The LOTW Diary- Inversenkie 1 Hoops 2

The Late, Late, Late Show

Why? Can someone tell me why we treat the senkie as if they are bloody Real Madird? I mean they are organised, granted, physically imposing, workmanlike but are so unspectacular it makes the fact that we struggle up their puzzling. The wee boy black apart- now he looks like a player- the rest of the senkie team wisnae look oot of place in a line up for war crimes against fitbaw at the Hague.

In fact they widnae look oot of place in a polis line up for muggers awe, nae teeth, skinheads and tattoos.

But struggle we do and yesterday was no different. Difference was that yesterday we played some no bad fitbaw but the lack of the final ball and a focal point upfront was the main problem. Hard as it was on the senkie it was aboot time we ended their undefeated run in the main cup competition against us and also shut up the assorted meeja men on Sky who took great pleasure in reminding us that “Super Caley went ballistic”

At the final whistle I must admit I was laughing at the coupons of Jim White, Chubby John Robertson- Caley won’t lose this game was the fat jambo’s mantra- and Charlie Nick. The difference from their look of delight at half time to their look of sheer shock at full time was worth the wait.

The Last Chance Saloon.

Now, after oor no bad opening in which Jaro looked like a fitbawer before disappearing from view, the fact that we only had one centre forward, whom at a push is the most unnatural centre forward on oor books, and a system which allowed the midfield to swap at will looked to be a guid call from GS.

The senkie goal put paid to oor good work but, as usual, we never deviated from the game plan, which at 1-0 doon and not creating chances is frustrating. We keep the ball, we probe and we get ourselves in great positions but the final ball was letting us doon.

At 1-0 doon you want urgency or you start to look to the bench for someone to change it. Yesterday as wie Milano we had not one striker available who has had 1st team game time. The shuffling of the deck had to come from out the box thinking and a few hail Mary’s being said by Tommy Burns if they were to come of.

This was where GS got lucky.

The fact that we scored two goals shouldnae over look the fact that when Aiden replaced Jaro we were chasing the game with only one forward one the field. The fact that wie 20 minutes left he went one up front wie the hope that Naka and Aiden would support from wide.

Also that when this change happened Evander Sno and not Paul Hartley had been pushed into a more advanced position. In fact Hartley was the deepest lying midfielder who replaced Lenny in the joab of taking the ball from Elvis and Mick deep inside oor ain half.

Now while Sno is slightly more, ahem, forward thinking than Lenny, he is not an attacking midfielder.

The 2nd last throw of the dice came when the untried and unheard of Cillian Sheridan came on for Mark Wilson thus shoving Hartley to right back. Sheridan gave Millar a partner but the fact remains that we had 10 minutes when the team was tactically a shambles.

Maybe oor possession play deserved a slice of luck and a replay but as a coach I don’t think GS will look back on this one with any fondness or inclining that he was a tactical genius to pull of the escape.

The Final Ball.

Our guid possession play was undone by shocking wing play from the 2 full backs. Mark Wilson seems to be feeling his way back into the game after a serious injury while Lee Naylor seems to be going from one offensive mare to another.

His delivery was terrible and barely got by the 1st man all game. The guy is solid enough in defence but what set him apart was his crossing ability and rampaging overlaps that were so prominent in his early hoops career.

Lack of confidence maybe? But one thing’s for sure his performances have slipped to a droppable level. His early promise and arrogance, which he radiated when he signed has gave way to, by the look of it, under pressure performances and a look of a man struggling to come to terms wie his surroundings.

When speaking to a fellow Hoop last week I mentioned that I thought Naylor had been a guid signing but what the hoop said was very true. He said it’s ok doing it for 3 months but at Celtic you need to do it for 3 years before you can be judged as a success or not.

No S*rrender

The two goals yesterday that sent the hoop hoards bouncing back doon the A9, carry oots and chips in tow, were defiantly had made in Govan stamped all over them. Not that we cared and not that Elvis and Kenny Millar care that they used to frequent the dark side.

The way both were celebrated by the players, wie all the badge thumping, clenched fists and jumping into the crowd verve of a life long ginger heided, skinny and freckled Tim who attended the correct skool and still goes to chapel.

While again it’s maybe just me, but I found and find the badge thumping a bit naff, I love it really as in the boozer after the game and today at work the gers are beilin that two former dirties got us oot a hole and they bloody enjoyed it.

As I said Kenny and Elvis are on the road to redemption…

Iversenkie Polis Hate the Hoops

Again another late winner and again another jump into the crowd celebration. The wee stand at the Tulloch stadium seems to have a big walkway doon the front. The lateness of the equaliser and winner caused a mass gathering of celebrating hoops doon the front in the walkway. Who could blame them, they fancied a bit of a dance didn’t they?

Anyway, when Miller jumped in the crowd a move, which 20 minutes before would have saw him lynched by the same supporters, the stewards and polis moved quickly to defuse the situation. Celebrating wie yer own fans is not allowed roond oor way I’m sure the big coo pie-eating Sergeant was thinking.

So in he steamed and pulled poor Kenny oot. C’mon mate, oor Kenny canny hit a coo wie a banjo and is low on confidence, he scores a peach of a goal and needed a hug from his devoted following to show him that we believed that he was a top drawer striker.

Nah, a booking and from the officish ref and clot roond the ear by Pc Murdoch was the order of the day.

Up For The Cup Still….

Can you hear the drums Fernando? Maybe not but we can all hear and see the spookily reminiscent of the centenary year mob when comebacks and late winners were the norm. some say we were lucky, yes but you need luck in fitbaw and the amount of times we have came back from the deid is a testament to the spirit of the players.

It’s maybe more doon to the quality of individual rather than luck. Yesterday’s equaliser came from a decent set piece swung into the box from a quality player. Again the second was great build up play- involving Naka and Tommy G who added a bit of pace to the middle when he came on- and a smart finish.

The amount of ball we had, we were eventually going to get a chance. The lack of the final ball is a worry but the return of oor injured parties I think should mean we will have targets to hit and options in the final third rather than the one pass to many or sideways display we had yesterday.

Patience is a virtue, which has been drilled into this team while it is frustrating you have to admire that we dinny panic. Well the players that is, us the fans are hiding behind couches up and doon the land. If we had got beat I still would have said it was a no bad performance but lacking the killer instinct doon to the fact we lacked a decent delivery.

But at least we got two decent deliveries at the end of the day.

Forza The Hoops, who like to keep us sweating

The LOTW Diary- Friday

Milano Fallout

The debate rages on in cybertimdom whether GS made an almighty boob wie tactics and personnel or whether the result, while disappointing, was the best we can hope for playing against the cream of Europe.

Me, I’m in the middle but leaning towards it’s the best we can hope for. While saying that I glad we competed and I think we have shown that if we can cure the travel sickness we can compete and maybe trips to the last 16 will not be as rare as a Kenny Miller goal.

The seedings don’t lie. We snuck into the pot 2 this season but in reality we are a pot 3 team. A middle order European team, slightly behind the Benfica, Porto, PSV, Werder etc but ahead of yer Anderlect’s and Bucharest’s. The teams above us we will and can beat on any given day but they have developed a knack of taking points from the teams in the ranks above them and importantly away from home.

Bottomline is if you look at the UEFA cup we would be a guid side in there, a last 16 or even a ¼ final team. Teams would want to avoid us in that competition. Here in the CL we are termed by the big boys as also ran’s who on there day can upset but usually don’t.

The fact that Scotland is competing wie Romania, Belgium and the Ukraine for an extra CL spot says it all.

So how do we redress the balance? We can’t compete in terms of finance and economics. Bigger leagues attract better players and money talks. That is something that gets on ma goat and I hate using it as an excuse. Sometimes the trend is bucked- Porto- but that will only happen once every decade. Look at Porto now, a shadow of their former selves, their team plundered and pillaged after their successes.

