When exceptional becomes the norm

869

As this clean sheet run has continued, every time Fraser Forster has made a good save, I’ve found myself suggesting that the defence is not playing as tightly as it used to.  We quickly regard exceptional performance as the norm.

Fraser has, of course, been exceptional, again, this season.  Efe Ambrose and Virgil van Dijk are fast and commanding.  Virgil has a presence about him, like Wanyama, but bigger.  On the flanks, despite the lack of competition, Emilio Izaguirre is performing at his best, while Adam Matthews, Mikael Lustig and Darnell Fisher have shuffled through the right back position as availability dictates.

I have a notion that Scott Brown is also worth credit for the defensive performance.  He seems to have grown this season, perhaps as a consequence of fitness.  This is his best season yet.

Ultimately the game is all about tactics.  Any team can keep a clean sheet but 10-in-a-row (get used to reading that) is a consequence of team plan, which is where Neil Lennon comes in.

Tomorrow is the final day to confirm tickets for our CQteN St Patrick’s Day Dinner on 14 March at the Kerrydale Suite.  The dinner will raise funds to build a kitchen at Kholoni Primary School in Mchinji, Malawi, where 1200 kids currently attend without food facilities.  If you have lost your invoice email me, celticquicknews@gmail.com

See you there.
[calameo code=000390171bffb0dd3dc4f lang=en page=128 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]

Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

869 Comments
  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7
  9. 8
  10. ...
  11. 23

  1. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon, supporting WEE OSCAR..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    twists n turns

     

     

    14:57 on 30 January, 2014

     

     

    We are, indeed, a Club like no other ………..

  2. No wonder attendances are plummeting at CP – everybody is going down to Carlisle to support Celtic Nation!

     

     

    HH!!

  3. traditionalist88 on

    Freddy Adu training with Blackpool with a view to a move.

     

     

    This is not Football Manager 2006 Bawwwwwy

  4. mcgrory1888

     

     

    15:26 on 30 January, 2014

     

    Tony…

     

     

    you can differ all you like but I can see the computer you cant.

     

     

    Hx2

     

    —————————————-

     

     

    Musta been a hell of a lot of double ups then ;)

  5. Fassreifen @ 15:16,

     

     

    That would be my take, one reason players come to Celtic is to win things – it’s nice to look back on record breaking achievements at the end of your career.

     

     

    If the bhoys want to make history fair do-s.

     

     

    Hail Hail

  6. leftclick Together we will get justice for the Dam 5 on

    RobinBhoy

     

     

     

    13:46 on 30 January, 2014

     

    :)))

     

    Yip that was funny

     

    Thank you

  7. mcgrory1888,

     

     

    I can’t and won’t dispute your computer figures, but it certainly didn’t look as if we could have had room for > double the crowd.

     

     

    HH.

  8. Mcgrory

     

     

    Ah! The computer…the oracle.

     

     

    The south stand was full and that holds 7000 approx.

     

     

    So the balance of the crowd spread among the remaining seating was 19,000…er…methinks not.

     

     

    I know in the old days of one seating area the south stand attendance’s were not included in the official figures and it looks like your computer is on the old programme lol

     

     

    Get the IT guys in!

  9. Maybe I should refrain from issuing the crowd figures in the future as it seems to cause anxt when I do.

     

     

    Not sure why that should be but it seems to be the case.

     

     

    Hx2

  10. Or is it just the SFA are stuck, they said, if Craigy is ant part of Sevco they wouldn’t allow them membership?

     

    Therefore membership withdrawal?

  11. Steinreignedsupreme on

    goldstar10 14:36 on 30 January, 2014

     

     

    “Cracking spoof Matt Lindsay on twitter, brilliant avatar, only a few tweets up but top quality!”

     

     

    Are you sure it’s a spoof?

     

     

    If it is, do you have a link?

  12. eddieinkirkmichael

     

     

    15:50 on 30 January, 2014

     

    I see that encomiast Chris Graham is at it again today

     

    ————————–

     

     

    He’s that far up Ally’s erse, he can see BFDJ ankles.

  13. Rumour we are interested in Andreas Cornelius fae Cardiff,cost £8.5mil in summer they trying to offload for £3.5mil

  14. fassreifen

     

     

     

    The initial question was

     

     

    Sunday would you prefer Celtic to win 1-0 in a nervy match to keep the run going or a stunning 8-1 victory. Not criticising the team, the style of play but just interested what posters on CQN thought of the clean sheet record. As Livibhoy said just a bit of fun.

