View From The Wing- Celtic 1 St Mirren 1

St Mirrens flukey only shot on target goal and Riordon scores his farwell goal, maybe...

This was always going to be a slightly negative post. There was a few things bugging this blogger and conversations, at the game, in the pub and on the bus, then a 90 mins to forget, another 90 mins to add to the long list of 90 mins to forget, sort of summed up the confused nature of the beast that is the Celtic support.

It started of wie the question "Who do you think GS will buy in Jan?" and the answer "If the board had any sense they would not give him a penny, to ensure he b*ggers off back to Match of the day 2, in the summer". When asked why he thought this after 2 championships, 2 last 16's and 2 cups, the answer was "After Bratislava, then Motherwell he said he would sort the problems, he said he would be exciting score goals be entertaining, 3 years on we still have the same problems, he has proved he canny sort them"

"Look around, empty seats, apathy, the bubbles burst and nae one is interested"

After the 90 mins it was difficult to argue. The mood was as dark as the East End sky. Supporting yer team shouldnae be a chore. It shouldnae feel like a chore but..when you see yer season slipping back into the mediocre that has characterised the last 2 seasons , the same mistakes being made again and again, then the chore factor comes into it. When you hear blokes discussing not going to the forthcoming games as they canny be bothered then you know yer in trouble.

The lowest attendance for sometime, in the league, shows it's not working. We have the chance to go 4 in front, right, St Mirren are not a big draw, but under 40,000, and that's being generous, turn up. The board will be noticing this. No matter the season book sales, nae one buying pies, bovrils or overpriced sh*tty pizzas will have the PLC wondering why the consumers are not turning up to follow their chosen pied piper.

So why? Fact is over the last few weeks we have seen performances creep back to the end of last season level. Injuries, maybe have played the part but....there is failings massive failings that simple management should sort are proving to show short comings in oor manager.

It was summed up today by three decisions. One, naming virtually the same team as last week and midweek when the performances were sair to watch. Two, his subs. Bringing on Sno, who had a decent game, and shoving the struggling Broony oot wide, then bringing on Deek, great goal, to put oot wide right and moving Hartley to left back where he cost us the goal beggared belief.

Ok, he could say his subs worked. The fact that we were playing a team that was humped 5-1 last week, meant that they were never going to come oot and attack. The fact, that JiriJaro lasted to half time, then seven minutes of the second half to be replaced by a defensive midfielder instead of a more direct pacey player, again was bemusing. We only had one creative outlet the whole game, who got crowded oot. This was not sorted until it was too late.

Three, the fact that there is no plan b. Withoot any natural full backs, he expects two centre halves to be overlapping full backs. He expects, Jiri, to become a direct left hand sided midfielder. His ridgid 4-4-2 formation is right from the dark ages of the British coaching manual.

Now, while the players are not entirely blameless for today or last weeks showing, one thing they don't lack is effort. Yes, today, and last week they had effort, they are honest but lack quality. The manager has hung some of them oot to dry by conistantly playing them oot of position. Thing is, these players have kept the manager from getting it really tight due to the fact that they are honest professionals who have fight and spirit.

I will not abuse any player in the Hoops that gives me effort. Yes, some should not be wearing the Hoops as they are really not guid enough but the effort is there and if the manager is responsible for that then he deserves credit.

Off today's team, being honest here, which ones if they left in January would we really miss? Tell you this only McManus, Hartley, Brown- if the buzzbomb goalscoring midfielder returns, where has that player went and why is it any player we sign suddenly becomes a different player from what we signed? manager, tactics?- McGeady and McDonald- O'Dea and the goalie are left oot because he husnae really had a chance- would be spared in the cull.

So that leaves, Elvis, Caldwell, Jiri, Sno, Deek, Killen and Hesslelink could leave wieoot much wailing of the fact that they are gone. Add to them the benchwarmers Zurawaski and Balde. Young Caddis must also be wondering tonight if he has a future at CP if he canny get a game against St Mirren at home.

The meeja, tonight, on the way home took Celtic fans to task for saying the managers position is shaky. Ok, it's not shaky, we are not Real Madird who can sack managers after winning leagues, but...if this season develops the same way the performances of last did we won't win three in row. Falkirk will be looking forward to playing us and the h*ns, who have won the last three, two at a canter as we have rolled over and died, against us, will relish booting us of the park.

Tonight, is a night, when the doubts we had since the start of the season have resurfaced. The fact that we maybe doubted that oor manager could handle a challenge. We have dropped points before at home against smaller teams but this time it's different....it's closer, every point is a prisoner.

I'm still confident that we will come through. For all ma moanings, i trust the players. We are better than most of the SPL and when we do click then we can be interesting to watch. If oor manager gets it right in Jan then we should have nuthin to worry aboot. His record makes us doubt this. It could be hit or miss.

Guid thing is we have the chance to get back in the saddle and winning ways quickly on Tuesday.I'm looking forward to it...i don't see supporting ma team as a i chore...and for all ma doubts the manager and players will get ma backing.

Forza