But they are still decent. Homegrown talent and shrewd operating in their financial market place have allowed them- last year apart- to maintain their place in the middle order. This is what we must look at doing.

As Lenny said….

. "We had a very inexperienced side out there but they acquitted themselves very well. To record a clean sheet against that team takes some doing."

We will never be able to buy a fully-fledged Pirlo or Scholes. But we can buy potential that we can nurture and also can ensure we give oor youngsters the best possible coaching, facilities and knowledge to give them a chance of making it to CL level.

Oor team contained 3 players under 21- 2 of them from yoof system 3 altogether, though I think we should be aiming for a higher number than that- on Tuesday night. I wonder if any other team in Europe had that? It’s the way to go but one, which in the long term will still leave us in the middle order and maybe that’s where we are at and where we should always aim to be.

An Agents Moan.

Since all papers and meeja outlets gave the hoops grudging praise after oor draw wie Milano it was nice to see them all dig up a rent a quote agent who was willing to sell his soul to say all was not well doon parkhied.

John Sivebaek came oot wie this..

"As a player you have to accept the manager's decision and that is what Thomas is doing at this moment. We all know, though, a player at his level cannot accept the situation as it is for a long time.
"Thomas is still happy at Celtic, and has a contract with 21/2 years remaining, but things can change quickly in football."

Now, while there was a case for the Gravedigga to come on earlier against Milan, a case for him to have started the game is less watertight. As in many musings here, Tommy G has been hit, miss and miss again in the games he has played.

One of the main gripes regarding the Gravedigga is his seemingly lack of tactical nonce and discipline when following orders. A dug chasing a balloon springs to mind at times, when he is charging after the ball. Numerous occasions, GS has berated him during games for not following orders.

Now the performance and discipline of the Milano midfield the other night proves one of the reasons why this flexibility and discipline is needed in the modern game. You just canny be one type of midfielder you have to be able to play anywhere across that line and also follow orders.

Strangely enough, Jaro is more a modern midfielder than Tommy. Holding or attacking role and out wide he has proved he can do a joab but, again, the problem wie him is he is languid in his application to the game.

On Sunday I don’t think there is any danger that either of them will get a run in their favoured roles. Hartley will come in along side Lenny for the slog while Jaro might get a wee run up front or in the hole as a support striker. Tommy will be getting skelves in his arse.

Could just be that after 18 months without any soccer Tommy is struggling to adapt to the unique style of the Scottish game. Much like Jaro they have better technique then most opponents but at times seem lost at how to use it.

Both have much to offer to the hoops but whether both are around long enough to do it is another question. That depends I feel on Neil Lennon staying or going.

Up For The Cup In The Senkie.

Another early kick off. Another long trip north. Another blood and snotters type game to dine on after the succulent lamb we feasted on in the midweek. A trip to a team that has a 100% undefeated recorded against us in the Scottish Cup. A stadium that we always struggle.

Pampers anyone?

We are usually the makers of oor own doonfall against the senkie. We never play well, don’t keep the ball and we succumb to their harrying style. After the efforts in midweek oor limbs will be weary and minds could be not as sharp as they should be.

A few changes to freshen up the side could be made. Some will be hard on the youngsters who I think deserve to keep their place. Sno will make way for Hartley. ICT are no AC so there is no really any need for two defensive midfielders. O’Dea will return to the bench allowing the experience of Elvis to come in alongside Mick. We might also see Aiden making way for extra height so Jaro may be in wie a shout.

While earlier I stated we should be aiming for a class of young player that should adapt to CL level these players should also adapt to the domestic game. This should be no problem to them as they have been raised playing in the backwaters and against the hammer throwers. But there seems to be a general acceptance and a general will by us the support to see the experienced guys come back.

The bottom-line is we expect to win every game and sometimes youngsters, and especially after the heights of the other night, may not be physically and mentally ready for the match. Older pro’s have been here and done it before. Hartley and Elvis will be buzzing at the thought of coming back into the team and may give us need energy if we have a sluggish start. As could the re-introduction of Rioirdan if fit.

It’s a squad game nowadays. As the years roll by the experience will end up on young guys shoulders, I’m talking aboot 25 and 26 year olds. Now, at this point in time the experience comes in the form of guys in their thirties.

We need them to perform on Sunday.

Forza The Hoops, some who are worried aboot the cup and are calling in favours for Milano……

The LOTW Diary- Hoops 0 Milan 0

Setting the scene.

Well. It’s set for a humdinger winner takes the lot toe to toe in the San Siro. It’s an Italian job for the hoops and there won’t be a place for mini’s, Michael Caine or a bus full of gold. Just a few thousand hoops wie hope in their hearts hoping that the bhoys can up their game and nick a goal.

It was another hair standing up on the back of the neck night at CP. The walk on was spectacular. The corner of CP that held the tifosi and the boys from the “brigate” seemed overfull and was buyout aboot it. Once again CP under the lights was alive, bouncing and full of anticipation. This was not lost on the Milano players as Maldini and Gourcoff told the Milano website

This a great environment to play in, even if you are the opponent.

It’s difficult playing here, it's an extraordinary atmosphere

The game turned oot to be one for the pureist. Seemed to be a lot of them at CP last night judging by the way the Milan team was applauded from the field. After such a frenzied build up there was always going to be a sense of disappointment after a 0-0. The muted walk from the staduim to the bus was strange, an air of a missed opportunity hung over us but some were maybe just like me quietly impressed at a European quality display from a quality team.

Bottomline is, no matter what missed opertunities, no matter what tactical errors were made we still have to do what we laways were going to have to do anyway. Score in the San Siro and put an end to oor travel sickness. Last night proved it will be difficult but we are still in the tie and thatw as always the aim.

Out-foxed and Out Thought

Watching the Rossoneri on Tv disnae do them justice. Last night all their European experience came to the fore. In truth it was like watching a road runner cartoon. We were the cayote, trying to snare the beast in ever increasing desperate measures. No matter what we done the roadrunner was always one step ahead last night. Blocked of at every pass and turn.

We were outdone both on and off the park. We all never saw them sticking an extra man in the midfield this nulifying oor creative threat doon the wings. On the park it was like watching an old boxer spar wie a young pretender. The youngsters enthusiasm curtailed and harnessed wie a display of cunning and the ability to know that they could deliver a knock oot blow.

Their midfield was a hive of industry. Pirlo was just a joy. I have never seen a player who moves so little but does so much. Did he run? Did he break sweat? Short passes, long passes he was like a quarter back. For a player that seems to move so little he found space easily. As they say great players make the game look easy and he certainly did last night.

Thought Paul Scohles against us was a joy, but Pirlo was a further step above and that’s some going.

Tactical Naivety?

The pairing of Sno and Lenny in the midfield was the main cause of much murmerings. While both played well they lacked the creative bit needed as the wings were congested and Naka thought he was playing for Reggina again. The italians had the measure of the man from Japan, which disnae bode well for the return.

Aiden apart from flashes done nothing against the tag team of Oddo and Rino- who I think I have developed a grudging respect for- and again it could be said froze on the big stage. The lack of space to work made oor creative weapons a blunted force something GS picked up on

Our attitude was ten out of ten, but the technical side of our game was only five out of ten. If we can improve that side of things a little, then we can really give Milan a game over there.

Big improvement needed from oor baw players and maybe a slight tinkering wie formation and system. The Kenny Miller- taxi to the toon?- and JVOH is never going to work no matter how many times Scott Booth says it will.

Miller didnae even produce his usual annoying-ness display and once never trouble the rarely troubled Milano centre backs. JVOH never really troubled them either as 1) the supply to him was terrible and 2) he was playing on one leg.

