SENTINELCELTS

On the park we are still a work in progress, still an unsettled side, and are witnessing our squads imbalance.
Toothless without Tam,
Slowed by Bitton,
Shuffled for Tony,
A Star(felt) is gone,
We have many issues despite the good work accomplished by our Greek Australian.
 
The gaffer has shown some gumption before, now it’s needed again. We looked a different side without Kyogo and Tam, not to mention Bitton slows play.
Juranovich can offer more in his natural right back berth, would a proper left back, right back combo improve our shape and or attack?
Does Scales not deserve a try at left back?
G-Mac and Kyogo are very different, can the team simply switch styles for whoever is chosen?
Why can we not break down a deep lying compact Livvy, repeatedly?
 
I don’t envy Ange the task at hand, he has some big calls to make. He should be aware by now that fudging the issue, playing the same players and expecting different results, shall only gain detractors. The Tims prefer action, being brave when it’s called for.
And its called for.
 
Whether it’s bringing a peripheral body or two into the fray and placing some faith upon their shoulders, or a new formation to bamboozle opposition, Ange needs a plan B and C for days like Saturday.
 
October went well, he headed into it on thin ice but at it’s conclusion had almost though not quite reached the summit. But the inevitable injuries have appeared, and it’s exposing our weaknesses. Our first choice eleven will give most a game on their day, take a few key players out and we are noticeably weakened. January is a long way away, some players will not be for moving on, and it’s one tough window to pry away other teams diamonds for a bargain price. Should we bring in one or two midfielders the expectation to instantly settle and improve the side shall be huge, with zero guarantees.
It’s this squad that must deliver, we can’t pin hopes upon those we don’t own.
Yep, Ange has his work cut out for him, those broad shoulders carry a lot of expectations.
 

Off the park, its a sad state of affairs.
In the space of just a few days last week we had,,,
Non penalty of the century,
The Obituary gone wrong,
The Higgins appointment,
The GB silence,
The Celtic Trust strife,
And of course our own dodgy ref to contend with.
 
Off the park, things are getting worse, when the exact opposite was called for. It’s clear the last decade was very challenging for Scottish football, it only makes sense to present it’s long suffering faithful with a period of stability and some proper governance thrown in for good measure.
It would drown out the moans and moaners, and would help establish the liquidation event as an outlier.
Thats the least that should have been done. We deserve medals for putting up with some of the bullshit served up.
 
Domestically things aren’t changing for the better whilst the wider game watches the big two governing bodies circle each other before the inevitable scrap for dominance, the sacred World Cup now in danger of falling victim to politics, maybe fatally so.
Our rivals’ business methods are as unchecked as ever, so are the whistlers, BBC Scotland is far from impartial, Hampdens still a nest.
Then there’s our board, so detached from the average fans outlook, counting season ticket sales and profit as the key markers of success, and thus believing they are performing well.
When this was challenged by one of their own they ran him outta town.
 
As for supporters organizations, either the average fan isn’t concerned or the correct type of organization hasn’t fully emerged yet, perhaps a bit of both.
We as a support have barely even scratched the surface, numbers of around 1k look feeble when held against STs sold, or the estimated Time worldwide.
I could speculate the direction of the game shall drive more to organize, but can’t state it with confidence,,some calls to date (no sporting advantage) have truly taken the biscuit yet the stands are full and membership numbers remain low.
 
Of course, currently the whistlers are a huge talking point, but then again most accept it as t’was always thus.
T’was never 40 million quid riding on decisions though.
It’s different nowadays, where one failure could have cascading consequences for the entire footballing pyramid. The whistlers wield real power now, and aren’t afraid of anyone. Covered by BBC Sport scenes editors, the rags and fans with typewriters, Headquarters Hampdump, they are effectively strutting.
They look drunk on power at times.
 
Most sports give something to the involved, and few stray into negatives beyond your favourite contender not winning. Scottish football not only takes from the involved but it’s asks a lot from them, far too much at times.
It counts on addiction not growth to sustain itself, then treats the customer poorly which is no reasonable strategy at all. Sponsorship deals are now up in the air due to one jilted lover of a club, there’s very little money in the game for infrastructure improvements for instance no plastic pitches, real refs.
There’s no plan beyond get them 40 million to clear most debt and leave them reasonably healthy.
I can just imagine the next 40 being deemed necessary for a squad rebuild, the one after that to tool up for Europe, the one after that to sign a superstar that would break Scottish football, the one after that,,,,
 
The domestic game can thrive, most certainly should having the most through the turnstyles, but it needs new people at the helm. Yesterday’s men with their preconceptions litter the setup, the causes of the problems wishing a say in how to fix them.
As Celtic need fresh ideas on the park, theres many needed off it, and likewise a lot of work.

By Mahe