Alert on the left, the gravy in Ronny’s pie

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I’m largely ignoring the defensive lapses of last night. There will be at least two changes for the Champions League, and everyone will be far more attentive. It was, though, a concern that both Kilmarnock goals came as a result of Celtic’s left-hand-side being breached.

Malmo’s Age Hareide will have noted this, and whatever attacking resources he deploys next week are likely to try to exploit a perceived weakness. Ronny will have a choice: Izzie or Charlie? My money’s on the latter.

Tom Rogic didn’t have the perfect game but it was good to see him take so much responsibility. He’s looked like the office junior of the Celtic midfield on previous outings, as did Nir Bitton for most of his early games. If Rogic has genuine talent, we need to let him find his feet in games like these.

Ronny Deila answered all questions after the game but gave little away. I hope his dismissal of injury worries was accurate. Kris Commons is the gravy in his pie. We are capable of beating anyone without Kris, but we need him doing his thing if we are to take a comfortable victory to Sweden.

Yesterday I was looking over Celtic’s form in November 2006 after doing an interview for a French magazine, who are writing a piece on Shunsuke Nakamura. That was the month Naka scored the goal which sent us top of the group and into the knock-out rounds of the Champions League for the first time – with a game to spare, no less.

It’s less well remembered that earlier that month we went out of the League Cup after losing at home to Falkirk on penalties, or that we couldn’t win at Easter Road immediately after the Champions League win.

Indifferent performances and results surround some of our greatest European performances. Getting it right when it counts is what matters.

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  1. Livibhoy

     

     

    I have read your posts on this thread re Scott Allen.

     

     

    Now, I have never seen the lad play, so don’t know much about him.

     

     

    I have also read the near hysterical anti Scott Allen posts on here too.

     

     

    However, i read all your posts and I think you are one of the better, more balanced posters on this Blog.

     

     

    So, what I am trying to say is, if you think he is good enough or could be coached to be good enough, well, that is good enough for me too.

     

     

    I also believe that if he wears the jersey he should get our support.

     

     

    Even if he supports another club.

     

     

    C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. LIVIBHOY

     

     

    I know you know your stuff, like most of the bhoys on the blog.

     

    On this occasion, I’m right.

     

    We do not need Scott Allen, so I can only think that its PL idea of a joke….I mean playing one-upmanship with a mob of sevco halfwits, that’s hardly cutting edge leadership.

     

    All I know…is that the quality of player is declining, while the price of tickets is rising.

     

    If I wanted to go see a team of SPL players, id go see Thistle…..you get my point?

     

    If we are reduced to watching a team full of SPL players, shouldn’t that cost a lot less?

     

    Race to the bottom imo

     

    Keep playing this game…we will reap the consequences.

     

     

     

    HH

  3. CORKCELT

     

     

    Would it be better if I just agreed with the majority view, is that what you are saying to me?

     

    I’m holding my opinion under concerted opposition.

     

    I quite like that…I don’t need to agree with anyone.

     

     

    HH

  4. West End of East End on

    The Green Man – No, what’s boring is your confrontational ranting style on a blog where people express different opinions every day on all matters of subjects as well as Celtic. Celtic are reported to be expressing an interest in Scott Allan so it’s not rocket science that it will be discussed on here. Some people don’t think he’s good enough, others think he is, whilst others think there’s potential there that the manager could improve.

     

     

    Now because some think we should sign him, they should go watch the huns or Hibs !

     

     

    Are you called the Green man because when you get angry you turn into the hulk or just a tube ….:-)

  5. The Green Man on 13th August 2015 2:20 pm

     

     

    I take it you’re giving no credence to the reports that it’s Hibs that are suggesting the move in exchange for McGeoch and McGregor?

     

     

    I personally don’t think we are after him or should be. However that’s not to say we shouldn’t consider an offer involving him. I think we possibly have too many midfielders. A net loss of one for no loss of quality might work in our favour.

  6. The Green Man

     

     

    Let’s agree to disagree. If Allan signs then we can reignite this debate.

     

    I do understand what you are saying. I get it. I really do but you have to look at where we are. If we sign 2 or 3 very good players after CL qualification then we must pad the squad with players who are able at a prem level. Scott is more than able. He could potentially be an excellent player for us.

     

     

    Philbhoy

     

     

    I know I probably look like a cheerleader for the boy but I saw gauld on highlights after one game and I would have been in a car to Tannadice that night and not left without securing his signature.

