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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Last night’ was, by no means, a one-off away performance in Europe. Far too often it looks as if the players have accepted defeat before they leave the tunnel.
No energy. No bite. No ambition. Zenith are a good enough team but we gifted them their win. If half the Celtic players had played as they can, we would have progressed.
We are nowhere near progressing to the later knockout stages of Europe. Getting close but missing out. Wonder how the best of the rest in Scottish football are doing?
Down at Cappielow, 0-0 HT. It was a quiet opening 20, Roberts was on the right, he looked rusty and struggled to get going. Celtic were quite ordinary tbh. Halfway through Paddy moved into the middle, since then Celtic have dominated and have been unlucky not to score. Paddy getting on the ball and making things happen, simples.
Hello this is WEE BGFC. So, I think you know what I am going to ask. Does anybody have tickets for the Aberdeen game on Sunday. If so, post on here and oyou can get Da’s email from Paul.
Thank You *smiley thing*
HH
WEE BGFC
We lost last night because of silly error at the back, problem is we seems to make to many errors. In my opinion we overplay and our striker rarely has anyone close to him or a quickly ball forward to run onto.
We should have enough to win the league but next season we need to get a quality rightback and gk in as a priority to add to starting 11.
I expect we will sign 1 centreback if DB, ES and JS leave.
I expect roberts and the PSG kid will return to their clubs.
Not surprsied if lustig, gamboa, bitton, amstrong, rogic, allen, cifci and hayes moved on
HH
CORKCELT
0-0 HT
Updates here
https://twitter.com/celticfcacademy
Starry
On the ?
Thanks BT. Have it up now, so will follow 2nd half on it. The young Bhoys badly need the points tonight anaw.
Thanks Leftclicktic. I’m spoiled for choice now.
Celtic V Celtic
AULDTIM
In ’68 EUFA changed the rules. The champions before then were given a bye in the frst round, but rule change meant us plying Kiev
KINGLuBO
Well
Mon the hoops
We were never gonna win the europa league
Anyway
Shite performance
Beat Aberdeen
Or a draw would do
No panic here
No bothered about the treble
The title is and always will be the biggest
Prize for us
Gonna be tough
COYBIG
Still not too bothered about getting knocked out last night. We were passive and easy to beat, but the main objective for the European campaign was achieved in Astana last August. EL qualification was a bonus.
Main thing is the league, starting at Pittodrie. That as always the most important game of the week for me. Only one team can stop Celtic winning the league in Scotland and it’s Celtic. No more malaise bhoys, time to lift it out of second gear and get the job done.
SHEIK YERBOUTI.
I knew that, I think the Winners got a bye into the second round, it’s another record Celtic set, we were the first team who had to play in the first round.
Paddy subbed 57 mins under his belt tonight
Should have posted my reply to KING LUBO, daft C.
For what it’s worth, in my life of supporting Celtic for 60 years I seem to have suffered many a disappointment in cup games. That’s life being a Celtic supporter.
I fall asleep on the sofa holding a glass a wine and wake up stinking of vinegar – what a fupping week!
Good evening, friends.
My football fix tonight is a 7.35 kick off, Livingston v Dundee Utd. On Alba. In Gaelic.
I fancy a home win.
” Being a Celtic supporter is not always easy, but it is always worthwhile. ”
Fergus McCann 1997
Glad to see Brendan has finally acknowledged we are too soft . Just a pity every other manager saw it before him . I don’t think that is the only reason we are toiling though . like a good few on here I too have noticed the lack of commitment from moussa , who doesn,t remember the confidence he displayed at there place holding them off at the corner flag , where has that player gone . We have also seen stewart armstrong not Instilling any confidence , in him wanting to play for the hoops , Scott Sinclair too has so far not shown the ability he has , that I put down to him being one in the calibre of being too soft , along with a few others unfortunately . We did have a catalogue of long term injuries , the griff playing second fiddle , joso’s inability to play on plastic , and sadly lack of spending ,by whoever sanctions spending . I like many joyed at the ten in a row song . If we don’t up our game ,seven may be beyond us . There are positions badly needing improved , Ronnie,s team is still in situ , time for Brendan to step forward .
Any outfield player making a mistake has a reasonable chance that it doesn’t end in a goal, as for a goalie…….been there beforehand!
jobo
bet the low attendance can be blamed on it being live on TV :)
So what’s been happening:-))
Thomshun the ref
MILD MANNERED PEDRO DELGADO on 23RD FEBRUARY 2018 4:33 PM
I’ve always thought it was easier to be a defender with rankers(remember them) than it is with us they get more protection in the way they traditionally set up,we on the other hand are more cavalier,attack minded.
*interesting comment, the calvints love tae reminisce on their terrible trio of wardhaugh, bauld and conn, while across in Leith the forward line of smith, johnstone, reilly, turnbull and ormond were collectively known as the famous five, the hi hi had hilley, harley and gray and even the sizzle had the firhill flyer johnny mackenzie, while all our heroes were of the Patsy, Charles Patrick, Jinky mold. But over in hades they love tae talk about their iron curtain defense and their greatest ever player was a thuggish defender.
Dorus de Vries= Agnes Hedman
Has there ever been a referee that wore a green outfit while refereeing a game.
and from a position of strength we always seem to shoot ourselves in the foot.
1 nil to u20s
Oldtim67
Plenty, usually a lime green number – probably not in Alba
Aitchison 88th minute
A bit of cheer at last.
Watching Livi on telly, Celtic on twitter and blogging on here – and they say we can’t multi task
GENE.
It was Alba that I was talking about.
FT 1-0 young Celts
Oldtim67
then the answer is no – Blue, Yellow and orange for good measure
Wim & Murdo just stop the hun ten in a row, winning Celtic’s most important league title, probably in our history, so far.
Days later…….
“Wim is not what we want at the club just now, and if he didn’t resign, he would have been sacked!”
Fergus McCann.
And so begins a three month search for a manager.
Step forward, Dr Jozef Venglos.
If, Dr Jo didn’t get the Celtic managers job, he’d have been a lollipop man!
Viva la Fergus, nae winnur the majority of the stadium boooed him when he put our first league flag in nine years up.
Boooooo, and, boooooo again!
Fergus was probably too busy banning, Bertie Ahern oot the stadium, to recruit a manager, before sacking Wim & Murdo.
Celtic supporters who, through their purchase of McCann’s shares, have ensured that they will always be the bridesmaids, on the outside, looking into “their” club.
Ah mean, ye couldny write this stuff!
Who Are The “Real” Gullibilly’s ? CSC
……oot.