For all of our dominance yesterday, you have to think there is room for considerable improvement. Passing in the first half was frequently poor, shooting throughout the game was invariably off target, and when we managed to keep it down and between the sticks, the keeper was able to read the shot. Gilks played well, but the truth is we flattered him.
Moussa Dembele grabbed all the headlines with his back-heel-flick-nutmeg-winning-goal, but I spent much of the game debating whether it was time he was rested. Against Newco last month, he held the ball up and linked play, while finding and exploiting space. Yesterday his linking was poor and he seldom found space.
The incisiveness we enjoyed watching as recently as the outing against Manchester City, was missing against Gladback on Wednesday and at Hampden yesterday.
There were also enormous positives. Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko were absolutely critical on Celtic’s grip on the game. Their positioning – when we were in possession – kept the ball flowing. They both gave us playmaker performances, and they didn’t miss a beat defensively either.
Again, just as on Wednesday, it didn’t work for Nir Bitton. When we play out from central defence like this the deep-lying playmaker role is crucial. He need to create space for us to move the ball forward, while he becomes an auxiliary defender as our full backs are so high up the field.
Stuart Armstrong came on and played higher up-field than Bitton and managed to put the squeeze on Newco.
The game reminded me of the League Cup semi-final two years ago, when Celtic subjugated an impotent Newco without scoring the volume of goals their superiority deserved. There was a chasm between the teams, which makes my belief that Celtic can play a lot better all the more interesting. Conversely I suspect that was a high water mark for Mark Warburton’s team.
The portents are good that he believes that game was a sign of progress.
As for Craig Thomson, that was self-evidently not good enough.
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GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 24TH OCTOBER 2016 3:51 PM
MWD
Like Philbhoy already posted your in mine, hope things get better and keep up the good fight, never met you (yet) but others speak well if you so good enough for me
Apologies if that post sounded like a clique, the worst clique in the world everybody is welcome :-)
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Ditto, it would be good to share a pint or ten and put the world to rights.
We both have strong opinions, but if I agreed with yours we would both be wrong. :-)))))))))
Cheers,
Mark.
Summa –
So I Married An Axe Murderer is one of my favourite comedy films EVER!
Aff oot a wee run……
I’ll be delighted when his Warbness resigns.
He’s a decent coach and hopefully they will replace him with another rocket like McCoist or Bomber Brown
Jobo …. my sister interviewed Mr. Meyers this week … said he was an interesting sort. Personally, I always thought Nancy Travis was the real star of that film….. she’s lovely.
Look at the size of that boy’s heid. I’m not kiddin’, it’s like an orange on a toothpick…
Paul 67
Very obvious omission in your leader.
One that highlights the vast chasm between the teams.
One that seems to be getting lost in the aftermath.
SCOTT BROWN
Our Captain Marvel was outstanding yesterday.
By the length of Aitkenhead Road the best player on view.
No need to extoll his virtues. They were all on display yesterday.
He hustled, harried, bullied and berated.
His haughty disdain from the toss up was well founded.
Sevco’s attacks foundered on his strong tackles.
Our counter attacks sprung from his passing.
He is an inspirational figure. Perpetual motion.
He thoroughly deserves his captainship.
Let’s give him his plaudits.
Jobo/MiT
Noticed it was on here last night (again) Wacthed it recently with the kids who loved it.
Anyhoo ~ Heid https://youtu.be/IqycJpRdVaY
Not Gary Caldwell ;)
HH
Greenpiñata 4.03
I am reminded daily that I am wrong so in all probability you will be correct :-)
MWD
Make that a pint and a curry!
If my doc tells me to stop drinking alcohol (again) I’ll change him!
Take care!
When I watched the game for the second time last night, I noted more clearly the incident when Erik the Viking shepherded the ball out of play over the byleline frustrating an enraged Kenny Miller in the process. The frustrated Miller snarled and moaned and for a brief moment when the camera caught him, he looked exactly like one of the vampires that you used to see on Buffy the Vampire Slayer – without the make-up.
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy
he looked exactly like one of the vampires that you used to see on Buffy the Vampire Slayer
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Nerd…. ;)
Davidopoulos
Don’t knock Buffy! I won’t hear a word against Wee Sarah Michele or her red headed pal whose name escapes me :-))
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 24TH OCTOBER 2016 4:22 PM
Greenpiñata 4.03
I am reminded daily that I am wrong so in all probability you will be correct :-)
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I thought we would win by about 4 goals yesterday, so what do I know!!!!
HH.
MWD- good luck HH
Forgive me for harping back to The Goal from yesterday.
On about the 25th replay, I noticed Dembele, as he made his run, pointing to where he wanted the ball. Leigh duly obliged.
