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.
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Parkheadcumsalford on 13th March 2017 7:30 pm
Could someone listening explain to me how they are defending Miller on RS. That is beyond belief
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Usual guff – not that type of player. It was a “strange” tackle. Blah blah.
When Scott McDonald got sent off against Sevco they all said it was a nailed on red!
How do you find out when semi final tickets are out, if you don’t do twitter or Facebook?
Not too upset about the performance yesterday players maybe struggling to get motivated with just a game or two away from winning the title etc. The Hun gameplan was clear – if you can’t win the ball take out the man it’s the same old s***e from them and it’s not going to be any different at the cup semi in fact its going to be worse. Btw anyone know why we’re still letting 7,000 of those arseholes into our stadium?
Il padrino 8.08pm
I think the ticket allocation is reciprocal, in fact I think Celtic get more due to policing issues …..
Hi ghuys first let me thank all of who posted birthday greetings/wishes on the blog yesterday,very much appreciated. Still not the birthday present I had hoped but we did’nt lose and I’m sure our backroom staff will be working on our obvious deficiencies.Not much we can do about referees after KO but score more than the opposition.Hail Hail Hebcelt
CORKCELT-7:53pm,I come from a wee place called fairhill,which is in Hamilton,no far from Glasgow,I would love to hear that ballad:-)
Wilson’s defence of King based on not wanting it to be like the one-man-show of Murray at the old club.
But wasn’t everything hunky dory under Murray? Everything was fine until Craig Whyte took over…..
GFTB-why do you put yourself through that pish mhate:-)))
Good evening, friends.
Well seeing it’s the final week of Goals For Shay with folk clearly struggling a wee bit in deciding which teams they have left to choose. The first 40 choices have been spread across 15 different teams!
Good to see a ref not scared to give a second yellow. Very unusual in the last week…..
A bit harsh the red card….
.
Fairhill Bhoy
Not sure why, I have always liked the FA cup, probably since Arsenal v Sunderland in 1979, no interest in the EPL but somehow I have always liked the FA cup……plus I have a couple of shillings on the game :-)
Man U chelski game spoiled. Another cheat dives to get a player sent off. Hazard as bad as the likes of Neymar and the others who throw themselves to the deck.
Got to laugh, Man U Chelsea, referee sends Herrera off for virtually nothing. If he was the ref yesterday the Huns would have finished with two men.
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 13TH MARCH 2017 8:24 PM
79 final was Arsenal v Man U. Sunderland scored the winner ;-)
THETIMREAPER
Different rules
Conte is an absolute fud, former Rube Hun like cheating bass.
PHILBHOY-when you get back on,I don’t mind getting called out for being an arsehole,fud,idiot,tube,big nose even,but don’t say I’m not a real supporter mhate:-))
GFTB-I was talking about listening to Clyde:-))
Gary67 8.26pm
I actually think I go out of my way to get things wrong :-)
It is a skill that is natural to me…..although in my defence I was only 9 back then, we didn’t get much fitba on the telly back then
Fairhillbhoy
Hope this it
https://youtu.be/EoswFd4HgOE
MIKE IN TORONTO on 13TH MARCH 2017 7:15 PM
Mike, i’ll follow up and post the reply if i get one.
Fairhill Bhoy 8.30pm
I love SSB, again, back to being a kid the theme tune is my link to the fitba, some might not like it so don’t listen, I enjoy it, I used to get really annoyed and shout at the radio but thankfully I am a bit older (but) obviously none the wiser, by the way don’t get your nickers in a twist at that Philbhoy character, if you ever meet him he is one of the good guys and loves the hoops as much as us :-)
Could you imagine a ref like that up here
Fairhill, There are quite a few versions of the song, below are the words of one version. There is also a parody humorous version which is very popular,
Come boys and you’ll see lads and lasses in their glee
Evergreen bowers would make your heart thrill
The boys they will not harm you the girls they all will charm you
Here’s up ’em all says the boys of Fairhill
Come boys and have a drink of Fahy’s well spring water
Though you are dry you are welcome here still
‘Tis better than the Guinness’s or J. J. Murphy’s porter
That has been proved by the boys of Fairhill
Come boys round by Gurranabraher ’tis there you’ll see the fields so green
The sun shines in splendour the lark sweetly sings
Thousands come from o’er the foam just to kiss th’ old Blarney stone
You can view it alone from the groves of Fairhill
Come on boys and spend the day with our hurling club so gay
The clash of the ash it would make your heart thrill
Talk about the Kerry pike let them all come if they like
They’re bound to be knocked out by the boys of Fairhill
Come on boys and spend the day with our harrier pack so gay
Around the Croppy Boy and th’ old road called the Cill
Where many’s the bloody Black and Tan and the treacherous Saxon gang
Were all laid low by the boys of Fairhill
Come on boys and spend the day with our bowling club so gay
The loft of the bowl it would make your heart thrill
When you hear the Shea boy say – Timmy Delaney’s won the day
But we beat them all says the boys of Fairhill
Come boys up to Quinlan’s pub that is where you’ll join our club
Round us in gallons the porter does flow
And first we tap the half o’ tierce drink a health to Dashwood’s race
That’s the stuff to give ’em says the boys of Fairhill
Think this is played to a finish…..new rules
Bada
Yes extra time and pens, 4th sub allowed in extra time.
MARSPAPA- magic and thank you,diny feck wi fairhill then :-))
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/dave-king-and-arlene-foster/
Marspapa,
That is the humorous parody version you posted, for the Traditional version you’d need a link to Johnny Crowley a Traditional Cork singer, there are plenty of links up for Johnny but I’m rubbish at posting links.
Ye may have trouble understanding Johnny’s Cork accent.
16 Roads,
from earlier regarding our defenders,
“They arent good enough and they arent tough enough”,
but you dont want to criticise them because they have all been outstanding this season,until yesterday.
aye no bother
GFTB-SSB Intro is my fav,after scotsport,on a Sunday,? Me and PHILBHOY WILL BE FINE
Up until Herrera got sent off we saw the systematic fouling of Hazard.Neville seemed to think it was ok as long as it was a different player each time.Good brave decision by the referee.
Sorry Marspapa I mixed up my Crowleys, Jimmy Crowley is the guy who sings the real proper version of The Boys of Fairhill.
CORKCELT- brilliant mhate,and thanks for taking the time:-))
Corkcelt
theres a Jimmy Crowley a few live versions was’nt sure which one to choose :)
Fairhillbhoy
Defo no messin wae you guys :)
Do you know the Hainies and the Smiths , played 5’s in the Civic
State of Marcus Rojo there, talk about putting your body on the line. He stood still with his hands behind his back as Kante lined up the shot.
That wee Kante is no bad…… Think Leicester have missed him