While Celtic totally controlled the first half at Ibrox yesterday, Newco’s defence held firm and largely limited the visitors to shots from the edge of the area. Leigh Griffiths’ effort from that distance was touched onto the post but over the 90 minutes there was not a single chance where an attacker from either team should have scored.
Steven Gerrard made changes at halftime that made marginally reduced Celtic’s advantage, but not so much as to permit his side an attempt on target, even after Celtic were reduced to 10 men.
Nir Bitton played well until his red card. He and the impeccable Kristoffer Ajer brought authority and control to the game as they circulated the ball for Celtic. A momentary lapse that allowed Alfredo Morelos to collect goal-side of him saw Bitton grapple his opponent to the ground. Referee Bobby Madden waved his red card in a flash.
Morelos was in a wide position, Ajer, who had already demonstrated his pace by catching and overtaking Newco’s fastest player, Ryan Kent, was covering in a central position. The Laws of the Game ask referees to make a judgement on whether he thinks the covering defender would be able to make up the ground, Madden decided to show Morelos the advantage.
Madden also showed Morelos the advantage five minutes into the game, when the Columbian stamped on Jeremie Frimpong’s Achilles in an off the ball incident. Madden awarded Celtic a foul, but used his discretion to keep both cards in his pocket when many expected a red card. The referee determined the outcome.
Celtic conceded fewer chances yesterday than in any game in months but the goal came from a familiar failing – corner kicks. A ricochet struck Callum McGregor and flew past Vasilis Barkas, who had little else to do all afternoon.
The game was lost for a few reasons: despite our control of play, Newco’s defence stood firm, we did not get into the box or hit the bye-line often enough. Bobby Madden had two decisions to make and you could bet your mortgage he was not making them in Celtic’s favour. Despite the unfortunate nature of the own goal, we again conceded from a corner.
Had we lost and played in the manner we had in our previous three games against Newco the verdict would be straightforward: the better team won and is firm favourite to take the title. I don’t think that is the case, instead, it has taken us until now to make the correct selection and formation decisions against them.
A must-win game was lost, leaving Celtic 19 points clear with three games in hand. Newco are a club who find it difficult to get trophies over the line. They are defensively solid, but I think their league position flatters them. There is work to do for both teams.
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The league is still a possibility, the target now must be to reduce the arrears even by a point or two in advance of the March match and then win that and see where the lay of the land lies.
We must however recruit another centre back and quickly.
As for anyone moaning about the Dubai trip, please get a grip.
If Barkas isn’t rooted to his line,he seems to stand behind it….
For the past year I’ve read constantly… Lennon can’t do this or that… Can’t get players fit.. Can’t change things….. Work out how to play the huns… Think yesterday showed a couple of things… He (they) worked out how to play the huns….. Turnbull isn’t the fittest 55 60 mins blowing hard.. And possibly why lennon never played him earlier… Hope he’s not another rogic… Griffiths another who struggles with 90 mins…. Bad living catching up?…………. One last thing….. Who is going to own up to wanting Philip Cocu before he went to Turkey????….. Well touted on here as a tactical new age genius!!!!!….. If we jump in this direction it could set us back 5 years!!!
BadaBing – no I don’t and that’s part of the problem. I’d suggest that spending £10m on two years of Ragnick would deliver more value to the club than the £10m spent on Barkas, Ajeti and Duffy’s loan fee!
That’s with the benefit of hindsight but I think I’d sacrifice a season of signings if I knew someone like Ragnick was going to sort the football side of the club out!
In other matters.
Just finished watching Titanic with Leonardo.
Who knew this film was based on a true story.
Tragic.
SPIDEY101- thanks for reply, I get you now…👍
BadaBing – no worries. Frustratingly, we’ll end up buying/loaning another centre half, middle on until summer, appoint someone new then but miss out on Champions League as our new manager hasn’t settled/got players in and we’ll never learn…
Site seriously depressing me.
Taking a few days off,
God Bless.
The obvious switch for me was Elhamed for Frimpong and switch to a back three. A defender for a striker in a game you have to win didn’t make much sense to me.
Although of course there are changes in personnel in other departments of the club that would have infinitely more effect than Player A for Player B.
I haven’t said much since yesterday.It’s been said a lot more eloquently than I could manage.
We need a thorough deep clean.
James Forrests post pretty much says it for me
Lawwell has a habit to ask some contacts of what they think. He did it when Delia was being hounded by the fans and asked the question is it because he was foreign. He had a blind spot for the manager then as he does now. He likes subservient managers who don’t give demands like Rodgers.
As someone mentioned earlier any professional manager will phone Brendan Rodgers for advice. Rodgers will pick his words carefully , great club, fantastic support……but. That is the reason the professional manager is making the call—— the CEO what about him. Brendans silence will be golden and if quizzed by Dermot he can honestly say praised club etc nothing bad to say about Lawwell. Professional managers don’t ask such questions when the are still washing the shampoos out of their eyes. No professional manager worth his salt will work for Lawwell with his games over recruitment and when it gets sticky will brief against him to selected media channels. He will also use other methods to get the message in Celtic cyberspace ( however that is not going too well for the last few weeks) via Lawwell Quick News.
