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Cavaliers and Roundheads. We have to regress ten days or so, to Thursday evening 26th November. It is match day 5 in the Europa Cup group stages. The Jolly Craicsters toting bags of swagger are abroad in Germany, playing Bayern Leverkusen. North Rhine-Westphalia was braced for an invasion of rainbow themed balaclavas atop olive drab puffer jackets. Reinforcing the Green Brigade bridgehead was the Pacific Quay spearhead of Liam McLeod and Pat Bonner. The Clydeside HQ was manned by Big Dick and Tom Anguish of Angst. No Celtic lament is complete without the Blarney Bhoys singing descant. Amid the pyro' smoke, the Irish and Palestinian flags waved, announcing the presence of a Scots club about to strut the very epitome of AngeBall. The arrogant parade was relentless in a stadium barely a third full. Liam and Pat chorused the irresistible nature of Sellik's play. At half time it was 1-1 and Big Dick began with, "wow, just wow". Juranovic had dinked the cheekiest of Panenka penalties to equalise and Big Dick overflowed, "they have never won in Germany, with such confidence that could change tonight". It got better just before the hour mark, the sublime Jota struck to put the Cavaliers 1-2 up. Confidence was coursing both on the field and on microphone. Teutonic efficiency was being effortlessly brushed aside, "it's the movement, it's the movement" hollered Pat. A Waffen SS armoured Division had been stopped in it's tracks by uni-cycling, plate spinning horde of green'n'grey sword-swallowing, ball jugglers. We were told ra Sellik support demanded such an approach to the game and, "Celtic are easy on the eye". The Ride of the Valkyries is a refrain, a constant menace intent upon spoiling the party; and the screaming reached a pitch twice in the last seven minutes. All agreed, it was exasperating, so unfair and, undeserved. The match finished 3-2 to Leverkusen and ra Sellik were out of the Europa Cup with a game left to play. Big Dick checked other Group G results and announced, "Celtic have secured European football in the New Year, they will now play in the Euro-Conference competition". Pat is a lovely man, he is only required by BBC Scotland to talk about ra Sellik, a unique designation. He does not cover other games and sometimes comes across as unworldly, "ah hope the Celtic supporters get a big, attractive name in the draw". Here's hoping Dagenham and Redbridge will suffice? Big Dick then hosted a three way discussion on the rarity of away wins in Europe for Scots teams and the inevitability of endings such as that evening's. The show must go on because another Scots club was participating in the same tournament that evening, the Rangers - Sparta Prague game kicked-off at 8 O'Clock. We were told Rangers could qualify on the evening if, and it was a big IF; Rangers won by two clear goals and Lyon defeated Bronby. As usual, there was NO live commentary, NO updates and, no real discussion. Half-time at Ibrox was 1-0 Rangers and Big Dick announced the score and scorer, then spent the entire 15 minute break discussing Scotland's possible opponents in the next day's World Cup qualifiers draw. The match ended 2-0 Rangers and Lyon scored 3 in the last 20 minutes to defeat the Danes. Big Dick dolefully announced, "Rangers have qualified for the next round of the Europa League". There was no mention of the improved national coefficient, no mention of Rangers position in Europe rising from 216th to 41st in three years, no mention of Rangers Youths already managing two of those Hens teeth away wins in Europe this season, no mention ........................... Ah, life as a Roundhead?

He is highly rated by the Utd fans but not sure how serious our interest is (if any at all).

Great 3 points yesterday. Felt like an old school routine 3-0 home win from the good old days when we were racking up trophies. Aribo is really developing into a player with a final product to back up everything else he offers. Manager got the midfield spot on yesterday. Sakala looked a constant threat. Needs more composure in front of goal and he will really take his game to the next level. I have no idea how the wee skinny fat guy was not sent off. The referee needs to call the game as he sees it and not with some kind of context he clearly applied. That's the only reason I can think of for the boy not walking. In fact I have no idea what their manager was thinking involving him, he comes with too much baggage V us and doesn't offer anything on the park.

A very comprehensive and fair thread on Twitter here from Swiss Ramble (not a Celtic supporter...)

I think the people at Sky must assume the large volume of Scottish subscribers pay for the premiership and championship and just watch the SPFL stuff because its on. The complete contempt Sky have for our game is unreal. The end to end product they put together is so half hearted compared to the EPL. No studio analysis with tactics and graphics and visuals etc. No touch screen (although that's style over substance) and on some occasions no post match. Just cut to the next game if an EPL or championship game is on. They barely advertise or market our game during the EPL or championship content either IMO.

