"Spot The Passengers" 

I'm all for assisted suicide. Just not when it involves my fitba' team.

Great first half, we created chance and chance, which we missed but after 58 mins we were 2-0 up through 2 goals from the rapidly becoming enigmatic figure of Georgios Samaras. Then one slack pass fae the up until then impressive Paul Hartley, two errors of judgement by The Holy Goalie and massive clipboard failure meant that we hung on for a 2-2 draw and were left looking as bruised and battered as a Liverpool DJ who has spun Frank Sidebottom records all evening.

The goals are here, wie thanks to 101 great goals.

So, we come in at 54% possession, 3 shots on, 4 shots off and 2 shots blocked. All were decent chances. Dundee Hibs, had 3 shots on, 2 shots off and a massive 8 corners to oor 3. Again, all their chances were decent, in what, for a netural and not a neurotic freak, was a decent game of fitba'.

That is only the 2nd time this season that we have not won a game when we have taken the lead, yes, the other time was against Dundee Hibs also, and oor defences knack of losing goals in the 2nd period, 23 this season, and between 75 and 80mins, that's 4 this season, continues. We also have not won any of oor last 2 home games.

 "I was happy with the chances we made in the first half, and if there is anything we regret, it's that we didn't take them. We didn't start the second half very well but we got the second goal. I thought we could have got through with common-sense football but we didn't play common-sense football, as you saw." pointed oot oor manager, wie some sort of sense but while trying to climb his way back oot of Craig Levein pocket.

Levein saw, like 50 odd thousand others, that oor left-handside was a weak spot. Lee Naylor and Barry Robson were posted missing in the last 35 mins. He made the sub to exploit that area while oor manager did nothing to stop the flow doon that side. If anyone can gie me a decent argument for playing the limited Barry Robson in a creative wide berth at home then, bring it on.

If anyone can gie me a decent argument for not shooting Lee Naylor then, bring it on.

The lack of creativity from the wide areas means the "What To Do Wie Aiden McGeady " question, no longer becomes a sideshow. Oor manager said: "The reasons are that I wanted to stay faithful with the squad that played so well in the last two games. Also, everyone knows about this under-21 rule which we have complained about consistently since I have come here - as have other managers - but there is no change."

Whether playing McGeady, or even bringing on McGeady, in the last 20 would have changed the game is a if yer auntie had baws type question. The Celtic team were that ramshackle by this point a tightener was needed not a maverick. The loyality to the squad reasoning needs no backing, the not picking your best players is another ponder all together.

Last word to Big Sammy, the only player I have seen score 2 goals and have a performance that verged on the terrible: "We committed suicide. When you are two-nil up, you cannot lose two points; that is unacceptable."

Canny argue wie that.

Forza.

Celtic did honour it's Greatest Ever Player today. Not, that you would have known aboot it. A low key unveiling was the order of the day to ensure that were wisnny great crushing up Kerrydale Street. I'm sure, the couple of hundred who saw the unveiling will recall the tale for future generations.

No statue could EVER do the wee man credit. Some are disappointed that it disnny capture an iconic pose. I'm pleased that it shows a sense of humour wie a rowing boat being included in the plinth.

Still, the wee man is best captured on film.

You Surprise Me, Mr Bond.

The team on the 5 game unbeaten run, close to administration and players playing to be included in the 'Bargin, But Not Fully Reduced' section of the up-coming fire-sale in Gorgie, deserve all the credit that will come their way after their draw at CP. After taking the lead through an offside, and very impressive, Andrew Driver, it looked like they would see the game out comfortably against a Celtic side, that for 60mins suffered from major clipboard failure. But, Captain Marvel(sic), Mick McManus scored to equalise for Celtic to ensure that it wissny all bad.

Plaudits to Berra, Jonsson and Current Bond Villian, Shabba Lazslo, who out clipboarded WGS wie such ease that you would think he was a decent incumbent of Heart Of Lithuania. Also, I hope Robbie Neilson gets Aiden McGeady oot his back pocket in time for him to get the bus back home to Embra. M.I.B, Charlie Richmond, can also get added to the list of the Heart Of Lithuania players that did well. Ignoring, blatant time-wasting and not sending off Kingston ensured that he will be welcome at this weeks lodge meeting.

Still, at least oor, under pressure, manager, who has won only 37 points oot the last 42, was truthful as he faced the press, wondering why he changed a system that seemed to suit the talents of McGeady, Nakamura and Maloney for a Blackboard Duster standard 4-4-2: "It was a poor first half by us, one of the worst performances for a long, long time. Hearts did well and were physically strong but we were too predictable. We built ourselves up to average in the second half and had a lot of possession around their box so it was far more exciting." he said thanking his lucky stars Gary Calderbuer started finding Georgios Samaras wie long punts.

