The Begining.....We Have Moved.

After a few hairy moments we have finally moved to OleOle. Here's The Blog it's bigger, better faster and stronger. Same old shite getting written but what do you want for free.? Blood? Sweat? Tears? A limb?

The reasons for moving are explained here. The Lord Of The Wing homepage is here. The Celtic homepage (which you can update and manage) is here: Celtic Homepage

Let the revolution begin.





Forza

The End......

"The Lord Of The Wing" (LOTW) started three seasons ago so that I wouldnae get bored at lunchtime. It has grown without ever troubling the "Top 4" Celtic Sites, which pimp themselves on newsnow.

In football terms we are like Reading. Nice wee side, never going to win anything but play decent football but ultimately will be like your wee cousin who you like but you feel quite sorry for as he gets bullied at school and is useless at sport.

Over the last 3 seasons we have seen 3 titles, 2 cups and 2 last 16's of the Champions League. I think we have improved content wise since those early days but all things change and nothing stands still. So with great sadness I announce that http://www.thelordofthewing.blogspot.com/ will be no more from 28th May 2008.

You can stop celebrating at the back. As the Wu Tang Clan said once the revolution would be televised. Well LOTW is joining the revolution that is http://www.oleole.com/ . A football revolution on the net. An alternative idea, which, for me, is like John Lydon and The Sex Pistols swearing on national tv. Here is the blurb that can explain it better than I can.

The nice people at oleole want LOTW to become the featured blog on Celtic. It was an oppertunity I couldnae miss. We are in at the start. It's the future and I reckon it will be bigger than King Kongs gonads.

What will change? Nothing. Well, we will get a new address (http://thelordofthewing.oleole.com/) and a new lick of paint (the design is that top secret I have just seen a snippet, then the jpeg exploded) plus the chance to add new features.

So, here is the Lord Of The Wing profile page. Log in, tune in and drop out. It's life but not as we know it.

I hope to see all the LOTWites that have made this wee blog what it is over on oleole. If I don't then I hope to see you someday on the other side. Enjoy. I'll leave with a wee song that I think is apt.

Hello Goodbye.

Forza

*T-shirt at the top of the blog is available at Kerrydale Street. All proceeds going to charity and they are the must have of the summer. I've got mine. No it isnnae an extra large....

Helicopter: Destination Dundee

In all the buzz of winning the league on the last day (for the first time since we stopped 10, is it better this time than then?) I forgot that we actually won a game of football and it took me 1 hour after the final whistle to remember that we had qualified for the Champions League next season.

Once again we have been deemed too good for the UEFA Vase Trophy. But make no mistake I will be quite happy to drop into the UEFA Vase trophy should our quest for the last 8 (set them high bhoys) fails after three 3-0 defeats away from Celtic Park.

The performance has been forgotten after our 1-0 victory. Nobody is talking about that we played some controlled and inventive football in the first 35 mins, football, which was not expected due to the circumstances. Yes, in the end a stalemate was looking likely due to our failure in front of goal but as soon as the news came from Aberdeen I knew we would score.

Jan Vennegor of Hesslelink has had a habit of scoring big goals in the last 6 weeks to prove why he gets a game. His 124th minute strike against The Huns and on Thursday night are stuff of Celtic folklore. Stuff that means he will never need to buy a drink down The Gallowgate again.

Paul Hartley swung in a cracking ball and Big Jan was there with his big bear type head to score another goal from a set piece at Tannadice. Just like the boxing day game he settled the nerves. Just like boxing day as well Paul Hartley was part of the reason we went to the 5th hardest away ground in the SPL (behind Aberdeen and Hibs) and saw the game out in a party mood.

And what an emotional party it was. This was a massive league win. 3 in a row for the first time in 40 years. Maley, Stein and now Strachan. It was coupled with the watching of the biggest (but expected) collapse since The Berlin Wall came down.

But unlike us in 2005 they (The Huns) didn't throw this away. We won this league by winning 7 games in a row (4 home games 3 away) at the business end of the season. Celtic FC: Taking Care Of Business since 1888.

The fall out from this has been fun to read and poses questions.

This from The Guardian has been typical of the reaction. Praise where praise was due but it's all grudging. The media wanted to be creaming themselves in print over "Walter and Ally" but a wee Ginger who treats them like the lowlifes they are got one over on them. The only hope the media have is that GS leaves and they can beat the Celtic support with the sticks that we chased him away because he is not Celtic minded.

What big bulls bollocks.

So is he going to leave. His impassioned speech in the huddle at the end of the game (when he kept pointing to the fans) I thought was off a man that was leaving. Thoughts of Wim The Tim went through my mind when I saw him calling all the players over. My gut instinct was that he would leave as he has always said 3 years is a long time at a big club. Seems I might have been wrong, not for the first time (see Paul Hartley, Barry Robson and Skippy)

Scott McDonald, Barry Robson, Peter Lawell and Neil "The Waterbhoy" Lennon have been gushing with praise for their boss. Add to them the comments and from Dermot and John Reid
then I sense a fear from the club that he is going to walk away. Maybe, they are just trying to cover all bases to ensure that he stays right enough.

Update: Dermot ramps it up a bit by saying Gordon will have a job for life. Doesn't say that it will be as manager right enough. Stadium facilities manager? Catering assistant? Head Steward in the Lisbon Lions stand?

Also today we have this feel good story from The Ragger. The season must well be over and their exclusive deal with the darkside run out if they are printing 2 of Celtic best players to stay stories.

Over on the darkside they are hurting. We have Barry Nicholson and Jimmy "The Fat Orange Midget" Calderwood annoyed that their team tried against R*ngers and they couldnae join in the celebrations. They were probably annoyed that the Aberdeen fans rubbed "Scotland's Shame" nose right in a big pile of dug shite after it has eat a left over vindaloo.

A wee word to the F.O.M and Barry. GIRUY. Oh and Barry enjoy Southend or Colchester and I'm sure we will see you soon with St.Johnstone or Queen of the South you little beastie.