If we are to get anything from the game in Milan then we must have more striking options. There was nothing on the bench that could have changed the game as the bringing on of Jaro proved. Fit again Magic, Beats and Riordan must all be ready and must be in GS thoughts for the return game.

The lack of movement also ensured oor fullbacks both had their worst games in their short Celtic careers. Long aimless punts to naebodyand rushed crosses were the order of the day from Lee and Mark.

Overall, our display had guts but lacked creativity, intelligence and pace. But I’m not going to be to hard on them. Sometimes a toothless display has a lot to do with the ability of the team yer facing. Yes, we can do better and will need to, but we all would have took a 0-0 before a baw had been kicked last night.

Sno Dea

GS picks up on something I noticed early doors last night

It was a good lesson for us as we had a young team. Our back four in particular were all young and it was the first time they've played together in a big game. When compared with the experience of the Milan team, I'm very satisfied with my players' display.

We have a very young side oot there and also one that in CL terms is still in pampers and it showed. This is no disgrace. Mialn have done this to better teams than us during the years.

Two outstanding players were two of the youngest. Sno and O’Dea done well, better than expected. Faced wie the might of Gilardino, O’Dea never onced flinched from his task while the Sno man done his job with aplomb against a midfield he shouldn’t be getting a sniff from.

Both are unspectacular, Sno is a fetcher and carrying type midfielder and O’Dea reads the game well and knows when to wellie the baw and when to play. Everyone will have learned lessons from last night. You learn more after defeats or disappointing results- I think beating Man U disguised the fact that we were ootplayed for long spells in that game- and young players learn.

The hard part is ensuring they heed the warning fired last night.

My name is Joe

Anyone seen him?

Forza The Hoops who are now looking forward to Milano.

The LOTW Diary- Sheep 1 Hoops 2 + Milano

The Importance Of Being Idle

A trip to Sheepie land turned oot to be an easy ride for the Hoops. Two goals in the 1st twenty had the hoopy hoards singing “ole” “ole”- along wie some other ditties that get rolled oot as always when we bypass Perth- long before the end and the moronic soccer am lager lout generation chant of “easy” “easy” which personally I would love to see fired in the bin.

The “easy” “easy” chant is up there wie ma most hated one EVER. Remember late nineties that “Carnival of Paris” one. If ye canny it was the tune for the France 98 world cup. It was played after goals at CP. It was embarrassing and terrible.

The fact that we like the rest of the fitbaw world have welcomed a Murdoch inspired rouse and called it oor own thus giving the creators of this an ego boost really gets ma goat. The fact at the program is created for and aimed at lad’s mag lager culture and sun readers disnae say much for the British fitbaw fan.

It’s just another part of the modern sky / setanta inspired fitbaw culture were the fans have become lazy and look to the meeja for inspiration for songs. We have become lazy. In fact the game we love has almost become americanised in its packaging and promotion.

For the first time I really think we could be on the verge of losing the grass roots of fan backing and creativity. We could be on the verge of the new generation of hoops believing we are a carbon copy of what they see on TV in the EPL.

Something that we could be unable to stop due to factors and also the boards promotion of us as a brand rather that a club.

The Importance of Not Being Idle

Tomorrow night is another example of the new modern packaged game. The Champions League is a beast created through TV, money and greed. It is also a successful beast due to the fact that European competition always gets the juices following. Even with all the tinkering, the competition still gives the fans what they want. Big clubs, coming to our patch and a chance to turn them over.

Something we excel at.

Now, while I’m saddened at the state of fan culture up and doon the country CP deserves it status as being one of THE stadiums to be at on CL nights. The revamped CP does create an intimidating arena, not in keeping with other newly built stadiums that we see and visit.

Celtic Park is special.

Its design has brought the fans closer to the action and allows the noise to linger and reverb all round the ground. The stadium looks grander under the floodlights. More majestic, more like a canvas where artists perform and legends are created. Even thought he stadium plays it’s part the fans make it happen.

We marry old and new. Terrace veterans who remember that European nights were always special at CP and the new breed who believe the meeja spin on the CL and also the spin regarding the special CP atmosphere.

It’s a meeting of cultures and it works. The fans make it work on the levels that appeal to them. We work in unison. Maybe it’s something to do wie being the underdog that the same atmosphere can’t be generated at domestic games.

The two cultures are different, different values, different views and different takes on the Celtic Way. Domestically we don’t work together in Europe we do.

I expect nothing different tomorrow. In fact I’m looking forward to singing from the same hymm sheet for once as long as it’s not Soccer AM inspired.

The Importance Of Being Idle (2)

It was the source of much discussion on LOTW the team’s selection for the visit to the sheep and also not returning wie injuries. GS put oot a strong line up wie, on the face of it, no leanings to saving players for Milano.

Always dangerous and now in hindsight could have been sheer folly. Oor main strike pairing are as fragile as china dolls. Slight strains and niggling injuries seem to find them no problem. Oor other main striker seems to find trouble whether it being his 1st touch, lack of confidence in front of goals or running into a linesmen.

With such an important game coming up and a massive lead we all expected GS maybe to tinker wie his team. But he went for the strongest line up possible and basically gave the watching Milano mole no indication of the starting 11.

The recalled Jaro in place of Aiden was a surprise but was it an indicator for Tuesday. The coming of Sno instead of Tommy G was maybe another indicator. Both might have been getting some game time to loosen their limbs for Tuesday.

One thing is for sure if Beats and JVOH are fit they start. GS said

"I thought they played well together," . "I liked what Beatts did. We had a chat about last week's performance and he took in a lot of things and practised them during the week."

Even the Beats like’s playing wie the big man

"Preferably I can play off Jan and let him get battered about. He's got a great physical presence and that allows me to try and open my legs."

Now, while not a 1st choice pairing both are their on merit. Beats finish on Saturday was clinical and as natural as anything JVOH has done. His gangly style and lack of touch may have not worried the watching Milano mole but his ability to find space in the channels will have been flagged up.

Milano play narrow in the middle wie their full backs providing attacking width. We will be looking for the beats to exploit that.

JVOH, well what can be said? The guy is a player, mobile, great touch, a presence and a natural finisher. He is as important to us Arfur and Naka.

Both will need to be fully fit and ready for us to get anything from Milan.

Heart of the team.

Saturday saw another guid performance from oor two boys from the east. Elvis and Hartley again proved to have what it takes to play for the hoops domestically. Elvis and Mick has struck up an understanding, a partnership that is solid rather than awe inspiring and Hartley has slotted in well but not yet quite reached the heights of his tub thumping jamboite days.

While a lot see a missed opportunity not have blooded O’Dea and big Mick before the Milan game I think GS has been correct in playing Elvis when fit. O’Dea has proved to be calm when he has came in and Big Mick will see him right.

Again O’Dea and Mick partnership will be solid rather than inspiring but the adrenaline flowing in both players will ensure lack of game time together is not a factor.

Cigars

Quite hard to judge Saturdays game. The work clothes were off early doors and a stroll ensued. We played well within ourselves and after the break were content wie a few ventures up the field in counters rather than full oot attack. Dangerous game but one a woeful Aberdeen side made easy for us.

For all their possession they only made King Arfur a few times and ma feeling that they are third by default was all but reinforced. It’s little wonder that the sheep attendances are down this season if that is the dross served up to them.

Over or Under?

When Naka stepped up to that free kick did anyone have the same conversation as me? I said it was too close in for the diminutive genius to strike the ball over the wall and back doon. Said that under the wall was the way to go and that Hartley should strike it.

What do I know eh?

The man from Japan ,again, proved that he is one of the best dead ball specialists in Europe. It’s an un-defendable weapon and one that the Milano mole wouldn’t have needed to put in his report.

