Hungover Hoops get it done
Day follows night, water is wet, team doesn’t sparkle after a European away trip,,just some of nature’s rules I guess. But, we won on the day. And if you had been offered the option of 3 points from 6 in Europe, plus remaining unbeaten in the league heading into the second International break of the season, I suspect you would have said ‘aye, that’ll do nicely’.
I personally feel this break is timely, it’s a good time to stop and refresh/take stock of things, it’s a good time for absolutely everyone involved to grab a breather because there’s so much football ahead and clearly we are not playing to our maximum level.
I admit I did not view the game live but only caught the highlights and read up here and elsewhere, but it’s the second time in a week that (most claim) Engels hasnt sparkled, and this worries me. After absolutely bursting upon the scene, two non events in a row is concerning, and this break allows him time away from the club, to enjoy his countrymens company. Call me paranoid, and I sincerely hope that’s all it is, but I have seen other big signings just decide ‘Scottish Football isn’t for me’, so I shall be keeping a very close eye upon young Arne upon club duties resumption.
Did Valle do enough to overtake Greg as starter? Honest question as I didn’t see the whole game, you tell me.
I note AJ both scored and provided an assist, I note Kuhn again did something of note. Along with Scales I have no hesitation calling that trio our most consistent players, those three always seem to cough up a 7 outta ten performance (or better) every week, but whilst I cannot see the EPL cone calling for the red-haired Irishman, I can see some being tempted to try and entice the other two. Funny that aint it? I call it the MacNamara effect, he will only play his best in the Hoops as that’s where his passion.
Last week I wrote that Trusty must get used to playing on the right, and giving up 8 in two games is not good news in anyone but our title rivals book, but by all accounts he was decent yesterday. Its ironic I know, but Ill ask you not to judge too early whilst asking you to judge early. Is Thelin a future Celtic manager? Let me know your thoughts below. Hes certainly made an impact, he certainly deserves being backed in January to cement finishing in the European slots.
The Dons are back with a bang alright, but the dreaded fixture computer has them coming to Parkhead next, just after the break when we are rejuvenated on paper. And just after a lovely little friendly fixture trip to Sligo, if a visit to the old country doesn’t make you happy then check your pulse. Thank you boardroom for helping them out and hopefully giving us first option on any future Hoops.
Glasgow Celtic visiting dear old mother Ireland should always be a big event, our mutual bond must never be allowed to corrode and any such attempts will begin over my dead body. Is there a man or woman here that does not recognize just how much the great Sean Fallon (RIP) gave to our beloved club? I’ll gladly answer on your behalf, on all our behalves, and state No,, Sean is a Celtic legend, and one of Sligo’s finest ever. It’s more than fitting that the famous Hoops visit his hometown, folk should never ever forget the sincere affection held within The Emerald Isle for ‘our’ club. Once there was two, now there’s only one, and united behind that one we are. Two nations, one team, where else would you get it?
Unique we are.
By Mahe
POTY competition sencelpoty@gmail.com
Emdy fancy a great night out? Just got this from a good friend,Frank,who many of you will already know either in person or as VFR.
Not sure if you know, but my wife Jacky came out of retirement a couple of years ago to run St Margaret’s adoption agency, the only Catholic adoption agency left in the UK. She now has it back on its feet after some significant issues.
I have been roped in as an Ambassador for the charity and one area I am looking at is fundraising. My big ticket item at the moment is a dinner dance we are running in the Kerrydale Suite on Friday 22nd November at 7:30. This is the first of what we intend to be an annual event to coincide with the Feast Day of St Margaret of Scotland, our Patron Saint (November 16th).
So as you can imagine, I have the begging bowl out! I am contacting like-minded people to see if they are willing to take a table for the event (or just some tickets). Individual tickets are £50 with the tables at £500. We are also looking for sponsorship for the event, ranging from £5k for the event sponsor down to advertising in the programme and on-screen on the night – ranging from £250 to £1000 depending on size and placement/regularity of the ads.
There will be a raffle and charity auction on the night, so we are looking for prizes and auction items for both of those. We may also look at naming tables and allowing some advertising on tables if there is an appetite for that.
So far we are on to our 3rd table for the troops.
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 a new charity has been chosen to take us through to the end of the year. A landslide vote in favour of
Lanarkshire Cancer Care Trust.
