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……….
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……….
posted by Keving at Monday, February 05, 2007
2 Comments:
I suppose that Aiden may find it hard to come back in the team and if you look at the recent line ups it could be said that he is the reserve. However he is an outstanding player and one that the crowd loves. Except for the no mark numpties who criticise everything! :-)
It`s all about the team and young players such as Wilson, Sno, Beattie and McGeady must be able to perform consistently if they hope to get in and stay in this team.
Bring on the next game!
I’m not advocating Aiden to get left oot. I’m maybe advocating Derek being included in a striking role…..
Aye, Mark Wilson how long does it take you to return from a bad knee injury. See he was on the bench yesterday but I thought he was oot for the rest of the season….?
Or was it just a coincidence that him and the unfit Beats were the only two outfield players that never got on?
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