56% possession, 2 shots on and 6 off target, compared to Heart Of Lithuania's 4 on and 3 off and a corner count that if it was a boxing match would have been stopped after the 5th round, 2 to 9 in favour of the away mob, had Paul Hartley boasting: "We did not have too many clear-cut chances but I think we deserved the equaliser on pressure. " ignoring we were 2nd best for long spells and brought on Lee Naylor to change the game.

At least he was sitting in the corner marked 'The Bhoy Done Good' along wie the other last 30 performers, Gary Calderbuer, Andy Hinkel and Samaras. Maloney is now sitting in the Hessellink Suite wie Hammie-Ouch, that rules him oot for a few weeks. "He just pulled up. It's a hamstring and not very good," moaned oor manager.

Twitter (Heh, go and read my pre-match comment) and Profile.

Still could be worse. You could be this school teacher. 

Forza.

Thanks to Number 7 on KDS for the picture, not the one marked Celtic.

Greece is the word. Panathinaikos did what Celtic couldnae do and qualified for the last 16 of The Big Cup. What has that got to do wie us, I hear all 33 LoTW Readers cry? Well, according to oor friend, Bert Kassies, we should be as worried as a Greek Petrol Bomber who has runoot of bedsheets.

The reason. Greece are in 13th spot in the country rankings. Oor Dear Green Place is sitting at 12 and it is not looking very pretty. Years of Mars Bar suppers and Irn Bru have taken it's toll. If Panathinaikos and Olympiakos, who are in the UEFA Vase, win any of their remaining games then, Geece will take 12th spot, meaning that the SPL Champions of 2009/2010, Celtic, will need to play 2 qualifying rounds, not against the likes of Artmedia and Fc Kanus of Midlothian, before we suffer more away defeats and failure in the Group Stages for the 2010/2011 Big Cup.

Something to keep us interested.......maybe.

Tims In Shorts

Georgios Samaras is a striker struggle to find form. The Big Striker has been looking like a Man Citeh reject and he admits as much. "I'm looking for a good performance in my next game and finding my form again. I am going to find my form again. I will be back for sure. I'm back already but I will be better and better every game. The first game, I was a little bit anxious. I had it in my mind but now I am free." he said sorting his scarf and pondering if his early season, 9 goal haul, was just a blip. He seemed to be the only Greek who was not up for a fight this week.

Another striker looking for his form, underneath his bed, is The New Craig Beattie, Cillian Sheridan. After being dragged from his darkened room, the low on confidence striker, who has been sharing late night phone calls wie Robbie Keane, where they talk aboot their fear of the ball, nevermind their fear of the goal, Cillian mumbled:  "I know that will take a lot of hard work but it has given me confidence to know that the manager has kept faith in me when other strikers are coming back, so I need to reward him with good performances. " before hiding under the table.

Two strikers wie something to prove then.

Heart To Heart.

Defeat, last week was as expected as Noddy Holder screaming: "It's Christmas", from a Supermarkets PA in October. We have been poor in oor last 4 domestic games. Arguments can be made that oor best performance in those 4 games came in the defeat to The Feeder Club. No argument can be made against that defeat tomorrow would see a Come To Jesus type talking too required.

Heart Of Lithuania have put off the pending closing doon sale, a sale that will be the fitba version of Woolworths reducing their pick and mix wie The Flumps being the last to go. The Current Bond Villian, Shabba Laszlo, has worked oot Romanov's blueprint and no defeats since we beat them sees this fixture marked as 'Might Need Back Up'.

They have only lost 2 goals in their last 5 games. They have only lost 7 goals in 2nd periods of games this season. Compare that wie their record in the first 20 minutes of matches when they have lost the same amount of goals. They have also scored an amazing 9 goals in the first 25mins of games. Celtic have scored 12 goals in this period and have only lost 1.

So, get in for kick off as this game could be decided early.

“We want to maintain the good run we’ve been on. We stumbled a bit last week but that happens. You have to deal with setbacks at this club. On Wednesday, we recovered from that blow and won the game. That’s down to the players." boasted WGS today after coxing Cillian Sheridan oot from under the table.

It was also doon to the Golden Notebook showing it's best line-up on the park. Something that most continue.

Rumour O'Filter.