Once again,CHALMERSBHOY has done the spadework via JustGiving.
Here is the link for the Lanarkshire Cancer Care Trust,our new charity which we will support.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/sentinel-celts-1722588284471?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fsentinel-celts-1722588284471&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share
This drive has already raised well over £1000,so join in. The more,the merrier.
Default payment method seems to be ApplePay,which won’t suit everyone. There is an option on the page to change that to your preferred means.
A wee “heads-up” for the return of the SATURDAY NAPS Competition.
https://sentinelcelts.com/2024/10/06/saturday-naps-competition/
Please click on the link for details,and to register your interest.
And for a one-off Naps Competition at York next Saturday,kindly sponsored by D R M…
https://sentinelcelts.com/2024/10/06/the-yorker/
Again,please click on the link for details,and to register your interest.
Good Morning Mahe et al…
Agreed, the international break has come at a good time, a week earlier and we would have had it after defeating St Johnstone 0-5 in Perth and all the world is rosy…
We know now, what we knew before but had kinda forgotten, that this team is very much a work in progress.
An injury to a key player – CCV in this case and we are found wanting.
A change in personnel in midfield to match the opposition and things can quickly go awry.
Our “scoring” for fun, forward line can be stymied all too easily if the service from midfield is curtailed or they go head to head with a good (yet hardly top) defence.
You’ve asked some pertinent questions regarding this, so let me give you my take.
All the players we got in late in the transfer window to me are showing great potential yet need a lot of development and game time with their new team mates.
Luke McCowan it has to be said looks great in the Hoops and has certainly looked a comfortable player in the SPL
The three you specifically mention Engels, Trusty and Valle.
Valle has so much more potential than Greg, yet we know the wee ghuy will give you everything, however, unlike Scales who, like Taylor was regarded as a squad player and had improved and impressed, Greg he has a ceiling where his peak game is found wanting in our most challenging games.
Valle seems to rise to that occasion, while he needs conditioning and experience, there is no lack of potential and if the bhoy learns quick, and adapts, Greg will be the back up.
Trusty is a different proposition, he has the physicality, pace, experience to be a fixture in our defence, conceding the goal yesterday has nothing to do with him, the ball came in from our left and hit Scales on a flaying arm.
You have the feeling he will do much better on the left, so that gives our manager a headache when CCV comes back.
Engels to me is the real deal, a lot has been asked from him in the last four games and IF!? he has been found wanting it’s no lack of ability or desire.
If you look how BR&Co have developed James Maddison and Matt O’Riley in recent years, you must say the young Belgian whets the appetite, he has the potential to be better than both.
So what are our aims after the international break and before the end of January…
It is to play our nearest league rivals and be top of the league, it’s to win the league Cup and it’s to amass enough points in the UCL group stage to make the play-offs – hopefully rebuilding fortress Celtic Park in the process…
Well, we are certainly capable of doing all of the above, yet it is not a gimme and a lot of hard work and progress will have been made if we achieve all of that and the players you mention will be a lot better for the experience.
Agreed great to see the Club go to Sligo, USA in the summer, a trip to Ireland, we seem to be reconnecting with our roots, long may that continue.
Have A Great Day
Aff oot
Hail Hail
8 days is a long time in football. But along with skill, tactics, personnel etc, the other big factor is momentum and how quickly that can change in football, even within a game. (Just ask big ange).
Our runaway momentum since pre-season came to an emergency stop this week so the way yesterdays game panned out didn’t really surprise. However, the method of victory, resilience adversity might be just what we needed to get it going again. The celebrations for the winner said it all.
The new guys
Schmeichel….. Top keeper. Inspires confidence. MOTM for us in Dortmund which says it all.
Trusty……Jury out till we see him in his natural position
Valle…. Impressive. Moves the ball quickly often with one or two touches. Good accurate passer and can cross the ball. Looks more like a traditional left back/wingback than the inverted role Greg plays well. Not seen enough of his defensive abilities. Barca will sell him this year but with no option to buy it will be to the highest bidder which puts us in a catch 22 situation…
Engels…. That’s 3 games now he hasn’t impressed. He is only 20 in a foreign country. Big expectations. Might even still be looking for somewhere to live. (Who knows). He will come good. Give him time
McCowan …can’t think of anything he has done wrong. And a lot he has done right in his limited game time. Overshadowed by his more expensive counterparts in the transfer window but not on the field, he deserves a start.
