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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All those harping back to the glorious successful years in Europe need to read this. A dose of reality never hurt anyone.
http://danieloconnel18.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/celtic-in-europe.html?m=1
I see the troll is out his cage again.
SIPSINI – Parcepta said – don’t go into that pub pal, that’s where all the ex-cops drink.
Just remember thinking to myself – wtf is he on about lol.
Too funny mate.
It was magic to have a wee drink with yous all anyway.
Laters.
KTF.
The Scottish police colluded with the ditch police in Amsterdam to attack the Celtic support, the Scottisholice gave intelligence reports that said Celtic supporters were violent troublemakers and that they should be treated with extreme force.
The Dutch gave the same report, see the difference in treatment and the agenda of the Scottish police force.
The proof is in the actions taken by the relevant authorities.
eddieinkirkmichael
Good read that Eddie, thanks for that:))
Neuchatel was my first Euro away game:)) The Uncle said “I’m never taking him again” Ma Da’ said “Yer right he’s a jinx” :))
Good read as well on CU…
http://celticunderground.net/peddling-lies-for-point-scoring/
The huns gave us a beamer apparently or so Corduroy Catshat Man Spiers says:))
SP
Sipsini
Watching it Bhud, I did look out for you when I entered, but don’t think you were in yet
Seen 16 roads at CQN Coarner with petec
the thing about half-arsed uni folk who have read 3 books on stuff is that they have lived and experienced their own lifes and read 3 books.
unless their own life experiences amount to feck all then they might even be 3 books to the good ;-)
Could anybody settle this question,is English TD67’s first language? pint on it. H H Hebcelt
hebcelt on 28th November 2015 3:45 pm Could anybody settle this question,is English TD67’s first language?
*naw sooside is with a touch of Canadian
Hertz level, Sheepies one nil down at half time.
Will be a good day for Scottish fitba if the SPFL results stay at full time as they are at Half time :-)))
Cowiebhoy….
16 roads, Dena, Jamesgang amongst others piled into the taxi and left me mick TT, his bhoy and Sif standing.:)
I was late getting in, had to drag mick away from the bar and walk some.
Let him speak he’s the best recruiting tool the Celtic Trust could have hoped for.
Spikey, hope you’re well.
Cowiebhoy, you still needing a ticket for tomorrow?
Hebcelt…
Tony D’s first language is Gorbalism, then Castlemilkoanatism…same as myself.
I don’t have the Canadian twang interloping within my other dialects…prob why you can understand me ;)
HT-Pitch inspection tomorrow 7.30am
He coloured in the 3 books…….
BB
Cheers mate I saw that.
GARY67 on 28TH NOVEMBER 2015 2:23 PM
Game tomorrow in doubt, 7.30am pitch inspection.
———————————————————————————————
Yes seen that earlier,ICTFC have a cheek,its a Mi-Day approx K.Off and most people will be on the road before inspection takes place.
Forecast is to worsen not improve with snow at Aviemore ( The usual call off location ) which will be rain as you descend into Inverness.
I tweeted John Paul and Inverness but no change as yet.
EXCATHEDRA44 on 28TH NOVEMBER 2015 4:03 PM
GARY67 on 28TH NOVEMBER 2015 2:23 PM
Game tomorrow in doubt, 7.30am pitch inspection.
———————————————————————————————
Yes seen that earlier,ICTFC have a cheek,its a Mi-Day approx K.Off and most people will be on the road before inspection takes place.
Forecast is to worsen not improve with snow at Aviemore ( The usual call off location ) which will be rain as you descend into Inverness.
Absolute certainty to be called off, then I expect.
HT – long time no speak – you still going to the boxing ?
TD67
You are breaking one of the blogs cardinal sins by attacking posters.
You do this nearly every time you post.
You make unfounded assumptions on a constant basis.
You lie through your teeth.
For a kick off, you have assumed I am in the CT, and I am up JF’s bahookie, I know no one in the CT, never have, probably never will.
The only arsehole around is you sir..
You are a disgrace to the Celtic support.
Have a nice day.
Certainly a lot of rain has fallen and more expected so the pitch may be struggling to take all the water.It could well put tomorrows game at risk. H.H.
The 3 LMS5 bhoys that are still standing are sweating on the Sheepies scoring!
HH
CRC
and just as I post!!!
Tony Donnelly7
It’s a Celtic Trust scam, and it’s up to you all, hand your shares over to them, or just ignore them, Ginty and her storm troopers are having a go at us at a weak moment and want you to hand over your shares to them, you will get the few saying …hey Hamiltontim I’ll give you my shares….. It’s like the bank scams, Hamiltontim comes over as a nice guy, but he’s a shark for the CT , and the guy who says he’s giving up his shares is from the CT, fair play to them, but, they think you are as thick as the Huns, surely not? Duped?
Tony,I asked a few weeks ago for you to reason with me as to why you feel this way?i did not get any answers except ‘trust me i know’.thats fair enough if you dont want to qualify your opinion.
the post at 12.31 entered new and dangerous ground,implying via a ‘scam’something criminal is going on with share purchasing at our club,i would suggest if you have any reservations on how Celtic FC shares are purchased contact our clubs Company Sec Michael Nicholson 0141 551 4298
i think you may feel your slating the Celtic Trust,alas you are also bringing our boards credibility into question too,as the formal process of buying shares is a strictly legislated process.
Similarities there with your criticism of Res 12,when help support and assistance has come for the board as posted by those behind it.
debate the policy,not the man.
enjoy your pint:-)
HH
Spikey
Na mate but might go back after Christmas.
Tony Donnelly67 obviously :-)
any word on the ol EK score at Stenni?
HH
An Tearmann
Last I saw EK were 1-0 up.
AT
EK Thistle 2-0 up
Jobo is EK Thistles Lucy Verasamy
The folk on this blog are likely to share very little other than they support Celtic we have said it often enough we are a broad church. I find it strange the lack of tolerance as everyone is entitled to there point of view.The interesting thing about football is that many rich business men have become involved in football clubs over the years and have lost a fortune so those saying I hold such and such a position and am responsible for x millions of pounds are just as likely to be wrong in there views as the unemployed fan who lives in the next town. H.H.
bournesouprecipe on 28th November 2015 4:07 pm
The fact they ( ICTFC ) are inspecting A.M. means the Park as it stands is not playable. Contact in Inverness says its bucketing there.With more of the same and worse tomorrow I think its in doubt.
Without being a kill joy hope it is off we never play well in dodgy conditions.
JFH,
Company board rooms of a similar value have plenty in common regardless of the core business, else how could executives make the transition to football boards.
To say their opinions are as likely to be as wrong as someone unemployed in the next town, unless your talking about an unemployed CEO or non exec director is simply elitist shite.
Stenhousemuir 1 EK Thistle 2
JoboQuickNews
Mon EK hold on
Ffs Jags score 5 v Ayrshire huns.
stenni 1 EK 2 bout 10 mins left
HH
Scotland Ahead in the tennis
have a great night Celts
be good,and if ye cannae be good be informative :-)
hail hail to you all
:-)