Celtic are well behind the position they should be at this stage of the football cycle which started in the summer of 2014. This week’s two defeats are a symptom of that. A year ago, then-new signings Armstrong and Mackay-Stevens contributed to two highly credible performances against Inter Milan, which indicated we were on a positive trajectory, but pretty much every available indication since has pointed south.
Aberdeen were poor in the first half last night, but shortly before their opening goal om 31 minutes I noted that they were defending comfortably, despite our dominance. We had not made a chance which tested them. We often need a lot of possession before the goals flow.
There is a flip side to that ratio. We often lose a lot of goals compared to the possession we allow opponents. All teams take a direct approach to attacking Celtic – get it forward and shoot. Better still, win a corner. Football games are about two things: scoring goals and not conceding goals. Some work is being done on the former but I’m concerned our shape does not accommodate the achievement of the latter.
We’ve kept 4 clean sheets (Kilmarnock, St Johnstone, Partick, Stranraer ) in the 18 games since beating Dundee United 5-0 in October. Only Thistle (1-0), Dundee (6-0) and Dundee United (5-0) have lost at Celtic Park without scoring since…………… Ross County on 1 August.
Records will show that yet again we lost a crucial goal at a corner kick. What will be lost in time is the sheer panic caused by the Aberdeen corners which didn’t result in a goal. I’ve never seen a team defend set pieces so poorly over such an extended period.
There could be many reasons why we’re not in the Champions League knock out stages right now, but I’m sure the reasons we’re not comfortably ahead in the league is that defensively, our shape and organisation is not good enough. We concede too much space in dangerous areas. This is why we’re not miles ahead of a team with vastly weaker resources.
On the way forward:
It’s of the upmost importance we win the league. As it stands, we will achieve this. Colin Kazim-Richards, despite being of journeyman-pro stock, gave us a dimension we’ve not had in 18 months. He, Kris Commons, Ryan Christie, Patrick Roberts and Erik Sviatchenko will all have a positive impact on the remainder of the season.
Ronny has got a lot wrong, but he was right about one thing after the game last night, “The players need the fans’ support”. Those who suggest that anytime is a good time for recriminations probably don’t have a good grasp on the complexities of any given situation. There will be plenty of time for recrimination in June, right now, we need to keep our eye on the prize.
Win the league, then we’ll talk.
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Yeah Stebhoy… That sounds really probable. DD throws £millions away on failed European campaigns and lost match day revenues to win 10iar … High risk and frankly not working….
Ever considered that there is no long term strategic thinking and that Lawwell is motivated by maxing out his bonus?
Incredible power for a CEO to be able to exceed the maximum stipulated bonus percentage on his earning… By manipulating the remuneration committee responsible for Governing his contract. Being able to do it is one thing. Doing it for your own self reward is an other – particularly when your earning are already near £18k a week. Yet we are told he is one of us deep down. I can’t think of any Celtic fan I know who would exploit the club given the opportunity….
What is the long term game
Sir Van
Winning Captain
Because, its the same country, where certain peepul found the wee Thai Tims offensive.
Sick minds in this sick wee country.
HH
We should be thankful of failing to get into the CL over the past 18 months, don’t like Gary Neville experiences…….
Winning Captains
Was there any feedback last year from our board regarding the Herald advert ?
Our board have kept silent for too long now with regards to the cheating, EBT’s & player registration, tainted titles, SFA role in the cheating etc
The list is endless, but our board have done and said nothing.
Have you received any feedback from our ‘custodians’ ?
Moravcik
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 4TH FEBRUARY 2016 8:42 PM
Would you feel the same if they were dressed in blue singing Rangers songs?
Who would win in a fight between Gary Neville the coach and Gary Neville the pundit?
McJay
No, i certainly would not.
Anybody that could object to the Thai Tims….is an idiot.
End of
HH
“If anything the signing of Lubomir Moravcik at a cut price has merely caused them further embarrassment.”
James level 5 Trainer
TONTINET TIM……
The media didnae hold back either similar to the Boston MSM when investigating the RC Church over the “Spotlight” scandal. Say what you want about the press over here, as the Washington Post proved nobody is too big to be brought to task.
