SENTINELCELTS

Our metal will be tested (pardon the pun) at Fir Park, but there’s plenty of reasons to be op-TIM-istic ahead of this clash.

The Italian Stallions never mounted us, the one time back-up duo of Trusty n’ Scales (sounds like a rave dj) have grown together and have really good defensive performances in them as Wednesday proved, plus Kyogo should be pretty fresh tomorrow having only played almost a half of football in 8 days. The fact that Ralston (if needed), Bernardo and Luke can immediately step in gives me piece of mind although I wouldn’t mind another that contends, ala Kelly.

Kelly leads me to Engles, and it’s at this stage I must hold my hands up, please forgive me. I constantly mention him, place him on my personal player cam, and of course publicly discuss his contribution.
I’ve decided to stop the game by game commentary, because he’s only 21 and still finding his feet. I’ve recently watched many of this squad if not all produce their finest form in the Hoops long after being initially signed, it’s unfair of me to constantly bring up Arne just because he cost more than the rest. From this moment I endeavor to ask myself, does the player warrant his place in the starting 11 based on todays performance fullstop. I think we collectively need to judge after he has fully settled and matured into his role, for instance many praised Bernardo on Wednesday, it’s taken over a year for him to reach the stage that most believe he’s starter material. Almost 18 months after signing we are looking at this guy saying what a player, I would like the same courtesy paid to Arne. His pricetag must not become a burden, and I’ll spearhead that cause if you don’t mind.

Greg is back training, as is Big Cam, but I lean towards letting Wednesday nights defense stay together for tomorrow’s clash. I would rest one or two central midfielders, giving Cool Hand Luke his first start plus possibly have Bernardo in from the off. Personally I would like the game won in the first half to get Kuhn and Maeda off at half-time for Yang and Forrest respectively, but visiting Fir Park doesn’t tend to be a straight forward waltz to victory. Should we make it so, I’ll notch that down to team progression, always a good thing. There’s signs of progression is our results if not necessarily every single match performance, we haven’t been sparkling as of late, so it shall be intriguing to see if the Italian Job brings a confidence boost to our league campaign.

Looking at all the weekends fixtures there’s several tasty clashes including a derby, but no matter what happens the top 2 shall remain in situ.
One hopes they both extend the gap at the summit for excitement sake. If Aberdeen win their next two fixtures (and they should be favourites being at home), it’s my belief their board will sanction significant strengthening in January.
It’s their biggest week yet, beating the Tangerines will not only help carry their momentum into their midweek R2ngers game, it would also mean being heavily favoured to finish in one of the Top3 spots bringing European football and it’s extra income.

I would also suggest other goings on should have the Ibrox boardroom worried. The new Hearts manager was hand selected by Tony Bloom using his specific method of data analysis. He got a lot more right than wrong using that method, it won’t be long before they get better, I believe he might see them as a feeder club of sorts to blood those of interest in every department.
If that rich bloke invests in Dundee United the best players from his other clubs will join the SPL and the shop window for the big spenders down south, which I believe is his goal. If Keano gets the Easter Road gig anything could happen. Throw in the good job Robinson has done, MacInness making Killie no walkover,,,and one might say these are exciting times for the SPL and R2ngers automatically coming 2nd before a ball is kicking is becoming less and less of a given. Anyone watching Man United’s slide to mid table obscurity should understand that being big does not win you games.
Various boardrooms could very well outmaneuver the perennial runners up such is their quality or lack of it.
This is where my paranoia starts because I have a sneaky feeling that Tony Bloom will be breeding potential Brighton managers up north, and if Critchdale et al are looking well at Hearts, he would encourage them to move to R2ngers considering it a rung up on the ladder. Better preparation for the Brighton job than Hearts etc etc.

We shall see, but my point is that the SPL always held the potential of genuine competition and excitement, recently there’s been significant steps towards that. The better the competition gets, the better Celtic get which is obviously a benefit in Europe.The more genuine competition there is keeps the turnstiles turning and maybe turning more often on matchday, more revenue to improve with. Perhaps most importantly, the better the league gets the better the TV money, in theory at least. I can envisage a scenario which has four teams battling it out each season  for the second place slot every year. It might be closer than you think.

The comments regularly bring up the empty seats when Celtic play away, but Aberdeen are the perfect example how that can easily switch with some real supporter interest,,9k in July upto 19k and a bit versus the Jambos two weeks ago. Their next two games are more than likely sold out, and they bloody should be, I’d go myself if convenient for they will be interesting viewing. If they can do that, without costing the world, then anyone can. The 1st ten games of a Roy Keane lead Hibs will be a sellout, and Critchley will have Hearts playing attacking football ala Brighton.
The more news regarding managers,investment and boardrooms, the better, because fresh faces with fresh ideas will only help the SPL and by association our beloved club. The league needed freshening up, and people like the Dundee United investor, Tony Bloom, the Yanks at Aberdeen, and especially Roy Keane, simply couldn’t give a f#@k about R2ngers sense of entitlement to that second placed slot never mind first.
I’ve dissed the SPL plenty of times for various reasons, but I’ve gotta point out these are exciting times in Scotlands top flight for it’s in a state of flux with expectations up for realignment on many fronts.
Long may this continue.

Not only that but the long awaited Independent Regulator for UK football looks inevitable now, with supporters involved in some capacity or other, imagine that!? More interest, competition, investment alongside more supporter input?
Each aspect hurting the Ibrox mob and putting nails in the coffin of the Old Firm.
Sounds good to me.

By Mahe sentinelcelts@gmail.com