SENTINELCELTS

Morning,all.

Plenty of stuff for discussion after the weekend,just a pity there’s so little to talk about over Celtic Park way. The only good thing about our game against Aberdeen was the kick-off time,3pm on a Saturday,just the way it should be. Well,if that’s anything to go by,I’m bloody delighted that we play our next game at 1230 on a Sunday!

There was nothing wrong with the line-up,of course-Neil Lennon picked the same team I did on Saturday morning,bar the right back position. But the motivation was seriously lacking on the pitch and from the technical area. I don’t know how substituting an 18yo at half-time is meant to motivate him,especially as he was the only midfielder displaying an iota of quality. Brown and Bitton have to be TOLD not to play as mirror images,or else not played together at all. Sometimes when I’ve seen Broonie this season,I think he could play till he’s forty.

Playing the game at the pace he did on Saturday,he could probably play until he’s ninety-and still not make an incisive pass!

Bitton? Ffs,son-you know how to pass the ball,that’s why you’re an international midfielder. Try it,you might like it.

The only bright spot for me was Ajer,continuing his march to Young Player of the Year. What a prospect. Least said about the rest,the better. Takes me back to the days of Ronny Deila,and a phrase I had to use far too often-a bad day at the office!

Of course,we weren’t the only team who struggled to break down a team who showed little interest in scoring goals. Chelsea came up against a resolute Wolves at Stamford Bridge,only equalising deep into injury time. Sarri,when asked his opinion on how organised Wolves were at the back,was scathing. “Not organised at all”,he said. “No organisation needed,just pack the penalty area!”

Now,that’s not even grudging praise,that’s damning stuff. And he’s right,fans don’t come to watch football like that. BUT…if you watch how Chelsea played against that packed defence,God,it looked familiar. Slow,sideways,backwards,no incisive passing,no movement.

Bloody turgid,in other words. Just like Celtic far too often when we face this type of set-up.

Ole Gunnar Babyface came down to earth with a bang too,as his rampant United team took a bit of a dicking at The Emirates. I doubt that he’ll be too happy that his team made even Mezut Ozil look good on the day. Ed Woodward must be sick that he only bought Fellaini for David Moyes when everyone knew the team needed rebuilt from top to bottom,bar de Gea. Gary Neville reckons it will take £250m of signings before Man Utd are able to challenge again. I reckon you’d have to shoot the Liverpool and Man City squads too,because they’re miles behind.

The fabled Top Six has become a Top Two in the last two seasons,and I think it will remain that way for some considerable time.

That game at The Emirates was notable also for an eejit running onto the pitch and shoving Chris Smalling. As usual,the defender never saw him coming,how he has remained at Old Trafford for so long is one of life’s mysteries-even Phil Jones has finally been sussed and dropped! But worse had already happened elsewhere in The Second City Derby. A home fan rushed onto the pitch and decked Villa captain Jack Grealish from behind. This,of course,was met with resounding appproval from the Birmingham City fans as the culprit was hauled away. I doubt they’ll be quite so delighted when the FA order that stand closed for three games. Either way,it will be interesting to see how a proper Football Association deals with a case like this,for sure it will put our numpties to shame.

Best performance of the weekend might just have gone to Cardiff City,as they kept their survival hopes alive,but really it is hard to see past Newcastle United. 2-0 down at home to Everton and nearly halfway through the second half,the Toon Army must have been fearing the worst. But when their front three of Almiron,Perez,Rondon,clicked into gear,wow. If Benitez can get more performances like that out of them,they might have a decent future to look forward to. Just a pity that the rest of the team look like they were bought at one of the closing down sales in the owner’s retail empire.

I’m looking forward to Sunday. Paddy’s Day,with a few Guinness and Celtic at lunchtime. Hopefully one or the other will wash away the bad taste in my mouth from a poor weekend for football.

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Above article by BMCUWP. Your turn next? Mail your article to Mahe on

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