Celtic Banter Archive April 21 2018

21 Apr 2018 21:01:16
It was a disappointing result today, though thankfully it hasn't derailed our season.
I don't think that we have become a bad side this season, but I do think a couple of teams have improved, namely Hibs and Kilmarnock. These teams have experienced managers who know the game and can organize their slides to be difficult to beat, they are also able to exploit the weaknesses in our team. Hibs have caused us problems in every game we have played against them this season so today was no fluke.
I hope in the summer transfer window we don't lose sight of these teams and try and buy some players who are better than we have now rather than projects for the future. We need to try and improve.
With the goings on at Sevco it's easy to think there is a chasm between us and everyone else, but not every club is as badly run as them, some clubs have people running them who know what they're doing.
Like everyone else I've enjoed the meltdown at Sevco, but today was a reminder that although they are a shambles there are other teams who are bridging the gap on us.
We shouldn't become too complacent.

21 Apr 2018 22:30:19
We certainly came back down to earth with a bump after last week. However, although I am very disappointed at passing-up the chance to win the title (at the ground where I saw us win two leagues in the 70's) , we didn't deserve a win today and Hibs gave much more than us man-for-man and were in our faces, forcing errors and defending well.
The title party is postponed, but although last season's team would have been home and hosed by now, we look forward to next week.

22 Apr 2018 01:25:56
Good points raised. Lennon and Clarke have done fantastic jobs. I think the one element we miss from a NL side is that man for man we would want to own our opponents, but of course we have progressed in many other areas. I really do want to see this quality over quantity ethos kick in this summer. Which is why talk of McGinn or McKenna is no good for me.

22 Apr 2018 07:53:37
Very good post Gerry.

22 Apr 2018 13:02:27
If we go for those two then we are having a laugh about becoming a CL team. They will be another two signings that disappear into the cupboard most of our recent signings reside. Getting a bit crowded in there, so let’s hope these rumours are as off the mark as most usually are.

22 Apr 2018 14:07:35
An edit to above, I thought the McGinn being mentioned was Naill :) . John would be a good replacement for Brown, eventually.

22 Apr 2018 14:36:19
Some very good comments made there.
When Brendan Rodgers first came in he brought Scott Sinclair to the club who at the time was an improvement on what we had. Since then though we have gone back to this taking a punt on players and hoping they work out. I don't know how much say Rodgers has on these players but not many of them seem to get in the first team all that often so he either is misjudging their ability, or he doesn't have much say in who is brought in.
I think that if you constantly bring in players who don't make the grade it is a drain on the clubs finances. To me it would be far better to scout fewer but better prospects to nurture for the future and use the remaining funds to actually strengthen the first team.

22 Apr 2018 14:55:50
There is 13 players picking up wages for nothing. He has total say on transfers, he wouldn’t allow interference. His return is poor. Two or three holding down a position is a situation where it Ronnie, would be slaughtered.

It is a waste of resources. We need a clear out and as you say, fewer, but much better players. Get rid of 7/ 8 bring in three defenders. And a goalie. Anything else I will be doing backflips, three defenders is an absolute must.

22 Apr 2018 18:19:45
Clarke has done a fantastic job, converting his artificial pitch to a very dangerous pitch that players hate playing . Fair play to Mc Cullagh he didn't present the pitch in such a dangerous state when he was in charge . Either he cares more about players welfare than Clark or he doesn't know how to treat pitch to make it dangerous .

Lennon has done a very good job, he has Hibs a very good hard working team, I think that is his Celtic training as we are always at our best when we get a high tempo. If the Hibs players continue to give NL what he demands they will be a match for nearly every team in Scotland.

