Torpedoed?
Morning,all.
I dunno about any of you,but I’ve still got quite the warm glow after our performance against St Johnstone on Saturday. Especially our sixth,which was just a joy to behold. Matt O’Riley finally rifled in an unstoppable shot after we had around six thousand passes,all the while pulling the opposition just that bit more out of position.
It reminded me of the famous Mikel Lustig rabona goal,also after a plethora of passes,and ably finished by Moussa Dembele. That it was also against St Johnstone is only a coincidence…
The match,and various results elsewhere,meant that the SPFL could finally get the thinking bunnets on and work out who played when after the split. With a six point advantage going into those last five games,and playing the huns in Round 35 on Mayday,there is a distinct possibility of us being dormie nine with only the last three games to go. I’m not sure what the police and SPFL were thinking of,holding it on a Bank Holiday weekend,but I sincerely hope my fears are proved groundless.
Some turnaround from six months ago when some pundits were gleefully predicting that we would finish fourth! If they really believed that,I’ve got a bridge I can sell them. If they didn’t,they want to learn how to separate their personal prejudices from their day jobs.
The only downside to Saturday of course is the loss of G-Mak,whose recent form has been simply outstanding. I’ve not read any hard and fast news on the injury,but I hope it isn’t a hamstring. Some reports suggest that he may even be fit for Sunday,but I personally doubt it. It looks like we might have to rely on some wee Japanese guy I’ve never heard of for that match. What a shame,eh?
The importance of this season to both Celtic and Rangers cannot be understated. Rangers hoped to rubber stamp their return as the dominant force in Scottish football with another emphatic championship stroll,while it was important for us to get our pride and our respect back,and at least look capable of being in contention next season. But we hired as manager a man in a hurry,one who thinks runners up is for also-rans,who will not settle for second best. And has put us in pole position for the title,and the guaranteed slot it brings of the group stages in The Champions League.
Or does it? If our friends at Villarreal manage to pull off a modern day miracle and win this season’s Champions League,the Yellow Submarine would torpedo those aspirations by taking their place as reigning Champions next year,having failed to qualify through their own league. It is an unlikely scenario as they are up against Liverpool next,but I for one wouldn’t be churlish enough to deny them such a famous victory for such purely selfish reasons. Besides,we have a Plan B ‘Putin’ place,as that thug’s invasion of Ukraine will mean that Russian representation in sport will be missing for some considerable time.
But we can cross these bridges when we come to them,as can Villarreal. First up is Sunday. We are now in ‘one game at a time,every game is a cup final territory’ and this one is no different. Even if it is a semi final! But more on that tomorrow.
Above article by BMCUWP
Sent from my iPad
Morning
Matt’s fantastic strike but a very impressive team goal. Sums up the philosophy.
Two mins plus of 100% possession epitomises AP’s style. We keep going, we work the opposition, we work for each other ( all outfield players touched the ball ). Pass, move, be available, don’t over complicate, don’t panic.
It’s a simple game. You could see the exhaustion in the St J team scurrying around, snapping trying to get a foot on the ball and close down the spaces that were opening up. Imperious.
Two games to put the Huns to the sword.
Run them ragged Celtic.
The importance of this season to both Celtic and Rangers cannot be understated.
Sorry Bobby. That is one of my pet hates so I feel the need to comment.
People constantly use “cannot be understated” when they mean “cannot be overstated”. You are most certainly not alone in this but it always grates with me. The league is massive this season so the importance can quite easily be trivialised.
On a more positive note I don’t think we should lose too much sleep worrying about Villarreal winning the big cup. As you suggest a Villarreal win would be good to for pure footballing reasons but I just can’t see it happening.
FRODSHAMBHOY
I thought I’d written underestimated! I also thought I’d done well to notice that autocorrect had changed rabona to Ramona!!!
You are,of course,correct. Good spot. I blame the skules.
Frodshambhoy
Since we are on pet hates…
“As you suggest a Villarreal win would be good to for pure footballing reasons but I just can’t see it happening”
Too😂
Bobby – thanks I didn’t like mentioning that.
CFC – wasn’t intending to say I was agreeing. Having said that touché. Or should that be tooche 😁
Morning Bobby!
Yes, in the words of Phil Lynott – we must beware of the yellow peril!