     

    I have watched Allan and he did not have the same impact as Gauld but he is able and actually needs a boot up the erse a lot of the time. When he is on form though like he was twice v Sevco last season he was unplayable.

     

    He is the type of player Ronny & JC can squeeze extra out of I believe.

     

     

    Last comment from me on him.

     

     

    HH

     

     

    LB

  7. Nothing changes.Fans have always had differing opinions of players and managers. Stevie Chalmers used to get pelters when he missed an easy chance. Griff missed half a dozen last night.

     

     

    Commons and Johansen played out of position and Rogic too slow in thought and movement. Then again I think that Scott Allen is a great player!

  8. I thought that was a brilliant game last night. Two attack-minded teams, trying to play on the deck, going at it for ninety minutes.

     

     

    Played in a good spirit and with few of the agricultural tackles we’ve seen before at Rugby Park.

     

     

    If Ronaldo had hit Biton’s shot, and if Messi had taken a penalty like that, Sky would be gorging on it for weeks. Sometimes we are far too down on the Scottish game. When it’s good, it’s actually fun to watch.

     

     

    And don’t we always say we want domestic competition? Well, we’ve got it (at least for a while). This is good for our players, our management team, and for the strength of the rest of the league.

     

     

    On Celtic’s performance – the biggest factor was the absent Brown, who I feel would have held the whole show together. Rogic still looks a little timid to me, he’ll need to get a bit of attitude if he is to succeed here. Izzy proved once again what a weak link he can be. Love his attitude, but his defensive lapses are frequent and usually catastrophic.

     

     

    As for Scott Allan. A good player, with the potential to be very good (tough he’s not as young as the Hun media like to pretend). He would improve them, but he’d need to improve to get a game with us. Does he have the ambition?

     

     

    And of course, signing him would be a forceful reminder of the current pecking order in Scottish football.

  9. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    Parkheadcum…,

     

     

    Interesting point about the Lions pre Stein.

     

     

    I was in the Central Station one night, after a Celtic game at Firhill.

     

     

    I spotted Tommy Gemmell, with his then girlfriend, walking across the concourse, reading an early edition.

     

    He had played that evening and it was the worst performance that I had ever seen from a left back.

     

    Tommy had many of those, though, playing behind Jim Kennedy didn’t help.

     

    A couple of years before that, my father commented on a young lad playing at inside left, saying, ” that boy will never be Celtic class”.

     

    I often wondered what became of John Clark!

  10. WEST END OF EAST END

     

     

    No, whats boring….is you being like a sheep…BAAA

     

    And why would I be angry?

     

    I’m more bemused that Celtic fans are quite prepared to accept any old nonsense.

     

    Ciftci, and now Allen

     

    Seriously, keep this strategy up, and there will be consequences.

     

    I put it simply….if PL wants to fill the team with SPL type players, at the same time, he better drastically reduce prices….that’s would only be fair, would it not?

     

     

    HH

  11. Big Pierres 2 front teeth on

    The Green Man

     

     

    Stop acting like a bitter hun and pure pish mate with the chat that Allan is dross and McGeouch far superior. Allan is a good player and better than what we have coming through or McGeouch & McGregor, neither of whom will ever break into our team.

  12. I can see I’m beginning to be a bit typecast here.

     

    I’m “ranting and raving”, “frothing at the mouth” etc

     

    Really.

     

    I can see where this blog is going.

     

    However, I will always say what I feel, so if I am the subject of scorn….GOOD

     

    Bring it on, no flouncing from the Green Man.

     

    No back of the bus from me bhoys:)

     

     

    HH

  13. It was disappointing to draw last night but I don`t necessarily blame the defence. The Celts scored early in each half and failed to add to the lead. More goals please!

  14. BIG PIERRES

     

     

    Who asked you big mouth….Hun is it.

     

    You don’t know me, so feck off

  15. balornock bhoy on

    The Green Man

     

    Can Championship players go on to become CL players??

     

    Did GMS not play for Airdrie for a while?

     

     

    Also by your reckoning VVD is only good enough for SPL as nobody else has signed him yet?

     

     

    No idea why you have such an issue with SA however he looks a decent player and one who would get better in a better team.

     

     

    Lets wait and see what happens…….

