I’ve spoken on this blog before, of course, about the Kilmarnock fan who spoke to my old man on the way out of the League Cup game last season, which they had won to knock us out of the competition.
His celebrations were such that you’d have thought they’d won the tournament. My old man asked him if there was any need for it—rubbing the Celtic fans’ faces in it quite so much. He said that, as far as he was concerned, that had made his whole season worthwhile.
That season had hardly started at that point.
So we either had a guy who was just so anti-Celtic that it fried his brain in that moment, or a guy who had very little hope of a happy ending for his own team.
At the end of the campaign—after they failed to win the League Cup, thus rendering that win almost pointless—we went there on the night we clinched the title and absolutely routed them. I’ve always wondered who the happier people were that night. Those whose season had been “made” earlier in the campaign, yet won nothing at all, or those of us who celebrated the championship that evening?
Maybe we were both equally happy. Their season was completed before it even began. Ours was completed only at the end of a long fight.
Football is an odd game, and what’s mad is that a lot of people seem to take serious pleasure from victories which don’t mean anything at all. Perhaps they think it’s about bragging rights. Perhaps they think it’s about point-scoring. Perhaps they’re just losers who aren’t used to seeing their team win, and so they’ll take any good day they can get and turn it into an epochal triumph.
I do think of it as a loser mentality, and that loser mentality has been alive and well at our rivals for quite a long time now. They celebrated a 3-3 draw at the tail end of last season, although we were the principal beneficiaries of it. They celebrated the last win at Ibrox as if it was a game-changer when it didn’t change anything. And they surely celebrated yesterday. They couldn’t help themselves. What they showed was that their management team, and everyone around the club, are crass and vulgar people without an ounce of class, dignity, or composure.
And it also showed that they’re losers.
Losers don’t get to walk up on the podium at the end of a campaign and take the silverware. When this campaign is over, we’re going to be the winners of all three domestic trophies. They’ll have a good European run to look back on. And for them, yesterday afternoon will be the highlight of their campaign.
I heard fireworks going off somewhere as I was coming out of the ground.
That’s the people you’re dealing with—who’ll treasure cutting the lead at the top of the table to a mere 13 points, possibly not even being able to prevent it being wrapped up before the split.
You’ll see a lot of people on Celtic social media today shrugging that result off as meaningless. That’s not a response to a painful defeat. That’s not people living in denial. I am 100% sure that those people do not care.
I am 100% certain that they do not see the value in a post-mortem, or pulling our hair out, or tearing ourselves to bits over a result that, in the grand scheme of things, doesn’t matter a damn. Those people reflect part of my own thinking on this. In the end, it doesn’t count for anything.
Of course, I know better.
Of course, I know it would be wrong to say that we shouldn’t attach any importance to that fixture and to that result. We absolutely have to attach importance to it. There are lessons to be learned, and we absolutely have to learn them—and it’s got nothing to do with who the opponent is.
And this is what I do understand about those fans who are saying that yesterday doesn’t really count—that in the grand scheme of things, we’re still going to win the treble. We’re still going to be champions. We’re still going to move further in front of the Big Lie.
All that stuff is almost certainly true. So, in the end, all this is going to be is that our pride took a bit of a battering, and they got to strut around like the cock of the walk. Doesn’t really matter though, because on the day we secure the treble, all of this will recede into nothing, and they’ll have to pretend not to care.
Indeed, that’s one of the main differences here. Because the people in our support who are claiming not to care about this defeat largely don’t care about it. Some of them are upset because of the opposition. I’m upset because we’ve conceded three goals to the same team four times in the last five games. I’m concerned by that. But I wouldn’t care who that team was—I would be equally concerned.
But if it ultimately doesn’t matter, why does it matter? If it’s still our name that’s going to be engraved on the championship silverware—and on the other two trophies—is it really worth going around for the next few weeks as if it’s the end of the world, when in actual fact it’s nothing of the sort?
I said in a piece last week that those claims about this being the so-called biggest derby in the world are entirely false. Outside of this strange little country of ours, no one cares that much. We play too many of these games now anyway; they no longer have the lustre that they once did.
The ones we’ve tended to lose in recent years are the ones that haven’t mattered. It’s been a long time indeed since we lost one that actually counted—one that had a material impact. And that’s why I’m frustrated, even furious, at some of the awful defending that was on display.
