Dundee United 1-1 Celtic, SPL, 17 August 2008

not even a podium will cheer me up

silver?

3rd??

WWC

It's the Welsh clique!

SwanseaBhoy

Swansea - will swap you a gold for 3 points?

My admiration for Craig Levein keeps increasing, intelligent, articulate, and with an eye for a player.

Future Celtic manager?

Dundee United look like a strong team this season & in other circumstances a draw at Tannadice might not be a bad result.

Having said that though, we had the game in our hands & threw it away. We didn’t impose ourselves on the game when we got in front & it ultimately led to our downfall. United made far better use of their substitutes than we did & what had been a good defensive performance for the first hour started to fall apart as they got progressively stronger as the game wore on..

I thought JVOH actually had a very good game but his miss was probably the turning point. McDonald has been off the boil right through the pre-season & he shouldn’t even have been on the pitch when that late chance fell to him.

To sum up - a better performance than last week but a lack of professionalism among both the players & the coaching staff cost us two points today.

Yeah, we had good strikers when the Cymru bhoys were up front....

I have to say there was some ridiculous defending from us. Whose idea was it to start playing short passes out of our own box?

one star means more

i was not being critical of Boruc

he didn`t have much to do

my basis of rating is 5/10 is a pass to get more or less you have to perform accordingly

if he has little to do then he simply can`t attain a high score

do you start at 10 and mark them down ?

how do you score then ??

I am new Paul but feel compelled to post, it's not a reactionary one, it's something I've thought for the last few seasons.

The football we are playing is torture, we make very few chances and havent done since the current manager took his job.

I celebrated as much as anyone when we won the titles, but I think they are more to do with the, as you have constantly said, the dismal position of Rangers, than any great Celtic side under GS.

Even though we are much the richer club, and better run, we stumbled over the line last season, let's not forget that!

Strachan has wasted an incredible amount of money on midfielders, and still doesnt know his best central partnership!Graveson, Donati, Brown, Sno? All failures, some more than others, but all failures nonetheless. I'll admit I still have hope for Brown but how long do we give him?

We have been desperate for a half decent left back for 3 seasons, and it hasnt been addressed!

He constantly plays guys who are not performing for some reason I dont know why? Scott McDOnald should have been off after 45 minutes, or indeed not playing today. He looks far from fit and his attitude is worrying already this season.One great season in the Hoops doesnt make you a legend Scott, remember that!

He brings on Barry Robson to play on the right of midfield when hes done more in the central position in his time at Celtic than Scott Brown.

I'm angry and feel we are going nowhere under Mr Strachan, and you can say 3 titles and last 16 of Champions League.

Yes stats dont lie, but neither does what I'm being forced to watch with my own eyes over the last few years. It's boring insipid football, and there is no fun watching our team any more.

I'm an angry fan, and there are a lot like me, an awful lot more.

Missed the new post sign.

Back to last season then with a central midfield pairing that does not work, Barry Robson on the right, does not work, Skoosh being creative and earning his price tag, does not work, Gordon's tactics, yes you guessed it!

Are we going to persevere with a team selection, formation and tactics that don't work? I though we had sorted the midfield pairing at the end of last season? And what about playing players on their current form, Paul Caddis on the right? I give up Ghord! WTF are u doing?

You would have thought that we had learned the lessons last season! I'm away for a drink!

PF ayr: I give marks for making a number of good saves and handling the ball exceptionally well. If he wasn't on form, we would have lost that match.

Their goal looked like it was coming before Naka came off - that's probably the reason he did come up - they were pummelling our right side.

That being said I don't think Robson is fit and he shouldn't be playing.

We should have killed that game off TWICE yet couldn't, they should have had a penalty (I think we're fortunate the way O'Donovan went down when he could have stayed on his feet and rolled it across for an easy goal), If Strachan doens't trust Samaras then we need another striker in fast!

one star means more

how many good saves were made ..???

what mark would you give him then ?