21 Apr 2018 17:08:31
Thought the master plan went well today bhoys roll on Sun.

21 Apr 2018 18:22:58
I take it if hearts still beat Aberdeen we still need to beat sevco to be crowned?

21 Apr 2018 19:42:16
Depends on Sevco score 2moro, if Sevco lose 2moro and the sheep lose against the wee Huns then we"re champs before we play them. If Sevco draw or win tomorrow it guarantees the game against them being a decider ( if you want to call it that)

21 Apr 2018 17:03:07
I've been singing Broony's praises for the last two seasons as he's been exceptional and Ntcham has looks to have potential but McGinn and McGeough totally bossed the middle of the park today and I think answers the question whether we should sign the former with Scot Alan part of the deal. Not too disappointed today as I think we have just set up the party to end all parties and the opportunity to avenge the Hun huddle after winning the league nearly 20 years ago. We've waited a while but what go's around comes around. So bring you're party hats, jelly and ice cream next week it was too warm and would have just melted today anyway! ☘️.

21 Apr 2018 17:33:10
If there is such a thing as a good defeat then this was it. It does not put pressure on us. League is done and dusted. It puts pressure on Rangers especially when we take the points next week. Hibs need to make sure they don't drop any next weekend then Rangers are looking over their shoulder so pressure on them.
Saying that when teams put us under pressure we usually drop points. Its hard to put Celtic under pressure but if we do we always look vulnerable. When teams are coming at you like today that is when you need to keep the ball. You don't need to go toe to toe but we make it a game of basketball. Need more composure really. Gordon needs to stick to a 10 yard pass or hoof it when the wee pass is not on. Floating a ball 40 yards across the park is a disgrace asking for trouble. Sinclair, has done well but now done in. Needs to be sold. Hibs have just shown Motherwell the way to do us. Have shown Rangers as well but they have no fight in them so won't matter but Motherwell will be different.

21 Apr 2018 19:48:21
By the way Hibs with Lennon in charge will do ok in Europa. Bet on them to get through qualifiers. Lenny has loads of European experiance. Double up with Aberdeen not to qualify.

21 Apr 2018 22:02:24
Out with Robert's and edouard signing permanently, my top target this summer is mcginn.

22 Apr 2018 18:23:10
I cannot understand what Roberts has done to get a permanent deal at Celtic.
I think Roberts will have ten and more clubs over the next ten years.

21 Apr 2018 16:05:57
A belated thanks for that link Ed. I just picked it up. I have tried to describe to my wife the hairs on the neck feeling when the whole ground is singing “you’ll never walk alone’ when we played Liverpool at Celtic Park.

{Ed007's Note - I thought you might have missed it on the banter page if it had went down the pages quick so I put it on the rumours page where it would be seen longer at this time of the season. Get her along for a sing song, she'll love it.}

21 Apr 2018 16:51:14
Walk on through the rain Arrowh brother! ☘️.

21 Apr 2018 17:23:54
Arrowh. Best of luck buddy. In my prayers. Will keep praying for you and the family.

21 Apr 2018 17:57:52
Thanks guys. I don't plan on going anywhere soon. Just not looking forward to the chemo and radiotherapy.

21 Apr 2018 18:34:55
Listening to radio snyde, Derek Johnstone is an embarrassment the way he constantly defends Sevco. 😂😂 big Sutton was spot on saying he was a cheerleader!

21 Apr 2018 16:51:13
I have had her there for the tour and for a couple of the comedy nights but she has never been to a game. I took her to a Bristol City tour and a game because her grandad played for them. She was chuffed because there was a team photo with him in it from the 1909? FA cup final against Man. U. MU won 2-1.

{Ed007's Note - Was the Bristol stuff part of the comedy shows? ;) Don't tell your Mrs I said that!
My first date with the Mrs was a Celtic v Hearts game, she was 14 and I was 16 - that's about all I can remember of the day, she got the train home and I went down The Gallowgate :-D

21 Apr 2018 22:20:06
She was pretty disappointed with the set up at Bristol City because i had taken her on the Celtic tour about 2 months before and the difference was huge. Their set up is probably on the same level as the likes of Dunfermline.

{Ed007's Note - The things us men do to get on their good side eh? You should get a medal for even going to Bristol.}

21 Apr 2018 14:47:18
Well that was a shocker today. Didn't look up for it, which is really disappointing. We must up our game to make sure we get the 3 points next week. I would have preferred to have clinched it against Hibs just don't want them spoiling our Party next week.

