We hoped that Celtic’s anaemic 57 minutes against St Mirren last week would serve as an indication that performance levels needed to improve ahead of yesterday’s game against Newco, but many of the same facets were in evidence.
Anytime I have seen Newco this season they seem to start brightly. By contrast, Celtic tend to feel their way into games in a low-energy manner. This was evident yesterday. The game was moments old when Erik Sviatchenko was pressurised into a mistake, which brought Newco deep into Celtic territory. It was 3 minutes before we crossed the halfway line again.
Erik’s next two touches were also unassured, which interrupted the flow of the ball. It looked like Newco had decided he was the Celtic player to press. His central defensive partner was caught flat when a touch by Miller saw the ball pass through him, allowing Waghorn the first of his great opportunities to score.
Passing was clearly ineffective. Celtic simply didn’t keep possession throughout the game. The pitch seemed fast, how many times did you see a through ball run out of play? I wondered if Brendan decided to pull back groundsmen on watering duties?
Scott Brown opened in an advanced central midfield position, often ahead of Stewart Armstrong, with Nir Bitton the only one of the midfield three consistently playing his regular role. While the objective was clearly to pressurise the Newco defence, it came at a cost of ball retention.
Callum McGregor brought composure to Celtic’s play when he replaced Bitton at halftime. He was prepared to hold the ball, draw opponents in, and pass or move. This served to underline how poorly we were in this respect during the first half.
Stewart Armstrong created and scored a goal out of nothing. When he went off we not only missed his edge around the Newco penalty area, we became porous in midfield. Ball retention then took a further downturn and we lacked tightness.
Newco deserved their goal and, at that point, I thought deserved their point. They neutered the left flank threat of Sinclair and Tierney, which isolated Dembele. With Celtic unable to circulate the ball to any effect, which was the crucial tactical element of the game.
The psychology of refereeing is a weighty subject. Bobby Madden booked four Newco players before cautioning Scott Brown, but the real test isn’t applying a player’s first yellow card. After his booking, Waghorn twice tumbled theatrically inside the box in a blatant attempt to win a penalty. Both should have resulted in a second caution, but having booked so many Newco players, Madden froze.
Pointing to the penalty spot in added time of a tied game is a big decision for a referee. For whatever reason, Madden didn’t want to do this when Hill took Leigh Griffiths down with a waist-high challenge.
I could debate the reasons why he didn’t want to do this with you all week, but we both know why. At least the manager and players know what to expect in the semi-final.
Our raffle for Alzheimer Scotland to win this magnificent canvas (above) ends at 14:00 TODAY, so you’ve less than two hours to enter.
We ask for a minimum donation of £5.
You can enter through this MyDonate page, with the money going straight to Alzheimer Scotland.
Please make sure I have contact details from you (email me at celticquicknews@gmail.com with the word “Canvas” in the subject, just in case) to make sure I can get in touch if you win.
I can deliver in central Scotland, at Celtic Park, or by collection in Lanarkshire.
Good luck!
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Mon The Hoops! on 14th March 2017 12:09 am
Not homophobic. Homo loving. But then who are you to decide?
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 13TH MARCH 2017 11:58 PM
BAMBOO on 13TH MARCH 2017 11:20 PM
TONTINE TIM
The strange thing about that 65 league cup final was that Celtic won with 2 Hughes goals – both penalties!
Could that happen today?
================================================
Each of which was possible to deny. Even for a hun. If he was.
*ha ha a member of the Lanarkshire Referee’s Association and his local bowling club. He was a hun believe me, we were just too good for them that day. The Big Mhan had us fired up with Ian Young dumping we fife ned ontae the running track in the opening minutes.
Brother can you spare a dime
What a song that is.
Martin Simpson version is especially good
Kind regards to our benefactors who run and monitor the doings on CQN.
Seems like a 24/7 job .
Reward in paradise.
:-)
BRTH
Are we any closer to One Day in Lisbon part 2…?
MacJay
Im innocent comrade:)
HH
I think we have uncovered the basis of free speech, democracy and lazy journalism right now right here.
TONTINE TIM on 14TH MARCH 2017 12:13 AM
Mate.
I misspoke.( ha ha )
Meant to say IMpossible.
A fount of knowledge.
You should arrange a global lecture tour.
Speak up my dear sheep
Margaret McGill
Gordon G Liddy would have loved it:)
HH
reverso there
The Rosenbergs as well
And of course…Imam Khomeini
Well I guess I’ll keep going till I get my 6th yellow.
Rules and all that you know.
TONTINE TIM on 14TH MARCH 2017 12:13 AM
The very game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzmBnB9sx0E&list=PLCBqrjP9OcivDW7M3iW3ZAZmWwKOx5tFW
7 mins
8.40 mins
Tontine Tim
You should write a book of your Celtic memories. Great to read of Tims fae my dad and uncles era of following Celtic. Magic
HH
If you listen to ‘Killing an Arab’ and then the ‘Plains of Waterloo’
Its very rewarding indeed.
