Lotw Diary- Shakter and Jambos

Boik. Boik. Sick. Biok or Boak.

As the first Jack Frost of winter grips Ecosse you meet a blogger who is in the grip of self inflicted illness- new improved blogger, 2 days on the wagon- and the start of the dreaded “man flu”. These two aliments mean that a report on the game against the Sheep would consist of, BLANK, BLANK, Broony, Jirijaro, did i really see JVOH put in a shift and did i really hear someone shouting “Bruno” at him or was that me?

So i have decided that a match report is not on. “Amateur!” i hear you all cry. To true, i reply, to true. But hopefully a full weeks diary will change yer minds.

But that was then and this is now. Can’t change the past only can ensure it disnny happen again. Starting wie Wednesday night against the Shakter of Donetsk. A game that a 3-0 victory would mean we are through. A 2-0 nothing victory means we canny get a humping in Milan, any other sort of victory means we would need to better or match Shakter’s result when Benfica play them.

Something i don’t fancy. Lets give oorselves the chance by winning 3-0. So what’s happening in the build up? Still a lot of falloot regarding Saturdays game.

26/11/2007- The Scotsman Celtic Fc - Mark Brown and the "Holy Goalie"

Lotw Comment- Think it was a surprise to all of us that the "Holy Goalie" didnae line up on Saturday. A fungal infection picked up in Poland makes him a doubt for Wednesday, but reports seem to suggest that he will make it. Not that i would have a problem wie Mark Brown playing. He looked comfortable on Saturday, particularly wie the ball at his feet, but the "Holy Goalie" he is not.

26/11/2007-Football 365 - Brown gives Aiden the biggie.

Lotw Comment- While i thought Scott Brown was MOTM on Saturday by a country mile, he decides that it's time to lump pressure on Aiden by saying "For the last month I don't think anyone has managed to get close to him," and i think no one got near Scott Broon on Saturday as he must have overdosed on blue smarties. Make no mistake we need both these young bucks to turn up on Wednesday night.

26/11/2007 Sky Sports - Trouble in Donetsk???

Lotw Comment- Unsure what to make of this story. So their wee Mexican, who came on as a sub against us the last time oot, has had a rift wie their coach. Their coach who can still call on Brando and Lucarelli surely won't be losing sleep over this will he?

27/11/2007-Setanta and Sporting Life - Donetsk come oot fighting.

Lotw Comment- After trouble in the camp, ahem, the Donetsk players and board have come oot, like nearly all Eastern European teams do, and fired broadsides at the Hoops. It's all a bit Rocky IV, except the Ukrainians dinny have an Apollo Creed to kill in a warm up bout. So we have their defender Llsinho who was first wie this “We are a lot better than them but we have to prove it on the pitch. It is evident that our midfielders and attackers are better than theirs."

Then Sergiy Palkin, Donetsk's SSM but only not as guid or as sharp, states that "Lucescu is an experienced specialist and I am sure that he is able to find ways and means to mobilise the team before the match." and that "All football aficionados in Ukraine are looking forward to seeing this clash." after Scotland putting oot the Ukraine in Euro 2008.

I'm in no doubts that Donetsk are a quality team. They have splashed the cash and should be expecting to walk the walk wie the big boys after Christmas. While them getting a result is not beyond them a lot depends on the Hoops team that turns up. We will have to be at oor best make no mistake but if we want to progress, like the Benfica game, we have to win these games against team of a similar stature and wie the same ambitions.

But we surely can take hope in the fact that Eastern European teams don't travel well? Clutching at straws......maybe

27/11/2007- BBC - Oor Gordon

Lotw Comment- The three Champions League games have seen the Hoops ride oot the early period and feel their way into proceedings. In the last two home games we have improved in the second half after getting the measure of oor opponents. So it's no surprise that oor manager says "We need to play common-sense football, not give the other team an advantage right away, let the game flow."

The common sense approach means no daft stuff at the back and keep the game scrappy until we can get oor foot on the ball. Use set plays to oor advantage as Donetsk, like us and Spartak before them, are dodgy at the back. I have a feeling we are in for a classic Champions League night at CP. We need a victory and any sort of victory will do.

28/11/2007- Setanta - John Kennedy

Lotw Comment- The man who ended oor "common sense" approach, that oor manager craved, wie a limited centre back error, the type limited centre backs do at CL level, hopefully husnae been dealt a hammer blow. He has been improving in games, i thought against Benfica he was excellent, but another spell on the sidelines means that this fan will need to put up wie a team that puts you through the ringer and his replacement always being one step away from a limited centre back error.

28/11/2007 - Uefa Report,Uefa Stats Uefa Overview

Lotw Comment- "The players showed so much heart and never gave up". Granted. The words of oor manager ring true and those who leave early must not believe in the heart of this team.

"I am very upset about the result. But I was right when I said Celtic were a lucky team." These are the words of a beaten man but ones i canny really disagree wie. Well, i can, you make your own luck and if yer team hadnae been playing for a draw and retreated so far into their shell in the last five minutes they were almost at the Kingston Bridge, oh, and hudnae went doon as easily as a trap door at every opportunity then you might have got a result.

They maybe have the better team. Yes, but for him to say they were a better team in a poor game, when we had 60% possession and were the only team trying to win is taking it a bit far. Then to cast up matchday one is clutching at straws.

Oh and JiriJaro man of the match? Who rigged the voting? Ant and Dec?

