It's all on the wing...Celtic 3 Dundee Utd 0

There was something different aboot the hoops yesterday. Not the fact that we kept a clean sheet, no, there was a tactical change, one, which paid dividends but also made the team a bit unbalanced.

The change to switch Aiden wings to his natural side saw him have his best performance of the season. He tormented two full backs, one wisnny a full back right enough, and set up two goals wie two delightful crosses.

The benefit of him being able to get to the bye line and not have to cut back was there for all too see. It was a more natural looking, old fashioned wing performance and one hopefully that would be noted by Strachan whose habit of playing wide players on their wrong side is one of lives mystery's.

After a another powderpuff performance from Riordon on Wednesday night, Aiden yesterday showed the reason Deek is not a starter. It was the type of direct performance that Deek can only dream of producing in a Hoops jersey. Pace, skill and purpose.

Aiden will need to lift his game for the challenge of Milan, in fact all the team will as Milan are not Dundee Utd, and yesterday again we let United create chances and at times we were exposed. Not as exposed as the midweek game but again we let teams create to easily against us. Maybe the lack of width in the formation leaves us exposed to attacks down the left flank or maybe the fact that at anyone time we can have 8 players up field has something to do wie it!!

But hey, i wouldnae have it any other way. On to Milan.

Forza

Celtic V Dundee Utd 29/09/2007

Celtic v Dundee Utd League Cup Final

Over To You Dr John...

The not so surprising news that Dr John Reid has been announced as Celtic's new chairman once Brian Quinn steps down is one, that should be meet wie a lukewarm response by the Hoops support.

Mr Reid is a "colourful" character and a strong willed character, a man that was called on by Tony Blair to knock into shape the many gaffs he made during his tenur. A trouble shooter i think he is called in the murky politics business or a fall guy if you look at it another way.

Politics and fitba' shouldnae mix but in this country they do. While i look back on some of his political statements wie embarrassment and no short of anger at some it's not that, thats got me worried.

It's the rumour that he has got the bullet only because Dermot Desmond wants to use him to make in roads in the lucrative defence technology department in the good old Us of A. A former home secretary must have some contact book to invite the major players in that field to play golf in Barbados.

That's not to say that deep down i'm having slight chuckle at the thought of the SFA trying to take on John Reid. Any man who calls Jeremy Paxman a "West London wanker" and states that "no institution has the divine right to exist" is going to be entertainment.

But we could have got George Galloway to provide that if we really wanted to appoint an opinionated politician.

Forza

Bobby Lennoxtown......

So Lennoxtown is nearing completion. Peter Lawell say's "It's world class" wie Tommy Burns chipping in wie the usual been all over Europe blah blah..line. Now, the photo's from the Randalstown CSC site make the building look a bit like an out of town Homebase Superstore and all that is missing is a PC World next door with a park and ride into the city centre.

It disnny matter if it looks cheap. What only matters is that we hope the players that use the facility are not cheap in terms of talent. I mean as long as the building has all the mod-cons needed to produce European class and hopefully world class players that bring success to the club and in the long run make the club a few bob.

The program that is in place at the moment concerning youth development at CP has produced successes. Unlike some i place a lot of hope in the youth system. I don't think it is a waste of money. If you have the correct program in place from scouting to coaching from under 8 level onwards then every year or couple of years you should have players in the first team that have come through the ranks.

With us operating on a UEFA cup budget over the last few years a number of players have broken through. Some have been more successful than others in terms of first team appearances but then even the ones that have been deemed not good enough for first team duty have been transferred for sizable fees and of course some have shafted us for the bright lights of the EPL.

We are a long way off the Arsenal model, which any club wie ambitions to rear talent should be looking at. Last and this season has seen a slight change in the development program Celtic have for young players. With more and more players going on loan there has been a shift in focus by rather than winning all at youth and reserve level we are looking to rear players that are 1st team ready wie experience of playing top flight fitba'.

Some will fail and will move on. That's fitba' not everyone will be a superstar. It's Lennoxtown's remit to make sure that we nurture superstars and produce players that are better than the current crop in the first team.

Forza

Dundee- The Final Word

Oor slog in the city of discovery has ended up wie a CIS Cup quarter final home tie- a freebie maybe?- against FC Kanus of Midlothian. If yer like me you will just be glad it is at home and not a trip to Ipox, Aberdeen, Inversenkie, Dundee (again) or worst of all Hamilton.

The post-mortem of last night is still on-going. Oor Gordon’s take on the game was that we are entertaining and box office. He says....

"We have been involved in terrific games both tonight and last Sunday.
"It is actually very exciting. Perhaps, though, we should just get some more defenders, bore the pants off people in the future and just win 1-0, because this exciting football is not good to anybody.

While we were all shouting for goals, as he points oot in the main article, i’m sure, all will agree that no way do we want to return to the bad olde performances of last season or MON last season. It may take a few grinders, a few sneaky 1-0’s before oor defence feels save again but a return to wholesale boredom is not a road i want to go doon.

My main gripe is, i didnae find last nights game very entertaining. I found it behind the couch peering through ma fingers excruciatingly bad. The only ones that would have found last night entertaining would have been Dundee fans and h*ns.

While Sunday was entertaining, lacked quality but was entertaining and we did create chances, watching ma back four resemble an early to mid nineties ensemble of Rogan, McNally, MacKay and Martin for me is not entertaining. It’s quite embarrassing watching a Celtic team play at Dens and resemble the weak and lacking in fight and presence of Brady and Macari Celtic sides.

Now, i understand that we got through and other big teams struggle in this diddy cup both here and doon sooth. The saying substance over style comes to mind also i remember MON’s team struggling in the early rounds in this cup. One things for sure after last nights performance the households on messers Hartley, McGeady and Nakamura would have slept very easily last night.

