This is going to sound like a Grinch, and I am (honestly) delighted to get through a trip to Tynecastle with what turned into a comfortably victory, but for 28 minutes I was exasperated at watching another outing of our long-ball game.
Odsonne Edouard is a more effective target-man than Lewis Morgan, but that is not what makes him a special striker. During that opening period, Hearts manager, Daniel Stendel must have thought his troubles were over.
It could be that, having seen the awful pitch and inclement conditions, Neil Lennon decided this was not a stage for our passing game. If so, the plan worked, but better teams will eventually punish us if we invite them onto us by surrendering possession to often.
Once James Forrest, Odsonne and Ryan Christie combined to allow the latter to break a few hearts, the outcome was inevitable. Short of some finishing that would make the Alfredo the Wasteful blush, Celtic could have won the game by five or six goals.
If this Hearts team are relying on the Hamilton side we watched two weeks ago collapsing to prevent them being relegated, they are in for a shock. The organisational differential between those two sides is as wide as Tynecastle.
Result aside, the most pleasing aspect of last night was Odsonne getting 84 minutes under his belt. He is still short of full fitness, hard shifts like last night help.
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Podium?
Celtic
HH
Well done Hebcelt
Hope all good up your way.
GH
Woop woop anybody wanting a wee laugh check out the band Peat and Diesel from Stornoway listen to their latest offering “Fairytale of Stornoway” H H Hebcelt
All well An Tearmann wishing you all the best for the festive season. H H Hebcelt
Paul67
Agree with the surrendering of possession too easily.
Makes having the right battlers to win the ball back – vital.
HH
For those who haven’t heard it yet…..
Fairytale of Stornoway
https://youtu.be/4mwgm1_UHiE
HH
As I was saying……The pitch, weather, ref and lack of a left sided midfielder did’t help last night. However, we started poorly (again) and were wasteful in front of goal. If things ‘click’ again soon we will batter someone 6/7/8 nil. If they do not I fear a sucker punch is coming.
Teuchter ar La thanks for that they are the next big thing playing the Barrowlands in January – a sellout H H Hebcelt
As thing stands, the team that started last night is our strongest team and would start against Sevco Scotland Ltd on the 29th. I’m hoping that changes as a few lads get fitter in the next 10 days.Elyounoussi, Johnston & Boli have all either been missing or short of fitness.
Well relieved to collect the points on offer any which way. Job done again, Celts.
Broony and Damour getting together in the centre circle for not exactly a hug and a cuddle, after Jamesy released to make goal two, was funny. Looked like the skipper was ready to give the Hearts man a coalbag carry back to their penalty box.
Ten days, three games, nine points then the Dubai holiday trail. Not a lot to ask.
A recurring concern in recent games is how often Julien and Ajet get beaten to the ball in the air at set pieces.
Ajer, sorry.
If this is our ‘lull’ for the season I’m happy enough
Btw glad Lawwell was too tight to part with the cash for McGinn
Christie-ano is a star
B-)
THE BLOGGER FORMERLY KNOWN AS GM on 19TH DECEMBER 2019 11:13 AM
As I was saying……The pitch, weather, ref and lack of a left sided midfielder did’t help last night. However, we started poorly (again) and were wasteful in front of goal. If things ‘click’ again soon we will batter someone 6/7/8 nil. If they do not I fear a sucker punch is coming.
____
I hear what you are saying. But I had nothing but confidence in Ajer, Jullien & Forster. In particular, big Jullien won everything last night and continually cut out the danger.
We haven’t been conceding many goals at all so 1 or 2 goals generally seem enough.
BHOYLO83 on 19TH DECEMBER 2019 11:43 AM
If this is our ‘lull’ for the season I’m happy enough
Btw glad Lawwell was too tight to part with the cash for McGinn
Christie-ano is a star
————————
—————————————————————–
What a lot of nonsense.
They both play in the same Scotland team.
