We have all the excuses in the world, but if you cannot beat Dundee United, or Livingston, teams with vastly weaker squads than the Celtic teams they denied five points to over the last 8 days, you do not deserve to win the league.
Celtic will improve. Kyogo Furuhashi, Callum McGregor, Greg Taylor and James Forrest are known quantities who will lift performances and results. Georgios Giakoumakis will surely also add something. When we get Christopher Jullien fit he will bring experience to the back line. Right now that matters little, six points adrift after seven games is the form that leaves confidence on a knife-edge.
Jota was outstanding, a one-man siege of the Dundee United back line, he deserved more from those around him. Again, Liel Abada timed his run into the box perfectly to head home at the back post. Anthony Ralston committed to a tackle a minute later and suffered an unfortunate ricochet. It was not the worst defensive error you have seen from Celtic this year, but from there, Dundee United made no mistake.
Albian Ajeti was already having an afternoon to forget (think Kazim-Richards, but less mobile) when, within seconds of conceding, Abada’s cutback found him three yards from goal. The striker snatched at the chance and sent it high over the bar. Ange Postecoglou had no choice to persist with Albian, although surely we will see little of him when fitness allows others to play.
James McCarthy was clattered early and scarcely left the centre circle before being replaced at halftime. This pleased most around me, but it took Ismaila Soro most of the second half to retain possession. If McCarthy is not yet fully fit, he should be left before further reputational damage occurs.
On another day one of the three chances that rattled United crossbar would have gone in and the chat would be about digging out a win the way champions do. Instead, we flattered to deceive, the way those with nothing but sob stories at the end of the season do.
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I watched the Brentford v Liverpool game over the weekend & some of the blah blah afterwards.
One of the pundits spoke highly of Brentford as a very well run club.
Despite selling 3 key players they bought wisely & the sold 3 are hardly missed.
He said that they operate 2/3 windows in advance because they know who they’re going to or likely to lose.
If Brentford can do this, why can’t Celtic?
TONTINE TIM @ 4:46
“It’s all about listening tae the players and mibbees just mibbees they should be having that conversation with Ange and his coaching staff.”
I enjoyed that read. I have coached in Scotland and in 4 U.S. States. First thing I did when I met players for the first time for a training session was to ask them to write down their favourite, and second favourite position. Sometimes I was surprised at the answers, but invariably, players played best where they were they were most comfortable. I would try to accommodate them, but occasionally in mid-season, I would run into similar injury situations that Ange is experiencing, and use my best judgment in asking a player to take an unfamiliar role. And sometimes, like you, both player and I were pleasantly surprised at the outcome!
SCEPTICAL CITIZEN on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 4:06 PM
PLC is more happy to throw ‘another’ league to prevent Ibrox FC from being out of the top Scottish league for ‘another’ five year period, were Celtic Park would probably be reduced in crowd size by 50% like the last time Ibrox FC went through ‘another’ financial collapse.
The PLC will have weighed up the damaging options likely to affect Celtic if, there’s ‘another’ financial collapse at ibrox, and there will be a collapse if Ibrox FC don’t get their hands on the £40 million CL money.
Five years of 50% reduction in Celtic Park crowds would probably happen in the event of ‘another’ Ibrox financial collapse.
Celtic PLC colluding to throw ‘another’ league will probably have no effect in ticket sales, or maybe marginal effect compared to five years of 50% collapse in crowds, like last time there was no Ibrox club in top league, tickets sold out, but crowd was down 50%.
And if a Celtic PLC can order puppet manager Neil Lennon to piss the players off with stupifying tactics, team selections, and formations, to throw the ’10’ season as Shane Duffy said, “the crazy things going on behind the scenes” hmmmm, then the PLC can order the new puppet manager Ange Postecoglu, to execute the same plans as his predecessor did last season.
*what you have mentioned above is what I call Cost Benefit Analysis and I have no doubt that’s what happened in the Parkheid boardroom.
I have been lambasted on here for claiming we deliberately threw the League last season as it would take too many players for that to happen, not so all you need is the manager and at least one player on the park tae achieve this.
Mibbees just mibbees that’s why Broonie and the LL were sitting laughing roon the pool at Dubai guzzling their pints. Ever wonder why neither are with us now.
