Glasgow Celtic

[balo]

Only a treble will save Deila , that's for sure.

[Jockstar]

Only a treble will save Deila , that's for sure.

I hope he stays.

[Jockstar]

If the sheep could get their shit together they could win the league. Best chance ever.

[ScottFtr]

First time in country this season, any channels be showing the game on Sunday?

[ScottFtr]

Just had a look through True, looks like it's on channel 676.

[salty]

Hearts 2 Celtic 2

A draw at Tynecastle which was probably a fair result in the end but annoying that Celtic led twice and conceded in injury time in both halves. The Hoops made a good start and dominated for the first 20 minutes or so without causing any anxious moments for Alexander. Hearts began to take over and exposed the weaknesses in Celtic's defense. Without Griffiths and Commons Celtic lost Boyata and Armstrong by midway through the half. A very dangerous cross had Celtic in big trouble with Simunovic slow to react anf Gordon saved the day by diving backwards and clawing the ball off the line. Ambrose on for Boyata completly misread a header and Gordon had to block a shot from Reilly. In fairness he was fairly reliable after that. Celtic began to get in to it again towards the close of the half and went ahead in the 42th minute. McGregor availed of a Hearts mistake and gave a well weighted ball to Bitton who was onside and he rolled it neatly into the corner past the advancing Alexander. But as so often Celtic failed to hold on to the lead and at the start of injury time Bauben's cross was put in by Nicholson off Lustig's foot for 1-1. I thought Lustig was too slow to read the danger.

Celtic made a good start to the 2nd half and Alexander had to make a good save from Cifti. The game flowed in both directions. Celtic went ahead again in the 70th minute when Lustig's cross fell nicely for Rogic after a scramble and he fired an excellent shot from the edge of the area in off the underside of the bar. Hearts pressed for the remainder of the game and I was watching the clock and hoping. Then just entering injury time Forrest who had replaced Armstrong in the 1st half conceded a stupid free kick. It was passed to Sow who blasted a rocket into the top corner via a slight deflection off Mackay-Steven. I felt he could have been a bit braver and could have got a block on it. Overall a fair result but Celtic continue to tread water and are looking far from the red hot favorites they are supposed to be to win the League.

[CelticBhoy]

A good piece from the 'Tic website. Naturally they have chosen Griffiths to talk to since his lone goal kept Ronnie in a job and us on top of the SPFL.

The pressure on Celtic to win against Partick Thistle was undeniable, according to Leigh Griffiths, but the Hoops star believes the Bhoys thrived in their high-stakes Glasgow Derby win.

The striker was a second-half substitute in the 1-0 victory over the Jags at Paradise on Saturday, and it was his last-gasp strike which sealed the three points for the champions after he calmly slotted home in the 90th minute.

The result saw the champions get back to winning ways at Paradise and kick off 2016 with a vital victory through Griffiths’ 20th goal of the season and the team's 200th under Ronny Deila.

He said afterwards that the goal brought a sense of relief for the fans but believes that the Bhoys battled well under the pressure.

“There was relief inside the stadium and it was a release when the goal went in,” he said.

“Games at home you’re always expected to win comfortably but we know what Thistle are about. They went to Aberdeen and battled during the week and got a decent point and I think they tried to do the same here.

“All credit to them, they came here, had a game-plan and played well but I kept saying to the boys, ‘Keep going, we’re going to get one more chance.’ Thankfully it fell to my feet and I managed to tuck it away.

“If you can’t play with pressure from the home fans you shouldn’t be at a club like this. The players can handle it. We’ve got big-game players like myself, Kris Commons, Nadir Ciftci, whoever is playing to create chances.

“If it's 5-0 or 1-0, as long as we get three points and stay top of the league that’s all that matters.”

Griffiths was recalled to the team following a month-long absence with a calf injury and his return to action has come as the Bhoys face a crucial run of games in January.

He added that he was delighted to be back in action and already has his mind focused on next weekend’s Scottish Cup clash against Stranraer.

[salty]

Stranraer 0 Celtic 3

As expected a comfortable win. Griffiths in 18 minutes out through by a well weighted ball from McGregor, fired across goal and into the far corner. Just before half time Cole in his first start headed home a nicely weighted chip from the end line by Bitton. A fine display by the young Stranraer goalie kept the score down until 6 minutes from the end when Allan put Griffiths through to score no 3. Apart from falling on the ball on the line late on Bailly had little to do bar being available for several back passes.

We await tomorrow's draw to see what awaits us in the next round.

Annoyingly the start was delayed by several flares thrown on to the pitch from some of the morons in the Celtic end.

[CelticBhoy]

We destroyed Hamilton last night.

