We all know ma feelings on this transfer windae rubbish and the fact that this type of frenzied activity makes, us the fans, like rabid dugs on heat. It also makes usually reliable sites make bold predictions, which in turn are so wide of the mark they are almost like a Fillip Sebo shot.
At least wie ma Ross Tokely prediction Seven admitted he had sold me a dozzie. I don’t try to pass it off as some guy wie inside knowledge I meet doon the pub told me.
Now lets get on to the pressing issue of the Hoops being made fools of by Wullie McKay, Hibs, Kevin Thomson and worst of all r*ngers.
Now all the insiders claim for months that he would sign for the hoops either in the summer or in Januray. Their agent stated that Celtic were talking to Hibs and Thomson was quoted as saying he wanted to join the Hoops. Until yesterday when he said this at the lions dens
Smelly Thomson said "I believed he was acting in my best interest because he had told me Rangers didn't want me and Celtic were the only club who wanted to sign me. "I don't want to get dragged into details or get caught up in a row about this but I do want Rangers fans to know that for years this is the club I wanted to be at.
Now this deal and standoff has reeked from the start. Ever since Mr McKay (who should be banned like every other agent from CP) started his public flogging of his wears since the middle of December. It reeked of self interest and that he would have sold to the highest bidder no matter if it meant selling to the devil, which in the end he did.
John Collins stance was even more stranger and his quote today of
"I have been fully involved in the discussions and I am happy that our valuation has been matched for the player
Does this mean that Collins is just as devious as a manager as he was in his own self-interest loving way when he was a player? I mean he was adament that the players were going nowhere, were you lying John?
Also big questions need to be asked aboot Peter Lawell role in this. He played Celtic’s hand very early doors. Made it known via the player’s agent that we were interested and sat wie his best pokerface on. This time his gambled failed and he gave the mint and r*ngers there 1st win in years over us.
You can go on aboot us not wanting to meet the price etc and all the other spin that’s going on but the fact is GS saw Kevin Thomson as part of his long term plans. Our public chase is testament to that. The fact is oor plans have to change due to Lawell’s blundering.
Lawell is seen as some sort of esteemed big time poker player, not blinking in the face of danger. Yesterday I think he made a major blunder, which has allowed r*ngers to deliver a body blow to the hoops. When hibs offered Thomson to us I’m sure his short shrift to the offer was in the belief that we would get the player in the summer. Belief borne from the player’s agent’s musings more probably.
This allowed oor main rivals the chance to steal a long-term target from us because Lawells ego has maybe got too big. Has he had too many successful deals go his way and did he think like most gamblers that his winning streak wouldn’t end?
But it did and Hibs, the player and the player’s agent shafted him. He gave Murray the chance to get one over on us when maybe if we had backed down the player would have ended up at us.If we were willing to pay £4 million for both what’s the difference of £2 million for one when yer manager has made it clear he wants him? I for one don’t believe the players quote. He was just happy to escape Hibs.
Now this is not the 1st time his gamble has failed. The pull on the heart string token offers to Anthony Stokes and now Shaun Maloney have shown that like the mint before him Lawell is now on a massive losing streak one that he is a matter of hours to repair.
A losing streak that may see us panic buy from the other side of Embra, a losing streak which by midnight tonight could push a feel guid factor just over to the other side of the river. A losing streak, which undermines the posturing aboot us strengthening before oor last 16 tie.
I mean oor business so far has been in the bargain basement and stopgap supermarket. Not up there wie a club who a serious aboot making in-roads in Europe.
I’m just hoping that if there is more gambling going on it comes off. Cause if not we are going to look very very foolish indeed.
Over to you Peter……
Oh, and guid luck to Shaun short arse Maloney in his new career. Last week I made ma feelings clear aboot the wee fellow and the choice he made and today proved both.The board maybe didn’t see that keeping him would maintain a quality in the squad and he maybe didnae feel the club wanted him enough. Oh and all fibawers are selfish and uninterested in the feelings and wims of you and me. Wonder if Shaun has ever spoke to John Collins?
But in true fickle fitbaw fan fashion hope ye enjoy life in the middle of the road EPL mate, nice wee seat on the bench and a kings ransom to spend. But ma memory of ye will be you skying the ball in the last minute of the UEFA cup final extra time ye wee bottler……..:-)
"There was a lot going on but not a lot of good football," he continued after the 2-1 victory. "We got disrupted three times because of injuries and it's not easy to change your plan three times. "We had to handle an exuberant, frantic Inverness side and we handled it. "If we're lucky, we're lucky. But our goalie didn't have too many saves to make. "But the players are very quiet because they know they've let themselves down with their performance level."
Think his view that there was not a lot of guid fitba was an understatement. These types of games would get the beautiful game stopped. What pains us more is the oor “team 2” seems to be the masters are terrible performances but decent results.
Obliviously the fact that we have a better quality of player helps. All it takes is one moment as per yesterday for quality to tell. Whether it’s Naka, Tommy G, McGeady or JVOH we always will have quality to dig us oot a hole.
