the celtic way.: January 2011

Wednesday 19 January 2011

Recent Celtic/Scottish footie news!

Rangers drew Celtic in the 5th Round of the Scottish cup. The match will occur on the 6th February 2011 meaning that the old firm will meet twice in two weeks and a potential 7 times this season. The match will take place at Ibrox stadium.

Neil Lennon has received a 6 match ban following recent events that occurred late 2010 which seen him being sent off the pitch following complaints to the referee. Celtic are appealing this. He could also face a further 4 match ban following more comments about referees.

The CSA are holding a "bhoycott" against the Celtic V Kilmarnock games as their team manager was amongst those who decided on Lennons match ban.

Gary Hooper has been fined £2000 following comments in an interview with the press in November where he feels that Referees are against Celtic FC . Whatever happened to freedom of speech?

Dundee United star David Goodwillie (who was meant to have signed for Rangers during the current transfer window) has been charged of rape that occurred on New years evening.

Neil Lennon, Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn have all recieved bullets in the post. All three of the celtic stars have connections with the Northern Ireland football team. The packages were intercepted in Mallusk Royal Mail and police are now investigating.

James Forrest red card appeal has been dismissed and he will face a 1 match ban and 18 points.

Player Jos Hooiveld has signed for Copenhagen on loan.

Facebook are launching an investigation following complaints and news reports about a page named "100,000 people that want to see Neil Lennon get shot".

Rangers player Kenny Miller has signed for Bursaspor for an estimated fee of 1.1 million

HAIL HAIL!

All sources to reports are as follows.

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Celtic 1-1 Hamilton

12/1/11

I have three words and three words only, F*CK THE SFA! (Yes I am highly aware SFA is not a proper word but they don't even deserve correction)

Where do I even begin? This SPL game was very important for not only Celtic as a club but for the fans who through thick and thin follow the team. Had we of gained the three points we would have been 7 points (and depending on the result of the Hibs game the oncoming saturday a possible 10 points) clear of Rangers before they even played any games. Yes, they have 4 games in hand. But psychologically this would have been a massive massive boost for the hoops as it meant the huns were under pressure to win every game. Although I do believe they will drop points V Hearts .

Before I begin my rant about the SFA scandal #435345324532412490 my thoughts on the team performance are as follows... 'heartbreaking'.

The entire match was sluggish and very painful to watch. The only two men alive was Emilio Izzaguire and Kayal. Whilst on the point of these two players, I would like to say that they have been two phenomenal signings who have put blood sweat and tears into their performances from the moment they set foot in paradise. Long may it continue!

Hamilton scored on the 27th minute making it 1-0. But the events that were to continue simply made my blood boil. They were as follows:

James Forrest was sent off with a straight red which was unbelievably uncalled for.
We should have been given a penalty but instead, Niall McGinn received a yellow card for "diving".
Hamiltons goal should have been disallowed due to their player not only standing in the vision of Foster but being a good meter or so offside.
The extra time goal from Stokes was disallowed.

Says it all really doesn't it.

KEEP THE FAITH

Sunday 9 January 2011

Celtic 2-0 Wee Rangers

Another Sunday, another 2-0 win over Rangers (Berwick Rangers that is of course!). Todays scottish cup game was important in a sense and whilst a win is a win, it was one of the dullest games I have ever watched. Todays start up line was
------------Zaluska-----------

---Wilson-Maj--Rogne-Mulgrew --
--Forrest -Kayal-Ledley -Freddy--

------------McCourt-----------

------------Samaras.-----------

(The same as last week except Izzy had been dropped for Ljungberg)

Stokes replaced Samaras following a hamstring injury and Marc Crosas made an appearance in the last five minutes.

In the first opening minutes there was speculation that they should have recieved a penalty however having watched this back I don't think it was. We also deserved a penalty following this incident..

But once again wern't rewarded with it.