8-1 is our best result this season.

Six points clear and yards ahead

in goal difference.

[salty]

Just seen the goals on Sky Sports. Convincing display against what has to be said was a poor Hamilton.

[CelticBhoy]

Just seen the goals on Sky Sports. Convincing display against what has to be said was a poor Hamilton.

LG's third was a wee belter. He's getting better and better.

[champers]

Shooting fish in a barrel. How exciting.

[CelticBhoy]

Shooting fish in a barrel. How exciting.

In a barrel of Champagne, none the less.

[salty]

Ross County 3 Celtic 1.

Defeat for Celtic in the LC semi final. They got off to a flyer going ahead in 30 seconds . Griffiths raced on to a punt upfield with the RC defense all at sea. With only the keeper to beat he squared to Mackay-Steven whom shot into the empty net. In the next 3minutes poor ball control by Griffiths wasted 2 excellent chances to add to the score as RC were being torn apart. Then an Ambrose header from a corner was cleared off the line. In the first attack by RC Gordon had to make a good save from a well hit shot. Ambrose then sent a free header wide after another corner all this in the first 10 minutes. County began to settle and it was noticeable Celtic were making heavy weather of clearing their lines in a County attack.

In the 13th minute the pendulum changed completely when Ambrose went to sleep and was far too slow to react to a short pass to Schalk in the box. To compound the error he needlessly caught the forward from behind when Gordon had the danger covered. A penalty to RC and a sending off. Monumentally stupid defending which due to previous cockups was no surprise. Woods scored emphatically from the spot. McGregor was withdrawn and replaced by Sviatchenko. You have to wonder why the Dane did not start. With Simonovic injured a combination of Boyata and Ambrose was not one to inspire confidence. After all the action the game settled down for a while. Armstrong shot just over in 25 minutes. Gordon had to make another good save for a corner. County were using the extra man smartly and pinned Celtic back . From another corner in The RC goalie made a terrific save from a header from a corner in a rare Celtic attack. Gordon made another good save just before half time. Facing another 45 minutes a man down and the possibility of extra time it looked ominous for Celtic.

Within 3 minutes things got worse when County went ahead after a corner. The ball was headed back across goal and Quinn availed of a free header to score A furious Gordon complained he had been obstructed which replays confirmed but the Celtic defence were asleep. Celtic pressed but County always seemed to have plenty of cover and were not giving anything away. Griffiths with little support was anonymous and in the 63rd minute Wood put Schalk through to fire home a 3rd. Celtic pushing for an equalizer were not helped by shocking defending. Lustig was nowhere and Boyata too slow to challenge. Celtic might have got a lifeline in 76 minutes when they were awarded a soft penalty. Griffiths effort was saved by the goalie with his feet. It was a very poor penalty. Apart from the opening minute a poor outing for Griffiths. Fox made another good save in the closing minutes with his feet after a Griffiths shot was deflected. In the dying seconds a booking for Johansen after a nasty lunge near the corner flag which was totally avoidable. Not the 1st time I have seen him do this and it is not an admirable side of his character.

So no more bullshit about the treble. Celtic have now got to prepare for a top of the table clash away to Aberdeen on Wednesday night.

[CelticBhoy]

We'll have to settle for the double again

[balo]

Not easy to win when you get a red card after 13 minutes. But I guess they asked for it.

[salty]

Aberdeen 2 Celtic 1

Aberdeen hauled themselves back into the title race with a vengeance with a well deserved win. Celtic were mainly on top for the first 30 minutes without even troubling the Dons. In the 31st minute Aberdeen went ahead when Hayes fastened on a loose ball after a throw in and from 25yards lashed the ball into the net giving Gordon no chance, It was a terrific strike and The Dons began to up their game. 7 minutes later they got a second from their first corner. Mcclean headed down and Church forced it home from close range, More shocking defending by Celtic. Gordon had to make a good save just before half time to prevent another goal.

Kazim-Richards came on at HT for Armstrong but it was Aberdeen who were now looking much better and Celtic had a narrow escape from a free kick with Church just wide after a scramble caused by more abysmal defending. Griffiths headed the first decent chance Celtic had wide from close in. But most of the action was around the Celtic goal. Rooney headed wide and in the closing minutes should have got a penalty when he was impeded as he chased the ball into the area. Griffiths netted in the 93rd minute but it was far too late to make any impression. The better side were deserving winners.

The last 2 results must put a major question mark against Celtic's quest for the title. The lack of fight in the side is very worrying and the clamour for a change in management is growing by the day. Defensively we continue to be terrible and we badly need some inspiration in midfield.

