SENTINELCELTS

I recall the manager saying he had learnt his lesson earlier in the season when his raft of changes failed to inspire. Yesterday was similar, but the changes were most definitely forced upon him. I had underestimated the severity of the bug affecting the camp, but even with three of the usual back-four out the rearguard wasn’t breached, so defense was not the issue on the day. The other end of the pitch proved the problem point.

It was one of those days, the ball didn’t want to go into the back of the net. I got the midfield I asked for and as they peppered the goal from outside the 6 yard box I got the tactic I asked for, but we only worked their keeper three times in total from 17 shots,,our range efforts were poor.

Finishing chances created was also poor,,Kyogo, Maeda, Engels may all have buried those on another day, but didn’t on this particular day.

One might opine Yang and/or Palma was poor, possibly others too, but as explained on Saturday I wasn’t concerning myself with good or bad, rather just seeking three points by hook or by crook. Only one point travels back to Parkhead, and you know what, I’m not going to moan but rather accept the circumstances and just move on.

We won’t see that again, Yang and Ralston as the right side, both Twin Towers out simultaneously, only 3 on target from 17,,,it just wasn’t the usual Celtic yesterday. We don’t do nil-nil, I can’t recall the last time that scoreline appeared. The bar is set high enough that we now drop two points instead of gaining one, that’s a positive. We stay in a strong position for all remaining competitions having collected the completed one, I just can’t complain if a virus victim makeshift Celtic team completely dominates possession (78%), keeps a clean sheet, and takes something from the game.
It is what it is, we live to fight (better) another day and still have plenty of fish to fry.

For what it’s worth, I thought that although the actual football quality on display wasn’t great, it was a good crowd and atmosphere, decent enough surface, feels like a proper stadium,,,the Tangerines do add something to the top flight and it’s a fixture I can look forward to unlike certain others. I can see why they are mid table-ish,,,their shape makes them hard to beat as we found out. Now their defensive side is established, ideally they buy with the aim of strengthening their offensive side, and the SPL will genuinely have a new player in town.

We enter Christmas week with a scoreless draw but sitting pretty,,it’s gotta be said as we approach December’s end but January could be priceless.
More Ibrox pain.
More of a gap at the top.
More grasping for straws.
Qualify for CL knockouts.
Walk out of window stronger with new toys to play with absolutely cementing our position as not only domestic top dogs but prepared and clear favourites for any Champions League qualifiers that life throws at us.
A certain contract extension would really top off a fine month.

This time last year Santa Claus was famously boo-ed off the Park, but he infamously had the last say.
This time last year Brendan uttered his prophetic ‘this is when we come alive’ statement of intent.
We enter the holiest of weeks unbowed, unbroken, and born again on the biggest stage.
Our beloved Glasgow Celtic can test our patience and sanity at times, but it’s a gift to us all, one I’m delighted to share with you.

I won’t be writing another article until after the big day, so from Bobby and myself, with the greatest sincerity, Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.
We hope it’s a good one.

By Mahe