SENTINELCELTS

Football, bloody hell.
Within the space of 24 hours we experienced the best it has to offer, and one of the worst feelings it can conjure up. Little did the worldwide audience realize they were witnessing the final act of our greatest actor of the last 3 plus years, in typical unselfish fashion he kept it schtum, allowing the club and supporters to bask in the evenings glory, it’s now heartbreaking he didn’t score on the night (his eagerness to do so now explains away the extra offsides) nor a very well deserved solo lap of honour, jersey into the crowd etc.

Yet we got the old one two trick, the classic managerial review tactic, the magicians trick of don’t look there, look over here!
Bad news, good news. Only it’s more than good news, it’s one hell of a plot twist.

I can’t really say I agree with signing players with one exception to the rule, a good native player elsewhere wants to cone home. Signing KT, who’s a homebird, was always on the cards, just a question of when.
In saying that my yes or no rules are flexible, had it been anyone else I doubt I would have said yes. For him though, I’ll make an exception.

A foreign player returning to Celtic suggests ‘I want to play there again, I miss it’
Then put yourself in the players shoes,,18 months to make it to the World Cup, his last big chance, and this club offers not only the platform, an immediate starting berth, an EPL defender behind me, and I’ll have a knockout game to really announce my comeback. His plan should be clear, grab Celtic by the scruff of the neck and become it’s biggest star again. Not only that, he knows the city (cue a roll of eyes around the world) but it’s true. He’s got better players around him, a good manager, I can see it working out, really working out with a left flank that’s an upgrade on Maeda and Taylor. We can’t complain about upgrading, KT and Jota already gets the juices flowing.
A Jota with less miles on the clock than to be expected.

The show must go on, and the post Kyogo Furuhashi era begins today.
We are at home, and I would remind you how much of an advantage this is except,,this little thing called the weather has only went and got in the way. Does it not know there’s a game on?
The Irish bhoys ain’t making it, many natives won’t make it, the fixture itself might not make it.
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly,,that’s what footballs thrown at us in the space of four days. It’s no wonder we are addicted.

I must discuss the man I assume will be our new first choice striker, Adam Idah. I’m of the belief he needs the starting berth, needs every game, to fully emerge. I backed him as the seasons top scorer, here’s his big chance.
Daizen,,it’s a tough one, and he must be hoping to experience the World Cup so second fiddle out wide or up top doesn’t really suit him.
Starting striker? I know he runs all day but give my beating heart a rest.
Someone mentioned the breakup of the Japanese trio, when one goes all go. Stranger things have happened.

On paper its a home win but if this game goes ahead, there will be no silky football, it’s a just get it in the net more than them day, and I actually think Adam is that kinda striker. More of a finisher than a footballer like Kyogo. I think he suits the fixture.
In bad conditions the local lads more used to it are helpful, that’s Luke in with a chance. Possibly Tony Ralston. And Greg of course, current custodian of the left back starting berth but not for long. I think he should stick around as his new master is often injured but can offer tips and advice to the underling that replaces him. He will play big games, and not be scrambling down the back of the sofa for coins.
When you’re ‘keeper is Scandinavian, freshly committed thus bought in, and just made several saves which earned you ten million smackeroonies you don’t bench him.
Don’t be surprised if Liam Scales is brought in to be a port of shelter in the storm, literally and proverbially.

Today’s game and the next one are almost meaningless,,we’ve been pulling out the results so constantly that we actually face two dead rubbers towards the end of January. We could lose the next two and still achieve our (lofty) seasons targets. It’s so nice, very reassuring, to be in such a position of strength rather than otherwise.
As I type I haven’t factored in any new/forthcoming signings into today’s team, which isn’t good news for Raith Rovers as on the 8th of February they shall more than likely face all our Winter signings at some stage.

As a father I’m now a worrier, if it’s at all dicey, just stay in the house. The internet can work wonders and that central heating isn’t bad either.
Celtic will survive and fight another day, all of you are irreplaceable.
Stay safe my friends.
Look after yourselves and look after each other.
It’s been one hell of a week to be a Tim, but You’ll Never Walk Alone.

By Mahe sentinelcelts@gmail.com