 Monday, December 26, 2005
Celtic 2-1 Livingston
Scottish Premier League
Monday 26 December 2005
Match Report by Kano.
It was a strange start to the day with a power cut to keep every body waiting for an extra 50 minutes before both the Roy Keane introduction and kick off.
The game began with Ross Wallace playing well forward and Stephen McManus appearing to slip in behind him for cover, but this was once again to be exposed, with huge gaps behind Wallace being exploited at times by Livingston's attack.
Referee Mr Underhill was soon to be the main talking point of the game. Petrov intercepted in midfield, eventually the ball found it's way into Maloney in the box who was unceremoniously thumped from behind only for the aforementioned Underhill to wave play on to howls from most of the Celtic players and all of the fans for the blatant penalty that everybody seen apart from the referee.
Shaun Maloney and John Hartson began well, with the latter holding up superbly and Maloney darting about like he had been until recently.
A good move between them ended with Hartson completely mis-kicking in front of goal.
After ten minutes, Livingston reminded us there was two teams on the park, when Wallace lost possession for Paul Dalglish to get in a shot which was deflected wide by an alert Boruc.
The rest of the first half saw some nice play from Celtic with Nakamura showing his chasing qualities on quite a few occasions. Maloney, McGeady and Hartson looked ‘up for it’. The Livingston goalkeeper had a few saves from McGeady, Hartson and Maloney, but to be honest they were all shots he would have been expected to save. Hartson also completely missed the ball when attempting a header from about six yards.
After 38 minutes McGeady came dancing in from the left, laid the ball into Maloney and Shaun Maloney was upended once again in the box. This time Underhill blew for a penalty. Maloney dusted himself down and duly smacked it high into the net at the 'keepers right, 1-0 Celtic and the way we were playing it looked like the first of a few.
Maloney had another two good chances before the half time whistle, once blazing over the bar and the other forcing a good stop from the Livinston 'keeper.
Half time and looking good for the second half.
I don't know what happened at half time, but we looked disjointed after the restart. Few passes going astray and Livingston coming into the game a bit more, all a bit messy and tardy. Then it comes - 15 minutes into the second half and Bobo decides to liven things up a bit by standing statue like in the area for a couple of seconds and then trying to dribble past two Livingston attackers on the way out of the box.
As we all know by now, when Bobo attempts these things there is usually hell to pay, and so it proved. He was dispossessed by Paul Dalglish, who produced a smart finish from 16 yards just in between Boruc's despairing dive and the right hand post. Does anybody remember Gary Gillespie?
Cue the groans from the stands for each misplaced pass as time ticked on. Gordon Strachan made his move from the bench, and to everyone’s surprise he called on youngster Michael McGlinchey who replaced McGeady. He moved up forward alongside Hartson with Maloney dropping a little deeper, although we were now effectively playing with three up front.
It was not long before the youngster had a glorious chance to get his name in lights on his debut as Hartson played him through on the 'keeper with a lovely lay off, but he shot just passed the post from about 8 yards.
On came Adam Virgo for the last throw of the dice for Wallace, and just as it looked as if we were dropping points against the other team from the bottom of the league, up popped Nakamura with a sublime piece of skill. Cutting in from the right wing between two defenders and unleashing a ferocious shot, which rattled in about two inches from the near post. Relief all round, particularly for Bobo.
There are a couple of worrying areas cropping into the last few games. Telfer's passing left a lot to be desired and Petrov for the third game in a row was completely anonymous. I am still to be convinced about using Wallace as a left back too, he gets caught out of position way too often for my liking, and other teams are putting him under pressure with high balls when he is in position.
And then there is Bobo.
But, when all is said and done, another three points in the bag, another two dropped by Rangers and four points ahead of Hearts going into the game against them.
I do not rate Hearts that highly but we will need to perform better than today's second half if we hope to take any points at all there next week.
Hail Hail
Kano
Celtic: Artur Boruc, Paul Telfer, Bob Balde, Stephen McManus, Ross Wallace (Adam Virgo 85), Shunsuke Nakamura, Stillian Petrov, Neil Lennon, Aiden McGeady (Michael McGlinchey 73), Shaun Maloney, John Hartson. Subs Not Used: David Marshall, Alan Thompson, Du Wei, Mo Camara, Stephen Pearson.
