Having already overruled erroneous officials on two occasions, yesterday’s Video Assistant Referee could bear no more and declined to confirm the ball struck Joe Newell’s arm before he scored for Hibernian.
Bad though that decision was, it was nothing on the second half incident when a penalty was not awarded to Celtic. Josh Campbell, who was already on a yellow card, shoved Benjamin Nygren off the field with both hands inside the box. It was a stonewall penalty and a similar incident to the foul given against Sebastian Tounekti which led to the Hibs equaliser. Campbell should have received a second yellow, reducing Hibs to 9 men for the second week running.
The VAR team was not prepared to go there. They could do nothing about Celtic’s onside goal. Jamie McGrath’s studs to the shin of Alistair Johnston was equally undeniable. A line was drawn, Celtic were getting no more.
This is how it is going to be between now and the end of the league campaign. I predict Celtic will get a soft penalty in the Scottish Cup Final, “proof” that these things even themselves out. In the league, anything that can be overlooked will be overlooked. You know decisions against Celtic are laughable when even Kris Boyd confirms it.
Celtic dominated the encounter even before the 21st minute red card, but failed to test stand-in keeper Jordan Smith often enough. The return to the starting line-up of Alistair Johnston brought the equaliser. The fullback timed his run and cross perfectly, leaving Daizen Maeda the simplest of tap-ins.
From then until late in the second half, Celtic fans were thinking, “When’s he going to bring on Kelechi?” Our 29-year-old striker is by the length of the M8 between Edinburgh and Glasgow the most talented player in Scotland, who looks like he is playing against schoolboys. Getting the best out of him over the next three games will determine the outcome of the league.
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Good afternoon all from the Brazen Head. Quiet in here today.
Hatate for Nygren next Sunday, the huns will flood the midfield
The officials will feel emboldened if no one at Celtic publicly call them out…
I’d be wary of starting Iheanacho. Certainly starting him and Nygren would effectively see us playing with 9 men for large spells.
Yes the refs are bent, the VARs inept and complicit and some opponents more up for this title than for a long time.
Yet while we may have dominated possession we failed to pepper the Hibs goalmouth despite our on paper superiority.
The playing or confidence malaise within the squad is apparent; I share Denias sentiments prior wondering why we ain’t better or more flexibly coached and managed.
Ma heart is roastit watching out Bhoys this weather. HH
I await our alpha male CEO going suitably nuclear on yesterday’s outrages. Time to capitalise on all that projected weakness…
Mon the Hertz the night.
PS where is the gratitude to Rodgers for bailing out that useless nugget CEO by bringing in Kelechi? Never acknowledged. MO’N is using him to the optimum.
AD- I think the Iheanacho we see,is as fit as the guy is going to get unfortunately, injuries have taken it’s toll,keep him on the bench for last half an hour for remaining games
That’s a few times now Kelechi has dug us out of a hole. Goes to show the value of that sort of composure and know-how that comes from experience. Can’t imagine what it would be like trying to win these types of games with purely development players.
Good to see AJ back. That first goal is like the type we used to score for fun over the previous four years.
The Bada Bing – or start him and replace him at HT? My observation is we are starting well, creating chances and missing them. Most games we should be 3 or 4 up by HT but for poor finishing.
Get the goals then move Maeda into middle and bring on JF.
Unfortunately, Kelechi doesn’t have the fitness, and sadly the willingness, of the need to press in the early stages of a game, por cierto
Securing the points was all that mattered. Cheating, more than our performance, made it closer than it should’ve been. The officials were, as per, a blatant disgrace.
They’ll continue so as that’s how it is in Old Firm land.
Ian Nacho definitely has superior talent to most others in our league & maybe his class will give us the edge. Digits crossed. Brendan Hamster Eater’s contacts book to thank for that hope. Although, just buying a bona fide striker last summer would’ve been simpler & more beneficial.
But hey ho…
Anywho, get Scratchy in the team, his energy alone will raise our game.
And WTAF was Nygren up to with the header before their goal? 😲
I’m looking forward to a lunch break and today’s game, safe in the knowledge that something’s has to give (a draw puts the league in our own hands).
Will be interesting to see which version of hun the VAR wants to win the league – we may find out today.
