Comments on: 3 reasons why Celtic not only have to win, but will win tonight!

By: seb@insideleft.net

seb@insideleft.net — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:50:45 +0000

Hi Karun, I was wondering when you’d be back . I’ll be honest, I didn’t see the game, so I can’t comment on the goals etc, but the result is probably not that much of a surprise.

As for Scottish football, yes, it’s not in great shape – financially or even sportingly. Our national side is not doing too well and our club sides have been disappointing for a long time in Europe. There’s a lot that needs to be changed, and a lot of money is needed.

It’s easy to be down on Scottish football, to criticize it and make it out as a crap league, but at the same time, while my team (aberdeen) is playing, while there’s a competition to play for, I can live without the star players, or the money or the advertising – as long as the team exists, i’m happy.

This article was an attempt at being upbeat and positive, not just about Celtic, for whom I care little, but also about Scotland and Scottish football in general, for which I care a great deal more.

I’ve added you to the links page, under ‘Others’.. you’re amongst other Arsenal sites!

By: Karun

Karun — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:37:34 +0000

I completely understand that you have to be optimistic, but to some limit, you also have to be sensible and realistic. For example, I am optimistic that Wolves will win the Premier League this season, but I have to be realistic. There has to be a balance between the two things, optimism nad realism.

Anyway, Scottish football has a long way to go. I dont know much about it, but what I do know is that it is not very popular globally. I think star players need to come in, who attract fans from around the globe. More advertising would be effective, something like what the Premier League has done. I cant watch television for half an hour here in India, without being made aware of the matches coming up. Another reason would be that the SPL is known mostly for two teams, Rangers and Celtic. If you ask any football fan who does not follow Scottish football, what is impression is of Scottish football, he would simply say, ” Oh Scotland, it is all about those two clubs Rangers and umm Celtic right? Ya, and they keep fighting, all the time, and err also that Celtic is always drawn against Man United in the Champions League Group Stage” No one really knows about the Dundees and the Aberdeens.

As for yesterday’s match, Arsenal had dominated, and did deserve those two goals. You might call the first goal luck, as Gallas was not even trying to strike the ball, but he wanted to dodge it, so that was luck, but the second I think was a good cross by Clichy, and Caldwell was under a lot of pressure there, so he messed up. You cannot say that they were lucky, what you can say, is that Celtic’s captain did not handle the situation properly.

And thanks for adding my sit e to your Links page. I have not seen it yet, so just tell me when you put it.

Thanks and Good Luck for the future of Scottish Football!

By: scotzine

scotzine — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:01:10 +0000

Two lucky goals for Arsenal have all but ended Celtic’s chances of progressing. At least Wenger noticed that both were lucky.

Ref protected Arsenal players to a tee, four handballs by Song and one blatantly deliberate just in fron of the ref. Not booked at all. Tackles made by Celtic players were pulled up and player booked. Same tackle perpetrated by Arsenal players or worse were played on and not given to Celtic not even a talking too.

Certainly not the white wash that many were expecting and at least restored some pride in our game, despite the defeat. Also great to see that the multi millionaires of ARsenal decide to die and cheat through the game as they were frustrated at Celtic during the first half. I guess thats wht SKy Sports millions does for a team….

By: Seb@InsideLeft.net

Seb@InsideLeft.net — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:45:37 +0000

Hi Karum, thanks for spotting that deliberate error! I’ve updated the article.

As for optimistic, as a Scottish football fan you have to be – there’s been so much misery of late. Arsenal are a great side, and over the two legs they’ll probably win, hence the Highbury/Emirates comment, but I genuinely believe Celtic might get a result tonight. Home crowd, good start to their league campaign (against my team Aberdeen) and that away win in Moscow, not to mention a good manager will do their confidence a lot of good.

I’ll add your site to our link list!

By: Karun

Karun — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:37:13 +0000

I see you are very enthusiastic, and er… optimistic? And not updated.
Dont see any reason why you are enthusiastic. You are playing The Arsenal , are you aware of that? Celtic have lost 3 out of their last 5 matches, including losses to Dinamo Moscow, Manchester City, and worst of all, Sunderland. With performances like this, sorry, but I really dont see Celtic with much of a chance in this tie.

Optimistic you are very much,I see no way how Arsenal will get beaten today. By the way, Arsenal plays at the Emirates now, not at Highbury.

Last thing, the statistics are not very convincing. You are talking about Celtic having a good record against the English in Europe, is Arsenal included in that list, I dont think so. And, you are talking about things which happened in 1966 and 1970 and all the rest. We need to talk about form, not in the past year, but in the past few weeks. Arsenal just thumped in 6 against at the ground of a team that finished just 1 place below them last season. Today, maybe Celtic gets a goal or two, but the second leg will be different. See my preview on my blog arsenalians.blogspot.com, and look at the recent form section. My prediction: Today, Celtic 1-2 Arsenal, Return leg at the Emirates, Arsenal 2-0 Celtic.

Otherwise, good website.
Cheers and good luck!