I was encouraged when I read Tomoki Iwata would play in central defence against St Mirren. Since losing Kristoffer Ajer we have missed a central defender who is happy to carry the ball forward and break defensive lines. When Kris did this against well organised defences, the overload often caused them to lose shape and concede a chance.
Tomoki didn’t play this way but his forward pass to Reo Hatate at Celtic’s first goal was a perfect example of what a skilled ball player in the back line can give you. Defending is only part of the story for a central defender, they have a responsibility to open up gaps in opposition defence, either by driving forward, as Kris would, or linking back to front, as Tomoki did on Saturday.
Unfortunately, while he may be sufficient for a dead rubber at the end of the season, Tomoki’s 5’ 10” stature is insufficient as a central defender. We are a team with a height deficit throughout the field, even our first-choice central defenders are a bit shy of the average for that position.
The downfall of persistent winners often comes because of a failure to break the team up, something which happens more naturally with persistent losers. To make gains next season, Celtic will have to break a winning mould, with all the risks that entails.
Credit to St Mirren, who despite their lack of resources, again took the game to Celtic in a way that was refreshing to see and again were rewarded. Curtis Main bossed the match and deserved the hat trick the thickness of a post denied him.
116 Comments- Pages:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- »
Podium?
Woo hoo.
Stunned.
Would like to thank the writing team for a script straight from heaven, the director who believed in me and gave all us actors the freedom to … blah blah blah blah
On a different subject,does any Bhoys on here have shares with Hargreaves and Landsdown? ,I would like to purchase some shares ,would a couple off £ 200 pounds be ok to start with ,
“Do you sing IRA songs burn a bonfire and Roamin in the gloaming at your workplace???”
—————————-
I can’t speak for yesterday but I am sure Roamin in the gloaming was not sung at the match between Celtic and Glasgow City that I attended. The add ons to RITG, which can have a “clean” version should be objected to by all.
As for IRA songs, you would have to be specific. I would be reluctant to lose the Boys of the Old Brigade as it has a rousing tune and no sectarian content but it was proscribed by the Sunday Post brigade that produced the execrable OBAF Act.
As for “Build a Bonfire”- that is a song I sang in my Primary school- where instead of layers including Hearts & Rangers, we sang about Teachers and Heedies being placed in said bonfire. I doubt we were a particularly hate filled group of children and the teachers never came out of their staff rooms or lectured us at assembly for our song choice. I guess they read it as a childish ditty of defiance rather than a manifesto of intent.
I too have songs I disapprove of and I think I can make a case for RITG and for the Super Cooper song being actively discouraged. I know neither is favoured by the Green Brigade originals but they have, nevertheless crept into our repertoire.
But, we will have Republican songs because they are songs by the support not specifically for the team. A male team full of non-Irish personnel, apart from loanees Scales, Hazard, Kenny and Mikey Johnston is just as inappropriate and just as appropriate as a Ladies Team for hearing or censoring these songs.
The Ladies team seemed to enjoy the backing of the crowd and were either unaware or unoffended by the song choices. As an Equal Rights advocate, they are as entitled to hear them as the Men’s team are.
We either agree on what is offensive and remove it or we bitch on a blog expressing our distaste but knowing it changes nothing. We are not the singers, by and large, and we cannot influence this occurrence by much.
But we should not seek offence on behalf of others who are not offended. The Glasgow City Ladies will have enjoyed playing in front of a large crowd more than they were offended by songs heard. Having sat next to their supporters I can tell you they were more down about losing their first half dominance over the Celtic Ladies than they were about songs. They never booed or expressed any issue over our songbook but continued to support their own team in their own way. There was no bullying or intimidation of their crowd. If they had continued to dominate they would have been congratulated for their play.
St Mirren didnt have to work hard for thier chances Paul.
Perhaps the weakest ever back four in recent memory. Joe hart is also ot doing the basics.
Ange will know what we need
Bit of caution, Paul. The best teams have had good continuity. A couple of changes at a time. Too many and you are risking breaking something that works well.
Ange will know what we need to improve. Thankfully we have a hugely ambitious board and a spectacularly successfully head of recruitment…….
