On to the second save of the challenge.
To win a treble just like real life.
This season celtic didn’t go undefeated, thank f#ck.
I lost only 4 games last season.
Looking at their real-life results, they drew a lot of games.
82 pts is doable to match or better.
There is a transfer ban in this challenge, so I’m only allowed to use the players already at the club at the start of the save.
There’s obviously been transfers in and out.
Top three, I’m pleased about.
First
Hopefully, the signing of Odsonne Édouard will bring competition to the position.
I felt like in the season before this one, celtic needed a striker to challenge dembele.
Second
Retaining Roberts on loan from Manchester City is a plus given that he was a key player in my starting 11 and bagged double figures from midfield.
Third.
Olivier Ntcham is a midfielder.
I am interested to see who he can challenge or where he will fit in.
What sinclair and roberts did in the last DB I’d be a fool not to try it again.
Rogic was outstanding, too. So I’d be tempted to partner the two of them.
As for the players out, there was a number of exits to long to list.
Notably
Kris Commons ends his contract and retires. Wasn’t in the team much in my last attempt. So, no loss.
Gary Mackay-Steven signs for Aberdeen. Same involvement as Kris Commons, so again no loss
emilio izaguirre – again, a fringe player.
No loss
Kolo Touré – retired
Massive blow to my defence.
This goes down as the only one I’m really gutted about as he formed a solid partnership that brought success to my double winning side.
Gone but taken a coaching role with celtic.
Enough of the history f#cking lesson.
It’s time to take a look at the team in the database.
Looks alright in position cover apart from left back.
Tierney is the obvious starter, but I’m worried about cover in this position.
Looking at the three highlighted earlier new arrivals.
1st – Odsonne Édouard
Doesn’t look anything amazing. He is still a youngster. But nonetheless, he will get game time if dembele needs a rest or injured.
2nd – Patrick Roberts
Nothing flashy from the season before. His standout performance as a threat from the previous DB, I’m willing to give him a runout to see if he’s any good.
3rd – Olivier Ntcham
I like this one. Rogic in this DB doesn’t look up to scratch. So I’m putting Ntcham straight in with a fresh looking MC pairing.
4th – Kolo Touré
As pointed out earlier, Kolo retired but joined the coaching staff.
One of the new signings I overlooked is this one.
I’m liking the fact that he’s either footed and operates as an attacking Left/Right.
Could well challenge Roberts or reliable cover when called on.
Notable also – Armstrong and Forrest have a little bit more about them than the last save. Interesting where they will slot in or command their starting presents.
Dembele still looks my first choice striker over Édouard.
In other news worth noting before the season begins.
Straight into my first game in charged and it’s a European game. Again, I’m not that fused as it’s a domestic treble challenge. However, I’d like to see how they get on against the elite.
The starting lineup I’ve gone for.
It’s pretty much a similar lineup from last season apart from the inclusion of new boy Ntcham and Lustig moving out to the DR position.
He was a regular at DC with Kolo, so Jozo and Erik will form the new defencive line.
Question mark on Roberts to steak a claim in a position he dominated in the previous DB.
Half time and Celtic lead thanks to Mr reliable.
Individual brilliant makes the difference. However, a few players look like they are putting in a shift, but to no surprise, and maybe I’m being picky – Roberts looks lost in the game.
Full-time
I’m happy to see old boys Sinclair and dembele pick up from where they left off. New signing Ntcham with a home debut goal and a man of the match award in a European game at that is very pleasing on the eye.
First game of the season.
Half-time. Managed to pull one back after going a goal down inside 20 minutes.
Can’t say I’m too happy with the scoreline given that they have had a few chances on target at that.
Straightaway, when I look at this page, I want to know how Roberts is playing, and to no surprise, I’m very disappointed.
McGregor is also not really performing. Don’t get me wrong, he’s put in the odd tackle. But he’s an MC with a forward arrow. I want to see passing/ completed, assists and the odd shot on.
On to the positives and Ntcham, the provider for dembele is carrying on his performance from last time out, looking sharp once again.
Full-time
I stuck with my instincts and subbed Roberts off for Forrest. Not much of an impact but out shone his counterpart.
McGregor, I waited till the 60th to sub off for Armstrong. However, he was injured 13 minutes in.