Enough, the highlights. I'm off to put a fiver on Queen Of The South to win the cup.

Forza

*Thanks to Number7 on Kerrydale Street for the picture.

The Fat Eddie Murphy Has Sung....

Last Wednesday morning I was searching the glove box of my battered banger for some music to listen to on the way to work. The Radio was full of the UEFA Vase Trophy build up and I couldnae be arsed listening to that.

Out fell an album by the popular beat combo Oasis. It was their last album "Don’t Believe The Truth". Decent album by recent standards and the title is the mantra of the Scottish press who believe moonbeams and shit.

It was the CD that caught my eye, though and not the thought that I wanted to listen to it. The CD says one word. "Believe". That’s apt I thought. So on it went and it has been on since.

When the anti-football of the wattnaccio lost to Zenit then we had "The Battle Of Manchester" I started to "Believe". The wistful tones of Beatles copyists suddenly became the soundtrack of the comeback.

I will tell no lies. If R*ngers had won the UEFA Vase then I would have probably wiped Seville from my mind. It wouldnae have mattered if they were the worst team ever (which they were as the stats proved) they would have surpassed our achievement.

The FACT they were pilloried for their "style" from all corners of the globe and then a significant "minority" ((C) Martin Bain and the Scottish Press) made sure that their UEFA run would be remembered for one thing and one thing only has made Seville all the sweeter.

Bitter and small minded that maybe. But I couldnae give a flying monkey from The Wizard Of Oz even if it shat over my car. It’s a rivalry. We play in a two horse town, with one horse being so ugly they willnae make it into clue and the other a thoroughbred.

6 weeks ago we needed a 12 point swing to even have a chance or to win the league. We had two games against them and we had to hope that R*ngers terrible away record (9 wins out of 19, 5 defeats and 5 draws add to that 1 win in 10 away games against top 6 teams and them only winning 10 games out of 20 against top 6 teams) meant that if we won those two games then it was game on as they had the harder run in.

They had a harder run in as they had played all their hame games in Feb and March. A fact often overlooked by the suits at the pox. They also started moaning about the amount of games they had to play. This moan did play on the players mind.

Christen "will sell soul for two pieces of silver" Dailly says here, that the circumstances did have a bearing. This is the same "player / thug" that said a few weeks ago that he didnae mind the amount of games as it comes with being successful?

Wonder what changed his mind? Two soul destroying defeats and being part of one of the most embarrassing periods in R*ngers history? Is the fact that he was an integral part in the biggest collapse since the flats in the Gorbals were blown up and the team has been proved to be not very good not have something to do with it?

I said at the start of the season that losing to a team that contained the likes of Weir, Broadfoot, Papac and Novo (The Skankmonster) was a sacking offence. Maybe that comment was made in haste as R*ngers found their best form for 36 years.

Their home record was second to none (only one defeat all season) and against limited fodder at home and abroad their "style", ahem, was bludgeoning and effective. As we floundered in two major spells during the season it look like a shrug of the shoulders and the acceptance that sometimes it just wisnny meant to be.

This blog was going to highlight facts, figures and bullshit saying that we played and done quite well this season. Now, I can back up the facts figures and bullshit wie the saying CHAMPIONEES 2007/08.

In the 3 seasons we have had under GS and the 3 times we have won the league under GS (GIRUY!!!!!) we have finished with 91, 84 and 89 points. The winning margins have been 17, 12 and 3 points.

Now, this may be seen as a downward trend but I think winning the league this time is his greatest achievement as manager. He has seen off a team on a fantastic run. The last 2 times they were on that type of run we have lost out by a goal and a point.

We have scored 19 more goals this season than last. Most of that is down to the signing of Skippy and the progression of Aiden McGeady. GS can take credit for both of these factors.

This season we lost only 26 goals. The past 2 the figures were 37 and 34. For a defence that was as shaky (to some) as a Lex Ballie-Paul McGuigan combination and the media compared it as being a Lada to R*ngers BMW of Weir and Ugly Betty.

How did we get the best defence in the league? Fuck knows. Half the season we were shouting for (not me!"!!!) Bobo to return and most wanted Gary Caldwell chucked of the Empire State Building tied to a B&Q paving slab.

So in the absence of any logical answer then I will give GS credit for this and say zonal marking is the greatest thing since white see through trousers.

But for every silver lining there is big black rain cloud. It was his fault that we were put through the wringer. Our home record was the main bug bear. We dropped points against Kilmarnock, Hibs, St Mirren, Dundee Utd and Motherwell. Add to that domestic cups defeats against Hearts and Aberdeen and we can safely say that Fortress Parkheid is no more.

We don't hammer teams at CP anymore. We have scored an average 2.21 per game both home and away this season. I would expect the home average to be higher. We seem to lack motavation against "smaller" teams. That is something we need to sort. Not that we lacked motavation in the last 7 games.

Was it something to do wie the returning Neil Lennon? Or the fact our manager bit the bullet and stuck with a winning midfield partnership and decided that his two big money midfield signings were not cutting the mustard. Or was it this interesting article from E-Tims, which alludes to a meeting between GS, Tommy Burns and John Reid in which the continuation of the Celtic Way was agreed.

Mind you what John Reid knows about fitba' is probably about the same as I know about strating a war in the Middle East.

Whatever it was (I reckon a combination of the above) no man for me has done more than Barry Robson. Whether he only got a game due to suspension or by accident it was the best forced decision GS has made in his Celtic managerial career.

Maradona gets credited for winning the 1986 World Cup singled handed. Barry Robson should get the credit for pulling us back from the brink of nowhereville and headlong into the light that was 3 in a row. The Ginger Naka was this years Nakamura. He step up to the plate in this his best season of his career.

His first challenge in the R*ngers game when he pole axed Christen "sell his soul for two pieces of silver" Dailly showed what he was about. He was not about to be bullied. He then went on to score the winner in the next derby game.

