Hamburger SV nil, Celtic nil…

According to The Herald, both Scot McDonald and the keeper, who still isn’t Artur Boruc, say Celtic can still qualify out of the Europa Cup Group Stage.

Scotty Mac, a beacon of light and optimism here, said, “There is plenty to build on and more goals would be helpful for every­one. We’d like a few more, but it’s not for the want of trying. We’ve had chances in Europe and we’ve been unfortunate, but we’ll look forward to the two games we have left.”

Because no one in the press pool believed him, or that they just wanted a(nother) good laugh, they brought in Lukasz Zaluska (who, by some token, made some real top-class saves this evening). Zaluska said, “We know this is a very difficult aim, but we had a few good chances and we have to win the last two games now.”

All this coming after what is becoming Tony Mowbray anger-after-a-win, hope-after-a-loss song and dance: “We will try and get the points which are in front of us, and what will be will be … [R]egarding the group, we have two matches left and we have to take max­imum points. That has got to be our focus at the moment.”

I don’t know about all that. I’m sure saving the European campaign might look something like this:

Because I generally love European nights, let’s hope I eat these words and Celtic take full spoils at Celtic Park and in Vienna.

Of course, a Scottish side should cheer on another Scottish side, as the folks from BBC Scotland suggested at the beginning of the European competitions. And, now that I remember it, I forgot to cheer for Rangers in their Uefa Cup Final last year.

And I also forgot to cheer for Rangers two years ago when they faced Lyon, when all they needed was a draw to join Celtic in the Final Sixteen.

So brush off those Jean-Claude Darcheville replicas, which I know you’ve got stored away (behind your Manchester United kits that you’re so oft to wear whenever they’re playing), and support the other Scottish club still in Europe. I, however, don’t want you to go out of your way or anything. If cheering on Rangers tonight is not on your to-do list, please, please, please not feel to obliged. I have a few better things myself and just don’t think I’ll be able to fit it in. Hold yer breath and we’ll see. I may have yoga again tonight instead.

Just remember: if Celtic fans or any other Scottish footballing club fans don’t cheer for Rangers tonight, then who will? Rangers Supporters may have other things to do as well, and I don’t blame them.

In the Scottish Premier League :

Celtic 3 – 0 Kilmarnock
- Two wins in a row find Celtic atop the Scottish Premier league. Two loses out of three find Killie ninth, tied on points with St Johnstone and Hearts.

Hibernian 2 – 0 Aberdeen
- With the best 6-game form in the league – 4 wins and 2 draws – the Hibees are second to Celtic. Two points from four matches sit the Dons seventh in the table.

Motherwell 1 – 0 Hearts
- With nine points out of the last possible eighteen, Motherwell move to fourth. Despite recent League Cup success, Hearts have only two league wins on the campaign, sitting ninth.

St Johnstone 3 – 1 Falkirk
– The Saints find another decisive win to go tenth, five clear of Falkirk, who have yet to claim full points this season.

St Mirren 0 – 2 Hamilton
- Hamilton get their first away win of the campaign, but still linger second from the bottom. St Mirren have twelve of a possible thirty and sit sixth behind United.

And, due to rain, the Dundee United v Rangers match has been abandoned. Rangers lead 1-nil – Steven Davis in the 29′.

Now, back to bed.

I’d like to say this was another day at the office, a good Celtic win, overpowering a struggling Kilmarnock side. And perhaps the struggling Killie part is true with only one (1) shot on target, three (3) corner opportunities, a load of fouls and two bookings. Celtic controlled the ball and with it, the game, rattling off a number of qualities shots and a number of those going in the back of the net. Aiden McGeady (an absolute cracker!) and Georgio Samaras netted in the first half and Niall McGinn in the second.

Aiden McGeady, 13′

Niall McGinn, 78′

I’m not sure what a day at the office looks like for the Bhoys at home, but this match is certainly encouraging: how a team can shake off a string of disappointments in Europe and in a cup, come back and put down a team tied for third worst in the Premier League.

