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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Marspapa if you can post a link to Jimmy Crowley & Stokers Lodge version from 1975 there is a good video of an original drag hunt from the area accompanying the song.
My father used to attend the drags for all I know he could be one of the crowd featured in the video.
BAMBOO on 13TH MARCH 2017 9:29 AM
And if assaults like yesterdays are now going to be allowed it’s just a matter of time before one of our players gets a broken leg.
*the buzz bomb was carried off with a broken leg after a challenge by their greatest ever player in the penalty area. The mitb gave a penalty then changed his mind when the linesman flagged for offside.
BTW allegedly in the dressing room before the game waddell came in and said “right, you know who you’re playing today, there’s only one thing to say, no surrender!” We won 1-0.
CORKCELT
Could this be the one your talking about .
https://youtu.be/hX8cX8d1hjk
Kante…. The black Stuart Armstrong
MARSPAPA- yes
Watching this game hoping both teams get beat
MARSPAPA-yes know them all
Winning the treble is the aim.
However on a broader level, progressing the team is key. Particularly with Champs league in mind next season.
My concern would be, our central defence. Neither of the 2 that started yesterday would I consider good enough, for where we want to get to. If we are to improve, we need an upgrade on both Erik and Derdryk
Diego Costa is a disgrace to football. I would rather be Liquidated than have him play for us.
Why does a draw in a high tempo game feel like a defeat, even when you didnae play that good.
We were seconds on Saturday and 3 minutes on Sunday fae clinching the League at Dens Park, and yet we still could as the unpredictable hearts, still in with a chance of a 3rd place finish, visit the pen in the early game on Saturday.
The sheep huvnae exactly been setting the heather on fire this season and their form of late, including a loss tae relegation favourites accies, has been a wee bit inconsistent.
Jambos, dearie me, other than gubbin sevco and getting mother’ pride his harry potters have been just as bad. As I said they do have 3rd place in their sights and apart fae us have a pretty decent upcoming fixture list. So it could be the roads and the miles tae Dundee on Canada’s Patron Saint’s Feast Day.
Incidentally, on Sunday was Brendan outcoached by naesurname????
G64 9.07pm
I am the same, would like both teams to get beat so cheering every attack for both :-)
Although I much prefer Conte to Mourinho
Jozo is best centre half at Celtic.
Slightly mistified by his lack of inclusion of late
That’s the one Marspapa absolutely brilliant. Had tears in my eyes watching that.
My family originally came from that area & from that tradition. I was only two when we left the area so I have no personal memories but I still have a sense of belonging ans a great love for the area and the people.
Dangerous for Chelsea if they can’t get a second.
Last five minutes – long balls up to Fellaini….
My friends in Celtic,
Madhun allied with a very unusual poor Celtic performance conspired to F@@k with my happiness on Sunday.
Totally over it now and desperately looking forward to our next game.
HH
FAIRHILLBHOY
If you drank in the Woodhead , you might know an old freind of mine from Woodhead a plasterer, MK , big lump of a bhoy .
I played 5’s with WH ,JH , the brothers Smith , the Wards and Andy Mac lol.
I use the term loosely when i say i “played ” 5’s lol.
Any truth in the rumour that Pogba is doing an Ian Black and has money on Chelski?
https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/dave-king-statement-6/#.WMcJPBEPYAN.twitter
Ok bhoys. Long time lurker. Thought we were very flat yesterday. Madden is a disgrace the board need sone backbone to bring these matters to a head. Celtic fans should stop buying tickets to games when league is finished. Cup games give support. I include home games as board need shake.
CORKCELT
Your welcome , its great when something , anything brings back fond memories of the old days and loved ones .
MARSPAPA- you know me
£80 mill for Pogba, Dearie Me, no even worth £8mill.
Costa and his ex manager Simeone would make kwality movie gangsters
I’ve never understood how Celtic fans being so vast in number and important to Scottish football accept the cheating and contribute financially. Only way to beat the cheats.
MARSPAPA-big lump being Kelso
RUGGYGMAN on 13TH MARCH 2017 9:13 PM
Jozo is best centre half at Celtic
Slightly mistified by his lack of inclusion of late
Rarely fit, and can’t be relied upon to play in a run of games. Our best centre half but can see him being sold in the summer unless he can put a run of games together. We’re supposedly scouting a young Serbian from Partizan, 6’5″ 19 year old. I think BR has plans to bring at least one CH in during the summer. Hope so.
Guiseppe67
Welcome to CQN
Hope your first post isn’t indicative of hopefully many posts to follow :-)
On other matters, Paul Pogba is guff, a far different player in a France jersey
TeT
Rotten, he’s no Stu Armstrong that’s for sure.
Tontine Tim, the sev tactics ie kicking , pushing and knowing the ref , particularly Maddening , will let it go has all the hallmark’s of the myth’s style of football.
If the sevs also used long diagonals , Myth had definitely been advising Murty.
Its a pity guys like Robbie Keane don’t come out with comments about how, from his time with us, the officiating is terrible. For example letting Bhougherra commit foul after foul on him after being booked or the offside decision against Falkirk where he was well on but the linesman flagged even though the official was about 5 yards behind the play.
Pepe or is it guisepe,try harder son, but welcome anyway:/)))
TTR
I would have Armstrong afore Pogba any day of the week, Fergie was right and got rid of the boy years ago, he was-is pish.
HH
GUISEPPE67
Right ye are Guiseppe! up yours!
MARSPAPA -KENNY LEE?
Tontine Tim/Dallas Dallas
i was wondering yesterday whether Pardew was the one given Murty advice,
see he was at the game and had worked with Murty on a couple of occasions.
I think the players performance was to blame more than the manager being out thought
Gftb. Thanks mate. I’ll only rant if it needs said.
GB64
I agree, the subs he made normally worked, he had no reason to believe they wouldn’t yesterday.
He can’t legislate for nigh on the whole team having an off day, no way was he out coached, no way.
HH
Tontine Time…
The Joe Craig goal game?
Is Saint Andrew’s day a public holiday in Canada?
Marspapa,
Keep posting B, appreciate your alternative view…
Up the wooden stairs…
Regards & Hail Hail…
TBM
Dallas
Did Dallas junior make the game yesterday ?
Giuseppe67 …. No bother this is defintely the place for Celtic fans to rant :-)
Try harder? Only stating my opinion.