We got a fascinating insight into the complex layers of management through comments before, during and after the game from Gordon Strachan, and post-match from Neil Lennon. Before kick-off, Gordon was asked about Neil’s decision to play three at the back, a formation that was exploited at the weekend (and praised by me last month).
Our former boss, once manager to Neil Lennon, father of Gavin, now a Celtic first team coach, deflected. “I’m not the manager.” Gordon was there as a pundit, but pulled his punch on this occasion and again at halftime. After the second half, when Celtic improved significantly with four at the back, Gordon declined to judge the starting formation harshly, postulating that we will never know what would have happened had Celtic started with four at the back.
Then Neil Lennon explained what Gordon Strachan almost certainly knew before the match. His choice was not to start with three at the back, but he did not have fit personnel to start and play the majority of a game with four in defence, specifically, a wide right forward. Ryan Christie was not allowed to leave his home for two weeks, at this level, that is a long time without training.
A few weeks ago, we discussed that it was absurd that tens of thousands of Celtic fans knew something to be an absolute truth, which Neil Lennon was oblivious to (think central mid). We agreed (I’m sure we did) that this is nonsense. Instead, we had to accept that the manager sees complex layers that we do not. Who knew there were concerns about the match fitness of Ryan Christie, apart from Gordon Strachan, of course?
It will be four at the back whenever fitness permits. The two central defenders will be Kristoffer Ajer (who was immense last night) and Christopher Jullien. Shane Duffy is struggling. At 28, there is plenty of fuel in the tank, so he may find form, but right now he looks like a player on the bus out of Brighton. Some you win.
In football, or in life generally, the direction of travel is often more important that your absolute position. Are things getting better, or are they getting worse? Therein lies whatever consolation there was in defeat to a superior Milan last night. It was still a defeat, but losing to a better team while competing for large periods of the game, is better than being schooled by a team of never-won-anythings.
We did no more to Milan than Motherwell will do to us next month, but that direction of travel offers some consolation ahead of Sunday.
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Make it 3 Liege players,positive after the game…
According to SMS…Three Standard players have now tested Positive for Covid since they played the Huns ?
Other rumour…French Eddy is IN Contention to play Tomorrow ?
Plz dont shoot the messenger !
HH.
Jimmy
The leaker 😂😂
Bada
Is Laurie complainin about not being able to buy an italian coffee at Celinos…cos he’s a ….?
Jimmy – leaking and Googling dancers – you must be feeling better mate 😀
yawn yawn yawn fritzsong
‘dentist professor’anti christmas’
geeza a f…n brek!
your reeking of envy.
anti christmas- hardly unusual for a wee socialisty socialist to quote a murdoch headline.absolute pish and hypocrisy from you.ruperts ‘handy’ to know.my question is which hand did Tony use as he rogered the working class from the inside,
fettescum
FRITZSONG on 24TH OCTOBER 2020 5:04 PM
AN TEARMANN on 24TH OCTOBER 2020 3:37 PM
I don’t know you, An. But your recent response to me was unusually intemperate and, I would say, atypical.
===i dont know you either.i type in response to the political snidery you vomit.as stated above.envy ridden guff.
Covid is not good for health and wellbeing. Frankly, your strange sexual references suggest something is not right.
===as i state above i dont know you either.strange- what suggesting your ex leader of your party was in the murdoch harem? Lmao be serious ffs
What is the matter? – all good here.still awaiting insight into what your party are about? stand for? mean in todays world.Sir Keith and the kovid for dummies showing its easy to politicize when you have no power.pity that.the left need true leadership.
Is Jason a friend?
i know you better than him! can you explain your envy? its eating you.
Are you an anti-Christmas campaigner?
wtf does that mean?as a socialist are you not ashamed to use a rupert headline? suppose not,still cosyin up lol
Christmas to me is part of my faith thus private and simply not for debate as to what i do.
remember keep it political and not personal.
hh
Beginning to think covid is shit scared of the huns. Is thee a zombie vaccune being trialled ?
