Having been ahead only to be pegged back for the second time in a fortnight against Newco, there was a deflated feel inside Celtic Park at the end of the game yesterday. After taking the lead through a Daizen Maeda – Jota combination, Celtic created enough chances to put the game out of sight. They didn’t.
Newco equalised with the best move of the game and thereafter had a hatful of opportunities to win the game and cut the deficit at the top of the table. They also failed in this objective. Celtic remain six points clear with three games remaining, it is now only a matter of when, not if, they will win back their title.
Just as at Hampden last month, Celtic opened poorly, unable to pass through a man-for-man Newco press. The first chance of the game fell to Ryan Kent, who ghosted past Anthony Ralston but did not make a clean contact on the cross, his effort drifted wide.
Maeda failed to make an impact with his first two crosses from the left but his third was drilled into the six-yard box. TV replays showed Borna Barisic repeatedly check over his shoulder for an attack by Jota, but the Portuguese only had eyes for the cross, which he converted without too much trouble from the Newco left back, who will now be familiar with Celtic wingers running from behind him to score.
Newco took control of the game after the interval until Giorgos Giakoumakis and Nir Bitton replaced Matt O’Riley and Kyogo on the hour. In the minutes that followed, Celtic were on top, but could not solidify their lead. That period ended when Newco strung seven passes together inside the Celtic half that released Sakala with a clear shot at goal inside the box, which he finished well.
With home advantage and a significantly lighter playing schedule, you may have expected Celtic to finish the game the stronger, but the opposite was true. Sakala hit the post and had another great chance as Newco piled forward looking for a goal that would keep their title chances alive.
It was a great game of football but by no means a classic Celtic performance. Still, the result ensured the league title will return to Celtic Park for the 10th time in 11 seasons.
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INIQUITOUSIV
Get some money on them to make it, they’re currently 12/5 outsiders. May as well make some money on it.
Was speaking to a Guard this morning and he reckons that the Seville polis won’t be holding back when the huns visit, and looking at Leipzig tonight the huns are going through, they are pish, I had hoped the fist game was a one of, German football seems to have taken a massive nose dive, jeez, imagine West Ham and the hun in Seville, nightmare for the authorities.
If Lawwell No2 is as successful at bringing in players as Lawwell No1 was at bringing in trophies, we are in good hands.
If Lawwell No2 is as good with finance as Lawwell No1, we could be getting the right players at the right price.
Probably we can look forward to getting one, maybe, two, good temporary transfers from Man City next season….and maybe another Japanese Bhoy.
So what role has Mark Lawwell accepted?
If UEFA had any compassion whatsoever they would appoint a non homer ref for the game at the bigot dome, it’s their civic duty, not that I condone cheating, but there is a time and a place and this merits it, just ask the good folks of Manchester.
Game over. Leipzig shockingly bad.
If they play anything like tonight, they will not hold out at the Bigotdome.
Superbru update
3 weeks to run in our competition and the prizes are close.
This week’s top performer was Travelbhoy with 9 points, ahead of three in joint second (Gutenberg, Billy Bhoy and Magnificentseven). The wooden spoon was randomly awarded to Craig76.
Overall the top 3 are:-
Call me Gerry- 219 points
Hopeful Hoops- 215
Magnificentseven-202
Next set of predictions due in for Saturday 7th May at 12 noon – even if you are out of the running for the overall prize- you can still win the pot for the top weekly prize if you score more than 15.5.
Good luck to everyone playing and thanks again
I watched Celtic thrash Hibs 5-0 in a league game one glorious sunny Saturday afternoon.
Truly magnificent performance it was.
4 days later, Hamburg handed our ass to us in Europe.
I learned a harsh lesson that week.
A wee while back someone posted a photo on here, (maybe even a still from a video) of the late great Bertie Auld with the great Ronnie O’Sullivan in the Celtic FC Trophy Room. Great image. Probably taken when Ronnie was in Town for the Scottish Open. Wee Bertie will be smiling again tonight after Ronnie wins his seventh World Championship. Ronnie will be needing a trophy room of his own.
@ Back to basics…if same game ? we done united next game big Pierre ?
2.1 2 0??
JHB
“If Lawwell No2 is as successful at bringing in players as Lawwell No1 was at bringing in trophies, we are in good hands.
If Lawwell No2 is as good with finance as Lawwell No1, we could be getting the right players at the right price.
—————————————
If Lawwell No 2 does not act like a bean counting, cost cutting ex-National Coal Board accountant, our European trajectory might start to move upwards, instead of the slow decline since Seville ( and No 1’s appointment ).
If Lawwell No 2 is not a nit-picking cheapskate thrawn, like No 1, we might rapidly conclude negotiations for players of the standard of McGinn, Castagne, Piccini and Aaron Hickey ( the latter now valued at 18M Euros.)
It would also help if No 2 did not blatantly bald face lie to shareholders, and deny reading a document he had obviously read, and signed off on.
If they win & qualify on Thursday, we can’t say the Ibrox club don’t deserve to be in the final?
They would have knocked-our the leaders in Serbia, the fourth in Portugal, and the second & fourth in Germany…..incidentally if they get the final they would meet either the seventh in Germany, or, the seventh in the EPL – the lowest ranked yet. I wouldn’t bet against them!
INIQUITOUSIV @ 9:43
——
Well that is certainly one point of view.
