Two games, one name

The problem with having such a learned readership is that almost always some bright spark noticed and articulated the very topic that’s nagging away at you as well as them, and now the lead topic is dated. Still important and worthy though, that’s where I find myself today.

 

We are not a team, per se.
We are a group of footballers.
We don’t have a style of play, haven’t really had one for 8 months so I can’t say it’s just a normal part of the transition phase.
We, well the majority going by social media, also don’t have faith that the current management setup has the tactical knowhow to halt the slide.

 

Regular readers will know my mantra, if we bring in quality we will be fine, and I believe they did bring in good quality. Its clearly another to tap into that quality apparently. There’s one surefire way to hurt a player’s progress, don’t play him or play him where he doesn’t belong.
The manager may have fancied a slow transition into the team but that option goes out the window daily.

 

Our Captain more or less amplified the need for player change with his cryptic message about some playing for themselves. I figure he’s hinting at Benji, Kasper, and probably Shim who is clearly out to make a name for himself.

 

But wait a minute, the Captain is saying they are out for themselves not Celtic, but on the other hand they are probably our best bet at retaining the title even if they don’t want to stay after that?

 

In my humble opinion this is just another aspect of being out of touch/left behind, an accusation that is widespread. It’s a very valid accusation when you’re failing to get the best of modern players, and modern tactics. Callum was almost a one team man and he’s obviously Celtic through and through. He’s at the complete opposite end of the likes of Shim who OBVIOUSLY sees us as a stepping stone to his Superstardom which will be live streamed and Instagramed no doubt. People above his paygrade decided employing these players dedicated to the cause or not, and after two major collapses under his watch he hits out at others.
Last year the club better match his ambition.
This year, him overthere is not fully dedicated.
Someone suggested the players aren’t playing for the manager, might it be a case they aren’t playing for the Captain?
That type of attitude all week long is not what we need. I hope my fears of a going nowhere/passing through split are exactly that, just a fear. Those words though,,,,glass houses and all that. Daizen, Benji, Martin, Arne, AJ, KT, Kelechi,,,those were the men who won the season last time out and he would do well to remember that before preaching from his vantage point.

 

Important games never stop at our club but these next two are different. The manager of Celtic doesn’t survive losing the 1st four big tests.
I didn’t want to watch him be that guy, because he’s not just “that guy”, another manager, just a name.

 

Martin has 180 minutes of football ahead that shall define not only our season but also his big decision to stay.
I hope he shoves those words down my mouth but the hour is upon us.

 

My faith rests upon his shoulders again as soo many times before.
Let’s see what happens.

 

By Mahe
sentinelcelts@gmail.com

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126 Comments
INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 5:56 pm

Celta give 19 year old Midfielder Burcio his first senior start in an away Europa League game.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 5:59 pm

Superb control and curving shot from Brazilian right winger Ewandro for Cypriots. Keeper tips it away from postage stamp.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 6:04 pm

6’6” Omonia keeper easily taking corners out of the air.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 6:06 pm

Celta dominating possession, Pablo Duran looking dangerous on right wing, but Cypriots with best chance so far.

Craig 76
September 16, 2026 6:09 pm

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 6:21 pm

Another great save from Celta keeper Radu after a belter of a strike. Could be 2-0.

Sparta Prague 2-0 up in Armenia vs Ararat.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 6:27 pm

Cypriots shoot on sight from long range. Could be 3-0 but for great saves from Romanian and ex-Inter keeper Radu.

Bada Bing
September 16, 2026 6:28 pm

Marvin Bartley in with a shout of Hibs job

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 6:31 pm

Celta pressing hard, but Coulibaly a rock at the back.

Awe Naw
September 16, 2026 6:33 pm

Twisty

done

A Thing Of Beauty
September 16, 2026 6:40 pm

Twisty,
Done

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 6:49 pm

Steve Clark to Hibs?

BELMONTBRIAN63
September 16, 2026 6:49 pm

Evening all.

Twisty

Petition signed, good luck.

St tams
September 16, 2026 6:50 pm

More waffling from MON ,in his presser

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 6:51 pm

Alonso still looking top class for Celta.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 6:54 pm

Nice football from Omonia, but build up too slow to really trouble Celta. Spaniards very quick on fast breaks.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 6:56 pm

Ararat 0 Sparta Prague 3

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 6:58 pm

Very open game. Some individual Omonia players are very, very fast.