Malone: You're right about O'Donovan. I think he would have punished us if he had stayed on his feet. I also think his delay in going down is what cost him the penalty.

PF ayr: Find something else to argue about.

Was always going to be a tough game, hope we get going soon... :o(
Things couldn't feel any worse just now, then I remembered it's Monday tomorrow.

one star means more

why ????

you were being pejorative about my rating

disparaged my post

then won`t answer a reasonable question

Gordon's reaction.....
"Cracking game of football.We were pleased to be involved in that game....We were pleased with our performance....They worked very,very hard...... We can't give the ball away.... We are not exactly at our best but not far away...... Skippy had a chance to finish it for us but didn't. He'll win many more games for us."
"We should have had a foul just before the penalty....Mick and Gary played very, very well today."

Dunno that I agree with everything and as for being pleased to be involved in this game...... no,no,no. :-(

coolcelt196770: I get really tired of people who look for an excuse to demand Strachan's head. You're right - three titles and twice in the last 16 of the Champs League is a team going nowhere.

Don't tell me - Roy Keane would sort it out!

just back in from golf, so can't pass comment on the performance of the team and the management

what i do know is that some supporters just want to vent after a disappointment. I am not criticising that, what i would advise though is, just recognise it as blowing off steam

There is no chance of putting pressure on the manager after a draw at the second hardest away game we face in the SPL

And we shouldn't even be contemplating serious criticism of the manager at this stage. As he has just said "we are the champions"

As I've been saying for THREE years...........Strachan is CLUELESS. Been getting away with but we can't go through another season watching from behind the settee ! This is NOT the Celtic we want to follow.

At least 8

Happy now?

Just checked again and I can clarify that the SPL trophy is not handed out in September. So stow those towels - at least until WG has finished his latest opus and comes back on in seriousness...

Or on second thoughts - Everyone must go! Sooner rather than later!

That was rank. This team is in need of a rocket up the proverbial with too many players not feeling challenged by quality replacements.

With money wasted on more squad fillers this summer and ones for the future to add to the small army of average talent we possess, how can some of the current 11 not feel compelled to raise their game ??

More quality and less below average quantity celtic on the player front.

Big Wavy

Hugh Maxwell Fan Club

Everything you said is wrong.

Imagine what we'd have won if we had a Manager who had a clue, eh?

SwanseaBhoy

think its fair to say that most of us deep down that things on the pitch aint right,but we have some good players so what is wrong that in most matches we dont have much confidence of a win?again i think its the system wont let players do what they are capable of doing namely express themselves,i think they are to busy making sure they stay with in that system that it is stifling them.

Even though we dropped a few points I thought it was a far better game than the st Mirren game. Naka is the man he is pure class lets hope Koki can reach his standards. We simply gave the ball away too cheeaply today, I don't think Skippy got pass a defender today.

Newcastle up 1-0, Sack Sir Alex

one star means more

delighted

think you`re way off

but then again that is opinions

on your scale on his Polish euro performances he would be worth a goog 17 or 18 out of 10

by all means comment on anything i compose ...but when doing so have the good grace to be prepared to explain if you disagree

Newcastle have taken the lead against Man Utd at Old Trafford

while I type they equlise - typical

One Star Means More....

I'm entitled to my opinion and I'm sure it's shared with a great many Celtic fans.

Look at the number of empty seats at Celtic Park home games and tell me fans are happy with what they're seeing?

Are you saying we play attractive football? Are you saying Strachan has the slightest clue what his best midfield is?

And where did I mention Roy Keane. Don't assume you know my mind sir, I no more want Keane as out manager than I do Strachan!

NBT

Man U equalise.

Sir alex is no longer a clown who doesn't know what he's doing - but he might be again in a minute.

:-)

SwanseaBhoy

Must do Betters:-

Hinkel - slow and excedingly poor ball distribution short passing and crossing. Does not link with naka at all well. If this was a player signed from another SPL team we would be after blood. Caddis please.

