smpar

I’m not buying this at all. It’s extremely lazy in itself to suggest that players are “lazy” and “disinterested” just because he isn’t running around frantically for the entire game. From the games I’ve seen, Nisbet has covered a tremendous amount of ground, so much so that he’s only lasted 65 minutes or so, and that’s not to criticise his fitness - he’s just a very hardworking player. I wasn’t at Arbroath, but if it is the case that Nisbet isn’t knocking his pan in for the entire match, maybe Crawford is telling him to take it a bit easier because we’re not winning games in the first half like he’d hoped.

Not quite time for panic stations yet but 0 wins out of 4 is poor. Football fans being football fans, Crawford and the players will be under pressure very soon unless performances and results change.

Scully Comrie Ashcroft Murray Martin Thomson Turner Cochrane Dow Coley Nisbet

Two potentially fantastic signings. I’m particularly excited by Cochrane. Can’t really remember how McDonald got on at ICT.

That thought makes my arsehole tickle a little bit. I actually had a dream about that the other week. I've never been so disappointed to wake up before.

Stuart Morrison. Young lad, probably still 18? This season is his first crack at first team football after a promising couple of seasons in the u20s and reserves. He has a lot to learn but I think he’ll improve under Greg Shields. Saying that, he left Celtic Park last weekend with a £7m striker in his back pocket, so the ability is there.

That Ryan Dow chants has to be one of the catchiest I’ve heard at the football. Fucking fair play to whoever thought that one up. Wouldn’t be surprised if it was a certain poster on here.

My star men for the Celtic game: Martin Beadling Scully

Aye, reckless and endangering an opponent is the rule(s) I’m sure. I swear he started reaching for a card but changed his mind to not even giving a foul at all.

I said at the the time that the linesman must be ridiculously naive to think that 6ft 4 Ajer couldn’t stay on his feet there, up against wee Josh Coley.

It’s incredible how much progress he has made. In every close season I haven’t been fussed whether he’s had his contract renewed or not, and on Saturday he was absolutely phenomenal. He’s made a great start to the season and it’d be great for him to keep this form.

So much credit has to go to the overall discipline of our players today. Nobody caught out of position, ball-watching, losing their man or making rash decisions. That’s quite remarkable considering players like Martin and Ashcroft in particular have previous for making some poor decisions with diving in unnecessarily etc.

Thanks, Peter. All aboard the good ship Albion.

Anyone recommend a decent boozer for away fans going to Celtic Park?

I didn’t realise every goal scored after the use of an arm would be disallowed. Absolutely ridiculous rule. I also feel sorry for the referees, they’re probably going to get a lot more dog’s abuse than they already receive for a rule that doesn’t make any logical sense. The previous handball rule wasn’t completely perfect, but it really wasn’t far off it. The new rule, along with VAR, is deeply damaging to the excitement of the sport itself. I’m just glad Scottish football is miles away from having the money and the technology to implement it.

Ashcroft will almost certainly get sent off after getting caught the wrong side of Griffiths. I think the message should be to stay on their toes, don't make stupid mistakes and don't lose concentration. It's going to be a hard enough game as it is without gifting them 3 or 4 goals with slack passes and being caught ball watching.

Hope he does well. He can be very frustrating to watch but he can also be exciting to watch with good movement, delicate touches on the ball and the ability to beat the defender with a bit of skill. He may *need* someone like Dobbie alongside him a lot of the time though.

Tbf you’re probably not far off the mark with that, now that I look at the squad lists. There’s probably a case to be made for Jordan Marshall being slightly better, but LM has a far better game than him on Friday.

Who’s made that claim? It’s just fair to give credit to Martin for improving his overall performance so much. As I said earlier, not many players seem to do that after nearly an entire season out injured.

Play 5 competitive games in August?

Nisbet Dow Martin Martin has turned into a bit of an illusion for defending opponents; he sometimes looks very uncertain about himself going forward and that he wants to do anything *but* take on the fullback, but he’s done it with such ease in the first few games this season. Gliding passed Cammy Kerr, sticking the ball through his legs in the process, was glorious to watch. Fair play to the boy, not many come back from such a lengthy absence as improved as he has been, and on several occasions I’ve been one of the first to want anyone else at left back.

You’re at it. He was fucking gubbins last season.

Equivalent of starting at 8:30am for a 3pm kick-off. Nothing but respect for you.

He only came on on the 88th minute against Edinburgh.

McCann has played out wide on the left a few times so he’s definitely an option if needed. He came on for Coley against Edinburgh City and played just as well.