@ Back….Just realised you were making comparison wae Huns upcoming game??
forget my post ..It conjured up memories.
H.H
JHB
“Well that is certainly one point of view.”
——————————————————-
Held by quite a few shareholders.
Don’t know if any on here have been following French Sci-Fi series ‘Missions’ currently on BBC4 and coming up in ten minutes or so. If not, go to BBCi player and start with Series 1. Only then will Series 3 make any sense. For those who experienced Lost in Space prepare yourself for an upgrade, this is superior television. And dont let the lingo put you off the characters switch from French to English and back at the drop of a hat. Kubrick apart puts most Hollywood efforts in the shade.
Wonder if Heated Driveway Productions take an agency fee for the latest act of nepotism?
I noticed a wee while ago that CCV doesn’t generally go and celebrate goals with the rest of the team unless he is in the immediate vicinity. It may be that he’s just one of these guys that doesn’t get overexcited or maybe he’s a bit aloof. You couldn’t question his commitment to the team. He has been outstanding and the team has improved massively since he arrived.
To date he’s been overlooked for the USA national team. He may feel that he has a shot at the world cup squad should he progress his career elsewhere.
Regards him and Jota, they have both been magnificent. I don’t see a Patrick Roberts scenario playing out. Ange has made it clear he only wants committed guys here. I except he will deal with it quickly and decisively.
If they go, they should go with our blessing and gratitude.
We’ve been missing a Lawwell in the boogie man role at the club. The perfect man in the perfect position. Who says the board don’t listen?
CeltsAreHere (@HereCelts) Tweeted:
This was horrible at the time. It’s even worse now. https://t.co/CNjUnO4krs https://twitter.com/HereCelts/status/1489186449874468872?s=20&t=KPvnbD052Cxiy_HtxEE9Bw
Didn’t mean to post that,have been saving it for a while.
Goodnight all.
JIMDOM on 2ND MAY 2022 10:07 PM
Wonder if Heated Driveway Productions take an agency fee for the latest act of nepotism?
Are you suggesting Ange is in on the blag?
DAVID17
CCV has a few U.S. caps. They did try him out. The problem is that the U.S. is very deep at the center back position. Playing for us would not preclude his selection for Qatar, as U.S. international players are drawn from an extraordinarily wide range of leagues as well as the European top 5.
Lawwells son , you couldn’t make it up.
I wonder how many were interviewed for the job.
At a guess, I would say 1.
ST TAMS
Maybe not even 1.
When you start sounding like Ernie it’s probably time to go to bed
i can understand the cynicism surrounding the appointment of a Lawwell and James Forrest is seething on Twitter. It certainly does whiff of nepotism and with our board’s history, I can get why people would be asking questions.
On the other side of the argument, he has held a similar role at City Group, the slickest footballing enterprise on the planet and crucially has a good working relationship with Ange. We could bring an outsider for the sake of it and run the risk of a clash of personalities and philosophies with Ange which could set us back years.
Ange is delighted with the appointment so that is good enough for me.
Ange clearly in on the blag:
“I was very keen for Mark to join the Club and clearly I am delighted that he has accepted this important role and that we have been able to bring him to Celtic.
“Mark is someone who I worked closely with throughout my four years at Marinos, through which time we developed great trust and an excellent working relationship. He knows the way I like to work, the way my teams play and the particular player profile which this requires.”
CELTIC MAC
https://youtu.be/yu4_lsMEYGM
Do you actually think Ange would actually say he wasn’t happy with the appointment.
Evening all.
Signing off with a wee trio of tunes.
Apologies if it is not Celtic related.
‘mon the hoops’
https://youtu.be/96onRON_Z3w
https://youtu.be/P6I6yr7WDeg
https://youtu.be/k3aH7RtVSLI
Nite all
Brian
I’m not in a position to pass judgement on Mark Lawwell’s appointment.
It is quite extraordinary though that we’ve a son of a former CEO as a head of recruitment and a son of a former manager as a coach.
Mark Lawwell is Peter’s son- maybe he is only there because he is PL’s son, or maybe he got a start in the business because he was PL’s son but has since proved to be good and knowledgeable in this niche area, or maybe he is just very good.
Unless you know him or his abilities in the job, you are just throwing darts art bogey men. I don’t know him but this guy does:-
Celtic Manager, Ange Postecoglou said: “I was very keen for Mark to join the Club and clearly I am delighted that he has accepted this important role and that we have been able to bring him to Celtic.
“Mark is someone who I worked closely with throughout my four years at Marinos, through which time we developed great trust and an excellent working relationship. He knows the way I like to work, the way my teams play and the particular player profile which this requires.”
The Manager added: “I know he will be a great addition to our team, leading our first-team scouting and recruitment function and delivering on our key objective of identifying and bringing exciting, talented players to the Club. “
Philbhoy
you ok
Brian
And the other view…….
https://thecelticblog.com/2022/05/articles-and-features/the-appointment-of-mark-lawwell-is-a-ghastly-indictment-of-celtics-decision-making/
Geese
“James Forrest is seething on Twitter”
He was also seething about Ange’s appointment back in July. James’s early reactions aren’t the most useful guide but he is dead right about PL’s history of lying to fans
SFTB
Guy can’t be a mug if he’s been in the City group for 10 years, so would cut him some slack😵
IMHO if Ange wasn’t happy enough with the appointment he would say eff all publicly