There is an age-old debate about what is more important, tactics or players (it’s tactics), but the argument is nuanced. Even a team that is tactically sound will be ineffective if passing is hesitant, wayward or clumsily controlled.
In Lille last night, Celtic’s passing was fast, precise and controlled, even in the tightest of spaces. Throughout the first half I shouted “Too tight” at the space we were passing into, only to be surprised on the upside. This allowed us to hold possession, move up field, get into the box and create chances. In this regard, the contrast with what we witnessed earlier this season was brilliantly stark.
Consider the performance of Callum McGregor on Sunday, who was a stand-out by the way he drilled the ball over the surface with laser precision. Last night, Callum put in a similar performance, but he looked no more than another cog in the wheel.
Throughout the game, Albian Ajeti held the ball up under the tightest supervision, turned and brought others into play. His early effort was correctly adjudged offside and he could have opened the scoring with a snatched chance midway through the first half.
Aside from his abilities on the ball, Diego Laxalt’s energy levels were outstanding. He was up and down the field from first to last, like the proverbial pinball, overloading in attack and rolling downhill into defence when required.
Central mid looked at its best, with Scott Brown doing what we know he can do so well and, before he tired early in the second period, Olivier Ntcham opening up play.
For a game in which we lost two goals, saved a penalty, Scott Bain made two other excellent saves and our crossbar was rattled, the defence played well. Ryan Christie switched off at the corner for the first goal, allowing an unmatched run at the back post. At this stage of the game the defence was under pressure but holding firm, Bain was seldom called upon and Lille looked frustrated. It is so important not to make it easy for your opponents.
The same observation could be made for the rash challenges in the first half (both outside the box, as it happens) that led to the penalty and the free kick Bain did so well to get a hand to. Last night was Celtic’s turn to pack their defence, making Lille very dependent on set pieces. To win games at this level, you need to be smart about what you concede.
The second Lille goal was one of those concessions that was not the result of a defensive mistake. We were in good positions when the first ball into the box, there then followed a miss-hit shot that fell to a second Lille striker, whose effort was deflected past Bain. C’est la vie.
With limbs and minds visibly tiring and an eye on the Scottish Cup semi-final, Neil Lennon indulged in a bit of showboating, closing the game out with the lesser spotted Ismaila Soro and Stephen Welsh among others. The substitutions helped stabilise Celtic for the closing period, when there were chances to win all three points.
On a night of fine Celtic performances across the field, there was only one Man of the Match contender. The finish for his second goal was technically more difficult than the jaw-dropping strike for his first. Much of the successful passing we discussed further up the page went through him and, having converted two more difficult chances, he will wonder what inhibited him from shooting inside the D to complete his hat-trick. It was an outstanding European performance. Moi Elyounoussi, très bien!
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im seriously hoping the game tomorrow doesnt come down to how good our keeper is
https://youtu.be/KNFmtxlLU4w
True story
Sean Connery and his son sitting in the directors box ,I was in the front stand ,my mate grab my scarf and threw it up to him ,he wore it the whole game .
Next thing he was lording it over at iPox ,
I suppose acting was in his blood
DAVID1958
Joe Bonamassa brilliant and so is Beth Hart.Thanks for the vids.
DAVID1958 @10;43pm
Thats the first i have heard that band(made up i think) Joe bonamassa etc.
Great rock imo.
The finest actor in Justified is the great Mykelti Williamson who played Bobby “Fearless” Smith in Boomtown and Gabriel in Fences.
Late night, half drunk ‘Up the Celtic’ to you all.
And to any orcs looking in, ha ha ha ha ha. Canny even muster a f$%k you. You’re gonna win f$%k all….. again
.
Is it just me or do memories of the miners strike in 1984/85 break anyone else’s heart?
https://twitter.com/MarcDavenant/status/1321386015219716097?s=19
RT- George Michael had a secret concert in London, around the same time, to raise money for the Miners and their families.
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 11:46 PM
The finest actor in Justified is the great Mykelti Williamson who played Bobby “Fearless” Smith in Boomtown and Gabriel in Fences.
………………………………
He may be a great actor. I have only seen him in Justified. We rarely saw him do much other than look menacing with a butcher’s knife in his hand cutting up a slaughtered hog and telling tales of ‘the Holler’. He was excellent at it though. I think his scope was limited because ‘he was confined to barracks’ throughout the series and rarely seen out of his butcher’s dwelling.