Looks like Celtic are favourites to sign Niall Quinn from Derry City. The player was spotted in Karbon the other night, something that he willnae be able to do if he signs, boasting to pals that he was Celtic's new signing. Also, The Huns are interested in signing Dean Shiels from The Feeder Club. One to keep an eye on I think.

Forza.

Twitter and Profile.

Seems LoTW is read by a 'Cock Rock', white jeans, white trainer, long haired mulleted rock god. David Coverdale has pointed out, in the last Hail Hails, that Def Leppard was the Star Trek loving, speccy geek, band of choice in the mid 80's.

If that's the case then "Pour Some Sugar On Me".

Tims In Shorts

When Georgios Samaras was rolled in front of the Tv camaras, after oor embarrassing exit from Eurpoa Competition, I fully expected some tough talking from the interviewer and an explaination from Samaras aboot the terrible decisions he made during the game against UEFA Vase bound, Aalborg BK.

Instead he said: "I think everybody is disappointed that we are out of Europe. We were a bit unlucky but that's football. We didn't create a lot of chances, we didn't have the final ball but in the end it was two unlucky situations and we were back home."

While agreeing wie what he is saying, except the we were unlucky bit, the biggest crime is that he didnae explain his decision to wear a scarf against Aalborg BK. A scarf last seen causing much merriment roond Francesco Totti's neck and one that, along wie his gloves, made me look at him and think "he disnny fancy this."

A player wearing a scarf and gloves must be a great sight to a short sleeved centre back. You can almost hear a centre half lick his lips wie glee at the thought of Nancy boy blood when faced wie a charlatan in that get up. 

It was only minus 6 in Denmark. Not cauld enough for Scott Brown to put a vest on. Sammy should be chased from oor door if he is seen in that get up again. In fact, GS should introduce the auld skins v bibs 5 a sides on a Friday afternoon.

That would sort them.

I couldnae see Gary Calderbuer wearing a vest or a simmit nevermind a bloody scarf. Since that defeat, Gary Calderbuer, has being doing a great impression of a Celtic club captain, while the Celtic club captain has been doing a great impression of Lord Lucan or has been reading the William Gallas manual on "How To Captain A Big Club".

'Heid' Calderbuer said aboot the Big Cup and how we progress: "We know this competition is amazing and it has been good to us for the last two years. We have to be in there again next year. So we have to pick ourselves up and win the league.

"We have to make sure we make it four in a row in the SPL and then come back stronger. But it's difficult. The Champions League is a hard competition.We can't just expect to walk in every year and be in the last 16. We have to earn that right. This year we haven't done enough to earn that right. But to not even be in the UEFA Cup is a huge blow."

Wie players like Wilson and Hinkel saying defeat to Aalbog BK was the "worst of their careers", I bet both of them had vests on, we need to pick oorselves up. The question is who will pick the team up?

Here Come The Highlanders.

The longboats, that huvnae been burned, the haggis that huvnae been ate and the Virgins that huvnae been, whose blood husnae been drunk, will taking the trip doon the M9, shouting "arrrrgggggghhhhh" and scaring Service Station staff wie their axes and uglyness. The Ross Tokelyites will fancy their chances of getting something from this trip, for the first time since 2000, as oor club is lying as low as Anne Frank hiding fae the Nazis.

Their recent record is poor. W2 D1 L5 in their last 8. They have won their last 2 away games right enough against Celtic's Feeder Club and The 'Marnocks. At CP they are on a 7 game losing streak. They have lost 9 goals in the last 30mins of games but they seem to lose goals at any point during games, no obvious weak spots.

Celtic, it is ironic that after getting beat of The 'Senkie of Denmark we have a chance to get beat from The 'Senkie of Ecosse so soon after,are 11 games unbeaten in the league but that counts for nothing due to the falloot fae midweek. Though, the management, feel that there was not much wrong wie the performance, I would be expecting changes in the starting 11.

Loovens, Wilson and Robson could be getting left oot wie Hartley, Naylor and Maloney coming in. There doesn't seem to be any sign of Hessellinkitis clearing up, maybe McGeady could make the bench, so we also maybe will see Cillian Sheridan getting a start to confirm him as the winner of the Craig Beattie 1st touch award 2008/09.

Heh, outwith Jan Vennegoor The 'Senkieskelper, wie 6 goals, only Craig Beattie has scored more than 1 against The 'Senkie in oor managers time here. Another ironic twist that.

Ex-playerism comes in the form of Barry Robson. Probably not worth a punt as I think he might be rested. But a 2-1 victory wie a centre back scoring from a set play.

