Let The Games Begin!
Morning,all.
It’s here! At last,the start of the new season. Seems like an eternity,but it’s only been ten weeks. Go figure. In their wisdom,the SPFL and Sky have colluded to have us play on the late show on Sunday afternoon,with only St Johnstone v Aberdeen to play after us on the Monday night.
In fairness,Sky regard Sunday 430 as their prime slot. Probably think they are doing us a favour,but I’m sorry,that is not prime time for us in Scotland. That would be a Saturday at 3pm,or at worst a lunchtime ko on the Saturday or Sunday. Bloody graveyard shift for us lot!
Celtic unfurl the latest title-winning flag with the capable assistance of one Jim Craig. As a Lisbon Lion,and serial winner during his time at Celtic,I hope he receives the warm and hearty applause that such a legendary status deserves. I’m sure that he will.
As too,I am sure that the manager and the players will be warmly applauded for their efforts last season to land that title in the first place. They deserve every piece of it,that’s for sure. Every handclap,whoop and holler. A title as hard-won as any I can remember,and quite a few of them haven’t exactly come easily.
With most of last season’s personnel still in situ,we know that the applause will be merited,and directed towards the right people. Of course,I expect that certain people in the plush main stand seats will decide that it is they who deserve the applause,but there are always misguided people in life. Just a pity that so many of them are in positions of power at Celtic Park.
Once the celebrations have calmed down and the pitch is cleared,I’d expect a decent game of football to break out. We know from last season that Kilmarnock are no mugs,and no friends of ours either. McInnes always has them well drilled,defending deep,and hitting on the break. Hitting us too,every chance they get. And with Don Robertson in the middle and Greg Aitken on VAR,I think the officiating will likely pick up where it left off last season.
There might well be a new referee’s boss in Willie Collum-and I wish him well-but we should remember that he commanded little respect from his peers in the past,and I can’t see things changing much now that he is in control. Expect to see him doing a lot of fire-fighting in his new role,as the current refs just carry on regardless.
Meanwhile back at the ranch,Celtic are unlikely to have Alistair Johnston available,still recovering from his international exploits over the summer. (Made it into the Copa America team of the tournament,I might add. Well done,that man.) That will probably mean Tony Ralston starting the match for us. He’ll be the first to tell you that he isn’t AJ,but he’s a very capable and dependable alternative,and I hope he shows us what he’s got.
The rest of the defence will pick itself,as will CalMac,Reo and Matt in midfield. Upfront,I expect Maeda-if fit-and Kuhn on the wings with Kyogo through the middle. One thing about our wretched signing policy,it makes it easier to forecast the selection!
I hope everyone who attends the match tomorrow has an absolute ball,treats it as a carnival,a wee day of celebration. But the real work,with probably more than 50 matches,lies ahead and begins when Robertson blows his whistle at 430pm. I’ll be watching with the Swindon Shamrock CSC,and we will all be hoping for three points. It’s all we can ask for.
Enjoy it. I suspect there may be some white knuckle moments ahead.
<><><><><>
Above article by BMCUWP
Link to the CHALMERSBHOY Beat the bookie challenge.
https://sentinelcelts.com/2024/08/03/chalmersbhoy-beat-the-bookie-challenge/
Please register your interest via the link.
Predictions for Mahe…
1 – Celtic, Aberdeen, Ragners
2 – Celtic
3 – Celtic
4 – Kyogo
5 – Kyogo
6 – Kuhn
7 – 7
8 – 4
9 – Hatate
10 – 2
As you will all know,the site finally nominated a charity to be the recipient of the generosity and largesse of yourselves,and I think you all deserve huge applause for raising just short of £2k.
⭐️👏☘️👍🍾
That period has passed,and it is time to nominate our next deserving cause,with four to choose from. Simple enough,make your choice and post that on here.
Here’s your list of nominated charities,please make your selection by 2359 Sunday.
Lanarkshire Cancer Care Trust
Transverse Myelitis UK
Cancer Research UK
MacMillan Cancer Support
Please vote for your preference by 2359 on Sunday. Thanks.
Auldheid @ 10:40 pm,
No memeballs from me, not yet anyway as I haven’t read all your stuff yet:))
The fact remains does it not, that prior to January 2023 you assured us that you had spoken to people ITK and that Big Pedro definitely wasn’t coming back as Chairman.
