When looking back on last season I suggested we would not have won the league if we persisted with the 4-2-3-1 formation that brought us to the brink of crisis in December. Creativity was ponderous and the players looked out of ideas. We switched to three at the back after the winter break and rolled towards the title. The same players looked commanding and worthy winners.
There were many failures last night, but reverting to the tried-and-tested-and-failed formation is high on the list. If there is another reason we failed to score more with so much possession, I don’t think it had a material impact.
After the Hamilton Accies demolition, it felt churlish to gripe about the volume of chances we conceded, but I could foresee having to write today’s article. High on my mind that day was what some unknown, but infinitely better, European striker would do to us in qualifying. We are wide open to the counter attack. Ferencvaros’ winner was a dreadful goal to concede – a clearance from the middle of their own half that we failed to defend. Although Elhamed was culpable, it was a consequence of how we play.
You have seen the opening goal before this season. Accies threw a set piece into the box, which was headed to the edge of a penalty area that was a Celtic Free Zone. We have conceded three goals this season, two of them as a consequence of not getting out to the edge of the box for the second ball at set pieces.
Neil Lennon seemed more upset about the second goal – which involved a clear individual error – than the first, which was a systemic failure to defend set pieces. We do not push out with rehearsed purpose. Motherwell will know that and if we do not fix it by Sunday, they will exploit what Hamilton and Ferenvaros already profited from.
For years I have written here that suggestions players do not look interested is a naïve comment by people that do know little about football, which is usually borne out when they burst into creativity following a tactical change. Neil threw this theory (and his players) under the bus after the game. Whatever mistakes Neil Lennon made last night, we know the man well enough to be sure something significant lay behind his post-match comments about players not wanting to be at Celtic.
We have been here before, from Kelvin, to Moussa to Dedryck. Based on the manager’s comments, I have no doubt some of the current crop are up to the same tricks. This is very disappointing, but it is not why we were knocked out of Europe, again, by a team with that cost a fraction of our own, and on this occasion to a team who have played fewer games than us.
The value for money return on our wage and player investment spend has brought historical highs domestically. Money spent is the blunt weapon that’s delivered nine-in-a-row, three trebles and counting, but we are regularly out boxed by European financial minnows, and if you blame Hatem Elhamed for last night, you are missing the big picture.
On a tactical note, I am not getting into whoever wants a move until the window closes. There are very important weeks ahead. Eye on the (remaining) prize.
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Philbhoy….ay brother…service indusrty keeping me young 🤣
H.H
THE Blogger
Aye , thon Christie and his backheeler ,…….. Calls himself a striker tae!
Oh wait a minute………
WEE BOBBY COLLINS ,at least we seen the lions , thats something we will never forget..h.h,
Celtic Quick News.
Adi -😂😂😂
D :)
Probably Lenny’s best move last night was to tell the players”If you don’t want to be here,then go” Bloody right as well.Some two faced fans on here.If a player we are after,hums and haws about signing,the general opinion is”Hunt him”.Broony must be deaf,dumb and blind,on earlier denying it,then two get their agents onto it.Christie will be next.Don’t want to play,
Byeeee,enjoy your life.
Hi Ghuys, Salve salve ;- Something to cheer you all up, I went fishing yesterday with a good friend, conditions were terrific but the fish were being uncooperative but in the end we both managed to pick up a stonking good fish each. I have just finished filleting and smoking mine and it is terrific.
Football ? why all the angst? the Celtic we all knew and grew up with is now entering it’s death throws, the days of seeing signings like Moussa and Eddy are at an end. The Celtic you will or might be watching in the not too distant future will more resemble a Vauxhall conference league team so it is just not worth anyone’s time to overinvest emotionally anymore. This is absolutely not a political post so ghuys please do not see it as such but my view is informed bymy vision of life in a post separation Scotland where the necessary levels of taxation will prevent any Scottish team becoming a desirable destination for talented players from furth of Scotland. :- Again this not an attempt to influence or denigrate anyone’s political leanings. It is just what it is.
I am looking forward to my next outing on the loch.
Greenwells
Sutor, ne supra crepidam
TURKEYBHOY on 27TH AUGUST 2020 9:24 PM
Probably Lenny’s best move last night was to tell the players”If you don’t want to be here,then go” Bloody right as well.Some two faced fans on here.If a player we are after,hums and haws about signing,the general opinion is”Hunt him”.Broony must be deaf,dumb and blind,on earlier denying it,then two get their agents onto it.Christie will be next.Don’t want to play,
Byeeee,enjoy your life.
The only thing Christie did last night, was his strike @ Goal, which came off the players napper,
& went into the Net. We had seventeen Corners last night, with Christie taking all of them, with
no end product. Christie’s corner kicks, are either too long, or too short.