That's it for another week. Hail Hails are open for more confessions from MOR Rock Gods or just sad people who have nothing better to do than talk aboot Celtic....

Forza.

Oh, Bonner, McGrain, Whyte, McGuigan, Aitken, Burns, McStay, McLeod, Archdeacon, Judas and McClair. 

Remember, remember 08/02/2000....what Celtic players scored that night?

It's going to be one of those "I remember where I was moments". It will be up a Lisbon moment for my generation. So, I hope I don't die before I get auld as when the 'moment' happens I will be prone to weeing maself and forgetting ma name.

Celtic, as predicted, continued their speedy exit from the Big Cup wie a 1-0 defeat against Villarreal in the fortress that is the lego inspired El Madrigal. The highlights are here (thanks to 101 Great Goals) and you will see that we had 3 decent chances, wie Georgios Samaras missing the best one just before HT and in the 2nd period we were under the cosh, saved by Artur Boruc, as Villarreal upped the tempo and destroyed us down the right flank.

Marcos Senna scored the winner from softly awarded free kick. The Villarreal player went down very easily, as they did all night, remember they spoke up how phsyical we would be?, but the truth of the matter is, no matter how much space Artur Boruc gave Senna to aim at, just the same as he gave Celtic, Dundee Utd and Wolves reject Charlie Mulgrew to aim at on Saturday, Villarreal would have scored in that period of domination.

In the second period we just could not handle Senna and Santi Cazorla, no matter how often Scott Brown clattered and closed them doon. We struggled and now that away win seems so far off that we should ask Gordon Brown to bail out this auld failing institution. 1 point out of 48 in CL away games. 1 draw in 18 games. 37 goals lost in those games. We have not scored away from home in a CL group game since Copenhagan. Under oor current incumbent Villarreal can be added to Bratislava, Manchester, Lisbon (twice), Milan (twice), Cophenhagan, Barca, Moscow and Donestk as places we have failed to win.

Not that oor manager didn't try. The first impression that he was commiting the biggest career suicide since Oasis released 'Be Here Now' wie a 4-2-3-1 formation, which included Aiden McGeady, Shaun Maloney and Nakamura. It was an attacking formation one that as was less anti-fitba' and more Kamakazi fitba'. 

The fact that it worked for 55mins against a quality team is as bemusing as Radiohead releasing that album of Thom Yorke farting for 55mins and getting praised for it. Still, no matter how well we played that stats will still show a defeat and that Villarreal had 27 shots at goal and 63% possession.

But...oor manager has taken positives oot of it. And so he should. Anyone today that gie's the manager a shread of abuse has took their Anti-Strachanism to new heights or a new low. The manager said... "I asked the lads for a performance - forget about the results - and the performance for the first 55 minutes said, 'Yes, you belong at this level'."....now all Timdom hope that we can get it nearer 90mins and that he takes this 4-2-3-1 formation into domestic games.

Over on the chip on the shoulder camp, Gary Caldwell moans about the cheating barstewards and the soft freekick award. He also makes the point, that was made in the Hail Hail's last night, when he says....“They are very clever, they go down very easily at times and it’s something that we have to learn. “We have to do it in their half, to get those free-kicks to give us breathing space.”....yes, we should becoming cheating barstewards and play them at their own game. I also want us to highlight the diving before games just like Villarreal did by saying we were going to be physical.

Also, word has reached LoTW, via a person close to him, via a man at the end of a bar, via a chance bumping into the said man in the bookies, that Gary Caldwell does not expect to be a Celtic next season. No further details but the story is he does not expect a new contract to be forthcoming.

Lots to talk aboot. We are in the UEFA Vase place in the group. A double heider wie Man Utd coming up and the likely outcome that we will need to go to Denmark and win to ensure European Fitba' after the bloke in the big red suit has been.

So, leave a Hail Hail, even ones about pishing in fish tanks are allowed and you don't need to be logged in to do it.

Forza

Midweek LoTW, goals, crap rumours, madness and bawbaggery. Let's start wie the bawbaggery.

Jim Jeffries, bawbag and greeting faced, has decided that Celtic players need to live wie getting slapped after winning penalties. He also moans that wee teams are treated differently while polishing the wee team chip on his shoulder.

No mention that it's a sending off if any player strikes another player, like the Kilmarnock player did, and no mention of, what oor manager was trying to highlight, that Setanta have not mentioned the incident and you can bet yer bottom dollar that the next time a Celtic player banjo's someone the biggest Kangaroo Court since Skippy (the kangaroo not the player) was done for koala porn on his laptop will be called. Nasty business.