Notthebus,
For really bad defensive performances of our time I had a nosy back at the infamous 4-0 St Mirren defeat highlights and noticed that the back line that night was Wilson, Braafheid, Josh Thompson & O’Dea, with ole Larry N’Guemo ‘protecting’ them as a DM…..and Zaluska picking the ball out of the net…
Not recommended viewing.
HH
@ SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX
You Sir, and/or Madam, have put that brilliantly.
SFTB
Whether at the ladies game (which really did highlight it due to the high percentage of kids and new supporters) or at the men’s games, the trend away from supportive songs toward anachronistic nonsense and songs of hate and intolerance is pathetic in my personal opinion. I do respect others have a different opinion. I also get that whipping up the extreme perspective is easy short term box office value for the club.
SFTB – good post IMHO.
You are routinely reasoned and measured.
Disagree slightly on BOTOB.
Agree the original song has no sectarian content ….
… but the add-on (Provisional Wing ! ) as well as being historically ignorant feels like reaction seeking to me?
Burnley, am generally with you about promoting the positive, Celtic supporting songbook.
(The “back catalogue” is rich, extensive and beautiful).
Also, I love the songs about our Irish heritage.
Those who don’t like “Irish” never will.
Screw ’em.
Think, though, the North Curve are missing a trick to play it smart ….. without diminishing any sense of defiance, rebelliousness or republicanism.
Suggestion : Change just four syllables in the entire song book ….
“I-R-A” becomes “re-bel cause”
“Up the RA” becomes “Up the rebs”
… And I reckon any “debate” pretty much dries up?
🤔🤔
BURNLEY78,
I agree with you about the “songbook”. Let us content ourselves with singing Celtic songs.
I’m certain Ange has forgotten more about football than we know, so I’ m confident he sees who is up to the mark and those who are not.
Trust Ange, he’ll get it right, no probs
KINGLuBO
Fine Gaelers out in force today.
Brother Beaton is the man place in the middle to ‘Stop the Treble’
Good afternoon all from International Bar. Driving to Parkhead and back is a shambles. Fecking roadworks all over the shop and not one idling git doing any work.
Regards- grumpy from Govanhill. 😡
” Let us content ourselves with singing Celtic songs. ”
Like it or not, IRA songs ARE Celtic songs.
Most of the players out on loam need to be moved on. MJ, Soro, Ajeti and Barkas would free up a lot of wages for a minimum loss to the squad.
I’d also try and move on, McCarthy, Hart, Ralston, Benabie, Welsh and Turnbull.
I suspect Ange will be ruthless. A busy summer awaits.
CCV’s absence has really shown up Hart’s lack of command in his area.
If we can sign a keeper this summer who comes for crosses and clears out his 6 yard box then it will go a helluva way in negating the huns most productive goal threat against us.
Hart can’t be our keeper next season if we’re aiming to kick on.
watching the game on Saturday was a wee bit frustrating. I thought that both St. Mirren fullbacks shut down our wingers pretty well. It is amazing how sharp Kyogo is. he had hardly touched the ball and then he lashes it in to the the top corner. The wee Mhan is brilliant,and then he chases and harries their defenders all over the park. It is plain to see we are missing the stature of CCV. I would like us to bring back Virgil, go get Kieran and Andy Robertson, surely Big Foster would like to leave Spurs. Now mind you, these guys are just cover for CCV, Big Joe, Greggs the baker, and the Canadian assassin. Over on the other side of the city, we should be quaking in our boots as the Cantwell/Beale revolution is taking pace and they could easily catch up with us before the season finishes, with the help of some retrospective VAR in games already played. I actually watched their game, I know I know, yesterday vs HIbsedit, and thought that Hagi looked very good for a 58 year old. Big David didn’t cover himself in glory when he let Tavernier score from his 100th freekick of the season.
Ok, Back to normality, hail Hail,
Sean
Sean
😂😂
I liked the look, not for the first time, of St Mirren’s right Back Ryan Strain, 26yrs. Great engine and can do the defensive side as well. Joined from Maccabi Haifa and has only 1 year left on his current contract.
The only downside is he is English and therefore does not contribute to the homegrown requirements by UEFA for their comps., por cierto
One more thing.
Yet again on Saturday I went to the toilet under the JS Lower at half-time to find about a dozen arrogant assholes standing smoking. The air was thick with smoke. I also passed a man standing smoking openly in the middle of the crowded concourse.