He can be added to the list of successful signings or manager has made.

So when did I think we could do it? 94th minute of the the first R*ngers game at Celtic Park. It was the Alan Stubbs in 1997 moment. The moment the season turned. One perfect pin point Caldwell pass, knock back from Skippy and diving heider from Jan meant that the Brittannia that was ruling the waves from the Lisbon Lions Stand was sunk by a U-Boat coming up the Clyde.

Perfect.

I leave you with a bit of Frank Sinatra and his classic opening lines from That's Life.

"That's life, that's what all the people say. You're riding high in April, Shot down in May"

Forza

Post Match Session: CHAMPIONEES.

My eyes were in Dundee tonight, my ears in Aberdeen and I witnessed a brillant sight, the best sight I have seen. The League took many twists this time and also many turns......but Celtic won the league this time for Tommy Burns.
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Tonight we met our destiny, fulfill our date with fate, on such tense and stressful nights, LEGENDS we create, from Boruc to McDonald, behind them to a man, emotions will be fragile, the joys of being a fan, the pride of following Celtic, seeps out from every pour, behind them untill the bitter end regardless of the score, so sing the songs with pride, songs with which you've grown, and remember as a CELTIC FAN YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE.

Forza

Dundee Unt v CHAMPIONS - FT 0-1

Massive result - that's what's makes us CHAMPIONS !!!

We did on our own - don't needs results elesewhere or help from MIBs to help us.
We are CELTIC.

Won by POINTS and a KNOCKOUT

Where's that helicopter ???

Hail Hail - THREE in a ROW !!!

Dundee Unt v Celts - HT 0-0

Nerves jangling.

In normal times this is what you would call a cracking game.
Both teams going full pelt, and both having clear cut chances.
Not being "normal times", we want Celtic goals.

I hope Gordon tells everybody to calm down a bit. Things are very frantic there.

A couple of players not at their best: Naylor (what does Wilson have to do to get a game?), Naka (control let him down a few times), defense generally shaky.

We still have 45min to make the difference.
But it gonna be hard.

Dundee Unt v Celts - Preamble

Well, here we are - in less than an hour the New Firm will kick off against the Glasgow Giants to finally determine which way the helipcopter will go.

After the last couple of weeks in which we Celts have been put thru one hellava emotional wringer, we are finally back in the driving seat for the final game of the season.

We know that a win will ensure the 2007/08 league flag and 3 in a row.

Lately, we have seen the worst the football world has to offer, and we have also seen the best.
Plenty of ink has already been spilt on all that - and tonight we are about to go through the wringer again to write the final chapter.

We have the players - we have the class - we have the will to win.
Whatever team lines up in the hoops is better than anything the SPL has to offer.

Tonight, I think we will win this, not by goal difference, not just be points but a knockout!!!

Go for it, Bhoys - make us proud.

Decanted Last Day Squeaky Bum Newsamble

Sunday morning "Sweeney" on ITV4. You canny beat it. A bit of Regan, Carter and un-PC 1970's dialogue, hard drinking and the beating of "nonce's". You also get the straight down the middle nicknames. Like on Sunday, the Welsh "nonce" was called "Taff".

Sure I heard them mention leeks and sheep as well. Superb. Changed days now as a few seasons back Craig Bellamy was called a "Welsh basturd" by a nasty Hearts fan who was promptly lifted and charged for racist abuse. I have heard worse coming from the lowlifes from the East.

Where am I going with this? I'm worried, you see, I might offend the couple of folk that read this rubbish if I call R*ngers "Scummy bottle merchant c*nts" or "Shitebagging inter breeding yer mums yer sister we didnae want an extension to cheat oor way to the title arseholes".

I know that there is a lot of decent Raunjers fans out there. I know some. I mean the battle of Manchester was all those nasty Chelsea / Millwall / Man U / Rusden and Diamonds Casuals who bought tops and kidded on to be Scots. No mention of the FACT that all of those arrested were Scottish.....strange that. Mind you it was the News Of The World it peddled that shite.

In this day and age you have to watch what you are saying. So would R*ngers being labelled bottle merchants, shitebags or just plain fecking shite offend anyone when, after all, they have took the season to the last extended day? Or will we be again the bottlers and watch all our good work come crashing down when we fail to seal the deal.

The Monday night game that R*ngers had was always going to be the gimmie. They have only lost one game against teams in the bottom half of the league all this season. Though it was away from home and it was only 3rd away win since Feb it was a case of them not making massive inroads to our goal difference.

Was quite confident that this wouldn't happen as it wasn't exactly Sutton, Hartson and Larsson they had up front. Novo, Boyd and Darcheville weren't going to score a barrowload even if St Mirren (as they did) put on the worst display seen in the SPL this season. Enjoy your holidays lads you showed last night that being on the pish in the South of Spain was all that was on your minds.

Wonder what will be on the minds of the players of Aberdeen and Dundee Utd?

CQN highlights the decent records both teams have at home. A scratch underneath the surface of these stats shows Aberdeen winning 10 out of 19 home games, drawing 5 and losing 4. Their goal average is 1.63 but they lose just over a goal per game at home. This is dangerous considering R*ngers record of winning 26 out of the 28 games they have scored first in.

Added to that, Aberdeen have a terrible record against the top 6 teams only winning 4 times against these teams. No matter R*ngers poor away form if they score first they should win three points.

So that makes our job simple. We need to win. We need to go to a stadium where the last time we lost was under John Barnes and have not a bad record at. We have had a few draws but mostly victories. I won't lie. If I had to choose an away game for the last game Dundee or Aberdeen would have been it. Wouldn't have fancied Easter Road or Fir Park.

So is my confidence misplaced? Probably. Dundee Utd have won 9 out of 18 home games, drawing 6 and losing three. More importantly, for me, the goal average is 1.44 per game and worryingly they have only lost 0.72 this season. They also like scoring the first goal. 21 times they have went in front this season (Celtic have 25 times) and have held on to win 14 and only lose twice when they have scored first.