I mean go on you tube and you will see all his free kicks in glorious colour.

My Name Is Joe…

Anyone seen him?

Forza the Hoops who like me are hyper at the thought of tomorrow night and have just wrote two diary’s at once so he can go early tomorrow…….

The LOTW Diary- Friday

Carlos Ancelotti Still Has Betamax

In the build up to the biggest game, since our last big game the very impressive AC Milano website- reports from training, times the players are training etc, makes a mockery of the claim that players are hard worked- had a webchat wie their gaffer Ancelotti.

Apart from questions regarding the fenomon or fat Ronnie to you and me the hoops came up a few times and the gaffers response was

Celtic are a very physical team. They play at high rhythm,"

Now, either we have knobble the scout or Ancelotti has been watching old DVD’s of St Martins of O’Neill sides. Us physical? High rhythm and us?

One of the main gripes aboot oor team 2 is that they lack bite in a tackle and when the chips are doon flying into tackles is not oor midfields forte. In fact we are more likely to sit deep and wait for the opposition to make a mistake rather than tackle for the ball.

We are also no longer as a physical imposing side of days of yore. The lands of the giants that MON had are gone and at set pieces only JVOH, Jaro and whoever are playing CB need to be watched.

Main gripe of all in cybertimdom is that most of our performances this year have been at pedestrian pace when we were promised pace, power and skill at the outset of this season. Against Milan if we keep our normal pace the Italians will shut us oot like numerous wives up and down the country shutting out husbands after they forgot the rouse that is Valentines Day.

So whatever videos the Milano lads have they are well oot of date or we look a lot different on the telly.

My Name Is “Joe”

Oor new full back Jean Joel Perrier Doumbe or Joe as the players have christened him, well the young team that have seen him, got a typical west of Scotland welcome on landing in Glesga. The big fellow said

When I flew in, I took a taxi from the airport, and ended up with a driver who was a Rangers fan. The moment he learned that I had signed for Celtic, he refused to say another word for the rest of the journey."

What a nice taxi man. Nice to see that the mints charge to eradicating bigotry, ahem, from the second biggest institution in Scotland is being welcomed by the hoards. Rumours that the taxi man bumped the fare and bought a heart attack inducing Sausage and Bacon doubler roll, a donught, a bootle of ginger and a deep fried mars bar from Senga’s mobile snack van in Paisley while moaning aboot having to drive reserve tims aboot are unconfirmed.

Mind you the guy has seen big Joe mair times than me.

We All Love Neil Lennon

After Shuggie Nakamura claimed that Neil Lennon is a player we canny do without and that he learns from the ginger Lurgan man on the park- pity Lenny couldnae learn from the mercurial Japanese player, then we would move the ball aboot at a high rhythm- now Paul Hartley has come oot in support of the man he was bought to replace.

"When you're playing against someone, you know if they are a good player. I always rated Neil highly. He's a great player but it's not until you are playing in the same team that you fully appreciate the work he puts in and how well he keeps the ball - getting it and moving it on.
"He's been outstanding so far and it's been a joy to be there beside him."

Gushed Hartley wie Valentines Day soppiness. The Celtic midfield is a right love in these days eh? Unless yer Tommy G and yer teas oot wie the arrival of Hartley. Now Tommy G returns to the scene of his debut on Saturday and he will hope for some game time before Milano.

With Lenny being a given starter on the park as he is loved by everyone and Hartley’s graft and guile has gave the midfield a needed boost after looking flat then Tommy G chance to regain his place, maybe also salvage his Celtic career, will be the double heider against Milano.

His bit part over recent weeks as a second striker won’t do the notions of failure that surround him any guid and only a return to a midfield berth will see hopefully the return of the true gravedigga that we have seen flashes off.

A big few weeks for oor Tommy ahead.

Dirty Cash

Now, while in this day and age finance in the fitbaw is as likely a topic of conversation in the boozer as managers team selections and players. Everyone is an “expert” in all fields nowadays due to the readily available breakdoons from experts on financial results posted. Yesterday’s announcement that we have made a profit of around £18 million was meet wie the excitement of a 15 year old who has found a copy of razzle under his faithers bed by these “experts”

For one I couldn’t give a monkeys about the in’s and oots of the result. As most fans I just want to see a decent team, the management getting decent backing, an improved scouting system and a youth policy in place that produces first team talent to stop us trying to compete wie the EPL and Championship transfer fee’s and wages.

Me as a fan just wants to see us being creative in oor scouting and proactive in promoting the youth and the moving on of youth at a profit if they don’t make the grade. Our scouting network has been expanded to 16 countries and the appointment of a guru scout is another step in the correct direction. Basically I look at Arsenal and I want that for my club.

While being in a healthy financial position is great and I understand the fact that we need to tout oor selves like a cheap tart all roond the world to make up for the pittance we get in telly money I disnae mean that I have to like it.

The news that we offered Kjartan Henry Finnbogason and Teddy Bjarnason new deals yesterday made more interesting reading for me than making a hugh profit.

Tango and Sash.

A trip to the Sheep tomorrow and again a gerrymandered kick off time due to money. We travel to the Senkie next weekend again the kick off is 12.30 and again it’s due to money. No consideration for us the fans. We have allowed the Tv companies to dictate to us for too long and I applauded Naill Quinn’s stance at Sunderland.

Sky wanted to move their game against Preston at the Stadium of Light to, I think, to a lunchtime kick off. Quinn refused and said fans wanted 3 o’clock on Saturday kick offs and that he didnae want their money. Maybe more chairmen should take note.

Anyway, the two Jimmies are in a strange position. While wanting to defeat the hoops, as their heritage demands, a win for them heaps pressure on Scotland B in Govan in the race for the CL spot. Then again they may be hurting at being overlooked for their dream joab so whatever happens we are in for a tough game.

The sheepies position in the league I think belies their quality and has much to do wie Fc Kanus of Edinburg and the Embra Greens failure to get a consistency rather than them being the 3rd best team in Scotland.

But as is per norm on oor away days we struggle. You would think that given the vast financial gap between us and the rest and the fact that we were the highest spenders in Scotland this season we would have been gubbing teams and playing silky fitbaw on the way to oor handsome lead.

Fact is we have had oor overalls on since the September and the guid suits have only came oot fleetingly since then. I expect another typical performance from us, one where we play the patient passing game- even if we are one down- we are now renowned for and rely on oor creative talents.

The return of JVOH and Riordan oor two form players in recent weeks should see us more potent than last week but the fact is since Xmas we have been playing like a team wie Milano on their minds and a massive lead in the bag.

Dangerous mind set and one GS knows aboot he said…

‘We have to stay focused on our priority and our priority is to win the league and that gets reinforced all the time. That is the priority.’

Time those words were heided and a performance the return.

Forza the Hoops who are looking forward to Milan but worrying sheep is a main priority…

The LOTW Diary- Tuesday

Snoogle Boogle

Fancy a game of Snoggle boogle? Don’t know what it is but the Nordic ones in the 1997/98 championship winning side, who are guaranteed legendary status and a pint in Celtic minded pubs for the rest of their lives, seemed to have a few snoogle boogle nights at chez Reiper.

Well that’s what Tom Boyd and Judas Burley christened the nights anyway. While all the rest of the lads led by chief goon goalie Gould were peshed up, sticking their heids in railings and toy fighting in the street the Scandinavian members of the squad where, ahem, being civilised playing board games etc. Bolloxs.

Anyone that has meet Scandinavians on holiday will know that a game of snoggle booggle would be a lot more interesting than probably watching Gould making an arse of himself of the park instead of on it.

George Burleys Nephew is a two faced twat.

