We learned so much yesterday. For a start, Falkirk are the real deal. They were unable to withstand the Celtic big guns but for 70 minutes of this match they competed at a better standard than any of our previous opponents this season.
It was also refreshing to play a team who were not intent on timewasting at every goal kick and who insisted on playing out from the back. The Premiership will be more competitive if they replace bottom club, Hearts.
Two goals yesterday on top of a peach against Slovan means Adam Idah is on fire right now. Think back five weeks, though, when he lumbered around the park on his first game back against St Mirren. Adam needed match fitness before he could shine.
Auston Trusty has made two starts this season, both for Sheffield United last month. His lumbering around Celtic Park yesterday reminded me of Adam’s at St Mirren. Auston made 28 starts in the EPL last season, a league with no hiding places. He will improve.
Nicolas Kuhn picked up the Man of the Match award for his 30-minute cameo, during which he scored two and assisted with two. Earlier in the game, you got the feeling the crowd would have been happy to give the award jointly to Greg Taylor and Liam Scales, as a token of appreciation for two players, whose absences were very evident.
The semi-final draw was not kind, pitching the top two clubs in the country against each other. We will face Aberdeen twice in two weeks, first in the league, then in the semi. Both games are in Glasgow, which is very welcome.
Celtic will have fatigue from European games during this period, while Aberdeen will enjoy more rest and time for proper training sessions. We will know more about the balance of power in Scotland after these encounters.
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As for the shareholders shovelling cash into the fire to keep the “big house” warm?
These guys were more financially astute.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/K_Foundation_Burn_a_Million_Quid
https://x.com/90sfootball/status/1838201658431729993
Just came across this and thought I’d share.
If you’re not old enough to remember this guy you have my sympathy.
The best striker I have ever seen.
Retired early due to persistent ankle injuries as a result of assorted thugs & animals going right through him for a decade.
Darwin- spot on
Auldheid on 23rd September 2024 2:41 pm
I thought Yang played like a player prepared to go into battle for a place.
He stood up to physical challenges better and was more direct in his play.
Hope he continues to develop
—-
Had him down last year as an impact player. Not so good at starting with the pressure on.
Was and still am hopeful that with some more regular appearances from the bench and some good coaching we could have a bit of a player.
Turkeyb,
Fair plays you’ve always been backing Taylor on here
I’ve been a fan, or certainly thought he’s had a rough time from many fans who thought he wasn’t the player Tierney was.
It was a tough gig to fold it I think he’s did brilliantly -and I’m glad there’s more competition for the LB role now.
Celtic tickets for Borussia Dortmund ‘ €18.50,well done…..
We have periodically pulled a rabbit out of our hat with some unusual signings, such as a big ex miner languishing in the welsh league who when on leaving the park as an Albion Rovers player would ask “how did the boys get on” and I don’t mean bhoys but was so happy tae cum back up the road as his home had been burgled….. again, his role was to be a back up player and also mentor the pre kelly kid youngsters coming through, which he did admirably and would soon after a career ending injury have him given the position of coach of the future kelly kids.
7 years later we repeated the experiment with Ronnie Simpson, son of a deid club captain who before signing for us sought advice fae his da who told him he couldnae sign for a better club as they would look after him, not like his old club who after he retired offered him the position as chief scout on condition that his first signing be his young son playing then with the spiders, he walked out the door leaving the contract unsigned.
Anyway, Sean Fallon urged oul Jimmy tae sign him as a back up tae his namesake John and also tae again work with the future Lisbon Lions and as we all know it worked out well for both parties.
But in between then was a defender from tarbolton aye you read tarbolton deep in darkest ayrshire, called billy price, who had played as a left half for Annbank United, Airdrie, and Falkirk, before joining us, I believe that he was also sine die for a spell due tae a transfer misconception.
Anyway, we bought him fae Falkirk for £1000 in the summer of 1961 after we had lost the replay tae the Big Mhan’s Pars, club captain Bertie Peacock had retired and 20 year old John Clark was deemed too inexperienced at the time, my memory of him as a young school boy was he was part of a reliable if NOT flashy defence of Haffey McKay and Kennedy, Crerand McNeil and Price, the only one who wisnae an international, he was seen as was an excellent reader of the game, a cool player who was regarded as someone who had a calming influence on those around him as well as having a bit of a dig.
He apparently inspired the chant of “Cel-tic! Cha-Cha-Cha!” when he played in the team that faced the star studded Real Madrid side in a friendly match for the blue and white trophy, IMHO an excellent Celt and an unsung hero during one of the darkest periods in our existence.
