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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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElqIrJ-VMAEDHO_?format=jpg&name=medium
Sean Connery -great film star RIP.
A shame he got seduced by the David Murray jet-set and rangers success.
My partner at the cash point in Dunkeld 2005 ,a sports car draws up ,she turns to ask a tall athletic man if he got change she needed for a phone call . Then his companion says “see we have beautiful women in Scotland too” It was Connery who was giving new Rangers signing Hermandi a tour of Scotland. So he got actively involved with them.
liked Sean in Highlander.one of my favoured scenes is him taking christopher lambert at the Cioch (kee-och) in Skye which has a panorama on a clear day,as seen in the film.i feel fortunate to have stood on that spot
Thought he was great in The untouchables and in The Rock too.
rip Sean.
hh
Levein should be more concerned about his ‘own ‘ team and the major part he played in their relegation . I hope they never darken the top division again .
TONTINE TIM on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 1:04 AM
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 12:33 AM
CORNELIUS on 30TH OCTOBER 2020 11:48
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 Ga
……………..
Tontine Tim
In 1994 we visited my sister in Missouri & spent a week in Branson (which I’d never heard of).
Wall to wall theatres owned by country singers etc.
I saw Loretta Lynn in her theatre even her music was unknown to me.
It was a holiday kind of thing where with 2 teenage sons we just tried & went to everything.
So my memory isn’t deceiving me after all
Was 7yrs old at the time.
never seen this pic before , it says 1967 at celtic park,
weve got jimmy johnstone on the wing ………
https://www.heraldscotland.com/resources/images/3797787.jpg?display=1&htype=0&type=responsive-gallery
lest they forget ……….
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElpCl15XgBU7JCK?format=jpg&name=medium
“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?
The Name Of The Rose was a good film………….
Craig Thomshun getting a gig on Shortbread now,they don’t even try to hide it…
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 10:14 AM
Did you watch the PBS Ken Burns series on Country Music? Absolutely brilliant. When we were growing up in Scotland and watching US programmes on telly, we all thought everybody in USA was wealthy and had fabulous lifestyles. Watching the humble beginnings of some of them Loretta, Crystal, Dolly etc, you see that they grew up in dire poverty in absolute shitholes. They deserve their success in life.
………………
I haven’t watched the Ken Burns series. Another for my list…
You’re right about the image that we had of America when we lived in Scotland.
TV shows & movies gave that false impression & my sister fell for it & moved there in 1969.
She’s living her own country song life & is on husband No 4.
Millions of Americans live caravans – what we’d call them anyway when we stay in one at the East Sands sites in St Andrews. They call them trailers or single wides or double wides.
Always thought the last two sounded like a ned moniker.
But the poverty & abuse that many Country performers endured was the catalyst for some of their art.
Sounds crap when you say it like that but Patsy Cline’s really hard life came out in her songs.
Did the toupe TUPE?
Was at the Queens Park game ‘ 67 with two mates no longer with us.Stayed in Berwick Road in the Port after missing the boat home.RIP Jackie and Jim.Memories from happier times.We called in to Bennys bar Gorbals with friends from the Port and overstayed our welcome.
There is a newspaper photograph of Sean Connery, his then wife – the Edinburgh Italian lady – and the Managing Director of UCS in the CP stand. The score is Celtic 3 Rangers 1. Referee Callaghan has not sent John Hughes to the dressing room. David Hay has been so dominant that John Grieg is in hiding. Connery’s face is wreathed in smiles as is his wife’s. Not so, the scowling MD.
HEBCELT on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 12:46 PM
I believe it was in black & white or monochrome as arty farties say…
Paul, not sure of the headline. Is it a typo for Celtic joie de vivre or should it read: Celtic – La joie de ma vie?
Premier Sports discount code CELTIC 499,,not sure how long you need to sign up for
!!BADA BING!! on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 1:15 PM
‘Would be good if Rangers won the league this season….’Ex Scotland manager Craig Levein, on Radio Scotland
*short memories that fckr of how the Paisley born and Dumbarton based lawyer cheated his dying chairman’s last opportunity of a trophy against deidco.
TONTINE TIM on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 2:25 PM
NAMES TONTO PLEASE.
CORNELIUS on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 2:14 PM
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 10:14 AM
You’re right about the image that we had of America when we lived in Scotland. TV shows & movies gave that false impression & my sister fell for it & moved there in 1969. She’s living her own country song life & is on husband No 4.
Millions of Americans live caravans – what we’d call them anyway when we stay in one at the East Sands sites in St Andrews. They call them trailers or single wides or double wides.
*majority of them will be tangerine heid supporters tae. Many years ago when I was a young single lhad I had a foreman originally fae the coocaddens but living in Edward Street in Whitecrook at the time, those who know it will recognise it as a decent place tae live, he also drove a Rover so life was pretty good tae him.
