Celtic Chief Executive Michael Nicholson and Celtic Chief Financial Officer Chris Mackay in the directors box. Celtic v Hearts, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 07 December 2025. IMAGO photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock
OVERALL – 4/10 – Does anyone have MON on speed-dial? A worryingly punchless start to the reign of an eclectic, possibly eccentric, and ultimately loquaciously-baffling new Pope. Celtic started with decent verve, dominated, pressured, threatened to dissect and overwhelm them. But the intensity dissipated, then the players began to look a little bemused, leading to Captain Calmac engaging in a game of Rebound to see who got to call the shots on-field, after the tactics whiteboard simply spelled out ‘Mowbray’ in braille for the latter part of the game.
Sack the Board protest at Celtic v Hearts match on 7 December 2025. Photo IMAGO
We finished clueless and pointless in a stadium that was lifeless, many resigned to the grim realisation we’re back at square one with an unknown quantity trying to prove the job’s not too big or too alien for him to handle. Bang in the middle of a season where the title’s on the line and there’s a few pretenders to the throne showing up to take a swing at glory.
No pressure and no worries, then.
Aaaye…
Go Away Now
Sandman
GREEN FRIDAY SALE AT CELTIC STAR BOOKS NOW ON!
Green Friday Sale Now ON – All books shown now HALF PRICE at just £10 each!
Green Friday Sale Now on at Celtic Star Books, all books other than David Potter’s Celtic in the Eighties, are now HALF PRICE! Great Christmas Shopping bargains, choose from Celtic in the Thirties, volumes One and Two, Harry Hood – Twice as Good, Bould Bhoys – Glory to Their Name – The Story of Celtic’s First Title Win, Invincible, Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style, Majic Stan and the King of Japan – Gordon Strachan’s first season at Celtic and there are also a few remaining copies of Alec McNair – Celtic’s Icicle.
All these books shown below are now HALF PRICE at only a TENNER each and please note that you will only be charged postage on the first book in your order, so order two or more and get FREE postage on the second book onwards.
Shop now at Celticstarbooks.com and support the great historical writing from our authors on The Celtic Star. High quality hardback books and the best Celtic writers all in one place. Also if you are ordering any of Matt Corr’s books he’ll be happy to add a personal dedication, just ask in notes when ordering and Matt will do the rest!
Half Price Sale Now on – All these books now only £10. Click on image to order.
Frankly, I thought your marks were
generous, to put it mildly. Trusty was good, yes, but totally exposed. Game should have been over in twenty minutes but, again, the finishing was dire. Feels like back to square one. And as for that child’s toy, the manager had, is that a joke?
You could see that Wilfried ‘s previous experience was with an under-14 Girl’s team ; so yesterday’s display by Celtic should have given him glorious bouts of ,” Deja- vue” where he could hark-back to days gone-by :-
Second-best in almost every challenge , Hearts won almost every second ball , no running off the ball , players like:- Hetate , Negran and Engels having no stomach for the conditions . Players pulling-out of the challenge making Devlin of Hearts look like a “World-class player” . Yes, Wilfried you were back to watching your under-14 girls .
I hope that I am wrong but I can’t help but think that the chant by Christmas may be , ” Nancy , Nancy get to F*** ” and take your toy Tactics-board with you . Again , I hope I am wrong and yesterday’s conditions were more suited to ” Hammer-throwers ” than football players . Let’s hope on Thursday he puts men on the field rather than 14 year -old girls .