Scott Brown - To echo previous entries, cannot keep being selected on the basis of his exaulted price tag. Robson 1st for that jersey every time for me. On last week specifically BR impact marginalised on RHS.

Gary Caldwell:- Seems to be 'fashionable' to think he is now beckenbaur following a decent 1/2 dozen games at end of last season. To much gone before and this guy will cost you with poor passing from defence as he has before. Evident 2nd half today.

Skippy not started this season, looks like he will trip over his bottom lip throughout the game.

Please a proper left back please.

SwanseaBhoy,

From previous thread. I realise that we are all tims, and everyone else loves the tic as much as me.

However, I would ask you, and all my fellow bhoys, when did you last really enjoy watching Celtic, not enjoy watching Celtic win, just watching Celtic.

I still cannot understand why 88 minutes to bring on Samaras.

we must sign more "first team players" the team has a staleness to it that only new blood can change. intrested in strachans comment about only signing players that are better than what we have and then watch as none of the signings make the starting 11.

o1bhoy,

Is it possible you are overindulging in "The Magical Swally" as cham quon has not registered any return on my supercomputer. Oh and you owe me a unilator as cham quon blow mine up on input.

Titor

Paul67,

The blinking knob arrived safe and well and installed perfectly

Another disappointing (but oh so familiar) performance characterised by some desperate defending (messers McManus and Hinkel the main culprits), careless passing from our midfielders, a pedestrian tempo and lack of a killer touch, with both of our main strikers missing glorious opportunities.
The lack of striking options I fear will hurt us this season. McDonald looks so out of sorts and neither JVoH nor Samaras could be described as prolific. Today they do not have the excuse of a lack of opportunities.

How long will we wait to see a performance from Hinkel – a player with his credentials should be doing much better? Similarly, when will we see a 90 minute performance from Scott Brown?

To his credit I thought we saw a huge improvement in Hartley’s performance compared to last weekend. Please keep it up.

Could somebody please, please explain to me why Robson is being played wide right? Does anyone understand what Gordon Strachan is getting out the player by playing him there? Unfortunately his introduction to the game coincided with United having their best spell in the game. This had a lot do do with the withdrawal from the game of Naka.

Huge improvements required all over the pitch.

we must sign more "first team players" the team has a staleness to it that only new blood can change. intrested in strachans comment about only signing players that are better than what we have and then watch as none of the signings make the starting 11.

coolcelt196770: I'm saying that popping up to say that Strachan must go after a draw is a ridiculous over-reaction.

Bhoy David: "Could somebody please, please explain to me why Robson is being played wide right? Does anyone understand what Gordon Strachan is getting out the player by playing him there? Unfortunately his introduction to the game coincided with United having their best spell in the game. This had a lot do do with the withdrawal from the game of Naka."

Strachan prefers to play a left-sided player on the right and vice-versa, looking for the full-backs to overlap and deliver crosses while the wide players get more opportunities to shoot on goal.

As it happens, I thought he should have swapped the wide players when Naka went off today but the idea itself has its merits. I think Robson can play there, though.

Another poor performance against a team that shouldn't be able to live us - not only were they able to live with us but aguably they could have beat us and could we really complain?

Notwithstanding a couple of dodgy refereeing decisions we could have like 1 pt???

Please look at the whole structure of our club, finances etc. and ask yourself are we better today than we were last season?
If not why not?

Paul,

Surely to goodness we can find ourselves, within our budget range, players who can defend better than Mick and Hinkel, retain possession better than Scott Brown and Scott McDonald and operate on a wavelength that allows Naka and Aiden an outlet.

The malaise is there before our eyes, in pre-season and now.

New quality blood needed to stir the pot !!!!

Big Wavy

One Star means More,

I agree that to demand the manager goes after a draw is mental, and I know about mental.

However, there is little point in us all pretending that everything is rosy in the garden when it is clearly not.

I believe we need another striker, although to be fair to Samaras, he was not given a chance today.

We need a left back, everyone knows this. We require another central defender, Loovens may be it.