30/11/2007- The Guardian- Deep Fried Mars Bar And A Bottle o' Ginger, Massimo?

Lotw Comment- "Lunch is lasagna, eggs, beans, meat drowned in strange sauces. I don't know how they do it. Certainly, I will never be used to cannelloni or fried fish pre-match," If he thinks that is bad, wait until he steps oot at Tynecastle tomorrow.....

30/11/2007- Setanta- Celtic hold no fear for the Jambos.

Lotw Comment- I remember at the start of last season I hated the Hearts manager. His weasel looking coupon, beady eyes and OTT celebration after a defeat at Tynecastle made me feel no sympathy when he was sacked. I have no such feelings for their current incumbent. I remember him as a player, a decent full back whom done the job, in the way decent full backs do the job.

But i hope he gets gubbed tomorrow as we avenge their, deserved, victory over us in the diddy cup. Oh and their fans are vile.

30/11/2007- Sky Sports- JiriJaro stays......for now.....

Lotw Comment- "At least until January I am staying here." The bigman disnny make things easy for himself. From a poor first season to the Moscow files, he just seems to split the support. I think he is a player. Not everyones cup of tea mind you but a player who has ability.

Tomorrow sees him return to the scene of one of his worst performances in a Hoops jersey when early last season he looked like a little boy lost. His midfield partners tomorrow will include Aiden, Massimo, Broony and possibly Sno......should we really be worried that none of them apart from Broony can tackle a fish supper?

30/11/2007-Setanta Celtic Fc - Gordon on January, Tomorrow and Elvis.

Lotw Comment- Tomorrow, we are going to line up for the toughest away fixture ootside "the pox" wie either, four centre backs in the backline- MON will be nodding his approval in Brimingham- or 3 centre backs and a right footed centre midfielder at left back or 3 centre backs and a rookie.

We really need to hope a couple of full backs are on that shopping list.

"They are strong, physical and have good ability as well (Hearts), so it’s going to be a hard game. But we are on a good run of form ourselves at the moment.” We are on guid run of form, but tomorrow we face a team who basically will relish facing the lightweight, makeshift and ham fisted 11 that will take the field. We also face a team that recently got the measure of us. We also have just played in the Champions League......everything is lined up for a comfortable 90mins then...

“And just having Pres’ back in the squad recently has made us more professional,” So, the squad was a ramshackle mess before the return of the "Pres". The running joke that big Elvis is the teachers pet continues......

Mair tomorrow....

Forza

View From The Wing- Celtic 2 Donetsk 1

There is some questions that need to be answered being a Celtic fan. Like when will those road works on the M80 ever end? Will the guys on ma bus ever turn up on time for us to have a decent chance of getting through the road works, then go through the joke that is the electronic turnstiles, which were meant to help congestion but only cause more, for me ever to see the blanket waving?

And finally, is the fabled Celtic European night just made up of fickle fans who are quite happy to leave 10 mins before the end- I stay to the end and still make ma local fast food outlet before it shuts for Chicken pakora, lads- after spending 90mins abusing the panto villain that is Gary Caldwell?

What a difference a miss-hit and deflected shot makes to the atmosphere and the views of the leaving hoards. A draw in Milan was “nae problem” and the fact that an inept display was served up, which highlighted oor limitations, but one that produced a victory that was more satisfying than a decent performance and a victory was forgotten.

The reason it was more satisfying? Well, we never have the luck others of having a terrible performance, wie many having an off night, and getting a result. We are either great or terrible, we don’t do in-between.

Last night was the later, right maybe not terrible but poor, but oor “lucky” tag ,an unjustified tag, c’’mon we were camped in their half for the second period wie not much success, right enough, came home to bite a greeting faced Romanian coach on his arse.

Their coach proved to be a wily old fox. His choice to put, the other pain in oor collective arses, Brando, a player who loves playing against us, on their left handside meant that McGeady was doubled upped on regularly, until the second period when Brando chucked in his defensive shift, and Caldwell was rendered useless as an attacking option on the managers behest.

Caldwell, as GS points out, was asked to play deeper to nullify Brando. That didnae stop him becoming the panto villain of the piece. Constantly barracked for following his managers instructions and barracked for the, crimes of crimes, deciding to keep the baw by playing the simple baw.

The abuse of players is one thing that is constant regarding oor support. Caldwell and JiriJaro, another decent performance from the big man but I get the feeling he could do so much more and his heider was easier to score than miss, he was too cute, a lesser player would have shut his eyes and let the baw hit of his heid, get abused, while others get away wie murder. Step forward Mo Mo Massimo Donati.

Could have been Mo Mo Massimo is a tattie. If JiriJaro is infuriating then this boy is as infuriating as waiting in the telephone queue to speak to the Celtic ticket office. He was meant to be a “regista” but he just disnny do enough. Loses the baw easily, looks off the pace of the game and looks like he has been dropped from outer space onto the pitch. But...mate yer a star, i sang yer name wie gusto at the final whistle as I am a fickle beast. He is one to preserver wie though.

Poor performance, yes. One that was full of fitness and heart but lacked finesse. The game was a stop start affair, wie a ref who thought any contact between players was outlawed and Donetsk players willing to use this to their advantage.

In fact all those elements, poor performance, dodgy ref, players collapsing like Amy Winehouse after a night oot and only one team trying to win the game, meant is was as a scrappy affair you will ever see under the floodlight crackle of a European night.