If Kelechi is the ‘most talented player in Scotland’ then we really are in trouble. Not even sure he is even the most talented substitute @ Celtic, and less mobile than a traffic jam on the M8. He is capable of getting a goal though in the 15-20 minutes he is allowed on the pitch by Martin & Co. Got the win, if not the result we might have hoped for, wasn’t easy creating clear cut chances against the Hibs set-up, AJ-DM the pick of the bunch, though CalMac’s clip forward for Maeda deserved better than the finish. Cannot underestimate the pressure our away victory puts on our rivals, when any result barring Hearts winning by 2-3 goals will benefit us.
Prefer a no or low scoring draw with points being lost by both clubs though
Texas Tim
Fine point yesterday re hibs goal and the fact that goal may be material to how things pan out.
Hope all good in the lone star state
HH
QUADROPHENIAN on 4TH MAY 2026 12:08 PM
“The playing or confidence malaise within the squad is apparent; I share Denias sentiments prior wondering why we ain’t better or more flexibly coached and managed.”
My tuppence worth.
The squad are suffering from a sporting “PTSD”.
If our heads are spinning from 4 different managerial appointments this year ( counting MON as 2 ) then what must there’s be like, especially given WN’s apparent desire to tear everything up and impose his own bizarre tactics and playing of players out of position?
I’d be surprised if MON and SM haven’t just decided to pick a fairly straightforward tactical plan and, more importantly, just stick to it as rigidly as possible so at least the players know their roles.
For that reason I doubt very much anything will change from , by and large, what we’ve done in the last 7 games (won 6 and drawn 1), not least of all only bring Iheanacho on if/ when we need a goal in the last 30 mins or so.
The only significant change I could see would be, perhaps, to play Hatate on Sunday in place of Nygren for a bit more dig in midfield and just hope the right Hatate turns up.
64 years of conditioning and a built in fear of hun momentum will have me ‘out of my chair’ when hearts score today. 1-0 and a few sendings off for Huns and injuries for hearts will be fine. 0-0 with similar next best.
https://x.com/theparkheadf/status/2051226334404260168?s=48&t=IHnYpsmGCrn25A14XlcGJw
Jack and Victor sum it up
DeniaBhoy- I thought of that as well, but do we want a quick start in games ,or a slow start…? A slow start might give opposition time to play themselves into a game early…..HH
Suppose Ross has already been stood down for guessing at Celtics 1st goal!
AJ’s assist took him level with Tounetki and Balikwisha and one behind Yang for the season,
I can’t imagine what Honda Civic man was complaining about re lack of quality when he wanted another assault on the CL. Ah well at least he managed to find a half fit striker who knows what the net is from his little black book before he “resigned”
H3- correct
BABASONICOS71 12.39
The officials we have been playing against since day 1,little wonder there are no one from the ‘Dallas’ school of sleekit decision makers going to the world cup.
Re Nygren,our players player of the year,infuriating and quite light in the bustle of where he plays in this chaotic season.But.
I look at his goal contribution then thank him where would we be without it?
Onwards to Sunday and anurr 3 points :-))
Hail Hail
Celtic Mac on 4th May 2026 12:48 pm
If Kelechi is the ‘most talented player in Scotland’ then we really are in trouble. Not even sure he is even the most talented substitute @ Celtic, and less mobile than a traffic jam on the M8.
******************
Aye. What’s the big dumplin ever done for us ?
Tounekti edges Balikwisha into second spot in £5M Celtic winger of the year award.
TooFar CCS
An Tearmann on 4th May 2026 11:37 am
bournesouprecipe on 4th May 2026 11:16 am
MON wins Celtic manager of the year award
A varying range of managers in this year’s choice :-))
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Only a racist cub wouldn’t appoint Nancy bhoy as their manager of the year.
PS – I wonder how many managers WGS will bring in to Celtic next season????
Sad are homes…..
Auldheid on 4th May 2026 8:50 am
lucky cody on 3rd May 2026 11:09 pm
From previous
On changing refereeing
It is a pity not enough shareholders could be found to support the Refereeing As A Service Resolution in 2024.
However there is no reason why it cannot be revisited but better proposed by CST to get the required 100 sigs. See
Resolution On Refereeing Standards – SENTINELCELTS
https://share.google/ZdnEMggUKa1D0kfaM
There are benefits accruing to the CST to adapting the Resolution at the link apart from the fact the CST have the required number of shareholders numbers on tap that the lone attempt on Sentinel Celts, using social media for reach in 2024, did not have that caused logistical problems in gathering signed resolutions.
