Marching onwards and upwards
The juggernaut rolls on.
A sparsh Parkhead crowd bore witness to a sign on Saturday, we ain’t stopping.
Celtic are marching to the title, the weekend being another example.
The lineup threw up a glimpse of the modern reality of football.
In the last two plus years I’ve become used to a settled left flank and striker trio (GT, Maeda, Kyogo) and it was fruitful. Saturday brought the new version fully into play, Schlupp, Jota, Idah.
In 4 months time we will be throwing KT into the mix.
Gone are the five or six years of one unit maturing together, for better or worse.
Celtic dominated possession vs the Tangerines, I suppose that’s to be expected, I suppose time on the ball and three goals can’t dent confidence post Germany. The official stats say 700 passes, being comfortable zipping the ball about is a positive, but that numbers also an indication we have moved on from Ange who’s team also won this weekend with only 521 passes, Angeball and Brodgeball at its finest in the same weekemd.
Both built their team around Calmac who once again pulled the trigger and kickstarted proceedings. The Captain was in a good position to capitalize, if I were King I would encourage him to shoot more often.
A certain Portuguese winger was uo next and The King is back,, (h)oops I did it again. He looks born to play for Celtic and it looks like he knows it. The best thing is he really suits our Brodgeball style. Even at the very beginning of phase two Jota, I feel we are very fortunate to attract such talent. That chap is going to leave an impact on our club, on us all, he shall make a name for himself..
Adam rounded off proceedings, and I’ve gotta give him props. When he became the first choice striker I opined it was what he needed,,,a goal a game in the league does say I’m the man and Im here to stay. he’s settling into his role which is reassuring for the qualifiers and the Cup.
Wins like that deliver the title, extend the goal difference, but Celtic are playing with a swagger post Christmas when many pretenders to the throne fall by the wayside. That’s the 12th game in a row we have scored in, creating goals is a habit that’s priceless but essential for any quality side.
We are getting there the signs say.
By Mahe
sentinelcelts@gmail.com
*SENTINEL CELTS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2024-25*
*RESULTS FROM GAME #41 CELTIC 3 DUNDEE UNITED 0 (McGREGOR, JOTA, IDAH)*
Good evening, friends.
A very comfortable, never in doubt home league game against an opposition who never really threatened our goal at all. Their sole take away from this game was winning the toss and forcing Celtic to play the wrong way round!
A game where pretty much every player did well enough and where many of the fans’ thoughts were already drifting to Munich. 3 very good goals were the main highlights, supplemented by Schlupp’s piledriver off the post. And we ended our weekend by extending our lead at the top by 1 goal! We are 13 points clear with just 12 games left. Man of the Match will be revealed shortly, but the worst performer on the pitch was never in doubt, our referee Nick Walsh.
We have now played 41 games this season, winning 30, drawing 7 and losing 4. We have scored 114 and conceded 35 (domestically it’s 100-19 and in Europe it’s 14-16).
Thank you so much to the 72 who voted this time around. The total votes cast for each player are as follows, with my own nominations asterisked.
Schmeichel: 0
Ralston: 10
Carter-Vickers: 3
Trusty: 1
Schlupp: 45
McGregor*: 64
McCowan*: 13
Hatate: 2
Yang: 1
Idah: 12
Jota*: 65
Maeda: 0
Engels: 0
Taylor: 0
Kuhn: 0
Kenny: 0
And so, the players receiving POINTS for the game against Dundee United –
Jota – 5 points
McGregor – 4 points
Schlupp – 3 points
McCowan – 2 points
Idah – 1 point
And the overall positions after 41 games played are –
64 points – Maeda
58 points – Kuhn
51 points – Engels
48 points – Hatate, McGregor
47 points – Schmeichel
41 points – Bernardo, Scales
32 points – Trusty
29 points – McCowan
26 points – Johnston A
24 points – Kyogo
23 points – Carter-Vickers
21 points – Taylor
19 points – Valle
15 points – Idah
11 points – Jota
7 points – O’Riley, Yang
4 points – Forrest
3 points – Schlupp, Welsh
2 points – Murray
0 points – Cummings, Holm, Johnston M., Kenny, Nawrocki, Palma, Ralston, Turley
In just under 47 hours it’ll be kick off in Germany as Celtic try to overturn the 1-2 deficit from the first leg against Bayern Munich. Kick off is 8.00pm.