This home win and this type of home win was exactly what Celtic need. The Hoops will still be top of the table, regardless of Rangers away at Tannadice. Celtic managed clear chances, like Wednesday’s League Cup loss against Hearts, but actualized for three. And clean sheet is never a bad, but it also helps Zaluska’s confidence. Finally, it gives the gaffer a chance to realize that his tactics do work when the team puts in a solid effort.

Match Highlights can be seen here:

Gordon Strachan was then the manager of Celtic Football Club, a post he would hold until 25 May 2009, or 821 more days. In that time he and Celtic would win the Scottish Premier League twice more (for three total), the Scottish Cup again and a Scottish League Cup again.

In the days following the 2008-2009 campaign, Gordon Strachan stepped down from his post as Celtic boss, having failed to retain the League title that year, as well as leading Celtic back to the Final Sixteen of the European Champions League. He did not take any immediate positions, though much was made about him and the Scottish National post, if George Burley and the SFA decided to part company.

They didn’t. And up until a few weeks ago, the most we saw of the wee man was a hilarious commentary he did on Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger’s bottle-kicking episode during a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford to Manchester United.

But Monday, after much speculation, Gordon Strachan has now found a new home and a four-year agreement at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium, following Gareth Southgate’s mid-October sacking. I imagine the general feeling of most Celtic fans is good luck and all the best, as he did keep the trophy cabinets well stocked in his tenure.

Since this is not a ‘Boro Offside blog, I will leave the Strachan commentary to others, though his quotes and antics provide great fodder for jokes and the like. Personally I will miss his celebratory touchline dashes. I imagine he will bring some obvious changes to Middlesbrough Football Club and may even take them back up to the top flight of English football. Whatever his lot, I will miss talkin’ about Strachan.

Of course, a large chunk of Neil Lennon news came last year September when, following an Old Firm derby match, Coach Lennon was attacked by two Rangers supporters outside of pub, Jinty McGuinty’s Bar, in Glasgow’s west end. The immediate reaction was for Lennon’s condition and the punishment for these two examples of sectarian scum. Once we found out Lennon was going to be fine, the incident for most part just annoyed us Celtic fans, shaking up the vitriol in an already vitriolic rivalry.

The two perpetrators have now been released, having only served a quarter of their two-year sentence. Thug #1, Jeffrey Carrigan, was released in July, but gets to wear an electronic criminal tag. Thug #2, David Whitelaw, was released last month. The latter assailant/criminal trash has no electronic tag but still such an embarrassment to our league to be fair warning for Coach Lennon and all the Hoops’ faithful.

Hooliganism, racism, and sectarianism have no place in football, before, during or after a match. All those who continue to promote sectarianism and any violence at its behest should be made examples.

I perceive two things in Scotland of the most fearful omen: ignorance of theological truth, and a readiness to pride themselves in and boast of it.

Edward Irving, a 17th cent. Scottish Clergyman, educated in Edinburgh… [oof]

Co-operative Insurance Cup, Quarter-Finals
Celtic 0 – 1 Heart of Midlothian

Well, the day I return to The Offside and Celtic lay an egg in the League Cup Quarters – to Hearts no less, and right after Rangers went through comfortably over Dundee 1-3. Omens…

Celtic lost on a penalty. An early in the second half penalty. A dreadfully-taken, scuffed-by-Michael-Stewart penalty, which stand-in Pole-keeper Lukasz Zaluska leap-frogged, just days after he blabbed to the papers about how excited and how ready he is to stand between the sticks in place of Celtic #1 Pole-keeper Artur Boruc. Oh, and Stephen McManus was sent off late for a daft challenge. Omens…