Goals: Maloney 39 pen, Nakamura 87.
Livingston: McKenzie, Vincze, Strong, Mackay, Tierney, Walker (McPake 83), Brittain, Pinxten, Dair, Dalglish (Dorado 87), Snodgrass (Scott 83). Subs Not Used: Tesevic, Adam, Roy, Boyd.
Booked: Vincze.
Goals: Dalglish 58.
Att: 57,000
Ref: John Underhill
50 Comments:
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Paul your comments on the defence?
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drat
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Double drat
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At the risk of stating the obvious, surely Bobo has to go?
If your first choice goalkeeper was making howlers in every game and costing you goals - he wouldn't be your goalkeeper for long.
Having a liability as a stopper is every bit as bad, particularly when we are paying 28K per week for the privilege.
Just about any other stopper in the SPL would do as good (or as bad) a job at a fraction of the cost.
Is anyone else mug enough to buy him?
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WGS, I should be able to get a game in that defence.
HamptonTim, where to start?
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At 10:54 PM, HamptonTim said…
sadly it's not as easy as that. I don't think anyone is likely to take him. Hopefully he has a great African Nations cup and manages to build on that form.
He is so frustrating though. When Balde is good he is very good but he can be bloody awful as well.
I don't think we can sell him but i'm hoping it's now time for Virgo or Du Wei to get their chance. I'm not sure if WGS will be willing to try them out against Hearts though. Today would have probably have been the ideal situation.
But if Balde does play tomorrow i'm sure he will be alright. He seems better when up against decent high profile teams.
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Big P67.……………………….
A very good post………………
As I was saying on the previous post….
B4 I got galumphed ..on this 1.………
We won the football match……….
With about 8 players who could ……………….
Walk into the team…………………
Lets all pull………… together………………..
I mean we could be like……………
rangers …………………….
5th in the SLP……………………
joethejester.not
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A poor performance, but an important three points. We really have no excuses now if the Huns make a come back. Many of us however, had perhaps written Hearts off too early, myself included. Next week is now not just interesting, but fascinating.
What follows is gossip, but VERY, VERY well informed gossip. Celtic are allegedly looking to sell several high earning players, with BOBO top of the list, although others are identified. At least FIVE replacements have been identified, all Eastern Europeans. An interesting January hopefully!
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I read on the BBC teletext, that the loyally dignified Eckmeister,has had a loyally dignified rant about the ref after the game.
Did anyone read the column on the excellent "e-tims", about Keaneo's disciplinary and playing record since 2000? It makes interesting reading. Suffice to say that he has been in very little disciplinary bother since 2000!
Now, let us compare and contrast to the disciplinary record of a certain Greek cheat, currently in residence in the centre of TFOD's defence. Over the last dozen or so games, he has been sent off at Tannadice, sent off at Celtic Park and sent off today at Dunfermline. Yet, have we the column inches/fevered phone-in calls, questioning HIS disciplinary record?
Loyally dignified answers on a postcard please, to any member of our loyally dignified press.
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Bryce Curdy - I hope you are right about Balde. The e-tims rumour mill said a couple of weeks ago that he was for the chop in January. Here's hopin'!!
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When does the transfer window open and close.
JonG
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I have enjoyed this site for some time now but have never posted before.
While I agree that Bobo is a bit of a liability at the moment I feel that some "fans" booing him after his Livi goal howler doesn't help
As has been said it was a pretty poor game but an invaluable three points. The sooner Magic and Craig B are fit again the better as I feel we don't get the best of Shaun whe he's played as a striker.
A vast improvement will be needed against Hertz next week if we want to get anything from that game.
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did you see big feck's comments on the strachan versus caley assistant rammy?
"yes a good idea would be to carry on until the ref decides but you wouldn't see me complaining about the refs. they have a hard enough job as it is.
1650hrs...ref was rubbish!!
Isn't he great?
Emjay
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paul>another great article, many questions about the defence indeed.
Yo! peeps just back from seasonal travels...
compliments of the season to all at CQN....and greeting seasons to edward:P
the training this week upcoming to the trip to swinecastle will be interesting.Good on McGlinchy for making the breakthrough and a step up? in the right direction.straight swap for petrov i reckon...
if only we have the testicular aptitude to do likewise with the defence..
