Lots went right last night, with only a few nits to pick.
Compare and contrast the key area of the field – central mid – with the game away in Malmo. With Bitton and Brown in their usual roles, Stefan Johansen dropped off his common (or Commons, if you like) position behind the striker to give us a central midfield three. As a result, everything clicked. Ajax were unable to pass through us, while central defence looked protected.
Again, Bitton was our main man. Always looking for a pass, always comfortable in possession, no matter how many opponents were in close proximity. He even managed a Paul McStay-esque (that’s where you recognised it from) pass 40 yards ahead of Johansen in the second half. Brown and Johansen ran like clockwork alongside him and we looked like a team!
You’ll also have recognised the corner which led to Mikael Lustig’s goal. It was a carbon copy of Kris Commons’ effort, minutes from the end of the Qarabag game, and minutes after he came on as a substitute, which brought the only goal of that tie. It was drilled directly with the top of the foot, a very unusual and difficult delivery but one which, if executed well, is very dangerous. Commons also got an assist for the first goal, an even more impressive piece of footwork before placing an inch-perfect pass between two Ajax defenders. Bitton’s controlled shot was sublime (I’ll avoid calling it Wakaso-esque, no need to jinx the lad).
I thought both full backs played well, until Izaguirre’s second yellow, of course. Izzie and Lustig were both booked for throwing themselves into challenges. It wasn’t a game for holding back to see what will happen next, so I’ve sympathy for the initial yellows, but Izzie had a game-intelligence bypass. His second yellow came a minute after another robust foul. The red was inevitable. It probably cost us the win. The player is fighting for his place, and next contract, right now. The pain on his face as he left the field was real, but he needs this pressure. The lack of competition hasn’t been good for him in recent years. Don’t write him off yet.
One frustration I had was that we didn’t get James Forrest on the ball often enough. James has the weapon of pace in his boots but we didn’t once manage to exploit it. Perhaps as a consequence Leigh Griffiths had a frustrating night with little to feast on. I’d have changed James role or replaced him earlier.
And what about Efe? Why he decided to take a man on, 20 yards from his own goal, a moment after coming on, only Efe will know, but thereafter he was the most influential player in securing the point. When Janko came on Efe pulled tight into a role as a defacto central defender. He took responsibility and helped what was by then a relatively inexperienced defence.
When my youngest heard that Jozo Simunovic was making his debut there was a sharp intake of breath. “But what if he makes a mistake? All we’ll know about him is he’s made a mistake in a huge game.” Jozo looked the part, covered ground efficiently. It was a good start.
So what went wrong? Lustig went to ground on the wing, didn’t get the ball and left 20 yards of space open behind him. This drew Celtic defenders out of position to cover, which Ajax exploited excellently to score their first goal. They opened us up once more like this shortly thereafter, but that apart, they didn’t lay a glove on us until we were down to 10 men.
I’m pretty angry at the second Ajax goal. It was another cross into the six yard box we failed to attack. Dedryck Boyata ran between the two Ajax attackers in attendance, but seemed to be distracted by their runs. No one attacked the ball. Get your starting position right and attack the ball – that’s the rule on set-pieces. We’re not following it.
And for the record, Craig Gordon was faultless for this one. A keeper has to stay on his line when a cross flies over attackers and defenders alike. Whatever lies behind our recent frailties at defending cross balls, I suspect it’s not gone away.
The margins between success and failure in this group are shaping up to be thin. Ajax could have snatched three points at the end, we would have won the game if Izzie had stayed on the field. I’m not sure how I feel about Molde winning in Istanbul. A group with two difficult competitors now looks like a group with no easy games. The group’s top seeds and the early favourites are both licking wounds this morning.
So let’s win it.
One big benefit from last night is that we can look forward to Sunday’s important game with a bit of enthusiasm. The good people at Magners have again offered us two Premium Seats in the Jock Stein Stand for Sunday. To win them, all you need to do is answer the following question:
Who do Celtic play on Sunday?
Email me, with your answer in the subject field, at celticquicknews@gmail.com
The competition closes at 2pm today, so there’s not much time and likely to be little competition. And while you’re at it, how about donating a £1 to our Mary’s Meals, Malawi school kitchen appeal? It takes moments to get involved here.