Bernardo… very similar to last season. We know him already. Solid performer but with development potential to move up a level.
idah…..he is no kyogo. A different type of player and has done really well with impressive scoring stats as a sub. But usually after kyogo has run a defence ragged. Not sure he is a starter for me.
Good morning, friends.
Just like Celtic and Aberdeen, there are 2 players neck and neck for yesterday’s MOTM. You have until 9pm to influence the outcome and to make your opinions count. 3 players names please to SENCELPOTY@GMAIL.COM
Mahe
I would find the time to watch the whole game — it will offer some depth to your thoughts.
AV is so far ahead of GT as a football player that he is now lapping our ex Killie MF’er.
Raw as sushi AV might be but he has a fair bit of quality about him.
He will only get better on the park so he should be a starter.
Big issue regarding what we do next season.
But for now he is the man.
AE — tough crowd at the moment if your fears are real.
Young guy coming to new club without many experienced players.
MF with no structure / poor performance standards.
Difficult place to shine plus he is getting clogged.
He has the talent not sure we have the standards to drive him forward.
So to repeat — young guy / new club / difficult environment.
Give him time and space.
AJ — in contrast not great / very sloppy and took time to get up to speed.
LS — cocker spaniel defending / Windy Miller bodyshape.
Needs lots of detailed / involved coaching to become a starter — less energy / more nous.
He should be the apprentice in a good defence.
Not a stalwart in a work in progress.
NK — bit immature / got sucked in to a battle / bit greedy / left it late.
DM — finishing still his big weakness / seemed a bit distracted / needs to settle down.
AI — pretty poor / performance straight out of “Big Lump” productions / boot up the erse needed.
PB — much better game / no autographs on offer so looked much more effective.
26 Counties vs CFC — green tinted specs won’t help / not a big event.
Big in 4 or 5 counties — we need to do more / CL results will help.
SPFL opposition — curates egg springs to mind.
RC started slowly but gave us a game / took a while for us to play through their high block.
Our “Horseshoe of Doom” got 75 minutes / we need more through the middle.
StJ @ Govan — they only came alive when they were two goals down.
Some of their players looked as if they couldn’t be ersed with Sunday night football.
Inventing new ways to look lazy and give the ball away at every opportunity.
Win bonuses did seem to be on their agenda.
Not a good look for the SPFL.
Interesting stuff from the PO inquiry — CEO only wanted to work with young yes men.
Now where have I seen that vibe before?
PL — looking at you …
.
LMcC — needs to start.
Breath of fresh air to the team / squad.
He knows how hard / difficult football can be.
His play reflects that — get a chance take it as if it was your last.
I find it intriguing that when fans debate the midfield one player is always a guaranteed starter.
Hatate , Bernardo , McCowan and now Engels all have been muted for change.
And yet our defensive midfielder and captain is never suggested for moving position or sitting it out?
He is a poor defensive midfielder with little positional sense and can’t tackle yet is an automatic pick in that role.
While this is our default I can’t see any European improvement as it has been and is our Achilles heel.
Our inability to be patient and hold position in the vital central areas is glaring.
Dortmund had a free run all night at Trusty and Scales so result was predictable.
By the time Callum retires Europe might not be an option anymore.
I think Calmac saw the writing on the wall at the Euros, a quality level beyond him, hence his easy decision to retire so early.
He obviously bestrides the Scottish scene as his former Scotland midfield colleagues McGinn and McTominay would, and is very much club leader, therefore it is too impractical to set him aside in CL games, not least for team psychology reasons.
He is first name on the team sheet because his is the only voice that conveys leadership.
He carries that burden alone.
Our absentee landlord has commented on our Euro campaign thus far. Of course he delivered his musings from a golf course.
“I am very pleased. I think we have played good football. We had a good start and could have played bad football, but we have played very good and exciting football.
“Unfortunately we weren’t at our best on Tuesday, but I like what we are doing, what Brendan is doing and I think we have a good squad. I would like to see some good results, home results and maybe nick a point or two away.
“I think we have done exceptionally well so far. It’s interesting to play eight different teams, four at home and four away with all different rankings. I think it makes it exciting for the club, the supporters and people generally.”