But, the heart we showed after the set backs of losing two defenders in the first 40 mins was acceptable for me being a fan. Technically we were poor but i canny say we lacked effort. Despite, Paul Hartley looking nuthin but a right footed midfielder at left back he gave his all, add to that mix a Scott Brown who in spells give a drive and energy, plus a Aiden McGeady who tormented a rat in the second half to great effect.

Last night summed up Celtic. Unpredictable, but bloody enjoyable in the end. The place rocked and rolled for a good 10 minutes after the final whistle and a good 15 after the early leavers decided they have seen enough. The place ootside was bouncing, people meeting pals, for their lifts hame, jumping, screaming and hugging each other- pity that only reinforced the feeling that we are only the greatiest fans in the world when we are winning- then saying “How lucky were we” and “at least Dick Turpin wore a mask”.

Last night, the objective of European fitba’ after Santa empties his sack was achieved. What competition is up for grabs. Draw, in Milan....nae probs, hell, we will win wie a Gary Caldwell screamer.....

Forza

Lotw Diary- The Sheepies

Now that the International break is over, the Hoops return to action against the stuttering Dons. Wie a most important Champions League game in the midweek and wie maybe some walking wounded returning from Euro glory and failure an interesting tie lies ahead.

21/11/2007- Evening Times- Naka and Jvoh.

Lotw Comment- I’ll start wie JVOH. The Dutch Craig Beattie is injured again. He really should be nicknamed Bruno, after Frank, due to the fact Frank was the only other sportsmen I can remember wie joints made of glass. He is really on a shaky peg now.

Nakamura is paying for two seasons non stop, returning from injury to quick and his fatigue sapping workload when on international duty. Thank god for Aiden.

21/11/2007-Celtic Fc- Riordon scores for reserves.

Lotw Comment- Deek confirms his status as unused sub on Saturday by looking interested at glum and driech Kilmarnock. Better than spending time looking at hooses in the black country, i suppose.

22/11/2007- The Post - Jeanette Findlay nee Krankie Stands Up

Lotw Comment- So Jeanette carries on fighting the good fight, in her eyes anyway, by telling the daily ragger to feck off. Pity she didnae say that to Nicky Campbell before landing on the wheel of misfortune that her “mild remarks” have got her in.

22/11/2007- The Herald and the BBC- Hutton and England

Lotw Comment- Maaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwww, Roberto Dider Cafu Hooton to Man Who, Spurs, Newcastle or Citee.....maaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwww......McLaren and Engurland, Euro 2008 champions elected are oot.

22/11/2007- Celtic Fc- Skippy

Lotw Comment- "Skippy, Skippy, the huns hate you noo..." the wee man states that we are now entering the most important part of the season. 12 games between now and the 5th Jan. Mentions the need to keep on scoring goals...no mention of the fact that blogger here will be £10 doon if he scores two more goals.....are we watching the birth of a legend or the new Zurawski?

22/11/2007- Team Talk - Elvis on the Vegas Trail

Lotw Comment- Above the collective groaning from the rank and file, i'm sure you can hear oor manager welcoming back his favourite pupil will the line "He's a right guid player" Luckily enough, we have two right guid players- in Mick and JFK- in front of him.

23/11/2007- Celtic Fc - Gordon on Sheep

Lotw Comment- No, he is not been caught on a sheep as such but he is saying that he expects a "fit" and an Aberdeen side wie a "good shape" aboot them. Guid job as their manager team has a sort of rounded oot of shape look. He also states the logic that "if you win more tackles and pass the ball better, it’s not about tactics. It’s about good players and being able to pass the ball – simple as that.”- This fitba' management lark is simple eh?

23/11/2007- BBC - Magic and Bruno Hesslelink in Squad.

Lotw Comment- What the Hesslelink....Bruno makes it and has the cheek to say he has had “two and a half weeks of rest”- mair like 6 months- and that “I always try to give 100%. Sometimes you play well, sometimes not, but you must always work hard." Wonder if he has told Magic that as well.....and i wonder if someone has told him?

Updates to follow.....

Forza

Lotw Diary- AGM and Hypocrisy

The AGM is usually a tin pot affair, a staged managed showboat for the so-called “wee man” to air his views. Usually this is aboot lack of steak pies, lack of loo roll and lack of money for a left back, right winger, striker or goalie.

Yesterdays held indoor, for the first time, I think since the good times rolled in, was interesting and not predictable due to the appointment of John Reid as oor new chairmen.

Now, my views on this are- Celtic shouldnae have touched such a controversial figure wie a barge pole. His involvement- there is no need to be as pedantic over his actual involvement, as some are being- in a black period of decision-making in British politics is there for all to see,here. I’m not going to into the in’s and outs of his voting record or if he had direct involvement, click the link and read his part.

Make no mistake he has blood on his hands- like all the Cabinet during this period- and no matter how many ill informed posters, callers and bloggers, who have had him firing the opening shot in Iraq, can change that fact. His appointment was always going to cause ructions as the historical genetic make up of the Celtic support means us and politics go hand in hand.

What has really annoyed me is the reaction to certain articles and comments that have been posted over the last few days when fans who protested or voiced concerns have been called lefties, commies, students, wooha’s, bedsheet protesters, an embarrassment to the club and to end all crimes those bastards that want to sing war music (sic) or rebel songs at fitba.

