Tight at top despite magnificent win

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Yet again a magnificent Celtic performance was not enough to open up clear blue water between them and Aberdeen, who also maintained their 100% record in the league this season.  The sides meet at Celtic Park in 19 days in a game that could go a long way to determining the outcome of the title this season.

Celtic have scored 21 goals in five games this month but it was the quality that stood out most against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Saturday evening.  With the score at 0-5 Paulo Bernardo’s strike after a demonstration of pass-and-move football just before halftime was the pick of the bunch, but that was surpassed when Alex Valle played a one-two with Luke McCowan.  On receiving possession with space inside the box, the Spaniard backheeled the ball into the path of Adam Idah, who will not have an easier finish all season.

St Johnstone offered considerably less opposition than Falkirk managed against Celtic a week earlier.  When Kilmarnock and Hearts overcome their early season exhaustions, the Perth side will surely be in trouble.  Aberdeen have earned the right to feel elated at their form and position in the table, but Celtic look imperious this season.

Tomorrow’s Champions League game will be a world away from the half-empty home stands of McDiarmid, but it is a test Celtic will surely benefit from.

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  1. Our football is a joy.

     

     

    Great to see so many fans confident about tomorrow, it’s not particularly a confidence that I share but regardless of the result we can look forward to giving Europe a real go this season. This is the best Celtic side that I can recall. Well done, Brendan.

  2. Slow news day for a pre-CL game, bhoys.

     

     

    Feels like I need to make up a story about eating cats and dogs…

     

     

    Wondering if CCV will make the grade tomorrow or will Trusty face a tough test.

  3. If anyone hasn’t listened to the shortbread coverage of our post match from McDiarmid, I recommend having a listen. Where at the point now where BBC Scotland are telling other sides to forget about catching us.

  4. GlassTwoThirdsFull on

    “The sides meet at Celtic Park in 19 days in a game that could go a long way to determining the outcome of the title this season.”

     

    ——————

     

    Aberdeen to reach 90+ points? Hmmmmmm………..

     

     

    Anyway, so far so good, although you can only wonder how much better off we might be if we had signed a bunch of 17-year-olds from the Taiwanese fifth division, instead of the ones we went for. Anyway, what’s done is done I guess……

  5. bournesouprecipe on

    BIGRAILROADBLUES

     

     

    William Wallace signed a peace treaty with the English, just a few yards along the road.

     

     

    💤💤 CSC

  6. Its no use Colum coming out and telling us all,he is instructing VAR officials to do things differently,when by all the evidence,some are just ignoring him.He said he did not want VAR to be actually Refereeing games,when in so many instances,it is.Maedas goal.The accidental collision had no bearing on the goal whatsoever.VAR should not have got involved at all.Re- Refereeing the game.Then as Ex Ref Des Roach said today,they never showed the definitive view of the incident to the Ref,showing the clash was accidental.

     

    One of these games,it will cost us.

  7. Why are we focusing so much on Aberdeen.

     

    Always the same on here , Aberdeen this Aberdeen that .

     

    It’s Europe that should define us we need to get away from this small minded attitude.

  8. “With the score at 0-5 Paulo Bernardo’s strike after a demonstration of pass-and-move football just before halftime was the pick of the bunch, but that was surpassed when Alex Valle played a one-two with Luke McCowan. On receiving possession with space inside the box, the Spaniard backheeled the ball into the path of Adam Idah, who [not] will have an easier finish all season.”

     

     

    Got to agree, a great performance by Celtic

     

     

    The way BR&Co are preparing, coaching and managing this team is sublime.

     

     

    The assets of the players are easy to see, great technical ability, great physicality, great stamina, pace, smarts and attitude

     

     

    All combine to make a group of players primed for excellence, as records already topple

     

     

    “Tomorrow’s Champions League game will be a world away from the half-empty home stands of McDiarmid, but it is a test Celtic will surely benefit from.

     

     

    This is the litmus test, we did great against top opposition pre-season, but that was preseason, we have done great against domestic opposition, yet Scottish football is in the doldrums, we did great against Slovan Bratislava, but their team were obviously overwhelmed by the occasion and Celtic’s never stop play.

     

     

    This Tuesday evening we are playing away to a top Club, from a top league, with a UCL Pedigree

     

     

    It’s the real deal… and any result is a huge take away.

     

     

    Hail Hail

  9. bournesouprecipe on

    William Wallace of ( The Vogue Ruggy ) was later betrayed by miscreants that drank in The Linn O’ Dee

  10. Think some are remembering the Dortmund from last season.Not the same by a long way.Hummel’s,gone.Sancho,gone,Fullkrug,gone.All key men in their run.Manager,Gone.A lot of in fighting going on.Manager playing best players,Sabitzer,Brandt,out of position,causing a rift.Defence has been shambolic.