So, when judging players just remember what America’s greatest living poet once said “don’t criticise what you can’t understand”, and remember what I told you of my high school maths teacher at around the same time who never missed a game, home or away, when asked who was the worse player at Parkheid replied, Charlie Gallagher, I always wondered how he felt 2 years later after Big Billy’s bumper or another 2 year after that when we beat the best team in Europe at the time Vojvodina, courtesy of another Big Billys bumper fae a Charlie corner and while I’m at it 5 years later when the same Charlie carried his local team over the finish line and back intae the first division as it was known then pre steptoe time.
Billy Price. Thank you,TT, for reminding us of him. Always thought he was a FOOTBALL player.
You know what I think of Charlie Gallagher.
BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL @ 9:15 PM,
“Literally laughed out loud at this one, B78.”
Really!?
Why!?
Hail Hail
Majestic Hartson on 23rd September 2024 9:14 pm
…
‘We need players who aren’t first team picks, but we need them to be challenging the first team players – or at the very least be confident in them coming on in times of need.
Im sure Rodgers will have a better idea after yesterday who is going to provide that competition and who is not.’
It’s true MH – but the gnarly bit in that situ, is getting players who are happy to sorta play second fiddle, rather than get a season’s worth of regular games. Guys like Tony and Welshy are keen to hang around on that basis ‘cos they’re Celtic diehards. Scott Bain does it maybe becos he’s on a decent enuff wicket at a prestigious club.
Supporters sometime look at these guys and feel they’re not trying hard enough cos they’re not starting or showing promise so often. Brendan’s attempt to rotate the squad was smart. But we got a – useful? – fright from a well-drilled and courageous side (until our sex pistols/big guns) took to the field.
Chairboy
I think it was how shabby the rangers chairman looked for an organisation so steeped in dignity and tradition and keeping up appearances. Dressed by George at Asda. That is what amused LADTH
BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL on 23RD SEPTEMBER 2024 9:37 PM
My favorite player at the time and one if my all timers – pace, strength, touch, great in the air and a killer in front of goal. He could have done it for any team in any system
I had his poster on my wall next to my collection of rave flyers.
Darwin 23rd September 2024 9:03 pm
I have a hunch that there was another reason that persuaded Brendan to return to Celtic, although I have no hard evidence to back it up.
Did Desmond offer him an opportunity to be part in the fabric of the club going forward – direct input not only to the football side but also a role in the running and direction of the club when the time comes?
================
You too?
It is the only thing that made sense to me taking into consideration all the changes in the game since 2012
FSR (with Celtic stating input) ,
The new CL format (with I suspect Celtic input)
DD realising R2ngers were now totally unreliable as a business partner, DD having waxed lyrical about Rangers in 2012, having tried to persuade the FA in March 2011 (5 months before Rangers declared insolvency) that “the Old Firm” moving to England would be a good idea.
Perhaps even more than unreliable but positively dangerous to Celtic and Scottish football as events and evidence since 2013 demonstrated to all that took an interest in the facts presented rather than spin their meaning.
quadrophenian on 23rd September 2024 11:42 pm
—
I agree with what you saying.
Keepers are expecting to be maybe not be first pick…
Outfield though, I’m not sure if I want just someone who’s happy to wait for an injury or whatever.
My point might have been missed –
The key is getting players who are good enough to be challenging for at least an adequate cover for the first choice.
And then get rid of who is not and promote/sign who is not.
I’m off tomorrow and fairly pissed x
I have on my bucket list CL away ties……….,the last away tie i was at was in Paris in the 90`s against PSG,it was mid term school holiday and my,then, 12year old son, ,joined my family to wave me off on the charter flight from Glasgow he almost passed out with excitement when i handed him a match ticket and boarding pass for Paris,great day apart from the result,and if i remember correctly it was the first rendition of You Gotta Roll With It,as we were held back in the Stadium for Thirty minutes or so after the game finished,…anyways it seems I dont qualify for a Dortmund ticket nowadays as i dont meet the criteria of having attended one away tie in Europe,a sort of Catch 22,cant get a ticket cant qualify for a ticket, thems are the rules and my bucket list gets shortened.Tho in saying that getting to Dortmund looks like nigh impossible as well,Hey Ho
HH
BURNLEY78 @ 11:43 PM,
Ah, right…
The thing is, as I don’t know these characters as well as you guys living in Scotland I miss a lot of nuance…
Remember back in the day all the up and coming “City” boys wearing “Pink” shirts and ties… spot them a mile off…
It’s interesting those that are lurking in the background at R2ngers, seems to me a lot of involved parties “under the radar”…
Was he the same chap that allegedly pee’d off DD at a Cup Final?