But it’s risky to put yer money on this happening all the time. It will come back and bite you on the arse one day.
Yesterdays performance was so reminiscing of Martin’s last season in charge not much fitba or skill but pure determination. The fact is, we expect so much more from oor team makes it all so galling. Where is the team that destroyed the eagles from Lisboa at home wie a performance from the top drawer?
Right, we always struggle in Inversenkie. It has become the new Rugby Park for us. A place we always don’t play well and get undone. Yesterday was no different. Inversenkie deserved to beat us and you have to feel sorry for them.
Two costly mistakes let us leave the north wie 3 points when it looked like it was going to be 2 dropped. In fact oor only shot on goal in the second half was the winning strike.
Oor performances recently, apart from 2nd half at Tynie and CP last week, have given weight to the argument that we are no great shakes and only the fact that Hearts are self-destructing and Scotland B are in transition is the ONLY reason we are so far in front.
I will disagree with that as winning games playing poorly is the reason the vocal away support sang, “That’s why we’re Champions” at the final whistle. That’s the reason we are unbeaten for many eons. But performances like yesterday do give us reason to doubt the ability of the coaching staff to get a performance from the team.
Only Arfur, JVOH and Riordan got pass marks. The only reason the 2 outfield goal scorers got them is because the scored. Riordan again proved he has the natural instinct of a penalty box striker wie a perfectly timed run into the box.
His two league goals have been similar. He is more natural playing a bit further forward in a wider position than the other vying for that place. His instinct is to score goals and if he gets a run of games then I would expect an impressive haul in goals from the peroxide one.
JVOH had a frustrating day. Man handled by the inversenkie defence all day without any protection from Mr Brines the big fellow was having a game not to put in the scrapbook.
He then produced a moment of quality that you get when you spend 5 million euros. A sweet volley and a sweet but costly celebration. Right, letter of the law he had to go but Brines had it in for the Dutchman all game.
Never once did he get a decision his way when battling for long aimless balls. The Inversenkie defenders were let away with murder and the big man 1st booking came, apart from being a shocking decision, from frustration at an unproductive afternoon.
His suspension is going to be a loss. With us now looking thin strike wise with injuries to the beats(again) and Miller, Riordon could get his run upfront sooner than he thinks.
All in it was a forgettable afternoon. GS even confounded ma puzzlement even more when Jaro came on for the injured Miller when the game was crying out for a bit of pace to get in behind the Inversenkie defence as they were handling the long aimless balls we were humping easily.
But in the history books it will be recorded as a win. Only another 5 wins required to win the league. Suppose it was not a bad weekend eh?
Fairly quiet week on the old tic front his week. No box office signings, no sign of the diminutive Shaun signing the contract on offer, a loan shark signing and again the meeja focusing on Wallies tartan revolution without questioning motives or signings.
Makes trying to have a rant or an opinion or a comment difficult a bit like a musician getting writers block this blogger has news block and opinion block.
May as well start wie the new bhoy on the block that we have sign defensive cover, albeit only on loan, in the shape of Jean Joel Perrier Doumbe (JJPD) from Rennes. The Cameroon international can play either right or left back but again confusion surrounds due a dubious claim from his agent Mr McKay that he played in two world cups.
Certain sites and contributors have poured scorn on this, me, I canny be arsed researching if it’s true or not the professional lay aboot that I am. I’m not to bovered if he has or has not; it’s what he does in the next few months that bother me.
While hardly a signing to set the heather on fire and have us sing hosanna’s from the rooftops we need cover in those areas and we have a short-term solution.
He must have impressed in the trial for GS to give him a short contract and the fact that we have 1st dibs on him in the summer may prove to be a guid thing if he proves to be any guid.
Downside is that Mario Melchiot, the ex chelski and Birmingham bombscare has kept him oot the Rennes side this year. Also the fact that he seems to have maybe missed our vast scouting network, hence the trial and only a short contract.
As ma maw say’s it all will come oot in the wash.
Another great bit of news was on the John F Kennedy front as the big fellow played a full 90 mins against an Ayr Utd cloggers select at Somerset Park. Now, we seem to be thinking the big fellow could return to the player he was and that a return could be sooner than we think.
I canny see him being rushed back in. The boy O’Dea has probably saved GS from having that thought and the signing of Elvis has probably now mean’s that JFK should be looking to a decent pre-season wie the 1st team and pushing for a place next season.
At the start of next season we will or could have Bobo, Caldwell, Elvis, Mick, Kennedy, O’Dea all vying for two spots. And that’s not counting on GS not signing anyone else, which he might do as do any of the above have the European quality we require in that position?
Now wee Shaun Maloney has been the debate of much wailing and gnashing of teeth this week. The wee fellows supposed refusal to sign the deal we have on the table and his agent refusal to appear round the parkheid coffee table for talks, tea and custard creams has got us all in a fizz.
I read article last night about Jean Marc Bosman the man who changed fitba forever cause he never got a move to a French 2nd division mob. Unlike others who followed, Bosman is skint and living on the broo in Belgium. The article paints a picture of a bitter man who in desperation allowed the said publication to publish his bank account details so if any rich fitbawers wanted to donate some of their pickings to him then they could.
