The most frustrating thing about last night’s meek exist from the Europa League is just how self-inflicted it was. After previous European defeats I criticised Brendan Rodgers tactics, but no tactics in the world will help a team which cannot defend a corner kick or stop a shot from 24 yards into the middle of the goal.
I saw the Hamilton Accies keeper recently concede a similar goal to the second Dorus de Vries failed to keep out of the net last night. At any level of the game, it was an unforgiveable error. For years Celtic were imperious at defending corner kicks. Now, also for years, it has been a persistent weakness.
Celtic have been far too weak at the back this season – not just in Europe. After the game Brendan suggested we lacked the experience necessary to play in such environments – certainly one of our issues. Hopefully the addition of Marvin Compper will bring sufficient authority to allow our youthful defenders to progress.
By contrast, Zenit were a study in the art of defence, even at home against a team from Scotland. We were unable to land a glove on them until the contest was effectively over. Substitutes Tom Rogic and Scott Sinclair both made things happen, but it is difficult to isolate their effect from Zenit’s own tiredness.
This was a European tie which got away. Sure, Zenit are better resourced than us, but on the showing over both legs, I’m not convinced they are significantly better than Anderlecht – who played us off Celtic Park but had their own troubles when we visited Belgium in September.
Lots of excuses, Celtic, but we really should have done better.
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Anyone know when Griffiths & Compper is fit? Ws Armstrong on the bench for the Partick game 2 weeks ago? Is he fit now?
Read Sutton’s article on BR’s signings a bit harsh but I think the bit about not signing leaders is true.
Clicking through the sports channels there and stopped for an any football fix with the a league.
Perth glory at home to Melbourne.
A sharp intake of breath as their fans give a minutes applause to Liam miller.
The co commentator quite emotional.
DBHOY
Naw naw I need to read everything twice anyway tae get it:))
I heard that about the Liverpool tickets from some of their support the last time they were in Basel, one guy told me he hadn’t missed a European game in 25 years, nice fella but he said he wasn’t going to pay the prices anymore, couldn’t afford it and felt like a mug doing it.
HH
I’m posting on an iPhone, is that still a valid excuse around these parts??? ;))))
Kouassi is always close to a red card currently. The dude has it all in his locker howevaaaah.
Olivier is just oozing Class and is a Tremendous signing.
The olde Samuel L Jackson jibber jabber on CQN. Brilliant.
Jabba -” It’s happening again ”
My brother in law is true blue nose from Airdrie.
Over a drink last night he informed me that at a recent family gathering Mr James Traynor confessed to him and another couple of their family that ” Its.happening. again “. The huns are going bust.
Hrvatski Jim about 8 last night
Merci pour le Jacques Brel link. Disappointed with that OGWT, too much Tawk, not enough Rawk. Whisperin Bob as boring as ever, with guests desperate to plug any new tour/album, as he walks away with the interviewing OBN 2018, and it’s only February!
Still, given the ache of old finger joints, Richard Thompson and Albert Lee were still pretty great playing live.
LEFTBACKAGAIN on 24TH FEBRUARY 2018 11:39 AM
Jabba -” It’s happening again ”
My brother in law is true blue nose from Airdrie.
Over a drink last night he informed me that at a recent family gathering Mr James Traynor confessed to him and another couple of their family that ” Its.happening. again “. The huns are going bust.
—————————————
That’s shocking Lefty…………….imagine letting a bluenose into your family :O) hh
This guy’s just got his voice back from the last time ;)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ktOZTTeo_Z0
“It’s happening again”. No, Jabba, first time for Sevco, should ‘it’ occur.
Still, gotta keep poundin’ that Big Lie, eh?
BEATBHOY
R2 are doing a rerun of History of OGWT Wed 11pm. 40th Anniversary,as was.
Bob,series by series. Nice.
It should be on iplayer. And tells you the answer to the question posed last night-
Why was it called The Old Grey Whistle Test?