  15. Yorkbhoy

     

     

    Win ugly, win a tight game, win easy, win in a land slide game, win on pens. Win lucky,

     

    Many ways to winning at anything, but surely a win is a win?

  16. traditionalist88 on

    Bada Bing

     

     

    Moved to Cardiff for 8.5 after featuring in only 34 games for the Copenhagen first team, mental – it appears the window of opportunity as Paul67 likes to talk about, before players come to the attention of most clubs, is getting shorter!

     

     

    Maybe its an idea for us to let other clubs pay silly money overloading their squads then pick them off at a fraction of the price.

     

     

    I recall Man U breaking the transfer record to sign Andy Cole for 6m(plus Keith Gillespie!) and thinking that was crazy, but at least he was a proven talent!

     

     

    HH

  17. mcgrory1888

     

     

    I wouldn’t take it personally. There’s a bid of denial of the bleedin’ obvious going on.

  18. TD

     

     

    a win is a win… You’ve obviously not been on CQN after a scrappy win in the league… :-)

  19. johnnyclash

     

     

    I dont take it personally but I agree with you about some ignoring the bleeding obvious.

     

     

    Hx2

  20. Catman supports Wee Oscar

     

    13:13 on

     

    30 January, 2014

     

     

    did you say ?

     

     

    pardon me bhoys, is that Aatif Chahechouhe

     

     

    shirt 29.

  21. Steinreignedsupreme on

    CELTIC CORRUPTION LINK TO DRIVING SCHOOL

     

     

    EXCLUSIVE by Graham Chris and Brogues Brown

     

     

    DVLC have confirmed they have been inundated with complaints about possible corruption at a Glasgow based driving school.

     

     

    A spokesman at the Cardiff-based operation has confirmed to Sevco Standard that they have received complaints about apparent favouritism shown towards employees of Celtic Football Club.

     

     

    It seems several Celtic staff, all first-team players in the last two seasons, have passed their driving test at the first time of asking on the streets of Labour-controlled Glasgow City Council.

     

     

    The driving instructor involved in learning the players has an Irish sounding name and is apparently a season-ticket holder at Celtic Park.

     

     

    It is thought up to five Celtic players have passed their tests, and DVLC sources could launch an investigation into the complaints.

     

     

    It is remarkable that five Celtic players could all pass their tests in such a short period of time, and it seems Celtic FC, the players and the driving instructor may all have questions to answer from the European Union.

     

     

    Should any foul play be involved Celtic may be expelled from European football and have titles stripped during the last decade, as this could be the tip of a very big storm.

  22. bada bing..

     

     

    I think Cornelius has already gone back to Copenhagen for £3.5m.

     

     

    £4.5m profit for the Danes and their player back. A form of madness.

     

     

    On the other hand if Vic wants back…..

  23. Catman supports Wee Oscar on

    Saint Stivs

     

     

    One in the same, however hearing in the last couple of hours that Le Fondre has moved up the pecking order

  24. Afternoon all. Well only a day and a half to go and the rumours keep coming (back around). Strong rumours that we are back in for Johannsson of AZ This is believed to be in advanced stages so here’s hoping

     

     

    Anyways here’s the latest updates of the List!

     

     

     

     

     

    ————————————————

     

     

     

     

    Players in:

     

    ———–

     

    Name Age Position Club Price

     

    —-— ——– —-—–

     

    Fridjonsson – 20 – Striker – Fram Reykjavik – £100K

     

    Johansen – 23 – Midfielder – Stromsgodset – £1.7M

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Players out:

     

    ———–

     

    Name Club Price

     

    —-—- —–

     

    George – Hamilton Accies – Loan deal

     

    Rogic – Melbourne Victory – Loan deal

     

    Atajic – Shrewsbury Town – Loan deal

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Rumoured transfer in:

     

    ———————

     

    Keepers

     

    ——-

     

    Name Age Club Source Price

     

    —-— —- —— —–

     

    Forde – 33 – Millwall – STV – No fee mentioned (06/12)

     

    McCarthy – 24 – Reading – Talkceltic – No fee mentioned (16/13)

     

    Johnson – 24 – Chicago Fire – Daily Express – No fee mentioned (11/01)

     

    Johnson – 21 – Port Vale – Celticrumours – No fee mentioned (12/01)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Defenders

     

    ———

     

    Name Age Club Source Price

     

    —-— —- —— —–

     

    Taylor-Sinclair – 22 – Partick – Various – £75K (30/11)

     

    Taylor – 27 – Newcastle – Talkceltic – 6 mths loan (13/12)

     

    Kalas – 20 – Chelsea – Celticrumours – 6 mths loan (05/01)

