Referee Tobias Stieler during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Djurgarden and SK Rapid at Stockholm Arena on April 10, 2025 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
MIBBERY – 9/10 – Well, we might not have witnessed a Celtic classic, but we did witness the worst concocted, convoluted, catastrophic and downright bewilderingly sweary word witted piece of decision-making ever seen in professional sport. Tobias Stieler, Christian Dingert, Lasse Koslowski, Mark Borsch, Timo Gerach, Pol van Boekel. Remember those names. The utterly incompetent the likes of which we’ve never seen before. Or if you want the shorthand – (maybe not- Ed, they’ll get the picture).
Ricardo Horta of Sporting Braga celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025.(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
OVERALL – 3/10 – Okay, the game swung on the worst call since Emperor Hirohito answered the phone to Harry S. Truman on 6th August 1945 and laughed, “Me no believe you! And ‘Enola Gay’ is just big plane full of…, Ha!” Allegedly. But lunacy of officialdom aside, this Celtic side has become a chore. There’s so much emphasis on possession that it trumps any adventure. Tedium is the new medium… Bravery plays second fiddle to caution and our basic building blocks aimlessly span side-to-side instead of contriving to produce some elaborate architecture higher up the field of play (that’s ‘pitch’ for anyone of more vanilla literary terminology…).
We don’t look like running away with ties, more like a side who’d surprise itself by scoring then fret about giving away the lead. Who disposed of the daring? Who stifled the swashbuckling? Football’s live theatre, elevated to something special by the players who get to grace the stage and thrill the audience.
Paradise has the greatest of amphitheatres and the most engaged of spectating public. Yet our performers currently look like they’ve sneaked on to change the set and want off again before anyone notices. We need some gallusness. We need some bad flaming attitude and a grudge against anything not in the Hoops. We’re too placid, too amiable and too much of a soft touch. Drop the simping, and load up on the swagger. Because you won’t get many more debacles like tonight before the curtain’s brought down.
Go Away Now
Sandman
Danny McGrain, David Potter & Willie Fernie – what a combination!
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now, order your copy at Celticstarbooks.com
Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star
Danny McGrain has now signed the final batch of Celtic in the Eighties. Ordering is simple, just place your order for Celtic in the Eighties at celticstarbooks.com/shop and we’ll do the rest, ensuring your copy is signed by Danny and a complimentary Willie Fernie book dispatched by the next working day, whilst stocks last.
Celtic 3-0 St Mirren, Scottish Premier League, Celtic Park, 15 May 1982.
Celtic captain Danny McGrain collects the championship trophy as Roy Aitken looks on. Photo The Celtic Wiki
Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books
Please note that stocks are now running very low indeed and the book will NOT be reprinted. Click on the image below to order. Please note that postage will only be charged on ONE book.
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.
Try giving comments about the game and players, without silly feckin names and smart arsed comments,your normally bang on with article but don’t need crap
Can you not read Charlie? It’s “ratings” he gives, not comments about the game. And they are definitive too.
Thanks for playing, Charlie.
Murray(22 not a kid) won’t make it – this was a characteristic goal-conceding mistake per game from him, e.g. A Villa last season, Queens Park when he didn’t play to whistle on touchline thinking ball had gone out of play.
Prodgers could not identify a talented player if Lubo gave him a two-footed kick up the ass. Watch McArdle(18) shine at Partick where his manager will pick him not consign him to the scrapheap for outperforming the entire 1st team at Pittodrie last season.
Criticise the MIBs and then give them 9/10 ???