So, all those who protested all look like Rick from the Young Ones but instead of a Cliff Richard fascination they have a Wolftone one.

I will quote the aforementioned Mr. Reid and his comments yesterday.

"I have to respect the right of everyone at this club to have their own ideas, background, religion and politics. That is what has made this club different from others, but we leave background, religious division and political division at the door of this club.

Maybe some should take heed of the words the man they are defending has said. But then in the consumer dissemination that the Celtic support has wandered into post Fergus, any view that is different from what the PLC is peddling to the sheep is up for ridicule and is not Celtic minded.

This club, we all love, widnae have survived in the pre-Fergus era if the ethos Mr Reid talked aboot had been forgotten. The Celtic support has always had differences due to the politically based and passionate beliefs. Today these differences are not used to show strength or passion but for one up man ship and points scoring for egotistical keyboard punchers.

What would Brother Walfrid make of it all? Well that is a hypothetical question……

Forza

View From The Terrace- Scotland V Italy

Lotw Diary- Anthony Stokes

I had to laugh this week when i was sent an E-Mail concerning an article that appeared in The Guardian last week, which was an interview wie Anthony Stokes- that failed Celtic signing. Now, this passage- concerning the time he missed the Sunderland team bus- i thought summed up the modern day fitbawer...

"So Liam was telling me to look out for a KFC and 'get a bloody move on' and then - shit - I see it in my mirror. I couldn't get my satnav working properly and I'd taken the wrong turn-off ..."

No matter the money, looks- in the person who wrote the article eyes- and ability, the everyday things like timekeeping, satnavs and finding KFC's on motorways seem beyond them. Hell, a bet you some hire people to wipe their arses.

But it was his take on his proposed move to The Hoops that caught my eye....

"I went to Celtic, and also Charlton, and at both clubs they wanted me to sign there and then. They put a lot of unfair pressure on me. Celtic, in particular, knew I wanted to play for them but it wasn't fair the way they suddenly produced a contract, put it in front of me and expected me to make up my mind straight away."

Nothing up wie that, i mean as the article says Keane was his fav player and Man Who were his "team" and Celtic probably knew that he would jump at the chance to do a "Liam" and join the "Black Cats"

But then i googled Mr Stokes name and came up wie this article from the Independent on Sunday and a quote from his agent, who also doubles as his da'.....

"He loves Celtic and was prepared to accept less money to play for them. When he gets up in the morning he listens to Celtic songs and by the time he goes to bed at night he's watched Celtic videos." Yet there was only so much less money he was willing to accept. It is understood Celtic offered a deal worth " only" £8,000 a week. So Celtic lost out, as did Charlton, whom Stokes had decided to join (on £14,000 a week) before Keane, his hero, made a last-minute intervention."

So, i can assume from that, that the "unfair pressure" Celtic put him under was offering him less money, but a fair wage for a untried 18 year old who had just had one purple patch in his career and would have been playing for trophies and in Europe every season?

So, i can also assume that he has got his satnav working well enough to find his way to the Sunderland bench every week, while a bloke called Kenwyn plods around the park in place of him?

Forza

Punters Corner

Since the adverts have appeared on the site, the blog has made $10. So i have decided that i will punt the money i make. So here is todays selections.....

Scott Brown 1st Goal Scotland 1-0 odds 60-1

Mick McManus 1st Goal Scotland 1-0 odds 150-1

Aiden McGeady 1st Goal ROI 1-0 odds 60-1.

Mince round on all selections.

Forza

Lotw Diary- Henke

Now, wie nothing much happening this weekend, how about a wee blast of nostalgia?

This collection of Henke Goals is well worth the watching if you have a spare 9 minutes or so. Wonder if it will be updated if THE RUMOUR is true?

I also wonder if in 7 or 8 years time we will be watching collections of Scott McDonalds goals.....

Forza

Ps Check out the link to this site, on the side bar, the bhoy Moravcik has done a great job. Have a look as there is feck all on the telly.

Lotw Diary- Souness

So the Irish Independent has decided to continue it’s crusade against the “Irish Bigots” in the “Celtic Fc fan club” and the “Celtic idiots” who have disfigured the atmosphere of internationals by booing ex r*ngers or current r*ngers players that grace or disgrace Croke Park.

The latest “incident” concerns the opposition to "the beast" - Graeme Souness, for ma overseas and sooth o’ the border readers- being rolled oot on the lawns of Dublin to revive a failing international concern.

Now, while I’m in no doubt that some hold “the beast” tenure at ipox- and his subsequent visit wie Blackburn in the UEFA Cup, when his arrogance and cockiness was swiftly booted up his jacksey wie a deft chip of Henke’s boot- as the reason they don’t want him near there international team.

But I’m sure the vast majority look at his managerial career, wie his on average 40% win rate- only time it was higher was at r*ngers, where the opposition was well, shite- and his trophy haul, Scotland apart- again, due to us being shite- of a few domestic cups as hardly the man to turn around a team that contains Andy Reid and Kevin Kilbane.

You can also point to, he is an arrogant feckwit, whose meanderings as a pundit border on a school mistress scolding a naughty 5 year old, as the reason no decent fan would want this man anywhere near his club or country.

Mind you, the International fitba wilderness is full of failed club managers wie massive egos drifting along wie a damaged goods sticker stuck on their heids.