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Welcome everthepessimist. I could not believe my ears when Bobo was booed. Remember when we used to laugh at the other lot for this kind of ‘ned’ nonsense?
I sat in a different seat today, a man in his fifties three rows back, started every sentence with the word “Jesus” of “F***”, sometimes just combining the two into a short sentence.
Is this still Celtic? Are we still different?
That the guy screwed up for a goal is hardly reason to debase Celtic.
Ardoch, Big Joe, credit is due to Kano for the match report tonight, I’ll be posting my thoughts tomorrow.
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oh,no !
Noels off-what AM I GOING TO DO ?
booo hoo hoo :(
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I can't believe someone posted on the last article for a complete revamp of the back four. Can't comment on how bad Bobo was today, as I'm off to watch the match on CH67 now. But come on, when have you ever seen a professional team change the back four in one fell swoop ... It's not gonna happen no matter how bad they are.
Was thinking of taking the little Corpachbhoys to see the Wee Hoops of Yeovil play Tranmere Rovers tomorrow night. A couple of my workmates are season ticket holders at Prenton Park (How about this for a marketing idea. A couple of seasons ago Tranmere brought out an away top with the names of every season ticket holder printed on it ... If Celtic were to do that do you think that BBJ would e the only player who could wear the kit [No offence big man ... I love you by the way]).
All the best
Corpachbhoy
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It aint all bad folks. TFOD dropped more points. Hearts have kept the league interesting for a while. We have won!
Oh and we have a new future hero entered into the fold. Good luck for the future wee man. You'll do good.
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12.17 SUPERCELT / NOEL90, remember you still have to go through the port of belfast? :)
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As we approach the years end,
I have to admit, that I still don’t
know what to make of WGS’s
Celtic. They are an enigma.
They have played some of
the best passing football, seen at
CP in a few years, yet they are
still vulnerable.
If the manager does have faith in both DW and AV, then I would hope that we get to see them, at the back very soon..
With Hertz winning today, it
certainly makes for an interesting
game, next week.
After our abysmal start to the season,on reflection, we must be happy with our 4 point lead.
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SUPERCELT, any chance that Noel's blog will be updated with "interesting non-litigious" links for the antipodean part of the Celtic family who can't get C67 and would love to see Naka's 86th min contribution? :-)) Have a great break and don't feel sorry for us sweltering in high 30 temps
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right-
cars packed[and I mean packed just going to transfer the weans into it and we're off but I have to leave you with this wee gem
noel.
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right SUPERCELT-
thats me- the
- key is under the mat.....
noel.
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Would like to add more but most of my misgivings have been aired alredy.
IMHO:-
Boruc- several key saves, no chance with the goal. Started many attacks with accurate quick distribution. We have our goalkeeper.
Telfer- Constant overlapping support for Nakamura, distribution was very poor at times. Linked up well for the second goal.
Balde- Poor game had zero confidence after his error, needs someone to talk him through the match and tell him exactly what to do.
McManus- Given a torrid time by Dalgleish pulled out of posistion covering for Wallace. An area where teams will focus their attack unless the problem is resolved.
Wallace- Good overlapping support play, but defensivly unsound. Left McManus exposed. Would be better utilised as an out and out winger.
Nakamura- MOTM. Sublime intelligent display. Was in a more central posistion in the final 20 mins where he done his best work. A nautural succesor to Lubo.
Lennon- Dogged determined usual Neil Lennon performance. Lost the rag with team mates on occasion-McManus,Balde,his frustration levels were rising. Our "water carrier"
Petrov- Seemed to play in fits and spurts. Woukd make a run of 40 yards into the opposistion box, then dissapear for 5 mins. Keane the catalyst for a Petrov revival?
McGeady- Stuck to his task but not a lot came off for him. Seems quicker this season,but couldn't use his pace to great effect.
Maloney- Dropped deep, went wide,made runs from deep. Should have had 2 pens. If he could be more clinical in front of goal he would be the complete player.
Hartson- Led the line superbly, linked up well,great strength on the ball. Mis-hit a gilt edged chance, but will finish top scorer for us again this season. Our best forward.