And a wee incentive for anyone who reads this far. So far this season I’ve received 2,996 emails with your nominations. Be quick after Tuesday’s game and it could be the ”3000 Podium” for you!
Hail Hail!
Last year,our charity drives raised over £4000 for deserving causes. You are truly a wonderful collective, giving selflessly to others in need.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The bulk of the money was split fairly evenly between our two nominated causes, which were
Lanarkshire Cancer Care Trust and Blood Cancer UK.
New Year, New Cause! From 1st January till 30th June, we will switch our attentions to raising funds for another source of wonderful work on behalf of those who need it most.
MacMillan Cancer Care
Once again, the donations page has been set up for us by CHALMERSBHOY, and my grateful thanks to him for doing this and so much more.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/3x3g3-sentinel-celts?attribution_id=sl:0cefe851-42bd-443e-8cdb-345070949a04&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link
Please continue to give generously, which I know you will!
There’s a dear little plant that grows in our Isle,
‘Twas Saint Patrick himself sure that set it;
And the sun on his labour with pleasure did smile,
And the dew from his eye often wet it,
It shines through the bog, through the brake, through the mireland,
And he called it the dear little Shamrock of Ireland.
Was that song that the support sang loud and proud, when Celtic won the EXI. Trophy.
Johnny Crum’s Celtic one – Broken Hearts nil,
82,000 witnessed the final between two football clubs whose support was more Catholic and Irish.
The singing and dancing Johnny Crum’s of Celtic one – Evertonian’s nil.
It was pre WW2 – 1938 and despite many hurdles Celtic won the most prestigious tournament of the decade, they shed all the trials and tribulations of the last nine years since the tragic demise of the ‘Prince Of Goalkeepers’ and off Peter Scarff, a double whammy of unbearable sadness.
What a great team that was and a GIRUY to the establishment.
Well done Mahe- I fully concur.
Remember you can watch the game tomorrow night on Amazon Prime COYBIG.
Domestically we are in a very good place.
The quality of our finishing, as much as the quantity of it, has been outstanding at times. The lead up play too can be incisive The reverse angle view is excellent as it provides a different, players perspective.
And clearly shows the players collective enjoyment.
We can remain unbeaten in the remaining league and cup games.
Keep disruptions to a minimum in the transfer window, strengthening where obvious and look forward to another CL campaign, after properly preparing for the qualification round.
One of a tough array of possible opponents seeded ahead of us like Red Star, Zagreb, Copenhagen, Basel – all in with a shout in their respective leagues – are beatable but being prepared with a settled squad would help the cause greatly.
Sparsh… Mr Bond. !
SMERSH.
Looked okay from 114 but freezing’.
Was told by those in the seats behind the dugout that BR had to get into Idah to keep making the runs then told Tony Ralston to relay some info to him.
Maybe it was to score.
Just Saying
You were correct, Schlupp did well in that forward midfield space whilst not actually a midfielder.
Fairly fed Jota at pace.
If he can shoot like that he should do it more often.
Sneaky by DU to win the toss and change ends at the start.
S N
Fair do’s for the Schlupp comment👍🏻
I only saw highlights but he seemed to play high and central a lot.
Looks a player to me.
Morning all,
SteveNaive,
I actually enjoyed Celtic shooting ( The wrong way) into the Celtic end first.
However there were quite a few, beside me in The Main Stand Upper, shocked and acted like it was a curse etc. The “ We are Doomed Brigade “.
Those fans really do have to get a life !!!!
Ended up not too bad a score 😁😁😁
The Nabbla – Thank’s for your reply, much appreciated.
CCB – You would have watched this team play – often.
One of my greatest memories is of reading about their exploits, through the wilderness years when every win was to be savoured, the names reach out from Celtic’s past of great players whose only fault was in timing, if they had been better managed had less board interference, faced less bigotry then who knows how much they might have won.
