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.
1,489 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- ...
- 40
- »
OWEN. Once again I agree. H.H.
JFH,
They should have been in place last season last season by Christmas at the latest.
We should have the new defenders backups in this summer but as usual we’ll leave it too late and claim who would have expected a player to get injured playing football eh.
No forward planning and we’re to congratulate them for not bankrupting the club, come on geeze a break.
Vardy breaks record – sack the board for not signing him
This is what I don’t get-
There are people who post on this blog who regularly tell us we can’t hope to do anything in Europe as the teams in Europe have more money than us and Scottish football is just a backwater so how can we expected to compete in Europe anyway?;
But many of these same people tell us that we are to rejoice in winning the SPFL – a competition in which we have much more money than the rest of our rivals and which takes place in the backwater of Scottish football.
A bit of a contradiction in my view.
Owen,
As someone said earlier today and you are a great example of that
We are now comparing ourselves to Aberdeen, hearts and Motherwell, the reduction in expectations is complete beat them is as good as we want or need, job do e that’ll keep the stadium full.
CANALAMAR. Your a hard man to please what you say could have happened but it is always easier when you are looking in from the outside.There may have been a reason that it did not happen we dont have all the facts.However, I am happy we are on the right track and those clamering for the managers head are on a loser. H.H.
Aidan Bhoy
Have we gone backwards that much? Neil lennon’s team were beaten comprehensively in their group stage.
Gordon Strachan’s team had some shocking defeats in Europe, some cracking wins too it must be said. As did Martin O’Neill’s Celtic teams.
Celtic are a small, but proud, team in European terms, we play in a corrupt backwater league on the outer fringes of Europe. If we attract decent prospects to Glasgow it’s not with promises of long term success at Celtic it’s with promises that if they show some potential they will be spotted by “bigger” clubs.
For the record Virgil, Victor, Fraser and Gary all stated they chose to leave and that Celtic tried to hang on to them but that they had made up their minds to leave. However we only believe negative stories in the papers about Celtic on here.
Overseasbhoy
That’s exactly what I mean.
Vardy would have been way below the level of many of Celtic players at various age group levels. He’s become a world class finisher because he’s worked hard on his strengths, his pace and his finishing.
Brilliant, he’s fully deserving of his achievements.
Right, need to get ready for the Green night in Denny, along with 67Heaven
So in the words of our Chairman, now behave yourselves :-)))))
Twice as fast as griffiths – he was shown up the other night for a shocking lack of pace
I still back Ronny…..although hopefully he will realise if you play 1up the other two forward players have to chip in with some goals, for me they aren’t so the system isn’t working, maybe Ronny is looking at Barca with Messi, Neymar & Suarez, then 1up might work…….
As for Ronny’s Europa league record, am pretty disappointed, like us all, but also pretty shocked about the many games we actually take the lead, when I was growing up we hardly even scored, but anyway, Ronny’s Record….. The media love to spin, what about(ettery) the same media never questioned EBT Cardigan Europeans adventures, I hate Celtic getting beat, or even Celtic not winning, but for me, what’s done is done, what’s won is won and what’s lost is lost and gone forever…… Ronny keep doing what your doing, am well used to European failure, not that I embrace it but as a Celtic fan, I prefer to leave the others to wallow in our success, can’t remember Souness being hung it too dry, but obviously “our” press have always been briefed….. Mr Trainor would know about that……
Have a good night Celtic fans, trust me there are better times ahead, although in my opinion we have also had great times when we were rubbish, and in Ronny we are far from rubbish !
Owen 5.48pm
“European success” means different things for different clubs. For very good reasons.
For example Skenderbeu of Albania were knocked out of the CL qualifiers at the same play-off stage as us becoming the first Albanian team to qualify for the group stages of the European club competitions.
Given the status of the Albanian league, skenderbeu’s relative lack of resources and the historical context, I’d say their European campaign can reasonably be termed as a success whereas for Celtic achieving the same outcome is not a success.
I too would like Celtic to compete with the best in Europe but like you I am realistic enough to realise that TV money and the strength of the big four leagues makes that pretty much impossible.
However i would also like Celtic to compete with mediocre teams in Europe, you know the kind of teams who finish well off the pace in the Scandinavian leagues, the champions of Slovenia etc
That appears to be beyond us right now.
Owen
Just before I do head ooot
We have a football budget of £38m, that is no backwater level of spend
For that spend, and I know money does not guarantee success, but we should be doing much better – in my opinion only
Hail Hail
Owen
I agree with what you are saying it’s harsh judging a manager on European results alone. All of our recent managers have had some bad results in Europe. But as I say it’s vital now we have European football of some sort and I’m not confident Ronny can deliver that.
JFH,
Of course I’m a hard man to please, I want the best for Celtic not what some executive tells me is good enough for me.
A strategy and strategitists that will move the club forward and not feed me bullshit that becuase they did not bankrupt the club they are doing a great job.
Canamalar
I am not comparing Celtic to anyone else. Celtic play in Scotland, they’ll Scottish teams and, hopefully, win the SPFL. Losing in Europe is tough to take, as is losing any time, but it does not define our season. This was my position before rangers died and it is my position now.
A successful Celtic season is winning the league, this gives us a shot at European football not the God given right to win every game we play.
