The Good
It seems like we should be still getting sand out our trainers, still be able to peel ruler length strips of sunburnt skin from our torso, still trying to make up with your girlfriend after that bird from Torryglen gave you that rash in Ibiza and still trying to convince yourself that you like golf, cricket and the Tour De France.
We are back so quickly that Dundee United are the only Scottish team out of Europe and Chic Young’s tan is on Cuprinol Hazelnut and not Cherry Red.
The short break has been good. Get back into the swing of things quickly to right the wrongs of last season. You may have noticed that we have played some friendlies. We look to have hit the ground running. 3 wins and 3 clean sheets.
Kelvin Wilson has bedded in and Adam Matthews has been welcomed. Plus Samaras has only been seen once and Hooper and Stokes have scored. It’s all good.
The Bad
The lack of quick movement on the keeper front. Cool Hand Luka will be forever blighted by his association with Mogga. He was his number one he was capable that night at Midden Park. Also, Utrecht last season saw him jettisoned for a stoned giraffe.
While we haven’t signed Stipe Pletioska is puzzling as much as it is bemusing. He ticks all the boxes we need.
I’m unsure whose hands will be the clammier at 12:30 on Sunday. Probably, Cool Hand Luka’s. Well, he has gloves on.
How will Kelvin Wilson handle SPL Law that a centre forward can kill and mane but any centre back in a Celtic jersey cannot touch?
The Ugly
They have a manager who sounds like monolithic troglodyte Real Radio competition winner and who everyday is hoping to confirm his super saver rail reservation, one way only, to Nottingham.
There pre-season business has seen them lose their best players and try to replace them with Tony Mowbrays class of 2005 who are slightly older and a lot more wayward now.
Sproule has returned to increase my blood pressure and while some claim – if you live in Leith or the dark side of the cheese moon – O’Connorovski is an outside bet for top goalscorer in the SPL.
Since he was unable to out-run the plod from an Embra’ car park after dropping some Vim I would only bet on him doing some porridge. Surely Dan, Kelvin or Glenda can catch him?
They seem to be in crisis. Perfect opportunity for us to hand them a boost then….
Leave your thoughts / predictions about the game in the comments. It’s free.
I dont understand the delay in signing Pletioska either. It makes no sense.
There’s nothing worse for players, or for us poor fans, than having a keeper that you dont have 100% confident in.
He’s a tried and tested international keeper. If he’s healthy, sign him now. Never mind the usual look at me I’m a great negotiator performance from PL.
The only thing I can think off is that his wages are on the high side or PL doesn’t like that he will have little sell on value. I just see a possible good goalie with 5 years at the top left.
I just hope that PL realise that a good, reliable keeper isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity to make sure we win the league this season.
Surely, he wont repeat the mistakes of the last three or four years.
I honestly don’t think goalkeepers over the last 3 seasons have been an issue, not to say it won’t this season if it’s not sorted, Forster and Artur have performed well, the 2 seasons before last were handed to Rangers and last year was tight.
Did Cool Hand Luka not just have a nondescript season in a poor side rather than being poor?
All we have to do is look over at the dark side to see wot a descent keeper gives you,he did it today and many times last year.I would sign him right now as long as his fitness is good.Surely it cant be good on the confidence for Luka as you know and I’m sure he knows he’s only keeping goal until we have some one better.Come on Celtic get it sorted and sort out Broony,Kayal&Izzy while we’re at it.HH
McShagger despite being a despicable human being is good at his job. The carrot.
For me……
The Good: A win! ANY win!
The Bad: Anything less than a win.
The Ugly: An unthinkable loss, especially after the result today.
Simples as rat says on the tv.
Well certainly not as descriptive, well thought out or eloquent as your “Good Bad Ugly” articles but yeah as simple as that! lol.
Sorry, I didn’t mean that goalkeepers specifically were an issue over the last three seasons. What I meant was that PL and the board spent the last three years trying to decide how strong R*****s were before they spent any money. Whearas, they should have been just buying the players we needed, when we needed them.
Spending money on the right player, at the right time, could have won us the league a couple of times, I think. But we let the opposition decide whether we would buy or not. This policy has backfired, disasterously, three times now. But I’ve got a horrible feeling that they’re still doing it.