Most people aren’t overreacting. Most people aren’t losing their minds. If Ibrox fans think that our supporters are despondent today, I invite them to guess again.
I’ll tell you this—had we won that game yesterday, even if we’d won it comfortably, my reaction would have been to treat it as just another box ticked off in the campaign calendar. Another three points. Another step closer to the day we actually clinch the title. And like everyone else, I’d have been looking at McDiarmid Park and thinking that’ll be the place. “They’ve given us its three stands. Everyone knows that’s going to be the fixture.” Now it isn’t. Now more of our fans might get a chance to see the league get clinched because it might actually be at Celtic Park.
But that it will be clinched is not in the slightest doubt. And that’s kind of the point. Three times we’ve played their side this season, twice we’ve lost and once we’ve won. There are a lot of people who are going to say that because the next one is on their turf—where we’ve already been beaten—that we’re bound to lose that one too. And if it turned out that we had dropped nine points from 12 against one particular team in the league, what difference would it even make except to eat into the winning margin?
If it happens, I’ll be concerned—just as I’m concerned now. If it happens, I’ll be angry—just as I’m angry now. But I’ll be angry because I don’t think we should be dropping nine points out of 12 to any team in the league. I think that shows something has gone wrong. I think that shows there is a problem that we need to fix. But I won’t let the opposition worry me that much. My problem will be with the fact of it—not the team who inflicted it. And it’s high time their fans understood that above all else.
This whole thing has lost its edge for me.
It’s been too long since we lost a really important one. There are too many of them in a season. We win too many of them to feel it when we lose one. Ultimately, their team, their club, isn’t really a challenger to us at all—except in that, because they most often come second place, we have to refer to them that way.
They are still our rivals and it’s a derby, we should treat these games like cup finals, they certainly do. CCV said they were pressing looking to pounce on a mistake, as if this was some surprise tactic they sprung on us. We all knew what they would do. Then Rodgers said we gave it away too much, we had over 70% possession! The problem was a lack of hunger and urgency, not a lack of possession. So I think ccv’s comments show they missed the point before the game and Rodgers, more worryingly, suggests he still doesn’t see it.
The first derby of next season when the stakes are real in terms of prizes will hopefully be different but we get a chance at redemption and breaking this bad habit at Ibrox this season, maybe even to win the league.
Spot on James, this game against the Espanyol of Glasgow has indeed been watered down and no longer holds the same significance as it did before they died. It is THEM that should be the most concerned about the league table, for having beaten us twice, they should be asking themselves why they are so far behind us, why they are also rans and why they are celebrating winning dead rubbers as if it were a Cup final. Don’t get me wrong the same old hatred is there, but I certainly don’t get too upset when things don’t go quite according to plan, as the bigger picture to me is much more important.
What annoys me on here after such a defeat is the kneejerk posters who rant about humiliation, embarrassment etc after a one goal defeat as if we have the right to victory in every single game. I have supported Celtic all my life and have experienced real humiliation at times and yesterday was not one of those occasions, not even close to it. Get a grip, all of you and appreciate what we have here, yet another Celtic side going for a Treble, lap it up and enjoy the good times, good times that I expect to continue for years to come. Here we go for 10-in-a-row.
Johnny. See my post from James’s last post. (reporter says Celtic tapped Miller)
I’ll Celebrate the treble if and when we win it , yesterday showed nothing’s a given .
The lack of physicality is a huge concern we have one player who ticks that particular box lost count the amount of times Hatate,McCowan Johnston,Kuhn were pushed off the ball with the minimum of fuss that needs to be addressed ASAP.
The only thing that really bothered me about yesterday was the lack of leadership shown in the 1st half, other than that it’s no more upsetting than the loss to hibs was a few weeks ago
Yesterday hurt no doubt about it but until the rangers can start beating the st mirrens the Motherwells and the Queen’s Park we’ve nothing to worry about in the immediate future he who celebrates last celebrates the longest hail hail I’m sure today they have woken to the realisation that we are still the most successful team in Scotland and nothing has changed or maybe not because they are delusional zombies onwards and upwards for us
It’s not the getting beat. It’s the MANNER of getting beat. We’ve been schooled by them three times in a row (by luckily nanaged to win the Cup) and our “elite” manager refuses (or worse is unable to see how) to change anything either before or during the games.
