I Want It All
Morning,all.
Well,here we are five days before the start of the domestic season,a season which will hopefully culminate in a treble of domestic trophies. Of course,the other eleven teams are also dreaming of such glory days-the difference is that we’ve already been over this course successfully in each of the last three seasons. But that’s not enough for me,oh no. I want it all.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hFDcoX7s6rE
Again!!!
We finally saw the long-awaited cull of the deadwood,losing a number of players who frankly should never have been anywhere near a Celtic jersey but whose contract was so generous that there was no encouragement for them to attempt to further their career while age was still on their side. Can’t blame them for that,of course. We have also lost Benkovic,Burke and Weah,who all returned to their parent clubs after loan spells of varying degrees of success.
Additionally,stalwarts like Boyata and Lustig,as well as the dependable if ageing Izzaguirre departed after new contract offers were not viewed by them as meeting their requirements,and there is continuing speculation over the future of such as Rogic,Sinclair,Ntcham,maybe even French Eddy.
There is also the long running saga over Kieran Tierney,who is Celtic to the core. There may well be more to say on this at a later date,but for now the subject is best left alone. Arsenal have twelve days to get a deal over the line. If not,he remains our player-and there’s not many Celtic supporters will be unhappy at that news.
Returning to the fold are Kouassi-whom I genuinely rate,and can’t wait to be proven right when he finally gets an injury-free run in the team (If he turns out to be far from that,I’ll ask Mahe to delete that sentence for me!)-a hungry looking Griff and Arzani,as well as Shved,finally joining us after his loan back to his former club. We have three new signings at the back,only one of whom we have seen-and he has yet to come close to finishing a match.
But we also have the core of the side which has won three successive trebles,and if we found a star in our midst last season in Ryan Christie,I’m hopeful that this season will see the rise of another one in Michael Johnston.
So that should,with any luck,be good enough to put us in pole position for the domestic competitions. But what about Europe? Well,this is where we come up against the devil and the deep blue sea. Do we invest in players who can make the difference for us in the Champions League when,after all,the likes of Virgil van Dijk in the side made little difference to a 7-0 humiliation in Barcelona? Admittedly,he might have kept the score down! And how much does a player of similar quality cost nowadays anyway?
This is where,I think,our current scouting regimen is letting us down. Why are we trying to compete against the English market,or even to buy from it? The whole of Europe knows that there is a bubble there. Now,it may show no sign of bursting,but they have become so used to heavily inflated fees and wages that journeymen are moving for £20m and upwards. That John McGinn,indeed,sees a £50m price tag attached to him-read that and weep,folks.
So,Europe? Well,if we get through to the Champions League group stages we can again expect just about the hardest draw possible and with it,a few spectacular thumpings. It may be viewed as acceptable by the suits,but it will never be viewed as acceptable by most of the fans. Inevitable,aye. Acceptable,no. But upwards of £40m from it,so there’s yer raison d’être right there for you.
Gonna have to buy a bigger biscuit tin!
If on the other hand,we find ourselves in the group stages of The Europa League,I think we have genuine cause for optimism. Yes,we are short of the quality to win the bliddy thing,but there is no reason why we should not be confident of finding ourselves in The Round of 32 after Christmas,where further progress is literally the luck of the draw. It will also give us an opportunity to find something that we lost a long time ago…
Fortress Parkhead!
I want EVERY player of EVERY visiting team to fear a visit to Celtic Park. I want to see teams hoping to escape with a draw-and none being able to celebrate like Bayern Munich a few years ago. I don’t want to hear opposing players patronising us with crap like what a stadium,what a support,what an atmosphere. I want them shitting themselves to play in our stadium in front of our fans in that atmosphere.
Now,I don’t think this article has been overly critical-I’m hoping not to have to write such an article this summer-and I’ve not asked for much. Remember bringing back the thunder,Lenny?
Bring back Fortress Parkhead!!!