Why don’t the stewards do the job they’re paid to do and deal with these selfish cretins? It’s the same every home game.
Por Cierto
Who asked you anyway?🤔
MALACHY DUFFIN on 22ND MAY 2023 1:58 PM
Fine Gaelers out in force today.
—-
Yep. They’re there and they’re always there. One step away from proposing a diddly dee ‘shoulder to shoulder’ ditty for us all to get behind.
HH
The Celtic ladies dis well, many congratulations.
The songs of choice were another story.
Get the Brits out of where?
Tom McLaughlin
Tam, when I came out after the hun game, before I made the Gallowgate I was as high as a kite inhaling marrahoochie. Played the Grateful Dead on my headphones all the way to town. Ate two kebabs and six bars of chocolate anaw.
agree re Joe Hart , his time is up,
I think Hartybhoy is missing CCV more than anyone else 😕
BIGRAILROADBLUES on 22ND MAY 2023 3:31 PM
Por Cierto
“Who asked you anyway?🤔”
:)))))))))))))
por cierto
BIGRAILROADBLUES
I was at the game with Gavin & Alex — from Kitty’s — and didn’t get gome till 1am. They both spoke very highly of you and Brian and what great company you were. All looking forward to meeting you guys again.
Hail Hail
BIG WAVY on 22ND MAY 2023 12:34 PM
Notthebus, For really bad defensive performances of our time I had a nosy back at the infamous 4-0 St Mirren defeat highlights and noticed that the back line that night was Wilson, Braafheid, Josh Thompson & O’Dea, with ole Larry N’Guemo ‘protecting’ them as a DM…..and Zaluska picking the ball out of the net…
*think mogga was already under the bus, probably doing an oil change tae
If anyone really believes IRA songs are truly proper Celtic songs in this day and age, imo, they don’t follow the Celtic I have been a supporter of for the best part of 70 years.
I just saw the highlights. Honking defending but Hart’s reactions in the last two games are a massive worry as others have mentioned. ICT will strong arm us and throw crosses and long balls in. They could do some damage with this if we don’t get our control back.
On the flip side , our 2 goals were excellent finishes, especially McGregor’s ; very clever
Kobayashi has to play the next 2 games to be in tune for the final. Apart from that, same group and try to get some form. Aberdeen will need something from us on the last day I reckon so might be a good dress rehearsal for the final.
Can’t believe i am in Newquay for the final. Never dawned on me the final would be in June
HOT SMOKED on 22ND MAY 2023 2:15 PM
” Let us content ourselves with singing Celtic songs. ”
Like it or not, IRA songs ARE Celtic songs.
‐———–
No they aren’t. A minority of supporters continue to embarrass themselves and the club by continuing to sing them 25 years after the GFA.
Tom McLaughlin
Aye Tam. Gavin and Alex are great guys, tell them I’m asking for them. 👍
CONEYBHOY on 22ND MAY 2023 4:42 PM
I just saw the highlights. Honking defending but Hart’s reactions in the last two games are a massive worry as others have mentioned. ICT will strong arm us and throw crosses and long balls in. They could do some damage with this if we don’t get our control back.
*not forgetting cheaton who will let them getaway with proverbial murder, just like r ight h un davidson did 53 year ago against the sheep when even their manager Eddie Turnbull said after the Big Mhan had been fined after he challenged the airdrie brither taht if it had been him the fine would have been higher
Kobayashi has to play the next 2 games to be in tune for the final. Apart from that, same group and try to get some form. Aberdeen will need something from us on the last day I reckon so might be a good dress rehearsal for the final.
*we could do what we did against the calvinists and lie down preventing the huns a place in Europe
A wee survey for you Celts.
https://uofg.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b8SUoY0L2XInJMW?fbclid=IwAR0OLh1QhIRLSCIcmw_mYywDp2Q0Ulv5j6yJGqu5PUp91cDmRUF99yYrJ7s_aem_th_AeHXMCzs_xDYlIkdjXbdmWQO7FbgZvaoTCxD_IYNfzMW2ro6WPqSwi_8O7suY9C3uBRgg_yRaaQ5ZTx4vAwuGPGU&s=08
HH
Interesting line up the SFA has pulled together for the cup final.
Every one of them supports Sevco the referee and the VAR being the most public about it.
Hmm.