We all know and ageee with that but the record books and compliant media in Scotland would have pushed a completely different narrative. SG and his team didn't just stop 10, they obliterated it and for that we should remain eternally grateful (I know I will)

The Compliance still seems to exist but it takes a tackle on a Sceptic player to bring him/her out of hibernation. Maybe whoever it is will deal retrospectively with all that has gone on before especially Sceptic's entry for the Olympic diving.

Special mention for Goldson also. As much as he has been poor of late, I feel he has been very harshly criticised in some quarters. He has enough credit in the bank for what he's done for us. Football is too bloody black and white these days IMO.

Scottish footballs that strong a product it attracts peanuts in sponsorship money

I was thinking of it as a spectacle, and comparing it to the Leagues (Poland and Belgium) above us in terms of TV deal. I, as an enthusiastic and passionate football fan (excluding my Rangers allegiance), would be excited to watch a top six clash in Belgium, and maybe a top clash in Poland. A top six clash from Scotland, say an Edinburgh Derby, which is traditionally a big game, I could not be less interested in. It's mostly because of the style of football on show.

Sort of but if it were a conglomerate there would be a lot of winding up, merging and demerging to allow the main actors to flourish. But you can’t do that with football so,no, in Scotland it’s not a strong product as confirmed by the market.

Douglas Park saying, "[Scottish Football] is a strong product..." Is it really, though?

Voted Goldson after all his criticism on here he never put a head/foot wrong.

I voted for Aribo he had a good game on Saturday

It's strange that Aribo has been 'released' as a #8, considering he was playing as a #10 before. A bit more freedom, arriving later and being able to work off the creativity of others rather than needing to produce himself?

worth noting Dundee were in good form going into yesterday.

A very good team performance with a few players who I noted as playing well. Has to be Aribo again for MotM - whilst he was maybe a bit more fortunate with his finishing than others, he again played the free role well and was at the heart of most of our good play. He really has added consistency to his game this season - if we can add better decision-making and quicker passing then there's no limit to what he can achieve. I also felt Barisic and Morelos had better games - though the latter's finishing was disappointing in the first half. Sakala was also guilty of dragging his shots but was a threat throughout and only a fine performance from the Dundee 'keeper stopped him scoring.

The compliance officer role is due to the influence they continue to have within the SFA. Some incidents are selected similar other ones ignored. Kyogo should have been cited by now for his antics but hasn’t.Fairly obvious why.

I voted for Sakala, just all round awesome. Had he scored, I think he’d have been the popular MOTM vote. I like the partnership with Morelos, two complete opposites, but I could also get excited by a Roofe-Sakala duo.

I think they give womens football more air time than scottish football

No doubt. Rangers is a strong product. Scottish Football isn’t.

Agree with this. Aribo the standout. I thought Alfredo's all round game was decent, but he seems out of form in the final third, although he is getting into better positions, even if he is snatching a little when trying to get shots away. Barisic looked more comfortable with not being asked to fill in as a winger. Felt he got his starting positions much better, and was less exposed on the transition where I've felt it left him stretching to get back at times, and then failing to stop crosses. In turn that meant he seemed more confident/aggressive, and hardly gave his man a sniff. Was really impressed with Sakala off the left. A more than adequate backup to Kent, and you can see the team getting used to how best to use his pace.

Aribo but loved watching Sakala's runs.

Yes, he did have a chance and hit the post via a deflection from goldson. Hard to tell if the original shot was going anywhere near the goal. And he shouldn't have still been on the park at that point either..

last time i saw our viewing figures for sky they were really good.

I think Barisic is suiting not being as offensive, where there is less onus on him creating; he's also deeper, so he's in a better position to defend.

Yes completely unfair to us not sending him off just because the game was over. We could have scored a goal that won us the league or worse he could have scored one that lost us it.

Aribo was superb and he is developing as a real threat.

Yes, and Dundee United were in very poor form. They were on fire when we played them.

The law applies only to us. Not to them. welcome to SNP Scotland 2021. A dangerous wee place.