Hh & result tmorro please.
Thee…there
Vaccine
are the club tests performed independently or by club doctors? If the latter, I would not be surprised if rangers didn’t report negative cases!!
positive :)
ADI_DASSLER NOT FOR 2ND BEST on 24TH OCTOBER 2020 6:44 PM
Got a text of Delaneys Dunky there
zombies are immune! lol
hh
AN TEARMANN on 24TH OCTOBER 2020 6:40 PM
Your posts are a mess. Totally unintelligible. And that’s just the layout. Try using inverted commas.
You might know what you’re trying to say, that doesn’t mean anyone else does.
An T
Surprise..
Ernie..a bit of sense.
Pulling posters up for shi**
IMO Poor
HH
ERNIE LYNCH on 24TH OCTOBER 2020 7:21 PM
AN TEARMANN on 24TH OCTOBER 2020 6:40 PM
Your posts are a mess. Totally unintelligible. And that’s just the layout. Try using inverted commas.
You might know what you’re trying to say, that doesn’t mean anyone else does.
a compliment from a fine unionist like yourself.
love.
hh
ADI_DASSLER NOT FOR 2ND BEST on 24TH OCTOBER 2020 7:28 PM
The post at 6.40.
How long is someone expected to spend reading it to try to understand who said what to whom?
Ernie- do you remember the hope? You play with Ruperts press you merit the burning
https://youtu.be/UwWfE4DAyao
hh
Rankers have a fully compliant testing programme overseen by ‘Mason Boyle Pharma’.
They got an excellent deal in purchasing one years worth of negative results in advance.
A little bird told me!
As long as it takes a labour man to turn into a newlabourman
rough guess
hh
Huns were head to head literary with Std Liege players at end of game squaring up to each other, pushing and shoving.
I dont want anyone to get this virus……..but I want a fair and even playing field regarding testing, isolation rules.
Hun barstewards.
D :)
If any huns test positive I fully expect the SPFL to review the situation so as not to affect the huns to their detriment.
It’s only fair.
But I thought if you come into contact with anyone who has tested possitive you had to self isolate for 14 days??????
NO???
D :)
AN TEARMANN on 24TH OCTOBER 2020 7:43 PM
I’ve no illusions about the Labour Party. But they are the only political party that has actually delivered anything for the working class of this country.
You refuse to tell us which political organisation you support, which, to be fair, they probably appreciate. But I doubt your reticence is for their benefit. Perhaps though you could tell us what they have done that has benefitted anyone.
Or you could just carrying on howling at the moon.
Otherwise workplaces would be riddled with it.
Can someon ask Lothian health board?
Or Mr Leitch
Tell you what I would not be happy if I were a Livingstone player if any of those Huns from Thursday are on the park on Sumday.
D :)
Dont know about Sumday but definitely not Sunday
D :)
It looks like only one of the infected Liege players played against the huns, one was on the bench and the other didn’t feature.
Still, it only takes one.
Can’t believe anyone would wish covid19 on anyone else.
It can kill people ffs.
PHILBHOY on 24TH OCTOBER 2020 8:17 PM
And who has done that?
Bada -Reading back.Can I ask if all the big headliners you put out are secure or just jibber jabber 🤷♀️🤔
ERNIE LYNCH on 24TH OCTOBER 2020 8:16 PM
Would you really want any team (even theirs) to be affected by this horrible disease? As much as I detest them and all they stand for even i would draw the line at wishing that on them….
ERNIE LYNCH
People I have spoken to.
ONENIGHTINLISBON on 24TH OCTOBER 2020 8:22 PM
I’d want them to be self isolating if they’ve been in contact with anyone who has tested positive.
Wouldn’t you?
ERNIE LYNCH on 24TH OCTOBER 2020 8:23 PM
And do you think they won’t?
The Huns goal the other night although good was absolute luck.He couldn’t do it again if his the rangers career depended on it 🤷♀️
PHILBHOY-it does kill folks
Now what about a team tomorrow.🤔🍀