Please no recriminations about criticizing 2 ‘legneds”. Everybody has a price.
TONTINE TIM on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 5:08 PM
I’ve had the same thoughts regarding McKay. It’s popular to think he was the innovator coming in to ruffle feathers but was ousted by the big bad Desmond.
However, let’s not forget the frustration fans were showing at the lack of signings and perceived lack of urgency. Even Ange came out with perfectly managed comments to hint that he wasn’t getting adequate help. Desmond is then reported to have stepped in and overseen the transfers himself.
It is possible, and again this won’t be popular, that Dom McKay really wasn’t up to it.
INIQUITOUSIV on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 5:13 PM
TONTINE TIM @ 4:46
“It’s all about listening tae the players and mibbees just mibbees they should be having that conversation with Ange and his coaching staff.”
I enjoyed that read. I have coached in Scotland and in 4 U.S. States. First thing I did when I met players for the first time for a training session was to ask them to write down their favourite, and second favourite position.
*cheers, my first question was what foot they kicked with and not in the Scottish vernacular and like you their favourite position(s).
We were rubbish yesterday, the football on display was awful to watch, jota was outstanding for the most part with abada also showing up well. Ccv was strong, I do like the look of him. Hart done nothing wrong. That’s as good as it gets.
It is very clear many of the players in our squad wont cut it in Ange’s system. He had better hope he can see us through to january and have some quality players lined up who can play his way or he will be the boards patsy for their failures.
See the debate about jullian’s level is again a talking point. IMO he is easily our best centre half, he is more domanat than anyone in our team both in the air and on the ground. Yes ex-livi player gave him a hard time on occasion and what? I saw Stones, England international losing out on multiple duels with said player at the euros. By the way he is a good player. Cant recall people saying stones is shite cause of it.
@ GEEBEE1978 on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 5:15 PM
The only issue with that hypothesis is that we have been historically slow with getting players in during transfer windows: last minute loans, failed efforts, protracted and tortured negotiations.
Desmond stood by Dom’s predecessor during that and given the similarities in approach, I’m sceptical that Dom was 100% in charge tbh.
CORNELIUS on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 5:13 PM
Brentford are owned by Matthew Benham. Brighton, potentially going top this evening, are owned by Tony Bloom.
Both are numbers guys. Benham has a degree from Oxbridge, I think. I believe they both worked together in a gambling firm before they fell out and split up.
They implement moneyball – not the type Paul pretends happens at Celtic park. Benham also owns Midtjylland. They hadn’t one a league until he arrived. I think they have now won 3 since he took over in 2015, losing another at the death.
They are in a different stratosphere to us in terms of professionalism. I can’t imagine our board in situ since the early 2000s, with backgrounds in Clyde port and the whiskey industry have the ability (or desire) to implement a statistical analysis based approach to running the football team. We don’t even have a Director of Football.
TONTINE TIM on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 5:14 PM
won*
Last season, I refused to believe the evidence of my own eyes. Game after game, I thought that this would be the game where the real Celtic stood up and our season ignited.
That ignition never came. I fear the same could happen again. We desperately need a run of 5 or 6 league wins to steady the ship but I just don’t see it happening. Last season has taught me to believe the evidence in front of me, so far that evidence is damning our manager.
TONTINE TIM on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 5:14 PM – Yup! 👍
@ AN DÚN on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 5:39 PM
AN DÚN on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 5:39 PM
Is the evidence not showing you that he is constrained by his selections options?
Rolling Stone
Thanks for that.
I had no idea of any of it.
I’ll watch Palace v Brighton.
HH
ROLLING_STONE on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 5:43 PM
AN DÚN on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 5:39 PM
Is the evidence not showing you that he is constrained by his selections options?
—
Are all managers not constrained by their selection options ?
@ Cornelius
Here is a twitter thread on the rise of Benham which makes interesting reading. You might be interested:
https://twitter.com/joepompliano/status/1400245761854652417?lang=en
@ AN DÚN on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 5:49 PM
Yes, but all about degrees, no?
We have no striker on the bench, one winger on the bench who is 19 and is in his ‘breakthrough’ season, no attacking midfielders and out captain and lynch pin out.