There is a marketing angle for the CST that the other shareholder gathering initiatives like the CSL b y David Low and the Willie Haughey initiative do not have and that is they can present a resolution to Celtic NOW when the subject is hot using the facility to do so negotiated with Celtic in 2022 to improve communications before AGMS but sadly rarely used by supporters.
So any one looking in with CST membership who wants the CST profile raised can consider asking the CST Board to put forward a referee resolution now using the ideas for a Referee Service set out at the link.
Getting a resolution to Celtic now that has enough shareholder authority behind will require Celtic to either take the proposal forward to UEFA/SFA or provide Celtic’s explanation for how they raise VAR and refereeing concerns with SFA.
bournesouprecipe on 4th May 2026 1:35 pm
Tounekti edges Balikwisha into second spot in £5M Celtic winger of the year award.
TooFar CCS
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No wonder big handsome Lobby puppet DD got rid of toxic Rogers before he bankrupted the club lol
Sad are the homes.
An Dún on 4th May 2026 12:07 pm
The officials will feel emboldened if no one at Celtic publicly call them out…
————-
100% right. And of course no one will. Douglas Ross guessing an offside (wishful thinking), clear handball to score and the most two handed shove I’ve seen in a game.
At best colossal incompetence, but I don’t think any of us think it’s that.
Why we sit back and let this happen when there might be £40 million on the line (and a much bigger differential if Sevco win the league) I have no idea.
Of all the board’s failings, not standing up for the club in the face of self-evident corruption is to my mind the most stark.
TLWIO…
Re squad suffering from a sporting PTSD…
Post Tisdale Sacking Disorder?
Btw; I’d hope Reo brings creativity; his dig is as poor as Balikwisha’s application or appetite.
Over the last 2 years I have kept stats in a spreadsheet on various data items involving Celtic and Sevco.
Only takes a minute each week to update it.
Most variables are equal – penalties for and against, reds, yellow cards etc.
The big difference is that they have had around 460 free kicks in their favour while we have had only 320 or so.
That’s a big difference – roughly 4 every game.
Hard to think of an honest explanaton for that.
“Our 29-year-old striker is by the length of the M8 between Edinburgh and Glasgow the most talented player in Scotland”
Now, now- settle down Paul. Not a chance.
And, even if it was right (it is not)- as others have pointed out- this would be an even more concerning indictment of the state of our club and Scottish football than we may already fear.
I fail to see how he can’t be fitter than he is at this stage of the season. Yes injuries may “take their toll” but it seems to me from afar that there is an attitude issue.
As great as his goal was, he then on THREE occasions, gifted possession to Hibs- one, possibly two of those occasions led to real danger.
BSR…
Possibly – Celtic MOTY award was a classic:)))
Now stay away from loan player of the season, injured player of the season and loan, injured player of the season and you are on a roll…
Hail Hail
Agree on insolent Brendan Rodgers – apparently he’s trying to out do Jesus now…
Jorge Jesus that is;)
Hail Hail
Cvancara out for season? a big loss, probably about 6.3 ?
CHAIRBHOY on 4TH MAY 2026 2:11 PM
Shittest Brendan Rodgers signing of the season?
AAAF OOOOOOT
Hearts will shit the nest this evening, second place is what they were aiming for.
I too am concerned at the fact we have not returned to top gear in the league. MON with Shaun and Fossie and others as back up don’t appear to have improved tactics. Calum seems to be operating with the BR playbook of securing possession at all costs. He takes ball off the centre backs and sideways passes to the other centre back sideways and back. We have lost the ability to break forward no matter where transition takes place. Its that slow it allows other teams to get back behind the ball. The tempo of the passes is so slow and it kills our momentum. Mostly Calum slows the play up to control possession.
When in the final 1/3 the ball does the horseshoe and typically ends with no shot. Yesterday, their goalie was forced into 3 saves all from shots with no power. The thing is, that Calum is one of the very best players at shooting from outside the box but he rarely does it.
This tactic has cost us goals and may be crucial in the run in. We are behind Hearts and Rangers in goals and are 40 odd behind last year goals.
If this is the tactics we adopt then I dont want MON or Maloney near the team next season.
Dexter- you think Iheanacho will get fit and give a club 40 games a season?
BSR @ 2:16
Like a crossword clue 6,3
Better off.