Special mention for McGlinchey and Virgo both of whom looked sharp when they came on. McGlinchey in particular didn't hide. May have earned a starting spot against Clyde.
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thanks for the report Kano
good work again from the scotsman
Mr wallace would have been fine had his first few faults not been picked on.
I have idiots all around me that hound the players and talk nonsense.
What about a thread
'we are the best supporters in the world but how can we improve'
with comments on how to be supporters, positive, give backing, what not to do.
Pick the best 10 print them and distribute
if this is too much please ignore me
I am however sick of lazy vile and worthless comments directed at my company and employees.
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OK, this is no longer a blip. We are playing poorly. The defence has no confidence. Thank goodness, others are also poor.
Strachan has done well, but the team has slipped back a few gears, and something needs to be changed.
A performance like this will see points dropped at tynecastle. I really don't know what has happened. Balde and McManus were fine until a month or so ago, now they are a mess.
I won't let this poor performance hide the fact that Underhill HAD to give a penalty when Maloney was flattened. He looked like he was signalling play on . Go figure. I can't wait for the sfa site to explain this one.
Back to the performance....a win at tynecastle would sort the league out....yet the way this Celtic team has been playing...fitsnstarts......I can't see us getting all the points. Shocking stuff.
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Hi all
I was at the game today and we are a very lucky team still to be ahead of Hearts by 4 points.
I cannot agree that at any time in the game Mc Geady looked up for it, he is a player who is out of his depth and lacks pace and the ability to tackle, also no END PRODUCT. Wallace see Mc Geady,from the time GS took over I have backed him without any reservation, for the life of me he made a horrendous mistake putting an untried laddie on in a game that was tied 1.1.. No complaints about the boys attitude or commitment but FFS mega bucks boys are on the bench. What is he trying to prove?
Balde in my opinion is the worst piece of business in the MON era and there were more, he needs to be moved on and now.Stinking attitude and NL has again resorted to square and back passing, Stan im probably amongst your biggest fans but if your injured dont play, if your unhappy tell us,no more of this dross.
Teams are walking through us in the midfield, we need to battle we need to makle the most of chances created and we need mega buck signings and salaried players to at least be professional and not hide when the going gets tough.
In that I include the hamstring[ strikers inc.] brigade you all know who you are.
That was total pish today and we got out of Jail.
Tynecastle with that team and attittude big problems.
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Having been a football manager for the last 25 years, may I just say…………………………. NOT
And here in lies the problem……………….
Today was a rerun of the performance that we have become accustomed to over the last 3 to 4 weeks, lots of possession, lots of endeavor, but no clinical finishing !!!!!
Let’s be honest, chances made? At least 6, clear cut, goal scoring opportunities.
Result? 1 goal in open play……………?????????????
There are tangibles evident in what we are watching these past 3 to 4 weeks.
The commitment that is evidenced in the starting 11 is not in doubt.
The commitment from our manager is not in question !!!!!!!!!????????
But what is open to debate, is our manager’s level of commitment to players who are not playing to our or their level of expectations ??????????
YOUTH , The manager has my utmost respect for the way that he has given previously unknown, “Young” players, their due place in this team. This was IMHO, MON’s Achilles’ heal. What is a concern, is his propensity to stick with players who are not operating to the best of their ability, and to the level of our expectations.
In this category, I would include, Balde, Sutton, Thompson, Agathe, and, in the last 2 weeks, Lennon and Petrov.
Does one drop players after 1 – 2 bad/poor performances?
Or, does one live by the adage, “one swallow does not, a summer make ”?............................
And there in lies the dichotomy that is a football manager’s lot. If our usual opponents where performing to their past levels, we would be within, 2 -3 points, either way. We are very fortunate that their ship has sunk for the foreseeable future………………. ”A generation of dominance ??????
As much as I like, and respect you Paul, in a “Hyperspace” sort of way, “You're kidding yourself”
Over the 127 years of our clubs existence, there has never been a generation of domination. Granted, these are changing times, but, having lived within this secular society for the past 43 years, I know that this prediction will never be allowed to come to fruition…………………..for whatever reason., Maloney’s penalty that was never given, for example.