A poor pitch and poor ball could have also dampened the performance however a 17 minute goal from Dan the man and an 82nd minute goal from Scott Brown (which I must say had some very skilled twists and turns) assured the hoops were to be entered into the next round draw which is to occur on Tuesday at 2:30 pm. (Hopefully it will be against the Killies) .

Man of the match today in my opinion would have to be Biram Kayal. Another excellent performance and what I especially like is that if he's tackled he's not one to roll around the way Bile Lafferty would (i.e like a cheating scum of the earth so and so..). Think he has amazing potential and if he continues on the road he is on at the minute I hope he is First team choice every week!

Major credit yet again to the fans who from 0-90 (+2) belted and bounced their hearts out in the old school style terracing of Berwicks home ground despite the un-spectacular performance which despite the win contrasted the excitement of last weeks old firm.

It should also be noted that since the beautiful Gary Hoopers goal at the pig pen in October, Celtic have failed to score from over 90 corners, something which, in my opinion, must be looked at or severely developed on.

Anyway, less of the doom and gloom! We won and that's all that matters!

Come on the Bhoys in Green! HAIL HAIL

Monday 3 January 2011

Celtic 2-0 Rangers

The title says it all. Justice has arrived!
An absolute nerve wrecking game throughout and I must admit viewing the start up line I thought a dark day was ahead. I would just like to hold my hands up and say I was wrong. I was complaining about Samaras being on instead of Stokes and hesitant about Charlie Mulgrew playing as well. But I am so glad they were and Lennon I salute you!

For weeks this game has been dreaded and I would go as far as saying all of the Rangers support, team and management were certain they would win. (Which simply makes everything so much more sweeter).
Today especially held importance to the old firm as it marked the 40th anniversary of the Ibrox Distaster, the tragic event that claimed the lives of 66 Rangers fans. The minutes silence was immaculate and all credit goes to the 7000 celtic fans (along with the home crowd) who showed their respect.

As the game commenced nerves heightened and when Rangers header hit the post i think my stomach may have been doing back flips. But throughout the entire game Celtic were not the underdogs they had been viewed as on the days and weeks leading up to the game. The performance from the bhoys in green was electric and it certainly reflected onto the away fans in the Broomloan road stand.

Both teams left the pitch at half time with 0-0 as the score and despite Celtics dominance throughout first half, the thought that Rangers could make a comeback was vivid in our minds (As we are all aware this is something they do on a regular basis)

However the main man of the day, Georgios Samaras, came to the rescue in second half during a stunning display of football by running up the pitch and gliding past a foolish McGregor to make it 1-0 to the Lions.

Not long after a penalty was rewarded to the hoops for a tackle on Samaras by Bougherra and the Greek having gained some confidence took it in his stride which resulted in the final score of 2-0. Bougherra should have been booked for this which would have resulted in a sending off but apart from this and one or two things todays referee (Craig Thomson) had a good game so fair play to him.

Might I also note that Biram Kayal was an absoloute terrier today! Fantastic performance and it was good to see him barking orders at the other players.

Ibrox wasnt too long emptying as a disgusted home side fled the stadium while the celtic team saluted and bowed to their fans. I give full credit to the fans today who put on a display that is described to be the best in years. Respectable behaviour through the minutes silence and then 93 minute non stop singing showed how the green and white are the best in the world! And they all did us proud today. It was also nice to see
McGeady amongst the crowd ! It is also rumoured Keane and Wayne Rooney were there as well.

In regards to Samaras signing a new contract with Celtic, I am hesitant. Although they were vital they were Samaras only goals of the season and I feel that he is too inconsistent. I think it would bring more joy for him to go now while he will be remembered with a good name, and leave on a high rather than get a new contract and return to old ways were he would be made the brunt of much abuse.

I hope that todays win gives Celtic the confidence we badly need but I also hope and pray that it doesnt go to their heads as we need to keep consistent and do the same thing all over again on the 20th of February where we will hopefully paint the town green with another classic display.

In conclusion I would just like to say that all my thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who died on this day 40 years ago, may they all rest in peace.

Hail Hail Bhoys and Ghirls.