I debated over Britton and Hayes. The way I looked at it was Britton is a DMC, and Hayes is a AM winger really. The role vacent was an MC with a forward arrow, and the score at that time was 1-1.
It didn’t make sense to have a DMC running behind an FC. So I went with Hayes, and he scored. Now it’s left me thinking if I should drop Roberts or maybe it’s too soon.
A bore draw in the return leg against Rosenborg. But enough damage inflicted in the first leg to advance into the next round.
I gave a lot of fringe part players a runout. But I was forced to start Lustig, who out of all of them ended up getting injured ffs.
Into the next round and a comfortable win, but again, another injury picked up.
I’m starting to think European nights is a jinx.
Phil Neville is picking up a bargain. Could be a problem later on.
The injury picked up in Europe is a jinx, after all, as it’s a bad one.
Back to league action, and next up is Hearts. The team that makes me nervous playing against.
But today is my day as I take the early lead.
With Forrest out injured and the uncertainty and trust to play Roberts in that position. I’ve opted to start Hayes over him, and he’s doing alright.
A late scare at the end, but I managed to see the game out and take all 3 pts.
Happy with Hayes overall. It looked like he played a good first half, at least.
Draw for the Scottish league cup has been drawn. Dodged the big guns and got lucky with a division 3 team at that, too.
Almost got a scare in a league game.
With the scoreline at half time, I wasn’t very happy with a few players. So I played till the 60th and made a treble substitutions, which paid off. Hayes wasn’t cutting the mustard in front of goal and Dembele to, for that matter . So I gambled and brought Roberts and Édouard.
Both combined together to chalk out a win.
Armstrong for McGregor to me just looked like levelling up in midfield, and to be honest, paid off as he took a better defensive stance than his counterpart.
I gave Armstrong a runout in Europe with a B team style squad, and he produced a man of the match 10 rating. Giving me a good selection headache.
Teams Celtic will be playing in the European group stage.
League game, and it’s the Old firm derby.
At half time, it’s a draw, and I’m not happy given that we have had chances to go ahead.
However, I kept faith with Armstrong, and he’s the one doing his part because both attempts at goal have come from him.
Full-time
Got away with this one and reminded myself that I need to sort out a correct penalty taker.
Dembele looked lost in a big game, and i waited till the 60th to give him a chance. Édouard when came on looked like I should have made that decision earlier on.
Roberts, the yoyo man was having a stinker, so I dropped him early on. Not that Hayes made a difference.
I’m starting to miss Forrest and starting to think that maybe Griffiths can have a go in midfield??
Couldn’t do anything against Spurs.
Doesn’t make a difference what DB Roma is in. The hatred is always there. So I’m delighted with the win at the Stadio Olimpico, and a goal coming from my favourite player so far is always good.
The win didn’t inspire the team, however.
Half-time, and they are losing and lucky the score is what it is tbh.
I decided to give Griffiths a start, but it meant swapping sinclair about. Which I didn’t like doing.
Full-time, and I pulled one back, but the damage was already done.
Not happy with both Sinclair and Griffiths at half time. I decided to bring on Hayes.
Seen as how both were pretty average, I gambled on taking sinclair off.
To be fair to Griffiths he did improve.
That was my first league defeat, and notably, Aberdeen is playing just as well as us so far.
Scottish league cup time.
And it’s a tasty affair.
All the big names that are doing well in the team get on the scoresheet.
But my joy is not the goals, it’s seeing my favourite player getting not one, but four assists and a man of the match award too.
Quarter final draw for the Scottish league Cup
Manchester City come sniffing round for Dembele.
You can f#ck right off.
We get humiliation in Europe and then lose to Spurs despite leading at half time.
All Hoffenheim had to do was beat Roma, and Celtic we’re out.
It’s the game I’ve been waiting for in the league.
It ends in defeat after going a head early on as well.
It was an end to end game.
Aberdeen, the more clinical of finishers when the opportunities came, a knocking.
Manchester city not understanding no means no as they up their bid by 5 million.
He’s not helping by being bad ass upfront.
Literally two days after saying no.
Nice win in the new group stage of Europe.
Followed by heartache in the league.
I am starting to think the European campaign is starting to affect my domestic challenge.
Struggling to find the net against Motherwell.
