Early days but evolution beats revolution

Beating a newly promoted side isn’t any indicator of great things to come even if the St Mirren side who visited Celtic Park had won their first two games.

But it is certain that games like these seem to assume a whole new significance when the result goes the wrong way.

Celtic were comfortable 2-0 winners over a Paisley team that just wasn’t able to step up the level necessary. Even so, the early indications are that there are far stronger candidates for relegation that the Saints.

As might be expected when the SPL champions play the First Division winners, Celtic were comfortable, if not scintillating throughout the match. There continue to be glimpses of the fast-moving, passing football Strachan seems to be looking for which can be impressive if, so far, not yet sustained for long periods.

The task of maintaining those levels would be enhanced immeasurably if Stillian Petrov was to stay, of course, and he was one of the best players on show again, finishing off the move of the match with a fine goal. The speed of passing and movement of the Celtic players bewildered the St Mirren defence and washed away any doubts brought about by a still questionable defence.

In fairness, Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell did little wrong and are entitled to credit when they help to shut out the opposition as they did yesterday. It is, though, no coincidence that Mark Wilson was again outstanding playing in his best position of right back.

There remain prophets of doom aplenty but, despite last week’s disappointment at Tynecastle, Celtic are easing into the season with growing confidence.

Meanwhile La Revolution stutters once more. Let’s be clear about one thing: Paul Le Guen has shown himself to be an excellent manager. That said, unless he can also pour wine from the trackside water bottles, he is unlikely to produce a championship-winning side with Rangers without some major new additions.

Celtic fans thought they had problems in defence? Rangers have yet to keep a clean sheet this season, having conceded four goals in their first three matches. Yes, it’s early days but Rangers could scarcely have asked for an easier opening to the season with Motherwell, Dundee United and Dunfermline three of the weakest teams seen so far.

They may well “raise their game” against Hearts next week but this is surely a fixture to keep Le Guen up at night. Hearts, of course, managed to drop two points to Falkirk yesterday but if they touch the levels reached against Celtic, look capable of outplaying, outmuscling and more importantly outscoring Rangers to make for very interesting times at Ibrox.

Vive la revolution.

Rangers, Airdrie and Falkirk fans travel to London to cause trouble

It was widely predicted that there would be crowd trouble when Celtic played Chelsea, largely due to the neo-fascist elements that have followed Chelsea for years. How sad that they should be joined by Scots - no doubt neo-fascist Scots - who seem intent on damaging Celtic's reputation driven only by hatred.

A report from a Chelsea fan site gives details:

http://chelsea.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=884&p=2&stid=8418965

"The Chelsea supporters were joined by others from Millwall, Glasgow Rangers, Airdrie Utd and Falkirk who were there to take part in trouble on a scale that had not been seen around Chelsea for many years."

"Following the game, the Fulham Rd was shut until 11.30 pm until Police were able to clear away the Chelsea supporters who had gathered to try to attack the Celtic fans. Under Police guidance, the visitors were escorted back to Fulham Broadway underground station.

"Although the Police had hoped to get the Celtic fans away quietly, they were kept busy as Chelsea supporters boarded trains at Parsons Green to try to get to the Hoops via the underground system, thereby evading the Police cordons that had blocked off the back roads leading to the Fulham Rd."

Celtc swoop - well swish - erm maybe hover about a bit looking interested

Diligence is good. Care is essential. To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail.

But, oh how tedious it is watching Celtic trudge through the transfer market.

Today the latest in a long line of left-backs has been mentioned, after Kadlec, Bridge, Naysmith and Petkov – probably a few others too. Lee Naylor from Wolves has apparently been the subject of “official interest” and Mick McCarthy has responded: “I would expect interest because Lee is a good player … but the other side of the coin is that he's only got one year left on his current contract."

That, of course, is manager speak for: “make us a decent offer and he’s yours”. And right now most Celtic fans would probably go for digging up one of Saddam’s defence team if it plugged a hole at left back and allowed Mark Wilson to move to where he belongs on the right.

But this whole practice is become incredibly boring. I admire Strachan’s thoroughness in researching alternative targets. I sympathise with anyone trying to compete with others who have far greater budgets and I respect Lawell’s insistence on not being pushed around. But, for the fans, sometimes it would be nice to just see the business getting done rather than wading through weeks of misinformed news.

So much for the wisdom of a guy who thought Chelsea would gub his team last night. We’ll take a 1-1 draw against the English champions in these times. Bring on Europe’s finest!

And, hopefully, with more cash. Sure, I buy into the idea that we should support other Scottish clubs, in principle. In practice, I subscribe to the other traditional stance – laughing at them while hoping AEK finish the job and provide Celtic with additional funds (in getting the full Scottish share of TV revenues) so that we can go watch players flood in at Christmas like so much molasses.