Above article by BMCUWP. You can have your own slant on things as Article of the Day. We always publish,and are delighted to do so. Mail it to Mahe
sentinelcelts@gmail.com
Note to self:
Stop posting between 5 and 6 in the morning ….. a new article WILL appear. ?
TWISTSNTURNS
Aye,like enough. But you have a better chance of the podium on the new article,ya shameless glory hunter!
Bobby
Pretty reasonable assessment of where we are. I believe though if we qualify this year we would be likely to be in pot 3 ?
Of course it still leaves us up against two of the big boys and needing a bit luck with the pot 4 team, but with a hope of dropping into the EL with a 3rd place finish.
The key is undoubtedly the defence. As you say we have new faces but yet to see them really.
Neil is still looking according to reports so perhaps he sees it as we do, looking better middle to front, but still vulnerable at the back
One thing I’m very pleased about I’d the fact the Neil clearly wants to stop those thumpings. Very soon we will see how the land lies in that respect.
I wholeheartedly agree with your remarks on “fortress Parkhead.” I don’t think we’ll get battered 5 6 and 7-0 anymore as Lennon has a far more pragmatic approach than Rodgers when it comes to the big guns in Europe.
I watched some old Celtic DVD’s and you can see some away team’s players shiteing themselves as they stand waiting to come out the tunnel. There’s also a few were O’Neill is looking absolutely bewildered at the noise created by the supporters on these nights. We need to have more of this, we need to intimidate the opposition teams. No more fuckery, get intae them all.
Trying to work out the biggest threat to our Euro ambitions is easy.
Trying to work out the threat to our domestic success?
Well I was bored this morning so I’ve tried to capture it in a wee ditty:
With the treble treble tucked away
As well as 8 in a row
Excitement grows amongst the bhoys
There’s only 2 to go
Statements abound down Govan way
As their fans they try to appease
But how can they halt this juggernaut
Without their EBT’s?
Oh how they long for the glory days
Those bygone days of yore
When for every fiver that we spent
They’d spend a fiver more
No more record signings, no Tore Andre Flo
How will they stop the Celtic with a budget oh so low?
The answer to the question is simple, they’ll continue with their cheatin’
You don’t need any money
When you’ve Dallas, Madden and Beaton
Bring back Fortress Parkhead !!
At last, some semblance of ambition.
Lenny imo did go some way to achieving this goal, as we all know, by given the best footballing side of all time a wee spanking.
A wee bit of investment, and more care before ripping the bloody floor out from under him, and who knows what other results he could have achieved since then. Especially against Pepe’s Sitehhh…..
BMCUW,
Re buses and trains. Stressful job on the buses, without a doubt. But £56 return Glasgow to London is pretty good surely ??
I know we all like to save a few quid, but I’ll always pay the extra for the comfort of train travel now. Seat, table, leg room, toilet and food and drink in abundance. All I want in life ?
One thing I avoid like the plague is flying. I find the security nonsense utterly insulting and refuse to pay these clowns to ruin everyone’s day and look down their noses at the thousands who have to tolerate their stupidity on a daily basis. As bad as rozzers and 5 foot tall, overweight Sevvy supporting pub bouncers.
Last time I took a long distance train…. well from Inverness back home, the journey was doomed the minute I got up that day.
Ended up in a taxi home from Perth that night.
I’ll save that story for a hoot, so that I have at least something to share with ye all that I haven’t already shared here ?
Then I’ll go into repetitive mode to see who has been paying attention to me here and who hasn’t, by bringing up such stories as my dalliance with Sandra Bollockses cousin. I’m unforgiving when I find out someone hasn’t been paying attention to my posts, as a recent email reply to you will confirm ??
On another note, anyone know if Andy Walker has been seen since last night? Last I heard, he was on his way to the Celtic Festival Sacrificial Ceremony. Sorry, festival. Festival !!! Stupid autocorrect.
Twists,
I’ve done that loads of times.
I just leave them there. Think Mahe does it on purpose, but sometimes as a goodwill gesture copies and pastes it over for us. ?
