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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ernie
What about over-confident negligence?
Gerry Marsden gone.
The greatest football anthem ever.
ernie
What about over-confident negligence?
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thats how i would describe it
HOT SMOKED on 3RD JANUARY 2021 6:34 PM
ernie
What about over-confident negligence?
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Difficult to reconcile with previously having considered it necessary to appoint Brendan Rodgers.
I won’t hear a word against big Peter or roddy……for one incident each
Against at Johnston e at parhead…it was all Celtic attacking when a dog ran on pitch..latchford spent 5 minutes trying to catch it
The moment he did At J broke away…John brogan maybe….he was loathe to let go of dog ..and saved the lobbed shot Gould the dog!
I think sunshine on leith is without doubt the best anthem
RIP
Gerry Marsden
31003,glendaly
Indeed lhads
Also ,as soon as Morelos felt bittons arms on him he did his diving party piece.
he dragged both feet along the ground by his toes!
Watch the footage again
HH
Phil
Roddy was a midweek game at Hampden. Against Dundee…I think…he was being given a hard time from their centre fowrward….we were in Hun end and Celtic got a corner up Celtic end..me and pal were only ones who noticed he wasn’t going up for corner
An analogy
Many moons ago I worked for a company who had to bid for contracts.
One of our smaller competitors had serious financial problems.
We bought them out.
We changed nothing apart from sticking in one of our managers to oversee the operation.
It would have been very easy to watch them go down the tubes.
Now to the outside world nothing had changed with this company. What most didn’t know was that we now owned them.
When tendering for new contracts “they” were still invited to tender. This gave us two bites at the cherry and eliminated another competitor if the number tendering was limited to 5 or 6 tenderers.
We would win most tenders but would allow them to win the occasional bid. From the outside everything looked kosher, but we knew better.
It was great for business
AN DÚN on 3RD JANUARY 2021 1:57 PM
The worst thing that could happen for the long term future of Celtic would be Lennon going on a meaningless unbeaten run post Dubai were we cut the huns league winning margin down to 7 or 8 points. Couple this up with a Scottish Cup win and P67 will be telling us all in May that Neil Lennon deserves another season.
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Sounds like a call to arms, march on Celtic Park and demand the immediate removal of the manager. I’m not saying that I don’t agree with your view, but thats quite a picture you paint, an unbeaten league run and winning the Scottish Cup would be THE WORST thing that could happen!!
Wonder how many others agree with your view, would be interesting.
SIMPLY THE BEST….
Bob
What Christie buy out are you referring to?
The truest statement of intent?
Ralf Rangnick
62 years old
Wouldn’t be cheap
Would transform the sports science aspect of our club – amongst other things…
U
Who do we want?
Eddie Howe
When do we want him?
He’s ready now
See what I did there?
When Lawwell appointed Lennon in the shower he showed what little respect he had for him. Even worse the manager then told the media —- how he must regret that.
It was a keystone cops play and many of us knew then what a flawed appointment it would turn out to be. That moment has encapsulated the last 18 months.
The fact the Board are clueless on what to do — maybe they should put in place higher fences—- says it all. Ian Bankier owns a wee whiskey biz is probably the shining light—- Brian Wilson —- stop laughing at the back. The nobodies on the Celtic board have achieved very little in business or life in general —— so not any answers there.
I suggest the next time they appoint the manager they put the names in a hat and pull one out. It will be more credible than May 2019. If we had a decent commercial manager we could sell the event on the internet for 10 quid a pop.
DD will decide..unfoftunately
Lucky Cody
we could sell the event on the internet for 10 quid a pop
Naw……£49 would be the price
I have thoroughly enjoyed the generation of domination that Paul67 foresaw on here. 4×3 trophies surpasses 9 in a row in a way, Celtic made new and improved history in Scottish football.
Today I am concerned about the direction the club is going in. The decision not to sign up Fraser Forster was a historic one. It sent out all the wrong messages. Success on the field could have covered it up but alas no.
The decision to go to Dubai in the current economic climate is a new monumental error. Are there no sports centres in Dennistoun? Or even Lennoxtown?
We have ended up being a richer club than R@$€£rs and this is one of the pitfalls. How much exactly does the entire trip to the capital of the wealthy cost? How much money have people been working hard to raise for those in need via the Celtic foundation? Until Celtic can address these contradictions they will lose a lot of respect
ROCK TREE BHOY
Just so we’re clear – it’s in the context of Lennon staying on. Obviously if Lennon’s departure was announced, we win the cup and went unbeaten, then excellent.
