Even the most succulent stenographer would have to concede that the basket of assets left Paradise with what they deserved.
It was over as a contest at halftime; this was Ange Ball in Excelsis.
Although it was touch and go, Celtic’s masked superhero turned up to boss the midfield.
It was a crucial boost for both the team and the supporters.
Callum McGregor’s superpower is an unerring ability to find a teammate in space to receive a pass from him.
It is also becoming increasingly clear that this Celtic manager gets it.
This was him post-match:
“We had 60,000 in here. I’m sure a lot walked in with some problems in their lives, and for this 95 minutes, we made them forget that and feel good – and that’s something special.”
Yeah, he gets it.
In the post-match recriminations, I noticed some dignified types questions the wisdom of pitching in young Amad Diallo to the starting XI.
No harm to the talented young Ivorian, but he made little impact on the game.
Now, the thing is, I’ve received a steer from a very well-placed source that such a call might not be down to the Sevco manager.
In some loan deals, the parent club picks up almost all players’ salaries.
Of course, there’s no such thing as a free player, and those deals often come with strings attached.
As in, the loanee must be picked if fit and available.
Sometimes even the position is selected by the parent club.
If that is also the case with Aaron Ramsey, then Mr Van Bronckhorst has eight outfield players to select from now until the end of the season if both loanees are fit.
Now that’s one to watch.
Perhaps the main difference is that one group of players wants to be there and play for their manager, whereas several of their opponents wanted to be sold in January.
Borna Barišić, in particular, looked as if he wanted to be anywhere else tonight.
Perhaps the amiable Dutchman now realises that.
Next up for Sevco, they host their low-calorie cousins.
Ironically, they will be playing against a player who they could have had just £500k a few days ago before the window closed.
John Souttar will undoubtedly strengthen Sevco’s backline next season.
So why then didn’t they make a move for him?
Follow follow the money…
Apart from the Hooped heroes on the pitch tonight, the crowd was a crucial part of the victory.
In the post-match interview, Matt O’Riley seemed genuinely taken aback by the atmosphere inside a capacity Celtic Park.
Of course, the occasion was greatly assisted because it was a klan free event.
Having said that, even if they had allowed Planet Fitba’s pariahs inside by halftime, it would have been like that anyway.
Dunkirk Spirit and all that.
I think that it is fair to say that some Sevco oriented folks were quite confident before the match.
However, reality can be a cruel teacher.
For the avoidance of doubt, the only thing that was won tonight was three points for the win.
There are now 14 cup finals to go until Celtic can become champions.
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Lets hope the mighty Celtic haven’t imposed the same Man Utd /Juventus restrictions on a fellow Scottish side with Adam Montgomery,,,,
Phil,
Travelled over last night with my eldest, at 18 he is the same age as I was for my first Glasgow Derby.
Mines was the St Patrick’s massacre in 1991 and I have never forgotten it. Going by his reaction after last night I can safely say he will be a regular visitor to paradise.
What a Night. Unbelievable HH 🇮🇪🍀💚
One Oliver Salt of “The Daily Mail” ran with the ball boys misbehaving story. They get everywhere. I hear GvB has a new tactic, the minute the ball enters their twenty yard box, two defenders bump into one another and one goes down holding his head.
What was the linesman’s problem with the first goal? Looked to me like 2 sevconians staggering about specsavers And for Andy Walker to suggest they’d be talking about it on the radio and in pubs for months was astonishing
The Myth of Continuity
Alan Dewar QC, representing Charles Green at the Inner House of the Court of Session, has stated that ” The Rangers football club does not exist, it is an idea in people’s minds, a myth of continuity. No-one knows what the Rangers football club is, but it has no legal personality.”
Mr Dewar adds that ” you can only be the chairman of an entity that has a legal personality. Sevco Scotland, and it alone, bought the assets and carried on the business. The concept of the Rangers Institution continuing exists only in the minds of die hard supporters.”
Mr Dewar was responding to a question by one of the three appeal court judges who inquired: “Why is it so important that Rangers football club is Sevco Scotland rather than an institution going back 100 years?”
Continuity shmontinuity call it what you want.
The man who bought the carcass and sold it to them as a pup should know the truth.
His QC told them straight the concept of survival exists only in the minds of the peepul.
Meanwhile back at the skelping.
Overdue and never in doubt if you have been keeping an eye on their record this Season compared to last.
That defence is there for the taking as Ross County have already proved by 7 goals past it in 3 games.