I just leave them there. I did a 30 minute anecdote on my card playing experiences the other day, only to find it was lost in the wilderness of “last thread Syndrome “.
It’s a real shame you all missed it. Was better than my chat about my celebrity cousin dalliances.
Ref your boxer celebrity fella. I noticed you had to get in there that you could “out drink” him . We know what makes us men here in Bomny Scotland ? which makes me I believe the manliest mhan who ever manned up to his manhood in a world dominated by men. Reading ATOB’s interesting attempts to get us all on a health kick by taking up bicycles, i felt that this point would be better hammered home to ole BMCUW. Nowt wrong with cycling home from the pub. Doh….just thought of another anecdote involving cycling up a hill pissed in the Lake District with a rozzer car appearing behind me, and me crashing into my pal cycling in front of me as I looked back at them in fear, shouting Edgey, the polis are following us!….
Ffs, is there a limit to how many edits I can make, or will you Sentinels start charging me after the first 50,000 ?
[ realises he’s talking too much, and worse no one is listening. Quietly shuffles out the bar in shame, and tries it somewhere else….only to discover still barred. Cycles home alone ]
Twists,
Appreciate the alliteration in the 2nd stanza. Implies a sense of doomed destiny at the Sevvie Sanitarium ?
Right. Off oot. I’ll be back ?
MORNING ALL, good post bobby id love fortress parkhead back with teams coming there and being scared of the atmosphere, will it happen don’t know, but with lenny our defence should hold up better, probaby think a good run in the Europa league is our best bet,.hh by the way when you pick up the A500 I would not touch the M6 id drive up the A50 good wide road to Knutsford and then rejoin the M6.hh.
TWISTY, that name doesn’t ring a bell but might be the one, its that long ago im not sure, thanks for the reply.hh.
BP,
Morning sir.
Is BMCUW driving down south?
Sent him photiegrafic evidence of my celebrity cousin dalliances, just now. Well, evidence of our acquaintance, which is hopefully enough.
Once you all have confirmation from Sentinel Prime HQ that the evidence is convincing, I can then start to fend off your tabloidesque curiosities with ye ole, I have nothing to add at this stage ??
GOOD MORNING UBER TIM, no I think its when he is next coming up the M6 trying to avoid the roadworks.hh.
BP, morning sir. Ah. We spent 13 hours on the M6 this weekend. Was great fun ?
On a serious note, on Friday night, Saturday morning, about 3am I think, we were literally moments behind an awful accident. Just south of Manchester I think. Closed all 6 lanes, 3 north, 3 south. Endless amounts of fire engines, ambulances and polis. An hours delay. Not complaining about the hour btw. Truly awful. Hope there were no serious injuries, but it looked likely that there would be. Overturned trailer with a digger on it. At such a quiet time, there were a number of involved vehicles.
Could have been us if we were 5 or 10 mins earlier. Sad sad thing.
And much as I’d be the first to have a go at rozzers in this country, when it comes to the real emergency services, from BTP, to paramedics, to the Fire Rescue Services and to every single nurse and doctor in the hospitals, these people are true heroes, and angels in our time of need.
UBER TIM, agree 0ne hundred percent, that stretch of motorway is an accident blackspot day or night, glad you came through unscathed.hh.
Morning Bhoys,
The mad Mont is looking for a season ticket, if any of you guys are aware of anyone looking to sell their book for the season, let me know.
Mahe & Bobby have my contact details.
HH
UBER
Seen some carnage on the roads in my time,and as I pass,I think-bloody hell,I hope they got out of that,it’s/they’re mangled!
Most of the time though,the reason the cars look so bad is because the emergency services have cut the roof from the car as it is the easiest way to get the injured out without hurting them.
Maybe the worst I saw was about ten years ago. You know how Army vehicles tend to be driven very slowly (along motorways,in particular) and they run to a bit of size,to say the least. Well,just past J17 going east on the M4 early one morning,some poor sod had run in to the back of one.
