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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MAJESTIC HARTSON on 30TH OCTOBER 2020 10:45 PM
Thanks for posting those tunes. Similar to yourself, I’ve never gave the Dylan albums a proper listen. Especially liked the first one you posted.
HH
MAJESTIC HARTSON on 30TH OCTOBER 2020 10:45 PM
I’m working my way through all Bob Dylan’s albums with a friend – we’ve not really been big fans – buying and listening to the records in chronological order.
We’re only on album 2 so far so should have listened to them all by 2038.
Here’s the best songs IMHO on his second album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
*I was a big Mr Zimmerman fan bought his first 6 albums. Freewheelin was my first.
I was at Stow College at the time and would often wander down tae Lewis’s who had a cracking record department in the basement.
Lying on my bed listening tae Girl from the North Country while it was bucketing down outside didnae mean much tae me until my first winter over here.
Hibbing in Minnesota where he came fae is close tae the Canadian border, hence the words “where the winds hit heavy on the borderline”.
Oxford Town is another song which hit hard with the lines “He went down to Oxford Town guns and clubs followed him down all because his face was brown better get away from Oxford Town” and “Me, my girl, my girl’s son we got met with a tear gas bomb I don’t even know why we come going back where we come from.”
Went tae see him up the toon in May 1966 the backing group was the Hawks soon tae be the Band. Going electric didnae bother me.
Shortly after I went intae buy Blonde on Blonde and came out with the Beach Boys “Summer Nights and Summer Days” mainly because the flip side of “Sloop John B”, “You’re So Good to Me”, which was a huge hit in the local dance halls, was on it.
Also my brother had emigrated and left me his Lambretta so driving about the Bonnie Banks was more Beach Boy than Bob Dylan at the time.
Anyway later on that year my new girlfriend went intae a store in Dumbarton tae buy me the Who “My Generation” album as “The Kids are Alright”, a mod anthem at the time, was on it.
They didnae have a copy so knowing I was a Beach Boy’s fan she came out with what IMHO is the greatest album of all time “Pet Sounds”, with the aforementioned “Sloop John B” on it, ironically she’s never liked it.
All the talk about family trees & mining communities – this is my favourite.
Darrell Scott sings his own song – Never Leave Harlan Alive. It’s just the first song on this up to 4min 45secs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7qQJ7n4mqM&list=LL&index=10
Love this.
Philbhoy
Thanks for your kind words comrade.
Stay safe
Hail Hail
DBHOY on 30TH OCTOBER 2020 11:37 PM
MAJESTIC HARTSON on 30TH OCTOBER 2020 10:45 PM
Thanks for posting those tunes. Similar to yourself, I’ve never gave the Dylan albums a proper listen. Especially liked the first one you posted.
*at the time I bought it I had a wee lemon curd, similar tae the one on the album cover, with long hair, although we wurnae clinging ontae each other walking through the snow but running up the road jookin puddles.
I took her tae a few games including the “Billy’s Bumper” cup final but that summer ended the relationship as I felt that in the words of the song “I gave her my heart but she wanted my soul”.
Dearie me, this memory of mine does indeed have flashbacks.
TONTINE TIM on 30TH OCTOBER 2020 11:59 PM
I like how a rarely heard song can take you right back to a place and time with generally really enjoyable experiences.
Music lays a neat little marker on the ol’ brainbox that we can recall years later.
HH
I said to Aidan when the transfer window shuts Odsonne will show just how Incredible he is.
He was distracted, the transfer windae was protracted.
Sort the Dandy Dons oot and take things from there.
If we didnae lose big Kris to injury, I reckon we would have beat Lille.
Interesting to read of quite a few posters who’ve written off Shane Duffy. It has me wondering how long they’ve followed the hoops and if they’ve learned anything from seasons gone past.
I understand some of the criticism for some mistakes he’s been making but to write him off after a few games is harsh in the extreme. It hasn’t gone as well as we all hoped for but that doesn’t mean he can’t turn it around.
