After a strange summer off the field, I think most will agree that it was nice to get back into the stadium and watch our team play some competitive football again.
With the amount of news surrounding our non-existent former rivals and Sevco, it was always going to be difficult to spend a summer talking about Celtic. More so when there really wasn’t a great deal happening at Celtic Park. There were plenty of fringe players who left, one signing came in and that was about it really.
I’m a great believer in regularly refreshing the squad so I’m a bit disappointed that we’ve not got another goal threat to battle for a starting slot with Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes. In defence, I think we could do with some cover, especially now that Glenn Loovens and big Dan have moved on to pastures new. That said, Neil Lennon has been quoted as saying that new signings will be brought in depending on how well we do in the European qualifiers.
That alone tells me that either Neil himself or the people above him at the club feel that there’s enough quality within the squad to retain the championship.
Given that Helsinki was the first competitive game of the season and such a high stakes match, I was happy enough with a 2-1 win.
I think their goal was slackly conceded and perhaps illustrates what Neil Lennon has been saying. That we could do with more defensive cover.
Overall, I think we deserved our win and given the amount of possession that we had and the lack of possession that Helsinki had, I am surprised that there were some fans getting on the teams back.
Are these people just naturally worried folk? Without having a go at fellow supporters, I think it’s about time that more of us got behind the team and stopped being so negative.
Before I make the next point, I would like to ask what good shouting abuse at a player for a misplaced pass is going to do? By all means, if there’s a good reason for doing it then I am all for it but so far, I’ve never found that this is a worthwhile exercise. The normal argument is that everyone pays their cash so folk have as much right to complain as I have to encourage the team.
I heard a fellow supporter on the phone shortly after Helsinki scored to tell someone how bad it was and that we were a goal down. There was no phone calls made when Celtic equalised or went ahead. That’s the negative mindset that I cannot understand.
As always, I thought the Green Brigade were excellent and have to say that I enjoy being part of and hearing the “Come on you bhoys in green” chant.
While I’m on the point of the Green Brigade, I think it’s time that the SPL took on board what clubs have done and learn that fans actually do matter. After the game against Helsinki on Wednesday, we travel to play in the USA. Of course that’s something that the club have decided on, I have discussed the merits of travelling so far for a friendly match in the past. I am not really for it but some non UK / Irish based fans see it as a rare chance to see the team play.
The following two matches that Celtic play are away to Ross County, approx 360 miles from Celtic park. The following week, it’s back up north to play Inverness, that’s another 340 mile round trip from Celtic Park. For me, that’s asking too much of the fans. Whoever comes up with these fixtures shouldn’t be in a job as they are either incapable or unwilling to take fans into consideration.
In the past, we’ve been told that it’s a computer that generates the fixtures. This is the same computer that can be changed as and when Sky tell them to change dates and or times. It’s also a computer that was programmed by a human (otherwise, it wouldn’t be a computer) so I certainly don’t buy into the argument that no one is to blame and it’s that’s just an unfortunate and random series of coding that makes the stupidity of these fixtures a reality.
If some media outlets along with the top man in the SFA, Stewart Regan are to be believed, Scottish football will be dead and buried within the next few months. Thankfully, some clubs are disagreeing with that and saying that more fans than ever are needed at the grounds. Surely the people running the top league in the country could take note and arrange the fixtures in such a way that fans are not having to travel such a long distance two weekends in a row?
I know as much as possible, I will be going to as many games as I can. With the season ticket prices and a recession happening, I’m not sure how many away matches I will manage this season. I’m sure a lot of fans are in a similar boat and will be picking and choosing what away games we do attend. The prospect of an 8-10 hour round trip doesn’t really appeal.
CLICK HEREfor Lambert axes Alan Hutton
Follow Video Celts on Twitter and Facebook
I agree with most of what you say except the 8-10 hour trip not appealing. I should remind you that the Irish fans make longer trips to every home game and don’t find it a problem.
The fixtures should certainly be better organized, obviously no way everyone will be happy with every fixture…but plenty of room for improvements.
I don’t agree with the long trip for a friendly, but appreciate it must be lucrative to the club.
Regarding new players, I don’t see why we can’t bring a couple of players in on loan when others have shown how successful this can be. Many clubs have huge squads and are struggling to keep them happy. Ideal for both to see how the player(s) fit into our style of play, agree a pre-arranged fee etc. At least this would reduce the gamble of buying a new player upfront.
i think the friendly is madness ,the squad is getting smaller by the week and now we have injuries to brown and commons and not a sign of any new players coming in.the money men need to step up to the mark,there is no point in asking the fans to fill the ground when they are showing no commitment to neil or us,they are playing a very dangerous game waiting to see how future results turn out.
On our tour of OZ a couple of seasons ago we made 900000 per game. The game with Real could net us between 1-2 million. That is nearly the same as the prize money for winning the SPL. Plus there will be millions of people watching this, it is a good way to get our name out there to newer fans. We need these games even though they can be an inconvenience.
I agree with you on the negativity of the crowd. If singing and cheering our team on can lift a team to victory then surely screaming abuse at them has to be detrimental. What happened to faithful through and through? Last game I was at Samaras went on one of his runs and lost the ball. Some lad next to me said “Go back to Greece you useless big w@anker.” He did not lay of him the whole game. How does this help? Put yourself in Sammy’s shoes, having a bad day, not much going right for you and you hear this, how would this motivate you? Who on here can take negative criticism well?
The job I work at personally involves a bit of micro managing. They always find one little stat they don’t like and criticize it. I know how that makes me feel, I can only imagine what its like for a professional footballer being able to hear the taunts from his own fans.
Thanks for your comments If you lived in North America then you would appreciate what games like this mean to Celtic exiles .
Your point about the revenue is well taken ,but I think more importantly is the high profile these type of games give the Celtic brand and to Scottish Football on the world stage.Celtic are recognised as a team of world significance in Football.
They have a world fan base and a fine reputation on and off the fied .About the negative comments I was in the washroom at Seville at half time and the negative comments were to say the least terrible .Immediately after the game the whole attitude had changed except for Bobo Balde he really was dumped on .
I do believe that Celtic and Scottish fans in general tend to be negative when they either dislike a particular player or the team effort.
This is not exclusive to Football Andy Murray takes a lot of stick as well.
I live in Arizona so I do appreciate what this means to us exiles 🙂
I’m sure every club has it’s share of negative fans but I believe there is a time and place for it and screaming at our own players at Parkhead is not it.
I think now that we have such a strong squad compared to any of our domestic rivals I think like this are great for the players and fans, it also pays a few bills. I would want all of our European qualifiers out of the way 1st where possible though.
I have no idea why Regan and Doncaster are still in their respective roles. They have both made it clear that they are convinced that Scottish Football will die without an RFC Tribute Act in the SPL. They have openly stated that they do not believe they can do the job they are being paid to do!
I’m actualy all in agreement with playing the friendly, it has benefited us financially sure, but even more importantly it helps Celtic keep a level of exposure not generally available via coventional media. With the ‘loss’, for want of a better expression, of the Old Firm fixture, I think it’s more important than ever to maximise that.
I also hope we get away from the buying culture of old, I like the hidden gem policy that has found Izzy, Victor and Kayal. That coupled with the burgining youth academy producing some great talent, their seems little point.
Young Keatings could score plenty for us in the SPL and we’re not too short attacking wise, I agree an experienced centre half could be worthwhile but apart from in Europe I’m not sure we actually need it.
Good article mate, plenty to talk about…it’s all about opinions. HH