21 Apr 2018 18:21:33
The defence again. Hendry is nowhere even close to what we need. Poor all over the park and again showed Brendan he is still a million miles away from giving us a defence that requires repeated Valium prescriptions.

How Forrest stated on the park for 70 mind is another head scratcher. His final ball, is, was and always will be awful. Player of the season no way.

21 Apr 2018 14:37:33
All that has done is show Motherwell what to do in Cup Final, we simply cannot handle any team that presses us, totally out muscled in midfield. sorely missed Dembelle's physical presence.

21 Apr 2018 14:53:55
Why does Scott Sinclair now seem to be the worst footballer to walk the earth. That wee touch he takes 40 times before going nowhere is embarrassing.

21 Apr 2018 15:16:56
“The worst footballer to walk the earth” don’t be an idiot!

21 Apr 2018 14:27:26
Really poor second half by pretty much everyone. Honourable mention to big Kris but the rest.?

All we have done is give sevco a boost for tomorrow and, if they win v hertz, a chance to feck us over at home.

Poor really.

21 Apr 2018 14:38:03
Have to say l didn't understand why some people didn't mind us not getting a result today so that we can win the league against the huns next week. If we play like that today even they could manage to beat us. Very poor today by a lot of players. In all the games we have lost this season it's when teams press us high from start to finish and some players just can't cope with it. Also people have said that John mcginn isn't good enough for celtic and this is just my opinion but anytime l have seen the lad against celtic he has played well. He had a great game today and hibs deserved the win.

21 Apr 2018 14:46:22
I thought Ajer, Hendry, Boyata and Gordon were poor. Would like to see Compper get a chance.

21 Apr 2018 15:02:26
Fgj do you believe The Sevies are capable of beating Hertz and beating us next week? You're more deluded than them. We will trounce them next week but i believe the league will be settled before then anyway.

21 Apr 2018 15:29:16
Not sure if BR was naive today or a shrewd manager, did he want to win or play a team and a formation to get beat, he knows how hibs play and what they have achieved against us in the league so far.
It can't be too difficult to put a team of champions out not to get beat, we got ran all over the mid field and in attack, everyone watching seen the game apart from BR.
Did we have many injured players out today? apart from moose

Everyone is concerned about sevco being our challengers but the way they played last week was a 3rd div side. Next season is a big season for us more teams are sussing us out. hibees herz dons. well

We need a good buying session in the summer and send some of our young guys out on loan. No more loans in.

Maybe a silver lining and set us up for a major party next week or anti climax to the end of the season.

Great managers know when they don't need lose a game, just play the 90 minutes.

Still champions and league winners. hail hail.

21 Apr 2018 14:26:22
Did we lie down or were we just absolutely pish?

21 Apr 2018 13:22:31
What was Gordon thinking? two men five yards away and he chips it to a fifty fifty! Still, playing well just a bit more care on the last ball. Griff showing why, in this system, we miss Moussa. I think he will get a clear chance though.

21 Apr 2018 12:48:32
Paradise in a nutshell :-) Hail Hail

21 Apr 2018 10:30:35
Perfect scenario today win win win situation. Saying that I think we"ll be Champions by 3 pm Sunday at the latest🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆😁.

21 Apr 2018 11:44:13
Could definitely handle hibs doing a cheeky 2-1 on us here to scunner the huns and sheep. League's done. But If Broony is in the team we will prevail today. My Dad is a hibee and he reaslises its a longshot.

The Arsenal gig is fundamentally attractive. I'd take it. And like Desmond I welcome the interest: Brendan tho is less likely to be awed by Londres and the 'big time' after all. What could be bigger that being in charge of the cop at 40 or so? He's a rare sincere sportsman (sincerity coming before sport) .

{Ed007's Note - From Ed002 this morning on the Arsenal page:

{Ed002's Note - The two that the club have had in mind for a considerable time as the preferred options were Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Simeone. This dates back as far as last summer when, as I explained, something happened that meant Mr Wenger was very close to leaving. They did not go away in the mind of the board and certainly Carlo Ancelotti is a serious contender.

