Of course, it is always about the next game.
That is cliché precisely because it is undeniably true.
The fact that it is a mantra for football managers is that they all know what happens when the incantation is discarded.
It is clear even to the staunchest stenographer that Brendan’s Bhoys are starting to click through the gears.
Celtic are free scoring in a way that they were during the invincible season.
With the recent discovery of Calum McGregor as a deep-lying playmaker and Ryan Christie as a bulked up Number Eight, the champions have an embarrassment of riches in central midfield.
The ex-ICT player is now looking like an able replacement for the for Stuart Armstrong.
That type of powerful direct running has been lacking in the Hoops engine room since he left for Southampton.
Moreover, the Celtic rear-guard are now starting to clock up domestic clean sheets.
The fact remains that when the summer transfer window closed there was a Moussa Dembélé sized hole up front.
That left Rodgers with only two recognised strikers, Odsonne Édouard and Leigh Griffiths.
The latter is now injured in circumstances that aren’t entirely clear.
Therefore, I was not surprised to learn today that richest club in Scotland is in talks with the representatives of Wilfried Bony.
Brendan knows the lad from their days together at Swansea.
If the deal can be done then it might kick off a successful January window for the Hoops.
What cannot happen is a repeat of the summer shambles.
Deals should be done without fuss.
It is paperwork to be completed not an opportunity for a guy in a suit to show off.
Bony would certainly be a useful acquisition this coming weekend.
The champions host Hammer Throwers of Midlothian.
Thankfully the fixture is not at Toxic Tynecastle.
Of course, all of Planet Fitba know what to expect from Levein’s side.
If Celtic do prevail on Saturday then it will be a victory for sport.
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Bony can take a run and jump. He’s gash.
Bony is guff, surely better than him.
2nd November 2017: Played 10, Points 18. Last of the 10 a 1-1 draw with Killie. Out of League Cup at the semi stage. Wee Pedro sacked.
2nd November 2018: Played 10, Points 18. Last of the ten a 1-1 draw with Killie. Out of League Cup at the semi stage. SG????
Is the absence of Scott Brown a positive factor regarding ” shuttling the ball along the back four to no effect” ?
Timing of the Rangers results?
No doubt a hurried confab after the Aberdeen defeat and the publishing of the accounts on Monday, deflected by a glorious win over the Dons and Celtic to come in the final, cue big cheers in the dressing room, was scrapped at the last minute.
Nope, lets get them out on Wednesday as Stevie G and the boys give Killie a doing.
Didn’t quite work out that way.
Now that’s twice within a few days that Stevie G has scuppered King’s grand plan. As we know King is short on forgiving and has a long memory for those that have crossed him.
Stevie G beware.
What a difference from shuttling the ball along the back four to no effect, to passing the ball forward and asking real questions of the opposition.
Rogic and Forrest have been outstanding, the latter in particular when he leaves his right wing post to cause havoc between the lines.
Lost count of the number of time KT got to the line and pulled the ball back for a colleague, a la Forrest’s goal.
Benkovic is a touch of class and good to see Ajer back.
It’s a biggie on Saturday and no doubt Levein will have everyone behind the ball from the get go.
However that will play into Celtic’s hands and with goals coming from all over it will just be a matter of time before the Champions breach the Hearts defence and reduce the gap at the top to a single point with a game in hand.
In their last four domestic fixtures, Celtic have scored eighteen goals, for the loss of just two.
The Govan Sevco, by contrast, have been humbled by Aberdeen, while managing to hold the mighty Kilmarnock to a plucky draw.
It’s beginning to the look like the Gerrard Revolution has revolved things to exactly the same place they were under Mr Warburton. Sevco struggling mid-table, and Celtic laying waste their every opponent.
Yasss, 360-degree revolution, Timmy! Be very afraid…
Neither revolved or evolved as they keep making the same bad decisions. It’s deja vu all over again! HH
I agree that `deals should be done without fuss.` I feel , though, that there would be a better chance of that outcome if writers did not indulge in transfer speculation.
Speculation re impending doom for Sevco? Now that is another matter altogether :-))
The McGinn business can hardly be called ‘speculation’ can it? The dogs on the street knew we were in for him, the man himself and his then manager were talking openly about it.