As he braked,the nose of his vehicle obviously dipped and went under the rear of the lorry. As it was a bit higher than a normal lorry,a lot more than the nose of his vehicle went under it. Not pretty.
Hi,Monti.
I’ll keep my ear to the ground,mate. Is BGBHOY likely to be using his much? Might be worth asking him.
BP,
Thank you. Good to know someone cares about my worthless arse ?
BMCUW,
Awful stuff. Another thing I hate about GB.
The rest of europe has the sense to set minimum speed limits on motorways and busy dual carriageways.
Here, we have army vehicles, cranes and tractors sitting at 20MpH in accident hotspots.
This is why accidents happen. Everyone competing for speed, for or against.
A level and spacious speed for everyone in a busy road is the answer.
I do often feel for you, and worry a wee bit as well as no doubt your family do.
Interested to hear ole Awe Naw’s thoughts on that, given Germany’s approach to traffic.
When I was shagging Sandra Bollockses German cousin, I didnt have a licence at the time, or else I’d have asked her opinion ?
The Mad Monti,
Apols, i missed your post there until I refreshed. Apols, cant help you. If you’d asked a few seasons ago, you could have mine. Used it about once ?
Wait. Just need to confirm, you aren’t Peter Lawell looking to bank re-sell value?
Or that Liverpool fella that’s trying to manage the Sevvies and the lunatics controlling their, er finances?? ?
Here at Sentinels, we don’t ask if you’re a hun. We ask if youre Peter Lawell. ?
Although, no one has asked me that since I joined 2 weeks ago ???
? they must be ignoring me ?
I love this fine blog.
You all let me splatter my genius out of my runny arse without question ?
HH
PS, the Sandra Bollock’s story is true. ?
Off oot, fine Celts.
I’d say, be good, but you all are that and more anyway.
Doh! Before I go. [For 30 mins ?]
A wee song for all, straight from Glasgow.
Nothing to do with me, btw!! Just a wee reminder of how our best friends can be suffering, but will best hide it by laughing away with us.
I have a hun friend in mind. Who I love to the end and back, and has suffered immeasurable loss in the past 5 years.
Just a beautiful song. Typically, one of the best written songs ever, but given it’s origins, few know it. Rather typical, as this legend of a man wrote a fair few more equally beautiful.
HH my fellow Tims.
https://youtu.be/H5iqidjXC7A
What would you give to share a pint with one of those fellas walking by Jamaica Bridge?
I’m back!
BP,
What do you think of this wee tribute to Glasgow?
This diamond giant of a Mhan passed away a few years ago.
He was a singer and half.
https://youtu.be/vzw4AAygLEw
UberTim, That’s a smashing clip. Have to admit I hadn’t heard of George, hard to believe he has passed away, he looks so young and healthy in the video.
That’s Wednesday’s article done,put into Drafts. Part nine of The Lost Ten. I feel like being sick after writing it,so I’m apologising in advance if you feel the same after reading it!
Not your fault Bobby. That’s history for you, good bits and bad bits.
JIMTHETIM53
Well there were certainly five bad bits in that series of articles. It’s been quite an interesting exercise though. To think back about how we really did throw all of those titles away,but more importantly to find out how well my green-tinted memory is holding up.
I must admit,I got most of it right,but I’m glad of the Internet for fact-checking. Nearly made an arse of things once or twice. So far,no-one has pointed out any glaring errors,so either my memory is fine from those days,or we are all getting old and can remember the square root of sod all!
Like now. What I’d give to remember as much as the square root of sod all…
I fall into the category of remember the square root of sod all! My family think it’s funny 🙂
I was at my sister’s on Friday (I think!) and my niece who was also there mentioned she was moving house soon. I said Oh where are you moving to? They all looked at me and then each other and burst out laughing. Apparently I was told a month ago. 🙁
Uber- The Damned United, and Frost/Nixon are really good movies, Michael Sheen is in
BADABING
Saw your comment about Michael Sheen Hard Talk interview. Is that the one where he said he got fed up with LA and came back and did Passion Plays in Port Talbot?