Forza

Lotw Diary- Champions League

The last few days, well, week and a bit, has seen the cash beast that disguises it’s self as Europe’s premier fitba competition has come under fire from pundits, managers and players.

The reason? Well, with Arsenal and Liverpool thumping middle to bottom order teams 7-0 and 8-0 respectively, people questioned the quality involved in the competition.

This is not a new fad, a quick look at Champions League history shows Juventus and Man Utd scoring 7 and Leeds- against Besiktas strangely enough- and Real Madrid scoring 6 all in games this century. Also 9 goals have been shared twice and 11 goals were shared in a game between Monaco and Deportivo in 2003, so why the worry now?

The answer is money and limelight. As pointed out in this Guardian article, only teams from Spain, England and Italy have any chance of winning the thing. Teams from those countries sleep walk through the group stages on most occasions. Yes, there is the occasional blip, the occasional fantastic result for the wee men, but all in all, it goes to form.

With players, like Wayne “Wazza” Rooney bemoaning Dynamo Kiev’s “wattienaccio” approach, Messi and the Spanish press bemoaning the butchers and masters of the “anti fitba” it all sounds like egotistical moaning from the rich for me.

For us the group stages is the holy grail as if you are not there, then Thursday night graveyards that are UEFA Cup group games is your fill and if your one of the 2nd or 3rd seeds of Champions League hopefuls then the first chance of stretching opponents could only be served up after Christmas when the not good enough drop from the cash beast.

Right, maybe the rich bemoan playing wie us peasants, hell, they probably get annoyed getting a “slap” from peasants like us- hello AC Milan, Juve and Man Who- but when match day 5 comes along the excitement, that the big three feel from the quarter finals onwards, will be felt in the middle order, decent UEFA Cup sides who have a chance to go one step further than expected.

If anyone can tell me, right I’m biased, if they would rather be watching Man Utd going through the motions or Celtic V Shakhter in the humdinger of a 2nd place decider then they are just lying.

The problem wie the big three is by this stage the focus has drifted towards the wee teams, who are privileged- in their eyes- to be sharing the stage wie them. It’s like John Entwhistle upstaging Pete Townsend, Ringo upstaging Paul, and Bungle upstaging Zippy.

This week the big three got their way by defeating Platini's plans to bring in national cup winners to the cash beast. UEFA won a minor victory for the ethos of the game by ensuring a passage into the group stages for 6 smaller nations - Romania, Scotland, Belgium, Ukraine, Czech Rep and Turkey all would have benefited this season but….all teams, bar Belgium, from those countries qualified anyway- and the big boys got their way by ensuring more failure in the big leagues- i.e. finishing third- is rewarded by entrance to the cash beast.

The threat by the G14 to expand brought this result. We can expect this to happen again the next time UEFA decides to try and bring fitba back to the poor.

Oor manager talked about a European league the other night and he won’t be to far wrong wie that shout, as the teams involved in the expanded G14 are the ones that will be asked to form this league.

This won’t improve the gripes that are currently floating around regarding the Champions League. In fact I’m sure Crvena Zvezda v Anderlect would be as attractive as Bolton v Derby to a European audience. The gripes would still be there and the occasional hidings would still be dished out.

Still, I’m looking forward for to being in the limelight for once. The big boys get enough limelight and they can feck off to their VIP areas, wie their Chrystal and WAGS, the gatecrashers have arrived trackied and trainered up and we’re luvin it……

Forza

View From The Terrace- Atalanta v Milan

Video Clip- Atalanta v Milan

Forza

Lotw Diary- Go Home Ya H*n

Nice to see the political wing, of the fountain of knowledge and sensibility, that the forum of F*llow F*llow emanates on a daily basis, have sobered up and dried off after numerous washes in the fountains of Catalonia to write a letter to CP complaining about oor use of the word h*n.

In keeping wie their new whiter than white image and their need to be loved they have decided that we should be taken to task after they have.....

"Worked very hard to remove sectarian terms from a small section of our fans" including the word "Fenian".

In the letter they say the usage of the offensive word has increased over the last few months, eh? you have always been h*ns, and that the authorities should be clamping down on this. They call for the SPL, SFA, UEFA to punish the club and call on the polis to arrest anyone using the word h*n.

All fair and well you may think but the letter then goes on to state that the word h*n is not sectarian but there is ….

"no doubt Celtic fans use it in such a context".

And

"While there may well be a fine line between banter (even offensive banter) and criminal behaviour, we feel the use of the word "H*n" certainly falls into the latter category."

So along wie being the political wing of the most forward thinking website Scotland has produced, they are also at the forefront of lawmaking in Scotland. Is there no end to their talents?

Their views on a “small section” that, on a weekly basis, singsongs making fun of child abuse are not known. But rest assured I’m sure these good peepul will have that on their hit list.

I can only hope the good souls of Celtic FC take note of these views and don’t use this letter to wipe their arse….

Forza

Lotw Diary- The Setanta Blogs

When there is nothing much happening, which in this international mid season break there is really nothing happening, a trip to the Setanta blogs is always worth a gander.

I mean your day is not complete without the insightful thoughts of Steve McManaman, the expertise of Craig Burley, the top drawer experience of Tim Sherwood and, of course, the fulcrum of Setanta Sports coverage and the master of stating the obvious Rob McLean.

The list of great bloggers on their roster has a new addition. Pat Dolan is described as “a colourful and sometimes controversial” character and a quick look at his biog confirms that he is a “character”

So I’m glad that his recent blog lives up to his reputation. From the sensationalist to the contradictory in a couple of hundred words.