Boyata isn’t performing, and Motherwell connecting with each shot on Target. I don’t want to take the risk of the next one going in, so I bring on Erik.
60th, and Erik is also struggling to defend. However, he has connected all his passes, which, after 20 less game time, then Boyata is an improvement. Whilst having a go at goal, too.
With Dembele, miss firing upfront. I decided to make some subs.
The tinkering paid off.
Édouard was clinical with both his shots being on target, resulting in a goal with fewer minutes on the pitch than Dembele.
At least it might stop Manchester City from snooping around him.
I threw Griffiths on to see if he might do something different, then sinclair.
Which was a gamble, really as he was playing okay.
Draw for the Scottish league cup semi-final.
Again, dodging a big gun.
Pressure is still on, though.
On to the league, and it’s an old firm derby.
One, I would very much like to forget.
The two subs combined again, but the game was already lost.
Probably should have made the striker swap earlier.
Sinclair is starting to be a letdown.
And Roberts not only did something decent for a change. He looked decent, too.
League wise, my form has dropped and needs more focus.
I do have a game in hand, but I’m sweating over every game and checking on Aberdeen results.
Random bit of news.
That’s Phil and Gary Neville now managing in Scotland.
I’ve got no words for this result.
F#cking joke.
Sinclair is now injured and a lengthy one.
I have been worried about him, but still. Griffiths ain’t cutting it, and Roberts, it’s too unpredictable if he wants to be bothered or not.
Getting closer to the January transfer window and Dembele is wanted by another premiership club this time round.
He’s not helping by being so damn good in front of goal.
Both wingbacks playing awesome.
Roberts is playing rubbish ( I don’t know why I play him) and Griffiths the super sub.
Again, I am starting to have mixed results.
In comes the bid from spurs. Despite me upping his value to scare suiters.
You can see why anyone would try.
I’m worried he might start to get upset.
So I offered him a new contract deal and accepted his terms.
Apart from his release clause.
Which cost an extra 2.9m on his signing on fee to seal the deal without the clause attached.
Another big loss with sinclair.
Going in against Hearts without three good players isn’t fun.
But we pull off a great result and scoreline against Hearts.
Forced into playing Roberts, and he actually did something.
I’m still chasing the league.
It’s the game in hand, and it has to be against Hibs of all people.
Done enough in the first half.
Lustig looked like he was struggling in the first half, so I replaced him with Erik.
The sub performed better, and I see as the key to stopping them from getting a third goal.
Happy days.
Spurs try again for the same money for some daft reason.
They even offered less upfront and applied the remaining balance onto the league apps????
Despite Dembele signing a new contract and knocking back offers, he seemed distracted against our next opponents.
Forcing me to sub him off at half time, which pays off as we were losing going into the second half and rescued by his counter part.
The win does put us on top of the league after chasing it for months.
More bad news strikes with Dembele banned, but Édouard has been reliable when called on.
Time to let him loose in the A team.
The draw for the Scottish cup is a nice one. They are playing well in division 1, so I ain’t taking any risks.
Hit with two more injuries.
Brown, the biggest loss to the team.
Édouard takes his chances in a rare start , and Bitten coming in for Brown gets a goal to cap off an impressive display at DMC.
It’s time for our cup game against Inverness.
Half-time and the damage is done.
Roberts is playing like his old self. Dembele back in the squad, but not taking his chances.
Full-time and no chances, but we have done enough to get us through to the next round.
Scottish cup draw and again done alright out of it.
Aberdeen is up next in the league. Need a win to start pulling away from them.
Gutted Dembele will not be playing, and an injury to my midfield has left me with a decision to make.
Early half-time lead inside the first 10 minutes.
Forrest the provider for both assists.
Full-time and a hatrick by Édouard holds any comeback from Aberdeen.
Leaving a nice gap between the two clubs.
Time for another old firm derby.
But first in other news. Another ex manchester United player is taking a vacant job in Scotland.
Half-time in the old firm, and it’s looking comfortable.
My two first choice MC are showing their qualities when going forward.
Six of the seven shots on Target have come from those, too.
Full-time, and what a win.
Ntcham had to complete his brace to match Armstrong.
Both took turns adding an assist to their names.
It’s the good kind of rivalry you need in a team.
Brought back to reality in the next game, ffs.