If so,it was a very interesting interview. Certainly not a superficial superstar.
BMCUW- Yes,he is helping out at the Homeless World Cup in Wales.
Premier Sports not showing the game, as they can’t agree a deal with the home club
Jim,
The loss of George was sore one.
It wasn’t for any small reason that he was well loved and respected by the many who knew him.
Beautiful big giant of a man. Heart attack in his sleep, aged 45.
Left behind a young family. But they’ll be well looked after.
Bada,
It’s the Frost Nixon interview that I’ve still to see . Dont doubt for a minute that it’s a great film.
BP,
I love humble, quality musicians.
What do you think of this?
This lhad is a musical genius. He’s retired now to spend time with his beautiful family.
But in the couple of years he was doing it, I witnessed it, and am in awe. Privileged to have enjoyed much time with this young humble legend. And if you meet his Dad, you can see where it comes from.
So many amazing folk amongst us, no matter where they’re from or what their background is.
.https://youtu.be/ZqZh_MAqat0
And then there’s the sad irony of Big George, singing this in his most popular haunt
Many a times this big fella rescued my sorry arse, and gave so many good memories to so many of us all. Beautiful big fhella.
https://youtu.be/GRNZfV8rKQM
Not a bad singer, eh?
BADABING
Good lad!
Remember JIMMYINCAMBODIA? He was in charge of their Homeless Football Team for nine years,used to post on CQN. I got a mail from him the other day-I’d contacted him on the subject. He has had to give up the post as other things now occupy his time.
Like a wife and a ten-month old baby!
Good on ye,Jimmy.
I’m hoping to get a wee article copied from a newspaper much closer to home on the same subject,so that I can send it to him. Heartbreaking and heartwarming wee story,that one. Should take his mind off the kid’s teething problems and cheer him up!
Big George, nailing it while being under paid by Ulster leg-end Phil Coulter.
I know first hand these two stories. George was scared to leave his hotel rooms as they travelled, despite being No1 in the US. He guided the younger boys, and kept fighting for better repence from uber hun exploiter Phil.
I also know that Sean McGuire went through similar turmoil, and told Paddy Maloney to fuck off when he asked him to join West Brit over-rated concert band the Chieftains.
Nothing is as it seems. Judge the music, and not the person, and it all adds up.
Only on Sentinel Celts do I feel comfortable sharing this ?
https://youtu.be/rLqIujK-0qw
Last time i saw George was his gig at the Tollbooth. Playing to a dozen of us Tim’s after tired of touring the states and screaming mad US nutters.
He told me about Phil’s pish and how he was trying to change the pay structure for all.
Genuine legend, and should have a dedicated statue in Glasgow.
We’ve signed Leo Hjelde from Rosenborg on a 3 year deal
Is big Pete having palpitations that we have spent money so far not recouped due to us being unsuccessful to date in flogging players?
Is it acceptable that the glorious balance sheet has shrunk?
Has the board room practice of wallowing in piles of cash been temporarily suspended?
My heart goes out to those guys suffering from austerity measures put in place due to other clubs selfishly refusing to part with their cash.
A 15 year old project…
UBER
Coulter and Martin were notorious in those days for their management contracts. Bands like Sweet,I believe,had similar problems with China and Chapman.
The business was full of sharks,but a few lawsuits soon saw to that.
One of the most notorious was RODRIGUEZ. Google him. Poor guy got ripped to buggery and beyond.
BMCUWP
Doh!!
I’m back with a wee song
Rather nice, no?
Archie Fisher is a bit of genius
His beautiful is this song??
https://youtu.be/44m7iOa29Y0
BADABING,FANATIC
IIRC,when MON left and WGS arrived,the plan was to manage the wage bill better. Drop the high earners.
Our wage bills increased for the first three years due to the amount of shrapnel we were accumulating for peanuts but having to pay wages to.
Financial genius,my arse. It’s in the accounts,btw.