The LOTW Diary- Hoops 2 Pars 1 + Milano

The Goon Show

Yesterday saw an almost jovial Tommy G revel in his first starting appearance in eons. While having a passing resemblance to Al Murray the pub landlord he decided to entertain us wie a mixture of skill and sheer daftness.

Again he showed us he has a range of passing to die for, close control and ability that improves any team and also an energy that is infectious. He also showed us that he is as mad as a brush with his histrionics when things didnae go the way he wanted.

Lee Naylor and Sno were party to his rants after baws had gone astray. His tendency to throw his hands in the air after something went wrong or jump in the air stamping his feet was like watching a wean not getting a tube of smarties in a supermarket.

GS again has to get the magic notebook oot and tell him where he should have been, him and Sno after the pars had the cheek to score starting charging around in two’s trying to get the ball leaving gaps everywhere but Tommy done enough for me to hope he stays.

But it’s ok having a guid game against a lost cause of a team wonder when he will do it when it matters?

Sno and Naka Show

One thing that was noticeable yesterday was how quick the ball was moved around the middle of the field. It was also prominent that Naka was moving inside more to play forward thinking one two’s wie Sno. The interplay of those two yesterday was a feature I enjoyed almost as much as watching the stands clear from ma seat in the gods when those hail staines came on.

Both showed fitbaw intelligence with their one and two touch moves wie Sno particular seeming to revel in his heid honcho role withoot the man from Lurgan alongside him.

If movement is the future well I for one can’t wait.

Kenny Brattbakk

Game should have been loused by half time yesterday. The pubs round CP should have been full will cauld and wet hoops getting a heat. But it wisnae was doon to woeful finishing by both oor strikers. 5 decent chances in the 6-yard box between them.

The beats played gingerly and had a stecky run that he always seems to have when he comes back from injury. Its almost antelope like his strides and this comes from a fear of opening up his legs and going for it. The run oot hopefully would have done him guid but again could set him back weeks, months or even years if the injury flairs up again.

Kenny Miller could have had a confidence boosting hat trick yesterday but instead produced a miss that will be remembered like a Van Vossen or a Bratbakk. How did he hit the underside of the bar from 6 yards I will never know? Actually that takes a bit of ability to do, if he meant it.

Bottom-line is if he gets a chance to trouble the Milan defence wie his pace he may only get one opportunity the whole game. Unfortunately the chances of him taking it seem very slim.

Scott Wilson is a Thug

That’s all that needs said really.

A Lions View

Yesterday, at CP while promoting another lunch in honour of the Lions, and of course, the Lions looking forward to another free lunch and free jolly, deservedly so I must add, but it disnny half give the impression that we are living in the past and the launch of the new 40th anniversary kit cements that outsiders view of us.

As the naesayers whinge “England 66” and “Celtic 67” on the crap phone ins and that we never shut up aboot them. But stuff them. We won the big cup and we brought it back and this week we are on big cup duty.

Tommy Gemmill, I think was on the wine before this interview wie his quote

"If you get through by putting Milan out in Milan, then there is no reason why they should fear anyone else in the competition. This is a huge game."

A tad optimistic there I think but, hey ho, I will go wie it but in all honesty I don’t think many of the teams left will fear playing us, which is a guid thing.

Ceasar added his two bob worth as well with the ticketing fiasco in a statement that reeks of him preserving his self-interest wie the club.

"It can be dangerous in any ground. I am sure the club will try to dissuade them from going," he said. "It is a great stadium and everyone wants to experience it, but we do not want any problems.
"Celtic fans always want to travel to support their team but maybe they can be a bit over-enthusiastic about going to see their team."

Over-enthusiastic us? Is this the same fans yer asking pay decent dosh to sit and have lunch wie you? Or the same over enthusiastic fans that have treated you like a legend, you are, over the years? Or the same over-enthusiastic fans that has won fair play awards and is welcomed all over Europe?

Again a chance to defend oor reputation has been missed by a club great.

Anyway, Billy I will be one of those over-enthusiastic fans, practising pigeon Italian and trying to get in no matter what. If ye want to discuss ma enthusiasm then come to the piazza del doume and I will be close by along wie a few thousand other over enthusiastic fans.

The Italian Joab.

Fly oot on Tuesday wie a heavy heart. When the draw was made I decided to book independently rather than go the offisal charter from the over priced Thomas Cook. Ma reasoning was that last time in the san siro the hoops got 8000 tickets and also Milan wouldn’t see us as a top draw so if push came to shove a ticket for the Milan end was always an option.

Of course times have changed, or have they, will the Italian polis actually implement their security measures and having had a look at the Celtic end tickets yesterday the muted names on the tickets has again proved to be a bear faced lie from the club.

When I booked I had no interest in watching the game in a racecourse, listening to Charlie and the bhoys, ahem, or in a pub. I still don’t. Ma £170 for a two night stay was only great value if I got a ticket for the game. Now it’s looking like an expensive £170 to watch it in a boozer.

Now thinking for another £50.00 I could have just went the day trip and got a ticket through the offisal charter. Just as Celtic want. In the auld days travelling hundreds of miles withoot a ticket was the norm for me, the bevvy and the craic wie the lads made up for the lack of tickets.

Now I just want to see ma team and thinking like the consumer Celtic want me to be wie regretting not going on the offisal charter. Or I could end up being a rebel in the Milan end giving the finger to the powers at be…..whatever, I’m sure it will be interesting either way.

FORZA THE FOREVER OVER ENTHUSIASTIC HOOPS WHOM I WISH STAY OVER ENTHUIASTIC AND NOT BECOME CONSUMERS.