Negatives out of the way first: we’re not good enough, this is a low achievement by a Celtic team who have reached a group stage. There’s no disputing that, but amid the predictable ‘Throw them all overboard’ reaction, I know I’m not the only one who is not panicking right now.
When I heard we were playing three wingers (Forrest, Mackay-Steven, McGregor) I anticipated a thrashing. Gordon Strachan would often drop all his craft players for the more industrial types in European football, with good reason.
As it turned out, we had the majority of the chances, and all the better ones, as we spent most of the second half pushing for a winner.
No arguments with Leigh Griffiths assessment immediately after the game, that was his worst performance in a Celtic shirt. Nor is there dispute in Ronny Deila’s retort that he’s scored plenty for us before and will continue to do so. Even the greats have days like that, including the Swede.
The midfield formation was fluid throughout the game. Tom Rogic initially played as a defensive mid, before moving in front of Stuart Armstrong (who moved everywhere) and Callum McGregor. The defensive mid role Rogic played isn’t one carried out by either Nir Bitton or Scott Brown. We’ve not had anyone in this role since the departure of Victor Wanyama (still pining) and it remains a large gap in the offering.
Lesson: we need a defensive mid. The deep lying playmaker + box-to-box player isn’t robust enough in Europe.
Callum McGregor carried possibly the lowest expectations of everyone in a Celtic shirt but he put in an excellent shift. His goal was outstanding, losing possession immediately before Ajax equalised took the shine off things a bit, but it was still a strong performance.
Do you know the last time McGregor started a game? October 2014. Under those circumstances that was a remarkable performance.
General consensus is that the defence played well. Kieran Tierney is as good a left back as we’ve had in years. Had he not gone off with an injury the result might have been different.
Jozo Simunovic is clearly out best central defender. I know I’m not setting the bar too high with that statement, but he’s a move in the right direction. He’s also young, still working on his fitness, and will continue to progress.
A week ago Celtic Underground’s Harry Brady suggested Dedryck Boyata plays better alongside Simunovic than without him. Dedryck still has a long way to go but the evidence suggests partnered with a game-reader like Jozo has helped him. Let’s see where he is at the end of the season.
And Craig Gordon? He could have stopped both Ajax goals. That’s not to say he was to blame for either, he wasn’t, but these were the kind of stops he was making in last season’s Europa League.
Ronny is 18 months into the job and has contributed to the situation we find ourselves in (tactical mistakes in both Molde games), but this is not the time to lurch off plan. We’re not good enough largely because we’ve recruited too few players since 2012 who have improved the team.
We need to continue to develop players like Tierney and we need to recruit better. Get this right in January, and again in the summer, and we will be vastly better. The alternative is likely to be to pick up a best from the SPFL pool, or someone from the English circuit who cannot get a better paid gig. And then it would take until November 2017 before we could assess them properly.
Return of the Bampots
Tonight, for one night onlyt, Phil Mac Giolla Bháin, John Fallon and myself are in the Hibs Club, Carfin, for a Q&A in aid of Mary’s Meals, with Phil Agnew hosting. The event starts at 7:30, £5 entry, can pay at the door.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
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??????
Ronny Deila has been linked with a lot of defenders move in January and one of them has been already agreed to join Hoops in January N’Sakala from Anderlecht.
Source : EPL Scouts ?????
TOM BOYD IS BETTER THAN SUPERSUTTON on 27TH NOVEMBER 2015 7:55 PM
Chris Sutton doesn’t share my opinion. Apparently that puts me in the minority. C’est la vie. Whatever.
I’m also in the minority in that I thought it was a good game last night, we were certainly the better team second half and have every right to say, we shoulda won that game.
Maybe I’m also in the minority who thought that most players did quite well. Griff the obvious exception.
I’m also maybe one of the few that when Armstrong played a short corner to Allen said “great idea”. Alas.
I do expect I’m with the majority who uttered the FFS phrase when Izzy decided to try new and break up the resultant attack at the half way line rather than drop back and defend. You just knew what was going to happen.
Am I also in the minority when I say that European football is a bonus. League is all the matters to me. Well that’s a lie. Playing good football is more important than results as far as I’m concerned.
At the risk of bringing on the commentators curse, we have never lost 2 games in a row under Ronny Deila. So bring on the next game please.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/some-perspective/comment-page-11/#comments
You’re in a minority of 2 mhate as I agree with almost all you say!
I disagree on Europe. Success in Europe may be a bonus. But good strong performances and results on a consistent basis are essential IMHO both for footballing and financial reasons.
HH jamesgang
Great display by the Green Brigade last night. Their creativity and support of the team is awesome.
Herbo
From Peel Glen myself , left St Pius in ’84 … Would I Know you mate ?
HH
Jamesgang
Great to catch up with you yesterday but all too briefly.
Disappointed as I am with last night’s result, I didn’t see the towel being thrown in like it was in the Molde game(s).
Mistakes and bad luck I will reluctantly accept. Not playing for the Celtic jersey should be a hanging offence though.
