The Boateng Banter

The "Holy Ground"

Well, that's us went a week wieoot fitba of any sort. No feasting on the UEFA Site of the stats that Spain commited the most fouls in Euro 2008 but they also had the most shots on goal. I think we all agree that they were worthy winners of the best tourney since the last one.

So, when Mrs LOTW stated that she wanted to go to "The Forge" shopping the chance to wing doon the London Road and have a look at the "Holy Ground" was to much to resist. The auld ground was deserted apart from two giant posters drapped from the facade of the main stand wie Skippy and Mick staring oot urging us to "Go For Gold" in attempt to get me in to buy the new away kit.

It got me thinking as well. Why is Celtic Park called the "Holy Ground".The Kerrydale Street Wiki couldnae gie me the answer and I really think I need to brush up on ma Celtic history reading. I remember when I used to read every book oot but then lager, wimin and take aways got in the road. On holiday next week require reading material. Any suggestions?

Anyway, Mrs LOTW wanted to go doon the Gallowgate to a shop and I was glad of that as well. The place were guys don't have devil dugs but devil wimin looked great wie awe the champions flags fluttering in the wind. Hell, even the drunks looked guid.

I now can't wait for the season to start.

I wonder if we will have any new players for oor first game next Friday against the Saints Of Southampton? Will George Boateng be one?

Fuck knows as his agent Barry Silkman (who was Ray Wistones body double for the pool scene in "Sexy Beast") has said...

"Things are dictated by what Celtic do. If Middlesbrough get an offer from them we'll talk, but right now he's staying in England."

While another paper has the player has the player taking to tour of Lennoxtoon and looking at pads in Newton Mearns. A view that is backed up by LOTW's Celtic Mole, no, not the one that was looking for Kenny Millers Y-Fronts last season.

Truth here, cairds on the table. If we are interested in Boetang, which I think we are, then if he is even considering moving to Hull then we should walk away. That just shows a player looking for a last payday. Why, would we be wanting another highly paid bench warmer, along wie Balde and Gravesan, when we have Paul Hartley to play that role?

I'm quite happy if this one gets proved to be bullkeech or we walk away and leave Boetang to a relegation battle. Yes, we need a midfielder that is as hard as Naomi Campbell on a BA flight but one that is better than the current midfield pairing of Robson and Hartley.

So the season really begins next week. A Friday night game for the Claus Lundekvan testimonial. A game that The Saints Of Southampton are pushing to their fans. According to this 6000 Hoops will attend and this will be a record away attendance for The Saints new stadium.

I wonder if the 6000 Hoops are turning oot to see Matt Le Tissier as oor record in pre-season games under GS has been terrible wie last seasons 4-1 defeat to The Barcodes Of The Toon being a particular blot on that record. Matt says.....

"I did not want to take any of the spotlight away from Claus as wie the game being at night and the size of ma arse it may block oot the floodlights but I'm very grateful that it's daylight in the first half and I will get the chance to play at St Marys."

Celtic's record under GS in pre-season is this P19 W5 D7 L7.

A record that proves that we no longer treat pre-season games as competitive. I would hope that the FACT that oor pre-season this season has 6 games oot of 8 against English / Welsh oppenents would mean that we should treat them wie a bit more oommphh.

I remember we used to have a great record against English teams in these type of games. Now, we treat them as glorified training sessions, which robs the fans that pay guid money to go to these things.

Wie 6000 in Southampton, the same at Fulham and an expected 10,000 in the Algarve we should hope the players try a leg. The double heider next week should see us win both games. I don't hold oot much hope but it's only pre-season.

Forza