Celtic on the other hand have won 23 out of the 25 games they have scored first. It's becoming clearer that whoever scores first in both games will have a MAJOR bearing. As listen to this...Dundee Utd have lost the first goal 13 times this season and lost 11. They drew the other 2. Aberdeen have also a poor record in this department. Losing the first goal on 18 occasions and only coming back to win 3 times.

I don't think we would be worried if the Hoops went behind right enough. We have lost the first goal on 10 occasions this season, winning 4, drawing 2 and losing 4. But...that doesn't tell the whole story.

At the start of April we were down and out. We needed a 12 point turn around for us to have a chance going into the last game. 18 points out of 18 followed and now, unbelievably, we are in the driving seat going into the final game. We couldn't imagine that when we left Celtic Park after a 1-0 defeat to Motherwell.

Still I agree with McGhee and "Walter" that we are still not favourites for the title. Indeed, Mark McGhee calls it correct when he says we have the hardest game left on the final day as Dundee Utd are the better team than Aberdeen.

Even our own manager is not liking the "favourites" tag. As he quite rightly points out a few weeks back there was a major number shouting for his head and that the media here seem to like building Celtic up for a fall. Also he quite rightly says that those of a "dignified" persuasion should shut up and get on with it. This is the first time the league season has been extended for any team no matter what darkside spin they try and put on it.

But....none of us that wear green and white will be overly confident this week. The spectre of "Black Sunday" hangs over this club when it comes to last day collapses. Not one of us will be thinking that it is a gimmie or an easy game even though we have not lost in our last 4 visits to Dundee (3 wins and a draw).

Recent history shows that Celtic have not won the last game of the league season for 3 seasons, ok 2 games were meaningless but the last MUST WIN game we blew big style. Difference is...that team was on the way out, they were dead on their feet and a shadow of their former glory.

Today? Team 6 games unbeaten, stood up and been counted in the last 6 high pressure games (2 wins against R*ngers included) and must have a bit of confidence going into this. We need to treat this as a one off, a cup final if you like.

Some people are saying that the players will win it for Tommy Burns. I want the players to win it for themselves. I want them to realise that the fact that they have got themselves into this position (one that they put themselves in) is too good an opportunity to pass up. The opportunity to become legends of 3 in a row. The opportunity to be remembered.

Gordon Strachan said the other week one of the greatest things about being Celtic manager was becoming Tommy Burns friend. I canny talk for Tommy, but I think he would say the greatest thing about being Celtic manager is having nights like Thursday. 27 years to the day we last won the league in Dundee. 10 years since we stopped 10 in a row. Celtic Football Club is 120 years old.

Bring it on.

Forza

Tommy Burns

Tommy Burns

Was walking from the hall to kitchen when I heard Alan Brazil on Talksport say “I’m speechless”. I stopped in the kitchen and listened to the rest of the bulletin. “Diagnosed with cancer in 2006, came back March 2008” then the words “Celtic first team coach......”

Truth is I can’t remember what else was said. I had just finished writing this post and the laptop was cooling down. It was fired back up again and this simple post was written.

At the time I didn’t know what to write. Not one memory stuck in ma mind of TB. When Jinky passed the picture of the wee man sitting on an oversized armchair beaming from ear to ear sprung to mind. When Phil O’Donnell passed away the image of Phil in those thick Hoops scoring against Partick Thistle jumped into my memory right away.

In the car on the way to work I was still struggling to get one memory that stood out for me. Even though I started going to the games in the early eighties, TB the manager is how I remember him. A job that became too much for him because he cared too much.

I remember that night in Govan when I knew his time was up as manager. Was sitting in the front row of the Govan Stand (Gary McDonalds seat- it had a wee plaque on it, it didnae by the end of the game) when I saw Paulo Di Canio ignore TB’s pleas and continue to play where he wanted as we fell to a 1-0 defeat against the Falkirk Bairns.

I remember thinking that it was a sad way to go. Pishing wet night, at the home of your greatest rivals and losing to a lower division team. A man that with hindsight gave us oor club back. A Celtic minded appointment that gave us back oor pride and the Celtic way.

TB once said that “Andy Goram broke my heart” well every Celtic manager since TB has had the weight of the style and flair of his team on their shoulders. How many times have wee discussed that Gordon Strachan’s or Martin O’Neills Celtic are not as entertaining as TB’s. Every week for the last 10 years? Every Celtic managers since TB gravestone could read

“Mines wasn’t as good as Tommy’s”.

It wasn’t until lunchtime and I looked at the emotional Kerrydale Street thread that a moment jumped out at me. Scottish Cup Final 1988.TB's interview with Jim "Billy" White. I remember now watching this over and over again when I was younger as, like most, I used to record all the Celtic games to keep. I still, probably, have them in the loft.

The passion and emotion in that interview just summed up what Celtic meant to him. I’m angry at myself for not remembering that moment right away this morning. How could I have forgot that? Watching the videos, slideshows and tributes has made me realise that today we have lost a modern day Celtic Legend. A legend that to guys my age is like the older generation losing one of the Lions.

It’s hard to fathom that he is gone when in early August 07 he was sprinting across the CP turf to jump on The Holy Goalie after the penalty kicks win over Spartak. Aiden McGeady’s face in this photo sums everything up.

He has been taken too young and all our thoughts are with his family. It’s always the good that die young.

You’ll Never Walk Alone TB.

Tommy Burns

Legend.

You'll Never Walk Alone.

It's Terrible When You Get Proved Right.....

The banner unfurled (as above) at a recent Glesga derby has never been so apt this morning. I'm sure the people of Manchester will be looking at their raped, pillaged and violated city and thinking the exact same thing.

Our sympathies this morning to go the people of Manchester.

At least the axis of peace has returned to the world and the football gods proved that they still do exsist.