In other news, Sky Sports News last night breathlessly proclaiming that Liverpool are still on track for an “unprecedented quadruple”. Hmm, it seems some folk DON’T know their history.
1967 🍀🍀🍀🍀
Frodshambhoy
Tooche 😀
B B
As far as UK broadcasters are concerned only English history matters.
We’ll be fine without CL money next season however Old Firm FC will be made impotent, they need it to challenge.
So certainly wouldn’t be disappointed if the yellow submarine did it👍
Bobby
6,000 passes 😂
It was some goal right enough.
That style of fitba that gets results in Europe.
Still one helluva load of work to be done on our defensive game … can handle the odd drubbing if we see continual improvement and progress in that direction.
Prestonpans bhoys – agree entirely.
The main advantages of qualifying for the Champions league is the cash windfall and the apparent advantage when it comes to enticing players to join us. But those 5, 6 and 7 goal drubbings are still a bit fresh in the mind so the actual football games might not be a great watch. I know that a lot of Celtic fans share my views that, if we’re being honest, playing in the Europa League would be a better option. But I’m not sure that’s an option for the fans of Old Firm FC – their last accounts issued in late 2021 had doom and gloom written all over them but with the hope that winning a league (remember, at that time they were then clear at the top) would clear all those worries away. Counting their chickens if you will.
I remain very hopeful that we have a great chance of another domestic treble, our 5th in 6 years. I remain equally hopeful that Old Firm FC, in their 13 year existence, will have just 2 trophies to their name, 1 being the Petrofac Cup.
P B
J B
I don’t understand that logic. You’d rather lose out to a Spanish team.
Based on what? fear of participating in CL?
I hope our manager is of a more progressive mindset. He strikes me as someone who would relish the challenge without fear.
CFC
I never said I wanted the yellow submarine to win the CL , I said it wouldn’t trouble me, slight difference buddy.
P B
Slight difference with the same result.
Our team would be denied CL participation. ( assuming we make it after a sensational season)
Surely every supporter would be disappointed at that outcome.
I’d prefer the challenge but each to their own, I guess.
CFC –
I think I what I was trying to get at was this. I do want to win every game we play and to enjoy the rewards that come from that. So, winning the league with qualification for the Ch Lge will be fantastic. However, it’s not the be all and end all and I wouldn’t be gutted or depressed if we ‘only’got into the Europa. But that’s because our club is not relying on the CL riches. And the same cant be said for Old Firm. My point was really about the fact that both Glasgow clubs have completely different reasons for wanting the Ch Lge spot.
Hampden have got the fleg polis out,1 flag per person on Sunday, limited sizes allowed, still waiting on these cowards commenting on the bottles at Poundland
J B
I get the financial point and can see denying them CL access has benefits to us.
My point is we should strive to achieve the best we can and I suspect our Manager thinks along the same lines.
I don’t see Ange saying, nah mate you can stick yer CL , I’m happier in the secondary competition cos my Bhoys can’t compete.
Belmont Brian 63. Thanks for the video of Martin. I have to be honest and say that I couldn’t keep my eyes off the very attractive Ms Grogan. An absolute doll with figure to match. 🥰. Nurse!!!!
Ses from yesterday,
Sorry I did not respond yesterday. The day ran away from me with doing my tax return.
Re Rugby Park, I only have rusty memories of visiting there in the sixties. It seemed like the park had good grass then, or may be that was what I was smoking at the time! There was some talk about their underground heating system which was either ahead of its time, or an expensive disaster, or both. I cannot remember which.
At that time, I was interested in visiting as many Scottish football grounds as possible. Whilst I had found Celtic in the early sixties, I thought that it was good for Scottish football, if titles and cups were shared with a broader base than just Rangers and Celtic.
So I viewed Killies’ success in the sixties as good for Scottish football. Since I am going down memory lane, another competitive club of that era was Dunfermline who stunned European football with a 6-2 defeat of Valencia in the old Fairs Cup. Valencia virtually owned that cup and were the current holders in 1962 when Dunfermline faced them. The Pars lost 4-0 away and were given no chance for the return. Valencia scored first to reinforce that POV but were shocked by a blitzkrieg to lose 6-2. Unfortunately, Dunfermline lost the extra game 1-0 in, wait for it, Lisbon. Valencia went on to retain the cup.
