At halftime during our game at Kilmarnock yesterday, I said, “This is the best we have played in weeks”. The only concern was that we were only the single goal ahead. What transpired throughout the second half is inexplicable.
Kilmarnock pressed Celtic high up the field for the entire game, a refreshing change to the deep defending we commonly face. With Celtic a goal to the good, forcing Kilmarnock to continue to chase the game, it should have been straightforward to pass through them and create a bucketload of chances. However, the ability to progress possession out of defence was lost.
I will avoid the urge to scapegoat, which often follows a defeat, because this result was not the fault of any individual player, the entire team were poor. Kilmarnock will not have an easier 45 minutes all season. Their equaliser was fortuitous but deserved, from then on, their winner was always on the cards.
For me, the biggest worry is that nothing changed during the half. I advocated for Callum McGregor to be pushed into a more advanced role, but with play failing so clearly, Callum should quickly have been brought back into a deeper role, where he would have been able to link defence to midfield. This change eventually happened in response to Kilmarnock drawing level, and saw Kyogo press high alongside Oh, which stretched an already dysfunctional midfield to breaking point. Control the middle of the park, or be controlled.
Cameron Carter-Vickers was rested (which I also advocated for), replaced by loanee Nat Phillips. On an unfamiliar surface, Nat looked to get the ball forward as soon as possible. This contrasted with Liam Scales, who frequently tried to control the ball under pressure. Neither player looked comfortable because neither had good enough options.
I don’t remember a domestic game where an opposing manager has changed the game as much in their favour as Derek McInnes did yesterday. The Celtic players and manager could learn from their vastly less-resourceful opponents. I wish I could be more confident this was a blip.
149 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- »
BR is on record as saying he wont quit, he signed a 3 year contract and he intends to be with us for at least 3 years, the only way he would leave before his contract is up would be if he got ’emptied’, his words.
ROCK TREE BHOY
It would also cost a fortune to sack him – not that I’m advocating that at this stage.
At least we know one of the fixtures after the split for certain.
STV presenters appear to be happy tonight ,must be near Christmas !!!!
So Palma is a dud now how quickly we throw players under the bus.
Giant differences on the pitch now. The cheats have a keeper who wins games, like goram in the 90s, ours sadly is costing us goals and games, eg he never organises the defenders especially at corners. Secondly the cheats will get pens when required as we see every week. But BR seems interested,the was totally overwhelmed yesterday by McInnes.
Rodgers will go when it suits him, contract or not. No scruples.com.
Re Celtic goalkeepers- not coming off the line,dominating 6 yard box etc,this has always been the way since Stevie Woods was appointed GK Coach IMO, look at Forster a 6 foot 7 monster,and rooted to his line ,I’ve never understood it,and the same complaints have been on here for years regarding it.
Evening all
The following is a wee insight as to how negotiations are going on at Celtic, prior to the transfer window opens with a festive flavour. :) :)
The Sanity Clause – A Night at the Opera
https://youtu.be/G_Sy6oiJbEk?si=Ofl_NBJ2hA1GGYDZ
HH
It’s the system, stupid!
At least at domestic level.
Paul 67,
In essence you are reittering the mood of the blog. We all wish we could be more confident that Sunday was just a blip.
The Celtic support is generally a knowledgeable crowd who express what they see. If there is negativity then there is a reason for that.
However there is much scope for positivity if we ” learn the lessons ” .
Far to many young foreign players at the same time who are trying to adapt to a different culture.
Why do teams seem to physically and mentally ” bully us ” ?
Imo, we need to get back to basics. :- A controlled number of well scouted projects. Focus and emphasis on strength and physical training, inject a few quality players and a more serious use of our Academy and ” World class ” training facilities.
With correct incentives we can attract quality players, but European football must figure prominently in our thought process.
I thought Big Jimmy had a cracking post at 2.32 pm today. I agree with some of his points, but respectfully disagree with others.
We must play our top team on Wednesday night. European football is our benchmark and we must demonstrate to others we totally value and prioritise it.
We must keep faith with our European aspiration and we must keep faith with fans who have forked out £60 and above for tickets.
The fans have made the financial commitment at Christmas time during a cost of living crisis. They make the time and effort to support our team and subsequently they should see our top team playing with passion and pride in the European arena that drives the elevated prices.
Anything less is a betrayal imo.
We will get there and I have faith in BR to guide us there. For now.
HH, the journey continues.
G Fearon
Write posts against the board by all means but the crack about “top of the range mercs burning” is unnecessary.
Peter Lawwell has had his home attacked by persons fire bombing his car.
Although I am sure you are well aware of that.