Aye thanks for that Dermot, tugs forelock, but if i may be so bold and ask a question oh great mustachioed one, did you actually watch the game against Dortmund🤔 ‘Not at our best’ catch yerself on FFS😮
Fan
I agree
We have plenty of options for midfield. There is no need for calmac to play 50 plus games this year. In the SPFL he is an excellent fulcrum but needs a minder beside him if he is playing in Europe. A big feck off Wanyama type that can tackle and distribute and like you say hold position.
The problem is he isn’t required for the league we play in.
Fan,
Agree with you regarding Calum.
He has never been the defensive mid that we’ve being crying out for since Broony retired.
As much as I’ve been impressed with McCowan, I don’t see him as that player either.
We need one brought in during the next transfer window.
Squad management / squad development — why is it so haphazard?
Managers in and out / 3 years is an age — no time to plan?
Lack of youth over the past decade coming home to roost?
CMcG stepped up as captain 3 years ago because there was no-one else and we were desperate,
Same could be said of SMcM 15 plus years ago — thin pickings / no real alternatives.
We have a business plan based on two year stints — developing young players / moving them on.
Where will the next captain come from with this plan in motion and no youth.
The club as a football team is rapidly losing its identity.
He is first name on the team sheet because his is the only voice that conveys leadership.
Has it been mooted that he should be muted.
Apologies for that, I couldn’t resist.
The reason Calmac plays, and plays so often is due to the central defenders inability to take the ball from Schmeichel, or from a triangle with the full backs.
Their passing is laboured and clumsy(CCV an exception) so he is required to quarterback it out.
Further, as he is back trying to play triangles with our defenders, they often take too many touches, are closed down ( wouldn’t you ) and pass back to our Keeper. ( see BD debacle )
And carry it when needs be.
And get on the end of balls to shoot if the chance arises.
And keep it circulating against ten behind.
Not so long ago being lauded for backtracking determination and tackle.
We had a centre back who could do these things but I think he’s at some no mark club like Brentford.
CMcG forming passing triangles / quarterbacking …
In your dreams — he plays hide and seek in the shadow of the opposition CF.
Pointing / shouting where he wants the ball to go.
If only PMcS was 35 years younger we would have some team.
CMcG is still mobile / has a shot / got a step so he is credible as a left sided AM.
Pivot / DM anywhere not just the CL — not a chance.
Poor positioning / limited ability to tackle / no defensive smarts.
Can raise his game against Govan FC.
Very little else — if we played 4-4-2 then it might be different.
The criticism of Callum McGregor on here,absolutely baffles me, he’s the best player in this country by a mile
BB @ 12.58
CMcG in the NT — the NT performances / results have been poor.
CMcG in the CL — our performances have been poor.
He is just not a DM / pivot — never has been but we keep on trying to stick a round peg in a square hole.
It fits in the SPFL because the opposition is lacking.
Does not fit in the CL when we have to play average teams.
EuL collapse against BG still gives ne nightmares.
Bada
Havent seen anyone dispute that.
The point is whether he is the defensive mid we need in Europe
Best player in the country will always attract attention.
Comes with the high standard he sets himself.
Simply a brilliant Celt.
Grammar police and deflectors out in force.
No one saying he is a bad player but just pointing out he is not suited to position he plays.
That position has frequently been exposed in Europe and has contributed to our International decline.
Too Manny folk on here with Souness type views on CalMac. If you don’t think he’s a good player, you haven’t been watching Celtic for long.
He’s at the heart if every good performance, always has been this past 6/7 years. Does he have off days- yup. Is he a defensive MF – nope. Is the CL a big ask for him – yup , but it has been for bigger players and teams than him and Celtic this past decade.
He’ll be needing rested and ultimately replaced soon , but won’t need to Luke too far.
Madmitch @ 11:16 am,
“Squad management / squad development — why is it so haphazard?
Managers in and out / 3 years is an age — no time to plan?
Lack of youth over the past decade coming home to roost?”
Not wanting to sound like a broken record but for me the answer is fairly straightforward.
What looks haphazard from an outside observers perspective starts to make sense when you view things differently
Celtic’s squad; management, development and recruitment is not a football function, it is a business operation.