I remember reading all the names in the newspapers, Bertie Peacock (Ka caw)- Bobby Evans – Alex Rollo – Sean Fallon – big Jock – Jimmy Gribben.
Names from the past that are stuck in your memory, memories of your childhood.
Mahe
Aye, one less game to play & picked up another +1 GD on nearest Challenger. Job done.
Now looking to Bavaria:
Bayern just cannot lose this with the Final in Munich. We are probably playing more than the Bundesliga leaders.
So One of our creative players is going OFF
either a Red or, ‘whacked’ and subbed OFF
They will absolutely go for the ‘kill’ – soooo our team picked to protect the vulnerable areas ( both Full Backs and the chasm space in front of CCV & Trusty.)
IF by some miracle We get past 70 minutes – still in it – we give them a right go with Jota on and Maeda in Centre.
A puncher’s chance right enough.
As long as our Away support get out their seats and cheer at least once
IF we take them to Extra Time …Bhoys oh Bhoys…that’s progress by any measure.
Overall, I want us to play like we are prepping for 25/26 tourney.
Soooooo nae hare-brained chanking up the pitch to grab an early goal.
SES…I hope you’re well, pal! Good to see you posting kinda regularly again.
“IF we take them to Extra Time …Bhoys oh Bhoys…that’s progress by any measure.”
You’re not asking much are you? 2-1 Celtic in the Allianz? Ooocha…I’ll take it, but I’d take a shitey backs to the wall 1-0 win too and be happy to go out on that basis!
0-1 does give extra time.
”Champions League knockout games do not have an away goal tiebreaker in the 2024–25 campaign. The away goal rule was abolished in 2021 and has not returned to the competition.”
McCaff
alrite buddy – we score one without reply that’s a result for the ages.
I’d expect we lose the ET period… and still call it a massive achievement
noawaygoalsruleCSC
Since Saturday I have been offered 6 spare tickets from Celtic fans traveling to Munich. I reckon the away contingent tomorrow evening will be smaller than expected.
AFTERNOON ALL AND JIM AND MAGUA. saltires im gonna have whatever your drinking, 70 minutes and still in it, this is not the lions you know😎😎😎only joking buddy, id love that to be true just cant see it, but you never know there will be a few hail Mary’s being said especially by me👍👍❤talking of hail Mary’s, god bless pope Francis who is still in hospital,🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Love everyone’s positivity 👍
But,
We all said Saturday night “ Hope it’s not humiliation “.
Does Brendan stick or twist ???
As in, we need a victory and go for it, or play cagey and see what happens???
Should be interesting !!!!!
Is it,
1 A Dortmund and disaster
2 A Lazio and we are world beaters
3 A creditable 2-1 defeat
Me, young guns go for it 😁😁😁😁
COYBIG 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
Good afternoon friends.
My main worry for tomorrow night is………
Voting numbers, given that the game is on Amazon Prime.
My advice – by a £0.99 item tody on Amazon, sign up for ‘Prime free for 30 days’ then remember to cancel before March 19th. Simples!
….actually, it’s also being covered by Premier Sports 1 EIR so hopefully some of us catch it on there. Allegedly.
Joe,
Firestick attack 👍
Tora Tora Tora !!!!!!!!
Or is that Maeda and Hatate 😁😁😁😁😁
This isn’t the same team that lost heavily in Dortmund.
With our frontline pace we can cause anyone problems.
Score first and anything is possible.
SeS made a perceptive comment earlier. The Champions League Final will be in the Allianz Arena. UEFA want Bayern to be there, if possible. Can’t have the champions of Germany eliminated in the round of 24. This probably explains the non-award of a stonewaller penalty for the Engels stomp last week.
I know hope springs eternal, but I just can’t see any way we can get remotely near them tomorrow.
I will be the most delighted person in the world to be proved wrong.
HH
Iniquitous IV😊
if your looking at the blog, that team you are looking at ,would they be scared of Bayern Munich no chance,another true story👍👍👍👍
Kane misses Bayern’s training.