James – you are predicting a treble – that is extremely disrespectful to the three other teams in the Comp particular Hearts and Aberdeen who are well capable of beating us in the final IF we get there. That arrogant and dismissive thinking is what has gotten us into the current run vs the Buns and is exactly the attitude you quite rightly tick them off for having against the rest of the SPFL.
We are not as good as you seem to think we are and they are not as bad as you seem to think they are. Igamane is twice the player Idah is and your blinkeredness over such obvious facts is the same as Brendan’s.
Yes we’re the better team and will win the league easily and deservedly but unless we acquire power/physicality in the middle of the pitch and learn to play more direct at times when playing out from the back isn’t working/possible we will be in danger of allowing them to become genuine title challengers in the very near future – which given our current financial advantage (and their dire off the park state) would be a disgrace!
Totally agree woodyiom. I would like to add these bloggers keep writing their team is shit and complain when their fans throw it in our face when they beat us. They cannot win.
It’s been said time and again that they can play well in Europe, where they can soak up a press and hit on the break. Whereas domestically, they can’t break down the teams who sit in.
Is it just me who sees that we’re giving them exactly the kind of game they get in European matches?
Letting them do what they’re good at.
We’re all a bit guilty of an over the top reaction just after a defeat especially from them at Celtic Park. If it had been a one off it wouldn’t have annoyed me so much, but for us to concede 3 goals to them in the past 3 games isn’t something that should be shrugged off. It seems we haven’t learned lessons from the previous 2 games, what annoyed me was how easily we conceded the 3 goals yesterday. I mean a long kick out from Butland and he gets credit for an assist, our defenders should be having nightmares over that 3rd goal and also the 2nd, Schlupp was sleeping at the first.
I know it won’t matter when we celebrate winning the League and hopefully a treble, but surely lessons have got to be learned and mistakes not repeated.
James, as you say even if they did manage to beat us at Ibrox in the big picture it doesn’t matter a damn, In the 1967 season when we swept the board, winning every tournament we played for, including the Big One, Dundee Utd beat us twice in the league, that was the days you only played each other 2 times. It was a great matter of pride for them and probably still is to some of their older supporters, being victorious twice
over the European Champions that season, but they won no trophies that year and basically that’s what really counts in football
Of course the individual game was a bit meaningless for us. But the pattern is that they have a system which gets 3 goals a game against us. It’s not panty wetting to be concerned how that affects us next season if it continues and we don’t respond or react, or if other teams do it he same thing against us and we drop more points.
Losing yesterday means nothing, losing consistently and by playing so obviously into their hands is definitely concerning.
They will take MASSIVE confidence from this for sure going forward…
The thing is they ARE EASILY BEATABLE just not with these absurd fuckin tactics that Brendan perpetually seems to employ against them – well not since last April anyway (August apart) –
But they have pretty much the better of us under Brendan’s game plan and if we don’t change they won’t and in reality why should they and why would they…
If we play these same sickening of late tactics against then at Liebrox with the majority of fans and factoring in the influence once again of the cheats with whistles, flags and monitors then we could be in for a 5-0 hammering…
D’ya know what – It might not be the worst thing to happen as things WOULD FUCKIN HAVE TO CHANGE then !
I like to take a bit of time to digest and reflect on match events after a defeat.
I read a lot of the comments on here, and as I’ve always maintained, everyone is entitled to their opinion, whether you agree or not, but it is always important to respect opinions, nevertheless !
Firstly, there can be no doubt, that it was a dreadful and hugely disjointed team performance from start to finish. The start we made was very slow, tardy and turgid, and before you could say game plan, we were one down.
Devoid of inspiration and perspiration, we would have struggled to pass water, let alone find a team mate.
Big Kasper’s presence this season has been immense, but his distribution of late, has been very careless at times. It’s the way BR wants the team to play, but there are fundamentals in football, and one of those is clearing your lines, if there is no obvious short pass on !
Even limited teams like Sevco will see these weaknesses, and have punished us in the last 3-4 games, as a result.
Forget everyone going on about how good they played or how wee Ferguson is a master tactician ! When you defend dreadfully, can’t pass or don’t have the willingness to move your man marker about the park, to create space and better angles, then you get a performance like we saw yesterday.
Maeda ( our player of the season by a mile) & Nawrocki got pass marks, Jota looked lively for 15 mins of first half, as did Yang when he came on, and Hatate did ok!
The rest of team were completely below par and it wasn’t acceptable.