UPDATE: Video of the penalty can be found, courtesy of 101greatgoals.com

Of course, the knives are already sharp for first-year Celtic boss Tony Mowbray. In the last four home matches in all competitions he’s overseen, there have been: 1) a goal-less loss at home to Hearts in the League Cup; 2) a goal-less loss at home to Hamburg in the Europa League Cup; 3) a goal-less draw at home to Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League; and 4) a one-one draw to Rapid Vienna in the Europa League Cup. Our last home win — you guessed it : defeating Hearts 2-1 in the League back in September. Omens…

Here’s the gaffer’s interview with Sky Sports:

Are the omens bad with this one? No, I’m sorry, but they are not all completely bad. Celtic are still top of the table, a point ahead of Rangers, three ahead of Hibs. And this Saturday Celtic face Kilmarnock, whom they beat 3-1, 3-nil, 2-1 in the League, and 3-1 in the League Cup last year. We defy augury. There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ‘Tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come. The readiness is all. Or something like that.

Too bad Celtic play Killie at home this weekend.

Is it a coincidence that I am making my exit after Rangers draw with Hibs and Celtic have an opportunity to jump back into first place in a seemingly endless game of leap frog at the top of the SPL standings. Yes it is, you big jerk. Stop reading into everything. So what that Celtic is playing Hamilton, one of the worst teams in the SPL and Marc Antoine Fortune and Danny Fox will be back into the line up to hopefully help the floundering Bhoys. Quit being so cynical, damn it! Yes, finally Marc Antoine Fortune will return to the squad after injuring himself against Arsenal in the Champions League qualifier. Since Scott McDonald and Georgios Samaras have the first touch of a U8 with Attention Deficit Disorder, Fortune and his ability to hold onto the ball is a welcome sight. Danny Fox is also another sight for sore eyes for Celtic supporters after having to relive the nightmare that is Lee Naylor for a few weeks. Jesus, that was scary. Is it a coincidence that Celtic’s struggles seem to be linked with Lee Naylor being in the first XI? Now it’s my turn to be cynical and say, absofuckinglutely. Fox should be in the starting XI, but Fortune might only make the bench for tomorrow’s match.

While Celtic have been poor the last few weeks, some cream puffs in the schedule just might be what the doctor ordered. Celtic travel to New Douglas Park this Sunday for 11th place Hamilton, then home to Kilmarnock, and away to Falkirk. The Accies are only averaging 0.5 goals per game and have a -10 goal differential so far. Another hopefully positive for this weekend is the Bhoys prowess on the road. Celtic have won every SPL match away from Celtic park this season apart from the Rangers match.

Before I depart into the sunset of the Tim-ernet, I would like to sincerely thank every one of you who have ever read anything I have ever written on here. I have learned so much from writing this blog and have enjoyed every minute of the nearly two years that I have been here. From the last Sunday at Tannadice to last year’s trainwreck, this blog has been an important part of my life and my life as a Celtic supporter. I’d like to thank Ian from the Caley and SPL blogs here for helping me out, despite me being the typical Celtic supporter who thinks that Celtic is the best thing to happen to the SPL. I’d like to thank any Aberdeen fans who read this for taking my countless sheep jokes in stride. I’d also like to thank Huns supporters for sometimes making my job way too fucking easy. Nice job racially abusing your own player, you twats. BWAHAHAHAHAHA! I’d like to thank Daryl and the rest of the crew at The Offside main page for giving me this opportunity. I’d like to thank Kevin from the Lord of the Wing blog for giving me the inspiration to write about Celtic and helping me out when I was just starting. Finally, once again, I would like to thank you, the reader, for giving a cynical jerk a chance. I’ve enjoyed writing you my assorted ramblings and I hope you’ve enjoyed at least some of them. If you can’t get enough of my bad jokes and opinions about Celtic, head over to the Na Dead Raibead Celtic Forum and ask for Rudy.

Over and over, we will follow you. Over and over, we will see it through. For we are Celtic supporters, faithful through and through. Over and over we will follow you!

Of course, any mention of the King of Kings gives me a great excuse to put this video up. Ah, memories.

Is it time for real games again yet? This international week is a KILLER.