Players and clubs benefit from this ruling players get rich and clubs get guid players without paying a fee. It works both ways. Except from a fans perspective the player always looks the greedy one.
But, if Shaun decides to leave why should we begrudge him? He owes us nothing just the same way that we owe oor employers nothing if a better offer came along. Shaun is just looking after himself in the usually post bosman selfish fitbawers way. The law says what he is doing nothing wrong but the ruling has allowed the evil of agents to turn young boys heids when contracts are up from renewal.
Now maybe Maloney, believes, or has been told, that he should be in the top earner bracket at CP. ONE decent season, which saw him blossom into the player he threatened to be followed by an injury hit follow up probably suggests differently.
I don’t know nada of what wages the players are on, only what you and me read by supposed guys in the know on the net. But I would suspect that Maloney has asked for £1 million a year basic but Celtic as per the line cast by PL will offer below that but bonuses will maybe take him above that figure.
Now if Shaun is a gambler then he might take this offer on the prospect of earning above his basic year in year oot if he believes the club is going to give him that opportunity. Then again he might see the less risky option of taking an EPL clubs money, which guarantee’s him probably over and above his wanted basic.
Another factor is the Aiden and Riordon factor. Maloney is not guaranteed a game every week now. The fact that he is thinking of not signing has left a lot of Celtic supporters un perplexed due to the presence of these two peroxide upstarts.
I hate it when we lose players that come through the ranks. It is like a knife in the heart to me. I think we fail the club when a young player leaves as he thinks he has better options elsewhere. Usually they go one to do nothing- Liam Miller being the prime example or regrets leaving like Stan P.
Now while I agree Shaun shouldn’t be in the top earners a deal should be on the table to keep this talented wee bugger at the club. The bonus and incentives should be so great that he should believe he should achieve them. If Celtic have undersold the wee man and made a pitch at you know you really want to stay heart strings than more fool them.
Dirty cash talks.
But if the wee man leaves we have cover in his area whom are probably on lesser wages than he requires. So it’s really a case of great if you stay but if you leave don’t let the door hit your arse on the way oot.
Och, was going to mention inversenkie at the weekend but lunchtime is up. So ma preview of the inversenkie game is they are a big team who gie us a hard game:-) and it will be cauld.
So as this transfer windae drags and drags with seemingly oor board having short arms and deep pockets it gives you time to have a look at the posturing and posing going on.
Now, teams know other teams are desperate to strengthen or freshen up in their fight against relegation or their quest for a holy grail. Some teams have just changed managers and they new men are trying to stamp their style on their new charges or in some cases return them to an “aye ready” west of Scotland refuge for the ugly and under privileged.
Boards, agents and managers are playing games of poker all up and doon the country with those who don’t have the bottle paying over the top fee’s in their desperation.
West Ham and Charlton in England seem to the main offenders with the reported £70,000 a week the hammers have paid for hatchet man Lucas Neil almost sheer folly.
Oor own St Martin now has cash to burn and even he has been caught up in the melley. At Aston Celtic wie a randy Americans money he is throwing money at the glory hornet boys for an untested 21 year old. I’m glad to see he still has the transfer target list he had at the hoops wie the capture of John Carew from Lyon. Expect a bid for Dwight Yorke at 11.50pm on Jan 31st Villa fans.
Up north the main stooky seems to be aboot whether or not Hibs will let the Hibee Two, The Hibee Twins or the bloody Proclaimers leave this month. Their manager is adamant that they are not going anywhere while his chairmen is strangely maybe more markedly silent.
Now for me John Collins has a cheek. He walk oot on the Easter Road club to further his career then made a fortune being one of the first hootsmen to take advantage of Bosman when leaving us.
For him to bleating and making big noises is like bit like Jock McConnell saying he disnny like a local income tax when 15 years ago he backed a plan for a local income tax.
Collins should know what these players are going through. The last two games Kevin Thomson has been subbed at half time after below par performances. Interesting enough the other twin hasn’t been touched. Does this mean that Thommo wishes a move more or is it just affecting him more?
Wie the players agent coming oot and saying we are talking to Hibs wie regards signing them- dinny trust that McKay though- and the Hibs chairmen silent on the whole affair it makes you wonder if Collins bombast is all hot air and he is already looking forward to a couple of million spend in the summer.
If it goes through it would be a major outlay for us. So far we have got a bosman- Elvis- a Cameroon left back for a nominal fee and have bid just over £100,000 for a 16 year old who today was compared to Mo J*hnston by the original agent orange McMurdo.
The amount of team’s interest in James McCarthy is frightening. Already been on trial at the pool, wie the Chelski heid tapper upper saying he is the most talented 16 year old he has seen in years- is the 1st division really that guid a yard stick to say? - with others stating that his progress is far above his years.
Now how was this fellow missed and he ended up at Hamilton is one question and again its 1st division cloggerville. A journeymen’s dream of a league where the kicks are free.
