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…….
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…….
posted by Keving at Monday, February 19, 2007
10 Comments:
Did you notice Beattie throwing up an arm just as he burst into the 18 yard area before shooting home on Saturday. Was that a wee direction finder? :-)
According to the Sunday Mail reporter Mark Guidi it was 2 goalkeeping errors for our goals.
That`s behind us now, 12 points to gain is the important fact.
Should be a good game tomorrow. I hope that the team can leave the nerves in the dressing room and surprise Milan and the Celtic fans. No doubt Milan will be playing the `this is only the 1st half` game but to celtic this game is the one!
Come on the Bhoys!
I did notice that Ian, thought he was just trying to keep his balance due to his running style.
Thing is it is only the 1st half and i'm confident, like us, AC will see 0-0 as a guid result.
Knock oot stages breed a different type of tactic and GS will be aware of the Italian mentality.
Past records shows we will need to score at least 4 for us to have a hope in the 2nd leg!!!!!
Just keep it alive for the return leg is all i ask....
i said exactly that reg naka when him and hartley were standing over that free-kick.
i thought it was too near for him and hartley should take it.
fuming this morning...the folly of playing JVOH for 60 mins and the beats for 70 has now got us all in a sweat.
Why did the beats not just come off even though KM was not ready.
Available players may force us to go with a 4-5-1 wie Jaro being the second striker.
Still think pace is the key down the channels.
Still could be GS playing silly beggers wie the press and both are fit.
The Milano midfield is capable of bossing us around tonight, Sno and Lenny will need to be up for the cup.....
I don`t feel as nervous about this as I will on Sunday. I just hope we all have a good night out. Come on the Celts!
Of course going to a game is never as bad as listening on the radio!
Should be interesting tonight and I hope that our Bhoys do themselves proud!
Enjoy!
According to Uefa.com, Paolo Maldini will make his 100th Champions League appearance tonight.
Respect!
I wonder if he`ll be just running about to get rid of nerves? :-)
maldini could have played wie his ipod on......
more later.....
Good night out, fair enough result and Celtic are the only team of the two who can still win on away goals. Two weeks to raise a class!
There are a few who look out of place in CL matches but it`s harder to make the play and I`m sure the Bhoys will be sitting back, enforced or not in the G Meazza.
Celtic are strong 2nd favourites but one never knows! :-)
On to Inverness!
new diary
Post a Comment
<< Home