In the big picture ma worry is, against Shakhter we had no answers to a technically very guid fitba team last night we had no answers to a route one physical fitba team. What route do you think Dundee Utd will take on Saturday?

Forza.

Dundee 1 Celtic 2

You line up against a side, which has a player who has the frame, the build, the bulk, the movement and the skill level of, the hundreds of strikers that patrol the Sunday League. You know the ones, the ones that only get a game cause they are 10ft 2.

You line up against a side, whose size and physical presence gives away their game plan. They will play the long baw and use their height at set peices. They will play basic, typical Scottish pub fare fitba.

So how come the uncultured style of the Dundee team made the, ahem, Champions League Celtic look like a pub team, both on and off the park?

Tactically shapeless and clueless on how to combat the direct style, out fought, tackled and physically weak both wie and withoot possession and powderpuff up front against defenders who are not even at journeyman level yet?

And why did Naylor, Mick, Kennedy, Sno, Donati, Rioirdon and Hesslelink all look like they couldnae get in a pubs second string 11?

Oh, finally...if yer going to have the balls to grab the ball and say yer taking the penalty, make sure you give it a decent wellie.......

Oh, finally finally...we are in the next round so job done....

Forza

Stats Entertainment....

Today, bloggers and The Evening Times pointed oot Celtic's poor away record wie regards of not keeping a clean sheet away from home. After his wee trip to the SFA, oor manager answered them in what i would term "Classic Strachan"

"We have won two titles, one of which was won with six weeks to go, the other with four weeks to go, we've won two cups and reached the Champions League (knock-out stages) for the first time ever.

"I do believe that the object of the game is to score more than your opponents.
"At this point in my first season we had scored 17 goals, the next season 12 and this season 24.
"Against us in my first season, we had eight, then five in the second season and now we have six against and if you take Artur's howlers it would have been four.

"We are on the 16-point mark, the same as the first two seasons.

"So I quite like my stats and my facts."

While i wouldnae mind a nice wee clean sheet tomorrow night, some clean sheets in the league and most definitely in Europe and if at the end of the season we are just as successful as in the last two years then even, if we continue to lose goals away from home it won't matter one jot. I agree wie GS, fitba is aboot scoring more goals than the opposition..but sometimes a little help from oor defence widnae go amiss!!!

We have a chance to bury the ghost of Easter Road, quickly, tomorrow night. Wie it looking like there will be minimal changes, only enforced ones, if the manager is to be believed, then the much maligned players will get the chance to redeem themselves.

As has been said, losing to Shakter and gifting Hibs 3 points is no disgrace, playing a nearly full team and losing against Dundee is.

Forza

To Appeal Or Not To Appeal...

So, it looks like Gordon Strachan will be as popular and as welcome as an anti government protester in Burma doon the SFA after the decision to appeal, the decision to reduce his ban, on appeal, from 4 to 2 games.

With the upcoming further appeal against his 6 match ban after a set too wie an Aberdeen sweetie rustler does anyone else see a 36 match ban coming up?

Forza

Panic!!! On The Flanks Of Parkhead..

The news that Nakamura could be oot, or will definantly be oot for the AC Milan game next Tuesday has been meet wie general woe by the Hoops support. Thing is after his mostly anonymous performances this season should we really be worried?

But that's not what is worrying me. The wee snippet hidden at the bottom of the article a wee snippet that seems to allude that the Hoops are hiding something regarding the fitness of oor failing right back Mark Wilson...

Strachan also revealed that right-back Mark Wilson is a doubt for the Champions League tie.
The former Dundee United defender is struggling with a knee injury.

Right, forget my cynical view of Naka's performances this season as in the opening gambit- he is oor most creative player and should play if fit in a role that suits- the fact that we are going into a game, which could turn into a must win depending on other results, the whole of Europe must be wondering why after posting a £15m profit, are we going into Europe wie a player as limited as Jean Joel Perrier Doumbe as oor right back.

Mind you they might be wonder why we are going into Europe wie players as limited as Caldwell, Mick, Nayls...etc..

Forza

Rob McLean is the fulcrum...

..of Setanta Sports' coverage of the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League, says the wee blurb above oor Rob's blog page at Setanta Sports website.

Now, having read some of Rob's words of wisdom, i can safely say Rob is the master of stating the bleeding obvious.

I for one can't wait for the next instalment.....

Forza

Gordons Balls

Was on ma way into work this morning when the gadgie on Radio Tuecther mentioned “Classic Strachan” coming up. So after being away from the laptop yesterday i found the said “classic Strachan”interview.

It is classic, it’s classic crap....what game was he watching wie this extract.

"The only thing I am not going away with is points," he said.
"One would have been a bit of an injustice and not getting any is quite ridiculous.

"In the number of times we have been to Edinburgh against Hearts and Hibs, that is without doubt the best we have played.

"What I'm seeing at the moment is what I want. I want energy, I want flair and I want variation.

"Am I going away a disappointed man? Yes, because of the result.

"The performance was fantastic and everyone is scratching their heads.
"We should never have got beaten there."

Energy, flair and invention, fantastic performance and best we have played in Edinburg? I saw a game, while being a classic in terms of entertainment, it was poor on the technical side wie misplaced passes and school boy errors being the order of the day.

Also, while we didnae deserve to lose the game, we certainly didnae deserve to win and certainly didnae dominate enough for oor manager to have this view. The Pole in the goal was willing to come oot and admit mistakes- well he couldnae really deny them-, Arfur needs to really have big shoulders as the amount of flack he is going to get due to him, being the most hated player in Scotland since Lenny left will keep the internet hardmen going for months and him doing a wee stupid dance didnae help his cause.

But we need characters and he has shown character by his comments, maybe oor manager should just come oot and say the truth instead of making himself look like a bad loser.