We’d had an AGM a few months earlier and nothing was said about who the new Chairperson was going to be.
If you and many others had assurances that Big Pedro wasn’t coming back, and if I remember correctly, you stated this info was coming from Dublin.
Why could that not have been the view of some Celtic hierarchy, could it be that Peter Lawwell wasn’t everyone’s choice at Celtic as the new Chairman?
Why is it impossible that they were out maneuvered and the Celtic PLC went down the conventional route of the Board deciding who the new Chairman was going to be.
That Board has been in place ad infinitum and had been more than happy with Peter Lawwell as CEO.
He had many friends and associates among the Board.
Why is it so impossible to believe they had kept their hand’s close to their chest and utilised the articles of association to ensure it was they and not the major shareholder who selected the Chairperson.
Hail Hail
Excellent lead BMCUWPS…
Interesting on Collum, I think he may surprise a few…
If he can get Scottish Football Officials out of the dark ages, who knows!?
Hail Hail
Another month started with no new signings in bar 2 goalies ,and a player we had last season absolutely disgraceful. Our fans seem to be getting a bit up in themselves thinking this season is going to be a breeze . For all thats said about him on celtic blogs the bewco boss is no dummy .,he is weeding out what he doesn’t want ,and bringing in men he does , money or no money he is bringing in new players and they are not all donkeys as some fans on the blogs think .a 6ft 3 inch centre back who could play without a ball .hatate, oreilly , mcgregor kyogo will be delighted by that ,not . Ideal for newco to punt high balls into our back post . Scunnered with it every new season
Good morning, friends. Let the games begin right enough!
Not one for predictions, mainly because i never get them right…but here goes
1: Celtic, Aberdeen Hearts
2: Celtic
3, Aberdeen
4, Kyogo
5, Kyogo
6, Alistair Johnston
7, 10
8, 7
9, Kuhn
10, 2
CHAIRBHOY
I wish Collum every success. Honestly,I do. But I think that he is up against it.
Perhaps the return of the real thing will provide some interesting topics rather than the repetitive “where’s the signings?”.
Looking forward to watching the football again in positive company.
Four weeks til the window closes.
The gloom merchants and naysayers are generally those who didn’t believe last season that the league was there to be won.
Doubters then, doom-mongers now.
Patience folks.
Auldheid 12.24am
From previous blog.
An interesting tale, and I get your message. It has no doubt served you well down the years.
I’m a believer in we find clarity in our lives if we search for it. I don’t need a reference book, biblical or otherwise, to guide me. Nor do I feel the requirement to proselytise.
I’m not suggesting that is your intention, but referencing your work suggests you want to share what you have learnt.
The human condition is so diverse that not everyone has the interest or intention of looking within.
Not all seek reasons for why we are, what we are and do what we do.
Therefore what you describe works for you and others so inclined. A means to understanding but it is no panacea.
Infinite patience I get.
There’s not enough of it around. See above.
Perhaps by Aug 30th it’ll produce some results.
We’ll see, as you might say.
Bmcwp
Lanarkshire cancer care trust is my selection for this period. When will we be informed of details for contributions.
I think the main reason we are playing Sunday is the fact Kilmarnock had an away game in Europe on Thursday. 4.30pm is a total inconvenience for anyone travelling any distance though.
Once again shows the dgaf attitude toward supporters. From that aspect it could be a long season.
Lets pray we can overcome Killie injury free.
Bring it on…..,
AULDBHOY67
I’ll announce the winner on Monday morning,and the site should be up and running for donations shortly afterwards.
OK Auldheid, or you could say that maybe Dom McKay came in and didn’t mess about and wanted the club to be “world class in every field” his own words.
If I’m not correct PL showed him the ropes for a couple of weeks and this is were he sees the club are a small provincial outfit.
So celtic are still dragging out the Eddie Howe chase and he tells DD about a guy in Japan he seen while he was there. DD authorises AP approach and in comes Ange, straight after PL has left the club. These are all facts, the timeliness shows this.
AP then tells Dom who he wants, and Dom doesn’t mees about and gets them signed. Kyogo, Starfelt, Joe, Abada Juranovic, Georgios. We also get in Jota and CCV.
Remember celtic had made some signings pre AP
Scales, McCarthy, Shaw, Urhodhide and AP tried them in pre season.