I think Celtic are hoping to pull on the heart strings- well he has chosen to play for the Republic over Scotland and he looks like Pearo’s younger better looking brother- but is this going to be it?
Is oor transfer windae going to be full of false hope, nominal fees and buying for the future? Are we going to lose the Scottish player of the year to Fulham, as we won’t go up a couple of grand?
By the 31st of Jan these questions should be clearer. Transfer windaes are no guid and should be scrapped. Too much pressure for the powers at be and clubs in trouble both on and off the park. If you have dosh you should be able to spend it when you want. If you need to sell someone then you should be able to when you want.
It would end this fretting up and doon the country. But one thing for sure, by the end of this one we should know if the rumours of the board backing GS to the hilt were true or not.
At the moment they are distinctly in the not category.
Even though it was Baltic yesterday the majority of tic supporters left the freezing breeze block -, from ma seat in the gods glesga looked mair like an eastern block industrial country wie a permanent darkness and glumness last seen since I visited Grangemouth- unwelcoming stadium that CP resembled yesterday, we left with a spring in oor step and a hope in oor heart.
I mean, can Kenny Miller get to 10 league goals this season? Nah, we left in guid spirits as we saw a performance, we saw loads of chances created, we saw 5 goals but most of all I think we saw the worth of two players whose injury records make Phil O’Donnell’s look guid.
Craig Beattie had 3 chances to score in the 1st 15 minutes. He ended the game having 4 clear-cut chances and 2 assists and in general a performance that makes you wish his hammies widnae snap so often. Right, his 1st touch is only slightly better than Kenny Miller but he seems more, somehow direct than Kenny. He is a naturally better goalscorer than Miller.
Gone also is the gangly frame and the bandy legged-ness that troubled his early hoops career. He is now barrel chested and a bit desperate Dan like in appearance wie his 2 days growth and unkempt hair. He has went from a bhoy to a man- along with Aiden who has bulked up as well, but he is morphing into Frank McAvennie the older he gets- and this is guid news for us.
We know that he is injury prone. That was one of the main reasons that most of us would have been quite happy to get rid. We knew had had some sort of ability but playing a quarter of the season is no guid to man or champions. Lets hope his troubles are behind him.
Now did big JvoH score a perfect hat trick? One wie the heid, right footed from the pen then left footed from the beats cut back? But does the pen- soft pen but what aboot the stone waller we didnae get? - count? For it to be a perfecto hat-tricko do all 3 have to be from open play? Big fellow was a handful all day against a poor defence. We need him though. 10 goals he has scored now think his record is aboot one every two games.
With Milan coming up it was nice to see a partnership with an understanding. The beats stayed close to the big fellow at all times, while others that have been tried seem to leave the width of the Clyde between them and big Jan. Again the beats uncanny knack of finding acres of space in the channels- helped maybe by the Paisley panda’s 3 at the back- is always a useful weapon of choice.
A weapon of choice that Tommy G was glad to see yesterday.
Tommy G patrolled an area no bigger than 25 yards yesterday. He play yesterday reminded me of the old timer, the guy who played at a higher level but now has let himself go and drinks in yer boozer. After a few pints he agrees to turn oot for the pub team on the Sunday morning.
After a few fags he takes to the pitch looking unkempt, rough and decides to no do much running but stay in the middle of the pitch using his reading of the game. But he runs the game due to his vision and passing ability. He disnae need to leave the centre circle for the whole game. Hell, he disnae even break sweat before retiring back to the bar for an afternoon sesh.
Now, while Tommy G is not overweight, unkempt or lacking work rate and his disciplined performance yesterday, in a deeper role, that was the perfect canvas for his talent. His long range passing was a joy, his short range passing was spot on and his ball retention was guid.
He was like a conductor at the Albert Halls wearing Dorothy red boots.
He had to willing runners right enough in Aiden, Naka and the beats to get on the end of his inch perfect long balls. His short to mid range balls were worthy of Tiger Woods wie a pitching wedge. Have we found his role? When the sno man decided to get in on the act the bite lacking when Jaro was there it looked balanced.
But still that midfield is ok when we had the ball. It’s ok when we having willing runners. When we lose the ball it sits too deep and disnae like a tackle. Sno added a bit of bite but for his presence still tackles like a ballerina.
When Lenny returns and if Tommy G sits where he sat yesterday they will get in each other’s way. For us to get the best out of Tommy G it seems playing him deeper could be an answer. But then for us to get the best out of Naka we have to play him in the centre.
Too many cooks and not a big enough kitchen seem to be the problem. But it’s a great problem to have and it’s GS problem to find the solution. Two performances in two games without Lenny in the middle of the park
For me two weeks in a row a centre midfielder was the best player on the park both due to their creative talent. Over to you GS……
So Tommy Burns has bailed oot on the SFA. The Scottish national team joab is looking more and more like an outpost for the unwanted and the unemployable. After the defection, but understandable according to the meeja, of the cardie and the fat playboy was meet with howls of traitor from the Tartan Army rank and file and also some sections of the meeja I wonder how Tommy twists, turn will be viewed.
