!.. Tom English giving it tight to Walt for backing Chuck Green. ‘ blunder of gross magnitude’ he called it. A refreshing view, very different from the the usual fawning Walter fanclub.
glasstwothirdsfull
You would think that if The Magnificent Waldo knows they are a NEW club then it would be easy for the rest of them to catch on :-))
Syd Negakev 18:12 on 13 January, 2015
How has GMS played against us? Not very well from what I can remember but am willing to be corrected.
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He wouldn’t be playing against us :-)
bt
I haven’t been in the bramalea club for a while (several years actually), so dont know many of the guys there, but I am sure your cousins will be well treated.
And it is supposed to be up to 0 degrees by then (currently, minus 21 … just ran across the road to get some lunch … bloody freezing!)
If your cousins need any help while they are in TO, just let me know.
HH
mike in toronto
18:20
Oof I say Oof. Memory of it is a bit hazy. Massive main screen, maybe 200inch, with about another 24 50 inch tele’s around it. Massive selection of beers, cracking food, and if you’re loaded you can get a booth with you’re own draft tap. Top totty to round it off.
Love my NFL so was in on a Sunday about 1pm, 10 games on simultaneously, another 4 kicking off at 4pm, then the game of the week about half 8. If you’re at a loose end on Sunday dare say it will be good for NFL playoffs.
Time zone obviously an issue for soccer, but I’d imagine you would get all the Saturday English 3pm games on, who knows mibbe Celtic 3pm kick offs as well. Just checked and only opens at 11am.
http://www.realsports.ca/BarAndGrill/Toronto/Gallery/
Hamiltontim
This tim from Hamilton would be interested in a ticket for the Hamilton v tims game on Saturday if still available
eurochamps67.am.am@gmail
Mike
My cousin has lived in Canada since he was 12, my other cousin is going over for a visit
Family berievement
Last time I was in Canada was 2001 for my grans funeral in Windsor.