Fact Of The Day: R*ngers were the worst ever side (statistically) to qualify for the UEFA Cup final. They also willnae be getting a Fair Play Award in the post anytime soon..

Manchester, so much to answer for.....

Post Match Session: Celtic 2 Hibs 0(h)

So that's it over. I didn't realise it was the last home game until the lines of stewards appeared up the "Auld Jungle" touchline with about 5 mins to go. It still seems like this season has months to go. If R*ngers got their way we would still have months to go with their game against St Mirren being arranged for the Glesga Fair Weekend and thier last game against Aberdeen for the 12th July to ensure a full turnout from Ulster.

This season feels like when you eat a packet of Malteasers. It's never enough and always leaves you wanting another packet. Maybe, it's because we have just found form and we are begining to enjoy the games. Maybe it's because when the sun shines on CP and you see a good game of football you wish that every Saturday / Sunday was like that.

Yesterday, I got up and wasn't expecting a lap of honor, wasn't expecting to maybe see The Holy Goalie for the very last time at CP. Seems to early to say goodbye to your "fitba' buddies" and not see them until the first freebie pre-season game against FC Naemark fae Naemark mill.

So, when sitting eating my breakfast Sky Sports News brought this story regarding Zenit St Petersburg. Now, we all knew that they were a tad racist but bully for Little Dick Advocaat for having the morals of a sewer rat and proving that he is only in it for the money by remaining at the club.

So his CV boosts him being the manager of a club that is openly racist and another that operated a sectarian policy for over 100 years and has recently been been investigated for continued sectarian chanting at games in Europe.

How proud UEFA must be that these two bastions of football "integrity" are competing for the diddy cup. So, it's nice to see them getting into the swing of things as LOTW can exclusively revel the match program as pictured above.

Still, my inital thoughts of both teams losing the game, a nice riot and smashing of heads (both Russians and "Scots") is the only outcome I will be happy with. Oh, that and 10 year bans for all involved.

But I digress, lets have a linkage feast from the beasts of the fourth estate.

The Herald, The Guardian, The Hootsmon, The Times

Now, for the goals and our managers (and probably next seasons manager) comments.

So, we have taken it to the last day. I think we should be happy with that. The reason we have got to this stage is because of two factors. One is Robson and Hartley. They have single handily pulled us back into the race for the title. They have been the partners in crime for 5 of the last 6 victories (Robbo-Cop has played in all 6) and have given the team drive and energy.

In Barry Robson we have signed a player in the form of his life who wasn't going to let the little matter of a disfunctioning team stop him from getting his hands or getting at least very close to an SPL medal.

Add to those two the return of Neil Lennon. Is it no surprise that our midfield has improved 100% after the return of Lenny. While he is a glorified waterbhoy I reckon you can see his influence in the performances of Hartley and Robson.

I think Paul Hartley has took Lenny's mantal as the lynchpin of the team and Robson reminds me (as I have said in the past) of Alan Thompson in his prime. Add to that the new found confidence in Gary Caldwell, Skippy and the explosive talent of Naka and Aiden then we should be confident going to Tannadeechie to get a result in 1100 (or something) days time.

Not that it's a gimmie. We have the best away form in the league with 13 wins so far this season, we have only drawn one. We are 19 games since we last had a score draw and 9 games since we last had a 0-0. Dundee Utd have won 9 home games this season and have drew 6. In their last 5 home games they have drawn 4 so they don't lose many at home.Add to that the injustice they will be feeling after this.

We need R*ngers to drop points and their season away record 8 wins, 4 draws and 4 loses, coupled with their recent away form of 5 points out a possible 15 mean that if the home team score first against them then the chances are they will drop points. From the 8 games this season R*ngers have not scored first they have only gained 5 points, winning only 1.They might not lose (the only team to beat them from behind this season is US) but dropping two points might be on the cards.

It must happen for us to snatch the league. It's been a rollercoaster season, one that has been more enjoyable than the last but one that could end up one of the worst seasons ever. We have ended up with mair points than last season, scored mair goals and for me played better football at times.

It could all be in vain though.

Forza

Celts v Hibs - FT 2-0

Well we got the 3points that we needed in this, the last home game of the season. That ensures it all goes to the last day, which is as much as we could ask for.

It must be said that Celtic were more comfortable in the second half.
In saying that it was still all very tense, with chances on both sides - end to end stuff over the 90mins. However, in 86mins Skippy's wee nod at the far post from a Robbo free kick wrapped up the points.

It was a good advert for Scottish game, except...

... unfortunately, Hibs finished with 9 men (both reds for second yellow cards in 80min and 93min).

I say "unfortunately" because it wasn't that type of game, but mostly because it will give some folk the chance to equate yesterday's events with today's game. They couldn't be further from the truth.

MOTM was Robbo, again - who along with Hartley did a power of work in midfield.
Why did it take so long for to find that out, Gordon?

Sammy came on for Jan (65min) and Sheridan for Skippy (92min).
No Skoosh today... he will be back a better player next year, no worries.

The last home game of the season and possibly the last ever home game for one or two:
Naylor? Artur (who had at least 3 first class saves)? Sammy? Jan?

Just a wee word about Hibs. Played a lot of good football today, as they have done most of the season.
Fletcher is a player (Real Madrid ?).
Beuzelin is a player I would have in the hoops.
But I was impressed by Shields, a player who is playing with a severe handicap (lack of vision in one eye).
However, 3rd spot and UEFA fiba goes to Motherwell.

A big factor in whether the flag stays with us or goes elsewhere now depends on how motivated everybody is in the remaining games.

We shall see what we shall see.

Celts v Hibs - HT 1-0

Celts ahead thanks to a Mick header from Naka's corner in 36mins.

Still game is on a knife edge, cos there have been a few decent chances on both sides. Hibs looking pretty slick coming forward.

Some good performances, notably Robbo and Hartley in midfield and Caldwell at the back.