However, in my opinion, there were better performances from Timothy Olyphant, Walton Goggins, Damon Herriman, Margo Martindale, Neal McDonagh and Jere Burns. Joelle Carter who portrayed Ava Crowder was also excellent. There were some brilliant performances as baddies. However, it’s all about opinions.
Bada bing – George Michael was a decent guy. Bruce Springsteen set £20k to the miners too.
Slightly related ‘Pride ‘ is a brilliant film. ‘The enemy within’ is also worth looking out.
Loads of tims with mining connections, myself included, but beyond that the miners strike says a great deal about what came after and what we are living with now. Turns out Scarill was a prophet and not the devil he was portrayed as. I’m still angry about it all these years on.
RIP Sir Sean Connery! 😊
I loved Sean Connery and still think he is the best James Bond ever! I also liked some of his other films; ‘Outlander’, ‘Marnie’, ‘The hunt for Red October’, ‘The Untouchables’ and ‘The First Great Train Robbery’ quickly spring to mind. 😊
… “But you’re not allowed to like him because he ‘changed his allegiance’ to supporting Rangers! . … Erm, NO! 😊
I loved the music and charismatic stage performances of Tina Turner. 😊
“But you’re not allowed to like her because her music was usurped and played loudly at Ibrox!” . … Erm, NO! 😊
Any others? 🤔
Take Care, Keep Safe and Hail Hail!
TB&F. 😊
IndependentThinkingCSC
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 11:46 PM
The finest actor in Justified is the great Mykelti Williamson who played Bobby “Fearless” Smith in Boomtown and Gabriel in Fences.
–
Scary dude
I like Art – Nick Searcy
HH BGFC
Justified – casting all brilliant!!!!!
:))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Aye!
Now that Chris Ajer is injured, he suddenly seems to have become essential to our defence.
I have always thought that he is a quality player and he will be missed if he does not appear in todays SC semi~final.
Nir Bitton would be just fine if necessary.
Eddie & Griff to start please
Hello again all you young rebels.
Yeez no up yet? c’mon it’s Celtic time again, been very optimistic all
day, the way Celtic played the other night gives me great confidence.
Sort the defence, play big Hammey at right back, big Shane, Nir, and
luxurious Laxalt and we’ll blow the sheep away.
I’m on restricted alcohol. it’s 2 in the morn for the Melbourne rebels
to watch the game.
So told the princess ” don’t let me have any more booze till just before
the game ”
She said ” don’t worry Mick, thurs nane left ”
Can see a domestic shortly.
Loved the chat about the miners strike, if only Scargill had listened to
the Scottish union leaders Mick Magahey’s ( sp ) advice, the result would
have been different.
Never forget going with my half brother on a road trip down south, he
drove a huge artic, and inside he had a box of pears lying handy.
Asked him if I could eat one as I was used to him purloining some titbits
out of containers etc, ” aye if you want ” feck me they were like rocks.
Understood why when we passed the YUILL& DODDS scabs lorries pass
us going up the road and his window went down and the solid missiles
smashed of the erseholes windows.
Really bad times, and the whole of the U.K was split, as usual the media
played their part in the miners demise.
H.H. Mick
P.S and big handsome Tom in for Ollie, he’s got previous on them.
I think that Ajeti is a “confidence player”, and it’s not just me,
Numerous times when he has been subbed, after a fine display, Lenny has made a a point of putting an arm around him. Of course I have no knowledge of what Lenny is saying but I am sure it is encouragement.
Man~management.
NEIL LENNON & MCCARTNEY
Think that’s true of all players, they need our backing and if
they do read the crap on here at times, the results are predictable.
H.H. Mick
Good morning cqn from a still blustery Garngad
Had to fend off neighbours flying 20 feet trampoline yesterday. I hope the storm has passed otherwise the football will be limited today at Hampdump.
My arthritic knees and hip is fecking killing me 😞due to all this feckin DIY she who must be obeyed has me doing. She wants me to go and stand in a queue (that doesn’t look right) at ikea and wait on it opening, you can imagine my response.😡🤬😢
Oh this is after going back to B & Q with return stuff.
Anyway the footy, play the we did on Thursday and we will blow the sheep oot the water.
3 – 1 to the bhoys.
COYBIG
right I’m going for another hoor I mean hour.😂
D :)
Ah..ha The Bhoys are rising, hope to see the blog united today.
Positive vibes on here, a good show from The Bhoys at Hampden
and our Celtic world will be in a better place.
C’mon ghuys and ghals, lets hear it for The Celtic..
H.H. Mick
Morning from a dull and dreary ML2
RIP Kevin Gerard Barry, executed by the Brits 100 years ago today.