     

    Its still Dortmund,but this Celtic team has all the weapons to trouble them,especially,pace.

  11. My first memories of going to see Celtic in Europe weee from 68/69 season. Apparently that season was to be a huge test to see if Celtic’s win in 67 was just a fluke of an easy draw and a final against an aging old campaigner. We had lost in a preliminary round the season after.

     

     

    In 1969 with the help from a redraw (encouraged by our Chairman’s refusal, on political grounds, to play in Hungary against the crack Ferencvaros team) we showed we really did belong and had beaten Red Star and St Etienne in the first 2 rounds. So we took to the field as favourites to beat AC Milan at Celtic park after a 0-0 first leg in San Siro. Sadly Prati ‘pressed’ big Billy in the 12th minute and my first European game ended in defeat. Milan beat Man Utd and then thrashed Ajax in the final. We went on a run then where not getting at least to the quarter finals was the exception and not the rule.

     

     

    We reached the final in 1970, quarters in 1971 losing to Feyenoord and Ajax respectively after beating Italian English Swiss and Portuguese champions.

     

     

    We reached the semis in 1972 only to lose on penalties to Inter and after a second round defeat in 1973 we bounced back getting to the semis again to be kicked off the park v Athletico in 74.

     

     

    So my first 6 years of watching Celtic in Europe saw us get to the final once, the semi finals twice and the quarters twice also. We went into most games really believing we could get through.

     

    I was so lucky to attend all of our home games at this time. Really great times.

     

     

    Only in 1980 going to Madrid and in 2007 going to Milan did I ever feel we could possibly get to another semi final as we had done back then. Sadly we came up short / were robbed by poor refereeing and poor finishing.

     

     

    I don’t know how we will do this year but I have a sneaky feeling we might do ok. I would love that feeling again of being a team that really was recognised throughout Europe as a serious contender and not just an anachronistic former big club.

     

     

    I never thought the enjoyment I got from Ange in his first season would be beaten but it is to the clubs great credit reckon I am getting more pleasure from Celtic than ever this term so far.

     

     

    So to Dortmund this week and a chance to atone for those defeats there back when we were enduring 21 years of not reaching post Xmas in any European trophy 1981-2002. The Germans are a real curates egg of a team. Capable of scoring 5 and losing 5 also. It has the potential to be a cracker.

     

     

    It is just possible Europe could be sitting up and taking notice of Celtic again on Thursday morning.

  12. I think Valles assist at the goal is being grossly devalued by calling it a” Back heeler”.It most certainly was not.

  13. TEXASTIM

     

     

    CCV is not out with a toe snub. He was caught frying up Scales’ prize carp for his afternoon snack.

     

     

    So there!

  14. BRB – you in The Vogue to put in your bid to buy it, assuming you have a spare £500k or thereabouts kicking about.

     

     

    Enjoy!

  15. Another consistent, flair-and-goal filled performance from Brendan’s Celtic: the side wot he’s assembled ‘nat.

     

     

    And already – I’d suggest – a much more complete and compelling side than our beloved Aussie Greek put together in his brief flirtation with us, on route to the EPL object of his affections. I fear a call from Ole Trafford.

     

     

    Yes; we are an Irresistible side facing an indomitable challenge over in Ze Shermany.

     

     

    Whether we win, lose or draw (I fancy we’ll at least get a draw) BR is clearly a more complete manager than AP.

     

     

    Got get ’em Floyd !

     

     

    ACHTUNGBABY CSC

  16. Burnley,

     

    I do honestly think that many fans are being a bit too cautious in their expectations of this team.For me,this team is the real deal.Just something about them,that even the recent ” Invincibles” team,for me, never had.

     

    Maeda,never his greatest fan,has come on 100% for me under Brendan.Most of the stupid things he used to do,eradicated.Now a holy terror.Just one of the changes Brendan has made.I remember writing on here, after the Chelsea game,that this was a totally new style of playing for us,Brendan had forged and we should all be prepared for the ride of a lifetime.Nothing has changed my mind.

  17. Alan Muir has repeatedly cheated Celtic and it should be 3 strikes & out for any VAR official (especially a fan of the Ibrox club whom he has helped on many occasions). Collums weekly review has to address Muir’s diabolical decision.

     

     

    In the meantime the fans are starting to arrive in Dortmund — in numbers. I expect a big Celtic support many without ticket and hopefully a result— we will need a rub of the green..