On the plus side Carlo Ancelotti is available, lives in London and is interested in the position and can work within the revised management structure that Arsenal is putting in place. His age, Carlo is close to 60 now, might actually favour him as well as it may allow a succession plan with a future younger manager might be an attractive option. And that might open the door to an ex player (perhaps Henry, Bergkamp or Arteta or whoever to move in to a supporting role after gaining more experience.

As for Simeone, he can pretty much be discounted as an option.

I am told that Max Allegri has effectively replaced Diego Simeone as the second preferred option but there are several complications that cannot be discounted. Perhaps one to keep in mind.

I would not discount Leonardo Jardim being considered but he has does have a job right now and in my view he is not a strong enough character for the role and would therefore be a risk. I spoke with someone senior from the scouting organisation who had been at a Monaco game a couple of months ago and apparently Jardim asked him about the position and the club then. As such he might still be keen himself.

Lucien Favre might make a very good wildcard for you to think about and although already in a job, he might prove to be someone the club would like to talk to. I can say another club is very keen on him taking over.

Due to something else that is going on, regardless of past issues with SM, I would discount Thomas Tuchel from Arsenal but I can see him working with Wenger soon.

Joachim Low has been mentioned as an option but it is difficult to see him wanting any discussions until after the Euros and I expect he will want to see out his contract with Germany after signing an extension to 2020).

Another that I understand was discussed by the board is Paulo Fonseca – but for me the risk is too high and his immediate future has seemingly now been resolved in any case – I would strike him from the list.

In terms of ex-players, fans seem to always be keen on them taking over but it is generally not a particularly good idea and can easily end in tears. From those who know better than I, Patrick Vieira is the only one suitable of perhaps being considered a viable option at this time. And it needs to be taken in to account that he has a good opportunity where he is now. The likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and Mikel Arteta are simply not right at this time and should not, I hope, be considered.

So that is about what I know. I need to talk to a couple of people now that Mr Wenger has actually clarified the situation. If you have questions about others I will try to answer them.}

21 Apr 2018 07:40:58
lets get it done and then plan a fitting stitch up for our 'emotional' visitors next week.

Hate Embra, but love winning titles there.

21 Apr 2018 08:14:22
Mixed feelings for me FGD I wouldn’t be too disappointed to see Hibs win today to witness a payback time repeat of the league winning huddle in front of the Huns we’ve waited a long time. Already having the league in the bag would be nice too though so when all’s said and done it a win-win but think I might just be cheering on Lennon's Hibees today! ☘️.

21 Apr 2018 08:30:56
Would rather get it done so that we can give it "Championieees" all day long to the zombie cretins.

21 Apr 2018 09:20:34
Nope, Don't mind helping Lennon's Green and White they helped us earlier in the season by going there and beating them 3 - 2 let others see they were there for the taking again

Plus the jelly n ice cream be sweeter next week (y)

21 Apr 2018 10:10:14
I always want us to win. However, should we not, every cloud has a silver lining. 😉.

21 Apr 2018 10:29:43
We go out to win every game. If Hibs are to get 2nd they do that by winning all the other games. No favours or prisoners.

21 Apr 2018 11:02:48
Couldn’t care less who finishes 2nd, as long as we finish top that's all that matters. I want celtic to win every single game. Hope we batter them today and win it style. Enough points have been dropped this season. COYBIG.

21 Apr 2018 01:15:08
Just a general comment on the Sevvies .
I could never laugh at them enough.
Every time they have a hardship I laugh more and more.
They are a pretty reliable source of jokes.
They are a disgrace to the world of football.
They deserve everything they get.
They are Sevco, a new club trying to emulate the history of a previous club.
Get it right up you Sevvies, the end is nigh. HH.

21 Apr 2018 06:34:32
Sevco and their fans are like a desperate, needy ex who still pops round to visit your mother to somehow make her feel relevant to you 😂😂😂😂.