MARGARET MCGILL on 14TH MARCH 2017 12:22 AM
Well I guess I’ll keep going till I get my 6th yellow.
—–
That’s what Clint Hill said.
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 14TH MARCH 2017 12:17 AM
Im innocent comrade:)
HH
==================================
But you would say that .Wouldn`t you , Tovarich .
:-)
Mandy Rice Davis CSC
Thought the new banner on show by the POLSKA NO 1 CSC was rather classy…….big Erik being criticised unfairly that clown wagheid wi the rolly polly stomach was constantly tugging at his jersey all during the game knowing fine well the hun ref.would do what all hun refs would do.
TGM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKrQH847bEc
thetimreaper on 14th March 2017 12:16 am
BRTH Are we any closer to One Day in Lisbon part 2…?
Sadly, not on here. In my head it is all done and dusted and as clear as day.
If I get the chance tomorrow I will get it down – Bobby Murdoch’s Ankle is keen to hear the rest as he has feck all to do with his time of an evening except read the mince that I put out! lol
No seriously, I will try and get it done though I have some other things to write about and which are quite important re Lisbon.
It is all go at the moment — honest!
MacJay
Ive had a traumatic few weeks.
Having to converse with ‘students’ who want to ‘get into politics’
They have driven me half mad.
Im coming to the conclusion that i wont be the next rector of the University of Glasgow
A fellow i know of old…told me im not Scottish enough:)
And if i hear the word ‘Actor’ again this year…I might get annoyed slightly.
Madness:)
HH
Mags McGill
Are you any nearer getting the band of brothers organised for Lisboa?
Anything I can do to help just shout.
BRTH
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan on 14th March 2017 12:34 am
Yes. I’ll email you tomorrow.
Interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjT9EQVXP5c&app=desktop
Partying like its 1699
MacJay
Ive been for dinner with Martin Simpson.
He done a gig for MOJO.
He let me sit in on his sound check before he wont on.
Ive never heard anybody as good, and ive heard a few.
He played the gig…blew everybody away.
I said to him afterwards….’I thought i was good’:)
My brother threw me a growl…ha ha.
HH
The ref at the 1965 L C Final was Hugh Phillips,of Wishaw.
It generally agreed in our Celtic circle that he was the vest and fairest ref on the SFA’s books.
So much so that we assumed he was one of us.
He retired shortly after that game, in mid season, citing health issues. Mmmm!
This impression was reinforced for me many years later when on a tour of Celtic Park, his nephew, of the same name, was the guide.
I asked him about his uncle’s retirement, but he passed it over and I didn’t pursue the matter.
In over fifty years since, I haven’t witnessed as good a ref in the Scottish game, even if you discount the two penalties, as Hugh Phillips of Wishaw.
*******
Apologies for typing errors and omissions.
ThomTheTim
Ah…but deep knowledge of Celtic
Who cares about typos:)
HH
topkat on 13th March 2017 11:26 pm
Why is Brendan giving chopper Hill a wee cuddle at the end of the game
==============================
They go back a long way.
Hil did his National Service with Brendans’ grandad…
Jack Ross has done to Brendan, what Brendan did to Man City…..
…he let the genie out the bottle…….
Ye see,…….
Brendan’s midfield where left looking toy’s that got left on the shelf.
Sunday’s draw felt to me like the morning after, MO’N’s 1st game vs big McLeish of the huns.
A 1-2 defeat left the feeling of something that couldn’t be beaten, had just been ripped into shreds in front of yer eye’s.
Ye see,……
Cellic need two new enforcers in the midfield, Eboue Kouassi and John McGinn….imho.
I even have doubt’s about the Cellic-cuteness of Stuart Armstrong ?….he’s too nice, not enough dig….ah mean, did he give Kenny Miller a dull wan in the remaining 85 mins to restore the balance ?….did any of Tom Rogic’s team mates give Darren O’Dea a dull wan to restore the balance up at Dens Park ?…..or, do all of Cellic’s opponents know that Brendan’s team are fayre game, sitting ducks, waiting to be taken out……without consquences ?
Nice guys never win.
Only one man can fix that.
…………………oot.
No condemnation of orcs song sheet from the weekend from anybody here or MSM ( I know ) .
Bigger issues to be discussed for sure but I thought their horrible singing from Sunday would’ve got a mention somewhere.
As time goes by they seem to be getting bolder re singing of the banned B**** B*** hate song
Here is a song I like..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjy_dXIkzfM
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 14TH MARCH 2017 12:33 AM
Sorry . Was unable to respond earlier.
Students with a passion for a cause ,of whatever variety , I would be encouraging.
Career poli`s not so much. :-)
I used to see Donald Dewar spouting his stuff at the debates at Glasgow Uni.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon on 14th March 2017 12:15 am
Nobody likes a kiss ass
BRTH…..correct Jim…….get the finger oot, I might have to work if you don’t get a move on…
Bma
nightshiftcsc