Bank Holiday weekends, you've gotta love 'em.
A heady mixture of "The Great Escape" and "The sound of Music" coupled with various trips to B & Q and that Male Penal Area AKA Ikea and all thoughts return quickly to football. Our one release, a place where our frustrations are vented when the Bhoys in Green n' White destroy all-comers.
Well it didn't quite work out that way though did it? Motherwell proved a sterner test than they have done in years at Parkhead, and really should have been killed off before the 52nd minute when wee Deek defied logic by scoring a Strikers goal.
The current malaise at CP, coupled with rumours of Strachan heading off into the sunset with the closing strains of "layla" playing are writing the Laptop Loyal's headlines for them! Add into the mix Kenny Miller spiting his dummy after not being introduced following Magic's Injury, Gravesen getting paid 40K a week to entertain only one quarter of Celtic Park and you have potential cracked crests once more. What could be worse? Our Club Captain falling out with wee Deek just before the half time and appearing to chuck it? There must have been a potential fire risk in the Journalists area of the South Stand at 3.45 on Saturday afternoon such was the speed of keystrokes at which we would have been getting written off by Murray's maggots.
Also do you think Celtic will get into trouble for attempting to field an unregistered player in Stephen Pearson? Those who were at the game will know what I'm talking about!
As if the above areas of concern weren't enough, the faithful decided that this was time to start getting on the backs of our Hooped heroes rather than getting behind them.
Now I'm all for freedom of speech (hey I'm making a living out of it!), but I was dismayed to hear the boo's echoing round Celtic Park as the Players headed up the tunnel at Half Time. When the team are not playing well, what's the best way to inspire them on to glory? Probably not booing them anyway!
Billy McNeill famously once said that the fans were "as good as a goal start" and like "a twelfth man". On Saturday afternoon they were more like a goal of a start for the opposition and an extra defender in the 'Well penalty box.
Just as well Wee Derek popped up with that winner or God only knows what would the reaction have been at full time. All I can say is thank god we have the easiest 2 ties of the run-in back to back! Although I take nothing for granted, could you imagine we had Hibs at Easter Road to contend with or Hearts at Celtic Park prior to hopefully clinching the League in Ayrshire?
Speaking of boo's, it was interesting to note that the announcer at Love Street would appear to be only offended by songs of a Political nature and not those of a Sectarian nature. Clarification would also be required to see if the boo's evident in Paisley were self-policing aimed at the rockets in the stands or was it the usual vitriol aimed at the rockets on the Park?
Shunsuke Nakamura has seen fit to extol lthe virtues of our new hero Riordan. Speaking to the official site, Nakasan spoke of Riordan as a "special talent." Nakamura continues "He is a special talent, and there is something always lively about him when he is on the pitch," said Nakamura. "He has a lot of energy and it is good to have someone like that playing alongside you. He has a special gift and other players can help him to make the most of that when he is out on the pitch."
Special praise indeed from a very special player.
That's all for now folks
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt