After winning their four League Cup group games, Partick Thistle were battered on the opening day of the Championship at St Johnstone. A draw followed against Morton, but since then they won their three games against Ayr United, Ross County and Raith Rovers. St Johnstone look to be in a league of their own this season, but if Thistle win their game in hand, they will move three points clear of the pack in second place.
That means they are in form and will relish the chance of a home cup tie against League Cup holders and Scottish champions, Celtic. The wild weather due in Glasgow over the weekend will also give encouragement to the home side.
On paper, Thistle should not offer much resistance to Celtic. They don’t have the kind of money that even the likes of Kairat possess; I looked back a decade in Transfermarkt but there was not a single paid incomer in that period. You will recognise one of the frees they brought this summer – Tony Watt. 13 years after that goal, Tony signed for Thistle, the 14th senior club he has appeared for, which is quite a stat for a player who is still only 31.
Whatever ails Tony, he is a player who has talent which is greater than his messy CV suggests. He is good on the ball, can roll a defender and knows how to make the most of a big stage.
You and me might go on about 1967, but when Thistle fans indulge in history, it’s a League Cup game against Celtic they talk about. Celtic were red hot favourites that day but went down to a record final defeat. Learn from history and book a place in the semis, Celtic.
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Oh and I should add I doubt that the last pontiff, the son of Italian immigrants to Argentina, who left quite a prosperous part of the country, Turin, due to the rise of fascism had any love for the zionists either, getting like ff on here.
as if by magic, if you want something done shout at the chairman in the car-park,
why he does the comms once again, poor judgement, the CEO Invisible Mike could have done it this time, still, here we go, IT IS SOMETHING.
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/september/19/barrowfield-training-centre-opens-its-doors-after-redevelopment/
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19 Sep 2025, 1:30 pm
Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce that the new state of the art Training Centre at Barrowfield is now complete, and the facility is now fully open for use by our Women’s team and Academies.
The complex, which sits proudly in the heart of Glasgow’s East End, re-emphasises Celtic’s strategy of maintaining a strong commitment to both developing our own players and investing in women’s football, with the project representing the largest infrastructure investment by the Club since the redevelopment of Celtic Park in the late 1990s.
Celtic Chairman Peter Lawwell commented: “We are sure that the new Barrowfield development will prove to be a really important milestone in the Club’s future.
“Celtic’s history is characterised by so many young players coming through the Club’s own development system, gracing the first-team and playing such an important role in our many successes throughout the years. We want to improve further in this area and through the new facility, we will be striving for even more success, with the new high-quality centre giving our Academies and Women’s team every opportunity to flourish.
“While we had opportunities to develop facilities elsewhere, Celtic was born and has been raised in the East End of the City. It was very important for us that we maintained this important presence in the local community, in a place dear to our hearts and a place where so many Celtic Legends have been made.”
Below is a list of some of the features of the new and improved Barrowfield Training Centre.
New indoor arena with a full-sized IFA-approved artificial surface
A combination of outdoor natural grass and artificial pitches
State-of-the-art gym & fitness facilities
Office areas for Celtic Academy & Celtic FC Women
New changing facilities
Medical suites for player treatment & rehab
Sports science centre
Analysis centre
Classroom/learning facilities
Celtic Manager, Brendan Rodgers added: “I think it’s really important for our women and the young players to have a facility that allows them to develop, especially in the more difficult winter months.
“Being indoors means greater coaching time and a stronger focus on development for the young players. It’s a great facility that players and staff can really look forward to being in.
“Players who come through your own system always give you that little bit more, that extra 1%. It’s vital that we have these players in our squad.
Celtic FC Women’s Manager Elena Sadiku said: “In terms of doing your best and being fully prepared as a team, it’s important to keep the quality high in everything we do – whether that’s media, analysis, or training sessions.
“Facilities like this leave no excuses for anyone; they make sure we deliver the best performances and are properly prepared for games.