I would go in the complete opposite direction, maybe it shouldn’t take a month to get signings over the line if you are world class in every field.
During the 72 days of Dom he also signs of on our January incoming and on the first day of the transfer window and even before that we announced
Matt, Daizen, Reo. Arron.
So tell me again about budgets.
* Are they good enough ?
* Are they within our price bracket ?
* Will they fit the system ?
* Do they fall within the wage structure?
Aye, Aye, Aye, Aye right go get them, make them feel wanted, make them feel great about themselves don’t haggle over a grand a week to make them doubt their own ability.
For me I think you are being a board apologist and making excuses for not getting in who the manager wants, this window and in the last. Did PL not say its hard to sign players in January sitting on a £70 million pot.
So no I’m sorry but your assessment of the situation is way off the mark, if you really believe that MN our CEO is the man for the job you are being played. He is a puppet for PL you can nearly see PL’s fingers working him every time he speaks. That’s right I have never heard or seen him speak.
Small minded, no ambition, lack integrity and is killing our great name.
That is PL’s legacy and it showed clearly when he wasn’t in the building.
New season and the exuberance of winning the preseason cup has already turned to a mix of excitement and nerves.
Excitement at getting the type of goalie who could be worth 2 to 3 goals to us in Europe, who can pass direct to midfield and wings without pfaffing about at the back and giving us a whole dynamic way of playing.
Excitement at the new CL format.
Excitement to see if Iwata Kuhn and possibly Holm have all improved on last year.
Nerves that we will lose Matt. Possibly Reo if release clauses are met. Kyogo changing his agent mid window isn’t a good sign.
Nerves of the unknown. Clemente getting rid of our high earning perennial loser friends and starting all over again with 8 new signings. Let’s hope they don’t gel.
Nerves at the recruitment strategy that has served us so abysmally in Europe over the years.
i have no idea if we are 4 weeks from exuberance, indifference or disaster in our final squad.
Brendan has listed the league and qualification from the CL as his two objectives this year. That’s one more than the board I fear.
I don’t recognise Kilmarnock as well drilled and hit on the break.
All behind the ball, those at the front will take turns to foul Celts with little penalty.
They’ll launch it later on if still in it.
Like Jim Craig’s story of when he had to sit his final dental exam.
Was on a Saturday and Celts had an away game ( Dundee I think).
Jim asks Big Jock if he can be left out.
Jock said no way, do it another time.
And he had to !
Best of luck to all of us for the coming season.
There will be bad decisions, injuries, great football, grinding wins, grinding reversals, continuous hope and some sort of glory.
There will be rain, wind and cold but mostly rain.
Support the team, support each other.
testing
I’m sick of this Board, get rid of Every single one of them.
Just better than the huns……..
Paying a Premium price for European games. Get out of my club parasites. Dermot and his acolytes F right off.
BMCUWPS @ 8:58 am,
Yes, he could well be a patsy after Nick DeMarco KC kicked their butt…
But still an opportunity
We’ll see the guys true mettle…
Hail Hail
Collum has always been part of the problem, so he will never be a solution
I vote for the charity Leggy proposed
Pitymevin
August 3, 2024 9:42 am
Great post . We badly need shot of our golfing landlord , his henchman and the rest of the dummy board .get someone of dom mckay’s pedigree in , we let a guy with a working system go too easily .Big mistake , massive mistake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq7JSic1DtM
I’m Madeleine Albright (not a big fan) on this wan.
This isnae Monday, at least I’m alive!!!
Melons?
Sevco didn’t want Collum to referee any of their games. As referees boss he will longer be in charge of their games.
Sevco have got what they wanted.
Bobby my choice of charity this time is leggys nomination. As you know we have arcas over here on arran which provides the same service for us islanders and over the last couple of years I couldn’t have managed without their help and kindness.
Chairboy
Cannot say I share your optimism over Collum.
Poor Wullie perfectly understands what’s necessary to have a successful career in Scottish officialdom.
He has been more than helpful in ensuring he demonstrates willingness to follow Lanarkshire ref guidelines in being less than impartial when refereeing Celtic!
It’s in my opinion that this is the SFA using Collum’s religion as a ruse to continue the same agenda.
He has shown that he is a willing participant in the cheating.
