Blonde Ambition (Malmo and Rangers)

OK, I wasn't going to do the whole blog thing this season since nobody paid any interest last time round; but the 2011/12 season is looking to be quite an interesting one and I have a feeling that I am going to have quite a few things to say about it.

First of all, although this is a blog about Celtic, most of the drama up to this point has come from the other side of the river. Rangers have suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of Swedish side Malmo and I'm sure I speak for all Celtic fans when I say, deepest condolences to all our friends south of the river *sarcasm* especially the ones who travelled to Sweden only to see their team crash out of the Champions League *more sarcasm* and lose their promised £15 million in a time when debt is great and can only get worse *sarcasm overload*.

But on a serious note, the game at Malmo showed the Rangers up for what they really are; violent petty thugs. You would think that any team travelling to a foreign country representing Scotland would take such an opportunity to dispel any misconceptions about Scotland being a violent place full of bigots; what they in fact did, was the opposite.

There were no Rangers fans present to corrupt the streets of Malmo as they had been handed a ban by UEFA for their vile sectarian singing at a previous game against PSV Eindhoven; surely you would think that the players could behave themselves and not show the Rangers (never mind Scotland) up further; also the game, for Rangers, was a crucial European tie, you would thing that they would be making sure they stay on the park and give their team the best possible chance of qualification. But no. two red cards. 1-1 (agg. Malmo 2-1 Rangers) I'll take that any day. At least there were no Rangers fans arrested in Sweden. *further sarcasm*



Next post will be about Celtic, I promise.

Hail Hail.

Celtic Video of the Week

After a little break last week due to the "festivities" that surrounded the last Old Firm of the season, we're back this Saturday with the Shamrock and Thistle: Celtic Video of the Week.

A little look back to the "badge in the middle" days with Lennon lifting the SPL trophy in 2005-06; here's hoping we'll get a repeat in 2010-11 with Lennon as manager this time.

Rangers vs Celtic

BOOKINGS

Weir    

Papac    

Kayal    

Samaras    

Stokes    

Now that everyone has recovered, let's on to talking about the game...What can I say? At the beginning of the game I would have taken a draw and laughed my way out of ibrox...but, given the way we played in the 2nd half and how close we came to tipping the scales in our favour; I came away feeling like it was a loss.

 
At this point, I'm not even counting the penalty incident, mainly because I don't think it should have been given; but all this comes late on in the game. There's no hiding from the fact that we played terribly during the first half; the quality presented by the rangers in the form of naisy and jellyfish nearly tore us apart and we were lucky to return up the tunner at half time with the game still scoreless. That is simply not the celtic I know and love, especially when you consider the fantastic squad we have at the moment.

 
The starting 11 was a little bit suspect in my opinion and that's possibly why the team wasen't good enough to keep chances away from the rangers strikers away. The game began for me with doubts in Lennon's team selection; the main issue I had was paring Samaras with anybody up front and not starting Commons or Stokes. Samaras tends to bring the quality of a player down somehow if he is pared with anyone and that's what he did in my opinion, he works better as a solo striker and can produce real quality football, plus we could have done with the extra man in midfield.

 
The team picked themselves up drasticlly after Lennon's team talk and created a few chances for themselves, culminating in the penalty incident. The penalty should never have been given, it was a legitamate challenge, however that didn't stop me celebrating my arse off when itwas given and as usual, just assuming that it was going to be converted into a goal. How wrong I was.

 
Now, people are perhaps a little harsh on Samaras for not putting it in the back of the net, but, he didn't actually miss; the shot was on target and the goal was denied more by the quality of goal keeping shown by man of the match Allan McGregor. Besides, it was a bit of justice that the penalty never went in but it still makes the whole game feel like a loss.

Somebody get the polis!!

As for the "incident" with Lenny putting his hands to his ears after the game...considering that any kind of significat incident fuels the nasty side of the Old Firm even more and shows how petty some people are to harrang and roar abuse at the Celtic manager then get offended when he shows apathy towards them.

 
We put ourselves at serious risk of helecopter sunday 2 here and nobody without a blue shirt with a nose to match wants that.

<*o*> Hail hail \O/ 

Shamrock and Thistle's Team for the Old Firm

  

SUBSTITUTES

Zaluska

Hooper

Stokes

Juarez

McCourt

Majstorovic
Wilson

Well, here's my team for the last Old Firm of the season tomorrow.

I've picked quite a defensive set-up since the game isn't exactly a "must-win" for us, but it is for the Rangers. What I think we need to do if focus strongly on defense, keep the ball and play out the 90 mins for a 0-0 draw; of course if we get a chance to put it in the back of the net then take it, but it's not required.

