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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Btw Charlie Adam just passed the ball back to the keeper from the opposition half.
And you think we have problems…
;)
Davidopoulos.
None taken mate. But this game is a world away from what I’ve been watching from our efforts this season. In fact it’s been better than some of the hyped up EPL games. I think it’s been a good advert for the Scottish game …….even with Comical Effe’s mad moments.
DAVIDOPOULOS
Honest mate what’s wrong with the old Scottish style of getting intae thum, it worked in the past so it did.
I also think these foreign dudes will quake at a full Celtic park or Ibrox.
Howk the ball, it’s the future.
BLUEGRASS CELT
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate there is an entertainment value to it but I just feel that we (Scotland) have still not learned our lesson. While other small countries have evolved to play “European” football, we still stand still admiring the blood and thunder tackle and the ball launched up to the target man. Then in European competitions we inevitably come up short because our teams aren’t equipped to play against everyone else who has moved beyond that.
P.S. I also just really, really hate plastic pitches and I had to find something to say that was negative about the pitch ;)
2-2 good game, lots of everything, goals, saves, cards, action.
Davidopoulos
Haha. Who doesn’t like a wee moan now and again? You should see me when on early’s ?
Btw, I thought it when they played us, but that Jordan Jones is worth a watch, v good player could do a job for us.
serious moral dilemma ,huns lafferty
One of the 4 days each year where for 105 minutes I have a slight affection for Hearts. Apologies.
totally feel your pain jobo
ART OF WAR on 24TH FEBRUARY 2018 12:21 AM
Jamesgang- my one regret was not bringing a fitba to the hospital. :-)
“Fancy a kickabout Henke?”
——-
My Bhoy was hatched at 9.30 on a Friday evening, almost 13 years ago.
Got chinned by my mate for missing the 5s 7.00-8.00 that evening!
;-)
HH jamesgang
Sandman
Completely agree ref the midfield changes from Thursday night.
And subbing Forrest seemed only slightly less misjudged.
HH jamesgang
Huns 1 up ht
I’VEHADTOCHANGEMYNAME on 24TH FEBRUARY 2018 3:00 PM
serious moral dilemma ,huns lafferty
Laffatme getting a hard time?
BARNEY67 on 24TH FEBRUARY 2018 3:48 PM
Huns 1 up ht
Probably finish three or four
suppose even he couldn’t outhun the hun bd
Just spotted Tommy Johnson at the Vale – head of recruitment for Blackburn – highlight of the match so far :)
I know this was mentioned before but I still can’t get the last pages on here without messing about with my screen. What has changed?
Tune
CELTIC
Mega Tune
Different Hearts from the one we played. No tackles, any they do attempt is immediately punished by brother Beaton.
FWIW. I think Neil Lennon was spot on today. Clancy made an idiotic decision, this was confiirmed when Andy Walker said that Clancy got it spot on.
What a pair of tits: Clancy and Walker will be unscathed and their “reputation “ unharmed. Neil Lennon will return to being the hate figure amongst the Scottish Football closed shop of incompetents.
Incidentally, Kilmarnock deserved the draw and Dylan McGeoch had a great game.
JMCCORMICK
It was never a penalty, the Hibs player spun to avoid the ball and it hit him on the back of the elbow. Clancy shat it when Lenny gave him ‘the stare’ and booked him, they he got the gobfull.
jmccormick,
A game of 2 halves.
Hibs were most excellent in the first, Dylan being instrumental in their attacking play.
Killie were very good 2nd half and probably deserved a draw.
A good game to watch.
Steven Naisash coming on to a chorus of boo’s.
Berra assaulted by 2 sevco, nothing given.
BARNEY67 on 24TH FEBRUARY 2018 4:31 PM
Steven Naisash coming on to a chorus of boo’s.
Real dilemma for the huns….why are they booing Laffatme and Naibalance?
Cos they left us and we got no transfer fee
Why was that?
Because the club went bust and went out of business
So they were unemployed then?………..
Huns score, wee commentator get that excited he breaks the mike.
ffs.
Doomed a tell ya, the huns are back and going to win the league so they ur…
Vastly different Hearts from the one we played. They actually had 2 16 yr olds playing for them, zero tackles. It was that bad Sevco were patting Brother Beaton on the back at times. A false dawn, and a rude awakening awaits them.
Huns have done the business. Far too close for comfort. Time for Brendan to earn the big bucks. No squad rotation and u shape possession tomorrow. Play our strongest team, up it 4 gears, go for the jugular and send a message out.
I wish Brendan hadn’t put that stupid team out last week,
Cant stand this Sevco are back nonsense
Well tomorrow will be an interesting game at Aberdeen we need to find our shooting boots as we have struggled to score goals recently.It would be nice to see Dembele hit a bit of form he should be fit by now all we need is his form to return again. H.H.
I’m all for our raising our game tomorrow. But,imo,it isn’t nearly as simple as that. We have Madden to contend with too. It looks like Beaton reffed rather differently today to last week. I expect no less from Midden…..
I have no idea about the rules in Rugby but c’mon the Scotland.