Forza

Hibs 3 Celtic 2

Disappointing is the only way I can sum up how I feel at present after a second torrid performance from the Hoops in a week. Was looking for a positive reaction from the bhoys and although the start today was promising, as soon as The Holy Goalie made his initial error, things did not look great. That's now a year as the Commentator and other famous Bloggers have pointed out since our last SPL Away clean sheet. Whatever else that is just a wrong statistic - the players should be willing to run through walls to put that right. I don't believe they would do that for the jersey at present.

Stephen Fletcher's drive should have been food and drink to Artur in the 5th minute after Donati and Naylor weakly sqandered possession in our half, but somehow Artur caught 'Rabitus' and it ended up in the back of the net. Earlier to this Skippy and Aiden had a few chances to open the scoring, in fact after 15 seconds we had created our first opportunity, but our shooting boots were obviously not on the team bus today.

Aiden equalised after great build up play in the 20 something minute, placing the ball in the right bottom corner. Things looked like we were going to do our usual and we would still end up with the three points.

In the 40 something minute before HT, Hibs went ahead. Not going to say it was deserved but we can't complain too much about it. Stramash in our box, cross came in from our left, Mick put his foot out, ball span off high and then caldwell put in the weakest defensive header you will ever see. No jump and the ball bounced off his head 2m into the feet of Gathuessi (sp?) and he blasted it into our net, past the Pole in the Goal. HT Hibs 2 -1 Celtic.

Mick had been booked for persistent fouling in the first half and if a more loyal member of the Referring Lodge had been in charge, on another day he may have walked as I felt that a couple of his first 4 challenges, before he was booked could have been punished. He wasn't at his best tody although some of his last gasp tackling today saved us. We seem unable to cut crosses out at source from our full backs and this is going to continue to cost us.

We were carved a few times early on in the second half with Caldwell saving us on one occassion and to be fair we created a few at their end it what was a very 'open' game of football. Too open if you are a Celtic fan concerned about our defence.

The equaliser came from a Caldwell header from a corner which had been forced after a McGeady effort. Presumed as did most Celtic fans that we would go on and win, however a speculative effort from the Hibs midfielder Zemma was dropped at Shields feet by Artur. Our defence watched as Shields ran in and did what a centre forward should do and he rolled it in. Hibs 3 - 2 Celtic. We had a few efforts but none that really threatened them before the final whistle.

With Ireland and now Scotland losing the Rugby, not been my best sporting weekend.

Still look forward to the next one.

Hail hail

Big Jan Talks

It's strange that players who have been getting beat wie a big stick always get asked to do the weekly press conference. Last week it was Deek, this week Jan Vennegor of Hesslelink and if Lee Naylor has another mare tomorrow i'm sure he will get wheeled oot in front of the throbbing hoard.

Big Jan yesterday talked aboot his partnership wie Scott McDonald and he said this...

"It's my job to hold the ball up and head it through. It's a good partnership."

When is he going start holding the ball up and heading it through? Hopefully he will start tomorrow.

Forza

The Lord Of The Wing

After a week when the folly of oor UEFA cup budget, lack of forward planning in no signing any full backs and after a disappointing result an already tricky away tie against an unbeaten Hibs side has just become harder.

So the board, in a new labour spin doctor fashion release this welcome news regarding a statue to the forefather of this blogs title Jimmy Johnstone.

While i'm cynical regarding the timing of this announcement, i welcome that the greatest ever Celt will be remembered in this way but i still feel this should have been done when he was awarded the title of the greatest ever Celt in 2002...i mean how awe inspiring would it have been for the wee man in his battle against his illness?

Forza

Farewell Jose

I couldnae let this go. I never thought the words by "mutual consent" would fill me wie so much joy. This morning when Alan Brazil brought me the glorious news, in a week where the high from Saturday has been replaced by depression and self doubt due to results in Europe.

Jose Mourinho aka the special one, is taking his ego, his nonsense and his arrogance elsewhere. The media are trying to make oot that he was forced oot that it was all part of Romans masterplan.

The proof is in the pudding. Mourinho got the sack because he has peshed millions up against a wall on average players, spent millions on players then played them oot of position, spent millions then only could register 23 players for the Champions League and most of all got the sack got he spent millions on players that dived, cheated and bored the pants of everyone who faced and watched them.

Karma Indeed.

The Final Word...

Not, ever, i'm sorry to say. But it's the final word on Shakhter. I sometimes think the Celtic support love defeat. Hits on sites increase, the phone In's get the usually rabble and the papers get a pound of flesh.

The last time i saw a result create as many column inches wash when the banded together Clyde team beat us in that Scottish Cup tie. This defeat though is a completely different kettle of fish though. The press have been feasting on the corpse of oor Champions League dreams wie glee and so have some of the naysayers.

The bottomline is, Wednesday proved that we are the weakest team in the group but we can and will take points off teams. Only if we play oor best players mind you and the manager gets his tactics spot on, which means covering up weak areas and playing oor best creative player- the one who swings in great crosses and is a set piece expert- in such a position that defending is not an option in away games for him. Mind you, tactics don't always win games it's really doon to the players.

Massimo Donati, the Italian smilier, i think sums it up perfectly today, it was an issue i brought up after the Benfica game last year. The Italian said

"The basic errors we made cannot be repeated against Milan. The difference in these games is all in the head, it is about your mental approach. If we have a steady head, we don't have any problems, so the concentration has to be much better against a side as good as Milan."

We have employed sports scientists and as Mr Quinn said in a recent interview that we are looking at all areas of sports science. Maybe part of oor UEFA cup budget should include paying for a shrink to be on the team plane when they go to Lisboa.

Nuthin else has seemed to work.

Forza

Foot In Mouth Disease...

Words mean nuthin at all said an Irish crooner sometime in the past. So i hope you all remember this as i point yer attention to ma be care full what you wish for musing last week. I'll highlight the good bit for you....