Let's not let auld fannybaws get us down. Celtic marched into the quarter finals of the Diddy Cup last night wie a 4-0 victory against Livingston. Goals from Glenn Loovens, Scott Brown  and another double from Georgios Samaras. The goals are here, here, here and here.

The manager decided to make changes wie rotation being the new buzzword at CP. Make no mistake, the proof that we now probably have the best squad options, attacking and midfield wise anyway, at CP under GS and we really do have 'quality' to come on from the bench to change the games or to rotate when needed. Whether he makes the right decisions is another question.

For the game last night the manager made 7 changes from the team that won at Kilmarnock. In came Aiden McGeady, Glenn Loovens, Paul Hartley, Paul Caddis, Scott McDonald, Massimo Donati and Andy Hinkel who still didn't impress.

These changes could have disrupted the team but it didn't. The new found pace in the final third that team 4 has developed was too much for Livingston, just as it has been for Motherwell and Kilmarnock, wie Samaras, Scotland's top goalscorer, McGeady, McDonald, Donati in the first 65mins and then Scott Brown having a field day wie the movement and pace in this area.

Aiden McGeady can be pleased wie his nights work. He was as rampant as a rabbit on viagra and one 70 yard run in the 2nd period, which ended up wie him hitting the post would have surpassed Sammy's goal on Sunday. Samaras, again, is looking like a player and at 22 I'm sure the board are sniffing a sell on value. Scott McDoanld should have scored a few but looks to be a bit crusty round the mince pie mid-drift. Shaun Maloney came on and won the same penalty that he has won in the last 2 games. The M.I.B's must be questioning this as that's 3 games in a row we have been awarded a chance to miss from 12 yards.

So all in the manager was pleased. He was pleased wie Scotland's top goalscorer- who must be a stick on for the Player Of The Month award- and praised Aiden while hiding his dislike for him. So things are looking good but why does the urge comeover LoTW to bottle these moments of contentment and smugness to sniff at a later date when it all goes pear-shaped?

Things don't look to good for Livingston. After having a mad Irishman in charge who nearly run them to rack and ruin they now have a mad Italian called Angelo Massone in charge who states that Celtic have the budget to win the Big Cup. Wie this grasp of reality I'm sure the banks are waiting eagerly for the 'For Sale' sign to appear once again at Livingston but Massone probably thinks Livingston could win the UEFA Vase wie a budget that affords him, the delights of loaning out Rocco Quinn from us.

In another example of the world going mad, the usually spot on Channel 4 Football Italia website has run a story written in never, neverland that Hernan Crespo is considering a switch to Celtic after being given the cold shoulder from the not so special one for the 2nd time in his career. We are nowhere near the transfer window opening and all ready the 'Bullshitometer' has had an outing. It's as red as Jim Jeffries greeting face, which means never will happen.

Can you really see Hernan taking a £100,000 per week wage cut to be a sub? Is this another Sharp Suited Man 'Moonbeam' to be filed under Pavyulchenko, Razen Rat and Darren Bent.  

One that hasn't got the 'bullshitometer' turning as red is this rumour regarding Dominic Cervi an American keeper who based himself on Sly Stallone in the famous fitba film "Escape To Victory" a game, which much like The Huns ECWC Final in 1972 never got finished due to a pitch invasion.

Anyway, oor man in the USA, Rudyflyer, has posted a scary picture and some background on this 'Soccer Jock'. One things for sure...he is uglier than Mark Brown!!!! What this means for Mark Brown remains to be answered.

But enough of rumours and ugly goalies. The Celtic 2nd XI beat The Thugish Reserve Huns 3-1 yesterday despite an increase in reported assults in the Airdrie area yesterday afternoon. Celtic had one player carried off after 1 minute and Joe Doumbe decided that he had, had enough after 44 minutes. Sounds like Koki Mizuno, Ben Hutchinson and Paddy McCourt came in for some hefty treatment, which proves that thugishness is inbreed when it comes to Huns.

Nice to hear, that skill won over brawn.

That's it. Midweek LoTW is over. It was free and no I won't post Nacho Ratboy's address and phone number but thanks for the e-mithers and the texts anyway. So, Friday will see a preview of the visit of The Sheep and hopefully a chance to laugh at Tango and Sash.

Forza. 

So, here is to the Monday edition to LoTW. Cheers, to all who read this for longer than the average 17 seconds, before pressing the back button, which returns them to something more interesting. Maybe we should try writing something interesting before the 17 seconds is up.....