Hail Hail
Good morning all from Govanhill.
Good morning from an overcast North Staffs.
BRRB – are you spending yesterday’s winnings today 🤔
Good morning all from 10 degree a wet Garngad.
No more sun 😭😢😭.
Ah well back to work soon when my fit note is finished, recovery going tip top but slow, but I need to get out this house and get the auld grey matter working.
4 more sleeps to we see the Bhoys in Green again.
D. :)
Gene
I’ll do me best. 😉🍻
Mrs TB back in Scotland to see her Mammy and family for 2 weeks,after getting the all clear on Friday.Bless her.I now have a huge empty,just me and the Dug.Going to stay out of as many areas as possible,cut down on the housework.Loads of drink,but need to ration it.Hate to be responsible for things.” Bugger”Was reading the civil war on FF.Burnley must be mistaken 😃,some thought Gilligan showed unsurpassed dignity,and looked like a” Real Rainjurs Man”.King followers,pyoor ragin at him,mentioning they were now “Chasing” Celtic,as that betrayed the Auld Bigot Struths gibberish,” We welcome the chase”.
Totally up the Lum,but scum on scum is amusing.
Morning, all. Overcast here, like yesterday.
See that fountain of knowledge?????,Keith Wyness,has info on a Far East takeover at “The Big Hoose.
Where do these fekin balloons crawl out off?.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte has claimed he was told by HMRC that it should have done a deal with the club to avoid it going into administration. (Craig Campbell YouTube via Scottish Sun)
Above from BBC Scotland gossip page. I think I’ll file that under even more fantasies from the Motherwell Born Billionaire…
Regarding the new Sevco chairman,did you notice the state of his shoes ?
My auld man always said you judge a man by the state of his shoes .
Highly polished brown brogues they certainly were not.
That club is in the gutter 😀😀👍
The brogues don’t shrink …….
Fanadpatriot
Yes re the shoes. Of all people he should have known better.
Chairbhoy
I honestly don’t know if it was John Gilligan with Dermot that day but it wouldn’t surprise me. I was in a box just along from the Millenium Suite at Hampden that day and I passed him and Paul Murray on the big staircase. It’s fair to say their comments to me were not laced with dignity. I always thought Paul Murray to be ok but Gilligan was a bit of a philistine. He is a beer salesman with the handshake. Revenge is sweet though for sure.
Chairbhoy – cheers.
Think it was Burnley78’s Asda George reference that did it
(That from an … er … Asda George customer)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn4zy8er71xo
Well done to this BBC staffer for his entry into “the most useless statistic” competition.
Regales us with average times taken for set pieces by club ….
… over the season !!
Turnip.
Now a stat that shows the difference in time taken when a team is losing/not losing (smaller clubs) or winning/not winning (bigger clubs)?
That would be worth seeing.
Standard times (similar to basketball’s 24 second shot clock) will eventually come in.
Back to
I’ve been a long standing advocate ot 30 min each way ball in play. However although this would solve the issue of how much time added, it wouldn’t solve the disruption in a game. For this you need stronger refereeing.
Gene – an interesting article here from OPTA on the effect of the refs adding on more time to reflect amount of time ball is not in play for injusries etc.
https://theanalyst.com/2023/08/match-time-ball-in-play-referees-stats
And a European perspective:
https://football-observatory.com/Effective-playing-time-in-37-European-2150
Deniabhoy
Interesting but still short of 60mins or 66.6% bip.
The clock should definitely stop for VAR decisions.
Where should football chairmen or whatever get their suits from ?
Do they not have any rich doners left?
BURNLEY78 @ 9:07 AM, BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL @ 9:07 AM,
There’s little that interests me in their goings on these days, but during big Hands Charlie’s resurrection and Mike Ashley tussle I took a keen (popcorn) interest in proceedings
The only images I’d saw of John Gilligan that I can remember from the Blue Knights days he looked “worse for wear”…
So the sartorial comment was lost…
With you B2B, anyone can look in a Zegna suit, if you can rock a George… you’ve got it made:))
Hail Hail
Espanyolification test
In a way we are the Espanyol of Glasgow- we live within our means unlike the Barca who have cheated for years,
Maybe John Gilligan’s wealth is under the radar 👍
I’m not saying John Gilligan’s presser was good , bad or indifferent .
I just think he should have put his teeth in beforehand 🤪