If it was any other game, I would play Hooper and Stokes up front instead of Samaras and take off Ki. In defense I would change Mulgrew for Majstorovic as the only reason I haven't included him in the starting 11 is that it would be easy for the officials to throw cards at him and get away with it because of his playing style,which would open up the Celtic defense and cause us to lose 1-0 maybe 2-0 at the hands of Jelavic.

Although I would hapily take a draw, here's hoping for another 3-0 victory...hail hail. See you on the other side.

The Final Straight

Well, it's that time of the year again; post split with little to separate the two giants of Scottish football, in this case a single point is all that stands between Celtic and the league title. Given that we are approaching the end of the season with some rapidity, I think it's time that everybody lay their cards on the table and give their honest predictions as to what will happen over the next month or so. Here are my cards...


In brief, I think this seasons league title will be displayed with green and white ribbons and that is not simply due to the tint in my glasses. Before the game against Kilmarnock, I was of the opinion that if Celtic produce victories in their next two games, the the league is ours; as the Kilmarnock game turned out to be a resounding 4-0 to the hoops then it has left me with full confidence in the ability of the team at Celtic Park to take the fight to Ibrox and return with the title odds heavily in their favor. 

If you look at the remaining games on the Celtic calender post-Easter Sunday's old firm, there isn't a great deal to provide a challenge; the only teams pitted against The Bhoys in the league that could have posed a threat to their chances after the final Old Firm in a business-as-usual league tie are Hearts and Dundee United, but, the Dundee's game marks the first time that their heavy 3 player suspension wears off and I believe the recovery time is too little to face an Old Firm side and Hearts last win was more than a month ago against St. Mirren and even that was settled in the 93rd minute, all their other games since then have been draws. 


So, in my opinion as it stands, the only hurdle to completing our campaign to the league title with success is the Easter Sunday Old Firm match. This is the most important game of the season for the two Glasgow giants, more so for Rangers as with our game-in-hand they need a win if they are to undeniably claim the SPL top spot. If you are reading this blog then you already know this, but I believe that whoever wins this game on Sunday, quite simply, wins the league; this is of coarse barring some major upset from one of the aforementioned Celtic fixtures and/or the games that Rangers have still to play and it's looking a little bit hopeful that should a result for Celtic not present itself, or the result be a draw, then a fully recovered Dundee United could provide a safety net and be ready and waiting to take revenge on The Gers for the questionable "3-red-cards" game by taking them out of the title race. but things like that shouldn't be taken into consideration when planning out how to play a game like Sunday's; go out there and bring back a win!

After that we can celebrate Neil Lennon lifting the trophy, in his first season as manager and with many of his players in the same boat, and breathe a sigh of relief...at least until the 21st of May...

SPL: Kilmarnock vs Celtic

GOALS

Commons 4 Commons 34 Hooper 41 Stokes 58 BOOKINGS Commons     Kayal     Clancy     Fowler     THE MATCH  A stunning performance from the Hoops tonight with a 4-0 victory to match arch rival's Rangers last night. The game was all about Celtic from the word go and Kilmarnock only had one or two possible chances to add at least a single goal to their advantage. Commons opened the scoreline within 4 minutes with a comfortable strike into the Kilmarnock goal and 30 minutes later, repeated the feat.  Just before the teams headed up the tunnels for half time, Hooper insured the team talk met him well with a masterful strike to beat Jaakkola which quelled any doubts that the game was Celtic's. The game was rounded off by Stokes, who delivered easily the goal of the week so far. A card for Commons saw him taken off by Lennon to prevent his loss for the old firm on Sunday through suspension and he was replaced by and unimpressive Ljungberg and Izzy was taken off for Samaras. The final whistle rounded off a game that amounted to a very comfortable win for Celtic and a massive show of solidarity for Neil Lennon by the Celtic support in the wake of a despicable attempt on his life; support which was highlighted by a minutes applause at the 18th minute (Lennon's old number at Celtic). There's only one Neil Lennon. Bring on the Rangers.

MHAN OF THE MATCH

Kris Commons

Two great goals to set up a very comfortable lead in a very important game for Celtic earns Kris Commons the Shamrock and Thistle Mhan of the Match award.

WHISTLE WATCH

All in all, it as another fairly played game for the referee; nothing much to cause any debates as to the legitimacy of the match's outcome. 

More Proof?