As Celtic watchers we have watched Mick grow into a competent centre half. We fully understand his quote, as until Kaka skinned him the San Siro last year he, while looking at times he was being stretched to the limit and looking like some tackles would be his last, proved that he could lift his game to a level where he understood how best to use his competent but limited ability.

That's something Bobo Balde never could do no matter how many years and how many mistakes he made. We were always waiting for the Bobo error, the gaff the lunge that would make it go pear shaped.

Was i tempting fate wie that prediction? Mick proved just as fallible as Bobo and Varga of old to the odd howler in the white hot heat of top level action. But then i did say Mick was a competent centre half wie limited ability and one that when yer board give you a UEFA cup budget and are happy for you just to be in the competition then he is what we need to go wie.

But it is nice to see Mick showing what i think Mick is all aboot wie his soundbite today. Sensible lad, like me, knows his limitations and like me has dusted doon and getting on wie business.

You see, i watched the highlights from last nights games. Apart from Valencia, no other away team won last night. Even then Schalke 04 missed a barrowload of chances and the Schalke goalie gifted the Spaniards the goal. Have a look at these stats from UEFA. You don't see many away sides have the lions share of possession or the most shots on goal do you?

Shakhter huvnae been beaten in their last five Champions League home games. If you look around Europe you will see other similar records. The Champions League for punters should be home banker bets all the way. Match day one also see's very few upsets as teams are always well up for it and they usually go to form.

Away wins are few and far between in the Champions League wie even the top pot one teams sometimes accepting a draw away from home is a decent result. Even then the pot one teams seem to be the only ones that win regularly away from home, Man Utd apart....

Maybe we and the manager should take all the above on board.

Forza

Aftermath..and a big question....

The day after the night before, the night before that saw us lead u the cul-de-sac of broken dreams, hopes and promises. A night that deep down never gave us any real surprises, weaknesses highlighted that we knew we had and also coaching weaknesses that we knew we had.

Thing is, decent sleep for once. No going over in ma mind of the shocking goals, the fact of the matter is i agree wie oor managers words while i also agree with the Shakhter coaches words as well.

Shakhter were no better that Spartak Moscow. The game in Moscow shape was decided by an early goal getting chopped off. If that had went in who knows what would have happened. Think what we have to do is look at the Moscow game and take hope from that also last night we created 4 decent chances, which away from home is good.

Thing that really bugs me though, that is puzzling is...

What does Vennegor of Hessleink need to do or not do to be taken off?

Forza

Tale of Two Fool Hardie Full Backs- Shakhter 2 Celtic 0

"Haw, Nayls do you want another slap......"

You start off, all full of hope, maybe it will be different. Yer quite happy wie the team line up, happy that after watching the interview wie yer manager on Sky that you feel he has made the right choice as he seems to have done his homework.

8 minutes in, his gameplan has been ripped up and chucked oot the windae, yer hope has went the same way as, oh here goes, Porto, Lisboa, Bratislava, och i canny go on, as you watch yer team make school boy errors and give the opponents a start, which in all honesty, if you give any team in the world that sort of start will look guid for the next 20 minutes or so.

Inexperience? Uncharacteristic mistakes, and just players freezing on the night, hey it's all the fun of the fair watching Celtic away from home in Europe but there was one area that we were outclassed, one area that has been weak and highlighted as weak since pre-season.

Brandao and Lucarelli chose, or were told to hang aboot wide on oor full backs. Long diagonal balls on top of the destroyed Naylor and Wilson, while the marauding Srna and Rat decided or were told that oor midfield would offer no protection to oor weak links were afforded all the time in the world to get the ball and whip in decent crosses.

Once Hartley went back and we went to a sort of 4-1-3-2 shape we did improve. An improvement, which only showed how inept oor full backs are. While the Shakhter full backs whipped in dangerous baws constantly ours decided to lose the baw constantly. Must ask if anyone can remember when Nayls put in his last decent baw there is a prize on offer.

Now, we had a foothold, there was no room through the middle of the Shakhter defence so we had to go oot wide, it was in those areas oor creativity in the final third was shown to be sadly lacking.

Questions can be asked about the original formation and line up. I for one was happy wie it,was glad we were playing two up top and had mobility in the middle of the park. Tonight proved that against better opposition then the midfield needs to be disciplined in closing doon wide areas and even then it might not do us any guid.

Overall, this result was not entirely unexpected, second half is something to work on, but one that was once again avoidable. In Moscow we were tight and stopped Spartak getting that many chances. Tonight maybe oor toe to toe formation at the beginning was part of the downfall. Then again maybe if GS vision of taking an attacking game to Europe was to be successful then he should have bought better fullbacks.

Forza

The Countdown Begins- Shakhter Donestk

Interesting soundbites coming oot of the Shakhter camp before tomorrow nights game. Today in his must weekly read "The Wing Column" in the Herald, Mark Wilson proves that there is some decent and knowledgeable journo's at that paper wie his weekly review of all things European.

Today he talks aboot the well documented thoughts of the Shakhter coach Mircea Lucescu. The main thought that caught ma eye is this

"I have sat down and told my players that this Celtic team is better than the one that O'Neill coached three years ago,"

The Celtic squad that night was...Marshall, McNamara, Balde, Varga, Agathe, Lennon, Juninho Paulista, Petrov, Sutton, Hartson, Camara.Subs: Hedman, Sylla, Pearson, Lambert, Wallace, McManus, McGeady

The Celtic squad which flew oot yesterday is...Boruc, Wilson, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Scott Brown, Donati, McGeady, Riordan, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Killen, McDonald, Zurawski, Mark Brown, Kennedy, Hartley, Sno, O'Dea.

Now, the squad in 2004 was one that was breathing it's dying embers, a long drawn oot death that ended at Fir Park around 5 months later- though i will say probably the Scott Brown inspired Hibs gubbing us 3-1 at Celtic Park was the final nail in the coffin- and it was a team that couldnae lift itself post Larsson.