I also think goalkeeper is the most important position of all. Signing a confident keeper would give the whole team a lift, especially the center-halfs.
I think last season the fact that we only brought in a loan keeper was bad. As you say it’s an important position and this uncertainy worries. For me the decisions have been purely made on a budget basis. And Stipe is no different.
I disagree that we wait and see what they do. We are masters of our own finance.
I think there were times under Strachan and Mowbray the board could and SHOULD have strengthened but don’t think we are having that problem under Lennon AT THE MOMENT and hopefully we have learned a few things over the last few seasons and won’t have that same problem. Saying that though Kelvin Wilson was outstanding today and if we paid up to get him in earlier we might not have collapsed at Inverness but i think that was just pure piss taking by Billy Davies and that is why we told Davies to gtf, many fans on Nottingham Forest forums believe he put his allegiances to Rangers before Forest and think it was a big factor in him getting sacked.
Goal stokes 0-1 yessss
we were under a fair bit of pressure before that goal
the hibs keeper waved at a back door cross and stokesy had time to control and pick his spot .. avery good calmly taken finish ..impressed I am
mark wilson good well crafted ‘goal’ ..offside ..being played on by hibee player…bad decision giving home team the benefit of doubt
at half hour stage celts leading 0-1
we are seeing an open game with chances at both ends
cetic have ther midfield now and kelvin wilson looks like the type of ch who will step forward and pick a pass..composed and confident a celtic type of player
good start.. so far
think i am on my todd here?
will keep posting updates in case a hoops fan somewhere is tuning in
or someone tells me to give it a rest
35 mins 2 corners in quick succession -big kelvin looks a threat at corners and linking nicely with big glen at the back
38 mins tempo slowed down now ..hot day taking it’s toll on players…serie A pace without the visual quality ESPN coverage is dire …using beeb and stv cameras, or so i’m told
42nd minute- hibs looking to make progress down thier left and a few dangerous crosses coming in dealt with by celtic defence
43 mins hibs free kick well cleared by joe ledley..good cover on the runner mate
44 mins izzy cross ..corner ..he is taking time to get into the game
45 another celtic corner–right side stkes attacked it well and heads past post
HT -Report
(No injury time) Hibs 0- Celts 1
Celts in the yellow and black piano strip.
Game being played in glorious sunshine -stadium looks about 75% full -Celtic end full and noisy -a few reb tunes and sure this will be picked up by media.
Stokes scored a good striker’s goal- very missable-as line had 3 hibs players covring after keepr had dropped (howler) a Commons free kick from the right touchline. Kept calm picked his spot and passed high into the net from a tight angle from left looks very sharp and moving around well holding up ball/lay offs attacking crosses.
Kelvin and Mark Wilson have caught the eye at the back and moving forward – delighted with these two players.
Zaluska dealt with most situations very well- one confusion with Izzy when he should have taken ball in his 6yd area..fortunately ball bounced wide for goal kick. A wee scare
Izzy bombing forward but not really showing anything classy …yet
Midfield look in control -Ki is showing great vision and pinging a wide array of passes -I love this guy and would never be out my team. Joe, Beram and Kris all doing well.
Hooper is quiet..but full of running
Glen is looking composed
Panel of Hately and Big Bad John agree 2nd goal was on-side…Hately said “give attacker the benefit” ..is he on the bevvy??
2ND HALF
Bhoys back out looking hungry -no changes
46′ HIBS CONNOR SKINS IZZY ON RIGHT -cross dealt with by Kelvin turns on sixpence in box and pick a pass to kris on right -lovely
Celts building play from the back
48′ commons tries a chip from edge of box ..just over
just noticed Mark Wilson is captain today in absence of broony…Mark is playing like a Celtic captain very impressed
51′ -celts exposed through middle Hibs dispossed commons and ..kelvin uses pace to slide in and clear in the box..seen them given..but a very good tackle by a quick quick CH ..well done ..last term that was a goal/penalty
53′ Ki corner from right free header for Glen -not converted hits a hibee player…should have done better mate
55′ commons split defence with a pass -hooper offside—-wow 3 celts breaking at pace -hibs playing a high line caught out by kris’ pass, tho’ he could have released sooner
57′ ki releases hooper on right great pacey run behind defence –cross smothered by keeper
58’izzy cross almost reached by joe ledley head-run behind the defence -good move
60′ kris commons subbed -for james forrest?? not sure why
61′ sean ohanlon off injured for hibs replaced by stephens
62- Yessssss Ki scores a great goal left foot shot into bottom right corner -from edge of box lay off by hopper
our fans doing the huddle-superb 0-2 celtic
64′ sproule breaks on right good cross into box for o’conner -glen loovens block and injured in process. back on after treatment.