WG
HOT SMOKED on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 2:10 PM
Apologies for the late reply, pesky work called.
Genuine trolls who slip through the net are easily outed. There have been very few on CQN, no matter what some continually state.
Subsequently, I cannot believe that regular posters would write articles to deliberately hurt Celtic.
Cheers and HH.
INIQUITOUSIV on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 3:39 PM
……………
I have been having ” Log In” issues also for a few weeks now, and some days I just give in.
HH
NEWRADBHOY on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 3:45 PM
………..
Yes, I forgot about The Molly MacGuires.
Ive to visit the vet again this morning, but hopefully I can Google and look thru Seans entire Film career later before the Celts take centre stage.
HH
BILLYBHOY1967 on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 5:44 PM
Embdy know who the MIB is tomorrow.?
………….
Some Feckin Hun !
HH Mate.
THEBHOYFROMU.N.C.L.E on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 5:39 PM
When Honor Blackman was married to Richard Todd she said that she often felt lonely…
………….
Very good, I liked that LOL.
HH
ONENIGHTINLISBON on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 7:44 PM
McCulloch got Red Rum’s teeth in….
……………
I noticed that too LOL.
Very good.
HH Mate.
DAVID66 on 1ST NOVEMBER 2020 6:54 AM
……………
My apologises DAVID66 as I have posted the following before…
I once went to a Trampoline Club…I couldnt get in…as the place was “JUMPIN”.
DIY ?….It stands for ” DONT INVOLVE YOURSELF” !
Right Im away to get ready and take Rockbhoy to the Vet again this morning. taxis booked.
HH Mate.
Big Jimmy – Get that wee fella sorted its admirable the way you are looking after you’re wee buddy.
I dont want to bring politics to the blog but…..
If anyone thinks these latest restrictions that bungling, boring, Boris and his private school pals are going to impose on the UK, (cause Sturgeon will follow suit) is living in cloud cuckoo land.
These clowns go from one disaster to another and give lucrative contracts to fix their mess to their cronies.
Feckin Crooks.
Right com on the hoops.
D :)
NEIL LENNON & MCCARTNEY- I disagree mate,I like Ajeti’s wee moan when he’s been subbed.Tells me he wants to play for the team, I think it’s basically frustration, at not being 100% match fit,he was doing well and scoring goals, until he was out for a few weeks with a hamstring injury. I’m sure he’s not annoyed at NL for being subbed, he just wants to play,give him a few more games, and he will be fine,I predict the top scorer in Scotland this season 🤞
Genuine trolls who slip through the net are easily outed. There have been very few on CQN, no matter what some continually state.
Subsequently, I cannot believe that regular posters would write articles to deliberately hurt Celtic.
—
can you name such a poster or show us such an article?
and how can anything written on here actually ‘hurt Celtic’
i dont understand the mechanics of how that can happen 🤷🏻♂️
If anyone thinks these latest restrictions that bungling, boring, Boris and his private school pals are going to impose on the UK, (cause Sturgeon will follow suit) is living in cloud cuckoo land.
—-
the restrictions wont make any difference while the main spreader arenas remain open – i.e schools unis and colleges
and yes, we will follow suit very shortly
politicians doing what they do – playing politics with peoples lives for their own agenda
Let’s all – agreed.
5 subs today as well which should benefit us. Hopefully
D :)
Let’s all do the huddle.@ 08.22 hrs.
This was a reply to Hot Smoked. The answer has to be taken in context to the text below :-
HOT SMOKED on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 2:10 PM
“GREENPINATA on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 1:32 PM
TURKEYBHOY on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 12:38 PM
I can agree with much you say; however on CQN we should be able to discuss all things Celtic and beyond without fear or favour.CQN must be a blog of free speech and honest opinion and we must never be instructed what to think or say If we constructively criticise Celtic, ( The team, the players, the board or the manager ) so be it.”
———-
Would you still hold to the above view if the objective of the writer was to harm Celtic?
Cheers and HH.
Lots of love for Gordon on here tonight.
However, he was considered not good enough by many on here two or three years ago and a couple of injuries ago.
Decent keeper and wish him well but if he was that good, would he be in the Scottish Championship?
I know there are doubts about Barkas but for me, Gordon was never the answer.
Would you still hold to the above view if the objective of the writer was to harm Celtic?
—
yes
i read that yesterday
so i could understand the point if it was in relation to a tabloid journalist writing some pish in a national newspaper
but i dont see how anything written on here by anonymous scribers could actually harm celtic