Pouring Scorn On The Art Of Winning Hateley Style
This could be a direct result of the hyperbole we are hit with on a daily basis. They have minutes, screens and paper to fill so they can’t play it down no matter the level or importance (as I type this Shrewsbury v Crawley is on Tv – Who says they wouldn’t show the SPL?- as this is being billed as the best MNF EVER!).
If like me you spent your Monday morning looking skyward (it’s getting light in the morning eh?) hoping not to be hit with a returning to earth Charlie Adam penalty then you must have watched an enjoyable ding dong, which saw Adam (see the aforementioned sky rocket) and Kenny Misser ensured ridicule that they both deserve.
It’s petty but, hey, I can live with that. Funnier than Missers miss was ‘Lawro’s’ assertion that you would have put your money on Misser to score. Obliviously the thoughts of an expert that has never watched Kenny.
Liverpool won on penalties. A regular occurrence for them since 2005 as they have won their last 3 major trophies that way (I’m not counting the 2005 EUFA Super Cup, which they won 3-1 in ET against CSKA Moscow). The fans lapped it up. So, what is wrong with that?
Since the ‘miracle of Istanbul’ Liverpool have appeared in 1 semi final, 1 quarter final and been beaten in another final in The Big Cup. Domestically they haven’t polished anything since an FA Cup in 2006. After their win yesterday Liverpool are only one of 12 clubs that have won a major English honour since 2000.
Is that not the point of being a fan? To enjoy successes? While becoming addicted and obsessed with winning is dangerous (hiya R*ngers!) letting the hair doon and getting the party frock on is nothing to be ashamed off.
The devaluing of any victory seems petty and one borne of only jealousy that it wasn’t you celebrating while wearing a stupid hat. Or in Mark Hateley’s case years worth of stupid suits.
Aye, the auld tainted title jibe. Hateley is an intolerable blowhard who fails to work the keyboard that records his thoughts (sic). His brain doesn’t engage what is unfolding in front of him and the impressive stats that this Celtic team is racking up.
A club record 20 wins in a row. 17 straight league victories. We haven’t lost a goal all of February. We have overhauled a 15 point deficit after being told (I was one also!) that the league was over and that Fat Sally had the measure of us. The only thing he seems to have the measure off is self pity and excuses.
The team that is sitting 3rd in the league admitted that they were happy to leave Celtic Park with a 1-0 defeat as it was an improvement on their last visit. Yes, it wasn’t the most eye catching of victories. In truth it was all a bit MEH!
That MEH! Was not borne out of boredom (like some would want you to believe) but off dining out on the finer things over the last few weeks. This was a Happy Meal after weeks of fine steak.
It had an air of both teams believing their work for the season is done. We are all looking up Bert Kassies on our smart phones then finding out who is leading the pack in Moldova and Macedonia (Scotland is currently 25th in the rankings behind Sweden, Belarus & Georgia……we are already a backwater). It looks like Motherwell will be inflicted onto The Big Cup. Aye, Motherwell. Not by default. No sir. They have played by the rules since their peek at extinction in 2003. Others haven’t.
Looking tired is a worry. We have plenty of big gemmes left this season. 4 wins from a title. 1 Win from lifting the League Cup. A tough away tie in the Scottish Cup against a recently impressive DuNT side.
This season is not finished.
We have seen recent drops in form from Wanyama and Forrest. Ki who was virtuoso against Dunfermline was poor against Motherwell. News that he is getting the day off against The Sheep on Saturday as he disappears on International duty tells you two things. 1) we are 20 points clear & 2) Scott Broon will be fit.
The feeling that we are seeing players in the final stretch of their Celtic careers was another emotion felt recently. Ki is one of them. He has been reduced to a bit part recently and with Kayal making noises of returning before the season end and Broonie (can I say we missed him on Saturday now wieoot fear of mockery?) getting a bumper contract he is disposable.
Hooper has proved that he is a special player. 20 goals this season but his all round play makes him much more than just a goalscorer. He has went from a player that looked like he couldn’t play up front himself to one that would wear it like a comfy pair of trainers. His lack of celebration is the only moan I have. Kris Boyd looked pissed off doing his joab. Gary Hooper shouldnae.
His career has been upwards since Spurs let him go as a nipper. Spells at Grays Athletic, Southend, Leyton Orient, Hereford United & Scunthorpe United have shown a player working his dues and getting the rewards. At 24 the BIG TIME beckons and it’s hard not to see that coming in the summer.
That’s for the summer though.
Nothing can taint our views until then.