My thoughts only, obviously, but we should have made the Bodo Glimpt manager an offer he couldn’t refuse. He , is the way forward, no doubt in my mind.
Only seen the goalie of St Johnstone a few times, looks good, young, athletic and good shot stopper, maybe!!!!
friend of mine, a Leicester City massive fan used to bitterly complain about BR when at Leicester for playing square football as he called it and was happy to se him depart.
Point to pnder
KINGLuBO
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
I just caught the second half of yesterday’s game and from what I observed as the rain and sleet came down in torrents, was the inability of the team to actually control the football on the treacherous plastic surface. Celtic players were given no respite as Killie players hounded them all over the park. The team were completely spooked, this just never happens to a Celtic team in an SPFL match. By all accounts the team did ok in the opening half but flopped when their opponents decided to have a right go.
Things are getting tight at the top and the footsteps are getting louder but playing for Celtic there is no time for tears and you’re expected to win wvery match.
RC,
Given the players we have available,why the negative comment on my team for Wednesday.What changes would you make to it to improve it.Would love to hear.
My idea was not to lose the midfield,and have a bit of height in the box,defending and attackingGive Palma a free role backing Kyogo,and free kicks and corners.That’s it.
Really looking forward to your reply.
Greenpinta,
Insanity is indeed what you mentioned.
Also include,calling Palma a dud.
Testing, very
TB,
Palma is no dud. Can’t imagine that silly thinking
Definitely a change in mood towards Rodgers. Questions about his performance and level of motivation. From people like me who have consistently given him the benefit of the doubt, not just the naysayers. He needs to raise his game if he wants to restore his legacy at Celtic.
He really isn’t helped by the ineptitude of the club though. Mark Lawwell isn’t the first guy to make serially duff recruitment decisions, although what he has in common with his predecessors is the constraints of ‘the model’. Tends to deliver high volume, low quality.
What makes his position much weaker is the complete absence of any credentials for the role and the inevitable conclusions about nepotism. The lad needs a really good January window. Hope he has it in him, because this season is at risk of going south.
TIMHORTON on 11TH DECEMBER 2023 6:35 PM
So Palma is a dud now how quickly we throw players under the bus.
*we huvnae just the hunterlopers as he terrifies them
HANKRAY on 11TH DECEMBER 2023 7:36 PM
I just caught the second half of yesterday’s game and from what I observed as the rain and sleet came down in torrents, was the inability of the team to actually control the football on the treacherous plastic surface. Celtic players were given no respite as Killie players hounded them all over the park. The team were completely spooked, this just never happens to a Celtic team in an SPFL match. By all accounts the team did ok in the opening half but flopped when their opponents decided to have a right go.
Things are getting tight at the top and the footsteps are getting louder but playing for Celtic there is no time for tears and you’re expected to win every match
*excellent post funny how nobody has mention this
We don’t need 4 quality players ,we need more than that . Hopefully a few who can handle the rough stuff , cos in my mind thats a huge flaw in our team to many soft players .
Burnley
Solutions you seek? Not really my responsibility is it. I pays my money and I’m entitled to observe the facts. Sorry, not sorry about that.
But let’s indulge you a little. If I was calling the shots I would:
– have the Chairman’s desk cleared tomorrow
– replace the rest of the Board as soon as practical
– sack Mark Lawwell
– replace the sports science team with competents
– transfer/ pay up the contracts of c15 players in that squad that are surplus to requirements
– look Rodgers in the eye and ask him if he still has the hunger or not – if not, change the manager to someone who wants it
– have a put up or shut up discussion with the GB that ended this limbo oneway or the other
– increase the annual cost of executive season books, half-time beverages and vol au vents for same (this last one would be for you 🫢)
–
Burnley78
12.22
I agree with all of that .
TT
KINGLUBO on 11TH DECEMBER 2023 7:26 PM
My thoughts only, obviously, but we should have made the Bodo Glimpt manager an offer he couldn’t refuse. He , is the way forward, no doubt in my mind.
Was and still is 1st choice!
The hunterlopers are all out in their glory, no matter what we will still end the season champions because we area champion and NOT chumpion club
*SENTINEL CELTS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2023-24*
*RESULTS FROM GAME #23 – KILMARNOCK 2 CELTIC 1 (O’RILEY)*
Good evening, friends.
Our first league loss of the season and no real complaints based on our very poor second half display. A game where we started pretty brightly and created several good chances and so could have been out of sight by half time. But it wasn’t to be. And this old man has no particular desire to repeat what many on here have already said so let’s just cut to the chase.
We have now played 23 games, winning 13, drawing 4 and losing 6 with 46 goals scored and 26 conceded.
