Having successfully subjugated in-form Motherwell by the opening minutes of the second half, all it took was a deflected shot that looped over Scott Bain to shatter composure and reduce Celtic to a side clinging on and ultimately fortunate to stop an equaliser in the final seconds.
Within minutes of that Motherwell goal, Neil Lennon replaced Albian Ajeti with Leigh Griffiths, Greg Taylor with Diego Laxalt and Scott Brown with Ismailia Soro, which should have injected fresh energy into the side, but seemed only to add indecision. Mohamed Elyounoussi replaced David Turnbull, which like the earlier substitutions, was a like-for-like swap, expected to halt Motherwell’s momentum. Far from it.
An apparent urgency to get the ball forward saw possession carelessly surrendered. Without a reliable Out Ball, Celtic finished the game in a rear-guard action that only encouraged Motherwell to pour forward.
A second win on the bounce is a vast improvement over recent form, still, that disorganised look remains. The league is gone but there are still things to achieve this season.
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https://www.67hailhail.com/news/celtic-man-nir-bitton-a-versatile-player-who-played-his-part-in-9iar/
I must say that I totally agree with the sentiment of this piece. I would have loved to have seen Bitton used as a defensive midfielder and still think he should have a role there.
Scullybhoy,
Bitton. Great for us when team’s aren’t pressing and he can spray passes but too slow and cumbersome as a DM protecting the backline.
We need to find a young Victor Wanyama to support Soro – mobility, athleticism, muscle and a good technique.
Over to you Hammond.
HH
Nir Bitton: fine reader of the game and best passer of the ball of all our defenders but not a centre half, although not the worst of those who have been played there.
Bitton turn in the rumour mill this morning – Maccabi Tel Aviv looking to take him home in summer.
If this was football manager, I would happily accept a fee of anything from £1.5m up.
My only concern is with so many players leaving in the summer – could be looking at up to 10 now. We need some sort of continuity, although I don’t rate Bitton too highly.
I wonder if our next DOF (rumoured to be this Fergal Harkins guy) and future head coach has started to scout recruits for next season off the record. Another rumour I read on other Celtic forums is that club could be looking at Enzo Maresca. This guy is at Man City too.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-enzo-maresca-interview-19016484
Several bookies apparently have JK as favourite.
Oh NOOooooo!
St Mirren Manager a better looks a better shout than JK, don’t know what he actually does at the club, not the defensive coach by the looks.
I’d hope when Neil goes JK and WGSS go as well. Not had a good backline since MON.
KLV
Street games
We had one called ` Aleavio` ( haven`t got a clue re the spelling; it was never written down !) and the one Big Jimmy mentioned re knocking on peopl`s doors. We called that KDRF — Kick Door, Run Fast.
I`ve got a feeling `Moshie` was a particularly old game of bools.
Bitton?
I am a fan but his style is maybe not suitable for Scotland.
Loads of snow in Arbroath. I am going to build a snowman. Any tips?
is it just me or are the SMSM going for a prolonged ‘love in’ about Peter Lawwell so that us supporters feel guilty? Latest one in the Herald today
Coneybhoy
Does it matter if it is just you? I very much doubt it is but, as I said, does it matter?
Personally, I think Peter lawwell did a superb job but I won`t be buying The Herald ( or any MSSM `paper).
CONEYBHOY
The press have been spouting pish about Celtic and her people for decades.
It won’t change any time soon.
Big Wavy
I thought Ledley was as good as Wanyama. Really sad when he went
If my memory serves; I think Wanyama got his chance due to injuries, had been at the club a while before getting a game. A bit of a ‘stumbled upon’ like Soro
Very good chance i am talking mince and he was not doing it in training up to that point
Hot smoked
Sorry, unnecessary cliche in there ; too much Facebooking😁
It was Herald online; haven’t paid for a paper in years
Philbhoy
I agree; just seems very deliberate and with no veils this time
Hail Hail – freeeeeeee, abian ajeti
Coneybhoy
No problem.
Re Ajeti. I wouldn`t put it past the powers that be in Scotland to have cited Ajeti then accept that that was wrong so dismiss the charge. We then have a `Celtic getting all the favours` kind of thing to take any spotlight off all the Sevco Reds, penalties etc. Not that there would have been any spotlight, of course but they have created a defence if necessary.
CONEYBHOY, if it is in The Herald then the thinking behind it is bound to be anti-Celtic, no matter how sugar-coated it might seem to be on a first reading.!
If it is actually not anti-Celtic then I apologise to anyone from the Herald who reads this and feels offended, but your anything negative/anti-Celtic drivel plus anything positive/pro-Ibrox outpourings over the last 10 years or so drove away a reader who took the Herald 6 days a week and topped up with the Sunday herald as well. That was a great marketing ploy and I’m pleased to see that it is still working well for you.