  16. West End of East End on

    The Green Man – Wasn’t is Ronny who said he wanted to sign home grown players and not PL ? I said earlier, I don’t have an opinion on Scott Allan, I’ve not seen enough of him to say if he’s good enough, but listening to respected posters who have seen him, it’s still probably split down the middle. So it’s the managers choice, not PL’s, you’re letting your dislike (I was going to say hatred, would that be too strong? ) get in the way

     

     

    Do you want us to sign the guy from Brugge ? What about the defender from Norway that we’re supposed to be scouting ? I know nothing of either of them but they must be shite as they may want to come to Scotland…

  17. 15m15 minutes ago

     

    Celtic Football Club ‏@celticfc

     

    RD on Scott Allan speculation: “I can’t comment on anything until something has happened.” (MH)

  18. Playfusbal4guilders,

     

     

    Yes.

     

     

    I’m astonished Liam has not had more gametime this season.I know he’s still young but from what I’ve seen he’s got what it takes to make a real breakthrough.

     

    For me he’ll go further than James and Aidan.

  19. Its like the Hibs fan club ffs..

     

    Why is Scott Allen all of a sudden brilliant.

     

    Serious bs going on here.

     

    He is dross.

     

     

     

    HH

  20. Just popped in

     

     

    LOL… this place is mental

     

     

    I’ll pop back in again when we are in the Champions League

  21. Big Pierres 2 front teeth on

    The Green Man

     

     

    Still acting the hun with that reply! Absolute clown

     

     

    Away and learn something about football. It’s clear to everyone here you know fcuk all

  22. It seems odd, that I’m the only one who thinks Scott Allen is dross, makes me a bit suspicious.

     

    What is it….is a collective action against opinion you don’t like?

     

    Do you all just want to agree?

     

    Like I said…odd

  23. The Green Man

     

     

    I don’t see how he gets in our team but at the same time I will give him a chance.

  24. BIG PIERRES

     

     

    Who are you?

     

    Are you a hun troll.

     

    If you are…yer no a very good yin.

     

    Wind your neck in

  25. ItaliaBhoy-disagree my friend, Smith, Connolly and Hamill , should have been yellow carded in the first half hour.When crocking opposition players is your game, a card takes the sting out of them.HH

  26. balornock bhoy on

    The Green Man

     

    The boy is not dross!! And you say others know nothing about football!

     

     

    I am not saying we should sign him however you appear to have some agenda against the boy. Is it simply because of who he supports. If so, quite sad really.

  27. TET

     

     

    Going up to Stonehaven tomorrow for the weekend!

     

     

    I will pass on your regards to the usual suspects!

     

     

    Hope you are well!

  28. Who is this Scott Allen some on here discuss? I see there are stories perhaps linking us with Scott AllAn of Hibs ,maybe more relevant to talk about him? Pedantic CSC

  29. The Green Man on 13th August 2015 2:50 pm

     

     

    I’m actually know nothing about him, I put my trust in the people at the club to bring in the best players they can. Which by and large seems to be working.

     

     

    As I said previously if he’s been offered (rather than sought) and it suits the club to lose 2 players and gain one without a loss of quality then so be it.

     

     

    I take it with your ability to judge player skills and potential you’re a scout or something? ;)

  30. Big Pierres 2 front teeth on

    The Green Man on 13th August 2015 2:52 pm

     

     

    BIG PIERRES

     

     

    Who are you?

     

     

    Are you a hun troll.

     

     

    If you are…yer no a very good yin.

     

     

     

    You’re the only one acting the hun here pal. Who am I??? who the fcuk do you think you are? What happens if I don’t wind my neck in??

     

     

    You might shout the odds at everyone else but not me idiot. Let the collective criticism tell you something… you’re full of sh!te and embarrassing yourself

  31. Keegan Bradley,1 off the lead at US Open, proudly displaying Hoops cover on his driver.

  32. BALORNOCK BHOY

     

     

    I base my opinion on playing ability….and I think, there is a fair bit of the old spin going on.

     

    All of a sudden Scott Allen is the answer….no, I don’t think so.

     

    I don’t care who he supports, regardless of the fact that he has made it plain who he favours.

     

    I just don’t think he is better than, Rogic, Henderson, Dylan, etc

     

    Its all about opinions

     

     

    HH

  33. Seems as soon as Henderson agrees to go to Hibs on loan,it’s a deal for Allan plus McGeouch.

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