Today's squad is in it's infancy, full of the joys and full of the exuberance of youth. Inexperienced at Champs League level yes, but becoming experienced at Champs league level didnae do the class of 2004 any good. One thing the squad of today have in their favour is the cracking result already achieved this season in Europe, a result that gives us something to build on.

Looking at both squads the main difference is we are more mobile in midfield, but are similarly weak in the defensive areas and up front if i could get a fit John Hartson in his pomp then Scott McDonald could get his perfect partner.

It's unfair to compare the squads, as i said above both are / where at different levels of evolution and styles- one ruthlessly effective the other pleasing on the eye- are different.

Maybe three years on we are more European in style but comparisons can only be made when the seasons are long gone and when in the bar rooms of the world, in years to come, we are debating whether Mark Wilson was as good as Jackie Mac and why has Naka flourished where Juninho failed.

Three points tomorrow night might make the debate a bit more clearer though.

Forza

Celtic 5 ICT 0

Interesting choice of wording.

Lunchtime kick offs, are a pain if yer involved but are brilliant if yer not involved and the result goes yer way. The sound of a bubble bursting was heard loud and clear from Edinburg at 2.20 yesterday afternoon, a sound so deafening that it made the Springfield Vaults jump.

But, we still had work to do and we went aboot it, skillfully, pacefully and manfully. We have artisans and the green pitch is their canvas. Guys like Donati, Brown, Naka and Aiden are just fitba players. When they are in the mood, which seems to be often nowadays, they are worth the admission money alone.

There was no better place to be than a wind swept rain soaked Celtic Park yesterday. Watching Aiden terrorising, oor friend Ross Tokley, Donati being the conductor and scoring one of the most cheekiest goals ever seen at CP, Arfur proving he is one of the best keepers aboot and Hesslelink showing that fortune favours the lazy.

The move for oor fourth goal is what "team 3" is all aboot. Passing and movement wie no shortage of vision and bravery on the ball. Make no mistake the way we play gives teams chances to create and trouble us as the Inversenkie done yesterday, we will need to tighten up on Tuesday against the Brazilian tinged Shakter.

Will Hartley come for Aiden as he did on that evening in Moscow? Would be hard for Aiden to get dropped after yesterdays performance but it's horses for courses and extra defensive nonce is needed. Then again wie oor team attack seems to be the best form of defence but playing Naka and Aiden may seem a risk too far.

We have a big week this week. Two away trips, which potentially could end wie two defeats but we go in to it wie confidence and goals. There's no sense of fear as whisper it for all oor faults we are no a bad side and an entertaining one at that.

That's all we asked for and that's what we are getting.

Forza

Celtic vs Inverness CT highlights 07/09/15

Highlights from yesterday

Week For The Lost Bhoys

With Scotland's victory still taking up the back pages, front pages and middle pages trying to get yerself up for the "real deal", the bread and butter, the games that put food on the table is quite difficult today.

Now, i should probably wait until Wee Gordon has a press conference and steal quotes from that and maybe chastise him for his smug, arrogant display in front of the press but that will be old hat and the fact that i fancy a beer on ma day off his something to do wie it.

This week it has been left to the forgotten men of Celtic Park to give the quotes and the soundbites. First up is wee Deek , who after his flatter to deceive performance at Love Street on oor last outing, an outing that seems years ago, is staking a claim for a first team spot.

“Celtic is a massive club and I want to do well here and I think that I can do well here,” he said. “I want to score a lot of goals, set up as many as I can and try and get into that team every week.”

Says the street fighter from Leith. Problem for him is the form of Aiden, is that GS disnny see him as a striker and the fact that anytime he has played this season he has reminded me of an 8 year old playing for an under 14 team with his slight frame and sort of unkempt style of play that you see on public parks on a Saturday morning.

That's not to say the bhoy husnae got a gallus-ness. His penalty against Spartak reek of self confidence, while his performance in the first half against St Mirren reeked of a player lacking in belief.

In a week when the youth system in Scotland is being rightly lauded, oor Deek must be looking at the Scotland squad and his pal "Broonies"- don't you just love the fitbawers mentality when it comes to nicknames..i mean Wazza for Rooney..classic- performance must have him looking on wie the thought where did it all go wrong floating round his heid.

He could get his chance again on Saturday. Aiden has had a hard 10 days of traveling and playing and wie a trip to the Ukraine on Tuesday coming up Deek might see another starting berth or at least a decent half hour run out tomorrow.

This week also so the man nicknamed "Joe" popping his heid above the trenches and taking the press bullet wie the claim that he was always going to return is as baffling as Mrs Thatcher being invited back to 10 Downing Street.

“But these things are always complicated and they can take time. But I always wanted to come back here.“I spoke to the manager a couple of times on the phone and he re-assured me and eventually the move was completed."

So are we to believe that he was always the first choice cover while GS has already said that they were in the market for other options who didnae want to come and be understudies to the improving Wilson and the, eh, dodgy journeyman Naylor?

Whatever you want to believe Joe.

Tomorrow, i think we will see team along the similier lines of the starting line up against St Mirren but i think Chris Killen will get his first start so big Jan will get the chance to rest his dodgy hammies, calf's and back before oor Champs League trip.

Killen first goal scorer..you know it makes sense.

Forza

Sound Familiar?

I have been reading the extracts from Graeme Le Saux autobiog in The Times this week. While it's quite interesting to hear his take the sexual slurs which followed him up and down the wing this bit caught my eye.

"Ray Harford had replaced Kenny Dalglish as manager and there was an edge between the players. Groups started to form. Tim Sherwood, Batts, Chris Sutton and Mike Newell – the stronger characters – got away with things that would not have happened under Kenny and started to break the unity of the team"

Why is it no surprise that Celtic Legend Chris Sutton was part of that group?

