Celtic Banter Archive December 31 2017

 

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31 Dec 2017 23:39:38
Happy new year everybody 🍀🍀 keep it up eduardo 007 much appreciated 💚.

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{Ed007's Note - Happy New Year to you Steph.}

31 Dec 2017 22:57:04
Make sure yoda gets a bit of steak pie the morra. Happy NY.

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{Ed007's Note - He'll make sure of it! Happy New Year mate.}

31 Dec 2017 22:08:22
Happy new year to everyone on the site and happy new year ed007 you do a great job . Hopefully 2018 can be as good as 2017 for the hoops HAIL HAIL.

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{Ed007's Note - Thanks very much and a Happy New Year to you too.}

01 Jan 2018 00:35:20
Happy New Yhear Bhoys and Girls.

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31 Dec 2017 22:02:25
Happy new year to all the contributors from 2017 thanks for loads a laughs. keep the sunday posts going tim beware of sevies in a suit finally ed brill site keep believing hail hail proud to be a tim.

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{Ed007's Note - Happy New Year mate.}

31 Dec 2017 21:11:47
all the best bhoys hope you all have a great one.
Special thanks to ed and the rest who run the site HH.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

{Ed007's Note - Happy New Year, Welshy. And thank you for all your help with the TV stuff over the year.}

31 Dec 2017 18:34:13
Ed007 a happy new year to you and your family, and to all on this amazing site I wish you all a very happy and safe new year ☘️☘️☘️.

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{Ed007's Note - Happy New Year, Pat to you and yours too buddy.}

31 Dec 2017 18:32:32
Happy new year to all the members and Ed . Wishing you all a peaceful and prospers 2018.May your gods look kindly on you and yours .

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed007's Note - Happy New Year mate.}

31 Dec 2017 15:48:45
Ed are the rumours of Jozo and Rogic potentially leaving have any substance and do you know what happened with Boyatas contract talks? Seems to have disappeared.

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31 Dec 2017 14:34:14
Just like to wish the Celtic family a truly Happy New Year when it arrives and most importantly, be safe. On yesterday, another lacklustre performance and for me, this break is much needed. I sincerely hope our board back Brendan in this window, as this one could define how the next couple of seasons shape up in my opinion. I've followed Celtic all my life, through good and bad, and as someone said previous, we always fail to strengthen from a position of strength. This is the time to do it. I also feel, again my own opinion, that we should take one title at a time and forget the notion of TIAR (for now) You can bet your bottom dollar that The Orcs will be sweating if we get to eight. Panic will set in and there will be calls to Buckingham Palace going on etc. All it could take is for some wealthy Asian to see this and think "this could be fun to stop" and bang some money into them. Equally, we could have a few of Dermots business associates ready to help out if needed. Who knows. We all agree they are a shambles at the moment and long may it continue. But the more titles we collect, they will be desperate. So, as I said, strengthen, then strengthen again and again, and be ready to handle anything they can deliver. Hail hail.

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31 Dec 2017 16:15:14
Jenny there are a few problems at Celtic. Yes we need a break but we were no better than the Govan mob yesterday and in the end we were a bit fortunate to get the draw. 2nd half we were dreadful. i think Brendan has mis judged the rotation. Griff is in when Dembele was out. Dembele comes back Griff left out to allow Dembele his place. Dembele maybe moving in january so let's give Eduard a few games so Griff now at number 3 choice. He persists with Armstrong when Ntcham is on the bench. Sinclair is miles away. Paddy came back and to be fair was like many right now no where near last season so we lose him and that's a loss if you look at last year. Aramstrong way behind. Ajar and Forrest have come on but the rest have gone backwards. that's not tierdness. Moussa can't take a ball isn't running at defences and looks less interested than before. He is going through the motions. Tierney off his high standards. I could go on. The reason i think is down to the hammering we are taking in CL. Last season BR said we will improve. We have gone backwards. Yes qualified for Europa but lost 5 games out of 6 against 4 losses last year. I don't know if the players are buying into his project as they were last year when he openly stated we would be better so disregard the CL results as we will be better next season but we are not. No manager should play the same way against PSG as they do against Partick. We know it and the players know that as well. So they will go into the Zenit game knowing that their usual game plan will bring defeat. Zenit will be another big loss over 2 legs. At least 5 goals difference. So when that continues to happen players will think differently about every game. They feel different about the manager and coaches and that reflects in performances. that's what's wring. Its more than tiered legs. It belief and its gone from the main players.

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31 Dec 2017 17:48:14
Johnnymac, I agree that we aren't playing as well as last season but in many ways we were never likely to.
Other teams were never going to stand back and allow us to dominate them, they were always going to look at ways to frustrate us and at the very least stop us hammering them. It looks to me as if other teams are hitting the ball longer now so we can't press them high up the pitch, and they are closing down the players in our team who aren't as comfortable on the ball forcing them into giving the ball away too cheaply.