Clue-sheet music.
VP
It has been a real eye opener over the years.
The women are all genuinely good people but the guys on the whole are unhinged.
LEFTBACKAGAIN on 24TH FEBRUARY 2018 11:39 AM
In all seriousness I can’t see it happening anytime soon. The £3M loan from the Close Bros ( Driscoll Bros seems more appropriate ) will see them through to season ticket renewals.
Next season might be a different story.
HH
They curling women dont half shout a lot.
DB
I agree. The pawnshop deal gives them enough working capital to see them through to season book renewals.
October\November will be extremely difficult.
BOBBY,
When my Dad says that Celtic need a player like Scott Allen in the Celtic team, I listen.
A great game to watch, much better than most of the EPL dross – dinnae watch even the better teams now.
Incidentally – I’ve jumped on the 7 selections… Sorry. ;))
It is likely to be a 0-0 now I predict a 4-4.
Kris scoring for the Hun. Angry face.
Kris for Kilmarnock Happy face.
Love it.
They are bust.
Financially and morally.
However, no responsible (paid) counsel is ever going to confide to anyone outwith the *cough*…. circle of trust…… that his or her client is about to go Norwegian Blue.
Especially not Fat Jum.
BSR,
A really true assessment of where we are.
How pertinent was your comment re last week’s game being the surprise result, not Thursday’s.
Keep up the good work. You have the heart of a true Celt.
QUONNO on 24TH FEBRUARY 2018 11:18 AM
GARY67 on 24TH FEBRUARY 2018 11:11 AM
!!BADA BING!! on 24TH FEBRUARY 2018 11:08 AM
If Dembélé, Armstrong, Simunovic and Boyata are sold we’ll take in over £30m in transfer fees so would expect spending to be more than £15m.
You can expect all you like. PL will decide what is spent.
Pretty sure we could have guessed that…..
Hibs win this – IMO, they will be Sekonda.
Bling as in No Debt.
BMCUW
Thanks, I’ll be giving that a listen. How my dad hated that programme, a ‘proper singers’ man, maaaaan!
Was the answer put up last night by a poster not the reason for the show’s title, namely the employees of the Brill hit-churning factory known as the old greys, who, when they could whistle one of the tunes they’d had played to them later in the day, showed that the tune had passed the potential ‘hit’ test?
Though the show itself was determinedly not about bands playing ‘hits’, not that many of the bands showcased had had any!
A good first night for Seamus Larsson … . he only woke up once, and otherwise slept through the night …. he found a mirror this morning, which was funny … think I might keep him!
:)
Hibs score after 2 minutes
Mike, Glad to here you have a new bf in the making.
H.H to Seamus .
Anyway, I’m with Andy Kershaw in his intro to the Smiths, “Last night I sat down to make a list of the truly great bands of the eighties, ones whose recordings and influence would endure. After an hour, I only had one name on the list, The Smiths”.
Cue opening chords of ‘Big Mouth Strikes Again’, a band at the peak of their powers.
And his ”Death To Timid Pop” when introducing Da Bruddas.
2-0 Hibs
Anyone in the BV this afternoon?
Hibs score a Zenit like goal from a corner, 2 up ,
EFE EFE AMBROSE
Wonderful.
Plastic no problem for Hibs. 2 up after 9 minutes. Almost 3 just there, Very very impressive so far.
The Hibs have been coached very well.
Dylan is just dynamite.
Very impressed with him.
Wouldn’t it be great if we had Scott Allen, Efe Ambrose and Dylan Mcgeogh playing for us, what about Lennon as Manager too.
Wait a min..
Hibs Second would really annoy so Many.
Daily Record Caption just created. Again…. Neil angry at his team for not doing what they should be doing.
That Marciano in Hibs goal looks dodgy, still, he was preferred to Bain who apparently we need in goal tomorrow according to some.
barney67
you mean marciano looks a bit Rocky :)