A few players having stinkers as well: Aiden, Naka, and Naylor (as usual).

A lot of good opportunities wasted by poor, poor passing - a lot of careless play.

Still the goal has taken a bit of the tension away, and Naka was unlucky when his free kick struck the post.
But as we know one isn't enough. Hibs are still playing for 3rd spot.

Celts v Hibs - Preamble

With today's games decided (well, one of them was pre-decided), our focus turns turns to Hibs tomorrow and another must-win game for the Champions.

The cold facts show us one point ahead of the Hun with two games to play (Hibs and DUnt away).

They have 3 games to play, all away ( Motherwell, St Mirren and Aberdeen).

The cold facts are that, Hibs are the only team that can catch Motherwell in third place, so they will be desperate to win tomorrow. If they lose, the 3 teams that the Hun still have to play will be already thinking of their holidays.

Ironically, after today's "events", DUnt will be really up for their game against us - they are feeling peeved against the "Old Firm" !!!

In other words, you couldn't envisage a better run-in for the Hun...


But, as I say, focus on tomorrow.
Anything but a win for us tomorrow and our season ends stone cold.
Everybody (coaches, players and fans) have their role to play: one of our fabled "Champions League" atmospheres is required.

I'm hoping to see this line-up, although there are doubts whether Mick has recovered
(if not I would rather see O'Dea than Bobo).

.................Artur....................
Hinkel...Caldwell........Mick........Wilson
Nakamura... Robson...Hartley...McGeady....
......Jan............Skippy...

We have a strong bench, and I expect to see Sammy and Skoosh get a run out.

To any of you lucky enough to be going to the game, get right behind the Bhoys and know that there are 10s of thousands worldwide just like me who will be kicking every ball and encouraging the team as if we were there.

Go for it Celtic - we will win this one, we will win it fair and square !!!

Decanted Newsamble: Hibs(h) Part Deux

As expected, The Hun jumping into bed wie a downmarket tabloid has caused a former lapdog and countless other former lapdogs to roond up the wagons and turn on their former paymaster. Must admit, the former, former lapdog article hits the nail on the heid and points oot the logic while still ignoring the facts right enough.

I suppose it's as close as we will ever get to someone calling The Huns cheats. Apart from me....Cheats.

Tonight (Thursday, if this is posted on Friday), I play fives and two Huns turned up wie the most horrible t-shirts on. They "celebrated" the upcoming "bash" in Mancland and had Novo The Skankmonster on the front, wie the graphic for Euro 2008( yes, really), their "results" on the back (all 4 goals listed wie pride) and some butchers aprons for guid measure.

It brought it home to me the fact that I really don't give a shit aboot them and the 500,000 that are traveling for their Cup Final. Why should I really be bothered aboot a cup that we couldnae win?

So, from this moment forth I can safely say all at LOTW (well, this part of LOTW) couldnae gie a flying feck aboot the UEFA Cup Final.

So what's caught my eye this week?

This story regarding Scott McDonald got me thinking and nothing short of a bit worried. So, we have signed a grumpy overweight striker whose ego needed brought doon to earth. We also find oot that he needs to be "noised up" to get the best out of him. Not bothered aboot that. His reaction after his second against The Huns and at other times this season had already proved he is as grumpy as The Greater Manchester Polis Commander was last Friday morning.

But, his reaction to the failed attempt by The Huns has got me worried. He was fuming by this knock back. So all this family are Tims is all shite to butter up the fans and he would have been a stone throw away from Kenny Miller if Motherwell would have accept the bid.

Still, I forgive the wee Wizard from Oz. Even though he has cost me a £20 by scoring over 20 goals this season. I didn't think he would get anywhere near that figure. But...to think he could have sold his soul to the devil for a few pennies more....

Reason number 100,001 why The Huns proposed extension couldnae happen. The small matter of Euro 2008. Nice to see the Dutch and Greeks being so understanding while The Huns play on the fact that none of their players are guid enough to go to Euro 2008.

A few weeks back a story that should have had the headline "Celtic Star Victim Of Sectarian Attack" but got the headline "Ned McGeady Provkes Trouble In Glesga Nitespot" instead, has brought this little ditty from oor Aiden.

It is a sad state of affairs when people think aboot moving to Edinburgh so they can walk doon the street wieoot being attacked or abused. I don't understand the mentality of some. Doesn't McGeady remember the abuse he gets at Tynecastle?

In fact McGeady couldnae move anywhere in Scotland judging by the racist abuse he receives at every away ground in Scotland. But I digress. I wouldnae think twice of abusing a Hun if I meet him in the street.

No, I would follow him, brick his windaes, put a banana up the exhaust of his car and shite in his front garden. Only kidding, I hope.

So from Edinburgh to Leith. And the visit of "Celtic's Feeder Club". Who from being a thing of fitba' beauty under John Collins have become an ugly beast under the new incumbent. By all accounts they didnae try and attack The Huns on Sunday and I don't expect them to do it on Sunday.

So as Celtic Stats states, we have played them 5 times since 2005/06, winning 3 and drawing 2(1 which has proved costly this season). We have scored 8 times to their 5 and only McGeady and JVOH are the only forwards still present at the club that has scored against them since 05/06.

Hibs are 3 games wieoot a victory (drawing 2) and scoring 2 goals in the process. Their away record is poor wie them only winning one oot of their last 6 wie that win coming 5 games ago and that was against Falkirk in Feb.

Celtic are 5 games wieoot a loss and have won their last 3 at home scoring 6 goals in the process but losing 3. First time Hibs have visited CP under Big Mixu. I reckon they will come wie a different gameplan under him than they did under Collins.

So, wie the added pressure on us, I predict a scrappy 2-0 victory wie Aiden to score the last goal.

Forza

Decanted Newsamble: Hibs(h) Part Uno

Summer time in Scotland brings out the strangest behaviour. It becomes ok to take yer top off to revel a pasty white body, sit wearing a tight pair of shorts in a public park, from 11am, while getting completely rat-arsed on whatever the offy had on offer.

