Posted on Wednesday, 14th September 2011 by Squire
I must begin by offering my apologies for being absent the last couple weeks. I had a technological crisis of sorts, and was sadly, (thankfully?) powerless to do much of anything about it. Having been unable to both see the games, and only manage very little scraps of news about the team, there was little point in attempting to write a blog, and less so in trying to do it from my phone.
I must give a big thanks to both Oz Chris for going without a night out on the lash in an endeavor of writing yet another belter that finds him climbing the ranks of the most outspoken Tim’s around, and also to the [my] gaffer Mr. Harper. First for writing something based half in fantasy and some wine fueled, sleep deprived children’s nightmare of non-fiction and song. And secondly for not sacking me despite my best efforts!
Now that I am again a member of the digital era, I can see the games; follow the timternet, stay slightly more on top of the happenings in and out of Glasgow, and yes, blog again. You’re welcome.
I can say with all honesty right now that it may be for the best that I have been unable to say the things that have been stirring in my mind over the last couple weeks. Given the opportunity, I would have written a scathing review and verbally assaulted the entire organization for their piss poor performance in the league, Europe, and the handling of the early transfer window.
With the exception of Victor Wanyama and a boat-load of players out, what the hell have we done? We managed to secure a last second signing of Mohamed Bangura, and the long sought replacement for Izaguirre, Badr El Kaddouri. In addition to our getting thrashed out of the Europa, only to be let back in on a technicality, (rightly so) but is it worth it?
While the cause is just, the fact remains that we were handed our asses by Sion, a team that, by all accounts should have been little more than a hiccup in the wake of the mighty Glasgow Celtic. I say that a bit tongue in cheek, as fears were confirmed to me, that an easy stroll through the tie was not to be had. Sion gave us their best efforts, and in spite of fielding ineligible players probably deserved the nod.
Not an easy thing to admit is it? You just weren’t good enough. And when you are looking to rub the cross town snakes faces in it for their lack of activity, and an early exit from Europe, and the hopes that the entire organization folds, what I had been left with was the feeling of a corporation that no longer cares about its product so much as the check clears at the end of the month.
I wanted to say, as much as the rest of you that we have earned our place in the league, deservedly so, and went on to prove it by destroying the weaker Swiss side. We all know the result now so no bother in harping on it. The point I’m after is that when everyone seemed to think we would crush them into a Toblerone box, was the moment we lost the game.
We relied on both the hopeful available talents, which (at the moment) were playing some rather uninspiring football, and the comfort of knowing they were going to start ineligible players. It [the away leg] also raised some questions to me about the actual coaching level of one NL.
I bring these points up, but I choose not to pursue that line of thought… I merely want to remind myself, and hopefully all of you of the feeling of watching, or in my case hearing the result of that sad away game.
Their owner however, (insane as he may seem) did some things that our PLC have seemingly never heard of. Prior to the Sion away fixture, he initiated a campaign on both Facebook and through Twitter to raise community interest and accessibility in supporting the team, versus relying on the brand, and sponsors to see the job done. He [Constantin] clearly is quite proud of the team he’s created there. However, he also defied both UEFA, and FIFA in the interpretation of the [their] rules, and the perception of the outcome. For all I know he’s right, but if FIFA says nae, then it’s off for hot chocolates with ya. More on this to follow.
I guess my thinking on the matter is simply thus; in the last few weeks we have seen many different sides of the East Glasgow team, and I think it’s safe to say that it’s difficult to tell which will show up on any given game day.
Come Thursday will it be the team that fell apart at the hands of a very average Sion? Or will it be the side that showed itself this Saturday past, playing as hosts to Motherwell? It’s night and day in comparison to be sure. One selection had the bhoys floundering about in near desperation, while the other could have yielded three weeks’ worth of goals in the first forty-five minutes.
As it were, Celtic walked into the break up by two, and full of life. The ninth minute goal from wee James Forrest, was to set the tone for the rest of the day, a lovely first touch striker’s finish that left Randolph hopeless in his effort to prevent the play.
