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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Turkeybhoy
Happy New Year.
Agree. Posters claiming PL has made sure zombies are back & wunning. Laughable.
HH
Are all Celtic’s problems this season down to Neil Lennon ? Of course not. The CEO and major shareholder that appointed him then refused to sack him when it became clear he was losing the league are to blame as well.
Turkeybhoy,
It’s reality whether you like it or not. Across the entire Celtic spectrum It is a common view that Lawwell has failed and is responsible for the last 18 months.
In any other business he would have been sacked for one of his many previous failures —- he has clung on as it was the path of least resistance for Dermot Desmond.
I can’t see him escaping again —- this is all on him and he knows it.
2 and a bit hours to make your opinion count for something ;-)
cqnpoty@gmail.com
3sy
Celticnewsnow
Ah well its a must believe then as the last time i was on it it said i was babemagnet and had a full heid o hair…🤣
HH
AN TEARMANN
That’s the exact description I got when I asked about you
LUCKY CODY on 3RD JANUARY 2021 7:29 PM
An Dun,
Lennon is gone. He has now checked out as will the want away player
—-
I wish you were right mate but I disagree. Lennon has not checked out because we’re his last monthly pay packet in professional football and he knows it.
I genuinely believe if we went on a run and win the SC, Lawwell and Desmond would stand over him and get the likes of P67 to put the case for keeping him.
I wonder how many points we’ll finish behind the huns and whether we’ll even hold off the sheep for 2nd.
If we hold a January fire sale to preserve Lawwell’s bonus and/ or we have a collapse in morale following yet another defeat yesterday, I think it could be upwards of 20 points.
That’s realistic. And we would probably be looking at 30K season books or less next season if Lennon and Lawwell stay and the virus persists.
This was a high stakes season for the future as much as the 10. True to form Lawwell gambled with the B Team (Lennon, Kennedy & Strachan) because it was in his personal interests to do so.
I suspect he’ll go in the summer leaving a total shitshow in his wake.
A worthy legacy for the man.
31003 on 3RD JANUARY 2021 7:26 PM
Positive outlook, hope you are right☘️
No matter how many on here point to Lawwell’s as a success, quad treble etc he has allowed us to miss out on the holy grail. This will be his lasting legacy.
Turkeybhoy
Being the self-appointed ‘real fan’ of course (echoing the Trump MAGA tactic).
PS you seem to care a lot about what these spoilt, fair weather fans think judging by the length of your post. 🤣🤣🤣
RTB 7.30pm good post.
Still gutted about the outcome of the game yesterday!!
Just wish the last paragraph of Paul’s post was true…
Think we are now a better team than them but it’s all a bit too late !
ADI_DASSLER NOT FOR 2ND BEST on 3RD JANUARY 2021 7:26 PM
Weebgc
Costco deal in British meat. They are heavy on that.
=============
Cheers ADI_DASSLER. Yup – I’m sure it was british, but sure it was pumped full of water too. Volume of water that buibbled out when I put it in to fry was huge. Ended up with much smaller amount of actual chicken than when started. Anyway – talking about that made us think some more about the treatment of the wee birdies before we bought them (not turning into a veggie – step too far!!). We usually try to buy free-range, etc. – not always, but usually – but we think we need to do better.
HH
BGFC
LETS ALL DO THE HUDDLE
Ronnie Glavin
used to have a sports shop in east kilbride
it got burnt down in a mysterious fire
he was cleared in court of deliberately burning it down himself to claim insurance
libel laws prevent me from repeating the locals thoughts at the time
==========================================================
I worked for the insurance company at that time and the claim was declined, in spite of the courts findings.
We never heard from him again.
Neil Lennon has now completed his own treble of historic failures as Celtic manager:
He lost the last old firm derby ever played at Ibrox which would have won us the league at their ground.
He lost against Aberdeen which cost us the chance of winning the Scottish Cup at Celtic Park.
Now he’s lost the ten.
MARSPAPA on 3RD JANUARY 2021 7:28 PM
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?
The ensuing ban depends on the nature of the offence. It was “only” denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Apparently. So it’s a 1 game ban. So, for our next game – Hibs at home – I’d go with Frimpong, Ajer, Welsh and Laxalt.
AN DÚN on 3RD JANUARY 2021 8:12 PM
Aye but he’s a legend…..
LETS ALL DO THE HUDDLE
Ronnie Glavin
used to have a sports shop in east kilbride
it got burnt down in a mysterious fire
he was cleared in court of deliberately burning it down himself to claim insurance
libel laws prevent me from repeating the locals thoughts at the time
==========================================================
I worked for the insurance company at that time and the claim was declined, in spite of the courts findings.
We never heard from him again.
—-
😄
are you suggesting that the insurance company you worked for maybe didnt agree with the decision of 12 of his peers?
The pictures of Lennon and Brown having a beer at the pool in Dubai is going down well with the guys….
Breaking news : The UAE is added to Scotland’s quarantine regulations. All incoming passengers must isolate for 14 days.
Hypothetical of course, but certainly not beyond the realms of possibility.
BB,
I think the pictures are from last year, but if not ???????
!!BADA BING!! on 3RD JANUARY 2021 8:21 PM
At least Lenny’s is only a half pint😕😕
GP- the pictures I have ,seem to show them with Adidas gear on…
Just watched the BR 8IAR clincher at CP – (like night and day) a few of our players still there, a few of their players still there. League was lost well before Saturday – Tavernier must be the worst Rangers captain about to lift a trophy, yet here we are. As much as we have enjoyed the recent, we all know that embarassment is just around the corner and so it has proved. Wonder how everyone will feel when Dave King is holding aloft that trophy on the back pages – will Peter Lawell be anywhere to be seen?
8 wins in 19 games, they’ve earned it, this jaunt is so badly out of touch it’s frightening…….
BB I queried the pic when I saw them but have since seen pics with them wearing Adidas kit . Not a good look.
Wow.
Has anyone done an analysis of which team we have suffered the most red cards against?
Regarding yesterday, I still believe we are on the upslope and they are on the slide. However, I feel it’s too late to rescue the league.
LETS ALL DO THE HUDDLE
Yes!
We invited him to take us to court. Effectively.
We never heard from him again.
very sad about Gerry Marsden
just makes me think how many decades we have heard ynwa in the ground just before the teams come out
makes me feel old
Is it a minutes applause, a minutes silence, or do we sing YNWA awe day?
God bless you Gerry!
19 points behind and pinting in Dubai.
We’re idiots, aren’t we ?
AN DUN
Is Peter Lawwell there too?
While Celtic is not about being a well ran company, it does matter that we are.
The Club needs to come out and tell us their mission statement and vision for the next 10 years, including the strategy and structure to deliver it. This should include a new ceo, director of football and head coach. Otherwise it will continue to be more of the same amateur hour indefinitely.
AD- arrogance and ignorance rolled into one
JONNIEM
The Club needs to come out and tell us their mission statement and vision for the next 10 years, including the strategy and structure to deliver it
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Says who????????????????????
Only If they want success ..
Getting back to Ronnie Glavin .
The Saturday after the trial our midfield was
Glavin Burns and Not Provan .