Who was the Dunfermline manager? Jock Stein, of course. Incidentally, the Pars saw off Everton before facing Valencia in that tournament.
Stein was to get his revenge for the Lisbon defeat, five years later by recording the greatest victory in Scottish club football with the Lions.
Rebus
BMCUW
Quite right. Every game we play from now on is a cup final. The Huns do not play until 8pm this evening. If the match goes to extra-time and penalties-the game would not finish much before 11pm. Win or lose, I’m hoping that the Hun players will be gasping for air at Hampden on Sunday.
Saltires
That is an absolute disgrace…members of the previous board helping themselves to pieces of Celtic history.
Did I ever tell you about the time I was standing outside St Alphonsus with the SVDP box? Anyhoo, twas during the protests of the early 90. I was wearing my ‘Sack The Board’ badge. Up comes Michael Kelly. The conversation went something like this:
Kelly: “I can’t say that I approve of your badge.”
Me: “and I do not approve of your running down of Brother Walfrid’s club.
Now please f**k off and give me peace.”
Beardy bastard was too shocked to reply.
Craig76
I cannot wait for that book to be published. Based on the author’s previous works, it should be a smashing read.
BRB
You’re a very naughty bhoy. 😀
That is what I dont like about SC!
Away for a few months, and some Johnny-Come-Lately tries to swoop in and hit on my girl… yes, BRRB, I am talking about you!
To be clear, very early on in the history of CQN, I called dibs on Ms. Grogan! And, wasn’t sure if Dibs ‘TUPED’ over from CQN to SC, so certainly, early on in SC, I renewed and registered my dibs on SC to protect my claim. I have many witnesses on here who can verify my claim (although I will admit that the mob on here may not be the most upstanding/credible witnesses).
However, unless you agree to forthwith cease and desist, you shall be hearing from my solicitor!
Rebus, I saw your post about Killie/Jackie McGrory, and meant to send you a note… but has been a crazy week (although I did manage to get out and see a few concerts this week … Dianne Reeves and Del Amitri) ….Jackie was my uncle… first game I ever saw, he and Frank Beattie took me to Rugby Park. Dont remember much more, but it would have been ’72, I think.
Hope everyone is well.
Back to the ether.
If we qualify for Champions league proper we will need to sign midfielders and defenders.
What we have are versed in facing blooter and boot football and lack the game sense and nuances of quality European sides.
Our spaces are a little to large for us to compete with top Euro sides and we still lack that player who controls our movement and tempo..
We are relatively good on the ball especially in the forward area but without we still struggle against quality opposition.
Ange hopefully has a plan to sort this out and complete his rebuild.
A free flowing Celtic in Europe would be a beautiful sight.
Always going to be hard as our Scottish opponents are often poorly coached so do not force us to up our game and leave us no real need to fix our struggles without the ball.
MIT,
Good to see you posting. Frank Beattie was a giant for Killie. I think they named a stand after him.
Small world on Jackie McGrory!
Hope you are well.
I have not been to a concert in decades. The last one was in St John’s, NF when a benefit was held for the damages caused by Storm Igor. All of the acts gave their services for free to raise funds for those who lost their homes. All performers were from NF and you may like one in particular….Matthew Hornell and the Diamond Minds. You can find some of their stuff on Youtube. Matthew was a student in my International Marketing class, although his emphasis was on music not business. Upon grad, he left NF to go solo, but I think his best writing and performing was with the Diamond Minds.
The Once is also a good musical product from NF. They have their own take on many established hits but also write their own.
Buddywasisname is a long established group of ex teachers who are outstanding but maybe you need a translator for them!
Rebus
Bobby – aye you didn’t need his approval – he needed yours!!
Rebus67 did Leggy help with your Tax Return?
BTW very impressive dealing with it so soon after 5 April.
Bobby/Mahe – Is there a SC competition for first Tax Return of the year? If so what is the prize?
Rebus67 – thanks
The period I recall when trophies were being shared around was first half of 1980’s
Lots of competition and teams doing quite well in Europe. Game seemed healthy enough
Then something changed to alter … everything… Murray!!