Each and every step is analysed and implemented from a business perspective, the footballing implications are either secondary, peripheral or even detrimental.
The fact remains football clubs get their income from a few sources…
Ticketing
Prize Money
Broadcasting
Merchandising etc.
Things like Stadium, administration maintenance and costs are an outgoings
As is manager, staff, player recruitment and wages.
A huge cost yet an important one is player recruitment, retention and wages.
However many sporting organisations who had policies to try to mitigate these costs by squad management – twenty or so years ago, actually tried to push the envelope and try to make regular income from player recruitment.
It is a bit of a minefield and various approaches have been undertaken with varying degrees of success.
After Rangers died fourteen years ago the Celtic businessmen seen a great opportunity, Celtic were so far ahead of their domestic competition, they could speculate on player recruitment and still be guaranteed winning the league, winning the league guaranteed European football.
So what seems from a footballing perspective as poor and haphazard player management, is actually a trading venture.
In this summer’s trading window we saw a change of emphasis and found a middle way between football squad management and business player trading.
It was the first time in twenty years, our squad looked properly managed and I believe will have commercial as well as footballing benefits in the medium and long term.
The manager is asking for further revisions.
Lets hope he gets them.
Hail Hail
Viewing thongs differently…
McCaff @ 2:31 pm,
Quite:))))
Now corrected…
Hail Hail
🤣
CB @ 2.23
Your account must have been hacked or you have recently visited Damascus?
You are seeing a plan where none exists.
So there can be no change to a plan that doesn’t exist.
1) Club strategy — DD never has to put his hand in his pocket for us ever again.
2) Club tactics / “business plan” @ PL and his flunkies — look busy / dig a few holes / keep the squad “happy” / pet agent on speed-dial / feed a few lines to your inter-web patsies / make sure No.1 is sorted.
You are seeing a “business operation” where none exists.
We are a football club not a G74 family business — even though PL gave it a good go.
CFC — last 20 years @ business development — amateur hour.
Only individual with half a clue was AP and he was our footballing manager.
Afternoon
First a gripe.
Mitch
Ditch the Liam Scales/ Cocker Spaniel patter. The first time you used it was neither insightful nor remotely amusing and it has not improved with repeated use. Currently I am suffering from mild toothache , sinusitis and a blocked left ear and this canine reference is making all 3 worse.
I am not a great fan of the raw as sushi simile either- possibly due to its overuse (by many) a couple of years ago on a different blog when Moritz Jenz was strutting his, occasionally impressive, stuff. As it is I am not sure that it quite applies to Alex Valle who played around 30 games for Levante in Spain’s second tier last season and so far looks an unexpectedly polished player given his youth- our best left back since Tierney. Mind you Bernabei looked pretty good in his first few games before his form deserted him after a bizarre VAR intervention in a game against Dundee United just under 2 years ago. We shall see.
As we will with Auston Trusty and Arne Engels. The American has failed to impress pretty much anybody to date and may be close to being a figure of ridicule for some. The best I can say of him is that I thought that as the team improved during yesterday’s second half so did he. Engels’ arrival was a terrific boost and whilst he looked impressive as he strode across the grass as well as being good at taking penalties in his first few games we may have overestimated the worth of his contribution- although watching him at McDiarmid Parking he did impress me more than he impressed those watching on TV. However, domestically at least Bernardo looks a better player but then the Portuguese did not look much until 3 or 4 months into last season. Brendan R is not the worst coach in the world- although he seems less tactically flexible than 6-8 years ago- so I am not giving up on either of these players yet.
Anyway enough of my gripes and banal observations. I’d probably prefer to retire to a darkened room but instead have to work
Jimbo
Johann Neeskins RIP
J67 @ my sympathies x 3
LS defends with far too much energy — CS vibe is very insightful.
Any CF with half a judo gene has left him on his erse far too easily.
Still learning — late to the game / CB is a slow burn position.
AV — looks a very promising footballer before you get to his LB potential.
AT — I think you are being hard on him / late to the party and part of an WIP defence.
AE — he is being clugged on a regular basis / the Euro dimension must have been a shock.
Plus AI at CF stifles our movement and I think he needs it to find space.
Still learning / long way to go / keep the faith.
PB — currently a tourist at the top level in the CL / others were poor but he was lost.