Drive around any town, village or city on days like today at around 7pm then you will see the female of the species half undressed and bright red, the male of the species top of and bright red, both will be pished and fighting wie either each other or fighting wie their next door nee'bor, best pal, best pals dug or hamster.

We are northern Europeans. We are mean't to be peely wally white. Sit in doors and dinny annoy us. As sitting oot in the sun does daft things to us Scots. I mean what aboot this week and the behaviour of Scotland's "Establishment" club. A club that is second only to the Church Of Scotland.

First off, they sell their reaction to a daily tabloid newspaper. A paper that is on it's arse sales wise and lost all creditability around 20 years ago. So we have a national newspaper backing one club in oor country. A national newspaper nailing it's colours to the mast all for a few dollars more.

On Monday it started wie musings on a doon market radio phone in. Musing that hinted at a "sting in the tail", rumours of the Cup Final being moved being muted. I was thinking at that point, the Cup Final canny be moved unless the SFA say it can be.

Then it all became clear when this story broke. This was a clear indication that The Huns had used this media ootlet to peddle a story to influence that days meeting and had contacted the SFA- when the SPL refused to budge- and like a spoiled child screamed and screamed and screamed that it was unfair.

No matter what happened after this, this was the point that the guilty parties proved that were trying to cheat the rest the Scottish game.

George Peat, Gordon Smith, James Traynor, Keith Jackson and David Murray have the blood of the integrity of the Scottish game on their hands.

Ok, cards on the table here. I understand where The Huns are coming from. They have a busy period coming up and maybe they wanted a bit of leeway to help themselves. Turkeys don't vote from Christmas so I understand them wanting to do the best for their club.

It's the way that they have done it that sticks in the throat of many. From them not seeking an extension when they were obviously working behind the scenes to get one. When they got the extension, the following outcry they had from that, has only been drowned oot from what has happened today.

I said here after the inital balls up that the reason that they were annoyed was not as they said to help the Scottish game as they wanted the SPL to help them to win the league. Getting to the UEFA Cup Final again allowed them to play the "For the guid of Scotland" card but it wisnny washing wie anyone by this point.

It was for the guid of themselves and fuck everyone else.

The laughable statement from Murray when he states that the SPL made them the laughing stock of Europe holds no sway. Europe couldnae gie a flying monkeys shit regarding what happens to r*ngers or their remaining fixtures. The only peepil made a laughing stock are the peepil peddling this shite.

Murray did his job well though. On an English based Radio Station they had Gordon Smith moaning that he could do nothing to change the SPL's decision but HE was not at fault. We had a radio host saying if we won the SPL it would be devalued as it wisnny a level playing field.

All this pish was spouted by ill-informed DJ's and people reeking of self-hunnishness. No mention of the facts as better put here and on ETims. Or also that Boro played 8 games in 21 days during their run to the semi final(see comments for post from KDS).

In all that I have heard or read NO ONE has come up wie a solution that up holds fair play. Yes, the SPL have made a complete tit of it and prove they couldnae run a brothel that was full of supermodels but.....they have 12 vested teams interest to think aboot not just one. They have followed their members wishes who also if they were a turkey widnae vote for xmas.

The FACT is only one club wanted an extension. That club only wanted to an extension, which they did get but it wisnny to their liking, and that was only to help themselves. That Club bought a media ootlet to peddle their propaganda and tried to call in favours from a football governing body.....

Sounds like something that would happen in Eastern Europe. The Establishment club trying to cheat but this time finding the times have changed.

Some questions that need to be asked? What would have happened if Scotland had qualified for Euro 2008 and the season needed to be finished early? And why is George Burley sticking his red nose in? What does he care? The Huns made a mockery and a fool of him when they withdrew 4 players for a friendly last time oot, which again was for their ain guid...

Seems to be a theme developing here.

Forza

Celtic Training Day: LOTW Day Oot!!!!

Was asked on Saturday if I wanted to go along to the training day. Ma pal said it would be ok as he would "borrow" his wee nephew so we didnae look daft turning up wieoot a wean. Sounded like a plan to me as, really, me and him are big weans.

So arrived at CP at 9:45am. Place was bedlam. Yellow and orange coated stewards not having a clue what they were doing, queues snaking roond the car park and not enough turnstiles open to get the fans in. I reckon maybe between 7 and 8 thousand were present ( Seville calculator must have been oot as Celtic Tv has just said 15,000) and why the bottom tier wissny opened sooner I will never know.

But......the weans had fun. One little chap decided when the ba's were getting laid oot that was his Q to run on and score in the Celtic end, Arfur and Lenny were the court jesters, The weasel still canny cross a ba' even when he has all the time in the world, JVOH lay doon and got a suntan and Joe Doumbe has the best Afro in the East End. Joe The Fro from now on.

It all ended wie a kiddie pitch invasion.........

Notable absentees: Scott Brown, Paul Hartley, JVOH (was there but didnae train), Deek Riordon.

Men that we forgot: Elvis, Evander Sno and Joe Doumbe.

Questioned raised after today: How small is Koki Mizuno?

Also, yes it has been proven. Neil Lennon is a glorified waterbhoy........

Forza

Motherwell 1 Celtic 2 FT: Post Match 1st Impression.

Get out of jail, pass go and collect three points. Job done. Performance? Not exactly pretty fitba', but not anti fitba as at least we tried to attack. It was just unfortunate that all oor attacks started wie Lee Naylor and ended wie Lee Naylor.

The Weasel had one to forget, too add to the last 30 he will want to forget.

All credit and plaudits go to Motherwell 14 corners to oor 1 shows how dominate they were esp in the first period. After the break, Celtic were ,sort of, better wie us showing the usual bottle to come from a goal down.