Anyway, it's always a happy Monday when we go to Kilmarnock and win. We have not been beaten there since May 2001 and seeing Jim Jeffries and Billy Browns greeting faces as they watch their team fail to beat and compete wie The Hoops makes the fact they Kilmarnock never lgot relegated last season all worthwhile.

Celtic, got over their Big Cup exit, wie a 3-1 victory wie goals from Shaun Maloney and Georgios Samaras, who got his 2nd awayday double in a week, and the game saw 3 pens awarded, a sending off and a goal of the season contender.

Big Sammy, Scotlands top goalscorer, produced another MOTM display and showed Man Citeeh what they are missing. In the past few weeks Sammy has shown the folly of them selling him and buying some Brazilian from Real Madrid. Serves them right for becoming the richest club in the world.

Celtic, continued their impressive away form, which is stark contrast to oor functional, pragmatic and poor home displays but still no Celtic game is complete wieoot a missed penalty and a bit of scandal.

Shaun Maloney decided that he would try and hit someone in the stand, who was threatening to sing a 'banned' song, wie his effort from 12 yards. So, when we were awarded a dubious 2nd pen- oor manager says it was a pen and highlights the scud Shunsuke Nakamura received in the aftermath but Alan Coombe say's Nakamura dived and I really think we should believe him as he says there was 5000 Kilmarnock fans there, so he tells the truth- Sammy did the honours wie a not to clever dispatch into the net.

That's not the whole story though. Aiden McGeady, who was benched again, had placed the ball on the spot only to be told that Sammy was to take the kick. In a week where rumours were rife that oor manager and Aiden had fallen out then there is maybe more getting read into this than there was actually behind it. Was Stephen McManus acting on his managers orders or did he just think Sammy had a better chance to score it?

Anyway, Aiden and oor manager have denied that there is a problem but oor managers actions do seem to suggest something different. If that is the case then how long Scotland's Player and Young Player of The Year will be happy at playing 2nd fiddle to the winner of Aston Villa's biggest arse award 2007/2008 remains to be seen.

So....the tinkerman tinkered and promises to tinker as often as a 14 year old wie a copy of Razzle. He brought back in Marc Crosas, Jan Vennegor and Mark Wilson. Out went Barry Robson, injured, Andy Hinkel, who was paying the price for being uninteresting and and Scott McDonald who was paying the price for pies.

All in the changes worked wie all performing well and the only blot on the performance was the loss of the goal and Gary Caldwell getting sent of for an act of stupidity when 3-0 up, 2 mins left and him in the best form of his career. Suspension will give Glenn Loovens his chance against Livingston and Aberdeen this week.

The manager was pleased but said that.....“I thought he [Samaras] was terrific, if lackadaisical at times, like we were as a team. We really need to get our passing spot on and we’ll be a very good team.”....which is a fair shout as the other night proved when we are poor, we are poor and in the games against Motherwell, Kilmarnock and Aalborg BK we have seen somethings that need sorted.

The managers only constants in this spell have been the performances of Caldwell, Sammy and Maloney. We may have found a player in Marc Crosas but his tinkering is bound to be the source of some amusment in up-coming blogs.

So, there was a press conference today regarding tomorrows Diddy Cup game at home to in-form Livingston. Nothing eye-catching came out the press-conference as our manager didn't announce that he was going to play a load of fringe players and youngsters, which he should take the opperchancity to do. The squad was annouced and it was indicated that changes will be made.

Loovens will start and maybe Skippy and Aiden will get 90mins under their belts. Paul Caddis may come in for some needed game time and could Darren O'Dea get a runout? I'm sure the other 14,999 that bother to turn up wie me will be excited at the thought of this. I wonder if we will see Massimo?

Anyway, I'm reminded of nights when we we beat high flying Falkirk 8-1 and beat low flying Partick on pens. Under GS, in the Diddy Cup, we have suffered poor defeats at home to Falkirk and Hearts. Livingston have never beaten Celtic. First ever meeting ended in a 0-0 draw then they have had 17 defeats. Tomorrow night maybe their best chance of changing this record.

They are 17 to 1 wie some bookies could be worth a punt if yer skint and the malaise that we have suffered at home in the Diddy Cup continues.

That's it. Hail Hails are open for the inane pish that gets posted. Lets hope we are celebrating a victory tomorrow night.

Oh Aah Samaras.