Again it could be viewed that the pull of his 1st love was too great. He has something tangible to achieve at the hoops in his role as 1st team coach and his hand in the youth development program. Success in that field is his legacy something that he will be remembered for. It’s an exciting time to be a member of Celtic’s future, with Bobby Lennoxtoon coming on, and the liniment announcement of the Hibs boy joining up as heid scout.
TB seems to enjoy the hands on role that he gets with Celtic. He also seemed to enjoy the hands on role he had with Scotland. The fact he had the same role for 5 years and was overlooked for the main joab has had a bearing on his decision.
When Smith took over he turned to Burns once again to be a steadying influence in the dressing. Smith brought in the fat playboy as “striking coach” and Burns kept his assistant management role. Now when result started going oor way the meeja- more recently evidently- have laid the praise at the cardies and the fat playboy’s door.
They all over looked Burns part in this rejuvenation.
Even when the joab came up-and most other associations would have offered it to a man with Burns experience right away- the SFA talked of short lists other candidates and straight away the meeja launched a campaign to install the unemployable Big Feck- back by Sir beetroot face himself- in the post.
So it proved to be the final straw. Or maybe he seen the writing on the wall and doesn’t want to be associated wie Big Eck’s sinking ship of dignity.
But all in I’m glad he is still at CP. He is a vital cog in oor youth system. His loss would have been a hammer blow while the “baldy monk” loss was just a ripple on the water. While questions can be raised aboot his ability as a manager his reputation as a coach is second to none and we are lucky to have such a talented Celtic legend overseeing oor youths.
Tommy twists and Tommy Turns leaving the SFA looking like the naïve, clueless fools they are. If only Tommy Gravesan could do the same to SPL midfields……..
Over the last 8 or 9 months the landscape of the Scottish fitbaw has changed both on and off the park with changes that even a decade ago would have seen them laughed at like Jade Goody. These changes go against what some call oor traditions, heritage and ethos of oor great club, which maybe in a way is correct but are these changes just a sign of the times.
Off the park the Jock McConnell bandwagon has stepped up a gear wie the banning of a number of travelling hoops for singing political tunes, something, allegedly, Mr O’Connell knows a thing or two aboot. Now the fact that this change has been widely welcomed by some and the fact that even the hardliners voice has been quieting doon recently shows a change in the thinking of the rank and file.
The board have been very quiet on this issue. Only statements praising the guid behaviour have been issued to a wider audience but at CP, I think, behind the scenes the board are working on a hidden agenda to rid CP of what they term undesirables- no not of the Boyd and Fergie type.
Heavy handed stewarding in recent home games and a rumour that only “Celtic”- how they define that will be an interesting- flags will be allowed in the ground. Depending on how they define “Celtic” flags then it could mean that the Irish tricolour that many supporters clubs- mines included- use as their banners could well find themselves outlawed.
Do the ethos, tradition; heritage and political stance of the club not sit nicely alongside the sharp suited men’s business plan? Does the fact that the support plays the Irish roots card more than a Scottish club card not sit well with them? Wonder DD thinks of this if it is the case.
Or do they know that oor support demographic has changed so much that these changes will get met with minimal resistance?
Maybe the diluting of the hardcore Celtic values over the years has attracted players to us from un-Celtic backgrounds. We now have three ex r*ngers players in oor 1st team squad and all have been afforded a guid reception.
Beattie was only a youth team player at the brox- one of the more highly rated ones- when the little general decided to go Dutch. A visit from TB and Wullie McStay convinced him and his r*nger loving family that CP was the best place to get one over on them.
Kenny Miller while only a bit part at Snake Mountain is another who has been received well by the support. Granted, he is not everyone’s cup of tea but his performances in the early part of his tic career made people see Kenny Miller as a player not Kenny Miller an ex r*nger.
The biggest one of all is big Elvis. Both parties wouldn’t have considered this move years ago. Again while there was a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth it wasn’t over the fact he was an ex beastie. No it was all over his ability and oor ambition by the fact we were thinking of signing him.
All three of the above wouldn’t have considered signing for us in the 80’s or even the 90’s. Oor club has changed beyond recognition since those days. One big factor is the fact that we are now the biggest club in Scotland. Players look at their career and see CP as a great place to further it and make money no matter what their boyhood allegiances.
The fact that the above 3 have been welcomed by oor support will not deter any one from a r*ngers background signing for us. Hell, maybe that just shows that we follow the ethos of being an inclusive club. As when you think aboot it we have always had guys from a non- Celtic background in the team.
Our maybe the influx of ex-r*nger men just shows that the fitbaw world in the west of Scotland has changed so mach that us as a support will accept anyone to pull on the famous hooped jersey just as long as it brings prolonged success.
Could be a bit of both, oor support especially at home is split between glory hunters and old guard, I just know that when I started going to the old CP I never expected to see the day when 3 ex-r*nger players where playing for the hoops and one has captained us.
