It was a ballsy move by Martin O’Neill to make five changes to his line-up at St Johnstone last night. Yang was an enforced absence, while Carter-Vickers, Duran, Nygren were rested and Sinisalo missed out to give Sam Johnstone his debut in goal.
Moves like this don’t always work out. It sends a signal to the group that the fixture is less important than those to come. On paper, that is unarguably true, but if the result went the other way, sentiment would quickly change.
The manager’s call proved good, as Celtic maintained their 100% start to the league campaign. We discovered we have acquired a good keeper in Johnstone, who made the save of the night in the first half, while Oliver Sorensen got his first start.
As with earlier games this season, Celtic conceded more chances than is comfortable; I noticed a pattern. Most St Johnstone counter-attacks came when Celtic players challenged to win the ball but didn’t. Some were clear miscalculations – trying to win a ball that was never winnable, others were unfortunate – getting a block on a pass but it breaking kindly for St Johnstone.
These moves pulled our structure out of shape and team a porous look. Are we just over-keen to win the ball back? The decision to press should always be measured.
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HH
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdGQKUOD0t8/?stkn=MXhxOTVwdncwdTN3YQ==
Blatant cheating
Maybe if we any players who could actually tackle it might help.
We don’t!
And that is a disgrace.
In isolation, the game last night is one that is very common for Celtic. Mid week, 5 changes, away from home, 3 points. Those are the games that add up to a league trophy come May.
Mon and Shaun have been in place now for near 9 months, not including their 8 weeks prior to Nancy.
Two transfer windows, a preseason and 9 months working at Lennoxtown, I do expect to see better.
We’ve no obvious patterns of play. We don’t look a drilled, coached football team, one that knows what they’re doing.
We’re relying on the big players for a moment of magic to see us through these games.
I think back to BR having Sinclair, Dembele, Forrest etc and we literally broke all football records. That’s what happens when great players are well coached.
I remember reading Rangers fans going absolutely mental everytime we cut the ball back for Kyogo to score under Ange. Do teams not watch us play was their continued enraged question. The point lost on them was that teams couldn’t do anything about it because we were a coached machine.
Mon and Shaun should be getting better out of Hassan, Hogh, Duran, Baur etc
Mon admitted last night that we still need to improve our play but at this point, I have big doubts as to whether himself and Shaun are capable of delivering those type of performances.
This is quite like Lennon football. Reliance is very much placed on the players to come up with something independently as opposed to coaching patterns of play.
Our defence went into 8 tackles, last night, and won 12.5%, according to bbc.
I think that means one.
No figures for midfield or does that include them?
We won one tackle!
Vale Bhoy
I think someone posted the rest of that statistic last night.
The other 7 were given as fouls against Celtic irrespective of the outcome of the challenge.
We are referreed to different standard, we cannot tackle for a reason
Celtics attacking play is based on wingers creating chances rarely do we attack through the middle of the pitch, if the wingers don’t create we struggle, Sevco scored last night from a straight kick from their keeper flicked on with a header and miovski got on the end of the flick to score, it was a goal from the 70s we need to be ready for Sunday blood and guts will be needed in spades.
Scales and Ccv for centre of defence for me at least they have some physicality
Most St Johnstone counter-attacks came when Celtic players challenged to win the ball but didn’t. Some were clear miscalculations – trying to win a ball that was never winnable, others were unfortunate – getting a block on a pass but it breaking kindly for St Johnstone.
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I would add as has been noted on here we also give away free kicks which were good tackles, cleanly winning the ball and fouls given against. On a number of occasions when we got free kicks it was only after the St. Johnstone player had held on or continued to foul the Celtic player, no cheap free kicks for Celtic this season.
As for the linesman, there is no way he was sure the ball crossed the line, was he standing on the end line, are there any photos to back this up?
Paul 67,
Interesting comment about sending signals about hierarchy of games.
It certainly felt that last nights game was a lesser fixture. Even the well known Celtic pub I was in was very quiet and mainly lethargic during the game.
Granted that the league is in its early stages with plenty time to recover potential dropped points, however it’still gives the same amount of points as beating the huns.
In my opinion our total focus should always be on the league and European progress and yet the upcoming early Sunday morning fixture has the tickets only signs prominently displayed on pub doors.
Even the Kerrydale is opening at half ten with tickets on sale.
The game on Sunday is only a quarter final of the ” lesser” league Cup ( Premier Sports ) and yet the demand and anticipation is tangible.
Every picture tells a story as they say and this vivid picture is the unfortunate reality of Scottish football, whether we agree or disagree.
HH.