What about Barry O’Bummer, the MSM over here have never told us anything about him, have never questioned anything about his past…Who is he, where did he come from, it’s like Ancient Aliens…??
Enuff of this before I throw up, off out to Happy Hour………HH and Ronny must go, what a load of guff last night..??
BSR…
We can all laud and moan when we win or lose.
Some will never be happy, me, I just want us to win in style if the park is playable to allow it!
When it isn’t, the manager should have he savvy to change the gameplan, this seems lacking from our manager. Hail Hail
MIT…
Good to see you back on, now get that good lady of yours to plank that dummy tit and keep posting.:))
Cathy cats beating the proddie dogs on BBc2 ;)
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 4TH FEBRUARY 2016 8:53 PM
McJay
No, i certainly would not.
Anybody that could object to the Thai Tims….is an idiot.
End of
HH
=========================================================
Thanks.
Some remarkable reactions on this blog today.
But by far the most astonishing and most illuminating is Pauls leader.
It begins to hint at blaming the support for not supporting for not winning the league.
Now remember this is the board talking here.
Their sense of entitlement to YOUR support and YOUR money (including any money YOU give to charity) is just breathtaking.
The board expect us to
– unquestionably support them even though they are presiding over a calamity even I can’t describe any more
– do their dirty work for them in the press (but attack us at each and every turn)
– tackle the corruption even though they won’t
– pay money, buy merchandise but don’t dare protest, say. A word, be political etc
– happily accept dawn raids, kettling etc
– expect us to be happy at them giving all our details to the police
– be okay with them calling us racists of we complain
– happily cheer as they sell anyone instantly when they can get money but never spend that money on the team (it goes on the club do you know)
I could go on and on with this list but quite frankly we have people like stebhoy who claims it’s all part of some great master plan.
It’s not so much that IQs have dropped. They have gone over the cliff and are nestling at the bottom of the ocean, anchored down by the weight of a million EBT,s corrupt titles and QPLs wage packet.
All of which tells me what I have thought for some time.
Celtic?
Dead.
Killed by its board in an effort to be zombie like because of their love for the Hun and their desire to see us firmly, in our place, at the back of the bus.
But hey relax. Ronny isn’t for going. And honest if you only turn up and cheer it I’ll be all ok. If you don’t it’s all your fault.
sorry Traynor
McJay
Is that it…Thanks?
You can do better than that:)
And btw….dont know if you will remember, but when i said a few weeks ago, that will there always be the beating heart of Celtic in Australia…I was referring to you:)
HH
Neganon 2
Might have picked it up wrong….but wasnt Paul67’s leader today sort of saying…Behave Yourselves.
Sorry Paul67:)
HH
Oh the Deadwood Stage is a-rollin’ on over the plains
With the curtains flappin’ and the driver slappin’ the reins
A beautiful sky, a wonderful day
Whip crack-away, whip crack-away, whip crack-away
Oh the Deadwood Stage is a-headin’ on over the hills
Where the Injun arrows are thicker than porcupine quills
Dangerous land, no time to delay
So whip crack-away, whip crack-away, whip crack-away
We’re headin’ straight for town, loaded down
With a fancy cargo, care of Wells and Fargo, Illinois – Boy!
Oh the Deadwood Stage is a-comin’ on over the crest
Like a homin’ pigeon that’s a-hankerin’ after it’s nest
Twenty-three miles we’ve covered today
So whip crack-away, whip crack-away, whip crack-away
The wheels go turnin’ round, homeward bound
Can’t you hear ’em hummin’
Happy times are comin’ for to stay – hey!
We’ll be home tonight by the light of the silvery moon
And my heart’s a-thumpin’ like a mandolin a-plunkin’ a tune
When I get home, I’m fixin’ to stay
So whip crack-away, whip crack-away, whip crack-away
Whip crack-away, whip crack-away, whip crack-away…
The blog seems at least to agree that Celtic are missing really committed defenders cf past players. I think I saw a Celtic versus the team from Govan! late 50s where Fallon and Shearer went for a 50-50 ball and the ball burst! Both players got a splash from the magic sponge and carried on. Still,by the way, giving their all. ‘Or is if just fantasy?’ …
Forget about celtic for a min. Look at how european football is skewed to favor the same clubs who qualify and win every single year. No team outside of those leagues has done anything significant for over a decade. Ajax , Dortmund, PSV, Milan etc.. All struggling with this model. high fan expectations based on history versus a financial model which is frankly unfair and ruining the game IMO.
