Brendan the dominator

It is perhaps worth taking a step back this Monday after the fireworks of a cup final.

First off the most important thing is that a young man who was injured at his work is reportedly doing much better than initially expected.

Gary Mackay-Steven was motionless for a very long time yesterday.

The last time I experienced that feeling I was in the press box in Lincoln Financial Field in 2012.

Dylan McGeouch was similarly still for an awfully long time.

He disappeared from view as the Philadelphia paramedics crowded around him.

One of the reporters, who thought he had a better view than the rest of us stated: “they’re doing CPR!”

We all fell silent.

He was mercifully wrong and the young Celtic midfielder was ok.

In the presser afterwards, no one wanted to ask Lenny anything else.

The fact that Celtic had just played Mourinho’s Real Madrid mattered not a jot.

So a speedy recovery to young Gary.

Professional football is a contact sport and aerial duels require bravery of the highest standard on the field.

In his time at Celtic folk who know about the game told me that if Gary could physically develop then there was definitely a player in there.

They also said the same about Ryan Christie.

Importantly Brendan concurred.

That is why he isn’t an Aberdeen player now.

Indeed, in the summer transfer shambles after the Double Treble losing Ryan Christie on a permanent basis to the Dons might have proved to have been even worse than losing John McGinn.

A source close to Brendan had told me that since he joined Celtic in 2016 he had been looking for a deep-lying playmaker.

Several times he had come close to signing such a player but had been thwarted at the last minute.

The injury to Scott Brown forced him to shuttle the versatile Calum McGregor further back in central midfield to cover for the crocked captain and CalMac The Quarterback was born!

He has proved to be the player that Brendan has tried to sign on several different transfer windows.

When Stuart Armstrong left the building Rodgers lost a powerful Number Eight who could burst forward and score goals.

Ryan was seen a Number Ten and therefore, at best, an understudy to Rogic.

Yesterday Brendan spoke of the “football gods” smiling on young Christie.

Well if they exist they are also looking kindly on the man from Antrim.

At the moment, everything else being equal, he has one choice to make in central midfield and that is who to pick alongside Christie and McGregor.

It is, in only a few weeks, a remarkable turn of events.

If you had said to the thousands who turned up to greet Brendan in the summer of 2016 that in December 2018 the manager would have scooped up the seven available domestic trophies then few would have bought that.

Winning a treble is an incredibly difficult thing to do.

It isn’t the league that trips you up, but the cup ties and usually the fixtures that are away from home against a dogged opponent.

The first hurdle this season on the way to a Treble Treble is out of the way.

Like Ryan Christie, Brendan seems to be flying.

Since he arrived at Celtic Park what he has achieved domestically is full spectrum dominance.

That state of affairs does not look like changing anytime soon.

Have a great week!

13 thoughts on “Brendan the dominator”

  1. Its all about opinions…and this one won’t be popular…but its mine.
    Tom Rogic needs to move aside to accommodate the return of Broony.
    No way do Christie or McGregor deserve to be dropped…they have both been outstanding.
    Rogic…on the other hand…flits in and out of games and whilst he does possess “magic feet” …his overall contribution is below the level of the other two.
    Its a no brainer for me.

    Reply
    • TN,here’s a no brainer from me…….Drop Sinclair, whose contribution over the last 18 months has been extremely poor on a consistant basis in the eyes of the vast majority of fans who attend games and keep Rogic in.Every time his name on the teamsheet is read out there is an audible groan around the stadium and fans are now beginning to question whether he has some incriniminating evidence to a prior mis-deed committed my Brendan.We all would love to see Scotty reclaim the blistering form of his first season at Paradise but the sad fact is his song very rarely is sung nowadays in homage to his on-field perforances.If there was a poll of fans it would be a landslide in favour of The Wizard of Oz.HH

      Reply
      • Just to be clear…I’ve had my season ticket for 30 years…so I attend games…and hear the same noises as you do regarding Sinclair….and I agree he’s not on form.
        My reading of Phil’s article ,however, didn’t involve Sinclair…it involved the mid-field choices if Broony came back…regarding McGregor and Christie.
        On that basis…I made the case for Rogic stepping aside to accommodate these 3 ….as in my opinion he doesn’t contribute as much as them.
        You’ll also be aware that he is substituted more than anyone else.
        Hail hail.