Thank you.
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SID. Total rumour and nonsense on your part Celtic have a large number of players so only natural if some of them dont like JC but pushing it on a blog and not being able to back it up is out of order in my opinion much better to keep quiet.Snidey comments like McCoist a strange statement to come out with kind of makes me wonder. H.H.
What was so important for last night was not just the point but Boyata & Jozo had a baptism of fire in their first game together and came through it with flying colours. They have now 3 domestic games before Fernabache, hopefully they will kick on from here and become the anchors that Jason & Virgil were last year.
For me the next most important part of moulding a new team is to get Ciftci scoring goals. Ronny must take a chance and play him up front with Griff from the start.
Big decision now for Ronny, with Izzy on a Euro ban whether to play Blackett in next 3 domestic games to try and get him up to speed for Fernabache game.
sid on 18th September 2015 3:32 pm
Oh I agree. However some seem to be suggesting (not you as far as I can recall) that JC should go. That he must be the root of the disharmony. We all know that teams have their own cliques, and I’m saying that perhaps it’s a group of team buddies and maybe they’re the ones that need put out.
Preferably they would all start behaving like adults and get on with it.
Ally Mccoist has a list of players who don’t like John Collins.
HH
CORKCELT on 18TH SEPTEMBER 2015 3:36 PM
Think Ciftci will start on Sunday. He has history with Dundee, good and bad.
JFH
You showed you’re snide nature, calling people infiltrators with zero PROOF. If I’m going to call you a name i will do it directly to you. Are you going to Cqn 10 maybe you could repeat it then?
https://twitter.com/RosskoC/status/644867931386609664
Gary67. As long as he leaves his teeth in a jar in the dressing room. H.H. :- )
..
Another Article on Proposed New Transfer Rules..
Courtesy The Guardian..
Transfer fees could go if Fifpro wins legal action against Fifa
• Global players’ union launches claim with European Commission
• Fifpro also seeks squad size limits and cap on agents’ fees
Transfer fees such as those for Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two most expensive players in the world, could become a thing of the past.
The union that represents footballers around the world will on Friday launch a landmark legal action against Fifa in the hope of outlawing the transfer system and fundamentally changing the professional game.
Having run out of patience with Fifa and Uefa following long-running negotiations over reforms to the transfer system to protect players better, Fifpro’s lawyers will electronically file a complaint in Brussels with the European Commission.
Fifpro wants to abolish transfer fees and make it easier for players to move between clubs while respecting contracts. It believes its members have less freedom of movement than other workers when a club is able to demand a fee for a footballer under contract. Its lawyers also plan to argue that the existing system is anti-competitive because it places disproportionate power in the hands of elite clubs who can afford to pay large transfer fees.
Government may impose levy on Premier League’s TV money – minister
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/sep/09/government-levy-premier-league-tv-money-minister
Other Fifpro objectives include an end to the loan system, restrictions on squad sizes and the capping of payments to agents.
“Whatever happens, it is a historical moment not only for Fifpro but for professional football,” said Fifpro’s general secretary, Theo van Seggelen, who claims to represent 65,000 players across 65 countries. “We were responsible for Bosman, we were responsible for the declaration of objectives in 2001. We thought we had a good position then but we were tackled from behind.
“We’ve tried to solve this problem internally with Fifa and Uefa but I am 100% convinced that they have left us with no choice. I have been used to negotiating my whole career, with Fifpro and the Dutch union. But it has come to an end.”
Its lawyers believe it will result in the most seismic changes since the Bosman case to a transfer market they believe has become badly warped and no longer serves the best interests of players, fans or clubs. Moreover they will argue that it entrenches the dominance of the biggest clubs and damages the wider game.
“If we win this case and the European Commission declares it illegal, it will be like what happened after Bosman,” Van Seggelen told the Guardian, referring to the 1995 case that guaranteed freedom of movement for players when they reached the end of their contract.
“They have to change it. And if they don’t do it, there will be a declaration of objectives where they have to change it by a certain deadline.”
In the complaint to the Directorate General of EU Competition, Fifpro will argue that several opt-outs from European law agreed under a 2001 settlement have not been adhered to and are no longer in the public interest. They plan to argue that the transfer system is anti-competitive and also breaches European law on restraint of trade and freedom of movement.