One thing aboot that program that made ma blood boil was seeing Craig Burley talking fondly aboot the hoops- he disnae make ma blood boil as much as Ian Wright does right enough. His misty eyed recounting of the memory of the only season he won anything in a career cut short through pure laziness and greed.

Now this is a guy who has made his meeja career take off by being anti Celtic. A typical ex-hoop who decides to join the devils disciples. He joins the long list of ex-hoops who have soiled the jersey by taking the fourth estates money and leave all rational thoughts of balanced reporting behind.

Burley left Celtic under difficult circumstances made all the sweeter by a handsome pay off, which for someone so ugly was not deserved. The guys he has the beef wie are no longer involved at CP. But he still carries a chip the size of a morris piper on his shoulder and is hell bent on continuing his personal vendetta against the Hoops.

Nae wonder he wasn’t invited to the snoogle boogle nights. The Scandinavians are smarter than yer average bear and probably saw he was a twat.

Harald The mild mannered Accountant.

Now, I came to the conclusion that Scandinavians were smarter than the average bear after an encounter wie Harald Brattback. Hararld attended a local supporters club dance in the days when the players were forced to attend them, something, which the Celtic minded St Martin’s regime stopped enforcing.

I mean talk to a young pup nowadays and tell them the players you have met at these functions and they will think you were of yer heids on the tonic wine for the whole of yer yoof. Well, maybe I was but…

Harald was doing a wee speech after presenting the supporter of the year trophies and that. After going through the usual player stereotypical speech- big club, pleasure to play at CP, great fans etc- he came oot with a bold prediction.

He said that he would score the goal that would win us the league.

Now looking back, he probably didnae mean it. He was just following the fitbawers code of spoon-feeding the fans. But when that goal went in it didnae stop me telling all in-sundry aboot the prediction long, long long into the night.

Cherrio To Ten In A Row.

Apart from scoring that goal and proving himself to be some sort of white witch Harald and the team will always have legendary status, which looking at the squad is quite funny. David Hannah and Darren Jackson Celtic legends eh?

No matter the merits of the player’s abilities all members of that squad deserve that accolade as they probably stopped this club becoming a Hibs or Hearts. How much damage would have been done if they would have got that figure. The term sleeping giant is used to often in fitbaw but if Harald hadn’t scored that goal we could have sunk. A Man City to a United or an Everton to a Liverpool.

Wonder how many fickle home glory hunters consumers would pollute the seats at CP if that was the case?

Again, when you look at the squad it’s amazing that we ever got away wie it. The squads of the two clubs at the time were like chalk and cheese wie ours being made up of a bunch of vagabonds but I think the fact that we did proves that as a club we are somewhat blessed in those situations.

Centenary season is another blessed situation when again with a no bad side we stopped the money-laundering juggernaut from Govan cause it was written that we were going to do it. 10 in a row? Nae chance oor history and heritage won’t allow it to happen so a group of average players became blessed as is the Celtic way when faced wie the underdog tag.

A know it’s a view that others sneer at. The mythical magic line that we spin is in the cold light of day easy to blowholes in. I mean it’s a game of chance, a game at the wim of market forces and now overpaid players.

But, a wee look back at oor history makes us think different. Never been ones to do things the easy way and we have had a knack of in the face of massive odds pulling oot a result no matter who or what is against us.

This season we have had the blessed penalty save against Man Utd, the only time since I have seen CP go as mental as when Harald scored.

Nostalgia does make you go misty eyed and see things almost in an unreal light. Rubbish games are consigned to the bins and only memories of the victories remain. No one remembers the crap we watch at times during the 97/98 season. We just remember the ending.

Nostalgia also makes you take leave of yer senses and think that other giant killing and footnotes in the history of oor club is just round the corner. That’s why no matter oor form, lack of balance in the midfield, lack of goals from strikers and inability of oor manager to find a solution and a strongest 11 still we believe that we can overcome the economics of the European game.

But then that’s just Celtic…..

Forza the Misty eyed Hoops who are looking back in hope of going forward…..

The LOTW Diary- Hoops 1 Embra Greens 0

Comfortably Numb

Must admit, that must be the worst game we have had against the Embra greens since Boaby the fat controller Williamson was in charge. No entertainment, lack of quality for the most part and a dearth of chances. But fitbaw is not an entertainment. It’s a sport where spoils are giving for winning and not artistic merit.

No matter what the game lacked it gave us the most comfortable afternoon we have had a against the salt and sauce brigade for years. Maybe if was the street urchins tactics or is the constant selling of players and injuries highlight a lack of depth in reserve. A young side whom despite plaudits- deserved plaudits for style over substance- are the length of the M8 behind us and under Mogga and now Collins they haven’t made a fist of a challenge for 2nd or even third place.

Now, who said ye never win anything wie kids….?

The Beat Goes On

Yesterday saw a strike partnership, which by all arguments pitted together the two players with the worst 1st touches at the fitbaw club. Now while Kenny seems to look anything but a fitbaw player, with his style, which emits the impression a 1 year old wean trying to control a paint brush, 2nd touch a tackle, 1st touch always takes him wide and an uncomfortable body language when the ball is anywhere near- disnae look natural on the ball, it just looks alien to him- the beats while have some of those attributes seems more at ease with it.

The beats looks uncomfortable on the ball, his touches are heavy and sometimes he disnae know what he is doing but the difference is he gets away with it. He seems to have this knack of running into blind alleys and coming oot the other side wie the ball. How many times does he look like he has lost it then is sprinting away from his marker wie the ball? He also has a natural instinct and confidence in himself, which at the moment marks him ahead of Kenny.

Kenny is suffering of the old adage of trying too hard. The beats is just being natural.

Long Load Of Balls

Guy behind me yesterday must have been some player or either that he watches Andy Gray on the final word every Sunday, sky plus it and watches it again. He talked that much shite I had to check the guy sitting next to me jacket to make sure it hadn’t been ruined.

Embra Greens had put five in the midfield. We had two speed merchants upfront against a young defence who were trying to push up. So of course oor centre backs were going to have the opportunity to launch balls into the channels a tactic I expect GS encourage early doors after he realised that oor final ball was going to be missing.

Now most of these balls either where short or too long or didnae find their man but the idea was spot on. Poor performances from oor creative talents lead to this tactic being employed but then for some oor players are not allowed to have an of day.

Pass Marks

The performance only gets pass marks due to the 3 points. If the Embra greens had decided they fancied it they could have took us as only a few players in oor ranks had passable games. While Hartley looks to be an asset he was quiet and his midfield buddy Lenny had a mare.

Aiden, the goal apart, looked rusty, which is understandable as did Mark Wilson. Naka again was the best player on the park but then most of his guid work was done defensively and was nullified for the most part by Hibs tactic of flooding the middle.

Naylor handled the Hibs threat well as did the two centre backs who I don’t think broke sweat the whole game. Up front Miller was forgettable and Beats passable due to his goal.

It was a performance of a team 22 points clear and comfortable with it. Need to step it up over the next few weeks but I think we are capable.

Wilson is the new FFS Telfer

The wag behind me as mentioned earlier gave me the most moronic wagism I heard all day. He was the stereotypical home fan that seems to lurk in the bowls of CP these days. After a another long ball didnae find it’s target he shouted

“Jesus, Telfer that’s shocking, take responsibility and find a pass”

I left this. Just after half time Wilson made a break doon the wing and was un-lucky not to catch the ball before it went oot.

“Unlucky Mark” I shouted

After a few minutes of debating wie his pal the wag came up wie this conclusion….

“Aye, Wilson must have came on at half time”

And Celtic wonder how I want to move seats……

Forza the Hoops who are looking oot their Italian phrase books again….