This is not an anti-Celtic diatribe, it is a re-affirmation that, as I walked away from the match today, I informed my two children, (Jonathan 16 and Sarah 14) who, if truth were told, support/love? The “club?,” that, as a supporter of this club, you are not “supporting” the team……………………….You are acknowledging and supporting a “cause”
It is a sad fact, in some eyes, (mine’s ???) that what I typed here is transitory, but such is the nature of the “Blog !!!”
What is never in question, is our common love or desire to have an all conquering Celtic football club, for whatever reasons…………………….in time, my children will come to understand and appreciate the true meaning of this statement…………….as I’m sure, "WE ” all do.
Pablophanque
No.1 This day in History
Mull Of Kintyre / Girls' School - Wings. 1977
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OK, so nobody's up, Paul's gonna post a new link tomorrow, and all my hard work/sincere endevours have been in vane.................?
What the hey.
Going to Dublin tomorrow to see Christy Moore at the "Point", any suggestions for decent boozers?
I realy want to experience the "Dublin's, Craic" at it's finest.
pablophanque
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I am generally an unquestioning and patient fhan. However my fears over our present run of form is disconcerting.
Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this son of Cork.
The warm rosy glow of autumn, heightened by successive, comparatively easy victories against Rangers, free flowing football, resolute defending and consistent goal scoring, has been replaced by the cold reality of a side lacking spark, creativity and, mysteriously, enthusiasm. We now see Celtic struggling to convert openings, a group of players failing to properly support one another and a disjointed collection of individuals seemingly disinterested in the manner of victory.
Roy Keane may well be questioning the wisdom of his decision to travel north to fulfill his declared boyhood dream. He no doubt shook his head in disbelief, or more likely uttered some very unseasonal language, when Bobo Balde played the part of the villain, at least in everyone except Paul Lambert’s eyes, as he diddled and dawdled inside the box before gifting Livingston their late Christmas present. Although a shock, it certainly was no surprise, considering Bobo’s reputation and the thin margin of our lead at that point. Balde has shed the last remnants of his previous status as cult hero and with each passing game has firmly assumed the mantle once claimed by Oliver Tebily, that of Bombscare.
Our struggles against the two bottom sides in the SPL must give great encouragement to Hearts, Hibs and Rangers. Although Rangers, favourites in my eyes to finish second, slipped up yet again today, Hearts will gain confidence from our struggles and from their convincing victory today against Falkirk. We are assured of a warm welcome and stiff opposition when we play first foot at Tynecastle next weekend. Lacking a firm backbone and playing without confidence or urgency, we may well need our four point cushion to assure us of first place when Roy makes his league debut.
Many questions remain unanswered in the rebuilding of Celtic, and it seems like some of the foundations are incapable of carrying the load. On today’s evidence the defence needs a redesign or reappraisal at best. Apart from Boruc, no one instilled any confidence and even Artur showed some nerves. The midfield lacked authority and was less than dominating. Some reinforcement in this area is sorely needed. We failed to convert some good early opportunities which would have tied up the game by half time.
Keane’s services may well be the keystone which finally secures the project and carries winter’s heavy load through to a winning spring and into a warm summer of CL anticipation. His anticipated arrival, the return to first team duty of Zurawski and Beattie and the return of focus by Petrov will go a long way to stilling the current fears of Celtic fans everywhere.
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dessybhoy 2:00am
I couldn't agree more with most of your points, especially the introduction of MGlinchey. 1-1 and struggling wasn't the right time to bring on such a young boy - could have severely backfired.
Although I think the manager has done very well this season so far, I don't think I'm alone in becoming worried about his inability to change the pattern of games which aren't going our way.
We have had three below-par performances lately and on no occasion has the manager used all three substitutes. In all of these games we were crying out for a change in personnel / pattern.
We are riding or luck at the moment and I hope the manager makes some big decisions over the next couple of weeks.
Some of the manager's good decisions have been forced on him this season by circumstances (see starting team in Bratislava compared with now). Possibly Balde going to Africa could be another example of this.
The same starting eleven (again) at Tynecastle fills me with dread.
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I did not see the match because I have been MAC OStracised by Channel 67...can you find out anything Paul...Driving me mental!!!