Skippy- as predicted- scored the equaliser 70 seconds after a Bobo inspired opening goal for Motherwell and Georgious Samaras scored the winner wie 12 mins left after Celtic had won their first corner, which shouldnae have been a corner.

Unsure what McGhee is moaning aboot as Steve Conroy had a mare for both sides. He allowed Motherwell to batter players from the back when challenging for the often aimless pumped ba's but as soon as Hooped jersey tried to get his body between him and his man then or show a bit of force he blew like a Paris lady of the night. He also allowed some thugish behaviour towards Naka go unpunished in the first 15 mins.

Talking Points

• How long do we need to put up wie The Weasel at LB?
• Bobo, c'mon all the "Bobo must return" brigade, thoughts?
• Gary Caldwell, once again MOTM?

Overall.

3 points and oor manager calls it right. It was a game that you will forget. It was like a pub league game wie 22 hungover 18 Stone beer bellied "legends" running aboot on a public park. Still, 90 mins doon, 180 and 6 points to go.

It's now oot oor hands for 7 days.

The goals and some highlights. It's not very long....

Forza

Decanted Newsamble: Motherwell(a)

What a fucker of a week. This wound is probably to raw to give a objective appraisal of how I feel at this moment at time but I feel my memories of oor UEFA Cup run have been violated and devalued.

This article in The Guardian sums up why I’m feeling bemused and angry at the fitba’ ghods- which I’m now believing don’t exist- this morning and now I’m sure the devil season will come to fruitarian. Sometimes you just have to accept that it’s written in destiny.

Update: I have just received this message from one of Manchesters finest, summing up what they are feeling in Mosside and Salford. Also, this article and following comments show that they are not influencing people or winning friends. Still....Veiri and Mutu for fucks sake.

Last night, more than hoping that the Huns would lose, I was pinning ma hopes on them losing as ma “Blackadder” plan hinged on them getting pumped oot and making it 6 games wieoot a victory for them. It’s still 6 games wieoot a victory but......the boost of getting to the UEFA Cup final will see them through.

We are now hoping for a marvellous May. A May when we can take what WE are witnessing- i.e joyus Huns- channel it and love it when we see them hurting when it all fails and karma is restored.

But it’s a helluva long shot. A shot so long that one of those fancy dan guns that the army use that can shoot 5 miles, through armour plated tanks, through walls and round corners wid have slim chances of hitting. Lord, we need a miricle.

It is now a watch through oor fingers May. I thought last Sunday was bad too. After we scored the penalty- which I didnae watch as I said to ma cousin “Barry Robson hits his pens straight doon the middle, any keeper worth his salt will know this.....” see the ultimate optimist, as always- I sat in my seat shitting maeself anytime we lost the ba’.

The auld fella that sits next to me asked me every 5 minutes how long their was to go and the last 10 minutes seemed like the longest of ma life. We now have 270 minutes of pure, pure torture to go. Added to that us having to watch what they do as well makes it worse. How I wish we didnae need to bother aboot them or who they were playing.

I mean, why should I bother if DUTD, Motherwell and Hibs still have something to play for when they play them. How come I’m hoping that both teams lose the UEFA cup final and my thoughts aboot the whole racist Zenit support and Huns being wiped oot are unhealthy.

So unhealthy in fact that if the Celtic Trust are bothered aboot a certain song aboot Nacho Skankmonster Novo and someone’s sisters pants then if they could have got inside ma heid I would have public enemy number 1.

It shouldnae matter but oor failings, which will be addressed on an end of the season blog, mean we have to bother. But first......let’s take care of business. We only have 9 points to play for and we need to ensure we get those 9 points.

But until yesterday it has been a quiet week. A week that sod all happened apart from the outcry over an unoffensive t-shirt worn by the most hated man in Scotland.

Now I think the press reaction to this and, also, The Huns reaction to this really proves the whole point of the HG's shirt. Yes, he knew what he was doing and he knew he was doing it in the most public of places. A place where bigotry, sectarianism and racism are common place.

The fact that the press called him "idiotic" for wearing it and wanted him hung, drawn, quartered, shot and fed to devil dugs shows even they DONT GET THE PROBLEM or the point of the shirt.

The problem is...the fact that he canny wear a GBTP T-Shirt wieoot the masses going mental aboot it. If you are offended by it then you are a cavemen. A bigot. Part of Scotland's Shame. Over at The Offside there is a amusing take and some damming evidence to ponder over. Also, from The Celts Are Here a cracking open letter to Darryl Benfoot.

Another story that caught my eye was Paul Hartley talks up oor Gordon's man-management skills. Not something that the anti-Strachan brigade will agree wie (or Adam Virgo, Alan Thomson, Charlie Mulgrew or Deek Riordon) but can Gordon take the credit for seeing the wood before the trees by playing a settled and in-form midfield for a number of games? Is that not what he should have been doing since March?

The Manager hits the nail on the heid wie his comments today. The Huns will only feel pressure if we win at the bog of Lanarkshire. The game will have to be played in the same sort of style as the last time we visited. That day we had to vary oor play, were more direct and went longer quicker from the midfield.

Our strikers have now found some form, oor midfield has a balance and Gary Caldwell is acting like the new Roy Aitken. We are 4 games unbeaten, scoring 10 goals and losing 4 in the process. We have only lost one away game in oor last 6- at Ipox- and since Motherwell beat us at CP they seem to have lost their way stumbling to a loss (against us right enough) and an undeserved 2-2 draw against DUTD. As celtic stats points out since 2005/06 we have played four games at Fir Park and only won twice.

Tomorrow that needs to become 3 wins. Wie Scott McDonald top goalscorer in oor squad wie 4 against Motherwell (oddly enough since 2005/06 he is joint scorer for Motherwell against us wie 4) I think I can predict that if yer a betting man my money would be on him scoring. Two goals v r*ngers has rejuvenated the wee fellow and another double could be on the cards.

Canny see GS making any changes- think Mick will play- so a 3-1 Celtic victory is my prediction.

Forza