SENTINELCELTS

Morning,all.

I had the pleasure of another visit to Celtic Park on Sunday, and I have to say it was time well spent. Obviously because of the family and friends that I was with, but also the performance and the result. Everything from back to front was a pleasure to watch, and much anticipated beforehand when we saw the team. 

At the back, we had the return of AJ. No offence to Big T, but AJ is our right back and he let us know it. Scalesy kept his place, and Valle got a well-deserved runout. Up front, kinda sruggling for choice due to injuries, Yang got another go at the right wing berth. But much as I really want the guy to succeed, I’m of the opinion that he can’t quite hack it. 

Maeda was Maeda, we ain’t gonna change him, and to be honest, the same could be said for Kyogo. Try as much as you like, they play how they play and do what they do.

As MAHE mentioned yesterday, the big deal was in midfield. CalMac was given a rare day off, which meant Reo, Arne and Paolo in midfield. And boy, did they make hay. But, as I said, this has already been covered,so let’s move on. 

Sunday’s result meant that we had only lost twice in 2024, an achievement which we should recognise. No, it isn’t quite up there with the Invincible Season, of course not. But I saw a graph of our number of losses since Fergus took over, and the previous record was only six defeats. It also includes some really surprising numbers from the likes of arch-pragmatist WGS with 13. Even more surprising is that Postecoglu had the same number in 2021, though that is obviously skewed with the couple of months of Lennon at the start of the year. 

What cannot be disputed is the twelve defeats in 2018, which is BR Mk I. His last year with us. Has he learned that pragmatism, or is he still going gung-ho due to the gap in quality between us and the rest of Scottish football? I don’t know, and I genuinely don’t care either. As long as I’m allowed a wee smirk every so often. 

The next game is on Thursday, which is the first match of The New Year.  I know that you are all looking forward to it as much as I am, and I’ll preview it on the day. Not much point really in any of us pretending otherwise. Not so much do or die, as shit or bust for the huns. I can’t wait. 

Less than a week after the senior football writer in the Daily Record told us that the title race was back on, Keith Jackson was forced to eat some humble pie. Some going, Keith. Last week you had to eat humble pie because you’d been telling us all for months that Clement was a dud but hey, maybe not-then lo and behold you had to eat another large portion because you were right all along! Tough gig…

Me,well. A fourteen point lead going into 2025 is just fine and dandy. No lead is ever big enough as far I’m concerned. But you know what? As long as it isn’t 3-3 and another moral victory for them on Thursday, I’ll be happy enough. 

<><><><><>
Above article by BMCUWP