SENTINELCELTS

Firstly I’m delighted with this fixture, because I’m a firm believer that tough games are actually the best thing for this team right now. Doing well despite not firing on all cylinders, a tough opponent in a very meaningful game shall either bring out our best, or teach a hard lesson.

Of course I lean towards the former, Brendan has a fantastic record at Hampden, maybe the best of any manager, because he has the knack of getting the team fully motivated for the big occasion. Not only that, but we are hard to beat fullstop, not many teams out there have a solo blip around Christmas time.

I don’t live or die by trebles, this trophy won’t make or break my year, but lifting all three would obviously be progress, which does grab my interest and imagination.
I’m watching a club knocking the door of the next level, so I suppose it’s only natural silverware would follow. And it will, but no one yet has won everything, all the time. By no means is victory guaranteed, not by a long stretch. The bookies may have us at generous odds, but anything can happen on the day.

Of course I didn’t watch the midweek return of Ange to Glasgow, but the result and match descriptions tell me a couple of things,,their players were confident enough to forget the wage/stature/star status of Spurs on the night, enough to impose their game for spells, enough to score,,,the confidence of holding an EPL name in front of their own fans will more than likely provide a timely confidence boost as they once again play in Glasgow in front of their own fans, not exclusively obviously but still being yelled forward.
It’s already a hard game, and it looks like they’ve found form which eludes us currently yet we grind out point after point.

But here’s the rub.
This Cup Final is the ideal opportunity to kickstart our second wind of the season, to bond as a team, to really show the players the light at the end of the tunnel.
As the opening line said, I’m delighted with this fixture,,it affords us the opportunity to hit second gear again, and take much heart if achieved.

I’m faraway but know a few Bhoys going, and I’m sure it will be a memorable trip, but I ponder how much lifting a Cup affects the entire club?
From the top down, it can’t hurt but vindicate our new salary tier, our record signings, the manager, coaches and scouts.
Commercially, that’s what they want. Both merchandise and sponsors, which incentives higher income.
Finally, football operations. There’s a reason player after player has repeated the old cliche after getting a personal cheer upon hoisting the Cup in front of their support,,’This is what it’s all about!’

None of us know the pressure of playing for a global giant, live the day to day life of a modern footballer. As a homebird with a big dog, beautiful wife and likewise young daughter, I couldn’t do it.
They do, day after day, month after month, year after year.
To reach this point in their lives, to say it was all worth it, to actually be a winner fullstop.
I’ve gotta imagine there’s a release of tension, maybe a surge of self confidence, perhaps a realization this is where you’re meant be,,,and I’m entitled to dream (perhaps foretell) that the second half of our season begins here, lifting that Cup and using it as a springboard to hit that early season form again and be fully onpoint for the tough winter schedule then the business end of the season.

For several players it’s the ultimate showcase.
I don’t think Engels nor Trusty have won anything in their careers,,I’d start them both and tell them if they want some medals and tales for the grandkids later in life, here’s their chance so go and do it.
The 3 Samurai seem to thrive in the heat of this paticular battle, a good game from each would put many minds at ease, whilst late on (surely) Adam will have another chance to be the toast of Cork City, Glasgow, Central California, and many places in between.
And I cannot leave out Kasper, on his last hoorah but still the difference-maker on occasion. He deserves a medal, at least one.

We have personal stories, we have personal points to prove, we have two opposite managers with what seems like two good sides going at each other.
Sounds like Ange-ball however he couldn’t beat them,,but Brodge-ball is a different kettle of fish, hard to beat, efficient, yet devastating at times. Devastation is usually a bad thing, but when it comes to our opponents, their support and all that club stands for, I’ll make an exception.

Up The Hoops
By Mahe
sentinelcelts@gmail.com