Breaking down packed midfields

678

Celtic faced a familiar problem yesterday.  Hearts packed the midfield, which sat close to their defensive line, making it difficult for Celtic to get through, over or wide.  Their best chance in the first half actually came from a Hearts corner kick, one of the few occasions the visitors ventured forward.

Sure, we need to beat Rangers, but dealing with the challenge of teams sitting tight and packing midfield will be key to winning the SPL, and that starts at Perth on Sunday.  St Johnstone will not be in confident mood after their 0-3 pasting at home yesterday, so you can expect them to sit three central midfielders in front of the defence.

Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

678 Comments

  1. The Singing Detective on

    Can someone string-up that Robert Peston? On BBC2 now.

     

    How can someone get so foaming-in-the-mouth excited about the Financial Armageddon about to engulf these Enchanted Sceptred Isles..?

     

     

    Well of course…he’s a nasty Wee Marxist,just like his faither,who sits in the House of Lords….Lord Peston,no less……

     

     

    We’re drowning in Fifth Columnists.

  2. My ten year old daughter – hard wired for Celtic

     

     

    1-1 Sunderland Blackburn – free kick in injury time

     

     

    She’s getting excited and eager for a result for Martin…

     

     

    And out of her mouth comes these words…

     

     

    ‘C’mon Larsson, be worthy of your name…’

     

     

    Bada boom bada bing – 2-1

     

     

    She gets it.

     

     

    U

  3. up

     

     

    Sure he would score for fun up here but could we afford his wages?

     

     

    For certain there are a few guys playing in the Championship/League1 who could do us a turn

     

    When Lenny let both Murphy and Sheridan go I thought that was a mistake as without them we do not have anyone capable or willing to the dirty work required

     

     

    Oh for an Evil Genius or BBJ!!!!

     

     

    HH

  4. Uly

     

     

    Does she do lottery numbers?

     

     

    Coming to think of it I’m not greedy, the supporter’s bus tote would suffice…

  5. Top Corner

     

     

    Great stuff. Did Margaret Thatcher get a mention in the commentary at the end LOL.

  6. bigjie says:

     

    11 December, 2011 at 20:04 hamiltontim says:

     

    11 December, 2011 at 20:08

     

     

    At the game I said to my mate I think he has given it for handball due to his arm signal. Watching ti online there was no chance it was handball and only a slight chance it could have been for Victor leaning in like the ICT guy on Georgie. But never a pen any way.

  7. TootingTim supports TKF anaw on

    Ball hit VW raised hand. Although hand didn’t move to ball, hand in an ‘unnatural’ position, so “seen ’em given” rule applies.

  8. Don’t agree Victor’s hand struck the ball.

     

     

    Anyway we’re agreeing there was doubt over the decision so given that Celtic would be the intended losers over said dubious decision then it was a no brainer for the cheating MIB.

  9. TopCorner ♥ Kano1000 on

    TootingTim supports TKF anaw says:

     

    11 December, 2011 at 18:20

     

     

    re Hamill

     

     

    agreed

     

     

    watched him play a few times – thought who’s this guy ? he is mince !

     

     

    then i saw him play v us and sure enough, a totally different player, 100% committed etc

     

     

    night n day

  10. Bundoran Bhoy

     

     

    We’re good but slightly anxious given that The Exiled Tim hisnae checked in from hunfree land.

  11. GL2 it seems the LL media are only interested in the part where the ball wasn’t placed on the spot, they mostly missed that it wasn’t a penalty and the excellent save by FF, it’s very unprofessional of them, but they managed too rage at a Celtic player for making sure the ref done his job properly.

     

    Scotlands shame at work!

     

     

    Vinny

     

    HH

  12. GL2

     

     

    the pen was given for many reasons …none of which were related to the incident

     

     

    Murray is the new hun ref on the block …this wee runt needs watching

  13. Simplistic I know but we are CELTIC, don’t forget.

     

    I’ve always believed the best form of defence is ATTACK. Why should we concern our selves with our opponents, let them worry about us. Attack Attack Attack.

     

    I cannot think of any reason why we should be so defensive, at least here in Scotland as we are miles better than anyone. We neeed the swagger back, the Mighty Celtic are in town.

     

    Come on, some positivity please.

     

     

    Call me dellusional, I’m not

     

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

     

    KINGLuBO – soon to be KINGSAmmI

  14. glendalystonsils on

    Vmhan

     

     

    The LL were not interested in the fact that the ball wasn’t placed on the spot either, they were only interested in Sammi’s “gamesmanship”

  15. ghent

     

     

    re the LL

     

     

    why are you getting yourself in a lather re them

     

     

    they did as they have always done ….barstewards the lot

     

     

    ignore them and they will die

  16. Bigjie

     

     

    Cheers mate. Pulling up the chair just as soon as the better half serves dinner.

     

     

    Bundoran Bhoy.

     

     

    Haven’t seen TET posting today. Probably still celebrating Barca’s win.

  17. voguepunter 1- Kano 1000 on

    !!Bada Bing!! Kano 1000 says:

     

    11 December, 2011 at 20:31

     

     

     

    M ,cheers,maybe buy the missus summit fir Christmas.

     

    Try and make Vogue friday afternoon,Karaoke on ,yir

     

    big gub and a microphone ,a match made in heaven.:O)

     

    Hail hail.

  18. jmccormick

     

     

    didn`t ever see wee jinky

     

     

    saw plenty of henke

     

     

    not sure i`ll ever see their like again ….live in hope tho`

  19. brucecassavetes on

    Evening all.

     

     

    Loving big Victor’s comments today about scoring and not knowing how to celebrate.

     

     

    Reminds me of Lubo & Dr Jo against the Horrible Undignified Neds in 1998 – I don’t think they knew what they’d let themselves in for either. (Tony Warner in goal that day for us as well!)

  20. lennon's passion on

    We won yesterday stop doing the journalist’s job and analysing everything,3 points game on.Maybe if most of you went to the game/or had a life you wouldn’t need to debate the death out of a minor moments.

  21. tommytwiststommyturns Kano 1000 on

    EDB – TET was on earlier today, he was telling us about watching the game in a bar with mostly Madrid fans!

     

     

    T4