There have been quite a few CB’s over the years who started shakily but grew into it and became established, sometimes POTY.
Paul Elliott, Marc Reiper, Alan Stubbs and Kelvin Wilson off the top of my head were players who looked unsure and had shaky moments early doors but settled and became top performers in their teams.
Shane Duffy can do this to if we give him time.
HH
@ M.i came alive at Boogie wae Canned Heat…Fanx
H.H
Very encouraged by the reports from the Lille game, I feel a wee run coming on.
C’mon Lenny and the Bhoys
HH
CORNELIUS on 30TH OCTOBER 2020 11:48 PM
All the talk about family trees & mining communities – this is my favourite.
Darrell Scott sings his own song – Never Leave Harlan Alive. It’s just the first song on this up to 4min 45secs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7qQJ7n4mqM&list=LL&index=10
Love this.
…………………….
I’ve been listening to it all year. Patty Loveless does a great version too. Have you watched Justified?
Dbhoy,
I’d definitely recommend it. I’m sure there will be a few diff albums in the 36 (?) albums he has released but I’m looking forward to hearing them anyway.
From the first 2 albums you can tell he’s a bit special – he was only 21 when released Freewheelin’
Tontine Tim,
You do have some memory on you. Keep them coming.
I love when you can place a song – whether it’s the original place or not!
Pet sounds is an amazing record. A classic!
Mea Culpa
i recall meeting you in the pub with oldtim pre match.sorry to hear your having a few health problems.i qwish you well and hopefully a 10 get together.keep the spirits up
:-)
hh
Tontine this soundz a cracker
https://twitter.com/DennistounCSC/status/1056596503882543105?s=19
hh
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 12:33 AM
CORNELIUS on 30TH OCTOBER 2020 11:48 PM
I’ve been listening to it all year. Patty Loveless does a great version too. Have you watched Justified?
*Ms Loveless is a full cousin tae the legendary Loretta Lynn and her wee sister Crystal Gayle
N TEARMANN on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 1:03 AM
Tontine this soundz a cracker
*the original was a hit by brigton born Lonnie Donegan, I can remember the week after “oh hampden in the sun” my da coming in fae work singing it. BTW Lonnie did a cracking version of Kevin Barry.
Emdy remember the fat guy, used to sell badges home and away, looked like Andy Ritchie in his Morton days? Last seen London Road near Turnstiles a good few years back.
WonderinG
TONTINE
Kevin’s 100th anniversary tomorrow. RIP
WG
WINNINGEMMELL on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 1:10 AM
TONTINE Kevin’s 100th anniversary tomorrow. RIP
*Paddy Clancy once asked his mother what they used tae sing before Kevin Barry.
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 12:33 AM
CORNELIUS on 30TH OCTOBER 2020 11:48 PM
All the talk about family trees & mining communities – this is my favourite.
Darrell Scott sings his own song – Never Leave Harlan Alive. It’s just the first song on this up to 4min 45secs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7qQJ7n4mqM&list=LL&index=10
…………………….
I’ve been listening to it all year. Patty Loveless does a great version too. Have you watched Justified?
………………
I’ve heard the Patti Lovelace version. Mrs C & I always finish up our evening’s viewing with some YouTube Choons. Saw it there one night.
Never watched Justified – didn’t have FX but I now have a bunch of streaming providers so I’m sure it’s on one of them.
I’m guessing you can recommend it.
Currently we’re ploughing through Ray Donovan – we’re on Series 5.
Cheers
Tontine
Lonnie Donegan -Kevin Barry
https://youtu.be/5PLd6zLrqb0
hh
Re certain Songs…
Ive been told very often over the years that I have a good memory for a lost of the old songs, and I play many an old tune on my Local Pubs Juke Box…when its OPEN !
Howver, I also confess that part of the reason I can remember some old songs is because I can remember many of the Burds that I have “Winched” over the years ( Far too many to mention ), and how certain songs always remind me a particular Burd.
Thats been my ” technique” for years and I make no apologises for it LOL !