I may be alone in not enjoying the style of football we have been playing the last couple of seasons. I have been following Celtic for the last forty five years and I have seen the sublime and the ridiculous. Of course I want to win, spent too long following them when they were losing, but, and I know it is probably the romantic in me. I want some style.

jvoh67

That's a difficult question to answer. I almost always njoy watching Celtic.

That said, we are not the team we were when we had Larsson, Sutton, Hartson, Lennon, Lubo, Lambert etc. So in that respect I don't enjoy the football as much as I used to.

I think I've accepted that, like it or not, the days of us having a team full of players of that calibre (and cost) are behind us for the forseeable.

We need to hope to pick up some bargains like Naka (and Larsson and Lubo) but can no longer expect to spend at the £6m mark to supplement them.

Consequently, I think the manager is doing a decent job within the restrictions of his budget.

Hail Hail

SwanseaBhoy

Celtic Sepiroth

Deco is playing for a club on a completely different level financially to celtic, you are correct in noticing that.

Who, that would come to Scotland, would you suggest the board buy ?

Having felt the enrgy, and vibe at Rangers yesterday I am more worried that they might transition through to a new and fresher, more positive, squad than last year quicker than we would like. Although Boyd was a complete waste of a jersey, and they could have easily conceeded just prior to the pen at the end. I don't like the thought of their getting any momentum. The best result this weekend was Aberdeen winning, hopefully they will now be up for next weeks game, and can set Rangers bandwagon off the rails before it gets going.

I think Loovens, and the Spanish fellow should be introduced next week though, in order that they can get some game time prior to our match with Rangers. Although playing for Celtic at home is a daunting place for a debut(after the initial 3 minutes goodwill from the crowd), especially after a couple of poor team performances, I still think we need to take the chance.

Barcabhoy,

"the second hardest away game we face in the SPL"? I think the stats would suggest otherwise.

We were facing a side who were ripped to shreds by Barca (no disgrace there) and humped by Hamilton but yet who still managed to look like our equals.

But as I said last week, why should we be surprised. Unfortunately this type of performance has been the norm under the current management regime.

jvoh67: I hear what you are saying but unfortunately the game is changing and new Henrik Larssons are hard to find.

It's great to look for scintillating attacking football, racking up the goals but it's not that easy any more. I can't say I'm thrilled with what I've seen lately but then I don't think football in general is as entertaining as it once was.

There aren't the same number of teams that will just chase the ball any more - they are better coached so harder to play against. It's a trend in football and you'll see plenty of similar matches in the "best league in the world", albeit with a few £20m players peppered across the park.

I've been saying this for a while but people are going to have to learn to live with it.

What does Scott Brown bring to this team?

Here come the mineshafters!! Didnt see the 2nd half today but I'm not worried about this result. Have to agree with one star means more,saying strachan must go is the silliest comment of the season so far.

Barcabhoy @ 4 . 21

I,m actually calm now

I was extremely angry for a few mins after the game but now I,ve calmed down

My analysis is as follows

too many players going through the motions

Physically we got overpowered particularly in midfield

We need players who can pass the ball better we gave it away too cheaply at times

Hinkel is a poor player

Caddis should definitely start in future games

Caldwell done well

Brown continues to flatter to deceive.

Big Jan done well.

Naka is class and had some lovely touches although is clearly lacking match sharpness.

Robson should definitely play in the centre as he is wasted on the right.

Mcgeady done well at times but like the rest of our midfield got overpowered at times

Wilson played out of position and done ok but he lacks pace

McManus was ok although I always feel that he gives the player he is marking too much time

Lastly I hope this is not 2nd season syndrom for Skippy hopefully if he gets a goal that will be him off on another 30 goal season I fear not however.

Hail Hail Roccobhoy

Dear PF Ayr

I'm afraid I have to concur with One Star - your "score" for the players are frankly ridiculous. Boruc clealy "8". I also got bored reading after that.

Why feel compelled to vent your negative feelings about Celtic this way?