The Commission could take six to 12 months to reach a decision and, if it rules in favour of Fifpro, lawyers estimate that it could take one to two years of horse trading beyond that to come up with a new set of rules.
Fifpro will argue that the transfer system breeds instability, with small clubs gambling on selling one or two star players to sustain themselves.
It will also point to new research from the economist Stefan Szymanski that shows that the argument that there is a “trickle down” effect from the transfer system from the biggest to the smallest clubs no longer holds water.
“The transfer system as it currently operates is intended to achieve a number of pro-competitive benefits in football markets by placing restraints on football players,” said Szymanski. “These restraints significantly impact the economic and social wellbeing of the players both in theory and in practice.
“Even if it were possible to justify these restraints because of the wider benefit to football, there is little evidence that these wider benefits have materialised. But in reality, it remains the case that there are better alternatives to achieving the stated policy goals, as observed by Carl Otto Lenz Advocate General at the European Court of Justice in the Bosman case 20 years ago.”
Szymanski’s 20-page analysis concludes: “As it currently operates, the transfer system sustains the dominance of the elite clubs by ensuring that they are the only ones with the financial muscle to afford the transfer fees payable for the very best players. Thus, as it currently operates, the transfers system is not only unfair to players, it also promotes the opposite of what was intended.”
Manchester City’s squad size was cited as an example of the game’s imbalance by Fifpro’s Theo van Seggelen.
Van Seggelen said it was difficult to be specific about what the future might look like if transfer fees were abolished. But he argued the biggest clubs had nothing to fear.
“Without a transfer system, the best players will still play at the best clubs,” he said. “The contracts will be shorter. But that’s not enough. So we also have to come up with alternatives to be sure that we will not have an unintended effect. We also need stability – you can make the contracts one, two, three or four years. You can say it will be very difficult for a club or a player to breach their contract.”
One vision of the future would provide a “protected period” where neither club nor player could break their contract within the first two or three years (unless there were extenuating circumstances where they were not getting a game). Then the player would be able to buy out the remainder of his contract and switch clubs. It would also limit contracts to a maximum of, say, four years.
If the brave new world went hand in hand with other governance reforms – capping agents’ fees, limiting squad sizes, getting rid of the loan system – Van Seggelen argued it would not remove the advantage of the biggest clubs but would stop money flowing out of the game and produce more stability.
“If the agents are going to decide where a player is going to play because a club will give him €20m, that is a problem we have to tackle,” he said. “That is why we have to put restrictions on the intermediary fees. Otherwise you will create another problem. We have already thought about that.
“You have to think about squad size limits – you can’t have a Manchester City squad with 60 players – and we have to forbid the loan system. It’s logical. And get rid of the agent fees. Those are the points we have to think about.”
He also argued that wholesale reform of the transfer system to better protect players and create more stability should go hand in hand with measures to improve competitive balance in the game across Europe.
“It’s a packet of measures – you also have to look at the distribution of money. I look at all the countries,” he said. “In Slovenia football is small. We are not in a communist situation where everyone will become equal. The product from England is fantastic. They will still have the most money. That is not the problem.”
The impasse has come about because Fifpro claims the biggest clubs wanted to link new rules around guaranteeing payment of salaries – a major issue in some smaller leagues – to concessions elsewhere.
Fifpro has maintained that new rules on “overdue payables”, ensuring that players get paid on time, should be a given and not linked to the wider negotiation over the transfer system.
A 2012 Fifpro study across 12 countries showed that 42% of players did not receive their salaries on time. Van Seggelen insisted the biggest clubs in Europe had nothing to fear from getting rid of transfer fees and that smaller clubs had plenty to gain. He argued the only losers would be the agents and middle men taking money out of the game. Fifa’s own figures show that agents’ fees on international transfers rose to £155m in 2014.
“We are not the only ones complaining about the ridiculous system with the transfer window. There is the press, the fans,” he said. “Everybody understands that you want to end the season with the same team you start with. We are not saying ridiculous things.”
The Dutch secretary general, a former player, said the landmark case was a fitting way to mark the organisation’s 50th anniversary and insisted the widespread stereotype of footballers being concerned only with their own pay packet and position was unfair.