Don’t let Lawwell off for completely messing up signing McGinn
Paul 67,
I thought Odsonne Edouard looked sluggish. I do not think he is completely 100% fit.
84 minutes was too long for this proven gem on that pitch in the horrendous weather.
We really need to see if Leigh Griffiths and /or Bayo can be counted on.
We still don’t know that answer as we go into the January market. I think Neil will go after a Big battering ram of a striker and that could be ominous for the two aforementioned players.
HH.
Bhoyle083,
Once again rewriting history concerning Mc Ginn.Sick listening to it.
Greenpinta,
Getting 80 mins on that tattoo field would have helped Eddys fitness,I would think.
Turkeybhoy I think you meant potato field ? H H Hebcelt
😂😂😂
It was a joke ffs
I’m still waiting to find out if I can be let out Today….These Doctors are slower than a feckin tax rebate !
Again, thanks to all on here for the health and birthday good wishes Today.
HH
Ah the boy can jump eh
https://twitter.com/i/status/1207565632310407168
Can heidy it too
HH
If I got a tattoo on a limb……would it cost me an arm and a leg ?
I’ll get ma coat.
HH
Jullien must have had 30 headed clearances .Ajer,a lot less.Jullien to me looks like he would go to war for the Jersey.Fantastic signing.
I think I it’s time Lenny got a wee bit of a grip.Johnny Hayes is a stand in LB,nothing more.wether we love him or not.Greg Taylor IS aLB,who has performed very well when played.He is our future,why not play him.Added to this, the misconception foisted upon us by Lenny,that Lewis Morgan can play striker,when we have LG desperate for game time,is baffling.As soon as the 2nd goal went in,he should have been on,for Eddy.
Very strange thinking by Lenny.Square pegs in round holes do not work.
Big Jimmy
Happy birthday,keep the spirits up😊😊
HH
Hebcelt,
Lol.Not checking the predictive.Meant to be Tattie.
It did it again there.
That jump from Ronaldo defies gravity.Unbelievable.
What’s the story with Elyounoussi – considered fit enough for the final ( which he obviously wasn’t) but hasn’t featured since even on the bench
Agree, also baffled why he doesnt play Taylor instead of Hayes and would prefer Griff instead of Morgan
I’m sure he has his reasons
Big Jimmy
Happy Birthday to my namesake, big bit omitted😁
Happy birthday Big Jimmy
If you get out of hospital you could rent a cottage on the Isle of Wight, if it’s not too dear…
:)
Big Jimmy
Happy birthday and many happy returns, get well soon
DENIABHOY on 19TH DECEMBER 2019 11:24 AM
A recurring concern in recent games is how often Julien and Ajet get beaten to the ball in the air at set pieces.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Read on web yesterday that until CLuj scored last Thursday we hadnt let in a goal
direct from a corner kick all season.
or
102 corners to be exact
Christmas a come –
https://youtu.be/98bjIDC8vU4
Paul67
Jullien and Ajer outstanding at the back and, we’ve been the best counter attacking side in Scotland since Neil Lennon took charge.
After 17 games Celtic are 10 points better off than at the same number of games this time last season
One Neil Lennon CSC
BHOYLO83 on 19TH DECEMBER 2019 12:47 PM
Agree, also baffled why he doesnt play Taylor instead of Hayes and would prefer Griff instead of Morgan
I’m sure he has his reasons
___
Let’s be honest, Griff looks well off the pace.
JC2
During the first 25 minutes of the League Cup Final, Sevco could have scored 3 or 4 goals from corners. It was alarming how they were getting to the ball, and Jullien and Ajer were not. This has to be addressed for Dec 29, as has the fact that we were completely swamped in midfield. We will not be so fortunate a second time.
I understand what Forrest brings to the team, and appreciate it. However, it is a source of frustration how he chases a player at speed, and ALWAYS slows up at the crucial moment to avoid tackling him. Unfortunately, the man is a chicken. On Dec 29, we will need ALL of our midfield players to tackle.
IniquitousIV