While, I agree the tackle on Scott Brown, is one of the worst challenges I have ever seen at CP, a tackle rightly punished by a straight red and hopefully a ban, his shouting for a two year ban is up there wie anything the lackies on Radio Clyde come up wie on their nightly dross.

He then goes on to call Benficas performance disgraceful and Celtic unconvincing. At this point you should be wondering if he was at the same game. He then points out to us, the uneducated who have never coached St Pats or Cork City, that Celtic lacked quality but we have quality in McGeady, Brown and McDonald.

So I’m wondering what is it?

I for one can’t wait for another Dolan doozie…

Forza

Lotw Diary- Celtic And The Commonwealth

The photo above reflects the kind of reaction that has swept Celtic cyberspace after the announcement of the Commonwealth Games being awarded to Glasgow in 2014. While I am all for a bit of pish taking the involvement that Celtic are taking in this, is a as far removed from the historical politics of oor club as playing in red, white and blue.

The Commonwealth is the successor of the British Empire, different functions, granted, and the first games were basically set up to celebrate the British Empire and British ness hence the lawn bowls being included as a sport. The games have been under numerous guises British Empire Games, British Empire and Commonwealth games, British Commonwealth games and eventually in it’s current format.

Now, while it is now just seen as a crap Olympic games, it’s history and the criteria to be a competing nation, all bar 2 colonized by Britain at some point, should have the protectors of the Celtic name and heritage running for cover. But they have welcomed it wie open arms as the £ signs flash in their eyes.

In this week when it’s oor clubs birthday, the reasons behind the formation, due to the reasons and problems caused by the said that we will be asked to celebrate in 2014, will have all that were at the meeting on the 6th November 2007 turning in their graves.

I understand the benefits that these games will bring to Glasgow. The regeneration of a rundown area, improved transport links, new shops, houses, bars etc are all great. I will go as far to say that it should have been done years ago. I also understand that times and the function of the Commonwealth have changed.

So while we can boast of a new stand, maybe, shiny new train and underground station and worldwide exposure remind yourself that when the union flag flies, the Queen or King is on the park and the unions national anthem plays oor riches have been gained by the values that oor friend across the river hold dear to their hearts.

Oh the irony.

Forza

View From The Terrace- Dignity 2007

View From The Wing- Celtic 1 Benfica 0

When I took my seat last night and surveyed the scene, I couldn’t help but think back to the empty shell of a stadium that greeted the teams arrival in the CIS quarter final last week. As YNWA bellowed from the stands, the fabled and lauded European atmosphere crackled and exploded into the floodlit night.

While we are quite rightly praised for this atmosphere, European nights bring out the best and worst of the Celtic support. The backing can be second to none but the importance and tensions these nights generate mean there is more moaning and groaning than a low rent blue movie.

“Fans” live on their nerves. Any time the opposing team travel across the halfway line an audible panic descends. A simple ball over the top, that will be dealt wie comfortably, becomes a source of worry and a chance to berate the defence, midfield, attack, subs, manager, chairmen or the wee wimin selling the pies.

When the defender deals wie it comfortably, usually in oor case wie a hoof back to where it came from or to row Z, this is meet wie double the moans and groans. The usual suspects- listed above- get it in the necks again. Worse is when players don’t “see” passes. I say “see” as usually these passes are physically impossible or ability wise Ronaldinho, Kaka or Messiesq and not Naylor, McManus, Caldwell or Hartleyesq.

Yes, the atmosphere was fantastic but the contorted, vein popping oot of necks rages that I see some going into beggars belief. Take a chill pill, some valium- readily available in the streets surrounding CP- and appreciate that the Hoops step up a level in the CL and they rarely let us down at home.

Last night we just about shaded it. For the first twenty minutes of the game, I really thought we were in for a long night. Benfica started like the home side and created a decent goalscoring chance before the hoops had awoken from their slumber but once the game swung oor way, I can say this safely now, another scalp at fortress CP was never in doubt.

What was pleasing about the performance was unusually for us we created chances. We had 7 shots on goal, more than double our average in the previous 3 games. Also for the 1st time in the CL this season we reached over 50% possession, 54%, to quote the exact figure.

What the stats don’t show is that, last night we played team that needed a victory. A team that played for a victory, 5 shots on goal and 7 wide, a team that knew their European future depended on getting a result. With their usual Portuguese style and application they fancied their chances, make no mistake, just as wie oor style and application we fancied oor chances as well.

While beating Milan is fine and dandy, beating teams who are at the same level as you and competing for the same thing- ensuring UEFA cup football at least- is more important. Benfica like us are a decent UEFA cup team who luckily, like us, have a group where the 2nd to 4th seed on any given day can beat each other. Unfortunately for the Eagles of Lisboa any hope of 2nd spot and even 3rd spot has passed and they will be left to rue the missed chances v Donetsk and against us last night.

They played their part in a humdinger of a game. I agree oor manager and again here we are seldom but anything than entertaining on these nights. Oor flaws and strengths ensure this. From being defensively unstable, unstable in the sense we give teams chances and an inability to keep the ball in simple situations, to oor attacking threats, workrate, passion and sheer stubbornness ensure we give mobs a game something we really need to address when the next road trip comes round.