     

    Kingsley – 19 – Falkirk – The Herald – £500K (10/01)

     

    Capuano – 22 – Pescara – Various – No fee mentioned (14/01)

     

    Morrison – 25 – Charlton – Daily mail – No fee mentioned (23/01)

     

    Buttner- 24 – Man Utd – Talkspurt – £1.6M (26/01)

     

    Grimmer – 20 – Fulham – Talkceltic – No fee emntioned (28/01)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Midfielders

     

    ———–

     

    Name Age Club Source Price

     

    —-— —- —— —–

     

    Armstrong – 21 – Dundee Utd – Various – £500K (01/12)

     

    Gauld – 18 – Dundee Utd – Celticrumours – £500K (01/12)

     

    Guidetti – 21 – Man City – – Talkceltic – Loan until summer (09/12)

     

    Bryson – 27 – Derby County – STV – No fee mentioned (12/12)

     

    Toivonen – 27 – PSV – Talkceltic – No fee mentioned (13/12)

     

    Norwood – 22 – Huddersfield – The Scottish Hun – £3M (17/12)

     

    Eikrem – 23 – Hereenven – Various – No fee mentioned (21/12)

     

    Henrikson – AZ Alkmaar – various – £2M (23/12)

     

    Hassan – 19 – Al Ahly – Various – £2M (24/12)

     

    Mackay-Steven – 22 – Dundee Utd – Various – £1M (03/01)

     

    Berisha – 20 – Red Bull Salzburg – Celticrumours – No fee mentioned (03/01)

     

    Fletcher – 29 – Man Utd – Various – No fee mentioned; possible loan (04/01)

     

    McDonald – 25 – Wolves – Celticrumours – No fee mentioned (04/01)

     

    Hupperts 21 – Roda JC – Talkceltic – No fee mentioned (07/01)

     

    Mane – 19 – Sporting – Scottish Sun – Reported £1M buy-out-clause (09/01)

     

    Firmino – 22 – Hoffenheim – The Times – £4.5M (12/01)

     

    Larsson – 16 – Hodaborks – Celticrumours – No fee mentioned (13/01)

     

    Bryson – 27 – Derby – Radio Snyde – No fee mentioned (16/01)

     

    Tomlin – 25 – Peterborough – Daily Mail – No fee mentioned (23/01)

     

    Golasa – 22 – Maccabi Haifa – Israeli press – No fee mentioned (24/01)

     

    Hupperts – 21 – Roda JC – Dutch press – £1.5M-£2M (28/01)

     

    Iancu – 19 – Steau Bucharest – Romanian press – No fee mentioned (28/01)

     

    Walker – 17 – Hartlepool – Daily Mail – No fee mentioned (29/01)

     

    Trotter – 25 – Millwall – Evening Standard – £500K (30/01)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Strikers

     

    ——–

     

    Name Age Club Source Price

     

    —-— —- —— —–

     

    Parzyszek – 20 – De Graafschap – Polish press – £800K (30/11)

     

    Vaughan – 25 – Norwich – Daily Mirror – No fee mentioned (03/12)

     

    Ings – 21 – Burnley – The Scottish Hun – £5M (03/12)

     

    May – 21 – St Johnstone – Northern Times – No fee mentioned (07/12)

     

    McCormack – 27 – Leeds – SSB – No fee mentioned (07/12)

     

    McKay – 24 – ICT – Daily Express – No fee mentioned (12/12)

     

    Boyd – 22 – Rapid Wien – Talkspurt – £1M (13/12)

     

    Assombalonga – 21 – Talkceltic – No fee mentioned (16/12)

     

    Wells – 23 – Bradford City – Daily Rectum – No fee mentioned (16/12)

     

    Ntep – 21 – Auxerre – Talkceltic – No fee mentioned (16/12)

     

    Finnbogason – 24 – Heerenveen – Herald – £5M (17/12)

     

    Mawuli – 24 – Hapoel Ashkelon – Herald – £750K (17/12)

     

    Johannsson – 23 – AZ – Daily Mail – £4.5M (19/12)

     

    Soriano – 28 – Red Bull Salzburg – Daily Express – £4M (31/12)

     

    Fletcher – 26 – Sunderland – Various – £6M (02/01)

     

    Janko – 30 – Trabzonspor – Various – Player has expressed wish to join (11/01)

     

    Aboubakar – 21 – Lorient – Talkceltic – £3M (13/01)

     

    N’Doye – 28 – Lokomotiv Moscow – Celticrumours – £6M (13/01)

     