Forza

Back to the real stuff...

I was alone in a crowded room, when the where were you moment happened. The moment that means James McFadden will never buy a pint of Tennents ever again. The moment that puts him in wie the iconic moments of Gemmill, Narey and Daglish.

The room i was in went mental when the French goalie flapped at Faddy's arsehole winder, a wonder goal?, maybe, but more one of the plus points of playing wie a jumped upped two bob fly away you used to get as a freebie at gala days up and doon the country.

I didnae. I didnae feel the urge, yes was pleased we had scored but i didnae feel close to the way i felt when say, Thommo scored against Barca- which i think is comparable to last nights match up- or when McDonald scored last week against Spartak.

According to The Herald today, we should be hugging strangers, kissing babies and helping auld wimin across the road. The greatest ever Scottish result gives the greatest wee nation in the world something to boast aboot along wie the Glesga teams qualifying for the the Champions League, wie one of them beating the best unseeded qualifier to get there.

Final whistle went last night, i was pleased that Paul Hartley showed that he could play a deep role well- we will need that in the CL- Scott Broon proved he could drive 20 yards up the park against any team in the world and Big Mick used his ability well enough to stop the French pretty wee triangles from going anywhere.

But there was no elation comparable to an Arfur penalty save or a Nakamura free kick.

Just a wonder if that was the same Stephen Pearson we sold and if Aiden will be fit enough to go past Ross Tokley at 3pm on Saturday.

Forza

Understatement Of The Year

Suppose you could file this one under "Walker's Gaffes". I understand that Radio pundits, even ones as bad as Walker- i think Walker is not to bad-, Keevins and DJ, need to be seen as impartial, ahem, or realistic but sometimes i wish they would be just god damn honest.

Andy was asked where he thought the weak areas in the Scotland line up against the French were- now most honest men would have said at least 6 areas- and Andy stated that the scouser at full back Jay McEveley was a weak link.

His reasoning?

"I saw McEveley struggle against Mikoliunas and I THINK Ribery and Malouda are better players than him"

Master of the understated oor Andy Eh?

Be Careful What You Wish For

Big Eck prepares for tonight

Riding on a crest of a wave can be dangerous. As the press get carried away on a aria of optimism, not seen since Ally's army circa 1978, new heroes and tomorrow's fall guys have to be found. It must be hard for the players not to get carried away as the press pack luminaries feed them praise on the hope of soundbites to sell advertising.

Seems like oor Mick has been tricked into this by the quote he was disappointed that Terry Henry was not playing while the slavering beast of the written and spoken press have rejoiced at this news as they think it has put the Ecosse 1 nil up.

While all Mick said was

"As a player, you want to test yourself against the best in the world," he said.

"I've been fortunate to play in big games in the Champions League and play against top players and done all right.

"You want to play against the best as you seem to find another level within yourself.

As Celtic watchers we have watched Mick grow into a competent centre half. We fully understand his quote, as until Kaka skinned him the San Siro last year he, while looking at times he was being stretched to the limit and looking like some tackles would be his last, proved that he could lift his game to a level where he understood how best to use his competent but limited ability.

That's something Bobo Balde never could do no matter how many years and how many mistakes he made. We were always waiting for the Bobo error, the gaff the lunge that would make it go pear shaped.

Mick, tonight could quite easily have his limitations shown up against Anelka and Trezeguet. They have done it to better centre half's than Mick and the truth of the matter is any slight mistake or slight loss of concentration will result in a goal. The Scottish press seem to think Les Blues losing the slightly moody and egotistical Henry is a boast but they seem to forget that David Weir is alongside Mick and that Big Eck is trying find oot if Hamed Namochi has a Scottish granny.

Tomorrow, if Anelka scores a brace and in general rips the Scottish defence, which he can do, he is playing for a poor Bolton side and still impressing, the players ratings will say something along the lines that a bet you Mick wished Henry was playing or widnae have liked to see Mick against Henry.

Good luck to the Hoop players tonight got a feeling you wil need it.

Forza

Can Fitba Learn From Rugby?

Wie the international Fitba' being consigned to the inner back pages in some respectable broadsheets due to the start of the Rugger World Cup it's only natural that some of us that would watch any sort of sport- the cricket 20/20 world cup started today, grabbed ma interest- that we would end up watching a game we don't usually watch.

Regulary hailer, sixtaeseven, has been watching the rugby world cup and posted the question below on the last thread and i thought it would be worth an article itself as there is really sod all hoopy news worth commenting on. So here it is..

Just watching the rugby and was thinking that a few things could maybe be introduced to the fitba'.

I quite fancy the idea of yellow card and your sinbinned (let's say for 20min in a fitba game). As it stands, they offended team doesn't get any benefit. A persistant fouler will calm down a bit but that's about it.

I like the way the ref indicates that he is playing advantage, but when the team doesn't actually gain any advantage he goes back to the place of the incidentt and gives the foul.Talk back to the referee and he'll tell the other team to move their free kick 10yards in front. That would end the yapping, nae bother.But in general, I like the way the refs seem to take a lot more responsability and help to play to develop.

4pts for a win plus bonus points?Bonus point for 4 goals or more, maybe? 2pts for a score draw and 1pt for 0-0, maybe?

Injured player being subbed but can come on a bit later if he recoveres - why not?Nae rolling in pain on the deck allowed for fear of being a pure embarassment to yourself and your teammates - nah, that will never catch on in some dark places like Porto and Ibrox.:o)

Any thoughts?

Sense of Injustice, Joy, Then Back Wie a Bump

Big Mick tries to shake of a monkey

Being a Celtic fan always comes wie the tag that yer paranoid and have a over whelming sense that everyone is against you, from ref's to the SFA taking in all others in between. Yesterday i found that urge sweeping over me when a Hearts player dived, cheated simulated his way to a pen at Hampden.