While we did have to wait another twenty minutes for the next score, the pace and chances were not lacking. I really need to start making note of the quality chances we have during a game, even if it means simply stacking bottle caps up as my measure. The second goal rang in from a shifty left foot off Joe Ledley, and I can add that the opportunity was there throughout for us though, and the pressure was intense as Hammell had several miscues that nearly led to not only goals but what can only be surmised as the bewilderment of everyone in the grounds.
And while I’m on the topic of backs; I can say that if his play were to remain as was evident Saturday, that we have not a worry in our loss of Iz. El Kaddouri, was definitely up to task. From an early and excellently timed tackle at the edge of our eighteen yard box to constant overlapping runs at the flank, and even a spectacularly placed ball through that should have found a boot, but unfortunately breezed by everyone.
Overall though it’s my opinion that the 30 year old Moroccan, played the game in the style necessary to earn yourself a spot in the starting XI. It’s never easy being the new face in a room, and blending your style with a new team. He was not only highly visible at each end of the pitch, he was vocal on and off the ball, and was unafraid to put himself into the play. He also played as though he’d been with the team for seasons rather than a week. Job very well done.
Now as for the Europa; I am not entirely sure what will happen when the three teams show up to play. Tuesday (Ed. this was written on Monday) will see UEFA hearing the appeal from the Swiss team, and expects to give an answer the same day. And as far as I can tell Constantin was quite serious when he told all parties involved that his team will be turning up regardless. It could make for a very awkward situation though when a team that has no business being there walks out to the center circle for the tip in Estadio Calderón.
Atlético has only begun their campaign in La Liga and have a draw and a loss with no goals scored. But that sounds quite similar to our set against Sion doesn’t it? Either way here we all are, in a game that I would claim is fairly important. Having said that, what’s more important: our game in Madrid, or do we lay off that one stacking ten reserves in the box, and resting the big guns for the punch up on the other side of town on Sunday.
It’s a position of Neil Lennon’s that I do not envy in the least. There is maybe no more important game of the season than the first away against your nemesis. With the added knowledge (presumably) that losing the league will lose you your job. However if a lengthy run in the Europa should occur, than what would that mean? Do you give the man his due, and offer him another year? Too many questions stem from such a simple position. It’s not a case of ‘if A, then B’. With this line of thinking it could keep a mathematician busy for the year working out the permutations.
Personally I feel that we have been given a gem, in our return to Europe, a statement that I would not have made two weeks ago when I was disgusted to hear the result on our trip to Tourbillon. I feel like we have the talent to beat any of the teams in our group, (Atletico, Rennes, and Udinese) and I’m not claiming that it would be an easy day out, but how much of that feeling is based on the performance of the bhoys against Motherwell.
Which brings me once again to the lead question; which team will turn up on Thursday, and again on Sunday? Did Celtic play a superior game or did ‘Well just play a growler.
They are under some pressure, but it is of a very different nature. Yes winning is still first and foremost, but with the lack of European distraction they get to be singular in purpose, beat Celtic early and often.
When you have the luxury of rest between matches and now worries of whom to play in mid-week games and likewise to rest, Sally can sit back with his copy of Coaching for Dummies and then read what the papers say on the starting mob and go with it. The real concern naturally is that if we turn up in the form and fitness as we did in our little failure against St. Johnstone, we have a rather serious problem on our hands.
If the team can come out with some cohesion, and act as they did this last game, then I have all the confidence in the world that we walk off Snake Mountain 3-1 victors. If we revert to lackluster form of a few weeks ago, then what could happen is truly disastrous. I would rather not focus on that potentiality as I fear I’ve been rambling on far too long at this point. Let’s just say that my prediction holds true and call this one done.
But I am still in wonder as to which side of Celtic we will see…
Story Developing
SjH (twitter @dizinhoops and for podcast and website updates @TheLostBhoys)
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Posted in Squire | Comments (1)
Celtic News 24/7
September 14th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
There are at least a few good points in the way we got into the Europa tournament…
1) It REALLY p*sses off the knuckledragging neanderthals from across the city, because no matter how we qualified, we’re in and they’re NOT!
2) We’re now guaranteed at least six European games AND the cash that comes with them — which of course will be of great help next year, while they’re battling their way out of administration.
3) Realistically, we may not get too far in Europe this year, but it’s a great opportunity to give our new guys a taste of what’s coming next year!
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