HOT SMOKED on 9TH FEBRUARY 2021 10:10 AM
Street games
We had one called ` Aleavio` ( haven`t got a clue re the spelling; it was never written down !) and the one Big Jimmy mentioned re knocking on peopl`s doors. We called that KDRF — Kick Door, Run Fast.
I`ve got a feeling `Moshie` was a particularly old game of bools.
Bitton?
I am a fan but his style is maybe not suitable for Scotland.
Loads of snow in Arbroath. I am going to build a snowman. Any tips?
……………..
” MOSHIE” in Glesgas East End was throwing coins towards a wall…and the nearest kept all the cash. There was another game with coins and 3 or 4 holes in the dirt……I cant remember if that was a form of Moshie ?
TIP…If your gonna build a snowman …dont try when drunk…as you may put the Carrot in the wrong place ?
LOL.
HH
Big Jimmy
” There was another game with coins and 3 or 4 holes in the dirt……I cant remember if that was a form of Moshie ?”
That`s the one I`m talking about ( three holes for us) but we used bools ( marbles) instead of money.
Right, off to Morrisons to try out their Valentine`s Meal Deal.
TV Road Safety Campaign in the 1960’s, when they would tell you to wear WHITE at Night so that Traffic could see you ?
My auld granny, who brought me up, dressed me one me for school one Snowy Winters Morning….
I was wearing a White Tammy, White Coat, White trousers, white Socks and White shoes. white Gloves and a White School bag….
I got KNOCKED Down by a SNOW PLOUGH !
LOL.
HH.
As a fellow eastender I’m pretty sure ‘moshie’ was the one with the holes in the dirt ……..the other was simply ‘nearest the wall’.
caveat, was a long time ago.
Coneybhoy,
I think you were right regarding Wanyama. I think there was confusion orginally that he was a CH prospect and he certainly took time to settle and then got the break into the team.
I’d like the age of our team to drop next season by a decent amount and introduce more youthful athleticism, the hallmark of all good teams in today’s games. Players like Bitton, Rogic and even Turnbull, are well, a bit one-paced. We need more pace and trickery across the team. Had hopes for Mikey Johnston but he’s been headless since he came back.
HH
I know Bitton is a big favourite of NL’s . Maybe he knows his boss is offski and has decided to follow suit .
European club association voting on CL/EL restructure today along with implementation of new Conference League competition from 2024?
Bitton.
Should have been chased long ago.
Whoever authorised a 4 year contract for him
In 2019 , should be sacked.
Contribution to the team in 8 years has been very little, I’m afraid
Nir Bitton should probably not have had his contract extended in 2019 and certainly not 4 years. 150 appearanced in 7 seasons is not a great return.
THEBHOYFROMU.N.C.L.E on 9TH FEBRUARY 2021 10:49 AM
As a fellow eastender I’m pretty sure ‘moshie’ was the one with the holes in the dirt
yup 3 holes
GENE
Typical of how the football department has been mismanaged in recent years.
Sadly.
We had a whole thread on ‘moshie’ about a year or so ago. One of the advantages of changing posters and short memories 🤭
Philbhoy
I don’t think we’ve ever given Nir a run in his best position which I think is holding mid. He’s tended to be fitted in. A fair amount of injuries hasn’t helped.
You would think that after seven years or so Nir Bitton would be shown at least a little bit of respect by fans. Alas, not the case…(with some).
The views expressed about Nir Biton on here are just that,personal views.A fine player,in my view,who served Celtic well.The stats about 20 games a season,not bad when you consider,he was used mostly as a utility player.Never complained about being moved around to cover in 4 or 5 positions,probably to his detriment.
A valued member of the 9 and quadruple Treble squads,and played his part.Says something when so many managers kept him on.If he goes,all the best and many thanks.
Re: J Kennedy next manager betting.
Certain firms – eg Skybet – will pay out on scenario of a named caretaker being in charge (under whatever job title) of team selection for 10 competitive games.
It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that JK takes over in that role at some point before the end of this season and gets at least 10 games in charge.
In which case he would be declared a winner by some firms for Next Celtic Manager market purposes.
I would say (and hope) that this is the factor which is primarily responsible for his position in the betting markets.
WBC,
Alas,so true.Short memories.
Mary Wilson R.I.P.
Whit a voice that Lassie had…Superb.
EMERALDBEE \O/ A DOUBLE NINER!! on 9TH FEBRUARY 2021 10:37 AM
Agreed
In terms of both football and politics the Herald has nailed its colours to the mast.
A once respected paper reduced to M Lindsay and C Jack G51 fanboy pish.
I have always liked Nir Bitton, and he could be a very classy, calm player at times.
He had his silly moments like most Players have.
Good luck to The Bhoy if he does leave.
HH.
Bitton? Waste of money. But then so many have been..
new article posted.
ONIL,
Yep,just the sort of post I would expect from you.
st tams
can understand you no likey bitton.fair enough
what did he do to get sacked in 2019? did i miss something
hh