LG & EH, are much better @ taking corner kicks, than Christie, & that is a fact.
Don’t fret Greenwells , it won’t happen.
Excellent article on Etims
Supersutton,
Correct about the players.I said the same today they were loaded with Internationals,Brazilians,Africans.,
I can see why Ntcham would want to leave. The team should be built round him and yet he is at best a bit player.
We are ruining Ajer by playing him at the back. I think he could well become a fine midfield player.
I didn’t see either of them or Christie, another who supposedly wants away,downing tools last night.
Imo, there is only one person responsible and that is the manager. He deserves the greatest respect from each and every Celtic supporter for what he has had to endure for his love of Celtic.
How the situation is best resolved, I don’t know but Neil Lennon should always be able to hold his head up high in Paradise.
Never a good sign when a manager openly criticises players even when they deserve it ?
Gathering momentum is the suggestion that Eddie declared a strain,now he did get a sore one at Tannadice ( Why did we play him ) but equally if this was a tactic to avoid playing for whatever reason,then star man or not I would not give him another game. He is good in a diminished standard,but he aint Joe McBride.
Equally any others who want out,move them out.
Really surprised if Christie part of that,thought he had more to him.
Is it any wonder NL looking tense,ratted out by Tierney/Lawell ,and lied to by Forster,after decision agreed to release Gordon,leaving us as a team seeking replacements.
Lets end the ongoing glowing testimonies for Tierney and Forster,that was shocking behaviour and the strain of all of these events now showing on the Manager.
I would rather lose the 10 than impose ill health on the Manager,and that from someone who is unlikely to have this opportunity again in my remaining years.
I don’t think Ewen Murray at The Guardian has much time for us, he certainly isn’t a fan, but his piece in The Guardian today is worth a read. It really does provide food for thought. Uncomfortable reading, not just for us but for Scottish football.
I didn’t know Liechtenstein were ranked higher than Hungary. Jeez.
No matter how angry I was last night,I am still supporting Lenny.
To call for this guy to be sacked,is shameful.In Lenny I trust for the 10.All that matters to me this year.
See Jonny Hayes on the score sheet tonight, wonder if he was playing LB. .. .
GLENDALYSTONSILS on 27TH AUGUST 2020 9:31 PM
Don’t fret Greenwells , it won’t happen.
Damn tooting GlenDalysTonsils, that wishful thinking, has as much chance of becoming
reality, than a snowball’s chance in Hell.
So Greenwells, Fandabidozi & Crew will steam roll Indi Ref 1,000 @ A Sunday Night @
The Palladium Rally. However, there is one very important issue with this matter, that
will never change within the UK. It’s the matter of, breaking up the UK Union, which
the Voters will not want. One can lead a Horse too Water, however one can not force
the Horse to Drink It, I leave that realistic true point, with you, Greenwells.
Not only do we have football experts on here that could run our team (and club) in their sleep, but we also have medical experts diagnosing the health of our manager through watching video clips. I found the latter disgraceful btw. No place for it on a blog and the comment should have been deleted.
Excathedra44,
I think your point about Forster is well made, but Tierney? He had the right to go make of himself what he can. I doubt the decision was an easy one. We all like to think “I’d never have done that”, but really? Lifelong security for him and his extended family? I know many Celtic supporters don’t agree, but no blame from me. Loved him at Celtic, many great memories including the passing of the torch cuddle between him and Izzy, the goal against Man City…too many to mention. I follow his progress with interest and not a little pride. As for Forster, yeah, if Lenny feels used I get that 100%.
Glendaley…
Indeed, score that and you get yourself You-tubed all over the the world when a simple tap from your natural left foot would have done the job.
Alas, professional sport is a business. And business is all about money.
The ‘want-aways’ should no longer be given the stage to perform.
DENIABHOY on 27TH AUGUST 2020 9:47 PM
See Jonny Hayes on the score sheet tonight, wonder if he was playing LB. .. .
No, he was not required, to play the roll of a MakeShift Position.
On a normal day David Turnbull signing would be a good news story.
Our current mood should not distract that this Bhoy has had a hard time since his initial deal fell through. He wants to be here.
Welcome to Celtic. You can help restart the journey.
Big Packy…”at least we seen the lions , thats something we will never forget.”
Indeed we did…but here’s a wee tidbit…in 1988 I returned home after some years abroad. As I got out of the taxi from the airport I saw my dad leaning on the lawnmower talking to Bobby Murdoch. At that time he lived just up the street from my parents…I knew the Murdoch family. Matt, Bobby, Billy and James. I played with young Billy, a good wee player. I told a story on here some years ago about how after a game Billy took me to his house in the Spittal. We went in the back door and there hanging from the pulley in the kitchen was Bobby’s Celtic strip. It was the brilliant reverse Hibs top with green sleeves and a big shamrock. I couldn’t resist touching it. Bobby had yet to break into the first team…James arrived at Holy Cross just before I left in 1963 and I shared a wee jig with Matt coming out of the stadium in Lisbon ’67.