THE LOTW DIARY

Aideninho Time

Now that Aiden has decided that he is no Shaun and decided that his formative years are best spent under the tutelage of GS, that’s for sure, and Tommy Burns I wonder if the support will give him a break. Now the lad knows he has a lot to learn as he says

“It was important because, like I said before, I’ve progressed as a player under him and working with him, and that was vital for me staying because I want to keep progressing and I want to become the best player that I can be.”

Nice to hear that. Now I wonder if the boo bhoys and the abusers in the fickle home support will alone his time to develop? Now that he has decided to stay and not do a Shaun wonder if he will be afforded time and a bit of leeway that a 20 year old should get from his own fans.

I sometimes wonder if some give him abuse cause if chose to play for ROI instead of Scotland R*ngers. I mean we have all heard abuse of him from oor ain being just as bad as the smaw minded “people” that frequent the darkest corners of oor away travels.

Two wrongs don’t make a right.

The Lost Tims

Now we should find oot today whether or not we are playing Milano in Italy, Newcastle, Paris, Berlin, Swizterland or timbucktoo. All this has come aboot due to a heid in the sand attitude from the Italian authorites and when forced to act they have done so in the most knee jerk way possible.

I wouldn’t go as far as the Napoli chairman and call the government facists but their decision reeks of panic. Right, I know I have a giud reason- about £340 reasons- for wanting the match played in Milan but the fact of the matter is moving the game gives US ALL a logistical nightmare.

Do Swizterland or France want an invasion of buckied up 30 somethings and also Italian fans who will be desperate to see a game? What will their Polis think of it?

The daft thing is UEFA says the San Siro is safe to hold Champion league matches. The legislation brought in as far as I’m aware is only for domestic games. UEFA won’t want their greatist show being moved from piller to post as it doesn’t look guid. Main thing is AC and Italy stand to lose a lot of money both in sponsership and tourist trade.

Now another thing, say the game gets moved Milan is still going to have a influx of a few thousand Tims who have already booked and decide to go. We will be wandering aboot Milan all day then trying to find a venue to watch the game at night. Surely the Polis would rather have us banged up in the stadium then spread across a vast city.

I’m confident the game will go ahead in Milan as the heidie of the Italian league says

“They’ll stay at the Meazza,” noted Matarrese this evening. “We spoke about it today and it should be possible to play, but things will be verified on Friday. A lot will depend on how things go tomorrow.“[Milan Vice-President Adriano] Galliani and [Inter chief Massimo] Moratti have underlined that they want to play at San Siro – even if that means in front of no fans.”

That’s us sorted then…..

John Angus Paul Collins

Now oor upcoming game against the Embra greens has taken a turn for the nasty after the debacle of the Hunnie twins. Collins is novice when it comes to the management lark. He has fanciful notions, and good, of how the game should be played but over the last few weeks his naivety of being a manger his come to the fore.

Now, it’s all well and guid not wanting to sell yer best players but openly speaking oot aboot it stating that both players are not going anywhere, when yer chairmen is openly punting them to any club that his two shillings and the players agent is massaging his ego by telling all that they are moving.

Either Collins was naïve or he is a sneaky cunning liar. I think the latter as surely Collins know that when yer dealing wie street urchins the artful dodger always wins and Collins himself was not exactly renowned for loyalty and being trustworthy.

When he became the hoops 1st million pound player did he not leave his team in the lurch? Also when he moved on a bosman to Monaco, which Fergus tried to stop by claim Monaco was not in Europe, did he not leave us in the lurch while chasing the French tax-free franc?

John Angus Paul Collins is the original street urchin, the original Broon and Thomson. Hopefully a wee doing is in the offing.

Two’s company, Three is a crowd.

Now while we have striking problems for the game, Deek upfront wie Jaro looking the likely “solution” ahem, the signing of Hartley has added another bow to the mangers team selections headache. Even though we started the season with 9 midfielders we still haven’t found a balance.

Paul Hartley had a quiet debut last week but his drive and energy from the middle of the park added pace to oor counter attacks. Now with Lenny being a stick on starter it’s a straight dogfight between Tommy G and Hartley. Lenny thinks all three can play together

"I don't see why not. It's up to the manager where he fits that in, he may have to change the formation

But changing the formation is not something I see the manger doing, that’s for sure. Tommy G has been frustrating to say the least but deserves for me not to be judged as a failure so far. Glimpses of talent, vision and goals have been seen. Also his best games have been from a deeper role. A role that Lenny has first dibs on.

Now, we all want to see fast, flowing fitbaw through the middle but that dream will need to be put on the back burner while Lenny is still there. Old dug new tricks and that also the fact that there is not a natural replacement for Lenny at the club.

That means that a ying and yang midfield is needed and unfortunately for the “Gravedigga” Hartley is more suited to the role alongside Lenny. Hopefully the “Gravedigga” will hang around long enough as next season I think we will see him in his preferred role with a partner who compliments his idiosyncrasies.

That’s for Sure

Wee game for the weekend. Count how many times oor manager says, “That’s for sure” in press conferences. One thing is for sure, is that he will say those immortal words, that’s for sure.

Guid Luck

Due to the contract disputes and me being a street urchin I won’t be gracing glesga green wie ma presence for the CQN fives. Seven has assembled a band of ringers, semi professional, old professional and professional wasters for a shot at the title.

Group of death has been banded aboot so I expect numerous phone calls regarding injustices, cheating and dodgy ref’s to be taken on Saturday afternoon when I’m in the London Road Tav supping a pint.

Guid luck lads.

Forza The Hoops

The LOTW Diary

Italia on the Ultra Defensive

The ultras of Italy are running scared if the GIFC are to be believed. Looking at the measures to reduce fighting at the fitbaw it’s more in-likely corrupt Local Authority figures who have been issuing safety certificates for years that should be more worried.

Looks like there pension funds will no longer be topped up by Italian club officials. The heidie of the GIFC says

"We will not allow fans to go into a stadium that does not respect the current safety norms," said interior minister Giuliano Amato.
"In stadia like that of Catania I will not admit anyone, I am firm on this. That game shouldn't have been played.
"Hence, only those stadia that meet the security norms will reopen to the fans, the other stadia will be used to play in but without fans until they meet guidelines."

Now for us, the Milano hoops, it’s scary that the San Siro doesn’t meet safety standards. In fact it’s scary that only 5 grounds in the whole of Italy do. Now reports suggest that the San Siro only needs a lick of paint to meet the requirements but it begs the question how decrepitated are the other stadiums?

Reading reports, some don’t have turnstiles, CCTV is very rare and the clubs take no control over ticket allocation. Also pay on the day gates are commonplace for large volatile games due to the fact that nae bugger goes to the games.

Massive TV deals mean that attendances have been dropping in serie A but that’s no excuse for club officials and local authorities for letting the stadia seep into disrepair. Most stadia are now of early 80’s standard here and according to the ger at ma work Livorno’s stadia was worse than the old Broomfield.

Now while improving the stadia is a start it won’t eradicate the problem. Germany has safe grounds but massive club hooligan problems. England and Scotland while trouble is rare in grounds toon centres up and doon the land still have trouble wie casuals.

Making the stadia safer will help the Italian game as more people will return to games but the problem won’t go away. It will just move elsewhere. The already organised Ultras will find ways to out fox the polis. Bringing Italia stadia into the 21st century is a start but bringing political views and local differences into the 21st century is something Europe has failed to do.

So why should Italia be any different?

Aiden Fients, Dummies and Signs

Enough of those pesky Ultras. Aiden has signed a new contract wie the bhoys who have acted quickly to heid of at the pass another Shaun the Aston Celtic subby situation.
Frainkie MacAvennies love child said

“I’m delighted to agree this new contract with Celtic and commit my future to the club.

