So where stand Celtic now?
In rather a good place, actually, one feels. The main thing is of course yesterday’s result. The media build up about “the turn of the tide” and all that sort of stuff which deceived the gullible came to naught.
The 1-0 victory could easily have been 5 or 6, and Gerrard’s wheeking about the foul before Celtic’s goal simply will not hold water. The decision was debatable, but in any case, they told me in primary school that “you play to the whistle” and the goal came about after a fine piece of Celtic play. So, no Mr Gerrard, it simply will not do – and of course we could counter with questions about that red card that should have been awarded to the gentleman who once delivered a rather public V sign to all of Scotland, I seem to remember.
Anyhow it is gone. Let us be happy and enjoy one of Scotland’s greatest sounds, that of a silent Rangers end! I have always been wary of Celtic/Rangers encounters, for too much can be taken out of them. 34 League games remain, and there is simply no point in beating Rangers and then losing to St Mirren, which is our next game on Friday 14 September. Minds must now be concentrated on that one once the rather irrelevant International break (pardon me while I yawn) is out of the way.
In some ways the season really only starts in September. We know who we have in our squad and Brendan can now work with them.
Dembele, let’s be honest, may be a reliable penalty taker and he has certainly scored some fine goals, but he has also behaved like a spoiled brat on occasion with his attitude somewhat questionable. All this sanctimonious stuff about truth and lies cuts no real ice. He has behaved despicably.
He seems to be of the opinion that he will win European medals galore with Lyon – we will watch with interest. He is a young man with a lot of growing up to do, and maybe he is no real loss. What was that someone said about “a bad apple”?
Boyata has caused us a great deal of angst, but he has also brought a lot of pressure and stress on himself, his head clearly turned by the World Cup. Let us hope he has learned a huge lesson. There remains a great deal for him to do at Celtic Park, and those of us (myself included) who agreed with the statement that he was not fit to wear the famous jersey, possibly have to swallow our pride a little and support him. It is not that we don’t need him – I thought he was first class yesterday, as indeed was Ajer.
The rest of our team has a lot going for it. Ntcham is a class act now, Brown is simply Brooony, McGregor is solid and we have loads of back up in midfield with men like Ryan Christie and Mikey Johnston.
Will we see Lewis Morgan any time soon, I wonder?
And of course there is Kieran Tierney! (Whatever happened to these nice chaps that told us he was going to Everton? We don’t hear very much from them nowadays!)
We now know our Europa League opponents. Nothing unbeatable there, I don’t think, and yesterday proved that, in Scotland, we have the better of Rangers. Let us keep it that way! And what about Hearts? An impressive start, it has to be said, but we all know that the big blow up is coming soon. However, they will have to be watched.
And, those of you who follow my sometimes impassioned and rabid writings will know that my views will centre on the most important match to come our way soon – that one against St Johnstone in the League Cup on 26 September at McDiarmid Park. Lose this one and we lose the treble treble!
But we are in good heart. We have come through a rocky August, but we are now well equipped to face the stern challenges of the future. Let’s all rally behind the team. We are in this together.
David Potter
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