Now, i don't do emotionally involved where Scotland is concerned, watch the games, want us to win but don't lose sleep over it if we don't, don't care if English media types see us as a joke, would like to see us at major tournaments but would watch them anyway and there is always the r*ngers factor, which seeps from the SFA's pours.

Maybe it was because a Hearts player, maybe it was because i have seen enough injustice in ma time that i wanted the guid guys to win for once but i suddenly became emotionally involved in the game rather than a game i was just watching wie ma mates.

So when Big Mick scored i jumped, shouted and was smug in the fact that for once justice was being done and it was Tim- aided by an ex-tim or soon to be tim- that was dishing out the vengeance.

Unfortunately ma new found attachment to Scotland lasted until 3 Tartan Armyites returned into the pub i was frequenting. I don't know them from Adam, it wisnny ma usual watering hole, but ma nee'bour was talking to them aboot the game.

There take on the game was sensible until the comment "I wish it hadnae been a taig that scored" at that moment ma new found attachment to Scotland vanished.

And all these radio phone in's wonder why us Celtic fans really don't care aboot Scotland or internationals?

Forza

More Balls From UEFA

I stumbled across the opening game of the Rugby World Cup last night. France v Argentina, Argentina, Argentina- why do i have the urge to do that?- in the Stade de France. 82,000 egg chasing les blues screaming blue murder at their favourite 15 as they struggled to breakdoon an Argentina defence- should that be backline- who were throwing themselves into challenges like there was no tomorrow.

I was well impressed. The athleticism, power and pace of both teams was a joy but what impressed me more was the bone shuddering challenges dished out by the Argentinians. I huvnae seen challenges like that since Cameroon took to the field in the opening game of the 1990 World Cup.

Now, that World Cup was the beginning of the end of fitba' as a contact sport. Some of the moves were welcomed- the tackle from behind being outlawed was one and as a skinny centre forward was most welcomed, mind you that rule never found it's way to the public parks of Stirling- but now Uefa have went one step further.

Granted, the penalty box is not " a wrestling ring" but pushing and the right to jostle is part of the set piece experience. I think it is ok as long as the defenders don't take the Italian take by not facing the ball but looking at the man. So will this mean we will see numerous red cards and about 15 pens a game?

What does this mean for teams whose whole set ups are geared to pushing, bullying and holding at set pieces? Martin O'Neill, Walter Smith and the assorted Hearts coaches may as well chuck the management game.

I have already seen the future. The highly rated Roberto Rosetti, the new golden boy of UEFA after Lubos Michels, took control of our game at CP against Spartak Moscow and the game was spoiled by the ref's insistence on that any physical contact was a foul. He was one of the worst ref's i have ever seen and caused me to comment after two minutes into the game "He's a bombscare" but i fully expect to see him getting big games this season

I'm not advocating a return to the bad old days of thuggery- i'm sure we will be on the end of a few games of thuggery before the season is out- and i'm not wanting the license thuggery that exists in rugby but for fitba' to be a sport it must have some sort of physical contact.

There must be an element of the physical battle between two players contesting a ball or a tackle. There has to be times when the game gets a bit meaty with crunching but legal challenges.

If UEFA stop that then will the last person watching fitba please turn of the light when you leave.

Forza

Celtic Win Phony War

After the transfer window slammed shut last Friday, the feeling of disappointment that we didnae sign a left back was probably on a par with the delight oor friends across the river were feeling about signing Steven Naismith.

The media, see above link- can we call DJ the "media"?, should that no be Murray's lapdug, paid lackie or be-atch?- phone in's and message boards, which they frequent were full of noises that they had got one over on us and that the new Ronaldhino, why is he not in the big Scotland squad, what no phone call from the cardie to big Eck, had chosen us over them and he is being seen as the new uber h*n.

Well, little facts like we never made a bid for the player, at no time declared an interest in the player, he widnae get in oor team or that r*ngers pished the boy about by bidding two bob and a tracksuit 15,000 times before getting bored and meeting the valuation- or did they?- get in the way of a good story.

The media were desperate for r*ngers to get one over on us after Hartley, McDonald, Rioirdon and Elvis- think we got the raw deal there?- so that's why they made the big thing out Kevin Thomson- has he now got Barryitis, side ward passes only- and Naismith.

Thing is, they can sign all the Gow's, Thomsons, Naismiths, Broadfoots and Whittikers they want. We can have little battles wie them for oor McDonalds, Hartleys and Rioirdans.

The fact of the matter is we WON the war the day we signed Scott Brown. The only young Scottish player worth having, worth paying over the odds and massive wages for, some don't think so, while others do.

If he had signed for them i would be worried. Fortunately i'm not.

Forza

Man Utd Take Fans Season Book For Non Attendance..

In this international week, news is thin on the ground but this story from cheer up alan shearer is shocking and scary in equal measure.

Last season Celtic changed the criteria for allocating the cup final tickets. Usually what happens is that attendance at the semi final means ticket for the final. Celtic last year counted attendance at certain games, St Mirren & Falkirk in the CIS Cup, Dumbarton at home, Livi away and the semi final of the Scottish cup were all mentioned in dispatches.

Now, 3 of these games were badly attended cup ties at Celtic Park. For me that it was no coincidence that all the bhoys i know that were members of the home direct debate cup scheme got shiny briefs for the Cup Final no problem.

Very similar tactics, but not as harsh, to Man Utd eh?

Have we just seen the future?

Forza

Quote of the season so far?

Reading the article in the herald today, the one, which is so far up David Murray’s arse that it gives his ego the massaging that his egotistical nature wanted, demanded, expected after him announcing a £2.7m sponsorship deal for the Scottish egg chasers.