A lot of posters seem to have an extraordinary expectation of what Celtic can achieve. This looks like delusional supporting. I suggest changing allegiance to Manchester United would be better for this kind of "supporter". Personally, I would still call myself a Celtic supporter if we played in the Third Division (does that still exist???)

Barcabhoy @ 4 . 21

I,m actually calm now

I was extremely angry for a few mins after the game but now I,ve calmed down

My analysis is as follows

too many players going through the motions

Physically we got overpowered particularly in midfield

We need players who can pass the ball better we gave it away too cheaply at times

Hinkel is a poor player

Caddis should definitely start in future games

Caldwell done well

Brown continues to flatter to deceive.

Big Jan done well.

Naka is class and had some lovely touches although is clearly lacking match sharpness.

Robson should definitely play in the centre as he is wasted on the right.

Mcgeady done well at times but like the rest of our midfield got overpowered at times

Wilson played out of position and done ok but he lacks pace

McManus was ok although I always feel that he gives the player he is marking too much time

Lastly I hope this is not 2nd season syndrom for Skippy hopefully if he gets a goal that will be him off on another 30 goal season I fear not however.

Hail Hail Roccobhoy

One Star Means More....

Ive felt he should go for a long time, not just today.

No-one can deny him the titles and the Champions League last 16.

But when I watch Celtic I want to see my team making and scoring chances, we are terrible to watch and have been for 2 years, possibly three.

His signings have on the whole been poor over three years.

He's wasted a significant amount of money.....£2M Graveson, £2M Donati, £1.5M Virgo, £4M Brown £2M Hinkel.....wages on Riordan, Killen, Sno, Miller,Camara, Naylor.

We stumbled across the line last season, lets not forget that, however great the title winning feeling was,we stumbled over the line.

Have we seen any improvement in the squad for this campaign? Let's just say the signings aren't exactly inspiring so far.

Scott McDonald's physical condition is a disgrace he's clearly not sharp because of this and should not be in a first 11 Celtic team.

Andreas Hinkel failed to do what every schoolboy footballer knows prevent the cross ball,he lacks aggression and positional sense.

Scott Brown has aggression but little else ,if we could get our money back i would take it,flatters to deceive every week.

The team needs someone who can lift the pace of the game and run purposely with the ball Scott Brown fails absymally in this respect.Sean Maloney had that ability i hope he comes back.

Why Samaras was not introduced earlier is beyond me,McDonald is clearly unfit

Caddis should be second choice behind Naka right mid,Crosas or Hartely and Barry Robson central mid, forget Brown.

today was dire ,as bad to watch as most of last seasons games .
but surely that cant be a surprise its the same players as last season

patnevinspen

I agree with the implication of your question.

It's something I haven't really wanted to admit to myself because I so desperately want to see him do well. I thought this would be his season - but don't see it yet.

Hope I'm compleetly wrong but as yet don't see the evidence.

SwanseaBhoy

Listening to Chick Young and Traynor. Referee discussion comes round to allegations of certain refs supporting certain teams. Traynor says he sees no reason why a ref can't referre his own team.

I remember watching a documentary years and years ago about Jack Taylor, the englishman who ref'd the WC Final 1974. Distinctly remember learning that he was a Wolverhampton man, and that therefore he had never taken charge of a Wolves game. Does anyone know if refs in any countries are asked to nominate their team? Certainly sounded back then as if it was a policy of the english FA.

