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