Starting to do stuff / run the game in the SPFL / get up to speed with the physicals.
However his BD performance was up there with the worst I have ever seen.
BD working the ball — he just got out their way / danced around them.
CB @ 2.23
PL has been pulling recruitment strokes / trying to pull recruitment strokes since 2006.
just a case that he isn’t very good and moves onto his next cunning plan all too quickly.
2005.5 — Bosmans.
2006 — Young talent was the original plan.
Ended up with TG from RM / JJ / A.N. Other — average 28 and 3/4’s
Baldrick CSC vs Adrian Mole CSC — discuss !?!.
I really enjoyed the RC game. It was not a great performance by Celtic but still it made for an exciting game. RC worked their socks off and will feel aggrieved that they got nothing from the effort.
Celtic are not as good a team as we thought and hoped for…simple as that. None of the front three(four) can score consistently against good opposition. We have several good midfielders but not a good midfield unit. One FB is playing injured, the other is finding his feet(quickly). One CB is out of position and the other relies on guts, which I admire.
Suppose we bring in a defensive mid, who drops out? The 11 million signing, the captain, or one of McCowan, Hatate, Bernardo? It has to be one of the latter, unless Engels flatlines. If we replace one of McC, H, or B, then a big part of the creativity goes. Otherwise, we change out of a 433. Can you see that happening?
McCowan does not have the pace nor the tackling to be a DM. He is a creative player.
Frankly, we bought ourselves into a dilemma.
Valle will go on to be a star. I have no doubt of it. His ball control is superb and he was raised in the pass and run Barca school. I wish his teammates would reward his runs. The ball will transition much faster.
On the positives, several players have improved their game sense this season, including Maeda, Calmac, Kuhn, Johnson.
All in my opinion, of course,
Rebus
Jimbo,
Get well soon. Like your observations.
Congrats to all who post thoughts on the games and players. It takes guts, laying it out there, especially if it differs from my own 😂
Rebus
Rebus 67
Thanks for good wishes.
Re your lengthy post re midfield I would add that for quite a while our midfield has been, physically, lightweight. I really like Hatate and his midfield bud O’Riley on the ball but off it they are/were pretty poor- get into midwinter and they were not good against breengy Scottish type players. I have hopes that Arne E and/or Paulo B might be more assertive but as with our new defenders we’ll just have to see what happens. Kind of irritated that supporters at large ( as well occasionally here) decide on the value players so soon if very early impressions are unfavourable and never change their minds- I am sure some folk in 2004 would still denigrate Henrik L because of that pass to Chic Charnley
Jimbo
Jimbo,
I have been guilty of rush to judgement. This blog has made me more aware of this particular shortcoming. I recall writing off the original John Hughes, then a very young CF, only to witness some standout performances in sannies from the LW 🤡
I remember that pass by Larson and the goal. Thank for jogging the memory box on Chic Charnley….what a player on his game!
A Jim Morrison type of personality. I had a touch of that before I met my future(the Rebusette)!
Rebus
BAD
“best player in the country”
talk about being damned with faint praise!
but, as the old saying goes, in the land of blind, the one-eyed man is king.
🙂
All joking aside…. do I think Kyogo could fit in at Man City as a back up striker? Yes. His age and problem shoulder might mean it doesn’t actually happen … but do I think he has the game and the hunger to succeed there? Yes.
Do I think Calmac could play in Man City’s midfield? No, I dont.
Had Calmac stayed in England after Notts County and developed there, maybe.
The key difference between the two is that Kyogo thinks the game quicker than Calmac does. And that is often the difference between guys who have talent, and those who can make it to the top.
Not going to criticize anyone for staying at home and not wanting to leave for work … some people want to be close to family. I just never had the sense that Calmac had the fire in his belly. I think he was comfortable being a big fish in a small bowl. Again, his choice, which he had ever right to make, and doesn’t need to justify …. but, I do think that the decision to stay at Celtic meant that he never realized anything close to his full potential.
Mike
If I had been lucky enough to play for Celtic, I’d have been more than happy to stay my whole career.
I’m assuming some of your football heroes made that very decision.
Maybe Callum is just happy? And who can argue with that??
Best of luck to the wee man ..