In fact when change comes including CEO how will this affect LQN ; how to be first in the queue to be spoon fed ?
Switching gears, On the 2nd half the team started tiring apart from Soro, Ajer, Laxalt and Frimpong. Soro was a target of Maddens from the get go with his contribution neutered with his booking. As we were all concerned about a Soro red, Madden pulled a rabbit out of the hat with the opportunity Bitton presented him. Bitton did not act like a defender he was suckered and paid the price. If it wasn’t yesterday it would have been somewhere down the line —— he is not a defender. Poor recruitment has been an Achilles heel for several years now.
On the recruitment it is easy to shoot Hammond who reports to our illustrious CEO. In the meeting on targets, fees, budget who has the say. Is it Lawwell , Hammond or the chap who was appointed in the showers. There is only one vote in that meeting and we all know who holds that card. There is no point in spending money in January unless it is done by a professional manager with Lawwell gone. That will not happen so it will be the last minute approach in the summer.
Desmond at 70 must feel that there is not much else he can give to Celtic. The changes to the structures of football have been put back indefinitely with covid. There is no big return for him. Of course he is a fan but it takes its toll—— must be tempted to sell up. That is the clubs biggest challenge and maybe it’s biggest opportunity. Lawwell has let Desmond down big time and I can imagine he is more in the firing line than a manager who has every right to walk away.
DAVID17 on 3RD JANUARY 2021 3:17 PM
As for anyone moaning about the Dubai trip, please get a grip
————–
Totally disagree. The country is likely to go into a full national lockdown and we swan over to Dubai for a jolly. What part of unnecessary travel do they not get.
It is irresponsible in the extreme, morally wrong and sets a completely wrong example.
Imo it is far worse than what Bolingoli got ostracised for.
HH.
If….and it’s a BIG if…..this Atlantic league malarkey was to take off……we’d be rid of Scottish refs for any of our games…..now how good would THAT be?
James Forrest
I quite like your take 99 percent of the time but I have called my of my close friends and family out today. You will be no different .
I think your opinion of what goes on after it is pretty accurate.
However
You are living in delusion if you don’t think it’s not a red card please take your angst and anger away also the upset and the green tinted glasses we are all guilty of wearing them but realism must be allowed to kick in thru disappointment and anger .
It was a clear red card. He would.have got a shot away nobody was getting to him .
To man as far as my reading goes on the fourm over the years we would have expected the same in reverse.
The referee DiD not beat us yesterday poor tactics as you note in your post did and perhaps a bit of luck
Not the ref .
I get fed up with this stuff when it’s so clearly a red card the refs have made many dubious calls against us on but this was not one and we look a bit pathetic by claiming so .
Burnley
I haven’t heard anyone say the previous 9 years was a failure. They’re saying this season is a failure…..from a position of strength
My main concerns moving forward…. Getting lennon replaced by a modern scientific tactical genius…. Who comes to Scotland and thinks WTAF…. Totally oblivious to the nuances that surround us… That wipes away the science and tactics……
I’d maybe give barkas his chance… Funnily I thought he looked bigger in that top yesterday rather than that purple shite…
Need a right back tho I thought Frimpong did well final ball aside
It would be great if we could Ajer.. He was top class yesterday.. His pace catching and taking the ball off Kent was a thing of beauty… Not a centre half tho 🤔😁
I’d keep Bitton great squad player… Never gave them a sniff until dubious red
Laxalt I’d ask for another loan year… If not see if something can be worked out…. Julien yes I’d keep… Duffy… Its not worked…
Need a left side centre back.. (hens teeth)
Soro gem… That still needs polished up
Turnbull same…..
Rogic time up sell
Broony coaching role beckons
Mcgregor keep
Ntcham sell
Christie sell
Forrest keep.. Missed big time!!
Griffiths time up possible hibs with maybe Boyle or Porteous coming
Klimala don’t know… Really can’t make my mind up
Ajeti I’d probably sell….
Moi back to Southampton…
Eddie… Looks like a sell to fund replacements.. Will miss him big time…
Frimpong keep….
Fringe players….. Welsh good stand in…. Henderson can’t see it…..
Hazard could cover….
At a push we could get in fees.. £40 45 million… Doughty on a free would be a decent start……
One thing I would maybe suggest if lennon was replaced and he might not fancy it….. But I’d ask him to head recruitment.. If anyone knows what’s needed type of player etc.. He does it would take him out of the front line but at the same time vital input….
The Jolly boys outing.
