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Central defence was crucial to Celtic win

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

What’s not in dispute about Sunday was Celtic’s overwhelming superiority in every aspect of the game. One Newco fan suggested to me that on that showing, only Nir Bitton wouldn’t have got into the Newco (not his word) team. What worked so well for us, despite an array of unenforced errors and poor finishing, was the passing and positional play from our two central defenders.

The jury has been out on Jozo Simunovic since his arrival in the summer of 2015 as we’ve seen so little of him in that time, but he and Erik Sviatchenko were fundamental to our dominance. With both full backs playing high up-field, Jozo and Erik were asked to cover the back line, often taking possession under pressure, but there were no Big Bobo moments.

They were comfortable enough to hold possession while being closed down and play a short passing game. Erik was regularly in the left back position against the touchline, but stuck to task. This meant Celtic could continue to play through periods where passing higher up the park wasn’t as accurate as it could have been.

As a consequence, Mikael Lustig and Kieran Tierney were able to overload wide midfield positions.  Whenever possession was lost we were in place to press quickly.

Jozo got a good block on the only genuine chance Newco created all game (caused through an unenforced error in midfield) but apart from that it was difficult to judge any of the defenders on their defensive display, as we weren’t asked to defend for large parts of the day.

Brendan made the decision to let Jozo go to Torino in August, for the deal to fall through. One of his objectives this season will be to go into next summer’s Champions League qualifiers with three central defenders he can rely on (there is less doubt we’ll be in the qualifiers now than at this stage during the last three seasons).

Caveat on Wednesday aside, Kolo Toure has proven to be a great signing (he’s four years older than Philippe Senderos, as a guide), but it will be a while before he or Brendan will discuss next season. If Jozo and Erik remain fit, and with Eoghan O’Connell looking the part, this area of the team is well sorted.

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  1. Margaret McGill on

    So everybody and their granny wants Jozo, Erik, Dembele and probably a few others.

     

    Rodgers urges…Scotland vow to keep….blah blah blah…..betcha pistol Pete cant wait till the January transfer window.

     

    Clowns to the left of me jokers to the right. Old Firm I am.

  2. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    ACGR @ OUTLOOK DOT COM – GET YOUR FREE THE ZADOK RINGTONE on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 2:33 AM

     

    Booooooooo moderator boooooooooooooooooo.

     

     

     

    Macjay looks like he was talking to himself last night.

     

    ==================================================

     

     

    I was having an intelligent conversation.

  5. 'GG on

    Dena29

     

    Just reading back and noticed your lass was in recovery after an op.

     

    I hope and pray all is well.

     

    There’s nothing worse for a parent to have a kid unwell.

     

    Deo Gratias.

  7. 'GG on

    Cleveland Indians beat Chicago Cubs 6-0 in the opening game of the World Series.

     

    Game 2 tomorrow night.

     

    So tomorrow afternoon I’ll be in Dingwall before a night in Cleveland.

  8. 'GG on

    Maggie

     

    Dembele will be here after the window closes.

     

    We don’t need to sell players to stay solvent.

     

    Unlike another team we all know and despise.

     

    Of that there is no doubt to quote the Beechgrove Gardener.

  9. Jobo Baldie on

    Good morning friends from a damp, dark, drizzly and chilly East Kilbride. But tonight we have the privilege, yet again, to sit and watch The Champions play.

  10. Hamiltontim on

    Happy Birthday to Minx1888, a really, really special girl and a right good Tim!

     

     

    Have a fantastic day H.

  12. vfr800a8 on

    Word of The Day (inspired by……………………………)

     

     

     

    intransigent /ɪnˈtrænsɪdʒənt/

     

     

    adjective

     

    1. not willing to compromise; obstinately maintaining an attitude

     

     

    noun

     

    2. an intransigent person, esp in politics

     

     

    Derived Forms

     

    intransigence, intransigency, noun

     

    intransigently, adverb

     

     

    Word Origin

     

    C19: from Spanish los intransigentes the uncompromising (ones), a name adopted by certain political extremists, from in- 1 + transigir to compromise, from Latin transigere to settle

     

     

     

    KTF

  13. Tallybhoy on

    Morning all from a grey but mild Northwest Italia.