Well, that was great telly. Looked doon and oot and struggling to find any form then bang, bang back in the game. For a moment I thought the boy Nixon was going to win the darts after being 6-0 doon but it was a bridge too far and the bad guy won. Unlike at the castle of swine where the guid guys won after looking doon and oot.
We actually had a where were you moment yesterday. No, it wasn’t Elvis- more of him latter- being the capitaino of the hoops and creating history being the 1st ex-r*nger to have that honour, maybe it should have been Arfur right enough? but 5 minutes in Jaro made and won a tackle. It was against Hartley too, which made it all the better as since we now have Elvis Hartley is ma least favourite Hearts player.
I like Craig Gordon and he seems to like us. I mean how many howlers is he going to have against us? Scotland’s numero uno likes a flap against us and yesterday was no different. I just hope no Arsenal scouts were watching as the game yesterday probably saw their two targets to replace the nutty German against each other.
Unfortunately for us the Pole in the goal came oot of it wie more credit than Gordon. Arfurs double save just before half time kept us in the game in spite of the Telfmiesters best efforts. His mis-hit clearance wie his left foot then had to attempt a Brazilian like overheid, bicycle volley scissor kick to clear the baw.
Amazingly he did it.
2-0 doon at half time would have been curtains. It also would have been an undeserved margin as the 1st half was terrible for both teams wie the jambos only slightly better after some wee Lithuanian puppet hit an arsehole winder that ended up in the back of the net.
Then, unsure what happened at half time, we started the 2nd half all the better. Then came the beats. Straight away he began to stretch the creaking jambos backline with his canny ability to find space in the channels and directness compared to Magics nambie pambie fumblings.
The midfield had an oot ball instead of, like the majority of the 1st half, having no options, which ended up us losing possession and bring the maroon hoards back on top of us. Sno began to look like player, a slight resemblance to Regi Blinker, right enough, if Regi had been in a grow bag, with his promptings, turns, flicks and creative output probably made him have his most productive game in the hoops.
He still loses the ball in bad areas- is there any guid place to lose the baw right enough- and the Hearts goal came from him marauding doon the wing and losing possession trying a ronaldinho esq stepover. At 19 he gave a 2nd half performance of someone older than his years. Stood up and was counted.
In the 2nd half Even the frustrating ogre from Madrid stopped committing fouls and decided to pass to guys in the black and green stripes. Tommy G ran aboot without much purpose or end product but again I think his presence in a place where we get bullied canny be underestimated.
GS went for a physical and imposing looking side. Elvis, O’Dea, Tommy G, Jaro, Sno and JVOH are all big players. This tactic for me ensured that we didnae get bullied by the team that loves to bully. When we went in front Elvis and O’Dea made sure that every heider, cross baw or shot they were going to get in the way of it.
At the final whistle Elvis, mouthing f**kin brilliant and hugging all his new teammates, turned round to the hoppy support and gave a clenched fist salute. How times have changed. He got a nice reception from the nastiest support in Scotland but they soon reverted to type by booing his every touch.
Must say, his performance was one of a leader, a man on a mission and judging by the players comments he is well respected in the changing room. He has his limitations and is not a forward thinking, long term signing but so far he is proving to be able cover in area where we are weak squad wise.
Yesterday’s result was obtained with oor creative force having a quiet game and without the services of Maloney, McGeady and Riordon. GS got his sub right when he looked at the young bench- oldest was 26- and choose Beats over McGeady or Riordon.
The fact that Beats was chosen over King Kenny shows how far doon the pecking order Kenny has fallen. The remit GS gave Beattie was right up Kenny’s street but his goal drought and lack of finishing prowess made Beattie a better option. Yesterday an article stated that Kenny has had a 20% accuracy rate this season. Coo with a banjo springs to mind.
Jaro as a left winger was a strange one. But a role he did look comfortable, even if I’m not comfortable with it being a regular occurrence. His goal was one of sheer individual skill and ability that we all know he possesses. That’s what makes his performances so frustrating. One game in five from him is not a guid return for the money we splashed. But that’s, for me, two good games in the last two league outings.
But I’m sure the fact both have been when he has been playing in his favoured midfield area has nothing to do with it eh Gordon?
A victory and a performance against a team that were on a no bad run of form. A comfortable performance and victory in the end at a place where we usually don’t do well. Our talent shone in the 2nd half and it was aboot time.
That’s us done the double dunter in the league. Home and away unbeaten against everyone. Very O’Neill esq in the 2003/04 season. Not bad for what for some are calling a poor side eh?
Unsure if the Wonder Stuff had a song called never loved Elvis but they did have an album of that title. The Wonder Stuff was one of the biggest bands at ma high school. Me? I didnae get them at all. All that size of a cow and circle square just didnae register wie me at that time. Now welcome to the cheap seats I can refer to been in many a hell hole- Livingston? - where all the seats are cheap- Ibrox?
It wasn’t until a few years ago that I started to like the wonder stuff and that was only because I heard their lead singer Miles Hunt do a solo session of some of their “hits”. Another reason I was put of all those years ago was due to the singer name. I mean would you trust a band whose singer name was cockney rhyming slang for a term of abuse?