I have seen Celtic play better. If I was a Benfica fan I wouldnae be to down heartened regarding their performance as on other occasions it would have been good enough to get the points. They just meet a team that on the night had better individual performances and a team that had a cracking second half which reduced them to a spent force that disillusioned them so much it was only a matter of time before the obligatory red card was produced.

In oor outstanding individuals one man stood head and shoulders above them all. A player that, was for those of a certain age, a throw back to the good old fashioned wing play. Aiden McGeady was unplayable last night. Any sort of hyperbole, metaphors or bullshit wouldnae do him justice. So here is his interview here wie a comedy moment near the end.

His performance was that good, that it dwarfed the herculean workrate and narkiness factor that Skippy McDonald brought to the show, he overshadowed another faultless performance from Paul Hartley, another shift, so energy efficient it should be a party political broadcast for the green party, from Jarosik and a performance from Kennedy that made me realise for the first time since his return from injury that we may have a player there.

His performance also overshadowed another poor performance from Jan, a ying and yang performance from Scott Brown, one that went from brilliant to hair pulling frustrating all in one move, the limitations on the ball of some of the players and the tendency in the first period to hump aimless balls, missing out a midfield that wasn’t showing anyway in this period, to a centre forward who wasn’t showing anyway.

The limitations of the players canny be changed over night and it’s those limitations that will always make the earlier paragraphs concerning the fans reaction part and parcel of the European experience. These limitations mean that the game against Donetsk will probably be fraught wie the same danger as last night and also the same plus points.

The thing is that game will occupy my thoughts now that the real fitba has ended for a mid season break. I canny wait.

Forza

Lotw Diary- Celtic Stats Show The Way

The Champions League adventure this week means that today’s Diary will be aboot that and I will not have a go at the torn, greeting faced, grumpy, old, sore loser Jim Jeffries a man who is that opposed to giving opposing teams credit that if coming up wie excuses why his team caused their own downfall was an Olympic sport then old mutton chops would have a gold medal to greet over.

Jim, Artur saved the chances and Colin Nish is sh*te. Get over it.

Anyway, a few weeks back, after Benfica had beaten us, oor manager bemoaned the fact that the press and fans, this blog included, slated oor defensive tactics. The manager claims that the deployment of Jiri Jarosik wasn’t defensive as he is an attacking player.

Since Jiri has returned to the team, wie measured success, he has hardly been a regular fixture charging into the box at the back post. His goalscoring record for the Hoops is nearing Neil Lennon proportions for a supposed attacking midfielder and as oor manager likes quoting stats a look at stats, available on the UEFA website, show that we are really not that much of an attacking side in the Champions League.

In oor group, the real group of death, we are the worst team in terms shots on goals on and off target. Our opponents tomorrow evening have an incredible 51 shots compared to oor 25. If this is broken down further to shots on target we have 10 while Donetsk and Milan have 22. Benfica have 21.

Taking this stat over the whole CL only Rosenburg and PSV have the same total while r*ngers, Porto, Steaua and strangely enough Inter Milan, whose shots on goal on and off stats resemble Celtic, they have 26 total, have less than 10.

Our goals scored stats are comparable to other teams who are struggling in the CL this season. Besiktas, Liverpool, Schalke, Valencia, Benfica, Lyon, PSV and Steaua have also scored 2 in their opening 3 games while Stuttgart have only found the net once.

On the other hand oor goals conceded stat stands up well against the rest of the CL and is reflective of the current trend in our group. Benfica have lost only 3 goals while us, Donetsk and Milan have all lost 4 each. 4 Other teams in the competition have lost 4 goals as well while 12 have lost more than 4.

Add to this the fact that in our group we have the least % possession during the games we have played, this can be factored as it reflects other teams who have played 2 away games % possession, means that our managers assumption that his tactics have been bold is off the mark. Fact is, the teams stats resembles other teams on the same level as Celtic, which is teams playing for 3rd in the group.

While GS tactics may not have been bold they are in keeping with the have nots of European football. In Lisboa, the use of the “wattienaccio” system was fine if you have the players to play this system well and also use set plays to your advantage. In Lisboa we done nether.

We have not played this system well or kept the ball for long enough periods for it to work. Even against Milan our two goals came from set plays and we hardly created from open play. For us to ensure we are still in Europe after Christmas our stats will have to improve. We will have to increase the shots at goals stats and also increase our ball time.

It’s a hard ask against a decent Benfica side, their stats show they like to attack and keep the ball, but a side we should beat at home. So maybe Gordon should be bold this time and Benfica can be Portuguese scalp number 8 at CP.

Forza

View From The Wing- Killie 1 Celtic 2

So I wonder what “mitigating circumstances” enforced the inclusion of Jiri Jarosik? Squad rotation? Evander Sno being so low on confidence he has turned to Regi Blinker for advice or Massimo Donati beginning the long road to Damascus that Jiri took last season and now is reaping the rewards?

Jiri on the left wing, while not being your typical winger or even your typical wide player has been used to great effect for the hoops in that role recently. In fact I will maybe go as far to say that maybe, just maybe he could be the reason Lee Naylor resembles a full back again and not a rabbit who has ate a dodgy curry that stumbles out onto the road to spew and just when he finishes looks up to see a lorry heading right towards him.

Another player who has wandered in from the Damascus end is Paul Hartley. Towards the end of last season, the best beard grower in Scotland was looking like the fresh faced Hartley that toiled on the slope of Easter Road. He was not the annoying wee nark that wore a maroon jersey; in fact I will go as far to say I thought he was a waste of money.