Like you, I agree that there is too much rotation, I think he should play his strongest team and only make changes when players start to lose form. Being in the first team should be the incentive a player needs to go out and keep his place, when players are rotated all the time, I wonder if the motivation goes a bit because players know that even if they play really well they may not play in the next game.
As regards Europe, I don't think the players would let it affect them too much. Unfortunately the way things are financially the teams from the smaller countries are always at risk of being hammered by the teams from the wealthiest ones, it's not only us.

I would like to think that we could strengthen a bit so we could avoid the scale of the defeats we've had in the CL this season, but realistically the actual results won't change. Unless we are very lucky with the draw, reaching the Europa league as we have done is about as good as we can hope for, if we could have done it without the hammerings by PSG it would look like a far better achievement.
Whilst accepting we haven't hit the heights of last season, it's worth remembering that we are 8 points ahead at the top of the league, we've won the League cup, and we're in Europe after Christmas, we can also still achieve another treble. It could be worse.

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31 Dec 2017 17:17:00
There is no doubt we are not as buoyant and fluent as last season and there are a number of factors that have accumulated to this.
We failed properly address the centre-half situation - especially when we were struggling with so many injuries early in the season.
We have also had repeated injury problems with Dembele, Roberts, Rogic and Griffiths - who were on fire last season.
Several others have had a mix of patchy form and 'second season syndrome' and have struggled to reach their peak consistently and there was the heavy burden of a record breaking unbeaten run.
Because of these factors, the manager has had to choose players, he may not normally have done, or been forced altered formations?
Of course the CL hammerings were a huge downer for everyone; However, the fact that we have bagged a trophy, qualified for the EL KO stage and stand eight points clear - at this very well earned break is much better than others could even dream of.
Of course there are a few players that have under-performed or lost a bit of spark, but hopefully the winter break will let us regroup, re-charge and even add some added quality in this window?

A very Happy New Year to you ED007, all posters, readers and fans.

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{Ed007's Note - Happy New Year, OAB mate.}

01 Jan 2018 10:24:30
Happy New Year all. Lots of moaning groom parts of our fanbase. They need a reality check. One loss in 70 games. Won the League Cup, Clear at the top of the table and still in Europe beyond Xmas! After the break we revitalise and go again. HH.

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31 Dec 2017 13:37:38
Just wanted to wish ED007 and all the regulars on here a very Happy and Healthy New Year. hail hail.

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{Ed007's Note - Happy New Year to you and the family, Tim. All the best for 2018 mate.}

31 Dec 2017 15:01:14
Happy new year to you ED and everyone on here.

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{Ed007's Note - Happy New Year to you, Gerry.}

31 Dec 2017 17:43:41
Happy new year Bhoys!

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01 Jan 2018 09:59:15
Happy New Year Ed 007 and All Our Bhoys And Ghirls!

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31 Dec 2017 13:45:04
Happy New year when it comes bhoys n girls, I know it's early but tenerife is calling and I'm already hawf scooped! So here's to a great 2017 and an even better 2018 HAIL HAIL.

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31 Dec 2017 13:31:26
I'm as disappointed as anybody else after yesterday but that was the best Sevco has and Celtic didn't show up plus for me the manager got the team wrong. The game in effect doesn't matter given their financial position and potential collapse and the fact we're still 11 points ahead of them in the league. In the final analysis it will have no impact on 10 in a row and in effect its as you were before the game. It's easy to be wise with 20/ 20 hindsight but here's my thoughts. Broony was head and shoulders above anything else on the park and the only player looking close to replacing him is Ncham so on a day when we we knew we were in for a battle why did he not start pray tell Brendan? We're hardly abounding with physical prescence in the current side. Why did Dembelle start before Grifiths? Sinclair looks a fraction of his former self and shame Paddy and Hayes weren't available. Despite the criticism he gets but for Criag Gordon the game could have been lost. If the £7m for Jozo to Burnley rumour is true take it and run. If the £20m for Dembelle to Brighton is true take it and run even faster. What was with his slow walk of the park? We need an out and out centre half who can put his head on the ball in the mould of Paul Elliot. A creative midfielder and quality striker so basically a new spine for the team. And I'm still to be convinced with the RD and BR one striker philosophy. Anyhow all the best to all posters and readers for 2018 when it comes.

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31 Dec 2017 13:24:39
There's been a lot of opinions voiced on here in recent weeks regarding the teams progress. Many valid points raised but an undercurrent of frustration.

The team have done brilliantly since BR came in. Individual players have raised their game and on and off the field things are going well. I trust BR and im sure that he will respond. I also like how Peter Lawell is going about his business and keeping a lower profile compared to previous years under other managers.

We are miles ahead of everyone else in Scotland and in my opinon the only thing that can affect that is complacency.