It wasn't really needed; but here is further proof of the Scottish whistlers' bias towards the Rangers provided by a challenge on Rangers' number 18 Nikica Jelavić (Their only player worth a penny in my opinion) that led to a penalty in tonight's SPL game between Rangers and Dundee United. Note how Dillon has managed to reach the ball without touching Jelavić at least 3 feet from the box.

Apart from that, a game that provided 3 penalties for Rangers and 3 reds for Dundee United and requires extreme scrutiny from someone much more qualified than I am.

It's not the first time this has happened between these two teams; lest we forget the famous Craig Levein post match interview in 2008...

Anyway, looking forward to the game tomorrow against Kilmarnock and to hopefully closing the gap at the top to 1 point with a game in hand.

Player Profile: #33 Beram Kayal

Name: Beram Kayal

Born: 2 May 1988 (Jadeidi, Israel)

Age: 22

Playing Position: CM

Celtic Squad Number: 33

Signed: 2010 from Maccabi Haifa (Israel)

In response to his exclusion from the player of the year shortlist, Shamrock and Thistle's first player profile is on Beram Kayal. Signed on a four-year deal as part of Lennon's massive revisions to the 2009/2010 squad, Kayal has been an integral part of the Celtic team in the 17 appearances (to date) he has made; however, the Israelite does most of his work "behind-the-scenes", so to speak, as he has only managed to find the net once. 

Although he has been excluded from the official player of the year shortlist, Kayal's contribution has been recognised in other ways, most notably being an SPL player of the month award for January 2011 and being awarded a captaincy for Celtic's 1-0 victory over Paisley side St. Mirren on 9th April 2011. His first goal in green and white hoops came just 3 days later, when he struck the ball past St. Johnstone's Graeme Smith. 

Beram Kayal looks to be a good player for Celtic Football Club so far; he has made great contributions that have affected the team both directly and indirectly and, all going well, should be looking to pick up a few more individual player awards.

Diouf and Gaddafi

Another blow for a troubled team as Rangers first teamer El Hadji Diouf reveals that he supports Colonel Gaddafi and his tyrannical regime, going as far as to call Gaddafi and his son Saif "good friends". The revalation came as the Senegalese striker was interviewed by an African magazine and would surley cause a great deal of embarrassment for Rangers Football Club, who are already troubled by controvery over multiple UEFA investigations into sectarian singing within the Rangers support.

"Everybody says that people will be leaving 

but I don’t see how we have the capability to let anyone leave” 

During the same interview, the human controversy also stated that he believes partner in crime Bougherra should quit Rangers at the conclusion of the current season; a comment in direct defiance to his manager who stated that bougherra should not expect to leave any time soon. Shamrock and Thistle awaits the resopnse of the rangers gaffer with baited breath.

In my honest opinion, this is just another attempt from Diouf to draw attention to himself following the ever growing likelyhood that he will be forced to make way for Steven Naismith in upcoming matches. Poor show Diouf, once again you show your true colours to be an ugly shade of jelousy and arrogance.

The Week in Review (week beginning 11th April 2011)

THE SCOREBOARD 


SPL    St Johnstone 0 - 1 Celtic    
SC     Aberdeen 0 - 4 Celtic         


THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

GOOD - Two games this week, both victories and Celtic book their place in the Scottish Cup final with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Aberdeen.

BAD - An extra game played has given Rangers a single point lead in the SPL

UGLY - The SFA decided to waive the match ban placed on Ally McCoist for a hostile exchange with Neil Lennon.

THE WEEK


This week has been a good week for Celtic on the pitch but quite a bad one for us off it. Going 2 for 2 in our games this week and earning a Scottish Cup final place has done something to lighten the mood after a shameful decision by the SFA disciplinary committee to let Rangers top dogs off with lenient punishments or no punishment at all (see previous posts for a more detailed outline of my opinion on this matter).

In my opinion, we need to concentrate on the football and win the league and the Scottish cup, then tackle the bias problem in the summer.


...AND FINALLY


End the week on a high note, with a little tribute to Shaun Maloney to mark his 2nd ever Scottish Cup goal


Video taken from youtube (User: VideoBhoy)

Scottish Cup Semi-Final: Aberdeen vs Celtic

 

GOALS                                                                                                                        

Mulgrew 49

Ledley 57

Commons (pen) 63

Maloney 84

BOOKINGS

Diamond    

Milsom    

Considine      

THE MATCH

Good game and a good win for the bhoys in green.

Shaky start to begin with, as Celtic take on the same Aberdeen team that lost to Rangers in the league midweek. The hoops didn't really do much to test the dons keeper, as the man in gloves for Aberdeen has a great first half and topped it off with a penalty save. However, the events that led to the penalty presented itself as a turning point in the game and damaged Aberdeen's chances beyond repair as the dons missed the presence of Considine in defense. 