Bhoys....Step back and consider the dimensions to the side which are no longer present.... 'Gavil Guy has a point here. The absences of Zurawski and Beattie have forced significant changes to the formation and style of the team...Shaun is contributing greatly but would even be more influential with a more fluid front line.
I have always believed that any rational appraisal of Gordon Strachan can only occur at the end of the season. A couple of months ago I watched with glee a fast passing, free flowing, fluid attack promising to bamboozle opposition defences...The team was begining to ooze confidence and creative flair...
This has been put on hold with the forced absences of Zurawski and Beattie....Much as I personally admire their qualities...It was the options they were giving to the squad, that is an important loss. We have had to adapt....And yes some recent performances leave a strange taste in the mouth...('stale' I think best describes it).....I await with great anticipation the reappearance of missing dimensions in the New Year....Once the distraction of the transfer period is over I believe we will be back on track...Physically and Psychologically....Playing football the Glasgow Celtic way.
Still four points clear at the end of the year...Cannot be all that bad...!
KTF
PS My sympathy to those of you surrounded by neanderthals who spew curses and negativity...especially in the presence of kids...Ugly indeed....Personally I think there should be consequences for such uncivilized behavior...Paying customer or not ...Down Negative Man...Especially in front of the weans! ...A Day in Paradise should not have to carry an 18 certificate..
PPS Just a thought..Hope someone is looking after the meeja from the Far East...If any of them were forced to stay in Glasgow to report on Naka or the anticipated debut of Du Wei...Are they being shown Guid New Year......You know it makes sense!
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Morning All,
unlike most of u, I have been working today......
Just thought I wud share my xmas feelings with you afterall this was my first Xmas away from home..... IT WAS A GREAT WEEKEND shared it with some very good friends and I am now asking Paul to open up AA link as I am sure there will be few subscribers........
Glad to see we got another 3 point albeit a little lucky...... BOBO the guy craics me up at times however I don't class him as a liability I class him as our rock okay he makes mistakes but so do we all, he will learn from it and move on......
I was also glad to see Maloney on the scoresheet, this guy gives me confidence I mean look at his all round play he can link up, pass the ball and most importantly he has something special...... What about Zurwaski?????? when is he going to pick up from where he left off? we need him to start whipping in the goals.....
WGS does have to ring some changes as our midfield is a little delicate to say the least and the defence, well shaky.......
Anyway all in all we moved forward with 3 points in which at the end of the day was the plan however our below par performances must improve and they must improve NOW!!!!!!!!
Hail Hail
SPC whoisallbeeredout......
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singapore celt
Must be mental thunderstorms over there! Is that your first Christmas in that heat and those thunderstorms and dem beers.....?
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Yes, Paul, I think my posting may have got submerged at the beginning of the Celtic v Livi blog. So I’m repeating it here – but under a proper pseudonym this time, as I failed to preserve my anonymity when I registered before.
To keep you on the ball in the holiday season, I have devised a little quiz for you. As I live outside the UK I was unable to subscribe for the recent share issue, so I am offering the winner of the quiz FIFTY POUNDS to be spent in the Celtic Shop.
If Paul will be so good as to let me have the address of the winner, I will forward a cheque.
The winner is the Celtic supporter who submits the first completely correct answers on the site IN THE NEW YEAR. (So no submissions before midnight on New Year’s Eve.)
Just give me the full names (forename and surname) of the following team of former Celts, playing in a 4-4-2 formation, though the clues relate mainly to the surname only.
GOALKEEPER
Think of a pop star; think of tennis stars.
RIGHT BACK
A Cornish dancer.
LEFT BACK
One of the Seychelles islands.
CENTRAL DEFENDER
His namesake just couldn’t stand the Reds (and I don’t mean Liverpool).
CENTRAL DEFENDER
Shoes in the Irish tongue.
MIDFIELDER
A regal English forename. Shares his surname with a famous Irishman born in Scotland.
MIDFIELDER
Fiery, like a bard.
MIDFIELDER
His brother wasn’t bad either. Wasn’t he the PM?
MIDFIELDER
Way down south in Gaeldom.
STRIKER
Shares his surname with English poet Thomas, but is more alliterative.
STRIKER
An Irish dog of a striker. But wasn’t he Scottish?