The only Lions I never met were Ronnie, Wispy and big Yogi….
Now, how’s that for name dropping…?
*** CQN PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2020-21 ***
RESULTS FROM GAME #5 – CELTIC 1 FERENCVAROS 2 (CHRISTIE)
Very little point in me commenting on last night’s result as it probably wouldn’t be any different to the hundreds and hundreds of posts, tweets, Facebookthings, etc that I’ve read over the past 24 hours. I think we were all pretty concerned on hearing that our main striker wasn’t going to be one of our strikers. No blame attached to Ryan, of course, who was given a role, did his best and received a good number of votes for his efforts. Going forward, isn’t the answer just as simple as “play 3-5-2”. Or is there a risk that the ‘2’ would be, say, Christie and Forrest rather than Klimala and Ajeti?
Anyway, enough waffling, thanks to the 44 who voted in what turned out to be the closest one since I started this wee pastime almost a year ago. The votes cast for each player are as follows (with my own choices asterisked) –
Barkas: 0
Elhamed: 2
Jullien: 1
Ajer*: 22
Taylor: 5
Brown: 2
McGregor: 12
Forrest: 1
Ntcham: 27
Elyounoussi: 27
Christie*: 25
Ajeti: 0
Frimpong*: 7
So the players receiving points for the Ferencvaros game are –
Elyounoussi and Ntcham – 5 points
Christie – 3 points
Ajer – 2 points
McGregor – 1 point
And the overall points table is now as follows –
1st – Christie – 14 points
2nd – Elyounoussi – 10 points
3rd – Ntcham – 9 points
4th – McGregor – 8 points
5th – Taylor – 7 points
6th – Edouard – 5 points
7th – Ajeti, Barkas, Elhamed and Frimpong – 4 points
11th – Ajer, Bitton – 3 points
13th – Jullien – 2 points
14th – Bain, Bolingoli, Brown, Dembele, Forrest, Klimala – 0 points
Our next game is on Sunday at 3pm when we host Motherwell.
Hail Hail!
Green piñata at 9.58,
Big thumbs up to that post, it’s been lost among the noise.
Delighted to have the Bhoy and it’s heartening to see the amount of goodwill for him from Motherwell fans.
Big Packy…some of us are too young to remember the Lions 🤣
LovethestoriesCSC
H.H.
FIELDOFDRAMS on 27TH AUGUST 2020 9:52 PM
Thanks for reply.
Yes I can understand that viewpoint,however having promoted himself as the Fan on the Park,I believe ,given the significance of this Season,that one more Season would not have diminished his value, but if anything would have enhanced it,when you see inferior players going for more money.
Irrespective,he is a loss.
Stay safe.
WEE BOBBY COLLINS, loved that, the only two lions i ever met was jinky only because his father matt johnstone worked alongside my uncle packy who i take my blog name off, and john yogi hughes, only because i used to drink in his pub in coatbridge, yogis bar ,ach memories 😎😎
Couple of weeks back the lower echelons of the Football League introduced a salary cap for next season.
Surprised that neither Paul67 or Auldheid mentioned it though the latter may have done elsewhere. Anyways, League 1 (which includes Sunderland) set a season limit of £2.5 million for the season, albeit with some provisions, and League 2 set a cap of £1.5 million.
On average £1700 per week for League 1 and £1000 per week in League 2.
Anybody fancy our chances of making it through to the Premier League if we had to work our way through the divisions?
With or without Neil Lennon in charge.
I did meet Jinky once, going into the town after a game…it’s not a great storey…so I’ll leave it there
Late80sCSC
H.H.
*story even
CELTIC MAC on 27TH AUGUST 2020 10:19 PM
Image rights, testimonials, loyalty bonusses?
I don’t believe Kieran went solely for the money, he was, after all, already in a financial dreamland.
I’m sure it was to play with better players in a more testing league. He would have eventually stagnated here in this humdrum environment where he was being regularly targeted by serious hammer-throwers. Good luck to the boy! It’s good to see how he has been taken to by the Arsenal support…
Thanks for doing this Jobo!
WBC….and already lifted the English FA Cup…I wish him well on his loan spell 🤣
WEBOBBYCOLLINS
No doubt the EPL has it’s share of potential hammer throwers , but the difference is they have proper referees.
I think this may be of interest to many of you-
https://mobile.twitter.com/jucojames/status/1298946503034232832
☝🏽 A boy’s thoughts on Celtic, and Lennon as manager
He makes a great point IMHO about Tierney being played when being miles from fit, risking his career, without being cared for by the club