Today he was the hub of all things good that developed from the Celtic midfield. He sat in the “regista” role, a role that Mo Donati was meant to fill wie a Pirlo like Italian moodiness, and he created but broke up play when needed. He is also a perfect foil for the blue smartiness energy that injects Scott Browns play wie rashness and unpredictability but also produces a strange urge to welcome his style as an asset to Celtic.

On the wing the ever-improving Aiden, who like Naylor, seems to have benefited recently from tactical switches by oor manager. The fact that Aiden is now on his natural side means that I have seen defenders being tormented by him in the last few games. His ability to drive the team up the park is the weapon of choice used all over Europe. Nearly every team in Europe, well decent team, has a player that can do this.

Again, he has to find his final ball, he should score more goals- his miss at the end today should have stopped the fried nerves- but make no mistake he plays the Celtic way, a way I'll gladly pay to watch.

Today was a game we should have won comfortably. We were in total control and we lost a poor poor goal. Unsure what Arfur was doing- oor manager thinks he was waving at the crowd, well we did do the new favorite Artur Boruc song constantly for 10mins- and this caused us a spell when Killie really should have equalized, only the inability of “lets lead wie ma elbow” Colin Nish saved us.

In this spell we were exposed repeatedly and were a bit ragged. It was a pleasure then to watch Hartley, Jiri, Aiden and Brown take responsibility to slow the game down and put their foot on the ball.

It’s fine doing it against a team that hasn’t beaten you in the last 10 visits to their home patch. It’s fine doing it against players you feel you have the measure off. As in the last few games we really need the team to do it when the pressure is on and things are maybe not going for us. We need to do it constantly starting wie Tuesday night.

All in a good day. The abuse the smartarse Killie fan, ball went out for a shy and he refused to give it to Lee Naylor and when big Mick charged over he threw it over Mick back onto the pitch, got after his moment of fame was worth the £24 quid alone. I mean if your going to do that then make sure you don’t resemble a Tellytubbie in a Killie away shirt.

So for him a wee chorus of “fatty fatty what’s the score”

Also, even though poor in numbers, the backing the away support gave the team was excellent. Maybe we are beginning to realize that we can sing without fear of being reported though the heavy handed stewarding and some “fans” asking you to sit down are still a problem.

The goals are here on 101 Great Goals and listen for the support singing “Can you hear the fatty sing” just as the build up to the second goal is happening. I really hope the guy didnae have a complex……

Forza

Lotw Diary- "Mitigating Circumstances"

So I always play our strongest side unless there are mitigating circumstances like last week – with just two fit strikers and two games to play.

Said oor manager before the defeat to a frankly rank rotten Hearts team,who are no better than a rank rotten Gretna team.

So i wonder what "mitigating circumstances" caused oor ginger one to play the best centre midfielder at the club on the right wing, change the shape and the balance of the midfield after Hartley and Brown played well together against Motherwell, insist that Evander Sno is an attacking midfielder, insist Massimo Donati is not the new Tommy Graveson and not call upon attacking reinforcements that he had on the bench when we were struggling to create?

A trip into darkest Ayrshire, for an ungodly hour kick off, makes me wonder what "mitigating circumstances" i will find on arrival at Rugby Park....

Forza

View From The Terrace- FC Innsbruk v Austria Vienna

View From The Wing- Hearts CIS Cup

When surveying the desolate Celtic Park last night, 10 minutes before kick off I just wondered whether the stay aways had got it right. Whether it was a protest against the fact we had to pay for the game, which should have been on the season book, or a canny be bothered wie this diddy cup non-plusness by the end of a forgettable 90mins sitting in the warmth hoping David Platt snuffed it seemed a better place to be.

As Celtic Park bathed in mair green plastic than the American Express factory, the mind drifted towards other mind numbingly boring home games that seem to grace this competition. Partick a few years back and St Mirren last year sprung to mind. Defeats at home in this competition come easily, it’s a competition that we don’t seem to like and for the first time that I can remember the same player did more to contribute to two defeats in row than most.

Evander Sno missed the penalty against Falkirk last season and last night had what is termed as a mare. Two sitters, a terrible free kick and a ponderous posture on the ball, the scapegoat was born within the first 10 mins of the second half. The booing of the guy was out of order and embarrassing as there were plenty of other players who could have been booed. Resorting to booing your own player is disgusting, the moaning consumer glory-hunting brigade should hold their heads in shame this morning but they won’t as they see it as their right to abuse and not support.

The fact that the charlatan Massimo Donati got let off from booing is a wonder. Gary Caldwell didnae find a decent ball all the second half and everyone’s favorite scapegoat got let of lightly due to the presence of a Dutchman, no not the anonymous and lightweight Hesslelink, who seems to be bearing the brunt of three defeats in four games.

The manager has to be questioned wie his subs, also his midfield set up and the folly of his summer spending that saw us end the game wie nae full backs on the pitch and players that are able to do the Bobby Petta to great effect. That is hide in wide-open spaces for the uninitiated.

Now much positives to take oot the game, it was a game that the team plodded along expecting something to happen rather than trying to make it happen. Oor manager is right to point oot the chances we missed but his positives in this interview again makes me wonder what game he is watching and why in certain games we surrender and play so meekly under his stewardship.

Forza