So what do we do? Get a mike ashley character? no thanks. Avoid paying taxes and liquidate , no thanks. Try to get into a league where the money is (English or euro) , yes. Try to develop youth in the hope they come good , yes. try the barcalona model where we bring in kids, educate them onsite and provide football development , yes.
The latter points we are doing but of course trying to balance this whilst winning is not easy.
Remember going to Pittodrie walking in and by the time I found the part of the bench I was at we were 2 down. Came roaring back to draw 2-2. Think it was 88 the game we had lighters out celebrating Celtic birthday.
Was never going to happen last night,very poor second half last night. Apart from goal we never had a shot on goal. Lightweight team with only a few leaders. WE WILL STILL WIN THE LEAGUE.
btw bhoys – i’m hurting as much as the next hoop. but i’m happy we have money, happy we have great facilities, happy we are giving youth a chance, and happy RD is changing the culture of how we approach football. i suspect he is a better coach than a tactical manager. I’m thinking we will benefit from his work when he is gone and a better manager comes in to reap the rewards of the environment he built – this will be his legacy
Safe standing, and fireman poles for faster egress from the upper tier in 2017 CSC
Stebhoy
Forgive me…but thats nonsense.
You are out of touch with the support.
Take a rough poll.
Methinks you have been in hospitality too much.
C,mon now…get real.
You speak about RD’s ‘Legacy’
Seriously!
HH
BSR…
Magic :))
“I can never hope to find words to express my feelings at becoming a member of the Celtic Football Club.”
Sean Fallon @ CelticWiki
Stebhoy
Go check your meds….
We have a plan, it’s a terrible plan that was ill conceived and executed. This plan is a complete failure, but it is our plan and we shouldn’t waver or deviate. We should plan ahead to stick to this plan and live in hope, why? Because there is no other plan.
I wonder if Mr. Hay would available to help Ronny out?
HH
gsu
Gutted for the Bhoys and the genuine troops who support Celtic.
PG-that’s what it looks like from here too HH
this could easily be the same blog from ManU fans begging for Alex Ferguson to be sacked! he was awful for them and was very close to being sacked due to fan pressure. Thee most successful of all time.
Same with Lennon – he was within minutes of walking had stokes not scored those goals against killie (think it was stokes).
I’m want to know whats next from Deila – I think he is a winner. I actually believe JC and JK are the problem. Delia needs someone to tell him we need steele before flair in scotland. i hope he has learned this now!
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 4TH FEBRUARY 2016 8:59 PM
McJay
================================
Thank you for those kind words.
My Aussie son will carry on the tradition. Our future is in good hands.
:-)
PADDY GALLAGHER on 4TH FEBRUARY 2016 9:14 PM
‘We have a plan’
###
I assume the plan is to wait until the Old Firm is back up and running and take it from there.
Because I can’t see anything else that could be described as a plan.
STEBHOY on 4TH FEBRUARY 2016 9:29 PM
this could easily be the same blog from ManU fans begging for Alex Ferguson to be sacked! he was awful for them and was very close to being sacked due to fan pressure. Thee most successful of all time.
Same with Lennon – he was within minutes of walking had stokes not scored those goals against killie (think it was stokes).
========================================================
It was indeed.
He nearly scored the winner too.His finest Celtic moment.
Wee James Forrest also had a great second half .
ERNIE LYNCH
The PLC planning……Would be like one of those old PG Tips ads with the Chimps.
HH
The supporters of Celtic F.C., a Scottish football club, were estimated in 2012 to number around nine million.[1] Numerous fan magazines and supporters’ websites are dedicated to the club, and there are over 380 supporters’ clubs in over 70 countries around the world.[2]
We are the sons of Dan
HH
sips @ 8.55
I think its deeper than ‘tactics’ even though we may not like Ronnys and some would prefer
Mark McGhee, Owen Coyle, or Roy ( mad dog ) Keane.
That is the stark reality but Ronny Deila had title up his sleeve.
Until we have Celtic men with vision it was ever thus CSC