I am sure none of us were particularly surprised that the gap between bottom and top of the Europa League was the distance between a 3-1 win and a 3-1 defeat. Midtjylland peppered the Celtic goal before the flow of goals started, it was a mercy their intensity dropped after scoring three in eight first half minutes.
There are many issues to resolve but the core one has changed little since games against Brugge and Newco from the midpoint of last season onwards. When Celtic try to build from the back, resourceful teams man-mark against them. To advance, defenders have to pick out a player who can control the ball and pass into the space a teammate is moving into. Again, this did not happen.
Last night, in the event a forward pass reached a Celtic player, he was invariably isolated and unable to hold the ball or see a pass. Possession was lost and Midtjylland started another attack. Alternatively, central defenders break through opposition lines, as Auston Trusty did on Sunday, but among the confidence drain on show in Denmark, I was happy to see Auston hold his position. It is, of course, sacrilege these days, but in earlier times, when teams were unable to play out from the back, they went long.
One of Brendan Rodgers’ early lessons when arriving at Celtic in 2023 was the value of Reo Hatate. Reo links play better than anyone at the club. I am a firm fan but his engine looks tired this season; I was not surprised he was dropped for what promised to be a night of constant running. The extra legs may have kept the scoreline down, but we need players in the middle of the park who can take a pass while under pressure.
I shouted “Don’t let him get the cross in” as Anthony Ralston showed Krüger-Johnsen down the line before the first goal. With James Forrest on hand to cover the cut inside, Anthony made the wrong decision. Aware of this mistake, Anthony was all about not letting Krüger-Johnsen get a cross in 90 seconds later. In a moment, the game was beyond reach.
Just as you and I worried about yesterday, Liam Scales’ booking means he is one more caution away from a suspension. With four games to go we can anticipate a Trusty-Murray back line if both stay fit. Europe is rapidly becoming the least important aspect of our season.
Callum Osmand’s hamstring injury added a cost to an already profitless night. The striker sparked for Celtic after coming on and won the penalty which tempered the score. Hopefully the damage is not too severe.
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67 European Cup Winners on 9th November 2025 1:26 pm
…..
We’re not looking for anyone.
Maloney is the new manager.
His probation begins whan auld MON leaves.
That will be when temperatures drop and when MON has had enough of breathing in the droplets from the Barium & Aluminium sprayed skies.
PS, Barium & Aluminium = Ba-al = Baal.
The old testament is falling from the skies and being breathed up our nostrils.
MON & Shaun YNWA.
HH
oot.
Massive 3 points after European Thursday game. Really huge that we get a win today. Any win.
Don’t give the govan lot a sniff. Keep the pressure on the edinburgh lot.
It will need a massive effort from our scant and diminishing resources.
Hopefully the lad from Uruguay is back in as starter and we get the mix of James Maeda Kenny Tounetki right plus the good bits we have seen of Baliwishaw and maybe Wee Luke and Bernardo get a chance to step up.
67 EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS on 9TH NOVEMBER 2025 1:26 PM
I don’t think we’ve done anything of note. The second we interview or make a serious enquiry, it will be leaked. That’s how football works now. No leaks means no work done.
Ideally we’d be saying thank you to MoN today and have a new guy in to get his feet under the desk for the next two weeks.
To work Celtic
We support you evermore
For us and each other
Work hard,work hard as a team
God bless Celtic
Go to it.
Ps A halftime memorial shot will be on show at half time
Rip Stephen / Burghbhoy on Cqn
HH
Don’t ever be stupid enough to fall for Lobby controlled [Novara Media] who are cheering on the Lobby controlled, [Mamdani], in NY.
https://x.com/MDeMa15/status/1986055981000778098#m
What a time to be alive.
MON & Shaun YNWA.
HH
oot.
CELTIC: Schmeichel, Simpson-Pusey, Trusty, Scales, Saracchi, McGregor, Hatate, McCowan, Maeda, Kenny, Tounekti.
Subs: Sinisalo, Nygren, Balikwisha, Yang, Yamada, Engels, Murray, Ralston, Tierney.
The much touted Simpson – pusey gets a run out
JSP at right back?
Looks like 3 5 2 today Simpson Pusey in on right of a 3
is much touted pusey a good or bad thing?
An Dún on 9th November 2025 2:10 pm
Yep my thinking too
So I (we) should be worried
67ECW
KevJungle on 9th November 2025 1:47 pm
i appreciate the response – but I must confess I am lost with a lot of your posts – way over my head
Keep posting your voice is as worthy as any
67ECW
live updates up
MON the HOOPS.
JUST DAE IT CELTIC.
HH.
Saw. pusey playing with the b team, on a plastic carpet. East Fife? Anyway didn’t look that good although plenty of mitigating circumstances, lack of game time and a plastic carpet for starters