Forza 

'Oh Ah Samaras'

The cliche of 'a game of two halves' rung true at Fir Park yesterday. The first half we produced a performance, which was up there wie anything I have seen from Celtic and had oor manager saying 'I told youse' and that it was the best for a long period. 4 goals in the first half and the 4th being one of the best goals you will see in the SPL all season.

The 'bouncebackability' of the bhoys was a joy while the 'letingoalseasilyability' was like getting your balls grated.

Some might say that was the best under Strachan. I disagree as I reckon we have played better for longer spells in the games under him but the first 55mins was the best we have played this season and the managers statement that we have been involved in entertaining games is laughable. I mean, does he call losing 4 goals at home against The Huns entertaining or beating St Mirren, wie a dodgy penalty, in a game that is filed under crimes against fitba'?

Also the two goals we lost showed all that is wrong wie Strachans Celtic. Only Celtic can turn an excellent performance into one that leaves you feeling empty, puzzled and Boomsunging yourself that there is half an hour left and you are only 2 goals up.

That's what stop it being a 10 out of 10 performance.

So, Artur Boruc was back to his usual self. Stopped Motherwell getting a third wie a great save in the second half but if only his kicking was as accurate as Neil Lennons attackers in Ashton Lane. The CB's, started well and faded wie them being at fault for Motherwells 2 goals.

I had to laugh at Mick and Robson having a barney after the 2nd goal- Robson pointed out Mick was at fault- and also Mick telling Marc Crosas to stop this two touch passing the ball, forward and quickly in the middle of the park. Lee Naylor and Mark Wilson proved the benefit of playing players on the correct side but, like Heid and Hoof, faded in the 2nd  period when the auld Naylor returned and Wilson looked of the pace. 

In the midfield, Marc Crosas made a Massimo Donati type bow wie an impressive performance of touch, vision and creativity that we have lacked for weeks. Surely now, the stage of the Big Cup awaits and a start against AaB is a MUST. It was as close as a MOTM performance you could have seen but Georgios Samaras takes that plaudit.

The big man was like his lookalike Eli Dingle being left in to rob a building site after the security guards left him to it. It was so simple for him to rampage through the Motherwell defence. Still, if he had played the correct final ball we could have been 8-0 up at half time. Still, Scotlands top goal scorer will get the chance to score his 1st Big Cup goal on Wednesday. Is he now undroppable.

Scott Brown, started on the right handside and had a decent game still makes poor decisions at times but he seemed to enjoy the wide role, Barry Robson kept up his impressive vain of form, maybe proving his Indian Summer is continuing and him and Brown dug in well when we were falling apart.

Shaun Maloney, played well, scored but like the rest of the team faded as his eyes were distracted by the thought that instead of playing in the UEFA Vase this season he will make his bow in the Big Cup. Up front Scott McDonald put in a shift but faded in the last half hour. He scored a great goal but should have been subbed for the ineffectual Cillian Sheridan a lot sooner.

The other sub used was Shunsuke Nakamura who says that he might go back to Japan in January. Nice to see this making the back pages instead of oor Brazil 1970 performance. So will he go? Not if we are still in the Big Cup LoTW reckons, but why doesn't he just give up the International games to save on this traveling? Surely we can make him mair Scottish by getting him to eat deep fried Mars Bars and drinking Irn Bru?

The loss of Naka might not be so great as yesterday we saw a Celtic team play as well as we have ever done under the present manager wieoot oor, supposed, most 2 creative players wie both Aiden McGeady and Naka being 'rested' and oor big named centre forward, Jan Vennegoor of Hesslelink being suspended.

The manager made a bold decision by making 4 changes from the team that got humped by The Huns and now has gave himself a selection headache for Wednesday night. Not the kind of headache LoTW gets after 10 pints right enough....

'The Chammmmpeeeeeions.......Pah, Pah, Pah Paaaaaaaaaaaaa'

Sounds great eh? Bring on AaB.....

Forza

LoTW has decided that's it time for this brother to sort it out. I'll start by 'sorting out' Michael Higdon who has decided that asking the MIB for a 'square go' is how to go about sorting his teams failings. He then admits that he tried to get himself booked to prove a point and that the MIB 'bottled' this decision as well.

I wonder if Mr Higdon would have thrown his rattle ,if he had one, and has ever considered engaging his brain before opening his mouth.

Next up is Celtic legend John 'Yogi' Hughes, who scored with a header at Ibrox, saying that he may quit due to the sad state of MIB's in the SPL. He fancies the bright lights of The Championship, 6th richest league in the world, and that he has outgrown the 2 stand town, which is Falkirk.

