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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Since Friday night is music night, here’s something I like to think that we’d be singing if we had been founded by Italian immigrants rather than Irish.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=55yCQOioTyY
I chose this version as it eases the traditionalists in with a bit of the Lonesome Boatman.
Hamilton Tim – do you know who represented Celtic at the meeting you refer to on Tuesday? You mention it took several hours of pressure, so wondering who was resisting it.
No GM,
Lost me there, the board immediately condemned the Celtic support in Amsterdam, how long before they changed their minds, you tell me?
The board contravened data protection act by providing supporters details without challenge.
The boards immediate response to bad PR about the Celtic support is to immediately dismiss the supports version, support the PR. The board have zero respect for the Celtic support unles they pay for corporate prices, that’s the shameful truth.
Naismith the thug on for The Griff.
If big Boyata wants to endear himself to Celtic fans then he should nail Naismith first chance he gets.
Go on Dedryck, tou know it makes sense ?
HT,
I’ll say it then, no copulating way would the board have paid for an inquiery without pressure from the support, pity the CST can’t be bothered supporting Res12 eh
MAHE what time is the quiz.
OldTim67
I’ve just been busy my old friend. Keep well and hopefully we’ll catch up soon.
Deniabhoy
I don’t think it would be right to name those representatives of Celtic in attendance mate. In fairness to Celtic the meeting was intended to discuss other issues and had been arranged prior to the events on Sunday.
Really,a goalkeeper that causes trouble every time,or near enough,tries to distribute the ball,gives it to a guy,facing his own goal,with a touch like an Elephant,what do you expect.Big Dedryk,playing with a hat and a coat on.
Belgium score a second through Ha2ard.
Naismith not fouled snyone yet.
Canamalar
I find it really difficult to comprehend your mid-dis-trust of the Celtic board. Not only is it beyond my comprehension it is absolutely nonsense IMO.
Our live the Celtic support and we are always at the forefront of every reasonable decision they make, they act immediately when the support have a grievance or are being assaulted by PR.
MWD living in a parallel universe. :-)))
Hamilton Tim – I demand to know their names! Who are these men?
No problem, I assumed the meeting was something official which would be minuted and not private / secretive.Not issue, just curious as to what Celtic’s stance was before the pressure to change it.
Hamiltontim,
Hope that’s a permanent return ? To CQN, Yur sure missed!!
MWD,
Did you buy or are your drugs prescription, how much a tab :))
3-0
Turning into a rout. As expected.
Scotland lose 2 goals in 4 minutes at start of 2nd half.
Charlie Mulgrew, Charlie Mulgrew :£
Naismith shoots 12 yards wide of the target
Big Packy,,,next friday at 8pm Sir. I didnt know there was a game on and my stalwarts are out apparently .
Hail Hail
Big cheer for Ryan Jack coming on.
Wtf
D. :)
Boyata getting booed, fk them
Tactical genius McLeish deciding to play without a right back against the best left winger in the world…..
EBT McLeish at free bar instead of HT team talk?
NEGANON2 on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2018 8:10 PM
I wonder how independent the independent enquiry will be Canamalar……..we all know what happened . The cops and Celtic coooked up a stupid plan to segregate supporters without actually thinking through the consequences or caring about the safety of the Celtic fans. This is bourne out by the fact that the Huns who were there were chargin the Celtic supporters after the game.
=====================================================================
Is that what happened or is that what you hope happened?. Certainly fits your theory that PL’s ambition is to murder Celtic fans. Don’t understand why you hate Celtic.
Turkeybhoy wind yer neck in and leave my mate Big Packy alone.
Mahe,
We play St Mirren next friday evening.
4-0 Belgium.
Fritzsong,
Does neg hate Celtic or do you hate neg?
Truly sad and pathetic stuff borne from lack of capacity to challenge his arguments
DAVID66, was to be expected,,ftsfa.hope you are well.hh.
Canamalar
No drugs allowed in this universe. It is literally heaven. Well except the Huns they are the same in every universe albeit, here they were dealt with appropriately and reformed with their history dying with them. Currently still working their way up from reformation in the Paisley & District Amatuer league structure playing out of New Rangers Park having swapped IBrox with Glasgow St Mirren who have a following of 1000 fans. New Rangers Park in Paisley is full every week.
MWD
Another gift for the Belgians.WOnder if Stevie G was shouting foul, foul, foul.
61 minutes before someone has ‘worked his socks off’
davy provan
International football waaaaaaayyyyyy beyond the level of Ryan Jack. Even in EBT McLeish’s team
Caramel, it’s always heads I win, tails you lose with folks like you.
If the board do something you agree with it’s a case of bowing to fan pressure.
If they do something you don’t like they’re a bunch of suit wearing, capitalist Tory ba…..rds.
I’m curious, if you cannot make an away game do you cover your face and wave flares in your living room whilst watching on TV?
It’s a good thing Scotland selects their managers on getting the best man for the job and not on jobs for the boys, otherwise this could get embarrassing…..
Jack with plenty of time gives possession away, 5 seconds later it’s in the back of the net. Belgians are lethal finishers though. Bet Gordon is wishing that McGregor had been given the gig.
EBT McLeish………. the ginger Klopp
TURKEYBHOY, never stayed at the back of the bus in glenboig, because we were all tims, methinks canamalar knows something about you that we don’t.hh.
Can anyone really be surprised that Belgium without some of their best players are 3 up?
A top quality side playing a third rate nation with an inferiority complex and a 4th rate coach whose tactics would have been old decades ago.
Naismith should have scored -free at the back post and found by a Calum McGregor cross – but he was already diving in the box for a penalty with no-one within 10 feet of him.