I’ll very openly admit I’d prefer us to get knocked out of the Scottish Cup if winning it kept him on next season.
PRESTONPANS BHOYS on 3RD JANUARY 2021 6:28 PM
WEE BGFC on 3RD JANUARY 2021 6:26 PM
Was the moniker Not called weefra ???
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Cheers PRESTONPANS BHOYS – that strikes a bell – WeefraTheTim now comes into my head!!!
Very much appreciate the reply – thank you :-)))
Does anybody here know Weefra – contact details?
Came into our head because we have recently had a few dinners made with ‘industrial’ chicken – Costco chicken breasts which, if they are to scale with the rest of the birds, must come from 10 foot tall chickens !!!
HH
WeeBGFC
The failure to win the 10 is a collective failure not just Neil Lennon’s, think we all know that, but don’t like the way that Neil has been singled out for personal criticism on here, there is something very hunnish about it, should we be telling him for his own personal safety he should get out of town because now not only do the rangers fan have an issue with him but his own team’s supporters – us – have teamed up with them?
It’s a collective failure guys (players coaching staff directors) and I’m sure Neil will go, but a wee bit of respect please for what he has given us during his time at Celtic. And no – that doesn’t mean he’s un-sackable.
31003 on 3RD JANUARY 2021 7:13 PM
Good man, trying to cheer us all up🙂
31003 on 3rd January 2021 6:52 pm
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I think that’s against the law, certainly if you bid for any government contracts
Rock Tree Bhoy
Good post. Most on here I’d guess are decent people. Their just feeling a bit raw at the moment. We’ve built ourselves up for the 10 and it’s unlikely to happen. When the smoke finally disappears and when Lenny is gone we’ll all remember he brought more good times than bad. Time will be the great healer.
Weebgc
Costco deal in British meat. They are heavy on that.
Season ticket money. When I buy mine each season it is not linked to last seasons results or an expectation of the forthcoming seasons results.
Just because we won’t win the league this year (probably) will not cause me to claim I want my money back.
And because COVID has prevented me attending home games, I have no reason to claim money back for that either.
I may not be as rich as Big Jimmy, but I can afford it. Hence why I buy my two every year.
Those who need the money should quite rightly be refunded on a pro-Rafa basis if they request it.
But don’t make it about who gets paid what for their position at the club – or whether you consider they are doing their job to your expectation.
THE_HUDDLE
Yup I think you’re right…..but guess what? It happens EVERYWHERE
So big Nir will be missing for a couple of games due to the red card , do we go with Frimpong Elhamed Ajer and laxalt as the back four or does Duffy get the nod?
An Dun,
Lennon is gone. He has now checked out as will the want away players.
The jolly to Dubai should have been cancelled after yesterday’s defeat—- it really shows how out of touch Lawwell is with ( covid) reality.
Kennedy will be hoping for a part time gig as manager —- however he is also a failure ; should go and earn his stripes. Motherwell could be good for him.
Interesting to see what out glorious and failed CEO comes up with to save his skin. His legacy is destroyed as the guy who gave away TIAR to them on a plate.
He will never be allowed to forget the carnage of this season,
BTW, Big Jimmy if you’re reading, I wasn’t having a dig. Reading back it may read that way. It was meant to be humorous.
31003 on 3RD JANUARY 2021 5:17 PM
Ernie
I know, apparently thems, Hibs, Hearts and Aberdeen are part of the plans….but still, I would guess referees couldn’t officiate home country teams……hoorah
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While somewhat a cause for celebration I thought everyone of the referees we had in each of the Europa league this year were awful! None of them Huns just shockingly bad referees…
See one poster saying”The entire Celtic support know the problem is PL”
The majority of the Celtic support,like myself,don’t give a monkeys about PL.As long as we are winning.Some really do have delusions of grandeur about CQN,and themselves.
9 Leagues in a row,record breaking
Invincible season,record breaking
4 Trebles in a row,record breaking,
One season blighted by loads of misfortune,and everyone has to go.Tell you who has to go,all the spoilt,moaning faced,fair fekin weather fans on the Forums.A few hundred in wee cliques trying to lay down the law.Does not work.Only preaching to the like minded.Thank God for real fans who could not give toss what you think.
ROCK TREE BHOY-it’s got nothing to do with Lenny
MCPHAIL BHOY
Can’t disagree but I don’t think it was constitutional bias
Turkeybhoy -interesting attack on fellow fans/supporters