#Dubaifc
VINNIETHEDOG
Good shout. I’d keep Lenny in at her role also…if he wanted it. He’s still Celtic through and through
At her = another
DESSYBHOY on 3RD JANUARY 2021 2:23 PM
Are Celtic on the 1.15 out of Glasgow today just curious to know if anyone was there and if there are any notable absences or additions?
________
They left at 5 pm yesterday on a charter, I think.
Give Lennon another job at Celtic Park? You’re kidding, right?
Hasn’t this guy of limited talents taken enough money out of our club?
I will admit my mind is made up on our managerial team. For me, the experiment is over. It has failed.
It’s only a matter of time now. Do we look to bring someone in now, and have a suitable lead in before the UCL qualifiers, or leave it to the close season, repeating the same mistakes again?
My disappointment is around the many posts on here, excusing away each and every stumble we’ve made, suggesting improved fortunes are coming our way.
I must confess, it is draining and concerning.
Some time ago, Ernie suggested 3 possibles routes the club could take. I never realised ‘do nothing’ would be so popular.
Our club is akin to the boiling frog. A defeat here, a lack of tactics there, a draw, some strange signings. We accept this slow descent into second place with barely a protest.
Cant say I’m excited about the next few footballing months.
Chartered flight, 6 star hotel for about 40 for 5 nights,rental of training facilities, £150-200k ?
What % ,if any,will ST Holders get refunded?
ZD
A charter, thanks.
James
The man faced bullets and bombs not to mention fan attacks while merely doing his job. The least we could do if we remove him from his post is NOT abandon him
things have definitely improved since the (partly forced) abandonment of the forrest brown mcgregor christie obsession so we have plenty to work with in the midfield
just need to sort the defence and forwards out now
and maybe the keeper
and the ceo
and the rest of the boardroom
…..not to mention the successes he did bring
See, this is exactly the kind of sentimental irrelevant claptrap that got us here.
We have given Lennon the manager’s job twice, we’ve had a shot at a career in the game that nothing on his CV ever merited. We have given that man a very generous living way past his skillset.
The job of Head of Recruitment is a highly specialised, difficult and complex job for which he is not remotely qualified in any way. Which should be the only criteria that matters.
Whatever debt you imagine we owed Neil Lennon, we paid it a long time ago.
Right now I see a guy in a job too big for him and who’s stubbornly sticking to it because he knows he won’t be fired. It’s appalling. We owe him exactly zero at this point, and we certainly don’t him another highly paid job which he has not the slightest experience or talent in.
JAMES FORREST on 3RD JANUARY 2021 3:11 PM
To me , one of the most pertinent points of your post isn’t the referee (who should have been taken out of the equation by a 2 goal HT lead) , but what happened when we went down to 10 .
When Jozo went off at Ibrox and we went on to win , Brendan Rodgers told the media that much preparation went into how we would play if this happened . As soon as Bitton went off we were in disarray .
JAMES FORREST on 3RD JANUARY 2021 4:01 PM
Limited? Zero I would say.
James
I don’t want Lenny as manager either, but, if he was interested I’d find another job for him at Celtic. He’s paid his dues
31003:
Give him a job on CelticTV if you feel we must be charitable. If he does it well we can give a statue in the carpark beside the one of the CEO and name a stand after him. Club legend. Icon. Because that’s what we are now, we’re not Celtic Football Club any longer, we’re the Neil Lennon Appreciation Society.
Give Lennon another job.
You having a laugh.
He’s being in one for the last 2 years he should never have been near.
James
Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit…..but you already knew that…right?
Bob
Did the ref book the Columbian for the deliberate take down Frimpong Achilles
Did the ref deal appropriately with the Columbian for the punch out at Broonie, less than 2ft directly in front of him, and the kick at Ajer, exact same time ??
Would a Celtic player have had a Bear (yip correct choice of wording) hug to calm him down ?
Mad Hun had a direct influence on the game
In saying this, we also need to focus on what has gone wrong with Celtic, and the serious deterioration in both squad quality, and entire Management structure, all the way up to our CEO
31003 on 3RD JANUARY 2021 4:14 PM
Paid his dues?
How much has he been paid by the football club?
he’s not some sainted angel of mercy but a bang average manager who has been given opportunities way above his capabilities.
James forrest.. No he’s a good judge of a player… Especially ones that are of the proper mentality…. More qualified than Hammond or Congleton
This right here is where my heart sank on the day we announced him as the “temporary” answer to the Rodgers problem. He inherited an outstanding team and all he had to do was not crash it into a wall. I knew it would be enough that we’d be stuck with him.
Because he’s “Lenny.” He’s the unshakable, unwavering Lennon. Not just another player or another manager, but the darling of the stands. The narrative that he rode to the rescue would seal the deal.
And now we can’t get rid of him, because of sentimentality and the loyalty of HIS fan-base, to Hell with Celtic and what’s good for the club. No other manager would have survived this.
This, God help me, is why I never, ever, ever want to see Larsson in the job. Can you imagine it? What would it take to sack Larsson? Relegation?