One Saturday at lunch time he dropped me off at OK after crossing the Erskine Ferry, that’s how long ago it was, before heading ate Parkheid and probaly in an effort tae encourage me told me that he came fa a big family and his mother was widowed young.
He said he had a brother who was a toolmaker and living in Phili, my response was lucky him, he said no really he hates it. I said why does he no come hame, his response was he had a few weans and couldnae afford tae.
So here’s me living doon the Bonnie Banks with a nice wee lemon curd and supporting a team that was heading for greatness. As Joe Walsh once said “Life’s been good to me so far”.
Left me a wee bit humble.
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 2:29 PM
TONTINE TIM on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 2:25 PM
NAMES TONTO PLEASE.
*whits with the racist comment Mr Devlin, doubt you heard that in Coatbrig.
Greenock CSC with A Celtic State of Mind
From: A Celtic State of Mind
0 0
https://www.spreaker.com/user/acsom/acsom-with-greenock-csc
FRITZSONG on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 2:17 PM
There is a newspaper photograph of Sean Connery, his then wife – the Edinburgh Italian lady – and the Managing Director of UCS in the CP stand. The score is Celtic 3 Rangers 1. Referee Callaghan has not sent John Hughes to the dressing room. David Hay has been so dominant that John Grieg is in hiding. Connery’s face is wreathed in smiles as is his wife’s. Not so, the scowling MD.
https://www.heraldscotland.com/resources/images/10907284/?type=responsive-gallery-fullscreen
‘Gods holy trousers………..
Daniel Dravot : Peachy, I’m heartily ashamed for gettin’ you killed instead of going home rich like you deserved to, on account of me bein’ so bleedin’ high and bloody mighty.
RIP big fella
TONTINE TIM on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 2:38 PM
I’m none the wiser.
FixTheFriggingLogInIssueCSC!!!
For a long time now, the last resort for quite a few posters wishing to read the latest posts, and denied access, was to post something, anything, a dot, a boo, a wee swearie, or a frustrated harangue in the post comment box.
For the past 30 minutes or so, there has not even been a comment box! Each time I tried to log in, and scrolled to the bottom of the page, I was met with the “You must log in to comment.”
It’s beyond a fecking joke. And yes, before anyone asks, Java Script is off. And yes, it happens on all devices with every browser I can think of. And yes, I have Adblockers on.
I don’t know why I persist. I enjoy the blog, reading and posting, and the occasional niggly argument. But eventually I will give up. The log in issues are just so frigging annoying. I now have the comment box, which for inexplicable reasons was not there 30 minutes ago, but if history is any guide, as soon as I post, I will be papped off.
JustFixItCSC
BIG JIMMY.
Did Sean Connery not also appear in a film called
the molly maguires?
Set in America , I think they were coal miners or something.
It was also about the Irish struggle.
I also think it had something to do with a branch of the IRA?
INIQUITOUSIV, I am on the site daily and the only problems I have are logging in about once a week.
Try opera browser, it even has a vpn in private browsing.
Don’t have to switch of Java and I don’t get any adverts, built in adblocker.
IniquitousIV- never had any issues on Adblocker,but a common complaint that falls on deaf ears mate.
goiod result for scotland in the oeuf chasing – to carry on P67’s dodgy French theme
Pubs restaurants to close in England until 2nd December, schools to stay open
Pubs restaurants to close in England until 2nd December, schools to stay open
—
its incredible
schools universities and colleges should be closing for a month as well
they will be by far the biggest root cause of covid spreading these days
the fact they arent closing shows the government is playing politics and not serious about trying to deal with it
the nonsense about it being detrimental to childrens mental health is a complete cop out
so will their parents or grandparents dying of covid be detrimental to their mental health
but that could be the reality of keeping these places open
the models say 4000 a day could die – yet schools stay open because a few children might feel a bit off with not being there?
utterly ridiculous
4000 people a day ffs
shut the schools unis and colleges
Wee BGFC – agreed on Laxalt.
It’s painfully simple – if a guy is in your face moving fast and feinting constantly it’s actually difficult to see the field of play beyond him?
No brainer.
Hebcelt – what was unique about “The Hill”?
Don’t know – pray tell.
One of my favourite Connery films.
Sean was superb in it ( but Ossie Davis, Harry Andrews and Ian Hendry were even better ).
Film suffers from poor audio – shame.
Apparently the sound engineers had trouble with their gear during filming.
I think one of his first movies (Sean Connery) was Marnie. He was in quite a few movies but also lost a lot of respect for him after he moved to the “DARK SIDE”. I don’t know how you can do such a thing could not been to much of a fan.
RIP Sean.
One ping pleashe Vashily!
LETS ALL DO THE HUDDLE on 31ST OCTOBER 2020 4:32 PM
‘yet schools stay open because a few children might feel a bit off with not being there?’
###
With respect, I’m not sure you’ve properly understood the arguments.
dot