        Reply
        • TN,I was not implying that you were an armchair fan.However,I was stating that I (and many other fans,armchair AND attendees would prefer Rogic to Sinclair in ANY formation that Brendan may care to use.
          Just to be clear….The real gripe that I have is not a straight choice between Rogic/Sinclair,it is that Brendan seems to think Scotty is undroppable.I struggle with the fact that Johnny Hayes was bought as competition for Sinky’s position but whenever he gets a rare outing(notwithstanding his serious injury)he is very rarely,if ever used in the position he was so devastating for Aberdeen because Sinclair is usually occupying the left wing slot.Brendan has given him so many chances to regain his 1st season form it’s borderline obsessive behaviour on his part.He has options other than Sinclair ie Mikey Johnson/Lewis Morgan when they are not injured….it seems to me that Sinclair never seems to get injured because he NEVER initiates physical contact with opposition players(ie,he doesn’t tackle anyone.) whereas every other player is expected to do this and don’t get me started on him beating a player and delivering a telling cross for any of his team mates.
          There is also a thing called squad rotation but I’m not sure that applies to Sinclair as he never seems to be out of the team.
          At the end of the day it’s all about opinions and Brendan’s is the one which matters so I suppose we have to back him up as he seems to be doing a “no bad” job of it but for the life of me I cannot see what he does with regards to Trevor being so indispensable.HH

          Reply
    • It really does pain me to say this. I am a huge fan of Broony – and I was when the vast majority of Celtic fans were still unsure what he brought to the team. However time catches up with even the best. In ANY sport the old champions eventually give way to the young upcomers. We literally have an embarrassment of YOUNG riches in midfield. My personal opinion when Armstrong left in the summer was that he was one we could afford to lose. While I don’t believe Broony has a long term future on the field at Parkhead, his experience and influence could be invaluable in the dressing room and on the training ground. He would also still be a brilliant guy to have as back up in an emergency and to play in those end of season games where nothing is at stake and you want to blood youngsters. Who would be better to talk them through those games? He MUST be here for 10 in a row!! He’s MORE THAN EARNED that right. But I feel time is catching up with him fast. Oh aye. It’s catching up with Lustig as well.

      Reply
      • Good point well made Charger,Broony has done way more than enough to be here for the 10,he is true leader and the Club would do well to have him here even just to help younger players settle and be that calming voice of experience;an advisory role,if you like.😂We can All see he still has that,well,mad streak in him,that’s who he is and why We can see his seniority will serve us well in the next few years.

        I can only agree with Irishlad too,hook Sinclair instead of Our Man From Oz ,for Rogic can conjure something out of hee-haw.It may even serve as a catalyst for Sinclair,and that can only be a good thing.
        It is always a concern seeing paramedics working feverishly away on an unconscious player,I hope he is doing well and a full recovery is made soon.

        Great stuff Phil,thanks.✅ appreciate your time.

        Reply
      • Hi Charger…I see where you’re coming from with Broony…but I have to say…You can’t be the best player in Scotland for the last few seasons…then suddenly lose it.
        He is also arguably the fittest player in Scotland…and for me he has to come back into the team…although I do understand the current style of play might be affected.
        So maybe there is a case for him playing at certain venues….and not others….BR will let us know as soon as Wednesday…where he will be in from the start imo.
        His record as a Celtic captain is on a par with any previous stalwarts….and I foresee him being a Celtic manager in years to come.
        My only criticism of him is….he goes over the top sometimes with his “attitude” and this is an area ne needs to address….If for no other reason than the Masons in the Black are waiting for it….and won’t hesitate to card him.
        Hail hail

        Reply
    • That’s right Sean,as I said on the way to Hampden yesterday,Celtic and the rest of the following pack are now playing for Europa League places.Oh ma sides.

      Reply
  2. Phil – your penultimate sentence is completely wrong!! Dave King reckons that within two years, sevco will be “back where we belong” – wherever that might be! And, don’t forget that, for the first time in seven years, they are top of the league… Going for 55 in just six short years is definitely back on!! 😂😂😂

    Reply
  3. Very interesting to see if Brendan sticks with young Christie for the Glasgow derby at castle greyskull.

    I have my doubts but I hope he does.

    HH all and have a great week.

    Reply

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