craig

Fleck is out injured, although in saying that I doubt he would be getting a chance even if he werent.

Why not Frankie ? The simple fact is that the officials are there to apply the laws of the game. They got it wrong again and we drop points again. I see what you are saying but, at the end of the day, we have scored two legitimate goals in two games and both have been chalked off, WRONGLY. A wrong decision is a wrong decision. I also don't think it is a case of "relying" on officials - surely it is simply a case of expecting the officials to apply the laws correctly. Walter doesn't need to go back to last season to look at the imbalance in decisions. Celtic got a non-penalty in the opening game, Utd then had TWO penalties denied in the next game and they have been the beneficiaries of multiple decisions this season. Maybe I am just frustrated but the number of decisions which have gone FOR Celtic and AGAINST Rangers has already made a HUGE difference in the standings. We should be 4 points better off whilst they should be AT LEAST 4 points worse off. Sorry but the standard of officiating is going to cost us the league as much as our inconsistency.

Seems 'Arry has Spurs performing the way they should be, hosing Liverpool 3-0 albeit Liverpool playing with a much inferior team than normal.

Letizi - awful signing. Sebo - awful signing. Sionko - could have been decent, never showed it at Rangers. Svensson - not suited to the Scottish game. Failure at Rangers. Clement - he was a decent signing I felt - happier to see Thomson at Rangers though. Papac - the only one that has turned out decent and you know what - even he didnt look that good during PLG's reign - it is only since WS came back that he has shone.

Selling Thomson would be criminal IMO. Sure, he will struggle to get into the line-up when BF and Mendes are there but both of them are at the back-end of their careers whilst KT is at the start of his. If we keep Edu and sell Thomson I would be deeply disappointed - not because I dislike Edu but KT has proven that he does a very good job in the centre of the park - he does all the dirty work allowing a more creative player beside him to get the plaudits.

We must have watched different games ricky - I didnt think the Celtic performance was much to write about at all.

Frankie, another reason that I can see them not finishing second is that if they lose to Aalborg they will be out in 4th, right ? draw and loss to next team (should they beat Villareal last game and Aalborg lose to Man U) means they have the worse head to head. So there is every chance that they go to Denmark and look for the draw that would, probably, give them 3rd place (they have a superior goal difference to Aalborg I think right now). I can't see them going to Denmark for the win and that is exactly what they need to qualify. I just see them going to secure a draw to stay in the UEFA and, if they are lucky, snatch a win - but Aalborg will be no mugs themselves.

I am not sure I agree although they do certainly have a chance. Aalborg away from home won't be easy for them. Villareal at home wont be easy either - in order to qualify they would have to beat Villareal at Parkhead and I am not sure that they are a team made to chase a win - especially against a very good Spanish opposition who can hurt you on the break. Now you have me worried Frankie !

To be fair you should also mention their 4-1 was with two dodgy goals against them. That said, I thought their brand of football was certainly no better than we were pilloried for last year. What is the reaction back home?

Given that if Celtic win their next CL game against Aalborg they will ensure they at least go into the UEFA Cup and survive beyond Xmas what does everyone want to happen ? The answer would normally be obvious but if they remain in Europe then the additional games could very well help our cause in the league. Thoughts ?

I agree but I made a couple of points. One being Man U deserved at least a draw and the 2nd being that they played Celtic off the park. Possession counts in #2 and they did have more opportunities than Celtic so I think that would prove #1.

The Tims still have to come to Ibrox. A win and identical results between times sees us sit atop the league. We have had some of the trickier away games thus far and I think that they have had a slightly easier start plus they have had more home games than us (Ok only 1 but still...). Factor in that but for some very poor refereeing decisions early doors they could have been looking at about 2 points from 9 or 12. They are not invincible by any stretch. I don't even think they are that good a team. When they score early they seem to know how to hold that lead - they aren't really being put under great pressure. It is a long season and points WILL be dropped by both teams. I am still quietly confident that we will drop fewer points than them but consistency does remain a concern. Till the Utd game we had conceded 7 goals in 10 games which is actually reasonably impressive.

Man U deserved at least a draw. Which part of that do you contend ?

I am not sure he did make a mistake. IMO he was resting them for the game at the Emirates on Saturday. You are right that they had all the possession and didn't force Boruc into any saves, but the same could be said of Ben Foster. Man U had all the play and possession but wanted one touch too many at times. Man U deserved AT LEAST a draw.

I thought Man U outplayed them the whole game to be honest. They just never made the pressure count with chances. Celtic had, from what I saw, one chance and took it.

The guy posting ? Or the Celtic performance tonight ?

How can a team get pumped 1-1 ?? Just Celtic tonight - Man U pissed all over them !

Oh man. They then ask him to do similar for the Man U line up. Take a look at that one too. He should be a comedian - he is genuinely "piss yourself" funny !

Gav, take a look at his team selection for Celtic tonight on that same thread - a couple of posts lower - HILARIOUS !

Just read it - good riposte from Pulis. Rightfully so. Wenger was stupid with his comments. Still, I just don't get why his comments should have people (you know who you are...... JON !!!) hating Arsenal. Despair of his statements but without coaches like Wenger - from an entertainment perspective on the park, the game would be much more dull.

But just how long do we keep the faith UCF ? Until he has cost us another 10 points and effectively cost us the league ? We have only lost 10 goals in the league this year (9 of which were put past McGregor)and when I look at our results I have to say that I think McGregor could be blamed for (Aberdeen away, Killie at home partially to blame, Nakamura's goal at Parkhead (he moved across the wall before he should have), St Mirren (poor positioning), Hamilton away, and at least one last night). So from 9 goals put past him he has at least partial blame for at least 6 if not 7 of those goals. The only ones he escapes blame from (in my opinion of course) is the 1st Celtic goal which was poor defending (by a few players - Weir, Papac, Thomson for giving the ball away) and one last night. Now, I am not for one second saying Alexander wouldnt have lost some of those goals too but when I look at our results in the league this season I struggle to agree that "the defence have had its fair share of mistakes leading to goals". When you lose 9 goals in the league and your keeper can be at least partially blamed for 7 of them then, in my opinion, change is warranted. Of those goals where I personally lay partial blame on him it has cost us 5 points thus far. On the flip side of that he did save us 2 points with his penalty save at Falkirk. But if he remains between the sticks he should NOT have any leeway for mistakes because he is contributing to us losing points.

YES for me.

Have to admit.... his comments Re Stoke players were cringeworthy.

But that is the thing cal - it ISNT just one game. Looking back over the last few games..... 1. Seemingly at fault for at least one goal last night 2. Away to Accies was at fault for their goal IMO - the ball hit the back post about 2 yards from goal and he never came to claim it - should never happen. 3. Away to St Mirren I thought his positioning for their goal was particularly poor. In fact, if you look over the course of the season to date McGregor has had more poor games than good. I also blame him, at least in part, for Aberdeen's goal up at Pittodrie (same type of goal as away to Accies) He was dropped for whetever reason earlier in the season and, going on your premise that someone should only be dropped after 2 or 3 bad games (which is a decent enough yardstick for me), then Alexander shouldn't have been dropped to allow McGregor back in as Alexander had been performing well in his stead. In fact, if we go on that basis then Alexander should have been out starting keeper this season because he performed admirably at the tail end of last season too. Time to drop McGregor IMO.

Coming from the guy that mumps and moans whenever Arsenal get a goal. Pot, kettle, black.....