“As head coach, having all of this means we can give the players the best preparation possible – to help them develop, get results at the weekend, and, most importantly, to create the conditions where the standards are high and they have to meet them. Overall, there are no excuses to be the best we can be.
Celtic Chief Executive Michael Nicholson added: “The new Barrowfield Centre will be vital in achieving two key elements of the club’s strategy, namely supporting young player development and delivering investment in women’s football. We are sure these new, high-quality facilities will be crucial in delivering real benefit to the Club for years to come across both the boys and girls academy structures and our women’s first team environment.
“So many Celtic heroes have followed the path from Barrowfield, through our academies to the Celtic first team and now, in this new setting, we hope to give our young players and Celtic FC Women even greater opportunities to excel and deliver continued success to the club and our supporters.”
Captain of Celtic FC Women, Kelly Clark, who has been a mainstay in the Women’s side for over a decade added: “The dome is a lot bigger than I expected it to be. It’s amazing that we have got somewhere we can come and do full, proper sessions when the weather isn’t great outside.
“There will be no more complaining about set-pieces in the middle of winter in the hail, wind, or snow. Now we can come in here with no excuses into a top-of-the-range facility, fresh out of the wrapper. I’m just so impressed I can’t lie”.
Callum McGregor, who came through the ranks of Celtic’s Academy as a youngster and has gone on to win 24 major honours with the club so far, added: “We have an amazing academy process that everyone goes through, which has to be elite all the time.
“Players come through the door nowadays at six, seven, eight years old where excellence is everything, and that’s what we want to achieve.
“The challenge is to get as many players as possible through to the first team. Being involved in high-level European football, we know the standard required so that needs to start as early as possible.
“The club has done great work in getting it ready so hopefully the players can enjoy it and we can continue to produce top level players.”
Exclusive: Barrowfield Training Centre | A New Era for Celtic’s Training Centre (19/09/25)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx5i8ABuIBk&t=17s
Looks a great facility to me.
It’s a pity some are compelled to look for the negative in everything, particularly when it doesn’t really exist.
Croftcelt @ 1:19pm
Lol.
Who knows, maybe one of Paul’s businesses is pitching for the technology part of the gig?
i
I can run a critical eye over the Barrowfield development when i get on site.
I would say £12m (allegedly) doesnt really get you much does it.
Meanwhile the wall art stands out –
“Main Purpose: Play Champions League Football”
Pity the board do not invest in the first team in a timely manner that would make that the reality.
Glad to see Barrowfield open.
Celtic have many problems.
Too much communication ain’t one of them.
celtic40me @ 1:22 pm
Do you think theres such a thing as too much communication? I know it’s the way these days but since Brendan came back theres been a hell of a lot of it from him.
——
Cheers, C40me
I’ll try (and fail) to keep it brief.
Brendan first.
I think he’s a good listen.
So was Ange but IMHO Brendan is just a bit better/more invested.
Both hampered by the idiocy of the questioners of course.
If Brendan was mandated to talk first team only I think that would help him.
In the absence of other comms he gets dragged into all sorts.
“Do you think theres such a thing as too much communication?”
I think the risk of too much bad comms far outweighs the risk of just too much generally.
Sure, even good comms can get saturated and lose resonance … but, IMHO, Celtic are miles away from having to deal with that risk.
Trying to keep this simple, if the overall Corporate Strategy is robust (big ???) the Communication Strategy should fall off it reasonably easily.
For any big initiative ?
A year out : headline only “a year from now we’ll be doing X. Watch this space”
6 months out – headline and five bullet points. Exciting times. Watch this space
3 months out – more details. Put a name and a face on it
1 month out – Get ready. More details.
Day 0 thru to completion – agree depth and frequency of messaging based on feedback from earlier messaging … and just send updates out.
Job Done? Strategic outcome achieved?
Ta Da. Cut a ribbon. Make a splash.
I think Celtic are missing a trick big time for two reasons.
1. Most of the stuff for communicating isn’t difficult.
Several months ago a poster on here (apologies, can’t recall who) posted a brilliant litany of themes us ordinary fans would be interested in from first team to fabric.