Not sure what options Ange has tbh, unless it is something mental like playing a CB up front.
“Ange out of his depth”
“Ange doesn’t look happy”
“Ange is Brady, Barnes, Mowbray”
Won’t do any good but I’ll give it a pop anyway.
(you could do worse than scroll past)
Did you like Dominic McKay when you heard him at the intro?
I admit I quite liked what he had to say.
Including, when asked “Why Ange?”
Answer – “He’s a winner”
Clearly some soundbyte value in that one.
But backed by evidence.
He’s won titles. In 2 jurisdictions.
Australia’s a diddy league?
Tell that to Ange’s face.
They’ve been to a World Cup finals this millennium (led by Ange). We haven’t.
Japan’s not a decent standard league?
I’m sure Kyogo will appreciate that sentiment when you tell him (via his translator)
Pretty much a consensus view that Ange inherited a big mess?
So, you get a “big” job and the place is a big mess.
Ordinarily, that entitles the new boss to set low expectations in the short to medium term.
But not at Celtic.
So, what’s the first thing you do?
You may list all the issues and decide which ones are the most urgent (not necessarily the most important)
Key issues (IMHO) ….
1. squad capacity
2. squad capability
3. morale
4. team culture and ethos
5. tactics (generic)
6. tactics (opponent/venue specific)
7. coaching capacity
8. coaching capability
9. support structures (science, recruitment)
Oh, and by the way …
– competitive matches start in 5 weeks
– transfer window closes in 10
So what do you prioritise?
I’d suggest 1, 4 and 5 above are good shouts
Basic tactics, culture, fitness plus squad augmentation before window closes.
Don’t know Ange. Never met him.
But I can imagine any manager faced with all these problems might think …
“Get some players in, set the early tone, get some quick wins (literally) and go from there”
“Only then can I focus on squad capability and morale, then match specific tactics, then coaching staff, then sports science then all the other little problems ….”
All the while getting results.
If I may flip back to those 9 key issues above and numbers 1, 4 & 5 in particular ….
Although work starts on team culture & ethos (4) and BASIC tactics (5) it’s only a start. Long, long way to go.
The only one of the 9 that got “over the hump” was no.1 – initial squad capacity.
Decent window. Lots of players signed. Raw materials in the building.
Ange might have been forgiven for thinking on 01 September
“I’ve got the bodies
That’s one issue resolved to an extent
I’ll get by with this until January
Let’s go”
Then Forrest gets injured
Then Kyogo
Then Taylor
Then Calum
Then Giorgios
Then Josip
Hence “walked under a ladder”
Most of the above is speculative.
Based solely on what I see and how I see it.
But it might, just might, be an insight into what Ange Postecoglou is going through.
And I am TOTALLY unqualified to be the Celtic manager.
And I probably have no real idea what the role actually throws up.
And for those reasons Ange has my support.
Hail hail
Keep The Faith
Yes, but all about degrees, no?
—-
Absolutely about degrees but does degrees not extend to the level of opposition we’re failing against as well ?
BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 6:00 PM
Great post…
Rolling Stone at 5.54pm
That’s a great story.
Based on the Xg factor I wonder what Benham would say about Albian Ajeti yesterday.
HH
@ AN DÚN on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 6:01 PM
I think it’s in the current context.
We are playing players who physically struggle to do x3 90 minutes a week, without rest and the team look out on their feet. We made one sub in Seville in 30 degree heat against their 5. We then play Livi 3 days later and go with the same attackers.
I’ve mentioned before but in their careers, Ajeti, Jota, Rogic, Turbull have hardly ever/never managed this many minutes so consistently. If they get a niggle, doesn’t matter they play. If they lose form, doesn’t matter, they play.
Unsure how you can chew Ange out, really. Also, expected goals against Dundee United was around x3.5G, i think. Difficult to legislate for Ajeti kicking it 20 feet above the bar from 2 yards out.
For me, it’s clear Ange had a stronger side than Livi or Dundee Utd. I think he had a stronger bench too.
As for Europe taking its toll, we were playing Raith Rovers mid week. If Turnbull and Rogic are tired, rest them against Raith. In other words, manage your resources.