Hopefully the old German arrogance sees them leave him out!
Rope-a-dopeCSC
IQV1
I will be the most delighted person in the world to be proved wrong..
====
You won’t be alone.
It is difficult to avoid thinking referees are not affected by knowing the consequences of their decisions based on the penalty given and not given in R2ngers last two games.
Whether that is because of support from boyhood or awareness of the business consequences of the league that pays them in competitive terms or of the team involved in the decision or a combination of both is not known but the patterns of assistance points to only one team benefiting in Scotland.
The thing is how far do the conditions that effect Scottish football apply in Europe?
I think more on the personal financial impact on referees than sectarianism but regardless of reason the suspicion that referees are influenced by the impact of their decision, given human nature, cannot be dismissed although stronger in Scottish football given evidence.
Awaiting approval, approval for the second time for who and why?
I am making a good salary from home $1400-$2400/week , which is amazing, under a year back I was jobless in a horrible economy. I thank God every day I was blessed with these instructions and now it’s my duty to pay it forward and share it with Everyone,
Here is what I do………………………… https://tinyurl.com/ykrh3hz5
Red or Grey – Fess Up.
FFS ive been watching celtic for over 60 years. nothing changes. the establishment team not going to name them, but think you know who they are, anti catholic anti Irish they just dont like us another true story👍👍
Bawheid 9.42
Thank you again for the historical angle
HH
Statement from Celtic FC:
We have been informed today (Monday) by the local authorities in Munich that a memorial service will take place in the city centre following the tragic attack last week which saw more than 30 ınjured and a mother and two-year-old child lose their lives.
The service will take place at the Dome (Frauenkirche) in the Marienplatz area and we ask that our supporters are aware and mindful that this service is taking place at 6pm this evening.
Thank you for your support.
Auldheid 4.11pm
Refs want to impress the big clubs in whatever League, especially in their early games and the CL is no different. They want the big gigs. It’s human nature that they bend so easily.
Indeed, the ref in the away game against Real Madrid was the worst I ever witnessed at any level. The word ‘homer’ didn’t even come close.
The Nabbla: Thank you.
Both of my earlier posts included thank yous to both yourself and CCB. for your replies.
I contacted The Celtic Graves Society today and sent them a picture of Chic’ Geatons memorial stone, they do such brilliant work, I’m certain that will take a look at it and elicit any repairs needed.
Thanks also for putting up the Celtic statement.
Thanks again, good talking.
I will be happy if we don’t get scudded tomorrow. Incremental improvements would be my thoughts. If we open up too much we’ll risk a Dortmund. I agree with SES – set up like we have 25/26 in mind. The playoffs won’t be easy but if we have the experience of holding out in Munich for a good amount of the game it’ll serve us well.
ATOB glass half empty CSC!!
Considering Bayern have lost only 1 home tie in their last 20 UCL home games a close result whatever it may be must show some improvement . Thats all we can realistically ask. A win would be an unbelievable result and we live in hope.
Currently watching Barca v Rayo on ITV4. Thought it was Beaton reffing and Walsh on VAR with some of the first half decisions for Barca. Shades of Covid bias came to mind.
Bawheid 1005: I did indeed watch that team many times and remember the hat-trick game significance well, though I still think my Dad said a lot of things had to happen for us to be relegated but a win was sure way to stay!
Funnily enough centre John McPhail played right half most times before then and eerie Peacock moved back to left half and Captain later… and him a true blue Ulster Protestant! Sparse times then; eight years between starting to be taken and us winning a trophy (the Scottish Cup)…. and today’s Tims moan.
Thanks again for the memories👍
Just read on another Celtic blog that Munich are 1000 to 1 on to go through.
These are incredible odds. Shows how the bookies see it.
Awe naw
i know a couple of folk going out for the game. They were able to get match tickets no problem,
They were lucky having booked accommodation and flights early before prices rocketed, not knowing it might have been Madrid we got, The lateness of the draw and the uncertainty of an away ban would undoubtedly have put a dampener on numbers
New article published.
https://sentinelcelts.com/2025/02/18/kicking-every-ball/