The scope almost writes itself.
And, you could still get away (mostly) with one way comms !
2. Almost ZERO risk of consumer apathy. In my trade not only do many of the so called customers have a resistance to change … they routinely ignore the change comms.
Celtic have a rapt audience who’ll never tire of news.
The urrent comms vacuum is being filled largely by opinionated, uninformed tripe.
Hurry up and feed us Celtic !
Blogger GM
I hope the steel frame is further back on the far side touchline than it looks.
from
dessybhoy on 19th September 2025 2:51 pm
Blogger GM
I hope the steel frame is further back on the far side touchline than it looks
_____
I was thinking the same. Watch the tackles over there😁.
Back to Basics – Glass Half Full on 19th September 2025 2:48 pm
too much comms ?
it might have been me with the “topics” list.
you cant get away from it, as the bloggers call it “content”, simply somewhere online, on their phones, on their devices, every minute of every day, there is an audience for anything relating to Celtic.
people will click on to anything that has a breaking news feel to it. i mean any rubbish , check the list of “blogs” on the “movement” list, i didnt count them, are there 50+, all posting multiple comment per day, I find it funny when they say we have “200 people in the live” so what,
i also found it funny that some blogs complained about the celtic 1200 piece word sald by producing 10,000 of their own for days on end.
anyways, contenct is king in the digital age, Celtic could own it, have daily bulletins, same time each day, see how many turn up, see how many views they get, but take control of publishing the headlines, no matter how mundane it is.
I watched the Barrowfield announcement now 5 times, from a corporate comms comparison, it is rubbish. Looks rushed out, looks poorly put together, enither Brendan or Callum look particularly happy.
ACSOM or TINO could have done it better.
THE_HUDDLE on 19TH SEPTEMBER 2025 12:42 PM
That’s assuming it’s someone employed directly by the club?
———
Didn’t the journalist who ran the story – Roger Hannah ? – later say that his source was a family member or close friend of someone employed by the club?
If true, and it may well not be of course , it would give the staff member , if identified , a complete out in denying they said any such thing.
One improvement is not having Frank Cairney hanging about the changing rooms !!!
Sick joke aside, what a difference !!!
What a waste of talent in Tony Watt , and not jsut based on that goal.
I thought he looked like a real proposed over that season and,IIRC, the next.
I’d heard his attitude stinks and they he won’t take a telling from any coach he comes across.
Does anyone know if that is the case? There has to be some background for his demos from the highest levels.
Definitely wouldn’t seem to be lack of talent.
Why couldnt in-house Celtic comms department do this in a daily basis,?
As fans still in the dark, where is the “peace breaking out” at Celtic? ACSOM A Celtic State of Mind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6SpudExOWs
THE LONG WAIT IS OVER on 19TH SEPTEMBER 2025 3:07 PM
Yes. I think it’s perfectly reasonable to think that the source of the leak could well be an accomplished liar.
the long wait is over on 19th September 2025 3:07 pm
THE_HUDDLE on 19TH SEPTEMBER 2025 12:42 PM
Didn’t the journalist who ran the story – Roger Hannah ? – later say that his source was a family member or close friend of someone employed by the club? If true, and it may well not be of course , it would give the staff member , if identified , a complete out in denying they said any such thing.
*thats my way of thinking, could have been a tea lady that over heard a private conversation, btw this “journalist” works for the sun and previous to that the mail, cannae see him being Celtic minded
Will the coward be in attendance at Firhill? Will they be outed and ousted by then or continue to stink the place out? Everyone seems to assume Lawwell but could be any of a number. By remaining in the shadows they stain that number. Unless they too are complicit of course. The very essence of cowardice. The truth will out of course, just a matter of time. And the coward will carry the stain forever.
Larkin 1907
I remember that game so vividly.
We were at the front of the enclosure Celtic end.
It was the second year in a row we had lost a league cup final.