What followed was a parade of Celtic goals, with Mulgrew opening the floodgates with a well taken free kick, Ledley following with a great counter attack after a good Aberdeen attempt which ended in an offside, Commons hammering in the second penalty of the game and Maloney scoring only his 2nd ever Scottish Cup game since hitting it in against Alloa Athletic in 2002. 

Now, in terms of the Scottish Cup, the hoops have earned a place in the final against Motherwell on 21st May and a shot at picking up the first silverware for two seasons.

MHAN OF THE MATCH

Shaun Malony

Scored the fourth for the bhoys in green today which ended a Maloney goal drought in this competition marked his 2nd ever Scottish cup goal.

WHISTLE WATCH

All-in-all the referee Willie Collum had a good game and was pretty spot on. There were a few controversies, such as the red carding of Aberdeen's Considine, however, in my opinion the game was played pretty much by the book.

- Dave

Celtic Video of the Week

You've got to love it, a celebration of the great Celtic Football Club

Bias and Bigotry

I don't want to completely fill up my first "Week in review" with this issue, so I think it would be a good idea if I just tackle it now.

Let me make my opinion of the conduct of the SFA on this issue quite clear; I don't like it, not one bit, in fact it stands as the event which turned me into a "conspiracy theorist" in as much as I now see the depths to which the bias against Celtic has gotten. To be fair, the bias isn't really against Celtic, it's towards Rangers and in many ways that's worse; at least if the SFA held even a hatred for Celtic Football Club then the only team in the league to be really affected would be Celtic Football Club; however, as it stands, the preferential treatment received by Rangers so blatantly flaunted in front of the Scottish football fans faces harms the entire league and makes a mockery of Scottish football.

Let's start with the "punishment" received by Rangers key men Bougherra and Diouf. Lets face it, these guys are millionaires and to punish them by hitting them with fines of £5000 and £2500 isn't going to put anything close to a dent in their bank balance and could quite easily be paid through a couple of months interest. The way in which these player conducted themselves on a pitch during a professional game is nothing short of shameful; to run towards the opposition dugout, travelling such a distance as he did, and shout abuse at the staff representing your opposing team is NOT professional in the slightest and shows Diouf up for being the little whiny no-user that he is. Also, man-handeling a match official is complete non-professional behavior, although, trying to put the refs cards back in his pocket to avoid a booking has to be one of the more creative tactics I've seen in a football match. Lets not forget this has happened before and those responsible were punished through match bans, so why does it make a difference this time? no matter what way you swing it, the only answer I can think of is that Bougherra and Diouf play their weekly football in a blue jersey.

The Image that proves Lennon approached the Rangers assistant manager with good intentions.

Now onto the big cheese, the main man, the man who is going to facing the SPL head on next season hopefully in a position where he is trying to win BACK the title from the rightful holders in green and white hoops (and failing of course). Super Ally McCoist; what can I say? I used to like McCoist, he was always good for a laugh on A Question of Sport, which is why when the incident in question occurred at the old firm game last month, I though to myself that I should give McCoist another chance before he lands himself squarely  in my "dislike" pile; a feat he has now managed due to his reaction after the shameful SFA decision this week. Why do the SFA feel it appropriate to punish Lennon with a 4 match ban and let McCoist (the instigator of the incident) off the hook? especially after completely condemning the actions of both parties in the immediate aftermath. Also, lets not forget that the SFA initially tried to give McCoist a ban which amounted to half of what they gave Lennon.

The only reasoning that I can see behind these rulings is a bias towards Rangers; after all, this brings the attention away from the TWO active cases against them from UEFA for singing bigoted songs during both PSV European ties.

This whole thing absolutely reeks of bias and hypocriticy on the part of Scotland's football governing body and now has me convinced that the "conspiracy theorist" have had it right all along.

But c'mon, it's a tough time in the season for poor old Rangers...they need all the help they can get ;)

oh and Naismith about you welcoming the chase...tig, your it. :D

Hail Hail

- Dave

Welcome to Shamrock and Thistle

A blog for the proud fan of the best institution in Scotland; Celtic Football Club.

Every Sunday I'll be posting a review of the week's events through my shamelessly green tinted glasses, with a few extra posts through the week should something spark a touch of inspiration.

So expect plenty of opinion and a lot of sense; who knows, this could end up as one of the more reliable places to get your news in Scotland.

Hail Hail

- Dave