Balance shifted to runners unconvincing with the ball

490

After so much slow build-up play this season, and so many misplaced passes, the sight of Roberts, Christie, Allan and Griffiths pinging the ball around the field was a revelation. I know the game was won before the three substitutes grabbed hold of things, and that there are vastly more challenging scenarios than Inverness at home, but the new blood have asked a big question of the incumbent three attacking midfielders.

The comfort on the ball the three substitutes brought was also contagious, Lustig looked less like a panicked fawn as he confidently back-heeled the ball into space.

The balance in the team has shifted damagingly in favour of players who can run, or perhaps jump, but who are unconvincing with the ball at their feet. So much so, Craig Gordon clears the ball up the field, instead of playing-in Bitton or a central defender, more than we’ve seen from a Celtic keeper in decades.

Christie, Roberts and Allan will not change this overnight (the latter’s misplaced pass against Ajax was costly), but they are doing enough to justify some faith in their selection. New Douglas Park should be an ideal opportunity to strut their stuff.

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490 Comments

  1. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    BT

     

     

    Thats it.

     

    Rory is a good lad.

     

    Celtic daft.

     

    Next time you see him…tell him i not blagging him any more official SFA regulation balls from Fir Park….he is too old now:)

     

    Good story that one….ask him:)

     

     

    HH

  2. AnTearmann – tell me one policy and/or proposal that the SNP have ever espoused and/or enacted that has been directly targeted at the poorest people in society – they can’t even produce a progressive tax policy – but they can spend cash on Gaelic road and rail signs – pathetic!!!!

  3. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    Well that’s it for tonight, bawbaws time

     

    Night night n hail hail timdom

  4. I was speaking to Joe Ledley at Celtic Park after his man of the match performance in his last game in the Hoops against Kilmarnock. It was a midweek game and there weren’t many people still at the ground.

     

     

    Joe told me that he’d like to stay – he was happy to stay and that he was meeting PL to discuss on the Friday morning.

     

     

    Joe was told there was interest and Celtic were prepared to listen. Being a professional he accepted this and went to speak to Palace – his heart might not have been as heavy as Hughes or Wallace when they made the same move decades before. But he was prepared to stay.

  5. BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 22ND FEBRUARY 2016 1:30 PM

     

    Interesting little chat with two Polish women,about my age,today.

     

     

    ——

     

     

    Why Bobbio? What age were you claiming to be?!?!?!

     

     

    ContextCSC

     

     

    The three amigos who lit up the end of Saturday’s match held up a mirror on a few others’ performances…..on the day and beyond.

     

     

    Sadly JF doesn’t look goo in such a reflection. We’ve waited too long for the realisation of his potential or a consistent line of crosses or other end products.

     

     

    So if he goes, all the best……but no great loss I’m sorry to say.

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  6. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    The green man

     

    Leanne picking mini up for dancing soon, I let her know

     

    Hail Hail

  7. Jamesgang…

     

     

     

    Why Bobbio? What age were you claiming to be?!?!?!

     

     

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

     

     

    Well spotted, ya big rascal. ;)

     

     

    Hope the new job is going well. HH

  8. The Comfortable Collective on

    If Hibs – Sevco league game is scheduled for the Monday night of the Scottish Cup weekend it will be rearranged as both will be playing Scottish cup games that weekend.

  9. Sips

     

     

    All good brother.

     

     

    Pass marks from BSR – can retire a Hoopy Bhoy!!!

     

     

    ;-)

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  10. Wee Jamesie has talent, however, he doesn’t show it often enough and there’s no point trying to keep him if he wants to leave.

  11. Weeminger

     

    From earlier.

     

    I didn’t realise that the PF said that charges could be reinstated, but I do agree, they will be singing their heads off, all’s fair in business.

     

    I have a feeling that our hero is the one they really want.

     

    HH

     

    …………………………

     

    Auldheid

     

    You will need to enlighten me.

     

    I canny go on feeling like this :-)

     

    Expensive game yesterday, but glad you enjoyed it.

     

    HH

     

    ……………………………

     

    TGM

     

    I fully concur with Auldheid.

     

    The Canman is a big gentle giant, and a top top bhoy.

     

    HH

  12. embramike says "the Huns are Deid" on

    AULDHEID on 22ND FEBRUARY 2016 5:59 PM

     

     

    I’m in Benalmadena and can either meet in Fuengirola or you drive on through to here. Get in touch nearer the time.

     

     

    I’ll be in Benalmadena 07/03 to 11/03 before heading to Almeria. Would be great to catch up and discuss things Benalmadena, and Celtic in addition to relaxing in the sunshine if you have time?

  13. Auldheid thanks for that, will do. Where are you watching the PT game on the 12th – my birthday incidently. H H Hebcelt

  14. The Green Man says SACK THE Board on

    TET

     

     

    Canamalar is indeed a top bhoy.

     

    One of the best posters on CQN imo.

     

     

    HH

  15. Sometimes you need to let some players leave to let others prosper, I think it’s that time with Forrest. Too often flatters to deceive I’m afraid.

     

     

    Regarding Allan, Christie and Roberts. If all 3 are to play together it will require a lot of work and discipline from the two central midfielders. Brown has really struggled to get about the pitch in the last few games, i hope he is just working his way back. Allan looked really hungry when he came on at the weekend so would be very surprised if he doesn’t start on Friday.

  16. Good evening folks. Everyone remembering to get their entries in for Last Man Standing 7 with it’s roll over prize fund from LMS6? Just drop an email to cqnpredictor@gmail.com and me or CRC will get back to you hopefully over the next 24 hours.

     

     

    For those that have already emailed, thank you and something should be back with you by tomorrow evening at the latest.

     

     

    Jobo

  17. eddieinkirkmichael on

    will be sorry to see a player who came through the youth system leave. Think he will end up at a championship club down south

  18. GlassTwoThirdsFull on

    MacIntyre reads out a statement from Ronny. Jackson says “yes, my information says that’s right”.

     

    Great Keith – I’m sure Ronny will be delighted to know he’s right because he has the same information as you!

  19. embramike says "the Huns are Deid" on

    James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman 8h8 hours ago

     

     

    Just been confirmed that BDO tax case appeal hearing postponed until 8 March.

     

     

    Thanks to @JudgesScotland for the info.

  20. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    Heading to auld reekie tomorrow

     

    And will have couple of hours to spare between 2 & 5 any decent boozers for a commuter ?

  21. I have a spare ticket for Hamilton on Friday .

     

    I would exchange at the stadium on Friday night.

     

     

    I look back in later to see if any one is interested.

     

    TT

  22. BT

     

    I always liked Deacon Brodies on Royal Mile or Abbotsford on Rose St. Both near Waverley (ish). The pub on the gushet near Haymarket is good but I forget the name.