"I’ve enjoyed my time immensely with Celtic so far and I’m now looking forward very much to the future and the challenges that lie ahead.”

Love players wie Aiden’s ability. He is the most natural talent we have produced since McStay. He still has a lot to learn but he has progressed leaps and bounds under GS. Trips to the gym seem to part of his training routine and this beefing up has lead to him being a more disciplined player. He has chipped in this season wie a few goals and also a few match winning performances.

Now, him and the Deek may be used as a tag team from now to the end of the season. One starts wears the team doon, then the other comes on and finishes the joab. Two guys with their ability vying for the one spot is great for the club.

Naka, Naka, Naka or Lubo?

But Aiden is not the most creative talent at the club. Naka, Naka oh Naka. After a virtuoso performance at the weekend, when he makes playing fitbaw look so easy and a joy to watch, again the commentators who said he was a luxury, lightweight and one who would disappear when the going got tough got there collective microphones rammed up their arses.

His performance against Livi followed a performance against Dundee Utd a few weeks back which was up there with anything I have seen at CP. He is born to play in the CL as nights like Man U have proved. But a question remains….

Is he better than Lubo?

Lubo maybe never scaled the heights in Europe apart from a master class against Juve when even the Juve fans- and players- applauded him of the park, as Naka has but domestically he has done something Naka hasn’t done yet.

He was a collective pain in R*ngers arse. For the seasons he was here he kept his best for them. The 3-0 at Ibrox with the outrageous dummy in the box then a divine finish. The 5-1 game also. He stepped up to the plate in the heat of the glesga derby. He was also reliable in big games domestically

Something Naka still has to do. Games against Hearts and R*ngers, Naka has sometimes been found wanting. He sometimes disappears in the kick and rush nature of these games. When grabs one of these games by the scruff of the neck then the genius of Nakamura will rank as better than Lubo.

Hopefully he will be around long enough to make me eat may words……

Forza the hoops who are not checking their travel insurance just yet for a refund on plane tickets to Milano

The LOTW DIARY- Livi 1 Hoops 4

Inversenkie. Bloody Inversenkie. When that gadgie fae the beaks mentioned the dreaded words “Inversenkie at home” ye just knew it was us oot next. All bets were called of regarding who we were going to get.

Last time we played the senkie in the cup was in 2003. What a seven days that was. Beat in the CIS cup in the most dubious circumstances, gave Liverpool a lesson in the UEFA then papped oot on the proverbial by the then lowly senkie.

Rollercoaster of a week that. Lenny says of the last time we travelled to the highlands on cup duty

"I don't have a good recollection of that game. I remember they scored early but in the second-half we bombarded them and Mark Brown had a great game and he keeps reminding me about that.

But I would rather go with GS take on the tie

He said: "Since I've been here they have not beaten us so I can only deal with that history."

Aye but victories don’t tell the whole story. The land of the giants pose problems for us. A tie not for the faint hearted in a week where we play the Sheepies away then Ac Milano at home.
At least, or hopefully we should have strikers going into those round of games. Beats, Magic and Miller should be fit, hopefully JVOH keeps his shooting boots on- 5 in 5 games- and oor ain wee Derek Riordan keeps on deciding that he likes this playing for Celtic lark.

"Derek is doing what we expected, scoring goals," said Strachan. "He is probably the best finisher at the club, but was unfortunate earlier in the season that Shaun Maloney and Aiden McGeady were doing well in that position. Derek was a good team-mate throughout that period, though, and never brought his problems into the dressing room."

The Deek has now scored 5 goals in 6 games for the hoops. Since he has become a regular starter he has been a goal threat. So much of a goal threat I reckon giving a decent run he is a 20 goals a season man from a wide area. Now that is a great return.

More direct than Aiden he offers another attacking berth to complement the front 2. His more forward offensive positioning stretches defences and it has been proved that his drifting into the back post is certainly working.

What also matters is that he is confident in his own ability and has an arrogance, which radiates when he scores. Yesterday his nonplussed celebration after his 1st goal reeked of gallus-ness. It reeked of “ye see that, that’s what I can do”. It also smelled of a big flick of the “v”’s to his doubters.

His technique is natural. Him and JVOH are natural goal scorers as JVOH strike proved as well. Mind you it was a fantastic ball by the best player in Scotland- tomorrow is Naka Tuesday in the diary- but JVOH shaped his body, made sure he was over the ball to connect without breaking stride and fired it in with pace and accuracy.

Ye see players that look right on a fitbaw park. When they shoot it looks natural and not rushed. Their body language is not forced into doing something they are not natural at. Riordan and JVOH make the game of finishing look easy. While Kenny Millar looks like he struggles in front of goal, Craig Beattie and Magic while I think both are natural finishers they don’t look as comfortable as JVOH and Deek.

It’s a talent and it’s something that doesn’t grow on trees. It easy to see how much we missed JVOH when he was oot, His knockdoon for O’Dea goals was a perfect example of what he gives bar goals. Must admit O’Dea peeled of him like a vintage Henke looking for a Sutty knockdoon right enough. But what is more puzzling is when we were struggling for goals and any sort of threat why was such a natural goal scorer left cooling his boots and getting piles on the bench.

It’s going to be hard for Aiden to get back in. With JVOH being oor only scoring and fit striker Derek needs to play. I wonder if he is up for Milan……..

Forza the Hoops, who are as happy as Hartley……….

THE LOTW DIARY- Saturday

The news that GIFC have suspended all Italian Fitbaw for the forseeable future is a worrying development. They have taken this action due to crowd trouble at the Sicilian derby between Catania and Palermo. The heidie of the GIFC says

"One day is not sufficient," Pancalli added after proceeding with his threat. "Without drastic measures, we cannot play again.
"We will immediately set up a commission to discuss the situation between sport and politics. It's not possible to carry on like this."

So if we have to wait on Italian justice we could be in for a long wait. Sure a death at a fitbaw match is always tragic but- only recently a PSG fan died - is it worth punishing all clubs? Now the game was between local rivals playing each other in the top flight and also that part of Italian is not renowned for it's, peace loving, easy going locals is it? Yer more likely to get a horses heid in yer bed than a warm welcome.

Does Italian fitbaw really have such a problem wie fitbaw related violence that all games from the top to the bottom have to be banned. Sure in Italy the violence has more to do wie political views- see Palermo and Lazio- and fitbaw is the vehicle that attracts the masses so that is used. But is the problem any worse that German, Dutch, English or Polish?

Now the Rossoneri fans have not got a history of trouble. Unsure of any political leanings they may have but there has been bother at International matches in recent years in the san siro. Heavy handed action like the one taken FIGC just take small problems and fire them onto a grander scale.

The ban won't last, as money talks and uefa will get involved. I fully expect oor game against Ac to go ahead but any chance of us getting more tickets, or being allowed freely to mingle wie the Ac fans in the home end may have just be compromised.

A wee hoop on loan in Greenock is looking forward to proving himself to GS. Paul McGowan aka Gowser has impressed at the Ton and recently signed a new deal wie the hoops. The boy says

"I've learned a lot coming here and earned myself a new two-year contract at Celtic. Playing against top teams like Motherwell and Kilmarnock is experience I couldn't have got playing at Celtic reserves.

Good luck today wee man, as it's yer duty to beat Motherwell as we don't really like them.

Now, Gowser might find himself winging back to the homeland as Aiden McGeady now is injured, Craig Beattie is always injured, Magic is in the huff and Kenny Miller is, well , just Kenny.

With Livingston tomorrow and Clyde still fresh in oor collective minds GS says.....

"There were some good players involved in the Clyde game, by the way: Neil Lennon, Roy Keane and John Hartson. So the warning is there for us."
"It wasn't a good time, but as I said immediately after that game, all we could do to make ourselves feel better was get good results. Since then, we have put a lot of results together to make us feel a bit better about ourselves."

