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.
839 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- »
GFTB – The zombies have progressed, we have regressed.
Their lowlife mentality doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.
We complete the Double Treble and they are dead, regardless.
The signing policy has to change for next season though.
Suppose this is the worst thing about being a PLC – profit before everything else when all is said and done – they can’t seem to fathom that results on the park are everything in the footballing environment we find ourselves in the noo.
Obviously it’s different for clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester United and television revenue.
HH.
16roads
Our focus is now in our own backyard
The Sevs have imporoved a touch but still shoite
Roll on Pittodrie
Bobby 2.21am
Brendan’s best asset = Leiigh Griff
Not his signing but still best asset
True enough Bobby M.
Reality can be a nightmare sometimes.
Just think the zombie club so-called best footballers – Dorrans and Jack have been injured for a while, yet they are still the form team in Scotland.
They were always practical in what they signed or tried to sign , I’ll credit them that much.
As already stated – PLC is all about profits – investments and rolling the dice attempting to increase profit.
We have been tripe for months.
HH.
We win convincingly today….ignore the bollox…..we get a point today…..ignore the bollox…..we get beat today……ignore the bollox…..see wen there’s three things…..ignore the former/latter bollox….we will win today…..;-))
H.H.
16 roads
Tripe for months ?
League cup in the bag
Zenit
Scottish cup
And clear on the SPL
I could handle that tripe forever and a day :-)
GFTB – I very seldom get involved in boardroom politics, because I haven’t got a clue about it all.
However, if we do get the 7 and hopefully the Double Treble – still think it’s time for change at the top.
The club should be going for 13IAR this season, never mind 7IAR.
They handed thon dead club their 3IAR on a plate.
HH.
GFTB – Ye aren’t listening mo chara.
We were Invincible treble winners last season, however the past is the past – it’s gone now.
I expect us to retain our league title and possibly compete an unprecedented Double Treble – all I’m trying to say though, is this – the league should have been a walk over at this stage of the season.
Injuries have been bad I suppose.
HH.
16 roads
Am all ears :-)
I just want Celtic to win as much as we can but not dissapoimted too much if we can’t :-)
Same GFTB.
Never be too dispondent when Celtic don’t win – livid though when it’s down to our own complacency and incompetence.
HH.
16roads
Not making excuses but Zenits goals were all our own making, Celtic never get gifts like that in Europe
Anyhow roll on Pittodrie the morra, Brendan’s Bhoys usually have a decent shift after a Euro adventure
Hail Hail
THELURKINTIM
Horizons lowered?
The Lurkin Tim
I sort of believed we had a chance on Thursday but a poster on here posed the question Europa or Spl ? Definitely Spl for this satnav Bhoy, especially after listening to the Sevs tonight liquidated or not “they are back” and only 6pts/9pts not sure if they understand goal difference but they probably think that’s like improper registered players :-)
Fellow Celtic fans good morning, n god bless
GFTB – I’m not talking about losing individual games – what I mean is competitions – leagues, cups etcetera.
Who exactly is signing these players, and why?
These projects aren’t even cheap – that’s the worst thing.
Could say that for every Amido Baldé, there’s a Virgil van Dyke – however the club is only breaking even, at best.
Just sign proven footballers that win you the league, and qualify for CL.
If you do need to sell, then sell.
Simple as that.
HH.
BMCUP,
Not so much as lowered…..but lost ;-))
GFTB….ffs…..*they are back*…..have u forgotten the definition of liquidated…..;-))
H.H.
BMCUWP,
am jokin at lost…..but we need to be on our game…..it has been said that our most outstanding performances this season…..are the exceptions …..
H.H.
With regards to the endemic corruption in Scottish football – we can only a first hand insight when Neil Lennon retires, and writes another book – unfortunately so.
Let’s hope Lenny has written it all down.
HH.
I just don’t get it. I just don’t get it. How can everyone think its OK to call Aberdeen supporters, ‘the sheep’?
I don’t.
50 SHADES OF GREEN on 25TH FEBRUARY 2018 6:16 AM
Think about that statement for a minute. Think about the accusation and the implication.
Counting not sheep, but down to them….the sheep….Barney67…..Baaaaaaaa ;-))
H.H.
Barney 67
They call themselves the sheep and bring dolls to prove it.
So why should we not recipitate ?
Anyway bhoys, no excuses, no continually blaming the referee just do it.
COYBIG.
Next you’ll be having Jobo saying…..no more sheeps……game on ;-))
H.H.
Well its up to you’s, but you’ll not hear me call them that. Oh an i’m not particularly PC. Just don’t think its right.
We’ve read articles here eulogising the boards ability to negotiate the commercial/sponsorship deals we have in place at the moment. Great deals they may well be but what about building a football team?
Just where on our boards list of priorities does that lie?
If only the same negotiating wizardry could transfer ( pun intended ) accross to the signing of first team ready players that we need. But that’s all too hard apparently.
We’ve got a really good young squad and we only need 3-4 quality players to transform this team IMO.
At least we can sleep safe at night in the knowledge our club has got £30M in the bank.
