Give Them Hell Celtic

There is something indescribably special about Celtic. Our history is rich with examples of great triumph in the face of adversity. That feeling that you have in your stomach right now is the very essence of the Celtic movement. It is a feeling that thousands have shared before many great triumphs for over a century. Use that feeling, the spirit of Maley, Stein, Johnstone and Burns or the parent or grandparent who passed you the torch. Let their spirit flow through your veins and always be proud to stand up and say…I Support The Glasgow Celtic.

Nothing starts a pre-Old Firm blog like a speech!

So my friends, this Sunday sees Celtic under Neil Lennon host their rivals ‘them’ in the first Old Firm game of the season. Both teams have won 8 out of 8 so far, although you won’t be too surprised to hear in my opinion Celtic have been the better of the two teams. However all that counts for nothing on Sunday as Walter Smith will no doubt bring his 5-4-1 formation to Celtic Park in hope of securing a 0-0 draw for his side. Make no mistake about it Rangers are going to Celtic Park to defend and defend only. They will be as deep as the miners in Chile to protect the over-aged Davie Weir and bar the occasional throw in at the Celtic half way line, Rangers only hope of an attack will be a long ball up towards Kenny Miller who will no doubt be chasing crisp packets along the hallowed turf of Paradise.

So how should Neil Lennon combat this defence defence defence mentality? Well first off he should DROP one of the attacking 4 who started against Dundee United last week. Maloney will play because he’s the Captain as stated by Neil Lennon. Gary Hooper must play because of his two goals last week and that leaves you with Fans Favourite Georgios Samaras and Anthony Stokes. I would be delighted to see either one of them in the team on Sunday as both were excellent last week. I’d probably go for Stokes to start with Samaras coming on once the Rangers defence is tiring to stretch them that little bit further. Juarez would replace Samaras for me and a 4-3-1-2 Formation would be my preferred choice with Maloney the link between Stokes and Hooper. I really really think we can beat Rangers this Sunday, but we’ll probably need to score two goals, not because Rangers will score one, but probably because the ref will rule 1 out for the simple fact Stokes probably stood on Weir’s toe or something.

So for some Old Firm memories then. I’ve been to 4 Rangers Games, Won 3. Lost 1. March 2003 John Hartson bagged the winner in my debut. Then my second old firm game 5 and a half years later saw Rangers win 4-2 in what was certainly one of my darkest days at Celtic Park. Then the CIS cup final when Celtic hammered Rangers after 120 minutes and only somehow managed the 2 extra time goals to defeat a Rangers team who were lucky to get nothing! And then Neil Lennons debut in May 2010 saw Celtic defeat Rangers 2-1 in a very entertaining match indeed.

Not a lot happening there then, but one thing thats a constant in any old firm game that I’ve attended, is the outright hatred for the Rangers fans that comes over you when you see them singing their bigoted filth. Make no mistake about it there are 3 things Celtic need to do, 1. Win. 2. Win. And 3. Shut they horrible no users up!

I’d like to go on the record and say that although the result is the most important thing about Sunday’s encounter, but I for one would like to see Celtic fight Rangers on Sunday, get right in about them from the word go. We can beat Rangers playing football of course we can, but just for added delight on my behalf, I’d like to see Joe Ledley go for 50/50 with McCulloch and put big elbows into Row Z.

I’ll finish as I started.

Gentlemen, for every high theres a low and for every disappointment theres a moment of sheer joy. We’ve been through the worst of the storm and that didn’t kill us, it just made us stronger. We know how easy it is to stand strong when the champagne is flowing, but the real measure of our support  is to be found is the times of adversity, and we’ve been found to be faithful. Through and Through.  Feelgood factors success, results, players, managers, custodians and every other facet of OUR club come and go, but being a Celtic fan is for life.  We’re the one constant in the club’s existence. Its very lifeblood and its living breathing heartbeat. From the cradle to the grave, win lose or draw. I am a Celtic fan, I was born one, and I’ll live my life as one. And believe you me, I fully intend to die as one.  I was a Tim yesterday and I will be one tomorrow and in between then its an honour and a privilege to be part of the greatest and most unique footballing institution on God’s Green (and white) Earth. Tiocfaidh Ar La.

Give Them Hell Celtic