HH.
WISHAW TIM on 30TH OCTOBER 2020 11:26 PM
Fairhillbhoy! Are you related to Ian and Gordon ! Big Jimmy??
……………..
Ive never been a “Minor”….ive always been 64.
LOL
HH.
lost ?…LOT !
My first Wife was mad about Bob Dylan…and it was only when we got married ( BIG Mistake on my part ) in 1977. that I began to listen to his music as she would often play his LP’s in the hoose.
I used to enjoy some of his stuff…still do.
HH.
I MUST be getting auld…Yesterday on here I posted about Celtic beating Aberdeen this sunday and how I would MAYBE celebrate a Quadruple Treble with some NON Alcoholic Beer if I could find a Pub open… ?
Tomorrows game v the Dons is a SEMI FINAL…Not the Final…Silly me.
Im getting ahead of myself in my auld age.
I need numerous Beers to get my sensible competent Brain back…I think much better when drinking and having a Beer Frenzy…….This ” Sober” Lark is driving me Barmy I think ?
LOL.
HH.
As the old song went…” I wonder who’s kissing her now ” ?
I couldnt give a Feck ..to be honest !
LOL
HH
Big Tam Rogic can be our Match Winner Tomorrow IMHO ?
I hope that he gets a starting place and Glides across that Pitch with the Ball glued to his Toesies ?
The Big Man can be Poetry in Motion when he is on his game…
HH.
after todays monsoons and the edinburgh cloggers turfing up the pitch tonight it might not be in a suitable state for rogic’s brand of silky soccer
still, he loves hampden so the stage should be his
LETS ALL DO THE HUDDLE on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 8:32 AM
……………
You may be right mate.
HH
A wee bit concerned about Ntchams apparent drop in fitness after an hour or so on Thursday.
Hope it’s nothing!!
Philbhoy
Have we got a fitness coach ?
GENE
Dunno!
I was thinking more along the lines that he was mibbe not well.
Early covid symptoms.(God forbid)
Philbhoy/Gene,
I’ve been thinking about this too since Thursday – I’m really surprised if one of our players is knackered after 60 mins. Some teams play a high press for 90 mins no bother.
And the opinion by a good few on here suggested it wasn’t just Ntcham who was shattered.
It also got me to thinking about how we seem to have been unable to have a fully fit striker pretty much all season – it seems like we rarely have been able to have one fit to play the 90 mins.
BIG JIMMY
How is wee Rocky?
MAJESTIC HARTSON
I don’t know what the fitness regime is at CP but the concerns you raise are a worry.
I remember when Big Jock was manager, he said when you are post pre-season and
playing two games a week you do less training and more coaching/work on the ball.
It worked for us then.
Not sure about today, however, OE has had covid and Ajetti picked up an injury just as he seemed to be scoring well.
No reason Klimala isn’t fully fit and the Griff is the Griff.
Mibbe time to see Soro and Turnbull getting a game, that might help.
Gotta go!
Philboy,
I mentioned it to a mate yesterday and he reminded me of the accusations Commons wasn’t at peak fitness during (certainly at the end of) Lennon’s last reign.
CORNELIUS on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 1:50 AM
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 12:33
………………
I’ve heard the Patti Lovelace version. Mrs C & I always finish up our evening’s viewing with some YouTube Choons. Saw it there one night.
Never watched Justified – didn’t have FX but I now have a bunch of streaming providers so I’m sure it’s on one of them.
I’m guessing you can recommend it.
Currently we’re ploughing through Ray Donovan – we’re on Series 5.
Cheers
………………….
Justified is on Amazon Prime. It’s set in Kentucky, about Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) a US Marshall who has his own particular approach to dealing with organised crime and the more often disorganised crime of the local Hillbillies who live in the mountains around Harlan. Raylan is a former miner. The writing in it is absolutely brilliant and there are so many great characters in it Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) and Dewey Crowe (name escapes me). It’s a brilliant series and I can highly recommend it.