We have a problem with the players we spend serious money on.
It seems that if a couple of million is paid, then they must play, no matter how effective they are.
Case in point, Andreas Hinkel (and sometimes Scott Brown, though not today).
Craig Levein is the most astute manager in the SPL.
He spotted our weakness in the first half and exploited it mercilessly in the second half.
Time after time they pushed the ball down their left wing, causing consternation. Caldwell was constantly having to cover Hinkel, who seems to believe that an average SPL outsideleft is not good enough to control the ball, giving him time to saunter back into position.
His lack of urgency cost us dearly.
We have seen a huge improvement in Gary Caldwell, but the reason some folk are not certain about him, is his liability to make terrible howlers.
Today, he lost concentration and allowed O'Donavan in behind him.
If that lad was sharp enough he would have punished us.
Although the primary mistake for the goal was Hinkels, both Gary and Mick should have prevented the goal.
Our two front runners were bad, particularily Skippy.
Both missed good chances and as has been recorded here before, what was Samaras supposed to do coming on in the 88th minute?????
Skippy should not start next week, nor should Hinkel.
Give Caddis and Samaras a run.
Well done to Mark Wilson, a tremendous game.

Hmm.... I saw the last 25 minutes, according to my old boy we were moving the ball about reasonably quickly which was a relief, however I think in the short time period I saw the game we were getting pumped down the right hand side with both Hinkel and Caldwell looking at Dundee Utd players rather than closing down angles and showing them out.

I have always asked we show Hinkel time as he has not played a lot of football and has been plagued with injuries these last few years, however this is the season he needs to start showing the talent he had shown earlier in his career.

Caldevarro helped us to 3 in a row but was that a corner turned or a momentary blip? Fingers crossed but i am not so sure.

I think the reason we are persisting with Brown is that we all know there is a player there but he needs to do a lot of learning about positioning and timing and I also think that while Robson should start all the Rangers games this year in centre mid, I would worry about playing such an obviously one footed player in the Champs league in that position. I think on Euro nights he may be an impact player more than a starter. However in that case who do we play in centre mid? WGS is hoping Brown will repay some of that faith.

But on a more positive note, this result is not a disaster so let's have a bit of perspective, Wilson if he stays fit could be the solution to our left back prob, Naka is back, and Hartley is continuing his excellent form (the real reason we won the league last year in my not so humble opinion).
Oh, and the transfer window is not shut yet.

Dare I say it..?
There's only one Gordon Strachan
We're gonna get 4 in a row!

Patnenspen

Nothing. We've never seen 90 minutes out of the guy.

Nakagod - I'm a celebrated happyclapper but can't understand our summer to date in terms of challenging average players like mcmanus or naylor to believe they need to improve or are out.We need to build a momentum based on this season and not a complacency based on coming alive 7 games from the end of last.

Big Wavy

.

j titor....Ochi(hellas) Bill W & Dr Bob.... ;o((((

o1bhoy

lekker kuitji.... ;o)))) altijt lekker.... ;o))))

I said at half time that our problems stemmed from the midfield.

We have no authority or cohesion in that department and it unsettles the whole team.

It is absolutely ludicrous to play Robson on the right wing.

He can't beat a man and has no speed.

Nobody can deny that Untd. deserved at least a point and unless we learn how to dominate a match, I'm afraid we have gone as far as we can with the present model.

Individual pieces of brilliance from Mc. Geady, Naka, etc.,is not sustainable.

Nakagod said
Here come the mineshafters!! Didn’t see the 2nd half today but I'm not worried about this result.

I think that’s the silliest thing I have heard today. Open your eyes man.

We have not built on success and we have got what we paid for.

We only just deserved a point against a team who have not beaten us in nine years.

Oh and too actually watch Celtic and see the mistakes does not make you a mineshafter.

SwanseaBhoy, you're deluding yourself. We won 3 titles IN SPITE OF Strachan; not because of him and, had we sneaked it today, it would change nothing. WGS is a USELESS manager. He is devoid of any tactical nous and totally lacking in any inspirational motivation. Unfortunately, Lawwell and Reid worship the ground he walks on and nobody has the bottle to tell him what is obvious to everyone: "You're useless. Go!"

"We were pleased to be involved in that game..........." Well, WGS we weren't pleased.....at all. What a T*** !

Not Privvy to what is going on in the background.By the 31st August we could have the makings of a terrific team.I still believe that our current players are better than those of the others,but only just.I dont fancy Tyncastle or Easter Road this season not to mention Fir Park and Falkirk.