65 good move by celts switched about at pace izzy brought down and penalty
67 Hooper takes it —keeper makes a great save onto post ball rebounds and out for a bye kick achhhhh
69′ looks like hibees bringing on 2 14 year old youth players -galbraith -widnae send him for the messages (just kiddin’) ex manure winger?
pitch looks a bit patchy
72′ Both Ki and Kayal now working hard to control midfield- see benefit of Ki’ height in there, winning lots of high balls and good body strength holding off challenges
game going a bit flat
into last 15 mins-keep the heid celts (should be 4 nil grrrr)
76′ mark wilson stokes and forrest link well on right corner
77′ linesamn gives 2nd phase conrer and ref overules..he was wrang grrr
78′ kelvin cuts out a dangerous run into box…pace was crucial, really like the big man
79′ Stokes subbed for big Sammi
84′ soft foul by kayal 25 yards from hib-freekick cross held well by zaluska (came out for a few today and handled confidently)
85′ shaun on for hooper
86′ sammi breaks own box and finds forrest with great pass into space on the right…devastating, quick, pacey move breaks down in hibs box… more of that please celts big sammi at his best
89′ kayal breaks well on right and brought down cynical challenge -booking for booth
90 mins free kick on right for celts – maloney plays in forrest in box..cut out
4 mins added time
91′ playing out time now 2-0 is a good result tho’ we should have had 4-at least
92′ Ki drives a rasper from 25 yds and narrowly over —powerful shot
93′ -loovens kneed ball back and zaluska picks up -ref blows wants to give a penalty or death sentence –linesman tells him not to make a complete nob of himself ..reluctantly plays on
FULL TIME: HIBS 0- CELTIC 2 Stokes & Ki
Summary:
My man of the match Ki–oustanding dominated the mid and picking out passes and a great goal. This could be his year and hope the bliddy epl managers were not watching that performance.
Celtic dominated the game. Good linkage and all players pass marks today. Not often we can say that and would be happy with that line up against the huns. Only slight concern that Joe out wide on left did link as well with Izzy. Commons on right was doing well until subbed (must have been an injury?)
Not happy about another gol chopped off and we should have scored penalty -tho’ well struck by hooper to his bottom left and a great save by keeper.
Ki was official man of match handed champers by Kelvin who came across very well when interviewed.
John Hartson said men against boys (not my fav expression)- we were completely in charge of this game -only one scare and kelvin got back to put him under pressure and sproule touch lost the chance or hibees.
Overall fair play to Hibs for coming out and trying to play fitba.
Lenny interview:- spoke highy of his midfield and recovery pace of Kelvin. Injury free day and to me He is looking healthy and relaxed. Good man.
Zaluska – handled situations well- one dodgy moment when he should have claimed a ball in his 6′ box- his ba’ -overall not pressurised today. A solid performance.
Mark Wilson (captain) -showed good leadership skills and did his job very well. Scored a good goal incorrectly called offside.
Glen Loovens- looked calm and assured- might benefit playing alongside pacey partner
Kelvin Wilson – oh yes, saw him in Cardiff and he is pacey and sure footed. Same again today likes to step up the park and pick a pass. Stopped a certain goal from Hibs with a recovery tackle that few of our defenders would have got near last term. A bit of luck as Hibees striker Sproule had a poor touch tho’ he was applying pressure with his pace. Will be comfortable building play from the back this season. Blinder.
Izzy- some decent crosses and passes and won a penalty-but not as effective as we saw last term. I was concerned he was ripped apart on the wing -twice- his main job is defence and see some weaknesses, tho’ early days in season and we know he has class.
Kris Commons- played wide right and good delivery for 1st goal and some nice interplay- subbed in early in 2nd half. Lenny said no injuries- so a tactical change bringing on Forrest. Strange one tho’ James was very effective when he came on.