My thanks to the 40 who participated in this game’s poll. Special mention to the regular voter who made a suggestion that I might consider adopting if I have the energy to do all this again next season – that players should only receive ‘half points’ for games that we fail to win!
Anyway, the total votes cast for each player are as follows, with my own nominations asterisked.
Hart: 3
Johnston, A*: 23
Phillips: 0 (and he was probably fortunate to get as high as zero!)
Scales: 7
Taylor: 0
Iwata: 12
O’Riley*: 30
McGregor: 24
Johnston, M: 4
Oh*: 11
Palma: 1
Yang: 0
Kyogo: 0
Forrest: 0
Naybdie Else: 5
And so, the players receiving POINTS for the game against Kilmarnock are –
O’Riley – 5 points
McGregor – 4 points
Johnston, A– 3 points
Iwata – 2 points
Oh – 1 point
The overall positions after 23 games played sees Matt O’Riley reclaim top spot after trailing Liam Scales for the past 4 games –
60 points – O’Riley
56 points – Scales
31 points – McGregor
27 points – Carter-Vickers
20 points – Oh and Palma
19 points – Kyogo
18 points – Maeda
16 points – Yang
15 points – Johnston, A
9 points – Nawrocki and Turnbull
8 points – Hart
6 points – Iwata, Lagerbielke and Taylor
5 points – Hatate, Johnstone M and Ralston
4 points – Bain and Bernardo
1 point – Forrest and Holm
0 points – Abada, Bernabei, Haksabanovic, Phillips, Starfelt, Tilio and Welsh
Our thoughts now turn to our final European tie of the 2023-24 season, at home to Feyenoord on Wednesday evening, kick off 8.00pm. I don’t regard it as a meaningless game but rather a chance to finally, finally get a long awaited victory in the Champions League.
Hail Hail!
Dermot Desmond,Peter Lawell,Allison,Wilson even Michael McDonald all been to long at the club ,but here is the big question how do you get rid of these guys that have all the most important thing SHARES
TURKEYBHOY on 11TH DECEMBER 2023 7:47 PM
RC,
Given the players we have available,why the negative comment on my team for Wednesday.What changes would you make to it to improve it.Would love to hear.
S. Bain
A. Ralston S. Welsh C.C.V. A. Johnston
T Iwata C.Mc Gregor
P. Bernardo L. Palma M.O’Riley
Kyogo
TIMBHOY163 on 11TH DECEMBER 2023 9:19 PM
Dermot Desmond,Peter Lawell,Allison,Wilson even Michael McDonald all been to long at the club ,but here is the big question how do you get rid of these guys that have all the most important thing SHARES
*or more importantly put money in there when the Bunnet put out the call t Save Our Celts, hmm one well known entrepreneur backed out when likes of DD doubled his input
Tontine
Mr Robroyston?
B2B
A good post amongst the utter garbage over reaction and hunterloping ….
I have been lucky and met and spent time 2 of the 3 you mention plus long chats with MoN and GS before.
Like you I would not have a clue what they are actually thinking and their powers of motivation etc. I do know my son, who worked at Lennoxtown in sports science, rated Brendan incredibly highly on most things. Not least an incredible work rate, high standards and drive for results.
I still
GARYGILLESPIESHAMSTRING on 11TH DECEMBER 2023 9:38 PM
Tontine
Mr Robroyston?
*how did you guess haha
https://x.com/damocrat/status/1733624799056761020?s=20
The saddest thing for me is this clip?
The way a post-imperial establishment continues to programme the quite poor in society (Security guard working for McDonalds) to treat the very poor (homeless guy) with contempt and indifference.
Burnley78 on 11th December 2023 9:44 pm
Lengths of 1 metre smoke resistant hoses are going cheap on Amazon.
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL @ 2:09 PM
Just thinking back to those days when Starfelt was the “weak link”. Sigh……….
——
IMHO, the most thought provoking post of the day.
Carl Starfelt was thrown into the first team just days after he signed.
Wasn’t afforded the luxury of “taking time to settle” or “gradually integrating into the team”.
Formed Scottish football’s best defensive partnership in decades with CCV.
They lost one domestic game together in two years. And that was in extra time.
Competed for six trophies.
Won five.
And yet people on here moaned about him constantly.
TONTINE TIM on 11TH DECEMBER 2023 9:01 PM
The hunterlopers are all out in their glory, no matter what we will still end the season champions because we area champion and NOT chumpion club
———-
So true. Imagine how rich their lives must be that the biggest jollies they get are to log-on to a site for one of their football rivals, to try impersonating a rival fan in order to sew ‘discord’ on a blog with a dwindling auld audience. All while knowing our club is in rude health while they are powerless to stop their ain crook and incompetent-ridden club going down the shitter all over again.