The Monday Morning View from the Gutter.

That was hardly the required warm up after a two-week break now was it?

Don’t get me wrong, to give Celtic and Rangers the weekend off prior to an important international game was a good idea on paper but how will it affect the two club teams in Europe?

This could be the footballing equivalent of borrowing from Peter to pay back Paul. Lets not ignore the facts here, when the Glasgow giants play the weekend prior to international matches Scotland get a result, when they don’t, they don’t!

Let’s hope this hasn’t affected Celtic’s build up to the Shakhtar match.

There were no signs that any of the players had been affected by the break in real training though as Celtic easily brushed aside a woeful Aberdeen side bereft of any talent whatsoever. Aiden McGeady continued his rich vein of form; passing the sheepie defenders with ease and continuing his scoring run with another fine 20 yarder.

It was nice to see both of our strikers get a goal. That should fill them full of confidence ahead of the Donetsk game.

Scott Brown also looked at his best with a trademark dynamic midfield performance, snarling his way all over the pitch and causing no end of problems for the Aberdeen players. It should also be noted that Lee Naylor had a fine game and we all hope he can start to replicate some of the performance we enjoyed from him last season.

Artur Boruc was notable only by his absence at the weekend. The goalie had to call-off at the eleventh hour due to a fungal infection in his foot that was causing him pain ever time he kicked a ball. Make sure you get that treated Artur, Mark Brown is an able deputy but we do not want to miss out on the services of the Holy Goalie due to Athletes Foot!

Paul Hartley also missed the game on Saturday with a viral infection. He is also expected to be fit in time for the Shakhtar game.

And then we shift our attention over to Falkirk. You wouldn’t think that a Rangers defender would commit a last man challenge in the box with the score at 1-0 only for the nearside linesman (standing all of 12 yards away) to declare that the player was offside would you? You also wouldn’t believe that the player was at least two yards onside would you?

And finally (John Craven CSC) I would like to draw your attention to Graham Spiers article in the Times this weekend. It is good to see a Scottish Journalist finally speak out against the ills of society who deem it acceptable to chant about child abuse as a point scoring exercise.

Yours in Celtic

Clydebuilt