Our style of play does not seem right at the moment and we dont seem to be getting the basics right either,our front players cant seem to take the ball to feet properly,its all very predictable.

The club are taking a Huge Gamble not driving our Financial superiority home.When the Shoe was on the other foot(pardon the pun)Murray was Merciless.

Gordon also cannot escape criticism today with his substitution decisions however if McDonald scores the header then he was right.

Lets not be too hasty.Wait till the month end and a home game against them.Then we can survey the facts and publish our thoughts.

Hail Hail

Meanwhile Celtic announce another big profit and the bank manager has congratulated us on our bank balance. Celtic Finance Club sit at the top of the bank balance league and the huns atop of the spl with hamilton.
Peter Lawwell has reversed his tank from the bottom of the marble staircase and stationed it outside the front doors of his office to make sure no-one can get in to ask for any money.

absolutely pathetic as per usual - no amount of bluster will make this rubbish team seem any better. None of the 4 new signings got a sniff of the team either..... oh except samaras who gets 3 mins to make an impact.

pathetic

One star,

There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that this tactic does or has ever worked for us. I stand to be corrected but I know of no other side where this same tactic is used. Poor Barry Robson looks like a fish out of water when stuck out on the right, same goes for Scott Brown.

I have always believed that Aiden is better utilised on the right and I'm not sure it would matter what side you played Naka on.

3 seasons of this and I pose the same questions as I did earlier in the week - are we seeing a developing side? Just where is the continual improvement?

I fully recognise the constraints that we operate under but that should not prevent the manager from developing a team and a style of play. On this level I believe we are being badly short-changed.

Hugh Maxwell Fan Club: Great contribution. Let's add some more of your intelligence to the debate please.

Robson has been carrying a virus and that is why he was on the bench today.

Disappointing result but if there was a game which I would have expected us to drop points it would be an away to Dundee United. Sadly we need to wait a week to see the team bounce back as a week is a long time in football.

Hugh Maxwell Fan Club.

I'm not deluding myself at all. You're wrong about that too.

SwanseaBhoy

jibla65

Excellent point but expect it to be ignored

Did nobody else think Brown got forward a bit more than normal today?

Bhoy David "There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that this tactic does or has ever worked for us."

See every time McGeady cuts inside to get a shot on goal from the 18 yard box? That's evidence of the tactic working for us.

Another poor performance against a team that shouldn't be able to live us - not only were they able to live with us but aguably they could have beat us and could we really complain?

Notwithstanding a couple of dodgy refereeing decisions we could have like 1 pt???

Please look at the whole structure of our club, finances etc. and ask yourself are we better today than we were last season?
If not why not?

I'm reserving judgement till the window closes,the home derby is over and we've seen some if not all of the new guys in the team. We should be better than we were today and last week.My hope is that with who we've brought in so far aligned to who's still to arrive we improve as my impression is it's too stodgy.

patienceisavirtue csc

Bhoy David

I agree 100 % with what you say about us being short changed.

There is no defining style, or settled side we play with and with a manager in place for 3 years that is ridiculous.

Everyone keeps saying our financial position is so much stronger than everyone elses in Scotland.

On the evidence of the last two matches that doesnt translate to the pitch!

I see Maloney never even made the bench for villa today while Stan started

Caddis comes on against Man City creates chances, passes accurately runs puposely with the the ball does not waste possession once,tailor made for right midfield yet today Barry Robson struggling for fitness with a virus/blistered feet gets the nod ahead of him.

coolcelt196770: Go on then. Who DO you want to manage Celtic and why?

Got the answer, Guys. Push Strachan out the window before it closes ! There, sorted. Going to walk the dog now and spend time in some sane company.

sack the board, sack the manager, players are rubbish, buy this buy that spend millions,after only 2 games!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what happenned to FAITHFULL THROUGH AND THROUGH
some people JUST LOVE,LOVE i tell you looking on the bad side of things. might as well give up now

moisey17

We are no better than last year for one reason and one reason only a complete lack of financial support for the manager.

