SENTINELCELTS

It seems Brendan Rodgers reads the blog, either that or he just decided to make me look like a sage, for Saturdays game played out exactly like the earlier article laid out.

From the very first whistle we were at it, which pleases me no end because our penchant for a slow start has given others ideas of a chink in the armour.
Attack, attack, attack was the order of the day and boy did we ever. Our speed was frightening, cutting through the Dons at rapid pace with off-the-ball runners causing chaos particularly the two first choice wingers of Kuhn and Maeda although Kyogo also deserves a mention for his work. When this team is firing on all cylinders no one in Scotland and some in Europe just cannot live with us, and so it proved with an absolute avalanche of goals, five from the forward line and one from central defense, including a hat-trick to cement Maeda as Man Of The Match. That’s a bit unfair really because everyone played their part on the day.
It worked out perfectly on the day with the starters winning the game, and then plenty of subs to get some legs rested ahead of Tuesdays big match against Ze Germans.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why we were so fired up. First of all it’s the trophy we dropped last year, and secondly the opposition deserved a doing. I take it all back, the New Firm isn’t better than the Old Firm, they are a bunch of thuggish pricks pardon my French, and I include their manager. And their supporters for the game delaying smoke plus endearing themselves to hard men football. Their physical approach even drove the normally placid Brendan to get extra animated and confront Thelin, he even got a yellow card, aye they thoroughly deserved that tanking.

Selection wise, it’s harsh to drop Scales who had been our most consistent player for a year now, but we learnt Trusty is pacier, plus he’s taller, so that’s him in the starting lineup from now until tired or injured, or both!
Valle has surely cemented the leftback position as his own, and I expect the club to sanction his purchase come seasons end as he’s made of the right stuff and will want to stay at a big club moving in the right direction offering good career prospects. Brendan’s learning of the Spanish language might be helping the lad settle, and might help sway the decision to stay. Engels played the furthest ahead of the midfield diamond, the selected trio has a lot of tools in their locker and is more than likely the preferred 3 in the middle. They are a good age, not too young, not too old, energetic yet capable of a goal or a great pass.
The latter sums up Kuhn perfectly, he’s a real diamond, and my prediction to become our record fee upon departure. Maeda succeeds through determination rather than footballing ability alone, the opposite of Mikey Johnson perhaps. He constantly arrives in the box and occasionally the ball just seems to find him rather than he creates space for himself, Saturday was just one of those right place/right time appearances. I love the fact he’s not a glory hunter, will lay off a chance ala Kuhn, and the fact he doesn’t point to his number on the back making it all about him but rather barely celebrates, plus there’s been zero fuss since he walked in the door. He’s a good man, a humble man, and that usually makes for a good teammate which helps create a good dressing room atmosphere. Something which should never be underestimated. I’d throw those same accolades at young Master Johnson, his signing a new deal would be a lovely early Christmas present.

The Cup itself shall be a lovely post Christmas present. It’s an all Glasgow affair, and more than likely their manager’s lifeline. But he must be careful as failure to emerge victorious alongside remaining third or worse would seal his fate. A late season managerial change probably suits all parties but the Belgian,,new guy doesn’t get the blame for this year, and season tickets get sold out on the promise of next year.

Those of a blue persuasion should know by now that Brendan and Hampden are old pals, that’s his stomping ground, and Celtic will be out to win more than just the moral victory.

Hitting a good side for 6, hitting top form again, just makes Tuesdays clash all the more intriguing. We give a repeat performance and we will take something from it.

By Mahe sentinelcelts@gmail.com