Hearts just need to go at them.
Sayonara sevco.🖐 HH
That young lad, Matt O’Reilly, comes across a genuinely nice lad. Compare him to Kent at Sevco and what do you see ?
That was only 3 points, but it was 3 points that destroyed the fragile Sevco’s confidence, the league is over.
Was looking at the left back and thought they has signed Gordon Ramsey.
What a night, what a spectacle, a finer example of the beautiful game would be hard to come by and the best part is that it was brought to us by Celtic FC.
Marvelling at the performance that Hugh Keevins told the world would never happen when he penned his usual serving of hot tripe and bitter onions, I wonder if he actually remembers writing the headline, “Rangers won’t lose to underdog Celtic or anyone else this season but that ain’t the biggest story” – Hugh Keevins https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-wont-lose-underdog-celtic-26084562
His name is on it and he himself states, “I am on record here as saying I think Rangers will go through the remainder of this season without losing a game”, you see what thought did Hugh..
Yes the aroma of coffee was pungent around many last night, especially Mr Keevins , Boyd, and Rae who have between them made the job of Ange so much easier when they continually bullshit people including players who buy into it, pat on the back for them…
Some people though just can’t help themselves and from behind the pay wall of the Glasgow Times they were that outlet. A world exclusive was the order of the day when they ran the headline, “Celtic fans aim sectarian banner at Rangers in ‘send them back to hell’ message”. https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/19894879.celtic-fans-aim-sectarian-banner-rangers-send-back-hell-message/
Now you would think with such an observation that some true blue would have stepped up and put their name to it, but alas we may never know who brought this scoop to the paying public when we see that the author wants to be known as ,” By Glasgow Times Staff”. This has left me perplexed as to why nobody wants their name on it, could it be the elusive DUP squirrel or was it the “Staff” as it was put and how many “Staff” or was it someone so lowly they do not deserve a name check or someone so unconvinced they didn’t want one..
On that note Phil and everyone else who follows Celtic have a great day, I know I shall.. Hail Hail
Well played AP and The Bhoys, back to proper hunskelping tonight.
O’Riley was gobsmacked Phil, coz if he was acting he should be in Hollywood not Celtic Park.
Great pictures of a jubilant full house beamed round the planet 🌍 for the whole Celtic Family.
Tonight’s game was advertised on Japanese tv! !and what an advert that was tonight too. Brilliant.
Sadly though,I seen a report of trouble on the streets around the Parkhead area, police were on it in a flash and we can only hope no one was seriously hurt or injured🤞🏼
Let’s get opposition teams coming to play @Fortress Celtic Park once again.
HH🍀 Slainte Phil🍻
The old firm died when they cheats at liebrox were liquidated in 2012 thats afact and not a lie the media in scotland make out ranjurs were demoted our put down the leagues but why were they put down in the first place so please don’t read the media in scotland because they’re scared to report the truth incase they get death threats and familys bullied of the scum at liebrox sevco fans 2012 every paper reported rfc died in 8mins but changed there minds when they were all threating with the sevco fans.
…. and breathe.
You can see that Ange has developed a great team spirit: through force of will the players grabbed all the points against Dundee United and Hearts – with late winners.
By contrast, sevco players looked out on their feet tonight, and short of ideas.
Celtic played them off the park in the first half.
And the Celtic bench is so much stronger now..
It’s our title to lose.
I was amazed by how many times van Bronckhurst mentioned the ‘old firm’ after the match. It was almost as if he had been primed to keep the continuation myth intact. Another couple of games like that and his coat will be on a shoogly peg.
Best first 45 minute display in years, could have been 4 or 5 at half time.
Abada has been a gem signing and Hatate goes from strength to strength.
As Ange says there is more improvement to come as the newbies settle in and others return from injury which will give us depth in the squad as well.
Meanwhile over in Govan the knives are out for GVB with a must win over Hearts in the next league fixture or else.
We have the momentum without a doubt, let’s push on with the end result bringing in the millions from CL Group Stage qualification which will be a real double whammy for them.
I wonder when, or if, one of those Scottish media folks will put their head above the parapet to ask why a deal for Aaron Ramsay was put together whilst Souttar remains at Hearts till the end of the season because a few hundred thousand pounds couldn’t be found?
Actually McGregor mentioned it as well. Have to say wasn’t too happy about that
It’s very noticeable how the klan inclined and the Scottish sports media use the term ad nausium. They hate us yet are desperate to be associated with us at any opportunity.