I want to see Celtic lift the big cup again but am not so childish as to stomp my feet and huff when other teams get in the way of what I want by having the temerity to win a sporting contest. Big teams some times lose to smaller teams, Celtic v Barcelona or Celtic v ICT spring to mind, that’s why it’s called a sport. If it was rigged it would be called a rangers fixture.
setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox on 28th November 2015 2:25 pm – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/some-perspective/comment-page-22/#comments
Excellent post. Very well articulated.
I was looking at Geo’s full set of pics from the match the other night, earlier today.
Not sure if it’s been reported but we have extensive damage to seats in the Ajax end. If anyone wants to see these pics I will post.
They really are scum with their HUN pals egging them on.
A long time ago in gaĺaxy far far away Celtic2 Barcelona1
How far are this board prepared to let our club fall.A manager well out of his depth has 2 attempts to qualify for the champions league,2 at the Europa league and we’re told be patient.18 months into the plan.What exactly is the plan?
Winning captains
They are vermin. Thankfully their team will be papped out the competition in 2 weeks time. I trust that Celtic have reported the damage to uefa who will in turn fine Ajax.
An Tearmann is someone I have had the pleasure of meeting through this blog. I can honestly say few have made such an impression on me as the big guy, a warn, honest, genuine person who it’s been an honour to be associated with.
A real credit to the Celtic support and this blog.
The troll on the other hand is something you wipe off your shoe before entering the house. He has never been one of my favourite posters anyway. For months I’ve regarded his existence as a monument to all the rancid genes and broken chromosomes that corrupt the possibilities of a better world. He is a foul caricature of himself, a man with no soul, no inner convictions, with the integrity of a hyena and the writing style of a poison toad. The guy is absolutely humourless.
I know he is part of this community. But he is nothing, he offers nothing, and he promises nothing other than intolerance. He is insignificant in every way and consequently I try to pay as little attention to him as possible. Though at times I have to admit he get’s under my skin and even though I know I shouldn’t I find myself responding.
If he was even half the man An Tearmann is then I would be delighted to have him on this blog, unfortunately he will never amount to even a fraction of the big guy.
Gonzo, Hunter S ;)
Soukous
Barca 6 Celtic 1
Eddieinkirkmichael 6.17pm
I am reporting you to the SSPCA for besmirching and traducing hyenas and poison toads. :)
EDDIEINKIRKMICHAEL. I dont know who your writing about but maybe he will grow on you. H.H. : – )
Eddie
I know the feeling :-)
HH
Owen,
That’s exactly who you are comparing us with, what competition do you forsee coming from any Scottish team and when ?
But your right the SPFL is our limit and we should never stop congratulating ourselves for winning it it’s as big as it gets eh.
Yes. You confirm the expectation levels have hit rock bottom and I can only expect to see more like you become the majority at Crltic park as the rest move on to other past time that encourage ambition.
Winning Captains
As I said in my post earlier about the incident at the Gallowgate. Why have they not issued a statement about this ? They are quick to issue statements when we are perceived to be the troublemakers.
Aiden Bhoy on 28th November 2015 5:23 pm – See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/some-perspective/comment-page-25/#comments
Don’t worry Aiden, I’m sure It will be getting attended to “Behind the scenes”.
Eddie Barca can beat in any team in the world 6-1.Check out Romas recent results against them.We’ve done not to bad in our games against Barca over the years.How would you feel about this current team playing Barca?
Ghuys snow forecast for Inverness overnight don’t hold out much hope for the game the morra.HH.
Judith Ralstoncsc.
Canamalar
Wrong I said the SPFL is our starting point. After that it becomes a matter of two teams playing to see who on the day wins. If we could afford the likes of Bale, Ronaldo etc and we’re failing to make an impact then I could see the cause for complaint.
Three years age we took an unknown Dutchman and gave him the chance to play at a higher level. None of us had ever heard of him prior to this, yet when he chose to leave most criticised our club for not holding on to him. In the Bosman world players have all the power.
Do Celtic get full value for every penny spent? Most assuredly no. Does my decision not to scweem and scweem until I’m sick make me wrong? Maybe. However as a board apologising, happy clapping, head buying sheep I’m pretty contented.
Soukous
I’d welcome the game against such a great team. I would expect to get beat but who knows? Stranger things have happened before so while most would expect defeat sport always manages to throw up the unexpected now and again.
Great to see so many CQNers travel through to support East Kilbride FC in the Scottish Cup tie v Stenhousemuir, chief amongst whom the inimitable Job Baldie, purveyor of promsied pies and pithy perspective.
Game finished 2-2, on balance an utter travesty for EKFC, 2-0 up with 15 minutes to play, being by a distance the better side, and losing two goals of the ‘scrambled stramash’ style, the 2nd in the final minute.
Ronny Deila could learn a lot from Billy Ogilvie… :¬)
The Battered Bunnet
He already knows how it feels to concede goals late on that why he is getting so much grief on here.
FRANNYB67
Judith Ralstoncsc.
PHwoaaaaaaaaaarrrrr!
( said with Les Dawson- type facial expression).
Bhoywithseethrougheyes
Really starting to get fed up with this behind the scenes patter.
I think EKFC have missed there chance you usually only get one chance to beat the big guns Stenhousemuir must be favoroutes to win the replay. H.H.
I see my fingers have yet to defrost after an afternoon in the Ochillview squals. Apols for clumsy keyboarding…