By the sounds of it i would expect a strong line up. I also think he is expecting one of the injured strikers to return. Canny see another Clyde but..with a new defender making his debut and again it being live on Sky its kinda a groundhog day feeling.

Hope not,

Forza the Hoops who need to be over cautious tomorrow and play a strong team...... or whoever is fit

THE LOTW DIARY

May as well start wie wee GS take on Hartley….

"He has everything. Energy, goals, personality. You can't ignore that and once we found out we had a chance of buying him, there was no hesitation. He was actually the first guy I tried to sign when I joined Celtic but the price wasn't right at the time. It didn't materialise then, so I wasn't going to turn a blind eye to it this time. We first put things in motion a couple of days ago, oblivious to what was happening elsewhere. It made no difference to us who else we signed, Paul was always going to be a target."

Well, that was like getting beaten wie a big stick after I called the signing an “after thought”. But still if he was that much of a target why wasn’t he contacted until Wednesday morning, the day after Thommogate?, when he has been available for weeks?

Anyway, the fact that Hartley had a shave for the press conference yesterday, takes years of him, don’t ye think? And that he said some nice things like…..

"I'm a Celtic supporter, there is no hiding that. Everyone knows that. To play for the team you supported as a boy really is a dream come true. It's still not really sunk in yet that I'm here. "I couldn't sleep last night, just thinking about turning up for training this morning as a Celtic player. I was first in the dressing room this morning, I was so excited.

also

"When they made a bid for me a few years ago and it was rejected, I was on a bit of a downer. I had handed a transfer request in at Hearts. I did think it had passed me by, but I'm grateful to the manager for having faith in me, seeing I'm a good player and bringing me here. Now I have to repay him and the supporters by showing what I can do.

Aww aint that nice. A few weeks back i called him ma most hated Hearts player. The way he looked, played and optimised the “people”, ahem, he represented. His over the top celebrations in every game and the fact he looked like he loved beating us. Heard rumours that he was a tim but never believed it. But then he was a professional, giving his all for the club who paid his wages.

Something not to be sneezed at. Now we can expect him to give more and by his quotes he will give us more. He wants to win things as a Celt and his 2 and a half year to do it. Also he will take the heat of Lenny at Tynie and the Brox.

Now, i maybe called him an after thought but....i do think he will be a cracking signing. His enegry, dynamic style of play, aggression and creativity will bolster oor midfield options. He can play through the middle or wide and is experienced so no bedding in time required.

In fact he could add balance to the midfield and could be the missing link. The link we were willing to spend a few million more on from the Embra Greens. He is an older and more experienced Scott Brown. He is less of a gamble than Scott Brown and also cheaper. Oh, and his loyalties can never be called into question.

The signing of Hartley now negates any reason to go back to Hibs for Brown. We should withdraw from the race altogether and not allow Hibs, Petrie and Collins- whom i'm becoming to dislike immensely- to shaft us again. Take oor money elsewhere and allow someone else to pay over the odds for him.

But if GS fancies him then, which i think he does, then we will be in when the bidding start.

Also, the chance to once again take a star player from the nastiest support in Scotland and watch them slip into Fc Kanus of Embra is too guid to resist a wee laugh.

Ha Ha.

Sorry aboot that.

Anyway, bad news aboot a Celtic legend. Big Chris Sutty could be forced to retire due to getting a kick in the heid against Man Who recently.

St Martin of O'Neill who likes a bosman said....

"Sutton is seeing a specialist again but his progress has been slow, very slow.
"Since the Manchester United game his eyesight is still blurred and they think it will take time, just to heal naturally.
"He said to me if his other eye was like that he'd be in a spot of bother.
"It does sound like the Paul Scholes situation. He's been a big miss for us.
"He wants to come back and do some light training, to keep his fitness up, but non-contact. He certainly wouldn't be able to drive at the moment."

Not guid news. Hope the big fellow a quick recovery and a wee trip back to paradise to pick ma ticket oot the windfall bucket.

Oh, remember and get yer Ac Milan home tickets, Got mine this morning robbing gits charged me £2.80 booking fee. Times that by 30 or 40 thousand and that's a lot of extra dosh. But, hey, we are consumers not fans eh?

Forza the Happy Hoopy Hoops who Paul Hartley is the happiest hoopy hoop of all this weekend.

THE LOTW DIARY

Listening to Radio Tuecther's "Thru the Windae" program last night a sudden thought went through ma mind. I t was the thought that i was listening to a bunch of old farts reading oot rumours picked up of message boards and e-mithered to them.

Nae truth behind any of them but they were reading them and discussing them because sod all was happening. Absolute nano. Nothing. Business had been done and bar the Shaun Maloney deal nothing interesting was happening.

Now Maloney, we ended up getting a million quid, but this doesn't end ma questioning of the sharp suited pokerfaced man. In the fact it wasn't much of a gamble his brokering wie St Martin. I mean look at the contracts Martin gave oot at the Tic, WE all knew he would give us the dosh we were looking for.

Martin says aboot Shaun....

"Shaun is a conscientious lad and a very good player. What he lacks in height he makes up for in ability and character," said O'Neill. "He did very well for Celtic before and after I left and I am sure he will be a good acquisition."

Now, i hold no grudge against Martin. He knows the game and how it works. He saw a decent player that will improve his squad and offered him an acceptable contract. He won this battle but will lose others. Its the nature of the bosman.

All this wanting Shaun to fail and wanting Martin hung, drawn and quartered for what is seen a treason is nonsense. It's all doon to the fact we have lost a player and oor squad is worse of for it. The same as Stan P who has never been replaced- we signed two players to replace him and none have proved up to the joab yet- and oor performances this season have proven this. We are worried the loss of Shaun will bring the same.

The squad has been weakened all for the lack of a few dollars more.

I hope Shaun has every success as it will reflect well on oor youth system. Not too much though as Aiden could be next for a saga.....

But it's always a view of a fan to dismiss when players don't react the way we want them to. Same wie the Hibee (hunnie) twins.

Guid players before but now over priced- correct- and raw talent. There is better oot there. Even if we had signed them i would have said there is better out there but GS wanted them badly. He saw them as oor future. The fact we haven't got them hurts us due to the fact that they see oor rivals as maybe a better option. Or the r*ngers option has been sold to them better.

Selling a club is doon to the sharp suited man.When we can't match the money on offer elsewhere the gift of the gab should come in to play and East Kilbride should sound as great as the costa del sol. When contract and deal talks are on-going it's up to him to make oor club seem the best place in the world. In this window he has failed to come up trumps with any of the main targets set by the management and was left only with a get it right up ye deal to get one over oor rivals.

No-one can tell me if any one of oor main midfield targets- Broon, Thomson and the bhoy from Basle-had been signed then Hartley would be wearing the Hoops. His signing reeked of panic and brinkmanship not the longtermism that oor main targets had.

Stokes, Broon, Thomson and the bhoy from Basle were wanted but the suited man failed to deliver. It's no matter saying well we won't pay over the odds, which we shouldn't, but the suited man failed on the hard sell and now the transfer windae can be viewed as a failure due to the same man quoting after the CL draw that they would back the manager to the hilt.

Those can say that we didnae need to spend anything due to the fact that we won't beat Milan and we will win the double with the squad we have. Maybe they are correct but the plain facts are the club wanted to strengthen in this windae.

They felt that we needed some new faces who were part of the long term view. The signings of that have been made only one doesn't smell of being bought for cover only. Even then he was an after thought due to us being shafted by Hibs, Wullie McKay and R*ngers.

So we will have to go with what we have and hope the coaching staff get the balance right.

Forza the slightly less fraught hoopy hoops