Where have I stuck my head in the sand? I want the 1st team squad to be the best we can afford without putting us in financial trouble. You contradict yourself - the only way to get annual CL money is to be better than Celtic. If we aren't, we won't win the league so don't understand your arguement. Admitting we are miles away from being CL material isn't sticking head in sand, it's being realistic. Understanding the restraints we are working under whilst trying to be the best we can be isn't sticking my head in the sand, it's being realistic. We have progressed every year since SG was appointed and have gotten European football on a yearly basis. We won the league last year gaining record points for us and blowing so many other records out the water. We were never going to repeat that, that's not sticking my head in the sand, it's being realistic. I said when Gio was being touted as the new manager that this may turn out to be an upgrade. How's that sticking my head in the sand? As a fan its easy to criticise in fact in this age of social media it's almost a prerequisite. We want everything and we want it now. To win every game, to win it 4 or 5 nil, to win every cup including the CL. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. That's not sticking my head in the sand, it's being realistic. As my old Granddad used to say, you can only pee with the Willy you've got (well that's the cleaned up version).

As always with playing staff, there will be a regular turnover. There's no way there'll be wholesale changes in January or next Summer. We'll sell some, keep some and bring new players in. We've looked good under GvB. Calm heads and patience are required, albeit the last one is always in short supply amongst our support. We've won four in a row, are top of the league and have qualified for EL knock out rounds again.

And a new manager does this too

There are plenty occasions when he defend like a winger too. Excellent in attack, average at best in defence.

Bears moaning and arguing after four wins in a row. Some things never change.

Most ludicrous thing I've read on a forum in years (and that's saying something). Have you even watched us over the last 2 or 3 season? Or listened to players and managers (including Patterson) saying how Tav is a huge influence and a leader.

Sorry, I'am not of the Tavernier fan-club nor do I see him as irreplacable. Reasons for my idea are given above. And BTW, Tav has had rotten games and yet came away with the odd assist to paper over the rest of his performance. You know that as well as I do. He`s doing well as an auxilliary winger and works his socks off, no doubt. But there is no reason to suggest that a real winger wouldn't get the same amount of assists and goals, nor that Patterson is de facto incapable of matching Tav`s return in the offensive department - given that Patterson is actually a converted right-winger.

Hmmm maybe I'd give tav a rest and give the best prospect Scotland has seen in a long time a game. Not rocket science mate. And for what it's worth I'd play Patterson over tav every week as I consider him to be a better player.

If Gio can "drop" Kent and Davis to reduce their workload, so too can we "drop" Tavernier. There is no indication that Patterson cannot defend "any worse" than Tav nor cross and attack like the Tav. So why not give the lad a a chance in games such like yesterday? All Premiership sides know how what Tav will do and how he plays and how to get him caught out. Why not mix that up with a different player ... who - in addition - has Patterson`s ability?! NB: Was it just me or did Muir blow the whistle after exactly 93. mins when he gave 4 mins of extra time?

Guaranteed 5-0 win for Nonce FC now you've posted that.

Agreed. I really feel that Ross Wilson will be our best piece of business over the last few years. He is an impressive individual.

Dropping Kent and Davis was fairly bold management, and it worked so credit for that. Also thought it was interesting he left Morelos on after he was booked and the game was won. I can't decide if GVB simply doesn't know his past and how he's refereed differently to others or if he simply has more faith in his professionalism than I do. That was a Dundee side in good form going into the match made to look very poor. I can't claim to be a master tactician but even I can spot the difference in what's expected from our full backs since GVB took control. So much of our attacking play under Gerrard came from our full-backs, they were often our furthest forward players. I felt other clubs were starting to nullify that threat more, they'd figured out how to play us. The last couple of matches has seen a subtle change there, with Tav and Barasic still venturing forward but not all the time and as an addition to the attack, not its mainstay. So far it's worked, I think both Livi and Dundee would have caused us more problems had Gerrard still been in charge, we were huffing and puffing against those types of sides earlier in the season. Interestingly I think Barasic has benefited from this change, but Tav seems more subdued. Everyone played well but I thought Arfield was man of the match. I felt he worked exceptionally hard and his running and attacking created space for others to exploit. That said another 3 or 4 were also excellent so I've no complaints with Aribo winning the official award. A 1-0 win for Dundee Utd today would see us go level on goal difference with the team in second place, it seems only a few weeks ago they were miles ahead on that measurement. Overall you have to give enormous credit to the board and Ross Wilson as well as to Gio and his staff and indeed the players, for the almost seamless transition of management team. I'm not sure all of us fully appreciate how seismic our entire first team management team walking out on mass must have been.

Maybe we keep this thread on the transfer rumours track? OUT - Joe Aribo - Crystal Palace / Brentford / Watford - LINK (30 Nov) IN - Xavi Simons - Barcelona - dismissed LINK

Magnificent? He was a tryer - he gave 110% every time he pulled on a blue jersey. He didnt score many goals and his crossing accuracy left a lot to be desired. Not too good for a wide player!