  18. That our forthcoming match against Aberdeen could go a long way to determining the outcome of the title would only apply in the sense it would offer an opportunity to our most likely rivals to close the gap. Any other interpretations are fanciful, though others might say disingenuous in the extreme. Tant Pis

     

    Certainly the Dons have made a great start to the season, winning their League Cup section and now through to the semi-finals against us, and unbeaten in the SPL, maybe they now have a manager who could take them further than McInnes did. Wouldn’t worry about it too much this early in the season…..

  19. how quaint – the wi fi will be off.

     

     

    —————–

     

     

    Free wifi is due to be introduced but the club plans to shut off the signal while play is going on so fans will put their smartphones away and pay attention to supporting the team.[vague][27]

     

     

    Starting in the 2022–23 season, fans were allowed to stand during Champions League games, raising the capacity to 81,365 (same as league matches).[30]

  20. SAINT STIVS @ 1:17 PM,

     

     

    81,365, as the higest home attendance last season is quite impressive

     

     

    Arguably 80,350, as the lowest home attendance is more impressive

     

     

    Hail Hail

  21. Teuchter ár lá on 30th September 2024 12:20 pm

     

    Good morning from the Celtic shop in Livingston where I have just purchased a Daizen Maeda coffee mug for £7 reduced from 10.

     

    Safe travels to Germany bhoys.☘️

     

     

    ____________________________________________________________________

     

     

    Good man, although I do hear while the quality of the mug is excellent as most manufactured Japanese goods are, the tea breaks (or coffee) are over in the a flash!!

     

    Boom, boom!

  22. I always think Celtic do their best work when we have a togetherness, from top to bottom. It’s baffling as to why we’ve not done it more often over the last decade but we’ve supported the manager with recruitment, he’s doing his job in developing players and there is a confidence in the stands and throughout our support. Tomorrow is a different level of football but for the first time in years I’m looking forward to us playing away in Europe. We will do well to take anything from the game, but at least we have given ourselves a chance. Brendan looks confident because he’s being given players he wants.

     

     

    Fingers crossed CCV is truly fit.

  23. Bada,

     

    Plenty from me,regards Brendan.He said something in his post match interview that caught me,regards Calmacs recent goal splurge,

     

    ” I had a word,and wanted him to start tracking the play going forward,rather than just sitting holding”

     

    Seems a small thing,but look at the results.When he was manager1st time aound,Calmac was rattling goals in against the Huns on a regular basis.

     

    Elite manager.

  24. Turkeybhoy

     

     

    I think we are strongly in agreement.

     

     

    Let’s hope we are come Wednesday morning.

  25. TURKEYBHOY on 30TH SEPTEMBER 2024 12:47 PM

     

    Think some are remembering the Dortmund from last season.Not the same by a long way.Hummel’s,gone.Sancho,gone,Fullkrug,gone.All key men in their run.Manager,Gone.A lot of in fighting going on.Manager playing best players,Sabitzer,Brandt,out of position,causing a rift.Defence has been shambolic.

     

     

    Its still Dortmund,but this Celtic team has all the weapons to trouble them,especially,pace

     

    ————

     

    Exactly TB!

     

    I’ve stuck a wee fiver on us to win and both teams to score at 17/2. See how that goes.

     

     

     

    For those that like a wee bet. You can get Man City -4 against Bratislava (means they need to win by 5 goals) at 7/2 on Paddy Power. Well worth a punt. City usually destroy the lesser opponents in the early stages.

  26. glendalystonsils on

    True , Aberdeen have made a most impressive start to the season but our games against them can’t really be viewed as league defining in the way that Sevco games usually are . I suspect Paul is having a bit of fun here and shoving it up any hunterlopers who might be hanging around .

     

    It would be wonderful if they could claim second spot, we could then sing ‘you’re not runners-up anymore’ instead of ‘you’re not Rangers anymore’ .

     

    I think third place is their limit though .

  27. My last visit to Dortmund saw a Nakamura inspired Japan take the lead v Brazil only to end up losing 4-1. A great match and terrific occasion. Hopefully tomorrow we will see a Japanese trio emerge a bit happier.

  28. My mates are already in Dortmund.Could have had a ticket amongst” The Wall” but Mrs TB in Scotland.I have the Dug !!!!!!.One of my mates,who I got a job in Germany for 25 years ago,( FFS ), married to a Dortmund girl now,3 kids,has arranged tickets.

     

    Unlucky Alf,Fast Show,CFC. BUGGER !!!!!!!!

  29. MU

     

     

    I never really bet but like you I had decent punt on Celtic win and both teams scoring at 17/2.

     

     

    It will help fund my trip to Bergamo to defend our top of the table Champs League status. LOL

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