The Celtic support continually back the club, can the same be said of our board re backing of successive managers since MON in the transfer market?
HH
I know Brendan has said recently he’s happy with the backing he’s had but he’s only saying what his boss wants to hear IMO.
One CB in January who was cup tied for Zenit game, happy?? I have my doubts
HamiltonTim
By far the best guy i have never met in real life. A proper Celtic MAN always available to help where he can.
Helped my old pal out a few yrs ago now when he had a flying visit back home and was short of a ticket.
Chastised by so called Celtic men on here because he actually gets involved with the clubs supporters base.
If you get round to reading this HT and ever need a wee break away my house is your house and the door is open anytime for you. HH
BURGAS HOOPS on 25TH FEBRUARY 2018 8:08 AM
100% agree with that.
Does anything he can for anyone – looks for nothing in return. A true Celtic legend.
HH
BGFC
So do we bump Dorus today????.
Brendan never been shy before about dropping out of form players, who knows.
4231 again today me thinks.
Dorus
Gamboa Ajer Hendry wee KT.
Broonie n Ollie
Jamsie Tom Sinky
Eddie O.
Dbhoy
You may well be correct . We will know for sure in July at the end of the next transfer window. If we come out of that window without having made significant investment in the right back and central defence areas, then it’s a safe bet that either Brendan’s Achilles heel is his eye for a player, or he’s not being backed as he has suggested.
I’d be extremely disappointed if that were so.
Right now though, the next few games are very important. Despite the confidence of a lot of fellow bhoys, I do not believe this title is a given. Today is very important. Even a point today isn’t a disaster, but winning at Aberdeen would be a nice confidence booster and a 9 point lead gives a cushion that feels a hell of a lot better than a potential 6 points.
Personally, I think we can win today. McInness has tried various tactics to stop Celtic in the past 8 or so meetings between the sides, and came up short every time.
Today I’ve got a feeling he will adopt the ‘ Anderlecht’ style of play that Hearts subsequently employed.
A couple of weeks ago the article header on here was how we were 3 games away from back to back trebles, dismissing the league as already won. I stated then it was an overly confident assumption, and nothing has changed my opinion on that since.
A win today, a win v Dundee and a win or draw at aye brokes, and I’ll concede ( most happily) that Paul was correct.
This is a huge SPL game today. Huge domestic games are ones we generally win. A 2 or 3 goal victory today would be a welcome result, but to be truthful, I’ll take a 1-0 with a 90th minute deflection of the referee’s ass if necessary .
Madhun the ref?
If we get that deflected goal in the 90th minute, we can hopefully hold out for the 8 minutes of stoppage time:-)
Cmon the hoops….. help me cut down on the blood pressure tablets this week please.
HH
Grey and cold day in the Granite City today so wrap up warm, those travelling up here.
Light winds, so good for fitba’. Unfortunately, the pitch will be like a coo field, so I hope we take the option of being more direct when the opportunity arises today.
Any win for the good guys will do today, but, having beaten the Dons in the last 8 , I hope we don’t show any complacency. I feel that has been a problem for us on more than one occasion this season. We have to do more than just turn up and pull on the shirts.
Hello this is WEE BGFC. Off to pencil city in a half hour, C’MON THE HOOPS!
HH
WEE BGFC
Hello this is WEE BGFC. Just me that thinks graphite is the same as granite? :)
HH
WEE BGFC
Wee BGFC,
Graphite City makes it sound more ‘scholarly’
Tell you chauffer to watch the roadworks passing Stonehaven and the 50mph average speed cameras ;-)
Enjoy the trip, wee man.
Good morning friends.
A real chance today to silence a few of Our team’s critics. A performance similar to our last visit would make for pleasant viewing.
As for the team, in my opinion there are only 4 places up for grabs, based on the following –
Definite starters – Hendry, Ajer, Tierney, Brown, Ntcham, Forrest, Dembele
Goalkeeper – should really be Scott Bain but where will that leave Doris for the remainder of the season?
Right back – we could be 3 at the back and so not need a right back; but if we do I understand Ralston is back in the frame?
Others – If Kouassi is fit he should play. The other slot would be 1 from 4: Rogic, McGregor, Musonda or, my choice, Edouard
So I seem to be preferring the following line up –
Bain
Ralston, Ajer, Hendry and Tierney
Forrest, Brown, Kouassi and Ntcham,
Dembele and Edouard
But has Brendan ever favoured a good old 4-4-2?
4 hours….
Rite…..power nap……whatever that is….been told about them…..then game time…..;-))
H.H.
Twisty . 8.39 No need for moi to post. You summed up my same concerns perfectly. Complacency in any sport , sets you up for a fall . Throw in our inconsistency,injuries and the opportunity for Madden to be “impartial “ , then, nothing is a given and anything gained will need to be earned. Huge day. HH
big game ahead – broonie will get them up for it
JOBO BALDIE
Goalkeeper – should really be Scott Bain but where will that leave Doris for the remainder of the season?
…………………………………………………………………………….
I am not too concerned about the effect it would have on Doris.
More concerned about the effect on our results if he plays.
Who’d be a manager, eh?