I enjoyed my visit to “Parkheed” to-day. It was surprisingly easy to log in (I expected trouble) and it was nice to hear the dulcet Welsh tones of John Hartson. Pity about the lack of fans. “Football, without fans, is nothing” said Jock Stein. Well, that is not necessarily 100% true – there were still a few things to brighten up my Sunday lunchtime – but it will be a lot better once the fans get back, and it is quite remarkable just how much we have missed it all.
I have never managed to get upset about pre-season friendlies. There was a distinct lack of tears from me about what happened in France in the past week – in fact there was total indifference – but full marks to Neil Lennon and the Ross County management for treating this as if it were a real game.
In some pre-season games, it is more or less a dIfferent team that comes out in the second half and I understand that the game against Hibs may be a little like that. But today, it was a Celtic team wearing green and white jerseys and indeed looking and playing like a Celtic team – and winning well.
One black mark was the bad tackle on Greg Taylor. There were one or two other tackles as well that I didn’t like either, and it would be annoying if this were to deprive Greg of some action when the season starts next week, for he did seem to be settling down in that position last season. He is worth a run in the team.
But the good news was that it gave us a chance to see Kerr McInroy who came on and had a good game. Wikipedia tells me is 19 and was born on 31 August 2000. Good grief! That was about the time that we were talking about Henrik Larsson, demolition derbies, Martin O’Neill, 6-2, and “the cry was no defenders”! Seems like only yesterday! Welcome, Kerr!
Nice to see Jeremie Frimpong again. He had one moment of “failing to play with due attention” which might have lost a goal, but there is something infectiously enthusiastic about this guy.
The first goal had a bit of luck about it, but the second was a good one, and the excellent Elyounoussi took it well. The rest of the team played well, passing the ball about intelligently, although they should have scored more goals and there was something lethargic about Odsonne Edouard. But it is early days – in fact it is not even that.
We haven’t even started yet!
So Celtic are back – in a way. I even got a look at my seat at one point, and the thought occurs to me that maybe at big grounds like Parkhead they are being a little too pedantic about excluding everyone. I think at least 5,000 could get in without infringing any “social distance” protocol. The Season Ticket holders could be rotated perhaps?
The banter and the rebel songs on a packed bus are perhaps a bit away yet, but 5,000 would at least give some sort of atmosphere. Just a thought, for Mr Lawwell to discuss with Ms Sturgeon some time, perhaps?
David Potter