3 titles in a row demands backing from everyone but most of all the board.

We have spent very little on prospects and bench warmers.

The huns have bought wisely in the last few days

Heres hoping that dermots gold wallet gets opened this week.

Otherwise it will be the same old same old and a close finish with no guarantee we will pip the huns this time.

Had we taken our chances today I wonder what the posts would be like just now. We have no divine right to win.
I am always looking for positives and can only hope that this is going to show the powers that be we need quality additions, but then I believe they know that already and the next week or two will show that.

HMFC: "Going to walk the dog now and spend time in some sane company." In your case, that would be impossible (you might manage the "walking the dog" part).

Personally I though Brown had a decent game, a lot of energy and positive going forward - his first touch does let him down though.

tamstered: "What happenned to FAITHFULL THROUGH AND THROUGH"

Comment of the day.

one star means more

Why no debate with the man and stop insulting everyone who disagrees with you.

Your valid points lose impact with your obsession that everyone who disagrees with you is an idiot.

Calm down man.

Like Narrowboat, I thought it was an enjoyable game, especially second half and probably a fair result in the end.

If Craig Levein is going to risk another £5000 fine regarding the penalty decision, I'd like to know why no one got hot under the collar when Naka was fouled in the championship decider. It was potentially much more significant, it happened two SPL games ago, involving his team, at its home ground.

Also, with the Eddie Smith decision still upsetting so many people and his integrity constantly being called into question, can I remind everyone that a close member of his family was playing for St Mirren in that game.

Onwards and upwards bhoys.

jibla65

It's too early to judge whether they will be 'first teamers' or not. Loovens only arrived yesterday so he was never going to play and Crosas has only been here a week. With him being quite young I would imagine Gordon wanted to avoid throwing him into action so soon especially with it being such a tricky game away to Dundee United. McCourt probably wont be a automatic starter but he has suffered injuries throughout preseason so we need to be a bit more patient there. I do think that Samaras should be starting at the moment though as Scott is really off his game. As for next week, it wouldn't surprise me to see Crosas, Loovens and Samaras start.

.

Hugh Maxwell Fan Club ....One Star Means More....

Deleted Dog Violation....

o1rspcaCSC

Malone: I agree. Brown played some of the linking, attacking play that we have needed from him. He needs to sustain his best football.

Then again there is no law against people who wouldn't know what a footballer looks like condemning everyone who wasn't signed by Martin O'Neill.

Malone,

Therein lies a bit of a conundrum with Scott - all youthful energetic bursts heading forward, but with no technical capability to control the ball and no end product. On that basis doesn't deserve a start.

Big Wavy

celtic-first

Valid point but we have a worrying trend of poor lackluster performances and skippy looks a stone over weight

i am as disapointrd as anyone but some comments are just over the top, we are all part of the celtic family, we dont have the god given right to win every game, all i say is keep the heed dont panic and hopfully it will all come together including new faces coming in

One Star,

God help us if that's the best the manager can come up with. Is that really what you'd call a tactic? Makes life as a defender so easy - especially with Barry Robson - show him the outside every time and he's stuffed being so one footed. Forces the ball to be passed backwards all the time. How much easier is it for a team to defend a cross from deep as opposed to a cross from the bye-line?

One Star.....One man who I think could do a good job managing Celtic is Tony Mowbray, but that;s a persnal preference as I like the way his teams play football.

It's not my job to say who should, I just know I dont enjoy watching my side playing under Strachan, as I feel given the squad he has we should be playing better football.

TAMSTERED....you assume because we criticise we are not faithful, that's rubbish. To not highlight GLARING problems with our side that have been there for 3 seasons to me is showing BLIND FAITH that will eventually lead to us being overtaken by them across the city, as we were ONE game away from in May. Remember we needed Motherwell and Aberdeen to do us a favour or the title would have been theirs.

If we don't evolve we die, as true in football as in anything else.