Our manager has to take his share of the blame,similarly to the credit he receives, when we are successful. However, once you cross that white line, the responsibility lies with the players, and for whatever reason, we were well short.
Having said all this, it’s always important to put a sensible perspective on it and take a deep breath.
Some of the comments shouting for BR’s head, and doubting his managerial credentials, are, for me, over the top, and a tad ridiculous, if I’m being honest.
Of course he has arrogance…all top managers do, but he will still deliver at least another double, and hopefully, treble, come May.
For those that want to laud Ferguson and this Sevco team, for winning the odd battle, but most importantly, continually losing the war, feel free to do so. The bigger picture is far more important, and that’s where we have to keep our faith in our top manager, and this group of players.
We have to also hope that this board realise, now, not in 2-3 years, is the time to keep backing BR, and adding the requisite quality, that will keep us at the top, domestically, and progressing further in Europe!!!
Yesterday was a huge disappointment for all of us, but it’s one game!
A minor setback, in a season of great team displays and progression !
Keep the faith and remember it’s still cold in Mordor ! Minus 13 I believe ! HH
I think the narrative that The Rangers are completely shit doesn’t really fly now. Are they inconsistent in performance yes absolutely but to claim their players to be fundamentally not even close to ours can’t be correct based on when we go toe to toe with them we struggle & whether we like it or not they do very well in Europe considering they have fuck all money.
Yes it’s tactics but they have players who execute those tactics very well.
I wouldn’t take any of their players in our squad as I don’t think they would improve it but I do think certain players maybe aren’t miles off. The results & general performances speak for themselves.
Too many of our players coast with an air of arrogance to the game & the lack of urgency when we are chasing the game is shocking. I don’t care how drilled they are, no player should be choosing a sideways or backward pass when you are 3-2 down in 90th minute +.
You could compile a list of who was poor but it’s shorter to say who would get a performance pass & for me that would be Nawrocki & McCowan. On Nawrocki, based on that performance & previous ones I really don’t understand how he can’t get close to the team. I’d be far more comfortable with him slotting in before Scales & we revert Scales to LB support for KT.
CCV shouldn’t be given the armband again if that’s his version of a captains performance.
Schlupp had comfortably his worst game for us. Not sure if he was injured toward the end or what but when he stopped chasing the ball only for the Rangers player to pick it up was unforgivable.
AJ was very very poor as was Kuhn, Jota (other than a 30 minutes where he seemed to wake up), today was the day that showed Maeda is better on the wing for us he was anonymous through the middle.
I don’t think our midfield was terrible but they were not at their best. CalMac was missed but going by our beliefs of our quality over theirs it really shouldn’t have mattered.
We also pipe on about how many leaders we have in our squad but not one of them showed up. Next time CalMac isn’t available we should be putting the armband on Engels or McCowan because they were the only 2 (who are actually in the first team regularly) that seemed to give it their all.
Side note on the refereeing of the game. It was abundantly clear within the first 5 minutes of the game they intended to rough house us & the fact the ref allowed that to play out with no punishments is ridiculous.
Should be getting more coverage but nothing will be said about it. The fact the commentary were praising it as part of this fixture was shocking. Chris Sutton should be disappointed in himself for letting that slide without challenging it.
Jay
A lot of good points that you’ve made ! I do believe that the majority of non blinkered fans in our fanbase, will see that Sevco do have quality in their ranks! It would be foolish to say otherwise!
However, even although I didn’t enjoy one minute of Sunday’s game or our performance, and we were so far from any real signs of quality throughout, we lost 3-2!!!
The major issue is that we’ve now lost 9 goals in 3 games to them and lost the last two games. Not ideal, but when you’re 13 points ahead, is it not better to enjoy that, rather than hear so many fans fretting about their possible resurgence !
We saw it with Beale, we saw it with Clement, and now we are witnessing the second coming with the staunch brothers.
I am in no way being flippant or dismissive but after a defeat to them, a lot of fans seem to panic.
If the yardstick of success for them is a Derby victory at Paradise and scraping into the last 8 of the EL, then give me our success any day of the week !
We shall bounce back and prove we fully deserve to be champions! Hopefully the treble can also be secured ! HH
PS…I thought McLean was dreadful and was the perfect conduit for their over zealous/aggressive ( thuggish in my book) challenges that were never punished ! Expected, but shame on him and Beaton yet again !