Happy New Year from Trotternish.
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I'm happy with yesterday's results as I always think these games (boxing day etc) can be a lottery. So 3 points not be sniffed at - just ask our friends across in Govan!
The season is panning out perfectly - the worst team in Rangers history helping to create the perfect environment for Strachan to experiment and find his feet. Let's face it - if WGS can't do the business this season -what hope has he when we have some real competition?
I still think Hearts' challenge will evaporate - leaving the field clear for Celtic to romp it at the end.
Next season will provide sterner tests both in Europe and domestically and WGS needs to ensure that he gets a team in place to meet these challenges.
A few players (Balde, Thompson, Agathe etc) are already making that task easier. One area WGS seems to be ok in is releasing those who don't meet his standards. Also he has brought Keane in so - I'm cautiously optomistic!!
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Paul,
I agree with much of Kano's thread but I find him a bit complacent about next week. As someone else said, if we go out with the same defence, it fills me with dread. Bobo's blunder is only too common, except we don't get punished too regularly. The effect it had on the rest of the team was obvious. Panic set in. Wallace is definitely NOT the answer. Telfer seems to be losing concentraton too often a la Bobo and Stan seems to have gone into hibernation. Lennon too was very ropey second hald. Confidence needs sorting badly. Bring on Du Wei asap. I was very worried about the boy McGlinchey being brought on but he did look confident and he kept getting into space to receive the ball even after the miss.
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Unlike others, I was not willing to judge WGS until he had been given time to prove himself. It would have been easy to call for his head after Brataslava or even Motherwell.
Since then the team have been improving that is until 3 weeks ago. WGS has tinkered with the team which IMHO has caused an unbalance. He has persisted with playing Wallace at left back, a position Wallace is clearly not confertable with. Yesterday he gave the ball away 4 times in the opening 12 minutes. Yes he gives us options when we are attacking, but defensively he left us exposed on several occassions.
Balde has lost confidence and McManus has peaked and starting to down spiral. Balde will be soon going to the African cup. Who will WGS play in defence? Dui Wei has yet to get any 1st team action under WGS. He and any other replacement will need games before they are installed into defence. WGS had the opertunity to try Dui Wei against Inverness last week. McManus was only one foul away from a red card yet WGS failed to replace him.
Telfer is another who is starting to show cracks, surely Agathe must mount a challange for a right back place.
McGeady had an outstanding game against Hibs yet has been rank rotten since. When he was hooked yesterday WGS put untold pressure on young McGlinchey by intorducing him to play his debute with the score at 1-1. A better option in my book would have been to bring on Camara and move Wallace into McGeady's position. WGS also brought on Virgo and briefly played him up front, leaving us short at the back. Luckily we scored and he moved to right back.
Petrov is another who has not performed of late. Is his carryig an injury or has he other things on his mind?
Nakamura and Boruc have been the only signing WGS truimphed with so far. Keane may add to that and also a fit Zurawski.
I now beleave WGS has had a good 5 months to assemble a team on the park. I think the team he favours is too light weight, Keane will add some steel but I don't think it will be enough. Celtic have been fortunate that Rangers have under performed this season, Hibs are arguebly one of the best footballing sides in Scotland but blow hot and cold. Hearts still remain our only serious challangers this season. Despite their form of late, they look like they are starting to re-capture their earlier form. The warning signs are there for all to see. If we don't improve soon, Hearts will beat us to 1st place.
WGS has to add steel back into the team and replace the defence with consistancy.
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Apologies to all for the site being down. Trying to do what I can.
Trotternish, I think the gremlins are conspiring against us. Again, with the site being down today most people would have missed your post.
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What is happening with Zurawski, Beattie and Sutton?
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Don't get me started on Zurawski, Bryce. If memory serves me correctly he was labelled "doubtful" for the England world cup qualifier due to a hamstring compalaint. He then proceeded to play and tore it good and proper.
How stupid can you be?
I can only assume he injured it again during his cameo role at Aberdeen.
As I said yesterday, I get the impression Sutty's chucked it. During his post match interview WGS mentioned he had a good week in training "but then ruled himself out on Friday". No mention of an injury.
Beattie has always taken an age to heal after an injury.