MON talking nonsense about the striker last night.,Maybe he would be better focusing on the inordinate length of time it takes to pass the ball around in the midfield,allowing opponents to funnel back into the box,then give it to a winger,who,if he gets past his man,is looking up at a solid wall of opponents and one striker to aim at.A striker,bye the way who has put himself into good positions in the box,3 or more times when al the from me to you,from you to me,was going on.
I watched last nights game with the sound off, so not influenced at all by commentary or punditry.
I thought that both our starting wingers were poor but that James Forrest gave a masterclass in his brief cameo.
Hard to judge Hogh last night – but the young Chelsea boy looks like he could be a different class of forward entirely.
Sorry if this has been touched on before. I see Pochettino is looking for Spurs to get awarded the 2016/17 Premiership to be awarded to them, basically because Chelsea cheated. If that’s the case, I have a list…
I’m not up to speed with this VAR stuff but:
If the ball leading up to Hassan’s goal had blatantly gone over the line and the linesman missed it and never flagged, would VAR have picked up on that ?
On field decision stands I think, unless its for Celtic , less flipancy needed about these decisions from MoN and Co, nail them every time it happens even if you win by several goals.
Eratic
I’m not up to speed with this VAR stuff but:
If the ball leading up to Hassan’s goal had blatantly gone over the line and the linesman missed it and never flagged, would VAR have picked up on that ?
Rule 26b – intervene if it is a goal for Celtic
The letter from Celtic should be straightforward.
Within the space of 4 days the rules on VAR were implemented differently to disadvantage one team. Please explain.
Yorkbhoy
Rule 1690 (WATP)
YORKBHOY – you mean rule 1690 BB (clause WATP).
Mcphail Bhoy – you beat me to it.
MacPhail Bhoy Deniabhoy sorry schoolboy error..
I think MoN will start with Tounekti, Duran and Hassan up front at the weekend.
Not my choice. I would have KT and JF on the left but he won’t give JF more that half an hour. If Duran is playing well, he is likely be on for 75-80 mins. I have a feeling Mheuka will then get on. I think, Hogh would then be used for the EL game.
Judging by the scenes on the Shortbread highlights last night, the huns once again celebrated as if winning the champions league, but this time in front of so few fans, as many had decided that they had seen enough and were bored of waiting till the end just to boo…
Even if the linesman was standing exactly on the goal line (I don’t think he was) , the ball when Kasper headed it was several feet above the linesman’s head . Unless his real name is Clark Kent , he (or anyone for that matter) couldn’t possibly. tell if all of the ball was over all of the line.
Guesswork or wishful thinking .
Yes.. was just thinking if VAR did get involved if it was blatantly out….. why not get involved if it wasn’t ? If you ermm understand !🥴🤔
It’s difficult for our players to win tackles as almost every time we attempt to a foul is awarded.
Stats/data only tell part of the story.
I only saw the highlights last night but how anyone could even guess that ball was out of play is way beyond me. Even the 2 Sportscene folk were unanimous it wasn’t out. How many “goals” have we already had chalked that should have stood.
chalked off….(of course).
Paul67 et al
With only 29 posts up until this one the decison will soon be on whether to go to press…….
HoldTheBackPageCSC
My biggest gripe by miles is, Celtic is not the only club to suffer at the hands of Pro clubs, none are exempt from the problem.
Yet, the big pow wow recently with all clubs, nothing was mentioned , not a Jot.
It is not only an obvious anti Celtic thing by a country mile, but a pro hun .
yet we all sit about doing fuck all about it, makes me sick
kinglubo
Remembering wee Oscar Knox
Who would have been 18 today.
God bless the knox Family
https://x.com/tirnaog_09/status/2097941805446648062
HH
An Tearmann on 10th September 2026 7:59 pm
Remembering wee Oscar Knox
———-
Very sad A T
Hope his lovely family are all well 💚
Bayern – Bodo on TNT
Rory Hamilton explaining the impact of the departure of Kasper Hogh for a club record fee.
Couldn’t bring himself to say the name of the who bought him
Shame
When CQN was at its best
They rallied to support the Knox family
Wee Oscar always in our hearts
Watching Bayern Munich v Bodo glimt
Bodo have set out to sit deep and defend
5-4-1
The five at the back narrow across the 18 yard line, meaning they are facing the opponent and the ball as much as they can
MO’N and Shaun should be watching how effective this set up is in keeping you in the game away from home in Europe
Good evening you absolute shower.
Bodo keeper injured in first half
Sub keeper comes on ……1-0 Bayern
The 5 across the back for Bodo just giving up 4 before having a man sent off. 87 minutes gone.