Fitba has been in decline here ever since, with one notable exception around 2000
Mike in Toronto, my Philadelphia lawyer shall be in touch. Rufus T. Firefly, a formidable opponent. As for Ms Grogan she may make a separate writ against you for libel and slander. She told me so when she made my breakfast this morning.
BRB Dr Hugo Z. Hackenbush could help you if any medical matters arise in your case against MIT
Frodshambhoy, much obliged young fella but I have Otis B. Driftwood as back up to take on that Ontario ruffian.
BRRB
Better be careful, I am told that, Stephen Lironi, her husband of 25 years (and formerly the drummer for Altered Images) posts on one of the Celtic blogs! Given the SC connection to the present drummer … you better hope that Mr. Grogan isn’t on here! 🙂
I have heard that they are actually putting the band back together … CG, Lironi, John McElhone (bass player for AI, Hipsway and Texas)… plus Bobby Patterson (of Bluebells fame … a terrific songwriter…. his stuff with the Poems was also really good), and Bernard Butler (of Suede fame .. a great guitarist and nice bloke … happened to sort of have dinner – at table beside us, and we ended up chatting- with him and Ben Watt)… who was considerably less friendly) …. McElhone, Bobby Bluebell and Butler? that is some pretty good musical chops there! I’m looking forward to what they produce.
Oh dear. It seems that the cash-poor Huns, have been fined £35,000 by EUFA, as a result of their fans behaviour in Belgrade. Given their current financial plight, that’s gotta hurt. Do the Huns actually pay these fines? I guess one phone call to East Belfast can work miracles… allegedly.
Hail Hail.
Mike, oops Mr Lironi, it was a joke, honest. She’s still a doll though. Lironi? Was he not a mafia hitman?🤔
Magua, they haven’t paid feck all since the Queen’s coronation. Don’t know which Elizabeth it was though. 🤔
BRB
That was a belter. 😀
Hail Hail.
BRB just make sure he doesn’t try and use the sanity clause.
Because everybody knows ………….
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Gentlemen and ladies. Far too much levity and not enough gravitas on the blog today. Did Leggy find the false teeth he lost in Johnstone?
MIT, complete stab in the dark based on what you said earlier about your girl.
Is your real name Gregory?
REBUS67
I was at Frank Beattie’s testimonial match! I think we won 7-2. Cyberpint to anyone who knows the particular significance of that match?
BMCUW
Complete guess here. King Kenny’s debut?
Hail Hail.
You can bet, the biggest Tricolour you have ever seen, will be at Hampden in Sunday, velcro is a brilliant invention
Kenny scored 6 of the 7
Frodsham,
Is April 5 a cut off date for the UK? In Canada the cut off in the end of April, I hope!
A simple Rebus rule for tax returns, if you have to be creative, do so on expenses, never on revenue. The first can bet you a NO, but the second can get you the jail or a large fine.
Enjoying your new place?
Rebus
Frodsham
Ha! Not quite…but, according to my friends, not far off!
the year that film came out, I was 16 or so … 6’2″ and probably 160lbs!… so tall and skinny and gangly like Gregory … played centre forward for the school team …. and fell in love with Tammy, who was one of the star athletes at school (although, fortunately, not football!) … but enough similarities that my pals called me Gregory for years!
Evening all & Packy. Think I’ll go down to the chapel and get my feet washed.
Continuing with the concert theme, was anyone else at the 10CC gig last Friday in Glasgow?
Well, when I say 10CC I should probably say 2.5CC as only Graham Gouldman on the original 4 was involved. Musically, it was very good. If you closed your eyes the musicians involved recreated the original songs almost perfectly. I had been expecting a “tribute act” feel to the night so was pleasantly surprised.
Speaking of tribute acts let’s hope the ones performing at Ibrox tonight fluff their lines and GVB fails to get a decent tune out of them!
MAGUA
Close,but he’d appeared once or twice beforehand.
ASWGL wins the cyberpint!
jimthetim53 in holy water ?
HI JIM ,for your penance, 5 hail marys, 5 our fathers and a good act of contrition, another true story,LOL.
BMCUW
Cheers. 😀
Billy Bhoy
Here’s hoping it’s a long hard slog for them tonight, topped off with a defeat on penalties.
Hail Hail.
ASWGL, well if it’s a priest doing the washing I guess it will be holy water! 🙂