I also noticed that, in spite of claims to the contrary, there were only two nutmegs. Both executed by Mousse.
Griffs pass eluded Hill’s outstretched left boot.
Still, it was not too bad a goal!
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy
I prefered that Charisma Carpenter :)
Does “operating with one hand tied behind your back” mean not having £250m of other people’s money to spend and not have to pay back?
Tough gig, eh – having to play by the same set of rules as everyone else……
TOSB
Seth Green?
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY on 24TH OCTOBER 2016 4:27 PM
When I watched the game for the second time last night, I noted more clearly the incident when Erik the Viking shepherded the ball out of play over the byleline frustrating an enraged Kenny Miller in the process. The frustrated Miller snarled and moaned and for a brief moment when the camera caught him, he looked exactly like one of the vampires that you used to see on Buffy the Vampire Slayer – without the make-up
******
Throughout his career, Miller was never known to be unsporting, or a typical hun.
It was one thing we respected him for.
However, that action yesterday was both petulant and nasty.
Having a suspicious mind and taking into account his longevity, I took to wondering was Kenny taking something in his porridge which would perhaps make him more aggressive stimulated?
‘GG on 24TH OCTOBER 2016 4:17 PM
Paul 67
Could not agree more, Broonie was collosal. The best bit was I think he strolled it.
*aggresive AND stimulated?
TOSB
Alyson (this one time at band camp) Hannigan
HH
Greenpinata
Semi final… 1-0 is as good as 4 :-)
Oh Dear.
https://mobile.twitter.com/RangersFC/status/790539093063135232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Paul67.
1-0 is usually enough if we wait till 87 minutes.
Curious that the most free scoring pleasant on the eye Celtic side in eons, still gets stick for not converting chances.
Since we made a hero of the Inverness keeper weeks back, Celtic have been missing too many goals to chances, and it cost us two points that day.
Yesterday Sinclair (at least twice) Forrest Armstrong Dembele Rogic and Griffiths all could have should have scored in the 94 minutes, and Brendan should have them all on the training ground working on angles in shooting practice, Sinclair work on his weaker left.
Jozo and Erik strolled it, Lustig is playing like a man looking for a contract Tierney was excellent as usual. Brown bossed the middle of the park, and when everyone expected man for man Griffiths for Dembele Roberts for Forrest BR changed it, and it probably won the game.
Craig Thomson couldn’t influence the outcome of the game but he influenced the scoreline, he’s a laughing stock outside of Scotland and the old ‘blow at every Celtic set piece when the ball is in the air’ is an old SFA trick.
TET …. ssshhhh! dont tell them! maybe they wont show up for the game on Wednesday. Nothing would surprise me about that unprofessional shower of numpties!
MiT
And here’s me thinking that City Traders are used to pressure :-)
HH
The new huns are shoite FACT
Enjoyed the chat today a few noticeable absentees from the blog, ah well, each to their own
Enjoy the good times, we live in good times
Hahaha
I never realised there were so many Buffy fans on the blog :-))
Mike in Toronto. Seth Green???? You cheeky sod:-))
LymmBhoy
Yes the lovely Alyson Hannigam. I used to love hearing her say those words, “There was this one time …..” in American Pie, I think.
Davidopoulos
What a cracker was Charisma! I had almost forgotten about her.
ThomtheTim
That thought about Miller has crossed my mind previously. He was certainly aggressive and pumped up during that incident yesterday. It certainly wouldn’t surprise me.
61 Days to Christmas
Ivehadtichangemyname
61 days ?
Only two paydays :-(
pretty decent run of ‘easy’ games for new rangers in nov – then hearts and aberdeen
i hate the christmas period
worst part of the year and thats despite the fact im always off work for at least 2 weeks
BahHumbugCSC
TOSB,
During the reign of, I think, Jock Wallace, there was a spell when They would have been mediocre in the first half only to perform like dervishes after the break.
My late father noticed this and commented that he was sure they were on “something” at half time.
This was before there was any talk of drugs in sport, except perhaps what Lasse Viren was up to.
The “leetle Scots problem” in Argentina made me think, “Mmmmm!”
“Looking at the analysis, in comparison to the 5-1 win against them, nearly every number in the stats was better.”
Brendan Rodgers
How come the huns are not playing against Hearts till game 15 ?
As far as I can make out they have not played them as yet, they should have in the first round of eleven games.
Can’t recall the game being postponed, somethings no right.
Here’s a nice wee build up on Andy Lynch to get us in the mood from Harry Brady and the Celtic Underground Podcast.
http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/3/2/a/32a176b9b430756b/CU_Podcast_No238.m4a?c_id=8443491&expiration=1477333477&hwt=28612ce3d928d978c265b7efe50c9ee4