Both the above bawbags have done a great job in deflecting attention away from their teams poor form. Was the MIB on Saturday responsible for them losing the 2 games before then? Was the MIB responsible for missing a penalty in their first game, thus causing them to drop 2 points (think Mr Higdon had a lot to do with that) and does Mr Hughes think that the Chesterfields and Southends of this world won't notice that he has lead Falkirk to 3 defeats on the trot and signed Sunday League Leg-ends like Michael Higdon.

They have also stirred up a hornets nest. Commentaters have been sticking their unwelcome noses in and trying to get a story where there isn't one. The fact of the matter is the MIB's are terrible and have been for years.

But.....LoTW wonders where guys like Crocker were when Jan Vennegor didn't get a penalty last season at Aberdeen, when Scott McDonald got a decent goal chopped of in our 3-2 defeat at Inverness, when Jan Vennegor was up ended at Love Street, when two dubious penalties were awarded for ICT and Hearts last season causing us to drop 5 points, when Kirk Broadfoot stayed on the park after beasting Scott McDonald in the 3-2 victory over The Huns and ,last but not least, when Mike McCurry invented the 'Offside Own goal' at Ibrox last season.

Yes, LoTW agrees we have had the benefit this season so far. But don't all these things even themselves out, so by my reckoning we have 118 years worth of evening out to go.

LoTW wishes also to sort out the PLC board. With the 'Transfer Window' being extended, for a whole 24 hours (hurrah) I would expect the 'Shitofilter' to be doing overtime. It's not. A cut price deal the lesser spotted Riordon for him to complete a "sensational return" to relegation haunted Hibs is all that is happening.

LoTW is non-plussed at this news. Could have been great but it wasn't. Still think his leaving is not the player we need to be shifted. Bobo Balde is the problem. LoTW thinks if Bobo says "No, No, No" to anymore Championship fodder then our chances of seeing a Nike Friday or a Championship LB are as likely as the Lesser Spotted Riordon being served in any Edinburgh Nightclubs. 

Can we maybe expect Bobo to get paid off and then a short term loan deal for a LB? I will say again if we go into the CL with a right footed player at LB then it's a sacking offence for all of the coaches, scouts, tea women and Hoopy The Huddle hounds.

We also go the news today that Celtic's successful Olympian Chris Killen was hoping for and all of Timdom wasn't. Scott McDonald is out of the Glesga Derby and Jan Vennegoor is rated as 50/50. McDonald got injured bouncing for the Socceroos in one of those useless International games that bug LoTW happiness every now and then.

The injuries did lead to us producing our best performance of the season right enough but doubts remain over the ability of Georgios Samaras, no matter what the long haired lover from Athens boasts.

True, as he says, strikers require goals and he seems to be confident but whether he is good enough to be a starter ahead of Jan Vennegoor is still to be proved. I sometimes think Samaras wanders about allowing games to pass him by but he can't allow that to happen on Sunday. We may need Gallus George not Curious George.

The same article has Neil Lennon joining the mass ranks of the LoTW driven 'I want to have Shaun Maloney's Babies' fan club. He mused

"I think Shaun can play with most players because he is really intelligent. It is the typical big man/little man partnership, and Sami responded very well. Shaun has played with a lot of good players over the years, and he can play anywhere across the front line."

Added to that, Lenny's former partner in crime, Paul Lambert fanned the flames that have engulfed the talent of wee short arse since his cameo winning debut after returning from a failed spell at a mid table EPL club.

With Shaun also being seen as the saviour of George Burley's, already, ill fated reign as Scotland Coach. The pressure on the wee man is incredible and a lot of it for me comes from the boards lack of activity on the transfer front. A player that some don't see as a first choice has all of a sudden become the 'man' that will turn us from Scotland 1978 into Brazil 1982.

Anyway, there is something else happening this week, that doesn't relate or impact on The Huns. Yes, The Champions League draw this Friday, 5pm for all non-Huns, has got Nakamuras sushi juices flowing.

He quite rightly states that he doesn't want AC Milan or Benfica as we are fed up playing them. Having a look at the pots, the perfect hot and cold balls draw would be Lyon, PSV and Cluj. But...I have a feeling we are due an English team and that team will be Arsenal along with Roma and Fenerbache.

To finish with this article from The Times, which asks whether Shunsuke Nakamura is a genius or over-rated. LoTW says genius.

Forza

Update: Why has this Madlung story appeared?, Steven Fletcher? and why is our manager watching Hartlepool v WBA this evening?

Thanks to Number 7 from KDS for the photo.