    Nikolic – 26 – Videoton – Guardian – £500K (14/01)

     

    Le Fondre – 27 – Reading – Talksport – No fee mentioned (15/01)

     

    Bent – 29 – Aston Villa – Daily Mirror – No fee mentioned (15/01)

     

    Walters – 30 – Stoke – Celticrumours – No fee mentioned (15/01)

     

    Rhodes – 23 – Blackburn – Talkspurt – No fee mentioned (16/01)

     

    Marica – 28 – Getafe – Daily Express – No fee mentioned (16/01)

     

    Griffiths – 23 – Wolves – Various – £1M (23/01)

     

    Damari – 24 – Hapoel Tel Aviv – Israeli press – No fee mentioned (24/01)

     

    Kone – 30 – Everton – SlySpurtsNews – No fee mentioned (25/01)

     

    Rotariu – 18 – Dinamo Bucharest – Romanian press – No fee mentioned (28/01)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ShamPOO rumours:

     

    ———————-

     

    Name Club Reason

     

    —-—— —–

     

    Yamada – 24 – Jubilo Iwata – After a week long trial Celtic decided against

     

    Pawlowski – 20 – Udinese – Player going to Slask Wroclaw on loan

     

    Snodgrass – 26 – Norwich – Neil Lennon denies interest/player says he is not moving in Jan

     

    Djuricic – 21 – Benfica – Players agent has insisted Djuricic will not be joining us

     

    Williams – 26 – Middlesbrough – Serious ankle injury has ruled out this move

     

    Kermorgant – 32 – Charlton – Fee agreed with Bournemouth

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Rumoured loan out:

     

    ———————-

     

    Name Source Club

     

    —-—— —–

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Rumoured transfer out:

     

    ———————-

     

    Name Source Price

     

    —-—— —–

     

    Foster – Various– £7M to Southampton/Sunderland/Everton/Benfica

     

    Samaras – Various –£2M to Borussia Monchengladbach/Hull/Toronto/Aston villa

     

    Ledley – Various – £1M to Carrdiff

     

    van Djke – Various – £10M to Man City or Arsenal

     

    McGeouch – Various – £250K or loan to Coventry

     

    Bangura – Daily Rankers – Loan move to Falkenberg

     

    McGregor – Express and Star – £750K to Wolves/Derby

     

    Pukki – Celticrumours – West Ham interested

     

    Grown – Various – £5M to Newcastle

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    As always let me know if you’ve heard of anyone that isn’t here.

     

    Bye for now fholks!

     

     

     

    HH

     

    /Bishop B

  25. NatKnow - Supporting Wee Oscar on

    Steinreignedsupreme

     

    16:19 on

     

    30 January, 2014

     

    CELTIC CORRUPTION LINK TO DRIVING SCHOOL

     

     

    EXCLUSIVE by Graham Chris and Brogues Brown

     

     

    DVLC have confirmed they have been inundated with complaints about possible corruption at a Glasgow based driving school.

     

     

    A spokesman at the Cardiff-based operation has confirmed to Sevco Standard that they have received complaints about apparent favouritism shown towards employees of Celtic Football Club.

     

     

    It seems several Celtic staff, all first-team players in the last two seasons, have passed their driving test at the first time of asking on the streets of Labour-controlled Glasgow City Council.

     

     

    The driving instructor involved in learning the players has an Irish sounding name and is apparently a season-ticket holder at Celtic Park.

     

     

    It is thought up to five Celtic players have passed their tests, and DVLC sources could launch an investigation into the complaints.

     

     

    It is remarkable that five Celtic players could all pass their tests in such a short period of time, and it seems Celtic FC, the players and the driving instructor may all have questions to answer from the European Union.

     

     

    Should any foul play be involved Celtic may be expelled from European football and have titles stripped during the last decade, as this could be the tip of a very big storm.

     

    ——————————————

     

     

    LOL! Belter!!

     

     

    Although – I best you were surprised at how little you had to tweak from the original report to make it even funnier! :-)

  26. Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar on

    mcgrory1888

     

     

    You should know by now my bhoy you can present facts (the truth) on here until you’re blue in the face, you’ll still get someone who won’t believe ye! :-)

     

     

    I did think there was more of a crowd than that until my mate came down from upper tier to our seats after half an hour, saying that within a 20 seat radius of him there wasn’t a soul.

     

     

    Sitting outside ticket office the now, £30 for Tynecastle, what a joke!!!

  27. richie#….

     

     

    A bit sad because its familiar but must admit always thought it was an ugly lump of a building. :-)

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7
  9. 8
  10. ...
  11. 23