“Top players know where a player in the second division is coming from,” he said. “They know it could have been them. The solidarity of the players is unbelievable.
“I speak with players from all over the world, from Japan to Bolivia. The only difference between players is that one has a second-hand bike and the other has a Ferrari. All the players have to sacrifice to become a professional player.
“Our top players promote Fifpro, they are happy to be in our world XI, they are happy to be treated like everyone else. That is why the top players in Spain demanded that players in the third division were paid two years ago. We represent 60,000 players and we are united.”
Summa
Highlights from last night for anyone who hasn’t seen them:))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj8EVxy7qHs
SID. That will be a change of direction for you.You like to stir it and when asked for verification you come up totaly empty handed. You have been asked several questions but havnt answered I wonder why that is ? H.H.
Weeminger
Thanks for discussing a point rather than attacking the poster. I was happy JC got the job, I know JC is very much a Celtic man, you would hope grown men could just get on with it for the good of the club, I’m hearing it’s an issue, that’s all, time will tell if it surfaces.
P67
Not sure if it selective amnesia or poor quality news management that you are suffering from today — you certainly have not described the game I saw last night.
I can forgive a lack of skill or quality if the desire is there.
However for the second Euro game in a row we lacked fight, heart and belief.
Second best when it came to physicality, pace and stamina.
We looked as if we were too scared to give it a real go.
And then we come to JF — you really are a happy clapper.
The pace you talk about is history — out muscled and out run by a youth player.
Can it get any worse — yes it can as he flashes his torso.
At least the ‘dam polis will not be involved but please spare us the puppy fat.
Erse into gear my boy or it will be SD Mk2 — the economy edition.
Also love the positives surrounding KC — if the Ajax left back had made a fool of him for a third time he would have got to keep him.
Not sure what was involved in some of his play but professional pride was not part of it.
Now for the positives …
LG showed some glimpses of a fair bit of class well beyond his Salt ‘n Sauce roots.
SJ looked as if he was half interested in patches and actually did something with the ball.
DB gave indications that the talent and desire are their but the experience is lacking.
JS won his headers and did not look out of place but had his L plates on.
EA showed some class and interestingly desire but he still looks like a nervous player in a nervous team. He needs support to flourish but unfortunately the team at the moment seems to Everyman for himself.
EI looked good and continued his improve defensive form of late.
Unfortunately when emotions became involved he collapsed.
Looked a sending off waiting to happen from the yellow card onwards.
RD should have spotted it and acted upon it — big miss.
TB — All I can saw is RAABA.
However he seems to have some character to get him into the team and into games.
Interesting to see the team on Sunday.
Looking like a big game for PH’s CV and career development.
JFH
I don’t get the proof bit, what do you expect?, let’s wait and see. We’re probably boring people, so I will do you a deal. If nothing else comes to light between now and the end of season, I will apologise to you and other blog members, if it is revealed I have been correct(which I hope not for the clubs sake) then maybe you will hesitate in attacking posters who feel that a Celtic blog is the correct place to air views on all things Celtic, good or bad.
MadMitch on 18th September 2015 3:52 pm
Interesting that a team second best in so many areas can take the lead twice, and then hold on for a draw with 10 men.
It would suggest we were the better team in all the important areas.
http://blogs.channel4.com/alex-thomsons-view/craig-whytes-lawyers-send-letter-action/4906
GM-I should have done ML to score anytime :{
Rangers fans launch a petition to get their club featured in a video game…… –
Grand Title Theft Auto…..
!!Bada Bing!! on 18th September 2015 4:02 pm
You know what that’s about?
It’s not EA deciding they’re insignificant. They weren’t able to license the IP from RIFC. I presume because it’s now under dispute.
LG might have done better with more support from Forrest and Johansen IMO,Forrest didn’t fancy it after his first joust with the RB.
weeminger-Who holds the Licence then? Craigy Bhoy,Ashley?
!!Bada Bing!! on 18th September 2015 4:02 pm Rangers fans launch a petition to get their club featured in a video game…… –
Grand Title Theft Auto…..
————————————————————
PMSL!
!!Bada Bing!! on 18th September 2015 4:06 pm
It’s either MA (through his loan) or RIFC, at the moment but they’re probably prevented from making further revenue from it while it’s under dispute.