When he was talking about Scotland’s secret shame, not an orange away top, or pre-match entertainment that makes “Last Night Of The Proms” look like a scouts picnic or peddling and exploiting bigotry, he has decided that Scotlands secret shame is drug abuse, alcohol abuse and obesity.

So, when the mint was taken to task over this, obviously by a journo who didnae come doon on the last moonbeam and asked if his Murray International Catering was going to stop fleecing the fans by selling “Bluenose Pies” the mint said this

"They are weight watcher's pies, they are half the size they used to be,"

Half the pie for the full price and judging by you tube, if offended by cheap humor then don’t watch the clip, they certainly don’t work.

Mind you David is probably dinning on succulent lamb, sliding doon a moonbeam while counting his takings from the ticket office call center, the ibrox car park and the catering department to be bothered about that.

Forza

St Mirren V CELTIC 2/9/07

The goals from yesterday. I like Skooshies wee pat on the ref's head after he scores.

St. Mirren 1 Celtic 5

Really enjoyed today's showing.

Celtic fully deserved their win and if this is what Strachan has been alluding to with his 'Team 3' then I will be a very happy bhoy this year.

Artur in goal, same back 4 as Wednesday, Deeks replacing Aiden (on the bench), Hartley and Sno in the middle and Skoosh on the right (Naka and 'Mo Mo Massimo' also on the bench). Skippy and JVOH up front.

Entertainment and bags of it.

Was worried in the first 10 mins when Nails went down under a heavy challenge, which brought the trainer on. The fact that we have no obvious cover (or competition) for him is as I have alluded to on earlier posts my main bug bear with the 'strategy' currently being followed by WGS and his team.

Skoosh got the first following good work from Skippy in the 22nd minute, breaking into the box and slipping it by the onrushing keeper. 3 mins later Skippy chipped the keeper to make it 2 nil from the right of the penalty box.

Midfield with Sno anchoring, allowing Hartley and Skoosh to break forward looked composed and defensively I was happy.

Don't know why Sno went off at HT to be replaced by Mo Mo Massimo . Anyone else - not had time to trawl the entire Web.

Three up in the 53rd minute after JVOH scored from (Cross/corner?) at the near post. Three mins later Deeks was found on the right of the box, unusual position as he had been playing exclusively as a left winger before. His shot took a hell of a deflection of the St .Mirren LB, Miranda, and past the St. Mirren keeper. (4-0)

74th min after Celtic had played a game of Headers and Volleys in the St. Mirren 6 yard box, a wild half vollet attempt by Deeks became a superb cross for Big Mick to half volley home to put us 5 up.

A minute later, Miranda got the ball on our 18 yard line, stepped inside and let fly into our top corner. Nothing that Artur could do - it was a stunning strike IMO (5-1)

Showboating from Skoosh was still to come when he ripped the same Miranda all over the place. Miranda reacted a second later to a comment made by my MOM Skoosh and raised his hands into Skoosh's chest in full view of Referee Kenny Clarke. Straight Red - you would have thought, unless you do it to a Celtic player when it only warrants a yellow and Skoosh gets reprimanded for taking the P!$h too much. Only in Scotland.

Final score 5-1. Other subs we made were Killen for JVOH and Magic for Skippy. Both happened around about the hour mark.

Few lapses in our defence, although there were a couple of opportunities which on another day could have gone against us.

However all in all - I'm off to a family BBQ with a big smile on my face.

Thanks Celtic.

Goodbye and Good luck Kenny Miller!

Oor Kenny has gone on to life at the rear end of the EPL. Have to say I am finding it a strange one to understand.

I made no secret of my incredulity at WGS's signing of Kenny from Wolves in Jan 06 on a Bosman. Couldn't see the point of it. Although Kenny was Wolves' top scorer in his final year in the Black Country, many of his goals had come from penalties as he had played much of his football as a right midfielder.

Kenny started his Celtic career slowly before that 'goal' against TFOD. In my seat in the JS upper, my mates were hanging off my neck, my specs went three rows forward and my drive back to Warwickshire that night wearing my perscription sunglasses was interesting to sat the least. Most expensive goal I've ever witnessed too as my insurance wouldn't cover the cost of my specs - bah!!

Am I complaining? Not one bit of it! I celebrated that goal unlike any other against them. To see the joyful reaction of Kenny as he ran to Gordon after scoring was amazing. Well up in my 'Top Ten Celtic ' moments.

The next memorable highlight was Benfica at home, when he and SM just seemed to click in that second half. Perhaps it is a shame for both of them, that they never seemed to play often together again. Maybe things would have turned out differently with Shaun providing for those runs that Kenny made into the channels, often fruitlessly. ICT away was the next big moment last year.

This season started well. The winner in the friendly against Y B Berne, followed by 3 in the league before he got injured. I really thought that the tide had perhaps turned for the hardest working player to wear the Hoops for a while.

Would I consider his signing a success, considering his selling price for £2.5-£3 m? Overall - no. I can't. Alright he cost us nothing in a fee, however he would have been paid a decent signing on fee, plus he was reportedly on decent wages, unsubstantiated rumours abound that they were as high as what SM wanted in his negotiations with Lawell last Xmas. Additionally, he should have been paid a loyalty bonus upon leaving as he does not appear to have asked for a transfer (if he hasn't I hope he has a better agent to ensure he gets one in his next contract). These are overall probably covered by the lower end of the media quoted transfer fee.

Unfortunately it is his lack of goals and ultimately those fantastic celebrations are what has put him down as not as successful as he could have been.

Just realised that Celtic's baldy quotient in the first team is down to one with Kenny leaving!!!! No TG, no Kenny and Bobo further away from the first X1 than ever. Gutted!!!

Thank God for Skoosh doing the right thing with a bic before the Spartak game!

However all the best Kenny at Derby with Pearo and lets hope that things get better for these two Ex-Celts. After todays tanking at Anfield, I certainly hope so.

Hail hail one and all

baldy