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Pablophanque…………..
Re………. last nights post………
Strong words and you’re ………
Endeavours………….were NOT……. in vane
Keep them coming m8.……………..
PS……………… Mull Of Kintyre………….
that’s my………….. HOME………..
joethelistner.
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Poor performance yesterday only lightened by three points and one wag sitting close by who commented that "...after being brought on and pushed up front, when Naka-san scored WGS immediately told Virgo to get back in defence and mark Bobo!"
Is it too much to hope that, in a bizzare reversal after the last African Nations cup, that Bobo comes back looking like the player he was before?
Belated best wishes to all for Christmas, and a good new year when it comes.
Hail hail.
G
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Looks like big P67’s new post…………….
Has broke the blog…………………..
I blame supercelt and D O’V
joethegrass
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Looks like………..
NOEL…………………….
Has sabotaged CQN……………
B4 he left for Irland………….
Noel………
Noel………broke the blog……….
Noel………….broke the blog
joe.
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Awright bigjoe, many thanx for yout kind words.................
The drink can be such a hard task master............the more you take............the more you want to type, BUT the less able you become.........;o)
Someone fix the blog......................aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrgggggghhhhhh !!!!!!!!!! blog D.T.'s.
pablophanque
No.1 This day in History
Too Much - Spice Girls. 1997
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Pablophanque……………………………….....
You don’t need 2 tell me about…………………..
Posting on the lash………………….
I have written books aboot it m8.…………..
Oh………………………………
I think Big P67 has fixed the blog…..
Cya on the other side…………………
Joe…………..thelash
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If Gordon Strachan thinks that Ross Wallace has a future as a left back. Surely it would make more sense to send him out on loan to another club where he can gain this experience ? By joining a lesser club he will be under more pressure and thus gain even more benefit.
While everyone should be allowed time to familiarise themselves with a new role. Such experiments in the Celtic first team are not the place. On a personal note I cannot see any long term future for Ross Wallace in such a role, but am prepared to give him a chance, preferably somewhere else initially. While I think others will command the positions more suited to him, it is to his credit that he is prepared to undergo such a public trial.
Our midfield constantly uses the two centre backs in building up the play, however as neither of them are comfortable on the ball this means either a simple pass to a full back or the usual blooter upfield. As I understand it both Du Wie & Virgo are excellent users of the ball & with the rumblings about Caldwell another good man marker, user of the ball it could well see a new look shortly. Gordon Strachan has already commented that he wishes his defenders to be able to communicate in English, thus I suspect is the main reason Du Wei is still awaiting his big chance. After some 6 months learning both the language & the change in style, he should be ready for most things.
While the recent few matches have been a bit disappointing, it should be remembered that we are without both Beattie & Magic who can both offer the extra ingredients we currently lack.
In the early games the introduction of Maloney & Beattie saw an immediate impact as the pace of the game was lifted considerably. Magic is pure class, you can almost hear his brain ticking away as he weighs up positions and times his runs between defenders.
The introduction & return of those missing players will give the entire club a huge boost to move us up to new heights. We simply have to be patient, in the cases of hamstring injuries as with Magic & Beattie, it is too tempting to push players for an early return only to lose them again. They are much too important for this.
Both Virgo & Du Wei are now well settled, familiar with the style of play required / opposition and should fit seamlessly into place...particularly with Mr. Keane to assist.
As the others jostle & struggle to stay the pace, we should now step the pressure up a few notches and break clear.
Full marks to Gordon Strachan for having the guts to introduce young gun McGlinchey to the pressure pot against Livingston, how many others would have simply gone for experience. I am sure he will learn much from his short stint and will be seen several more times this season.
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Unlike some other posters I applaud Strachan's decision to field Mc Glinchey yesterday.
I was stuck unfortunately with only the radio commentary but as I listened in growing frustration I like no doubt many others began to scan the list of substitutes. I was wondering who on the bench was capable of doing something to change the game and bemoaning the absence of Beattie Zurawski and the mysterious absence of Sutton. I could only pick one name so the substitution didn't surprise me having watched Mc Glinchey's display for the reserves last week, as did Gordon Strachan. The young boys must be delighted to have a manager prepared to gamble on their talent.
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