     

     

    Heading back to Scotland this evening in time for the second half.

     

     

    Very best wishes to DENA and her lass for a full and speedy recovery.

     

     

    HH!!

  14. vfr800a8 on

    Was posting from a mobile last night, so kept it short.

     

     

    Dena, prayers were said for the wee one, so I’m glad she is on the road to recovery.

     

     

    A number of others unwell at the moment, so for JNP, MWD and a few others candles lit in St Mary’s, so hope you all improve.

     

     

    Happy birthday to Minx1888.

     

     

    ACGR, MACJAY and TGM, just a wee thanks for being true to who you are: a hint of madness in all, but always good banter!

     

     

    KTF

  15. An Teach Solais on

    MINX1888

     

    Happy Birthday. Hope a wee victory tonight will add to the joys of the day.

     

    HH

  18. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    MACJAY 406

     

     

    Surprising that article was printed without a byline. Usually The Scotsman identifies its columnists.

  19. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    HAPPY HOOOOOOOPY BIRTHDAY to

     

     

    MINX1888!!!!!!

     

     

    I fully expect yer favourite fella to whisk you away to a lovely wee romantic location this evening…

  22. Cowiebhoy on

    Gooooood Morning CQN

     

     

    And a very Hooooopy morning to Minx1888

     

    Getting taken to Dingwall as a present from HT

     

    nice :-)

     

     

    Hail Hail

  27. Mountblow tim on

    Good Morning CQN

     

     

    Great news Dena on your daughter’s op

     

    Prayers for a speedy recovery love to both of you

     

     

    Happy birthday Minx have a good one

     

     

    DD hope you have a fantastic day with the family

     

    Up there in Dingwall

     

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

    Mt

  29. !!Bada Bing!! on

    Traynor actually believes he is important, and is carrying out a vital job…….

     

    Bbbbbbwwwaaaaaaaaaaa

  31. Davidopoulos on

    Good Moaning

     

     

    Both Ross County and Aberdeen have been…well…not brilliant this season. However, I think if we took 4 points from the 2 games (bearing in mind we still have a game in hand) that would constitute a very good 7 days.

     

     

    P.S. Please let the 3 of those 4 points come against Aberdeen so I can see McInnes’s wee greetin’ face aw screwed up…or just win both games, you know, whatever…

  32. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 8:04 AM

     

    MACJAY 406

     

     

     

    Surprising that article was printed without a byline. Usually The Scotsman identifies its columnists.

     

     

    =====================================================================

     

     

    That is interesting.

     

    In reality , I really don`t trust any of them.

     

     

    Must say , though , I thoroughly enjoyed the commentary from Chris Sutton and Terry Butcher.

     

    Amusing and informed banter. Without pretence of impartiality.

     

     

    LOVE Chris sticking it to Mason Thompson and his blatant unabashed bias.

  34. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    Morning Celts

     

     

    Love to Dena 29

     

    We have you in our thoughts

     

    HH

     

     

    Morning Celts

  37. Cosy Corner Bhoy on

    Good to read that Dena’s lhass has come through okay and will ‘do’ a wee caunel in thanks today

     

    Happy Birthday to the Minx but seems a long way to go for a birthday tea!

     

    May have ‘un problems’ this evening re local pub for game@@@@. Not advertised yesterday and only the Barmaid who couldn’t understand me when I first asked her for a ‘pint of lager’ in bar so waste of time discussing!!

     

    Notice this iPad doesn’t do Spanish as well as Glaswegian! – ‘ un problems ‘ was ‘ un problema’ .

  41. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    COSY CORNER BHOY on 26TH OCTOBER 2016 9:23 AM

     

     

    Queremos ver el juego de Celtic de Glasgow hoy en la noche.

     

    Por favor.

     

     

    If you can`t pronounce it , show her.

     

    And gie her a few pesetas. :-)

  42. FAVOURITE UNCLE on

    Josh Windass: Rangers can win the title, and we won’t have to beat Celtic three times to do it

     

     

    from glasgow herald today.now put your crayons and colouring books down and pay attention.well thats all they pay.

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