BAD
As I said, I think he is one of the few Scottish players over the last few years, who had the skill to play at a higher level …but he was never going to develop into that level of player by staying at Celtic …
but I’d never criticize someone for being content to stay in Scotland/wanting to be close to family, or whatever his reason was. And, even with staying at Celtic, he has worked at a level higher than 99% of us will achieve in our respective careers. So, all power to the kid.
I just dont think he was ever the guy to build a team around. He was never a deep lying midfielder/ QB, any more than he was a left back. He is an attacking mid…nothing more. Nothing less.
Rebus 67
Big Yogi ? A mere 53 years after he left us, still a player who divides opinion in my wider family. One uncle can say ‘Mbappe reminds of big Yogi’ and mean one thing and another can say the exact same thing but mean the exact opposite.
I thought he was terrific when I was a wee boy I might add.
Jimbo
Mike…typical oxymoronic lawyer-speak! Of course he was never gonna develop into the player you describe. Not when the structures of the game here, the level of competition in this League or the constrictions placed on the Club by the PLC. But maybe Calmac thought he would be able to help the Club, and his teammates and his managers to be better than they might be otherwise. Of his generation he is a shining light and, as you suggest, how many of us would be happy to have even a small portion of his success in our own chosen paths! Added to all of that he has been an outstanding Captain and Ambassador for our Club.
Superbru Round 7 update
This week’s set of fixtures seems to have been collectively difficult to predict, resulting in a very compressed field, a low points total to win and a huge load of punters contesting and narrowly avoiding bottom spot.
The top performers this week, saw a few mid-table residents given a chance in the spotlight.
1= Disco Deek, hairlikespaghetti & SFTB- all on 7 pts
2= Slick71, Auldheid, Apple, Hamiltontim, mckenna_88 & Raploch bus- all on 6.5 pts
at the bottom, we had
58th= Call me Gerry, fitbabhoy, Gutenberg, 18 yard Man, Johnny the Tim, Pannysbhoy, Mouldy67, Chalmersbhoy, Koln Celt, Belmont Brian 63 & Hot Smoked- all on 2.5 pts
But… managing to limbo under this low bar, we had….
69th- BMCUWP- 2pts
70th- kelvinbhoy- 1 solitary pt- If it was Philippe Clement he’d be celebrating that.
The overall picture is now:-
And those with a lust for wooden spoons are:-
67th- An Tearmann- 30.5 pts
68th= Jonny the Tim & maccargo- 29.5 pts
70th- BelmontBrian63-on a mere 27 pts- outperforming every competitive dunderheid in the field
We are now entering a boring fitba period but a fractious blogging time with the International Break. Superbru returns on 19th October with an unheard of five SPFL Premiership kick offs at 3 pm with Sevco due to lose to Killie on Sunday 20th (inside info from BelmontBrian there- so just bet what you can afford!😀)
mike,
If, as you say, Callum is getting played out of position, that’s a lot of managers (With vast experience between them) who keep making the same mistake over and over by playing him there. And it’s not like it is just Celtic managers, all his international managers have done the same.
I genuinely think he is the only player in the country who is capable of doing what he does.
A quite brilliant Celtic servant.
“Of course he was never gonna develop into the player you describe. Not when the structures of the game here …”
Exactly my point when comparing him to his former Scotland colleagues who compete in superior leagues.
A player we are lucky to have in a third tier league.
He plays as directed.
McCaff
If I”m not mistaken, Calmac has the ‘distinction’ of winning the most (5) trebles of any player in Scottish history.
Have you ever seen the film Bull Durham? Kevin Costner plays an aging baseball player who, except for a brief cameo in the majors, played his entire career in the minor leagues. As he approaches the all-time record for minor league home runs, his club wants to celebrate his accomplishments, but he resists, saying that being the minor league home run leader would be a ‘dubious honour’.
BAD
Given that one of these experts is the only coach in CL history to conced 7 goals in a CL game more than once (a feat BR has achieved several times), I’m not sure an appeal to authority is as solid an answer as it should be.
but given that a manager I rate, AP, shares your view, I admit that it may not be as clear cut as I think either …..
truth usually is somewhere in the middle
Just Saying
as the old saying goes, in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king ….
One last push before the International Break which doesn’t officially start until the latest MOTM results are out. 90 minutes to vote, please. SENCELPOTY@GMAIL.COM