Wonder what else it might affect?
WM @ 3.59
Ajax are a poor side.
The game last gave ample evidence why they are in the EuL.
When we strung three passes together we put them under real pressure.
However we could not do that on a regular basis — therefore we struggled.
We were lucky to get the draw — for once we got some luck.
In addition there GK had a shocker — seemingly he is quoted but he was a shambles last night.
We need to get a CM pairing that is in form.
And we need to get two wide players that actually deliver.
Plus we need the whole team to grow a pair and stop being scared of shadows.
Either there own or those of the other team.
To repeat AjAx are a poor team at the moment.
However they do have some quality.
SID I agree that this blog is a correct place to air views on things Celtic good or bad.However, in my opinion there are plenty who spread rumours about Celtic in order to belittle the club or the players without doing it on the blog.I learned a long time ago from other posters that if it cannot be verified it is best to be kept to yourself until it can be verified or forgotten altogether. This blog in my opinion is one of if not the best blog for Celtic supporters.I also think you should play the ball not the man comments like naive or should see a doctor or snidey isnt going to win you many friends. I have no problem with moving on but remember who attacked who first this afternoon.H.H.
Asashin’s Creed….
weeminger on 18th September 2015 4:08 pm !!
Bada Bing!! on 18th September 2015 4:06 pm
It’s either MA (through his loan) or RIFC, at the moment but they’re probably prevented from making further revenue from it while it’s under dispute.
Wonder what else it might affect?
———————————————————————–
Would that nor be the case for other activities that require the use of the IP – like replica strips or anything with a crest on it?
Sevco video games?
Halo Halo
Summa
Thanks for posting that.
If players are going to honour contracts or be made to so that you know you have a VVD for a full four years then that would help stability.
The underlying issue is still the uneven flow of TV money that has global (and Scottish) subscribers feeding the EPL.
There has to be some mechanism to govern that. All TV contracts to have a high solidarity element?
https://twitter.com/KieranFyfe95/status/640896792016650240
JFH
I remember it was you who called me an infiltrator, with zero proof. I will post what I like, as I say it’s from a solid source, free speech, down with North Korea.
Auldheid. What if the money from TV didnt go to the clubs but a European Association who could share it out to clubs in a more equal spread.Thus improving the competition in European leagues. H.H.
NatKnow on 18th September 2015 4:18 pm
Yes. I did wonder whether there might be a problem with new strips from here on in. However I assume that existing contracts are allowed to proceed, it would only be new ones. MA currently holds the rights to use the badge under the contract of the loan, so I guess he can continue to make merchandise and RIFC will get what they’re due under that contract.
New thinking out loud – does this prevent Dave King paying back the loan, even if he wanted to?
On the Fifpro thing
If the current system of transfer payments ends then the money will just go between players and clubs and a professional footballers current salary will grow astranomically. Especially so in the larger leagues.
The only thing that may slow the growth down will be the loss of an asset as future sell on values will not exists. This may temper the salaries offered but I doubt it will be much.
I imagine if transfer fees go it won’t be long until we see £1M a week players in the top leagues.
samller nations will not be able to compete.
This change would only benefit the players.
Re. Sid. and JC not getting on with players. I believe and have been informed that there is truth in that. And no I am not going to announce my source of info so piss off wallapers!
Looking at his previous at other clubs why this would surprise anyone I don’t know?
I anticipated it when we signed him up aas a coach\assistant manager. Players are not, in Scotland, professional enough to stick to or like the kind of regime Collins puts in place. The foreign bhoys will be ok with it as it’s likely what they are used to but the homegrown bhoys and UK bhoys will not like it.
MWD said AYE
SID. I certainly dont recall calling anyone an infiltrator you are entitled to post what you like.However,it would be good if it was true and not a rumour which you cannot prove.You have been asked by more than one poster to provide answers which you continue to ignore.You keep saying your information is from a solid source so who is that then ? we can then judge if it is a solid source or not.H.H.
Bada…
The walking dead!
I demand to know why every team Celtic play aren’t very good, we should be told, and we need to know now?
Bsr,
Indeed.
Everyone we play is rubbidge.
Barca were past their best when we beat them and even ol Martins side only beat Juve cos they didn’t start Trezeguet.
nohappiness csc