If PSG lost in the CL against Ferencvaros, I don’t think too many people would have sympathy for
Poch if he started complaining he was missing Mbappe, Neymar and Messi.
back to + ; the good run will start when we get 2 back from
injury
I promise not to mention thems either forstergrant
Bournesoupreceipe 4.07
Great Celtic supporter passed away this morning, my great pleasure to have known you.
RIP Andy.
I’ve just received a call about Andy and then read your message.
I’m assuming it’s the same Andy. M.
We have indeed lost a great Celtic supporter and a lovely man.
As you say, a pleasure to have known him.
A sad day for the Celtic family.
Back To Basics…………
what you said.
HH.
Not Stephen Welsh’s biggest fan at centre back, but there is no good reason why he could not play at defensive midfield. Fit, strong, mobile, good tackler if a wee bit impulsive at times, good forward passer, and pretty good in the air, and with a fair bit of match experience behind him could surely do a a job for us. And we will need somebody to do that against Bayer Leverkusen, and Aberdeen for that matter. Elsewhere, Liam Scales does have some recent game time behind him and might merit a start at the left side of a back three, or four. Might as well use our fitter players when and where we can. Like some others on here thought young Moffat might get a chance yesterday, did plenty warming up from what I can see, but Jotto kept going right to the end so I guess Ange thought that’s where he would have played, had he come on. Tough ask on Thursday, but never one to write a Celtic team off before they step on the park so not about to do so now.
ROLLING_STONE on 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021 6:16 PM
~
A few weeks before we went to Seville, indeed it was at Ibrox after we had went through to Uefa final, after Boavista 2nd leg, anyway MON couldn’t defeat McLeish as hun manager until MON surprised everyone and played 4 at the back, as opposed to the usual 3 5 2.
I’ve often felt that, if MON had replicated his Ibrox formation 4 4 1 1, in Seville, things might’ve been very different for us, and him.
Never the less, thanks to MON and his staff for some truly incredible experiences and memories.
Maybe Ange could learn a thing or two from a simple managerial pivot, like MON did?
I know that we don’t have a Hartson, or Sutton.
But neither did Lou Macari. He had to play Brian O’Neil as a target man for an out ball, as he inherited the mess of Brady, trying to play beautiful idealist tippy tappy football, and then being mugged by an opposition break away, or ball over the top.
Macari tried to stiffen things up by being tighter at the back, and playing more direct.
It made things a wee bit better.
But when you’ve a board on the verge of collapse, a clique of ‘precious’ players in the dressing room who spit the dummy when asked to play a different way for the team, other than what they were used to, and a future manager agitating his pals in the dressing room to play p— in an attempt to bring Macari down, it amounted to quite a gargantuan task for Luigi Macari, who now provides homes for the homeless, and other charitable good deeds, like he’s always been inclined to do.
Its a pity that so many Celtic supporters, fell for the Scottish media’s caricature of Macari, as the Scottish media were very very wary, of Macari’s Timmed-up, uppittyness, ask Donald Findlay, who tried and failed to lay a glove on Macari, for almost a full hour on STV’s Sport In Question.
No doubt a watching future Celtic owner, Fergus McCann decided that night, that an uppitty Tim manager was the last thing that he needed!
Oh well.
Ange out by March.
Bankier out following AGM.
John Kennedy promoted to permanent head coach.
Nicholson confirmed as permanent CEO.
WGS confirmed as DoF.
Ross Desmond as chairman.
The clique in full charge, plodding along in the slow lane.
Bet your heated driveway on it.
Out of interest. Did anyone here actually see a foul when Ajeti put the ball in the net on the 45th minute.
Clinko
No but I saw an elaborate, contrived simulation from their defender.
Rimtimtim
Listining to McCulloch and Simon Donnelly was like a BBC broadcast , what happened
to Tom Boyd and Tosh McKinley.Most likely they would upset Mr Bankier with their
honest views
julien is probably our best current centre back , doesn’t say much for the competition.
Mr “Latchford”
I’d hate to walk a mile in your “shoes”.
Where’s the joy in your life?
RC, Next you will be insituiting Jullien is at it again 😲