Celtic didn’t lose too many domestic games back then. We are actually more dominant now but I remember being devastated as a 10 yr old like your good self.
heres BRENDAN
Full Media Conference | Brendan Rodgers speaks to the media ahead of #PARCEL (19/09/25)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id0EtBFu2gs
Brendan in magic in his responses, no matter how many times those journos ask the same “fans protest” questions ………..
100% FANS ARE BEHIND THE TEAM, ABSOLUTELY NOT IN CRISIS,
that was a masterclass
Peterlatchfordsbelly/ An Dun
The guys family and home get attacked and yet he still performs a role in the public eye for (relatively speaking) peanuts. He is feared and loathed by our biggest domestic rivals as one of the main influencers in their fall from dominance.
He has worked his way up from a modest background to achieve what he has in life.
For folk like you who I believe genuinely are Celtic supporters to come out with pathetic schoolboy name calls like that.
If you guys are so big and so clever why are you not actually doing more with your lives yourselves rather than behaving like the 2 old guys in the muppets.
PLB / An Dun
You are better than that guys.
Full Media Conference | Liam Scales previews the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final (19/09/25)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfR8FtR4FOA
Blogger GM
Of course some folks will seek a negative.
It’s the Celtic way. Even when winning the European cup and getting to the Final and Semis 4 out of 8 seasons the old folk used to stand outside after mass on a Sunday talking of everything Celtic was doing wrong. That and criticising Tommy Callaghan and Jim Brogan plus whoever was our goalie at the time.
” Burnley78 on 19th September 2025 4:00 pm
PLB / An Dun
You are better than that guys.”
Hmm…
Burnley78 on 19th September 2025 3:38 pm
Larkin 1907
I remember that game so vividly.
*me tae, I was in the enclosure opposite where the teams came out, the only time that I have EVER left a game early, after jimmy bone’s goal went in it felt taht every time they attacked they seemed tae score and I felt that our 7-1 score was in jeopardy, I was actually in queen street station when I heard Kenny’s goal went in, and I’ve saw us getting humphed often, 0-4 at iboak in Paddy Crerand’s last game for instance, but always stayed, and yet I have since heard from those that stayed was we made enough chances in the second half to win it, hence the Big Mhan going out and signing Dixie after it
Please, just do the job, no complacency
KINGlUbO
BURNLEY78
I did not name Peter Lawwell.
I said the man that briefed against BR should be chased.
I stand by that – it was an act of harm to Celtic Football Club.
This is peanuts, dear God!
Salary Breakdown (2024):
Salary: £120,000
Total Remuneration: £122,874
Context:
Peter Lawwell transitioned from his role as CEO to Non-Executive Chairman.
If you guys are so big and so clever why are you not actually doing more with your lives yourselves rather than behaving like the 2 old guys in the muppets.
—-
I’m doing plenty with my life, thanks, Burnley.
I’ve a great family, good career and in good health.
I’ve had a good upbringing and would like to think that I act with integrity oth in my personal and professional life.
I would never stoop to what we seen play out in The Sun briefing.
That behaviour is revolting to me and I hope the man responsible is held to account.
I’m not sure why you find that so controversial ?
Burnley78 on 19th September 2025 3:58 pm
Peterlatchfordsbelly/ An Dun
The guys family and home get attacked and yet he still performs a role in the public eye for (relatively speaking) peanuts. He is feared and loathed by our biggest domestic rivals as one of the main influencers in their fall from dominance. He has worked his way up from a modest background to achieve what he has in life.
*and why was his house burned with a wee baby in it, because seemingly he widnae let some shady agents get involved with our younger players.
There used tae be a poster on here that I had lots of words with due tae his constant attacks on who was at that time labelled the “sharp suited mhan”, it was the late lamented macjay who asked me tae back off as he really was good Celtic man, he just had issues with big gas meter at that time, anyway after one of his many rants there was a huge push back, and NOT just by me, when he blurted out that in a previous job he had fired this guy’s auntie.
Saint Stivs on 19th September 2025 3:42 pm
Thanks for that. Brendan was in excellent form.