Beram Kayal- strong,tidy and complemented Ki showing they can both operate in the middle interchanging as required. Not outstanding today but very, very reliable closing them down. A strong performance.
Ki – just magnificant today. Ran the show. Strong in tackle, reads the play from deep and closes down. Breaks forward into space a deadly shot and scored a great goal. Spreading quality penetrating passes around like confetti. MOTM by a mile,
Joe Ledley- Not sure he likes wide left position much, links with Izzy not fluid enough for me. Thoughtful covering behind Izzy when he did break upfield. Overall he did his job well today
Hoops- Good lay-off to Ki for his goal and worked away today- not sure that he got enough of the service he likes today. Missed penalty and in fairness that was a good save (similar to Sammi’s v unhs in opposite corner)
Stokesy – looked dead keen today and looking for ball. Scored first goal composed finish and not an easy chance. Dropping deep to find the ball as required. Overall, linked up well with the midfield. Very happy with his contribution.
Subs:
James Forrest on for Kris 60 mins – clearly relishes wide right and had some great link ups with Ki and Mark Wilson. Pacey, finds space and sticks to his task. Good performance.
Sammi – on for Stokesy 79 mins -one superb break from his own box ran out at pace made an early (yes early) pass! in behind hibees defence on right to allow James Forrest to sprint past their defence –the type of counter attacking move that is worth ticket money alone. Came to nothing this time but a glimpse of things to come? Sammi did well when he came on.
Shaun on for Hoops -not on long enough
Excellent posting mate! I’m usually at the games so in game commentary is few and far between. I’m impressed. So much so I may offer you a gig if your interested. Our min by min reporter?
Hey far too generous.but appreciated. Glad you find it useful..new here as you know and not sure if info. is helpful to those who have no other access?
Happy to help if I can –
hail hail
SBB
You have an e-mail mate.
Nice one St Brendan’s bhoy. Good result against a scrappy Hibs side. Would have preferred we didn’t punt the ball forward as much. Think we got a bit overexcited on that front because it almost paid off a couple of times.
Ki was immense today. I’m going to go ahead and make the Scholes comparison. Except he can tackle. Sometimes. His range of passing and ball retention are superb and he seems to be loving his football. K. Wilson is absolutely brimming with confidence, got on the end of everything…and he’s vocal..I see a leader in there. It was great to see him striding out of defence to initiate the attack. Interested to see how he pairs with Big Dan.
So, already we’re faced with a bit of a dilemma. Ledley was ok on the left but he’s definitely more effective in the middle. There’s going to be a lot of rotation in the middle of the park. Also, I think Commons is better on the left but to be fair he’s clearly lacking a bit of fitness (think that’s why he was subbed).
Forrest really cut them open when he came on. I hope we’ve learned from McGeady and can steer this boy in the right direction.
cheers mate-
agree with your summary, Mark W looks to have matured a bit grown in stature..makes sense on Commons fitness (confused as to why?)and suspect Izzy might be a bit groggy too (he has an excuse).
Ki -watched his 2nd half performance again and would not disagree with your Scholes comparison especially the tackling..solid.
Lenny has a wee dilema now -how to fit Joe into that team ..and can Broony waltz back in on the right? Sense he will need to work hard on utilising substitutions and horses for courses to keep them all happy…no not happy …involved. Detecting a strong spirit in the team.
liked big Sammi coming on falling over the ball twice – helping out defence then driving out with that languid gallop that deceives opponents..he eats up the turf and listening to advice on early release …well once hehehe. I am a fan.
Was a bit worried about today. Everyone talking about 3 plus goals and top if the league etc. As you say when we settled down and played on the deck, hibees had no answer..some of the interplay was at top pace and exciting to watch on tv. I wish I could have been there to enjoy it more.
hail hail
SBB
Was debating that myself. Ledley was quiet. Broonie adds something on wide right. So who goes in the middle?
Our long ball game at times wasn’t pretty.
Ki was immense today, he could easily step into the same goalscoring midfielding role that Stan Petrov did so well.
K.Wilson – Phenomenal athlete and one hell of a defender, the lad looks promising so far.
I am content with the result and Hooper will come back even eager to score in our next fixture after the penalty save.
Hooper looked a forlorn and frustrated figure. Mainly caused by Iain Brines.