But I always thought Steven Pressley was a Miles Hunt. His caveman appearance, his image in the meeja as the natural successor to braveheart throne, his general demeanour and his comments aboot poor old Neil Lennon always made me think he was a Miles Hunt.
All this with oot knowing the guy. But we all know it’s a fitbaw fan right to character assonate blokes we dinny ken. I mean we pay their wages and the money we spend going to watch games gives us the right to shout what we want to somebodies son.
Now, when I heard Elvis had left the building I text a few readers of this site ma fears that GS may just fancy him. I knew that he wee ginger ninja may just see an international captaino with experience going for sod all while myself and a few others only saw a ex r*nger over-rated buffoon who looked like he could do with a decent wash. I also thought GS may just see a chance to get one over Romanov and also that Elvis saw things the same way.
When Balde broke his leg I knew Elvis would be wearing the hoops. The questions regarding him being a bit part player were answered in the moment Balde buckled under his weight. So as I left the game I prepared maself for the sight of Elvis in the hoops. And to tell you the truth while being strange it disnae seem as wrong as I 1st thought.
So he made his debut, I was in a boozer watching it, and a round of applause went up both in the stadium and in the pub when he took his 1st touch. Surprised I was at this judging by the indifference the signing had been received. But this maybe down to the fact that we have signed a quality- in the Scottish league sense- stopgap until Big Mick and Caldo returning from injury.
Now big Mick had been playing on one leg for months now and needed a break and I’m sure GS thinking was a pairing of Balde and Elvis until his 1st choice CB’s are available again. Balde bad luck put paid to that and the young O’Dea has stepped up to the plate with great aplomb.
While a pairing of O’Dea and Balde would have me having sleepless nights I’m comfortable with Pressley and O’Dea. I mean, Elvis made Webster look like a player and he has enough experience to help O’Dea settle doon and continue his impressive start to his hopefully hoopy career and not a Steve Cahill or Lex Baille hoopy career.
On Sunday Elvis returns to Gorgie of Lithuanian with possible revenge on his mind. For him to achieve this he needs more than just him to be up for the mission as oor away performances have been as bad as the 1st episode of “Shameless” the other night with the Motherwell game ranking as shocking.
With Lenny having the day oaf for being stupid oor midfield presents problems. Tommy G, Jaro and Sno are the 3 competing for two places but to tell you the truth are any of them man enough to stand up to the bully boy, rough hoose tactics that Hearts will employ.
GS again berated Tommy G at the game at Fir Park for not following orders and his lack of discipline when following a game plan makes playing him in this game along with Naka a risk. Tommy G sees himself as an old fashioned number 10 while Naka is oor old-fashioned number 10. But ye have to play the gravedigger. Too much ability and he has stood up and been counted on the goal front in hard away games already this season.
Jaro canny tackle a fish supper, but is disciplined when it comes to following orders. Also he looked like a fitbawer against Killie in the middle of the park instead of a giraffe on ice when he played centre forward. Is he tough enough to handle Gorgie? Well, 1st time oot rabbit caught in headlights was the phrase I used and that may play on GS mind.
Sno the big fellow is built like a boxer and tackles like Jaro. The pace of the game may catch him oot but there is no question the boy has ability and he is useful doing the waterboy job i.e. fetching, carrying and playing the simple ball. A lot has been placed on the big mans shoulders, to early for me, but again his ability to follow orders could see him get the nod and also the ability to keep the ball could be useful if the game gets to hectic.
Naka is usually dropped for this game. I think the formation will depend if GS feels the Japanese magician is ready to handle the most dangerous ground in Scotland.
Miles Hunt once sang “Welcome to the cheap seats” he must have visited Tynecastle. I’m hoping I’m no calling the Hearts manager this week, for the time being anyway a Miles Hunt for an OTT celebration on Sunday this time.
Right, I hate ma line manager. Think they’re useless at their job and a trained chimp could do better. But their boss thinks their the best thing since sliced bread. Tell ye what I’m going to do. I’m going to start undermining them and bad mouth them to the rest of ma team. Then I’m going to fight against the changes they are bringing in to improve productivity.
I mean, longer hours and shorter lunch breaks, hell, I find it hard enough to have a punt and a pint as it is in ma lunch hour. What’s all this crap about? Trying to change ma ways to get the best oot of me. Nae danger as soon as productivity drops I’m well to the boss boss to shop them for being useless. Then we will see whose boss. I also know a couple of pals who need joabs……
Put like the above it sounds as daft as it looked. But it least it gave us a big laugh. At least we now know how they felt in the mid nineties when we lurched from one crisis to another. But for me theirs is the biggest laugh of them all and the main offender is getting away Scott free and the meeja still find time to compare it to digger Barnes.
Which, for me is wrong. Digger was hung oot to dry by the board. He wasn’t help by a Celtic legend who had, had previous dealing with high paid prima donnas. Digger needed a hand when the players were throwing boots at him and Ian Wright was his only friend. Digger was a rookie but a rookie that peshed 20 odd million up against a wall.
