Weighty comparison for Ntcham

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Roy Keane played 13 games for Celtic and the first two of those were memorably for a disastrous performance and result away to Clyde, then what looked like an out of shape performance by the former Ireland international at home to Kilmarnock.

The remaining 11 games of his Celtic career were a lesson on what a great central midfield player looks like.  This was an era when we had recently seen Champions League winner, Paul Lambert, and Neil Lennon, play central mid, both masters of their craft, but Keane fulfilled the role better than anyone I had seen in a Celtic shirt, even as a 34-year-old.

There’s a video of his solitary performance away to Rangers (@FocusOnCeltic), where he asserts himself effortlessly, a lesson on how it should be done.  I watched a similar video of Olivier Ntcham against Newco on Sunday (@CelticBible).

The obvious point should be made.  The Rangers team of 2006 that Keane faced had players like Barry Ferguson and Dado Prso, and had a proper manager, whereas the team Olivier Ntcham faced are not of the same calibre, nor were they at home, but you and me have watched rubbish Oldco/Newco teams over the years without seeing such a complete performance from a Celtic central mid as Olivier’s.

Last month I suggested we drop Olivier and pull Callum McGregor deep, as the former’s passing and effectiveness was off the pace during the qualifiers.  He was one of several subject to bids and contract talks over the summer.  A clear head seems to have elevated the 22-year-old’s game to a new level.

The King is in town, get along to see Henrik and pals do their stuff at Celtic Park tomorrow.

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667 Comments

  1. TheLurkinTim on 9th September 2018 12:58 am

     

    Kev,

     

     

     

    You’d be surprised how often the question of how to get the CST/CSA combined be used..to help push the Res12 agenda forward….It was a work in progress last I heard…but of course yer own agenda wont listen….try patience

     

    ==================

     

    To put this point to rest: the CSA are involved and CST are in the picture awaiting developments.

  2. Marspapa, Thank you, much appreciated. The hymn means a lot to me too. Was sung at my mother’s funeral Mass. Not to worry, I firmly believe she is in heaven now.

  3. Anybody see Massacre at Ballymurphy last night? It was on Channel 4 last night and should be available on catch-up. It’s very good. Should put the poppy debate to bed.

     

     

    Even better is No Stone Unturned, Alex Gibney’s documentary about the Loughinisland massacre. There’s an excellent version available on YouTube.

  4. What is the Stars on

    Chavez

     

    Watched Ballymurphy last night. Put a note on the blog last week notifying people that it was on, friend of mine had seen it in Glasgow last Saturday,

     

    I thought it was very well made.about time these events were more widely publicised.

  5. I watched it.

     

     

    what came across before the massacre events, the living conditions in that area, jeese oh.

     

    and the braveness of the women,

  6. BCW

     

    Just back from Holy Mass.

     

    Saint Mark’s Gospel told us of Jesus making the deaf mute man, hear and speak.

     

    Then I think to myself.

     

    What a Wonderful World

     

    Louis Armstrong CSC

  7. bigrailroadblues on

    Good morning all from Govanhill. Depot bar may be closing for good today. Oh well, Laurieston it is then.

  8. BRRB

     

    Ever go to Stanley Kinning Park for a swally?

     

    Best Guinness I’ve tasted south of the river, and my kinda rebel shoap.

     

    YNWA

  9. BRRB

     

    It is round the corner fae my work. See you there for a pint this week. About 5 any day.

     

    YNWA

  10. BRRB

     

    Stanley £3 a Guinness and rebel tunes playing in Kinning Park. What’s not to love? ;))

  11. Screamadelica Sunday

     

    Moving On Up.

     

    I was lost, but now I am found.

     

    My Light Shines On.

     

    Bobby Gillespie CSC

  12. BRRB

     

    Wednesday is perfect. Finish at 4.30. Be in Stanley 4.35. Magic midweek Guinness or 2.

     

    YNWA

  13. James Sometimes (Lester Piggot) is a great hangover cure song turned up to 11. Haha

     

    Sometimes when I look deep in your eyes, I swear I can see your soul.

     

    Sometimes

  14. What Is The Stars – both good films and very important that the stories get out, even if they’re decades late for the mainstream.

     

     

    It also shows the mainstream media’s refusal in most cases to challenge the official narrative. They just parrot it and cause untold damage along the way.

  15. Thoughts on yesterday – Stiliyan Petrov played really well and is looking really fit and healthy, which is great to see. Henrik is still Ghod. Robbie Keane was excellent. The crowd was sparse tho, which was a big shame (not a criticism btw).

  16. hi bhoys seen as the blog is quiet a funny story, think it would have been the 1964 general election coz I would have been around 11 at the time, it was polling day now every week my mum would do my grandas washing so there we were taking his washing to his house in gayne drive glenboig, suddenly flashy car pulls up with vote conservative on it guys jumps out says have you voted yet, mum says no ive got this washing to take to my fathers, no problem the guys says get in the car, he took us to my grandas house, we dropped the washing off then took us to the polling station, where my mum duly voted for james Dempsey well I thought it was funny.hh. btw james Dempsey was the labour candidate for monklands.

  17. Hello again all you young rebels.

     

    Not been on for a wee while and i’ll spare you the details why

     

    but here’s whats been happening in this small part of our huge

     

    Celtic world.

     

    Our young bhoys here in Oz won their league with some style

     

    and now into the playoff finals, that is games against all the

     

    regional north , south, east and west leagues for the best of the

     

    best.

     

    Our last game was a torrid affair with all the teams desperate

     

    to take our scalp but we prevailed and the wee mhan scored a

     

    screamer to earn a narrow win but it was probably the only chance

     

    he got as the big centre back had him shackled the whole game.

     

    But i felt really bad at the end of the game after giving him pelters

     

    for his rather robust tackling, the centreback that is, when he took

     

    off his top and there it was… yes… the hoops…. and Rogic on it.

     

    Never mind i’ve got his details for next season

     

    Our Csc in Mornington is thriving and i’ve been in touch with our

     

    very own FRIESDORFER with the help of BMCUW so hope to meet

     

    up with him soon for a beer or three.

     

    DELANEYS DUNKY

     

    The Stanley bar is it , my own little fortress in Kinningpark, i’d love to

     

    meet up with you all and tell you how many times i was locked up in

     

    there with my wee da and his brother with rabid huns battering at

     

    doors and windows.

     

    I suppose it was a wee bit like the ” Dawn of the dead “but i loved it

     

    and jumping on the coal lorry to go to Parkheid, well those were the

     

    days.

     

    O.K thats enough for now.

     

    H.H Mick

  18. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    MELBOURNEMICK

     

     

    A pleasure to hear from you as ever. Get that big centre half signed,and get him a visa for Celtic Park.

     

     

    HH

  19. BMCUW

     

    Maybe as a project lol.

     

    Strange thing i could hardly understand him when i was poaching

     

    him, Eastern European i think but a beast, good story for CQN if we

     

    get him.

     

    H.H Mick

  20. Melbourne Mick – ???????

     

    Great to see you back posting – and keeping the Celtic spirit alive in Aussie land

     

    Good luck to your grandsons team

     

    Just champion ?

  21. NORRIEM

     

    Still can’t get used to that nom de plum ;-))

     

    Always wonder how that wonderful and caring daughter of yours

     

    is doing, hope to see her back over here soon.

     

    H.H Mick