Yes some of the players are off the boil but let's see how they react after the break. BR will surely reassess the group, his own decision making and some will move on, some will get a pep talk and some will face a test if competition is brought in. The break has come at the right time.

Let's recognise the efforts of this squad. Mistakes happen, effort levels drops but they have all earned our thanks and praise and i'm optimistic that we will see the performance levels improve in 2018.

The time to really question, criticise and assess the squad will be at the end of the season

Have a fantastic Hogmanay everyone and here's to a great 2018. 🍀 🍀.

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31 Dec 2017 12:36:52
Hi guys I am by no an expert. An old head here. I am of the belief that we should t waste money, yes we need investment, we want to develop young youth and Scottish talent which I do think is part of the Celtic ethos and way forward. We once had a team full of heros and superb Scottish players all within a short Glasgow radius apart from one or two. However, what worries me and what I have witnessed lately is a tired team who have done fantastic this past 18months and should be applauded and Rodgers and his team respectively. But what I also think is that if there is sufficient funds there which has been generated from previous Champions league appearances, player sales both past and present then I do strongly feel that statistics my the obvious I know is that Brendan needs players who have a strong mentality, adaptability, and more so the ability to perform at a higher level, that for me is the spine of the Celtic team. A solid cb/ RB/ No10 . Now we all know the board have previously arsed around, so let's see what these next two windows bring before we jump t criticism of Brendan or lawell and co.

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31 Dec 2017 10:52:24
Although big Ager looked good on the ball he defended like Bitton. He (and Boyata) left Morelos frequently, he let dangerous balls bounce in the box and on several occasions players ran past him as if he wasn't there. Looked like what he is, a midfielder trying to play centre back. Not his fault but shows how short of quality we are when Jozo and Erik can't get on b4 a makeshift centre half.

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31 Dec 2017 01:28:13
Not a criticism but an observation. The speed of our play in general is much slower than last season. I think our style of play of holding onto ball was working great when teams sit in against us. Recently we always struggled against teams who press us high. This goes as far back to B MGladbach, Astana. Teams now know this and it's upto BR to equip the team to handle this better and not give the ball away and be calm enough to make better decisions in final 3rd. A poor Rangers team played out their skins a gained a draw, our players have played an amazing number of games plus international games. After the break and transfer window I think we will step up a few gears again. In Brenda we trust. Happy New Year when it comes.

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01 Jan 2018 10:19:51
@kwaj - I think you meant a poor Rangers side made Celtic look very ordinary second half? Or that Murty has the beaten of Brendan tactically?
As for Dembele? You should be biting Brighton's hand of for £18 million, the laddie is an imposter and has found his level.

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30 Dec 2017 22:58:10
Looked like Dembele was really taking the atmosphere in today when he went off, only me reading into that a lot aye?

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31 Dec 2017 00:23:00
Do we really care? I’ll drive him down the road for 20 million.

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31 Dec 2017 00:32:18
Pity he didn't take in the atomspere when he was on . How he was given the nod ahead of Griffiths only BR will ever know .

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31 Dec 2017 06:58:14
Look, how many great strikers are totally anonymous during a game, then bang in a couple of goals, I can't believe all the comments picking out Moussa, when it was the team that failed, Dembelle is, will be a superstar, if not here, then his next team, this team has been lacking a creative midfield player since Ronnie's time.

the genius of Brendan was getting Celtic to over achieve, with what he inherited plus Moussa and Scott, but the midfield has always been lacking a Lubo, Jim Baxter, Charlie Cooke, Jim Smith, Don Masson type of player, yesterday was another example of a wee team playing out of their skin competing with a bigger team on an off day, that's basically what happened.

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31 Dec 2017 08:28:55
Spot on, not been in the best of form but he's had a real start stop season with injuries, wonder how we plan on replacing him and improving the squad if he does leave.

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31 Dec 2017 09:21:25
At the minute it does look like he’s off, personally I’m a little gutted as I rate him but like everyone has said previously it’s been a stop start season for him . I’m interested to know do people think they will replace him with Odsonne? If his reported figure is 6 million, can you see the club paying it? From what little I have seen of him he doesn’t look like a 6 million player but maybe that’s the market at the minute .

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31 Dec 2017 09:40:05
As everyone knows we need a Goal keeper and centre half but yes agree we need an attacking midfielder who can play anywhere across park, otherwise we're too predictable, especially in Europe. Rogic and Roberts have been injured but not on form when they were playing.
Yes players look jaded but what I have not seen mentioned is that very often form / energy levels drop after new contracts are signed and we have several players just signed new contracts. I'm sure Brenda can motivate them but it could be a factor.

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31 Dec 2017 10:50:45
What atmosphere?

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31 Dec 2017 15:46:30
Need a defensive overhaul, a winger to replace Roberts, 2 strikers if MD leaves and we don't sign Edouard and Christie back to compete for CAM and LM.

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