PLG was none of those. Ok he was hung oot to dry by his chairmen but most of all like Barnes he was let down by his PLAYERS. R*ngers went for a guru coach with new ideas, tactics and fanciful notions of grander. Unfortunately for him his chairmen listened to there knuckle dragging support and there knuckle dragging captaino. His move could have set them back years.
Right, I think if PLG had joined Celtic instead of them he would have been a success. He had a better class of yoof and also more money to spend. But he would have had to do the one thing GS managed to do when he became Celtic manager. Get the players onside.
It’s well known when GS first introduced the beep test, the idication that ye would actually be doing some running the old guard gave a collective “what the f*ck is this?, ye mean I have to train? What into the afternoon as well? And “what’s this swimming shite all aboot?”
While all the huffing and puffing was going on the barrowfield young team ran past the old guard flicking them the “v” as they ran by. The old guard noses were oot of joint and the performances showed. Bratislava was caused by this change. The 4-4 at Motherwell was caused by this change. But GS stuck to his guns and got his defining dressing room on side moment.
When Lenny went mental at Kenny Clark at the crisis brox.
After GS gave Lenny his full backing the dressing was his. His ideas accepted and also what helps was the fact that he knew a player, as the majority of his signings have been passable. His ideas started winning games and winning runs ensued. Winning runs means more money for the players, player’s wie more money means happy bunnys.
Any discontent will know be settle by Lenny in the changing room. When Lenny goes other characters- Mick, Big Jan, Tommy G etc- will settle the discontent. GS was allowed time to bring in his own charges to ensure that he won’t lose the dressing room. Maybe PLG was a bit to aloof to realise this but he needed Barry more than Barry needed him.
GS was a forward thinking coach like PLG. He changed the way coaching was structured at the club just like PLG was doing. Difference was oor players accepted change was guid the others well were happy in their set 3rd place ways.
Who cares really cause all this episode has showed is that professional fitbawers are weans of the highest order. I mean, in what other profession can you get a gadgie the sack then go oot and win the next 10 games. They’re a fickle lot, not caring aboot the support or anyone else bar themselves. They’re pampered and detached from reality.
One thing that made yesterdays result for Dunfermline so pleasing. I don’t gloat usually but I LURRRVED nothing better than watching a bunch of spoilt brats getting their comeuppance after a week of chest beating and gloating aboot them being right and the coach being useless.
I’m sure a certain French European pedigree coach, who WILL be successful elsewhere was laughing at Ian Durrants, the boy Bell and Jim Whites coupon at the final whistle yesterday. I know I was.
It’s a sad indictment on Scottish and British fitbaw that PLG left cause of knuckle dragging attitudes, attitudes that have ensured we have been left us behind in terms of competing in Europe.
The mythical Stone Roses once sang, “The past was yours but the futures mine” aye, but only if you embrace it, only if you embrace it.
On to the football and the game v Killie the other day was a bit better although still not great.
I watched the game in Dublin and Kev was in Tenerife so couldn't comment on the atmosphere or lack of it commented on by GS but after Motherwell and Dundee Utd i suppose getting 3 points and also the added bonus of a clean sheet were all that mattered.
The Motherwell game, i thought we had done the hard work without being great and didn't think they were really threatining us in the last few minutes until a daft mistake by telfer let them in. Worked out fine though with results elsewhere but still very annoying.
Against Killie, on the tv big Elvis looled calm and assured and never stopped shouting at his fellow team-mates which unlike pepe le pew, i like to see. Good we now have added cover which means big mick can get a well earned rest if need be. If O'Dea keeps on scoring at this rate he might end up our top scorer.
Talking about scorers its great to see JVOFH back in action, what a difference he makes and hopefully 90 minutes and a few goals against Dumbarton at the weekend will have him flying by the time we go to Tynecastle. I for one can't wait to see the Jambo's reaction to Pressley, they won't know what to do.
In this transfer window, i would love to like most fans see us sign someone who will score us 20+ goals a season. Stokes, Hoskins, Sharp, Gow and some 6ft 2 french guy have been mentioned but who knows. It was interesting to see GS say after the Killie game that he could see another "Dublin" type signing coming in. Was this a referal to Stokes and the place of his birth or does he have someone else up his sleeve to come in until the end of the season and do us a turn, any suggestions anyone?
Going out it looks like Thommo and Pearo could be offski. I never realised Pearo only had 5 months left on his contract and if this is the case anything over £500, 000 is a bonus and anywhere near £1,000,000 would be great. Don't get me wrong i like Pearo but he hasn't taken his chance when it's came and i don't think at CP he will ever get the run of games he needs and will get elsewhere to get back to his best.
Thommo was a great player for us and was a real favourite of mine but his time at CP is up, all the best if you go now Thommo and thanks for the memories.
Also talk of The Beats and Marshall maybe going to Hibs for Thomson or Brown, we will wait and see.
On a side note one of the highlights of Dublin was when i heard of the Le Pew and Wee Barry fallouts and the man who was to be the new captain at Ipox.
It was a Rae of light to a cold New Years Day in Dublin Haha.