It is quite obvious to myself and thousands of other Celtic supporters that we are a very good side. It is also even more obvious that, in Ronny Deila, we have a Manager who will take us on to great things. In Scotland, in spite of the strong challenge of Aberdeen and the continued progress of a resurgent Hearts, our team is working incredibly hard to offset the bias of referees, the SPFL and the SFA to ensure League and Cup success.We should be really proud of our team and quite obviously are when, once again, we turn up in numbers which dwarf other Europa League games and even some Champions League games involving teams from the Greatest League in the World ( excepting, of course, the Scottish Championship).
As well as this success on the park, we are managing to remain financially strong in spite of losing the life blood of Scottish football in the shape of Rangers FC.
It is no wonder that our support is so happy with our current state of affairs but we must guard against being too cocky.With that in mind, thanks those those Bhoys who, in spite of how successful we are, manage to keep our collective feet on the ground by throwing in the occasional negative. These bhoys deserve great credit for working as hard as the MSSM in creating negativity around such a wonderful Club.
Hail! Hail!
JJ
Whitedoghunch and vinyl?
Vinyl is not what you think. Whitedoghunch meant burned pancake.
JJHS
I’m sure there as just as many Celtic fans, who would disagree with your analysis.
Very good teams….don’t finish last in their Europa League Group.
Very good teams, don’t get humped by Legia, Maribor, or Molde.
HH
At the game last night and like everyone disappointed with result but, tbh, I genuinely thought we played pretty well.
Have been intrigued by many remarks on Sutton’s comments so have just finished watching BT Sports replay.
Frankly, couldn’t give a monkeys now due to seeing something far more important than the Ajax result.
Alongside Sutty was Stan. A great Celt and real favourite of mine and it was terrific to see him looking so good having gone through what he’s had to endure. He still sounds a great Celt – as is BBJ.
Having seen what these guys have come through, and seeing them now, a couple of dropped points is as nothing.
There’s always next season after all.
ElDiegoBhoy
You too bud. You’re a right handsome bassa so you ur!
HH jamesgang
JAMESGANG @ 8:26 PM,
“…Success in Europe may be a bonus. But good strong performances and results on a consistent basis are essential IMHO both for footballing and financial reasons.”
Totally correct.
There seems to be a misunderstanding within the support of how crucial Europe is for us. We don’t expect to win a European Trophy anytime soon, that’s true, but where we are in Europe is our Barometer, we must keep a gauge on that, Football will change, be restructured in the future. Where we are in the pecking order will be the size of our support, infrastructure and our status in Europe.
If we give up on that as some are suggesting we become a provincial Scottish Club, an Aberdeen or a Hearts.
Those Clubs are getting their act together, are financially stable and are looking to build new Stadia.
If we give up on Europe, the extra funds, the better Player and the Kudos that comes with it, in five years time, we will be comparing ourselves with Aberdeen and Hearts, rather than Ajax and Fenerbache.
We are as Paul67, points out in his lead at an unacceptably poor level, fholk who think improvement is inevitable have not being paying attention, since we defeated Barcelona at Celtic Park our performances have dropped like a stone.
It needs to be fixed, we need to be qualifying for the last 32 from UEL Groups like we had this Season.
Hail Hail
Whither now Celtic?
If the CL is the Holy Grail, we are on plums. No knock-out fixtures and no dosh to compete with the teams this competition was to be all about.
If we joined the EPL then with one bound our heroes would be free. But that’s not going to happen.
So the Way Forward? Remember Davie Provan’s wise words from the 1990s, ‘Celtic must do the same as Rangers – Speculate to Accumulate.’
Remember Tosh McKinlay on STV, ‘David Murray is the kind of Chairman I like. If he wants a player he gets into his private jet and gets him.’
They were making the case for the Rangers Way and that Rangers Way was flawed, bankrupt and dishonest. The rest of Scotland cottoned on to that about 3 years after we were told here. But despite that I keep reading here that Celtic should be buying players they could never afford.
One last word: Walter was an ignominious failure in Europe season after season even with benefit of EBTs and the MSM treated him with nothing but awe and reverence. (He lost 4-0 at home to Urinea and they didn’t ask him a single question.)Compare and contrast.
I actually think we have a decent team, but like most of my 40 years supporting our club, are 2 or 3 elusive players away from being a great team.
I have gave up on our board doing anything other than on the cheap .
It’s The Celtic way.
Always has been, always will be.
What we do have however, IMO is a fight for our clubs soul.
We have a board now akin to the Old board.
Their frugalness, their downsizing , their lowering of expectations and lack of moral compass are dragging us down.
Only we can get rid.
We must do it.
And quick
HH
saints and dundee 1 1
Good evening dudes
Managed to get through Black Friday so far without buying a large TV
Fridge Time
Love
ChannelIslandCelt
You’ll definitely know my brothers and sister. Springside we stayed actually. Number 9
Wee reminder that CQN’s new book, THE WINDS OF CHANGE is available now to order from the new look CQNBookstore.com and is also now stocked at the Celtic stores, Waterstones, Amazon, Calton Books and Hyndland Books.
If you enjoyed Caesar & The Assassin you’ll love this. We pick up the story in early summer 1991as Billy McNeill loses his job. Eight bosses follow, if you include caretaker Dalglish (still not forgiven him after insulting me at the start of the year re the Sunday Herald ad!) and we run through until Martin O’Neill calls it a day.