Celtic Champions Again SS3
Superbru Update
With the late addition of A thing of Beauty and Cosy Corner Boy, we are up to 69 participants at the starting line and all have made their predictions without a last minute reminder. With such crowded field I don’t want too fast a start to the first fence and I hope that enough of you are predicting a win or a draw for Baldemort’s B****ring B***ards, to leave me and the Anyone But Sevco punters a clear lead at the start. It may be the last time Friesdorfer and I get to be in the lead.
Seriously, big thanks to everyone that entered and I hope you all support our Last Man Standing Competitions when they start, as we reduced the fund raising element of Superbru to leave you some funds to take part in these important fund raising competitions.
For anyone who has entered and has not contributed the £10 entry fee, you can pay the entry fee as below (recipients of funds raised will be announced soon and 50% of entrance money will go to prize money):-
Details of how to pay to the Walk With Shay account are:-.
By cash in person to CRC at Celtic Park (CQN Corner)
By bank transfer to
Account name: Walk With Shay
Account number: 15326765
Sort code: 80-22-60
Bank: Bank of Scotland
Ref: Enter your name or moniker (not CQN predictor, as we cannot identify you!)
By paypal to walkwithshay@yahoo.com (please send as gift, so prize money pot is not diminished by paypal charges).
Good luck to all. Whether you have a season of Magnificence, Misery or Meh! in the table, there is a good chance that, with 38 gameweeks, every dog can have his day, even Friesdorfer, Belmont Brian and The Lurkin Tim.
Fan @ 11:00 am,
Well yes, you’d have thought so…
Having eyes in the back of your head is a great plus in that environment
Just being opTIMistic, he may go Churching up and see the light….
Hail Hail
For Jim Craig, a small reminder of what he and his team-mates faced in Lisbon on the 27th May 1967.
And this is there Honours flag, prior to Lisbon. A great footballing side that was used to winning…
Haha 25th May 1967. Nurse, quickly memory alert!
No ‘new’ outfield players with a couple of weeks before the window closes but don’t worry Celtic & Adidas are about to tempt you into parting with another £80. Yet another shirt being released Aug / Sept. They really have no shame.
I expect Celtic to retain the Title, but I also expect further challenges to this team from all quarters. Not that I mind as we usually respond well to said challenges. We still lack quality in all areas to take us to the next level, so we best be prepared for some tough games ahead, home and abroad .
I trust BR to deliver.
Jimtim, they didn’t let him go, they chased him. Never had a chance with PL’s boot licking cohorts still in office. No doubt reporting everything back to their old boss even though he was retired.
Next thing you know his lackie lawyer, who no doubt played his part in killing Res12, gets the gig.
And round and round we go. Only £100 million in the bank and still FSR nonsense getting spouted.
Hail, hail the shareholders are here, get my fucking dividend, pay me before we start to spend.
Pitymevin @ 9:42 am,
Great post Ange and Dominic completely changed Celtic’s recruitment to great effect.
The fact that we are hearing the pre A&D excuses being rolled out again is cringeworthy…
Hail Hail
Every Board Member should be Removed right now.
Scandalous——-
100 Mill
An annoying voice is Good.
Hearts squad much stronger than last season
I was watering the garden as next door came out with hertz gear on and off to the match. Wish us luck, you wouldn’t need luck if your managers tried a leg against them, I said !
I think it will be the usual stuff from Hearts
Bmcwp
Your first up
Get your selections in before 1.30 please.
Just off golf course so will catch up soon.
HH.
You know how we waved Swedish flags for Henrik and a the Japanese one for Kyogo etc;- is there any evidence of Sevco fans showing their love for Diomande by waving the flag of his country?
I had coffee with Jim Craig once with the SFM host who worked with Jim on CTV.
Lovely chap even though he told me to shut up once!
Not a unique experience I can tell you.
Ducks back.
Motherwell
Ayr
Livingston
Spartans
🤞🙏🏼
Well after 13 minutes the news is ….that the hun defence is just as bad as last year !
Bmcwp
Only 3 teams
Please post on appropriate page 😁
Chalmersbhoy – Is there a link available for the charity, how to donate?
HH.☘️
Hearts should be 3 up plus hit the bar but, you know Sevco are going to score with their first attempt.
Both teams wide open.
Back to the Olympics.
HH