Bluegrass Celt
September 16, 2026 7:06 pm

Twisty, signed

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 7:13 pm

Ararat 1 Sparta Prague 3

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 7:15 pm

Duran scores for Vigo.
Offside.
VAR confirms.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 7:16 pm

Hungarian officials first class. Really show why Scottish MIB are not invited to tournaments.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 7:17 pm

Ararat 1 Sparta Prague 4.

September 16, 2026 7:20 pm

Twisty

Petition signed.

Sending you and your family all the very best wishes from me and mine.

HH.

September 16, 2026 7:20 pm

AC Milan v Benfica for me tonight, I reckon.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 7:24 pm

Celtic fans won’t have any problem getting tickets for Omonia game. Stadium half empty.

September 16, 2026 7:25 pm

Twisty

Signed , good luck.

Mike in Toronto
September 16, 2026 7:26 pm

SteveN

the days of Brian Clough (give me good players – i dont care about tactics) are long over … except at Celtic evidently.

The game is so fast today, it is too much to expect even the best players to always know where to be at all times. Having a good system allows players to get a head start; it lets their teammates know where they will be when breaking; it lets them know where they should be when defending; and lets teammates know what help is needed both in defence and in attack.

People talk about top Teams like Barca and top players like Xavi and Iniesta and Messi having an almost telepathic understanding of where they were on the pitch, and where they needed to hit the pass. And, unlike Celtic who hit passes to stationary, backwards facing teammates, they were hitting balls into space for teammates to run onto. They weren’t just hitting g and hoping. These guys had a shared understanding of how the team was to play, and where they had to be to help or where they had to pass to (even before their teammmate was actually there!) It looks telepathic, but really it is just muscle memory … knowing the system, and practice and repeat until it becomes second nature … like breathing.

Of course, within that framework, there is always room for a bit of magic. It is what turns the good teams into great teams.

top teams today need both a good system, and good players – and not just any good players, but the right type of good players who fit the system.

I think Celtic buy well enough … not always the right players … buying players always involves some measure of gambling … but without a proper system, they make it so much less likely that even good players will succeed.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 7:34 pm

Incredible 30 yard rocket from Omonia finally scores. What a belter! 1-0.

September 16, 2026 7:36 pm

Saint Stivs on 16th September 2026 7:35 pm

Sunderland v AZ
 
 
tickets for under 14s on general sale at £18 (was £14 for a sbh).
 
 
Celtic PLC Robber Barons Esquire – No kids prices, they have to buy a concession at £32.
 
 
why doesnt the collective and the others call them out for pricing the next generations out of supporting the club ?

September 16, 2026 7:38 pm

TWISTY
Can’t sign from here in Canada but the best of luck to you and your family.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 7:41 pm

Cypriots win. Neither team great but defences and keepers far sounder than ours.
Home team show what can happen if you can shoot accurately from distance. Could have scored 4.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 7:58 pm

Sunderland first Euro night since 1973.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 8:03 pm

5 Academy players in Alkmaar lineup at Sunderland.

Magua
September 16, 2026 8:04 pm

Twisty

Petition signed. 🙏💚

Cosy Corner Bhoy
September 16, 2026 8:07 pm

Petition signed

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 8:09 pm

Sunderland just escape after losing it playing out from back.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 8:09 pm

Sturm Graz 0 Rennes 1. From a corner.

Chalked off by VAR.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 8:11 pm

Anderlecht 0 Lyon 1.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 8:12 pm

Alkmaar head just over Sunderland bar.

Twisty
September 16, 2026 8:12 pm

Ty kindly all. Much appreciated.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 8:16 pm

Sunderland 30 yard curving rocket just misses.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 8:17 pm

Leverkusen skelp post against Celje.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 8:18 pm

Milan 0 Benfica 1. Superb goal by Belgian Lukebakio.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 8:19 pm

Bayer 1 Celje. 0

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 8:21 pm

Benfica with 4 men strung across their D when defending, with 5 behind. What a difference from our shambles!.p

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 8:22 pm

Olimpiakos 0 Jagiellonia 1. Belter.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 8:28 pm

Anderlecht 0 Lyon 2 Nakamura.

INIQUITOUS IV
September 16, 2026 8:30 pm

Benfica dominating in San Siro, and half the first team is on the bench, as they play Porto at the weekend.