Fergus features prominently!
We all have our thoughts looking back on Brady, Macari, Tommy Burns, Wim Jansen, Dr Jo Venglos, Barnes, Dalglish, MON and Fergus but in WINDS OF CHANGE you’ll get an interesting, close up look at what was the feeling as events unfolded.
Fergus never tried to win popularity contents, that’s for sure!
Look at these managers and the ones who have followed; Strachan, Mowbray, Neil Lennon and Ronny Deila and list their best signing next to the manager’s name i.e.
JANSEN – LARSSON and so on…
Your support on The Winds of Change is appreciated.
PS – we’ve sold out of the Scott Brown book (which was beautifully produced by CQN), you can still pick this up in the Celtic stores. We’re not getting any more cos it’s selling like hotcakes! That video has really done the trick, so well done to the marketing guys at the club.
Neil Lennon on 5Live talking Celtic and last night.
it’s gonna pi** down all day in inverness tomorrow – lg should be well wound up to put a few in
backtobasicscsc
Hello again all you young rebels.
I have not read back yet but i take it we are not in a happy place
at the moment, i don’t post for a couple of days after a defeat
because i would say things i regret but i thought our bhoys played
well and a wee bit of luck would have given us the victory, Ajax
also put great effort into the game and they had the rub of the
green.
Big Sutton made his comments immediately after the game and
its his right, but he never told us how to implement the means
to Celtic becoming a champions league team again because
even if we did pay astronomical money for great players would
they even come to our league and stay? and even if we got a new
management team it would take a couple of seasons to bed in
and get their system adopted so I’m still with Ronnie because
its where we are until something changes in soccer worldwide.
Time for us to get our car packed and head down to meet the
rest of the Celtic families for our big xmas BBQ on the beach
to raise funds for the sick kids and other good causes
and doesn’t that cheer you up knowing that 14000 mles from the
UK people are putting their time and effort to help people less
fortunate than others and all under the Celtic ethos, i know i’ll
be proud as punch when i see fathers ,papas playing football with
their sons ,daughters etc. all with Celtic colours on to help others who
cannot.
there will be loads of holidaymakers, tourists from all parts of the globe
in our wee town and they will wonder what the big gathering of the
green and white is for and they will be told …its the Celts its what they do
for charity… and when they leave they won’t wonder if we are champions
league class but know we are world class as human beings and that will
cheer me up again how about you?
H.H Mick
The sum perspective is coalescing nicely. With a combination of judicial and SFA corruption, the 5 way agreement and the deliberate castration of Celtic on the field to current Hun levels it’s all set up nicely for next seasons Old Firm.
GIRFUY
Herbo – I’m glad we’re out of Europe because I’m sick tired of seeing us humiliated by teams I’ve never heard of.
Jamesgang
Are you/were you blooterred?
HH
I Am not HERBO.
But I need Herbs.
Help.
P.s the fukin black stuff wis full price on Black fuk in friday.
James Hunts
I thought the new midfield did alright against Ajax
Forrest is looking better every game- hopefully he keeps his fitness up
I thought Ajax are far more comfortable in the ball, better at moving into space and look fitter- all a worry for our coaches
The question is how are we going to rebuild our team this year as we don’t have any family silver left to sell
Evenin peeps
Looking.for a wee update on the welfare of BT and his friends last night.
If your looking in, hope your ok bud :(
Ps..
My thoughts also go to all fans that got caught up in the senseless acts of violence.
Are there any current CQNers who have played the game at the Professional level who think that, in general, modern professionals are not as good as they were years ago?
Indeed, did any of the increasing numbers on here ( and elsewhere) who describe Scottish football as being dire, ever play the game at the professional level? I played semi-pro and once had a trial with Notts County. I discovered then how good one has to be to make it professionally ( I didn`t).To be good enough to play for any SPFL means you are a very good football player. To play for Celtic means you are one of the best players in Scotland. Calling the League ` dross` and the players dreadful, exhibits a lack of knowledge of the professional game.
Goodnight all.
JJ
What did St. Patrick say to the snakes as he drove them out of Ireland ?
Before the bold Roy takes over,this is good
http://youtu.be/mEu8DrO9PbY
HH ;))
Mncelt
I hear ye mate, but I’m severely pissed off at the prospect of no more European fitbaw. Even if it means Sunday games.
Are ya alright in the back there lads?
Melbourne Mick
Anyway we could make a wee contribution to support ?
On a brighter note. Strongbow Cloudy Apple is a gift from the Gods.
God bless the Gods
I’VEHADTOCHANGEMYNAME on 27TH NOVEMBER 2015 9:01 PM
What did St. Patrick say to the snakes as he drove them out of Ireland ?
Feck off?
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/some-perspective/comment-page-12/#comments
I’VEHADTOCHANGEMYNAME on 27TH NOVEMBER 2015 9:01 PM What did St. Patrick say to the snakes as he drove them out of Ireland ? – Hiss off
Be good ….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HvpIgHBSdo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymdssZOAx3Q
Bakerman