Would have thought they would have been on a high after the Derby game.
Took a knock for two players in that game with Rogic now out for a month.
But to be honest, he’s not in my MC plans.
And Liam, I only gave him a debut in a sunken ship
Not a Manchester United player taking another job in Scotland this time. But still a gillbig name joining the league.
Draw for the Scottish cup and another bullet dodged.
And we are leading in the first half.
Armstrong the hero on the day.
Forrest looked out of the game in the first half, and the score being what it was, I decided to gamble on Roberts.
I’ve lost my hero ffs.
Semi final time and never underestimate an underdog in a cup competition.
The hero may be banned in the coming games, so he’s making a claim while he can. Ntcham is enjoying the time together while it lasts. Until he gets himself injured before half time for f#ck sake.
One shot on and a goal for the home side shows they can be a threat in front of goal.
Full-time and Celtic are heading to the final.
Elgin city scored again to level the score, with their only shot on goal in the second half. I said they would be deadly at goal.
Roberts, again, was terrible in the game.
Britton carried on the defencive duties in MC, which Ntcham was doing so well on the first. half.
And so it begins. Rangers in a cup final.
Into the next cup competition and we are away to Hearts.
Comfortable at half-time again.
From the half time player rating. You can see the Hearts goalkeeper having a night to forget.
Hatrick hero for Dembele.
McGegor is performing well in place of the injured Ntcham.
Took the opitunity to take sinclair off and let Roberts have a runout.
First chance at a domestic trophy in an old firm derby at that.
Rangers take the lead only for it to be cancelled out by Dembele converting a penalty
Same as Elgin City’s game. Give them one chance, and they take it.
Forrest is coming off. Other than one or two defenders needing to connect some tackles. I’ve got no other concerns.
Full-time, and it’s the first domestic trophy completed.
Dembele
Hatrick hero once again
One cup is completed and playing well in the league. We now turn our attention to the Scottish cup.
Dembele the hero once again as Celtic looked to be going out of the competition.
Maybe I should have subbed Forrest off. But overall, they were doing enough at half-time to see out the game.
A lively goals galore would follow two days later. Confirming Celtic are champions.
The double achieved.
The semi-final replay of the Scottish cup.
Two games away to complete the treble.
Halftime, and it’s a bore draw. My opponent has seen a player sent off.
They have also had the better of me. Defending well and being clinical with their only chance.
I’m looking at my two AMC, and I think they need to come off.
Sinclair, with the only shot on Target, keeps him safe, lack of options from the bench, and going in against 10 men. I’ll role as is till the 60th.
I’m just about to move the mouse over the tactics page for the 60th minute, and Ntcham puts Cetic in front, thanks to his individual brilliants.
Dembele was close to being the casualty of substitutions and the obvious Roberts for Griffiths.
The remaining game to complete the treble.
But before we do, we get one more shot at Rangers
Half-time and Rangers take the lead before the whistle.
I see enough to play on. Maybe keep tabs on Roberts on the 60th.
Would be nice if Tierney would put in a tackle or two.
Rangers came out strong, so I had to act fast and not wait till the hour mark.
WTF is Gordon doing with a 4 rating. It’s the first time this season I’ve seen it so low.
Griffiths comes on to see if he can make a difference.
I gamble on taking Brown off as he’s on a yellow, and I see him getting sent off.
The damage was done too early on. It’s not the best way to end the campaign, leaving a sour taste.
Last game of the season and the missing trophy to complete the challenge.
Lightning strikes before kickoff.
Absolutely gutted, he will miss the final after what has been an amazing debut season.What a player Celtic has signed.
Half-time in the final and again went down early on in the game, but pulled one back before the whistle to offer a lifeline.
McGregor is doing okay in for Ntcham.
The defence is working, and Gordon is on the ball after that scare in the last game.Just need Dembele to convert his chances.
And they have done it.
Armstrong with a quick fire brace right before time securers the trophy.
Champions of the Scottish cup and domestic treble Challenge completed.
A lot of players performed brilliantly.
Think I got lucky with Tierney fitness being so good all season. I would have struggled to replace the position and his qualities.
The new boys, Ntcham and Édouard excelled.
Rogic and Roberts we’re a letdown, considering what he did in the last DB.
My player of the season.
On to the next one.
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