[CelticBhoy]

Just watched the highlights.

Both of Aberdeen's goals were belters.

They looked, by far, the better team.

Where the hell are we heading?

The Norwegian MUST go now.

Someone in to get the team focused.

[CelticBhoy]

There we go ............ problem solved

"RYAN GIGGS is set to leave Manchester United and take over at Celtic , according to one leading bookmakers.

Betfair sparked an internet meltdown last night after they tweeted that Giggs had left his role as Old Trafford No.2 and was expected to replace Ronny Deila as Hoops boss within the next 48 hours."

[Jockstar]

There we go ............ problem solved

"RYAN GIGGS is set to leave Manchester United and take over at Celtic , according to one leading bookmakers.

Betfair sparked an internet meltdown last night after they tweeted that Giggs had left his role as Old Trafford No.2 and was expected to replace Ronny Deila as Hoops boss within the next 48 hours."

Ronnie must stay.

[balo]

I still think Celtic is good for the double. Aberdeen has been a nightmare for Celtic if you look at the results away for the last 3-4 years.

Edited February 4, 2016 by balo

[salty]

I hope you are right.

[salty]

1/4 Final draw Celtic v Morton

Due to a cock up the original draw which was in progress was abandoned after Celtic were drawn away to Dundee Utd. Apparently one of the balls opened before the 2nd tie and a new draw was decided on.

As regards the outcome we cannot feel overconfident playing anyone. We were poor again yesterday and are under serious pressure from Aberdeen in the League race.

[CelticBhoy]

ICT did us a wee favour last night by humping the Sheep 3-1.

Our turn to play them on Saturday at Paradise. Should be good.

Our goal difference now is enormous. LG hit his 30th at the weekend.

[Jockstar]

Aberdeen choking?

[CelticBhoy]

ICT did us another favour yesterday by letting us stuff them 3-0. Not the best performance, but it puts us 6 points clear. LG bagged another brace.

[salty]

Hamilton Accies 1 Celtic 1

Two points dropped by Celtic gives Aberdeen the chance to close the gap to 4 points tomorrow. I found it another intensely irritating Celtic display. They dominated possession for half an hour created nothing, and The Accies had the best chance to go ahead when Brown gave the ball away. It led to Crawford racing in on goal but Bailly replacing Gordon, who had a slight knock rushed out from goal and the forward blazed over. In the 35th minute Celtic got a penalty when Griffiths was fouled in the box and he scored from the spot. It was a very silly penalty to concede following a mindless challenge by Imrie and a stroke of luck for Celtic. In the 42nd minute Boyata was sent off for a tackle on Morris who was moving in on goal. The replay would indicate the striker was just offside and Boyata's lunge got a touch on the ball. This aspect had differing views from the panel and Ronny said afterwards he felt the red card was justified. I felt Boyata pressed the panic button and could have jockeyed the player away from goal. Mulgrew replaced Commons.

Early in the 2nd half Mackay-Steven was through with only the goalie to beat but the kepper easily saved his tame effort. A 2nd goal would have been invaluable and you felt Celtic seemed determined to snatch a draw or even a defeat from victory. Accies with the extra man were having far more of the ball and it was not reassuring to see Celtic clearing their lines in typically unconvincing fashion. Then Accies conceded another silly penalty from a corner when Gordon having been warned hauled down Lustig after a corner. Griffiths as I expected has this one saved by the keeper. Accies levelled in the 73rd minute when Celtic failed to clear from a corner and Brophy drove in. I always felt it was inevitable. Somehow Celtic managed not to concede another in the closing stages.

Overall another poor Celtic performance and there has been many this season.

[Jockstar]

Two points dropped by Celtic gives Aberdeen the chance to close the gap to 4 points tomorrow

The sheep will most likely choke again.

[CelticBhoy]

From the Daily Record. It's Sno joke:

Former Celtic footballer is to stand trial next week over an alleged murder bid in the Netherlands.

Dutch midfielder Evander Sno has been accused along with two relatives of attempted murder and aggravated assault.

It’s alleged the 28-year-old was involved in the brawl in Amsterdam in August 2013 that saw two victims being kicked and beaten as they lay on the ground.

Sno and his family members – two men aged 31 and 33 – deny the charges and are expected to appear at an Amsterdam court next Wednesday.

Yesterday, Sno told a Dutch national tabloid that the charges were “exaggerated” and that he “had to to defend myself”.

[CelticBhoy]

What's happening with our Bhoys, Salty old son?

An awfully dreary 0-0 last night, while Aberdeen sneak 3 points.

We're still 4 ahead, with a huge goal difference, but this is the worst set up in donkeys.